Terre Pruitt's Blog

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Archive for the ‘Misc’ Category

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Twelve Days of Christmas

Posted by terrepruitt on January 6, 2015

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia at the San Jose Community Centers, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA,So I always thought the Twelve Days of Christmas were the days LEADING up to the 25th. It was about 2009 when I was talking with one of my Nia students about Christmas and taking down the tree and decorations that she mentioned it. She is quite savvy when it comes to etiquette, traditions, and customs so she said something about waiting until the Epiphany. And I didn’t know what she was talking about. She said she didn’t take her tree down until January 6th. I did like the sound of that because it was a date in January. Usually we take our tree down the weekend after New Year’s Day. I need help as there is so much packing to do. That is the worst part to me. I hate putting everything in its own box. But I will not just put all of my ornaments into those ornament holder boxes . . . . OH NO WAY! So, yes, I cause my own misery. Thankfully I have a husband who helps. I take stuff down and hand it to him with the box and he puts it in. He gets to sit and “relax” and watch a movie and I get my ornaments put in their original boxes. Yay. This year on the day we typically would have taken down the tree, I just didn’t want to. I wasn’t ready. We were gone for – what I think of as – a long time so I felt as if I “missed” some days of Christmas decorations. Plus I knew it would take longer than one day and I had a Nia Class at the YMCA on Sunday so I knew we wouldn’t get it all done. We decided that I would start this week and we would finish this weekend. This is when I said that we could abide by the “whatchmacallit?”, ya know the days after Christmas? The . . . I couldn’t remember so I had to look it up. The day my Nia student had referred to was the Epiphany. But when I looked it up there were some other days I don’t ever remember hearing about.

Could be that I didn’t know about these dates because they look as if they are related to the catholic faith. At least the website that I found is. My family was once catholic, but we stopped going to a catholic church before I had to go through all of my catechism classes and take my first communion.

The website states the below:

“What are the other feast days and holy days during the Christmas season?

In addition to Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Christmas and Mary, Mother of God, Catholics celebrate:

The Feast of the Holy Family, honoring Jesus, Mary and Joseph as a family. It is celebrated on the Sunday after Christmas or on December 30. When Christmas falls on Sunday, it is celebrated December 31.

The Epiphany, the oldest of the Christmas feasts, is also known as Three Kings Day for the three magi who found the Christ Child after following a star to Bethlehem. It is celebrated on Jan. 6 and is the major holiday of the Christmas period in the Eastern Church.

The Baptism of Our Lord brings the Christmas season to a close. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Epiphany.”

So basically what this timeline is telling me is that the Christmas season comes to a close on January 11 this year. Which is pretty perfect because that is when I hope to have all of our Christmas decorations taken down and stored away.

I really thought the Twelve Days of Christmas were the days LEADING up to the 25th. So that is why I am not familiar with the Epiphany. If I knew the Twelve Days STARTED on Christmas, then I would have “got” the whole Epiphany thing.

Am I the only one? Did you know what the Twelve Days of Christmas were?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

The Good Things Of 2014, Onto 2015

Posted by terrepruitt on January 1, 2015

This year we were lucky to have a visitor for our Goodie Jar reading.  My niece was visiting and she helped us relive the moments that made us smile.  I am a smart enough aunt to know that I have an amazing niece so she was mentioned often in my notes of “Good Things”.  Here are some of the highlights from the jar:

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia at the San Jose Community Centers, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, PiYo~My niece treated us to the Nutcracker Ballet in San Francisco

~Nightingales

~May 29, (2014) was the first “coffee” visit with they Camden Community Center Nia Class

~Wicked

~Colleen came to say goodbye to Spot (06.24.14)

As you can see from the pictures there were a lot more.  I’ve had some people ask me what to put in the Good Things Jar.  It really is up to you.  I am seeing a lot of different versions of “jars” this year so I really think it all depends on you.  What do you want your jar to do?  The point of my jar is to keep me focused on the GOOD THINGS IN LIFE.  There are so many things that can be considered “not good”.  It is very easy to get distracted and end up with a negative attitude and to forget all of the blessings that are around us.  So, for me, it is a way to keep the blessings in my life at the forefront.  That does not mean I can’t be sad or get mad or pout . . . .or whatever . . . it just is a reminder to not stay sad, mad, or pouty.  Because that — to me is an insult to the good stuff.

