Heavy sigh...

I get sort of down at this time of year for a number of reasons; one of the major ones being that my bike is put away for the year, then there's the fact that I don't have enough money to be as generous at Christmas as I'd like, plus the weep fest that I sometimes indulge in when it's time to put up the Christmas tree (mourning the loss of my ex and boys' father and all our heirloom ornaments-long story too depressing to revisit).

This year I promise it is going to be different, and these are the things I'm going to do to make it so;

1. I'm taking vacation from 12/21 through New Year's Day. Even if I don't go anywhere, I'll still be free of the daily work grind.
2. I'm going to go out into the weather for a hike (maybe not every single day, but at least every other-even if it's only through Foster Park to blow some stink off).
3. I'm going to make at least 2 pies and 2 batches of cookies prior to Christmas Day for the holiday meals. I just found a recipe for a Sweet Potato Pecan pie that I'd like to try. http://www.pecanpierecipe.com/Recipes/SweetPotatoPecanPie.htm
   
4. And one of the most important reasons that this year will be different is that J will be there to share it with me. He may have that whole time off work too. If he does, we're going to make a getaway even if it's only for a day or two. Who knows maybe we'll go back to Gilchrest for some peaceful Christmas solitude.