This week definitely did not turn out like I expected it to. I thought I’d be off on a fun vacation right about now, driving along the coast maybe exploring new hikes and eats. However, life had other plans and I ended up sicker than a dog (like when a dog eats that chocolate covered cherries you have hidden in the closet) on Christmas Eve during church and it has kept me down for the count all through the next day and I’m still not 100% as I write this. Merry Christmas to me.
I did manage to drag myself down to the living room to open presents with my son (who mysteriously was sick just 3 days before) but larger family plans were cancelled. Santa knows me well and brought me some fun gifts I am looking forward to using this upcoming year. Hint to the Silky company, you might have done a little better with the name of this awesome trail work tool than Big Boy. I don’t need it pink but come on…how old are we?
But the best present of all was the day after Christmas when I was able to spend some time with the bf (who’s gift giving was thwarted by the joy of nausea earlier). He very sweetly proposed to me (after over a year of talking about getting married) and if you didn’t know it was possible, you really CAN get everything you need at REI. He did a cute thing with the “Travel to Parts Unknown” Nalgene and included things we might need as we embark on our journey together (map, compass, food, Tenacious Tape). We have matching rings coming later but this will do the trick for now. Yes, I am a very practical person. Merry Christmas to us.
I’ve already given him the task of renaming himself for the blog (he can’t be “bf” anymore). I’ll be interested to see what he comes up with…
I had set myself a goal to get back outdoors somewhat like I am used to with the first of the year but a good friend moved back from Ireland and it was just the excuse I needed to get outdoors. I can’t tell you how exhilarating it felt to make my way up the trail (despite all the ice and snow): the feel of the poles in my hands, swooshing through the fresh powder and how my soul expanded 10 sizes too big by simply being in the mountains. There were even a few moments when I forgot my arm was not right. I truly believe time in the wild can make you whole and you will definitely find me taking advantage of its healing powers more soon.
You may have noticed some changes here on the blog as I intend to head into the new year with a new look. I’ve had the same theme for the last two years and it really wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do with posts and pages. In changing over, I still surprise even myself at how much I have learned on website design (or how easy they make it for you to learn). I hope you like the new look and find it easier for navigating all there is to find here on the site. Of course, if you see any glitches (and there probably are a few), please let me know!
And lastly, if you don’t follow Melissa Joulwan over at Well Fed (I talk about how much I love her on my Why Paleo page), she is starting a 10 Day Meal Planning Boot Camp on December 30th and although I am not usually one of those New Year’s resolutions kind of people, I think I need something to help get me out of my cooking funk since my injury. Not being able to cook for myself really threw me off my game and I have gotten very lazy (eating out more than I want or eating the same things). This has translated into just being off with everything from healthy eating to creating recipes for the blog. I have signed up (and you should, too) and committed myself to posting on what I do for each day of the boot camp. Be sure to follow along!
In the next few weeks, look for my annual post on my outdoor adventure plans for the upcoming year. I’m inspired for what 2018 holds!
What exciting things do you have coming up in the new year?
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