By Snacks-ident

This has been such a tough week of work. And by work, I mean working on getting the junk / bad / crap / yummy sugary food out of the house so I can start that annual health kick January 1st.

Well, I have been sharing it. Does that count?

I even wanted to start this "lifestyle" before the end of the year. Get a step ahead. I went so far as to my FitBit back on. Do you know that it only registers steps and activity if you actually MOVE?! Like anything else, a FitBit isn't going to help you lose weight. Not if it's on your wrist and your legs aren't moving. And definitely not if you are eating a Reese's Peanut Butter Christmas Tree while you're walking.

Who knew, right?

We'll see if I can come to my senses in the next 24-48 hours. This downward spiral to Fluffsville did not happen overnight or by accident. More like snacks-ident.

Good thing it's almost all out of the house! Just too full to finish the job right now.

Holiday Deadline

Since the official holiday season, according to Robyn, ends Sunday night, I figured I better share our Christmas card.

No need to "oooh" and "ahhh." I wasn't impressed with it. This is the result of a "let's get something sent before we leave for Maui" moment. I let myself down because I was going to design my own – something that maybe didn't mix up 3 different fonts. (That's the designer talking.) But when you gotta catch a plane, you grab a template, fill it and go with it.

No time for an accompanying letter this year either. That makes two years in a row. Is it too much to hope that all our recipients read my blog and keep up with the Austins that way? Probably. No need to fill you in on 2016 because, well, you're reading it!

We do sincerely wish 2017 will bring you renewed faith, hope, love, joy and peace!

And if there is something in 2016 you wanted to do, try, accomplish, you name it, ya better get going on that before the sands of time are washed away by 2017!

I know you want to say it... Like sand through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives. Good luck with the rest of the days of your year!

In a Pickle

On the agenda today: Pickle Training.

Pickle what?

I was a bit skeptical spending my morning in Pickle Training, which I later learned is just "Give 'em the pickle" training. Does that clarify things? Ha.

The training is designed to improve customer service and build leadership. Our company's session was based on the popular "Pickle Training" offered globally probably by Bob Farrell. It stemmed from a customer complaint he received when he owned a restaurant. Patrons always got a second pickle if they asked for one. This person didn't one day and wrote a letter of complaint and said he wouldn't return to the eatery again.

Mr. Farrell reminded his employees to focus on keeping their customers happy and satisfied. If they want one, give them the pickle! It's not worth losing customers over.

Our group today represented a handful of different departments – all of us with both external and internal customers. It was both entertaining and interesting. Basically, the Pickle principles for great customer service are these...

While this might apply to our work, it also applies to our volunteer efforts, boards and committees we serve on, and relationships in general. Doesn't that make sense that we should try to serve others, maintain a positive attitude to keep them happy, consistently be there for them, and build each other up?

What is your pickle? What do you have (or do) that can be applied to those four categories? Knowledge, creativity, humor, support... You probably have a number of pickles to give! 

I think we undervalue the positive impact of a listening ear, a compliment or a hug. This was a good reminder today it is simple to do more for others in all corners of my little world.

I guess when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. But when life hands you pickles, you give them away!

Winner, Winner, What's for Dinner?

Two of my best and, at the same time, worst traits are that I am competitive and predictable.

As noted above, December sort of is just a month-long eating contest. Darn my competitive nature. I think I am totally winning!

Which brings me to predictable. I won't even bother looking back at past blogs from the last 6 or 7 Decembers. I can almost guarantee. I can almost predict, rather, that I was having issues with the holiday graze craze. It really is the most wonderful time of the year when it comes to home-baked treats. Oh my gosh. So many yummy, yummy choices. So much mint and chocolate, too. Where to start?

Where to stop? Can I stop?

I think my will power goes right down the drain with my energy and extra cash this time of year. The other day I actually stopped at Culver's for an eggnog shake because I heard McDonald's was out and I considered it a crime if I didn't have one before Christmas. It goes against the law of Christmas cheer or something.

Was it worth it? Probably not.

I did the usual berating of oneself when one is eating like Elf.

That might have played into why I actually got up for 5:40 a.m. kickboxing on Friday. Alas, the martial arts center was closed the next 3 days. So I continued to eat my way through the long Christmas weekend and am coming up for air today.  

Sadly, I can't seem to break the cycle. Am I the only one? My thought pattern is something like this. I try to eat right for the most part and exercise when I can. Just enough of both disciplines for me to feel like I DESERVE these treats this one time of the year. Anyone else feel that?

