2024

2024. . .

. . .I swore up and down in 2023 that I would do better at keeping the record of 2024. I would summarize every month or two so that in December I wasn’t scrolling through social media trying to remember all the things. I did no do this. In fact I believe it was December 10th that I first said to myself shit. I better start my year in review. I said it multiple times between then and December 31st. By then it was such a daunting, back burner of a task I couldn’t even think about it. So here I am the 5th of January finally writing it. Because I realized why 2024 was so difficult to review. It wasn’t a hard year, but a long year. Things that happened just in November seem like a year ago. January was a decade ago. Or that’s how it seems.

February invited in my 35th birthday and Tim and I took off to Vegas. We saw Ka, ate awesome food, and just enjoyed a new place. Meowwolf too.

March we went to New March we visited New Mexico and marked some vultures off the list (not mini golf). OG meowwolf too.

April we went to Dallas again to see Skeptics and just miss the eclipse chaos. A great show and stopped off in Meowwolf Grapevine.

Summer passed in a blur as I finished my T2T program and tried to prepare for my 3rd year at Curtis. No special trips or adventures. Natalie moved to Florida, Jaella remained sober, It was calm and nice.

Fall semester can be explained as a dryer on fire but still spinning. GOP rules have made it so students have no accountability, my semester went smoothly only because Orchestra was such a shit show. Our teacher didn’t choose us, and had some major health issues. I feel the chaos forced me to always be ready. My students were crap. Unfortunately. Some great artists but majority who did nothing. I had over a dozen fail first semester.

We enter 2025 happy, safe, and with a head cold. I hope 2025 slows down, just a little, so its easier to remember all the things. We are planning to visit Houston and some other spontaneous trips. 2024’s review is short because its the opposite of how the year felt.

2023

2023

Guess who didn’t start this in the beginning of the year and is now using Instagram and facebook to remember all the things that made up 2023! That’s right, this girl right here.

I can’t decide if this is the year of the Vulture or the year of Travel. The year of the travel vulture? It sounds like a great travel agency.

January-

-        Nothing really eventful pops up in social media. I still aimed to take a photo each day of myself and the Hawaiian shirt I wore. I don’t take the photo anymore but I do wear the shirt.

-        Natalie birthed the niece Ms. Lucy.

February

-        I noted Chaos Chickens and Baptising Cats as catch phrases for the first time. Its funny how now these things are just regular parts of the semester.

-        Lots of punny valentines and memories of Charlie and birthdays. Pillar killed a toilet paper roll for my birthday and Tim got me saw awesome vulture gear. My office gals decorated my classroom door.

-        The month ended with the saga of the midnight couch delivery and Tim painting and refinishing the front door.

March

-        The first of many travels I kicked off spring break going to Denver and seeing the DU crew and Meow Wolf Convergence Station. This would become a goal for the year to see all the Meow Wolf locations in a year.

-        I then went to Wyoming to see one of my longest friends and God Daughters reinstitute a new bethel in Laramie.

-        My students did some amazing art and I want to note that for my memory. Because some its hard to remember when you don’t see anything good.

April

- I started off the month getting a ton of ceramic molds from someone north of us. It was a four month saga to get the molds I got. I wish I had a plan for them beyond them sitting in the garage, but with time I’ll work on that.

- We added the Two Turtle doves to the pear tree to mark our second year here in Kansas. No names were suggested but Chat GPT came up with Turtley and and Dove-ine which I do like.

- A fire in Cheyenne caused a lot of stir as it burned own a police officer and a PEO sisters homes.

- We explored the zoo and our month was pretty simple.

May

-        May kicked off with the first bat of the year at Curtis.

-        Then I went to OKC and the Osteology museum to do a bone painting class. This proved to be a great connection for forensic art teaching.

-        Yoga with the skeletons and hanging out with Natalie and Ms. Lucy.

-        We also celebrated Logan graduating from high school with Clint and the girls coming out from Colorado.

-        The school year wrapped up as best as expected and I’m really pleased with my job and everything that first year taught me. I hope I can hang onto that mentality and hope as I continue teaching.

-        We went out to Tanganyika Wildlife park and all my Vulture dreams came true meeting Hoppy. We got to pet and do all kids of photos. I also got to feed and pet the rhino which was a great throw back to me vacuuming a rhino.

-        Mom and I drove up to KC to see Judith and her Maid the painting by Artemisia Gentileschi. We’d also visit a few days later the Wichita art museum and see the paper dress exhibit.

June

-        I started the month and summer resting but signed up for WSU’s demo days which was a great opportunity to learn techniques and project ideas I can use in the classroom. I really need to bring some of these to my class.

-        We went with some of the Hesston crew to Hutchinson and the Salt Mine museum/tour. It was weirdly interesting getting to see how salt mines are made and their history, as well as how they are used now to store movie props and records.

-        I gave a talk to PEO chapter IP on the Mona Lisa.

-        The world watched, waited, and made jokes about the Titan submersible imploded going to the Titanic. A tragedy by also a lesson in Darwinism.

-        Fallout Boy released a new/modern version of We Didn’t Start the Fire but its out of order from the actual timeline of events.

July

-        Kept the start of July and Anniversary month simple. We went to 6S for dinner to celebrate year 2 and prepared for our trip to Alaska.

-        We flew to Alaska and began a wonderful adventure with Jaella seeing the state and the worlds tallest mountain. Five days in the Last Frontier, 3527 iles and we were part of the 30% to see Mr. Denali along with a host of critters.

-        We started the goal of Mini Golfing in all 50 states before turning 50 and came home with a sinus infection and Tim with COVID.

