2008: A look back

2008 has been quite a year. I still can't believe it is over. Here are some of my memories (good and bad) in no particular order.

1. Our three awesome vacations....two to Florida and one to the Outer Banks! These three trips created some very wonderful and lasting memories for '08. I can't wait for more adventures!
2. Moving the girls to a new daycare
3. The demise of my show and starting a new schedule
4. My 10 year high school reunion
5. Getting to know some friends at work more closely
6. Improving my marriage after a really rough 12 months or so
7. Getting a tattoo!!!!
8. Running two half marathons, training for a second marathon, and setting a new PR for the 5K
9. Losing some good friends at work due to layoffs
10. Emily Barger's death. This event really defined the year for me and brought me closer to many of my co-workers.
11. Fun outings the with girls to the zoo, playgrounds, the Smokies, etc.
12. Anastasia's first go at soccer
13. Seeing Barack Obama elected as our new president (Yes we can!)
14. Joining the Facebook revolution and getting sucked in!!
15. Covering some unbelievable stories at work: the church shooting, the school shooting, the ash slide
16. Seeing "Wicked" in Atlanta
17. An AWESOME Christmas season filled with family, friends, and many wonderful blessings

I'm not making resolutions for 2009. That seems so 2008. I have some things on my to-do list though. Some I will talk about and some I'll keep to myself. I want to read more books. I want to keep running and finish that marathon on the 11th. I want to de-clutter the garage and paint our bedroom. Anastasia will start school in just 8 months. She can't wait. She asks to drive by the school all the time. I can't believe words like "room mother" and "permission slips" are going to enter the Lamar family dictionary next year. It boggles the mind!

As we turn the page on 2008 I look to 2009 full of hope and promise. The promise of change is in the air and I cannot wait for the next 365 days. And to quote the title of one of mine and Anna's favorite movies. Bring It On.

Lost in translation

Our girls have their own unique phrases that sometimes don't mean anything to anyone outside our family. Today at lunch I learned a new one and it got me to thinking of all the funny things they say.

"Sill-a-renda"...Also known as Cinderella (this one was coined by Anastasia)
"Paper Toilet"...Also known as toilet paper
"Sips"...This is what Ainsley calls a water fountain
"Hopster"...Ainsley's term for a lobster
"Markbook"..This is what Anastasia calls a bookmark
"More-ging"..This is how they both say morning
"A-Sha"..Ainsley's nickname for her older sister
"Kinney-Pooh"...This is how Ainsley pronounces Winnie the Pooh
"Denny World"...Most of us know this as Disney World

I am sure there are more, but this is all I can come up with for now. Ainsley is talking so well. It's fun to hear some of her baby phrases fall to the wayside as she tries to keep up with her sister.

Playroom perfection

I feel like I am on the carousel at Disney World.  It's going round and round and round. I'm having a good time, but I sure could use a break from all this twirling and whirling. 

We left Knoxville on Christmas eve around noon and drove to Gran and Pop's. We drove through some of the worst rain we'd ever seen and arrived just in time to unload the car and head for church. The service was nice. The kids weren't as behaved as I would've liked, but it was Christmas eve after all. Our dinner was wonderful and then we helped the kids into their pjs before opening a few gifts. They stayed up far too late, meanwhile I was upstairs getting all the Santa gifts ready. We were able to squeeze in "It's a Wonderful Life" and that made my night. We slept terribly, but were up with the chickens so we could open all our gifts. We all got such wonderful things. The girls were SO excited. After the perfect breakfast of country ham and biscuits we were off to Chattanooga. 

This year's festivities were at Kathy and Greg's house. There was more food than we could have ever possibly consumed and boy was it good. Granny even made my very favorite spice cake!! Lunch went smoothly (for those of us who actually ate...the kiddos were too excited) and then it was on to presents. It started out orderly enough, but then all heck broke lose and it was Christmas chaos. 

