Drinking Games

My brother in law said I was an alcoholic because I drink alone but I assured him that was not true, because the kids are here.

My stress meter is at level: Drink Frequently. That's one step above a Two Mike Night and just below Drink Heavily. I assure you that the stress has nothing to do with the holidays. I enjoy the holidays except for the part where every freakin' news show and magazine article is about how to relieve holiday stress. I am taking such a laid back approach to holiday stress brought on by family togetherness that I'm actually looking forward to the look on my mom's face when my sister comes to Christmas dinner in her t-shirt that says Jesus Loves Me & My Tattoos.

Besides the drinking, my stress has also manifested itself in painting. While a watercolor seascape sounds lovely, I painted the bathroom in blue semi-gloss and the living room green. We sort of did it on a whim this weekend, and it really looks great. Mostly I like the way it draws my eyes away from the carpet, which is beyond cleaning but unfortunately cannot be painted.

With the exception of skipping Thursday, when I woke up slightly buzzed from a Wednesday of cosmopolitans in the very cosmopolitan NYC (holiday party for work- very fun...must find job where I can drink more frequently at meetings) I have been faithful with my race training schedule. Saturday was two miles and I upped the speed from 12 minute miles to 11. I was feeling pretty good, took Sunday off (the schedule permits!) to rest from painting and hit the treadmill this morning only to be faced with a 2.5er on the schedule. But I did it.

And to top off the good news, I ran into my daughter's teacher at the post office today and she didn't even mention my flatulence problem. What a nice lady.