Magdalena, I cannot wait to see the backside of 2016! I lost my mom in June and a very close friend in Sept, plus our older beloved kitty in Oct. My brother (executor of Mom's estate) had a stroke the day after her funeral. He's doing okay now, but that really slowed down the process of settling her estate and it will be early next year before that happens.

On a good note, though, our godson graduated from HS and his mom was ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church in June, and we were able to attend both ceremonies. And my dear FIL sold his large home and moved into a progressive-care retirement community and is very happy there.

Donna

We also moved this year and I retired! We sold our home in the town we've lived in for the past 34 years. In August, we moved into our lake house which underwent major renovations in 2014-15 to get it ready for year round living. As a result of moving, I retired. My DH retired about a year ago. Adjusting to living here and being retired hasn't been easy for me.

We are looking in southern California for a house to spend winters in and rent out the rest of the year. We were there in October looking at houses, but didn't find anything that met our criteria. We'll be going again in February. :-)

I am so sorry for those who suffered loss and health struggles during the year. I hope and pray that 2017 is a happy one for you all.

We sold our old house in early 2016 and although we had already moved into our new house in 2015, it didn't really feel as though we were truly free to begin our 'new life' there until we were out from under the old place.

This year marked the first in quite some time where I did not take a trip to the UK with my mother. I missed the planning, the anticipation, and of course the fun of actually going on a trip across the pond, but DH and I did manage a week in Santa Fe and discovered that we both enjoy hiking together very much. We also committed to go on a medical mission trip to Panama next year, so we've been socking funds away for that for the past several months.

I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. There's an analogy I rather like - of life speeding by the older you get just like a roll of toilet paper unravels quickly towards the end. I swear, sometimes it really feels like that's exactly what's happening.

Magdalena Lee, you must know you have been missed around here, and spoken of when we wonder 'what happened to...'. Glad you updated us, and sorry to hear of your ups and downs, especially the health issues, but hope you are on the way back to normal and healthy!

Our 2016 whizzed right on by too. The older we get, the faster they seem to go. We celebrated a major anniversary (25) and DH's 70th birthday with a wonderful trip to Alaska in late May and then took a road trip our west to hike and sight-see in September.

The rest of the time we try to keep up with our kids and grandkids and the GK's sports activities (soccer, football, baseball) as much as we can. And our DD just graduated last week with her Master's degree in Nursing (Nurse Practitioner), so that made us truly proud.

Mostly good things this year. We bought our dream, a live aboard sailboat for retirement in a few years. We are enjoying fixing it up and making it "ours". Other than losing our old dog in September, it was a quiet year.

In the family, we had one Ph.D finished, and one RN just graduated last week. So we now have a Doctor (not medical) and a registered nurse in the family. MIL is so proud!

Magdalena, I am so glad you are feeling things in your life are moving in a positive way! I have always wanted a place in the country with more land (with that "country" being France-ha), but am coming to the conclusion that I should stay put. Will settle for renting abroad for several months a year once I retire. I cannot wait to see pictures of your new home as it progresses!

I know so many people for whom this year has been unusually stressful...was there something astrological going on??

We started the year with both DH and DD (age 15) having back injuries. Both are (mostly) fine now. Lots of stress with our oldest kid (24). DH changed jobs, I had surgery. And oy, the election. Just feels like it's been a tumultuous year, and I'm really ready for a new one!

We have plenty to look forward to: Middle DS will study abroad Jan-May so we have an excuse to go visit; DD is competing again as a level 10 gymnast; oldest DS just moved out (woohoo!); and we are planning a family trip to Korea and Hawaii at the end of June. (If that sounds like a weird trip...DD was adopted from Korea so it's time to go back and visit, and since we've all been wanting to go to Hawaii we figured we might as well go there too since it's kinda on the way back!) We are also starting to think about our next move (downsizing) and have picked a location (same town, more "downtown-ish" neighborhood) so we'll be keeping an eye on the market. It's fun for me to start thinking about what we want in our next house. We've been in this one for 20 years.

Nice to hear from you, Magdalena!

2016 was to be the year I found "balance". Sometimes I crack myself up.

Well, for me, 2016 sucked heinies. So onward to better years!

Cattyles, it would seem odd to "like" your comment. But, I so understand looking forward to moving onward!

Two miscarriages, one of which landed me in the ER, and lost DH beloved grandmother. Otoh my beloved sister moved close to me and gave me a nephew! So...looking forward to 2017!

Agree - 2016 sucked bigly. Lost both parents, a promotion at work was a bit of a disappointment, not sure I want to live in our future retirement home/town and last but not least, the election. I bought myself a new handbag for Christmas as a consolation prize. Here's to 2017!!

ETA: Good stuff happened too but I'm too pouty to focus on those at the moment :(.

My 2016 was peaceful. We sold and bought two different homes in 2015 and moved twice so 2016 was relatively uneventful compared to that. We spent it just enjoying our new surroundings and new neighbors. We didn't have any major health issues which was not the case in 2012 or 2013. More aches and pains as we hit/approach 60 but that goes with the territory I guess. Overall I feel very blessed as 2016 comes to a close.

Magdalena...glad you've checked in. Sorry to hear about your health problems but happy to hear you're on the mend.

