you can do better, 2014.

2014 is off to a pretty lame start. I say this because I'm sick. Once I feel better, I'm sure I'll think 2014 is amazing and sparkly and awesomesauce, in accordance with my normally sunny disposition. But today I think it's lame.

We actually rang in the New Year with FRIENDS this year! This is definitely a noteworthy (and excellent) change from our usual habits. We enjoyed spending NYE with two other couples (and their combined 5.5 kids). There was tasty food, beverages, and great conversation-- all in all, a happy way to start 2014. And I took exactly zero pictures. So you'll just have to imagine what 6 adults eating tacos around a living room looks like-- I'll try to do better next year.

Yesterday I woke up to discover that my annual arch-nemesis, a chronic bronchitis flare-up, seems to be here for a visit. Chronic bronchitis is the stupidest thing ever. I don't understand why doctors all seem to agree that it's a 'thing,' that they all treat it the exact same way (steroids and prescription cough syrup), but yet they won't just call in the script for those things when you start getting sick-- they still make you come in and be seen in the office. Even though I know exactly what the issue is and exactly how to 'cure' it? I have to go sit in a waiting room with people with way worse and more contagious diseases so that you can confirm what we both already know (for $35) and send me on my way? That's dumb. Bah. So I haven't gone to the doctor yet because I'm stubborn and cheap and hoping that maybe this time, despite 10 years of evidence to the contrary, I can kick it on my own. 

Despite a hacking cough and the feeling of an elephant sitting on my chest, we went to the gym yesterday morning anyway. I'm either hardcore or insane. Or still enamored by the fanciness of the new gym we joined over the weekend. Matt decided he wanted to try to climb the rope. He had NEVER climbed a rope before! Can you believe it? Apparently rope climbing wasn't part of the PE curriculum at his private school. I'm also guessing that graduates of his private school are going to do really poorly during a zombie apocalypse, what with their lack of rope-climbing-training. It just seems like an important thing to know how to do during end-of-the-world scenarios. But I digress.

Sorry for the blurry photos. He was kind of swinging and swaying...

Naturally, Matt was able to climb all the way to the top of the rope on his first try. Never one to be upstaged, I insisted on giving it a whirl right after him. You know, what with my extensive public school rope-climbing experience...I was sure it would be a piece of cake.

Annnnndddd....that's about how far I made it. About 3 feet off the floor. Apparently I had more upper-body strength (or less lower-body weight?) during elementary school. And apparently I'm going to be dead when the zombies arrive. So maybe this is my new fitness goal: be able to climb up the rope. I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress. Also, this picture is a screenshot of the video Matt chose to take of my attempt. Yeah. It's the most pathetic video ever. Maybe in a few months there will be a more impressive 'after' video.

In between cups of hot tea and puffs on my inhaler, I've been giving some thought to planning some trips this year. I'm contemplating planning a few smaller, four-day-weekend-type trips instead of one 'big' trip. Maybe. I just have a hankerin' to see more places. So what're your favorite (U.S.) travel destinations that can be reasonably seen/experienced in about four days? It's a big country, and I haven't seen nearly enough of it. Help me narrow it down! I was thinking maybe we would do one 'city'-type trip and one more scenic/nature trip? Who knows. This whole idea has less than 24 hours of thought in it at this point, so I'm just throwing it out there. But if you are thinking "OH!!! _____ is the best place to spend a four-day weekend!!!" you should definitely share. I want to plan a few trips so that we have tangible things to look forward during 2014. Even though the year is off to a lame start, I have high hopes that it won't stay that way for long.

Have a great day back at work (if you're like me)! And if you're still at home in your PJs...this is me giving you the squinty stink-eye.