We made Ainsley, Jamie, and Granddad take a nap. Some needed it more than others. We made a quick trip over to Johnny and Rhea's to meet with the Maynard clan for a while. More delectable treats were served and I vowed never to eat again. We headed back to Kathy and Greg's for..you guessed it...MORE food and games. We hit the road and made it home by 10:30. The girls were awake the entire time.  

Since then we have been digging out from the holiday debris. Today we went to church and a movie downtown. The girls loved it and were VERY good. Tonight we spent two hours cleaning the playroom. It looks awesome. Too bad it won't stay that way, but a mom can dream. We got rid of a lot and trashed even more. Just junky things that they never played with anymore. Monday is coming all too soon and it's back into the routine. Good thing we leave for Disney in less than two weeks!

Merry Christmas!

It's late, I'm tired, and yet here I sit on my laptop. In just 36 hours we managed to pack in about as much Christmas excitement as you can possibly imagine. The girls just now fell asleep. Jamie and I are close behind them. There's plenty of time tomorrow to debrief on all our happenings and adventures. It was a great Christmas. The kids were well-behaved. Everyone made it to and from their destinations safely. We ate like kings. We celebrated the birth of our king. We were together. In the words of that over-quoted Mastercard commercial....PRICELESS.

Christmas Eve Pt. 2

It's been a whirlwind day! The bell ringing went very well, although the Salvation Army was late with our kettle and bells so we weren't able to pull in as much money as last year. People took one look at my gals and were stuffing in money hand over fist. Ainsley eventually tired of it all and started saying (louder than our bells) "I wanna GO!!!!" At the end of our shift we grabbed our reindeer food ingredients and ran home.

It was an unusually warm day for December. The kids played outside sans jackets while I loaded the car, careful to hide the special "Santa" wrapping paper and their gifts. Jamie got off work earlier than we had planned so we were on the road by 1. The rain held off until about Carthage and then it let loose. The wind only complicated matters and it felt like we were going to be blown off the road. We went straight to Gran and Pop's and unloaded while dodging rain drops. We fed the girls an early dinner at McDonald's so they wouldn't be hungry during church.

It was such a wonderful service. The girls were antsy, but managed to make it through the hour without offending too many of our fellow congregants. During one of the prayers Anastasia looked up at me and said "Hey mom, I'm gonna open my eyes now because this is taking a long time." She also approved of the communion bread. She exclaimed loudly enough for a three pew radius to hear, "YUMMY!!" We sang hymns and listened to the Christmas story. It was exactly what I needed tonight.

Beth had an awesome dinner prepared when we got back...complete with asparagus casserole!!! No one but Beth and I ate it, but I was tickled to find one of my favorite veggies on the table. They let the girls open gifts after we ate and then we made our reindeer food. Speaking of...I need to go get rid of some of it!!! The milk and cookies were properly arranged and then we sent them to bed. The last time I was down there they were still talking.

I wrapped all their gifts...too many, really. I had a friend at work write the Santa letter so it's ready as well. I just finished my workout and now it's off to shower and finish watching "It's a Wonderful Life." Hopefully the kids won't be up too early. It's going to be a loooooong day!

Merry Christmas! May all your wishes come true!!!

My ding-a-lings

It's finally Christmas eve. Hard to believe we've already arrived here since I swear we just celebrate Christmas 2007. It's another whirlwind few days for us as we try to pack it all in and see everyone. (It's easier this way...less guilt for the next 12 months)

In a few minutes the girls and I are heading out for our second annual bell ringing. Last year we rang bells for the Salvation Army on Christmas eve and decided to do it again this year. They are down for donations so hopefully the girls can convince the shoppers to dig a little deeper into their pockets. 

