Hello Winter!

I don't mind winter too much.  Actually kind of enjoy it.  I've discovered I like to run when its cold out.  I like being at home and working on projects.  I don't mind the getting dark early.  What I do have a problem with is running errands in single digit temperatures with wind chills below freezing.  My day started with the garage door stubbornly opening about 7/8 of the way - making me a prisoner of my house unless I could figure out a way to get the car out.  When the McDonald's diet coke is calling you its a powerful motivator.

 After a few minutes on a ladder with a bungee cord,  I rigged up a solution.  We stayed tucked in the rest of the day, finally stashing all of Christmas away and not home schooling because when its your birthday and your 8, what would you choose?

Tonight, in the dark, empty streets I ventured out.    I did the Target, Qdoba (free salad), Walgreen's & grocery store circuit - topping it off with a visit to Petco for crickets and vitamins for Michael's gecko (a Christmas present from his girlfriend).  Her name is Belle (the gecko, not the girlfriend - that's Kirstin).  And Belle finally pooped today - am I really worrying about why the gecko hasn't pooped?  Yes, it was a little concerning.  All is well in that department.

The forecast is calling for even colder temperatures (yippee!!) but with my heated seats and remote start I think I will survive.   Hope its warmer wherever you are!

A New Year, A New Age

2010 46 2010 46 2010 46 2010 46 2010 46
So along with the world turning 2010, I get to turn a year older too - 46 sounds a lot better than 2010, but seriously - we're looking at 50 in the not too distant future. If there were a magic fountain of youth pill, I might be getting interested about now. I know I will get old, but I'm not feeling it yet, and I count that as a blessing every day. Having a functioning body and my health are true gifts. I don't need earrings, or clothes or a new camera (well, I kind of need a camera since I've lost mine) - a working, pain free body is the best gift of all.

We've become a fit family here at home. Sometime in 2009 my beloved decided it was time, once and for all, to drop a few pounds - 50 to be exact. He looks great and feels great. He runs, does the elliptical, shops for pants in normal stores. We don't run together, but I've developed a love of running - not too far - but I get it now, why people do it. Michael is on the cross country team at Maryville, Madeline runs all over the tennis court and Andrew is following in her footsteps with his Tuesday tennis with some home school buddies.

And because I can't think of anyway to segue into my daughter getting to play princess for a night with her beau Dan, but many of you have asked to see her pix - I'm including her night at the Veiled Prophet ball - a strange tradition in St. Louis Society, of which we're not a part but she's got the right connections and had a fun night.