The first (and second) days of Christmas

I ended up getting sick (again!) on Christmas Eve, so I didn't go to Midnight Mass with most of the family; I went in the evening. The 13-year-old got it worse and ended up sleeping through most of Christmas Day, unable to eat anything.

It was a lowkey, but fun, Christmas Day. I managed to spend very little money and still please everyone on the gift front. The 5-year-old got the scooter he'd been wanting; the 7-year-old got the doll she'd been eying; the 11-year-old got a clock radio/iPod docking station; the 13-year-old got shirts he'd been needing anyway.

The relatives gave the kids a whole bunch of iTunes gift cards, which, of course, works to my advantage -- since a lot of their musical taste comes from me.

Paul got me a gift card to the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. He told me he'd almost got me a Pinkberry gift card before remembering that I don't eat that stuff. Fortunately for him, I find his absentmindedness rather cute.

I got him some interesting beers and Jose Canseco's book on the steroid scandal in baseball, which I found at the 99 Cents Only store. He needs some clothes, and I'll take him shopping later because I could buy him great clothes that he wouldn't necessarily like. He got a lot of hassle from his mother about the way he dressed, so I try to avoid pushing those kinds of buttons.

My holiday indulgences: Lowfat instead of nonfat yogurt. Interesting red rooibos/pomegranate tea. I accidentally bought a full-fat Greek yogurt this morning, and it was interesting how much longer it took me to get hungry again.

The best thing about our family's long Christmas celebration is I dug up some great deals at the grocery store this morning, including broccolini. (And much more fun stuff for the kids.)

An hour's run

I got 60 minutes worth of running today. It felt good to be back on track.

I didn't go with the club, partially because the only pace group leader who would be there today is the one who pushes my buttons. Oh, I do like him on many levels (he's very friendly) and appreciate his efforts; I just don't do well with patronizing men -- and he's frequently lecturing me on nutrition (with his significant spare tire).

So, it was easy for Paul to talk me into staying home with him instead.

But the big reason I skipped out on running with the club is I wasn't sure I was up for 10 miles after Sickness, Part II, hit on Christmas Eve.

The fun of having an ironic and irreverent 13-year-old in the house at Christmas

Me: "OK, kids, let's help me straighten the house up so I feel better for Christmas."

Son (in a saccharine-y voice): "Mom, Christmas isn't about having a clean house. It's about celebrating the birth of Jesus!"

Me: "Yes, I know. Clean up anyway."

Son: "Hey, did you like how I was using Jesus against you?"

Me: "Yes, that was just beautiful."

Merry Christmas!

Foods I've been cooking

Salmon patties: Instead of doing the Catholic Friday staple with saltine crackers, I try to glam these up a bit, with shredded carrots, garlic, some celery -- and oats.

More Cincinnati chili: I think I'm on a food jag.

For the family -- lasagna and tiramisu tonight, lots of little treats and a ham for tomorrow.

30 minutes -- finally!

I got my 30 minutes of jogging in this morning after a couple of weeks of illness in my house.

It went surprisingly well -- actually much better than my last jog, which is no surprise considering I came down with the flu later that night.

I wanted to get out there today because it's sort of an unofficial anniversary. The first time I ever ran 30 minutes straight was a year ago at this time. Plus, I need to get back on my schedule.

Great food: I made Cincinnati chili, which the family ate over spaghetti and I ate over red quinoa (it's a high-protein grain with South American roots). The mix of spices is unusual for a chili -- along with the cumin and chili powder and hot pepper, there is allspice and cloves. It's also more of a sauce than a thick chili, as it has a lot of broth added and I run the hand blender through it as well.

Upcoming races: I signed up to do the Surf City half marathon in Huntington Beach on Feb. 7. My friend who credits me with inspiring her to run is going to do it with me, and we'll get a hotel the night before.

Feeling grateful

Paul had a rough weekend, with a pain in his back. He had me good and panicked, as I started worrying about kidney stones (or failure), liver issues, angina, slipped discs. I don't generally get too irrational, but with Paul and his health, I go there quickly.

He stayed home from work because he was having trouble moving -- and he hates missing work.

So I'm grateful today that all it was is a severely pulled oblique muscle, per the doc's diagnosis.

So much for cookies

I might've brought you Christmas cookies this year, if you live near me and are willing to eat them. I had big plans for making cookie plates as gifts for friends and acquaintances and my children's teachers.

This illness, though, makes any cookies I touch suspect. So they'll just be for family.

My running has also taken a big hit -- it's not a debilitating flu, at least not for me, it's just weird and exhausting. I'm wondering how hard it will be to rebuild my base.