2022 already ?! My how time flies when you’re having so much fun.
2020 was basically a lost year. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many of us live and do business. Whoever would have thought that by 2021, a majority of the work force would be operating remotely? But probably we should have expected that many of us would being doing most of our purchasing online since shopping was already headed that way prior to the pandemic. And restaurants – so many were unable to weather the pandemic restrictions and simply shut down. For many of us, family get-togethers were also suspended during 2020 for fear of infection transmission. Zoom gatherings became a thing, even for those of us who were previously technologically challenged.
And I won’t even discuss the 2020-2021 political chaos.
By mid-2021, a new normal had begun to emerged. As COVID-19 vaccines were developed and administered, people felt safer going out into public, and the economy started to rebound. However, remote work which had been instituted as a temporary solution became permanent for many businesses as employers realized it was so much cheaper to have everyone working from home.
So, how were things here in Cordelia’s Mom’s world during those two years? A brief summary:
◊ During my 3 months of forced unemployment due to the COVID-19 lockdowns in early 2020, I built up my savings significantly. After all, I did not have to pay for gas to get to and from work, nor did I need to worry about work clothes or lunches. I spent my time basically just loafing around, sometimes doing photography, and frequently posting on this blog (click on COVID-19 under Categories in the right sidebar to quicklhy find those posts, ’cause I know how much you want to.)
◊ Returning to work after the lockdown was lifted, I realized that 4 days a weeks were simply too much for this old[er] lady, so in September 2020, I cut back to 3 days a week. Good thing I did, because in October, 2020, I found myself in the hospital due to high blood pressure. Thankfully, that resulted in addition of a new medication and changes in diet and lifestyle, and I seem to be fine now (but not any younger, unfortunately).
◊ The new schedule freed up an additional weekday for whatever I wished to do. It was a beautiful autumn and I experienced a renewed enthusiasm for my photography. But then, winter came and I fell off the steps to my side porch. Although nothing was seriously injured other than my ego, I found myself going out less and less. My left knee and leg never did fully recover from that fall, and it didn’t help when I reinjured that leg in Janaury, 2021.
◊ I think that was about when my interest in both blogging and photography began to wane. I was running out of ideas for posts, and at some point I realized that pretty much everyone in the world with a cell phone could take better photos than I could with my (to me) somewhat pricy Nikon Coolpix A1000. Although I managed to keep going for awhile, and did, in fact, still take some pretty awesome pictures.
◊ Having at that point determined that neither photography nor blogging was bringing me enough satisfaction, especially in light of the work involved for both, I decided to take up a new (or rather, return to an old) hobby – needlework. My aghans and hats have become more popular than I ever would have thought, especially my team-themed hats. Football and hockey season here in Western New York can be COLD, and who doesn’t love a nice, warm hat in their favorite team colors?
◊ Hobbies were suspended briefly in the summer of 2021, when my daughter sold her house and bought a new one, and at the same time I refinanced my own home. Such stress! But worth it in both cases. I saved a lot on my monthly payment through refinancing, but then the house decided it needed every penny of those savings. The main electric panel failed and had to be replaced, and the sewer line broke, requiring extensive and expensive repairs.
◊ Even before the sewer repairs, I became too tired for either photography or blogging, and decided to give it up take a break. It was no longer fun, and once something becomes too much like work, it’s time to move on to something else. Since August, 2021, I’ve posted infrequently and taken even less photos. But I have blogged and taken photos, so I haven’t totally given up yet and probably will be around for awhile longer. Hope that makes everyone happy!
I can only hope 2022 turns out to be a good year. Two weeks in, we’ve already had our share of family crises. I don’t wish to go into details, but let’s just say that even though I’m not directly involved, being forced to move an elderly relative from independent living into a nursing home is stressful for the entire extended family. My heart goes out to the patient herself and to her children who are making some very difficult decisions.
