One For the Memory Books
Hi Everybody,
I've missed you! It's been so long since I've been able to update or catch up on you all. I've been a whirlwind, trying to get settled, getting things unpacked and trying to find a place to put it. I'm not one for wasting effort so I like to figure out where it's going to go and then that's where it stays forever. Add onto that, Christmas, and I go into overload with activity. Something had to give and unfortunately, it was my blog.
Running has been sporadic at best, but I've gotten a few runs in. I took Danielle's advice and hooked up with a running group. They run out of the gym I joined. Of course, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up, but I did. They're a nice group of (mostly) women and last week we met at a restaurant for a Christmas luncheon. They made sure to include me in the cards and gifts, which I really appreciated.
I'm finding that there are a lot of runners here. Yesterday I saw a woman at Trader Joe's wearing a Nike Marathon shirt. I told her I ran that too and showed her my necklace (which I haven't taken off since the race.) And a few weeks ago at a winery, I met a woman runner. We exchanged phone numbers and I invited her to join my running club for a Saturday run. So there is a running community here, even though it isn't as obvious as in the Twin Cities.
Today is Christmas and SD and I hosted the family dinner. When we lived in Minneapolis, we'd usually go to a movie on Christmas Day, because everyone else has dinner with their family. So I was happy to be able to have Christmas with my family. My husband was happy to cook, but there was still lots of work for me to do.
We ran around yesterday, trying to find the ingredients for the Creme Brulee I was making for dessert. I was trying to find vanilla bean and had to go to three different stores before I found it.
I also had to get my Dad his gift: an iTunes gift certificate. He has an iPod and uses it often; he drives to San Francisco every 3 weeks for chemo treatments and listens to tunes on his way up and also during the chemotherapy. I knew what I wanted to give him, but I forgot to buy it. Oops! Fortunately there's a Target nearby.
I was debating whether or not to get a tree this year. I didn't want to get a cut one, because of the mess and hassle with putting on lights. I weighed the pro's and con's of getting a pre-lit artificial tree, or getting a living tree. We opted for the fake tree and put it together last night. Then hung the ornaments and then wrapped presents. Finally went to bed late and got up early this morning to prepare.
Mom and Dad, my sister Deni and her husband, R. came over a little after noon. The weather was beautiful and we sat outside on the deck for a little while. SD made halibut and lemon risotta for dinner. Dad made a toast: to family. Indeed.
It was a day of conversation, eating, and drinking and was over way too soon. As SD and I cleaned up, I reflected on today and past holiday's. Dinner at Grandma's, sometimes dinner at Mom and Dad's. Today was my turn and all the extra work was worth it to have a day like today. It was an opportunity to give back, with love, all the love and sacrifice that was given to me. Who knows how many more Christmas's we'll be able to spend together. I'm grateful to have this one and will tuck it into my internal memory book, to bring out like an old photo album and remember what a fine time we had. I hope that you were able to spend Christmas with those you love. Merry Christmas, Everyone.
posted by Dori @ 9:15 PM
18 Comments:
Merry Christmas Dori! It's good to hear from you and that you are getting settled in your new home and community. Have a wonderful New Year!
Sounds like a great Christmas celebration. We had great celebrations here too.
Merry Christmas, Dorine and SD!
Happy holidays to you Dori!
I was hoping you'd post some thing as I've been missing hearing about your adventures.
Things are going well in the Midwest, although Hubby and I are actually in Santa Fe right now. (See my blog for more info).
My running has been pretty much nonexistent, but I'll be back in full swing when I get back home.
I signed up for Fargo Marathon...that should be a fun adventure!
Happy 2008 and hope to hear from you soon.
You were missed, Dori!
It sounds like you and hubby had a wonderful Christmas. I think plenty of runners don't run during the holidays, although I did see quite a few out there on Christmas Eve morning. It's good to hear that you are getting settled and even found a running group. I was happy to see you post again.
Glad to have you back! You have been missed.
I am so happy for you that you had such an enjoyable Christmas celebration with your family.
I am glad to know that you are in a new home with many runners around. I made your same choice: a fake tree instead of the cut one.
Happy holidays!!!!
Welcome back and happy holidays. Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas.
sounds like a great day. yay on the running club. I can NOT find people who run my pace! i must be a freak!
and i'm with ya on the fake tree. i gave up on the real ones a few years ago. too hard when you live alone.
:)
Merry happy!
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Merry post-Christmas, Dori! I am glad that you are getting settled in nicely.
Merry Christmas Dori, glad you're all settled in California, we miss you in Minnesota! Congrats on finishing the Nike Women's Marathon, it's a blast isn't it? Just wanted you to know my boyfriend proposed at the end of the Turkey Day 5K...so I'm getting married in 2008!
Merry Christmas (belated) and Happy New Year. That's awesome that you found people to run with already. One of these days I need to get connected into the running community here...every year I say that.
Wow Dori, great post. You have me all choked up!
I am so glad you had such a wonderful Christmas with your family. It's so easy to take them for granted, especially at the holidays. It's nice to be able to sit and reflect at moments like that.
Happy New Year!
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Welcome back and congratulations on all.
Looking forward to hearing about your New Year.
Hope you are well - happy belated 2008! We sure miss you here in the frozen land!
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