Lesson 565: And So It Begins

And so begins the time of year 

you can see the light of the Lamp Post 

for a good long while.

We've entered the darker part of the fall

and the unseasonably early snow,

although bright and fluffy,

has left Erieites bracing for a long cold ride.

The thought of no warm weather until the springtime

is enough to make even the strongest deer's head fall off.

Eloise has been making the best of the white stuff.

It sure makes for some pretty photos

with lots of fall leaves still colored on the ground.

My workout group already pulled out the sleds.

And the Clark School kids have already built snowmen.

Basketball season has started

The boys took third place in their debut tournament.

I treated the family to some Christmas brownies--

mostly because of the gift tags that came on the back.

Are these really a selling point?

Maybe I'll just use them with special people.

If you get a Little Debbie gift tag this year,

you are special.

Hazel the Horrible has dashed any plans for crocheted 

Christmas gifts.

She got scolded then curled up under the tree to make me feel guilty.

I spent today in Pittsburgh to learn new ways to cultivate the gifted mind.

The best brain exercise you can do is reading.

Here are my season favorites--

two I read every year,

and Reader's Digest always puts out a nice publication

in December if you want something light.

All this leaves Eloise tired,

but I combat it the best with a few outdoor workouts a week.

I usually yawn through the first part

and regain some energy by the end.

It helps get me through the long, cold, winter evenings.

My group is having their charity run

for the Emmaus Soup Kitchen,

so Natalie and I are turning in early.

Look for another post tomorrow about this 

wonderful organization.

Have a great weekend.

Eloise

Lesson 564: Giving

Happy Thanksgiving, Readers.

It's a frosty cold one this year!

Nature gave us a stunning sunrise.

The 2:00 dinner at my sister's house

allowed for some time to rest in the sunny spot near the window

next to the fireplace.

How we are thankful for things that give us light and warmth.

Underclassmen gave letters to other students, teachers,

and staff members the two days prior to break.

To give the gift of a hand written sentiment is a dying art.

Make an effort to do this for someone this holiday.

The gift of surprise found in your mailbox--

priceless!

Secret Pal,

there is no doubt you ARE my kindred spirit.

Thanks for giving me 365 days worth of smiles.

Alpaca butts next Thanksgiving!

A baby on my birthday month's page!

I always check March in any calendar I wish to purchase,

and if it's a dud page, 

it stays in the store.

The gift of Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving

has kept on giving for 20 years of Natalie's life.

"Brown's Thanksgiving" as she calls it,

is her very favorite.

She asks for it every holiday,

and immediately wants popcorn and toast after watching it.

Not to further wedge the racial divide,

but did you ever notice where Franklin sits at the table?

 The Thanksgiving photo gives us a moment marker each year.

The "kids" are now 4 young adults,

and one who thinks he is.

Give a really unusual hostess gift this season!

This really started the dinner off with great conversation!

19 Crimes Wine page CLICK HERE

We ate,

and drank,

and enjoyed good food

and great company.

We watched the sun disappear,

and the moon rise.

And all that eating,

and drinking,

and talking,

and loving--

gave me heartburn.

It gets me every year!

Thank goodness for my new

Big Foot Shot Glass for some Alka Seltzer!

I just got schnockered on

fat,

sugar,

and salt!

Thanksgiving hits me harder in recent years

than in the past,

because of the 58 Day Challenge

Dr. Krauza, an Erie Chiropractor

offers in the fall.

For the 58 days leading up to Thanksgiving,

participants focus on eating whole foods

and exercising regularly.

It's amazing what the body can accomplish 

when you give it a little of your attention!

My friend Alex won the female division this year.

She got the good news of her large cash prize

while in exploring the world in Portugal.

When I messaged Alex a note of congratulations,

I asked if I could share her story on this blog

because it is so inspirational to others.

If you would like to also feel amazing,

give yourself the gift of good health

and try one of the Team Adrenaline outdoor workouts

or Doc's Detox in January.

How better to share the story than in Alex's own words,

posted on facebook,

and shared with her permission.

 feeling amazing.

November 21 at 3:18 AM · 

I joined a 58 Day FITNESS challenge where there is a cash prize...And I cannot believe I won 😳... After 5 years of being on my health journey, I am still learning about my body, overcoming failure and adapting to change...During this challenge I wanted to overcome my fear of failure with weight lifting... Physically, and emotionally, lifting weights and performing daily tasks are difficult....I have never stuck to it longer than a few tries because I was born with naturally amputated fingers and toes and suffer from arthritis...

My boyfriend showed non stop support and for this 58 days, he helped me adapt to weight lifting as I cross trained for a run. I may not lift much but I stuck to it.
My diet was strict and I slipped up here and there and allowed myself one entire cheat day once a week to keep my sanity...I never skip meals, only adhered to the challenge diet guidelines and ate whole foods based and even had to force feed myself at times to fuel up for my workouts, but gave my body what I thought it needed to perform how I needed it to...
I still can’t believe it.
All and all, keep setting goals, and never keep up with anyone, keep up with yourself.

Holiday season homework

for the betterment of our world--

assigned to:  EVERYONE

Let's try to give of ourselves

and to one another this season.

Your actions mean much more

 than your opinion on American politics.

Happy Thanksgiving!

ELOISE