Thursday, December 31, 2020

2020 A Year in Review

 2020 A Year in Review

16th annual year in review. Holy cow 16 years of this!

What did you do in 2020 that you've never done before?
Goodness. Well I wore a mask 9 months of the year outside of the home. I lived through a global pandemic that is ongoing. The kiddos all did virtual school from March to May. Completed my first half of my MBA program, also online (that was new for me). I expanded into my own business space in February, unexpectedly. I have 5 furnished offices and room to expand. I am even leasing out one. Luckily, it was in same building just different suite. The acupuncturist was retiring there and gave me a very good deal to work up to. 
I also started making loads of chunky hand knitted blankets. I think maybe I have made 40-50 this year. 
Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
I don't make resolutions. 

Did anyone close to you give birth? 
Actually no.
Did anyone close to you die?
Not close no. But 83 million deaths worldwide from Covid-19 and counting. It's becoming closer and closer to us and there are individuals close to our family who are sick and some in the hospital. 

What countries did you visit?
One of these days I might get to answer this. One day...

What would you like to have in 2021 that you lacked in 2020?
A cure from Covid. Recovery as a nation, both physical, emotional, and political. A MBA degree by the end of it. 
What date from 2020 will remain etched in your memory and why?
I suppose my 40th birthday on August 23rd. The month of March is very etched being that is when the shutdown happened and also right after I moved into new business space.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completed my first half of my MBA. Attained my Advanced Certified Autism Specialist. Survival at this point is definitely an achievement. Moved into my own business space. Grew Puzzle Collaborative, slowly due to shutdown. Lots of blankets.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, so far this has been one of the healthiest years for myself and our family. I attribute much of that to wearing masks. I am also taking various supplements and have been doing Herbalife. 
What was the best thing you bought?
Tuition, office furniture, books, chunky yarns, and a splurge for my 40th of some professional pictures, including branding ones. 
Where did most of your money go?
See above. Also Herbalife shakes and teas. 

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Growth of my businesses, new space, and my kids getting to back to school in person in August. 

What scripture is a theme of 2020?

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

And Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. 
Compared to this time last year are you:
a. Happier or sadder? I am filled with contentment and gratitude. I was content last year. But I feel given the current climate of things, gratitude has definitely increased. 
b. Thinner or fatter? Thinner. Despite pandemic, I opted to focus on my health. I didn't run as much, but walked a lot. Lots of shakes and teas. But I feel really good. 
c. Richer or poorer? Richer, however like last year, I am investing back into businesses. I definitely had a lot more expenditures. 
What do you wish you'd done more of?
I need to do more weight training, but given everything else, I am ok with that. 

What do you wish you'd done less of?
I do feel I did much less worrying this year, but it is always something I wish I did less of. There were a couple of classes that worried me far too much. I still got through to this point with a 4.0 so I know it was unnecessary. It's hard to turn off. When I had to jump into the new lease and move, I had so many reservations and fears. I prayed on them and gave it to God. Doing so I realize he has taken care of me. 

How did you spend Christmas?
At home with just our 7. It was nice. Parent in laws were supposed to come but got exposed the week prior to the virus. Luckily they never got it. They are supposed to come tomorrow for New Years. 

Did you fall in love in 2020?
With new hobbies and books. 
What was your favorite TV show?
The Witcher. 
What was the best book you read?
I am on book 6 of Harry Potter. Read them all in the past 3 weeks. Hoping to have them all finished by the time school starts back on the 11th. I also read several Jane Austen books. Had to read several textbooks. None I would say were my favs but alas, I had to. Continued reading some autism subject books as well. I did a lot of reading this year. 

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2020?
Music got suckier. 

What did you want and get?
Grace and growth. 

What did you want and not get?
Covid to go away!!!

What was your favorite film this year?
This was a sad year in not being able to go to the movies. Most had to be seen at home. Mulan was good. 
What did you do on your birthday?
Celebrated turning 40 with take out and being with family. Not sure that would have been different even without a pandemic. 
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Covid to go away and to be able to take a real vacation. But I have beach one scheduled for next summer. 
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2020?
More sweaters and t-shirts. A lot more of both. 

What kept you sane?
God. Prayer. Reading, Making blankets. Family. Downtime.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Henry Cavill
What political issue stirred you the most?
The election. Thank goodness it is over. 
Who did you miss?
Normalcy, being able to gather in groups, even small ones. 
Who was the best new person you met?
My intern and therapist hire. 

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020.
Never stop growing. Push past the fear. Success happens on the other side. 
I'll stick with that since it's good. Just add, don't fear the leap.

What is something shocking that happened this year?
The pandemic and shutdowns. Personally going in on my own on a business lease.

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Christmas

 Just a mix of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The trampoline was from today. 











While I'm not the biggest fans of these, it's become a must for this child and her sensory seeking. We've missed our last one that was destroyed in a storm. We have this one strapped down with ground stakes capable of withstanding a tornado. At least it better. She's gone through four or five small indoor trampolines. But they just aren't the same.









Friday, December 18, 2020

Ridlee's last day of the semester

She loved her Christmas present from her teacher.





Monday, December 14, 2020

Merino wool blanket

Always wanted to try my hand at making a merino wool blanket. These are the crème de la crème of the chunky knit blanket world. And for good reason. The wool alone isn't cheap. They are generally cost prohibited from those who make them because what they have to charge, others think are too high. Trust me, they are barely making anything off of them. This wool is from Lithuania and 10 pounds. Apparently they have a good sheep industry. Pretty ideal weighted blanket that's good for winter. So if you're really in need take a look on Etsy. If it sounds too good to be true, don't expect anything larger than a hand towel size. If you see ads on Facebook for large knit blankets for sale for $70 with pics of these blankets, they are false advertising. Chenille blankets are much lighter and cheaper and good year round. Yarn is just getting hard to find this time of year. I will keep making them though. But this blanket is now an official heirloom in my family. Hopefully I won't ever have to replace it. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.








Sunday, December 13, 2020

Snow Day!

Last time we saw something like this was on the day Ridlee was born almost 7 years ago. This is a first for her.











Tuesday, December 08, 2020

Shout out!

Shout out to my managerial economics tutor (whose never had economics). Having never had an economics class, nor calculus, I had a slight freak out at the beginning of this course. He managed to teach me enough calculus to have a 98 percent before my last two assignments are even graded. The last time he tutored me was in high school when I couldn't understand matrices in trigonometry. I'll give him this, his 18.5 years of college/high school teaching has made him a lot more patient than back then. I'm officially half done with my MBA with a 4.0 so far. #hessmarterthanme #nerdsaresexy



Wednesday, December 02, 2020

On the Edge of Seventeen

On the Edge of Seventeen! Literally her last night as a 16 year old. I thought I was silly at that age. She has me beat x100. She's in the midst of planning for her future and has some great plans. Again, better than I had at her age. She makes fun of me for my supposed "Type A" personality, when she has no idea she is far more type A than I was at her age. I think I slept through that year. I am not sure the world is ready for this one. Happy early birthday Kieran. We love you. #ontheedgeofseventeen #kieranaveryrayne