There is another benefit to my Goodie Jar.  In addition to making a note and helping me stay focused it really is fun for me to read the good things at the end of the year and to remember.  While my family might not enjoy it as much as I do . . . they tolerate it.  I even tell stories regarding some of the GOOD THINGS, if they will let me.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia at the San Jose Community Centers, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, PiYoI have mentioned before in posts that I like to use different types of paper.  I like to fold them in different shapes and ways.  It makes the jar look festive.  I noticed last night that the ones my niece grabbed to read were the spiral ones, the ones folded in shapes, or the really festive looking.  Yeah, it is fun.

Also pictured here is this post are the pieces of paper we are going to use to fill up the jar in 2015.  Yeah, it started off as a one-time thing, but this will be our third year of doing it.  I am really loving this tradition.  I love the practice throughout the year.  I love the decorative jar that sits out all year round reminding me that there has been good things.  I love the “ceremony” (to me it is) of reading the good things.

I wish I could remember the origin of this aside from Facebook.  I mean, I know WHO I got it from, but I don’t remember where/who SHE got it from.  But the Good Things jar was not my idea.  Using a beautiful pitcher is my idea and filling it with different types of paper is my idea.  Re-using wrapping paper . . . my idea.  But the original idea . . . . don’t know.  But THANK YOU!

So, what good things have happened to you in 2014?  Do you have a Goodie Jar?  Are you going to have one for 2015?

 

 

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia in the City of San Jose, Nia at the San Jose Community Centers, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA, Zumba, PiYo

 

Posted in Good Things in the Goodie Jar | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Wholeheartedly Embracing

Posted by terrepruitt on December 30, 2014

Ok, I have said it before and you all know it . . . we all deal with things differently.  We all process things differently.  We all have had different experiences in life so it is different for everyone.  So, you feel the way you want to feel.  You deal with things the way you want to deal with them.  You face life the way you want to face it.  I am not saying any particular way is right or wrong.  I am just saying that I won’t condemn an entire year to being a “bad year” or a “lousy year” because THINGS that happened during that year were not the greatest.  I don’t even think of it as “bad” or “negative” that I somewhat consider 2014 to be “The Year Of Death”.  There seemed to be a large quantity of deaths that affected my life and those close to me, but that does not have me saying it was a bad year.  It is that time of year where I start seeing FB post about people wishing the past year “good riddance” (and that is putting it nicely) and being ready for the New Year because it can’t be as “bad” as the past year.  I usually take a moment for them because their pain seems to be bigger than their happiness.  But I did just see a post from a friend that made me squirm with joy in my seat.  I am stealing it and wholeheartedly embracing her attitude.  Thank you, Daphne!

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCAHer post was: “I remember good times. I choose good times. 2015 I welcome you and all the newness you have to offer me. My heart and my arms are wide open to accept all that you have to offer. Let’s do this!”  This coming from a woman who sometimes seems to get kicked in life more than she should.  But she keeps plugging along.

With the other posts I have been seeing about the “rotten year” it has been, I am just really loving her status post.  She doesn’t even HINT at anything that happened in 2014 that she didn’t like or that threw her for a loop.  She just states she remembers the good times.  Then . . . . THEN she chooses the good times.  She is making a conscious effort to have good times.  How can she not now?  Then she is welcoming the new year . . . and not just the year, but all the “NEWNESS” it is offering her.  THEN . . . THEN . . . she opens her heart and her arms “wide open”!  To accept all that the year has to offer.  So she is a hecka brave woman.  She is not just saying “give me the good stuff” she is going to accept ALL that the year has to offer.  My heart is giddy!

I am so in love with this right now.  Can you tell?  Of course you can because I am making it my last post of the year!  Whatever I had alluded to in my last post . . . I can’t even remember because this is my post!

I do sincerely wish you a very Happy 2015.  I hope that whatever you are experiencing that has you giving 2014 the boot, will fade and allow you to embrace joy in this coming year.  Thank you for reading.  Thank you for commenting.  Thank you.

Happy New Year to ALL!

