Clogs!

I cannot tell you how much I have wanted clogs since I was the age Lauren is now. I vividly remember our first Christmas in France (I was eight - Lauren is eight) really wanting clogs.

I am 41 and I have NEVER had a pair of clogs.

So, this year, I found the Christmas dress I knew Lauren would most want and, guess what, it had a pair of matching clogs. Financially, it was not necessarily the right decision for me at this particular time. But, she did need some shoes (she generally has two pair - a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of flip flops; she used to have a thing about the feel of all other shoes and refused to wear anything else, but has grown out of that). Anyway, they came and I gave them to her. She LOVES them (so do I).

So, while I still have never had a pair of clogs, my eight-year-old gets to live out my eight-year-old wish. And, that is even better.

Joy Is. . .Trimming the Tree with the Kittens.

Joy Is. . . Key Lime Pie

That is all.

Joy Is. . . Gingerbread Day with my boy.

Last Friday was Gingerbread Day for the Kindergarteners at our school.

The station I was at was a feltboard storytelling of the Gingerbread Man. We read it nine times. Nine times. It was boring after the second telling. Know what? I didn't care. I was there with my boy. See his face? He said, "the best part of Gingerbread Day was that you were there." Doesn't get better than that.

(that said, two things bugged me about our version of the story and both had to do with his not getting eaten by the fox at the end. 1) it isn't how the story goes and 2) they said that he learned his lesson because he almost was eaten, but I think that if he got away from the fox, he'd only think that he was even more cocky.)

Yes, you can run in the cold.

This is old. From November 25th. It was 21 degrees with a windchill of 12 and it was my first cold-weather run of the season. I seem to recall that I did five miles (with the dog).

Here's the thing: you have to wear a warm head covering, gloves, and cold-weather socks and the rest is less important. Sure, you should actually wear clothing, but you can get away with far less than you think. For this run, I broke out my wind jacket, long-sleeve shirt, and microfleece basepants. And, it was far too warm.

I went out the next day when it was 34 degrees. I kept the jacket, traded out the long-sleeve or a short-sleeve shirt and wore capris. Still too hot. Several days later, I went out again. 33 degrees. Long-sleeve shirt, no jacket, and capris. Perfect.

Here is the thing: you can do it. Cool/cold weather running can be fantastic running weather. There is something awesome about running outside when it is cold and clear, cold and cloudy, cold and snowy. Actually, cold and snowy can be downright peaceful. And, you get bad-ass points anytime you tell people that you ran outside when it is below freezing.

I often hear people question as to whether it is actually healthy to run when it is in the 20s and below. It is. Not only is it safe to run when it is in the teens, but it is safer to run outside in the teens than it is to run outside in the 80s. For real.

Just dress for the weather. If you walk out the door and feel fine, turn around, go inside, remove a layer of clothing, and go back out. You should be a bit chilly for the first mile, but then you'll feel great. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

That said, I don't like running in the cold AND dark. I can do cold. I can do dark. I cannot do cold and dark. I also dislike running in the cold and strong wind, but I do it anyway. I do, however, know people who love nothing better than running pre-dawn, in the cold and snow.

So, give it a try. Don't give up outdoor running this winter, but rather challenge yourself to get out there and do it regularly. Just remember: hat, gloves, warm socks.

Play along on this one, will ya? What breed is my dog?

This is Sandy. She is six months and probably almost as big as she is going to get. Currently, she is about 25 lbs. We got her at the pound and have no idea what breeds she might be. She was listed as a "Shepherd Mix," but, really who knows?

Because everyone asks us what breed she is and because everyone has an opinion, I have decided to spring for the DNA test (for kicks and giggles). So, place your friendly bets on this one.

I'll give you the info I have:

"Shepherd Mix"

25 lbs at six months

Paws are white

Intelligent

Willful

Good jumper (can jump without assistance of a chair from the floor to the top of the table)

Not in love with water

Territorial

Loves to play

Hates being left alone

Very much bonded to me (one person as opposed to everyone in this family)

If you have questions or need more pictures let me know. Pick up to three breeds. Winner gets the privilege of being right.

Joy Is. . . Another Beautiful Fall Day (also, when Daddy comes home early)

This fall has just largely been lovely around here. Anyway, I've been busy. I needed to get my second Biochemistry exam done (I'm behind in the class and trying to catch back up). Rather than go for my long run on Friday, I decided to stay at work, put in some last minute studying, and take my exam.

So, I did.

And, then I went to Hobby Lobby to get some more pictures and posters framed.

And, then I came home. I let the dog out and welcomed the kids. Eric had come home at lunch to let the dog out and rake some leaves. We had a note that said, "let the kids know that they can play in the leaf pile, but they cannot move it." So, when the kids came home, I passed the message on to them and they were out the door in a flash. Not a few minutes had gone by and Eric was home. I love when he gets home from work early.

And, so we played outside and enjoyed the last few days of fall we will get. Winter will be here soon. Most of the trees have lost their leaves and the color is starting to fade. Only a little bit longer and it will be cold and grey. So, we will enjoy what we have in the last few days that we have.

Can you see the boy in this picture?

How about here?