Tonight is my final night in a hotel for my work conference. I've relished these nights off of parenting - particularly after 10 days of solo parenting. I even lucked in to staying a hotel with decently firm mattresses. My back is a fan of the support.

Here's what else was good this week:

• Jigsaw puzzles
• Relaxing in a hot tub while watching the snow fall
• Giving my husband an uncomfortably long hug
• Attending several engaging conference sessions
• Lots of great chat about our research poster
• Dentist said the kiddo's teeth are in good shape
• Giant chocolate chip cookies
• Great colleagues
• Learning that Pittsburgh is an architecturally interesting city

Currently, I am sitting in a big comfy chair, by a fire, watching some friends play the weirdest video game I've ever seen. I'm only able to do this because my husband, family, and friends handled my not so elegant melt down this morning after 10 days of solo parenting and abrupt, unexpected plan changes. You know you have a good support system  when so many people rush to help (some from several states away). Thank you!

Here are the other things that helped me get through the week:

• Receiving a beautiful bouquet of peonies
• Talking to soon to be college students and, possibly, convincing one of them to attend our University
• My mom's lemon bread 
• Repeat viewings of The Hating Game
• Deciding to eat leftovers for dinner instead of making a new meal
• Quickest trip to CostCo ever - 22 minutes!
• Driving to ski trip ALL BY MYSELF. This is the longest drive I've ever done. 

After almost a week of solo parenting, I expected to be more tired. The kiddo even had a 1:30AM wake up this week! Somehow, I'm doing okay. My brain is all scattershot but it could have been worse. I'll take it!

Here's what else was good this week:

• Being alone at the office. I feel more productive when I am.
• Enjoying a podcast with a hot cup of coffee
• Science exploration museums
• Seeing the joy on our kiddo's face during her first planetarium experience
• Binging shows/movies I want to see while the Husband is away
• Trees are in bloom 
• Putting together my review portfolio reminds me of how much I've accomplished at work this year
• Knocking some items off my needle list

I keep a candy bowl on my desk. It's there for anyone who needs a little sweet treat. I've noticed that the supply has been dwindling faster than my sole intake. I'm not sure who is having nibbles, but I'm glad they are. It makes me happy to know that others are getting enjoyment out of something so simple.

Here's what else made me happy this week:

• Kiddo's daycare was closed all week and the in-laws came to town to help out
• Walking to work by myself and enjoying some great podcasts
• Painted my toenails purple
• The in-laws made us dinner (twice!)
• Date night at a Capitals game - the first one we've been to since the pandemic started
• Cleared out some needle tasks at work
• Gorgeous sunny weather for most of the week
• Getting lots of questions during my Roving Reference session
• Picking up books from the public library

My colleagues and I had a grand time on our internal chat this week. The conversation was witty and hilarious. One bit included someone sharing an image of rubber duckies with evil mustaches. What did this have to do with work? Not a thing! But that's what made it fun. I work with a great bunch of people.

Here's what made me happy this week.

• Our library got me a new email platform to use and I so very excited for all the features. I'm going to be able to do so much more targeted outreach now.
• New sheets on the bed
• I got to read my book on the couch while the kiddo watched her favorite show
• Yummy sausage
• The university's president dropped by and gave the library kudos
• Kiddo copied me reading the grocery receipt and laughed at herself while doing it
• Lime fizzy water
• Continuing my tradition of making a big vat of chili for the Superbowl
• Knocked a task off my needle list

The husband has been away for work this week. He just texted that he was able to change to an earlier flight home and will be back for kiddo's dinner and bedtime. She's going to be so happy to see him! (I am also going to be happy to see him, obviously.)

Here's what else made me smile this week:

• Having an excellent dream where I got to wander around fabulous vacation houses
• Coloring with a glass of wine while watching Lord of the Rings
• Laughing along to a podcast
• The days are getting longer
• Walking kiddo to daycare every day this week
• Pancakes and bacon for dinner
• Treating myself to a homemade breakfast braid the mornings I worked from home
• Claiming the "good desk" at home for myself 
• Getting back into a book I want to read for work
• Reading my one line a day journal 
• Talking to faculty at meetings to promote the library

I just finished a packet of cream cheese and chive sandwich crackers. I know the filling is entirely fake, processed cheese but I don't care. I love the salty crunch. They make a great desk snack.

Here's what else made me smile this week:

• Having wireless computer peripherals at home
• Watching our kiddo adore her new play sink
• Polishing off the clean out of my "to review" folder on my desktop
• Having an umbrella handy when it started to rain
• Visiting the DC Children's' Museum for the first time
• Laughing at the kiddo when she told an overly inquisitive squirrel to stay away from her donut
• Waking up to a polite dusting of snow

Our kiddo's daycare is closed today. Right now, I am forever grateful that she loves watching Daniel Tiger. This is a rare day with no screen time limits because it means I can actually get some work done. She's happy, I'm productive. That's what matters.

Here's what was good this week:

• The husband and I providing running commentary for each other through an awful, low-budget disaster flick
• Enjoying an afternoon walk alone
• Top Gun: Maverick
• My library holds arrived with perfect timing
• A stash of cookies in our freezer
• Teaching in person again
• Clementines
• Taking the kiddo to an hibachi restaurant for the first time
• Spending some time with friends

We've got some cucumber slices in the fridge that need to be eaten. I'm very much looking forward to breaking out some dip and enjoying them as an afternoon snack in a few minutes.

Here's what else made me happy this week:

• Took the kiddo ice skating for the first time and she was fearless!
• Kiddo was also all about staying with her friend. It was adorably endearing to see her so concerned.
• Squeezing in errands at lunch time
• My Metro card is now on my phone. So much easier!
• Drove some new streets and did not freak out. Go me.
• Loving all the books I've been reading lately
• Tom Hanks
• Making a decent mocktail out of peach mixer and lime fizzy water
• Feeling the good kind of sore after a workout

When I woke up, it was gray and raining. Gradually, the sun has overtaken the day. While it may be chilly and breezy out, the sky is a brilliant blue with not a cloud in sight. Not bad for a winter day.

Here's what was good in my week.

• I submitted the first draft of my book chapter.
• Getting back to our D&D campaign and starting out with a bar brawl.
• Got our condo to myself for an entire morning.
• Took a long mid-day nap.
• Using bath bombs on a weeknight.
• Living in a walkable neighborhood.
• Mini quiches
• Doing a Zumba class with the kiddo.
• Clearing some nagging errands off my to do list.