Happy Christmas!

From our new happy little family to yours, have a very happy Christmas! We will!

Christmas Party

A few weeks back we had a work Christmas Party up in Park City. It was a lot of fun got some good bowling in even! The food was good and so was the company. I work with Alta and Jen and they decided to show off for the video camera. It was a blast and what a great little keepsake of the night.

Endless Christmas

So my Christmas keeps coming and coming. I love it.

Today's gift was from my dear friend Liz. In an engraved case she gave me chopsticks engraved with my name (on the box and on the chopsticks themselves!)! I know it seems cheesy, but we have lunch once a week and one of the places we like to eat is a Chinese place. I complain about not getting chop sticks or the quality all the time. So, my dear friend gave me my own set and I love them!

I got this cute blanket from my kids, Livy, Kiki and Milo all helped make it, isn't it sweet? I love it, because it is from them.

Christmas keeps coming and coming. I am so blessed. Over and over again.

Sometimes It All Just Works

Sometimes things just work out for the best. I have seen it in my life a million times over. From breaking up with boyfriends, losing jobs, getting odd jobs and life changes. It always seems to work out.

After a lot of thought and discussion with my health care team (yeah, it sounds odd, but I seem to have collected a sizable little group of about 6 health care professionals) I have decided to go off my medication for a trial period. I am really nervous about it. I am afraid of the mood changes and the transition my body will be in, but I am also hopeful. This will gauge if my body has been responding to the hormones and if there are any natural hormones still functioning in my system. If there are, the chance that I might be able to conceive one day get greater. If in fact there aren't, then the discussions start about long term management. It is scary and good all at once. It will all work out for the best though. If I end up having the chance to adopt what a blessing it will be!

In the midst of all the emotional chaos that is mixed into my life I received a wonderful Christmas Gift. An hour long massage. Can you imagine? I only DREAM of stuff like that. So tonight after a long few days and an emotional week, I get to go meet with my trainer and use every bit of energy and grit I have in me at the gym, enjoy a quiet dinner at one of my favorite restaurants and then, the massage.

I am always amazed at how crazy and hectic my life can be and then in the same moment how the hand of the Lord is constantly swooping in to calm, bless and strengthen it.

Joy To The World

Well, as with everyone else, I will share my Christmas weekend experience.

On Christmas Eve I enjoyed a dinner or wheat tortellini with Alfredo sauce, all homemade. Great recipe for pasta and Alfredo from friends. I enjoyed some quiet time in a bubble bath and then watched some cheesy and perfectly wonderful Hallmark movies. It was a wonderful evening. I headed over to midnight mass at the catholic church by my place, they end the mass in the most beautiful caroling of my favorite Christmas Carols.

Christmas morning I woke up and enjoyed waffles for breakfast and opened the "Santa" gifts under my tree. I spent the lunch time caroling at a nursing home. I enjoyed the chance to sing some of my favorites to people who didn't know if I messed up or care that my soprano voice isn't really soprano.

That evening I spent enjoying Christmas dinner with friends and playing Beatles Rock band, scrabble and lots of other great games. Lots of food I tried not to eat, I enjoyed the cinnamon almonds more than I should have, but only had a few of almond m&m's.

Late in the evening when I got home I found Santa had come. Gifts had been left with nothing more than "For Nichole, Love Santa". What love and gratefulness I had.

Saturday morning came and I enjoyed some gym time and some great sales! I found the shoes I had been looking for on sale for half price. I found some other great stuff on sale too.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. I had an amazing Christmas, I hope you did too.

12 Days of Christmas...at the Gym

I met with my trainer today and we did the 12 Days of Christmas work out. Let me just explain what that entails.

First, I ran a quarter of a mile, as warm up. Then I did 12 of each of the following:

Medicine Ball Toss: Stand 6-8 feet from a wall, hold the medicine ball (10 lbs) over your head and squat and while returning to standing position tossing the ball against the wall and catching it as you return to the squat.

Sumo Dead Lifts: The set up is your feet will be about shoulder length apart with your feet turned out at 45 degree angles. Your back and neck should be straight. Using an overhand grip with hands about 12 inches or so apart you are ready to start. Similar to normal dead lifts, the benefit is with a Sumo you work your inner thigh and ham stings. Your back stays straight as you bend your knees to prepare for the lift. We added a pull to the end where instead of just lifting to chest height, you pull the bar to the chin and the elbows go up and out. This adds difficulty and makes it a more complex work out. We used the 25 pound bar today.

On the Power Plate:

Squat Jumps: Standing on the Power Plate (which provides constant vibration which engages more muscles) you do a deep squat but instead of just standing you jump out of it, landing lightly on the balls of your feet.

Sit Pumps: Sitting on the edge of the Power Plate place hands beside you then lift yourself up and off the Power Plate and use your arms to lift your body weight.

After doing 12 of each of those, you then start at the beginning and do 11 of each, then with each rotation you go from sets of 12 to sets of only one. Finishing with running another .25 miles.

When all is said and done you will have done 78 of each of these.

