2017 A Year in Pictures

It would seem that a lot of bloggers like to recap the year, as many of the sites that I follow and read have done this recently.  I also happen to think it is an excellent idea to take note of where you have been, so it can help you focus on exactly where you want to go.  I spent a part of my morning scrolling through my recent Google photos from the last few years and I present to you Ed Dillon, A Year in Review picture style.

January 2017

The year started off still at my old house with the hopes of listing and selling it while the real estate market here in Barrie was going a little bananas.  Austin has his 3rd birthday, with Darth Vader himself even delivering his present.

February 2017

As we got closer to listing and selling our house, our favorite game quickly became lightsaber battles as Austin was discovering the magic that is Star Wars.  I also started to contemplate buying a new Jeep this month.

March 2017

The kids started swimming lessons, I ordered my Jeep which was custom built for me in Ohio and shipped North after the assembly was completed.  Megan as always, loves to take selfies on my phone every chance that she gets.

April 2017

Lot’s of quality time spent with the kids, and we got ready to move into our new house at the beginning of May.  My Jeep also arrived with only 3 km on the odometer.  Oh that was so sweet…

May 2017

Was able to get the golf season off to a great start in May, finding some beautiful Ontario Trilliums in bloom.  I would take the roof off of the Jeep every single chance that I could, despite what might have been questionable weather to some.

June 2017

I enjoyed the beautiful outdoor weather as much as possible this month, taking the roof and the doors off whenever possible.  It was one of Austin’s favorite things to do, he had a little too much fun in there if you ask me.  On Father’s Day the kids asked if they could paint me, not quite what I had in mind but it was awesome.

July 2017

I turned 45 in July and I had one of the best months of my life.  It started with a Road Trip to Chicago and St. Louis for some ball games and then back to Canada, to pick up my daughters and a great camping trip up in Ottawa.  I started to build my recreational room at the front of my house aka MAN CAVE.  I even found a four leaf clover this month!

August 2017

This month saw a great trip to see Monday Night Raw, the pool table arrived and the games room was decorated and completed.  I played lots and lots of golf often getting up at the crack of dawn and playing a few rounds in a day.

September 2017

The kids went back to school and by the end of the month I was unemployed by choice.  I really wanted to spend as much time at home as I possibly could.  After almost 21 years working for The Keg I needed a break as I was emotionally and physically spent.  I started to bake a lot, and dove into my children as much as I could.

October 2017

Jennifer’s birthday lands on Halloween and that will forever be an extra special day around here, and always lot’s to do in preparation for it.  I played as much golf as possible while the weather was still nice, and continued the trend of baking more and more.

November 2017

This month just went by far too quickly as all month’s seem to do when you are having the time of your life.  Despite some hiccups with Emily, who turned 16 this month I enjoyed spending time with my kids all month.  I had all my old Keg friends over for a dinner on the eve of Survivor Series, and there were only two of us left standing.  What a great night!

December 2017

The year ended on a bit of an emotional roller coaster, but a lot of great lessons were learned.  I am in the process of getting an online baking company started, focusing on Sugar Cookies.  I lost track of the number of loaves of banana bread, and pies I’ve baked this month and of course Christmas morning is always magical around my house.

2017 was quite the year for me.  From where I started at the beginning of the year, what I was able to learn along the way.  The changes I saw in my personal and professional life, what I thought was important at the beginning of the year has changed by the summer months, and completely changed again by September.  The last few months I have been on a mission of self discovery and growth, and I am very excited to see what 2018 brings.

I’ve met an incredible lady who inspires me to be my very best, I have improved the relationships with all my children and I’ve started down a few roads back into the workforce in new and exciting directions.  2017 was such a year, and I suspect that 2018 will be even for so for all the right reasons!

Happy New Year everyone.  All my best wishes to you and your families in 2018!