2015 In Review

Happy New Year! 2016. Holy shit, it's 2016. And we survived we're still here. Remember the fear-mongering crazies who withdrew all their money, and stockpiled food and amenities for the looming apocalypse when the world was going to explode as we entered Y2K? That was some pretty humorous stuff...

Anyway, 2015 was a year full of ups and downs (get your head out of the gutter - I know of about 10 of you that immediately ran the wrong direction with that comment). Thankfully it was mostly ups. The biggest thing for us was moving. Within a 6 week period we saw a house that piqued our interest, so we looked, put an offer in, readied ours for sale, listed it and sold it (within 6 hours of being listed), packed and moved. We love it - and can't believe our luck with it all.

Teen successfully completed her first year of university; got a summer job; turned 19 (She can legally drink now - because she NEVER partook in that sort of thing ever before) and went back to start year 2. This year she's moved out of residence and is living in an awesome apartment with a group of friends. This apartment is a secure building designed exclusively for students located close to the school, so that makes Momma feel better about the off-campus living (not to mention it's cheaper (marginally so) - so that makes Momma's wallet a bit happier, although....she asks for grocery money and such an awful lot, so I think my wallet leaks out the other side a bit). As of Christmas, her year was already 1/2 over...it's crazy how fast time flies!

Imp has had an incredible year! WOW. Amazeballs! First and foremost, his year at school last year was awesome. There were some administrative changes and boom! Everything went smoothly thereafter. I wonder exactly where the problems were...hmmm... Although repeatedly and aggressively pushed advised to pursue college action and discipline towards this individual for his blatant negligence and bullying surrounding our son, we decided that our reward was enough in knowing that this guy is gone and won't ever be in a school setting again to do this to any other children. Anyway, I digress (this seems to often be the case, doesn't it?). In the spring, Imp started a "job" as a jr usher at a local theatre, which was a huge step towards responsibility and independence for him. Then, in the fall, he took a GINORMOUS step and switched schools (same school as Banshee), and a few weeks later, transitioned into our new home remarkably well. All of that was not without difficulty and struggles, but he did it - and we're so very proud of him. His school year is going fantastic, he's playing basketball again this year, and in general everything is good with him (although he misses the kids from the old school). His personality is really flourishing - he's definitely his mother's son. He may physically be his father's clone, but he is all me when it comes to his warped little sense of humour (and I'd like to say his smarts - although I think the smarts is uniquely him - because he is REALLY smart - scary so).

Banshee is fantastic. She torments us as she dances and sings her way through life. It's nothing for her stand up in the middle of a meal and do "the pony" or part of one of her routines, or to break out in shrill singing because the feeling hits her (I have NO idea where the singing thing comes from, I mean it's not like I break out in song ALL the time...I do have limits and such. My poor family...2 of us belting out in song at seemingly random times). She goes to school exclusively for the social part loves school and is doing well. She has learned SO much French in the past year and a half - although she could be making words up and pretending to be speaking impeccable French and we are falling for it hook. She lives and breathes dance. I mean it - it's like an illness. She goes to class and comes out even more excited, pumped and committed than the class before. This year she is doing company, which means I need to pimp myself out to afford it all competitions and a closet full of costumes; a fancy bag to hold said costumes; shoes; makeup; travel & hotels such. Asthma-wise she is doing well. She is still heavily medicated, and we're still on the every 3 month plan for clinic visits, but...she is controlled and doing great. I think we ended up in the ER only 2x this past year for asthma - PHEW! She had her nose cauterized early 2015 and has had few bleeds since (and the ones she's had are short-lived and minor). Her headaches are still frequent (that's another thing she's inherited from her Momma), but we're able to manage them for the most part.

My other half and I are plugging along. Admittedly, we hit some really bumpy terrain last year, however, marriage is all about the good, the bad, the ugly and we're just chalking this up to 'ugly' and are moving on. He's a great guy and I kinda-sorta like him, so I'm hoping we're "stuck" together until the end of time. Our lives basically revolve around the kids. Mostly we're chauffeurs and chaperones (and hosts, and cooks, and maids). I'm still working away at some courses (I think I've brought the meaning of professional student to a whole new level). I had my bladder all fixed up - FINALLY! It was a mess with significant repair required, but, it's all fixed up now (although I'm still being monitored for something which may require a bit more work), SO...you all have to find someone else to make fun of when we get together because I don't pee when I laugh (or cough, or sneeze, or jump) anymore. My other half is still teaching at the same school - you know, the same old, same old. This year sees the closure of the high school in our old town, which means a merger with the school he's at, so there is some unsettled feelings about all that with the unknown, but we're hopeful that it all works out in our favour.

We're looking forward to what 2016 brings us! While I'm not a big fan of NY resolutions, I DO hope to be able to keep up here a little more. I've got tons of stuff in my head that needs to be written, but it's time that seems to get in the way. Happy New Year, everyone!!!!