Terre Pruitt's Blog

In the realm of health, wellness, fitness, and the like, or whatever inspires me.

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Posts Tagged ‘Christmas decorations’

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Favorites From The Past

Posted by terrepruitt on December 29, 2012

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, ZumbaI always forget about the last post of the year.  I mean, I know that I am writing one because it is eventually going to happen, but I don’t think of it as being special.  I know a couple of years my hubby has suggested a “blog review” or something and I know I have done that before.  But to do that every year is tiring I think.  I do love the Holidays and the decorations and I am sad when they have to come down.  A lot of people have certain dates and/or days on which they take theirs down.  I like to wait until after the first of January and then the exact day usually just depends on timing.  When is my hubby going to be around to help me with all of the boxes?  When we will have the most time?  When do we really want it all to go away?  If he is not going to be around when I want it done, then I just do it myself.  So I am not stuck on any particular day.  Sometimes it depends on the tree.  In 2011 our tree had to come down because it was the worst tree we had ever had in terms of dry.  We only turned the lights on it on two days and then I was too afraid to have that heat on it.  I remember trying to shut the curtain so the sun wouldn’t shine on it and dry it out any more.  I didn’t want the house heat on – afraid that would speed the decay.  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, ZumbaThe day after Christmas I was “undecorating” it and I put it outside.  That tree scared me.  This year the tree is better.  Much better.  It will make it until New Year’s Day at least.  It is also smaller than our trees we have had in the past so the disruption of furniture and traffic has not been so great so it is not that much of a bother.  There is one decoration that I remember I left up for a long time after Christmas last year and that was our Christmas cards.  When we receive a card I usually leave it on the counter for my husband to read, then it gets taped on the wall.  By the end of the season we usually have a wall decorated with cards.  I remember last year I didn’t take them down for weeks.

I also save some from year to year.  Some of the cards we receive are so beautiful or so cute I just don’t want to throw them away.  I consider them a Christmas decoration.  I have one that has plastic jewels on it.  Glitter ones almost always get saved.  I have some that are actually pictures.  Now I am not talking about the picture postcard cards.  Those always get saved.  I keep those and when the Christmas boxes come down I look through them.  It is fun to see how families grow and age.  But I some friends who are professional photographers, they take pictures for their Christmas cards, I save those.  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, ZumbaFrilly ones and puffy ones, usually get saved, as do blue ones and ones with sparkles.  Homemade ones also get put on the wall year after year.  I keep the ones from years past on a separate wall because for some reason people used to walk in and say, “You got all those cards!?!?”  And I would explain that this wall — pointing to the current card wall — was different from that wall — pointing to the years past wall.

I write the date on the card and put it in the box with the decorations and voila I have a jeweled or glittery or sparkly or fuzzy or puffy or frilly or homemade decoration for next year.  (Sometimes the card might be glittery AND sparkly AND fuzzy AND frilly and homemade . . . ahhhhh!)  I am sure that eventually I will have to throw some of them away.  A few are looking a little worn and might be on their last year of decorating, but at least I have enjoyed it for more than just one season.  And you might be familiar with my Christmas decoration scheme/theme and that is to SEE “Christmas” wherever you look so this gives me a few extra “decorations” that don’t take up a lot of room to store.  They are very pretty.

Plus it is fun to read some of the notes and comments from years past.  I have already picked out at least 5 that we received this year that are going to go on the wall next year.

What do you think?  You have to admit that you receive at least one card a season that is too pretty to just throw away?  Right?  

Well, Happy New Year.  Make it a great one!

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Any 2012 Resolutions or Goals?

