Getting Christmas out of the attic...

It's time. There wasn't much Thanksgiving leftovers this year. In fact, the pumpkin pie was gone the morning after. It's very yummy for breakfast with a nice cup of coffee (flavored with that new Pumpkin Spice Creamer) So with the long weekend ahead and a bunch of reading to be done for school, I began to think about those boxes up in the attic.

Boxes that were labeled "Christmas" and were filled with years and years of homemade ornaments compliments of my kids. I have never been one to decide months in advance on a "theme" or "color" for the Christmas tree. Martha Stewart would probably cringe politely at the sight of my Christmas tree. The favorite and most delicate time worn ornaments are hung toward the top and the front of the tree for all to admire. Some of my favorites include Steven's cardboard green wreath which still has 5 or 6 elbow macaronis attached to it. (Steven made this in Kindergarten)Then there's two cardboard red stockings with Aldo's and Phillip's pictures in the middle. Cristina also has an ornament cut out still covered with silver glitter and her smiling picture from 2nd or 3rd grade. Yes, these are the "prized" ornaments that I carefully wrap each year when the tree comes down.

In those boxes are many Christmas memories. Even the Nativity scene that I purchased for a few dollars at a closeout store is priceless. Each year, I find a different place to set it up hoping that it inspires the same inexplicable awe I feel as I remember the story of Jesus' amazing birth.
Along with the ornaments, I have all kinds of decorations for the house. Candles, figurines and snow men...It's been a while since I've gone out and bought anything new since the "old" seems to be all I need.

Saturday was a busy day. I had a 14 miler to run with my group so by the time I got home and showered it was already early afternoon. I had to get online for school and I still have not caught up on all my reading. Today was just as busy. I taught Sunday school and went out to lunch with my daughter and hubby. Then, back online to take my 4-hour Exam! There's nothing easy about short or long essay questions especially when they count for 75% of my grade! ARGH!

After dinner I went upstairs and looked out my bedroom window. Across the street, a neighbor already has their lights up. Funny how those lights can make you feel like Christmas is quickly approaching again. So, here I sit to write (taking a break from my reading) and think about my Christmas that is STILL in the attic waiting to come out.

I'll "make time" this week after work, after I run, after making dinner...doing laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, vacuuming....you get the picture! Christmas will be here soon and I leave for Japan on Dec. 22nd. I think it's time to make a list and check it twice of what I need to do.

Stay tuned...

32 days and counting. . .

I did not sleep well last night. Have you ever had your sleep interrupted in the midst of a dream? Well, that was my case except it was several different disturbing dreams. I guess I should welcome the interruptions and be thankful I am awake now. I don't have work or school this week. (The online reprieve is just for the online discussion...I have a LOT of reading still to do and a huge exam next Tuesday!)

Even before I get my coffee, I turn on my computer and check my email. This morning my son Steven (who's been in Japan working for the past 17 months) emailed me. His words are always poetic and full of meaning. He is anticipating my arrival in 32 days!

This will be my second trip to Japan except this time I leave before Christmas. It will be strange not to be home with my family. But, I will spend this Christmas with Steven and his girlfriend. Then we will visit Kyoto. Steven said it's been raining non-stop and that the weather is cooling off. I remember the cold from last time so this time I will be better prepared.

I miss Steven so much. He still has another year from June since his contract was renewed. With Cristina leaving in June and him still gone...the house will feel emptier. Phillip is still here but hardly ever really home. I suppose if I can handle a son in Japan, I can handle having a daughter in Michigan. Michigan is a lot closer!

So now preparations begin. I will be decorating the house earlier and making sure the Christmas shopping is done in time! (Jeff and I have spent many a Christmas Eve nights STILL wrapping!)
I need to make a list...check it twice and make sure I get it all done!

32 days and counting...

13. 1 Miles!

I woke up at 5am and looked outside into the dark street. A thick fog covered everything and I couldn't even see the car parked across the street. As I got ready, I wondered about how the drive would be.

Today was a big day for my running group. We would go 13.1 miles for our training run. This is a huge accomplishment for many first-timers and for me it's exciting to be there and help them make it. the weather was cool and the fog had lifted a bit by the beach. At one point we ran on the Jetty and headed toward the ocean that was completely encased in the fog. We couldn't see across the bay. Perfect running weather though.

It took us 2 hrs. 59 minutes! (Right on pace for our 6 hour finish marathon time!) There was a lot of high-5s and smiles! We did it!

The big white envelope!

