2020.

I cannot believe that 2019 is over! I also cannot believe that I have been away from my laptop and blogging for so long. We stayed in last night like we usually do, and I managed to stay up almost til midnight but was out cold by like 11:30pm....

December was such a crazy month and I just haven't known what to say really with Eddie doing so well in the beginning of the month, getting a great bill of health, weight gain, and just all over looking more amazing than ever, and then mid month, I got sick, he was totally the best at keeping an eye on me while I was home from work, and then boom. He left us so quickly. It was a shock, but when it is time for a beloved companion animal to go, it is ideal for it to be quick and without suffering. He left us when he was so happy, healthy, and as much as it hurt at the time, we feel so very fortunate he didn't suffer. He was normal, not one sign of an abnormality, and just all of a sudden went into a seizure he could not be pulled out of. We took him to the emergency vet where he was stabilized with meds, and then to his regular vet when they opened the next day, but every single time the meds were starting to wear off, he went right back into seizing. He didn't have a clue, and was either knocked out by meds, or seizing (which people say they don't ever remember), so we made the decision.... we hope that his happy last day was the last thing he remembers..... 

Christmas was good for me, I deep cleaned the house, Spirulina has been grieving Eddie, but has turned really sweet in the process. She has lived her whole life with a dog, so this is a weird time for her. Christian saw his family for the first time in years, and I had ample opportunity for some 'me time' and organization in the house. Things I just cannot get done with someone else home....

I have been thinking about the goals and dreams for the upcoming year. I love fresh starts, and what a better time than the new year? Here are a few of my top goals....One of the things I know I want to do is to get back to blogging 6 days a week. It is so fulfilling, and the blogging schedule helps me work through my creative outlets. I love sitting down once a week to plan out the week and coming up with the content for the segments. I also got my sewing bug back after putting together my Christmas outfit for the benefit last month, so more sewing in 2020! I want to love more - be in more loving moments with Christian. I allowed myself to get distracted from our love in the last year, and I don't feel great about that. I have also gained weight from all the comfort eating as well as the endless holiday treats that I will never not indulge in... so healthier eating in 2020 - the goal is to eat mostly whole foods. I am a potato chip addict, so I think we are gonna have to eliminate those from the house... :|  I have many other goals, but those are the most important and at the top of my list...

2019 was really good to me for the most part.... here are a few of my highlights from last year:

I completely renovated and built out the old concrete building on the property, and now have an actual functioning workshop/ vintage clothing warehouse space/ idea creating space!! I had hoped last year to get all the vintage stuff listed back on Etsy, but as usual I got my hands in too many pots....

I finally got a great bill of health last month after struggling with anemia, fibroids, and other not-so-fun health issues. This in itself has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and has already excited me about getting healthy again with exercise and better eating habits in 2020. 

I stepped back from rescue work that was weighing me down emotionally and in doing so, adopted my project dog, Reece! He has extreme issues, and while he still has a long way to go, he is making improvements each day...

I started walking 2-3 miles in the early mornings pretty religiously, and committing to getting in at least 10,000 steps per day, but then stopped completely when the November cold rolled around (not gonna do that this year!!)

Christian and I really had one most fabulous years with Eddie. He started the year off a little puny, achy in his hind legs, and with horrible allergies, but we figured it all out by Summer and he seriously was the most spunky, happy-go-lucky boy the last several months of his life. Even his vet was super impressed! 

I deep cleaned the entire house the last week of December, purged lots of things I didn't need and for the first time in years, the loft is actually suitable for out-of-towners now if we have company. This was the plan for way earlier in the year when I finished the workshop, but ya know, stuff.... I was however determined to get all the things done before the new year, because I wanted a much lighter feeling in 2020. 

I was reminded by the generosity and kindness after Eddie passed. We got so many super sweet gifts and gestures, cards, and heartfelt words from friends, family, and even neighbors that missed seeing him gallop up and down the dirt road when we were out on walks....

anyway, 2019 was filled with a good balance of happy and sad, and I know 2020 is going to be the best one yet! 

I leave you with some photos of the chew crew from just a few hours ago when i was doing the New Year's Day morning feedings. 

xoxo

-s