So, for the tenth time, I'm rounding up the happy thoughts about the year, just like I did all the way back in 2007 and continued through 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. Let's take another trip down memory lane with:
The Top Ten Things that I Liked, Laughed At, Smiled About, or Generally-Remember-in-a-Fond-Way of 2016:
10. I've got you under my skin...
As will be mentioned more than once in this year's list, 2016 was the end of an era for our family. Well, the end of a 15-year streak, to be exact. Having called our little 'hood home for a decade and a half, it had become a part of my identity. There truly is something special about what I came to call my hometown, regardless of the fact that I didn't move there until my 20s. I consistently found its history interesting, if not altogether worthy of praise, and I wanted to keep a piece of it with me for always. The city's flag was the inspiration for this mini-tattoo on my right forearm.
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| an uber-cool, retro-looking flag |
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| my own tribute to a city I'll always adore |
9. What a bunch of clowns!
Our old town had many treasures, and one of the most beloved by our family was the Circus Camp program created by an incredible man. For many years, JAM attended as a camper, and this past year saw him going up the next step on that ladder by interning at the week-long spring break session. The younger two had been saving up since the previous summer, putting away bits of gift money along with cash earned from their team-run lemonade stand, and they attended their very first two-weeks long full session of summer camp. Serendipitously, back in the winter when I reserved their spaces, I opted for the first session at the end of June, which turned out to be perfect timing. We moved out of the state the day after their final day of camp, so our last big memory related to our special town will always be of their circus performance. Our hearts will always hold a cherished place for our pal, Circus Greg.
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| Hup, hey! |
8. Apparently, we moved to Halloween-town.
Our new-to-us city has been a lovely place to explore these last six months, but we quickly learned that October rules around these parts. Halloween celebrations began filling the family calendar mid-month, which was a challenge since it pushed the costume timeline up a bit. But, we got it all ready and put those costumes and makeup all together three separate times! Lest you think the holiday was fun and games only for children, let me reassure you that being in a university town takes care of the adults, too. Though many told us that we should probably steer clear of the uptown area, we wanted to see for ourselves what everyone was talking about, so we headed up the road with our new neighbors for a night of people watching and a ton of laughing. Most of the pics I tried to get were blurry beyond recognition, but the one below captured enough of the... feeling... of the evening that I couldn't help but include it. By the beginning of November, we were ready for the holiday to be over, but damn if it wasn't a blast while it lasted!
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| I present to you Zombie Flo and Zombie Baseball Player |
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| Nothing says Halloween like two "Naked Cowboys" conversing with SNL's favorite gift givers |
7. Make new friends, but keep the old...
The big move had an obvious impact on our life in the weeks of preparation and packing, along with the months of searching for a housing solution. There was a blessing to all that busyness, in that when I was making lists, or checking lists, or constructing boxes, or filling boxes, I was too occupied with the task at hand to dwell on the sad aspect of the move. This, of course, was the prospect of being so far away from all the friends we made in our 19 years in the area. I hope to long remember those final weeks of gatherings with friends, "one last time" experiences around town with the people who had come to be my chosen family. Our going away party was a blur of hugs and cries of joy, as several friends drove from nearby cities and states to say goodbye along with all of our local pals, and the reminiscing caused as many laughs as tears. I'm happy that our move wasn't so significant that we wouldn't be able to go back for a visit, especially as the biggest community celebration in our old town was scheduled for only two months after our departure. There was no way we were going to miss the big Labor Day shindig, so there we were, back on our favorite hill for the parade, surrounded by old friends once again. I'm pleased to report that we are getting our footing in our new community and making new pals. In fact, in one case, I've got a new friend who I feel like I've known for years. These friendships are an integral part of my heart, and I'm thankful for each and every one.
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| Dear friends of ours also moved around the same time, leaving these four goofballs having some sad goodbyes |
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| Just a fraction of my squad of incredible ladies! |
6. Maxie Max, mini-dachshund extraordinaire
I'm sorry to break it to you, but if you were under the impression that you were in possession of the best dog in the world, you're clearly mistaken. This little guy, whose one year adoption anniversary was celebrated in October with a special doggie cookie and an abundance of snuggles, is the answer to the eternal question, "Who's a good dog?" Usually found under his blanket, Max is a big fan of our living room couch and his family members' laps. Though he often needs more than a little encouragement to take a loop around the neighborhood, if you bring him out into the woods, man, the man is nonstop. He got to take his first camping trips with us this year, and he fit in perfectly on our hikes and during our fireside lounging. I couldn't adore this dog more than I do. I know he misses his old doggie pal who moved away with those cuties on my kids' backs up there, but we've moved to an incredibly dog-friendly community now, so he's happy to be taken on adventures in town and cross paths with other dogs on a regular basis.
