12.21.2023 That's A Wrap

2022 ended - and 2023 started - on a rough note.  

Watching the Rose Bowl Parade 

Exactly one year ago, our daughter - who lives in Northern California - was on her way to Austin for winter break (her first flight took off, but then everything was cancelled) when she got stranded in Los Angeles for 3 days.

She never actually made it here and ultimately took a train for 12 hours from LA back to the Bay Area.  Making things worse (yeah, they got worse) while hanging out in airports waiting, but failing to fly out, she got Covid.

We did however, manage to continue our New Year's tradition of watching the Rose Bowl Parade together - virtually.

Ice is never a good thing

Despite hoping for the best - things didn't get much better in the first half of the year.

February brought a horrible ice storm to Austin - we lost power (along with everything in the fridge and freezer) for almost a week - followed by Covid for my husband, 

and me...where the virus overstayed its welcome (ok, it was never really welcome).  Despite testing negative after a week or so, I wasn't really feeling much better...turns out I had ongoing inflammation in my organs, which ultimately led to emergency gall bladder surgery in March.

They took my gallbladder
and gave me socks

Did I mention our daughter had just arrived for her spring break when I went into the hospital?  So much for making up for the missed visit in December.

I spent April, May and June - including celebrating my 60th birthday and Mother's Day - recovering, but I am happy to report that as we end this year, I'm doing quite well.

Fortunately, by summer, things started looking up.

4th of July in Bolivar

We had a fabulous 4th of July trip to the Texas coast with some of our dearest friends.  

We relaxed, ate well and recharged for a very busy fall.  

August, September and October were all about coming and going - to the other two coasts!

Earrings from MB Aquarium
Necklace from Pat Areias

We spent a week in California with our daughter (mostly making up for the two botched visits planned for December and March)...and could not have asked for more perfect weather or beautiful surroundings.  

I'm not sure a could pick a "highlight" from that trip - we saw all manner of coastal marine life - both at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and in their natural habitat, hiked through beautiful scenery, ate incredible food and I came home with fabulous souvenirs - surfite earrings and a stunning silver necklace.  

All of this on top of wonderful, relaxed time together.

McLean Chicks Rock

In September and October I made not one, but two trips to see my high school girlfriends.

The first, in September, was back "home" to Northern Virginia, where we all grew up - and many of them still live - to celebrate with one of our classmates as she marked 20 years of her very successful pop up market business, Chicks Picks by Hillary.

The second, in October, was our annual weekend away - this year in Siesta Key, Florida.

Gal Pal Weekend 2023

I'm not really giving away my age (because I mentioned it earlier) when I tell you that I have know most of these amazing women for nearly 50 years...when we are together, we're all teenagers again and pick up right where we left off...mostly, we're all a little wiser now.

As the year wound down, so did we, quietly - at home.

Our Thanksgiving was small - with only our daughter, and no travel for us - again, we ate well, we shopped and squeezed in some visits with friends.

Who are those kids?

In December, we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary...and I'm not sure where the time - this year or since 1993 - has gone.

Through the ups and downs, I'm reminded how lucky I am to have such amazing people in my life, and I am looking forward to more adventures and time together.

I'm also returning to the bench in just a few weeks - starting classes at Austin Community College - so I expect to be posting much more jewelry related content.

Thanks for reading along all these years.

Until 2024.