JANUARY
The biggest highlight of the month is that we all (my immediate family and I) made it through 2020 without having contracted the virus. That in itself is a blessing! On a lighter note, a friend of mine who has a side gig as an Elvis impersonator made a PBS special, and I made it into the last two minutes of the reel! Well, my back did, but that's fun too :-) Watch the episode
here.
FEBRUARY
This month followed up with another huge highlight - I was awarded a prize as the division's "World's Greatest Colleague" for the quarter. Even more special, the prize was a trip for me and my family to go to ... Hawaii!!! I've never won a prize that big!
MARCH
While it may not seem big to some, after a year of deprivation of amenities we once took for granted, I was able to get a haircut - much needed - and a mani/pedi - much appreciated - at my favorite salon where they've pampered me for 25 years. Good thing too, since they are closing permanently due to the landlord's ridiculous rent increase and pandemic uncertainties. They took great care of Joyce and me, and I will truly miss spending time in their expert hands.
APRIL
Vaccinations opened up for people in my category, and I received both my shots this month! Stayed at home during this time, but felt like I "travelled" through several online viewing opportunities - from England's memorial service for HRH Prince Philip, to Florida's air show starring the Thunderbirds; from New York's anticipated re-opening of the legendary Sondheim musical Assassins, to the trimmed and toned down Oscars in LA's newly restored art deco Union Station. Watching this program inspired me to plan a trip next month to see this beautiful building!
MAY
Went to my first live and in-person theater production in 14 months with one of my favorite co-producer friends! Followed that up with an outdoor band concert that Janet performed in; she played both French Horn and trumpet! Since I hadn't seen her for several months, I was finally able to give her birthday and Christmas gifts, five months late! Then, for memorial day weekend I planned a one-day fly-down/fly-back trip to LA to see not only the restored train station, but also an exhibit at Forest Lawn of the country's oldest family owned stained glass company. The works there were exquisite, and I was so glad I was able to safely travel and see all these artistic endeavors without "the usual crowds."
JUNE
The biggest news this month is that, after nearly 5-1/2 years in my apartment, and 25 years in the bay area, I am able to move out of the too-high-priced silicon valley and into a larger and more affordable home near our office in Folsom! That meant that I needed a car that can pass a smog test and that has air conditioning - my beloved Beetle fails at both - so I donated the Baby to a local charity and bought a "new" used car! I started the process of packing, and also saying goodbye, as I caught a local production at one of our favorite theatres, and sang karaoke one last time at a favorite haunt. This is what I'll truly miss the most.
JULY
Over the long Fourth weekend I made the move, in two very large truckloads. It was grueling, but will be so worthwhile in the long run!
AUGUST
Unpacking was my predominant activity, but I also got to "break in" my new kitchen making a sumptuous delicacy. It turned out that Janet had signed up for the same virtual cooking class, so we both made Beef Wellingtons in our separate abodes! I was also able to join several of my theatre friends - all of us vaxed and masked - in an all-day stained glass art class with a finished product of a beautiful "flamingo wing" sun-catcher.
SEPTEMBER
I took my second "half-sabbatical" now that I've reached eight years with the company. I got four weeks off and spent them doing several bucket list activities. I took in what would be the final tour of Mike and Micky sing The Monkees, which was a dream come true. I caught the Capital Air Show right over my house, starring those fabulous AF Thunderbirds - their home base is literally a block from my house. Janet and I attended the van Gogh experience, which was tremendous; and also got to see Simone Biles in her Gold Over America Tour (GOAT) which was truly inpiring! And for my long road trip of the month I drove down to Paso Robles to see the Field of Light again, since Janet had let me know they've added a new attraction to the display. This is such a lovely art installation, and I hope it will stay for some time, if not become a permanent art site.
OCTOBER
For my birthday brunch, I treated myself to mimosas and crabcake Benedict; for dinner, Craig took me out to a great seafood restaurant, where I had delicious food and bev, and delightful and beloved company! And for the last trip of the sabbatical, I drove over to wine country and took a photo safari, which was a trip I'd planned two birthdays ago, but it had been pre-empted by the fires that raged through that area on my birthday. So glad all the animals survived and the location was able to come back strong. On the drive home I stopped at what is my favorite winery - their name is that of my grandparents, and their color scheme is nicely pink! And while I was still in vacation mode, I caught the very last Daniel Craig Bond movie, in a movie theatre as it should first be seen, a family tradition that I used to share with Joyce. Getting back to work, I drove down to the Bay Area on my first day back - in a torrential rain storm - but since I planned to stay overnight, I could at least treat myself to a night of karaoke with my favorite KJ and several regulars. Since not a lot of people wanted to go out in the weather, I got to sing three songs before I departed for the nearby lodge where I was staying.
NOVEMBER
Craig and I started in earnest looking for a new home together as we plan for the rest of our lives. We want to remarry on our original wedding day next May. We are so thankful that we're taking this second chance!
DECEMBER
While we were all optimistic that we had made it through the worst part of the pandemic unscathed, Joyce's plans to visit us at the beginning of the month were thwarted when she caught the virus. She'd been vaxed but not yet boosted, so she probably got a mild case of a variant. We're grateful it was mild. I drove down to the bay area, again for work, but also to catch Janet in her holiday concert with "our band." The drive down was in what I could only describe as a monsoon, as there were times when I could barely see the large truck in front of me. The following weekend, Craig and I attended his company's holiday party in a swank villa in Morgan Hill. Our accommodations were super-deluxe! The next day we toured a model home site not far from both our current abodes, and if everything goes well, we could be moving into our new home next spring/summer! We are truly blessed!
We wish you and yours a safe, healthy and happy new year full of friends and opportunities!
Give of yourself, and you will be rewarded twofold!!
Love & Peace.