My tips of the day, remember to breath and keep hydrated. They are the key to success.

What a great way to celebrate Christmas Eve, I think I have a new tradition.

A Day in the Life

I have been so busy in the last week or two that I haven't had time to update! Here is what I did today...

Off to work bright and early and enjoyed a morning of some interesting discussions with kids. Apparently Santa is bringing me shoes and diamonds and lots of money. Haha! I wish he was bringing that.

Today I apparently made plans to have lunch with two people...opps! I couldn't be in two places at once so I had lunch with Liz at 12:30 at Chili's and enjoyed our weekly session of venting and giggles. It was a blast, as always. Then at 2pm I met Logan at Patricia's. We chatted and enjoyed our monthly gab session. I am so lucky that he has such an amazing wife that let's him still hang out with me. Needless to say I was really full. I ate with Liz, nibbled a salad with Logan and brought it home to eat for dinner.

Then a run to the dollar store to pick up thank you cards for those who participated in the Angel Tree we did at work and a few bits and pieces for tomorrows Christmas festivities.

I ran home to change, feed the cats, check the mail, vacuum the house and mop the kitchen/dining rooms.

Off to a training session, where I got my butt kicked. I wonder why I do it sometimes, because I hate feeling like I am absolutely done and exhausted. My muscles don't work by the end and I push like crazy just to finish sometimes. I work hard and I always am glad I did it, but man does it hurt some days.

Then off to cover a shift for someone.

I came home to eat a wonderful dinner of cereal. I finished up the last of the Christmas projects for tomorrow and decided I had to update. Ah, a day in the life of me! I am grateful for the chance to have a few down days coming, not just for the joy of Christmas, but for the chance to just nap and not have to go and do anything!

Enjoy the last days before Christmas.

Early Christmas

These and a designer Snuggie are what I got for Christmas yesterday. I laugh at the idea of a "designer" snuggie, because really? They need to have designers copying this? It is full of down and the inside is soft and the outside a durable red, but still. I like it but it makes me laugh.

These shoes on the other hand...awesome. I have to go get the right size, but I am highly intrigued by these little gems. The Reebok Easy Tone is the name and if you haven't hear of them or seen the ads, they are supposed to help you sculpt your butt and legs. The idea is that you are are constantly balancing on the balance balls in the heal and toe of the shoe so you are constantly working those muscles, making the toning process a success. I'll let you know what I think after I wear them a little. I have to actually have time to go get the right size as well, so it may take a few days.

I am off to go make holiday cupcakes with my favorite kids. Wish me luck!

Ok, Fine

I will admit it, I have not had the chance to do anything Christmasy today.

So, I will confess that after watching only the 2nd half of Glee (bummed that I missed the first half, but couldn't wait until it was on Hulu tomorrow!) I wanted to just go to bed. Then I remembered the lack of Christmas in my day. So, I turned on the tree, grabbed a cup of hot chocolate and remembered Christmas's past.

The one thing that resonated through each memory for me was that feeling of peace and joy. It didn't have anything to do with who I was with or wasn't, what I was doing or wasn't but it had everything to with the why.

I am grateful for a day without Christmas, to help me remember the best part.

Ah, Isn't it Funny?

I am amazed today. I checked my friend Liv's blog and she got this comment that just made me laugh! I laughed because it was oddly similar, yet different, to a comment I recently received. Go check it out on her blog to see what the fuss is all about.

I, like many others, believe that my blog is my little piece of Internet real estate that I get to write and share what I want. My ability to share good and bad times and bits and pieces is completely mine and I am happy with that. People who try to sensor what you say and post on your blog are not worth the time. You have that all amazing power to do something, not read it. If you don't like what is being said or talked about, don't read it. Don't feel the need to go crazy and complain about someone else's feelings and thoughts. Everyone is different and there is nothing wrong with me or anyone else voicing those opinions.

On a lighter note, we got a ton of snow today. A ton. Roads were icy and scary this morning and into the afternoon. The plows have been going but they haven't kept up with the load. I spent many an hour today shoveling driveways and sidewalks.

And my bit-o-Christmas today was coloring Christmas pictures at work and watching with a bunch of 5 year olds The Santa Claus 3. Christmas through the eyes of children is amazing.

Real Love

Today I spent my afternoon making snowmen, doing yoga and singing Christmas songs. I got a million hugs today. I had three people tell me that I looked great, and found out that out of everyone in the gym, I lost the most weight out of everyone in six months. That includes all members and employees.

I tried on things that had been sitting in my closet for years, that haven't fit and was happy to find some that hadn't fit in 5 years fit and some that I just missed and now are too big all together.

Today I had two people ask me to spend the holidays with them.

I had dinner with my dear friend Tricia, got a message from Liz J., heard from a ton of my old school Prescott friends including my best friends from High School, Beverly, Jason and Alicia.

Today, I remembered what it is like to be really loved. Unconditionally, faults and all loved. That is what the season is about. It is about remembering what is important and why. It is feeling close the ones you love and knowing that no matter what, they love you back. Thank you my dear friends, for reminding me.

