Reflections of 2024

January 4, 2025January 5, 2025 charleneaross7 Comments

Like all years, 2024 was filled with highs and lows. But overall, 2024 was a pretty good year for the Rosses. And it was definitely a good year for me. I spent a lot of time with family and friends, got a promotion (and a decent raise) at work and got to travel pretty extensively for both work and pleasure.

Work trips included Boston where I got to meet my online BFF, the fabulous Tina Drakakis in real life after 16 years of girl crushing her over the internet; Knoxville where I got to connect with amazing former work colleagues and friends; New York where Marley was able to tag along and I could show her my favorite US city, Oregon where I got to visit my dear friend Nancy, New Orleans where I got to eat my way through the city with one of my work besties, and Chicago where I got to bond with my amazing team.

Personal trips included a trip to San Francisco to visit Chandler, a trip to Michigan to visit my friend Jennifer and also go to my family lake house, and a trip to Southern Italy to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary with some of our best friends. (I might have buried the lead there, that trip to Italy was the trip of a lifetime.)

But as awesome and exciting as all that sounds (and it was!), most days were pretty um, what’s a nicer way to say mundane? – let’s say, ordinary. I woke up early, I worked out, I walked my dog Geordie, I worked from home, I cooked dinner, I cleaned up, sometimes I walked the dog again (the night walks are Marley’s job but 24-year-olds are often out and about), I watched TV with Dave, I practiced excellent skincare, and then got up the next day and did it all again.

Also during my mornings (most mornings, anyway), I’d write in my happiness journal. I’d sit down and reflect upon the day before and write down what I did that made me happy. Most days are filled with those ordinary things – walking Geordie, noticing the brilliance of the abundance of spring flowers, spending time with family and friends, good food (a lot of my happy moments are based on enjoying food with people I love), and music. Lots of music. These moments of reflection I’d try to focus on how extraordinary the ordinary can be.

Here are some of the moments that made me happy in 2024.

January 1 – Dave and I hiked Ensenol Canyon – 7.22 miles! The weather was perfect. What a beautiful day. It gives me hope for a beatiful year.

January 13 – I spent the day with my mom. We went to the Conejo Botanical Gardens and to lunch at Sharky’s – so healthy! – and then to a few thrift stores. It was a lovely day.

February 3 – DTLA with Marisa Hoff. Such a fun day getting out of the bubble. Got in so many steps, saw great art, had a yummy lunch, and enjoyed a lovely glass of wine in a hotel lobby bar – a win of a day!

February 11 – Super Bowl at the Hoff’s. There was a moment when I was remembering all the SB parties at Steve and Jennifer’s and just felt so happy and lucky to have these friends and these memories and just to be living this wonderful, crazy, messy life.

February 21 – It was so beautiful this morning. The day after the rain. So crisp. So clear. Cold, but invigorating. Clear blue sky. White puffy clouds. The kind of day that makes you happy to be alive.

March 8 – I met Tina Drakakis IRL, and it was everything I hoped it would be. It didn’t even feel like I was meeting her for the first time – it felt like we were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in forever catching up.

March 24 – I went to Buffalo Exchange with my mom and Ashley to sell Amanda’s clothes which was heartbreaking but I’m so glad I could help Ashley with that task that has been overwhelming her.

March 30 – New York! Marley is in NYC for the first time and I am so happy. We walked 34K steps and saw so many things. I have been looking forward to this trip for so long.

April 7 – What a fab day! Breakfast with Rita and Kate and then to TJ’s and cleaned the house while listening to a great book, then Writers’ Group at Julie’s. FUN & PRODUCTIVE! Full of people who fill my soul with happiness and love.

April 27 – Mera is here – yay! Lunch at the beach with Mera and dinner at my mom’s with Mera and Dale. Oh, how I treasure these lifelong friendships.

May 8 – I’m listening to Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and I just love how she writes about the small moments that make a life – nothing and everything all at once.

