Decking the Halls

This week has started the crazy time of year everyone gets caught up in called the "Holiday Rush." I am engrossed in it myself. I started after Thanksgiving putting up our Christmas tree, hanging lights in the windows, and writing all the holiday cards. Don't get me wrong, I actually love this time of year. The glittery lights of downtown Ann Arbor's midnight madness, the first fresh snowfall that sticks, the chill in the morning air, the scent of pine bough, and cookies, and merriment. I love it! It does overwhelm me at times though, and this year, like others, I think I'm trying to take a step back and remember what I'm thankful for instead of continue the rush, rush, rush to get it all done. I'll be spending some time doing my favorite tradition: baking cookies while watching The Sound of Music. That and probably making my chocolate covered pretzels. I just can't not make them. Here's a few pictures of my decorations around the house to get you in that holiday spirit of your own.

Another thing that happened this week was my renewed interest in getting and staying healthy. After Thanksgiving I started to feel like I hadn't been paying much attention to my eating habits again, so thanks to inspiration from Kristal, I signed up for an account on fitday.com. It's actually a pretty cool little tool that helps you track goals like nutrition, weight loss, and physical activity all in one place. I'll be piloting my new regime (an account is free by the way) over the next few weeks to try and keep the inevitable holiday bulge in check. I also bought new personal calenders for the bathroom "accountability board" on which both Brad and I will record accomplishments like working out and percentage body fat changes (we have a scale that measures that right below the board). Both of these new things are also to help prepare me for my 2009 goals, which I will unveil by the end of the month! I'm excited to continue to make changes and grow personally, but no longer into a bigger size. ;-)Now with that, I'm off tomorrow to volunteer as a gift wrapper at the Arborland Border's in support of the Humane Society of Huron Valley. I'll be there from 6-10pm and again December 11th from 6-10pm. If you need any last minute gifts for a secret santa exchange or just want to come check out the books and nourish your soul, stop by and visit! I'll be sure to wrap your purchases up beautifully for a good cause.