2025 highlight reel, part one

My friend, Chris, had a lot of opinions on a lot of topics, including - especially - social media.

"People just post things to make their lives look good," she'd say. "It's so fake. I hate it."

Obviously, this was one of the many topics on which we agreed to disagree.

Also, in point of fact, not all social media is like that. Instagram perhaps, but Facebook is where people go to share things they probably shouldn't share. Just saying.

Last year, I felt compelled to write a yearly recap post, just two days after Olive died. 

It recounted most - but not all - of the really hard things that had happened to me in 2024. 

Even after all this time, I can't reread that post. It's one big trigger for me.

This year hasn't been any better, so instead of dragging everyone through all of that again, I'm going to make a post just for my friend, Chris. It's filled with all the good stuff and none of the bad. A full on fakey social media recap.

January, was always going to be a hard month, but my family and friends were really there for me. Heather threw me an early birthday/pity party, which had as many laughs as it did tears. No mean feat on January 4.

A couple weeks later, Karen invited me over to her house for another birthday party, this one with a Paris theme.

I felt ridiculous, but also very loved.

Another friend, Trisha, found and arranged delivery of a loaner horse.

Seth worked on Olive's my stall to make it ready for him.

He did a really good job.

Also worth noting, my mom's house didn't burn down in the Eaton Fire.

NaMoPaiMo started on February 1...

and Winslow arrived on February 2.

I spent the entire month painting...

and getting to know Pam's wonderful boy.

All things considered, that was a good month.

March ended where February left off, with NaMoPaiMo and Winslow.

Seth and drove up to Fort Collins to celebrate James' birthday.

Kaffi...

and Winslow dressed up for St Patrick's Day.

That's pretty much it for March.

April Fool's Day is also my father-in-law's birthday. Seth's brother Jason drove to Denver to help us celebrate.

A couple days later, we welcomed Angelo's new puppy, Tang, into our extended family.

He came to my house first, which meant he got to meet Darcy.

While he was there, Angelo took this photo of me and my best girl. Ten days later, she was gone.

I'm having to dig deep to put a positive spin on this one, but I can honestly say we gave her a really good send-off.

A few days later, I had a much needed dinner with Angelo, Heather, Fabian and Eleanor Harvey. I cried a lot, but my friends made it okay.

I met a kangaroo named Rita...

and a mustang named Ruby.

April ended with a semi-emergent trip to California to see my mom.

Ryan came with me, which made it a lot better than it would have been otherwise.

Our hosts and best neighbors ever, Nick and Joyce, took us to a protest, which was so much fun and made feel slightly hopeful for the first time in months.

By the time I returned to Colorado it was May. While I was gone, Emma got a hair cut.

Seth and I drove back to Guffey to visit Ruby...

and I celebrated Mother's Day with Seth, Ryan, Sarah, Piper and Winslow.

Piper says, "Next time please leave me at home."

On May 15, Carol rolled into town.

The next day, James graduated from CSU with two engineering degrees.

Even in the best of years, this day would be a highlight.

After graduating, James moved back home just in time to meet Winslow.

Then, before I was ready, it was time to say goodbye to Winslow.

I can never thank Pam enough for lending me her sweet boy. I could not asked for a better bonus horse.

June 1 was the summer barn party. I didn't have a horse, so my participation was limited to taking photos.

The next day, Ruby Sage arrived.

Although it's not quite the halfway point of the year, this is a good stopping place. 

The 2025 highlight reel will continue in today's second post.