May 10 – My first concert of the year. Sam Hunt and Jake Owen and Niko Moon and it was so great – back in the pit, singing my lungs out, and dancing, dancing, dancing. To quote my favorite Jake Owen song, we really were shining like lighters in the dark in the middle of a rock show. 😉

May 20 – I volunteered for the Ronnie James Dio Cancer Foundation event and had a great time as always. Watching super fans geek out (hey – I get it!) just fills my heart with such joy.

June 6 – In NOLA. Dinner at Peche. Fun at Lucy’s Surf Bar. Just being at this amazing conference with work friends at this fab city is so fun. Also posted a good pic of me and got a sweet text about it that made me smile.

June 18 – I walked Geordie for his night walk and saw a father and son running in tandem and then loop around a tree. As soon as they looped, they started racing. Watching them really brought me so much joy.

June 29 – I talked to Pat and it made my heart so happy. He sounds great. Happy. Healthy. Funny as ever. It was so good to hear his voice.

July 7 – Concerts in the Park. Fantastic Diamond. Kim and Rita came and we had yummy food and I saw many neighborhood friends. True suburban bliss.

July 12 – Kim and I went to Laurel’s for a Summer Friday HH swim. So fabulous. Summer Fridays are my favorite.

August 3 – A perfect lake day. Beautiful weather. Kayak ride. Floating. Boat ride. Lounging on the deck reading a good book. Cards at night. Best day ever.

August 29 – Writer’s Group at Rina’s. As always, these women fill my heart with happiness and my soul with creativity.

September 10 – I heard a song today that made me say wow and songs that make me say wow always make me happy. Music that gives you all the feels is everything!

September 12 – My happy moment was hugging Arlyne in the kitchen of this beautiful home in Sorrento where we are staying and saying, “We’re here!” Also, Larry had charcuterie and spritzes waiting when we arrived in the house. What a wonderful start to the trip!

Southern Italy with fabulous friends – the trip of a lifetime! (Picking out just 4 pictures was nearly impossible!)

October 12 – Chandler and I spent the day together. We rented e-bikes and walked around Ventura, Carpenteria, and Ojai. It was so great to spend time with him one on one. A perfect day.

October 18 – On my morning walk the moon was still so bright and huge because it was low in the sky. I texted pictures to Chandler and Rita, and then later on the walk, I saw a man get in his car, see the moon, get out of his car, and take a picture of it. It made my heart so happy to see that.

Good morning, Bella. My photos of you never do you justice.

October 19 – There was a remembrance at the beach for Amanda. It was so nice to see her friends come together and show her so much love.

November 1 – Dave and I saw Inhaler last night and OMG. They. Were. Amazing. New band obsession. So fucking good!

November 6 – That fucker won the election again. He is a stain on America that cannot be washed away. No happiness today, however, I am so grateful for friends who send funny memes and words of encouragement and share their tears, all of it.

November 17 – In Palm Desert. I think my happy moment today was sitting by the pool with a good book and a Piña Colada. That’s pretty hard to beat.

November 21 – I helped Marley edit her college essays and it makes me so happy that she wants this so badly. I hope she gets into a school where she wants to go. I’m so excited for this next chapter for her.

November 27 – We just had the best night last night. We had cheese fondue and everyone helped with dinner and helped clean up and we had such a great conversation. At one point, I was so happy and also so sad at the passing of time I almost cried.

December 31 – I sat in my office for a bit in my cozy chair with a glass of wine, and read this book and reflected on 2024. Overall, it was a very good year. Looking forward to what is to come in 2025.

What are you still doing here? This blog post is so long. I haven’t written in so long, I’ve forgotten how to edit. (Oh, who am I kidding – I’ve never known how to edit.) But seriously, if you are still here, thank you for the indulgence. It is appreciated more than you know. I hope you have been able to find some time to reflect on this past year (if that’s your jam) and maybe even set an intention for the new one (again, if that’s something you like to do).

Wishing all of us a 2025 where we find the extraordinary in the ordinary. ♥♥♥

And just like that, 2022 is Check, Done!

