The One with February 2021

 February, just like the short work weeks, seemed like the longest month. There was football. There was snow. There were books. There were pup snuggles. And there was more snow.

The Chiefs were back in the Super Bowl  and it was fun to see the sea of red at Union Station in support of our team before the game. I was glad for the opportunity to get out with a good friend and to have a mini KC adventure of football and books. Another fun pregame prep was digging out my old Chiefs Starter jacket. It kept me warm in the snow and helped to get into the Super Bowl spirit. Despite the end result of the game, it was still fun to be part of the hype. And the commercials were, per usual, worth it. 

Our Remy pup had another bout of illness this month. He regularly finds himself with some ailment. After throwing up for a number of days and becoming increasingly lethargic we took him to the vet. He stayed the night for fluids and we picked him up the next day. Immediately upon getting through the front door after we got home, he grabbed his tennis ball and started running around. After getting blood work back we learned that he was suffering some minor infection, so we promptly started him on an antibiotic. It has become routine that after being sick, Remy acts like nothing ever happened and this time proves no different. Each day we love on him, laugh at him, and give thanks that he’s alive and well. 

Febrary was a big book acquisition month. Books from friends. Books traded from online swap groups. Autographed books. Audio books. Total books read so far this year, 12. 

I got the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine in February. That’s all I have to say about that. 

The Colorado Avalanche played a game at Lake Tahoe against the Vegas Golden Knights. Being big hockey fans we love that we have other big hockey fan friends nearby. It was an easy decision to request off work and clear our schedules when our big hockey fan friends invited us over to watch the lake game, eat from a deliciously prepared potato bar, and drink Black and Tans. Not all went as planned when the game was delayed because of the sun. The sun! Who would have thought about the sun effecting the ice. Face palm. While we missed watching the game together we did still enjoy the food, the beverages, and the company of our friends even though they aren’t pictured below. 

February’s weather was brutal, but luckily we only suffered a frozen pipe. My best favorite continued to run everyday, but once the temperatures dipped well into the negatives he took a forced break. He continued to be active at home while I stayed hunkered under my heated blanket. Living in a loft is weird sometimes. Downstairs requires multiple layers, hot beverages, slippers, scarves, and blankets to keep warm while simultaneously upstairs is a heatwave. I am very ready for warmer weather. 

Downstairs

Upstairs 

Outside

Here’s to warmer weather, more physical activity, continued reading, and puppy lovings. Til next month...

The One With January 2021

January wasn't just the start of a new year. It was also the start of new adventures. I made the decision to leave both the full time job and the part time job I was working in order to transition into a new job providing service coordination to individuals with developmental disabilities. This decision was also in part to wanting more intentional time to focus on being back in school to foster life coaching skills. The book nook got some attention and I have certainly and unapologetically claimed it as my (work/study) space.

Thanks for the warm send off.

Thanks for the warm send off.

My work/study space.

My work/study space.

My work photo.

My school photo.

Homework!

Family Book Club met again in January. This time around we discussed Everything Beautiful In It's Time: Seasons of Love and Loss. Although I miss physically being with my family to hug and to share table with I'm insanely thankful for technology so that we can continue to read and grow together. With the unknowns of what my free time would look with having homework again I spent the weeks before school started reading like crazy! It has been a true house of reading lately.

Family Book Club.

“Soccer forces life to move on. There’s always a new match. A new season. There’s always a dream that everything can get better. It’s a game of wonders.” -Fredrik Backman 

“Knowledge is a powerful tool. It is the master of your tools. It is where your tools come from, because without knowledge, there is nothing. Let’s take that one step further: knowledge is the ultimate weapon; it trumps all other weapons. Thought is what wins- the MIND is what wins- knowledge is what wins. And you gain knowledge by asking questions. Which questions should you ask? Simple: Question everything. Don’t accept anything as truth. QUESTION IT ALL.” -Jocko Willink

“If you want your prayers answered, get up off your knees and do something about them.” -Wally Lamb

Story time!

The dogs still like to hunker down when I cozy up on the couch or when it snows, but we did make some time to get out and try to enjoy the snowy weather. Only one of us really loves the snow. In fact he even runs in it.

Snow pups.

Arctic Fox and Sexy Penguin.

My best favorite resolved to run every day in 2021, and so far he's stuck to that. He's crazy, but I'm very proud of him and proud to help him document his journey by being his personal photographer. Even in the snow he's out there getting after it. 

First run of 2021.

Getting after it.

We celebrated two years of having Queenie as part of our family. We love her so much and she loves being so spoiled.

Other than working, schooling, sleeping, reading, and spoiling we spent January trying new recipes and piecing puzzles together. We finished one puzzle and now we have a very unfinished E.T. puzzle that continues to invade our dining room table. 

Prague puzzle.

E.T. Puzzle.

Ranch chicken and asparagus with lemon sauce and almonds.

Peanut butter crescent ring from Real Simple magazine. 

Here’s to more adventures in February.