wrapping up 2019

Wrapping up 2019 is the one thing I really want to do. I am usually very much on board with looking ahead to new things, but it’s harder to do that this year. Optimism is tough to muster up these days, although I’m trying. Mind over matter and all that jazz.

January

2019 started with the happiest of memories. I learned that I am fairly solid at axe throwing. We got to go on the ice at a Jacksonville Icemen game for the first time. I attended the SOUPer Bowl fundraiser, to end student hunger, which has segued into a volunteer consulting job for me. Oh, and we camped overnight at Sea World, right up against the windows of the dolphin habitat.

February

February was a tough month: little man contracted a mild case of the flu, which meant I had to race in Daytona alone. However, he still rallied to take home a trophy in his last ever Pinewood Derby, as well as an award for the Sarlaac cake he baked for Cub Scouts. I shared Galentine’s Day with some girlfriends, and we got to go to another hockey game (with ice time) as a Safety Patrol reward.

March

March was… something. We said goodbye to our sweetest Molly, my partner in crime and best girl, and I still feel the hole in my heart. We also welcomed Hufflepuff the Hedgehog to the family. I raced almost every weekend of the month, and tried yoga at a local brewery. In addition, I got to attend The Players’ Championship, one of the premier events in town, for the first time and can’t wait to go again.

April

While it was a slow running month, we did get some fun date nights and the like. Little man crossed over to Boy Scouts and turned 11 years old! I got some time out with some girlfriends, and we said goodbye to elementary school.

May

May was a bit of a quiet month for personal reasons. I ran one 5K, and we celebrated my birthday and Mother’s Day in a low key way. I did get in some SUP yoga, which was nice.

June

And then June came roaring back. We did a little staycation in Daytona for some family recharging time, and even tried out “glass” kayaks at night. I met up with Meghan and some Best Damn Race ambassadors for a fun little weekend in Orlando. And then we went on an epic vacation to Bar Harbour, Acadia National Park, Portland, Boston and Cape Cod. We hiked, toured, ate and I snagged another state with the BAA 10K!

July

The travel fun wasn’t quite over! On 4th of July weekend, I flew to Atlanta for the AJC Peachtree Road Race! It was THE BEST with incredible company. Little man attended his first BSA summer camp on his own, and did a phenomenal job scoring merit badges and awards. And we wrapped the month with a long weekend in Orlando for Meghan’s 40th birthday!

August

Little man started middle school, marking a new season for us all. We started the month at Sea World, and finished it at Universal Studios and Volcano Bay. While in Orlando, we met up with old friends for a Miami Hurricanes game. And yes, there was a 5K at the Jaguars stadium and a little bit of volunteering with the Scouts as well.

September

With school under way, it was time to get back to work. We pushed through Hurricane Dorian. Little man earned his bo black belt in karate, and attended his first drag race with friends. We said goodbye to the carousel that was a St. Augustine staple for years. I went to Orlando to race with my Meghan, and helped put together a Favorite Things party for the St. Augustine Moms.

October

The biggest news was completing my 100th workout at 9Round! Wheee! I also did an amazing 5K for breast cancer, with some of my favorite people. It was a time for firsts with little man’s first middle school dance and my very first blow out at Blo Jax. We attended a charity event at the Alligator Farm, enjoyed a birthday dinner with friends and celebrated Halloween in all the ways. At this point in the year, I was really sure we would be wrapping up 2019 with five stars!

November

And then disaster. As I was gearing up for the best winter and racing season ever, I slipped and fell on my stairs, breaking two bones in my right leg. Womp womp. Prior to that, we celebrated our anniversary, and walked in honor of those we have lost to Alzheimer’s. We still managed to celebrate Thanksgiving, thanks to Mr PugRunner and my parents, and the boys got to attend Wicked and go to Universal Studios for a few days.

December

Not the December or holiday season I wanted or needed, but wrapping up 2019 was in my sights. I had my third surgery to put plates and screws in my broken bones. Ten days later, I was weight bearing. Little man raced with friends and helped at some Santa events. I got clearance to return to the gym and we saw some beautiful friends for the holidays.

2020 is a fresh start to a whole new adventure, right?

I am linking up for Tuesday Topics with KookyRunner and Zenaida

Please visit these lovely bloggers, plus check out some of the other blogs on the link-up, and don’t forget to share your own post, as well!

What are some of your highlights of 2019?

What are you most looking forward to in 2020?