4 months

 Why are Michael Myers and Laurie Strode staring back at you?
They are here because that is where I left off.

Yikes.

I'm sorry to have dropped off of the blog so unexpectedly and for so long.
To my defense...  time did go by really fast!!
Look at us,  we're already heading toward March.

The crazy thing is...
I have not turned on this laptop since October when I last updated.
Now,  I remember why I hate it so much. 
It's a horrible junky machine.

Sooo..  to try to catch up with the short and sweet version..
 

 Halloween was awesome.
Both the season and the movie.
 

 

November brought the passing of my mom's  brother.

My uncle Jeff was the last of my elder relatives

and his loss was just another reminder of how fast life passes us by.

 

 

 Thanksgiving was calm and nice. 

As always, there was much to be thankful for. 

( looking at this picture makes me miss fall)

 

Christmas..  

Christmas was so nice. 

The season was busy as usual but we did take time to have some family fun.

Of course I was sick during the first week of December...

ughhh.

we always get sick around the holidays.

 

 

Stanley.

Stanley went back for his follow up appointment and his leg was healing wonderfully.

The doctor put off the 2nd surgery until he absolutely needs it.

Which,  at 5K a leg,  we were okay with postponing the surgery.

 

As you can see...  he is getting around well!

 

 

Back when I last updated this blog

I had begun working on the ultimate self challenge.

If you've been with me long enough, 

you know that this isn't the first time.

 

But..  it is the most successful. 

 

I QUIT SMOKING!!!!

 

I stopped in mid-October by using nicotine patches and gum.

 I drew a set of lungs in my planner and every day that I did not smoke I colored a slice of lung pink.

It seemed to take forever to reach those first 30 days.

And look at me now,  122 Days!

Oh..  and I gave up the nicotine replacements on New Years Eve.

I think I conquered the beast!

 

 

I picked up a new hobby this year too..

walking.

The Holidays, quitting smoking and premenopause have really added the pounds to my waist.

I mean,  these pounds are in deep...  Even after hiking over 30 miles this week,  I can not shake them!!!    

But I'm gonna keep lacing my boots and moving!

 

 

Valentines Day.

This brings me to a very special thank you.

 

 

We celebrated a nice little simple Valentines in our house.

 I mean..  what's better than a heart themed dinner!

 

 

Every week I write "update Blog" in my planner

 and it was this special Valentines card that gave me the extra push this week.

 

And look who it's from...

 

I'm sure you all know Melinda from Country Dreaming.

She is a sweetheart!

 

Thank you so much Melinda for getting me motivated to fight this computer again.  : )

I missed participating in the valentine card party this year..

I tried,  I just couldn't get everyone's schedule to mesh.

 

I greatly appreciate those of you who reached out to me.

I love my bloggy friends!!!!   

 

 

As for now.. 

I had 3 teeth pulled this morning,

I'm going to spend the evening much like I do on any other night..

chilling with my fur babies. 

 

I miss reading and being inspired by each and every one of you.

see you soon.

xo

L