All week, Cristina has been coming home and checking the mailbox. I normally get the mail but this week I let her do it. You see, she's been waiting for her acceptance letter. Today, it came.
Promptly at 3pm I heard the garage door open and the sound of flip flops flapping on the ground as she ran to the mailbox. She looked in and game a sad look....no envelope? Could it be??

She came toward me and I was puzzled...I'd seen the corner of a big white envelope sticking out of the slot. Sure enough, she left it in the mailbox just to fool me!
We went inside and I watched her as she opened it........

"Congratulations"....I saw the word at the top of the letter! She was accepted! I've known in my heart for a very long time that this day would come. She's been so focused and determined and today she achieved her dream...We hugged and I cried of course--as I was smiling....

So the countdown begins to graduation.....210 days.......

Today's news puts a whole new meaning to my post from yesterday. I don't think it's hit me yet.

A jog down memory lane...

This has been a long busy week. Yet, I made it a priority to get my training runs in all week. I have discovered that when I am most stressed and busy that I need that solitary run to clear my head and calm my soul.

So, Wednesday was one of those stressful days. The day started off normally. I had my son take my dog Tippy to the groomer for his "regular" shampoo and trim. On my lunch, I drove to pick him up and dropped him off at home. I went back to work. When I left for home I had a strange message from my son telling me that Tippy was acting strange. When I got home and saw him, I got worried. He wouldn't even let me pick him up. I got the doggy carrier and put him in there and headed to our regular vet (who is CLOSED on Wednesday). So, we headed for an Animal Hospital nearby. After almost 2 hours, we saw the doctor who claimed that Tippy seemed to be physically ok and just exhibiting some emotional upset about his grooming experience....all normal! So we went home. My husband was out to dinner with his dad and there was no one else at home and it was almost 6:30pm. I needed to go run!

I changed and headed outside. I love the cool crisp night air. As I walked the first few minutes, I pondered which route to take. The river bed would be dark and dangerous so I opted for the neighborhood residential streets--avoiding the busy boulevards.

As I started my Garmin, I jogged slowly and headed toward our first home. It was strange to run by it and peer inside the kitchen window...the same cabinets were there. I loved that kitchen! It was a BIG kitchen. So many memories there. I wondered just how many bowls of cheerios I must have poured for my 4 kids...how many school lunches made as I looked out that same window....the family dinners around our little table. Cristina's high chair in the corner.

I was then nearing the end of the block and headed towards the elementary school...Ah, more memories. The boys and Cristina all went there. I tried to count how many Back to School nights and Open Houses...That many? I wondered.

Going the other way I headed toward home and made another turn up the street where Cristina's Preschool was...preschool....was she ever that little? I have pictures and memories to prove it but as of today, my little girl is all grown up and waiting patiently for her college acceptance letter. Can it be that she will soon be leaving home? I can remember picking her up at the preschool and at how happy she was to see me.

Turning back down the street I headed toward the elementary school and passed by Carol's house, the day-care lady who watched all 4 of my kids for a long time. A pair of white socks was on the lawn....Hmmm....a little late in the year to be playing socks, I thought. But then again, my kids used to love that game!

Yes, I was running in circles and staying close to home for this 70 minute run. On the way back, I went by the boys' high school and reminisced about them there. Jeff and I had to split into 3 and follow 3 schedules for the Back to School & Open Houses. I will never forget the last one for Phillip...I cried all the way home (we live close enough to walk).
Tonight, the parking lot by the music building was empty and quiet. The marching band parades, trips, performances...loading and unloading the buses. I stopped for a moment and closed my eyes and I could see the scene from when Phillip went to Hawaii and Steven to BC.
Saying goodbye then was hard I thought. I've said harder and longer goodbyes since then and I survived?

Bigger goodbyes await me around the corner of life....that was nothing way back when.

Time. Time has flown, I thought, as I was nearing my 70 minute run. I decided to walk and collect my thoughts and caught my tears before they fell. I was feeling so emotional and exhausted. My Garmin said 5 miles. Time to go home and shower.

I live so close to so many places that have special meaning to me and the family...and that night, I was able to appreciate them all once more, even though I felt a longing for those times again.

12 miles + tennis + salsa dancing +school = A long day!

I woke up before the alarm clock (a first!) It was 4:35am. The thought crossed my mind of staying in bed for a few more minutes but I decided to get up instead. I went through my quiet ritual of every Saturday morning as I got ready to head out to Venice for another 12 mile training run. I got my garmin watch, fuel belt, shoes and headed downstairs to the kitchen to prepare my 3 bottles of Amino Vital. As my bagel toasted, I picked 3 Gu packets: Plain, Vanilla and Strawberry Banana. The bagel popped up ready and I spread some honey on both sides and wrapped it in some foil so I could eat it on the way.

