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...

Right Now- November recap

I'm listening to this collection of short stories.   If you are looking for something "Hallmark movie" like, be sure to walk on past this audio-book as it is loaded with the author's trademark style of story telling, right down to the liberal sprinkling of profanity.   I'm enjoying it as he does make some rather candid and humorous observations about this time of year.

I'm loving that:  we are entering this holiday season healthy and happy...something that when I reflect on year's past isn't always the case.  Last year, my dad's health took a nose dive soon after the Thanksgiving celebration.   And in years before that, work stress has reared its ugly head, filling my head and heart with worry.   But alas this year, all seems to be on a steady and stable course!  Bring on the merriness of the Christmas Season!

My dad joined us for Thanksgiving and we all enjoyed reflecting on what a difference a year makes.   Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera at the ready so I have very few photos but suffice to say, we enjoyed the traditional feast, took in a movie, did a bit of Black Friday shopping (talk about a sure sign he's back to 100%-my dad wanted to go to Kohls of all places), and caught the Badger football game at a local pub.  All in all, a wonderful 3 days spent with family.  

The rest of November seems to have passed by in a blur.   I know we celebrated our 23rd anniversary with the purchase of a new washer and dryer and then for a bonus celebration we splurged on a new kitchen faucet. 

  Yep, those would be the joys of being a grown up.   But seriously, after one costly trip to the laundromat, I was ever so grateful to see the friendly team from Lowes  had delivered as promised.    And after watching my husband and our two Things wrangle with the faucet, I'm thankful for their muscles and flexibility.  If left up to me, I'd still have a leaky faucet...no way my body could contort to get to the necessary pipes.  Thank you guys...you've made me a very happy and appreciative wife/mother!   

I'm feeling grateful.   The rest of the month was filled with a little bit of this and a little bit of that.   Which is my creative way of saying "I can't remember that far back".   I know there was a short camping adventure in conjunction with my annual nursing convention. 

 There were a few happy hour gatherings with friends.   Some books were read, a movie or two was enjoyed and a few great meals were enjoyed.   Every day stuff that makes me appreciate what a good life we've cultivated for ourselves here in CO.   The Things have had some adjustments with school but I believe they are both on a path of success.   It's all good...

I'm needing to keep the momentum going.   As the kids have gotten older, finding the holiday spirit has been a challenge.  Toss in a general sense of "winter blahs" and I realized I needed to do something different this year..

So I made a conscious effort to bring some fun into my life.   This past Saturday, the ladies and I went to see the lights at the local botanical gardens. 

To say it was magical would be an understatement.   My only regret was not switching out my shoes.   Danskos are perfect for work, but when outside, they let in a little too much cold and by the time I got home I was still feeling chilled.  Lesson learned.

  Then on Sunday, a bunch of us bundled up again for the first of what will end up being five 5Ks through the winter season.  

 Granted, my group walked and were proud to be the "final finishers' but we still got more activity on a cold December day than we would have had we sat on the couch. 

 Both of these events reminded me how good it feels to get out and try new things. 

Until next time..