Good Riddance December

This December has been the hardest month of my life.  On December 1st, my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer.  It's pretty aggressive so they got him ready right away for treatments to fight that ugly bitch cancer.  This whole thing has turned my little world upsidedown.  I'm really close with my dad and I work with him.  I've been taking care of most of the things that he used to take care of, plus my normal day to day stuff and spending as much time with him as I can, so things have been a bit overwhelming.  It's hard to believe it's only been a month.  I've been so sucked into it all, it feels like it's been so much longer. They say with chemo and radiation, it gets worse before it gets better...so hopefully he'll be turning the corner soon to feeling more like himself.

I'll probably still be popping in and out, but I doubt that I'll be regularly posting for a while although, I'm going to try.  It's a good release and I still have some goals for next year to share...writing it down helps hold me accountable.  See you in 2012.

So What?

Link up here.

So what...

...if I've been a bit of a scrooge this year.  I don't really feel like getting into the jingle-belly type of Christmas spirit.  I am using this time to spend quality time with family and close friends, but I am not getting into the hoopla.  We don't even have a tree.  Usually that would bother me...

...that I haven't finished Christmas shopping.  I'll get to it.

...that I need to have an evening at home.  I love spending that time with friends and family and I wouldn't miss out on time with them for anything, but I cannot remember the last evening that John and I were home, cooked dinner, and caught up on our shows...some of my favorite time.  And seriously - I'm doing an overhaul on the house this weekend....wow-za!

...that as much as I love love love puppies, this little gal 

has gotten on my nerves lately.  She's adorable, but time consuming.

...if I think these delicious Oatmeal Cran-White Chocolate cookies are good for recovery after speed work...

kidding...

about thinking they're good recovery, not about eating them!

...that I've been looking forward to the cookie party just for some quality girlfriend time.  Some of my favorites will be there!

...that I had have a PB&J every day for lunch this week. It's made me happy, it's inexpensive, easy and not nearly the calorie count in anything from McDonalds!

What's on your list?

My Life at Random

Here's a bit of random of what's been going on lately in my corner of the world:

Meet Dakota.

We got her for my dad for Christmas...early.

I forgot how much of a handful puppies are.

John is loving this decision because it has made me put my puppy plans on hold for a bit.

Even though I still talk constantly about my Frenchie obsession

She's exhausting...phew!

I've been running a lot. It's been awesome.  With all the stress that has been going on in my little world, the

has helped push me out the door more times than I can count.  Just knowing two of my wonderful friends are holding me accountable is good enough. Accountability really works for exercise motivation friends!

Saturday, John and I met up with friends Carla and Chris to dust off the ole road bikes.  I've been a mini hiatus, but John's been on a much longer one.  We went out on the West Orange Trail and it's beautiful.  Here are some of the sites we saw:

This bridge is so cool.  It's an old train bridge that now goes over the Turnpike.

And through quaint Winter Garden

I had never ridden the trail before, but we have been planning on doing it for a while.  It was worth it.  I'll be back!

I got to eat at one of my favorite restaurants this weekend!  If you're from Orlando, you have got to try Tibby's in Winter Park on Aloma!  It's yummy New Orleans style food.  I had the shrimp and grits and it was fantastic!

I'm obsessed with this place.  I've been 3 times, tried 3 different meals and have loved them all!

I'm off to get in a run and then a work dinner tonight which I'm pretty excited about!

Holiday Freak Streak

Week 1 is completed for the Holiday Freak Streak.  I've been very busy but, I have gotten out there for at least 1 mile per day...some very slow, easy miles and some speedy miles. The challenge is doing it's job...getting me out there to exercise, even for a few minutes.

Day 1: 3 miles
Day 2: 1.16 miles
Day 3: 2 miles
Day 4: 1.16 miles
Day 5: 3.1 miles
Day 6: 1 mile
Day 7: 4 miles

How do you keep in shape during the busy Christmas season?

Christmas Wish List

My Wish List...

A French Bulldog puppy

Lily needs a brother

A trip to NYC

This house because of the the following pictures (plus location!)

A canal on our favorite lake to go out on.

And for this guy to feel like himself again.

I have a hard time coming up with things I want for Christmas, but these things I'd like very much.  In order from least to most, in case someone's reading this...

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

As promised, here is the recipe for the cookies I mentioned yesterday!  I haven't made them yet and I won't be making them until next week, but who could go wrong with this combination?!

According to the internet, they should look like this.

2/3 cup of brown sugar

2/3 cup of butter or margarine, softened

2 large eggs

1-1/2 cup oats raw

1-1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 ounces Craisins

2/3 cup white chocolate chunks

Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and mix well.  Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a seperate bowl.  Add butter mixture slowly, mixing well after each addition.

Stir in Craisins and white chocolate chunks.  Drop by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased cookie pans.  Bake 10-12 minutes at 375*F. 

Makes approximately 2-1/2 dozen cookies.

Sounded yummy right??  

Stocking Stuffer Swap

I just signed up with Stephanie at Blonde Highlights & Faison at Fat to Fabulous for this fun swap! Check it out!