Life lately.

Here's a little rundown on what's been up in my world so far in 2017.  This is my life currently...

Reading:  The Prison Book Club by Ann Walmsley.  I received this book for Christmas, and it is the subject of our next book club discussion.  I'm about 3/4 of the way through, and finding it quite...bland, unfortunately.  Underwhelming.  A bit of a snoozer.  But I'm plugging away, forcing myself to read at least one chapter a day so that I can be done and move on to something else.

Watching:  Having Fridays and Mondays off this time of year allows me extra Netflix time, so I've been blowing through some pretty great TV. Since Christmas, I've wrapped up the most recent season of Scandal, watched The Crown (and loved it), and have now started my next Netflix commitment, which is Gilmore Girls.  Almost done the first season.  So far, not madly in love with it, but I'm told it will only get better.  Hey, Jimmy Fallon loves it, so I must too.

Listening to:  Drake White & Ed Sheeran.  Two pretty opposite ends of the spectrum, yet I can't seem to get enough.  Drake White's song "Making Me Look Good Again" inspired me to download his whole album, Spark, and it may well be the best thing I've done so far in 2017.  Aside from also downloading Ed Sheeran's two new tunes, "Castle on the Hill" and "Shape of You".  Musical investments are so worth it when you get as much play out of them as I have with these guys... so far, haven't tired of any of it!

Eating: ugh.  One of my 2017 goals that I've been failing miserably at is eating healthier.  I've had the odd good day here and there, but for the most part, still eating far too much crap (chips, chocolates, candy...) and eating out as often as I can, which is no bueno.  On my day off Monday, I made chili and made my first attempt at homemade buns, which I was super happy with except for a little mistake I made.  The tops came out super-browned, which I originally thought was because I'd cooked them too long, but it was actually because I mis-read the recipe.  I thought I was to put melted butter on before they went into the oven, when actually you're to butter the tops after they come out.  Whoops.  Lesson learned.

Inspired by: Michelle Obama.  I got a little caught up in Obama Fever last week, as the farewell addresses were going on, and Michelle also made an appearance on Jimmy Fallon.  Breaks my heart that these fine people are on their way out of the White House in the US.  What classy, well-spoken, intelligent human beings.  And yes, Michelle has inspired me.  She's inspired me with her genuine, down-to-earth, humble approach, her sense of humour, and most importantly, she's inspired me to move.  I heard her talking about her Let's Move campaign, and honestly, there have been days where I don't feel like exercising or doing anything, and I'll think, "Michelle Obama would tell me to just get out there and do it."  I've taken more walks, danced more, and just moved in general more in the past week thanks to her!

Working on:  A few projects, actually.  1) Last Friday, I cleaned the "junk room", which used to be my "craft room".  In the past few years, it's become the catch-all for anything that I didn't know what to do with, and then on top of it all, it's where the Christmas decorations are stored.  Last year, I never got the decs completely put away - some were in bins, but most were scattered about the room haphazardly.  Two weekends ago, I took Christmas down, and just threw it in that room.  It was awful.  A total disaster.  I promised myself I wouldn't leave it like that all year again, so I tackled putting everything away and cleaning it last Friday.  It's not perfect, but a hell of a lot better than it was.  And I could actually do crafts in there again if I wanted to. Next up: Front hall closet.  It's gotta get mucked out, big time.

2) Getting rid of stuff I don't need.  In the junk room cleanse, I discovered all the old issues of The Equity I had been hanging on to.  I hadn't thrown one out since I started writing the Quyon social notes a few years ago. Eeep!  I decided this was stupid.  I have all my notes saved on my computer, why did I need a hard copy?  Stupid.  Out they go. Along with Sears catalogues and other magazines that have been piling up for years.  WHY do I hoard this stuff? WHY???

3) A puzzle! Oh I love puzzling in the winter.  I got a puzzle for Christmas that I started on Friday afternoon, and it's been coming together so nicely.

Wearing:  Blanket scarves.  They are my fave piece of clothing these days.  Not only fashionable, but also handy to wrap around myself when I'm cold, which is often.

Feeling:  Not the best these days, to be honest.  Nothing major, but... I woke up Sunday morning with a rash all over my face.  No idea where it came from, or why I have it, but ugh.  I have sensitive skin, breaking out in rashes or hives is not uncommon for me, but seriously.  My FACE?!?  Thanks a lot, world. Thanks a lot.  Then yesterday morning, I woke up with a "funny" head, which developed into a sinusy headache during the day, and by last night, was a whopper.  I pumped myself with Advil, put the magic bag on my neck, and stayed horizontal on the couch all evening.  But guess what, it's still here.  ugh again.  And, on top of it all, in my Michelle Obama-inspired move more quest, I decided to put together my own little Zumba routine the other night, and ever since, I've been hobbling around like an old lady.  ugh x 3.

Looking forward to:  Some fun things going on this weekend, including a movie night, and celebrating a few birthdays... an upcoming trip with my Mom... getting some R&R... and I know it's still a long way off, but the re-boot of Prison Break coming in April!  Eeeek!!  Lots coming up to get excited about! :)

What's up in your life lately??