January's Not So Bad

Well y'all were right.

I didn't wake up on my 27th birthday to a face full of wrinkles, a mailbox full of AARP membership solicitations, or a medicine cabinet full of Bengay and denture cream.

It's still early days for 27, but I think it's going to be a good year. And this is how I know:

So far, I spent a little time here:

Sitting here:

And looking out here:

Also, my best friend came to visit from across the country and not even a 40 degree drop in coast-to-coast temps got in her way. We ate, partook in wine (significantly less than the college versions of ourselves), went to the park, watched movies like True Grit and 17 Again (oh yes, we did), and shopped, among other fun things. We also got manicures, where I was able to continue the time-honored tradition of smudging the polish within ten minutes of leaving the nail salon.

The brevity and infrequency of our cross-country visits are buffered by the fact that it always seems like we hung out yesterday.

Everyone deserves to have a friend as awesome as Kate!

Whilst visiting, said best friend performed the rigorous BFF approval test on the BF. I've always subscribed to the "must have the approval of friends and family" school of thought, so this event was what the French call 'important.'

I've got about 40 lists with approximately 40 billion things to do, thoughts to think through, places to go, books to read, movies to see, recipes to try, reasons to be grateful, and promises of productivity for the coming year. As you may know, I love lists, so this is much more thrilling than daunting.

In the past couple of weeks, it has snowed, sleeted, and iced. So long as I'm not driving in it, I think wintry weather gives summertime a run for its money. I have my Ohio roots to thank for a fine appreciation of cold weather and winter blues be damned, I love January.

That said, spring is not far away and I love the bright colors of that season. Thanks to a recent trip to Target, this colorful little number now has a spot in my living room. Fake hydrangeas suit me perfectly since they will not wilt and die if when I forget to dust them.

Target also has bathing suits on full display, which feels beyond premature, but I cannot be upset when I support this same store busting out the holiday decorations in October.

I hope the first of twelve months in this new year is off to a wonderful start for you!