It’s that time of year again–time to break out my inner holiday elf. Who’s that you ask? It’s the little guy who gets all the important holiday stuff done when all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch Christmas specials while sipping hot chocolate. Thank goodness he got here just in time–after having the 10yo home on the couch for a week I was way, way, way behind in my Christmas preparations. Cuddling with the 10yo and catching up on old TV was a nice break after the mind numbing month of November with NaNoWriMo, a dance recital and everyone over for Thanksgiving dinner. In fact it may have actually been kind of blissful. But this year, because of a late Thanksgiving, Christmas feels like it’s taking the Express Train into town. There really isn’t a minute to spare!
And even though I should be wrapping or shopping or cleaning or cooking right now, because I love you, I’ve asked my inner holiday elf to help me make some time to start a support group. A place where we can all go to unload, but also find inspiration. So, in the comments be sure to tell us your Most Epic Holiday Failure This Year (but don’t worry, you still have time to turn it around) then also tell us how you’ve kicked some holiday elven ass. Keep the Most Epic Holiday Success This Year stories coming. They are the driving force we (by we I mean me) need for motivation. Maybe a few of your good ideas will help me make it to the finish line without looking like the Heat Miser.
Just to be fair, I’ll start…
Kim’s Most Epic Holiday Failure This Year: I packed all the freaking light-up garland in the storage unit because we were supposed to be moving in October. But now we’re moving mid-January and all that piney, twinkly garland is under an mongo-stack of stuff and it just ain’t coming out. I don’t care how pouty little boy faces can look. Bah-humbuggy on that. Your kids–USE YOUR IMAGINATION.
Kim’s Most Epic Holiday Success This Year: Usually at Thanksgiving (this year I switched so Christmas it is) I make my Grandma’s apple pie. Before she died she taught me how to do it and I’m now the maker of the pies. The keeper of the pie legacy if you will. I make pies I don’t particularly crave myself. I like them, but I’m a chocoholic, so I can live with out the pie. BUT–everyone in the family wants this apple pie and I get that–it is pretty awesome as far as pies go. BUT–the crust is my nemesis. In fact, it’s the reason I HATE making the apple pie. But this year—*bounces up and down on toes*—I accidentally (thank you gods of the turkey pot pie adventure…I love you!) found a pre-made, organic crust that tastes sooooooo good. Like Grandma’s but without me throwing a rolling pin across the room in a cloud of flour. So, this Christmas I am going to use this pie crust to make a gorgeous, low-stress, tastes just like Grandma’s apple pie and I’m going to enjoy the experience. It will be a yummy pile of cinnamon, apple, doughy, sweetness. And since my mother has admitted she hasn’t turned on her computer in three months we are going to see if she notices. DO NOT TELL!!!!–I vow to let you know if she notices and also the minute she catches up on my blog posts LOL!
All right–get out your Inner Holiday Elf and let the stories rip!
What’s really happening beneath the Hunger Games? Lots of ripples–the kind of thoughtful, amazing stuff that makes me love these books and movies even more than I already do.
I found this blog fascinating.
Also can’t talk about the Hunger Games without giving a shout out to Jennifer Lawrence. I’m such a fan girl.
I’m giving myself a little pat on the back right now, because I usually remember to ask you for advice at the eleventh hour when my chances of implementing it are slim to none. Not helpful! So even though something could still go wrong and all the fine print of moving hasn’t been worked out yet, every day it looks more and more likely that this is going to happen in the near future. *fist pump then knocks on wood*
So today, instead of running my blabber mouth and giving advice, I’m asking you for your best tips, hints, suggestions and must-dos for moving. I’ve been shaving away at this process a little bit at a time for months now, but hell–I’m a disorganized procrastinator LOL! Please–I’m begging you! Share your wisdom and experience with me!!!!
This post is like a turkey pot pie. It’s put together from all the bits and pieces of the holiday.
*First up…I’m a NaNoWriMo Winner!!!! Very proud of that. I clocked in very, very early on the 29th with 50,057 words and the cool part is that last day, in order to make my goal, I wrote just over 6,100 words which is more than I wrote for last year’s attempt at NaNoWriMo. And out of more than 300,000 people, I was one of 41,940 to finish. *fist pump* And yes, I don’t want to look at any of those words for a least a couple weeks LOL!
*On Thursday December 5th I’ll be at the Crawford Public Library in Monticello, NY. All the info is HERE.
