JANUARY 2024 – After what seemed like a short Christmas Break, I started back to work on Monday, January 8th. GW went back to work on Friday, January 5th. McKenzie was to begin her second semester on Wednesday, January 17th but was delayed due to snow.
My school lost Spring Break this year due to the glycol leak I mentioned in my Reflections of 2023 post. I love a good snow day and was blessed with several of them at the most perfect timing! A three day weekend that turned into a five day weekend! Worked one day and then off for another three!!! I’ll take it! Working one day in a total of nine was fabulous! Being home was the perfect time to book our summer vacation. This summer, McKenzie and I are going to go to Hilton Head at the suggestion of a friend of ours. We are actually going to drive it. At first, I thought – nah – let’s fly. After searching flights, I found that it didn’t match our condo reservations. So a girl trip via car is what we are going to do! January 2025 edit – we cancelled going on the trip alone – a strange world we are living in and two ladies – I listen to my gut – always.
Is it just me or is January a very long month? I think partially because of the slow down from the Christmas “rush” of shopping, preparing, wrapping, decorating, visiting, etc.
This month we began having Family Dinner again. For many reasons, we hadn’t had a Family Dinner in probably four years. At Christmas, we gave everyone envelopes with a list of Family Dinner dates. Everyone has the dates to be placed on their calendars in hopes that everyone will save those dates to join us at our home for dinner. This month, we served Smoked Chicken Quarters, Brussel Sprouts, Homemade Bread, Oriental Coleslaw and Macaroni Salad. And for the little Greats – Chicken Tenders and French Fries.
FEBRUARY 2024 – In attempt to keep up with my 2024 reflections, I made notes (not many I have found) for the year which admittedly I did not do a very good job.
Family Dinner – Spaghetti, Salad, Texas Toast, Italian Creme Cake
Snow on the 16th – cold – Wrenly Rose – Robins in the yard on the 17th. In translations means, we had snow on February 16th and we received a new neighbor baby girl that day with robins in the yard the next day. In reflection could explain the hot temperatures and lack of rain in the summer.
My amazingly talented, hard working, selfless friend, Anita, ran for Clerk of Courts. Spoiler alert – SHE WON! And, was sworn in five months early as the preceding clerk stepped down.
MARCH 2024 – GW & I took off to Myrtle Beach for a long weekend. It was the first time since we got married that just the two of us took a trip further away than just a couple of hours. It was quite windy and a little bit chilly but we had a great time and enjoyed great food and time together. We found out by chance next to our condo that the Embassy held a nightly Manager’s reception with free drinks for an hour for guests staying at the Embassy. The line and the show were too funny to miss. People would literally wait an entire 60 seconds to keep from paying for a drink. Insert eye roll here. GW and I both find it comical to people watch and this did not disappoint. We did make some great connections while there as others came to socialize and watch the show as well. One being a realtor – smart man – and then these two cat birds who own a condo where we stay. Another great connection as we exchanged phone numbers.
Briar – Elks
McKenzie was inducted into the Emblem Club and she was awarded a scholarship.
Family Dinner consisted of kielbasa, cabbage, packets of potatoes, cabbage, onions, Kielbasa, sautéed onions, brats, hot dogs, brownies with ice cream and toppings. Fruit rainbow, Mawmaw’s fruit dip for the clouds and marshmallows for the pot of gold. We had an Easter Egg Hunt with 143 eggs full of candy.
APRIL 2024 – My notes – 😳 – A helluva storm. Schools shut down. Thankfully GW was home. A lot of it missed us. Flash flooding. River rising.
The family helped me to surprise Gregory for his birthday by being at the restaurant he chose to dine. He is hard to surprise but we pulled it off!
MAY 2024 – I worked through the very end of the month due to delay start of school in 2023 because of the glycol leak….
Mom and McKenzie flew to Florida for a little getaway.
Michelle and the girls surprised ME with an early birthday gathering at The Twisted Vine. It was fabulous and completely unexpected. No one has ever done that for me before and I will never forget it.
JUNE 2024 – The start of my summer vacation!! I spent my mornings on the front porch, afternoons in the pool then back to the front porch for an evening cocktail and conversation with my GW. I read a couple of books and spent a lot of time in the reclining lounge chairs that Bub and Michelle got me for my birthday. Many a naps were taken in those chairs as well. A much needed mindless rest, reset and recharge.
JULY 2024 – We celebrated the end of my summer break with an early birthday dinner for mom. The kids really enjoyed the pool this summer!! CG learning to swim was amazing to watch!
AUGUST 2024 – I went back to work. We celebrated Bub’s birthday with his choice of dinner. My homemade spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and cake! This is probably my favorite family photo of the year. I love how Mikayla and I are sitting exactly alike and not even planned!
SEPTEMBER 2024 – I surprised McKenzie and GW with tickets to their first OSU football game. The met up with MTB for Billygate before the game at The Shoe. So very thankful for the experiences of that day that these two will share for a lifetime.
September also marked Michelle’s 50th birthday with another surprise party for her put on by the girls and Bub. I guess 2024 was the season for surprise parties!!!
OCTOBER 2024 – Family dinner consisted of the kids painting and carving pumpkins. The seeds were saved and I roasted them to perfection sharing with the ones who love them the most. Bub and Michelle went to the Steelers football game this night in PA. A gift from their kids in celebration of their birthdays.
NOVEMBER 2024 – MCKENZIE ANN TURNED TWENTY-ONE 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
When asked how she wanted to celebrate her birthday, she simply requested a trip to Columbus with dinner at Cooper’s Hawk Winery. The girls requested that she ride up with them as they made plans for a mani / pedi with her first beverage. These gals made her special day very memorable. Aunt Ann and Uncle Scott surprised her by joining us for dinner.
DECEMBER 2024 – Santa Claus surprised everyone here On The One Four One when he appeared at the door during the movie Polar Express. The laughter, smiles, tears, shrieks of joy are all the things that can never be placed in a boxed wrapped in pretty paper and ribbon. Absolutely priceless.
GW and I celebrated 22 years of marriage on New Years Eve. What a perfect way to complete another year.
XOXO ~ Paula
The One Four One 
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