-        The worst part of the month was putting down Hatchet. I knew this trip would kill him, he’d deteriorated so much already it was the best decision after a kidney failure diagnosis. I still am not sure I’ve delt with this grief.  

August

- Our dishwasher was possessed by a demon and had to be replaced.

- My second first day of school teaching or 27th first day according to this record.

- Mom and I went and saw Rag Time the Musical which was amazing.

- The chaos that became Jaella won’t be typed here. From passionate love, to heart break, mental break, and rehab this girl needs every strong vibe still. Its hard to believe all this started around August. It seems like it was years ago now.

-The KKG lawsuit was thrown out of court

September

-        Traveled to Denver for International Vulture Awareness Day. And my husband for labor day weekend. Tracy, Cori and I went to the zoo seeing all the vultures.

- Met up with the DU crew to see the Virgil Ortiz exhibit at History Colorado, then we went across the way to the DAM to see the Native and Asian Art.

- Tim and I went to Dine-N-Wine-Osaur in Derby which involved matching T-shirts and our favorite dinosaurs.

- I taught a Composite drawing class at the Osteology Museum in OKC and we went to the zoo before hand to see the vultures.

- I quit taking the daily picture after a coworker commented on how many images I take and share. I almost wish I hadn’t let this negativity effect me but it really lifted a weight of pressure I hadn’t realized I had put on myself.

-September ended and October began with the working of the cat distribution network. Logan found a cat dead in the road and managed to bring it back to life. They named him Lazarus. Of course knowing how their dog was I prepared to keep the bottle fed baby and he joined me at school the first week. A tiny little thing only 5 sauce packets long… We renamed him Apult(agoryo).

October

-        With the war still going in Ukraine who saw another war starting with Israel and Gaza.

- As a team we dressed as our team lead and for Halloween a huge group of teachers dressed as Spices.

November

-        I added Penguin Yoga to the list of weird yoga and animals I’ve pet.

- Worked really hard to keep grief and sadness away. We traveled down to Dallas Texas and marked the 4th Meowwolf The Real Unreal off the list. Tim’s first I’m not sure he really enjoyed it but he did a great job faking it for me.

December

- For memory the Stegosaurus is Peggy, James the T-Rex, and now we have Cera the Triceratops.

- I had a strange secret santa dream and my amazing coworkers made it come true. I have a great team even if there are some struggles. Matched with one of my favorites at work and ended the semester with a lot of failure but opportunities to succeed.

- Our 2023 family image isn’t as good as the rest but still a great way to wrap up the year.

We traveled a lot in 2023 and saw a lot of vultures. Hence it being the year of the travel vulture. I hope 2024 continues on these same lines as more trips and travels are planned. 2023 was nothing like I expected, I could have never dreamed of it being like this. But I’m glad with how its wrapping up.

2022

2022

It use to be I started this in January. Filling out the months as or after they occurred. It helped my memory and made a large task less overwhelming. Apparently not this year. I wish I could give reason but even later in the year when I said I should start this. I did not. I think its because there wasn’t a lot of note worthy things in 2022. Atleast not compared to previous years.

January-

-        Opened in sadness thing about losing Betty White a cultural icon. We all knew it would come soon, but still it’s a shock when it comes. It makes you wonder who else would die.

-        The Marshal fire started December 30,2021 left us in shock with how close it came.

-        I shared about starting as an adjunct professor at the University of Wyoming which was a great opportunity. I say this with hindsight but also want to state this job made it so I was driving 7 hours each week total going to jobs.

-        Our annual caricature was drawn.

-        School started with Two classes at ACC, a few at RMCAD, one at UW, and one online with LCCC.

-        I honestly vague posted a lot and January was relatively uneventful which is a theme for much of 2022

February

-        Major progress was finally made on the sunroom and 80% of anything shared was pictures of Hatchet and Freyah.

-        There were many birthday wishes and Tim and I invested in a new bed. This might be my first true adult purchase in the grand theme of things. A sleep number really was a great investment and has helped both of us sleep better.

-        George finally sold his house though he’d been in Kansas for over a month. He got more then asking though getting it ready was a bit of a saga.

-        The war between Ukraine and Russia began again February 20th and I wish I had better documented my thoughts and feelings. A war thousands of miles away still impacted our local culture. Namely because I had a Ukrainian student in my class at UW.

March

-        Somewhere in February the conversations of moving began. With memories of the Marshal fires proximity, my job situation and Tim’s it seemed something we should consider. Tim had been making the trip to Kansas to move his dad and we all knew he’d want to be closer to him.

Its parts like this I wish I’d written at the time. To truly express reason and feelings at the time. Vs nine months in hindsight.

-        We went to Oklahoma to visit Natalie and Rugar in person for the start of spring break. Its amazing how many museums are in OKC. Our trip continued going to visit Wichita for the first time and day one included Fields Station: Dinosaur and the Exploration Center before meeting the family. Day two more museums and family, and day three . . .  Well that included doing the house inspection and seeing the property we bought for the first time.

I know I am 100% to thank or blame for the move to Wichita. Tim was thinking in the next year or two. But the culture was changing and the housing market was going so fast you could see it was about to crash. Pretty much site unseen we went through the process with a shitty realtor and worse inspector though we didn’t know that at the time.

-        We had our pictures taken by Liz Osban since I’m demanding. Tim was amazing as he died of some illness. Though our shoot was cut short it was worth it.

-        With everything good we proceeded with the closing scheduled by the end of the month. This was not easy being the current owner still owed a lot of money on the security system, and our realtor seemed uninterested in our closing. We managed through though with a lot of complaining.

