Happy Holidays everyone.

This past week was eventful for a change. We talked with a loan officer regarding our loan. Even though we just took two steps back, we have a “reason” for the setback. The latest loan officer (we get a new person every time the paperwork goes back and forth) informed us that our original loan was to “repair” our home. Now that we have estimates coming in at more than a third higher than the approved amount, the loan was kicked back to a loss verifier to switch the status from “repair” to “replace.” Yeah, it makes no sense to me either, especially when you consider that a loss verifier saw the wreckage of our home before we got all the debris removed. Ah well, the government works how the government works. We’ll just hurry up and wait. 🙄

In other news, the holiday season crashed down on us this week. I managed to get all of my shopping done on time (surprise, surprise), which is unusual because I’m almost always out on Christmas Eve getting that last-minute gift for whomever I forgot. Not this year. Yay me!

Speaking of surprises, First Reader and I spent Christmas Eve with my kids, and who walked in the door but their father! Now, the last time we spent Christmas together was the season before our divorce—decades ago. Over the years, we’ve seen each other when FR and I travel to parts East to see the rest of the family for Thanksgiving, but it was the first time for Christmas. (Yes, everyone made it out intact, and we had a good visit.)

This holiday season has been much more enjoyable than last year. We’ve had time to process much of our grief and settle into a new routine. We can joke about life again without feeling adrift in a sea of sadness. The sorrow still visits but not as often or with quite the emotional impact as it has over the last fourteen months. It’s much easier to preface a statement with “We used to have …” than it was twelve months ago.

And now 2022 is upon us. (Where did 2021 go?) Time to look forward to a new year and a new life as our plans come to fruition.

Have a safe and prosperous New Year.