January 2, 2023January 5, 2023 charleneaross1 Comment

And just like that (as Carrie Bradshaw would say), 2022 is check, done. And once again, I wonder, how did another year go by so fast? At the beginning of every new year I like to sit down with my happiness journal and reflect upon the year before (and bore y’all with a blog post about my year).

Every year I feel like not much happened and so much happened all at once. As Gretchen Rubin says, the days are long but the years are short. It’s so true.

But also, I sometimes marvel at how much I actually did do in a year. This year we went to our family lake house in Michigan. I did my best to make the most of business travel. I went to concerts again. I gathered with loved ones at two family weddings. As I read my happiness journal I’ll read an entry from April or May and think to myself, that was last spring? It feels like that just happened a few weeks ago. So maybe the years do go by a bit more slowly than it can feel. Which is definitely a good thing.

My stepdad died on July 5th. That was a rough transition, I know, but how do you transition to something like that? Losing him was a rough transition. We are still transitioning. My dad gone just two-and-a-half years ago and my step-dad gone six months ago – it can feel like too much. Too, too much.

And that is why I continue to keep my happiness journal – to remind myself of the little moments that do make me happy when it gets to be too much. Or when one day blurs into the next. Or when I’m really, really happy and want to hold onto that memory.

Like every year, there are things entered into my journal repeatedly – a greatest hits, if you will – daily dog walks, listening to good music, time spent with friends, hugging the people I love, pizza ordered after a busy work day, the enjoyment of good food and wine. You could look at this two ways – my life is pretty mundane and I do the same things over and over again. Or, I’m so lucky to live this life where I get to do the things that make me happy over and over again. If you know me even a little bit, you know which way I lean.

And so, here are some of my favorite happy memories from 2022.

January 3 – Chandler went on the night time dog walk with me before he went home to San Diego. I loved getting that last bit of one on one time with him. The night was cold and crisp and it made my heart so happy.

January 25 – The RV is set up at Rincon for Amanda and the sunset was beautiful and when I was hugging Amanda and went to release she pulled me tighter. I love her hugs so much. Being with Mom, Bill, Tracie, Amanda, Richard, and Amanda’s friend Summer at the beach in January is just amazing.

February 3 – Some days are so, just, boring and normal. What made me happy? I don’t know. My dog walk. Leftovers for dinner.A quick call from Chandler. A good show on Hulu. The blessings of an ordinary day.

February 20 – We had breakfast at Mom and Bill’s – waffles, bacon, eggs, and fruit. So delicious. (And I let myself have an extra half-waffle. So good!) We need to cherish these times we spend with them and I do!

February 24 – Dave said to me, “No matter how bad a day I’m having, you can still make me laugh.”

March 6 – At dinner, which was delicious, by the way – hamburgers on brioche buns and oven-baked fries, I called Dave a man-baby and he made T-Rex arms and said, “I can’t reach. I’m a baby,” and Marley and I laughed so hard. Laughter + good food = happiness.

March 17 – Rita and I went to see Jon Pardi and he was so good and we were right up front and the energy from the concert was amazing. Nothing makes me happier.

March 24 – On my walk today I saw a woman walking with her baby in a front carrier and she stopped at a flowering bush so they could enjoy the flowers. It brought me such happiness and nostalgia of showing my babies the wonders of this beautiful world.

March 26 – Writers’ Group. Small tonight – Julie, Shauna, Kim, and me. But so great. Julie is fucking killing it and it makes me so happy for her. You go, my friend. You go!

April 3 – I was kind to myself and instead of working (on a Sunday) I took Geordie for a long walk. The weather was perfect and there were spring flowers everywhere. What a wonderful, beautiful place to live.

April 29 – That feeling – that rush – of being back at Stagecoach. Stepping into the pit just as Jordan Davis hit the stage – there is nothing like it!

May 15 – We brought Mexican food to my mom’s for her birthday and Marley gave her the most heartfelt card and it makes me so happy that my kids express their feelings so eloquently.

