UPDATE: The winner is…Damaris Schuler!
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I won’t be raising a glass tonight. I’m not much of a drinker. However, I will be burning sage and a handwritten note wishing only good things for the New Year. 2020 has been such a powerful mix of horror and happiness that I’m ambivalent about its ending. Let me explain.
The year started with the death of my mother in January. That was bad enough and required a lot of adjustment. My dd and her family moved into our family home, and we’ve been unpacking and decorating, and making this place into OUR home.
The pandemic has, of course, dominated the year. Like many, many people, our family hunkered down, starting in March, unsure of what the future held. When the initial lockdown ended, we enrolled all four kids in online instruction. We’ve masked, done no traveling, and ordered our groceries for curbside pickups. We’ve watched the news for every bit of new guidance regarding safety and shared what we learned. We’ve done our part and kept our loved ones safe. We’re crossing our fingers that we’ll be able to do the same in the new year.
All those things could have hung like a dark cloud over us. Instead, we’ve managed to find ways to make this time very special as a family. We make everything an event. We’ve learned to FaceTime with those we love. For example, a couple of nights ago, we “met” with my son and he participated while we went through destashing bags of old jewelry that I’ve collected from flea markets and eBay. We spent three hours online, laughing and trying things on.
My dd has thrown herself into new hobbies—like sign-making with her Cricut and creating book graphics for me for use on Instagram and Facebook. I threw myself into painting. We’re looking forward to re-opening my Etsy store in January with all-new offerings of art and jewelry. She’s experimented with new recipes for the fabulous meals she’s cooks.
We have movie nights, family game nights. In the summer, we spent many, many hours in the pool. We’ve all grown closer. Even the teenagers aren’t dark and gloomy about the prospect of another year of restrictions because we’ve put in the work to make this work.
So, we’re now a glass-half-full family. I hope that you’ve found your silver linings, too!
New Year’s Eve Puzzle Contest
For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me how, or if, you’ll be celebrating tonight! Enjoy the puzzle!
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All that being said, I know we’re very fortunate. Many have lost their jobs. Many have suffered illness. I’ll be sure to pray for those who haven’t been able to make this year into something positive.
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Thank you for the puzzle, that was awesome. May you and your family have a blessed year. I will be home with my hubby and my mom.
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Happy New Year! I think one good thing to come out of 2020 is the family time we’ve had and I’m so happy for that!
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Thanks for the puzzle. I’m not a drinker. I will be home watching movies and playing games with my hubby and three 20+ year old sons while sitting around in our warm pajamas. Happy New Year!
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Cantoring 7 pm Mass coming home and spending a quiet night reading with my husband. Perhaps a cup of hot cinnamon spice tea.
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I will be enjoying a book tonight!
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Awesome puzzle 10:34, happy New Year’s Eve everyone, I will spend both tonight and tomorrow night working, stay safe and healthy everyone
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We are staying in tonight. We are making a bunch of bad for us appetizers and binge watching Yellowstone. I will be drinking until this awful year is gone. We lost a few close friends and my mother in-law this year. Get the 🤬 out 2020
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Just a quiet night at home with mom and oldest daughter.
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Love the puzzle. 2:51.
I will be staying home eating snacks and reading/watching TV.
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My husband and 9 year old already headed home from my parents ranch where we came to stay for Christmas. So it’ll just be me and my 7 and 5 year old. I’ll be sleeping so I can drive 10 hours tomorrow. Lol
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staying home
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4:39 for me.
I’m with the staying at home and eating snacks in my pajamas crowd. 🙂
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Staying home with my hubby. Thanks for the puzzle. I love doing them. 4:34
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3:55 = I tend to just sleep through new years these days.
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Hmappy New Year!! To you and your family. May it be a healthy one. Hoping this year is much better than 2020.
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Happy New Year! I’m not doing anything special. I like sleep too much to stay up and party!
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I’m spending the evening writing book reviews and posting them to the various online retail sites to turn in for December for Coastal Magic Convention 2021 Reader’s Challenge. I did get to speak with different family members earlier this evening.
Wishing that 2021 will be a wonderful year.
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Celebrating at home with my husband of 49 years.
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Celebrating at home watching all the fireworks all around our house and prepping the food for tomorrows get together.
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I treated myself to Taco Bell. Having hot tea to warm up while under a blanket and reading. I party real hard.
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The 31st is my birthday so I fell asleep early and got some good sleep.
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My mom died December 2nd, so I am adjusting to reaching for the phone to call her and realizing that she can’t answer.
I will be reading while my hubby watches YouTube Karen videos.
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3:17
We had a quiet evening in! Hugs, everyone, and happy 2021!
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First, celebrated virtually with my side of the family with an art project and Minecraft. Then We celebrated by going to my mother in-laws and playing board games with the niece there, to help keep her entertained. Finally, home to watch the ball drop and head to bed. I wish you an amazing 2021, keep up the positive attitude!
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Just a quiet night at home reading and watching football.
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4:29 – We played bingo and I won a whopping $31! I’m not complaining, the payoffs per game were smallish, ranging from about $3 to $8 and I was lucky enough to win several. It was a small group and we were appropriately masked and sat only 3 people to a table that would normally seat 8.
I hope you had a great start to the new year!
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Thanks for playing, ladies! The winner of the Amazon gift card is…Damaris Schuler!