Posted by terrepruitt on January 3, 2012

Whew!  For some reason I am feeling pressure about my first post in 2012!  I feel I need to write more about Nia.  Well, more accurately, I would LIKE to write more posts about Nia and my Nia classes, but I don’t have to start out the New Year with a Nia post.  I feel pressure to make some grand announcement about something spectacular I plan to achieve in 2012.  I have been looking at people’s resolutions.  I don’t typically make resolutions.  Some of the resolutions I am seeing kind of strike me as odd to be resolutions, yet, at the same time if people really need to declare these things for a new year, then by all means I hope they succeed.  Yet, I am still somewhat surprised that people need to resolve to smile at strangers, encourage people to do their best, say thank you, tell their loved ones they love them, stop and smell the roses, etc.  I guess we get busy and we forget to do these things, but to me they are just part of life like brushing your teeth so I don’t need to make a new year the time I start to do these.  I was watching TMZ (Yeah, sometimes it is all that is on) and the main guy was saying something along the lines of why make resolutions and do it at the start of a new year when you can just do it at anytime of the year.  Made me laugh.  This year I am going to put some things at the fore front of my life and make sure they come before other things.  So I am going to make two resolutions.  For some of you, you will think the same as I did in thinking about the stuff I just mentioned.  You might think that these are everyday things, and for some they are, but for me I get busy, distracted, lazy, comfortable, don’t-want-to-be-a-bother, or whatever-my-excuse and I don’t always follow through.

My first resolution has to do with my 31 Day Project.  Ugh!  I started out pretty good with that, but then I went out of town for a weekend and that killed my momentum along with the fact that in December the house gets rearranged AND things come into the house.  There are Christmas decorations and gifts and other things to deal with so December was not a smart time for me to start my project.  Although it encouraged me to do a couple of things, I did not get all done that I was thinking.  So while one of my resolutions will not be to get rid of or fix one thing a day in the year, it is to get organized and to do or complete some of the projects I have sitting around.  Some of the projects have been started and some have not, but I am going to get them done this year.  With the completion of some of these projects that will help with the “getting rid of” and the organizing.  Because as you may know if you have any projects to be done you might have the supplies taking up space and as soon as the project is done you will have that space open.  I will do at least one project a month.  I don’t have 12 lying around, but I know I have at least three and there are at least nine more that I would love to do.

Dance Exercise, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, NiaThe other resolution is to connect with my friends, family, and people in general more.  I am a home body.  Most of the time given a choice between staying at home with my hubby and my cat or getting up, getting ready, fighting the traffic to go out, I am going to stay home.  My couch wins out over putting on makeup and “hard pants” anytime.  My cat and her meditative purring ALWAYS trumps fighting traffic.  Even domestic chores are better to me than traffic.  But when I actually force myself out, I have a great time.  Early Monday morning I was reading a friend’s blog (Zebra Sounds) and she asked her readers what they wished for in 2012 and as I was typing in the comment box that I wanted to connect more, I realized that I had just closed the Facebook page on the event without saying yes because I really wanted to be home with my hubby more than get ready to go out in the cold.  And I realized that it was silly to say “I wish” when it was ME that was in control.  So in the comment I announced I was going back to FB to say yes.  I went, and of course I had a great time.

I realize that visiting face-to-face is not always possible, especially with one of my best friends who just moved away.  So I am allowing phone calls to be part of my “connecting”.  Of course seeing someone in person is often better, but sometimes it is not possible.  And sometimes I forego the phone call because I want an in person visit, but we can’t work our schedules out so then I don’t get anything at all.  Well, I am allowing phone calls to count as connecting because for some of us that is all that we have.  I do understand that sometimes a phone call out of the blue is an interruption so I will not get my feelings hurt when someone can’t talk.  But at least I will have made the effort to connect.

I am going to continue, as I always do, in 2012 to be grateful and thankful for all of my blessings, to be more positive than negative , to smile at strangers, to encourage people, and to tell my loved ones I love them, but I am also going to try to find the top of my desk.  I am also going to try to make room in the corner of my office that is stacked full of stuff.  I am also going to get out more and connect with people.  I am also going to allow phone calls to be considered a good connection and use the phone when I can’t get in a face-to-face visit.  To all of you that succeed at doing these two things, for those of you that consider that them a normal thing, I applaud you.  Maybe you can share with me how you manage to make these things a part of your everyday life and I can learn from your tips.

