Merry Christmas! And also, sorry I for going completely dark for the last month. Between Todd being out of town on an extended work trip, us leaving town for Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving being so late this year and then hopping a plane for our German Christmas Markets riverboat cruise (more on that in a bit), it feels like I’ve had roughly two and a half business days since November 1 to deal with life, laundry and Christmas.

As a result, I went light, for me, on Christmas decor this year. Only five trees downstairs. No 30-foot reindeer in the front yard. Most of the outdoor decor is just the lights we have professionally installed outlining the house.

At first, I was disappointed I didn’t do more. Then I realized I did the best I could this season, and that’s enough. Growth looks a lot like letting yourself off the hook.

WE'RE CRUISIN'

Glühwein & An Unexpected New Travel Personality

Todd and I snuck away for ten days for our very first riverboat cruise, sailing the Main and Tauber Rivers of Germany to explore their famous Christmas Markets. I was in absolute heaven. So much Glühwein. So many treats. Enough walking every day that nothing followed me home on my waistline. That's the real Christmas miracle!

It was especially wonderful traveling with a group through our friends at KelliGregg Travel, and spoiler alert, I am now a full-blown river cruise person. We’ve already booked another Uniworld riverboat cruise with them for August 2027, exploring castles along the Rhein between Basel and Amsterdam. How magical does that sound?!
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If that sounds like something you might like (you 100% will!), keep an eye on their site and tell them I sent you! Gregg told me that they're posting the details any day now.

I've posted some video recaps from the trip on my Instagram and Facebook. (And if you don't already follow me in those places, I'd love to see you there!)

ADD TO CART

Use It Or Lose It

Friendly end-of-year reminder, if you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through work, that money has to be spent before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve or it disappears back into your employer’s wallet!

According to today’s Wall Street Journal, the average employee forfeits $400 a year, which is just stupid if you ask me. Coincidentally, that’s more than enough to cover an LED red light therapy mask, which is a covered FSA expense with most plans. This is the one I have and love!​

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HIT PLAY

One Last Christmas Song

This may shock you, but Christmas music is not my favorite part of the season. I love Christmas. I love music. But it feels like there are only fifty songs sung by the same fifty people, and the burnout comes at me fast!

That said, one of my favorite Christmas songs is also one of the worst over created: Celine Dion singing “Feliz Navidad.” The cringe is so high it loops back around to hilarious. Her ad-libs absolutely destroy me. She is such a dork, and I mean that with love. Listen and report back: High Camp Genius or Musical Crime Scene?

FROM THE DOLLY LAMA

"I could get away with less, but I like more."

- Dolly Parton

Dolly sums up my feelings about Christmas, decor, food, sparkle and life in general. Less is fine. And more is also fine. Being unapologetic about your extra is the real gift.

SNAPPED

Before The Carnage

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That's it for this week! Thank you for following along this year. Every one of your replies has made my heart sing and has encouraged me to keep going! I hope you have a wonderful rest of the holiday season, however you celebrate.

Talk to you again soon! In the meantime, always remember...

YOU ARE LOVED!