Those year end newsletters are good for updates, and they make everyone else’s life seem so sparkly, happy and fun, just like Facebook (Nope, not on, and not going to join). Life is a balance of both good and bad things, but who wants to put the sad, bad and hard stuff in a newsletter?

Here is some of what I remember about 2016, but not all of it. I want my life to look sparkly, happy and fun too, but realistic. The list could be longer, but I want you to stay for the photos at the end.

Personally:

1. Lost neighbors on three sides, all for different reasons (We aren’t lawn-parkers, don’t have barking dogs, don’t have loud parties or lights that stay on all night – what’s the deal??)
2. Lost Perkins, the kindest-hearted cat of 17 years, and gained Samson, the fiercest little feline I’ve ever met
3. Visited Israel (still in shock – did this really happen??)
4. Took very long road trip – Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada
5. Hit 30 years in the marriage department
6. Walked the Lake Tahoe Marathon

Professionally:

1. Edited a novel
2. Edited, designed and published Trail of Promises
3. Painted 5 murals (2 in someone’s Events Room and 3 in the Three Rivers Museum)
4. Designed and published 4.9 coloring books (#5 is completed but not printed yet, waiting customer approval)
5. Did all the other normal work stuff – lessons, oil painting workshops, speaking to groups, oil painting, pencil drawing, blogging, bazaars/festivals/boutiques/shows
6. Received an award, Women in the Arts, from the DAR (Not sure why, but appreciative all the same!)

Thank you, dear blog readers, for sticking with me through 2016.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Am I always standing by people I love with my arm thrown over their shoulders?? Nope. Couldn’t stand to be touched in Israel because it was always too hot.

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