On the Season

Tomorrow is the final day of the year. This year is finally drawing to a close with a very happy ending despite some rather rough water that was navigated. In January I enter a new job with new people in a new office and am thrilled to be able to work in a group where we are actually helping faculty further the goals of the University. The best part is that helping faculty bit, but the icing on the cake is that I'm no longer on the same 24/7/365 schedule that I've been on for the past 3.5 years. Oh, there is some rotational on-call work with this, but it's nowhere near the same level of stress. I can actually sleep at night.

And I think I've re-learned how to sleep at night. I wasn't doing that for a while and in the summer it hit a real peak of not sleeping. Forty minute catnaps that end in a sudden heart-pounding jolt awake are not fun. To finally be winding into a job where that level of anxiety is no longer necessary is a blessing.

My daughter started really swimming this year. She's not got the strokes yet, but the next couple of swim lesson sessions should begin rounding that out. However, she keeps her head above water as she flounders across a pool.

Amelia started wearing glasses this year. At first they were a real fashion accent, but now they've drifted into a chore to wear. I was hoping the fashionable feeling would last for a couple of years, but I was wrong. Poor kid. She inherited my Dad's eyes, I think. He had terrible eyesight.

I don't usually talk about Norm in my blog. But we've had a tough year as a family, and he's been my anchor point. Being able to catch my breath and lean against his strength is bliss indeed. I'm absolutely bowled over by him as always.

Christmas was rather chaotic and joyous this year. We've had a few of them so far and two more to come. Christmas keeps recurring for us in the form of family dinners and gaiety.

Wishing your families a brilliant New Year.