.

.

Monday, January 1, 2018

Happy 2018!! And, opening the blog back up...



Hello blogging friends - maybe there are a few of you still around.  Ha!  First, may I wish everyone a very Happy 2018!  Hope it will be filled with love, joy, peace, good health, and, of course, books of every sort. 

Well, I think I'm back.  Stepping away from blogging and other social media for a few months has been very good for me.  I have been reading your blogs, but I have not been on any kind of schedule in that regard - therefore, no comments.  Just checked in now and then to see what's up.  I will probably comment again now and then, but don't be surprised if it is sporadic.

We've had an 'interesting' Christmas season here in Central Texas.  Earlier in December, my husband had a 'minor' cardiac event that led to further testing.  That, in turn, led to some serious heart surgery.  He is recovering well, but this was unexpected for us.  And it has been a major blessing because it could have been much, much worse.  We are very grateful.

Another big plus has been that my quest for better health has been successful and continues.  At this point, I've lost around 45 pounds since early July.  I've walked all over creation (including hubby's hospital), participated in two 5K charity events (plan to do more of those), and have gotten much stronger physically.  It's been probably 30 years since I weighed what I weigh now.  Again, major gratitude because I have been able to handle all these ups and downs better.

We will have a few more weeks of recovery time, some cardiac rehab, and I'm not sure what else at this point.  Many of our habits will change or be tweaked.  Again, happily, some had already started.  2018 is going to be a great year! 

As to books and reading, I'm not going to do stats, but suffice it to say that I have read a lot this year - 143 books.  I've done lots of audio books and also many read/listen combos.  I plan to continue those in 2018.  I'm still moderating the mystery book group, as well as volunteering at that branch library once a week shelving books.  I attend a couple of other book groups sporadically and will be leading a discussion at one of them later in January (hopefully). 

I'm excited to be attending the Malice Domestic Mystery Convention again in late April.  Hope to be able to share again about that event - the 30th year this convention will be held.  We have plans for a trip to Oregon in July (hopefully) and will get to see Les from Coastal Horizons, as well as another longtime book friend.

So, I'll share here about what I'm reading and doing now and then.  No schedule, just as the 'spirit' moves me.  Nan (Letters From A Hill Farm), you said I'd be back.  You're right, sweet friend.  My 'One Word' for 2017 was 'Breathe'.  We'll continue with that word for 2018 - 'Breathe'.  It's served me well this year.  Take care everyone and I'll be around to say 'Hi' to you soon.


         

59 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Kay. So nice to see you back. Very sorry to hear about your husband but pleased it was a 'Blessing in Disguise' kind of event. My best wishes for a speedy recovery for him. Brilliant that you've lost a lot of weight. I've dropped over 35lbs over the last couple of years and feel such a lot better for it too. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's amazing how much better one can feel. And thanks, Cath!

      Delete
  2. You have had a year, haven’t you? I’m glad your husband’s cardiac event was what it turned out to be, a signal to make changes, and that you were able to do so. You should feel very good about your health, as well. Most of all, I’m happy you are back to blogging. Breathe is a great word. I think I will use it sometimes, too,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Deb! Look forward to hearing about what you're doing down there in the coastal lands. :-)

      Delete
  3. Welcome back, Kay. I hope your blogging rest has help you to refresh. And Deb's right: 'breathe' IS a great word!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debbie! I really do like my word.

      Delete
  4. May this New Year be special in every way… bringing you the gift of love and excitement.
    (01/01)From Japan to friends all over the world; Happy New Year! ! https://ryoma2sakamoto.wordpress.com/2018/01/01/01-01from-japan-to-friends-all-over-the-world-happy-new-year/ @Sakamoto2Ryouma

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kay! So good to see you!
    That is wonderful that you are much healthier now, I am pleased to hear it.
    Nan from Letters From A Hill Farm is the BEST! That is where I found you! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay! So good to hear from you. And, yes, Nan is the best!

      Delete
  6. Happy New Year, Kay! I'm happy to see you here again. Congratulations on your weight loss journey and best wishes for your husband's continued recovery. Sometimes those minor events really are blessings in disguise... we had a similar experience with my mother after her hip replacement a couple of years ago - no surgery involved though.

    You've had a great reading year. Like you, I'm a big fan of audiobooks. Don't know what I'd do without them! I've gotten into read/listen combinations more than ever this year. Santa even brought some wireless earbuds, which I can't wait to try out on my morning beach walks. We'll start the journey south tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, JoAnn, you are going to love wireless earbuds. I have a set and they are treasures.

      Delete
  7. Glad your husband is making a good recovery and that you managed to lose all that weight. Sounds like you've been productive. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have indeed been productive. Have more pounds to go, but I can see over the horizon now. :-)

      Delete
  8. Sounds like a very hard year, but in the end a good year! Love your word. Breathe says SO much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I love my word. 2018 is going to be amazing! Thanks, Susie!

      Delete
  9. Welcome back Kay. I'm sorry to hear about your husband, but glad to know you've had blessings throughout the year. Good idea to keep, Breath, a word that served you well. I wish you and your family much joy and happiness this year. Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Pat! Yes, we've had blessings indeed.

