Obviously

Obviously, the best time to buy a treadmill is the holiday season.

It's time to get serious about losing this grad school pudge I gained. 

Happiness is

Happiness is knowing that I only have two days of teaching this week. No meetings, tutoring, professional developments, or planning to do. Just two days of teaching and then it's Thanksgiving break!

Happiness is sneaking a little Christmas in before a week of turkeys. For me, there is no such thing as too early. *Note: I haven't purchased a tree yet, but I will admit that when I saw the above Christmas trees as a grocery store, I stood next to them for a good solid two minutes and just breathed in the beautiful scent!

Happiness is a clean house, two cuddly cats, and a movie.

Happiness is spiked egg nog and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins!

Happiness is knowing how good I'm going to feel once my treadmill arrives. (I caved and bought this.) I'm thankful that Miles, my brother, and his Purdue Engineering friend will be here this week to put it together.

Happiness is keeping in touch with friends-- whether its emails or letters. It's fun to have friends across the world.

Lists

Not feeling like my normally perky self. I'm tired. Tired enough that I'm actually thinking about taking a day off this week.

If anyone tries to put one more thing on my plate this week, I might actually cry.

My to do list is a mile long, but it keeps growing!

I wish I knew how to say, "No! Enough is enough!"


----------
Miles and I are considering buying a treadmill. Reasoning: As much as I like going to the gym, I have no energy or desire to go to a gym after working for 11 hours at school a day. I would rather be home where I can work out when I have a chance instead of having to plan having clothes, shoes, driving, blah, blah, blah. Any thoughts or advice?

In the Neighborhood

Have I ever mentioned that I live in one of those older neighborhoods that make older home lovers jealous? It's true- I do. The majority of the homes built in the neighborhood are from the 1930s through the 1950s. Every home is different and unique to the past and present owners-- something I love! It's one of those neighborhoods that has huge trees everywhere and if the yards are missing trees, it's because they have been chopped down due to height and roots. We also live within walking distance of a park, library, post office, grocery store, and schools which means we often include running errands to our work outs. Older men spend many afternoons waving to walkers and kids are often heard playing basketball or seen riding bikes.

When we first moved in to the neighborhood back in May, one of the first things I said about this neighborhood was that it's going to be a beautiful place to live this fall. These pictures do not do this neighborhood justice. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. :)