The year started with me doing contract work for corporate America. That's not the same as regular employment so when one of my clients offered me a full-time position, I took it. I was earning half of what I was before the financial crash but it put us in a better place than many others.

My first assignment for my new employer was in New York State which meant a long drive up the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway on a Sunday night, back again Friday and start all over again after too brief a weekend.

It was exhausting and I must admit that I wasn't the best father and husband as the stress took it's toll.