Perhaps we can start off the New Year with an upswing by sharing something that we are looking forward to in 2015?  What do you have coming up that will bring you joy?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

I Wanna Grab The Beauty In The World

Posted by terrepruitt on December 27, 2014

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCATime with the family.  Time with friends.  I hope that you were able to enjoy Christmas no matter what.  There is such good energy around this time of year.  I just like to soak it all up.  Some people take this time to reflect on the sadness that has occurred throughout the year, but to me this is the time of the year to forget all that.  This is the time of year where there is so much joy I don’t want to dwell on the stuff that has happened that might be sad.  I want to take advantage of the sparkle and shine.  There is soooooo much good stuff going on, I want to grab onto it and fly.  It is like a butterfly that is flying by . . . I could sit there and put my head down and think about loss or I could stop and watch it. I can enjoy IT while it is here.  I can see the beauty and live in the moment.  There is always time for sadness and sorrow, but the world is not always so excited, so I want to be right there in THAT fun stuff.

I had some time this weekend to watch one of those old shows on Netflix.  It is one of those comedies that I can only watch for a few minutes at a time because the main character is so annoyingly dumb and causes all of her problems (why yes, that is how comedies are made).  So I usually watch about 10 minutes at a time.  But this weekend the main TV was playing movies I didn’t care to watch so I took my little device and watched my show.  It was the last few episodes.  It is soooo much better when a show has actually ended and they get to wrap it all up.  They did a good job.  This show, regardless (or irregardless — ha, ha, ha, totally a joke on the show!) of its stupidity, often made me laugh and cry.  They did a good job wrapping it all up.

The ending song though really grabbed me! I found myself thinking . . . . .”Snap!  I had to watch this entire series to get to this AWESOME song!”  Then I immediately went to iTunes to buy it, but I can’t because I am having issues . . . happens often . . . oh well, I can get it resolved, just not right now.  I will focus on this song . . . on the happy ending of the series I just watched (Ugly Betty) and of the wonderful Christmastime I had with my family, on how lucky I am.

Update 01.05.15: my original post consisted of lyrics I copied and pasted from a website.  I have edited this post to reflect the words that I hear in the version of the song I have.  (My hubby got my computer working and I was able to purchase it from iTunes!  Not much different, but with at least two lines I like what I hear better.)  Not sure about the “I know it’s fact is true now” line.

“Beauty In The World”  Macy Gray

I know you’re fed up
Like a lead up for us  Life don’t let up for us
All they talk about is
What is going down?
What’s been messed up for us?
When I look around I see blue skies
I see butterflies for us

Listen to the sound and lose it
Its sweet music and dance with me In sweet music and dance with me
‘Cuz there is beauty in the world
So much beauty in the world
Always beauty in the world
So much beauty in the world
So, shake your booty boys and girls for the beauty in the world
Pick your diamond pick your pearl there is beauty in the world
All together now

We need more lovin’
We need more money, they say
Change is gonna come
Like the weather
They say forever
They say
When they’re in between So, Baby, in between
Notice the blue skies
Notice the butterflies
Notice me

Stop and smell the flowers
And lose it the sweet music and dance with me And lose it in sweet music and dance with me
‘Cuz there is beauty in the world
So much beauty in the world
Always beauty in the world
There is beauty in the world
So, shake your booty boys and girls, yeah, beauty in the world
Pick your diamond pick your pearl ‘cuz there is beauty in the world
All together now

Heya throw your hands up and holla, “Heya!”
Throw your hands up and holla
When you don’t know what to do
Don’t know if you’ll make it through
Remember god is giving you beauty in the world Remember God, He’s given you beauty in the world
So love (Beauty in the world)
Yeah love (Beauty in the world)

There is beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)
Beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)
So, shake your booty (Boys and Girls)
All the beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)
Pick your diamond pick your pearl (Pick your pearl)
There is beauty in the world (Beauty in the world)
All together now
Yeah love
Yeah love
Oh love
All together now

Hey baby when I’m looking at you now
I know it’s fact is true now
There is hope for love There’s love, there’s hope for us and
There is beauty in the world
Hey baby
Hey baby when I’m looking at you
I know this vibe is true I know it’s fact is true now
There’s love
There’s hope for love there’s hope for us and
There’s beauty in the world

I am just so blown away that I am just hearing this song.  Believe me, if I could have downloaded it, I would be dancing to it RIGHT NOW!!!  I hope you had a great time this over this Holiday.  There is only one more regularly scheduled day to post this year for me.  I hope you will come back for my final post!  I promise nothing except that I will do one.  Thank you for being here.

