<p>For the most part it has been pretty good for us. Kids’ health improving. Mine was very stable until this recent bad side effect from antibiotic. Extended family mostly in good health. </p>
<p>Everyone I love currently has a roof over their heads and more assets than debt, I believe. Those seem like wins to me. </p>
<p>I’m still alive.
Dog still alive.
Family still alive.
Still have a roof over my head and food on my table.
We had plenty of health issues (including more than one hospitalization) but thankfully we had Obamacare ( ) so it didn’t bankrupt us and we’re all mostly recovered. </p>
<p>My immediate family and I are very fortunate.
Between my extended family and friends this was a year with a lot of losses and a lot of illness. My prayer list is very long. </p>
<p>It’s been a good year for our family. No major health problems. Our two S’s are doing well with their jobs/lives. The big event of 2014 for us was that DH retired fr. his job of 33 years and we have moved to our retirement home that we built several years ago. It’s five hours away from our home of 33 years. Sort of like starting a whole new life. So far, so good.</p>
<p>Everyone is alive.
No one lost work.
Our house didn’t slide down a cliff.
Our dog didn’t give anyone rabies.
I don’t think I’ve had to go to the emergency room, all year!</p>
<p>S1 had a big wedding where I was defacto MOB and it went well
S2 had a baby
D with LD has some nice college acceptances and is seeing her years of extraordinary effort pay off
Clients and renters seem happy
Thankfully, Ss bought houses in 2013 because I am too tired to move them and re-do houses again, given the above
My parents in good health; MIL beginning dementia, but in good care
Thankful. Any of it can vanish/change in an instant.</p>
<p>I became an empty nester this year and discovered not only do I enjoy hanging with hubby, I do have a lot of interests that don’t involved taking care of kids!</p>
<p>Business going well, about to get a contract for the biggest contract ever for our company, we should double in size next year, and I have the time now to devote to it without feeling guilty.</p>
<p>My mom will be settled into a permanent situation, which had been hanging over all of our heads. She didn’t have a great year and her health deteriorated significantly from last year this time.</p>
<p>We’re looking at buying a second home this year. Looking forward to the search and selection.</p>
<p>After our nightmare year of 2013, 2014 has been good. Oldest son with schizophrenia has been stable for a year and a half. Middle son with bipolar disorder has been off meds (with doctor’s permission) for awhile and doing great - going to the Middle East soon for a two-month volunteer trip. Youngest daughter studied in Spain as a high school sophomore and LOVED it.</p>
<p>Last year, we went into a lot of debt because of the slow economy. This year, we got a huge contract with a local company and will be able to pay off our line of credit. Whoo hoo!</p>
<p>DH got to travel around Spain with DD, and I got to go on a long safari in South Africa with my parents. </p>
<p>Hoping 2015 continues the trend! My parents have already invited me to go on another safari with them (their health isn’t great and they’re trying to cram in as many trips over there as possible, I think!0.</p>
<p>Business had it’s ups and downs. Went through a commercial property purchase that was stressful. Saw an improvement with our seasonal business after recovering from Hurricane Sandy the previous year.3 out of 4 of our daughters are dealing with personal struggles right now , so this makes us worried .
But we are all healthy and alive. When I hear about the growing drug epidemic where I grew up , and how people I know are personally impacted, I am reminded that my children’s problems are far more manageable and will pass.</p>
<p>Good:
S got engaged to his long-term GF.
D and SIL, following their newlywed year, announced that they will be making us grandparents this spring. :)</p>
<p>Not so good:
H, whose health had been consistently excellent, developed significant orthopedic issues which will require surgery. This agenda got complicated by a DVT (blood clot) for which he should have been extremely low risk (being neither sedentary nor overweight) but will delay resolving his orthopedic issues. Recuperation has been slow so far. He has gone from almost daily significant exercise to a much more sedentary lifestyle.
My own health, which in recent years has been more challenging, has remained stable this year – but I need to be making more progress re weight loss and exercise. With the coming grandchild, I have significant incentive to increase my efforts in those areas.</p>
<p>2014, the worst year ever and I hope it will remain as such. I don’t think I could live through another 2014. I left a very stressful job, and got separated after 30+ years of marriage. 2015 is looking up - got a new job starting in a month (dream job actually) and I am adjusting to the new norm.</p>
<p>I think as we get older each year will be filled with joys and heartaches and we will continue to lose loved ones. </p>
<p>I continue to love my job and am thankful every day that I have it and that I live and work in a beautiful place with wonderful people.</p>
<p>I was on crutches for a month and off running for a total of 8 weeks, so my athletic goals took a hit, but I bounced back and am able to put it in perspective.</p>
<p>I have a family member who is struggling with some addiction and mental illness, so that is a huge worry.</p>
<p>I lost a precious pet to sudden heart failure (Ragdoll cat- 6 years old) but added a beautiful new Ragdoll kitten to the family.</p>
<p>I try to view life through a lens of gratitude and love- I try…</p>
<p>@Oldfort - hugs to you. 2012 was the year from hell for me and I’m just now starting to put it behind me.
2014 has been a very good year, except for a recent incident involving an immediate family member, and I’m thankful for all the blessings my family and I received this year. </p>
<p>My mother passed away 12/31/2013. This has been a year of adjustment and renewal. My family is basically healthy and we are doing better financially. DS continues to grow into a man worth his weight in gold and I have learned to take time for me this year. Still, I am looking forward to the next year. </p>
<p>This thread is like those Christmas letters some families send out. We had a good year-we’re healthy, still have our jobs, older kids are happy, have jobs they enjoy and are self-sufficient. We continue to enjoy our small but cozy home-it’s OURS, and that’s what matters. We did buy a new car, the first off-the-lot car H has ever owned, and took our first long vacation, which was combined into a college tour for D, who had the banner year of all banner years. She continues to delight us. We haven no living older relatives but there are concerns over a couple of in-laws. Time will tell.</p>
<p>While 2015 won’t bring millions and none of us will hold patents or become nationally famous, a move to a McMansion, we look forward to seeing what life will bring us in the coming year. </p>
) so it didn’t bankrupt us and we’re all mostly recovered. </p>
</p>