April

-        We arrived to still have stuff from the selling agent’s showings but it was ours. We were moving. So right away our first trip out with belongings we changed locks, got refrigerators, and set up the cameras and internet. The things we had to do

-         

Loading the trailer and taking it out on the first weekend, it was an 8 hour drive roughly. For the night we stopped in in Burlington, CO (which would end up being our regular pit stop) and the internet informed us a tornado had hit Andover, Kansas. The town less then a mile from our new home. The Cameras were off line and google said it had hit a mile to the east. We arrived the next morning wondering how it would turn out simply hoping our house was intact. (It Was.)

-        Taking a drive east every two weeks plus all the work driving and researching I was exhausted but Tim really did make it worth it.

-        One weekend we went with friends to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo where I got to pet a wallabee and feed the giraffes again.

-        I found out I had been published in 2021. An article I’d written about Moche Vultures.

-        April brought an unusual amount of rain to Kansas and it was here we began testing foundations and dealing with what we would name Lake Hest. We’ll learn in a few weeks its our sprinkler system combined with a broken pump in our basement.

This is that shoutout to my amazing husband who figured out these issues and got them fixed for way less then it would have cost to higher someone to fix it.

-        The pictures from our photoshoot came back and despite a few where Tim is clearly dead/dying they turned out amazing.

-        The final post of April is Keith our Partridge mounted in the pear tree (non fruit producing) in our front yard. A joke that really has continued to bring joy the whole year.

May

-        Teacher Appreciation week was also the last week of school. I gave the final at ACC and the next day I left for Kansas with the cats to become a resident officially. I updated facebook May 5.

-        I finished all my jobs and entered a time of having only Outschool. I’m blessed to have my mother and her ability to help and support me.

-        We got her moved out a week or two later and listed our house in Arvada.

-        May is where it gets sad. Middle of the month Freyah got what I thought was the rona. She barely moved, ate, or drank. I was lucky to have her as long as I did. Tim was with me and on May 23rd we helped her pass on as she’d stopped doing anything.

-        Tim began working the two weeks on two weeks off rotation.

-        We did the things you have too- DMV, plates, vets, job hunting.

-        The day after the last day of school I interviewed for a job at Curtis Middle School as Art teacher. This would prove to be the start to me truly liking Wichita.

June

-        Got rid of the Colorado plates and traded them in for a set with the Wichita Flag.

-        Flooding continued in Kansas and in Wyoming with the Yellowstone river flooding and closing the park.

-        June 14 mom and I went to the shelter to meet a calico kitten and came home with a blackish one. After losing Frayah Hatchet was literally attached to me. He had to be touching me or he screamed, if I was working he was on my lap or meowing (not exactly a great combo for an online teacher). If I went anywhere he scream cried. So I decided the logical solution was to get my cat a cat. I did not introduce them properly but its become our new normal. Erpillar who’s shelter name was Piston was the perfect addition to our home.

-        Pillar started day one as a tiny terrorist of love. She’s mostly black but has a shade of brown and some white or grey highlights which I’m certain keep her from being full evil. Though full of love and totally adorable. I again wish I’d written at the time instead of in hindsight.

-        The 12th Annual 1940’s Ball finally happened in 2022 (2020 scheduled) and Tim and I still had tickets. It wasn’t as good as 2019. There wasn’t a victory lane, no activity sheet or challenge to complete. Not as many characters to take pictures with but we enjoyed it all the same. Not sure we’ll go again but maybe.

-        June 22 I got my first look at my new classroom and was able to go in and start cleaning, painting, organizing. Mom helped, later so would Jaella. Thinking of the space before and after to now. I’m kind of sad I didn’t keep it as clean in the closet, that students don’t respect materials or the space. But I’m also kind of excited to change some things for 2023-2024. We’ll see. Lets get through year one.

July

-        Jaella and I explored Wichita seeing the Gardens, and Frank Lloyd Wright house, she helped my prep my classroom and socialize the Erpillar. It also made the first rotation with Tim gone easier.

-        I started graduate or licensure school for teaching- “Grad school is a lot more work when you don’t like the subject matter.”

-        Jaella was present for my first Curtis Bat rescue. If I only knew how many would happen from there.

-        I kept working on my classroom and got it all set up with the New Teacher Orientation starting the last days of July.

August

-        August 12th was my 26th first day of school but my first as a middle school art teacher.

-        Most of the facebook updates from this point relate to my crazy shirt of the day and the chaos that is teaching. I do love me some chaos.

September

-        Many pictures of shirts, some student art. School is going ok and I’ll learn as I go.

-        Hydra grew another head middle of the month following me on tiktok. He didn’t like my post “waving hi to my stalker” and unfollowed me.

-        September 13 we had many a bat in school and it’s the first time I posted online about catching any. This was also the day one flew over students in the morning.

-        More bats, more cats, more terrorism and cuteness.

-        I made the ESOL students draw me, and my crazy shirts.

-        Tim took me to Dinosaurs After Dark on his home rotation and September came and went almost like it didn’t happen.

October

-        October 4th Pillar hunted down, attacked and killed two croissants ment for my lunch. This was both adorable, hilarious, and notable for October.

-        The world got really opinionated about artist Lizzo playing a glass flute once owned by James Maddison. In my own research I learned he didn’t play it. It was a gift for the second term president from a guy still learning to make them. What really was interesting was the Librarian of Congress is a POC woman who suggested the whole thing and helped make it possible.

-        More shirts, more cat pics, and some student art. The only other thing notable was Allen Richardson finally unfriended and blocked me from social media. I say notable because it will annoy the shit out of him to know how funny many find it.

-        We ended the month receiving a package of letters from my dad to his parents when he was in the coast guard along with some of the teacups he brought back for grandma. I’m really thankful for my cousin to help get these to me.

