2012: Twenty Highlights of My Year

As is my custom, I'm spending a few minutes on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2012, to jot down twenty highlights of the year I just lived. Here they are, in no particular order. I am grateful for each one.


1.  Brian built an amazing porch onto the front of our house, complete with cedar tongue-and-groove ceiling, skylights, ceiling fan, speakers, and lovely wall sconces. It’s a wonderful place to sit and rock. More finish work will be done in 2013. 

2.  Brian and I took our first cruise together. We spent 7 days in the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International. We spent several days afterward in Ft. Lauderdale, too. We even spent Christmas day on the beach!

3.  My beloved San Francisco Giants are World Series champs for the second time in three years, sweeping Detroit in four straight games.

4.  Brian and I toured six New England states during a wonderful two-week vacation. I got to finally meet Rick and Judy Lodge! While in Maine, we toured majestic Acadia National Park, and the never-to-be-forgotten coastline. I checked off a bucket-list item when I attended a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston. 

Rick, me, and Judy

Leader Board at Fenway

Historical

5.  I celebrated 19 years of continuous sobriety on May 17. My journey continues to expand and grow in ways I could never fully explain. Sobriety is a miracle and a gift directly from the Hand of God. 

6.  At Adventist Health, I officially transitioned from my 15-year career as a Technical Writer to my new role as an IT Project Manager.

7.  My grandson, Izic, was 3 years old in 2012! He grew and changed in miraculous and amazing ways. He started calling me Gramma Peaches this year. He knows his colors, letters, shapes, and numbers. He started using a mouse and a laptop this year. 

Gramma Peaches and Izic

8.  San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain pitched the Giant’s first-ever perfect game. 

Buster Posey and Matt Cain

9.  We finished a two-year total kitchen remodel, and we now have a wonderful, beautiful, functional kitchen. I’m learning to cook, and I’m enjoying it!

Still needs baseboards and under-cabinet lighting, but about 95% complete.

10. I finally outgrew my long hair. I cut off my long mop and got a new, shorter style.

My cute new hair and T-shirt

11.  We replaced all the old, blue carpeting and installed new wood laminate flooring in the dining room, kitchen, entry way and living room. The remainder of the house will be finished in 2013.

Entry Way Flooring -- last piece!

12.  My iron levels increased enough so that I could begin donating blood once again, for which I am grateful.

13.  We enjoyed another camping trip with my family, and finally met my daughter’s sister, Brandi, and her brother, Mike, along with their children. It was really wonderful.

Gramma Peaches with Mike's daughter, Harley

Niccole and her brother Mike

Niccole's sister, Brandi and Niccole's husband, Sonny

14.  After going without for many, many years, I finally have a piano into my home again, and I’m playing regularly. 

15.  One of my closest and dearest friends chose to walk away from me and close the door on our friendship. It was painful, but no doubt necessary for both of us.

16.  I joined a new once-a-month book study with some wonderful, amazing, insightful women whose friendship I treasure.

17. It took me longer than most, but this year I fell in love with John Mayer and his amazing guitar.

18.  Babies!! Several of my close friends had children/grandchildren this year.

Patricia and her first grand daughter, Kaelan

19.  My big lovable buddy Zeus the Great Dane passed away, sadly. His owner, Rita Waterman, brought home a new Dane shortly thereafter. Her name is Roxie and she’s a sweet, gentle girl. 

Izic and Zeus, two loveable cookie monsters

Ms. Roxie

20.  My relationship with God has become more special, more real, and more vital to me. I am willing to grow along spiritual lines, and I long to know God in a more intimate way. My heart overflows with gratitude to Him for the life He has given me.  

20 Highlights of My Year 2011

No particular order... here are highlights of my life in the year 2011:

1.  My relationships with my daughter, Niccole, and my grandson, Izic, grew stronger and much more meaningful.

2.  My 15-year career as a technical writer came to a close. I was offered and accepted a position as an IT Project Manager at Adventist Health.

3.  I had a couple of very painful dental surgeries that netted me two dental implants and a whole new appreciation for flossing.

4.  One of our beautiful German Shepherd dogs, Jade, decided she was no longer happy living with us in Roseville. She moved up to Auburn, California where she got to live on a horse ranch with our friends Kathi and Randy. That didn't work out either, though, and now she lives in Southern California where she's happy and well-loved.

5.  Brian and I completely gutted our very out-dated kitchen. Then we installed the first half of a complete remodel -- gorgeous new cabinets, beautiful new Cambria quartz countertops, a new large stainless steel sink and faucet, and new Bosch appliances. The remainder of the new kitchen will be installed in 2012. I've never had a brand new kitchen before, and it's really fabulous!

6.  Several friends of mine and I participated in a weekly book study together. We read The 12 Steps & The 12 Traditions, from the perspective of learning how to apply our common principles in all our affairs. It was a wonderful study and a very special event for me.

7.  Martie and I met and have become good friends. She's an important person in my life now, and I'm very grateful for our friendship.

8.  My precious friendships with Tim, Kari, and Bethie have strengthened and grown. I treasure them, probably more than they know. Tim celebrated 8 years of sobriety and fell in love with Mitzi; Kari became a barista and grew spiritually by leaps and bounds; and Bethie lost 100 pounds and participated in half-marathons!

9.  I failed to be a good friend to four people in 2011: Alice, Kevin, Laura, and Jan, at least according to them. And if they believe I failed, then I obviously did.

10.  I celebrated 18 years of continuous sobriety on May 17, 2011. Thank you GOD.

11.  I began therapy, in order to face and hopefully deal with some hard-wiring issues that have plagued me my entire life.

12. I had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee to repair a badly torn meniscus.

13.  Giants Opening Day in 2011 featured Brian Wilson raising the World Series Championship flag at AT&T Park. Our Giants got their World Series Rings, and we got to be the champions all year long. It was awesome!

14.  Our gorgeous German Shepherd dog, Niko, turned 3 years old in March 2011. She's beautiful, funny, personable, healthy, and full of energy, and she's a precious family member. We run her about 3 miles on our bikes regularly and take her for walks whenever possible. She's well-trained and obedient, for the most part anyway! I love her.

15.  Brian and I -- okay, mostly Brian -- built a beautiful new porch onto the front of our house. It's a fantastic new living space. It was a TON of work, and Brian did a meticulous, perfect job. It's not quite finished yet, but the bulk of the work got done by the time winter arrived. The rest will be finished in the spring of 2012.

16.  I spent Christmas with my daughter, Niccole, for the very first time in 2011. Niccole, Izic, and I had a relaxing quiet weekend together. We watched movies, enjoyed crackling fires, made yummy lasagna, walked to the park, and enjoyed each other very much. We had our pictures taken together, too, and gave them to friends and family members as Christmas presents.

17.  My "little brother" Kelly Stocke passed away this year, sadly.  Also, my uncle Bud Dirksen passed away.

18.  I have launched on an all-out effort to learn how to cook, and it's been fun and rewarding. I don't hate cooking nearly as much as I thought I would.

19.  My relationship with Brian has grown stronger and more loving as time passes. He's genuinely a wonderful man, and I love him dearly. I'm blessed to be in a relationship with such a good person.

20.  God and I continue our journey hand-in-hand. I remember when I used to think that the point was travel TO God; now, I know that I must travel WITH God.


With love,
Karen