Sleepless night

I just haven't been able to close my eyes tonight. I COULD get to work, but I have PLENTY of work ahead of me in a few hours.  I guess I'm wired from a visit into the city earlier today.

I got a call from Sistah' Girl and it was AWESOME to vent for a bit and chat with someone who both "gets me" and challenges my thinking. It's something I value about the people I hold dear.

I also got to share a meal with my bio-dad, which is always a good time. His work brought him into my neck of the woods, so we made time for it. It's been about a year since we last visited and A LOT has changed in a year!  I'm looking forward to sharing Disney World with my lil sis next year. We had such a great time at Disneyland last year for her birthday - she's the perfect age for this stuff.

Speaking of Disney - I've been a bit nostalgic lately, so I thought I'd share this nugget of J trivia with ya'll.

The first Disney movie My Sailor and I saw together in theaters was Tangled, last year.

This particular part had us both a little misty-eyed - and I don't think I'm giving anything away if you haven't seen the film. She's a princess in a Disney movie - OBVIOUSLY she's going to fall in love.  But that isn't the premise of the story. I just thought this scene film was too well done NOT to deserve a nod from me. So please enjoy this moment of beauty and nostalgia on me dear readers (ye brave, ye few).

AThanksgiving breakdown

So I guess I've been a bit grumpy lately. I don't really "feel" grumpy. I'm smiling often at folks and all that jazz, but I guess I've sounded short and matter-of-fact a bit more than usual. I guess I have a lot to say, but I'm not sure where to start.

I enjoyed my visit home, but it's true what they say - you can never go home again. Despite many vocal protests about me moving, the people who protested the most couldn't make time to meet up with me. True, it's a family focused holiday, but I sort of expected those who missed me so much could make time for coffee...

Anyway, that said, I got to spend more time than I had expected with my family.  Dad even got us tickets to an AMAZING performance of Jesus Christ Superstar. I've seen the show before. In fact, I know every part, every lyric, of that entire show by heart. But seeing it done by such an amazing cast made it feel like a whole new show. That was fun. Lots of chatting, some shopping, and lots of eating out later, it felt almost disorienting to arrive "home" at the Seattle airport. But Clydas did great and was happy to see me, and the house didn't burn down or anything, so I know I'll feel a bit less restless next time I go out of town.

I guess it just doesn't feel like home until My Sailor gets home. But despite that, it felt GREAT to sleep in my own bed again.

How did my fitness plan go while traveling? Pretty well! I stayed active, even getting in a treadmill work out, and I ordered smart when we ate out, leaning towards salads and grilled foods. I just proved that I could do it over Thanksgiving, so I'm confident that Christmas will see me continuing toward my health goals. 8 more pounds to lose by the time My Sailor gets back to reach my first goal.

2 cents and Black Friday

"Through this endeavor, Shaich has proven that humanity is good – that when you trust in people, they won’t disappoint. " - Source

Today, I saw an expose on Panera Cares. You'll have to click on the link to find out the details.

Basically, it's a "pay-what-you-can" cafe.

During the same news cast, there were reports of shootings out front of several Walmarts, stampeding, beatings, and pepper spraying all connected to Black Friday.

Now, I'm all about getting a good deal. But even stronger than my urge to stay debt free during Christmas time, is my understanding that, for many, "the holidays" are just another day to be cold, hungry, and homeless. With Black Friday being a HUGE success this year, I'm saddened to think of the number of people who will wait in line at 3pm on Thanksgiving for a television, will refuse to put change or $1 in the Salvation Army tin.

Ever wonder how many people could be fed if EVERY BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPER put $.01 into a charity to feed people? I don't think anyone would be homeless.

So this year, my family has decided to give back. Sure, we'll have something to unwrap, but we're far more focused on what we can give back, rather than what we can shop for. This year, my folks decided to adopt a military family. I couldn't be more proud of my parents. In fact, if anyone reading this wants to get me a gift, get me this: Donate to a local charity. I don't just mean money. I mean time, food, toys, whatever you can.

Santa - I heard your challenge loud and clear this year.

DO SOMETHING.
So, leave your comments and tell me what you will do.
(Looking for some ideas? Click here.)

Visiting the Parents, the Dress and Proving a Point

I made it safe and sound to Southern California with an uneventful flight. Don't worry - I'll be posting pictures from a recent friend's visit to Washington, but today is about different stuff.
Today is about visiting the family and enjoying time back in my home town.

This morning, we stopped by Starbucks for a bit of breakfast and then came home. Then Mom broke out "The Dress". It was GREAT to see it and not see pictures. The colors turned out more beautiful than I could have imagined! I'm SO happy with it! I didn't try it on yet though. I want to make sure I have the right undergarments on under it first. The dress still needs some of the custom work done and I'm so happy to see things coming together. It feels "real" finally.

Now on to the point I'm proving.

Thanksgiving is a decidedly European American holiday. (Trust me, the Native American people do not celebrate it as the more Anglo Saxton population does.) And I'm reminded about how unhealthy our nation has become. Feasting is often associated with good events, but we also find it as a common trait among fallen civilizations. My family gave up on "feasting" a long time ago. Instead, we enjoy the holiday favorites, in moderation, usually followed by a walk.

So this year, I'm out to prove my new mantra as "true". THERE ARE NO VACATIONS FROM A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

Expect more on that one that soon on the Wellness blog, but I'll just say this much - it's noon and I've already run 2 miles on the treadmill. Eat that turkey!

Just in Case you Didn't know...

I sing and songwrite a little...
Click here to hear some of my tunes.

A quick Boost before bed.

Here's a mood booster our moral officer shared on Facebook today. Take some time and sit through it - no matter how you feel about marching bands, football, or politics. The designs are REALLY cool! Can you spot the Sub?

Snow on the horizon?

As the forecasters would have it, it appears that SNOW may be heading my way this weekend!

It'll be my first experience living in snow and I'm kind of excited about it. (I'm sure My Sailor would take this opportunity to tease me about being cold to no end - and honestly, I might just miss the ribbing, but I'm sure we'll have PLENTY of time for that when he gets back.)  There has been frost on the grass 2 mornings in a row now. I'm fixing the freezing situation around the house as quickly as I can. No, I haven't gotten to those curtains yet, BUT I did get a heater that uses a lot less electricity. I also picked up 2 new blankets, and I'm building up my winter wardrobe every chance I get. Next on the list is a winter coat. I'm still shopping around, but so far I have options. I just need to get into a store and try them on. My fall coat I LOVE and I can layer under it, but it's wool - which means not water proof which means not snow friendly. I do have a pair of snow-friendly boots on the way thanks to a sale at Famous Footwear.

I guess there is a lot on my mind that I'm a little too exhausted to write about at the end of 10 hr work days, so my blog may be a bit sparse - AND I'm more interested in keeping/getting my Wellness Journey blog moving lately. I guess it's because, outside of 10 hrs of work/day, preparing for company, and emailing My Sailor, not a whole lot is going on over here.

Expect pictures if the snow does arrive! I wonder how Clydas will take it...