-        At school I was a Jackalope and with Tim we were Where’s Waldo.

November

-        Tim and I visited the zoo

-        I voted by mail.

-        Our classroom got its three Betta November 8. Which I really just want to remember as I try to keep them alive. (they 100% helped with student behaviors.)

-        We took George to the zoo light lantern event.

-        My Pitcher Plant grew pitchers and promptly started to die right after. Plants.

-        We did Thanksgiving twice with the Hesting Family and their extended family Jim and Lynn.

December

-        More Seasonal Dinosaurs at Holly Jollly Jurassic which inspired me to but our yard dinos up. Even if it’s a short season due to weather. For memory the Stegosaurus is Peggy, James the T-Rex

-        World Cup began with the alternate time due to Quatar being the location. I’m happy to say though this year was strange my Croatia did great getting to # 3. Morocco truly represented at #4, and the final game between Argentina and France was crazy to say the least. It was also wonderful bantering with Laure about the game and how France will always disappoint me. Haha.

-        I joined the digital world in AI images and won’t admit how much I liked them.

-        School did the 12 days of Christmas and I was as festive as I could be. Our team did the Island of Misfit Toys as a theme and it might be a touch too close to home.

-        The semester ended and unfortunately more students then I would have liked failed or nearly failed. Though its not my fault with how hard some worked to fail.

-        Our 2022 family portrait turned out pretty good though I still cry about Freyah.

-        Our first snow/winter storm in Kansas and though I can’t say I would have left the house had Tim not been here. We sure survived. I’m not sure how much I like this ice stuff, but I was pleased to see the snow which I was told never happens in Wichita.

-        Tim Turned 33 and we continued exploring our new town visiting the art museum.

2022 might not have been a wild adventure but it was a continued adventure as a Hesting. Moving 535 miles to Kansas, celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary, new jobs and job adaptions I wouldn’t change any of it. I miss Wyoming and the mountains. But Kansas people are very welcoming, unique. I’ve got a wonderful team at work, my family close, and my friends are just a text away. I look forward to seeing what 2023 will  bring. 2022 was the calm we needed. We had a touch of chaos but not compared to previous years. 

2021

2021

Like last year thinking of 2021 is like a Syfy book, a saga that should have never been written. A show that didn’t deserve a full season let alone a second. Yet here we are looking back. Though it wasn’t as bad as 2020, it in fact contained many wonderful things, it still doesn’t seem real. But this is our new reality.

January

A period of recovery after holidays made ever harder by death. My only goal this year is to break the pattern of death that came with 2019, and 2020. The January 6th insurrection was notable and as December wraps up its still a headline. Looking back most of the month was resting, facebook posts about “What vide to I give off?” Back to school but all online its the new reality. Mom and I did a bit for wedding planning, considering locations and food. Did photos with Tim. Engagement/I wanted. I can’t say I hate them but I look back at them rarely.

February

We were fighting with garbage pick up. Not put in the right spot, not accessible, too much. We went weeks without. We put dad’s cars up for sale. The Miata went quickly but the Lucerne took some time. Turning 32 always reminds me of how loved I am by friends. Facebook becomes a tracker of remind me.

Time Capsule 2037

Maybe adding it here will help me remember. Though who knows.

March

On the 12th I hit the one year mark since I’ve been in a physical classroom. Though I’m at ACC now I still haven’t been in that classroom in almost two years. Made Guinness brownies and continued to wedding plan by riding Megan’s coat tails. Looking at her Wedding Wednesday posts months later is really fun since both our plans have changed so drastically. Explored the selfie museum with Ashley and got to do the aquarium with Jessica, Cody and his wife before they left for North Dakota. For our 2nd dating anniversary we got each other Legos.

April

Facebook is really helping. I use to take a moment at the end of every month to recap for this but 2021 was worse then 2020 in that no motivation idea. Scrolling through I found April 5

“Just as a note to the younger generation. I do not need you to explain who Britney Spears is. I was there. Before 2008. At no point did I expect an art history paper to focus on Twilight while taking time to explain what High School Musical was, that many shows were into vampires, or who Brittney was. Excuse me as I go drink.”

It seemed notable. We’ve narrowed down the venues to the Met in Cheyenne, Cheyenne Country Club or the Fort Collins Country Club. Gina and I went to explore the Stanley. It still surprises me that was my first time there.

May

It starts off hard, It always will. Dad’s birthday- my post is about being mad. His head stone was installed and no one told us. It still makes me cry, and I know it always will. Semester ended with a rant about a student wishing we’d cover stuff they didn’t come to class for. Which also happened in the fall. I think I should start a rant of this. A RMCAD student felt she should pass because she turned in documents late using the Ipad program which can’t be opened outside an I program. I designed a bingo board for Yellowstone. Went to a terrible Mexican restaurant which months later we still joke about. Though they survived the initial pandemic they didn’t survive the return and rise of no workers.

June

First post is about facebook hiding packages by chucking them into a thorny bush and hours later breaking my toe. We went to the Museum to see Stonehenge and the had Fogo de Cho. Hung out with Hanukah in Denver for an afternoon. 11 years of knowing that spitfire of a woman. She always brings a smile to my face. Our AC went out and it was a month of struggle to get it back up and running. I started a drawing challenge and made it over 30 days. Only to get busy. Jaella came to visit and we did Goat Yoga. We started in the knee scooter business renting the equipment out.

July

This is the month of memories.

