Submariner's Twas the Night Before Christmas

I ended up getting THREE emails from My Sailor last night - AND one this morning! Needless to say, it's already a great start to the weekend. I showered this morning, made a healthy breakfast (turkey bacon sliced up in egg beaters, a toasted harvest wheat crumpet w/ I Can't Believe it's Not Butter, a cup of stash holiday hot tea, and a large Honey Crisp apple), AND took my supplements. I was up at a far more decent time and I'm feeling good.

So, without further ado, here is the poem that may just make it into my Christmas Cards this year! (If you're in My Sailor's family - you may want to either stop reading now - or grab tissue!)

Twas the night before Christmas, the sub was up steaming,
Some sailors stood watch, while others were dreaming.
They rolled in their tiny racks, tight and small,
In a 30-man berthing, cramped one and all.

I had come down the hatch with presents in hand,
And peeked inside to see this strange band.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stockings were hung, though boots close at hand,
On the bulkhead hung pictures of a far distant land.

They had medals and badges and awards of all kind,
And a sobering thought came into my mind.

For this place was different, so dark and so dreary,
I had found Submarine Sailors, at once I saw clearly.
One Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone,
Curled up in a rack and dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the rack squared away,
This was the United States Sailor today.
This hero I didn't see on TV,
Defending our country deep under the sea.

I realized the people I would visit this night,
Owed their lives to these Sailors, willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on Christmas Day.
They enjoyed freedom each day of the year,
Because of the Sailor, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
On Christmas Eve on a sea, far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I fell to my knees and started to cry.

The Sailor awakened and in a calm voice,
Said "Santa, don't cry. This life is my choice."
"Defending the seas all days of the year,
So others may live and live without fear."

I thought for a moment, what a difficult road,
To live a life guided by honor and code.
It's Christmas Eve and the boat's underway!
But freedom isn't free. It's sailors who pay.

The Sailor gives freedom, "Be free and sleep tight,
No harm will come, not on my watch, not tonight."
The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it and continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still,
Over this Sailor, amazed at his will.
I didn't want to leave on that dark winter's night,
This guardian of honor so willing to fight.
The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure,

Commanded, "Carry on Santa, It's Christmas, and All is Secure!"

Taking Notes...

So this holiday season is pretty full. I'll be home with my family over Thanksgiving and over Christmas, but I'd really love to take a day to do this at some point too...

Okay, so it's probably a little corny, but for me, there is a little magic in small town Christmases. And this year, I may not be in Port Orchard for Christmas, but I look forward to the pre-holiday festivities... and to experiencing my first snow.

Workout Update - Some Froggy Inspiration and Stress Management

This week is supposed to be beautiful here. Mid 70's, sunny, and BEAUTIFUL. So beautiful, that I decided to get back on the 5k/day band wagon that fell apart when work and Hell Week collided (though, for the record, I walked A TON while the family was out here - between the beach, the zoo, stairs at the theater, Pioneer Square, the Seattle Underground Tour, etc - I actually LOST 1 pound). Now that my schedule has quieted down just a little, I've started to really kick it into gear in the work out front and get back on my 5K/Day challenge.

I'm very happy to announce that I'm pretty much running 2 solid miles w/o walking anymore. YEAH! It's exciting to see myself grow as an athlete (did I just call myself an ATHLETE?!) . I may never be winning races, but I seem to reach a new Personal record every month! Today I shaved 3 seconds off my mile time from August 3rd! I'll take it!
 
Anyway, as I've said before, I find that DAILY work outs are essential for my stress management. Especially in the next few months. While I'm excited to announce I'll be visiting my home town (and no doubt stopping at Disneyland) for the holidays, I will be spending most of my spare time up here focusing on my fitness until my next birthday.

While I can feel the Fat Girl in me saying, "That's a LOT of work. Really?!" The person I am now overpowers with an immediate, "The benefits are going to be awesome. You're gonna look and feel SO good! 32 will be THE BEST YEAR YET for your health and fitness! You can do anything."

Yet, I haven't seen a lot of changes on the scale. I guess that's a GOOD thing. It means I didn't really gain weight during Hell Week. In fact, there were many times that My Sailor had to make sure I stopped to eat something other than a Nugo Protein bar (delicious and inexpensive by the case at CostCo) and an apple. I was concerned a bit because I was operating off very little sleep, but it turns out that it all worked out and I was down 1 pound on Sunday. I will admit that i did feel a bit like a blob though since I didn't get in anything like a "structured" work out, though we coupled eating out and walking around very well.

I'm also under the impression that acting burns a lot of calories. It's exhausting to emote on such a big scale!

Anyway, as I rounded the last 1/4 mile of my 3rd and final mile today, this song popped into my head. Enjoy!

Next update will probably be later today or tomorrow and should include some Underground Tour photos!

The long awaited Christmas Blog...

My Christmas List:
If I picked one "toy" for the year, it would be a Wii Fit. Since that price tag is pretty high, I'd rather have things I can use.
I need two more large tupperware bins to store things that can no longer be sheltered by my shed (which will eventually be torn down).
I could always use gasoline and grocery store gift cards.
Blockbuster gift cards never miss either.

