The After Christmas Math

Lets talk about it. What happens after Christmas. Because I just need to talk about it. Lets start with the house. Christmas Eve was picture perfect when it comes to the house. It was clean, really clean, and all lit up. I can see it in my mind. And it makes me smile. After Christmas house, I don't want to live in. The toys, boxes, and kitchen stress me to the MAX. Going on day 4 and I still don't feel like picking it all up. Next is the after Christmas body. If I could run, and I can't due to my blasted runner's knee, I would run from post Christmas body. Except since I haven't run in a month, I probably wouldn't be going very fast, or very far, so what does it matter. I took a little class at lunch at work yesterday. Arms and abs. Today, I went for the traditional stretch in my office chair first thing this morning, and I about cried out in pain from the little arms and ab class soreness. All that fudge, chex mix, and pie I ate, I'm thinking were not worth it today. Now this next one, not everyone can identify, but some can. The after Christmas snow. Our little BLIZZARD on Christmas Eve has wreaked havoc on our poor city who is completely ill prepared for an event like this. I actually laugh to myself as I drive on dry pavement, then hit sheer ice, then hit two rows for your tires and a mountain of snow in the middle that high centers your car. Its completely and utterly ridiculous. And we're getting another inch or 2 today. Oh yeah, and last but not least is the post Christmas children. These are the children who are sleep deprived, coming off sugar highs, and bleary eyed from all the Wii playing that Santa brought.

Here's to melting snow, getting back in shape, sugar detox.

White Christmas '09

Happy Christmas Eve!

We had big plans tonight to have my dad's side of the family over for snacks, gifts, and fun. But we ended up with this

Snow drifts that were as high as Carson's chest. So its my first white Christmas I think in OK that I can remember. After the disappointment of not having company set in, I was glad that the party was going to be at my house, because I was prepared with lots of food. So we were lucky we had dinner. Every major highway is closed in the state, and people are stuck on the roads everywhere. I have to say, I am so glad we are in our cozy little house, with the fire roaring. Now if my 3 little ones would just close their sleepy eyes, Santa's elves could get to work.

Hoping the roads are better tomorrow so we can at least make it to my moms for dinner. If not, we're having pie. Because thats what I was supposed to bring tomorrow.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Ahhhh The Week of Christmas

Its my last day of work for the week. And obviously, I'm not working. I'm blogging. In fact, today when I woke up, I decided I'm only going to work 1/2 a day today. Its ridiculous for me to be at work. I'm getting nothing done, my focus is not on why I'm off $5380 in account 1106. My focus is on making 2 pies, painting my living room, and wrapping gifts in the next 2 days. Don't ask about the painting my living room part. I'm slightly neurotic. And I can't have my family over on Christmas Eve with 2 areas where we "tested" paint.

My entire side of the family is coming into town starting Thurs and I absolutely can't wait. We've got game nights, snack nights, cookie decorating parties - oh I'm giddy thinking about it.

On another note - today I am going to the Dr for my MRI results regarding my knee. I am hoping and praying he says I can resume running. For some reason, my husband thinks I'm cranky when I don't get to run. Hmmmm. Call me crazy, but all I want for Christmas is a 3 mile run, under the stars, at 5 in the morning with no wind.

And that was a totally and completely random post. My apologies.

Let the Christmas fun begin!

Dinner Conversation

Rene' : I dropped my apple on the floor

Me: Zak, can you get that off the floor for your sister

Zak: She doesn't want to eat that off the dirty floor

Me: Daddy mopped yesterday, our floor is clean

Zak: well today at school, I ate a pancake off the floor

Me: (stunned) Zak, that floor is so dirty, your going to get sick now

Andy: He's probably going to miss his class Christmas party because he's going to be sick

Zak: lots and lots and lots of crying

Me: Thanks Andy. Good one.

