Right Now-January recap

Right Now

I'm listening to:  an audiobook called The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.  Published in 2016, it tells the story of slaves Cora and Ceasar who attempt to escape using the historic Underground Railroad system.   Not my usual happily ever after tale, but I like to stretch my reading limits every so often and so I'm giving it my best effort.

I'm loving that  January gave us an opportunity to reconnect with family.

Hubby and I started out the month still in AZ.   Hubby helped my dad with a long over due Honey-Do of replacing a light fixture. 

and we enjoyed one last family dinner with my cousin and family friends...

We packed up the RV

and hubby dropped me off at the airport...where I was able to check out 

the fabulous artwork of one of my dad's friends..on display in Terminal 4

But for sure, the highlight of this month was spending time with our friends, The Lish Gang

We've known them since...

Well...21 years and counting..

Long enough to consider them family...

This time we gathered 

For a wedding...

This couple has certainly earned their right to a happily ever after

 and it was our pleasure to join in the celebration fun at The Brown Palace Hotel!

The fairy-godmother aunties swooped in to love on our Lish Girls...

And even the serious one in our relationship, found himself beaming from ear to ear-

Happy to see his friend so happy..

Catching up with Big V is always a treat and time with her is something we truly treasure!

I'm feeling energized.   I've found my way back to WW after a 6 week hiatus of sorts.  Last week, I checked in at my pre-Holiday weight.   Still have a ways to go, but it feels great to be back on track!

 I even made it to the gym once this week, after several weeks of telling myself I needed to just do it. 

  Thing 2 has moved into a dorm, so Thing 1 and I spent this past weekend organizing/cleaning/purging stuff to move him down into what he has now renamed "his PAT-partment".    I'd take a picture of all the trash we hauled out, but hey, I don't want to admit to the mini-hoarder thing we had going on in our basement.  

Ok, I might also be feeling a bit old...Yes folks, this is all legal...the "baby" that those girls used to babysit?   Was now old enough to crash the reception and join his former nannies for a legal smoke at the Cigar Bar at the Brown Palace Hotel.   Where have the years gone?!!!

I'm needing to keep the momentum.   It feels good to be getting things done.   Making lists and checking things off.   

And this...I need to remind myself to Choose Joy...

Until next time...

Right Now-December 2018 recap

Right Now

I'm listening to hum of the office.   From colleagues catching up after 2 weeks break, to the rumble of the copy machine, it all translates to  time to get back to work.   But first, I think I'd better update the blog before the event's of last month become a blur.

I'm loving that we enjoyed the holiday season and seemed to strike the right balance between celebrations, travel, spending time with friends and family to also taking time to unwind and regroup for the new year.   It was a good month in that regard.

This month's highlights...

• Time with Friends

Hooray...we crossed the finish line..

Let's Party...

Thanks to D and A for hosting their annual Ugly Sweater Party...

which proved the perfect opportunity 

 to dress up and catch up with friends...

 

• Fractures...

Thing 2 took a victory lap on his skateboard through the parking lot after his finals.  However, he  apparently didn't nail the dismount.   Luckily, he nailed his finals and the xray showed no evidence of a fracture.  Crisis averted!   A week on crutches and he was back to his double jobs as a barista and ice skate rink attendant.  

• Vegas!

 Speaking of nailing it, this year I scored the perfect gift for Thing 1 (the Thing who never really asks for anything).   He's got a weird curiosity for a fella named Trump.  We were headed to Vegas to spend time with hubby and on a whim, we surprised him with 3 nights in a suite at the Trump Tower

 Holy Smokes that place was huge....bigger than apartments I've rented

 What really impressed me was how willing the stay-home Thing was to get out and explore Vegas...

He wasn't too interested in the gambling, and only had one drink after I applied some parental pressure, it is Vegas after all.   

Yep, Vegas=mother tested, and #1 Son approved...

• AZ Exploration...

From famous bridges to wandering donkeys...

 We enjoyed wandering off the beaten path in AZ. 

 Palm trees and sandy beaches?   Yep...still in AZ

• Family Time...

We finished up this month by spending time with extended family.   It was a great chance to reflect on what a difference a year makes...

 I'm feeling refreshed and relaxed.   Not only was the 2 weeks off the perfect blend of adventures and quiet time, but I'm headed into the new year with less worries on my mind.  Thing 1 is changing schools and we are hopeful that this more structured setting with more hands on learning will help him reach some new goals.   Thing 2 is starting to spread his wings and will be moving into the dorms in pursuit of the full traditional college experience. 

  Who would have ever guessed we'd be sipping cocktails and playing bingo after the bumpy start to 2018? 

 What a difference a year makes!

Life is good...very very good..

I'm needing to wrap this long winded recap up and face the realities of work.   I started it in the morning and now we are approaching quitting time.   I'd like to take "update blog" of the to-do list and move it to the done list before the day is over.   

Until next time...