I won't sugarcoat it – though that might be tasty – but this means there is some level of emotional eating going on here. I deserve this because I am stressed and need it or I have been good and earned it. Either way, it's not because of needed nourishment.

The other bit (not bite) of bad news about this "one time of the year" is that "one time" equals a month! OK, let's be honest. More like 6 weeks spanning from Turkey Day to New Year's Day. Not good, folks.

Obviously, you and I are not the only big "winners" in this competition. Why else would all the diet and exercise products be on sale for New Year's?

Let's just accept it and enjoy the rest of the year. We're into the 6th week here. Can't undo the choices we've made. And frankly, there weren't too many bad ones. Most were delicious beyond measure!

Keep on winning. We have all of January to be big losers. Plus, there's kind of only one way to get rid of these treats around here.

Open wide and say "Ahh-m-m-m."

Winner. Winner. What's for dinner?

Monday Accomplished

Today was the day one half of the population goes to Wal-Mart to get the Christmas item clearance deals (I know because I was one of them) and the other half sleeps in because they are on vacation from school or work (I know because I was one of them, too).

To be clear, though, I took the advice to sit back and relax and actually slept in past 8:30 a.m. Oh, after the early morning Santa helper gigs, it felt sooooooo good!

Spent the morning working on a freelance project then gallivanting around town on errands this afternoon. This included a visit to a shut-in – OK, delivering a book to a book club member who is "shut in" with a scooter after ankle surgery – and included a stop at Wal-Mart for some yogurt... and $15 in half-price Christmas candy for the candy dish at work.

I was going to go for a walk outside since it was going to be warmer. But the wind was blowing so hard it knocked the windchill down to the teens – and knocked out power in some places. B-r-r-r! So that was crossed off the "to do" list and switched over to "not required."

Since hubby made turkey noodle soup with our leftover turkey from yesterday, I wasn't required to make supper either. Not that I do that all that often anyway. (Just being honest, even if Santa is taking the day off, too, and not watching!)

This might sound like the day was all about me but for the record, I did not watch a single Hallmark movie. I did, however, get started on my next book club book. I was trying to do that while watching reruns of The Detour with hubby. I sense that my recliner is not made for that much multi-tasking!

So I'm going to bed early because I can. Plus setting an alarm for work tomorrow is on the "must do" list.

Sigh... I much prefer the "Day After Christmas Do Nothing" list, don't you?

On The Nice List

Apparently Santa put us on the Nice List because we were rewarded with quite a good Christmas today! Not just my yummy purple (of course) ice cream ornament either.

Had all our "big boys" around the table for Christmas lunch today. I cooked a turkey and tried a new crock pot recipe for cheesy potatoes that worked out pretty swell. Casey, Clay and Clay's girlfriend arrived after noon, right around the same time as Tony, who trekked down from my twin's Up North this morning. He had the wintry mix you probably heard about, but all we've had here all day is rain, rain and rain. Actually enough to cause flooding in the area. This is not typical of Christmas in Wisconsin!

Having all the boys under the same roof two days in a row wasn't typical either. But I loved it. We did the usual meal, gifts and watching A Christmas Story and John Wayne. But it just felt good to all be together. I wish it wasn't so seldom. It's a gift when our 3 wise men (or wise guys?) are together.

Today was also special because it was Tony's birthday. I was so glad he got Up North a few days to be with his family and friends for the holiday. They've missed that privilege the last few years.

I didn't exactly make him a cake, more like a Christmas-Birthday dessert. I know he loves chocolate and peanut butter but I had to go with a Christmas chocolate-peppermint combo. Trust me, between his Santa Up North and his Santa down here, he got enough peanut butter treats! And yes, he did turn 28, but when I counted my candles I only had 27, figures, so we made a smiley face instead. I hope his wish still comes true!

I know mine did. Having family together is the greatest gift.

Watching a Hallmark Christmas movie in my new recliner ranks right up there, too! In fact, I've been so nice, I may just watch two.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Lights

Our Christmas Eve can be briefly summed up in two types of lights...

The first was a morning "candlelight" service at church, where battery-operated tea lights give the warm glow of Christmas Eve... and are fire safe! They also remind us Jesus is the light of the world.

The second was an afternoon and evening at the in-laws' with the lights of our lives: Casey, Colin, Clay and Carter.

No need to mention the third... the Packers turning the lights out on any hope of a playoff appearance by the Vikings. I missed most of it. I was nestled, all snug in my recliner with visions of victory in my head. Too bad I awakened to en-light-ened reality in the 4th quarter!

Guessing maybe Santa has something better in store for me. Better get to sleep just in case!

May the joys of Christmas light up your life!