How was your Christmas?  Or, if you don’t celebrate, how was your Thursday?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Merry Christmas

Posted by terrepruitt on December 25, 2014

I have decided to take the day off.  I decided to be with my family instead of in front of the computer.

 

Merry Christmas!

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Wrapping, Wreathing, And Blinging Ideas

Posted by terrepruitt on December 23, 2014

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCAWow!  I am always amazed at other people’s creativity.  Have you seen that video on how to make a bag?  I know one of the reasons to buy a gift bag is because you don’t have to “wrap”.  I mean there is no measuring, no cutting, no folding, and no taping.  But sometimes the item you need to wrap is odd-shaped or you can’t find the right sized bag.  I have been running into the issue that if the bag is tall enough it is not deep enough.  It is almost as if they think anything tall is just a picture frame.  Well, the Meredith Show had on a woman who shows how to make the perfect sized bag in a few minutes.  I am all done with my wrapping so I thought I would forget about this video by the time next year comes around, but then I realized I am NOT done with posting for this year.  I thought I might as well post it now because that will help me remember for next year.  Or ANYTIME during the year I have an odd-shaped gift to wrap.  Right?  This trick does not have to be reserved for Christmas.  (Click the pic to go to the video.)

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCAThen I just saw a video where a woman named AJ made a wreath using round ornaments.  I LOVE those types of wreaths!  I didn’t listen to the video.  I also didn’t watch the entire thing . . . I scanned through it quickly.  She made a huge wreath.  And it was soooo pretty.  I really, really love those.  I had wanted one for a long time, so eventually I bought one a long time ago.  It is plastic though.  Probably better for storing. Not sure if AJ used plastic ornaments.  I did listen to the first few seconds where she said she bought Dollar Store ornaments (which is see now is the title of the video).  Another brilliant thing!  So AJ has a craft room and she made a video of how to make a wreath with a wire hanger and round Christmas Tree Ornaments.  Thanks, AJ!  (Click the pic to go to the video.)

While I was on YouTube looking at AJ’s video, I spotted Cyinthialoowho’s ornament.  And I wanted to see how she made that blingy thing.  Well, I didn’t spend the 15 minutes it takes to watch the video.  I scanned through it again.  I kind of like it just with the string and the paint.  Any version of this ornament I like.  I love ornaments like this and they are very expensive.  I am not sure that all of the stuff to make it would cost less, but I might just check it out.  (Click the pic to go to the video.)

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCASo I have a few ideas that I LOVE, that I wanted to document.  The bag from wrapping paper does not have to be just for Christmas.  The wreath . . . . well, I love the idea, but not sure who I could give one to.  And the ornaments, I would have to start early so, hence a good reason for me to post NOW.  So I can have it at the ready for next year.

Thank you Meredith, AJ, and Cynthialoowho for your ideas.

In my last post I asked for your ideas.  What have you got?  Do you make homemade ornaments or wrapping paper?  Do you make wreaths?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Treat For The Eyes Not The Belly

Posted by terrepruitt on December 20, 2014

Some of you may still think, I’ve got nothing.  You may or may not know I spend a lot of time decorating for Christmas.  I LOVE all the decorations.  It is the one time of year where you can have glitter and sparkle everywhere and people don’t judge you even though you have your hand on the doorknob of 50!  My friend always laughs at me and says, “Everywhere you look there is Christmas.”  And that is truly my goal.  I don’t have a beautiful Sunset Magazine set up, I just have CHRISTMAS EVERYWHERE.  I want your gaze to land on decorations.  So that’s what I do.  This is the one time of year where my house is always clean.  I don’t like the dull of dust to damping the sparkle.  The rest of the year — MEH!  But during the Holidays the house is always “picked up”.  And by “house” I mean the downstairs.  The upstairs is a disaster . . . . where do you think everything goes?  Anyway . . . with the house all decked out I like people to see it.  But we don’t usually have people over.  But this past week we did have two friends over.  It was just a quick visit.  I knew they wouldn’t stay long because they have family obligations to tend to.  Since it was just going to be the four of us I didn’t plan on serving more than a few cookies for dessert.  But when I started looking at all of my serving stuff, I decided I wanted to use both of my three tired servers.  But I was determined NOT to have more sweets.  Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCASo I decided to use two of the tiers as decoration holders.  YAY.  Decorations instead of desserts.  A treat for the eyes not the belly.

