I'll be in California! Yay! 
-----
Now to the mundane. 
I ran 2.1 miles in 30 minutes at the gym.
I spent money today:
$20 to Office Manager towards 3 honcho's gifts
$5.64 at Walmart (bananas, sweet potato, microwavable soup, can of sweet corn, 2 packets specialty hot chocolate, and a bottle of chocolate syrup.)
I probably could have stuck with just the first 3 items . . but this is the list of what I got AFTER talking myself out of some of my more 'usual' purchases. I'm counting it as a win!
---
I talked to my dad last night. He told me about the gym at the local university. Among other things, it has an outdoor pool and an INSIDE running track!
My grandma can get a free membership since she is over 80 years old. That means I can use a guest pass ($5/day - but I asked my dad to see if there was any kind of 2 week pass deal instead.)
So . . any guesses as to where I'll be at some point on December 26? LOL!
---
I talked to my mom tonight. She wanted to have some specefic ideas for what I wanted for Christmas. I'd told her that if she felt she HAD to give me something, that cash really would do. She wanted to have something I could open. So I told her that some things I'd like to get (which I probably would use some of the cash for anyways) is a new pair of running shoes, a Runner's ID (she really liked that idea, because she gets so worried about me whenever I go running outside), and a low-end digital camera.
The Runner's ID is the least expensive (~$20), the shoes would run roughly $100, and the camera - I've seen some in the $90-100 range that I liked. So, what I imagine will happen is that I'll get the ID, then cash towards the shoes or camera.
Honestly, it really doesn't matter to me whether I get anything or not - to me the best thing is just spending time with family. You never know when the last moment is you'll have with a loved one, nor the last words you may speak with them.
One thing our family has always practiced is at the end of phone calls or before leaving someplace or other, is to say some form of I Love You, and or give a hug. That way if something horrible were to happen, we'd be able to have a good memory of the last contact.
One week from today . . . plus a bit of rambling, per usual :)
December 19th, 2008 at 01:39 am
December 19th, 2008 at 03:15 am 1229656551
December 19th, 2008 at 03:38 am 1229657912
It makes me so sad when I talk to people whose families rarely say 'I love you' to each other, or even express feelings/emotions through hugs or pats on the back.
December 19th, 2008 at 03:17 pm 1229699868
What a nice post! I wish you only the best in the next year! I like your "I love yous" and hugs idea. My father who I am not particularly close with (for a multitude of reasons) is an "I love you" person (ironic, I find). I am far closer with my mom and we aren't "I love you" people. Who knows why? My brother freaked me out on my birthday message and thru in an "I love you". I need to work on my comfort level - though "I love you" my kids all the time. Another goal to work on.
December 19th, 2008 at 05:29 pm 1229707782