Where I'm at This Week

Harry and David delights

I got my first Christmas present about a week ago and am very thankful for it. My waistline is less thankful, but I have managed to not have eaten the entire thing  and still have quite a bit left. Hooray!

• Pages of fiction read: 66% of a 320 page book--34 percent more than last week (The Family Fang)That's 108 pages.
• Fiction read: Began The Family Fang this week (a Greg recommendation).Still quite awesome. 
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: Finished Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris.
• Five pages written: nope. I suck.
• Calorie tracking: Check. 
• Exercise: 110 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 23 minutes, 32 seconds (broke previous best on 11/25)
• Friends and family: Yup. a few emails to miscellaneous people and a call with my brother/niece/nephew.
• Weight Loss: 0 lb.
• One revised section of novel per week: I edited a short section, but came upon a revelation that's making things better, but delaying my process. 

Holiday Spirit Quest: Almost Halfway Home

Shipping off the cards    

Last night I went to my company Holiday Party. It was fun. I sat with friends and ate good food and had a nice pomegranate cocktail. I was convinced I was going to win a door prize. I didn't but two of the people I met up with did. I got over the disappointment by reliving  the IU-UK game in my head. (You can do it for reals through this link.)

I also watched two Christmas movies this weekend (Love Actually and Four Christmases) AND the Lifetime Christmas movie (12 Men of Christmas starring Kristin Chenoweth). So this is what I've gotten marked off my list thus far:

Yes, that's tape holding it.

1. Listen to nothing but Christmas music on one commute home. (did it twice, actually)
2. Give a gift to a stranger. (bought Christmas dinner for a family at our local Ralph's)
3. Make a Gingerbread house. (pictures to prove it!)
4. Put out at least one holiday decoration. (IU Santa is now a lucky charm)
5. Buy something tacky just because its seasonal. (Snooki. That's all)
6. Watch a Christmas movie. (Love Actually --totally counts--and Four Christmases)
7. Send holiday cards. (In the mail)
8. Give a gift to someone without expecting one in return. (Donated a toy to our local CASA)
9. Read The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris. (Technically listened to it on audiobook but I realized while listening that I had actually already read this.)
10. Attend a Holiday Party. (Last night's work party).
11. Watch a Lifetime or Hallmark Holiday movie (counts separately from one above). (12 Men of Christmas--it was. . .predictable)
12. Make puppy chow (and give most of it away). 
13. Buy something that smells like Christmas.  (Peppermint Holidays candle--not exactly peppermint but much better).

The infamous candle

No. A Child did not make this. It was a grown adult, but it was my first time,  so lay off. 

Chef and I are wondering how long the Gingerbread House will last with the cats around. At least I have photographic evidence that I did it. 

The Need For Speed

With My Race Face On!

Today I had an off-site with my team at work. I gave them four options for our activity and they chose go karts. I think they choose wisely. I didn't realize how competitive I could get until I was stuck behind someone and wanting to pass so badly. I took everyone on the inside and it rocked. I came in first. I'm proud, but mostly was just glad to get some time with my team. They've been rocking so hard this year and they deserve some celebrating. 


In the mean time, here are my goal updates:

• Pages of fiction read: 35% of a 320 page book (The Family Fang)That's 112 pages.
• Fiction read: Finished Confessions of a Prairie Bitch last week (an Anne recommendation) and began The Family Fang this week (a Greg recommendation). Both are awesome
• Fiction listened to via audiobook: going to start Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris but haven't yet.
• Five pages written: nope. But I edited 20 pages last week.
• Calorie tracking: Check. 
• Exercise: 150 minutes of exercise in the last week. 
• Current 5K best (on elliptical): 23 minutes, 32 seconds (broke previous best on 11/25)
• Friends and family: Yup. Had a long call with my dad last night.
• Weight Loss: 0 lb.
• One revised section of novel per week: Not finished, but I did edit more than 20 pages.