It was a really good day and so nice to be home I’m familiar ground again. I didn’t realize how tense I was just driving when I had no idea where I was going and was in an unfamiliar car.
Grateful: For the opportunity and resources to be able to have a family Christmas vacation and all that family time.
Grateful: for a comfortable home that makes me happy and safe.
Exercise:
I finally got back to normal! I met up with my regular running buddies Brenda, Sarah and Dennis. James couldn’t join us as he dell off his roof and hurt himself. I can’t wait to hear this story!
We did a run of the river and it was great that Sarah came along so I had someone to run with and yet Dennis got a good run in:). It wasn’t super busy and it didn’t rain so definitely a win win! 
The river on a Fall day.
I did meet my goal today so there will be a running review up tomorrow, but I was disappointed that RunKeeper doesn’t celebrate meeting a goal at all- the goal just disappears:(
Grateful: For all my awesome running buddies.
Grateful: For the animals in my life that provide me with lots of cuddles. Kula was a smuggler today:)
Friendship/ Eating:
I ran home and cleaned up and then met up with a couple of friends for brunch. It was Allison’s last day in town so I was happy to get one more meetup. We went to Wendel’s in Fort Langley. This place is always super busy! I got there early and had a few minutes to peruse the bookstore part of the establishment. Lots of cool knitting books, but all too expensive:(
I had three choices for brunch and went with the avocado Benny which as my mom says was just avocado and eggs on gf toast along with some tomatoes. It was still super yummy though!
We then wandered the Main Street and through the grocery store where I picked up a few gf/df treats.
Grateful: for friends who are easy to be with no matter how long it’s been:)
Grateful: to live in a place where there are options for me when I go out:)
Shopping:
I grabbed my mom and hot Costco for gas and food. My dad has given me the idea of buying steak at Costco and just freezing it for my regular Sunday lunch as this way I would be able to afford better steak. I ended up with steak, shrimp, yogurt and cucumbers. It’s going to be interesting meals, but I never know if I should bother shopping when I’m on holidays as it always seems like I’m out a lot. We shall see, but hopefully I didn’t waste my money.
We carried on to the clothing store where I immediately found the red winter wool jacket I had wanted. It must have been my day for red as i also found a red and white striped shirt and a red sweater. Now I just have to get rid of a few things from my wardrobe to make room for this new stuff! One of my goals on this week off is to get all my closets tidied and everything entered into my app.
Grateful: to have my mom for company as I was running errands. It makes the tedious time go so much quicker.
Grateful: to have made peace with my body so that I can feel comfortable wearing bright colours. I know I’m not perfect at this, but I’m a whole lot better than I used to be!
Reading/ Listening:
I listened to another episode of the Not Your Mom’s aromanxw book club podcast and found another book I want to read. I’ve decided that I’m still going to read lots of romance next year, but I will try for one non fiction book a month.
Grateful: for this podcast that keeps me entertained while I knit tedious sections.
Grateful: for the variety and number of books I have available to me!
Movies:
I rewatched Write Vefore Christmas as I hadn’t managed to do a workout to this movie the first time i watched it. I really enjoyed this book and it reminded me of Love Actually with its multiple story lines.
I ended up doing a 17:30 workout with a minute of jogging between moves. I did: 30 reverse lunges, 37 crunches, 37 reverse crunches, 5 pushups, 20 jacks, 5 burpees, 25 curtsy lunges, 10 high knees, 25 squats, 15 plié squats.
I know it’s not a ton, but I figure it has to be better than nothing! I’m thinking that I’d like to come up with a similar workout for non Christmas hallmark movies that I could do throughout the next year. If anyone has ideas of elements that are in lots of Hallmark movies, please let me know:)
Grateful: for hallmark that produces feel good movies
Grateful: for the clever person that came up with the hallmark workout so I can combine two of my favourite things and not feel guilty about sitting watching a movie.
Eating:
Not fabulous, but not as horrible as lately. I think I will still give myself a couple of days before I get on the scale.
I had: half a tortilla with peanut butter, the avocado and egg on toast, shrimp plate,1/3 of ginger cookie, 1/3 of chocolate chip cookie ( neither were very good) and 1/2 of peanut butter bar ( delicious)!
Well I’m off to start a new book.
Have fun!
AJ
A Petite Slice of Life 
It’s wonderful that you are grateful for a lot of things in your daily life. Hope the new year turns up more things to be happy about!
For you too!
We get 95% of our meat at Costco and freeze it! I will portion out the giant packs so that it’s the right amount for Alex and I in addition to making sure we get leftovers when cooking. It’s something my parents did given that we were a family of 6 so I’ve done it now even though it’s just two of us.
Sometimes I’ll look on Amazon or used books sites to get cool books for cheaper. It’s an option for some of those knitting books you found.
I used to freeze lots of stuff, but I stopped when I realized how quickly things got freezer burnt in my freezer. We’ll see if I get this steak eaten quick enough.
I should look there!
I double wrap our food in plastic wrap. Not the best for the planet but I don’t know of any other method and it works for us.
Hmmm I had everything wrapped in plastic wrap and then put into a ziploc bag. Maybe I’ll try double plastic wrap instead
Oh I do double plastic and a ziploc! The ziploc is more so to keep it all organized in the freezer haha
Ok maybe it’s the missing layer of plastic wrap that’s causing me problems
The avocado benny looks delish. We recently found a place that makes a breakfast salad called the kitchen sink, and it’s so good!
Oh that does sound good! I am craving salad after the week of poor eating I’ve had.
Me too!
Gratefulness is how we should all reflect on our lives. I loved how you reflected on this and shared it with us!
Hope your friend is healing from falling off the roof.
Happy New Year!
I like taking the time to think about what’s good- ends my day on a positive note.
Hopefully I will hear on Wednesday!
Happy new year! I think I need to start keeping gratitude notes.
I only do it on Sundays so they end up being pretty similar every week but it’s a good way to end the week on a positive note
You could also try freezer paper over one layer of plastic wrap. If you take it off before you thaw it, you might even be able to use it more than once. I love reading what you are thankful for, AJ! Glad you had a good family vacation!
I will try that too as not being able to freeze is driving me crazy!
I couldn’t click on Avis’ link in your last post. Can you tell me what her site name is?
Here it is:
https://sewingbesidethesea.wordpress.com/
Thank you! I have sent her a message
looking at each moment as what you can be grateful for is a good way to look at each day. getting meat at Costco is a good way to stretch things over time. We get a lot of different proteins there and then freeze them to use over a stretch of time.
Such lovely expressions of gratitude. I hope 2020 is one that brings you even more to be grateful for.
I hope it is for you too!
Glad you are having a good time running with your friends and out and about!
It’s been a great holiday so far