Hey hey! How is 2018 treating you so far? I can’t believe it’s Thursday already. Mavis and I are walking four dogs together today and it’s currently 14 degrees (and dropping…!) and snowing here in Pittsburgh.
You better believe I’m going to look like the Michelin Man with all the layers I put on and Mavis will be wearing her winter coat.
I have a minute to blog today, so I thought I’d share how we started out the new year! Actually, I’ll start with New Year’s Eve.
Jimmy and I went to church in the evening and stayed after for a New Year’s Eve fellowship. Everyone brought along food (I brought chili and corn muffins!) and hung out until around 8:30 pm, when we all discussed the past year, the one ahead, and then had a group prayer.
It was a really great way to ring in 2018! Afterwards, Jimmy and I went home and read (I’m still reading and loving this book) on the couch until about 11:00, then went to bed.
Since Jimmy and I both had the day off on New Year’s Day, we were able to sleep in a little and have a slow morning. We took Mavis to Starbucks (puppuccino for her, blonde roast for me, and tuxedo mocha for Jimmy!) and Lowe’s.
Jimmy wanted to grab some recessed lighting supplies for our basement and I wanted to practice therapy work with Mavis! I walked her around Lowes and lots of people pet her, which was a great opportunity to work on her social skills.
I’m continually impressed by how well she does with kids. A toddler grabbed her ears really hard and she simply cried (I thought she would growl, lol) and backed away. Go May May!
In the evening, we headed to Mavis’ fourth adult level 1 training class, which was a fun way to kick off the New Year. We spent an hour working on loose leash walking, the “leave it” command, and meeting other people and dogs politely.
On Tuesday, it was back to “normal life” post-holidays. It’s feeling good to get into somewhat of a routine again!
Living My Full Life 
Love you Allie!
❤️💕😘
Dad
Love you, Dad! ❤
Brrrr does it sound chilly where you live! I consider 30 degrees cold
Your New Year sounded fantastic, I was at the beach with family 😊
It has been intense for sure!! I’m jealous you went to the beach! I bet that was so fun!
New Year’s Day… I volunteered at a 5K road race here, since I’m still too injured to race (or run much). It is super cold where you live but it’s been getting into the teens here and we have snow on the ground, which is so crazy for Charleston. I can’t even believe I’m in Charleston…
I always love how your volunteer at races! I think that’s just so amazing! I can’t believe Charleston got snow!!!
SIX INCHES in Charleston. It’s crazy.
I have a Lowes credit card. Yup, go me 😉 I start 2018 with a party at work, where I took pictures of the event, then went to sleep hahhaa. That next morning I didn’t have to work either so I actually go to wake up when it was light out! It felt great 🙂
Hahaha, that is epic, Ellie!! I can see you hanging out at Lowe’s getting stuff for your van! You rock.
2018 started off so lazy and a trip to Target. Nothing fancy for me haha but I love lazy days after a long holiday break to just relax before getting back into the work routine. I’m over here in the cold (below zero windchills all weekend…) too Allie! Stay warm this weekend 🙂
That sounds like the perfect start to 2018!! I love lazy days after the business of the holidays, too! I hope it has warmed up for you!! It’s finally in the 30s here new! YAY!
Great holiday! I like that there was a group prayer at the end of the New Years Eve fellowship. A nice way to end the year and embrace the new one – with community.
Mavis is doing so good! I’m impressed with both of you for walking dogs in such cold weather. Do you think Mavis sometimes thinks, “Uh, Mom, I need a raise to be your assistant in these conditions.”?? Haha!
It really was such a nice way to end 2017 and start 2018!
And yes, I totally think Mavis wants (and deserves) a raise haha!! She looks at me sometimes and I feel like she’s saying “Do I really have to work in these conditions?! Ugh!” haha.
Redeeming Love!! It’s one of my favorites! I’m so glad you are enjoying it! I cry pretty much every time I read it, but it’s SO good!
Also, I’m amazed at you walking dogs in that cold! It has been cold like that here too (well not in the negatives, but in the single digits with highs in the teens) and that’s CRAZY cold for Memphis. I have definitely not been walking Oreo in this mess, haha! Granted, I don’t know that he wants to anyway. He is balled up on the couch 99.9% of the winter. Trying to convince him to go outside for potty breaks is hard when it’s cold. He’s like “nah, why don’t you go out there. I’ll stay here in the couch where it’s warm…” 😉
It really is such a wonderful book!! Definitely a tear jerker!!
I can’t believe it has been that cold in Memphis! I don’t blame Oreo one bit for not wanting to go outside!! I’d totally stay balled up on the couch for 99% of winter if I could too!!
Sounds like the best way to start a new year! Those corn muffins sound YUM. I have been craving them lately. And oh my lanta, that coat on Mavis… too cute! Thanks for sharing your new year with us 🙂