Ok, many of you might be looking at this and thinking it is no big deal.  And it REALLY isn’t, but I totally love it.  Ha!  It makes me happy.  When I love something and it makes me happy, I wanna share it.  And, that my friends, is the “power” of having your own blog.  You can do whatever you want.

The heart ornaments in the dish are actually something I already have sitting on a table.  I LOVE those ornaments.  They were one of those coveted things that were part of an office “steal present game”.  Ya know, where you chose a gift and there is “stealing” involved?  I no longer remember how I came to be the owner of them, but they are one of my favorite sets of ornaments.  One of the things that make me “Consider decorations and ornaments gifts” as I posted in More Sparkle, More Shine, More Fun!    Since I love them so much I decided to add them to my “Treat” display.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCAThen the other arrangement is what I really love.  I was scrounging around for something to make a display with and I found the purple sparkly berry things in a cabinet.  I decided to pair them with the pine cone flowers from last year’s Cookie Swap I attended.  Then I added the homemade card from one of my Nia Teacher/friends.  Her cards always end up as decorations in the house.  They are so gorgeous!!!

After my company left, I did not dismantle that portion of the display.  I might just keep it up.  As a non-creative, I am very happy with it.  It makes me super happy.  I think the sparkly blueish-purple, with the “flowers”, and the gorgeousness of the card just make me really happy.  So why not keep it.

Again, I imagine some of you thinking this is silly, but (fist pump) more power to me!  I am just going with what I love.  I am sure this is not one of the displays that you would find on Pinterest, but I like it.  I think I might like it so much because normally I would have just put out more food, but this time I was determined not to.  So this is like a double treat to me!

So . . .  I know many of you are very creative, so share!  What have you come up with for your Christmas and/or Holiday decorating?

Posted in Misc | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Awwww! Nothing.

Posted by terrepruitt on December 18, 2014

I got nothin’!  Had a nice visit at Peet’s with my Nia students after Nia class today.  So, I didn’t forget about posting, I was just a bit distracted today.  Tis the season.  I have an idea for Saturday.  Hope you’ll be back then.

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Can’t Judge A Cow By It’s Color

Posted by terrepruitt on December 16, 2014

Did you know that beef from a grass-fed cow has to be cooked differently than meat from a cow that is not grass-fed? It is an interesting challenge. Last year we went in on the purchase of a grass-fed cow. When cooking it, you have to really watch it and learn the timing of how to cook it because it doesn’t LOOK the way beef from corn-fed cows look. It always looks raw . . . .at least the ground beef. Pictured here is an absolutely fully cooked burger. See how red it is? Why does it look like that?

The meat cooks faster, plus it never LOOKS cooked. So, as I said, it has to be watched and it is cooked by time not looks.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCAThe flavor is so much nicer than the corn-fed meat. I am not really a beef lover. That is why we buy meat then marinade it right away when we get home. I like the meat to have soaked for a long time. I think the time it takes to freeze can be considered marinating time. Then as it is defrosting it is marinating. But with this meat I don’t feel the need to marinade it, or at least not marinate it for so long.

Same goes with hamburgers.  When we make hamburgers from corn-fed beef, I like to put chopped onions in them. I like to sauce them up. They need the flavor of sauces – at least worcestershire . Well, not these babies. A little garlic salt and garlic powder and it was good to go. It was soooo good.

Since we enjoy the flavor of the meat so much and we think a grass-fed cow is healthier and therefore healthier for us to eat, we went in on the purchase of another cow.

And, my tired ole refrain. I was not planning on posting about it, so I only have this picture – but after dinner I couldn’t come up with anything to post and I am wondering about the way this beef cooks so I thought I would put it out there.

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCAThis one picture I took to send to the person who researched and organizes the whole cow purchasing thing. I sent it to her asking the same question. Why does the perfectly cooked meat look raw?

I also took the freezer picture because we were not certain the meat would fit in our freeze, but we took, everything out that we could live with out in the freezer. Then my hubby packed it all back.  We were able to put back everything that NEEDS to be frozen.  I was relieved and happy at my hubby’s tetris job.  I took that shot to show the same person because the first cow was our cooler full, this one was the cooler and a box.  As we were driving home my husband said, “Looking at that amount of meat . . . I don’t think it would fit in our freezer even if there was nothing in it.”  Ha.  We under estimated the capacity of our freezer.  I am so glad we bought the big frigerator so many years ago.  Whew.

