My Top 1̶0̶ 11 Favourite Things of 2021
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness … ”
– Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
2021 was filled with some fabulous highs and some not so awesome lows. But I wanted to focus on my top 11 (not 10 because I’m a rebel like that) most favourite things that happened this crazy year.
11. My oldest son (17) worked full time for the summer and part time during the school year and bought a car.
There are 2 things that are awesome about that sentence – #1 He held down a job. He is very…challenged. He has IED, ODD, ADHD and dips his toes into the autism pool. He struggles with focus and is generally an angry, combative teen. I have the holes in my drywall to prove it. So #2 he stayed the course and didn’t blow all of his money in short term instant gratification type purchases. It was hard for him, we had many conversations and late night talks, but he did it and I am so proud of him.
10. I became a published author!
It’s a chapter in a compilation book, but still! I was thrilled to be asked and get to do it! Aaaaand I was asked back for the next book! We had a zoom book launch, and I spoke in front of a bunch of people I didn’t know so that was exciting too and something to check off my bucket list – I want to do more of that!
9. I took a course on Speaking and TED talks
I love learning new skills. It brings me a ridiculous amount of joy. So spending the money and taking the course was awesome. I learned a bunch and I got to stretch my new skills at the book launch. I’m looking at doing some speaking at some online business events next year. The course was time and money well spent.
8. I got to meet Paula Stone Williams!
I discovered her TED talk ages ago and had been reading her blog and generally crushing on her (so brave) when I found out my new sister-in-law manages her speaking gigs! I was completely blown away, especially when she offered to set up a meeting for us!
She was SO lovely! I expressed my desire to do a TED talk one day, she gave me tips and even offered to proof my talk! It was a huge thrill and I love her story.
7. I really started to learn how to ski
Misty is a natural born teacher. Patient and great at explaining and showing things. S/he taught all of my kids AND me how to ski this year, and I had a blast! I am excited for the hill closest to me open (December 17th-ish, weather and flood garbage permitting).
6. I taught myself via YouTube how to knit
Again, new skills bring me great joy, so much so that I didn’t mind the endless “Grandma” and grey hair jokes from my kids as I sat on the couch and knit my very first scarf. I’m still not very good, but I keep trying. Next up is hats and mittens!
5. I was able to buy (with help from my fam) my youngest his first electric guitar for his birthday
I love how passionate and excited he is about music and playing. I love to listen to him noodle away and play the same thing over and over until he gets it. I love when he wants to put on a little show for me and play what he’s proud of. As a lover of music, it makes my heart so happy that he has this to enjoy and hone his skills. At 13 he just blows my mind.
4. We went on 3 different “Lucky 8” family adventures.
When Misty and her 2 kids and me and my 4 get together I call us “The Lucky 8”. We are normally together once or twice a month for game nights. But we were lucky enough to get away of a few trips this year. On March Break we went to a ski resort and spent 4 days skiing and had a cabin. It was a lot of fun and I was exhausted when we got home. We taught the kids how to play poker and spent time just sitting around the fire chatting (while I was knitting). And then in the summer we took our little shuttle bus we call “Kandy” and went to Misty’s parent’s summer place. They have a boat. And a pool. It was a week of being spoiled, and the kids water skied, tubed and wake boarded. It’s these memories that I hope they look back on with fondness and not all the hard stuff. Because parenting is hard as fuck.
3. I made wonderful new tumblr friends!
A cool by product of spending waaaaaay more time on tumblr because of Sweet boy/heartbreaker was I met so many more amazing people. I’ve made some new friends that I’ve taken out of tumblr and into my real life, and I love that. Over the years I’ve met a few people from here, and I have no doubt I will meet more. You guys are the best. ❤️
2. Sweet boy AKA heartbreaker
The joy of finding someone who excites your mind, body and soul is one of the best things in this world, in my humble opinion. Some people never find one person who does that for them, to think that I had found ANOTHER person that made my heart sing! I felt like I won the lottery twice. Even thinking about him now, my head swirling with memories of sweet words, pictures and videos shared (I’m smiling as I type…) makes my heart swell and fills me with wishes.
He brought out parts of me I would have loved to explore more (with him).
He would have been #1 in this list but life had other plans. Sadly 2021 did not come through with that second big win. My friend Steph suggested I write a goodbye letter to him (just for me), but I found I couldn’t do it – it ended up being a “See you around” letter. I wish him all good things. Love. Fun, kinky sex that excites him. A good Chianti. And all the snuggles he can handle. I hope he thinks of me fondly sometimes and, maybe, because the universe is filled with the weird, wonderful, and unexpected, he invites me back in one day.
1. All things Misty
It wasn’t our most sexually adventurous year, but there was still lots of fun and sex. Even with covid and all the family stuff we managed to have some threesomes and foursomes. Though mostly it was a year of change for us. Because of my experiences with heartbreaker I was able to change my perspective and really see things from Misty’s Poly Point of View™. Huge. Will it solve all of our romantic hiccups? Unlikely, but it sure has helped. I need to keep those lessons and new ways of thinking so they DO help me/us in the future.
Misty, finally, after being separated from his wife since January of 2016, has finalized the separation agreement. It has been a long grueling process. And from someone who went through the divorce hoops, it is awful to feel like I’m going through it again, except this time I’m in the back seat. I look forward to the whole thing being behind us. We’re closer!
On top of all that goodness Misty and I plan for the future, and I love that. I love that we spend a lot more time together. We really do live, work and play together, even if we don’t share the same space yet. S/he is truly a partner. I am a very lucky woman.
2021 in Conclusion
Even as I continue to nurse my heart, I have SO many blessings to count, it’s kind of ridiculous. It wasn’t my best year ever, but it was still really good. 4 out of 5 stars. Would recommend.