Dear Santy Claus,

As you probably know, I have had a year of ups and downs. I have tried really hard to be good. Of course its impossible to be good all year. Sometimes I get frustrated with my lack of progress (and others) and I let that frustration get the best of me, but please know that I am always trying to do good things.

I thought I would try to help you out, by giving you a bit of a list of some things that might make me feel better….and by feeling better – I might actually be able to be truly good next year. Perhaps you could think of it as a bit of an incentive plan. I worked really hard at encouraging people to find a new way to work their health programs…..that has to be worth a little something.

Here is my list. Keep in mind, they are suggestions only. If you feel that I need to work harder before I reap the benefits, then I will respect your decision.

1. A gym membership. I have been trying to get to the gym – but with this whole falling thing that’s been happening over the last couple of years, working out on machines might not have been the best idea. But I am determined to go back come 2008 – whether that comes with a few extra bruises, well so be it.

2. I would really love it, if my inhaler was all blinged out in crystals. I just love that someone thought of this idea. Doesn’t it look pretty? It would look great in pink!

3. New Bedding. I think its time, to replace my bedding. It’s served me well for a long time, but it needs to be retired next year. I like the colours pink and brown. Perhaps we could work a little deal.

4. I know this one is a lot to ask….but I really do try, and I just can’t get everything done. I would love to have a person to do the real cleaning of my house. Just a one time clean. It’s fairly tidy most of the time – but when things get a little harder than normal, I really wish that I had a little bit of help. One really big clean (springtime would be ideal) that would be enough.

5. I started a book club on Facebook (The Consummate Fiction Society) and we will be reading A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami. Since I lead the group, it would be really really good, if I had a copy of the book to read. As it stands, I can’t seem to secure a copy. He is an interesting author – you might like to check out his books, during your off season.

As always, I will leave you a plate of your favorite oatmeal raisin cookies (I have an interesting secret ingredient this year).

Don’t be a stranger.

Merry Christmas,
Laura K. Bzowy

**Picture Source Flickr

Post from: Blisstree

A Letter to the North Pole

I often have recurring bouts of insomnia, but this is a new one for me. I have been wide awake since 12:13 am. Why, you may ask. Because I keep hearing jingle bells – sleigh bells, actually. I don’t live in the country. I don’t live anywhere close to snow covered fields with horses pulling piles of people snuggled under blankets. Christmas music is not being played in my house, right now. So where are these bell sounds coming from. They are from inside my head. They will not go away.

When I was a kid, I used to hear sleigh bells really early on Christmas morning, hours before anyone else got up. It was from wishing that Santy Claus would make a reappearance. But its 2 weeks before Christmas – and while I really want to see Santy this year, I am not sure he will be showing up this morning.

It’s going to be a very very long day.

**Picture Source – Flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Jingle Bells -CFS Style