Life

I’m, unfortunately, coming to the end of my extended time off from work—I’ve been off since December 20—but I took full advantage of the time and was as lazy as I could be. I mean, I only put on real pants twice. It’s always a time I look forward to at the end of the year.

‘Tis the season for holiday parties. I went to my fair share—and then had to blanket burrito after to recover. My department at work had our party early in the month; Josh and I hosted a small party for a few of his friends; we had two parties with Josh’s family, one with his dad’s side and one with his mom’s side; and then a get-together with the theater group I volunteer with for the board and committee members (I’m on the publicity committee).

I went home to my parents for Christmas day to open presents, and then we went to my uncle’s house for our Christmas meal before going back to my parents to hang out and watch football. Josh and I celebrated our Christmas on the 23rd and made dinner and opened gifts together.

Things not pictured:

• My first month of fully working from home
• Hanging out with Josh’s friends and staying over their house
• My usual every two months hair appointment
• Meeting up at a brewery with a friend/old co-worker

“Exercise”?

Uh, some walks and some rides on the bike but nothing much else than that. I had full intentions of continuing with the stationary bike, but with my new tattoo, I can’t really sweat too much while it’s healing. Hopefully, in January, I can get on a regular schedule—and not just because it’s the new year.

Sports

I somehow made it to the championship game—again—in our blogger fantasy league. I have no clue how I did it, but I’m at least glad I have a better regular season record than last year when I won it all.

And I’ve just been watching lots of football, which is always great.

What I’m Watching

TV

• The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
• Found
• Catfish (new and old episodes)
• Criminal Minds (re-runs on the Pop channel; I think I’ve watched most of seasons 11-15)

Netflix

• Madam Secretary (S4E18-S5E2)
• American Symphony
• The Monuments Men

Hulu

• Criminal Minds (S1E1-S1E10)
• Catch 22 (E1-E2)

Disney+

• The Santa Clause
• The Santa Clause 2
• The Santa Clause 3
• The Santa Clauses (S1E1-S1E4)

What I’m Reading

• Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah: 4 stars
• We Are Watching Eliza Bright by A.E. Osworth: 4 stars
• Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter: 3 stars
• Follow Me by Kathleen Barber: 5 stars
• My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert Florin: 4 stars
• Central Park West by James Comey: 3 stars
• A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny: 5 stars
• Dolls of Our Lives by Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks: 3 stars
• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett: 5 stars
• Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore: 4 stars

How were your holidays? How are you spending your New Year’s Eve? (Josh and I are staying in, making a charcuterie board, having some drinks, and will try to stay up to midnight.)