We all have different life styles so our resolutions really can be very different.  Somethings that are everyday things for some of us are resolutions for others.  Did you make any resolutions?  How about goals?  Did you set any for 2012?

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Snowmen and Joy of the Season!

Posted by terrepruitt on December 24, 2011

Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout, Nia Teacher, Nia Class, San Jose Nia, Nia San Jose, Nia workout, Nia, Christimas DecorationsIt is Christmas Eve and while I never really take time off from Nia and being self-employed, I am posting about decorations again.  Another post inspired by yet another blog friend. My friend shared her snowmen with us on her blog and I told her I wanted to share ours.  I wasn’t sure how, but I took pictures anyway.  I was just going to e-mail them to her, but then I thought I should just post them on Facebook.  But then I decided that snowmen would be a nice little Christmas Eve post.  Some of my favorite decorations that we have are snowmen.  We have one set in particular that I always receive compliments on.  They were our first set and they are simple and sweet.  They always go in the same place every year.  Some of our other snowmen migrate around the house.  Sometimes I forget where I put what so things are not always the same.  But these ones always go in the same spot — basically.  They might end up on the left or the right or the center, but they are always on the same shelf.

So funny . . . now that I am actually looking at them while cropping the picture, they aren’t really even snowmen, are they?  They were labeled snowmen when I bought them (I think) so I think of them as the family of snowmen.  Well, whatever they are they are cute and sparkly!
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You might notice that a few of our snowmen are snow angels.  I really like that.  They are so cute.  I actually didn’t put up a set of our hanging snow angels.    I didn’t put up a lot this year.  When I was decorating I allowed the fact that our tree was dead three days after we bought it to put a damper on my Christmas decorating spirit.  I didn’t put as many ornaments on the tree as usual because the more it was touched the more the needles just fell off.  I was afraid it wouldn’t last until Christmas.  With this being our first Holiday Season without John’s mom, the whole tree thing made me sad.  Then since we weren’t going to have anyone over during the Holidays I decided the less I put up, the less I will have to clean around and the less I will have to take down.  I do have a goal of “Christmas everywhere you look” so I did that, it is just not as much as usual.  But it is just fine.  I do “tests” and turn my head this way and that, and YUP! still Christmas wherever I look so it’s grand!

There are snowmen in various spots of the house.  I believe last year these (the ones directly to the left, pictured in front of the sleigh) were our latest addition.  I do not collect snowmen, nor do I particularly fancy them, there are just some that I see and I like.  But I don’t like all snowmen.  I like sparkle, glitter, shine, and blue.  So I really love that they make so many Chanukah decorations because the color scheme for that seems to be blue!   So yay, more blue!

Do you decorate for Christmas?  Or for the Holidays that you and your family celebrate?

I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and peace and joy throughout the year!Dance Exercise, Nia San Jose, Nia Campbell, San Jose Nia, Campbell Nia, San Jose Dance Workout, Campbell Dance Workout

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A Book Tree By Simon

Posted by terrepruitt on December 22, 2011

Nia teacher, Nia class, Nia San Jose, San Jose Nia, NiaI first want to say that Nia in San Jose is on it’s regular schedule even with the surrounding Holidays. Next, I want to say with so much holiday stuff around me it is more fun to post about decorations, cards sent, cards received, gifts given and received, Christmas Trees, ornaments, lights, and the cheer, than about how to exercise “off” those extra calories you might be consuming. It is better to avoid eating too much than to try to work it off. Many websites give you advice on how to avoid over indulging at parties, I posted one myself last year. They are articles of advice on how to keep motivated during the holidays everywhere you turn. As you know I like to post about other things. I love Christmas and all of its decorations and cheer that it brings. I love how people get creative with gifts and decorations. When I first saw this I wanted to post about it. But I often hesitate because I do also want to post about exercises and working out, but this kept popping into my head. I love it that much.

