A good year for me... It just get better these days. Life is calm and comfortable, and I'm thankful to God for that.
Year-end conclusions. Positive and negative. Tell us about it
- Thread starter JOHN72
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Life is good. I don't worry about those things I can not change or have any power to influence. I read the local newspaper each morning while smoking a different pipe than the day before. My wife is a treasure, my children are finding their way, and my health is fine enough. I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth and my retirement is sufficient enough that I have no worries. I do wish I had more time to visit with and see friends, new and old. If I could change anything, it would be to find more people who are curious, easy going, and know how to laugh despite the troubles of this world. People who are kind and reserved in saying anything negative are a true treasure. I have a beautiful Indian Motorcycle, tall mountains in my backyard, and the Pacific Ocean is not too far. To my east is the wide open desert plains that stretch for days. My only real wish is that I had better access to Provel cheese for my Italian foods.
My 23 year old son got married. My wife and I revived open mic performances at a local bar for the first time in 20+ years. Our two older kids and my son’s wife joined us for some songs. Two not old people from our church passed away surprisingly within a week of each other in December. Their funerals were two consecutive days. Not very close to us, but they were acquaintances and very close to people we knew well. I discovered some pipe smokers that live near here and even did meetups with some of them twice.
Other than that, my wife and kids and I just keep on keepin’ on and God is good. No real complaints, to be honest. We have so much to be thankful for.
Here’s to 2024!
May 2025 be full of blessings!
Other than that, my wife and kids and I just keep on keepin’ on and God is good. No real complaints, to be honest. We have so much to be thankful for.
Here’s to 2024!
May 2025 be full of blessings!
This song is a good one for today.
I like to hear these endearing stories. They shake my feelings, melancholy, happiness in the positive. Good people fight and protect their families. Listening to the Richmond song, it reminded me of this afternoon. I went for a short walk along the boulevard, to pick up my wife from work, which is close to home, the loudspeakers they put on the streets for Christmas, and a song I think by Frank Sinatra was playing, it had rained, already at night, I liked that sweet music, as I went to pick up my wife, with the brightness of the wet streets, and the Christmas lights on the trees. God bless you guys.
2024 I became the King of my own castle. Or maybe it's like the Genie that has been set free.
Only gets better from here!
Only gets better from here!
I am fairly easy going when it comes to my own life.
Rule One: Whatever my plans were, my plans will not materialize as planned;
Rule Two: It doesn't matter because Rule One was always a given.
Learning to accept those things that you cannot change is a key part of the Serenity Prayer. When my mother developed Alzheimer's I realized I did not have the means in California to take care of her as I would like to have done, and so he went to live with my sister - a true nut job - but one who was able to watch over her. My sister made my mother's life a living nightmare, but there was nothing I could do other than be supportive. Getting upset or frustrated would have accomplished nothing. I have no anger toward my sister nor do I harbor animosity for the way she treated our mother. The path that led my mother to her daughter was made many years previous. It's not how I wanted her to end her days on Earth, but it was how it was going to be - decided many decades ago by events I was powerless to prevent.
No one - meaning my children and friends - asks me how they should live their lives - nor do they seek my input - so when things go sideways, and they most always do, I move forward knowing that each road belongs to the person who is traveling it.
Rule One: Whatever my plans were, my plans will not materialize as planned;
Rule Two: It doesn't matter because Rule One was always a given.
Learning to accept those things that you cannot change is a key part of the Serenity Prayer. When my mother developed Alzheimer's I realized I did not have the means in California to take care of her as I would like to have done, and so he went to live with my sister - a true nut job - but one who was able to watch over her. My sister made my mother's life a living nightmare, but there was nothing I could do other than be supportive. Getting upset or frustrated would have accomplished nothing. I have no anger toward my sister nor do I harbor animosity for the way she treated our mother. The path that led my mother to her daughter was made many years previous. It's not how I wanted her to end her days on Earth, but it was how it was going to be - decided many decades ago by events I was powerless to prevent.
