Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2014: A Year in Review


When 2014 began, it was a year filled with hope.  I looked back over my posts for the last year, and as I look at my post for January 1, I saw where I wrote:

However, I am looking so forward to 2014.  I truly believe that it will be a monumental year.  I'm going to be an uncle again in July, and I could not be happier.  I'm hoping this year will be the year that I find love.  I, like many people, hope to get in better shape physically. I also hope to improve my health and well being.

I've never been keen on New Years resolutions, because they are almost always impossible to keep.  However, this year, I have three that I plan to keep.  First of all, I am going to be more positive and optimistic....My second resolution is to be more proactive in making myself happier.....My last resolution is that I am going to read more. 

Looking back over the year, I really have tried to be more positive and optimistic, but it has been incredibly difficult at times.  I have also tried to make myself happier, and in some ways I succeeded.  I have also read a lot more books this year, and have loved each and every one of them.


However, several difficult things happened over the course of the year.  By the second week of January, I had to cancel a cruise because my aunt died.  Then in September my beloved HRH died.  As I was looking over my posts, I came across one of the things I wrote about HRH:

Overall, she's a wonderful companion.  The picture above is from when I had my headache.  She was sleeping quietly beside me making sure that I was alright.  Occasionally, she'd even get up and pat my head with her paw, as a way of saying, "Get well, my friend."

I wish I could have done more to keep her well.  I miss her so much.  I have to stop writing about this or I'll start crying more than I am and never get this post written.


At the end of January, Hell froze over or as I wrote:  "Well, Alabama froze over, which sometimes is close enough to hell for me."  In March, I had a case of bronchitis, which was no fun.  In April, the school drama club which I'm in charge of put on a production of "Steel Magnolias" which was a major success.  The girls did wonderful and during the intermission we had a "wedding reception" complete with red velvet armadillo cake, which we sold slices of to raise money for diabetes awareness.  We raised nearly $300 for the charity and even made a nice profit on proceeds from the tickets to give us a nice cushion for future drama club productions.  The drama club is tiring work, but very rewarding.  I'm trying to delegate more for this years production, which was written by yours truly.


May came and we got out of school and I was finally able to take my cruise.  Originally my mother was supposed to take the cruise with her sister, but she was the aunt who died in January, so with my sister pregnant, I went on the cruise with my mother.  Going on a cruise with my mother was not my ideal but we had a great time, even if it turned out to be the same cruise that my graduating senior class was on, but to see the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza was a dream come true.  May and June were also when my love life got a bit of a jolt, though neither of the guys I started dating lasted very long.  The sex was a lot of fun though.


In July, my sister gave birth to a beautiful  and healthy baby boy, and I became an uncle for the second time.  As with my niece did as a baby, he seems to cry every time I hold him.  July was a month of vacations though.  I took three.  First, I went to spend a week with a friend of mine in Louisiana.  Then, I took my niece to Six Flags, and as soon as I returned home from there, I left going on a trip to Dallas.  It was a very fun July. And then, school started back in August.


Tragedy occurred in September when HRH passed away, and most of that month was spent dealing with the loss of a great companion.  In October, a little joy returned to my life:

My heart was broken by the passing of HRH, but I now have two girls who are doing their best to mend a broken heart.  There names are Edith and Lucy, and they are just over two months old.  Edith is slightly younger than Lucy.  They are not sisters but get along very well.  I adopted them Saturday from the Montgomery Humane Society.  I had not been without a cat since 1985, and though many might question getting kittens so soon after Victoria's death, I don't.  There was a void that needed to be filled and these two little ladies are doing their best to fill it.  I saw Edith on the MHS website and fell in love. My cat before Victoria was a calico, named Calico (I was 7 when I got her and wasn't very imaginative).  I've always loved calicos for their sweet disposition, and I knew if I got another cat, it would be a calico. 


