Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a safe and fun celebration. I was in bed by 11PM; to be honest I think the last time I stayed up to ring in the new year was in 2015.

Woo-wee, what a doozy of a year. I think this year had more peaks and valleys than the Appalachian Trail in Maine.  

Although things did not turn out as I had hoped, I certainly have a lot to be grateful for this year. One is that my family and I have been able to stay safe and healthy, and that includes my extended family. Although there were a couple of scares (relatives in other states getting sick but recovering), we’ve all continued to stay masked, distanced, and sanitized. And we will continue to do so as long as it’s needed.

So let’s take a trip back, to see how my 2020 actually turned out to be.

January

I was still on my maternity during this month, so not anything really exciting happened. I was able to take a solo night, though, and visit Encore to see Wayne Brady.

February

Middle of February, I was back to work. There was some shifting going on within the management of the hotel though, so I was presented another job opportunity when my position was eliminated. I ended up in the Call Center, and while it wasn’t a department I thought I would find myself in, I ended up learning so much about how the resort operates (the call center really is the heart of it all!).

David and I also attended the Greater Boston Concierge Association gala at Del Frisco’s. This would be the last time that I saw members of a community that I so deeply cherish.

March

This was the month that everything just…changed. I was actually the only manager during the shift that we were told to cease operations because the MGC was advising the casino to close. It was March 15th, and my birthday was the 18th. I had plans to visit Rare Steakhouse for their Prime Rib Wednesday but we, obviously, had to change our plans.

We ended up having a delicious breakfast as a family, and then David and I hiked Mt. Wachusett; just the two of us. For dinner, we had ribeye with asparagus.

April

This was the time that we were advised to work from home. We also celebrated Eleanor’s 3rd birthday! Since we weren’t having a family party, her grandparents, along with aunts, uncles, and cousins, sent us videos and pictures wishing her a happy birthday. It was the sweetest thing.

May

In May, we lost a wonderful man, when my grandpapa, Aime Simoneau, passed away; he was 86 years old (not Covid related; he had had a bad heart for a while). I still haven’t been able to get together with my family so that we can grieve together and honor him. I very much look forward to when we can.

This was also the time that I joined Beautycounter as a consultant. I love sharing the products with my friends and family; they’ve done wonders for my skin and I love how the company is working to get safer products into the hands of everyone.

June

To celebrate David’s birthday, we hiked Stratton Mountain in Vermont. It rained on us, we took in spectacular views from the fire tower and were able to visit a good friend of his. Overall, a very enjoyable weekend.

This month I also made the tough decision to leave my job at Encore. I had been with them for 2 and a half years, and I am truly grateful to have been a part of the opening team.

July

This was the month where David and I announced that we were going to (attempt) thru-hike the Appalachian Trail! We started at Katahdin on July 29th…

August

…and hiked through Maine, to Gorham, NH. We came back stronger, and I came back with such pride for getting through the toughest state on the trail.

September

This month, I focused on watching the kids and applying for jobs. Since the hospitality industry probably won’t rebound for another good year or so, I looked for jobs outside of my industry. Thankfully I’d made such wonderful and meaningful connections and was able to get a few interviews.

October

And one of those interviews panned out, because I started my new job at the end of this month! I also celebrated my 12 year wedding anniversary on the same day (October 26).

November

This month we celebrated Lincoln’s first birthday and Thanksgiving on the same day.

December

December gave us a storm with snow just perfect for making snowmen. Little snowmen, but snowmen nonetheless.

We also enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with my parents. I’m so thankful that we’ve been able to keep both my parents and David’s parents within our bubble. And so far, so good.

I truly wish nothing but the best, for all of you, in 2021. We’ve been through hell, and I’m just thankful that we’ve made it this far. I know that flipping the calendar to a new year won’t change what’s going on in the world, but here’s to continuing to be safe and careful. We’ll make it to the end of this, and I for one cannot wait to be able to be with my family and give them the biggest hug ever!