It is so good to have you back, amyparker. May the good in 2020 completely overwhelm any bits of bad.

I don't really have much to say about 2019. It seems it was just a placeholder year. Lost a bunch of weight and put it back on. Endured a bunch of work stress and survived to go forward another year. DH still dealing with the same issues that plague him. Eldest has made no progress. My siblings still facing the same challenges. The only change is now approaching 66 instead of 65. And my hair is longer and has a more pronounced gray streak.

Having my son and DIL living here has been nice. There is more upside than downside there.

May 2020 bring things into focus. I'm grateful for this group and hope we all find much joy in the year to come.

I am glad to have amyparker back too. I spent the New Yearreflecting on being a bad friend. i have already posted, but...

I have loved getting cards and taping them up on my kitchen doorway (I have no mantel). I do think I want to send things throughout the year, like postcards. It is fun. I had a hippo postcard I wanted to send to Steph, but I couldn't find an envelope the right size, and a postcard seemed weird for Christmas!

I would love a hippo postcard any time of year! (This city recognizes one queen, and it is Fiona.)

My 2019 was fine -- had some great times with some good friends, made general progress in various areas (work, trombone), same job, same apartment, same lack of dating, etc. Obviously the world is a dumpster fire, but I'm doing OK!

And as I said to some friends yesterday, I hope everyone's 2020 is better than their 2019 -- even if 2019 was good, let's go for better!!!

I got another card, this one from Kat. Thank you! It's beary cute.

I held out until the bitter end, hoping to go out on a positive note, but 'twas not to happen. I've been trying to get out of my current position for the past 6 months. My boss doubled my workload, and of course, I am failing spectacularly. The section chief for neuro, who I do not work for, came down to complain I'm not supporting her people enough and she'd tattle on my boss if I didn't do better. It wasn't until she left that I thought of telling her, "Yes! please do. Let him know I am failing and then I can go to HR and file a complaint for harassment." Bitca. Anyway, the most recent position, one I thought I was a shoe in for, sent me a nice letter to say thanks for the application, but we had more qualified candidates. Ugh. Gotta keep trying.

And, my kids had to enact drama on Christmas. My daughter has foresworn holding any events at her house that includes her brother. This happens at least once a year, usually Christmas. It's getting to where I just want to skip it.

The one bright spot is that I got together with my one true love. Never thought I'd say that, again. I'm 62, and while I know it's never too late, I thought it was for me. She is my Sunshine, literally. Her parents were kind of hippy-dippy in naming. The lovely thing is that we've known each other for 8 years, so there's no rude surprises, just a deeper connection than we allowed ourselves before. It's what I always hoped and wanted and finally have. It's the one thing that brings me peace going into 2020.

Honey Nut Cheerios:

And it wasn't all bad. The job is just what is preying on my mind. I had great fun in October going to Canada for a figure skating competition to see my favorite skaters in action for the first time. Got to meet in person many of the people from twitter that I chat with about figure skating. That was the highlight of my year. And I plan on going to as many events as I can afford going forward. Worlds is in Montreal in March, so I'm looking forward to that with great excitement!

Aw, Sail, I'm so happy for you and Sunshine! I hope the job situation improves somehow, I know how much that can grind a person down.

I don't think I really have anything to say about 2019. Good times, bad times, etc. I've been feeling pretty adrift, I'm going to try to take charge of myself a little more for 2020.

2019 was a rollercoaster - I'd like a bit more of a flat ride through 2020. But in a year when so much is changing, I think the best I can hope for is a soft landing and some stability for me, mac, and my parents.

I'm 62, and while I know it's never too late, I thought it was for me.

I am so happy for you. My mom was 66 when she re-married after my dad died. And was happily married until she passed at 95. Go love!

2020 will be such a huge year of change for you, msbelle! I'm excited for you. I have been so incredibly impressed with how you are making a new life for yourself.

Stability is a sensible wish. I hope y'all get it, msbelle.