It's Not A Scrooge Thing, I Promise

/

So it's that time of year when I find myself in the semi-awkward position of explaining to family and friends (yet again) that I don't do the exchanging presents thing. People seem okay with this concept on birthdays and anniversaries and I hardly get any pushback on President's Day, but something about Christmas seems to set them off. 

It's not that I give no gifts. I diligently ask my nieces and nephews what they want for Christmas, trudge out to the store (okay, okay, so I make Blair go), buy the gifts, wrap them in bright holiday paper with bows and ribbons and hand them over with a smile that oozes good cheer.

Read More

Smug Marrieds: Running Club

/

Last week, Blair forwarded me an e-mail from his office about some sort of running group there. Apparently there's a friendly competition about who can win the most races (with age-adjusted times) or run the most miles in a year. The competition is open to the spouses and family of employees. 

"I got your e-mail about the running group," I told him. "But I'm not clear on exactly how it works."

"I'm not sure either," said Blair. "I think it's just something fun all the runners do."

Read More

Odds & Ends

/

Hmmm.... not enough going on in life to warrant a full blog post so I'll just hit a few highlights from this past week. Heard around the Harris household:

Me, circling my arms around Blair and burying my face in his chest: "Oh, you're so warm! Blair is back!"

Blair: "I guess so."

Me, pulling back. "Hey, wait a minute. Why are you so warm?? Damnit, have you been eating meat?!" 

(The guilty look said it all.)

------------------------------------------

Under the "Would you say I'm too bossy?" category:

Blair was on the couch, looking at his wedding ring the other day. He took it off and was holding it up, squinting at it as if trying to read something on the interior of the ring. 

Read More

The Day I Ate A Snickers

/

I was talking to best friend Trisha yesterday and she asked me what was the best part of the 24-hour Crooked Road Ultra challenge. 

I thought about it for a moment. There was the feeling of pride that comes with facing a fear and meeting a goal. The accomplishment of running over 50 miles. The friendships that were formed or strengthened. The confidence that running such a race gave me overall as I move forward in life. But really, there was one highlight that stood out for me. 

"I got to eat a Snickers," I said. 

Seriously, when was the last time you let yourself eat a candy bar? It has to be at least 10-15 years for me. Sure, I'll eat mini-snickers all day long at Halloween but there was something different about holding a full-sized candy bar in my hand. I just simply never allow myself to go there. 

My friend Marty (who's run several Ironmen) brought me the Snickers when he showed up to run with me. I just kind of looked at it and then it hit me. I was going to eat this thing. Every. Last. Bite. 

It took me 2 miles to do it, but oh my God, best Snickers EVER. I couldn't get over the blatant hedonism of eating the whole thing myself, with no whining to girlfriends about, "Oh, I shouldn't," and "Oh, I hate myself now." Nuh-uh. I licked the wrapper, baby. 

Self-confidence and knocking down walls and exceeding goals is all good, but never underestimate the power of chocolate. 

Cheers,

Dena