Meanwhile, I work on baby afghans. Apparently, lots of new babies are on the way, and the afghans make great welcoming gifts:
Happy 2022, Everyone. May your year be healthy, safe, and financially stable.
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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Good to see a post from you, and your needlework is wonderful. I can appreciate the upheaval and stress of moving a loved one into a care home My sister did that in 2017 with my Mum.
Take care and keep safe.
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Yeah, me too. My mom moved to a “rest home” voluntarily and then a couple of years later had to be moved into a nursing home where she could get 24-hour care. I drove her to the rest home for the original tour (she was quite pleased with it), and then my brother and his wife handled everything else, for which I am eternally grateful.
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It been a rough couple of years for all of us…we can only hope things will improve one day. I for one am very glad to know you are around 💜💜💜
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Thank you, Willow. I love how my longest blog friendds are still with me, and I wish you were all closer. It would be a long swim to see you.
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Yes indeed it would but it would be so great to meet. In the meantime Vlad is heading over for a sleepover with puppy Codie . Take care my friend be safe and blessed 💜💜💜
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We will welome Vlad with open arms (and no garlic in the house).
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He should be with you soon 💜😉
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I think sometimes we need a bit of change in our life – the kind that isn’t stressful – to keep things fresh and interesting. I find that my hobbies change every few years, and that’s not a bad thing for me. My blogging has also decreased, because the words just aren’t there fighting to be heard these days. So be it. Life continues. You keep doing what you enjoy!
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Sounds like you understand completely. Thank you.
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So glad to hear you survived 2021 mostly intact… These past two years have aged me too and I am finding my hobby work has kept me far more sane than I realized at the time.
Your needlework looks FANTASTIC!! I’m happy to hear they are popular too…
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Thanks. I’m overwhelmed by the positive reception my needlework has received, even the earliest pieces which had quite a few errors. Not that the more recent pieces don’t have errors, but I’ve gotten better at hiding them. 🙂
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I hear you about hiding the little flaws that happen when handcrafting things. I do that often myself *smile*
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I hope it’s a good year too!
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Thanks, Adam. (Glad you’ve stayed with me!)
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You make good content. 🙂
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Aw, thank you.
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Hello CM! So good to see you here. You were in my thoughts recently and said to myself if I don’t see a your post by this week, me gonna check on you via email 😅. Don’t give up yet on blogging and photography as you’re much needed here in the community. I’m sorry to hear about your fall but it’s good you’re still strong and in good spirits. Happy new year to you and yours, CM. Hope 2022 is happier! I was just telling my friend that the quote for me this year is ‘I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m going to change the things I cannot accept.’ Take care, my friend! （*’∀’人）♥
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What a sweet comment, NBC. Thank you!
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（*’∀’人）♥
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Delighted to see you pop into my inbox, CM!
And I fervently wish you a beautiful, bountiful New Year.
I’ve found that it’s more challenging to find the “right” words to wrap around my blog ideas – I may have posted a whole twice in the past two or even three years!
So many changes…
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Yeah, and WP’s constant “updates” don’t help. I’ve been happy to see your “likes” on so many of my posts, “cause then I know you’re still around, too. Maybe we’ll both get some inspiration this year.
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I’m late in arriving to say oh, my, let’s wish for a better 2022, CM. The world sure is taking its best shot at wearing us all down. So many whaps to the side of the head, but onward I go remaining safe and virus-free, knock on wood, though work at the library five days a week has been on my plate steadily again for more than a year as well as trips to the supermarket …
And this winter, wow, the cold.
Sorry it took me so long to find and comment. WordPress has gotten to be a harder chore, as you mention.
Be well, my friend.
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It can only get better, right? As you may have noticed, I’ve not only cut down on my posting but also on my reading and commenting. Life does tend to get in the way. Hugs, Mark.
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People, stay strong. Hold the line…and keep on keeping on. Peace.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. And wishing you good health in 2022.
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