Irony

I came home Thursday night to Paige crying. Which honestly, is nothing new. But when I took a few steps in the door and heard Andy ranting and raving, I thought it a little out of the ordinary. Only to take a few more steps into the living room and see the half gallon of taupe paint spilled on the carpet. By Paige. Who had attempted to carry it across the living room. I stood and assessed the situation. Realizing that the carpet in the middle of the living room was probably ruinded, and also realizing that Andy just might need some "alone time" to mourn the fact, I swept the girls into the van and ordered a pizza. I made sure I took a really long time getting back, too. Good thing the pizza place was busy. So after about a hour and 16 gallons of boiling water and a shop vac, Andy conquered the paint on the carpet. The really good news is that is was just a couple shades darker than the carpet, so if there is still some left on it, it just blends in with the brown flecks.

We made it through the evening with apologies exchanged for words said. The next morning I am on my way out the door to work and realize we didn't check the kids school bags. So I grab the papers out of Paige's bag and skim through them, only to halt dead in my tracks at the last note. Seems Paige has been chosen for the Sensational Citizen Award, and oh, by the way, it will be presented to her at morning roundup, Dec 11th. I ran to the kitchen calendar. Sure enough, it was Dec 11th. That meant I had to call my boss to tell him I was going to be an hour late, and that Karly couldn't ride to take the kids to school in her pjs and bedhead. It was quiet the scramble. But we made it.

I found it ironic that she got the award, which is partly given for making good choices, the morning after her little paint mishap. And really, it just put it all in perspective for us. Don't sweat the small stuff. Paint on the carpet, ok, maybe not that small. But still, in 5 years it makes for a great story.

My morning routine

Its funny how routines just happen. Well, most do. My morning routine has just "happened" and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Its takes some evening prep work. But that's just how I roll. I need to "prep". This morning routine has only been into affect for about 4 weeks. Andy has started a morning workout routine, which I am so very proud of him for. He gets up at 5:45 and heads to the church, which is a mere 3 min away, and works out with 15 other guys doing the P90X workout. Because I have learned the importance of a workout both mentally and physically, I'm happy to pick up the slack. I get up at 6, get myself ready, wake the kids at 645 and get them going on breakfast. I do the girls hair while they eat, and then Andy is usually home at 705, where the car has been warmed up for me and is ready to go. I whisk out the door with kisses to all and start my 20 min commute to work. I then find myself at my south facing cubicle by the window. I am switching departments in January, so my time is limited in my cubicle by the window. I won't have that luxury at my new "home". But until then, I will enjoy every minute of it. Its quiet, the sun is coming up, and I have my cup of home brewed coffee. I log in, check my email, the news page, and a few Runners World blogs. Then its diving into my world of accounting.

I love my morning routine. I love waking my kids up with a kiss. I love that my car is all warmed up when its time to go. I love my husband for being brave enough to tackle the world of kids, schedules, and meals, for a season. And I love my cup of coffee in my quiet cubicle watching the sun rise on another day.

Conversations

Last night:
Me to Paige: Well honey, some people don't celebrate Christmas
Paige: Really, like who?
Me: Well........
Paige: like Obama?

At breakfast this morning:
Paige: I am getting a DS for Christmas
Zak: You don't know that
Paige: I do. I asked Santa for it, twice
Zak: So
Paige: When I sat on his lap at the mall, he said I could have one, and then when I sat on his lap at school, he told me again that I could have one
Zak: Paige, you don't know if that is the real Santa or not
Paige: Yes I do, he moves and everything.

When I came home yesterday:
Rene': Mama, I pooped on the potty today
insert hands in the air and lots and lots of twirling

I think daddy feels the same way about that Rene'

PS - Santa is not bringing a DS. Now what do I do about that?

Can you believe it?!?!?!

I'm actually posting on my blog.

Amazing. I know. I haven't been too far away though. I've been over at Not A Runner Who Runs, chronicling my Half Marathon adventure. Which was a success and is now over. So I'm back.

Now what prompted this post is funny. Because my blog name is how I take my coffee. I was late to work this morning, but had not had coffee. And I sure wasn't going to get some in the cafeteria at work because they have powdered creamer. GASP! So I stopped at Starbucks. And bypassed the drive thru and went in. I walked into a winter wonderland filled with coffee, mugs, people, and Christmas music. I was seriously in my own personal heaven on earth. I don't know what it is about Christmas, but it releases endorphins in me like nothing else. Especially places full of people, Christmas music and the smell of coffee. It started my day out like nothing else could.

Except if I had run 3 miles under the starts this morning. Now that would have made the perfect morning.