So, do you buy grass-fed beef?  Does it cook up like corn-fed beef (the color)?  If not, do you know why?  Does it taste so much more yummy to you?

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More Sparkle, More Shine, More Fun!

Posted by terrepruitt on December 13, 2014

I understand that Christmastime/the Holidays are a sad time for some people.  For those people I send light and say prayers, but for those of  you who love to let the joy of the Holidays in, I have some things I want to share.  It occurred to me as I was doing some things that what I  was doing made my Holidays super fun.  It made me think that, perhaps all that silly stuff is part of why I love the Holidays so much.  You  want more fun?  You wanna squeeze even more joy out of or into your Holidays.  Maybe some of these things will add more to your Holidays,  maybe you will think they are a waste of time or they won’t work for you, fine.  But they make me happy.  So here is MY list of things I do to give my Holidays more sparkle.

>>>>>>>Cleaning before decorating is awesome.

A few years in a row I was trying to clean at the same time I was decorating and that just really bugged me.  With the house all clean beforehand I can run from room to room putting up the decorations wherever I want.  I don’t have to clean one table or shelf and decorate as I go.  I know this sounds weird to some people, but putting my sparkly decorations on a dusty shelf next to some dingy dusty shelf item just doesn’t work for me.

>>>>>>>Shop all year round.

So this is one thing that does a lot of things for me.  I am listing them in no particular order.

–Shopping all year round helps spread the cost of Christmas out over the year.  The Holidays can be expensive so if I can spread out the bill that helps.

–When I see something and it makes me think of someone who I shop for then I might as well get it so I don’t have the stress of trying to find something for them when it is Christmastime.

–It is really fun looking at the stuff at Christmastime (when you go to wrap it) that you bought earlier in the year.  If you are like me,  you don’t remember all that bought, so it is so fun discovering it again.

>>>>>>>IF you shop all year round keep a gift log (in one spot) of what you bought for who AND where you stashed it.

I don’t know if you have ever bought a gift for someone then forgot about it or just forgot where you put it only to discover it later.   Well, I keep a list of who, what, and where!  That way if I see something I want to buy someone I bought for I can refer to the list instead of opening bags.  Having a list also helps keep me from “over-buying” for someone.  So there are a few reasons to keep a list.

>>>>>>>Consider decorations and ornaments gifts.  Enjoy the walk down memory lane.  To me opening my ornaments and all my decorations is like getting hundreds of gifts every year.  I love decorating and I love all my sparkly and glittery ornaments so unwrapping them or pulling them out of the boxes is super fun.  My mom gave me a lot of my ornaments!

Dance Exercise, Nia, Nia at the City of San Jose, Nia classes in the South Bay, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Zumba, PiYo, Gentle Yoga, Group Ex City of San Jose, San Jose Group Ex classes, YMCA>>>>>>>Saving beautiful cards.  I’ve posted before about saving Christmas cards we receive and using them as decorations.  Well, this year, I was in a rush and I wasn’t going to hang up the previous years’ cards.  But I decided it would just take a minute or two.  So as I was putting them up I was glancing inside at who they were from and that just made me happy.

>>>>>>>I let go of my desire for a perfect tree.  Not sure if I have mentioned this in a previous post, but I used to insist on buying one that was perfect.  Ya know, like on a Christmas card.  Well, as you know, those don’t exist and we don’t need a perfect one anyway. We do better with one that is kinda flat on one side and then slopes nicely on the other side.  The flat side goes toward the window and allows us to have enough room to walk by the tree.  If it is “perfectly” shaped it has to stick out into the walkway and just doesn’t work.  Plus by the time we get home and decorate whatever tree we buy it is “perfect”.  Yup, just like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree!

Ok, again, I know that the Holidays are a struggle for some people.  I hope those of you that struggle make it through. I know that you will not be helped by a clean shelf or unwrapping a beloved ornament.  You are in my thoughts and prayers, these ideas are for people who enjoy the holidays.  And perhaps want to eek out more.  Perhaps cause less stress and create a little more sparkle and shine.

Merry Christmas.  (It’s almost here!)

What do YOU do to get more joy out or your Holidays? 

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