Winter ABCs [The 2019 Edition]

Inspired by Rhyme & Ribbons ABCs of Winter, I thought I’d share my ABCs of Winter for the 2018/2019 season.

Winter ABCs 2019

+ (A)ppreciating … Roadside assistance in our auto insurance policy – my car battery died and luckily, it was still at home in our garage, but it had to be towed. The furnace also crapped out on us 2 days before … so appreciating having a home warranty as well because we had to have the motor replaced!

+ (B)irthdays … my mom (Jan. 20), Husband (Jan. 23), Flynn (Feb. 13) Dad (Mar. 4).

+ (C)hristmas … my favorite time of year (see This is How We Do Christmas). This year there we (me hubs and 2 boys) hosted my brother, sister-in-law, niece & nephew and my parents.

+ (D)rinking … Trader Joe’s Organic Moroccan Mint Tea and Trader Joes Peppermint Herbal Tea are giving me life right now!

+ (E)ating … New Orleans Gumbo made with this recipe from Cooking Light Magazine – Soups & Stews.

+ (F)avorites … for banishing dry winter skin – Nivea Creme + Trader Joe’s Coconut Body Butter + Trader Joe’s100% Organic Argan Oil. My skin has been SUPER DRY this winter and this trio is what’s been helping. And Argan Oil is non-comedogenic and doesn’t have a smell – so I use it on my face occasionally too.

+ (G)iving to … My alumni associations. I try to do it every year – nothing major but it makes me feel good to contribute to the schools I went to.

+ (H)ating that I wasted money on … a blanket scarf. It’s great in theory … a really big scarf for cold months, but the reality is the fuzz gets everywhere. Also … eye cream – doesn’t do anything for me.

+ (I) finished … Cancer treatments! The last quarter of last year into January I went through 6 chemo treatments and 4 spine injections.  It was tough – but onward and upward.

+ (J)oined … A book club … again. I actually haven’t gone yet because of the weather, but hopefully I’ll get there in March.

+ (K)ept using from the Fall season … Trader Joe’s Rich Hydrating Face Sheet Mask mentioned in 6 Things Saving our Lives Right Now [The Fall Edition]. I use them weekly for a little pampering – and I also take them with me when I travel, and use it on the first night away. I’m not sure why but using it helps me unwind and makes it easier for me to fall asleep that first night – something I usually have trouble with.

+ (L)earned … more about how to use Google Sheets when I was making the 2019 Reading Challenges Tracker.

+ (M)aking plans … to run at least one 5K in the Spring.

+ (N)ew … Samsung S4 Tablet has been my biggest purchase this winter.

+ #(O)neThingThisMonth … goals have been to workout consistently for #OneThingThisMonth January and having healthy smoothies for #OneThingThisMonth February. I’m a solid B for both goals – but there have been unexpected benefits to making mini-goals this way.

+ (P)romotion at work … I officially started in my new role Feb. 10th!

+ (Q)uote …

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

+ (R)eading List … for Winter … I haven’t read any of the books yet – and I’m kind of in a reading slump!

+ (S)now … and lots of it here in the Mid-West!

+ (T)raveled to… Indiana (3x), San Diego and Tennessee.

+ (U)sing on my face …  Fresh Rose (Hydrating) Face Mask daily – it smells like cucumbers. Also TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C-Plus Super Serum and Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream – morning and night. My face which is normally super oily, has been so dry this winter that I cut back on any other products and just use these.

+ (V)alentines Day … Couples massage – I’ve been working out and am completely sore – and the hubs is always sore from playing basketball 2-3x/week.

+ (W)inter temperatures dipped as low as -40F with wind chill!

+ Ne(X)t week … Saturday is my anniversary (Feb. 23).

+ (Y)esterday … I started the C25K program

+ (Z)zzz … sleeping on flannel sheets from Bed, Bath and Beyond – winter cozy!

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