misc. mostly about christmas and artificial plants.

1) One of the best things about Celia's music class is the other parents there. They're all nice, around my age, and are genuine people. They don't show up with their hair blown out and makeup on. They come in dirty ponytails, jeans or yoga pants, sometimes looking a bit tired. They don't mind looking stupid dancing around to kids' music to make their kids happy. Love seeing other moms who are just like me :).

2) I went to Michael's yesterday, which is one of my all-time favorite places. I was a bit surprised to find Christmas decorations already out. Usually anything Christmas-related before Thanksgiving (and especially before Halloween- jeez!) is too early. This year, though, I'm ready any time. So I looked at everything, spent a bit too long trying to sniff out the source of the incredible cinnamon smell in one aisle, and left feeling quite jolly.

3) Speaking of Michael's, I have a new fake plant. Got it yesterday. We need some green in our hallway, and it's too dark a space for a real plant, I think.

4) Aha! That was a clue about one of my little home improvement projects. Info coming soon!

5) Did you think a fake plant would be enough to make me forget about Christmas?! Let's talk about it some more. Has anyone started Christmas shopping? I'm thinking about getting it done now. We don't have many people to get gifts for, and it will mostly be about Celia. Chris and I probably won't give each other anything- maybe stockings. Anyway, it would be nice to have everything done by December 1st!

6) Speaking of that, it's not so much Christmas itself that I love. It's the time leading up to it. It's the music, the decorations, frosts and first snows, the cookies, the family traditions, the smells.

8) Halloween candy is a problem. I would have to say, it's not part of that healthy lifestyle I've been trying to model for Celia :D. I'll be relieved when the week is over and we won't have any left! Every year we go through the same routine in which we happen upon a candy display a couple of weeks before Halloween, and I say "Well I guess we should get Halloween candy now, since the good stuff is usually gone right before Halloween". Which is true, by the way. Have you ever tried getting decent candy on Halloween itself? Anyway, I'm doing fairly well at limiting myself to a couple pieces a day but it's tough. Sugar really is addictive. I feel so much better when I'm not eating a lot of it.

9) Speaking of that, now that the marathon's over and I'm running less, I'm a bit worried about putting on weight. I never completely got rid of that mommy tummy, even while marathon training. That doesn't seem to bode well.

10) Which reminds me, I've had my bib and finisher's medal sitting around for a while now. What to do with them?

Have a fabulous week, everyone!