Remember last year when I was all, "Sacrifice November!"? I intended to use the thirty days prior to December to prep for the holidays to ensure a smooth, stress-free holiday season. I had Christmas in a choke-hold. Preparation is key, right?
Yeah, it didn't happen this year. Not only did I forget to sacrifice November, I lost track of time completely.
In fact, due to Marathon Madness, I essentially forgot about Thanksgiving all together. It wasn't until about a week before Turkey Day did a friend ask me what we had planned for dinner. "What dinner?" I asked naively, thinking it was still weeks away. At that point, my internal calendar read "Four Days Post-Marathon," not "Seven Days Until T-Day."
Instead of panicking, which I probably would have done in years past, a lovely sense of calm pervaded. Maybe my brain was still bathed in the endorphin shower from the race or maybe I've just mentally re-calibrated everything in my life on a new scale called "I Just Ran A Marathon...This Sh*t Doesn't Matter."
Either way, I simply picked up the phone, made dinner reservations, and continued on my merry way.
Who knew? Running for four hours (...and forty-four minutes...and fifty-eight seconds...) with Reinier cured my lifelong battle with anxiety. All these years, for both clients and myself, I've toted cognitive-behavioral therapy and the positives of pharmaceuticals. I should have just pointed them in the direction of the nearest running store and we could have all gone out for a run.
And so, I'm happy to report that while the holidays are happening all around us, some buffer in my brain refuses to buy into the stress that comes with it. You know what? Things are going great. The house is still standing. The sun continues to rise. Who knew??
Our Thanksgiving was awesome. I sipped Sancerre while Brian had a pumpkin beer. Taking a brief break from veganism, the turkey Wellington was definitely worth it. I only wish Gordon Ramsay would do something about their reptile problem...
Yeah, it didn't happen this year. Not only did I forget to sacrifice November, I lost track of time completely.
In fact, due to Marathon Madness, I essentially forgot about Thanksgiving all together. It wasn't until about a week before Turkey Day did a friend ask me what we had planned for dinner. "What dinner?" I asked naively, thinking it was still weeks away. At that point, my internal calendar read "Four Days Post-Marathon," not "Seven Days Until T-Day."
Instead of panicking, which I probably would have done in years past, a lovely sense of calm pervaded. Maybe my brain was still bathed in the endorphin shower from the race or maybe I've just mentally re-calibrated everything in my life on a new scale called "I Just Ran A Marathon...This Sh*t Doesn't Matter."
Either way, I simply picked up the phone, made dinner reservations, and continued on my merry way.
Who knew? Running for four hours (...and forty-four minutes...and fifty-eight seconds...) with Reinier cured my lifelong battle with anxiety. All these years, for both clients and myself, I've toted cognitive-behavioral therapy and the positives of pharmaceuticals. I should have just pointed them in the direction of the nearest running store and we could have all gone out for a run.
And so, I'm happy to report that while the holidays are happening all around us, some buffer in my brain refuses to buy into the stress that comes with it. You know what? Things are going great. The house is still standing. The sun continues to rise. Who knew??
Our Thanksgiving was awesome. I sipped Sancerre while Brian had a pumpkin beer. Taking a brief break from veganism, the turkey Wellington was definitely worth it. I only wish Gordon Ramsay would do something about their reptile problem...
Attack of the tiny lizards!
The trees are up.
Please note the great white shark shirt AND the Christmas socks.
Scotty really got into it this year. There may be an inappropriate number of ornaments hung approximately 44 inches or lower on the tree, but what can you do? I love that he wanted to participate. The trees might be a little bottom heavy but they were created with love.
Scotty even wrote a letter to the big guy. Please note, this is the heavily edited version.
It says, "Dear Santa, I want fish, please. Love, Scotty."
Scotty even wrote a letter to the big guy. Please note, this is the heavily edited version.
It says, "Dear Santa, I want fish, please. Love, Scotty."
The original version, which he dictated to me, said something along the lines of:
Dear Santa,
I would like sharks for Christmas. Lots and lots of sharks! I'd like a great white shark, a white-tipped reef shark, a basking shark, a lemon shark, a zebra shark, a mako shark, a leopard shark, a nursing shark, a whale shark, and a six-gilled blunt nose shark. I've been really good. I'm a big kid. I chew gum now.
Love, Scott
Finally, we're baking up a storm. Yes, there is sugar, butter, and white flour in these cookies. And yes, I've had a couple. (how can you resist?) But different than years past, I'm not eating meals of cookies followed by chocolate pieces washed down with wine. I feel so good eating the way I am, I even brought a little vegan feast to the Board meeting last night for Junior League.
Dear Santa,
I would like sharks for Christmas. Lots and lots of sharks! I'd like a great white shark, a white-tipped reef shark, a basking shark, a lemon shark, a zebra shark, a mako shark, a leopard shark, a nursing shark, a whale shark, and a six-gilled blunt nose shark. I've been really good. I'm a big kid. I chew gum now.
Love, Scott
Finally, we're baking up a storm. Yes, there is sugar, butter, and white flour in these cookies. And yes, I've had a couple. (how can you resist?) But different than years past, I'm not eating meals of cookies followed by chocolate pieces washed down with wine. I feel so good eating the way I am, I even brought a little vegan feast to the Board meeting last night for Junior League.
Cyclops cookie Bear
Tiny bowls of yum!
The chocolate carob chia pudding was met with mixed results, but I thought it was gorgeous (and tasty!). The vegan chili was a hands-down total success. Score!
Either way, I hope this finds all of you enjoying the month we are currently in. My house may not be spotless and my holiday cards haven't been sent yet, but who cares? This is the best running weather of the year. I'd rather get in a few miles than lick stamps any day.
Either way, I hope this finds all of you enjoying the month we are currently in. My house may not be spotless and my holiday cards haven't been sent yet, but who cares? This is the best running weather of the year. I'd rather get in a few miles than lick stamps any day.
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