Summa Summarum

Somebody posted a question in Facebook asking folks to describe their whole year of 2014 in one word. It was surprisingly difficult to come up with just one word. In the end, I had two word contenders, stable and happy. Pick either one and it would be right. Looking back, it was a very good year, only minor challenges and set backs, and even those I was able to manage without getting too crazy... My daughters were happy and healthy, growing like weeds, and kept me laughing and busy, and most importantly, I had fabulous au pairs. My husband's business thrived, my job was fairly stable and not too stressful, I had a couple of nice business trips, and I was mostly healthy, and even the health issues I had were quite minor compared to the year before. Some highlights of the year were having my mom here at the start of the year, a trip to Florida in February, a great Manhattan day with my dear old friend A in March, a relaxed Easter break with lovely M visiting us, then again Florida in April, being on a health kick in the spring and feeling great,  hosting fun barbecue parties in early summer, going to Finland and cruising to Stockholm in late July, enjoying boating in August, and LI beaches in September and spending quality time with lovely J, having fun during the October birthday marathon, and then enjoying the Holiday season and having my mom here to enjoy it with us. Even the water damage in our basement and the resulting renovation went fairly smoothly and painlessly. All in all, a great year, with nothing very big happening, but lots of lovely moments and being able to appreciate them, feel gratitude, contentment and happiness.

Here's a little photo diary of the 2014 Holiday Season.

Holiday dinner at sister-in-law's amazing house. Had to admire her closet.. This is just a small part of it!

Hanging up Christmas lights.

Meanwhile, the young ones raked leaves. 

Our Advent Calendar, made by the au pair and kids. 

Hosted the traditional cookie baking and decorating get-together

Ended up with looooots of gingerbread cookies. 

Spent Christmas Eve home with loved ones, eating and chillaxing. 

I guess we had lots of people on Santa's nice list, given the amount of presents. 

Ice-skating fun to burn off some calories 

 

The basement renovation got done right before New Year. The guys were still working there on New Year's eve.. And I went shopping for area rugs.

Celebrating New Year with mom (and a few friends!)

Wearing my favorite t-shirt which says Happy is the new Black

Started off 2015 with some basketball practice.

Watch out! This one will be a great basketball player. 

Too small to shoot hoops.

Wishing that year 2015 brings as much happiness as 2014! Looking forward to it, and excited to live my best life, stay in the moment, count my blessings every day, and hopefully spread some good vibes and love around me.