Hey Everyone!  So, it's been a few months since I posted last, sorry.  I've been meaning to reflect on the year, but just haven't done it. I don't have any excuses to give, I just haven't done it.

How was 2021?  I'm torn.  I've had it better than a lot of people.  I'm very fortunate in that I have a roof over my head, a job I enjoy and my friends and family are healthy.  Does this mean there haven't been challenges?  No.  Definitely not.  I'm hesitant to complain about anything simply for the fact that so many people DO have it worse.

Physically, I'm doing better now than I have in well over a year.  Most of you know, a year ago December, my left arm started to bother me.  I went to the doctor and he decided to take a "wait and see" course, which was fine by me as I was convinced it would get better and I didn't want to take any pills. Unfortunately, it didn't get better.  After many months of medical appointments, MRI's, x-rays and exams, all the while, losing all use of my left arm, we found out that I had bulging, arthritic  cervical discs (the discs in your spine, in the neck region) and degenerative disc disease.  The main concern was getting the swelling down, taking the pressure off the nerves in my arm (the initial problem).  Two procedures later, they got the bulging down enough to where I could have the manual manipulation of my shoulder / arm, which I believe I've said here before, is putting me out under general anesthesia (for a third time) and breaking the shit out of my shoulder and arm and making it move in ways I couldn't do on my own anymore (and, apparently, taking photos of him doing it!  I was mortified when the doctor offered to show them to me!  NO THANK YOU!!).  It worked, thank goodness.  I've been in physical therapy now for a few months and have about 75% use back.  I'm so grateful.  You have no idea what it's like to not be able to type with two hands, open a door, put on a seatbelt, tie your shoes, get undressed/get dressed properly.  It's been expensive, painful, time consuming and everything else that I could gripe about.

Because I was raised the way I was, I have had a difficult time dealing with the weight gain from the medication and not being able to get any proper exercise for over a year. I've been cleared to go back to the place I hate the most, the gym.  I keep telling myself that Omicron is keeping me from going, but I'm just kidding myself, I hate that place. Yes, I'm hesitant because of Omicron, but let's be real, the time I go is so early, there are only a few people there so it shouldn't be an issue.

I have been getting out an about a little though, so I've gotten started and hope to be back to my normal size by the time my birthday rolls around.  It's been a blow to my self-esteem / confidence though. It's not like I had a lot to start with, so it's been hard.

Work has gotten better.  It was difficult the first 6 months of the year, then we lost a team member who was a drain on everyone.  Sure, it was more work without them, but it was easier.  Does that make sense?

I was able to visit my parents at Christmas and it was great.  In the span of a few days, we got so much snow it wasn't really safe to be out, so we stayed in for pretty much my entire trip.  Mom made cocoa, dad made cocktails, it was amazing.  The snow finally stopped the morning I was all set to leave, then it started again and I was worried my flight would be cancelled.  Luckily, we only got delayed a few times.  It was weird watching "The Ice Man" drench all of the planes on the runway (including ours) with what looked like antifreeze.  We were all bright green!  I touched down back home in pouring rain and was drenched by the time my Uber/Lyft driver came to get me, but I loved it.

For New Years Day, I invited my friend over to celebrate their birthday.  Since it was so cold, I made pot roast.  It was going to be an all-day thing, so we had appetizers, wine, dinner and cake for dessert.  I always have fairy lights up in my home, but I added big pillar candles to my faux fireplace and it made the place even more homey.  After presents (she is the only friend who always gets presents right for me), we put on Infinity War, then End Game.  Infinity War is a favorite of hers, she likes "Dirty Sexy Cap", LOL!  One of the presents I got her was a Funko of Dirty Sexy Cap, HA!

I don't normally do resolutions for the new year, but I do look back on the prior year and try to think of things I could do differently in order to make the next year better.  2021 was such a shitshow, I can't keep track of everything that could be done to make 2022 a better year.  I'm going to try and keep a positive attitude, which I did last year (mostly!) and I hope to be more content this year.  That's not to say that I am going to settle for just anything and get into a rut, but I miss that sense of calm I love so much.  It's been a while.

Because of Omicron, we were sent home to work at the very end of December, but I've managed to sneak in a few times (after getting negative test results, of course).  I managed to work from the office pretty much all but 3 weeks of Covid, so it's taken a bit to get used to.  Unfortunately, there have been so many people coming down with this new variant, my company is taking a prudent approach and having everyone work remotely wherever possible, which I appreciate.  They really do care for us, which is so, so rare.  I'm going to go in tomorrow, but will probably work from home the bulk of the week.  I've really fine-tuned my work set-up here, so it's easier to work from home than is used to be.  I've got my three screens, trackball, wireless keyboard, everything.  The only things I can't do, which means I have to go in every so often, are print (we aren't allowed for compliance reasons), scan and mail/overnight things out to clients who don't use esignature.  The only thing that keeps me from working (sometimes) is my handsome, smart, asshole cat.  He's getting old, so I let him get away with everything though.  I get tired him laying on my keyboard and knocking my pens to the floor, but he's earned the right to be a jerk.  I love this cat so much. (Yes, I say "this", because he's lying on my arm right now as I type this.). 

Oh yeah, I do have a goal for the year - one thing I really am going to do this year is, I'm going to rent a dumpster and just chuck all the worthless crap I own.  I have to wait until my arm and shoulder are a bit better, but it's going to happen.  It's less than $200 to do it and they drop off the dumpster, pick it up and get rid of your shit.  I've currently got bags all lined up for donating, but I need to find a place actually taking donations, LOL!  The places I used to give to are out of business and I don't want to give to the larger local charities that don't put most of the money raised towards helping people.

If only Ebay was easier to sell stuff.............

Well, that's enough for now, I need to start getting stuff ready for work tomorrow.  More later.....

Happy New Year!