The second was our first official day doing knee scooters. On the 3rd Mom told us to look at houses so she could move closer to us in Denver. The 4th Gina and I went looking and discovered some great houses, one with a shop, a llama bathroom, and the rudest realtor. In a matter of days our world had completely changed. We made the decision to put my wedding money down on a house with my mom. All together it was about saving money, but also her not being on her own. On the 7th we made an attempt to go get our marriage license- our plan was to get it and as Tim’s best friend to sign. Unfortunately with covid you need an appointment even though the main site says no appointment required. Our almost wedding didn’t happen but we made the choice to go to Cheyenne the following week where one of my best friends and his lovely wife were able to sign. 7-14-21 a fitting date for the nerds in us. Gina knew this was coming and took photos of us in dino costumes which turned into our wedding photos. Our “honeymoon” was the Renaissance festival which really was a highlight. Senator Enzi died after a bike accident but otherwise July ended as our brightest month.

August

Mostly moving and preparing for Fall semester I was hired at ACC to teach Art History 2 and Art Appreciation. Vesta moved down while mom put our house on the market in Cheyenne. I ended the month with a root canal right before school started. The first day of school was chaos. I broke my laptop screen, locked myself out of computers, and had a package go missing. But a chaotic first day means the rest will be smooth right? It seems to be true. My amazing god mother threw a bridal shower for me with many of my PEO sisters and close friends. It was a wonderful day.

September

Starting with this post-

Shed guy calls to see how our install yesterday went. That it's all good. The normal....

"So no issues? With install or materials?"

No it all went well.

"Good. So you are happy."

Ya.... its a shed. It's doing what sheds do. . . I guess I assume that I haven't been out to see if it ran away last night or something.

"Good well I hope it's still there. We've only had two sheds run away but that's why we offer a warranty and extensive training before they are installed."

Long pause.

"Our shed trainer is the best. And if you would we would love a Google review."

tuffshed

Not only did they get it done in two weeks they helped save us from homedepot and got us the best price.

It sums up my humor. And a hard month. I never thought we would actually sell the Cheyenne house. I mean yes I knew it would. It didn’t even go on the market officially. But it left the Johnson name on the 15th of September. I lived there 32 years. My parents literally built it back in 1974 with Meredith helping. I still tear up thinking about it. But this is a normal reality. Settling into the new house and finishing moving is comical. Many trips to the hardware store. On the 18th we went to the Gem and Mineral Show then out to Fogo. While there we met a deaf couple and helped them with their meal being the restaurant wasn’t exactly helpful. Decorated for the holidays for the first time in two years, and set up a squirrel feeder. Home owner life seems boring looking back.

October

October seemed normal. No masks, hung out with Ashley, went to the Magic of the Jack-O-lanterns, and even carved Pumpkins with saw. We did fall photos with the cats.

November

I finally traveled marking Kansas off my list of places visited. Got to see family and help Tim’s dad continue his move there. We settled and continued to unpack. I made sausage rolls in new flavors and did yoga at the immersive Van Gogh experience. I got in contact with the Golden Eastern Star chapter. My car radio became possessed by a demon which still happens though not as often. Tim finally got his Valentines present of seeing the Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe live and getting a signed luggage tag from them. We did more family photos for Thanksgiving and Mom met Tim’s sisters for the holiday.

December

Continuing to try new foods I made Jollof chicken for the first time and it was great. I also baked Guinness bread and Jalapeno bisques. The semester ended well with a snow storm blasting the Friday class. I’ve been offered a job at the University of Wyoming so it seems I’m finally getting somewhere with teaching. Tim and I decorated gingerbread houses and Jaella visited for a bit on her holiday travels. Now to work on lesson plans and getting stuff done for spring. Tim will finally catch up and turn 32 and it looks like our holidays will be pretty quite. I’ll update if they aren’t.

I’ve completed this summary, I’ve cried and laughed while writing it. This was probably the hardest one I’ve done. Though I will continue the tradition. May 2022 continue to bring good fortune and change.

2020

2020

The year no one asked for. Or our most memorable year depending on which side you’d like.

In cliff notes:

                Teaching

                Engaged

                COVID-19

Usually I start this in February and keep adding every month so its easier and ready to post at the end of the year. I’m not scrolling through facebook to see what I was doing. Around August I realized I hadn’t started, and by November I didn’t want too. This year is so different. It has been hard for everyone, 2020 was not what we expected. When you look at the global year

January- Bushfires in Australia and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving the royal family

February- COVID really started making the news and would lead to the should down of the world. Donald Trump was first on the verge of WWII and then being impeached though it didn’t happen.

March- We saw the stock market crash to its lowest ever and just a week later lockdowns would begin in America.

April- The Black Lives Matter protests started somewhere in April and continue. Kim Jong Un may be dead….or may be alright. He has been very quite.

May- Somewhere around May Biden took the democratic nomination and we began planning for the election.

June we worried about Murder Hornets

July seemed pretty calm as no one wanted to challenge things to get worse.

August a huge explosion occurred in Beirut and Harris became VP nominee for Biden. The Black Panther died of cancer and it was a shock because few knew. California and much of the American West went up in flames. No different then other years but not what we needed.

September the RBG died a loss for Women and America.

October- Trump got COVID and Van Halen died.

November- Biden won though we had to wait a while to be sure. Alex Trebek died.

December- brought out the vaccine for COVID and now we sit and wait for 2021. No one wanting to challenge it to be worse, everyone missing restaurants and normal.

Trying to look back on my personal life of 2020 it seems a decade ago.

January was pretty normal. I taught my first three classes at Front Range Community College. Art History I and II. I kept teaching for RMCAD and it seemed like it would be a great year. I got some new artwork from a dear friend Anna and took another Macro Photography class.

February just continued, working, falling more in love with Tim. I turned 30 and had my first happy Valentine’s Day in a relationship.

