Monday, December 31, 2018

Year-end Lists 2018: Personal

For some reason, I started this post thinking that 2018 was an uneventful year for me personally, until I began to take stock -as we do this time of year. A lot of stuff happened! Some was not so good: I lost my job at Mental Floss, and was downgraded at Neatorama from managing editor to sole pro blogger. After a summer of worrisome but still enjoyable leisure, I became a part-time baker and deli clerk. The job was exhausting at the beginning, but I'm getting used to it and even enjoying it. My co-workers are great, the work is unskilled but wholesomely satisfying, and I belong to a union. I think it's good for me overall, because I get physical activity plus a chance to be around people in real life.

I also turned 60, which means I became eligible for a small widow's pension from Social Security. Now I have a skeletal but sort-of stable income, comparable to that of a retired person. A retired person who works every day. Lucky for me my daughters are semi-self-supporting. When they can afford their own phone service and car insurance, I'll be even better off.

The success of my kids is the bright spot in 2018. Princess came home after a year in France. She was accepted into a tuition-free college here in Kentucky, and had to make a momentous decision: to marry the man she loves or go to school. In the end, she decided to do both. The civil service was in July in France with his family and friends, and the church wedding was just last week here. The newlyweds are now in New Orleans on their honeymoon. The rest of the year, son-in-law is working on his master's in computer science in France and she's going to college here. If they can handle that for the next year and a half, they will both graduate debt-free.

The wedding was also an opportunity for a decent photograph of me, the first profile pic update in 14 years! Thanks, Brother Bill!

After a summer internship at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, Gothgrrl decided she wants to go to veterinary school. She's spending her weekends working at a vet clinic and is interning at a horse rehab shelter during Christmas break. She's also lined up a job at a wildlife sanctuary, if and when she can ever afford the required rabies shots. Oh yeah, both girls made the dean's list for the semester.

In other matters, it was an extremely rainy and humid summer, and my tomato garden failed this year. I didn't use air conditioning, so everything organic in my home turned moldy and had to be either cleaned or discarded. My refrigerator and oven died. So did my tiller and lawn mower, although my mower got repaired and then waited until November to die the second time. I managed to work around all that. I was very heartened by the results of the 2018 mid-term elections, even though Kentucky is still Kentucky.

One of the brightest spots of the year was hearing from you, the loyal core of Miss Cellania visitors. You offered encouragement when I was going through changes. You came through with money when I needed it badly. You sent me funny stuff to share. You kept me going all year long. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate all that. Thank you so much!

Here's hoping that 2019 is a better year for everyone!


 

See all the year-end lists here.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy new year to you. I too am a single adoptive mom of two girls both from China. I have followed you through the Yahoo! Groups and then through your blog. Your blog never fails to entertain and uplift and make me think. You must be so proud of your girls thanks for sharing. My older girl is in her first year of college and my younger is a junior this year. I feel your pain with phone bills and car insurance. At one point in one of the iterations of the Yahoo adoption groups I was Amy in Zuni. I continue to work and teach and will keep doing so until I’m made to quit or just simply can’t do it anymore. I keep telling myself my mom looked so good at 70 but then she wasn’t raising two teenage girls at the time. I forgot to factor that in. I admire your resilience and upbeat attitude. A wonderful and prosperous new year to you and your family.

Vireya said...

Happy new year to you and your family.

Thank you for another year of entertainment and information.

gail said...

I have enjoyed your posts for years. Keep on truckin', you'll come out on the other side. Happy New Year to you and your girls.

lu said...

I, too, wish you and yours a happy new year. I enjoy your posts every day--thanks!

Lilylou said...

I'm so glad to hear how you're doing and to see all three of you together in that wonderful photo. Thanks for sharing your life with us. It is a pleasure to stop by every day and see what's new!
Ms. Kitty at lilyloosy4

Johnny Wallflower said...

Wishing you and yours a prosperous and happy new year!

Anonymous said...

You are a lucky woman.

Dennis Mattingly said...

