I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a Happy Holiday season. I probably won’t be posting again until the new year. Thank you so much for coming here to visit.

I design my holiday card every year. It’s a creative outlet I look forward to and dread each year but somehow I figure it out. Duncan was the star of the card again this year.

a little sarcasm this year

a little sarcasm this year

IMG_4328

This blog is another creative outlet for me and it’s really awesome when I hear from you and feel like I’ve got a little bonus world of friends.

Not much has happened since I told you about the Big Chill 5K earlier this month. Well Richard the elf and Jingles, his reindeer sidekick have been busy…

baking

baking

Crossword time

Crossword time

As a matter of fact I haven’t run a single mile since. I’m still nursing my poor feet. Bursitis, tendinitis….whatever I have, it’s so frustrating. But I do a bit of improvement in the last day or two so maybe by 2018 I’ll be ready to run? One good thing about all my injuries this year is that I don’t even think I fee sad anymore. My expectations have plummeted and I’ll just be happy to run at all next year.

I haven’t even been to yoga in over a week. And the last hike I went on was 3 weeks ago.

Duncan is still keeping up with his downward dog though

Duncan is still keeping up with his downward dog though

The seasons sure have changed as we officially enter Winter today…

Just a little side-by-side from a couple of weeks apart

Just a little side-by-side from a couple of weeks apart

I love the color contrast and pattern of the snow on the green shrub

I love the color contrast and pattern of the snow on the green shrub

snowface

snowface

it's getting cold

it’s getting cold

Since I’m on a running hiatus I thought I’d share some of my silly neighborhood holiday decorations runs with you.

There was the Candy Cane EditionIMG_7942

And a Walk in 2014 thanks to a sprained ankle.

And my innaugural holiday decorations run in 2013 where I discovered the square snowman…iceman

Well, I’ve got a client call in 22 minutes and then it’s work.work.work. I’m thrilled to be so busy in Q4 but it’s hard to find the time to enjoy the spirit of the season.

Here’s to a happy and healthy new year! I wish you all strong bodies and minds and less stress.

Happy Happy Holidays!

What is your most favorite part of the holiday season? Least favorite?

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?

I’m just enjoying life as best as I can lately. I have a lot on my plate these days and my goal is just to try and keep my mindset in a Zen, happy place. Nobody wants a Scrooge around right? Here are 5 things to keep me happy lately:

  1. Running: Of course! I ran on Friday around the neighborhood for an easy 3 miles. fri-statsSaturday was a special run. It was the Big Chill 5k held on the campus of Rutgers University. Over 8,000 runners and walkers donate toys as their registration fee and then run. I got to see Jane and Mr. SOTSS ran as well.
    Me and Jane

    Me and Jane

    The entire back wall eventually is totally filled with donated toys

    The entire back wall eventually is totally filled with donated toys

    Me and Mr. SOTSS....It was super sunny and I was squinting just a tad.

    Me and Mr. SOTSS….It was super sunny and I was squinting just a tad.

    While I didn’t pay the extra fee for a timing chip, my Garmin let me know that I ran a 9:26 pace and finished in 29 minutes! That’s pretty unbelievable considering A. I’ve been so slow lately and B. there were so many walkers to dodge and weave that I for sure wasn’t able to run freely leaving me to believe that my time would be much slower.big-chill-statsIn addition to running I also registered for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler lottery. It’s a very popular race held in Washington D.C. in April. After the Big Chill, Mr. SOTSS and I joined Jane and her posse for breakfast and we made the decision to enter the lottery. I’m looking forward to it if I get in. I want 2016 to be the year I run lots of shorter distances and 10 miles has always been a favorite distance of mine yet I’ve never run an actual 10 mile race.

  2. Getting in the Holiday Spirit: Yup, I put up my tree and decorated a little outside while Duncan napped. That’s about right.
    Woke up for the picture

    Woke up for the picture

    Boy do I enjoy revealing all my ornaments each year that have been in hibernation for a year. And I had a new ornament to put up. The one I bought as a souvenir from my trip to Jamaica this past summer.jamaica-ornamentEach ornament brings back warm fuzzy feelings. Totally made me happy.

    Why yes! May ALL your miles be merry =)

    Why yes! May ALL your miles be merry =)

    Running chick!

    Running chick!

    marathon ornament

    marathon ornament

    Doodle ornament

    Doodle ornament

    outside-2

    My cute lil snowman

    outside-1

  3. Spending quality time with my honey: We spent lots of quality time this weekend which culminated in a lovely hike today with the dogs.
    The boys in my life

    The boys in my life

    Even though it's December it is still officially Autumn. 50s and sunny.

    Even though it’s December it is still officially Autumn. 50s and sunny.

    And speaking of doggies….

  4. Cute doggies!: I’ve had to do a large amount of freelance work today and seeing them cuddled so cute around me makes me happy.napping-doggies
  5. Family dinner: This past Thursday my mom and dad had me over for dinner and homemade apple crisp. apple-crispIt felt really good to tell them all of the things in my life lately….the good, the bad and the ugly. They are so supportive and just want me to be happy….so….I’ll try as hard as I can to keep this mindset that way.

So how was your weekend? Can you tell me 5 things that have made you happy lately?

 

Just thought I’d make this a short fun post while I have a few minutes.

1. I finally got a tree topper! My tree has been topless for years and I’ve usually tried to improvise with ribbon to make it look like a bow at the top but now my tree is sparkling just a little bit more with this bargain $7 glittery star.

tree topper

Shining Star

2. My ankle is feeling SOOO much better. I decided to go to the gym for some cross-training since I’m not ready to run on it yet.

gym workout

35 minutes of cardio

3. I took Duncan for a walk in the park and decided he was worthy of having the heated seat turned on too.

loving our heated seats

loving our heated seats

4. I mailed out my holiday cards!

photo 1

5. Luna sent me some bars in the mail! They’re going gluten free and wanted to share the news. I polished off the Chocolate Dipped Coconut one when I got back from the gym. Tasty! Doesn’t taste any different. I have no food sensitivities so I probably won’t review these. But in case you didn’t know they made the switch to GF, consider yourself in the know. Your welcome =)

Gift from Luna

Gift from Luna

Question: Do you have any food sensitivities or allergies? Tell me 5 happy things in your life today…