Year in Review – Pandemic Style

We all have our stories during the good times and the bad. The Pandemic of 2020 will go down in the books for so many of us as hard. Just turning on the news in the morning is difficult enough. Then we get to look at what’s happening in our own homes and those that we love to see more of it.

But in all of the hard, there is MORE good. We strive to be positive, and focus on the now instead of worrying so much about the future. The wedding will happen. The surgery is finally scheduled. College is on-line. There is toilet paper in the stores!

This is our 2020.

January – vacation mode

The year started out strong, with a trip to Oahu in January. We have fallen in love with all things Hawaii, and this was our third trip to the islands in four years. We’re still trying to decide which island is our favorite, having vacationed in Kauai (twice), Maui, and now Oahu. Three down, a few to go!

The highlights of our Oahu trip are too many to count, but swimming with sharks AND a whale rank up at the top. We did less exploring this time and focused more on rest – morning coffees on the beach, reading in the afternoons, and watching the sun go down in the evenings (with a glass of wine in hand, of course). Our sweet little airbnb was steps from the ocean and we basically had the beach to ourselves.

Hawaii…we miss you! Counting the days till we can go back.

On a pandemic note, my sister (Jackie) informed us of a strange virus in China while we were in Oahu. We were FaceTiming so I could show her how close our airbnb was to the ocean, and while she was worried about the virus, we were more interested in hitting the beach.

A virus? What’s the big deal?

February – “normal” life

While we were hearing more and more about this strange virus, we moved on with life – bike riding on warm weekends and wedding planning with Josh and Tiffany.

March & April – COVID-19 hits the states and we socially distance

After being home for Spring Break, Zach headed back to finish the year at The University of Texas, in Austin. Shut-downs forced him (and his girlfriend, Kirsten) into on-line class, which is not their favorite way to learn. They are both still on-line, which is frustrating but necessary.

Josh was fortunate to go on-line as well with his job at AT&T. After a few months of working at the kitchen counter, he and Tiffany bought a desk and moved him to the bedroom for his own work space. Tiffany is a realtor, so working from home is what she’s been doing anyway.

Since Mike’s job requires him to be on site, he went to work every day. Temperature checks, masks, and socially distanced mode is his new normal. So thankful that he has remained virus-free.

Socially-distanced coffees are a thing. Okay, so maybe the girls and I don’t just stick to coffee. Sometimes we test margaritas, muffins, scones, etc. After a few weeks of going nowhere, seeing no-one, and going a little craycray, I finally started gathering a few friends who were willing to hang out in the back yard, 6 feet apart. This was a lifesaver for me, because girlfriends are life during stress. Thank you, Julie and Lisa, for being my therapists! And then eventually Cathy came to play. 😀

May – surgeries resume

After our trip to Hawaii in January of this year, we learned that Mike’s cancer was back. He had another spot on his liver, his third recurrence there after his initial colon surgery back in 2007. When we talked to his oncologist, we were in the middle of shut-downs and his doc said that his surgery was considered non-essential at the time. The hospital was prepping for an onslaught of COVID cases, and the only surgeries they were doing were emergency, life-saving ones.

Mike’s cancer is, thankfully, a slow-growing carcinoid cancer, but the only treatment option is surgery. So while waiting was rather mind-blowing, we had to wait, knowing that the tumor would be slowly growing inside him. From March to May we waited, and then as soon as things started opening up, surgery was scheduled. Mike had two lobes (or 1/4) of his liver removed, and I couldn’t be with him. Dropping him off at the hospital was painful for both of us. (And you can see the orange envelop on Mike’s bed (below), where I wrote Dr. Gogel a personal letter, giving him “advice” on how to take care of my guy.)

We are relieved to share that the margins were good, and he is in remission once again. In typical Mike style, he had surgery on a Friday and was back to work (from home) the following Monday. He was also soon doing his morning Peloton work-outs, and working his magic in our back yard. God is good.

Our poor pup tore his ACL in May, after jumping off of the couch (we think), his favorite place to nap during the day. After deciding that being a 3-legged pup was no fun, Theo had surgery to replace the ACL in his left knee. It was a difficult recovery for him, but he made it through. We’re happy to report that he’s his happy self again, despite the occasional limp. Theo turned 10 years old at the end of September.

June & July – loving the outdoors

We spent a ton of time outside over the summer months, and thoroughly enjoyed having a momma duck and her 12 ducklings take residence in our yard in June. If you watched my Instagram Stories, you know how obsessed I was! They spent a weekend swimming in our pool as they prepared for the journey to Lake Lewisville. What a gift!

In addition to watching baby ducks, we’ve done some long bike rides, fun happy hours on the deck, (wine, beer, margs, Mai Tais, Pina coladas, mules, g&t’s, etc.), and lots of reminiscing about places we’ve traveled and plans for where we’ll go when we are able.