March was when everything changed. The Friday before St. Patrick’s Day we went into lockdown. A two week spring break and everything went online. I didn’t imagine it would last as long as it has, I miss seeing people in person. I’m all for safety, but our mental health isn’t doing well right now.

April, May, June- I worked online, I stayed home, I cooked more, and often, and dyed my hair. I grew more plants. And I don’t know if anything happened in that time note worthy. I gave my plants name tags, I worked out, and I stayed home. Yes I said that, but its important. I supported my friends of color and say Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, and Right now we need to focus on the lives being effected which are the lives of the people of color.

July came and went with no Frontier Days, I did some puzzles, and we saw Tim’s best friend get married to a pretty amazing girl. We got use to wearing masks everywhere.

August- SECRET WEDDING. One of the best parts of the year was seeing one of my best friends marry her best friend. In a quick planned wedding I got to photograph. Though this turned rather dramatic it was a wonderful memory for the year. Tim and I tried to be normal with museums though it won’t be normal for a long time. I kept teaching as a new semester started all online and got hired with outschool.

September my missing Masters Thesis was found and we went to the Gem and Mineral Show.

October and November- It looked to be great and I had INKTOBER ready to go with a possibility to complete it. Unfortunately dad had to go and die. See this is where this becomes impossible to write. The first man to chose me is gone, and though I know he’s looking down on me, or a guardian angel, or whatever. I also know I won’t see him again. October 16th I’ll never forget that phone call from mom. Or the planning. Before this Tim had been trying to work up the courage to ask him to marry me. But he’d been sick, he fell and broke his him in August. Its what lead to the funeral home. It was this time I just wore the ring. He’d asked, I just wish he could have asked dad. The rest of October and most of November was going through motions, work, eat, call mom. We knew we were moving and that was a great distraction, and later stress. Thanksgiving was good and we laughed and smiled as a family but the loss is still there.

December we moved and I can’t say how happy I am to be out of the shit show that was Gateway. We love the new place and I’m writing this from my nice desk that isn’t cramped and pushed against the guest bed. The holidays are weird. Between COVID and Dad they are just so different. I can say though I’m glad, because if it were just Dad I think it would be worse. With COVID its easier to blame not seeing mom more, spending time at home. Feeling like a terrible child.

I hope one day I’ll look back on 2020 with some happiness: I was loved, I’m in love, I got engaged, and my family grew. But 2020 will also be the year we lost Dad. The year I cried myself to sleep for a month. The year of hell if you consider we lost Tim’s mom in November of 2019. I hope and ask the gods for a good 2021. For all of us. We certainly need it.

2019

I fell behind this year. Usually, I’m on top of this month by month but between school and some very traumatic events that needed to be covered, I kept pushing back. So here it is. The end of a decade.

January-  

- I went on my first date of the year with Malcolm to the Wings of the Rockies Museum. We had a great time and ended up in a relationship for a brief moment. I’m a firm believer in the power of the rebound so this was perfect after Cameron. His birthday the 24th was fine and meeting his friends was awesome.

- I spent a lot of this month applying for conferences. We’ll see where I’m accepted too.

- I got accepted to present at DU and in Cincinnati at the MAHS meeting with Sristi.

- took a macro photography workshop at the butterfly pavilion. This was fun and I learned a lot.

February

- 30 to 30 is ending soon and I did my photoshoot with Erin. She is such an awesome photographer and made me feel great. I got my photos back right before my birthday and I absolutely love them.

-Turned 30 in Vegas with my favorite Canadian who flew in special. We planned for months and I’m so happy she was able to join me on this adventure. See the post about all we did.

- Dolphin Yoga :D

-Charlie Moore- My favorite mason and grandfather passed away the 12th.

- Malcolm and I entered the second month of our relationship. But there was a level of abuse that could and would have turned pour. He took dominate to mean controlling and force always and it was my fault at first his dick didn’t work. I’m sure I could put it much kinder but hindsight is 20/20 and I’ve never been known for my filter. Malcolm had no problem telling me I was beautiful and that I looked like a lesbian in the same breath, he would hold me in bed and tell me not to work out when that is exactly what he needed to do to survive. It was around his birthday things started to change. He insisted on me being in Denver on weekends to hang with him (I didn’t have the choice) so I was seeing less of Wynn, he was more into getting drugs to fix his ED then considering a drug free alternative. The final straw was Valentine’s. I write this to finally clear my head on the subject

Malcolm wanted to do something special and asked what I wanted. He texted “for Valentines/your birthday,” I told him no. You can’t combine them, he called and in conversation informed me I was miss understanding. Two separate things, not one. That’s fine, but not what you wrote. I was pissed. Don’t combine holidays, namely if they are on different days completely. Charlie died the 12th and the next day we had made the plan to do Valentine’s since I left for Vegas on the 14th. He wanted some grand show but had no plan and In the mourning, I didn’t have a want to plan. After some argument over the text, we agreed on a normal night (Dinner, GOT, cards). I knew it would happen but was still annoyed when he got me a dozen long stem roses and a box of chocolates. I don’t know what annoyed me more that he didn’t think to ask my favorite flower or candy (he’s seen the tattoos), that he got me flowers before I left for a trip, or that he thrust them upon as if they were a gift from the gods and I should strip naked recieving them. I accepted them and as we ate honey glazed garlic chicken breast (that’s it no sides) he reminded me his dick worked (in a far more romantic way). We discussed my grandpa’s death and I told him it wasn’t happening. I was pretty well done. This was the nail in the coffin. Mikaela picked up the roses and we ate the chocolate over the next month. Over my birthday trip, he would ask how it was going and if it was fun. I don’t know what else he would have asked but this annoyed me as he seemed to want answers like it was miserable without him. By Wednesday when Emily had gone home and I had time to see him I was done. He wanted to make out and plan my birthday which we couldn’t do for two weeks (because I wouldn’t let him take a day off work). I couldn’t take it and we parted ways. I left miserable and in pain every night, he didn’t know where to draw a line between pain and pleasure even as I told him and he wasn’t willing to care for himself. He also wasn’t willing to touch me. It was all about his pleasure.

