2016 is off to a great start!

January started with a sense of accomplishment.  We hosted 34 people for a seated dinner, and I have to say it was a tremendous party!  We were unstoppable: Matthew came up with the best ideas (like steak! oysters! having guests set their own tables up after the cocktail hour!) and I did lots of planning, running around, and cooking.  Everything was delicious, everyone had a good time, and I couldn’t have been more pleased.

Of course, the tradition of the New Years Eve Plus One Dinner is really all about the steak toasts, and as one by one everyone stood and shared with the room an achievement from 2015 and a challenge they expect in 2016 I was so moved and honored to have such amazing, remarkable people in my home and in my life. And Tony helped with the dishes.

January also marked the beginning of a new professional adventure for me: I’ve joined a group practice, and I’m excited to say that between that and my little tiny private practice I’m building a great caseload.  It feels SO good to stretch my therapeutic muscles, and to really use my professional self in a way that feels true to myself and my skills.

I’ve also stepped up my yoga and meditation game – by which I mean I’ve stepped back into my practice after a long stretch of good intentions without any action.  I’m also going to a sewing group weekly with my mum to keep the creative juices flowing, and I’ve been blogging about what I’m making.  It feels like I’m doing what I can to set myself up for success this year.

We went to our first ever soup-swap at our friend’s home, which was fun and fruitful – it’s good to have a freezer filled with delicious and nourishing treats.

I went with my sisters and future-brother-in-law to Portland to scope their wedding caterer, get our nails did, and celebrate Rachel’s birthday.

Matthew volunteered at TEDxNatick, where he head some interesting and inspiring talks. We saw our friend River sing some Neil Young tunes at a local restaurant. We hosted my parents’ dogs for a week.  Alba and Ruby are little dogs, used to having a little backyard to run around in, and Ruby is only eight months old.  There was a little bit of an adjustment for them (being in an apartment, having to take walks) and for us (having a puppy in the house).  But it was a fun adventure, and Tony and Ruby had a great time playing together.

Finally, we ended the month with a masked ball and a weekend away in Salem.

I know after my last post folks are curious about pregnancy – I didn’t get pregnant that cycle (you would have heard about it if I had).  I am trying to give myself some distance from thinking about it by not getting hung up on ovulation.  No peeing on sticks or peering at the calendar.  That’s not to say we’re not trying – I know about when I’m ovulating, and I plan on talking to my PCP about it at our upcoming appointment – it’s more that I’m giving my brain a break so my body can do what it needs to.  No pee sticks (ovulation predictor or pregnancy) until March.