1. What did I do in 2022 that I’ve never done before?
Drove the two youngest boys on an epic adventure across the Western states! This is what remote work has brought the world – more of this. I love it. I’ll never go back (at least not to an in-office requirement – no way).
2. Did you keep your resolutions?
Decently so, yes! Some wins, some losses. More on that below.
3. What new lives brought you joy?
While she’s not exactly a “new” life, she’s a new sister in law – my brother’s wife. They’ve been dating for years and we already considered her family, but it was fun to watch them make it “forever.” The wedding was on Wednesday eve, before Thanksgiving – it was a short 3 month engagement which gave me heart palpitations (in terms of wedding logistics) but due largely to my SIL’s cool calm management it all came together beautifully.
And of course, our new Good Boy Jasper. He’s a handful but he’s my little soulmate in canine form, and I love him a lot. He joined us in September, right after the beach trip I described in my last post a million years ago.
4. For whom did you grieve, if anyone?
Our dog Virgil left us in June 2022. He and I never really clicked, but that wasn’t his fault or mine, and I tried to do right by him in his last moments. It’s an odd thing – putting a trusting animal down. Both a kindness and a betrayal – the right thing and a hard thing. We were in a chapel in Sedona that had memorial candles, and for a few moments I stared in space and said “I’m sad – I’m sad about a loss. What loss was that? Who died? Ahhh, right, the dog.” That sounds odd, like I’d forgotten Virgil, but it was comforting because he deserved to be mourned and it turns out I did mourn him. That tender spot was there in my subconscious. (At Christmas, the Prof got a lovely book of pictures of Virgil from his mother, and Craiggy suddenly sobbed, heartbroken. What a beautiful life, so full of pain, so full of love.)
5. Did you travel anywhere exciting?
Our trip West!
6. What would you like to have in 2023 that you lacked in 2022?
A girl dog to join our sweet boy dog, Jasper. 🙂
7. What are your most memorable moments of 2022?
In January, we took the boys to Story Book Land at the botanical gardens and they recreated some pictures I had taken years before. It was cute – they were totally game, not even a teen eyeroll. Lordy, blink and you’ll miss it right?
Later that month, Jack and I attended a memorial service for the older brother of one of Jack’s friends, drowned when a rogue wave pulled him from the beach in Thanksgiving 2021. They finally held a memorial on January 26, 2022. Jack and his classmates formed a protective pack around the grieving brother while I sat awkwardly in my chair alone and cried a little for a twenty-year old boy I’d never met.
In a happier event, we took the younger two boys to the Exotic Animal Race on January 29. They “race” ostriches, camels, and zebras. A more apt name would be the Exotic Animal Meander – it’s definitely quite silly and fun. I had the best crawfish fries I’ve ever tasted, and marveled at how all the middle aged ladies wore jeans and cowboy boots, and the students wore tiny skirts and cowboy boots, like we’d all pre-planned a uniform.
At the end of February, we celebrated Mardi Gras. In 2021 there was no Mardi Gras – in 2022 the parades ran, but on shorter routes. We had to hike about a mile to get to the route which is way less fun than our usual stroll up three blocks – it takes some logistics to shift the whole safari a whole mile (you need chairs, ice chests, bags to store the beads . . .) Routes are back to normal this year and that is GOOD NEWS!!
In March, we took a parents-only trip to the Grove Park Inn, where we lounged in one of the best spas I’ve ever been to. I loved the cold plunge/hot sauna combo.
8. What was your bravest moment and/or biggest achievement of the year?
I planned and executed that trip West with Craig and Liam, and we had an excellent time. It was a lot of driving, and having a lot of faith in my own ability to drive solo for hours and hours.
9. What was your biggest failure and/or disappointment?
10. Any memorable lapses in wellness? (Illness, injury, etc.?)
We did get covid at one point, which was annoying mostly for the quarantine.
11. Where did most of your money go?
Um, probably my personal trainer if we’re being honest.
12. Is there a song or pop culture moment that will forever remind you of 2022?
Ukraine.
She’s a ten but . . . ; Wordle!; the Batman movie; the Oscars slap; death of Queen Elizabeth, and likely the end of “Her Majesty’s Service” for the rest of my life; Liz Truss and the lettuce; Twitter’s long slow death; Kanye’s descent into horrific anti-semitism; Donald Trump’s (thankfully) declining relevance – like we’ve woken from a fever dream; Lizzo played a glass flute; and Running Up That Hill in Stranger Things.
13. Compared to this time last year are you (a) happier or sadder? (b) heavier or lighter? (c) richer or poorer?
Oh probably about the same on all three.
14. How did you spend (a) Mardi Gras, (b) Easter, (c) Fourth of July, (d) Thanksgiving, (e) Christmas, and (f) New Years’ Eve?
(a) Mardi Gras was . . . ok. The routes were shortened, meaning more people packed into a smaller space. Where we stood, there were lots of tents and giant tarps that kept people from seeing anything or being anywhere near the route, which was annoying. We worked out a plan where one of us would drive the whole kit and caboodle over to the spot and drop everyone off, then drive home and park in the driveway and ride a bike over to the spot. We’d do the reverse when the parade was over. It worked well – – though not as well as just walking a couple blocks!
15. Any new loves/friends/positive forces in your life?
Ummm no? In fact we’re losing some friends as they move away from this city. New Orleans puts the fun in dysfunctional, that’s for sure.
16. What was your favorite tv and/or movie?
We watched Breaking Bad (again) with Jack. While I did not need to see it all again, it was special to look forward to it with Jack each evening. I got through several more British tv series – Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Doc Martin . . . I have also enjoyed watching movies with Craig every Monday evening, while the big boys go to Scouts with Patrick. Right now we’re cruising through the Jurassic Park series!
17. What was your favorite book?
Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell.
18. What did you want and get for Christmas?
New Boots! Jasper ate my favorite old leather cowboy boots, so the Prof bought me more and I love them! And a car detailing, which I’ve desperately wanted for a million years.
19. What did you want and not get?
I honestly can’t think of much.
20. What did you do on your 44th birthday?
Nothing special that I can recall beyond a small family gathering . . . that weekend was dedicated to my husband’s sister’s husband’s father’s wedding! Ha!
21. Anything notable in your fashion or appearance in 2022?
I’ve found a haircut I like, I suppose.
22. What kept you sane?
I really wanted Jasper the dog as a means of energizing me. I walk him most mornings and midday, and make someone else do evenings usually (ha!) He drives me insane also, so I guess it balances out.
23. Anything in the political arena you care to recall?
I was glad that Republicans did not sweep the House. As they’ve drifted farther and farther right, the center is rejecting the message and strongly signaling to come back more center. Still too many crazies in the House (Marjorie Taylor Greene?? Lauren Boebert? why are they there!) And Liz Cheney got sent out, because of her integrity in pushing the investigation into January 6 and Trump’s involvement. My hope is that Republicans like her can slowly grow in power, and restore dignity and integrity to a party that has just turned into a bunch of self-interested butthurt bullies with no interest in governing.
24. Who did you miss?
As always, wishing my family of origin was closer.
25. Closing remarks? Life lessons/morals/catch phrases, etc.
At the beginning of the year, I said “what punishments of God are not gifts?” That’s my closing comment as well.
