To be honest, this has been a crazy long year. It feels like it’s been the longest year ever. And for that, I’m thrilled we are turning a new chapter. The biggest event of the year was moving houses. It’s been a huge change for us all in so many ways — but one that’s been the move we needed. We celebrated Christmas this year with not one but *two* trees. And although we ended up with it just being us for Christmas, we got to enjoy our beautiful new space with a full table at Thanksgiving.
Even though we’ve been ordering in for the majority of the year, we still managed to enjoy some extra special moments along the way. We started the year with seeing the virtual version of Dan White’s amazing show. If you haven’t seen it yourself, highly recommend! We also had a lovely evening for Valentine’s thanks to Goldbelly which featured some NYC gems like Blue Ribbon Sushi and La Newyorkina. We enjoyed our only meal indoors this year to celebrate our anniversary at Summit House. We also dined outside at one of our faves, Stirling Hotel, to celebrate T’s birthday during the summer.
Keeping the kids entertained with the woes continuing like it has continues to be a challenge, but we’ve tried to do the best we can in some different wags throughout the year. We took the kids on our first family vacation to Hersheypark and some surrounding area attractions, like The Turkey Hill Experience. We hit the trails as much as the weather permitted, including the Watchung Reservation History Trail. We got to check out some new exhibits at one of our favorite spots, the Liberty Science Center — including their Dino Dig Adventure and Wobbly World. And of course we participated in some seasonal fun at the annual Berkeley Heights Winter Walk.
I spent a lot of hours on the air podcasting. Leslie opted out of our regular post-episode podcast, Will You Accept This Podcast, so I took on the challenge solo for a few seasons featuring a rotating lineup of guest hosts, expanding to video content! It was a fun challenge and such a fun way to connect with some old and new friends in a different way during this isolating year.I took the last few seasons off since the move took a lot out of me but hope to back at it soon(ish).
I also picked back up some episodes of my parenting podcast, talking with Arianna Brooks about some of her special family traditions and her first children’s book, My Mushy Matzah Ball. I also talked with Danet Peterson about her experience with ocular melanoma, the heaviness of the uncertainty and how she approached handling such a heavy topic with her three small children. If you haven’t listened to either, they’re worth a listen!
And of course, there were some big fitness accomplishments for the year. The first one is totally random, which is that in May I taped footage for a Peloton digital ad! Such a fun, unexpected part of my 2021. Also after breaking my foot in 2020, my 2021 was filled with all the races. There was the Stay Home Stay Motivated 1st Anniversary 5K (which marked my biggest run upon returning to it in earnest), the Cranford Cupcake 5K and The Chatham Turkey Trot, Q’s first ever race. I drove out to the Run the Vineyards Federal Twist 10K, where I found probably my favorite distance that seems to be way too hard to find races in. And after hurting my knee in October’s half, I got back out there for a 5K today for Still I Run’s Breaking Stigma in Stride.
After last year’s setback, I took on not one but two half marathons. I did the Disney Princess Half over the summer and did the Halloween Half Marathon in Morristown in person. Overall, I ran 452.93 miles for the year — which for coming back after an injury, even regardless of that, I’m incredibly proud of.
I also cycled a lot. 2,509.46 miles worth — but who’s counting? I completed two Pelofondos in there — a two day event of Peloton riding. I did 52.07 miles for the first one and a whopping 100 miles for the second!
Not sure what 2022 will have in store. Here we go, ready or not!
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