First full week of the new year. A lot going on but with some flexibility in schedule, it feels like things are going lightning quick but alternately at a snail’s pace.

The week started out on a high, looking forward at 2025 as a year of possibility. Both kids well on their way.

For myself – this is my year, the year of the Wooden Snake! A perfect square year!

– getting back on track to regularly scheduled gym workouts;

-clearing each room step by step in preparation for the upcoming reno (so many steps just moving boxes around and up and down stairs). Hard to stay focused as I’ve been easily distracted by memories that random items bring to mind. Keep, don’t keep? Donated a bunch to Salvation Army and still have more to go;

– to start looking at my own life plans, career, writing ? My reader/writer group started and I am already behind.

Then Tuesday we get a text from my son:

He is stressed, but safe. They are very fortunate. The biggest inconvenience for them so far was loss in power, and they packed bags that they had just unpacked, just in case. They are not in the alert zone, but can’t rest or settle into any new normal. They’re still getting random alerts. So I’ve been on pins and needles the whole week. All is in Mother Nature’s hands, fate is with the winds. I feel helpless observing all of this so far away from him. Watching all this devastation unfold while waiting for his next text or Facetime call.

Yup, his new life is in LA. I’ve been purposely not texting him every hour for an update. He tells me I can text him whenever, he never minds getting a note from me. Makes me want to hug him even harder.