Aloha!

I leave for Hawaii in less than 12 hours.

Am I packed?

Of course not! I'm reading blogs! Sara = unproductive.

Just got back from a nice 5 mile run....39 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, and a beautiful sunset. My favorite weather to run in, I think. I can wear shorts, a long sleeve technical tee (my IM finishers one--always fun to wear!) and gloves. Shorts, long sleeves and gloves makes me feel like I can run forever.

I really should pack...but Joe tagged me so I thought I'd leave with this little nugget o' fun. Whoever wants to be tagged is tagged!

When I come back, it's time for a New Year...and that means a POLAR BEAR SWIM! Yes...in Lake Erie...on New Year's Day! This year with some video. Awwww yeah. You know you are jealous! That's why my "swim" for the GYGO Worldwide Triathlon is 25 yards. :) I'll be lucky if I make it that far at all, and I'll probably be running and, if I'm really brave, dolphin diving. Hey, I'll have a nice tan at least! Last year TriAl took great pleasure in splashing the heck outta me. TriEric and I will be doing our tri together hopefully--and hopefully the roads will be clear so I can bundle up and ride 10 miles or so!

Aloha, and Mele Kalikimaka! :)

Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate. The very thought of egg nog makes me want to yarf. Drinking something called "NOG?" Ew.

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa wraps them, but I hate wrapping presents. Hate it hate it hate it. Kind of like I hate ironing. I mean, really, what's the point? It's just gonna get wrinkled anyway, right? And it's just gonna get torn up. Amen for the almighty gift bags!

Colored lights on tree/house or white? White.
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Do you hang mistletoe? Heck yeah!

When do you put your decorations up? NEVER before Thanksgiving...usually the first week of December.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Stuffing. MMMMMMMstuffing. Tasty carby goodness.

Favorite holiday memory as a child? Not being able to sleep, and then dragging my parents out of bed around 6am and just feeling the magic of the morning.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I figured it out in 4th grade.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No! That's totally cheating.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Light a fire, put on some fun music, and decorate away. Usually I laugh at the ugly ornaments I made when I was a kid. I joke that my tree is the "reject tree" because we have some seriously fugly ornaments.

Snow! Love it or dread it? IHEART everything about snow and am SAD that I haven't gotten very much so far this year--or last for that matter! Snow days are the best. Only 2 of those in 8 years of teaching though...I'm on the wrong side of town. Sigh....

Can you ice skate? Yep! If I do say so myself I'm pretty good!

Do you remember your favorite gift? Probably my Strawberry Shortcake dolls. They rocked, dude.

What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Spending time with family.

What is your favorite holiday dessert? Whatever my Mom makes.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Probably a cross between making buckeyes (to eat...mmmmmmmm....the best dessert EVAH) and Christmas Eve service with my family.

What tops your tree? A TOTAL throwback ornament that topped my parent's tree in 1973. We still have the original box that says "$0.25" and it is SOOOOO 70s. I love it!

Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving.

What is your favorite Christmas song? Christmas Time Is Here by Vince Guaraldi from the soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas. (I agree, Joe!)

Favorite Christmas movie? Oh boy. This is tough. I'd have to say a TIE between A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation. SO many good lines from that one. "We're gonna have the hap hap happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap danced with Danny $%*ing Kay!"

What do you leave for Santa? Cookies, buckeyes, and carrots for the reindeer. Don't forget them.