It’s National Bacon Day.

So I just had a bite of bacon. I think that’s my first bite of red meat in about 6 years. And it wasn’t too bad.

That is all.

Bye-bye.

There are so many reasons why I love my Christmas break.

1) I don’t have to work.

2) I get paid for it.

Amazing, right? But really, there are other reasons. Last year, Dave and I spent the week between Christmas and New Years working on our new house, but this year we’re settled and Dave’s been working some so I have almost unlimited time to myself. It’s the best time to recharge. Let’s look at it:

• Family time! Because of the time off this year, my family celebrated Christmas on the 26th. This left the 25th for the in-laws/ grandparents and then we all enjoyed a Cruse Family Christmas the morning of the 26th and didn’t have to rush to get to our other Christmases. My parents also come out on New Years Day for a pork and sauerkraut meal. This year, I may even eat some pork!
  
  
  
  
    
• Running. Not only did I get a bunch of winter running clothes (and money towards a spring race!), but this week is the best time I have to get out there and focus on getting lots of miles in. I don’t even always wear my Garmin because I don’t care about time, just distance. Slow and steady and beautiful scenery–and if I’m lucky, some snow!
• Reading! Reading is one of my favorite pastimes but I don’t have a lot of time for it. But this week is the best time to catch up on the books that I want to read and finish. This morning I woke up and finished a book with a cup of coffee. It was glorious! Can I start every morning like that? Answer: Yes. If I want to wake up at 5 am everyday.
• Catching up! Lunch with Susan and I have a date with a few other friends on Saturday. I may live in Pittsburgh, but I work 40 minutes away and so my free time disappears quickly when I’m working. But a 3-hour lunch with Susan was overdue and I’m thankful to have the time to spend with such a wonderful person!
    
• Odds and Ends. You know those random tasks that you have to do but have a hard time squeezing it in? Like returning things and doing crafts and cleaning some things that are often neglected? I get to do all of those. I even got crafty and made these prints for our dining room and go with our new tablecloth.
    
  (next I will get rid of that ugly light fixture)

Hope you are all enjoying your week–whether or not you have off!

Well, it’s time to get ready for the Pens v. Flyers game! If you’re a Pens fan and not excited about this game, you don’t get it. LET’S GO PENS!

P.S. I updated my photography blog a couple of days ago.

2007:

2008:

2009:

2010:

And now…

2011:

We can call this photo series “The Evolution of Abby’s Hair.”

Merry Christmas! Round #2 in the morning!

When I was in college, I worked at a gift shop on Pitt’s campus and perfected my gift wrapping skills. Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite parts of Christmas season.

I decided to put those skills to the test last night, with a few other co-workers.

Our Dean learned a very valuable lesson today: never underestimate what Abby can do with wrapping paper and compliant co-workers.