After lunch we're hitting the road. Off on another Lamar Family adventure that will bring who knows what. We'll be attending Christmas eve services, making reindeer food, and wrapping those last few gifts. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Counting my blessings

My bunny slippers and I just made a frigid walk to the mailbox to put out a card. It marks the third time in six months I've had to mail a sympathy card for the loss of a child. The third time another family I know is trying to figure out life with this new reality. Emily Barger, Anna Herzog, and Tate Hodges. Their names have been on my mind a lot these last few weeks. Tate and Anna were just babies. Emily was seven years old. Whether you have seven years or seven minutes with your child, they are your everything. In the moment you hold them life changes forever. There is no going back to what it was before. Everything from that point on is seen through different eyes. I can't imagine losing my daughters, let alone struggling through that grief during a time when you are supposed to be happy. It must be terribly overwhelming. 

I also have a former co-worker who is getting ready to lose his wife to cancer. He has said they are trying to make her as comfortable as possible and treating each hour as if it were their very last. Actions we could all learn something from. 

Two of my wonderful blessing are currently arguing. They spit at each other earlier. They spill milk, they make mounds of laundry, they exasperate and exhaust me. But I thank God each and every day for them. I thank God for their health and their vibrance. I thank God for blessing Jamie and I with these girls. This year has taught me much and I like to think that knowledge has helped me see more of the blessings around me and to live like each hour is my last. 

Second Christmas

The calendar may not indicate that today is Christmas, but for our family it is. Eggo waffles were consumed, presents were opened, and the floor is covered in wrapping paper. It is definitely Christmas. 

We got to Mom and Dad's last night and post-dinner we hit the road for Bristol. After a bathroom stop for our potty training gal at a gas station (it had a beer cave and colored condoms...what fun!) we arrived at Bristol Motor Speedway. Every year they do a HUGE light display that you get to drive through. I was skeptical at first, but it was pretty unbelievable. The girls loved it, and the best part was...we actually got to drink ON the track for a lap. I think my speedometer said 6mph, but still...it was fun!

This morning we got up and did Christmas. We opened a few and then took a break for breakfast before returning to finish the fun. We got some great gifts! The girls cleaned up and I have no clue how we will fit it in our van, let alone the house. Right now they are trying to learn how to play "Twinkle, Twinkle" on their new xylophones.  

Against the wind

I think it's funny that my longest marathon training run was scheduled for one of the shortest days of the year. I took today off since we are going to mom and dad's in a little while. Jamie is working a 1/2 day and the girls are living it up at Pajama Day at school. 

I set out to run 20 miles this morning. I only made it to 16 and I struggled for each and every mile. It's very warm and humid out there. 62* which is most unusual for December. It was nice to wear short sleeves and shorts for my run, but the humid air really zaps me. I ran a 10:04 for the first mile. I thought maybe my watch was broken when I saw it, but then I realized I was just running slowly today. 

The wind was brutal and seemed to be blowing at me no matter which way I was running. How is it possible to ONLY have a headwind? How 'bout a little tailwind to help a girl out? The run went by fast enough despite sucking wind and too frequent walk breaks. It was a nice day to be outside and I was grateful that my knee didn't bother me at all. 

I got back to the house and collapsed onto the floor in front of the Christmas tree. I used "The Stick" to get stretched out which will hopefully help my knee later today and tomorrow.  I better get moving...we've got to hit the road for Second Christmas soon!

Make a joyful noise

So today on our way in to work and school…we were listening to Christmas music and here is how it all played out…

“O Holy night…..the stars are brightly shining…”
Ainsley: I don’t wike dis one.
“This is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.”
Anastasia: Mom….Ainsley is talking, I can’t hear the music.
“Long lay the world in sin and error pining….”
Ainsley: (louder) I DON’T WIKE DIS ONE!!!!!
“Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth”
Anastasia: MOM! Ainsley is spitting on me!

Finally I just started singing so loud I couldn't hear them arguing. Strangely enough, that did the trick.

A long winter's nap

This week has been exhausting on all fronts. To say that work has been a zoo would be mildly understating what the last three days have thrown my way. Last night there was an earthquake in our viewing area and the newsroom was flooded with calls for over an hour. INSANITY!!!!

