I have just reread this blog.

Okay. It is all true, EXCEPT, it sounds like quite the little fairy tale and nothing could be farther from the truth.
We have had a great many struggles under this arbor. We continue to have them.
This past year especially.
We couldn't afford the RV we planned on as living on disability is not something that affords frivolous purchases or vacations.
The remodeling was limited to partially completing the back fence. Michael is diabetic and got a puncture in his foot that concerned us that he would lose his foot.
As it turned out a dog hair had gotten in his foot and gotten infected. Being diabetic made it worse and he wound up with a hole the size of a quarter and as deep as the bone. He is still not fully recovered.
The fence is about 3/4's done.
He lies in bed most of the time, depressed. He has been working for 40 years and doesn't know what to do now. He is critical of everyone around him and then tries to be overly nice to make up. Who is this man?
We have had kids move home and our 18 year old daughter is moving out with her 8 month old baby this weekend.
Our second to the youngest daughter will have 1 year clean and sober on November 16th and she is living at home now until she gets on her feet enough to get her own place.
Tempers run high, off and on, and patience is at a premium.
Our yellow lab was stolen. At the time she was nursing seven puppies. We bottle fed them and they all survived. We still have two of them. Losing her was heartbreaking.
We planted a garden that we weren't able to take good care of. A lot went to waste
I have had little time for my crafts but am starting them again and know that will be good for me.
Next year things have to improve.
All things considered it seemed like a good place to vent and to share.