Keeping Up

Listening to the Indigo Girls Christmas album today at work. Looking forward to Holiday Break. Thinking there might need to be some baking tonight.

Sunday. Stumptown Coffee and I-90. Little Si, sunshine, and time in the woods. Back to the city and eggs benedict brunch. Errands downtown. A nap with the windows open. Water for Elephants. Knitting and Fantastic Mr. Fox.

No photo today (again).

[ Sundays project with E. A photo from the day with a few words. Long-distance cousins. ]

I have a lot in my head today. I suppose some of this comes with the Holidays and the end of the year. So, I guess another list. A few things that I cannot string together into a coherent paragraph.

It is a beautiful Seattle day. Snow in the mountains, visible from the city. Sunny. And a little chilly. These days are so great. But, I know darkness will be here in only a few hours. As I said a while back, I sure did enjoy the dark for a while, but now as we approach the shortest day of the year I am ready for the Solstice. Ready to turn the corner, back to lighter days.

Tomorrow is my Dad’s birthday. I’m making him a CD. As always.

Last night was one of the most fun soccer games we had played in a while. I headed the ball for the first time since I broke my jaw. And we won.

This morning on the radio John in the Morning played bits from Charlie Brown’s Christmas and this Run DMC song. The whole thing made me smile.

I know it has been a hard month for a lot of people. And, really, I feel so unbelievably lucky for everything I have in my life. I wish I could spread happiness and wellness everywhere.

I think I'm ready to move somewhere cold. With snow outside the door, not just in the mountains. Though, I would miss the mountains.

If you’re looking for something to play in your earbuds today, check out this free album from Grand Hallway. Lots of positive lyrics. I'm really liking By the Time it Gets Dark (a Yo La Tango cover).

I like.

:: Getting dressed up once in a while.

:: Arriving home after a long Wednesday to a surprise package on my doorstep.

:: Eating breakfast with J. Even if it means getting up early.

:: Candles and a Christmas tree lit with lights.

' Just when you think you've seen it all, there's always tomorrow. '

- Chris Kluwe, Minnesota Vikings punter regarding the Metrodome via Twitter.

I like (Monday Morning Edition).

:: Eggnog in my coffee.

:: Starting the week with a full tank of gas.

:: Sunshine after a soggy weekend.

:: Christmas music on the radio. (A repeat, but it sure does make me smile.)

Sunday. Slow, slow start. Coffee. Pinapple Express. Football with The Guys and knitting. Laughing at Saturday night stories. A spaghetti dinner with a glass of milk. Settlers of Catan. Preparing for the week. And to bed.

No photo today.

[ Sundays project with E. A photo from the day with a few words. Long-distance cousins. ]

I am pretty sure each item in my lunch today was highly freezer-burned up until they were zapped by the micorwave.

Frozen peas.

Soggy frozen sweet potato fries.

And a veggie burger (sans bun).

Despite the fact that I am wearing red tights and a Christmas sweater today, this made me sad. This is my lunch?

I'm a pretty firm believer that life is made up of the small things. And how we precieve the details - mondane or otherwise - can pretty much determine our happiness. This concept challenges me. A lot.

It is fairly easy for me to take pleasure in details - when I have carefully crafted the details. Or when they are so obviously fabulous. But. When the details involve freezer burn or rain when sunshine was expected, it is much much more difficult for me. 

At lunchtime, I feel so happy sitting and eating yummy leftovers from the night before or when I have thrown together a brightly colored salad. But. Today. I was not happy.

I decided that I really did not want to be disappointed in my lunch. (Why not? It is just lunch afterall. But, again, life is made up of small things. And habits. Habits of mind.)

So, I made a list.

Good things about my lunch.

:: Lots of color. Orange and green.

:: Vegetables are healthy.

:: Free.

:: Peas make me feel like a little kid.

There you go. I feel better already.

Sunday. Chocolate chip pancakes. Laundry. Walk to Queen Anne and the Urban Craft Uprising. Browsing and chatting with Mrs. G. Knitting and Christmas music. Butternut squash tacos. And to bed.

[ Sundays project with E. A photo from the day with a few words. Long-distance cousins. ]

Saturday. Late morning in bed, wake to fried oatmeal. Christmas music and drive into the mountains. Snowshoes. Searching for the perfect tree. A not-so-perfect, but perfect-for-us tree. More Christmas music. Tuna melts and cherry pie. The Apple Cup. Walking neighborhood errands. A felt tree skirt with bobbles. Tree lights and decorations. Egg nog. Popcorn. Candles. And National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

I love Christmastime.

I like.

:: Christmas music on the radio.

:: Wearing clogs and wool socks.

:: Walking downtown to see a movie (or two).

:: Starting a good book.