Plus I have been trying to keep two small children calm as Christmas edges closer. On Monday we took dozens of cookies to their old daycare so they could visit with their friends and teachers. Tuesday we did stuff around the house and I actually made it to work on time. Yesterday we ventured out into the monsoon to meet mom for lunch and a trip to the hair shop. I hadn't been in years. Other than a coat of purple paint, the shop looked exactly like it did when I was a kid. Even the smells were exactly the same. It was sort of comforting to be there listening to the chatter and getting high on perm fumes. I even had my eyebrows waxed! 

Today the girls got to open a present from Aunt Ry and Uncle Scott. They each got a princess sleeping bag. Since we are traveling a lot before Christmas we decided it would be fun to take the bags with us so that's why they got to open them so soon. I let them sleep in them for nap, which is supposed to be happening now. I don't hear anything, but that's not always a good sign. 

I wish I could settle in for a long winter's nap. I can't seem to get enough sleep lately. I'm off to finish some laundry and then pack for our trip. Tomorrow I am going to run 20 miles and then we're going to mom and dad's for the weekend. Christmas celebration #2 here we come!!

Memories of the Sunshine State

Anastasia got a scrapbook kit for her birthday.  It features Marie from the Aristocats, which is currently one of her favorite movies.  We've been working on it for the last few days. It's been fun to go through all the pictures and remember our trip in September.  They're getting excited about heading back there in a few weeks. Christmas has kept their excitement engines going, but it's good to know they won't fall prey to the post-holiday blues. We head out right after the new year so soon we'll have a whole new set of memories to crop, cut, and arrange.

I was just getting Ainsley dressed and I noticed she had her slipper socks on. I told her to change into regular socks and she started crying. "But my friends will be so sad if I don't wear these." Seriously? Your friends will be sad if you don't show up in slipper socks? How do they learn these manipulation techniques so early? Mom prevailed however and she is wearing regular socks. 

Okay...off to work and school. 

Another busy weekend

It's been another weekend of packing as much in as we can. Gran and Pop arrived Friday night. That meant the girls started Saturday morning about as hyper as we've seen them. Ainsley was running up and down the hall and Anastasia wouldn't stop gabbing.  It was quite comical. 

Yesterday afternoon I went out for my run. I was cautiously optimistic and decided not to take my fuel belt. I honestly thought I would run 3 miles or so and then head back in. I figured the pain would be too much. Mile after mile I remained pain-free. After 10 I called it an afternoon and went back home. I stretched properly and have felt great ever since. I did four miles today. Yeah!!

Last night Jamie and I went to his work Christmas party. It was a huge shindig, just like last year. They gave away about 100,000 dollars in cash and prizes. Sadly we didn't win any of it, but we did find out Jamie is getting a bonus. Thank goodness for small favors. We suffered through some of the worst holiday entertainment I've ever seen, so I figure the very least they owe us is a bonus. 

Today's church service was wonderful. The symphony joined our choir for a service of carols. Very spectacular! Afterwards we took the kids to Moe's for lunch. Kids eat free on Sundays and anywhere where they yell "WELCOME TO MOES!!!!" as soon as you walk is a great place for two rambunctious kids. Ainsley downed her taco and Ansastasia picked at a quesadilla. Jamie devoured something called a "Bag of Donuts" which was neither a bag nor contained donuts. 

When we finished lunch we went back to church for "Walk through Bethlehem." They turn the basement into a busy marketplace complete with Roman soldiers and and woodchips on the floor. The girls made bracelets and stars out of clay. We also got to see camels, sheep, donkeys, and goats!! It was a fun new tradition for us to start. 

Tonight we made tons of cookies. Tomorrow we'll deliver them to the girls' old daycare. They're excited about seeing their old teachers and friends. Here are some pictures of them today.....

