Christmas Low Down

 

I totally intended to make my last post of 2014 "A Year In Review", but as luck would have it, I left my life planner at home this morning. So, instead of a year in review, I'm going to give you the low down on Christmas this year. It has been one of the best I can remember in a long time, except for being slack in picture taking. I got some pictures Christmas morning with my regular camera and that was it.

Let me back up just a bit. I normally do everything at the last minute when it comes to Christmas. Shopping, baking, decorating...you name it. This year, however, I planned it just right. I started shopping around Thanksgiving. The week after, my decorations were up. And then it was time to start baking. I like to give homemade gifts and for the past few years, it has been food. This year I made chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, crack bark (OMG, you almost need to enter a 12-step program after eating this deliciousness), cinnamon rolls and pimento cheese. And it was all GOOD! I even pre-made my usual casseroles and brown rice that I would be taking to Mama's on Christmas Eve and to Cliff's sister's on Christmas Day. I had so much time on my hands that I even made some crocheted scarves for gifts.

Jason came home a week ahead of Whitney so that he and Cliff could duck and squirrel hunt. Jason needed a vacation because he starts nursing school full time, next week. He is working towards a career as a nurse practitioner. Emily, Lidia and Sawyer arrived on Tuesday. Whitney arrived on Christmas Eve morning. I was a happy mama. All my children and grandchildren were home for the holidays. Christmas Eve night, we all loaded up and headed to Mama's. All of my siblings and their children and grandchildren were there. It's been a year or so since we've all been there at the same time. It was very nice. The food, as always, was abundant and delicious. True to her word, Mama cooked her famous collard greens. I was a happy child.

Christmas morning started the same as usual. Santa Claus had delivered and was ooohed and aaahed over. The rest of the gifts were opened and everyone was happy and appreciative. Do you remember a couple of years ago that I really wanted to go on a Woman's Bike Tour? I never went because I started training for some running races, in particular a half-marathon. Well, 4 half-marathons under my belt now and no plans for a full anytime soon, I now have time to train for one of those tours. And, it's a good thing because that's just what Cliff gave me for Christmas this year. I am so excited! Woman's Tours and the Teton Valley.....here I come. After training, of course. In light of this new development, my posts this year will most likely be heavy on my training and progress. OMG, I can't wait. I'm pure giddy!

Monday, Cliff and I decided to do something a little differently. We roasted oysters.... just the kids and us....oh and Cliff's mama came over, too. This may be a new tradition. Time will tell.

Sadly, Emily and Matt had to go home yesterday for work. I'll see them and Lidia and Sawyer again this weekend. But even more sadly, Whitney and Jason had to go back home to Colorado, today. I won't get to see them for awhile. A total BUMMER!

This was such a great Christmas....one I'll remember for a long time. I just hope it's enough to hold me over until all my children and grandchildren are here with us again. As 2014 quickly comes to an end, so does the busyness we experienced this year. I hope 2015 brings us as many blessings, if not more. I'm certainly thankful for each and everyone of them. I look forward to a year full of exercising and continued good health, new adventures and I can't wait to tell you about some exciting family news. But not just yet, you'll just have to wait a while longer.

Until then......

Happy New Year,

Laurie

In 2012, I Learned That........

Dawn of a New Year

January 1, 2013

Today is a new day, the beginning of a new year.....and oh what promises lie ahead. Everything is fresh and new. 

Someone asked me, recently, if I had made any New Year's resolutions and I answered, no. Mostly, because I believe that resolutions, if broken, tends to seem like a failure opposed to not meeting a goal you set for yourself. Not meeting a goal doesn't mess with your psyche as much as a failed resolution. Goals, if not met, can be reassessed. You learn from them and you get a do-over.  I set quite a few goals for myself in 2012 and can honestly say that I met most of them. And since this time of year typically causes one to fall into a full blown case of "retrospection", I would like to share a few of the things I learned in 2012.

1.    In addition to taking care of yourself physically, you must take care of yourself mentally and spiritually.

2.   Nothing is ever as it seems. (This can be especially good to know for someone with an overactive imagination....I'm just saying...)

3.    You make time for and even crave the things you are passionate about.

4.    Hiking is more than a walk.....it's an adventure.

5.    Just when you least expect it, your husband of 32 years can still surprise the heck out of you. (Best Valentine's Day eva!)

6.    Kayaking is one of my many passions. Kayaking is more than a boat ride....it's an all-out, alligator fretting, thunder and lightening, monster waving adventure!

7.    Although seeking great adventures can result in being in the middle of the Murrell's Inlet creeks during a thunder and lightening storm, you are so glad you had the experience and wouldn't trade it for the world.

8.    Nuts (use your own imagination) are sensitive by nature. See item #2.

9.    I love running!

10.  Nothing is more powerful than running your first 5K race. The feeling of accomplishment you get from that will blow your mind.

11.  Dramamine works! Depending on how many you take....they may work too good, causing you to fall asleep in places you never intended.

12.  Writing a blog (baring one's soul to the entire World Wide Web) is very soul cleansing.

13.  72-73 degrees Fahrenheit with a light breeze is my perfect weather.

14.  Laughing to the point of snorting over the funny things your grandchildren say is the best medicine ever.

15.  You must listen to the experts. If not, this thing you've been trying to avoid the most will happen. (Slight injury....major bummer.)

16.  There are people out there who genuinely want to be your friend. You HAVE to let your guard down and accept it.

17.  Everyone needs alone time.

18.  Green juice is healthy, healing, energizing and tastes AWESOME!

19.  People are sent into your life, when needed most.

20.  Last, but not in the least.....as a matter of fact, probably the most important.....There is no problem that can't be solved through prayer! My favorite verse of all times....."When a believing person prays, great things happen". James 5:16

I'm going to wrap it up by giving you a few of my goals for 2013. These goals may be added to during the year or reassessed and tweaked, but for now they are:

• Begin a swimming regimen
• Learn to speak Spanish, fluently and maybe French
• Continue to lose weight
• Run a few 10Ks
• Run a half marathon
• Begin working on my scrapbooks again
• Continue to research my family history
• Finish my first quilt completely by hand (I have actually made several quilts with a sewing machine....just haven't finished the one I'm making by hand, yet.)

Did you set any goals for yourself in 2013? Come on, tell me a few. Accountability is everything!

Oh wait, in case you were wondering...........

How I spent this first day of the new year:  Watching Cliff and friends compete in a mini triathlon

Miles run today:  Maybe 1/2 (still nursing my knee, but had to get somewhere fast)

First meal of 2013:  Eggs Benedict

Number of friends sharing in this first meal of 2013:  4 plus the hubs = 5

Talk soon,

Laurie