Leap Day

I just wanted to post today because it is Leap Day! I plan on blogging about CNY, Valentine's Day, Bri's wisdom teeth removal and our winter break staycation very soon.

I'm still battling health issues but I am trying to hang in there.

Hope you all have a happy last day of February. I can't believe March is almost here!

All About January

Finally, I am recapping what we were up to in January.

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Briana started back to school after Christmas/New Year break and it's her very last semester of high school. I am still in a bit of shock and denial...

 

She has only three classes this semester and she has early release from school. She is really enjoying that.

  She is back in culinary class and brought home a pulled pork sandwich and some coleslaw for Doug and me to try. The class has also made burgers, fries, pizza, beef pasties and fajitas...

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For fun one January afternoon (at home), Briana made some cream puffs (from scratch) for us...

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The weather in January was a bit crazy.

It rained a bunch for a few days. And when it rains a bunch, the little quiet creek next to our house becomes a much bigger, louder creek...

And then it got crazy cold for a few days...

Mei Mei loves fireplace days...

She is just a sweet furry baby (we celebrated her 9th "gotcha day" on January 24th)...

 

I of course made a crockpot of chili on one of those cold days...

 

I will say, I am pretty sad it didn't snow again in my neck of the woods in the winter. We are halfway through February now, and I am quite sure that the metro Atlanta snow window has now passed. Climate change is very real. We have never gone this long (several years in a row) with no significant snow or at least some sticking in my part of town. I believe 2020 was the last time I saw any significant snow stick at my house at all. I honestly don't know if we will see true snow where I live again. I just don't know.

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I always miss my bedroom Christmas tree when I have to put it away when the holiday season is over. I decided to place a new little light up tree in that space in my bedroom where I place my Christmas tree. I just enjoy looking at twinkly lights. Why can't I have twinkly lights all year? Well, I can! I really do love it...

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 Bri spent some time with her sweet friend Mary in January. They have been besties for 15 years...

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And a very important event happens every January - Doug celebrates a birthday!

I made him birthday cupcakes and he got a lot of nice birthday gifts...

The day after Doug's birthday, the C family (one of our favorite families), took Doug out to dinner to celebrate...

 

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Doug and Briana put together their Lego Christmas gifts...

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I know I spoke about my health ailments in my last post, and unfortunately the day after I posted, I had yet another bad inflammation flare up in my knees for about a week or so. I thought upping my thyroid medication was helping, but no, I flared up bad again anyway. I did finally see an orthopedist who recommended continuing my inflammation medication and doing physical therapy. I found out that I do have mild to moderate osteoarthritis in my knees. And sadly, my heel still hurts quite a bit (the one I tore). My physical therapist is helping me strengthen the heel (he thinks I have developed scar tissue) and is also helping me strengthen the muscles in my knees. My hip has gotten a bit out of alignment due to wearing the boot and limping so much and he is helping with that too. I am kind of a hot mess. Hoping the PT will help me.

And of course, my anxiety is up because of all of this. I feel like I turned 50 and my body fell apart (more than usual). 

 Things have been kind of tough.

 Good news though, my ear did finally open up - so that was at least a win.

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 Let me end this post on a positive note. Briana is officially going to SCAD in the fall. We paid her admission fee and she is committed. This was my FB post...

I am on the struggle bus with this all - not going to lie. I am SO proud of Bri. And I am SO excited for her. At the same time, I know that I am going to miss her so much come September. Big life changes ahead.

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So that was our January. 

Please keep me in your thoughts when it comes to my health issues. I really am working on trying to overcome them. It's a process for sure.

We've already had a lot going on in February and we are only halfway through it - CNY, Valentine's Day and Briana's wisdom teeth removal. And next week is winter break. We will be staycationing, but we have a few things planned.

Thanks for reading! Be back soon.