Speak softly and carry a big stick

The costs of this marathon are really adding up. Entrance fee to run, hotel the night before the race, new socks, countless packets of Gu, and now The Stick. Mick (my PT) and I have been e-mailing all week. Money and time constraints aren't allowing me to actually see him at his office, so I threw myself at his mercy and begged for advice. He suggested "The Stick." I've seen them in use at every 5k I've been a part of. They were always used by the elite runners, the ones who leave me in a cloud of dust like the Roadrunner. Beep, Beep!

Today after lunch the girls and I headed to Runner's Market (gift certificates available!!) and bought a stick. Rather, THE Stick. It's a weird contraption that was probably conceieved for torture in a prison somewhere. You roll it over your muscles and it loosens them and encourages blood flow. "A toothbrush for your muscles!" The girl on the insert looks so damn happy with her stick. She's grinning as she rolls it down her leg. The actual experience is somewhat less smile-envoking. It's borderline painful, which is how I know it is working.

I attempted my first exercise since Sunday tonight. 25 minutes on the bike and 25 minutes on the elliptical. No pain whatsoever. I used The Stick before and after I worked out. Tomorrow I am going to go for a run. I'm not sure how far I will go, but we'll take it one mile at a time.

Sometimes I like to spit on the carpet

I didn't sleep well last night. My knee woes, stuff at work, holiday errands, and more. I finally drifted off sometime around 1:30am. As a result I had trouble finding a gear this morning. When I finally did stumble bleary-eyed into the kitchen Anastasia announced that she had already fed her sister breakfast. I know I looked confused and she patiently explained how she got a bowl, poured Ainsley her cereal and her milk. I was half-horrified that I slept through all of this, and half really proud of her for helping out so much.

They were wired all morning. We ran out in the monsoon for a while and then came home, soaked to the skin. I don't think the girls are ever going to come down off their holiday high. They seem to be in a perpetual state of excitement and have given up naps. After trying (unsucessfully I might add) for over an hour to get them to sleep I finally gave up. I decided we would use the time to clean their room. Gran and Pop arrive tomorrow and you can't see the floor in their bedroom. As we were cleaning....well, I was cleaning, they were goofing off, Ainsley suddenly plopped a huge blob of spit onto the carpet.

She was immediately sent to time out where she sobbed "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," over and over again. We made it through lunch without incident. Thank goodness for small favors.

As we were riding in the car to school, Ainsley said (almost to herself) "Sometimes I just like to spit on the carpet."

4715

4715 sounds like a great number. The perfect number in fact. That's my number for the Disney Marathon, which starts exactly one month from tomorrow. 4715 really is the ideal number. Not too close to the front, and certainly not too far back in the pack. The numbers go well into the 20,000s so mine seems downright low when you look at it that way.

I haven't run since Sunday's training debaucle. Today is only my third full day of rest, but I feel like I haven't been running for weeks. Everything I've read says at least three days rest, so I don't think I'll be lacing up my shoes until Saturday. In the meantime I've just been doing my weird peeing on a fire hydrant exercises and rubbing on the IcyHot. That stuff does not wear off easily. I'm tired of smelling like a mint.

My knee doesn't hurt when I walk. It doesn't hurt when I go up or down the stairs. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I would think there was nothing wrong. Fortunately I do know better and I am erring on the side of caution. When I run on Saturday I will stop at the first sign of pain. Even if that twinge comes a few miles in. I have to rest it in order to heal it. I have to rest in order to be ready. It scares me that I've screwed up so close to the end. I should've done more stretching, worn long pants in the cold temps, started training earlier. My list goes on and on and on.

I try not to think about those three letters that started haunting me on Sunday afternoon. DNF The worst three letter of the alphabet for a runner. Did. Not. Finish. I'm trying to take it one day at a time, stay busy with the holiday stuff, and trying desperately not to think about a possible DNF.

Up on the roof

We're supposed to get more than an inch of rain in the next 24 hours. So this morning I grabbed our ladder and went around the edge of the house, cleaning all the sludge out of the gutters. It was pretty easy and it's a beautiful day outside. I finished up, put the ladder back in the garage, and took a shower to wash off all the gutter funk.