I have a friend I know through blogging. I believe I “met” him on another friend’s blog. I forget exactly how the timeline went but we started following eachother on Twitter and we are friends on Facebook. He is one of those people that seems to be everywhere. I don’t know how he does it, but he comments or “likes” my posts and my photos on several sites. He is one of those people that is very supportive. He is always there to support me in my internet dabblings.

He takes great pictures. I am always amazed at the shots he gets on his morning walks. But the latest photo that had me clapping with glee and I just can’t get out of my head is the photo of his book tree. I keep thinking, “Who would think of that?” Well, the answer is a man that works in a bookstore, but still, I love it. It is so cute and so imaginative. Really why can’t you decorate anything, right. I also kind of think of it as a bit of a joint effort. He, of course, came up with the biggest part, putting it together and stringing it with garland. I just make a tiny suggestion of using paper clips (or a strong wire) to hang the ornaments.

This is one of those things that just makes me happy. Do you have simple things in your life that make you happy and make you smile? This is one of them. Simon is often making me laugh and smile, but I really loved this one and wanted to share. I received permission to post his picture here.  You can see it here (click) on one of his blogs.

A note to Simon: Simon, my friend, you are a constant source of smiles and laughter to me. I appreciate how you are always so supportive with your “likes” and comments. I think you are a great photographer and look forward to the pictures of your morning walks and all your pictures. Thank you for this lovely book tree, it makes me giggle when I think about it.
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I hope you all enjoyed his little book tree.  I hope that no matter what holiday you celebrate at this time of year you are having a happy and peaceful time.  Thanks for being here!

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Events, Thoughts, Happenings, Christmas, Things

Posted by terrepruitt on December 10, 2011

The studio I teach Nia at in the Willow Glen Area of San Jose is having their annual Holiday Party.  I have been teaching at the studio for almost three years (three years in January 2012).  This is the first time I have been able to make it to the party.  I am very excited.  They have food, performances, demos, make-up, drumming, dancing, and just plain fun.  If you are local and you are able join us.  (02.16.12 The even has taken place, see my next post https://terrepruitt.com/2011/12/13/halanda-studio-holiday-party-2011/  for a little summary and pictures.)

I think that people are not comfortable turning their head.  While out today I was watching people back out of parking spaces in parking lots and I was amazed.  Most of the people I watched did not look back while backing up?  What is up with that?  You are actually supposed to TURN YOUR HEAD AND LOOK BACK while backing up.  I saw so many people glance left then right then front and just start going and KEEP going.  I understand sometimes you look left, then right, then front as you start easing out, but then you turn and keep looking back.  Nope, not the people I saw.  They just zipped out as if people coming around the big huge car parked besides them could see they were backing out and would stop.  Crazy.  I am surprised I didn’t see a lot of collisions.

Last night we went out to dinner with a group of friends.  It is our second annual Christmas dinner.  Last year it was at a friend’s house.  This year we went to a restaurant.  We ordered a few of everything from each section of the menu and we shared it family style.  It was all very good.  Some of it was very unusual.  It is one of those restaurants where the menu changes all the time so you can’t go there expecting to get something you got last time.  One of the stand out items for me was Pumpkin Ravioli, Sage-Walnut Pesto, and Pomegranate.  The Pomegranate just pushed it over the edge of yummy.  The Lasagna of Pork Sausage, Zucchini and Mozzarella was excellent too.  One of the weirdest things was Pumpkin Ice Cream, Hazelnuts, Aged Balsamico.  I cannot say that I would recommend this.  The Balsamico was not sweet enough to tie the flavors together.  In fact when it hit the portion of my tongue that registers sour my face did the lemon taste face and my eyes started pouring water.  A bit TOO much of a contrast to me.  I am not usually a fan of the family style eating but since there were so many things to taste I really enjoyed it last night.

