1. SNOW!!! We finally got some actual, honest-to-goodness, full on, genuine snow. We had one morning early in the week where it was very cold and there was just a dusting of snow, but a few days later the real storm showed up. They’d predicted 1-3 inches, but we got eight. It was up to Ringo’s knees. We’d had such a long warm dry fall into the beginning of winter that when the snow came, there was still a lawn chair in the yard and our sun umbrellas were still outside.

2. Morning walks. Because of weather and such, I only ended up on one of these this week, which was weird. It was also a late walk because it was extra cold so Ringo and I waited until later in the morning to walk.

3. Family. Mom is still doing good, sleeping more and talking a lot less, but still remembers who we are and getting such good care. Jessamy’s baby is due late January so she had an ultrasound where we can see the baby’s face. I’m going out to Oregon sometime the end of January, to visit and give Mom a haircut she badly needs, start getting her house ready to sell (*sigh*), and if I’m lucky, meet the new baby. 

4. Practice. No yoga this week either, and I’m really starting to miss them. I had a whole plan for a practice honoring the Full Cold Super Moon, but I’ll just bring it next time. Writing on Friday morning was magic, medicine — oh how I adore that group of women! My meditation practice has been easier to find and settle into, which typically happens during this darker season.

5. My tiny family, small house, little life. I’ve still been telling Eric every day, “I’m glad you’re home,” even though he’s been back from trip for two weeks. Really, I could tell him that every day for the rest of our lives, because I am always glad he’s home.  

Bonus joy: lunch at Mount Everest Café with Eric, texting with Chris and Chloe’, other people’s kids and dogs and Christmas lights, reading poetry, down blankets and pillows and coats, wool sweaters and socks, slippers, watching good TV (right now that’s The Pitt on HBO), listening to podcasts, shopping for Christmas presents (I don’t love everything about it but when I think of something I know someone is really going to like, it makes me happy), a big glass of cold clean water, naan and onion pakora, a hot cup of coffee and warm mug of green tea, Panda Peanut Butter Puffs cereal with Fairlife milk, the moonlight reflecting off the snow, therapy, being able to message my doctor and get a quick response rather than having to schedule and wait for and then pay for an in office appointment, being able to schedule or change or cancel appointments online, Hendrix’s school picture (I know I said that already but it’s right here where I can see it and I just looked at it again), making each other laugh, the hydromassage chair, aqua aerobics, getting to see Frank (my gym dad), sitting in the sauna, snow tires, a warm shower, clean pjs, yoga videos on YouTube (because sometimes I like someone else to tell me what to do, without having to leave the house or put on a bra), naps, clean sheets, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.