Currently: January

Currently living/working in: Still property caretaking Fenton Ranch in New Mexico! I believe our Jan. 21 snowstorm was retribution for getting off easy with the mild winter we’ve had (and continue to have). Their 3-inch prediction turned into 15 inches! It was beautiful and necessary, but did I mention our snowblower decided to break that day?

For the record, this snow is just about all gone 10 days later.

Current mood: Exhausted. We’ve had a hectic month! Between back-to-back visitors earlier in January and Backpacker projects, including attending Outdoor Retailer (3 late nights & all early mornings), I’m feeling the repercussions of the full schedule.

Currently not excited about: Spring allergies! The other day after a 7-mile hike in New Mexico, I realized my allergies were acting up. These are the allergies I didn’t have before moving to New Mexico. These are also the allergies that seem WAY TOO EARLY in the season to be happening. How do you people (including Justin) live with lifetime allergies????

Currently excited about: Tuesday was National Plan for Vacation Day (there’s a day for everything, huh?). And while nothing is set in stone yet, we are in the midst of planning awesome summer adventures mixed with possible work opportunities.

Currently amazed by: Opportunities! I don’t know how many times I can say this, but our lifestyle and work is always attributed to the people we’ve met and the relationships we’ve fostered. Things always come out of the woodwork and while I am anxious to see how it all falls in place, it always seems to do just that.

Currently worried about: Wildfires in this area … The below average snowfall puts our forest landscape on the verge of life support, so everyone is worried for what this means as wildfire season rapidly approaches.

Currently proud of: We just completed a bunch of random Backpacker projects, including attending Outdoor Retailer and a photo shoot (more details to come on that later!). Here’s Justin’s video contribution to the Backpacker video coverage at Outdoor Retailer (scroll down to WearBands, and that’s J’s clip).

Currently thankful for: My mom doesn’t travel much, but she is coming across the country solo to keep me company while J deals with some medical stuff in Denver this month. Here’s hoping her smoker lungs do well at 8,000 feet.

Current guilty pleasure: Omaha Steaks! J’s dad ordered us a batch again for Christmas, and it is always one of our favorite gifts because it is delicious and practical.

Current confession: Grrr … I’ve mentioned we are on the Netflix DVD plan since we have limited Internet here at Fenton. Well, the local Albuquerque distribution center closed down, which means it now takes at least 5 days before we get a DVD in the mail (not to mention our mailbox is 20 minutes away during the winter). Grrr …

Currently reading: I finished with The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel (and so did Justin). Quick read, compelling story!

J and I finished listening to Adnan’s Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia Chaudry. If you were a Serial and Undisclosed podcast fan, you’ll love this.

I am currently reading Walking to Listen by Andrew Forsthoefel. This guy walked 4,000 miles across America and so far I dig it, although he does get a little long-winded at times. There’s a podcast that goes with it, so I’m excited to tune into that when I finish.

Currently watching on Netflix: Bloodline! We finally settled on a series we wanted to tackle and after many recommendations from everyone, we chose Bloodline. Only partially through the first season, but it is good!!! We hear the 3rd and last season is a little bit of a flop, but we’ll easily see it through.