Top Five Things I've Been Doing Lately

Now that Downton Abbey season is over, I just can't seem to stop thinking in terms of Top Five lists. And since I've been keeping you more up-to-date with the Grantham clan than my own life, I thought I'd just spend a few minutes catching up.

How you doing? 

I know, it's a little hard to have a quick conversation here, but really, I'm interested. How are you doing? And what have you been doing during this long, dreary winter? 

[By the way, there's a comments section for the answers to those questions. You should try using it sometime. I usually try to respond to your comments, and I really do want to know how you're doing.]

Anyway, as I said earlier, it's been a while since I've caught you up on my life, so here, in no particular order, are the top five things I've been doing lately.

5. Arizona-ing

It's spring break at the college where I teach, but not at my daughter's high school, so I took a brief trip by myself to visit my parents in Arizona. 

This is my lovely mama and me enjoying 80 degree weather. And lunch. People say we look similar--what do you think?

4. Retreating

So I came home for about three days, and this weekend I'm heading out to a retreat with the Redbud Writer's Guild. Any time I have to talk about my writing causes a certain amount of angst for me, so, yes, I'm already nervous. 

Prayers appreciated.

3. Spring Breaking

I know, I've already mentioned that it's spring break, but seriously, how did we get here so fast? Next week when we return to school I'll only have seven weeks of classes left. Forever.

I think I might have mentioned before that last year was going to be my last year of teaching, but for those of you keeping score (and for those of you who may be confused), THIS year is absolutely, positively, my last year. I resigned last semester and will not be back at the college next year.

Yes, the emotions are all over the place on that one. More to come, I'm sure.

2. Yoga-ing

Over winter break, Caroline and I decided to try out a new-ish yoga studio in town since they were offering a free week and, well, hot yoga in winter. Am I right? We both loved it--in fact, we went four times in that first week! So now I'm learning (some would say practicing, but I'm still learning) how to do yoga. My family thinks I'm crazy because I want to talk about it all the time, but it's so much fun! It's only been two months, but I can tell that I'm getting so much stronger. 

This one may stick.

1. Warming

When I left for Arizona last Friday we had about a foot and a half of snow on the ground and the wind chill that morning was -6 degrees. (The day before, the wind chill was -12.) When I got home yesterday, it was in the 50s and the snow was almost gone. Rumor has it, we might see 60 over the weekend.

All I know is that my students are going to be SHOCKED when they come back next week.

In a good way.

*****

So there you have it, a basic update on my life. And now, because I care and because I really do want to know . . . HOW ARE YOU??

Comment below. *wink wink*

Oh, and one more thing. Be sure to come back next Monday because I'm hosting a good, old-fashioned giveaway. One I am sure you're not going to want to miss.