JANUARY

Let's recap.

I travelled.

I cried.

I triumphed.

This was a month of extreme growth and large achievements. I am proud of myself.

I am also equally embarrassed - all for different reasons.

We began our year traveling for a wedding. We went to Florida, stayed with all of our family, and indulged in drinks and laughter for days. It was heavenly - slow mornings by the pool, all of us reading quietly and enjoying each other's company. That leads me to my first recommendation.

Night Road // Kristin Hannah

This book moved me. It was a story of love and deep, aching loss - the kind that makes you wonder how you would react in a gut wrenching scenario where no one ever seems to fully win.

I read it on the plane to FL, my first KH book, thinking that I could and would power through it, finding myself frantically looking for an interesting enough read while the plane was taxiing away from the terminal. It caught my eye, and within ten pages I was hooked. That was the beginning of a long ride to Orlando, eyes filled with tears that rolled silently down my neck as Allegiant Airlines catapulted us towards our destination.

That's right. Allegiant Airlines.

By now, we have covered the travel and the tears.

Now let's talk about triumph.

My husband and I bought a house! Our first house - and it is perfect.

Moving was a nightmare, naturally. But our people showed up for us tenfold, and by the end of the weekend, we were practically settled in our new home.

For security purposes, there will be no picture of said house posted, but trust that she is gorgeous and loved.

I ended the month reading garbage romance novels to get over the fact that my mind is comprised solely of work related stressors and anxiety about a change in my medications. Thus, my kindle unlimited subscription is putting in work, and my Goodreads is embarrassingly accurate. If you're friends with me on that app, ignore me entirely. Thanks!

I wish I could recommend other books I have read recently - I really do. But I cannot for the life of me face the shame. Smut has that affect.

Other than that, dearest gentle reader, I will be back with more hot takes on life and living vulnerably soon. Don't get bored of me in the meantime, ok?