As I was putting on my makeup Anastasia comes running downstairs. They've been playing on the deck, soaking up the sunshine from a day that doesn't even require a jacket. "Can you get the ladder mom?" Um...why I asked. "Well......we sorta threw Minnie Mouse up on the roof." I got a chair instead of the ladder and this is what I found.

Hopefully this "Minnie Mishap" will be the worst life throws at us today. What will those two think of next?

Where's the panic button?

I will not panic. I've repeated those words to myself about 500 times since my run yesterday afternoon. I will not panic. I have 31 days. That is a lifetime away. I will not panic. 

To squash that panic that has been rising inside me I have taken action. I went to Target and bought IcyHot. I now smell "like a peppermint!" as Anastasia told me, but it's helping the pain. I'm taking Aleve, but more importantly I have e-mailed my physical therapist. He's the genius who helped me back in the spring when this IT band issue first reared its ugly head. Mick trains Olympians, surely he can help me get back on track. I don't want an Olympic Medal, just one with Mickey on it.  Earlier this year Mick (wait a minute..it just dawned on me...my PT is named Mick...kinda close to Mickey don't you think??) gave me three exercises to do in order to strengthen my hip and butt muscles. When those muscles are weak it causes stress on the IT band. I remember ONE of the exercises. I've been doing it like crazy. 

Hopefully he will e-mail soon. I feel like a stalker, checking my e-mail every ten minutes to see if he has responded. I'll give him a few days and then I'll call. In the mean time I will just continue popping pills and smelling like a mint. I will not panic. I will not panic. I will not panic. 

Run for your life

Today was supposed to be my 18 mile training run. I say supposed to because I didn't quite make it. My IT band (the injury that prevented me from running the Knoxville Marathon back in March) flared up suddenly around the 2:15 mark and I did the wise thing and stopped shortly thereafter. I do not surrender easily so it was hard for me to quit. I tried to console myself with the fact that I ran for over two hours on a day when the temperature was in the low 30's with wind chills in the 20's. 

Up until the IT band flare-up I was having a great run. I did trip over a piece of sidewalk that jumped up off the ground around mile 3, but recovered before I hit the pavement. Whew. I ran a few laps around Springbrook Park and then headed down the greenway. I was surprised at how many people were out on a day as cold as this. They were bundled to the eyeballs and there I was in my shorts.  

I ran all the way to the library and then went on to explore a new part of the greenway I had not yet traveled. It was beautiful and I really enjoyed seeing something new. As as I came back around the water at the library I really had to watch my step. There are abut 400 Canadian Geese there and with that many birds comes a lot of green poop. The kind of nuclear poop that wouldn't come off my running shoes with a fire hose. 




When I finally stumbled back to the parking lot I did all the IT band stretches I knew and hopped in the car. It seems my marathon path has become quite rocky. After months and months of smooth sailing I will be tested to see what I am made of. Work needs me to fill in on the overnight shift the week before my race. I was livid when I read the e-mail. There are some perks in it for me, like starting my vacation a good 24 hours earlier, but I am worried about losing so much sleep the week before my race. Now my old injury has flared up. I'm trying to work on a plan to solve the issue at the station and now I will be on three days rest for the injury. I will be doing all the exercises my physical therapist taught me last March. Hopefully I will be ready for the race. It's just 31 days away.  31 days to finish my training. 31 days to recover and gather my strength. Although as my book "Marathoning for Mortals" says "It takes more courage to get to the starting line than to find your way to the finish." I couldn't agree more. 

A very Maynard Chrismtas

Our first December Saturday was filled to the brim with Christmas cheer. We started early this morning at the Regal Christmas Party for Kids. We met Santa and Mrs. Claus and had a yummy breakfast. The girls also cleaned up with a really awesome goody bag!

