Christmas Eve (squared)

It's December 23rd, or Christmas Eve Eve.  Another year has passed, and as always, I now reflect on goals achieved and goals ignored,  the good times and the bad, and also as always, I appreciate the fact that there was more good than bad.

It was an unusual year in running.  While it was my lowest mileage year in a long time, my running got me some attention this year.  I was written up in a local magazine, did my first half-ironman triathlon, and inspired others to join the running circuit.  I didn't get to do a marathon again this year (second in a row), but I'm ending the year optimistic, and signed up for one in May.

My weight - well, that's a different kind of high.  In looking back, I realize that this year has just been the latest in a string of years of decreasing interest in taking the steps I should be taking on nutrition.  Frankly, this is also the year that I realized what's really going on in my gut and in my head, and I'm starting to separate the two.  I had a really good fall in being able to handle certain trigger foods, and it's been a long time since I have had a doughnut (last one: National Donut Day on June 6th!).

My family - well, for the most part they are great.  My older son earned his Eagle Scout, and has been accepted at two colleges already, including one he really wants to attend.  My younger son is doing really well in school, and seems more comfortable with that environment.  Kristen is doing great too, now also in training for a marathon next year, while maintaining a better balance than I am.

Work?  Story for a different blog.  Suffice to say that I'm not sure if I'm a workaholic, or if I'm just in a really busy position.  It didn't let up at all this year, but I'm hopeful for a new role in the new year that may give me more of a break.

In my community, I'm stretched thin.  Mainly due to work.  Again, another blog post.  I haven't been as active with Scouting as I'd like to be, and had to step down from being an assistant Scoutmaster, as I couldn't make time for some required training.  I have been able to pick it up a bit this Fall, though.  I have stayed active in the Church, and got to speak at a conference, which was really exciting for me (and I didn't really mess it up).  Coming up this year will be some changes - I'll leave the parish Council (my non-repeatable term is up) and perhaps turn toward more political endeavors.

There's lots of planning to do for the new year, and some goal setting, some of which I'll share here at a later date.  For now, I've got a week off, and some time to relax.  Before the new year (and our fiscal yearend) starts, I'm going to take advantage of the break.