Tuesday’s Ten: 10 Standout Happenings in 2024

Looking Ahead and Looking Back

Resolutions for 2025:

1. Write more
2. Write more
3. Write more
4. Write even more

I could go on, but you get the idea. Next year, I’ll focus more on my writing, including blog posts and creative pieces. I slowed down a bit in 2024, but it wasn’t on purpose; I just prioritized other things. It was still a good year. I finally feel settled in my new life in Arizona after making some missteps in figuring out what my life would look like. Being in charge of my time is both freeing and overwhelming. But now, I truly enjoy my slow-paced lifestyle.

As we wrap up the year and I start thinking about what’s next, I figured it’d be a good time to share some highlights from 2024!

Baby Josie

We welcomed another beautiful granddaughter into the family. She came on June 13th and we traveled to California to say hello. What a calm and sweet little baby she is. I think I held her for 3 days straight. I have gone back to see her on two more occasions since and can’t get enough. Her three year old sister is over the moon about her and they make an adorable pair.

New House

We didn’t move far but to a place that better suits us in so many ways. After a lot of hard work, we got it the way we wanted it and made it our own. We sacrificed the pool, a bittersweet choice, but I genuinely love having the wide open space of the golf course behind us, where we can sit and enjoy the view. The community also boasts great fitness centers, pools, and restaurants. Every day feels like a blessing in this tranquil environment. This one truly feels like our forever home.

Fenway Park

As I have previously shared, I am on an exciting journey to visit all the major league ballparks! While it might be a challenge to see them all given the number of stadiums and the time I have, I’m determined to make the most of it. There are a few I absolutely can’t miss, and Fenway Park is one of those! This summer, we traveled to Boston to watch the Red Sox face off against the Houston Astros. As the oldest stadium in the league, this historical venue was exciting to see, especially with the iconic Green Monster towering over the outfield. We also met up with family, fellow ballpark enthusiasts, which made the experience even more unforgettable!

Hamilton

As a lover of musicals, I have seen my fair share. This year I finally saw Hamilton and loved it! I have been wanting to see this one for a while. It was a hard ticket to get when they came to Denver years back. When I saw the touring production coming to Tempe in July I snagged some tickets. The theater is part of Arizona State University. I had seen The Lion King there the year before and was impressed with the venue. I had high hopes in the Hamilton production and was not disappointed.

Sister Trip

Each year, my youngest sister and I plan a trip together since we live in different states. This year, we met in Nashville where we visited all the main attractions, including the Grand Ole Opry. We found the streets quite crowded, especially for the weekdays we were there. There was good food and music. The city was entertaining but ultimately, these trips are all about hanging out with my sister for a few days.

Royals’ Unexpected Winning Season

Being a Kansas City Royals fan isn’t without it’s challenges. Winning seasons can be scarce, and their two World Series wins were 30 years apart. However, they have had strong seasons and talented players. What made this year so amazing was how unexpected it was. They finished 2023 with only 56 wins, the second worst in the league. In 2024, they improved by winning 30 more games. This marked the biggest turnaround in MLB history over two seasons. They reached the postseason for the first time since 2015 but lost to the Yankees in the divisional series. What a fun season to see!

Nantucket

This tiny island off cape cod has always piqued my interest. Known as the “Whaling Capital of the World” in the 18th century, it is a living history. There is a certain ambiance there, with its cobblestone streets, preserved historic homes, and pristine beaches. The food alone makes the trip worthwhile. I suffered a mishap that changed the course of the vacation (click here to read all about it ). But there are many ways to enjoy Nantucket and we definitely did. This bucket list item was checked off in 2024!

Hanging With The Grandkids in The Mountains

With my oldest living in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I’ve visited this beautiful mountain town many times. This year was special because the parents were away, leaving just the girls with Grandma, who loves to spoil them. It was a busy time as school was winding down for the year. Each had their own planned outings with friends which allowed me to spend some one-on-one time with each girl. They even taught me to play Mario Party, getting a kick out of my inexperience and struggles.

New Set of Golf Clubs

Maybe you have to be a golfer to truly appreciate the excitement in this. The old clubs were wearing out and the driver was making a strange noise. So, why not? I settled on a Callaway REVA set. They look pretty sharp and I am hitting them well. I think I made a good choice for what may possibly be my last set, depending on how many more years this back will hold up.

Jackpot Joni

After hitting over $9k last year, my luck with slots continued in 2024. I hit several jackpots of over a grand in Vegas this year. I know the odds are in the casino’s favor, but it is possible to win big on penny slots. We visit Las Vegas a couple times a year, so we’ll see what 2025 brings. ☘️

What were some of your highlights? Share in comments.