Tuesday, June 9, 2015

What I've Been Up to While I've Been Away

Hi!  Long time, no posts...  In early May I decided to take a mini break from blogging which stretched into nearly a one month break.  It was ultimately what I needed to do because I got pretty overwhelmed in May between moving and work travel and a busy social calendar.  June isn't exactly shaping up to be the quietest month but with the move behind me, I've been able to handle my busy schedule a bit better!  Oh - and in case you didn't notice, I also used this little blogging sabbatical to have my blog revamped a bit!  Jess of Nelson Lane Photography designed my header and gave my blog a fresh look and feel!  I hadn't really made any significant changes to the design since I started this blog in 2008 so it was high time to make some changes!  I'm so happy with how it turned out, so thanks Jess!  If you are reading this through a reader ap, click over and check it out!

Here's a little taste of what I've been up to while I have been away! Since I last blogged I...

Packed up all of my belongings and moved them into a new unit 5 floors down.  I am so over moving but I have to say, I've gotten kind of good at it.


Settled into my new place where my view is slightly different but still oh so beautiful.  I'll share pictures of the interior after all my photos have been hung on the wall later this month.


Found out that Phil is finally going to get a kitty of his own!  A friend's in-law's cat had kittens so one of these (most likely one of the orange colored ones) will become ours at the end of June!


Hosted Amber for a night (the day after I moved into my new place!!!) and went to her Stella and Dot party where I bought the 2 bracelets on the left plus a necklace and won the bracelet on the right.


Traveled to Virginia Beach for a conference where I gave a presentation that I was so nervous about (it was supposed to be a 75 minute presentation, I spoke for 60 minutes.  No one complained).  Our hotel was on the ocean so I fit in a mind-clearing run on the boardwalk along the beach in the morning which was excellent (albeit hot and humid!).  My parents lived in Norfolk, VA for 4 years when my dad was in the Navy so it was really neat to (briefly) see the area of the country where they lived. 



 Went to a beautiful wedding with this handsome guy!


Visited a state park with that same handsome guy on Memorial Day.


Met up with Kyria for an awesome weekend of hiking!  That trip warrants another post but for now suffice it to say that we had the best time!  We are awesome travel partners!


Other things not pictured include celebrating my one year anniversary of moving home/starting my new job/rekindling my relationship with Phil, beginning a triathlon training plan, starting a triathlon swim class, and organizing a running club volunteer event, among other things.  When I list it all out, it's no wonder that the month of May flew by and kind of really exhausted me! But the month was full of lots of good things so I can't complain, and so far June is off to a great start, too!

Tell me - what have you been up to for the past month?

28 comments:

  1. I love the new look!! And of course I LOVE the kittens! Orange cats are the best, not that I'm biased ;) Phil must be so excited - I know how much he loved having Ted! I can't believe a year has passed...wow! Time goes so fast, doesn't it? I hope tri training continues to go well.
    I'm still not 100% back from my little hiatus but I'm OK with it for now. We've been busy doing some yard work, wedding planning, and taking care of last minute details before we can close on the house.

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  2. The new blog design is AWESOME. Love it.

    What a whirlwind last 30 days; I knew about the move + the trip but everything else? You're a rock star.

    May was busy for us, too: birthdays (several), an out of town wedding, host friends, and lots of other fun things. Right now it's quiet-ish but that all changes in about 11 days...! :)

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  3. Great to have you back on-line! I have missed your posts so was thrilled to see it this morning! I know you have had a busy schedule and June will soon be half over and there is lots packed into it!
    We have been busy, too, but mostly yard work and lake life in-between work! Life is good now that summer temps have arrived!
    I love those bracelets!
    You make a handsome couple, yes you do!

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  4. Have missed your posts! LOVE the new look!! Such great photos in this post. Glad you have been busy. Beautiful bracelets too!

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  5. Beautiful new layout! Like the simpleness and cleanness of it. I missed your posts but I am glad you took some much needed time away. You had a lot going on and sometimes taking a break is just what we need to come back refreshed and with new energy! Glad you got so much girl time in as well!! <3

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  6. Really love the new blog design!! Looks so good and suits your blog so well. Can't wait to hear more about your Colorado trip too! Looked so beautiful and I'm still in awe at how much hiking you fit in.

    Glad to see you back to blogging!! :)

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  7. Phil's getting his very own kitten?? He must be losing his mind with excitement. Can't wait to see the pictures. Your design looks great, as does your trip. Love these peeks into your life :)

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  8. I was oh-so-happy to see this post pop up in my reader this morning! I have missed your posts a ton - and I LOVE the redesign! It's so YOU!

