Monday, January 5, 2015

Weekending -- The First of the Year

Each year I look forward to the time I take off work between Christmas and New Year's.  This year was no different -- I had a million things on my to do list and didn't even come close to getting them done!  I did get to spend some quality time with friends and that's something far more valuable to me than cleaning the pantry.  So this recap is spanning two weekends and the week in between.

Big shout out to my nephew, Landon.  He spent the night with us the Saturday after Christmas and we packed as much fun into 24 hours as was humanly possible.  After our families left from celebrating our Christmas we went roller skating, drove through the Way of Lights at Our Lady of the Shrine in Belleville, Illinois, went to see Mockingjay (my second viewing), bowled, got ice cream and played lots of Yahtzee.  Can't wait for him to visit us again!


New Year's Eve was a blast!  I traveled to Kansas City to spend it with my friends on the west side of the state.  Eric had to work New Year's Eve and New Year's Day so, unfortunately, he wasn't able to join me.  It was a pirate theme this year!  I made the 2015 banner and set up a backdrop for our party pics.  Thar be lots o' fun had (that's pirate talk for we had lots of fun). 



I stayed over a few days at my friend Linda's.  She and I went to see Wild.  And honestly, we weren't "wild" about the movie.  It just never really took off for me.  Have you seen it?  What did you think?

                                                 

Came home to celebrate Christmas with my great friends Carol, Sherri and Tracy.  You'll be seeing many of the presents I received on my upcoming Five on Fridays.  It was great to catch up over wine and a fire in the fireplace with these wonderful girls.


Sunday was a cold, dreary day.  It spit snow on and off all day.  But it was a great day to spend in the house reading a great book.  So that's exactly what I did -- all day long.  I finished Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.  Love, love, love this book.  I literally could not put it down.  

                                                    

Now, here I am mentally preparing for work tomorrow and a whole new year ahead.  I've made a few resolutions that I'll share in upcoming posts, but I like the idea of having a word a month this year instead of a list of resolutions.  The word for January is minimize.  My focus for this month is going to be getting rid of the things I'm not using, no longer want, doesn't fit, etc, etc, etc,  Get ready Goodwill -- you are going to be seeing lots of me this month!

Check out what others were up to this weekend.
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24 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 5, 2015 at 2:49 AM

    I haven't seen the movie Wild yet, but it is definitely one I want to check out because of Reese Witherspoon. Taking time off work is the best, I bet you enjoyed it so much!

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  2. Masshole MommyJanuary 5, 2015 at 5:00 AM

    Sounds like you have been busy! I need to do some minimizing of my own right now, too. There is way too much clutter around here.

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  3. UnknownJanuary 5, 2015 at 5:51 AM

    never seen the movie yet but hopefully soon - happy new year!

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  4. BrianneJanuary 5, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    I haven't seen Wild yet. I love that backdrop & banner. So much fun!

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  5. The Cynical SailorJanuary 5, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    I haven't seen Wild. I was wondering if it was worth it.

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  6. P!nkyJanuary 5, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    Looks like a great NYE party. Sorry your husband couldn't join you.

    I read the book the Wild and skipped over some spots because it was a bit boring...not sure if I'll see the movie.

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  7. FrancJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    That's a really busy holiday season for you and your were able to do a lot. Good like on clearing up things you're not using this year and have a great 2015.

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  8. NatalyeJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    My husband normally has that time off between Christmas and the New Year as well, and since I am a freelancer, I usually don't have work then either. It's so nice to relax and connect with family and friends. Glad your "vacation" was relaxing and energizing!

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  9. Terri Ramsey BeaversJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Thanks so much for sharing. I have yet to have holiday fun but I plan to have it regardless of the holidays being over (sickness during the holidays is a bummer). I haven't seen Wild but I do want to read that book. I am such a bookworm and am headed over to read more about it.

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  10. XmasDollyJanuary 5, 2015 at 12:44 PM

    I spent the weekend with my granddaughter. She comes over every year right after Thanksgiving and right after New Years to help me put up and take down, but I make sure we have a little fun too. This weekend we gave each other pedicures. It was definitely a giggly time.

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  11. ElizabethJanuary 5, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    I haven't seen Wild yet but I want to! I am hoping to go this week.

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  12. Heather JonesJanuary 5, 2015 at 1:30 PM

    It sounds like a great vacation with the people you love. Who needs to clean the pantry on vacation anyway?

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  13. FionaJanuary 5, 2015 at 2:04 PM

    How cool that you have a themed New Years, I'd love that! The pirate speak is too funny, I have to try the themed New Years this year :)

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  14. Echo aka The Mad MommyJanuary 5, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    Awesome idea for a New Years party. I kind of want to see that Reese movie, but I will wait until it's on DVD.

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  15. Mama to 5January 5, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    Sounds like you had a great new year. I cannot wait to read more!

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  16. Cassie TuckerJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:02 PM

    Looks like you had a good first weekend of the year! I've heard great things about that book and I really can't wait to read it.

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  17. Eileen | www.yesmissy.comJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    Looks like you had a blast to start off the new year! Hope every weekend will be as fun! Happy 2015!

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  18. UnknownJanuary 5, 2015 at 10:26 PM

    Awww what a fun party you had! I love the props used also, makes it more special and memorable. Happy New Year!

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  19. AnosaJanuary 5, 2015 at 11:56 PM

    I have not yet watched the movie wild but i was not 'wild' about it either, never heard of that book but i am looking for something to read so that might be it

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  20. Rebecca SwenorJanuary 6, 2015 at 12:50 AM

    It sounds like you had a blast with everyone and especially your nephew. I think you did more with your nephew than I do with my kids in a month. It is awesome when you can let things go and have some amazing time with family and friends. We all need these times indeed. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. UnknownJanuary 6, 2015 at 5:40 AM

    I love the idea of having a theme for New Year's Eve. That sounds like so much fun! How cool that you had such a great time with Landon. I'm sure those will be special memories for him!

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  22. EmberlinmoonJanuary 6, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    Nice to see you started your New Year having a blast! It's funny I plan on picking up Big Little Lies for a book club thing I joined last week - glad to see you enjoyed it!

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  23. StephanieJanuary 7, 2015 at 1:08 PM

    I haven't seen the movie Wild, I'm so out of it I've never heard of it. Big Little Lies sound like it may be interesting, I so far behind on my reading! Maybe that's what I should have as a personal goal - read 10 books this year. I'm right there with you in organizing, removing clutter :) I'm so excited to get some of this stuff out of our house! I hope you are off to a wonderful start!!

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  24. Peachy @ The Peach KitchenJanuary 11, 2015 at 11:36 PM

    I can see you had an awesome Christmas and New Year! Happy 2015 to you and your family.

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