I started 2014 with season 4 of Downton Abby – and I’m looking forward to starting 2015 with season 5!  I’m even hoping for one of my Christmas gifts to contain “Downton Abby” fabrics.  Have I gone off the deep end?  Possibly.

This year saw my favorite middle son, Alex, move to Seattle Washington.  That was a big change for me.  He keeps in touch better than I did when I left home – for which I am grateful.

I celebrated 6 years at my job on March 17th.  I’m still finding new things to learn and my co-workers are pretty awesome.

I got a new sewing machine for my birthday – it’s SO AWESOME!!  Janet helped me choose my first project – knitting bags for her.

One of the highlights of our year was our trip to PA for the Barbieri family reunion in August, followed by a week with Jay and Deb at their house in the Poconos.  Terry and Audrey went with us to the mountains for the first couple days and it was a great time together.

My dad’s health went downhill pretty quickly beginning with a hospital stay last Christmas.  Mom was able to keep him at home for the most part with ever-increasing care-workers needed.  In August it was pretty clear that even with all the help, caring for him was taking a toll on Mom, so we moved him to a residential board and care home the beginning of September.  He passed away in his sleep there on October 3rd.  We are so grateful for the kindness and care given him – and us – by the staff there, by the care-givers who came to the house and by the hospice staff who were such a wonderful support!

Since then, we have been doing all the usual things you lose a loved one.  We had a lovely family memorial gathering with family members coming from as far away as Minnesota.  We work on paperwork.  We miss his wit and we are thankful that he is no longer suffering.

What does the future hold?  Only God knows.  But, keep in mind that we have a nice guest bedroom now if you are ever in our area.  🙂

Us and the Missons touring Golden Gate Park on Segways in March.