We got a bum tree this year.  I picked it.  I thought I did GREAT.  My husband was shocked when he came home and I told him to be careful.  We can’t understand why it is perfectly green and looks great, but it acting as if it is dead and brown.  Needles are falling off it at an incredible rate.  I am bummed.  It will be a very short Christmas tree time this year.  The cat will be happy.  She is really good with a tree in the house for about 30 days.  She will tolerate it.  Maybe bat at an ornament once or twice.  But on the 31st day.  She had been known to give an ornament a whack.  To me that is her telling me that she is done.  When we have a tree we move her cat tower away from the best window to another window.  The other window is not as tall so she can’t see as well on the top.  Plus it is just not in the “right” spot.  There is a TREE in the right spot.  This displacement doesn’t really make her happy.  At first she is a little excited to be in a new spot but that wears off quickly.  Also the tree is in the best sun spot.  And with this tree I am not even opening the curtains to let the sun and heat on it.  For as long as we have had her, she will let the tree be until we are over 30 days.  Then she tells me in a very catly way that she is done.  So this year she will be happy because it will not last 30 days.  Sad but true.

I am still working on my 31 Things Project.  How about you?

So, do you have anything to share?  An event?  Perhaps some thoughts?  Anything happening with you?  What about Christmas; have you decorated?  Are you done shopping?  Anything?

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Letting Go

Posted by terrepruitt on December 7, 2010

In my most recent Nia class, I decided that I wanted to help people focus on the good of the season.  I think that sometimes there is a lot of negative emotions around the Holiday season.  By negative emotions I mean the way people actually feel during this time of year.  There is always the ever present I-don’t-believe-in-Christ-so-I-don’t-agree-with-any-of-it, the it-makes-me-sad-so-therefore-I-am-going-to-be-sad, the WHAT?-ITS-CHRISTMAS!  The feelings of inadequacy; there is not enough money, goals for the year were not accomplished, baking isn’t getting done, cards aren’t being sent, house isn’t getting cleaned, nothing is enough, there is too much . . . . .oh my the pressure!  I was thinking all of this is negative stuff.  So in class the focus was pushing away the negative, somewhat rejecting it, with the intent of bringing in the positive.

Both the “negative” and the “positive” is different for everyone so that was a very individualized point.  We didn’t discuss anything that I mentioned above, so everyone could rid themselves of whatever they needed and attract whatever they wanted. It was very nice.  It is a focus and an intent that can be used any time, I just thought we’d give it a spin this season.

As with all focuses and intents we use in a Nia class they can be carried into one’s day and/or daily living.  This is where the thought of “letting go” keeps popping into my head.  I love this season.  I love cleaning my house, getting it all ready to put up the decorations.  Then I love spending days . . . at least two or three days decorating the tree and the house.  I always laugh because sometimes I can’t remember where I “normally” put something and it might end up in a new spot.  Then I spend the season either saying, “Yes, that’s good.” or  “No, that really doesn’t work.”

I sometimes feel very foolish for the sheer joy I feel when I look at a silly Christmas decoration that I cherish.  But I do.  I feel joy at the beauty and the sparkle of Christmas.  This year since I am a bit limited in my movements I am having to really draw on that joy.  I am going to have to strategically place things so that I can see “Christmas” everywhere yet not have as many decorations out and up.

Things tend to work in concert.  We ended up with a much, much smaller tree than usual.  Cool, since my hubby had to handle it without my help.  Since it is smaller it will require less ornaments which will allow me to stay off my foot.  Also a small tree requires less maintenance and the couches didn’t have to be moved.  See?  It is all gonna work out fine, I just need to let it go.  Reject the negative when I start to feel a pout coming on.  It’s ok that it is my favorite time of year and I can’t run around.  Oh well.  I can walk.  My toe/foot IS healing.  It is all good.  For heaven’s sake its Christmastime.  Let the negative go, embrace the season, embrace the unity.

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