For me 2016 was eventful! Two baby showers, three bridal showers, three weddings, a Christening, a reception for a couple who had a destination wedding, and a two week trip out west. So far for 2017, a baby shower and wedding. Hope that's it!

The year started out quietly enough with DH getting lots of remodeling done on our house. In July, we found out that my dad's step great niece who is pregnant wanted to have her baby adopted. I've had 4 miscarriages over the last few years, and we'd still love to have another little one. She was thrilled when we stepped up and said that we'd be honored to adopt her baby. We then started our home study paperwork for adoption. In October, my dad, who I was pretty close with, passed away after quite a long battle with cancer. In November, the birth mom decided to choose a different family for her baby. A few days later, we got our official home study approval stating that we are legally able to adopt. Maybe 2017 will be the year of our adopted baby if anyone knows of a peanut that needs the love of our family?

Magda! So happy to hear from you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

2016 for us was not a bad year. It didn't start off so well, I lost my 98 year old beloved grandmother February 1. But 98 - almost 99!! She lived a long and good life. I am thankful she didn't suffer, although I miss her!

I, too, am so thankful for our health, home, friends and family and the jobs that provide for us. Recently the mountains near us (Smoky Mts.) and the area nearby suffered devastating loss from raging fires. I never thought I would see something like this. We are very close to the area - have a mountain view from the front of our house. It is heartbreaking, but I am so encouraged and uplifted by the families and businesses that are forging on, pledging to be better than before! The spirit that I have seen from these people is amazing.

Our year has been fairly uneventful, which is fine. My dad celebrated his 86th b-day and continues to do well. My siblings and their spouses are healthy and well. My MIL remains in remission from Lymphoma.

I am still working part-time, but thinking 2017 may be the end of that. It's a big step and a somewhat hard step (there are people/students I'm very attached to), but I think it may be time. My husband has some career options too, so 2017 is looking kind of exciting for us as we ponder these decisions.

The best part of 2016 is my father's and stepbrother's continued cancer-free status. For both of them, it really is miraculous, and I have to think about them often when I start getting down about other aspects of life. I also just recently learned I was selected for a promotion at work that will mean a lot more responsibility. As soon as the paperwork comes through (state agency during the holidays, so . . .) I'll get started with what will be something of an excavation process and the re-righting of a ship.

Knowing this new position was about to kick off, I decided to skip the two-week trip back east with DH for the holidays. Planning to skip the trip was prescient on my part, because I just uncovered some infidelity and other shenanigans on my DH's behalf, and I'm also using these weeks to focus on how this changes what I thought my life looked like, and what I want my life to look like in the future.

My mom remains a challenge, with mental and emotional issues that lead more and more to her striking out at me. This isn't going to get better before it gets worse, so I'm factoring this in to the whole "what do I want my life to look like" analysis.

But I live in a beautiful city in a beautiful state where I have plenty to distract me from the day-to-day. My adorable dogs are healthy and love me unconditionally. I'm financially in good shape and can weather the storm. 2016 I suppose had a theme of "change", for better or for worse. I'm looking to 2017 to offer some sort of resolution.

As Queen Elizabeth II said, my year turned out to be "annus horribilis."

Jakabedy.....congrats on your promotion. I hope the rest resolves itself in a positive way for you.

Jakabedy, congratulations on your promotion. I know this has been on your plate for a while. Well-deserved I'm sure. I too hope the other things in your life sort themselves out and you can move forward with a clear mind and heart. Roll Tide, my friend!!

Jakabedy wrote: ...what I want my life to look like in the future.

Yes, this for 2017. In 2016, I realized what my life was and questioned if this is how I wanted it to continue. In many ways, the answer is no, but I'm not sure what I want it to be. That's what I'm trying to figure out.

Robo, I'm so sorry about your miscarriages. And Laughablemoments, for the birth mother's change of mind. To be so excited for a child--and then have those hopes taken away--is one of life's most cruel experiences.

So sorry to read of all the loses for some of you...please know that you're in my thoughts. And congratulations to those who had good news!

2016 was a mixed bag for me-the end of 2015 was really bad for me personally, but I started the new year out on a much better foot at work, so my stress levels decreased tremendously. I attended a family reunion that hadn't occurred in over 30 years, learned I was finally going to be a Grandma, was ordained and married my sister, and got to go to some awesome concerts and great trips this year. This weekend I'll be spending it with my children (always a pleasure) and next weekend with my BFF...then kicking off what I really, really hope is a tremendous 2017.

I'm sorry for everyone who has had to weather a bumpy 2016. Aside from the election 2016 wasn't a bad year for me. My parents are healthy, my kids are healthy and happy, and I'm celebrating five years in a relationship with a wonderful man. My cup is full. :)

My year started off great when my daughter and her dh adopted three little girls out of foster care. That has been a total joy. The year itself has been a mixed bag as life always is. I just watched a really good movie that many of you may have seen already. It is called Philomena and stars Judy Dench. It is the story of an elderly woman who is searching for her birth child and it is unexpectedly funny and suspenseful in equal parts. It portrayed for me how life is full of the good and the bad and what you think is bad often turns out for the best.

My best to all of you as we move into the new year with hopefulness.