No one - meaning my children and friends - asks me how they should live their lives - nor do they seek my input - so when things go sideways, and they most always do, I move forward knowing that each road belongs to the person who is traveling it.
Had a great visit with my Dad today along with my sisters, one remotely. Good review of things that needed review, lucky he’s with it and we all keep things transparent and can agree on areas where help may be needed, how to accomplish and glad it’s welcome. Wife finishing up surf and turf, dogs asleep on me, lol. Long day with the driving to and from but a good enough day I’m not even reflecting on any +/- of the other 365 (leap year). It will be midnight somewhere when we fall asleep, haha.
Like everyone, my year had its ups and downs as well. Last year was a struggle as I had to move twice. When I lost my first career in the Great Recession I went back to school to complete one degree and obtain a masters. Then I got married and five years later divorced. Moved to the west coast then back to Madison WI and realized after the housing market blew up I’d never be able to be able to afford my own place as a civil servant. I was at ease with renting until rent started to get out of control as well so I made the leap and moved back to Milwaukee in 2023. Last year the duplex I was renting from a friend disappeared after he had to sell his place but then my sister decided to move into the city and she bought a duplex in which I’m renting a flat from her. So moving twice in one year was incredibly stressful and I was too tired to be in the Christmas spirit.
I’d still would love to buy a place of my own but at my age by the time I was in position to do so I’d probably not have the money or energy to maintain it. So I feel like I’m in a good position now. Not how I had imagined my life at this point, but I’m starting to feel settled again and I don’t have to worry about rent skyrocketing. My sister and I do squabble from time to time but it’s working out pretty great. Plus I can smoke my pipes in my place
One thing I won’t ever have to worry about is having lived a boring life!
I’d still would love to buy a place of my own but at my age by the time I was in position to do so I’d probably not have the money or energy to maintain it. So I feel like I’m in a good position now. Not how I had imagined my life at this point, but I’m starting to feel settled again and I don’t have to worry about rent skyrocketing. My sister and I do squabble from time to time but it’s working out pretty great. Plus I can smoke my pipes in my place
One thing I won’t ever have to worry about is having lived a boring life!
My father passed away in January and I miss him. But God has given me many blessings to keep me distracted from the pain, all the while still eternally grateful:
Beautiful wife, amazing children, possible daughters-in-law, a boring but important and stable job that pays the bills, many friends, and close relationships with my mother and siblings. Life is good, but short. Enjoy it and try to spread more love day by day.
And yeah, the comraderie here is a blessing too!
Beautiful wife, amazing children, possible daughters-in-law, a boring but important and stable job that pays the bills, many friends, and close relationships with my mother and siblings. Life is good, but short. Enjoy it and try to spread more love day by day.
And yeah, the comraderie here is a blessing too!
24’ is the year my body said enough after 30 years of Rugby Union and 45 years of being kicked, run over, horned, pinned and generally smashed against the cattle rails, everything hurts. On the plus side I’ve started a new adventure and 25’ is the year I tidy up and refit a cabin, build a big deck, make a custom workshop for myself and catch as many sunrises as I can with a pipe in my mouth and a hot coffee on the bench. The slow life is calling and I’m going to embrace it.
I last moved in '03 . House is one level above shack rating , but it's paid for .Like everyone, my year had its ups and downs as well. Last year was a struggle as I had to move twice. When I lost my first career in the Great Recession I went back to school to complete one degree and obtain a masters. Then I got married and five years later divorced. Moved to the west coast then back to Madison WI and realized after the housing market blew up I’d never be able to be able to afford my own place as a civil servant. I was at ease with renting until rent started to get out of control as well so I made the leap and moved back to Milwaukee in 2023. Last year the duplex I was renting from a friend disappeared after he had to sell his place but then my sister decided to move into the city and she bought a duplex in which I’m renting a flat from her. So moving twice in one year was incredibly stressful and I was too tired to be in the Christmas spirit.