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| Look at my handsome gentleman! |
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| Max on the right, and his buddy on the left... two doggie bagels |
5. He always wanted to be a big brother
It's gotta be tough being the youngest of three, and ever since Pudge (who has clearly grown out of his infant-assigned online nickname) was a toddler, he made his desire for a younger sibling clear. As much as I love for him to be happy, the idea of another child was never even going to be contemplated. But, with Max joining our family, Pudge suddenly had a little creature to care for, and it's no question that he showers him with unconditional love. He cannot go to bed without saying goodnight to Max, giving him a little forehead-to-forehead snuggle and a kiss. Mind you, there are nights that he might not give his parents a hug, but Max? He's never forgotten. It's delightful to see your child learn to care for someone else, and Max is a lucky dude to be loved by this guy.
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| They're so close, they even have the same winter coat! |
4. She'll never be satisfied...
On any given day in 2016, if you spent even a few minutes in Red's vicinity, you most likely would have heard at least a couple lines of Hamilton sung, usually with gusto and delight. This girl got into the play through the music, and once it was put onto her iPod, there was no going back. She learned all the lyrics, practiced her skills through Lafayette's and Jefferson's raps and Eliza's and Angelica's songs, and began to read books about the time period and the primary characters in our country's founding. Oh yeah, and she read the Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamilton: The Revolution, cover to cover. I love that her interest has been sparked about this time in our nation's history, and even more, I'm pleased that she's been encouraged to look at these figures' lives with a critical eye. We've had discussions about the choices many of these people made, and she's especially expressed compassion toward Eliza Hamilton, whose challenges have inspired my budding feminist daughter to express her wishes and expectations for her own future relationships. When we watched both their performances at the Grammys and the Tonys, along with the PBS documentary, my darling emotional daughter couldn't hold it in. Just the site of Phillipa Soo or Lin-Manuel Miranda on the screen can make the tears come to her eyes. Though some might be getting tired of hearing the soundtrack (ahem, hubby, ahem), I'm still all in for any song Red might play.
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| Red's artistic rendering of the Schuyler Sisters |
3. Don't call him an American idiot!
JAM has been a Green Day fan for several years now, but 2016 will certainly go down in his own personal history as the best year for music because he got to see his heroes in concert, in a smallish venue, to boot. I didn't have the pleasure of going, but JAM's face in the selfies he and his dad took was enough to make me smile for weeks. He was so thrilled, as his social media postings indicated that night, and he said the concert was perfection. Thanks to the wishes-to-remain-anonymous benefactor for the tickets and the best night of JAM's year!
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| JAM, feeling like a king for a day! |
2. Basketball makes for a perfect mistress
My dear guy has been in my life for 22 years now, and I know that I share his heart with basketball. This past year brought a new chapter in his basketball experience. Though I wasn't the best good luck charm at his league's last game in the spring, (the only game his team lost all season was the only game I went to, as pictured below-- the championship game, of course), I've always enjoyed watching him play. He spent much of this year getting schooled to wear a different uniform out there on the court. Though I don't have the photographic evidence to prove it, you'll have to take my word for it that he looks pretty damn cute in black and white stripes. So far, I've only gone to one game that he's reffed, and let me say that it ain't easy to listen to some middle school parent in the stands whining when his kid's team gets called on. (It's funny that 100% of his calls on the other team were SPOT ON by that guy. Go figure.) But he's having a blast, and after he gets enough middle school and JV games under his belt, I know he'll be happy to move on up to games with older players. Whether he's holding a ball or a whistle, I'll always be his biggest fan.
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| like a boss! |
1. A new beginning for our crew
As you may have picked up by this point, 2016 brought our family a huge new beginning in a move 350 miles away from the only place our kids have known as home. Starting back in February with our first musings and online house searches, soon the idea solidified and the process went quickly. Putting our house on the market and getting an offer that weekend was the easy part. In fact, the house selling portion was incredibly easy, especially considering the fact that we had tried to do it twice before in recent years. Securing housing on the other side was the biggest personal challenge of the year for us-- viewing many houses online, seeing a handful in person during one weekend trip, seeing more online, hubby and one child going to see one that looked good online, making an offer on said house, getting offer accepted, pulling offer after a scary inspection, trying three times for another house unsuccessfully, and finally finding a house to rent. The owner was planning on being gone only for one year, so the rental was a temporary fix, but it came just in time. It was a blessing to find a house that fit us, (mostly) fit our budget, and was in the neighborhood exactly where we wanted to be. But the countdown was on-- one year to find a permanent home. None of it all would have been possible if it weren't for the incredible generosity of our friends who let us camp out in their basement for a month while we tried to figure it all out. We were told again and again that "things happen for a reason," and in this case, one could see its application here. The perfect house became available, exactly what we could only dream about in our old community, and the seller's timeline couldn't have worked more perfectly. Just two and a half weeks ago, we became homeowners again, and next summer, we'll be moving in.
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| What a year, what a ride. |
And here's a hand, my trusty friend,
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