- I messaged Tim to see where life had taken him and we chatted a bit.

- I got a job working for an appraiser as a data entry specialist. Though its limited work I learned a lot working on a project for Tuson and some smaller works throughout the year.

- February ended with rewriting my Gaul paper to better suit everything it should.

March

- I presented at the Midwest Art History Society Symposium in Cinncinatti and got to explore the city. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see Fiona the Hippo while I was there and wander across the river into Kentucky.

- Finally made it to the Brazilian steakhouse for Wynn’s birthday which was such a fun experience with my favorite family.

- Went on a couple of dates with Tim. Including a splendid date to Nature and Science for the Da Vinci exhibit. After he took me to lunch and then mini-golfing. In hindsight, this is when we started dating.

April

- Tim took me to my first nascar racing event and we continued dating having all kinds of adventures. He travels so much we make the most out of the time we do spend together.

- Wrapping up my final semester at DU and working in the VMC. All while trying to stay on top of my MRP proved to be incredibly stressful. I’m really glad I only had one class though.

May

- Charcuterie and Truck racing- Tim took me on a double date to the races with Jacob and his girlfriend Jessica. Its been great meeting his friends and is a great reminder that you only need a few close friends instead of many people who are there.

- As the semester winds down I had to focus on school.

June

- Per wise words from Scott I decided to apply to walk even if my paper wasn’t finalized. Between the timing of summer graduation not working and the oppertunity to walk with Srishti and Mikalea it was the best decision.

- We did it. Kind of. Srishti is signed off and done while Mikaela and I still have some more edits to get finished.

- Had it not been for everyone traveling over the summer and new positions in the department I would have finished before the end of the month. Though I didn’t formally finish until August walking was a huge weight off my shoulders.

July

- So began the month of changes. -This is the month that made this so hard to write. A month I’d like to forget but never will.

- Tim and I continued with traveling making life a challenge. Him between Texas and Denver with a quick trip to Nebraska to see his uncle. Me up to Cheyenne for Frontier Days.

- Wynn’s grandma finally was reunited with her husband. This is where our friendship began to unravel. For months I’d been straining it, with school and stress. I hated that every time I called her I seemed to be complaining. She was my sounding block for stress and it drove me crazy that I never had anything good to say. This was my fault. I never told her anything about Tim, She seemed uninterested in him and I had told her everything with Malcolm and been horribly wrong, I didn’t want that to happen again. In hindsight, this is a moment where communication could have helped everything. For months we’d delt with tension and fighting. This was the breaking point. I didn’t go to the funeral. Maybe I should have but its too late. For Wynn family is everything, for me family is select and I should have realized that difference. I didn’t go to my grandparent’s funerals because I didn’t know them. Now that is just the excuse. Things remained tense throughout July with her and Becky doing all the CFD things and I not invited. We remained neutral as possible with the looming trip to Vegas in August. And that is where it ended. I’m not going to dwell on that further. Wynn was one of my best friends and truly one of the best things in my life but we relied on each other too much which was unhealthy. Maybe someday we will be friends again, though I’m not holding my breath.

- I interviewed at the Farney museum and though I didn’t get the job this was a great opportunity.

- My 18th year at Barbs? I think.

August

- Wynn and I went to Vegas and I got to see Jason and my grandparent’s old house. This trip was a learning experience. I saw Cirque du Soli’s show O and Body World at Balle.

- Being officially done with school was a huge relief. On top of that, I got not one but two jobs at the end of the month. Working for Front Range Community College and at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design.

- Tension with Wynn came to a head with many hurtful things said and the end of our friendship. This has made life incredibly challenging with mutual connections and each of us knowing how the other is, I wish her the best.

September

- September was the neutral month I needed. Tim and I are great, we are both working, getting by and having a blast.

October

- Taught my first class at RMCAD Art History 3.

- Tim and I decided to give living together a shot and found an awesome apartment that’s newly built and saves us both a little money. We move in in November.

November

- Tim’s mom passed away which was tragic but she is no longer in pain and it brought the family closer together.

- We did Thanksgiving with Tim’s family, keeping it as low key as possible. It’s been great to meet his family and get to know them. They include me and treat me like family which is great.

- Tuesday before Thanksgiving we had a blizzard and that was the day we started moving. By Saturday after Black Friday, we had most everything moved into our new apartment. It will take some time getting organized and set up but I’m excited to start my life with Tim.

December

- I finished my first semester teaching at RMCAD and failed quite a few students. This was a lot of fun and interesting to learn.

- We continued unpacking and getting settled. Cori moved into the building next door

- Christmas brought the rest of Tim’s family to town. Meeting everyone in the immediate family its a lot like what Meredith had and I didn’t. A close group with stories and fun. His sisters are awesome, nieces are sweet as can be and I love meeting everyone. They have great traditions with Santa coming on Christmas eve and more celebrations throughout. It was a hard year with his mom being gone but they made it special for the kids anyway.

- We did Christmas day with my parents and they absolutely love Tim. I wish I were joking when they say they like him better but they do. They already consider us engaged.

- Tim turned 30 and we had a housewarming party combined birthday with his family and friends. We played Catan into the night and had many laughs with new friends and old.