    You have been busy, busy, busy during your time off blogging! Whew! No wonder you needed a break from writing for a while. Sometimes, it's nice to just put blogging on the back burner and focus on living real life without needing to document every second. I've been seeing that more and more in my own life. (But also know I could never give up blogging totally! I love it too much!)

    Can't wait to hear more about your Colorado trip!

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  9. Yes you have been quite the busy beaver! Wow. VB does have a really cool boardwalk, I like getting out there.

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  10. I love the new look of the blog!

    You certainly have been busy! I'm glad the move is behind you. I was ridiculously jealous of those beautiful hiking photos!

    My May was okay, busy but not too insane. June is shaping up to be so crazy but it's mostly work related. I am just so tired and ready for a break!

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  11. Love the new blog look!

    Glad your spring/early summer has been off to a good start especially since the move and the presentation are over!

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  12. Good to see you back blogging! Those are some cute kitties.

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  13. Love the new look and welcome back! Love the picture of you and Phil from the wedding. You look fabulous!

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  14. LOVE LOVE LOVE the new blog design! And uh, yeah, no wonder May exhausted you indeed - woah, lady! Your pictures are great though, and I hope you're settling into your new place just fine!

    May was all about adjusting to life with a baby for us. We're six weeks in now, past Awesome Con, and the DC Walk of Hope which were the two big events we kind of needed to get through. Here's hoping June is about getting on a schedule, finally getting P upstairs (we're still taking shifts with him downstairs), and maybe me being cleared to exercise again. (I'm dying to take him on walks and get back to yoga!)

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  15. EVERYTHING about this post I love, and your new blog is gorgeous. I'll have to dig deep into the sections. I love how busy you've been -- you and Handsome Guy look GREAT together! And I am so glad he is getting an orange boy (or those are the odds -- most orange cats are boys!). They're so loving. That photo reminds me a bit of Baby Gypsy.

    So glad you are back -- I was wondering if everything was OK but I knew you were swamped with travel, work and the move! Sounds great, though, and you sound re-energized.

    Over here, wrapping up our fundraising gala (last night!), hosting a make-and-take tea, doing art, getting ready for the summer up north and more! Life is good, isn't it?

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  16. Notes!

    1. I love your new layout/header. I should get someone to design something for me but I get so intimidated!

    2. I love the farthest bracelet on the left.

    3. Handsome couple :) :)

    4. My May: Just blogged it so it's fresh in my nogging. Wedding, two trips, and long stints in cars!

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  17. sounds busy! i ended the school year, which meant a lot of stuff had to be accomplished to have that happen. i was in my best friend's wedding. my child turned 4. my grandpa passed away. it's been crazy. so flipping crazy. my inlaws have had issues and now i'm trying to get us ready for our first vacation. i'm going to need a time slow down soon.

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  18. I love the new design!!! So exciting about the kitten!!! I've missed your posts but I totally and completely get the need for a break every once in a while! Life is busy and you have to live it! I love your dress you wore to the wedding you look gorgeous! I thought the place you were moving was on the same floor? Did that unit fall through and you had to take a different one? Welcome back I've missed you!!! :)

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  19. The new look of your blog is really pretty :-) I'm glad to hear you're all moved in and settled. Also the kitty - eeeeee!! That's fun!!

    It sounds like you've had a really good month!

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  20. Wow so many things happening! Exciting about the kitten they are sooo cute! I'm taking a little blogging break right now. I didn't really plan on it.. but it kind of feels good to step back for a bit. This time of year is always tough! Good to have you back though :)

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  21. Wow so many things happening! Exciting about the kitten they are sooo cute! I'm taking a little blogging break right now. I didn't really plan on it.. but it kind of feels good to step back for a bit. This time of year is always tough! Good to have you back though :)

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  22. Kittens! they are so cute, I love cats - I've got 2 Birmans. I couldn't imagine having to give a 60 minute public talk and I'm so impressed with people that can do it! And I love your new blog design too :)

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  23. Popping in from my blogging hiatus to say the new layout looks fabulous, as do you! Hope all is well!! xoxo

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  24. You have had a great month off! I am so glad you are back! I missed your posts!!! Thank you again for hosting me, you were such a lifesaver! Can't wait to see you on the 23rd! :)

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  25. Love he new "blog-makeover"! You had a super busy month in May! I'm so excited about the new kitten! What is Phil going to name him/her? Cute! Are you going to save the hair and make a baby book like your little sister once did?! (lol!!!)

    Glad you are finally all settled into your new place!

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  26. Sounds like you had a busy but good month of May! Mine was very similar in that I moved, traveled a couple times and went to CO to meet up with you! So far June is not really showing signs of slowing, but it is all going to be fun things, so I am not complaining.

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