That's the tangible stuff I want.

A Confession:
I haven't really decorated much. I have 2 garlands out (one of which has a light bulb out so, of course, the entire strand is out). I don't have a tree. I have a few candles out and that pretty much covers it.

It's actually kinda pathetic. And I'll admit, I was feeling sorry for myself. I am not hosting a party this year (not for lack of trying, just for lack of, well, guests able to come to them). Last year, I hosted two great ones back to back! So this is quite the shift. In fact, I haven't hosted a party all year. The truth be told, I don't have that many local friends anymore, and those that I do have consider having kids a hinderence to traveling outside of their general 3 mile radius. So that leaves an unmarried gal like me living alone feeling left a bit out in the cold.

An old Epiphany Visiting:
And then I realized...I need to take my own advice. I've said on this blog "You can't always control the scenery, but you can control the thermostat." I asked myself a few vital questions:

Is it within my power to change the mood I've been in?
Yes.
Do I enjoy feeling this way?
No.
So, am I actually going to do something about it, or just drive my friends crazy with my belly-aching?
I'm going to do something about it.

Sure, I may not have anyone to share my Christmas decorations with this year. So what? Big deal! A lot of people don't even have decorations to start with, or a house to put them in! How dare I feel sorry for myself! What am I waiting on?! Sure I've been busy, but that's really no excuse. I've had plenty of late nights and down time.

And, damn it - I'm a family of one and it's about time I took care of this family a little better and injected some holiday spirit!

Since I have Christmas Eve off from work, I need to make the most of it. I'll be sleeping in and doing some Santa Drops with Clydas in tow! While I'm doing that, I'll stop off and pick up a tree big enough for me to handle. So what if my tree skirt will be bare this year. It's been a tough year for everyone, myself included. I can plop some Christmas tins or boxes under it if it really bothers me.

Still passing on the feasting:
Under normal circumstances, I'd spend the day cooking w/ family/friends. Since this year is just me, I think I'll save myself the hours of cooking (and clean up!) and just enjoy something a little simplier. A great bottle of wine, some great cheese, crackers, veggies, dip, and sausage might just round out my Christmas Eve dinner this year. If I get more ambitious, I'll grab a single serving lamb roast and do that or something. The aim this year is "simple".

After dinner, I'll be busy making FlyBoy's Slavik Nut Rolls (a tradition in his family that he's allowing me to share with my family this year). I'm actually really excited about, and contributing to my family's Christmas morning brunch the next morning.

That gives me a lot to do before Christmas morning, but I think it's a worthwhile persuit.

I'd like to be remembered as someone who kept Christmas well - even when no one was looking.

The Orphaned Christmas - The Choice

(Ready for the 2007 Holiday Season)

With my trip right around the corner, I'm blaring Christmas music in my ears here at work and giving a lot of thought to my favorite holiday, Christmas Eve!

In the past years, I've thrown a dinner for family in friends. Sometimes my family comes. Sometimes it's just friends. I guess until recently I never really pondered what it would mean to spend it flying solo. In fact, last year, when Sistah'Girl flew down, turned out to be the best Christmas Eve in a long time! Lots of fun!

But this year, that looks like flying solo is exactly what is in the cards. Due to schedules and other factors, I've been made aware that Christmas Eve company at the Lake House will be tough to come by this year.

So this year, I'm finding the bright side to throwing Christmas Eve, Orphan Style!

Now, I can see why single folks living alone often don't decorate for Christmas. Especially women. We often see marriage and starting our own brood to be a 'right of passage', and a holiday centered around romance, magic, and children can just be a grim reminder that we haven't attained that 'right' yet. Well, I was married. No kids (sh! Don't tell Clydas he's not officially a kid), but I've spend Christmases since with kids and families. This year, I'll be flying solo for this night. So, what to do with my Orphaned Christmas Eve?

I know that, instead of cooking my traditional lamb feast, putting up a tree and decorating it, there are places I could go, but I refuse to let my little world feel less like Christmas just because I'll be flying solo. Afterall, I've never let that slow me down before! I did the Triathlon w/o the support of a romantic interest. I don't stop being me and enjoying the things I enjoy just because I'm not able to share it with a lover.

While there are still a few weeks until Christmas, I think I can definately see myself enjoying the tree I've decorated, a fire in the fireplace, some candelight, some soft Christmas music.... I'm relaxed already just envisioning it. As for activities? Christmas movies, maybe a Church service (I may have to work this day, so that may not pan out), working on a scrap book from my recent Disneyworld vacation (Roasted Bear Tour 2009), and/or making a list of all the good stuff I'm grateful for in my life right now and give God the glory for it. Afterall, all of my Christmas Eves won't be this relaxed forever.

Christmas morning I'll spend with my family, just like always.

So what does all this lead to?

I have a very clear choice in this case - I can be a bitter, miserable almost 30 divorcee w/o help decorating or celebrating my favorite holiday by myself. Or I can see this as a new adventure and a chance to really enjoy the peace, magic, and spirit of the season.

And well, bitter just isn't my color.

Revelation of the Week: We can't always control the scenery, but we can certainly control the climate.