You guys. What year is it? What day?

Just kidding, I know all of that, but with the activity around the past couple of weeks, I’ve barely used the internet. I feel a little like Rip Van Winkle, waking up after twenty years.

That’s because last week, I visited my best friend in Virginia. She and her fiance (who is also an friend from college), both graduated with their master’s degrees and decided to celebrate that, as well as their engagement with a party. It worked out to be something of a college reunion, and was a great time all around. While I was there, we also went to Top Golf (please build one in South Florida, powers that be) and visited a winery, which was fun despite the fact that I don’t drink wine ^_~.

I was pretty sad to leave such good friends (and a respite from the heat!) behind, but as Christmas (which is what I celebrate) was approaching, I had to head back home, with a cold in tow, but nothing too crazy.

Izzy is doing much better, for which we’re all very grateful. My parents, the dogs, and I had a pretty quiet Christmas, but it was enjoyable nonetheless! Last year, our house was packed with 2 dogs, my parents, brother and I, my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and 3 cousins sleeping under the same roof. This year, my brother lives out in Colorado and the rest of the family couldn’t make the trip from North Carolina.

So the parents and I went to church on Christmas Eve, and then had dinner at a family friend’s. We had a relaxing Christmas morning. We opened gifts. (Some of my favorites are in the collage below). We Facetimed my brother. We went to Buca di Beppo and ate our weight in Italian deliciousness, and then came home and watched a movie. A different Christmas from what we’re used to, but a good one.

(Some of these photos originated as Snapchats. You can follow me as JenEllision ^_^)

And now, today, I’m getting back into the swing of things. I’ll be taking over the YA Book Lovers Winter Party at 4 PM EST. The event itself starts at 1:30, and there will be a ton of great giveaways and authors participating.

Other than that, I’m working on fulfilling my Patreon patron perks, and working on finishing production on an audiobook–my cold’s been fought back enough to get back to work on it, but not quite enough to put in the long hours I’d like to.

And, of course, I’m excited for Breathe In‘s release tomorrow! If you’ve pre-ordered, it will be on your Kindle shortly! And if not, feel free to jump on it! I’ll see you guys back here for a release day blog tomorrow. Consider Rip Van Winkle awake– alive and kicking. ^_~