So it's 2014. Right, you have calendars, you know this. I am making some rather large changes in my life. I've not been heading in the right direction--or any direction, really-- in the last months so this year brings about a plethora of New.
Let's recap 2013, shall we??
Spent New Years 2013 in Dallas at a club a high school friend played at. We came home hoping for a new year with new stuff and we DEFINITELY GOT IT!!
Went to London for Spring Break (not new) on a school field trip with my class (very new). Had a brilliant time even though I visited A&E whilst there. Saw my English family, whom I miss dearly EVERYDAY (again not new). Came home and got the flu for the first time in my life. It was miserable, I highly recommend avoiding at all costs!!
Let's see moved in with Nanna and K-Lee for the summer. Met lovely new neighbors from Louisiana with a massive Dane. They have truly become such wonderful friends.
July, we acquired a small emaciated puppy from the neighbors across the cul-de-sac, under false pretenses (said they found him but we later found out they picked him from the liter and just didn't take care of him-- not friends with said neighbors), who has lovingly become a strong and very spirited member of our family.
Grumpy had another surgery in May and his neck collar came off (FINALLY) in August. I graduated university (yes, another FINALLY). DQ broke her foot and had to wear a boot for MONTHS.
T1 and T2 both came home from Afghanistan.
River married T1 in November, on national television. Nanna and I were among the bridesmaids. The wedding was beautiful and River & T1 both looked so happy. Steve Harvey was so wonderful to them in giving them a gorgeous wedding.
This last month has been a marathon of stop and go. Grumpy went to the hospital again. Hospice was considered. Christmas was in Cross Plains, like always but then the following weekend was in Siloam Springs, Arkansas with Crz and her family.
Since arriving back from Arkansas (4 days ago, mind you), the plan for 2014 has been idealized. Conceptualization will actually take place in the next 6-8 weeks, but the family is going on a trip. Since I am without a career and prospects are slight, I have plenty of opportunity to assist DQ with caring for Grumpy. The recent events of late December prove that days are numbered and life is moving a little too quickly for them on their own. So, that being said, 29 December 2013, my parents and I decided we will journey through the US for a few months. This will give Grumpy an opportunity to reminisce and get out, DQ can travel and see the country, and I can guarantee they are a little bit safer by taking on the bulk of the driving and loading/unloading. Seeing the US via Route 66 and Hwy 1 will give me an open door to write daily and inspiration to give voice to the stories in my mind. I feel this is a mostly selfish trip on my part since I do get to travel and see the things I've always wanted to.... I worry that maybe I should voice the dangers of traveling so far for so long. Maybe my sensible side will kick in??
I guess I should ruminate on this a bit more.
Tonight, I've just had a wonderful evening. My roommate and I cook a supper of turkey sausage, cabbage, and black-eyed peas. We toasted the new year with an old bottle of Jameson before tucking into our supper whilst watching Pride & Prejudice. I always forget how much I love that story...
Already I'm having a wonderfully positive year: my roommate shared her luck in the form of black-eyed peas and my neighbors shared their wealth in the form of cabbage with us for our supper. To which we watch Pride & Prejudice. May everyone have a year filled with love for and from one another.
Either way, as of the end of January, my address will change. I hope this journey I am on is the correct one.
Here's hoping I am strong enough to write every single day.
Without Wax,
Sj
