I’m so happy to announce…SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN THE MIDWEST! Yes, friends, it’s true! We can finally — at long last! — say goodbye to that uber crabby Old Man Winter (yeah, he was probably a classic mansplainer, too!) and say hello hug a brighter, happier, sun-filled tomorrow! Now, you may think I’m being overly dramatic and exaggerating just a wee bit, but I’m not. I’m seriously. It’s just beautiful, really. I mean, this time of year just lifts my mood completely and I feel refreshed and revived — not to mention happier and more energized. I feel like the Energizer Bunny ready to take on the world! And since it’s official and springtime is my favorite time, I just had to commemorate the occasion with some Family Photos…

My mom snapped some proof that there is FINALLY green grass and leaves on the trees!! The best part? #NoFilter

How cute is she looking at the trees? She’s like a kid in a candy store!

Here’s a #Throwback pic of my mom. As she said on Facebook, “This is how we used to do Easter back in the day…Easter bonnet and all!” Does she remind you a little bit of Sally Draper?

Last week, my sister made me some special Rice Krispie treats to celebrate a writing win (more on that coming soon!) and I looove the twist she put on it: Almond frosting and sprinkles! My mouth was watering just looking at them! Thanks for the deliciousness, Sister!

We celebrated Easter with our favorite PEEPS — and, of course, some tasty chocolate too! And some Yahtzee too!

I’m thinking of instituting Afternoon Cocktail Time!! I did it yesterday and it was so glorious! OK, so my drink was really just Diet 7-Up and cranberry juice, but it’s SO delicious!!

Spoiler Alert: Coming to a blog near you next month!!!

And finally, as Miranda Sings would say…ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? I hit 4,000 Twitter followers!!!!! Root beer for all!!! Follow me for shenanigans!!!!

So, all in all, I suppose you could say it’s been a pretty good few weeks for me! How are things in your neck of the woods? Has spring shown its beautiful face yet? Here’s hoping you’re wrapped in a blanket of sun and warmth, friends! xoxo

Oh, friends! I had grand plans for today! Big ones! I was going to be a veritable power player in the writing game. I was going to slash things off my to-do list like I was a knight swinging a sword in a Medieval court. I was going to…do so much…get so much done! And then I woke up this morning and remembered just how difficult the first day back can be! So I thought I’d regal you with the wonders of our spring break staycation because I’m sure you’re dying to know all the juicy details, right?

I hit ‘publish‘ on my spring break post with a huge sense of triumph and relief — my fun times were about to begin! And, boy, did they! I started my break with some Miranda Sings; I tweeted about it, of course, and look who LIKED my tweet!!! It was practically like talking to Miranda herself pretty much…

Last weekend, we got together with my uncle! His wife — my aunt — died last month and it was nice to see each other and spend some time telling stories and remembering what a wonderful woman my Aunt Lillian was! The fact that we went to Texas Roadhouse and upped our sodium content through peanuts? Well, that was merely a happy coincidence! And those chicken tenders? Magnificent!

My mom, of course, had to do some work around the house. Here she is changing the smoke detector…always making sure the world is safe for everyone! Thanks, Ms. Bear!

We also took my new wheelchair out for its maiden voyage walk…but it was soooooo cold AND my battery got low on the way home. But at least I got out of the house, right? #BrightSide

We spent a day out on the town, which proved to be the highlight of our week. I got my hair cut, we went out to lunch for yummy Mexican food, did a bit of shopping and then ended the day by seeing Beauty and the Beast! Oh, it was such a wonderful movie and definitely did the original version justice!

A little bonus: I was interviewed for our local paper about writing, my New York Times essay and life with a disability. To hear people say that they appreciate my open, honest and vulnerable voice? THIS is why I write!! I’m humbled from the bottom of my heart!!!

Rationalization at its best: When you’re forced to eat the M&M’s because they expire in April…someone’s gotta do it! And chocolate goes perfectly with magazines, so I was a pretty happy camper on the rainy days! It’s all in the name of ‘work research,’ after all…

…and Harry gave me plenty of side-eye over the last week, so I guess some things really never change.

How was your week? What have you been up to? Anything exciting happen? Send me positive vibes as I work to get back into my routine…I’m thinking I’m going to need it. Desperately… xoxo