Year in review

Twenty-twelve, you guys. What a year that is/was/has been, eh?

In January we got new floors, which broke the dog's brain, and also I nearly died from allergies.

In February we were sick, sick, sick and I couldn't stop making ramen, chai tea and granola.

In March I was allergic some more and I read a whole bunch of stuff.

In April C turned 16 and his misophonia kicked into high gear, and also I discovered Instagram, God help us all.

In May special needs parenting nearly broke me in half; my brother came for a visit, which was way swell; H said goodbye to middle school; C said goodbye to school, period, although we didn't know it then; and I got serious about losing some weight. Geez, May. I am tired all over again just thinking about you.

In June it was very very hot, I was grilling everything, H started rehearsals for a community theater production of Alice in Wonderland, C did three weeks of summer school for credit acceleration, and we were doing our darndest to enjoy our summer vacation without actually leaving town.

In July C got his wisdom teeth out and started a new medication that made his misophonia reactions better but ultimately made everything else terrible, H continued rehearsals and started performances, and I got trapped in my car in the driveway during a super scary storm that knocked down trees and power all over our neighborhood. Yikes.

In August H's play wrapped and she started high school, both of which went very well; C finished summer band and started 11th grade, both of which were kind of disastrous; and I was progressing nicely on my weight loss journey because that stress diet works a treat.

In September we pulled C out of school and started him on a new medication (Lexapro, which has been a miracle drug for him). I turned 46 and surprised myself by actually reaching my goal weight by the arbitrary deadline that I'd set for myself. Huh.

In October I had a bit of a mental health holiday/wander and it was glorious.

In November I participated in the habit flickr pool, failed spectacularly at NaBloPoMo, and desperately tried to get into the holiday spirit. H turned 15 and spent her birthday having a wander/adventure of her own, which was also glorious, even though it felt weird not to have her here on her special day.

In December an old friend spoke to me from beyond the grave. C and I opted to stay home from the big annual family gathering, which turned out to be a good decision. P and H came home with containers of cookies, turkey and dressing, and potato salad, along with two dozen farm-fresh eggs and several pounds of venison generously provided by our nephew. I baked more goodies in three weeks than I'd done in the previous three years put together, but failed to send a single Christmas card. We had a nice Christmas Eve visit with my parents and then a very low-key Christmas day, just the four of us (five if you count the dog).

We scrapped a lot of traditions this holiday season and tried to create new ones that better fit our life the way it is now, which culminated in me deciding I'd had enough of starting every new year slaving over a huge meal of pork, sauerkraut, collard greens and black-eyed peas that only a couple of us actually like -- for New Year's Day 2013 (and possibly beyond) we are having store-bought tamales. EVERYONE likes tamales!

I am cautiously optimistic about the new year. I do hope yours is wonderful.