Out with the old, in with the new...

My dear readers,

long time no read, right? Obviously I'm just posting every other year, so it's about time, I'd say...

I ain't got much to tell though, but let me think how 2014 came along. To me it was a good year, my MS didn't worsen. Three couples in my family, or among my friends got married *hoot hoot*, but four couples separated, getting ready for a divorce, and split. How sad is that. The more excited I am, that my boyfriend and I decided to finally purchase a pair of friendship rings for Christmas. He had his for the longest time, but never got around buying me a ring. And that's the least one can do, branding his/her significant other, one should think. ;-) Well, here they are: 

The imprint reads: 'Real Love'
and it's a split heart,
his half is in black, mine in gold

What else? The care for my mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, got so intense, that she depends on 24/7 care, which I can't provide, let alone coming to think about what it takes from me, being chronically ill. Anyways, so we rushed her into a nursing home in December. She seems quite alright in there. I'm glad. I still haven't figured out the financial situation, but due to the fact that I'm retired, and all the other money-givers are dead... I'm afraid the district will have to jump in. Here are pictures of mom's new room:

Cozy, ain't it?

Luckily we could take a lot of
the old furniture to her new home.

We haven't been on vacation all year, money is tight, and my two simply ain't got much time for pleasure. We still took breaks, and enjoyed ourselves, as the photos prove, have a look:

Peter's b-day 'cake'... guess how old he turned?

Due to that occasion we went to
the city Ulm for a day trip.

We attended a concert of the
British Ukulele Orchestra in Munich.

We sat almost front row!

Hen-party of our niece/cousin

Wedding of the a.m.

Annual Mexican feast for Christmas

Okay, true, there weren't that many 'events' in our year 2014, but we for sure didn't get bored. Our everyday life was quite interesting, to say the least...

As usual I kicked off the year
w/my birthday, the 48th it was

Sabrina had a concert
w/her university choir

My aunt turned 66

We made a day trip to the
English Garden in Munich

This was happy Easter

You're looking at
our trip to the Augsburg Zoo

Gaby came to visit from the US
(we went to Junior High School together)

...and we couldn't go without
visiting this historical monument! ;-)
(A famous puppet theater)

We sure had fun at the Tratto's & at the Cisa's

Jim Knopf & Lukas der Lokomotivführer
(by Michael Ende, famous book characters)

My older Goddaughter turned:

 

Then Sigrid from the US came to visit
(former classmate from Elementary School)

And again, our daughter performed
w/the university choir

Looks like us all had fun there

And then it was that time of the year again:

4th of July in Germany

My Goddaughter graduated from school

Our daughter was finally 'really' coming off age,
and Peter and granny acted 'real' grown up...

Christmas at the lake...
and pretty windy it was, let me tell ya!

Happy campers after gift giving

Baby sheep at the local crib

Snow after Holy Eve,
as to be expected :/

Crib at mom's nursing home

And this is how we ended 2014!

Well, well, well... this is what I'd call a busy year, isn't it? On the sad part... we lost Cupcake and Smurf this year, our family rodents. It was heart wrenching, and we'll never get quite over it. Them two will be truly missed in our middle.

For the hen-party of our niece/cousin we went to a travesty show, that was real fun! And in regards to the wedding, let me assure you that it was just breathtaking, from the ceremony itself, to the reception, and the beach party at night... It was a wonderful celebration.

Also it's to report that Sabrina and I finally drove for 100 times this year each, it's been quite more often by the end of last year, and this year, on February 7th our trial period of two years will be ending! No bigger accidents to report. And one wonders how we can possibly manage to share one car among us three, right? But it works. Just be content, and take turns.

And to wrap up my personal year, I have to tell you that I had started a jar on January 1st of 2014. The task was the following: starting that day, write good things that happen to you on little pieces of paper (surprise gifts, accomplished goals, the beauty of nature, LOL moments, memories worth saving, daily blessings). Then on the last day of the year, open the jar and read all the amazing things that happened to you this year. Well, I haven't read them yet, but I started a new task already, and that reads as this here: jar 2015
In fact, I also thought about starting with this cleaning chart, but honestly, I can be so lucky once I can manage to do my usual housework, let alone doing extras, right?

Our daughter and her university carreer is developing just fine. We think she's pursuing her dream by studying Americanistics and comparative language and literature studies. I believe she has still one or one and a half more years to go. Who knows if she'll be a BA or MA one day, wait and see! All she ever has time for is to read, or write. She for sure picked the hardest study course, but we are so very proud of her!

In regards to my beloved boyfriend... he's always working. Or doing things for his bowling club. There isn't much more time left for him to do anything else. It is great to be self employed, but it also is a constant struggle to find new clients (acquisition), and drive through the whole state to meet up with them. He's an expert in his work fields, but he sure works his behind off, trust me!

Me, myself, and I, I hope to finally make time to restart Taiji again, read all my unread books, write all my unwritten blogposts, produce a second digital photobook about California, and catch up with all my health check-ups, as the doctors require them. All in due time, once my mom is settled, and all her business will be taken care of. Eventually.
I would love to find the time to renovate our apartment and/or go on vacation, which we haven't in three years, believe it or not! *holding thumbs*

Okay, I hope my little year-wrap-up could entertain you, and leave you informed? Now you know. I'd be delighted if you'd leave us a comment below, and/or even if you'd tell me how your past year went, and what your plans for this year are.

Love to hear from you,
Regina