Early winter kicks me in the shins every year. I can’t help feeling glum as the merriness of Christmas fades and I look ahead to three cold, hard, vacationless months. Plus, I’m pretty sad and anxious for the world right now.

I temporarily banished the doldrums this morning, with what’s become a January tradition: listing some of the highlights of the year gone by — one bullet for every year of my life.

In 2016 I…

• Married my favourite human, 11 years after our first date
• Started creating a whole new human
• Travelled to Venice, Slovenia and Croatia for our honeymoon

A view from the side of the road in Slovenia

• Performed in a band
• Skated the ice trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park
• Celebrated my amazing grandfather, Dinis Rebelo
• Had pancakes at the Wye Marsh Sweetwater Harvest Festival
• Replaced the ugly mudroom ceiling with handsome beadboard
• Hugged Odie on his one-year anniversary with us
• Had my first Thai massage
• Travelled to the top of 30 Rock to watch the sunset
• Checked out a California beach

Violet, Joël and Avery at Ocean Beach in San Diego, CA

• Learned to throw an axe
• Got awesome false eyelashes
• Bought my first king-sized bed
• Came second in the five family nerd tournament
• Joined Weight Watchers and lost 15 pounds
• Attended my 10th Festival du Loup
• Hosted an epic garage sale on my birthday
• Started the world’s longest bathroom renovation
• Went to the ballet
• Spent time with my avo

Hanging with avo usually looks like this – except add food

• Attended my first night time santa claus parade
• Danced with mom, Yève and Elise on international women’s day
• Got to level 23 in Pokémon Go
• Powered through a few injuries and illnesses (concussion, poison ivy, an epic battle with a nettle tree)
• Partied with the Lefaives at JoAnne and Dan’s 40th anniversary party
• Bought a new mommy mobile – Linda the Forester
• Greeted many friends’ adorable new babies
• Drank margaritas the size of my head in Mexico

Some of the gang that travelled to Mexico with us. So cool!

• Started focusing on our little family — quitting several volunteer roles
• Helped good friends move into their first home

Somehow I forgot to post my list from 2015, but here are those from 2014 and 2013.

As usual, counting my blessings makes me feel a heck of a lot better. 2016 may have been a shit year for the human race, but it was a great one for me. Thanks to everyone who played a part.

xo