I think we can all agree that 2020 was not the year we expected. It certainly wasn't the year I expected when last I posted - I'd done everything possible to ensure a good year - the food, the rituals, the cleaning - and it just had no impact whatsoever. We had a pandemic that got longer and longer and still haunts us, we had an election that was contested for no reason, and I'm sure there were other issues that I've forgotten.
At any rate, even if I want a do-over, it's not going to happen, so it's up to me to make 2021 behave and be the very best it can be for me and those I love, wherever they are.
So, at the end of December, I didn't kill myself to have a spotless house (difficult when there's still some construction happening, and boxes to unpack), or to have the perfect "good luck" meal - except for black-eye peas, which are good anyway - or to observe the various rituals. We had a quiet evening, drank Prosecco, toasted the New Year and watched "Lovejoy" on Acorn for hours. It was a grand start to 2021.
So we can never speak of it again, and so I have a list of photos to post in the coming weeks, here's a wrap for 2020:
1. Spent way too much time working. The Paycheck Protection Program and other bills targeting COVID-19 economic issues had us (my team and I) working 70 hour weeks for way too many months. I did manage to take a lot of Fridays off, due to the company policy that limits my vacation carryover to 40 hours. That has to be taken by March 15, so Friday off will continue.
2. We did a lot of work on the new old house. The master suite was finished and we moved into the bedroom and office, as well as a couple of closets. I love the deck, and the view.
3. Despite our excellent timing (ripped the kitchen out starting March 1) we managed a complete kitchen remodel by the end of August. We changed the orientation of the kitchen, ripped out 4 walls, created an eating area, a den, and a laundry room, and we love it!
4. Knitting and quilt piecing mostly did not happen. I spent hours sitting at night holding my knitting needles and yarn, totally unable to knit even 1 stitch. Still, I managed to finish 1 sweater that needed 2 seams sewn for 5 years, and 1 sock. Embroidery also stood still. Somedays I was able to stitch 1 length of floss, but not more.
I was so envious of knitters and quilters on social media who posted a new sweater or sock or quilt or other project every week or so. Due to the issues mentioned above, and the fact that work was more intense when we all worked from home and couldn't go out, I was less productive than in many years.
5. My first New England vegetable garden was a success, much to everyone's surprise. Tomatoes that weight almost 2 pounds, Rainbow chard that produced until Thanksgiving, lots of lovely basil - I can't wait to plant again in 2021.
So here's to blogging more often, and reconnecting with the self I feel has been pushed aside. She's ready to come back and be present and connect with people in 2021!