I Love the Muppets

I watched a Muppet Christmas special on Hulu today. I love them. I love Hulu. It was a great little bit of Christmas spirit for the day.

Dear Santa,

I am not to old to write to Santa am I? I hope not.

This year I would like the following, if it isn't too much trouble;

New gym shoes, size 7 1/2. My old 8 1/2's don't fit anymore and shoes that are too big are a pain!

New gym clothes, my old stuff is baggy and hanging and my trainer keeps telling me to get rid of it. But if I get rid of it, what do I wear?

While I am at it, new shoes in general, all in the 7 1/2 would be great, because of all the shoes I have from 9-8 just do not fit. I will graciously donate and give away all the too big ones, as long as I have some that fit.

And, if it isn't too much to ask, some new clothes would be nice too. I would like to make it through a Sunday at church without showing off my underwear. A dear friend is taking in a few skirts but I think those won't last long. Not to mention the ill fitting jeans that even cinched with belts no longer flatter. And Santa, you know that a single gal, in the prime of her life who has a newly showing figure needs to be showing off the bod, not hiding it.

Also, if you would like to throw in some struts, that would be nice too.

Thanks Santa,

Nichole

I Am A Kid Again!

My Christmas Spirit for the day is sharing a favorite from my childhood. Disney's Christmas sing-a-long was a family favorite and I stumbled on this bad video of Hip Hop Noel...



And this one of Snow-ho-ho...



And the opening credits and Very Merry Christmas...



And one of my favorite, Oh Christmas Tree/We Wish you a Merry Christmas.



This is how I knew it was christmas, this VHS tape was always in. We knew all the songs and sang them all the time. Watching them I could still remember all the words. What I wouldn't give for a copy of this! This brings back some of the best memories of my childhood. Enjoy them with me. You can find this in its entirety on Youtube and I spent an hour of my night watching it and enjoying every cheesy and memory filled moment of it!

Fa-la-la-la

Today, my Christmas activity was choir practice. For two hours at the early hour of 9am I sang about the beauty, joy and wonder of the season. It is going to be an amazing program, I wish you all could come. If you are in the area and would like to, please do. We have an amazingly talented choir, directors and we are doing this version of Joy to the World, that is amazing and has both piano and organ. Plus, some yummy treats.

After practice the snow really began to fall. I shoveled the driveway and then came inside to unfreeze my hair. It was all clumped in frozen chunks and it made me think of the movie Cool Runnings, where Sanka is sitting in the ice truck and pulls a chunk of his frozen hair off...made me laugh.

An evening of homemade chili, cornbread and some hot chocolate to wash it down, a great night. I was planning on going out with friends tonight, but the weather forced me to take a rain check and I do not mind watching Christmas Movies on the Hallmark Channel.

Be Amazed

Because I am. I just finished my Accounting class (YES!) and I did some number crunching (see what accounting did to me?) and I am proud to say, I got out of there with a B! Yep, me, numbers, accounting=B. I can hardly believe it! I cried more days than should be allowed trying to understand the numbers. I really thought this would be a class I would be doomed to take again. I think this calls for a treat.

My Christmas Spirit for the day was buying my stuff for the Angel Tree. At work we sponsor a couple of kids by doing an angel tree. I am always amazed at how giving and kind people are! One woman picked an angel that said a shirt and came back with a shirt, pants, jacket, socks and a toy! How blessed I am to not only participate in giving this time of year, but to also see how much others are willing to give as well. All I know is that there are two little girls who are going to be very happy come Christmas morning and I get to look into the faces of the people who graciously helped that happen.

Christmas Spirit Day 3

Today I downloaded and listened to the vocal styling of this amazing 10 man acapella group, Straight No Chaser. I have been a fan for a while but this is the newest CD and let me tell you, some great stuff on this thing. 12 days of Christmas is worth a listen for sure. I love Christmas music and this may be on that list of favorite Christmas Albums.

Christmas Spirit day 2

Today as my Christmas Spirit activity I read Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright. A good friend gave me a copy a few years back and I read it every year. It reminds me that serving others is a gift to them but also to yourself. I remember to be more humble and more accepting every year I read this. A quick good read during the holiday season.

Christmas Spirit Day 1

I have decided that I am going to do something everyday until Christmas to get into the holiday spirit. I do realize that is a lot of stuff, but I am happy about it. Part of my own holiday tradition.

Today, I made a ginger bread house with my three favorite kids. I missed them a ton over thanksgiving but we made up for it today with all the details following the Arizona vacation and everything I missed including Milo getting 3 teeth in a week! Ouch! Two of those puppies being incisors.

So, I will have to blog everyday this month about how I celebrated the season. What a great way to remind myself of the wonder of the season as well as share a little of that wonder with you.

Dear Christmas,

I just want you to know how beautiful you are. I love your lights and sparkles. I love the music and movies. I love the rich, calorie busting foods that follow you every year. I love you. It is true.

I just wanted you to know.

Love, Nichole