Yesterday, we drove 13 hours from Los Angeles to El Paso. The Christmas holiday has officially begun! Woop!

During the drive, I had plenty of time to reflect (while holding the steering wheel in a death grip trying to avoid haboobs and later, massive rain/snow storms. I swear, California hordes all the good weather, and then the minute you cross the border, whoosh – wind, dust, rain and snow. I think the state has a pact with the devil. Or Tom Cruise.) on a few things I am thankful for this holiday season.

1.  My nightguard. Because I’m a little high strung (surprise!), I grind my teeth at night and have to wear a nightguard – the adult equivalent of a linebacker’s mouthpiece crossed with those fake wax lips. Very attractive. But it keeps me from ending up with a headache and little nubs for teeth. It also keeps Hubz from getting having to smack me to “stop chewing on boulders” (exact quote) while he’s trying to sleep. Win/win.

2.  Good earplugs. Because it is so quiet in Texas, every little noise sounds like a freight train. Not that I’m saying Hubz’s snoring sounds like a freight train. Or a jet hurtling down a runway at full throttle. Or the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland. Yeesh! Y’all sure like to jump to conclusions.

3.  Strong coffee. Really, I don’t even know what to say about my love of coffee. Frankly, the only reason I even get out of bed in the morning is that I can’t wait to have my first cup. And I’m not joking. My addiction love is strong and fierce. My children call Starbucks my “mother ship”. I consider it my most stable relationship.

4.  Chardonnay. Sparkly, golden nectar that makes every holiday a little more joyful. A glass of chardonnay erases all need for pre-holiday therapy, as suddenly, everyone around you appears incredibly well-adjusted. Warning: more than 2 glasses have the opposite effect. Just sayin’.

5.  Wide open spaces. As much as I love the California weather (Thanks, Tom!), I love the wide open spaces of Texas even more. The minute I open my eyes on my first morning back, I can’t wait to get out and run. And run. And run. Because here you can go on forever, without risk of getting hit by a bus, or having to stop at 27 stoplights during a 6 mile run. Just be careful of the coyotes. And rattlesnakes. And Border Patrol agents who might mistake you for a drug mule.

What are you thankful for this holiday? 

Happy Running!

Tagged as: chardonnay, coffee, earplugs, Los Angeles, snoring, teeth grinding, Texas, Tom Cruise