We were also entertained with Zach and his pottery over the summer. He got a wheel for his birthday, and made lots of cups and pots (and a few pipes) when he wasn’t sleeping. Hoping he resumes his Etsy Shop someday because he’s very talented.

August – wedding bells

Like so many other couples, Josh and Tiffany were forced to postpone their April wedding to the end of August. The journey was tearful and frustrating, watching the shutdowns and wondering if they would even get to move forward in August. As we got closer to go-time, it was also hard knowing that most of our family wouldn’t be making the long trip to celebrate with us. We have siblings all over the country, and while they had originally planned to attend, COVID put a stop to that.

So thankful for Mike’s dad and his wife for making the trip, and also for many good friends who showed up for us. If you are reading this, know that your presence was so appreciated. You have no idea how much.

September & October – socially distanced trips

It was SO nice to finally get away in mid-September, the first time going anywhere since Hawaii in January. We joined some good friends at an Oklahoma lake and did lots of boating, skiing, eating, drinking, story-telling, and laughing! It was also nice to enjoy some cool weather.

BTW, that is Mike showing off his slalom skills on the ski he used as a teenager. He’s still got that swag!

I took my first flight (during the pandemic) in late September to see my Dad, who lives in a nursing home in Iowa. My five siblings joined me and we were lucky enough to stay at my sister and brother-in-law’s farm. Dad was allowed outside visits and we loved seeing him after way too long. It was also SO nice to spend time with my siblings as we currently live in six different states! {Selfie by my sister, Jackie!}

It was a great time to be in Iowa. Fall colors and Dana was harvesting the beans.

We also took a little trip to Austin in early October to spend some family time. Zach and Kirsten are studying at UT, and Josh and Tiffany (and Luca!) joined us too. We hit up the breweries (pictured at Zilker Brewery here), ate some yummy food (LOVE the food trucks!), and spent time at our Airbnb playing cards.

Mike and I also did our biking thing. We hauled our own bikes down this time, and loved exploring the area. Barton Springs was one of our favorite adventures this time, and I’m pictured below, swimming in the chilly 68 degree water. COLD but so refreshing!

November – a family emergency

My sweet niece, Stephani, was hospitalized in the Minneapolis, MN area, with bacterial meningitis in mid-November. The infection caused a vegetation on her mitral heart valve, and she eventually was cleared for surgery to replace the valve. Stephani spent three weeks ALONE in the hospital (again, due to COVID restrictions in the hospital), fighting for her life, while her family and friends prayed from afar.

We are beyond grateful that Steph is home recovering with her husband and sweet baby girl. She is indeed a miracle. Thank you to all my personal prayer warriors, for your prayers and support.

December – counting blessings

While life has been difficult at times this year, we are grateful for the gifts we have been given. Mostly, we are blessed with amazing family and friends, many who have also walked a difficult journey.

We are looking forward to a better year ahead. Hopeful that vaccinations will help minimize the virus, that a new administration will implement a better strategy, and that our loved ones (and every one of you) stay safe.

Cheers to you all, who continue to join me on this blogging journey. Thank you for trying my recipes, writing reviews, commenting, sharing, and showing up. YOU are appreciated so very much.

P.S. – on the side

In the kitchen!

My frustrations were poured into the blog in 2020! I was a cooking/baking maniac, especially over the summer months when I’m usually traveling and planning fun outings. Sourdough was definitely a thing for me, and I’m proud to say I’ve mastered the crusty loaf. Avocado toast is one of our favorite things, and adding the sourdough was the “icing on the cake”, so to speak!

Sourdough is a process, but once you learn it, it’s easy. When I can, I’ll be documenting how to make a starter and growing it into a real live thing, as well as recipes! I named mine Gertie, and she is thriving in between occasional naps in the fridge.

In my mind.

Books? Yes please. I’ve really taken the time to read this year. The best thing for my mental health has been to turn OFF the news and either listen to music, a “crime junkie” podcast, or sit down and read a book. (I also love listening to books on Audible.) There is nothing better, especially when you find a good read that you can’t put down.

Below is a stack of some of the books I’ve read this year.

On the Peloton.

In addition to biking outside, I’ve fallen in love with the Peloton. Ok let me rephrase that. I love to hate the Peloton! This machine is a beast, but I do love the work-outs, the instructors, the community, and how it makes me feel when I’m done – sweaty (like dripping), accomplished, and ready to tackle the day. Canceling our gym membership and riding the Peloton is just 2020 smart. Do it if you are able!

On the couch.

I LOVE couch time at night after a busy day in the kitchen. When I can convince Mike to watch a good Netflix Show, there is nothing better than to curl up with a blanket and a cup of something warm. We recently watched The Queen’s Gambit, and it was REMARKABLE. Watch it if you haven’t, and let me know what your favorite shows are, please!