I truly cannot believe that this is the last time in 2016 that I will hold a nice warm cuppa in my two hands, pull up a seat, and let you know what’s on my mind lately. I can’t say that I will be sorry to see 2016 go — it was a hard year in many ways, although there were a lot of good times, too.
So let’s just get right down to it and I’ll let you know what’s on my mind lately.
Today I am joining up with Coco and Deborah for their ultimate coffee tea date.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that while no, I don’t wish my life away, yes, I am looking forward to 2017. I have hopes for a calmer year this year. You never know, and there is still a lot of work to do in the parents department, but new years are just so full of hope and promise.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that there are times that I feel Bandit is the reincarnation of Chester. Don’t get me wrong, they are very different dogs — I never, ever worried about Chester biting a vet, and in fact, most vets were really in love with him.
Sometimes I can’t help but think that somehow Chester had a hand in sending Bandit to us.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that I made it through 2016 without making a lot of goals. Monthly goals? Ha! Most months it was just a matter of survival.
I made a few goals way back at the beginning of the year, but I’m sad to say if I were getting a report card on them I think I’d get an F — and I’ve never had an F, ever!
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that I am looking forward to a little bit of an off season. When I don’t worry about speedwork or tempos. This one is going to be very brief, though, as I have a half at the end of March.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that I am currently in FL enjoying a lovely blogger meetup instigated by our Weekly Wrap hosts, Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ MissSipiPiddlin. And while I may have complained of the work it took to get there, seriously, I’m writing this a couple of days before I leave and I can’t wait!
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
If we were enjoying high tea . . .
I’d tell you that by the time you read this, chances are pretty good that I will have completed my 14th half marathon and state #12. Stay tuned!
Tea? Iced Tea? Coffee? Decaf? Or something else?
Have you ever adopted a furkid that reminded you of one that had passed?
Are you into an off season, still racing, or streaking?
2016: good year, bad year, or meh?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I think it’s amazing how close the blogging community really gets. I never imagined actually meeting up with another blogger until after I started my own. That just would’ve been “too weird” a couple months ago. But now I can definitely see how it happens! Hope you have fun down here in FL (I currently live here & will be moving to North Dakota before Christmas).
So for me 2016 has been an emotional one. By Christmas I will have moved 3 times so it will be nice to be settled in 2017 :)) Oh! and Unsweet iced tea with lemon, annny kind of hot tea, & caffeinated coffee lol
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I can’t even imagine moving 3 times in one year. I’ve moved 4 times in the 31 years we’ve been married . . .
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2016 was a very good year for me, I accomplished so much. 2017 will be different. I am looking forward to trying some new activities, and I am planning on taking a (permanent ??) break from blogging. I also need a social media detox. Hope you are having a fabulous time in Florida. Such a wonderful experience to spend a weekend with a great bunch of women.
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I hope you don’t make the break permanent, Karen. We would absolutely miss you, but I understand about taking a break. You’ve got a lot on your plate!
We did have a great weekend. Some of us had great races, others just had good ones — but I don’t think anyone had a truly bad race.
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It’s lovely to see how you have come to love bandit, there were times when you were so frustrated and I thought that you were going to pass him on. You have worked hard on him and it sounds like it’s paying off for both of you. And he’s cute😊
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If I could’ve found someone to take Bandit early on, I would definitely have passed him on!
Now he’s doing really well. I was laying down and he & Gizmo were sharing me. I’m still cautious about that, though!
He is actually almost to the point where he can be totally free in the house, but I like to take things slowly.
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He’s a lucky dog!
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I know how you feel about Chester sending you Bandit. I felt the same about my first cat, Shim, sending us our Angel, she now gone over the rainbow bridge, too. I agree with mawil1; it is wonderful to see how far Bandit has come under your loving care.
Except for our son’s wedding and our fortieth anniversary (which meant seeing our other son after 5 1/2 years), all at year’s end, 2016 has not been a good year here, either, especially running-wise, but otherwise as well. But we take the bad with the good and carry one. I hope that 2017 is a banner year for you in all ways.
Have fun in Florida with your friends. I hope you half is amazing.
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Oddly enough, 2016 was a good year running wise and basically ended with a big bang (although I do have one more race, but it’s a fun run).
The rest of it? Well, it wasn’t all bad, not by any means, but there was definitely a lot of bad and a whole lot of stress. 😦
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2016 was not a particularly good year for me. I hope we both have a better 2017. Enjoy your vacation!
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I hope 2017 is better for you, too, Natalie! We deserve it. I am looking forward to a relatively quiet month Or months! At least I hope so.
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Awe, I have a “Chester” too! I have enjoyed so much following you ladies in Florida and a little red-headed birdie told me that you got a PR!! Congratulations lady, well deserved!
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Thanks! Yes, i am definitely extremely happy with my race. 🙂
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You’ve had a good year although you didn’t meet all of your goals. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you through blogging…hope to do so in person some day. I hope you had a great race and I loved seeing your pics on IG. Looked like a lot of fun!
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Thanks, Sonia! The weekend was a lot of fun.
Running was good this year, and other things were good, but there was unfortunately a whole lotta bad too. I guess that’s life!
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I love seeing pictures of your sweet Bandit! Enjoy the florida weather -it is cold and raining here in NJ today!
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