O dark thirty...

This is a picture of my warm car (thank you auto start) at 5:15 this Monday morning...

This a picture of the glowing doorway...

I hold the key to that door and that door holds:
health wellnessstrengthstabilityreliefand
a better me.
That 5 0' clock hour is tricky.  It can really betray you if you'll allow it to.  I tend to toss and turn in anticipation until about 4:45, then suddenly my pillows and blankets swallow me whole!  Then when the alarm sounds I am more comfortable than I had been all night!  
Then there is the pitch blackness... AND the frigid temperature!  
Last week I set my alarm all 5 days and went NOT ONE TIME. 
BUT, there is always today.  Today I set my intention and I followed through.  And I remembered what I have always known.  It feels good.  It feels better to move my body from 5 to 6 then it does to snooze thru.  I am happier for it at 8, 9, 10, etc...  At 3 0'clock not so much but have a new remedy for that...
Which brings me to THIS: 

My new ninja!
I went to Macy's with a gift card in hand.  What to buy, what to buy?  You can go in so many directions in that store.  It felt a bit dizzy when I thought about it.  My initial thought was to browse the make up (which I never have extra money for these days)...  I don't wear a lot of it but I do love my concealer and a little eye liner... keeps me looking a bit more alive while raising one particular boy and another smaller girl.  
BUT THEN I SAW THE NINJA! 
 And the thought that came to mind was this...
Work on your yourself from the inside out Britt, you know that.  Why buy make up when you could drink your way to a tighter tummy, brighter skin, and a healthy smile.
Is anyone else resolving to be a healthier you this year?
PS: this is what got me going this morning...

Running...

So today was a little on the weird side for me.  First of all, my hair.  Blah.  I can always tell when either Gabi or I are coming down with something because no matter what we do our hair looks a mess.  

Mine looked a mess today.  

Then I began to feel my swollen eyes sink farther and farther into my weary head.  Then I started to feel a bit dizzy.  Then I realized I was sitting at my desk staring at my screen unable to accomplish anything at work, with bad hair.  But I persevered, for it was only 10 o' clock, and my time off is a coveted thing that I do not give up easily.  But as the hours passed I was becoming more unwell by the minute.

I left work.  An hour early.

I raced home with visions of pillows and blankets.  

Upon opening the front door and and lunging for the jammie drawer there lied an option.  Though I could see myself literally diving effortlessly into those oh so wonderful lounge pants and taking two steps backward into my dreamy bed, I could not overlook my running shorts.  There they were, right there as if they knew I needed them all day long.  I gave myself a few smacks on the cheeks and took a few jumps in the air.  Is this even possible?  I was convinced 20 minutes ago that I might hurl in the car...

Next thing I knew I was on the road.  I ran six miles, to the lake and back.  And fast.

Energy restored.  Happiness restored.  Eyeballs better.  Color back.  Smile back.  

Not sick.

hallelujah for exercise.