      Delete
  10. Glad to hear your husband is recovering well. Congratulations on the weight loss! I'm going to run in my first 5k next month - a friend registered me and I'm not too excited about it. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll do great, Kathy! Now, I'm saying that I walk the 5K (and you do too practically every day, right?). I don't run. I really don't see any reason why I should run. LOL

      Delete
  11. As you know, I am happy, happy, happy!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so glad to see that you're back, Kay!! I'm am NOT glad to hear about all of the health struggles you and your husband have faced, but I'm glad he is making consistent progress and kudos to you for taking care of yourself in the midst of it all! Please keep us posted and hope to see you more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tara, it was really amazing how things worked out. We are going to do fine in 2018. Hope things are well for you.

      Delete
  13. Happy New Year, so happy to have you back even if just a little, yaaaay. Do you have a favourite book of 2017, I loved your list. Wishing you and your hubby continued good health.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm...I really didn't pick a favorite book. However, I will say that I can recommend MAGPIE MURDERS by Anthony Horowitz and also THE DRY by Jane Harper. Both will be discussed by my mystery group this year.

      Delete
  14. So glad you're back! You can write as frequenty or infrequently as you like, it's just great to hear from you whenever you write. Your weight loss and feeling healthier is great! And it's so good your husband was able to get help before he had a more serious problem. I can't wait to catch up with you on your blog this year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Tina! I always love hearing about your world and girls.

      Delete
  15. I am so glad your husband is doing better now. What a scare that must have been for all of you! Way to go on the weight loss! I hope you have a wonderful 2018, Kay. It's good to see you back. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Wendy! It was a scare, but turned out about as good as we could wish.

      Delete
  16. Yay! I'm so happy you're back, even if it's only sporadically. I'm glad that you're healthy and feeling good. Sorry about your husband's heart issues. My dad had that kind of year last year and it was very scary. Thankfully, with a few lifestyle changes, he's doing very, very well now. I pray for the same for your husband.

    Happy New Year, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Susan! Yes, we're grateful and will be implementing some changes. And I'll likely be around fairly regularly.

      Delete
  17. Happy New Year, Kay! It's so great to see you back. I've missed your posts. Hasn't this winter in Central Texas been crazy? I'm so sorry to hear your hubby had to go through surgery but glad he is on the mend and no doubt with your care you guys will be doing well. Congrats on such an accomplishment on your health!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Iliana! And thanks for the journal!

      Delete
  18. Happy New Year and may you read many great books in 2018.

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's so nice to have you back, Kay! I'm glad your husband's health situation is improving! And it sounds like your own health is greatly improved! I've been through a similar scenario -- losing quite a bit of weight and seriously walking a lot. I've loved doing 5k races for the first time in my life, numerous ones for charity, as well! It just feels so good, and you're right, it makes one able to handle whatever comes along much better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I like these 5K races. My daughter and I have done them, along with some friends and her mother-in-law. We walk, not run. Really, I don't see any reason why I need to run. Walking is working quite well for me. LOL

      Delete
  20. Oh Kay! It's so good to see you again. I was wondering what you were up to and it seems like quite a lot. Congrats on the reading, the exercise, and the weight loss and I"m so glad to hear your husband's cardiac was able to be treated and he's recovering. Hope to see you again soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the sweet words, Katherine! Yes, I'll be around more in coming days.

      Delete
  21. Congrats on your success and weight loss! It almost seems like it was all prep for you to help your husband get healthy. Welcome back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you are right, Lisa. I've felt that way myself. My start to my journey was a good prep for the last few weeks.

      Delete
  22. Hello, hello! You certainly have been putting your word into practice! So glad your hubby is recovering and that you are working together on being healthier. Congrats on the weight release! May it be never be found again. Just started back at WW with their new program. This old lifer needed to refresh and refocus now before small gain became a large one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the good wishes, Nise'! Yes, I've been very grateful that I had already started my health quest. Love the fact that you said 'may the weight never be found again'! I do not intent to find it. LOL

      Delete
  23. Happy New Year, Kay! It's good seeing you're back to blogging again. I definitely miss reading your posts. Here's to a great wonderful year in 2018!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Melody! I'm glad to be back.

      Delete
  24. I have to say I wasn't surprised that you decided to return, either. ;) I'm so glad you did and I'm glad you guys are still thinking/hoping about coming out this summer. We certainly have plenty of trails and paths for walking! More later... I have quite a few emails from you and the other two stacking up to answer. Just wanted to say I am sooooo glad you're back! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we are still planning on coming. The golf calls to him. LOL

      Delete
  25. YAY!!! Welcome back, sweet lady!!

    I am sorry to hear about your husband's heart problems but so thankful it was not more severe. It sounds like you are both in a really good place mentally and physically to make the necessary changes to keep him healthy.

    Speaking of healthy, way to go on the weight loss!! That is fantastic! I can't wait to see what 2018 holds for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Michelle! I'm thinking that 2018 will be a banner year - in many ways.

      Delete
  26. I'm so glad to see you back and doing so well Kay. Congratulations on your healthy gains/losses. Also glad you're just going to keep breathing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Margot! Appreciate your kind words.

      Delete
  27. I am so excited to see that you are back!! You have been missed!!! I'm really glad to hear that your husband is okay and how well that you are doing health wise! It isn't always easy to lose weight but it sounds like you are doing really great. 143 books though - WOW! It sounds like you had a really great year in reading! It really is so great to see you back!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much and I've missed being around here too, as you can see from the many posts I've already shared. Ha!

      Delete
  28. So glad you decided to come back. I missed you.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy to hear your thoughts and will respond as soon as I can. Happy Reading!