1st January 2019
New Year’s Day starts like any other day, with a glass of orange juice.
I had a Skype call with my friend Martin whilst I was eating my breakfast. He always calls when my hair looks a mess, usually blurry eyed, many say it’s my best look.
Kelli had started on the food for lunch, we were going to the in-laws for a family bash.
I always use this day as my reflection on the last year, the highs and lows. Of course the high point was the wedding, but before that was the proposal. That was the most amazing time when Kelli saw the note in the wine list. The expression on her face will be in my memory for ever.
There was the renovation work to the cottage that took me to the edge, but now the dirty work is done, and I have the value back.
Bristol Cottage has had a good year, we are establishing ourselves, and our style is getting some recognition. The decision to move out of Tin Roof was the correct one, as, sadly that place has now closed. I know it is Kelli’s wish to have a place of her own, but the pressure of keeping a place filled, and have the time to find and work on stuff would be crippling.
We have to continue to build the business we have.
It has been fantastic to make contact with many of my Art School class mates again, and to have regular coffee meetings. It is great to see them as different people, each having a unique stories to tell.
I also value the friendship of my ex Herman Miller colleagues, I never want to lose the opportunity to meet and laugh at, and with each other. Bob’s recycled and vintage jokes will never get stale.
The work starts again tomorrow, and so does the planning for the next adventure.
Talking of which, we had to take Greer to Grand Rapids airport as she was flying to Wisconsin to see her best friend Will. It was odd for me, because it is usually me that Kelli takes, and here I was making the same journey, but without the anxious feelings of actually flying. As she was checking in she was told of a delay to her departure, this would mean missing her connection. The alternative was an very early flight the next morning, or one later in the day. This is the horrible feeling during this time of year, with the weather conditions changing regularly.
I noticed that an earlier flight to Chicago had been delayed, so we enquired if she could take that one, although there was ten minutes before that was due for takeoff. Some frantic phone calls later, and success, she had to get to the gate at double speed. As we left the terminal, I noticed a further delay to the flight, probably, because Greer’s last minute dash meant they missed the plane’s flight plan. I bet there was a few mutterings by the passengers on board.
Another Lifetime to go 