May 30 – All four of us went to drop Chandler off at LAX for his internship in Austria. We ate lunch at the LAX In-n-Out and watched the planes land. I love when the four of us are together. I am so excited for Chandler’s adventure.

June 4 – I went on a hike with Rita at the Victory trailhead and we got lost and came out at the Las Virgenes trailhead. It was equal parts mortifying and hilarious. Dave rescued us. We had breakfast burritos at a cafe by the trailhead and it ended up being awesome.

June 21 – My baby girl is 22 today. I remember my 22nd birthday – We had a pool party at my mom’s and I wore my pink dress from Mexico and drank Coronas. It just goes too fast.

July 16 – Therese brought dinner to my mom’s and it was nice to be with family and I am so happy there are so many people who love my mom.

July 22 – The minute Matt Ramsey started singing my heart exploded with joy. Back in the pit at an Old Dominion concert – my heart is happy and full.

Brad Tursi and Matt Ramsey of Old Dominion doing what they do best.

August 13 – We’re back in Michigan. It’s cool but the lake is beautiful. I’m glad to be here with my mom in her Michigan home.

August 19 – OH. MY. GAWD. Old Dominion did a pop up show and we made it in! What are the odds that they’d be in Michigan when I am?! Seeing them in a tiny club was AMAZING!

August 23 – I feel sad that I have not been keeping up with this journal at the lake. But my happy moments have been floating, morning walks, drives on country roads, and just spending time in this beautiful place.

Scenes from our workation in White Lake, Michigan

August 28 – I met a cousin of Bill’s today and she said, “I know who you are. I read your book and I loved it!” It makes me so happy that Laney brought a moment of joy to someone’s life. I also spent time with Bill’s Uncle Mike and he is such a lovely man.

September 12 – Chandler called from Berlin and at one point in the call we were all in the kitchen on speaker joking about some trendy club in Berlin and it was so great. It felt like we were all together at our happy best.

September 21 – Chandler called from Italy and it always makes me so happy to hear his voice. Plus, Marley and I sat for a few minutes in the kitchen and chatted before she went to school. Having adult children is such a blessing and a delight.

October 1 – Birthday dinner with Rhiannon. My sister is turning 40 and it makes me so happy to be with her.

My beautiful baby sister Rhiannon turns 40!

October 8 – Ashlea and David’s wedding was so lovely. I loved their vows and feld so honored to witness them.

November 5 – I got to hang out with Pat and Jennifer in NYC and it was so FUN! What a gorgeous day. The weather was perfect and people were everywhere outside enjoying it. It was a perfect New York day.

November 20 – Chris and Dena got married and it made me so happy to share their day and be with my family.

My brother Christopher and his beautiful bride Dena

November 24 – Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my family and for this life that I have in my little suburban shangri-la. I think my happy moment was our big breakfast together before the Thanksgiving feast.

November 27 – My heart is full of love and happiness – we had a playgroup mom’s reunion and ten of us were there. It was so wonderful to catch up with these amazing women. I am so blessed to know them and have experienced early motherhood with them. I don’t know how I would have gotten through those early mothering years without them.

Playgroup Reunion – these ladies are so amazing!

December 16 – We went to Arlyne’s for charcuterie and had such a great time. I almost didn’t go – why? Too busy, too many calories, blah, blah, blah. I’m so glad we did. We really had so much fun. It felt grown-up and sophisticated and just wonderful to be with friends.

December 24 – Cheese fondue with the family. The four of us in the kitchen. Good wine. My favorite people. Christmas joy.

I know. That was long. I’m a terrible editor. And believe it or not, I chopped what I wanted to use in half. (You’re welcome!) If you’re still reading this, thank you for sticking with me. I do so love looking back on my year (even the hard ones) and thank you for your indulgence. Wishing you some time for reflection on 2022 and a 2023 full of happy moments both big and small.

Charlene Ross

Tag: Boston

Reflections of 2024

And just like that, 2022 is Check, Done!