a very merry christmas run. and 2011.

I won't bore you with details of my Christmas break activities. I'll just say it was a fantastic Christmas spent with family and friends. Snuggling and playing with my niece and celebrating her 1st birthday. It also involved lots of eating, lots of sleeping in, lots of reading, lots of laughter, fun, family time and lots of relaxing. Some napping. Some running. And a spin class. Not bad, I say.

We must have been nice kids this year, Santa was good to us. Not just in the material sense, in fact that isn't even the important part. Or the part I feel blessed from. Far from it. I think this year, more than any others, I've clearly seen the abundant blessing and joy that is my life. And it has nothing to do with material goods whatsoever. The blessing that is my imperfect, sometimes messy, very real, sometimes raw, sometimes painful, often injured from running, but now very peaceful, happy life. My biggest lesson this year: life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.

However, make no mistake. Santa did come to visit. He fueled my inner 80-year old with what has to be a years worth of knitting supplies. Plus, what girl doesn't love the words "Tiffany" and "Chanel" when it comes to getting Christmas gifts? There were a few screams of giddy delight and joy in our house this year, and not just from me, but me and my necklace from a little blue box sent from New York will leave it at that. I felt very humbled and undeserving of my gifts this year, but giddy nonetheless.

Moving on. Seeing how I have a half-marathon coming up in about 6-weeks with my sisters, one of my sissy's and I decided to head out for a Christmas day run. Not the best choice after downing a massive Christmas dinner. But, meh. We got it done. And it reinvigorated me to get on the ball so I can be at my best to run my oldest sisters' first half-marathon with her. Along the beaches of California. Surf City here we come.

Since we were at my parents when we took off for our run, I got to run along my original running grounds, that brought back a lot of memories. It also reminded me how lovely it is to run in a peaceful, secluded neighborhood with smoothly paved streets with no cars on them. And ponds. With ducks. DUCKS, PEOPLE. And sunshine. Gleaming off of things. I swear it's like glitter and rainbows LIVE in that neighborhood. I may need to go against every grain and fiber in my body and move back to the suburbs... nah.

So. I have no re-caps of 2011, that's what the blahg itself is for sillies! I have no preview of 2012 either. Therefore, I'll leave it at this. The year 2011 blew my expectations away in so many ways. In the best ways possible. And for that, I have no words. As a whole I am healthier and happier, inside and out, than I have ever been in my life.

I have no idea what 2012 holds, hopefully more of the same non-material blessings, a tiny addition to the FWR household, laughter with friends and family, and an adventure. Or two. And some running. And cheese. A lot of cheese.

Catch you in 2012 internets. I hope the next year holds the best in store for all of you.