Ready for the New Year!

So as many of you guys know, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Christmas...in fact, I love it so much that I am sad to see it go, and do NOT love January!  January is always like a big let down....and it is cold and dark!  This year, I think I am going to be happy to say peace out December and 2011 and hello January 2012!  I am not sure what Kris did to tick Santa off as a small child, but he must have done something to really upset the big man....last year he got clostridium difficile for Christmas and this year, he got a ruptured disc and back surgery.  He is healing nicely, so perhaps he didn't tick santa off too bad :)  I think he is just trying to make the Holidays all about him- so that I feel sorry for him and he can get extra gifts and goodies!   :)  All he has to do is ask nicely...no need to go and rupture stuff!  I tried to include his MRI below, but I couldn't get the technology to cooperate- call me and I can tell you his favorite baked goods!  :)  it doesn't look like this anymore thanks to Dr. Nelson and his wife (since he gave up shopping for his wife's Christmas present to do the surgery)!

 Kris right before surgery.  He loves the open back gown!  He stood up until the last minute since he couldn't sit or lie down because of his back pain...but I think he just wanted to stand up with that gown!  The doctor came in to sign his back and he said, oh man, you are skinny, this is gonna be a fast surgery. 

 And this is what I did to entertain myself while he was in surgery :)

Still running!  Last week was a doozy with some last minute changes for the long run.  I ran right under 17 in the neighborhood and on the treadmill instead of doing 2 loops in Umstead with Steph and Crystal.  It was not nearly as much fun as I had hoped and planned for my long run, but miles were completed none the less....I did get some strange looks from some of my neighbors since I took to the streets with a camelback, 2 bottles of carbo-pro, some gels, and my headlamp (and it wasn't dark YET)....I am sure they thought I was CRAZY for needing all that for a typical quick 3 mile jog through the hood.... :)  Maybe next time I can join them for some miles!  Sounds like they had fun, even though they said Turkey Creek kicked their booty!  Frosty 50k is about a week and a half away...I am a little nervous because I was running slightly more miles/per week last year...but Coach Ian promises there is a method to his madness, and that I am in good shape...so we shall see.  I am going to let him do the worrying and planning, and I'll just do the running (makes me feel like the running is the easy part if I throw in "just")!  Stay tuned for a Frosty 50k report- last year was quite interesting :)
I have enjoyed the slightly warmer weather so far this winter.  I would not be disappointed if it stuck around a little bit, as last year I stayed cold ALL winter long! 

And since it is almost time for the New Year...and new things, I thought I would share the poem below...that someone shared with me recently, and it stuck, so I printed it off and I keep it on my desk for those days that I need to be reminded :)

Anything is Possible
By Unknown

If there was ever a time to dare,
to make a difference,
to embark on something worth doing,
IT IS NOW.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily....
but for something that tugs at your heart,
something that's your inspiration,
something that's your dream.
You owe it to yourself to make yours days here count.
HAVE FUN.
DIG DEEP.
STRETCH.
DREAM BIG.

Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy.
There will be good days.
And there will be bad days.
There will be times when you want to turn around,
pack it up, and call it quits.
Those times tell you
that you are pushing yourself, that you are not afraid
to learn by trying.

PERSIST.
Because with an idea,
determination, and the right tools,
you can do great things.
Let your instincts, your intellect,
and your heart, guide you.

TRUST.
Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.
Of doing something that makes a difference.
Of working hard.
Of laughing and hoping.
Of lazy afternoons.
Of lasting friends.
Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new brings the hope of something great, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.