taz_39 | Circus Xtreme - Home for the Holidays Part 2 (Reply)

It's been a busy yet slow week. I didn't document it very well.

One day, I helped my mom to clean up the Christmas baking things.
Another day, we visited with her 89-year-old neighbor down the street.
Another day I had a rental car, so we ran errands and visited with some more of mom's friends.
A box arrived from my sister in California: some late Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. My gift was some awesome treats, including a chocolate orange (I LOVE those! Like, unreasonably crazy for them!) and a beautiful box of traditional Japanese desserts from Minamoto Kitchoan in San Francisco! I've already eaten several of them: a green tea cookie, sweet white bean bun, and dark chocolate waffle. Decadent, refined, and delicious. Thank you Kayle!

I spent time with some high school friends: Lauren, Sarah, and Kristi. We had a tasty dinner at a local brewery and got all caught up on each others' lives. I was amazed that we decided to part ways before midnight...apparently we're old people now! :P It was great to see my friends and know that even after a year apart, we can get back together as though no time has passed.

On New Year's Eve Day, I went with my parents to run some errands. One of our stops was Buy n Large! Er, I mean, Sam's Club!

Consumerism at its finest! Where everything is larger than life!

Gallon o' Ranch!

With my tiny train room, I normally have no reason to find myself in Sam's Club. A jar of mayo from there would be the same size as my fridge. But that's part of the novelty of it :)

That night we went to a New Year's Eve party at my parents' friends Sherrie and Arnold's house. We had a great time. Arnold's a great cook! Sherrie has a pet skunk. Isn't he adorable?

(photo courtesy Sherrie)

We left the party before midnight and got home in time to get ready for the New Year. 2017! Can't believe it's here already, and also can't believe how long this year seemed!

As easy as it is to complain about the events of 2016, I think that perhaps it's a good thing that we are concerned enough about what's happening in our world that we speak up, protest, vote, and participate. Maybe 2016 wasn't the best, but maybe from now on we will put more effort into making future years better. I hope!

Personally, and in the circus, it's been a pretty crazy year.

I got to see the awesome startup company where my sister works.

I was able to purchase not one, but two extremely rare and beautiful trombones.

We received word that Feld would be retiring their elephants far earlier than planned.

Jameson and I discovered several new favorite restaurants, including The Cowfish, Smoke Ring, Crave Pie Studio, Hattie B's, Whiskey Kitchen, Toki Underground, Troegs Brewery, El Burro Borracho, Lolo's Chicken and Waffles, Cornish Pasty Co., Blues Burgers, Howdy Homemade, Crosby's Kitchen, and Strings.

I discovered genetic truths with 23andMe.

I found a new bug-eating friend :)

I discovered the importance of charting elephant bowel movements.

I found a snake.

I spent time with Jameson's brother Kyle.

I finally got to see downtown Nashville!

Jameson's room caught fire.

For the first time in my life, I bowled a turkey!

I got to see where my boyfriend grew up.

The Ringling Bar Band partied it up.

We had some final, incredible elephant walks.

I spent time with wonderful circus fans.

We had great crowds.

I caught a bird, and let him go.

Some clowns got stuck in an elevator!

We saw David Gilmour, Waitress, Piff the Magic Dragon, Mariners vs. Rangers, Cubs vs. Reds, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Our friend Bob took a serious tumble and was out of commission :(

I was allowed to say goodbye to a favorite elephant coworker.

I got to visit the National History Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Worth Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Strong Museum of Play.

We all took tons of elephant photos. It still isn't enough.

We said goodbye.

Both of my sisters got married.

Protesters turned their attention to the tigers.

I got First Aid/CPR training.