We left West Knoxville and drove to Grams and Granddad's only to arrive just in time to decorate the tree. The girls were happy to help out and enjoyed the onslaught of family. We opened presents before lunch which made my girls deliriously happy. We opened slowly...that's what happens where there are almost 30 of you, but the girls were patient. Ainsley got some books and a Littlest Pet Shop set. Anastasia got paper dolls, a Barbie, and a Barbie car. My grandfather made them a beautiful wooden ark and Grams had tons of little wooden animals to go inside. SO cool. Lunch was kinda like the whole loaves and fishes thing. We swooped in and there was nothing but a turkey carcass and a few pecan pie crumbs left when we were done. 

I was pleased to see we would be making our annual trek to Signal Point. We drove the girls by my grandparents' old house on the way back. I tried to share happy childhood memories, but they were more interested in getting back to their toys. 

All in all it was a wonderful day! It was nice to be with everyone, even if it was in the same room.  (28 people+98.6*=muy caliente!!) It was the first of four "Christmases" we will celebrate this season. The girls were amazing today. No fighting, no meltdowns. We started out day at 7am and neither of them got a nap. Ainsley fell asleep about 4 miles from home, but Anastasia was still talking to her new Barbie the last time I checked. As for me, I am heading off to bed.

Another crazy day

Why is that "vacation days" are more work than actually being at work? Is that even possible? I suppose it's because you try to pack all the things in that are normally impossible. 

Today the girls and I set out just after 8. We stopped for gas (only to have it come down 6 cents two hours after that gas was pumped) and then we set out on our errands. Since errands and Erin sound very familiar I had to explain to the girls that we weren't getting to see Erin. Much disappointment ensued. Our first stop went more quickly than I had planned, but then on the way out Ainsley darted out into the parking lot. She is in that "You can't make me do anything" phase which is unbelievably frustrating. She looks at you with this little devilish grin and the next thing you know, she's halfway through the parking lot. 

We then went to Kohl's and to the mall. We bought our last Christmas present of the season and then went to Target. I followed through on my McDonald's promise and we collapsed in a heap for nap just after one. Nap seemed altogether too short and they were rarin' to go as soon as they got up. We made our way to the library where I was hoping to get to tackle a few more pages of Twilight. I found out that not as much reading goes on at a library as one might think. 

After the library it was off to a SECOND Target and then finally back home. I tried to put up our outdoor lights, only to discover half of them were burnt out. I tossed them back into the garage in a heap and a huff. Laundry came next followed by dinner, which thankfully I had planned as a frozen pizza. As soon as I inhaled my food I was off again. 

I had an errand (no...not ERIN) to run for Santa. The store still had what I was after, but I had to resist the urge to purchase the Mary Poppins Barbie they had. Dang it was cute!!!!

I am now recharging my batteries. I'm sitting here at Starbucks sipping on a piping hot caramel apple spice that I ordered like a pro. The world is rushing by outside the window in a blur of taillights and holiday bustle. I feel civilized. I feel warm. I feel content. I feel blissful. I feel calm. I am loathe to leave, but now I can go home, put on my PJs and really enjoy the Christmas flick for family movie night. 

Like an elf with my head cut off

December is only five days old and I am already lost in the hustle and the bustle. Work has presented a few challenging days and I am just now coming up for air. Fortunately I am off today, but that actually means more work than if I was at work. 

The girls and I have several errands to run this morning. Plus I've promised a trip to McDonald's (how cool am I??) and the library.  There already arguing and it's only 8am. Fortunately the aforementioned trip to McDonald's is a great bribery point so hopefully I can escape the errands unscathed.

Tonight is family movie night and then tomorrow we are traveling for the first of our Christmas celebrations. The first of many, many celebrations.  Bring it on!

Welcome December!!

We woke up this morning to beautiful snow showers. It was the perfect way to start the month of December. It didn't stick to the ground, but when we went out to run errands it was everywhere-on the grass, rooftops, cars, etc. So exciting! The girls are pumped, although sad it wasn't enough to make a snowman. 

Maybe this will be our winter!!!