Goodbye 2017

Well, once again I sit in my living room on New Year's Eve (where I prefer to be) and contemplate the previous year's events.

2017 has been a mixed bag. Although, when you get right down to it, every year is a mixed bag. Here's my take on what 2017 was for me and my family - in no chronological order.

Big Jack's health spiraled downward with fainting spells that defied explanation, panic attacks that required two hospitalizations, uncontrolled blood sugar and mixing insulins that shouldn't be mixed. In the midst of all this, we managed to assemble a pretty good medical team this time and, hopefully, we can get him back on track. We discovered that he was eligible for a free Caption Call phone through Center for Hearing and Speech which made telephone conversations much easier for him. This was a true blessing. Now he has a way to call for help if he needs it. It's funny how I found out about it. If I hadn't walloped my ear while answering the telephone at work and worried over damaging my own hearing aid, I wouldn't have called to have it checked out. It's amazing how God works. By the way, my hearing aid is working just fine.

We lost my dear Aunt Dolores. She had just celebrated her 96th birthday. Dementia had taken over completely and I don't even know if she remembered who we were. I know she's in a better place and with the people she loved most, but we still miss her. We celebrated Christmas with a bit more energy than before and I believe she would have wanted it that way.

My daughter Sami started a new job at the local animal hospital. She's a receptionist but they are promising to train her to be a vet tech. We couldn't be more thrilled. I'm happy she isn't delivering pizzas anymore and she's in the field she loves.

I made a tiny foray into landscaping by plotting out a hosta garden in the back of the house. Hardly perfect and the weeds kept taking over, but it's still a good start. I was able to break up the large clumps of hosta bulbs and transplant them to other parts of the garden. I think it will look nice - eventually.

In April, I was transferred from the Jewelry Department to Active Wear on the second floor. This wasn't my decision and I was upset at first over being told I wasn't good enough for the new, redesigned Fine Jewelry Department. This also turned into a blessing. After a few months in my new department, I was hearing horror stories coming out of the jewelry department. The intense pressure, lack of organization, people quitting as fast as they got hired. I'm happy where I am now and have a great team of people. I also feel a bit safer.

We cut the cable cord and went with live streaming through Roku and DirectTV Now. We still aren't so sure about it since reception isn't consistent. I just need time to talk to AT&T and see what else we can do to get better reception. But the bill is a whole lot less and that makes me happy.

I managed to reconnect with some old classmates from way, way back. It's funny how much you learn about people you thought you already knew.

Well, this evening has a full moon shining down upon us with frigid temperatures that will continue into the coming week. We are blessed to have a warm home, food on the table, jobs (even if the pay stinks) and each other.

Wishing everyone blessings for 2018!