I can’t believe it’s been a year since I last blogged and/or updated my website. Life and staying busy have prevented me from posting updates…up until now. Truthfully, nothing much happened in 2021, but I’ll provide a short recap here.

2021 started out excruciatingly slow. In February, I received an email from the editor of a local publication…two years after I had originally emailed her indicating that I was interested in a position at the publication. I went in for an interview and she stated that if I didn’t take the job, she’d still like for me to contribute to NorthBay biz magazine—which I agreed to. I’ve been contributing to the magazine since about June 2021 and this contributing position works perfectly for me right now with my schedule. In fact, there could possibly be a new opportunity soon with another publication. 📝🙏🏽

The writing position came at the best time since I’m still helping or caregiving for my parents and my (older) brother—which consists of me providing transportation, taking them to follow-up appointments, going shopping for them or taking them shopping with me and much more. Although it can be difficult, I still try my best to incorporate some self-care time for myself (e.g. a walk, lunch with a friend, etc). What I could use though is more help, especially when I need to take an extended break.

I’m extremely grateful to the editor at NBb magazine for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the magazine AND to those who have helped me with my parents and brother, either by providing transportation when I wasn’t able to or by just providing me/us with moral support. Those are the people you need in your corner whenever you don’t know where else to turn to. 🙏🏽❤️

This winter, I’m also grateful the weather has cooperated for the better for my county. We have had several days of rain here and there between November and December, which has tremendously helped our area! The drought here is no longer as bad as it was these last five years, when at least twice we were evacuated due to fires (the last one being the Kincade Fire in late Oct. 2019) that were located within close proximity to where we live. I’m intending that the upcoming rain will provide us with more relief between now and through April. ☔️💦🙏🏽

Despite being busy with my family, I’m so glad I have never given up on my goals. I hope 2022 will allow me to: work on my other writing goals, help me to fulfill another dream of mine later on this year and celebrate a milestone birthday come this fall. 🖊☀️🏝🎂

On one final note: thank you to the ’man (or woman 😏) upstairs’ for always guiding me and for answering some of my prayers involving my family’s health and for allowing me the time to complete a few lifelong accomplishments in 2021. 🙏🏽❤️🙂

I hope you have a healthy, joyous and prosperous New Year! 📆🎊😃🎉