December 2011
50 posts
New Glarus, Wisconsin
This is what I was doing three weeks ago exactly, the day I broke my ankle. I’m just now writing about it because I was super bummed before and didn’t want to think about it.
The morning started out so well. Intelligentsia coffee and a nice, long drive.
We stopped at the New Glarus Brewery, which was really fun and worth the trip, I think.
We did a tasting - so good.
...
Possible New Year's Resolutions
I love New Year’s resolutions. Love them. And I’m basically the best person I know at keeping them. When I was 10, I gave up candy and pop for the entire 12 months - no kidding.
Last year I failed because I made too many - I thought I’d do one for each of several different aspects of my life (professional, personal, physical, etc.), and it was just too many things to keep track...
“Gastronomical perfection can be reached in these combinations: one person dining...”
– M.F.K. Fisher, An Alphabet for Gourmets (via streetsmarts)
Christmas was calm and quiet for me. It was nice, actually. Having this broken ankle meant I did a lot more sitting and watching and relaxing than usual. It’s always a struggle for me around the holidays - I want to do everything and sometimes end up feeling like I’m checking items off a to-do list without fully enjoying each activity. You can imagine how not being able to walk kind of...
“No one can maximize on every engagement, every project, every customer and every...”
– Seth Godin’s post, The more or less choice:
The post points out that oftentimes the key to doing more is to take on less. Prioritize. Focus on what matters.
Not a bad thought as many people begin to create resolutions for the new year.
(via megangebhart)
I love, love, love New Year’s...
Injury Win
I just worked out! For the first time since I got hurt. I sat on a chair and watched Hulu and did some light lifting. And I feel awesome. Maybe in a month I’ll have super buff arms.
(By the way…if you’re looking for an image of strong arms to potentially include in a blog post and, after a few unsuccessful searches, think maybe you should type “yoga buff” into...
Thursday Happinesses
- I have been quite the elf. A couple of days ago I wrapped all of our presents, and today I spent two hours signing, folding, stuffing, sealing, and stamping our Christmas newsletters. Kevin just sets me up at a work station before he goes to work and I have at it, holiday music playing, all the Christmas lights in our house turned on.
- Last night we booked spring break flights to my favorite,...
“Be happy. Nothing else is worth it. Be happy with your job, be happy in your...”
– Philip R. Seiley (“Flip”)
(via flipnow)
my-little-kumquat:
in my life being active is a priority. it is not only good for my body but good for my mind. so good. I exercise almost daily. I also care about what foods I put into my body and I have a damn healthy diet, not free of indulgences totally. there is enjoyment in that which in my thoughts on living life, should not be dismissed. so I would say honestly I am healthy, my body is...
folded map travel: New Running Plan →
foldedmaptravel:
I am not a dedicated runner. I like the idea of it but I don’t tend to follow through. Last winter, Caitlin broke her wrist and used Joakim Noah to fuel her running through recovery plan. And I was (and always still am) so impressed by her dedication to running, and how that carries…
I think my friend here wildly overestimates my running speed and skill (we could run...
I slept late this morning. When I finally woke up, I hobbled out to the kitchen and saw a breakfast “station” Kevin left for me - granola and dried cranberries, a peeled orange, and a lunchbox. Inside the lunchbox was a cold pack, a glass of milk, and some vanilla yogurt. (Is that not the most adorable thing you’ve ever heard?) Next to the food was the travel section of the...
I’m just so bummed out. Kevin worked from home today to take me to the doctor and keep me comfortable, but he heads back into the office tomorrow. I’m going to be so alone and so bored. I can’t run for a couple of months, maybe more. I feel like my holidays are ruined, in a way. I can’t finish Christmas shopping or go to Christkindlemarket or Zoo Lights or the St. Lucia Day...
a bit of science for your day
alittlechocolate:
things you learn on a neurology rotation:
stress, and how you handle it, directly affects your risk of developing alzheimers disease.
a study found that those who were most prone to stress (90th percentile) were two times as likely to develop alzheimers as those who were less prone to stress (10th percentile).
kind of interesting stuff, huh?
Yes. VERY interesting....
Tiny Wisdom: Let Go →
“It’s hard to feel peaceful if you dwell on why you should be angry. If you want to feel free, let the story go.
It’s hard to feel good if you feel like you deserve to feel bad. If you want to feel happy, let your self-judgment go.
It’s hard to feel satisfied if you feel like everything needs to be perfect. If you want to feel content, let your perfectionism go.
It’s hard to feel balanced...
Hair Help
About a year and a half ago, I made the switch (mostly) to “all natural” beauty products. I don’t have great reasons for this, and I haven’t done a ton of research, but I like the idea of limiting the chemicals I slather on my body, and it makes sense to me that all natural stuff might be better for the environment. Most of these products have been great. Body lotion. Face...
Don't Fall Into "Decision Quicksand" →
“Most decisions don’t require extensive research…Surprisingly often, I need to remind myself not to spend too much time on relatively unimportant decisions. Even though I don’t want to spend my time and energy this way, it takes a considerable amount of self-awareness and self-control to resist the temptation.
The satisficer/maximizer split seems relevant here. As Barry...
I love how I’m almost 30 and still occasionally throw temper tantrums when I have to go on a night run. (I hate nothing more.)
What a winner.
Sunday was filled with all kinds of my favorite...
- A visit from my dad, the wanderer.
- Meandering around Chicago for hours.
- Starbucks.
- Christmas shopping, but not too much.
- Brunch, courtesy of my youngest sister, Amy.
- Wine, bourbon, and conversation around the fireplace with my sister, my dad, and Kevin.
- Having someone sleeping in our second bedroom. I love visitors.
- And - this didn’t happen Sunday - but Monday...
Our Apartment is a Death Trap
A good college friend of ours and his 14-month-old son came over for brunch today. We joked with him that our place wasn’t baby-proofed but figured we’d be good. I mean, there are no firearms or open flames (I knew enough not to light candles) or knives or prescription meds just lying around. So we’re solid - right?
Um, no. Within 15 minutes of their arrival I realized that...
“One way to make yourself very sad and miserable is to…keep the tip of a...”
– Melody & Kathy
My Holiday Music
On non-stop since the day after Thanksgiving:
- A Very She & Him Christmas
- Sufjan Stevens’ 5-album Christmas set
- “Sufjan Stevens Holiday” playlist on Pandora
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Bon Iver (when I’m tired of the same Christmas songs and just want something wintery)
Christmas!
Last night we bundled up and headed a few blocks north to choose a Christmas tree. We found a soft, pretty, albeit a little crooked, White Pine and headed home to open a bottle of red wine (which was replaced with hot chocolate from Bobtail as the evening wore on) and get to work.
Here’s what I woke up to this morning!