*Saturday I had the pleasure of attending my 25th High School reunion. I had an amazing time. What was intriguing to me was how much we had changed, but at the same time all stayed the same. And I mean this in a good way. Growing up, we’ve developed into better evolutions of ourselves, but we still have so many great memories from being kids. It was kind of cool to be in a room of people who all know the same stories you do. But having said that, despite it all, I could still feel myself slipping back into old teenage insecurities at times. But I have a feeling, that’s par for the course with a reunion. Overall, a two thumbs up for me. Can’t wait until the next one.
*Because we’re moving pretty early into the new year (*fingers crossed* this process will give you grey hair) I traded the Christmas holiday for Thanksgiving this year. I’ve got TURKEY!!! OMG!!! I’ve been missing this meal’s leftovers for years. It’s my death row meal. *grin* But then their are leftovers. And last night I made my first ever homemade turkey pot pie. I may have died from yum it was so tasty. But I’ve got more up my sleeve. Turkey salad sandwiches and turkey soup too. I have a feeling I’m going to run out of turkey to recycle before I run out of meals to make. So, new resolution–even if I don’t do Thanksgiving Dinner next time around. I will still have to make my own just for the leftovers LOL!
How was your holiday? Did you survive NaNoWriMo? Are you still shocked that I’m 25 years out of high school? Yeah, me too! LOL!
I hit a huge milestone yesterday. Since I started running on May 21, 2010…
I’ve run 1,000 miles!!!!!!
I’ve found it eerily appropriate that I was shooting for this goal while I was also writing my #NaNoWriMo words. While both activities are time consuming and challenging, I have a sneaky suspicion that they actually created a momentum that helped me to make both goals. (fingers crossed–I have plans to also cross that NaNoWriMo finish line by 11/30)
In case you’re wondering, there are many runners who’ve hit 1,000 miles a lot quicker than I did, but this in no way affects my enthusiasm for the accomplishment LOL! Prior to that day in May, I HATED running and I only did it when I was in a soccer game or being chased. Or maybe if I’d eaten way too much junk food and needed to sweat it out of my pours. And even then I only ran on the treadmill. But that day in May it was one of the first perfect spring days of the year. I’d decided to go for a walk and as the movement invigorated me, I had the urge to feel physically exhausted the way you do when you’re a kid and you play too hard. So I started to run. I went just over four miles. No lies it was awesome, but it was also freaking hard. I don’t really know what changed for me that day, but since then I’ve stuck with running. I’ve had periods where I’ve wanted to run and couldn’t. I’ve had sick kids at home or I’ve been injured. I’ve also had periods where I haven’t been very motivated to get out–too hot, too cold, too sick, too lazy, too busy making up excuses. But no matter how much I was running, I’d flipped a mental switch and now considered myself A RUNNER. Maybe a lazy runner on some days, but a runner none the less.
Here’s how it all went down as of yesterday…
*I’ve run 1,001 miles. Which means I ran far enough to go from New York City to St. Louis!!! Yes, it was a long way to travel because I’ve been doing it since May 21, 2010. Whatever. Stopped to see the sights. But hey–technically I ran to my niece and nephew’s house. I find that mind blowing since I would normally take a plane there.
*I’ve run those miles across 221 runs.
*This also means I’ve spent almost 164:46:10 hours of the last 3 1/2 years running. Kinda cool.
*I’ve burned 100,060 calories running. Most of those were chocolate–I can not lie.
*My average pace was 9 minutes and 53 seconds for each mile. I’ve had many slower, but I’ve also had some much faster.
*Only 160.91 of those miles were on the stupid treadmill. Hate running indoors, so I only use it when I have to because of the weather.
*75% of my runs took place in the morning.
*My longest run was 12.08 miles.
*I’ve never officially run in a race.
*I may be a feedback junkie, what do you think? *grin*
Can you tell I was excited to smash this run???
And yes, I look like a bank robber because it was 27 degrees LOL!
Thanks for letting me hog the blog for a glory moment.
Any runners in the audience? Any potential runners? Anyone who’s fallen into a passion they hadn’t expected? How did you get there? What keeps you doing it? What’s your biggest milestone been so far? How are all my #NaNoWriMo friends doing? I’m racing towards the finish line and plan to hit the 50,000 word mark no matter what. Keep it up everyone!!!!
Also, I’m doing Turkey Day at my house this year, so I won’t be running on Thursday or blogging. I’ll catch you on the flip side of the tryptophan on December 3rd. WHAT???? DECEMBER??? How did that happen????
Have a fabulous holiday with your friends and family.
