A very special "exhausted" Christmas...

"Exhausted" is probably the best way to describe the way I feel tonight as I pitter patter my fingers away on the keyboard;in an effort to visit all of you tonight. And the reason I'm exhausted is not because I beat myself up too much in the gym (of course I did that too); but my exhaustion tonight comes from a "much too long" shopping trip.

However, I am proud to announce that I have successfully found what I consider the perfect gift for all of the special people in my heart that I "gift". I even made my way to the kitchen to bake Christmas yummies and smiled as I thought of delivering them to the sweet people that deserve that very special sweet treat.

Christmas usually falls upon us that way. It sneaks up on us year after year and we look around and the final week is upon us. We run around for hours trying to find the perfect treasures to give to those we love and our hearts are heavy and burdened as we fight for parking places and places in long lines. Finally, we discover that we have finished and we let out a sigh of relief. We wrap all of our gifts in beautiful bows and set them under our dressed trees.

We make our way to the kitchen and bake the yummies that have defined us year after year. And finally when they are finished and the house smells in their yummy delight; we collapse on the nearest sofa and nestle ourselves against the arm.

And just as our tired eyes give in to a little nap..
We ponder about this and think about that...
we see all the faces that we see no more...
remembering all of the Christmas's that we've had before...
and that's when we realize that "exhausted" is a must..
to finish all the things for all of those who trust..
that we will do our best to make the season just right..
in case we do not get to share another Christmas night..

So please remember my little tired peas..
that this special Christmas before you and me..
is not promised in the years to come..
so give until your "exhausted" for this very special one...

The truth...

<

Sometimes the truth can be hard to swallow. And "swallow", I assure you is a term that I use very lightly tonight as I write to you about the truth. You see, my truth is that lately; I've been "swallowing" too many yummies and simply blaming it on the beautiful lights, christmas trees and just the joy of the season.

It leads me to wonder how I will ever survive the "real" Christmas season that will be before me in just a few short weeks. So, just like any emergency that we have to prepare for I have taken the steps to survive even the toughest of holidays and when I say holiday; please rest assure that I am referring to "Christmas" and the New Year! Yes, "Christ" still lives in my season my friends; and most retailers have become more afraid to say Christmas than they have cookie; it's a sad affair!
Step 1- The Camera....
The camera will never tell you the lies that your friends will. You see, "the truth" of the matter is that your "friends" love to see you pack on a few pounds before the holidays arrive. I know it's a tough thing to accept, but as women it's just a fact of life; if we are going to get fat-we want someone to go there with us. So step number one is to grab your cell phone, put on the bikini that you once rocked and yes, snap the picture!

Step 2- Remove the snowman screensaver
Step 2 is almost as important as the first step my friends. Remove the cute snowman that you've assigned as your holiday screensaver and put up your "not rockin" winter bikini picture. If that doesn't save you from having too much pecan pie then I'm just not sure anything will save you.

Step 3- Use your imagination...
The final step is the simplest step of all. Simply imagine yourself after the Holidays stepping on the scale to the very same weight you started before the tree even wore it's lights....ahhh now that's a very Merry Christmas! Which is exactly what I wish for all of you!!

I love you all, Jgirl