Recap of the unprecedented 2020

2020, like it was for most people, was not the best year, and wasn't great for me mileage wise.  I continued my running streak, that equals 792 days in a row (as of December 31st).  My mileage wasn't incredibly high, I "only" ran 833 miles in 2020.  My average mileage before August was 86 and a half miles a month.  If I had continued with that, I would have run about1040 miles, which is less than 2019, but I didn't run that many.  In August I started having a pain in my foot that I decided I needed to rest.  However, I wanted to continue my run streak, so only ran one mile for most of the remainder of the year.  October was the lowest mileage month at 33 miles, I only ran two 2 mile runs (my longest runs for October).  My highest mileage month was April, at 92 miles.  

I only ran 2 races in 2020, I ran the Tulip Run, that became a 10k (it used to be 5 miles) and was virtual.  The other one was also virtual, it was a 5k but I have no idea when it was, and I don't even remember the name.  I got a cool tank top that says Run Now, Wine Later, and a to-go style wine cup that says Running on Wine and Christmas Cheer.  Those two things were the entire reason I ran that virtual race. After quite a bit of research, I discovered that I ran it on 12/19, and it was called Running on Wine and Christmas Cheer.  😁

I forgot, I did virtual Bloomsday as well . . . sorta.  My sister and I decided to do it last minute, and we hadn't trained, so we split it up into two days.  It was postponed to September, so we didn't do it in May like normal.  

I can say that I ran through a pandemic.  I also gained 10 lbs while running every day.  Well, technically I gained 6 lbs from January 1 to December 1, but stayed the same from December 2019 to January 2021, so you pick . . . (How did I lose 6 lbs in a month?)  I ran during a leap year, so that's kinda cool.

Personally, 2020 wasn't a great year, as so many people can agree, but it could have been worse.  I did not lose anyone close to me, or even anyone I know, thankfully.  I've been working from home since March, which has been interesting.  Maddox has had virtual school since March as well, which has been horrible.  Our good friends and neighbors moved to Georgia in November.  Maddox's best friend also moved in November (to Wisconsin).  

I did not spend a lot of time with my family.  I was lucky because I did see my dad throughout the summer.  We did several (3?) outside social distanced visits.  But it took me 8 months before I went to my Dad's house, the longest it's ever been since I moved away in my 20s.  However, I was unable to see my family at Christmas because one of my sister's tested positive for COVID and then exposed my Dad, another sister and her son, and my aunt.  I am pretty sure I didn't talk about that, but I was/am pretty upset/mad at her for that.  

I can't remember when I said it, I think it was last year, but years that are even numbers are always bad.  something happens in my life that sucks every even year.  Which, when I realized this, I was surprised by because I have a preference for even numbers.  I think this means that 2021 will be a good year.  😉

I'm going to post pictures from throughout this year as the end of this recap.

 

Asher at the beginning of the year, he was soooo small!

We started the year going to several hockey games.  How I miss that!

This was our last family get together that wasn't socially distanced outside, in February.

And suddenly, even the parks were closed.

Damian bought a bike to alleviate furlough boredom.

The Virtual Tulip Run

We went to the Lake 3 times this year.  It was glorious.  Our first trip was a long weekend in May.

We came back from our long weekend to the world having gone crazy!  Protests were everywhere, and I was proud to participate in one to support my friend, and the crazy injustices in the country.

Damian went 3 months without a haircut, it was really crazy.

Maddox got a dinosaur costume for his birthday.  It was the best gift ever.

Our first social distant (although from the picture it doesn't look like it) visit at a rest area with my family.  

I forced Chris to help me put a foundation in for our pool, which was glorious.

Just Maddox and a mask.

Our second trip to the Lake.

Visiting with my dad in a park.

Visiting with my dad on our 3rd visit to the Lake on my Mom's birthday.

The Lake in August, just because it's beautiful.

Asher turned 1!

Maddox's last day with his best friend.  I found this old picture of them from 6 years ago, they were so cute, they always wanted to watch a movie and make popcorn.

The first trip back to my Dad's house in October since last Christmas.

I also started doing my own nails in 2020, I save money, and have gorgeous designs! (Yes, I did this one myself, it's one of my favorites, although technically this picture is from last week.)

The winner of 2020? Amazon!  I bought this amazing hammock chair, it was by FAR the best purchase I made for the entire year!

Doing better

 I'm sorry for my last post.  I should have not posted at all.  I got on to post about my 2020 yearly stats and I was just having a bad morning.  I had been really stressing out about my school internship.  It started last Monday, which was stressing me out because I have to decrease my work hours for the job I get paid to do, which I can't really afford, and also do another job that is unpaid.   Plus, the day I posted last I found out all the paperwork needed to start my internship wasn't completed, so I thought I wouldn't be able to start on time.  It all got done, very last minute.  Like down to the wire, it had to be done by 2:30 my time, and it was done at 1 or something.

Last week was a lot of training for my internship, every day I had something, and I think it's going to continue through this week, but thankfully it will slow down and I'll actually start doing the work.  I go back and forth on what I'm actually doing.  I have never wanted to be a counselor, but yet, that is the master's degree I am getting.  I don't think I will be very good.  I have no idea how I will be responsible for helping people with their emotional life.  I used to work as a case manager for mental health court, and I worked very closely with a therapist.  I used to tell my clients that my coworker helped them with their the insides (emotions), and I helped them with their outsides (appts, etc.).  I really enjoyed that set up, but now I'm going to be responsible for their insides and that terrifies me.  I have always thought, though, that if I was going to be a counselor, I wanted to be one for kids, so here I am, training to be a counselor to really intense teenagers, and I'm terrified.  

In regards to my desk, I am actually liking it.  It gives me a place to have all my stuff rather than strewn around the living room, which is really not good, especially since my job is protected by HIPAA laws (confidentiality).  I did have to adapt my chair, and it's not uncomfortable.  My back bothers me some, but like I said in my last post, I can stand, although it's a little low, but not too bad.  I actually broke down and bought a standing desk chair.  One that will adjust high enough for a standing desk.  I haven't gotten it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.  I won't have to adjust the millions of cushions I have to sit on to make it high enough.  

I have been thinking of not doing an end of year post, but I REALLY like looking at them every year, so I need to just do it.  I've been super busy with my work (two jobs 😲).  I guess I should work on it now rather than write this "fluff" post.  

Last week I actually wore clothes that weren't sweatpants, did my hair and makeup.  Even wore my "fancy" boots.  When I took this picture I felt pretty, which is nice because most of the time lately I feel slovenly.  I should do my hair and makeup more often.

Not good

I have to tell you, I'm not doing very well this morning.  I had 10 days off of work, and I was really looking forward to them.  I wasn't actually planning on doing a lot, I wanted to clean up Maddox's room, which I did, and I decided I wanted to figure out an office space for me, which I did, and am not thrilled about. 

Yes, that's my linen closet.  The thing that I don't like is that the shelf is too high.  I am currently sitting on two pillows and a pile of puzzle floor mat things, and am still too short.  And it's slightly too short for a standing desk, although that actually might be better than the way too high for sitting desk.  

I have been really, really dreading starting my practicum (internship) for school.  I start next week and I already feel overwhelmed and depressed.  I have 10 month of this and I honestly don't know how i will do it.  I just want to go curl up in a ball and sleep, which is honestly what I did most of this last weekend.  795 days of running and depression may cause me to miss a day.

That's all I have for today.  I was going to do an end of the year recap, but that will have to wait.