Happy Holiday Season everyone! This year just flew by. A lot was accomplished but a lot was neglected as well. It has been a very stressful year. I have an ulcer to prove it.

I neglected friends. I neglected this blog. I neglected my mosaic work. I neglected my health. I am hoping to change that in 2025.

At the beginning of 2024 I thought we would have a relatively calm year, with some traveling between New York and Florida, and a couple of weeks in Brazil. Instead, it has been a very chaotic year.

It started slow with my regular work plus daily bike rides, trying new bread recipes, and sightseeing on weekends. In March we went skiing in Breckenridge and had an amazing time. We both adore everything about skiing and dream of buying a property in Colorado.

In May, while driving around near Cocoa Beach, we went by an open house and decided to go in. From there we went to another property, which we fell in love with, despite the major exterior renovations the building was going through.

Michael sold his place and I put one of my places in NY for sale. We thought that this renovation was going to be finished in a couple of months, instead we are still in the middle of it. There is talk of being completed in March. Fingers crossed.

This renovation is due to a fairly new Florida law that requires that buildings that are near the coast and 3 floors and higher must complete a milestone inspection. Our building failed this inspection miserably, costing each owner thousands and thousands of dollars in assessments – we still don’t know what the final number will be.

We spent July and August in Brazil, where I got a lot things done. The most important accomplishment was getting a person to help my parents with cooking and cleaning. The lady I found is Godsent. She has been such an enormous help.

I was happy to be able to take one week off while there to visit some Brazilian historical towns. I really enjoy taking Michael around my country.

In September we came back to Florida, and realized that our condo was not going to be ready any time soon. We stayed in an Airbnb for a week, but then decided that we had to make the condo work as is. The exterior renovation had to come in a few feet inside the building, making balcony, living room and master bedroom unusable. We are by now used to all the confusion and are making the best of it.

At that time, we didn’t stay long in Florida. When we heard that Hurricane Milton was coming we went to NY.

When I mentioned that I was setting down roots in Florida, my boss/partner decided that we would move our business to Florida from NY.  I though we would be doing that next year because we still have a lease in the NY office until July, but he demonstrated a sense of urgency.

As soon as I got back to Florida in October, I started contacting attorneys, and eventually got our LLC transferred from NY to Florida.

I also found a space in an old historical building, got furniture and I am making it into a nice office. I still have to get it all finished, but I am getting more and more comfortable here.

In November I went back to NY to close the office. There was a lot to do, get my assistant set up at home, give away the furniture, etc. I am happy I was able to have it all done, and not have to deal with that office anymore.

The other good news is that my condo sold and closed. One less thing to worry about it.

When I thought things were on the way to calm, I got a letter from JPMorgan Chase to inform us that they are terminating the business relationship. No reasons given. I was shocked and angry. I had never heard of a bank turning away a customer, for no reason.  I didn’t have time to dwell on it, I got a new bank account and I am in the process of notifying our customers about it.

I am now sitting in my new office in Florida. When I look at all I got done in 2024 I am in awe and pat myself in the back. Each item had layers of headaches, phone calls, emails, etc,  but in the end, all worked out.

In 2024 I had many, of what I call temporary priorities. I hope to now be able to focus on my “living more” priorities.

Michael has been my constant, my friend and partner.  Life is infinitely better with him.

I wish you the most wonderful holiday season. May 2025 bring you a lot of blessings and joy!