October was also a busy month as I was preparing for a small drama club production for the first of November.  It was not one of my best productions, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.  November and December have not been the best months, however.  For most of the past six weeks I have been in near constant pain, either migraines or lower back pain.  Thankfully, they tend not to happen at the same time, but it seems lie, when the headache clears, the migraine returns, and vice versa.  I hoping to get in to see the doctor next week and see what he says.

So that's my year in review.  Some good, some bad.  I do hope that 2015 will be a much better year without so many ups and downs. 

7 comments:

Daniel said...

Here's hoping your doctor will be able to provide some relief from the head and back pain.

Best wishes for an engaging 2015! In the words of the immortal Miss Dolly Parton:
"I hope life, will treat you kind,
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of.
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love."

I waited a long time to find love, but it was worth the search. May yours be equally so.

Susan said...

Joe, thank you so much for this wonderful site. I too wish you major relief with the headaches and back pain. Please do see a doctor ASAP. Again, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet HRH, but am so happy that you were able to fill some of the emptiness with those two adorable kittens. See you soon in 2015! :)

silvereagle said...

Best wishes, 2015, as you begin this evening...and goodbye, 2014, you will be long remembered....and for something to cheer you.....look at this:

Have you seen this film clip made by the Downton Abbey cast for charity?





Posted by Rebecca (Nashville, TN, USA) on 12/30/14 08:51 PM

Jump to bottom

George Clooney's surprise appearance gives Downton Abbey fans a Christmas treat.
Downton Abbey did its bit for ITV's Text Santa charity Christmas appeal in a special mini episode, starring Joanna Lumley. In the 9 minute sketch Lord Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) seems to be facing financial ruin once again and begins to wonder if his family may be better off without him. But divine intervention in the form of a very special heavenly body (Joanna Lumley) gives him a view of what life would really be like without his guiding spirit.

George Clooney also makes a guest appearance in the special as George Oceans Gravity, Marquis of Hollywood. (Lord Hollywood).

Shown on TV in the UK, the special sketch was in aid of ITV’s annual charity appeal Text Santa which aims to raise funds for the work of six UK based charities. This year’s charities are Teenage Cancer Trust, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Alzheimer’s Society, WellChild and Together for Short Lives.

If you are a Downton Abbey fan, you'll enjoy this short spoof. Well done! And hilarious!

When the first clip ends (it says to be continued), just wait a few seconds, and part 2 will begin. It's the best part:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-22/george-clooney-makes-surprise-appearance-on-downton-abbey/5982780




Posted by Rebecca
Nashville, TN, USA
12/30/14 08:56 PM
845 posts



And a reminder that next Sunday, January 4th, begins the new season of Downton Abbey on PBS. Can't wait! Here in Nashville, it will be on Channel 8 at 8:00 pm.

Unknown said...

I've followed the ups and downs, CP. I know I've had mine, too. I hope and pray your 2015 is filled with love, hope and joy!

Peace <3
Jay

Amanda said...

I truly hope you get some relief from your pain. And I'm glad you have your kitties to help with the loss of HRH.

I enjoyed your year in review and recap! I wish for you in 2015 good health and getting what want and need. Thanks for letting us be a part of your world. :)

Bodhisbuddy said...

Add one more wish for your happiness in the coming year and one more thank you for the blog.

Anonymous said...

It's definitely been a year of ups and downs. As I reflect on the past year I'm most grateful for dear friendships and a special man in my life. I'm happy to be done with college and have finally landed a good job. It all sound so wonderful and it is but my close friends know that it hasn't been an easy journey. It's been a year of self discovery and acceptance. It's been a year of patience and some hard hits to my confidence. But some wonderful things have helped get me through this year and you Joe and this blog have been one of those things. It takes a very special man to be so committed to researching and sharing his thoughts and opinions and knowledge with others. I'm happy you've found happiness in Edith & Lucy, family and friends and fun dates and sex!! Yippie. Plus some successes at school with the plays and certain students. I think you have an impact on them more than you or they realize. I do worry about your health lately and encourage you to see a doctor and get things checked out. 2015 will be a great year. Stay positive and hopeful. Keep searching for love. Please keep writing and posting. With much love and success in the new year, Ethan