Happy New Year. Getting older really sucks. I think the 60's and 70's tricked us all into believing we would be forever young and carefree. Then we faced parenthood and, despite having learned about child development from
Lou Williamson, we discovered our children had not read the book. Now that we are in our 60's, we rely upon wisdom and the "I told you so" moments. your kids and mine have seen much of the world and have a good sense of right and wrong. One bad year does not define who your are. Over the long haul, you are a poster girl for success. Your children see that too. Thanks for sharing your passion for news, humor, silliness and absurdity. It keeps me sane.

Bilbo said...

Happy New Year and all my very best wishes for a great year to come! Your blog is the high point of many an otherwise yucky day. And your new photo is wonderful! Bilbo.

hearsetrax said...

another year has flown by and inspite of it all,
we're still here and celebrating : life,love and etc etc

heres to a better & brighter 2019

may the spirit of Tac Neewollah protect us

xoxoxoBruce said...

You done good by the girls, and readers, plus you look wonderful. Keep on being fabulous.

Jane said...

Miss C - wishing you all the best for 2019. You did great in 2018. I hope you keep posting as I visit your site every day and it always gives me a laugh and gives me something to think about. Ya done good with your girls and I am happy for you all. I can relate to your experiences (being a 60 something myself). You are living a good life and I hope more good comes your way

Jane said...

p.s. I know you are looking for other blogging opps so maybe you can write for cracked.

http://www.cracked.com/article_26097_write-cracked-get-paid-heres-how.html

Patrick said...

Your blog is one of the few I check every single day. Thank you for always making me smile and Happy New Year!

Jenifer F. said...

Happy New Year, and here’s hoping 2019 will be a far better year than the last!

greypoet said...

I've been following you for **mumble** years and have you as the first blog I see in the morning. You are always uplifting and informative. So happy for you and your girls as they grow into life and so happy you brought me along for the ride.
The new picture is beautiful. Hope you continue to use it on your blog. You are and always have been beautiful. Glad you're turning into a fine wine both physically and emotionally. As we used to say, keep on keeping on.
Jim in Alberta.

Parrothead27 said...

So . . . what do rabies shots cost, anyway?

Miss Cellania said...

Amy, good to hear from you! Email me, the old gang would love to have you back!

Parrothead, she was quoted $900, which would be $20 if she were a dog, or $10,000 if she were bitten first and then treated at hospital. But it confers lifetime protection, and she'll have to get it sooner or later as a veterinarian.

Jane: Thanks, I will look into that!

Everyone: Thank you, and have a great 2019!


drgeo said...

The photo of the 3 of you shows me you have had a terrific year!

gwdMaine said...

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and
do not lean on your own understanding.

As in "everything will be OK."

Happy New Years Miss C.

Anonymous said...

Your girls are not only talented and smart, they're lovely. (So are you). I hope your new year brings you all the best. Elena

Parrothead27 said...

I check your blog every day. It never fails to give me a smile, teach me something, or make me think a little. For that, I am very thankful. Your children are beautiful, and it is heartwarming to see them both doing so well.
They are following their dreams, and that's a good thing. Gothgrrl is $Yourage closer to getting those rabies shots. Check your PayPal. Best wishes for a happy new year.

Kevin said...

Happy New Year from Dr. C and the folks at ACME

MarkOfIowa said...

Miss C- What a wonderful picture! You have every right to be proud, and to continue to look forward to the future with hope and enthusiasm. Please keep us "in the loop", and here's to 2019 being "The Year"!

P.S.: I can see where the "RadioFox" came in... ;-)

Take care,
MarkOfIowa

Miss Cellania said...

Parrothead: Thank you so much!

Mark: Fox was the surname I went by on radio, coined by my boss at my first station.

Anonymous said...

I'm 58 years old and I'm still figuring out how to relate to this world. Your blogs are essential to me - a wonderful mix of humour, astonishment, incredulity and reassurance. There is still good out there, and you are part of it. I came to you via TYWKIWDBI; I'm grateful to the both of you.
I wish you and your family a happy, successful and safe 2019.