I feel like it's part of millennial culture to say every year is the worst year yet. Oh we thought last year was bad but this one was HELL. To be fair, it's not far from the truth. However, in my own little personal bubble, 2024 was one of my best...up until November 5th.
I felt good in body and mind. I'm proud of myself for creating the habit of moving my body in different ways on a consistent basis. I'm proud of myself for journaling or talking out all the thoughts swirling in my head. I reached out to my old therapist and had a few end of year sessions with her because I do care about myself and others. I realized I needed more help and I sought it out. I want to do my part in being the best version of myself for me and everyone I love.
The mems with friends from this year fill my dark little heart with joy. From Nicole's Dungeon of Dudes to Candlelight Coldplay with Gaya. All the Swiftie dance parties. All the amazing Finer Things meals. All the new music. All the live music. Bowling at Primrose Lanes for my birthday. Almost getting hit by a baseball while at a Ray's game. Meeting Nikki Glaser. The themed classes at Tribe Yoga. Katie as Shania. Seeing the Solar Eclipse. AVA's lipstick making field trip. Actually going down a big ol' waterslide at Joanne's 40th. Dressing up as Fred Flintstone for Halloween. Being interviewed by the University of Minnesota on being childfree. Saving a kitten!
Even the best years have their bullshit and 2024 was no exception. From the Hurricanes (lost power with Milton for a few days) to Kamala losing the election. From my stabbing ear pain in the beginning of the year that turned out to be another TMJ symptom. Saying goodbye to pets and people.
I do not have much hope for 2025. I don't expect it'll be as good to me as 2024, and the pessimist in me thinks it'll be mostly shit, but I am determined to find pockets of joy, no matter how tiny. I don't want to have too high of expectations even though there are a plethora of milestones to be celebrated in the coming year - me and so many friends turn 4-0, Dustin and I will celebrate 20 years together come March, and Aubrie is graduating high school.
This was the first year I went the bingo approach to goals for the year. I do like it better than the standard resolutions. I filled it with things that were all very manageable but still required me to put forth some effort in accomplishing them. I think it's important to set attainable goals. I'm not about to put "run a marathon" when I hate to run or "go to Italy" when I have never even really even been out of the country before (unless you count last year when Melody took me to eat dumplings in Montreal).
It was a record-breaking book year for me. Like ok, me; get your read on. Got to escape the horrors of reality somehow! All bolded books are ones I got from the library for free (get a library card motherfuckers). All italicized books are ones I got discounted or free secondhand. And all the ones linked were my absolute favey faves of the year that I'd recommend to fellow book lovers.
I feel like I normally watch SO MANY more movies but there wasn't a whole lot out there. Or maybe there was but I just preferred to read. Regardless, I linked the trailers for all the movies I really enjoyed this year below.
My tastes range from true crime to trash. From comedy specials to documentaries. From critically acclaimed dramas to book-inspired limited series. From sci-fi to young adult. And just about everything in between. You know the drill now, I linked the trailers for all the shows I super duper enjoyed this year below.
Dustin and I loaded up my car with the prepped lasagna(s) and presents and we were on the road headed to Gainesville by 8 am.
We were welcomed by family and orange rolls, as is tradition. Georgia immediately showed off her puppy hotel right in the foyer. I mean, understandable given she has a pink poodle amongst the guests.
We opened presents as soon as Stephen, Birdie, and his mom walked over. My mom got Hayley and I both Fabio magnets which were of course a huge hit. My aunt got us both Taylor tree ornaments which immediately made me sing the line wearing a gown shaped like a pastry in my head. Hayley gave everyone hilarious shirts from Asheville; mine is catnip related and yes I've already worn it. Georgia got a whole vet set which Stephen so wonderfully modeled for us all. She was mostly concerned about collecting the stuffing from Birdie's dog toy than anything. Once she opened the book I gave her she immediately sat in Hayley's lap asking her to read it to her. Thankfully, it's an easy short read! I am still so overjoyed every time she asks to be read a book. I really love that it's one of her favorite things to do. It wouldn't be Christmas morning without a wrapping paper ball fight with Paul. Georgia giggled and threw them right back at him with glee.
Stephen brought several of his various vintage cameras with him while visiting and I was pumped to sit for him. He took photos with his 1970s (I think? Maybe 1960s?) polaroid camera, along with another camera set on a tri-pod to get some shots of the us by the tree. It is also very reminiscent of Grandad Joe minus the deep voice yelling at everyone. We took more photos outside later that day and he showed me how to pull the trigger of his old camera so he and Hayley could have a shot together. I can't wait to see how it turns out.
We all tried Stephen's new fave beer, Busch NA. To Dustin and I, it tastes like any other beer, which no offense to beer lovers, tastes like piss. But the cans sure made for a fun photo prop. Remember that Christmas we all tried non-alcoholic beer? While the lasagna cooked in the oven, I gave mostly everyone tattoos. Dustin got a penguin on his hand, Georgia a Santa on her hand, my mom picked a frosty, and Paul chose a snow globe on his cheek. We called him "Prison Paul" for the remainder of the day. Hayley and Grey worked their multi-disc CD magic and got some music playing - first up was a holly Dolly Christmas. Just prior to this my mom was telling us, as she does every Christmas, how much she hates Mariah Carey. And JLo. Apparently Ben is ok.
Between Dustin's bomb lasagna, Stephen's Satchel's dupe of a salad, and my aunt's non-jarlic bread, it was quite a Christmas feast. We all ate on the porch outside while Birdie chewed on a stick. My uncle and aunt had just said goodbye to sweet Holly only a week or two prior so although her presence was certainly missed, it was comforting to have Birdie carrying on the jingle bell collar tradition. Dustin was so stealth in his watching of the Steelers game on his phone that no one even knew until well into the meal.
We walked around the block while Georgia biked on her strider. I love the neighborhoods of Gainesville and all the charm of the old houses. Georgia looked at a yellowish colored house and very matter of fact said "That house is the same color as my pee." and then just kept on biking. We all cracked up! Hayley and I discussed the architecture and how badly we wanted to tour the inside of so many of them. She also pointed out one house with weird decor on the front. I honestly thought they were two lizards. Certainly not my taste but to each their own. Hayley agreed. I zoomed in on them and took a photo and much to our surprise and horror we saw two gargoyle/demons. The fuck? Hayley couldn't believe it since she had grown up in that neighborhood since her teenage years and was certain they were always lizards. This is why they say you can never go home again - because lizards turn into demons.
When we got back we ate pie and took more photos out back. The Steelers lost to the Chiefs and Taylor didn't even show up in Pittsburgh. Bah humbug.
It was a lovely day full of belly laughs and so many side-eye cousin exchanges. We learned Paul uses noxema to clean out a clogged ear. Stephen taught us the term "road gator" which Hayley and I had never heard before. My mom got a surprise present in the form of a Aerosmith (she kept pronouncing it AerosmEYEth for some reason) cassette tape that Hayley just happened to find. My mom also out of no where asked "Isn't Honey Boo Boo a relative of ours?". What?! Somehow we got onto family secrets and the FBI. Someone really needs to write a book. To top it all off Hayley reminisced about getting a C in typing while Grey proudly told us he got an award in that class.
