Here's the year in review that I sent out to family and friends. I wanted a family portrait this year but I have yet to get one and I don't think it's going to happen today. I didn't make any new year's resolutions last year and felt somewhat aimless throughout the year. By the end of May I was focusing on yoga and putting a lot of energy in that practice. I still very much enjoy it, but am wondering if I should be putting my energies elsewhere. I'm getting my haircut today-- it's time.
2010 was a good year with as little drama as is possible when living with 3 teen-aged daughters. I turned 45 this year and feeling the beginnings of middle aged aches, pains, thyroid issues and high cholesterol I took up the practice of Bikram hot yoga and power yoga. This year I continued teaching high school photography, art metals and glass, advising student government and running a school newspaper. I took a grand summer trip to Italy and Greece with the Memorial Art Department staff and students (Jessi was included). Late in the year our family doubled the drivers on its insurance plan. I spent the year living with three incredibly active young women (& where did they getthat from?) who participate in 6 different sports, are practicing artists and amazingly good students-- not forgetting my one busy husband. Just keeping up with them has been more than I have had time for, not to mention our three cats and a new addition a puppy.
Erika started her second year at Madison College this year. She impresses us not only with straight A’s but with taking classes like trigonometry and economics! Erika hopes to transfer to UW-Madison next year majoring in either business or science. She is keeping her options wide open, working two part time jobs to pay for her tuition as well as saving money and time living at home. She enjoys spending her little free time creating glass art, drawing and driving around in her green Jetta.
Jessi finished her freshman year playing basketball, throwing shotput and discus for the school’s track team and getting great grades. Jessi’s summer was over booked with swim team, track clinics and a basketball league. On top of all of her summer activities, Jessi joined me on a European trip. Sorrento, Italy and the Greek Island cruise were highlights of Jessi’s time. Jessi started her sophomore year early in August swimming again for Memorial. Her season culminated with a trip to the state meet at the UW Natatorium in November, the week of her 16th birthday. It was a very exciting time for her. She got her driver’s license a couple of weeks later. Jessi currently plays JV basketball, maintains good grades, tries to fit in a bit of skiing when she isn’t bogged down with homework or athletic practices and now is the main care taker of a black labrador retriever puppy named Baltazar.
Monika turned 14 this year in February, but had no birthday. She still loves playing soccer. This year Monika made the Madison 56’ers Soccer Club’s Red team, traveling all over the state of Wisconsin for the game. Monika graduated from middle school with a bit of fan fare. She received over a dozen awards including the school’s “Spring Harbor Award” which meant she got to give a speech at her ceremony. Over the summer Monika refused to swim, but she played a lot of tennis. When she tried out for the high school tennis team, she made varsity doubles 2, but after some back trouble (most likely from playing too much soccer after playing too much tennis) she ended the season playing JV singles 1-- 3rd in the city. Monika not only enjoys athletics in high school, she still plays the bass for the high school orchestra, conscientiously gets a 4.0 and has gotten involved with a student council group at Memorial.
I know that Jim is not a fan of the annual letter. I do admit it is an opportunity for me to brag about my girls but Erika assured me she likes that we do it just to stay connected with friends. This year Jim drove us to the white sands of Gulf Shores in Alabama, just a few weeks before the BP oil spill in the area for spring break. Erika couldn't join us, as she had to work. The highlight for him was on the way down we visited the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee and on the way back we went to Graceland in Memphis. A few days later, at the top of April, he went to San Francisco for an Army annual training. He had one weekend free to visit his family in Los Angeles which was a special time for him. In July he went to the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area in Minnesota for a nine-day canoe trip with a few of his buddies. The biggest event for him this year was clearly the Basic Officer Leadership Course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was there for three months, received some quality military training, and met some wonderful people. It was wonderful to have him back in time to celebrate the holidays all together. I am still writing a daily diary-like blog usually with pictures. While I have aspirations of one day writing something substantial, the blog keeps me writing. Jim has joined me in the writing of a blog, but his posts are not quite daily and sometimes they are outright lies. He writes alot of dark humor and historical essays. Hopefully you will be able to figure out fact from fiction. It isn’t always easy.
Please keep in touch, it is always good to hear from friends and family whether it be via Facebook, email, blog comments or annual letters.