The Year in Review: 2018

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In honor of the last day of the year, I thought I’d take a look back at all 2018 had in store for family, career, travel, hobbies, in memoriam, and other adventures.

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FAMILY

Our nephew, Lane, was born this year!  My Grandpa came and stayed at our house for a few days.  My mom moved into her new place in Columbus.  We had our niece spend the night, making it our first official kid slumber party at our house.  I visited my sister at Miami University.  My brother-in-law graduated from Bowling Green State University.

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CAREER

I celebrated 10 years with the company this year . . . sealing the accomplishment with a new suitcase from the service anniversary catalog.  Several big projects under my responsibility completed or had notable successes.  Our department moved to a new location and brand new building a couple miles away from our old location.  I attended several training classes with the best one focused on communication and speaking with influence. I started regularly cohosting our internal radio show.  I traveled to Virginia, Chicago, Las Vegas, and most notably . . . I finally got to ride on the corporate jet! . . . and I used the new suitcase.

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TRAVEL

Most know by now that Chris and I have a goal to travel to all 50 states.  The rules are easy:  you have to spend the night in the state.  That’s the only rule.  I traveled with a friend to Pittsburgh for a night for one of Rachel Hollis’ book signings.  Chris and I went to Los Angeles when I attended the RISE Conference, which also gave me a chance to reconnect with a 2nd cousin I hadn’t seen in 30 years.  Chris and I went to Las Vegas (he went for a work conference, I went for gambling).  We also went to New Orleans, Louisiana and Gulfport, Mississippi where we changed things up by using Airbnb for the first time.  We went to Traverse City, Michigan and Mackinac Island, Michigan for our 10-year wedding anniversary.  Chris went on a two week hunting trip in Idaho with his dad.  I went back to Las Vegas for a work conference.  We went to New York City and walked a zillion miles.  And we ended the year with an overnight trip to Connecticut where we met up with friends for a holiday party at a casino.

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HOBBIES

I launched Little Red Bird Press, an online magazine for women where I’ve published 50+ articles for women who have been willing to share their stories.  I also bought a Canon Rebel T6i camera in August and spent the rest of the year doing photoshoots with anyone and everyone that would let me.  I took a Photography 1 and Photography 2 class and am continuing to enjoy photography every time I get my camera out!

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IN MEMORIAM

In April, my great grandpa passed away.  He passed seven months after my great grandma passed away in 2017.  In November, Chris’ step dad passed away.  Any loss is always the most vivid memory in the year for me, and grief is a hard thing to describe sometimes.  We talk about the loved ones we’ve lost within the last few years on a regular basis and we keep fun memories in mind of them as we go on with our days.

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OTHER ADVENTURES

I took my mom to the Justin Timberlake concert.  We went kayaking (my first time) with my dad, stepmom, and sister.  I played in a couple golf tournaments with work.  We continue to deliver Meals on Wheels the first weekend of every month.  We went to the Memorial Tournament.  And after ten years of having “buy a Mercedes” on my goal list . . . I bought a Mercedes!

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It was a full year when I look back on all of it.  Here’s to a happy and healthy 2019!