Typically I do a coffee break or currently post for Kristen & Gretch‘s link-up, but I’ve already shared posts like that recently. Today I’m just recapping what we’ve been up to since the start of 2018.
J A N U A R Y
We didn’t do a whole lot in January (which I love). We had some health-stress but most of the month was filled with dog cuddles & lazy weekends.
Ly & E both had clean bills of health from the vet. We got their DNA tests back. And Buckeye fought off befriended a coyote.
Lots of snow meant lots of cozy reading time.
My mom had a pretty stressful month so I treated her (and me) to pedicures. That night K tried out his Christmas gift (a new smoker!) & we had my parents and his mom over. (His dad was out of town.)
The next day my brother and sister-in-law came home to surprise and cheer up my mom. We played Mario Kart on the Switch all afternoon.
I ended the month with a 24in48 reading challenge. I read +6 hours total and squeezed in an intermission because my favorite 3 year old and 1 year old were celebrating their birthdays!
F E B R U A R Y
I had a (beat the) Winter Blues party at the beginning of the month. It was super small. Best friends & parents came over for drinks and games and camaraderie.
The next two weeks were filled with business travel. We spent four days in Columbus, OH, then came home for two, then flew to San Antonio, TX for six days.
The dogs were very happy to finally have us home.
My mom and I had a little date night in town between my Texas trip and Cleveland overnight. We got coffee at the local cafe, then popped across the street to the small theater to see Peter Rabbit. Guys… it was SO cute and comical. I loved it.
This past weekend I spent the night in Cleveland with my two best friends…
And that’s what’s new with me 🙂 What’s New With You?
Happy Birthday to my Grandma Peggy!
Life as Louise 
How far are you from Cleveland? We LOVED our trip there and want to go back soon. Hope your momma is doing okay.
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I’m about an hour and a half south of downtown 🙂 I end up there a few times a year for theater events and concerts and time with my friend Aubrey!
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I’m still wanting another reading challenge like that – that really kick started my reading this year.
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Me too!! It was nice to make reading a priority for a few days!
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I need to see Peter Rabbit! I think my kids would love it. I probably missed the boat on the theater though.
All that travel is hard. I’ll be away for 2-4 days and it’s overwhelming to me – Those two longer trips back to back would have done me in.
I hope you that March is good to you! 🙂
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I think your kids would love it, too 🙂 It has lots of witty humor for adults, as well!!
I am definitely happy to be home for the next month. We’re on the road again in April. Whew! Lol
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The winter blues really are the worst, but hopefully they’ll be gone soon! Y’all really did travel a lot in February, but hopefully you enjoyed your time in San Antonio and got to eat lots of good food!
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I love winter but by February even I’m desperate for a little sunshine 🙂
We really enjoy hanging out in San Antonio- especially in Feb. when we can get a break from the cold & snow!
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I love that Lylee loves his Grandpa. Emeril, my cat prior to Max, loved his Grandma because he had her wrapped around his big white mitt. 😀 I also love your panda hoodie – great pic! Here’s to a great March!
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Lylee and my dad get along wonderfully. He stuck her outside a lot when I was living at home and I think their cuddles sessions are his way of apologizing to her 😉
My panda hood- which was attached to my travel pillow- was an AWESOME way to block out the flight and control my anxiety!! And it was cute! Haha!
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Happy birthday to your grandma! I really want to see Peter Rabbit; I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Ooh you’re reading illustrated HP. I’m in the beginning of Chamber of Secrets right now – just ADORE the pictures.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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We had a nice little dinner out last night for my grandma 🙂 Peter Rabbit is THE cutest!
I loved the illustrated HP books! I need to start into the third one soon!
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Wow, you had a busy February! Good thing that January was so lowkey. I love that you had a winter party. I never do things like that, but I need to! How fun.
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February was super busy… I’m not mad that it’s over 😉 Our mid-winter party was pretty small but it was nice to kick back and enjoy friends before we took off for two weeks!
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I should totally try to track how many hours I read!!
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I did a (read)24(hours)in48(hours) challenge. I only read 6 of my hours, but it was still fun to dedicate a weekend to it!!
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Glad your January was so low-key because your February sounded intense! i love that party idea. I think people need to do parties like that more often, especially if you live in a cold or rainy climate!
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I’m hoping March and April follow suit (minus the stress, lol) because so far we have very little planned for March but April is allll over the place again. Lol
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health stress, oh no! and sorry your mom had a stressful month too but yay for pedicures. i want to see Peter Rabbit!
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The health stress was mainly what bogged my mom down, but I know the pedicures and having my brother and sister-in-law home helped 🙂
Peter Rabbit is a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.
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Yay for best friend time! That’s a cure for a lot of things.
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It’s some of the absolutely best medicine!
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I find even for me January tends to be a very lazy month. Lol Must be all the Christmas food and festivities. But gotta love those cuddle in moments with a good book!
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I think you’re probably right about all the Xmas food and festivities. I crave the quiet solitude after the holidays. Plus I usually have some new books to curl up with!
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I hope that everything is okay for you and your mom. I love that you are reading the illustrated HP editions. I think that when Nick deploys I am going to re-read the entire series. I have re-read the books more times than I can count, but I haven’t re-read them since I was in college, which was 9 years ago!!!
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Fortunately my mom is all good- just emotionally drained. Extended family sickness and stress. But things are less chaotic now so that’s good. I looove the illustrated HP books. They’re like my new prized possessions!! With 9 years between now and the last time you reread HP, I feel like it’ll be an almost new experience for you!!
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Sounds like you’ve had a busy couple of months already! I feel like pedicures make everything better : )
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Agreed. I think I need another one soon, lol. Or maybe a massage.
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Those are still a busy couple of months!
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For sure! April is another crazy one but fortunately March is pretty slow.
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I hope everything is going ok with the health stuff and with your mom. Hang in there, I understand. 2018 has been less stressful than 2017… but only by some for us. I am glad that the business travel went well and that you guys got to spend a lot of time reading and with family and friends. 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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The start of 2018 brought a few health issues, but most of them are getting better or resolved now. My mom was just feeling the emotional brunt of it all from every side. I’m not sure how 2018 is going to go from here for us. Lol
Jan/Feb was definitely a time of family, friends, books, and travel! Lol
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i should enter reading challenges because right now, i’m killing it!
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It was such an unusual challenge! You were supposed to strive for 24(hours of reading)in48(hour time frame). I only got 6 done, but it was nice to dedicate a whole weekend to reading!
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The best part of winter is the cozy reading time 🙂
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Absolutely! Good book, cozy blanket, warm tea, and fresh snow falling outside the window!
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Happy birthday to tour Grandma. I love how much you and your mom do together- I miss Mine every day. Lazy weekends filled with cuddles and books are the best!
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Thanks, Emelia. My mom and I didn’t get along for a long time… I was a teenage brat in high school. I feel very fortunate that our relationship is much improved and I get to see her often.
Winter was made for cuddles & books 😉
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I love the idea of having a beat the winter blues party!!
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Honestly, I wish we could do regular game nights or hang outs, but most of our friends live over an hour away. So I host parties and guilt them into coming 😉
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that ‘winter blues party’ is SO smart! what a great idea. how amazing is it to finally treat our parents to something too 🙂
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I just like forcing people to come over to my house and eat my food and play games with me. Hahaha!!
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