525,600 minutes

36 to 37

lots of snow days
so much snow
crawling under the sink in the Christmas Story house because Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie
attending a private Sting concert for free
onion rings at the drive-in with my goddaughters
nieces who get in the car for a "day of fun" and say "I'm so excited!"
lots of hiking
that month when it was freaking hot
the best U2 show ever
saying "hi Edge" and having Edge wave back
the "impossible" marathon
the Hubby who let life be turned upside down for four months to make the impossible marathon possible
countless iron pills and protein shakes
running start snuggle hugs from my nephew
new glasses
a vehicle that hit 100,000 miles
legs that have roughly the same amount of miles on them
dance recitals
birthday parties
cookies
hot cocoa
trips to the orchard
being part of a live link up to the International Space Station
Hubby's poetry reading
sitting with a cup of tea and a book
actually getting flowers to grow
so many green tea lattes I lost count
Thanksgiving dinner
a month of living on fudge and peanut butter balls
watching my grandpa's eyes light up when I presented him with a container of pfeffernuss
goddaughters who made me the coolest owl blanket ever
receiving a recording of my dad reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
hugs and kisses
laughter
hope
faith
love

36, you'll be a tough act to follow.
But I think I'm up for it.
37? Let's start today.

yesterday and today and tomorrow

Yesterday I was so excited to go over to my Grandma's house to make Christmas cookies. The kind that have frosting and sprinkles, and are shaped like Christmas trees and stars and Santa.



I spent so much time, hours maybe, sitting by the Christmas tree, just looking at it because it was so beautiful.

I could not wait for Christmas Eve. My mom made cocoa, and I curled up next to my dad so that he could read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to me. Then I picked out the absolutely perfect cookies (the ones I made with Grandma) to leave for Santa, and set them out on the coffee table, right next to the cocoa.

On Christmas morning, the first order of business was to check on the cocoa and cookies. And they were gone!



Today I am so excited for my nieces to come over to my house and make Christmas cookies with frosting and sprinkles. And I am so excited that they will take them home to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve. (Although I save a few to leave at Grandma's grave. I know she likes them, too.)

And I spend as much time as I can, just sitting by the Christmas tree, looking at it because it is just so beautiful.

And I would love to sit down next to my dad and hear him read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to me. Even though I'm 36, and would probably be sharing the space with his grandkids.

And I'm so tempted to leave some cocoa and cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve, because I do believe that when I check on Christmas morning, they'll be gone.



And it really seems that the more things change, the more they really just don't. And there's really no reason to wish for what's past, or miss it, or remember when. Because really, it's all here with you, right now, today. Everyone and everything that you've known and done and believed and been has gone into making this moment, right now.

I guess that's a little piece of the magic. And, really, the best present of all.



Merry Christmas.

it was supposed to be about the lights...

Hubby and I went to see one of those big, drive-through holiday light displays; the kind that have Santa and snowmen and knights fighting a dragon and aliens all made out of lights. You know, in order to better understand the true meaning of the holiday season. With knights fighting a dragon. And aliens.

And most people were perfectly happy to drive through and look at the glowing koala and the red-eyed kangaroo (exchanging gifts, of course). But I felt this compulsion to park the car and get out. I'm not sure why. It was really cold. And it was that one day that we had snow. But still, out I got. And I'm so glad I did, because I found the Christmas trees.









They were small. From the car,they just looked like trees with lights. And probably not many people really saw them. Especially if they just drove on through. But each one was decorated differently, and was just so beautiful. And they made the numb fingers and toes totally worth it.

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snow time

Yesterday the weather cooperated.



I woke up to snow. Covering the ground. And I smiled, non-stop, because of it.



And I put on my hat and scarf. And I pulled up my Christmas playlist. And I went out and played (ran) in the snow. And I smiled non-stop because of it.



Today the snow is gone. Of course. It was sunny and just warm enough to melt it all away.

But I'm choosing to optimistic that it will be back soon.

I smile just thinking about it.

Do you ever get the feeling that you've just walked into a James Taylor song?

Or is it just me?

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Do you ever get the feeling....

that you're being followed by a yellow submarine?



Or is it just me?