I headed to my car and felt the cold morning air against my face. As I warmed up the car I turned on the "bun warmers". I went to pick up my 2 running buddies and headed for Venice.

We made it in plenty of time for the 6:30am pace leader meeting. When we were done I took off my warm jacket and left it in the car as I headed to the strand. Our group was already there and stretching. The cold air lingered but the sky was already promising a perfect day to run.

I started our group off since our leader was gone today and 45 people followed behind me. It's an awesome feeling to hear 45 sets of footsteps running behind you along with the initial hard breathing. We run 3 minutes and walk 3 minutes so today's 12 miles took us about 2 hrs. 49 min. We got it done!

After meeting some friends for breakfast, we headed back. I was trying to make Cristina's final CIF Tennis match at 1:30pm. I made it right on time and sat with my hubby near the courts.

Cristina won both first matches and was due to play the #1 girl shortly. The air was crisp and the sky blue and dotted with white clouds. I sat there thinking about how fast 4 years of high school had gone by. Today would be the last time I saw Cristina play on these courts. My husband took hundreds (if not thousands) of pictures...recording the moments.

Cristina's final match was unbelievable! She played some of the best Tennis I have ever seen her play. She already is amazing but today....she was flawless! The girl she beat had gone undefeated until she faced off with Cristina. Well, Cristina beat her 6-4! At one point there were so many ?deuces that I lost count. What mattered most to me was watching how happy she was to end her high school tennis career on such a sweet note. I know I will never forget this last match!

By the time she finished it was almost 4:30pm and Jeff and I had to be in Fontana by 6pm for dinner! I rushed hometo shower and get ready. We left shortly after 5:30pm and Phillip came with us. We were going to Ally's mom's house for a family gathering. At first, I did not know what to expect but we were greeted warmly by all of her family. The food was amazing Peruvian food!

Ally has 3 cute dogs who were all dressed up for the occasion! After dinner, Ally's mom Cecilia played some salsa music and she danced with her hubby Sal. The 2 of them are amazing dancers and soon most everyone there began to dance too (except for Jeff and I) I was feeling tired from my early morning wake-up and 12 miler.

Sal eventually convinced me to get up and dance and I ended up doing my own version of Latin dancing! Jeff joined me and we danced like 2 crazy people...we had fun! You know how they say that time flies when you are having fun? well, fun we were having and when I saw the clock, I stared in disbelief that it was past 11pm! We ended up leaving since we had a long drive home. I ended up driving because Jeff was tired. As I drove, I was trying to figure out how many hours I'd been up but I couldn't do the math so I gave up. I was thinking about my online class and how I had one more post to write before the deadline. We got home after midnight and I got on the computer. I finished my project and headed to bed.

I prayed and thanked God for the amazing day He gave me and thanked Him for all He had provided for me. I knew I had to get up early to teach Sunday school...So I set my alarm and dozed off deeply.

What do 400 meatballs and Tennis have in common?
Well, my sweet daughter "volunteered" to host her Tennis team's end of season dinner at our home. At first, I was a little apprehensive because of time and school. Still,I agreed because I love her so much!

I got home early from work and began the "sauce"! Yes, I am famous for this particular pasta sauce. I never have to measure anything and it always turns out perfect. While the sauce simmers, I start on the meatball rolling.
Today, I ended up rolling almost 400 meatballs. I did make one the size of a tennis ball for Cristina. (I'll post that picture later!)

Soon, the house smelled of garlic, onions, and shredded carrots with rosemary...it's a smell that will make anyone's belly growl in hunger. Cristina and a few of her friends arrived early and immediately commented on the smell! The rest of the team arrived later as did the coach. I like it when there's a ton of people in the house and food is cooking. Cristina did the honors in draining the 4 pounds of spaghetti rigati.

What an awesome night it was...the girls are so sweet! We finished with an incredible ice cream cake! (I didn't run today so I skipped on dessert.)

Soon, most of the girls left and it was just my hubby, Cristina, her friend Jenny and the coach sitting in the family room chatting about college...and how quickly time was going. I tried not to think of it too much because it makes me sad. Soon, my baby girl will be leaving for college.

Ahhh...I am choosing to stay in the present and focus just on today and to relish each and every moment with her.