12-31-24

 

Time to retire my bear necklace, put it with my otter necklace, as I bid farewell to 2024 and look toward 2025.   

My focus word for 2024 was bear.  BEAR: endure, carry the weight of, support.

I knew it would be tough year.  And it was.  But with the pain and waiting and grueling work hours were also times of pause and possibilities and buoyancy.

WORK:  I wanted to limit work hours and stress, improve my sleep, and grin and bear it through project go-live.  It was a long summer and a long work year, but it was rewarding and I did get improved sleep scores and I will never forgot the unexpected work trip to Hyderabad.

HOME: I wanted to be more intentional about movement and health, outings in PNW, not missing blog photos, watching moves, spending less on Thred Up, strengthening my spiritual formation practices, and travel after project go-live.  Failing on the travel and Thred Up front, but did get to Vancouver BC and Chicago and am planning bigger post retirement trips until Brice’s work schedule eases up.  In all other areas I feel like I made good progress, including a full solid year of Sabbath, and fell in love with anime movies.

FAMILY:  I planned to support the kids and (hopefully) grandkids.  I ended up supporting Mom through Uncle Pat’s cancer journey.  We mourned Auggie but now await Poppy.  And we welcomed a new granddog.  A category of ups and downs, a year of ups and downs, and a new year is here whether we are ready or not!

12-30-24

 

New light for my plants, tired of moving them around the apartment.  Perk up!

12-29-24

 

Love the empty canvas of an empty home.

We all tromped through Mom's new house today for the final check before closing.

And a new adventure begins!

12-28-24

We got to go with Anastasia and Jacob to one of their 4D ultrasounds today.  I forgot to take photos, I was so enthralled with trying to sort out what body parts I was seeing as the technician narrated.  "All indications point to a tall baby".  Look at those long fingers!
 

12-27-24

Packed up Christmas and got my craft on building some new gift tags for next year.  I seem to be in a photo slump lately.  I either completely forget or I have ideas but don't grab the camera.  Life goes on! 

12-26-24

 Love these additions to our kitchen cupboards!

12-25-24

The tree with more gifts as we gathered before heading to the Carasa's.  The Cowboy Casserole with ground beef, tator tots, corn and other yummies was a hit.

12-24-24

 

We didn't get any photos of Target stocking shopping, Red Robin dinner, or Moana 2 movie, but we did get a photo in this blah elevator!  The work is done, not it is time to sit back and enjoy the family time!

12-23-24

 

Up to the third tier at Benroya tonight to enjoy some lessons and carols after an afternoon in Shoreline.

12-22-24

 Candlelight service at church today.  Love's pure light!

12-21-24

 

Saturday in SLU.

12-20-24

 

We headed to the Olympic Manor neighborhood to see the Christmas lights.  One of the first things we saw was a corner window decorated with lit dogs.  We woof you a Merry Christmas!

12-19-24

 

We headed to Benroya Hall tonight to enjoy Handel's Messiah.  LOVE that Hallelujah chorus!  And Mom's scarf from India is gorgeous if I don't say so myself!

12-18-24

 

Christmas lunch at Laurel Cove.  I loved everything about the Dickens carolers.

12-17-24

 

Love the huge ornaments in the elevator lobby greeting me multiple times a day.

12-16-24

 

Today was for wrapping.  All but two gifts are now wrapped and there are more gifts around the tree now.

12-15-24

 

Got to meet Fiona today.  She's great, I can see why Xander fell in love.  I'm a cat grandma, a dog grandma, and soon to be a realy grandma!

12-14-24

 

Anastasia in Poppy's nursery on cookie baking day.

12-13-24

 

No photos from the Weyerhaeuser party.  But its been a super long week and I am super thankful for a stop at Krispy Kreme.

12-12-24

 

MAVen book club tonight.  I remembered to bring the Kindle with highlighted notes but forgot to take any other photos.  Need to add A Tree Grew in Brooklyn to my TBR list.

12-11-24

Morning commute in the dark is similar to my afternoon commute in the dark.  Like the festive trees though!

12-10-24

 

All is calm all is bright.  I love the dark and quiet of 4am.

12-09-24

 

Christmastime in SLU.  Bananas and snowflakes and turquoise trees.

12-08-24

 

Dressed up for church banquet tonight.

12-07-24

 

Figgy Pudding contest!

They moved it from Friday night to Saturday midday.  Rain probably kep some away, but it was plenty crowded.

Love this fundraiser for the Pike Place Senior Center and food bank.

12-06-24

 

The six of us had dinner (Noi Thai again?!?) and an improved Chstimas Carol tonight.

And look at this morning sunrise photo!

12-05-24

 

This morning my prayer app was on repeat telling me that Jesus was focused but interruptible and I needed to be as well.  When I got offered tickets to Nutcracker I oh so wanted to say no, I was so tired.  But I embraced having my only free evening interrupted and enjoyed the ballet immensely.

12-04-24

 

Happy after work, but no photos.  So here's my woodland creatures.  Ignore the fact that the squirrel is the same size as the polar bear, not to scale.  

12-03-24

 

Concert at Benroya, Jake's first time there.  We saw Leslie Odom Jr. signing Christmas songs with the Seattle Symphony.  Lovely evening.

12-02-24

 

Hi Santa!

"Is the cookie jar full of cookies?" - Bruce

Nope, it never is, he's just cute.

12-01-24

And the tree is finally decorated.  Completing our Christmas decorating.  Back to work tomorrow!