Couldn't resist....

I wasn't going to post for a few days because, frankly I have nothing to say...but I came across this today. Looking ahead to next year, any and all are invited to my first (and possibly annual) bad christmas sweater party. Attire? Polyester and applique required.

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. -Agnes M. Pharo

I'm almost late getting to the party but with 50 minutes left in Christmas day a review of my blessings makes me realize that indeed, my cup runneth over. I hope this day of celebration found you enjoying the company of family and friends.

I had to share what prompted this last minute post...my Morgan. She hasn't been front and center often lately and threatens to be overshadowed by her exuberant younger sister on a regular basis. But, Mimi doesn't miss much and expresses herself like her mother...in writing. Her lovely gift to me this year was a book of poems, Haiku and Diamante (yes, I had to look that up too). I wish I had a scanner but here's my favorites...

Chrismas so fun and
jolly. All the lights and fun!
Merry Christmas too.

Santa's red coat, so
cuddly and warm. I wish I
had that coat of his.

Santa,

Santa red

caroling, giving, receiving,

snow melt, candy canes,

eating, stocking, decorating

yummy, good,

Candy

This wouldn't be complete without my favorite Christmas quote: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loudly for all to hear." -Buddy the elf

Happy Christmas! I'll probably get my cards out sometime in May.

Rock Star Photos

Gratuitous photos....life is good when you're a little girl!

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing.

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.
Mark Twain

Working hard as usual, I came across the next thing on my "to do" list.

It's my baby's 6th birthday today. My forever early Christmas present. I remember exactly what I was doing on a sunny, freezing cold Saturday afternoon at 4:27pm in 2000. :)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good: My cold is just about gone. I ran in my first race since like April (running only) this past weekend and didn't do too badly. Stumpy legs carried me 2 miles in about 17:15. Kate got her ears pierced for her birthday and she looks fabulous. (Pictures eventually). Morgan can play Silent Night on the piano really well!

The Bad: Took the girls to see Santa last night. Very exciting. Santa even had a real beard! HOWEVER, the 2-3 things that Kate has had on her list since like JUNE (that I had to order and was patting myself on the back for getting way back in October) were NOT the things she asked Santa for. GAH! Foiled again. Dammit. I also have to go Christmas Caroling at the nursing home with Kate's Brownie troop tonight.

The Ugly: I. HAVE. TO. GO. CHRISTMAS. CAROLING. TONIGHT.

Edit: Not long after I posted this things started looking up. I got a phone call saying that there's some sort of plague running rampant in the nursing home so we were not able to go. Imagine my disappointment. We will go back for Valentine's Day...and as far as I know there's no Valentine Caroling. Whew!

Delicious ambiguity.

I always wanted a happy ending... Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.
Gilda Radner

Story of the Bad Ass Girl and the Flat Tire
by Bad Ass Girl with a 'tude

One sunny day there was a bad ass girl who had crammed too many things into her busy schedule. First she went to work. Then she tried out a new gym and used the treadmill because there was too much damn ice on the ground. 5 mile tempo run in the off-season left her feeling pretty bad-assed but had to watch the clock in order to get to the doctor's appointment she made over 3 months ago. Then she showered and walked out to the bad-ass minivan and is confronted with a flat tire! Gah! Bad-ass girl has a choice; admit defeat and helplessness and go back in the gym and ask the BOYS for help or change the damn tire herself. Guess what she did? Bad-ass girl changed the tire HERSELF. And got slightly LESS dirty than she does changing the tube on her bike tire. Bad-ass girl was only 15 minutes late for her appointment.
The end.

Now this might seem silly to some of you but a few months back I was lamenting about how I couldn't jump start my car, or understand my mortgage and similar grown up stuff. Well, I can now do most of what I need to do with the van(except sell it unfortunately), including refinancing it; and I am in the process of obtaining a new mortgage. That I do understand. Small victories you say? Victories, nonetheless.

Thanks to all who've given me suggestions about some rockin tunes. I am in the process of listening to ALL of them and have found some really good ones. I'll post my new list soon! I only do that stuff at home and lately I'm just wiped out, so it's a little at a time. Keep 'em coming if you think of something else.

I've not been feeling particularly inspired lately. Typical for me this time of year. Sure, the holidays are coming but I've got some challenges this year that have dampened my usual holiday cheer. Temporary. I have too many blessings to wallow for long. So, as is typical of this time of year, I begin to plan for the year ahead. Set some goals and review the direction my life is heading. Is it working for me? Is it compatable with the important people in my life? Have I been able to cross some things off my neverending list? Where did I fall short?

I got thinking about this after reading an article today titled, "This Life Goes to 11" and the five points that can help 2007 be your best year ever. Because "if not now, when?"

1. Get fit, eat right. (Definitely the most challenging for me)
2. Go Already. (I can incorporate some ambitious tri/running goals for this)
3. Simplify. (Purging unnecessary things should allow for more connections with people)
4. Give Back. (This is always on my list, I just haven't found a good way to make a difference. I
need to practice what I preach to my girls, "To those much is given, much is expected".
5. Just Chill. (Cabo, here I come! :) )

What will you do to rate 2007 an 11?!

KONA BABY!

The tri-geek returns. Obviously.... I'm taping this...

The Ironman World Championship makes its way to television today. NBC will air their 2006 highlight package at 3pm. The 2-hour show is sure to include lots of incredible footage and emotional stories from the sports greatest stage on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Can you smell the banana bread I'm baking?

Trouble is part of your life, and if you don't share it, you don't give the person who loves you a chance to love you enough. - Dinah Shore

Here's my music list in no particular... only 13 songs. I'm getting ready to sign up for the 1/2 marathon in April and I'm going to need about 2:20min worth of tunes. So, when you come across something you like, ping me!

Do This Anymore -Nickelback
Dream Big -Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband
I’m Alright- JoDee Messina
I Can Only Imagine -Mercy Me
It’s My Life- Bon Jovi
Just Like a Pill -Pink
Let Me Go -Three Doors Down
Perfect Day -Hoku
Remember -Disturbed
Savin Me- Nickeback
Since U Been Gone- Kelly Clarkson
This One’s for the Girls- Martina McBride
Walk Away -Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson ROCKS (shut up :P)

Stay tuned for a story about a bad ass girl and a flat tire.