Finishing up 2023!

I left you hanging with the remainder of my year last week, so here’s the continuation of the second half of 2023!

June

I failed to mention that after being discharged from the hospital, I totaled my car the following day going out to purchase hydrangeas for my mom’s 80th birthday. I was light headed and should never have been driving . . . but I did. Now I need a new car, ugh! 

Recovering after hospital stay and ridding myself of the rash.

July

Just as the rash was subsiding (after a second round of prednisone) I came down with Covid that lasted into August. I managed to infect my significant other not once but twice. He had Covid in July, tested negative and then contracted it again in August. Poor guy. He had never had it before now. 

Because I’m not a big car person (wait for it), I had a friend checkout some pre owned cars that were scouted by another friend’s son Adam. We narrowed it down to a Jaguar Pace with 38K miles on it and for an amazing price. For someone who’s not a car person and never owned one of any significance . . . until now, I did good. I love driving this navy blue SUV, with copper and black leather interior, with an amazing lavender interior light. Can you tell I do love it? 

August

My kitchen is finally installed and completed and I’m able to eat in my own home (something other than toast, a sandwich or a microwave dinner). So relieved and grateful to have a kitchen of my own after several months of living in construction.

I was able to score some amazing furniture pieces that I resell at a high end antique shop in RI, so I spent most of August sorting through my collected belongings and deciding what to have moved to their store. 

Sadly, my niece Amber (my brother’s middle daughter) passed away unexpectedly after a diabetic reaction. She lived alone and was on the autism spectrum and a Type 1 juvenile diabetic since age 5. Amber was never totally on top of her diabetes and it was just devastating to know of her passing. A tragedy I can’t imagine. 

September

I could finally see the light throughout my windows after a cleaning (the first one in five years). What a huge difference that cleaning made. 

Thankfully, I was able to get away to Westerly, RI for a few days and nights and that was a welcome retreat. Stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast inn

and visited Ocean Cliff for dinner on the veranda and at the bar one night.

Ocean Cliff in RI

I follow-up with the Department of Developmental Services in Massachusetts where I’ve been working for more than a year to get my son, Noah, also on the autism spectrum, to get him additional services. After a year, I learned Noah was approved, but the work is just beginning.

Sadly, my hair is breaking and falling out beyond belief. I later learned (in December) it was a result of the prednisone. Thankfully by December it seems to be growing back in.

October

I love the fall and October is a favorite month of mine. The air is changing, I love the smell of falling leaves and the colors in New England are just beautiful. The colors were less impressive this year due to all the rain in the summer, but still beautiful and lent itself to a longer stay as a result.

Interior shutters were installed by Home Depot and I absolutely love them they provide the perfect amount of privacy and light to come through. I used them in the four primary rooms of my home, the living room, dining room, primary bedroom and guest bedrooms. I left the kitchen and smallest guest bedroom without them, and opted for a roman blind in the kitchen and drapes (yet to be hung) in the guest bedroom. 

I also hosted the first party at my new place as an end of the Charles Regatta Bar weekend (an appropriate reason for a get together). Everyone had a great time and I have vowed to only include people who come with a positive attitude and acceptance of everyone. All others were not included and I’ll continue to use this philosophy into 2024. Sometimes it’s difficult to say goodbye to people who are not fun, uplifting and appreciative, not critical and negative.

November

The big home improvement came in November when I had the entryway of my unit wallpapered with a Thibaut Luzon wallpaper with pagodas, fences and Asian landscape in a subtle color scheme of grays, whites, golds and pearls. I chose my interior paint based on a swatch of this wallpaper and the match is amazing. I didn’t know if I’d be able to get the wallpaper up this quickly, but am so happy it’s done. I think it makes the condo and sets the tone of what’s to follow. I love wallpaper in bathrooms as well. To be determined.

My mom came by with her long-time beau John for a visit. She hadn’t seen my place since I purchased it in February, so it was so nice to have them here for the day. Looking forward to their next visit soon. 

My New York City friends, Steve, Jen and Jen’s sister Paula came for a weekend and we tried out Raffles – new hotel, residence and restaurant in Boston’s Copley Square. Fabulous service and great views of Boston. 

I spent Thanksgiving on the Cape visiting my dear friend Marybeth who had just had rotator cuff surgery. I was so glad to be there just over a week after her surgery to help out and also spend some quality time at the Dollar Store (don’t laugh, I’m a fan), Homegoods and a margarita and chips and salsa at Anejo in Falmouth Center.

December

December is always busy, but this is especially so because I’ve made a consistent effort to make new friends in the city this year. I hadn’t really focused on it last year, but I’m loving getting to know so many great women here. 

Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory (now merged) bring so many entertainment options to the city at really affordable prices. I had the pleasure of seeing City of Lights at the Boston Conservatory and a delicious brunch at Abe and Louie’s before walking over to the show with my Concord friend Lorena (a graduate of Boston Conservatory as well).

I attended a Madonna Show at Berklee too – the talent at these two schools is off the charts. 

We had a fabulous dinner with neighbors in my building at Faccia a Faccia on Newbury Street then heading off to the Nutcracker where our neighbors two children performed. Attended the Gay Men’s Chorus in Boston, following my hosting a holiday lady's brunch and headed to the Festival of lights concert that is not to be missed. I went two years ago and loved it. I missed everything in December of 2022 due to Covid, so I’m making up for lost time now. 

Ladies Brunch

My eldest daughter, Chloe, announced an unexpected cruise in February of 2024 (to celebrate a milestone birthday for me) on the Botti Cruise. Chris Bottie is an amazing trumpet player who I’ve seen perform at least 10 times and I am thrilled to be going on this sold out concert cruise with David Foster, Katherine McPhee, etc. Sold out now, but I’m sure there will be a 2025 Cruise as well. https://bottiatsea.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=botti_at_sea&utm_term=CB%26OA&utm_content=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA1fqrBhA1EiwAMU5m_4qGJjBAEr3y5gx3DssQU_OqJmm9MNm4Xjo_IGQDoY5da_ZUvFhusxoCFOkQAvD_BwE

For all the ups and downs of 2023, I feel like it’s ending on a high note and that’s a great thing. Hoping 2024 will be less turbulent and bring more peace, joy and good health to all!

I can contacted at nmichaels@nancymichaelsinteriors.com if you’d like to get started on your re-modelling or downsizing project.

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