What a year. So many things happened this year and not very much was good. That is according to most year in review lists I have seen. And, I really have to agree. We have seen plenty of shootings, natural disasters, man made disasters, political disasters, and personal disasters. So, I guess it would be fair to say 2013 was a disaster. In fact, if 2013 were a person I think it would be safe to say this is what it would look like.
But, with every disaster, there is always a bit of something good. Like when Justin Bieber decided to retire (until he runs out of money). That is sad too. He is such a nice looking young lady. Vanilla Ice should be proud of his little clone.
Anyway, as for us, this last year has been a real challenge. We have had more than our fair share of trials. To name a few, we have been living on almost no income. My wife went back to school and we have been living off what is left over from her loans and borrowing the rest. If you have never been so broke that you think buying non-generic is a huge treat, you will never understand what kind of mental torment that will put you through. For those who have, you know exactly what I am talking about. We moved from a 20' travel trailer into a studio apartment above a garage. It is better but, not having a real bathroom really, really takes its toll on you (if you know what I mean). We got to plant the garden. That is always good. Gardening is very therapeutic. However, the moles and gophers took out almost half of it. We didn't get enough for canning either. The cows also got into the garden and trampled some of it down.
Anyway, as for us, this last year has been a real challenge. We have had more than our fair share of trials. To name a few, we have been living on almost no income. My wife went back to school and we have been living off what is left over from her loans and borrowing the rest. If you have never been so broke that you think buying non-generic is a huge treat, you will never understand what kind of mental torment that will put you through. For those who have, you know exactly what I am talking about. We moved from a 20' travel trailer into a studio apartment above a garage. It is better but, not having a real bathroom really, really takes its toll on you (if you know what I mean). We got to plant the garden. That is always good. Gardening is very therapeutic. However, the moles and gophers took out almost half of it. We didn't get enough for canning either. The cows also got into the garden and trampled some of it down.
We had several romantic getaways planned that were either postponed, cancelled altogether, or cut short for reasons beyond our control. It seemed that every time we tried to leave, one of my parents ended up in the hospital.
The major downside of this past year has to have been my mom. We spent most of the year taking her to the ER for various reasons. We also got to watch her slowly drift into dementia. That was hard to watch. She cooked and baked her whole life and slowly became unable to remember the most simple of recipes. She also quit sewing. There was something she was always working on but she couldn't seem to remember how to work the sewing machine. Due to physical limitations, she was not able to play in the garden with us. That was one of her favorite places to be and something she looked forward to every year. She would come out for a little while in the beginning. But, she couldn't even manage that for very long.
When she had her accident, we all got to spend plenty of time in the hospital with her. That was the point when her mind basically left her. She was still with it at times, but that was the beginning of the end. Her final days were not easy to witness but, she finally passed peacefully. That was not easy at all and was, by far, the worst part of the year. But, as I said, every disaster has a bit of something good.
Due to the chaos of my mom being in the hospital, and the serious lack of sleep, we sort of miscalculated and conceived Hubigail. That is the best thing this last year has had to offer.
So, with 2013 behind us, and 2014 ahead, I am going to try to be optimistic. This year, I will also be going back to school. I have been asked several times what I want to be when I grow up. I said I wanted to be in debt. School seems to be the best way to accomplish that in a timely manner. I really don't know what I want to be but isn't that was college is all about?
We are going to find out if Hubigail is going to be a Hu or a Bigail toward the end of this month. That is exciting. I can't wait for that appointment. We are going to take a "Babymoon" before Hubi gets here. Not going to be extravagant, but we are going to manage some alone time somehow. I keep saying that about a honeymoon too.
The major downside of this past year has to have been my mom. We spent most of the year taking her to the ER for various reasons. We also got to watch her slowly drift into dementia. That was hard to watch. She cooked and baked her whole life and slowly became unable to remember the most simple of recipes. She also quit sewing. There was something she was always working on but she couldn't seem to remember how to work the sewing machine. Due to physical limitations, she was not able to play in the garden with us. That was one of her favorite places to be and something she looked forward to every year. She would come out for a little while in the beginning. But, she couldn't even manage that for very long.
When she had her accident, we all got to spend plenty of time in the hospital with her. That was the point when her mind basically left her. She was still with it at times, but that was the beginning of the end. Her final days were not easy to witness but, she finally passed peacefully. That was not easy at all and was, by far, the worst part of the year. But, as I said, every disaster has a bit of something good.
Due to the chaos of my mom being in the hospital, and the serious lack of sleep, we sort of miscalculated and conceived Hubigail. That is the best thing this last year has had to offer.
So, with 2013 behind us, and 2014 ahead, I am going to try to be optimistic. This year, I will also be going back to school. I have been asked several times what I want to be when I grow up. I said I wanted to be in debt. School seems to be the best way to accomplish that in a timely manner. I really don't know what I want to be but isn't that was college is all about?
We are going to find out if Hubigail is going to be a Hu or a Bigail toward the end of this month. That is exciting. I can't wait for that appointment. We are going to take a "Babymoon" before Hubi gets here. Not going to be extravagant, but we are going to manage some alone time somehow. I keep saying that about a honeymoon too.
And, of course, Hubigail's arrival in June. That will be the best day ever. I can't wait for all the fun parts of raising a child. I can wait for all the other stuff though.
With all the times life has kicked us when we were down in the past, we march into the new year with high hopes. I wish the best for all of you in the coming year. Since it is almost impossible for people to keep their new year resolution, I will suggest that you be creative in your wording this year. For me, I resolve to not win the lottery. With my luck, this will probably be the year I finally keep it. Happy New Year!
With all the times life has kicked us when we were down in the past, we march into the new year with high hopes. I wish the best for all of you in the coming year. Since it is almost impossible for people to keep their new year resolution, I will suggest that you be creative in your wording this year. For me, I resolve to not win the lottery. With my luck, this will probably be the year I finally keep it. Happy New Year!