I’d still would love to buy a place of my own but at my age by the time I was in position to do so I’d probably not have the money or energy to maintain it. So I feel like I’m in a good position now. Not how I had imagined my life at this point, but I’m starting to feel settled again and I don’t have to worry about rent skyrocketing. My sister and I do squabble from time to time but it’s working out pretty great. Plus I can smoke my pipes in my place
One thing I won’t ever have to worry about is having lived a boring life!
I think I'd rather hit myself in the head with a hammer than move again ,
2024 was, by any measure, pretty much the same as any of the preceeding 61 years. It had it’s ups and downs, but the trajectory overall is positive. The Girl is out on her own, living a good life and finding her way, still more than happy to visit, share a meal and some good laughs with us. I couldn’t desire more than that. But if I did, I can’t imagine anything that would make me happier.
My Daughter joined me in our Veterinary practice, taking a huge work load off of me. We still do not have the million dollar a year company that I dreamed of when I retired from the Marine Corps, but we pay the bills and get by pretty good. My oldest granddaughter has decided she wants to become a lawyer like Grandma, the youngest granddaughter wants to be an animal doctor like mom and grandpa. And thanks be unto God my grandson with Down syndrome's heart surgery was a success. So, 2024 was very positive for us and something to be thankful for.
Awesome news to hear about your grandson’s successful heart surgery (among all the other great news). But I call this out specifically because my own son — born in my 42nd year of life — has DS and he required major heart surgery to patch up some holes when he was not yet 6 months old. This was back in 2021 but it was a heart wrenching year for my wife and I. He’s doing just peachy these days and is the joy of our life. Hope you have lots of fun times with your grandson. Every little one is a treasure!
When my mother developed dementia and her insurance company declined to pay for a medication that her doctor recommended we try, I wrote to the Insurance company in my best polite lawyerese, expressing my desire for them to review their decision. I stated that if the medication did not improve her condition we would discontinue its use as there would be no point to continuing it, but that we wanted to try. I also stated that if they still refused, it being my mother, I would bring suit and make it a point to cost them more than they hoped to save by denying my mother the medication in question.
Surprise! Ten days later we received a letter from her insurance saying that they had reviewed her case and decided that offering her the medication was normal practice after all and that it was approved.
I've taken on two health insurance companies and the IRS and kicked them to the curb, as well as assorted idiots who tried to cheat my parents, my friends, and me. I'm generally very easygoing, but when someone is stupid enough to provoke me by trying to pull a fast one, I don't leave a grease spot to mark where the idiot once existed.
There ARE things we cannot change, but sometimes we don't know until we try.
William is a pill; he is two and loves fishing in Pawpaw's pond and of course between me and his sisters he is spoiled rotten. I'm glad your boy is doing well. DS kids are a special gift.
I’ve had a pretty good year. My oldest boy got married. Had the honor of taking my nephew to take his first buck. Building a second art career in printmaking with a loving, supportive wife who stood my side as I had my first museum exhibit. Building new friendships in the arts.
But, I also as usual I put my foot in my mouth frequently. The older I get, the less filters I have.
I wish everyone the best 2025 possible, and thank you for tolerating me.
But, I also as usual I put my foot in my mouth frequently. The older I get, the less filters I have.
I wish everyone the best 2025 possible, and thank you for tolerating me.
I’ve had an incredible year and I’m thankful for the health of my family. With the cost of housing at this point in the US, I’m very thankful that my wife and I own our home. Our 5-year-old is becoming an amazing little girl and we will be welcoming a son in February, god-willing. I feel fulfilled at work, have my health, a lovely wife and family, and I enjoy my community and where I live. I really can’t complain about much right now… but I’ll try my hand.
It was an abysmal year locally for people like me who forage for mushrooms. I know, my life is truly a tragedy!
It was an abysmal year locally for people like me who forage for mushrooms. I know, my life is truly a tragedy!