I can’t wait to see what the new year and new decade hold for Tim and I. So much has changed and there are so many new opportunities. Change is a wonderful thing. I hope to reunite with old friends and make many more. Happy New Year

2018

I can 100% say this year was better then last year. I think with doing 30 to 30 and that blog this has been neglected slightly. So 2019 will hopefully be better when it comes to the review.

January-  

- New job with VIPkid. We'll see how it works out. I'm excited and feel this will help with my goals this year and turning 30.

- Yoga at History Colorado and dying of dysentery.  A pretty good way to start off 30 to 30 since some restrictions apply.

- This year feels different. Maybe it's my 30to30 goal my year starts in February instead of January. Maybe it’ll all be different.

February

- First classes with VIPkid. It seems they got a ton of new hires in the last few months, combined with lack of credentials it's a waiting game. Now that I finished my five trails its working for accreditation and master classes. 

- My 30to30 website went live and though a couple things snuck in early I kicked it off in a major way. Cage Diving with Sharks at the Denver Aquarium

- I didn't let it slow my momentum though and the following week I learned I'd been awarded a scholarship to attend a conference with CWAM. Not a lot of money but covered everything but travel. 

 - I also found out I had been selected to receive a working stipend working on campus in the VMC next year. This will help more with debt and college.

March

- Winter quarter kicked my butt to say the least. I barely passed methods and though I should retake it.....I would rather stand in a nest of fire ants. 

- Yoga with Sharks, Yoga with Goats, Yoga with some of my best friends.

April

-  I was so sick this month while trying to continue life as usual. 

- I got to attend the CWAM conference and this opened so many doors network wise. 

- I started a research volunteer position with the Anschutz Western Art Museum.

May

- Spring quarter ended a lot better then winter did with a exhibition in the Anthropology museum.

- I feel more happened in may but I’m really not sure what.

June

- 30to30 Roadtrip happened with Jaella and Tracy. There is a whole post in the 30to30 blog but to round it out 5 states, 6 days, almost 2 thousand miles and a great adventure. 

- I solo road tripped to Michigan for a FASELinks workshop at the University of Northern Michigan. This was a great opportunity and wonderful adventure marking quite a few states and places off my list. 

July

- WANDERLUST 108- a granola triathlon put me back on the #yogainstrangeplaces band wagon. 

- Yoga with Goats- breaking and making a world record. 

- CFD my 16th year wasn't exactly what I expected as we found out Reid's cancer wasn't in remission and he wasn't doing well at all. 

August

- Finally did Yoga on the rocks right after meeting and feeding the hippo at the Denver Zoo. 

- worked on my internship at the national wild life repository with hopes of completing early.

September

- School starts and you get to see your old classmates and new which is always an awesome moment. Until you realize that its likely your last first day of school. Ever. Well lets hope anyway.

- The rule of twos is in effect for this semester. Two jobs- VIPkid and the VMC, two internships- Anschutz and the National Wildlife Repository, and two classes Gothic Art and Practicum.

- The most amazing opportunity happened with my internship at the repository. I got to help a National Wildlife Photographer Brent Stirton and in part be in some of the photos that may make it into National Geographic or Smithsonian.

October

- This month is always oddly hard. From Meredith and Izzy’s anniversaries to that weird stress of holiday’s and the racism of the month. I don’t hate it but I don’t handle the month well.

- Two steps forward one step back. I’m doing great, feeling good, getting ahead and it all comes crashing down with stress at work and my in ability to scan images from one book to her perfection.

- Finished my internship but decided to continue volunteering.

- I got to work with another photographer Alex Basaraba. He was photographing for endangered species like bears and leopards but took some extra shots of me working around the repository.

November

- I finished out the quarter strong with all A’s. It may have ended strong but this was a hell of a quarter mentally.

- Marked speed dating off my 30to30 list with Mikaela.

- To celebrate finishing I submitted to multiple conferences. Which was an item on my original 30to30 list. So maybe this just needs to be part of my goals for 2019.

- Somehow I met a pretty awesome boy. Cameron has swept me up and its going to be a wild ride. I write this in hindsight so I want to keep it short. Check AP for something more in depth and detailed. Something I don’t want to relive and remember each year. Cameron has a mind that challenged my thinking and a spirit that fuels mine.

- Finally went to an Avs game. I always figured I’d go with Travis but Steve was a much better person.

December

- Lost that boy. Well he isn’t lost. I know exactly where he is and where we stand. As previously said check AP for more depth and thoughts on this. He is the first person to have written something for me. At least not in memory. But life and age posed too much of a problem for us. Cameron simply shouldn’t be in a relationship at present and I can’t go down a rabbit hole after a person chasing an illusion.

- Had a full weekend of photography with PEO, Christmas parties and some extra special news from the Poepping Family.

- Worked with Robyn a little on Arapaho stuff. Its nice to get back into the language and what I really enjoy.

- Working on an event for early next year with DU. A Chili cook off for our development event.

- In trying to make sure I complete 30 things I’ve had to adjust that list so I upgraded my photography to include a workshop (January) and to submit more for competitions. I’m excited because in my year with guru photography I’ve moved up to advanced level and have finally gotten my first Allstar rank in a competition. I’m going to keep a photography blog for 2019 like I’ve done for 30to30 and try to do the 52 week challenge in order as it should be.

So I’m ending this with a week left. I doubt anything will change. I’ve been on some dates, school is kicking my ass but the end is in sight, I’m happy, content, and still stubborn as hell. I will end the year single and still madly in love, I look forward to 2019 and the important people that will be there. I look forward to turning 30 and starting the next part of life’s adventures. I want to write more, photograph more, I want to be more. So cheer’s to 2018.