Some Random Stuff

Good morning.  

(1)  My college roommate and I reconnected in the nicest way during the pandemic.  She sent a Christmas gift that arrived yesterday (look almost a month, poor USPS).  She made the ornament and had the dish towel made by an embroidery store.  How sweet and what a surprise (!!)  Even the wrapping was adorable.

(2)  The timing was extra good because I finally organized the ornaments into ornament bins.  Prior, I had boxes with tissue.  What's nice about the bins is I can see everything at a glance and don't have to unwrap -- must less work.  What isn't as nice is they aren't as protective.  If we ever move they'll need to be individually wrapped.

(3)  I finished a couple of books.  Spellbreaker (Charlie Holmberg) and Push (Ashley Audrain).  Both were recommendations from Jamie Golden of the PopCast.  Spellbreaker was such a fun magic suspense book and I've ordered the sequel that comes out in March.  Both were on a big kindle special.  Push was crazy creepy and kept you guessing until the end -- and the end was creepy good too.  

Next up is The Secret Book & Scone Society (Ellery Adams).  Another kindle special.  That's the last of my latest downloads and I want to read kindle first or I "lose" them in the library.  After, I'll start the bookclub read.

(4)  I MIGHT order another dress for the wedding.  I don't feel safe getting my dress altered in a store that doesn't require masks.  The backup dress is okay for an elopement, but not for a tiny family wedding.  Still thinking.  I found a dress online and I have a free email consultation on Friday to discuss sizing (there was no chart -- only S-M-L).  Also, the original dress is formal and might be too much now.

(5)  I'm doing my own hair for the wedding -- or that's the plan.  Hitting the youtube tutorials and crossing my fingers.  I don't trust the girl I used for up-dos before and the wedding is a Sunday.  My hairdresser doesn't work on a Sunday and I doubt she would be able to accommodate (although I'll ask).  Also doing my own makeup and nails.  Who would've thought??

Guess I'm taking a full membership to the girl club.  I've never been able to do this stuff myself -- new me for sure!  Thank goodness for the internet.

(6)  I hit a run milestone yesterday.  FULL 3 miles at a 8:30 pace.  I haven't been able to do this for years.  My goal is 8 minute miles and now I can start working on speed.  In January of last year, I could run 2-3 minutes at that pace before I stopped to stretch my ankle and take a cardio reset.  Peloton is a lifeline for me on the cardio front.  

(7)  Costco run today.  In and out.  That's the plan.  I haven't been in about a month.  It gets so crowded at the holidays I tried to steer clear.  Nothing else except Duke's grooming.  

I have Monti on my lap -- he got up early with me.  It's hard to type so I'll leave it here.  Have a happy day.  Stay well.  Later gators.