Out with the old, in with the new

[Public Garden Lagoon, Boston; 1/01/14]

Well, 2013 certainly had some interesting twists and turns in it for me. After 2012's busy freelancing year, 2013 started out slow and continued that way through January's doldrums, February's blizzard, and March's lethargy. It was broken up in April by Mexico's happy colors and much less happy Boston Marathon events. May brought a flowering of work and spirits and a trip to see my dad, who was recovering from hip surgery, as well as the first whiff of a potential new job - welcome news after so many months of very little income. The summer heat blasted early in June, relieved by a cooling trip to Newport, and finally a full-time job offer came.

As in many of our New England Patriots' football games this year, the second half looked nothing like the first, as if a light was suddenly switched on. I started my new job July 8th and proceeded at a dizzying pace as I tried to get my bearings in new territory. Alas, between the new job and D having to move in August, we had little time to enjoy the summer. But we stole away to Cape Cod in early September for a long weekend, after which I was so busy I never had time to blog about it. Just as we were packing up for D's move in August, I'd had word from my tenants that they were moving out of my condo by the end of September. D and I made a couple of trips out there, I contracted with a realtor, and then D and I went out and painted a couple of rooms in early October to get it on the market asap, needing it to sell quickly before the holidays and winter slowed the buying season. Work anxieties added to the stress as October turned to November, but an offer on the condo came in early November just as our Red Sox won the World Series, and I had plenty of blessings to count on Thanksgiving day.

  
[Boston's First Night procession; 12/31/13]

December was also a bit of a rush, including a trip out to see my dad, a pile-up of end-of-year work at the office, and lots of scrambling through old mortgage documents and scanning and signing paperwork for the condo closing. But close it did, concluding a major part of my life for so many years just as 2013 came to an end.

And now a New Year begins. With fanfare on a frigid night in Boston, the theme for the First Night procession was Rise and Shine. At the darkest and coldest time of year, there is hope for a new beginning as the light ever so slowly returns - first in our imaginations and then in reality. Happy New Year to you all, and may this year bring you all good things.

[First Night Boston; 12/31/13]

Comments

[marja-leena]

It was quite a year for you, Leslee, but it ended on a high note. Hope 2014 is much better in all ways! Wishing you joy.

[Relatively Retiring]

Whew - what a summary of events!
Very happy new year to you and D.

[Julia]

Phew! What a year you had, and so productive, I'm doing a happy dance for you :)

But I hear that Boston has much snow and cold,cold temps. I hope that you are warm and well and do feel free to send some of that snow to Oxfordshire!

[Relatively Retiring]

I meant 'phew', too!

[Leslee]

Thanks, all! Aside from the snow and cold, 2014 is starting out well so far. I'm sure it'll have its share of surprises, though. :-)

[Isabelle]

Happy New Year. I'm not sure if I've ever commented before but I enjoy your blog. Everything sounds very positive for 2014. Hurray!

[Leslee]

Happy New Year, Isabelle! And thanks much for stopping by and commenting. :-)