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Beowulf
By Ray Winstone, Crispin Glover, Angelina Jolie, Robin Wright Penn, Anthony Hopkins
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Three half marathons notwithstanding, 2009 is ending with a pitiful running record and hope for a better new year. I waved the white flag this month by ending my efforts to run outside in Amarillo. I have not acclimated the way I hoped to, and getting to the gym on those single-mom weeks has become an impossibility. We finally bought a treadmill, so my excuses are now all invalid.
It's difficult for me to believe, as I sit here after a pathetic three-mile run on the treadmill, that I ran 13.1 miles each in Oklahoma City, Albuquerque and Chicago this year. I do remember, however, suffering through horrible training runs in 30 mph winds, scorching heat, and some of the driest air I've ever breathed. Well, no more of that! I much prefer an air conditioned room, a bathroom down the hall and water at my fingertips. This may not be the ideal way to train for races, but running outside in this city is something I just cannot do. I give up.
The races I hope to run in 2010 will be in the spring and fall, in more humid, flatter cities. I can train morning or night, no matter the weather, no matter the wind. And while treadmill training isn't normally my first preference, it is a must for now. We opted for the warranty, as I plan on logging plenty of miles.
Here's to a medal-heavy 2010!
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| There've been a number of things that Jeremy's said over the last few days that I should've written down. This one, in particular, was said to me in a whisper during the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. He also announced on the way home that he was going to share all of his new toys and be the most thankful boy ever. Funny, that wasn't exactly how Christmas morning played out, but I'm going to extend a little grace to the six year old today. When I left work for Christmas vacation on Wednesday afternoon, I wasn't entirely sure how the next four days would play out. I've had a lot to do, gingerbread house construction, last minute wrapping and preparing an array of foodstuffs for Eve and Day meals. Then there's working out, laundry, cleaning (little boys + bathrooms = disgustingness) and FINALLY sending out Christmas cards. You better believe that I'm doggone tired (as I update the blog at 11:30 p.m.), but there is some sort of pleasure I feel upon completing a To-Do list. Accomplishment is my drug of choice. So let's start with Christmas Eve, when we awoke to snow and a "White Christmas" marathon on AMC. Holiday Celebratory Photographs behind the cut :) | | |
| It's the season I look forward to all year and yet here it is, nine days from Christmas, and I haven't opened a window in the Advent calendar since the 5th. I just spent my entire evening baking goodies for both boys holiday parties and for my own work party tomorrow. Laundry needed tending to and the budget needed reworking. I finally tackled the checkbook and the dirty tile floor that's been screaming for my attention. It's approaching midnight and all of these things drained the last bit of energy I had. I finally spent a full minute looking at my Christmas tree. It really is beautiful.
The Christmas cards are next, and at this rate they might end up being Valentines, but I have the goal of sending them with the annual holiday letter by Monday. That means you may or may not get them by Christmas. I considered doing the holiday letter online, but after Googling myself, I thought it best to keep holiday letters old school and send then in the snail mail. (Have you ever Googled yourself? It's interesting to find out where you stand with the internet.)
The dryer just buzzed which means the last load of laundry is done. Now the dilemma - to fold or not to fold.
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| I've had a difficult time getting in the spirit this season since I spend a great deal of my time and energy missing people who are very far away. However, this week presented a couple of things to give me a boost. First, I went backstage with The Nutcracker on Wednesday as the Lone Star Ballet prepared for its annual performance of the beloved story of Clara and her favored toy who came to life. Then, this afternoon, Jeremy and I picked up Michele and her niece for the afternoon show (going to press junkets pays!). Both times, backstage and then sitting in the audience, I sat starry-eyed, gazing at the ballerinas and daydreaming of childhood Christmases. Here is the only shot I took with my camera at the dress rehearsal. (But you can read the story and see behind the scenes photos here.) 
Here we are at the show today: 
Photos behind the cut. | | |
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