Here we are... the final weekend to shop for those last-minute holiday gifts! I'm sure there will be a few of my family members at the mall this weekend, which is fine with me as it gives me time to wrap some of their gifts while they're away shopping.

The other evening the snow and winds forced me to stay indoors for my daily walking regimen instead of venturing outdoors - one of the very few occasions when I was actually looking forward to staying inside to walk on the treadmill. You see, the grand finale of one of my favorite television shows was on that evening; and, my treadmill just happens to face directly towards the screen...

I must admit I'm pretty proud of the fact that I've been staying away from most of the holiday treats for the last few weeks. I do have many gatherings to attend yet this year and I'm hoping that I can continue to sample the goodies that surround me instead of eating more than my fair share like I once did years ago.

I sure do appreciate the fact that I can walk inside on my treadmill now, since the recent weather has definitely not been too accommodating lately! It has been extremely blustery and cold on this side of the state - causing many fallen limbs and branches in our neighborhood. No, not the perfect walking conditions lately... not at all!

Ah, the weekend is over ... and we are just that much closer to the BIG DAY! I'm happy to say that I did get the rest of my shopping done this weekend; but, believe it or not, I still have a shopping date planned this Thursday ... with the gals!

Well, you made it through the week - it's finally Friday! And as I took a glance at the calendar this morning, I noticed that this is one of the two weekends left for holiday shopping! I enjoy shopping - a LOT! It's something I have always liked to do...no matter what time of year it is, even though I will say that I have much more energy now than I once used to years ago.

Can you believe it's Thursday already? My month of December often contains several family gatherings and holiday parties, along with many sporting events that my children participate in...ALL that I truly enjoy attending, which most likely is the reason why it feels as though this month is flying by! As they say "Time flies when you're having fun!" A statement many of us have now accepted as true.

I just realized that there are only three weeks left until the New Year arrives! My son will enjoy celebrating when the year 2009 finally arrives... it's the year he's been looking forward to since he was in elementary school: his graduation year!

Good morning! Did you wake up to a fresh snowfall today like I did? Even though I feel we've had more than enough snow this month, I'll admit that it is gorgeous and helps put me in the holiday spirit... much more than looking at a yard of brown grass. It's funny when you hear the old, familiar holiday song on the radio "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" play repeatedly throughout the week...hey, we live in Michigan - all we know is snow!

Welcome back from a cold and snowy weekend! I hope that you were able to mark off a few items from your TO DO list along with making sure to take some time for you...just to relax or possibly catching up on some zzzzz's!

I hope you enjoyed my "First Day of Christmas" blog yesterday? If you are visiting WalkyTalk today for the first time, "welcome!" and please, take a moment to click on the tab JODI'S BLOGS above to read the Thursday, December 04 posting so you can see what I'm referring to!

I love the holiday season! It's a time of year that allows us to gather with family and friends to enjoy the simple things... like time spent together. Sure, I realize that the holidays can also bring added stress; but you know, as the years pass I've slowly learned to "step back" and take the opportunity to enjoy what the season brings - I know it will here and gone before we know it!

"You can do it - don't give up!" How many times have you heard that statement said to you during your lifetime? Probably more times than you can count, especially since you most likely began hearing those words when you were just a baby.

Do you ever just sit back and wonder why some people "do what they do?" Obviously, I already know the answer to that question: an overwhelming "Yes!" I don't think any of us can watch more than a few minutes of the evening news without wondering why a particular person, or maybe even a group of individuals, acts in such peculiar ways - I know I am often left wondering many times...

Welcome back! Well, the four day eating and shopping frenzy has come to an end... finally! Most likely it is causing you to be grateful that you're now back into your normal, daily routine. I know I am, especially since I am a person who likes to stick to a schedule. But our Thanksgiving was enjoyable and the "change of routine" was nice even though I didn't enjoy cooking the 24 lb. turkey - but spending time with the entire family was great!