Highlights of 2019

At the beginning of the year I set a goal for myself to do at least one exciting thing a month whether it be a trip or an event.

In January I was lucky enough to attend the AFC Championship football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots. Even though the Chiefs lost, it was the first time ever an AFC Championship game was played at Arrowhead. In February I took a 2 week cruise to the Southern Caribbean - by myself. Ports included Key West, St Thomas, Antigua, St Lucia, Aruba, Curacao and Grand Cayman. I was a little hesitant at first but I met the most amazing people and had the time of my life. March was my biggest event with the birth of my granddaughter, Hazel. I also went to Top Golf with friends and attended the John Mellencamp concert with my cousin.

April I went to St Louis to go shopping at the outlet mall with Michele. May was a trip to Vegas to visit friends I met on the cruise. June was another cruise with friends to the Western Caribbean. Ports there included Belize, Honduras and Cozumel. I've been on this cruise several years ago. I couldn't believe how much more impoverished these countries were but we had a good time anyway. July was another birthday celebration with friends at Top Golf.

In August I took the family to the Missouri State Fair. I haven't been to the fair since I left Sedalia back in 2001. Trust me, it hasn't changed a bit. September I have to stretch a bit and consider a boat ride with past co-workers on Lake Lotawana as my adventure. October took me back to Vegas, with friends, to see Christina Aguilera in concert. Besides her being 45 minutes late to start her show, it was the worst Vegas show I've ever been to. I should have gone to see Donnie and Marie as there Vegas residency has ended.

I've been telling Michele I was going to go with her to Chicago for Thanksgiving for years. We were lucky the weather cooperated and wasn't an extremely cold Thanksgiving for Chicago. It was great having someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner for me. In December my kids surprised me with a 65th birthday party. A couple weeks later my whole family went to Branson to Silver Dollar City to see the Christmas lights. It was fabulous.

My goal for 2020 is to do more exercising, eat healthy and try for a slimmer body. I hate to be negative but for me I don't think that's a very realistic goal. I tend to give up when I don't see immediate results. Happy New Year!