Lately I've been on a tear for truth. I've been reading a lot of novels. I've been thinking about the economy, about thankfulness, about the fragility and magnificence of all I hold dear.

The books I love most are the ones that reveal truths about us as a people. Gulliver's Travels, a political satire that -- to me -- identifies so completely the difference between humans and completely rational creatures. Completely rational creatures wouldn't fight for truth; they'd only fight for resources. Completely rational creatures, actually, would probably never fight at all. It's such a waste of energy. They probably wouldn't love, either, because love is a risk for which there is no algorithm and no bonded guarantee. 

At night, I've been reading novel after novel trying to identify exactly what it is I want to write about next. With every passing day, I grow more frustrated with our leaders' inability to agree. Our collective inability to do the things that serve the greater good. The struggle between protecting ourselves from each other and protecting each other from ourselves. 

We read history to avoid repeating it, but inevitably history is only one side of the story. The maddening thing about humanity is that our egos make it so difficult to be compassionate, to see the other person's side. It is deeply painful to truly hear another's negative perception of yourself. It takes an act of faith to open yourself up to the criticism of your actions without defensiveness -- but if you can, it's a gift. How then, do we balance that insight with the belief we can succeed despite our many and obvious flaws? How do we pick ourselves up and change and make the world a better place?

It gets dark early these days, and so, after my daughter goes to bed, I turn to more and more novels, searching for the veracity buried there. And I think about what I want to write. And how in order to do so, I have to be willing to accept that not everyone will see what I see, and that's okay because we are not -- will never be -- completely rational creatures with one collective definition of truth.

And there is so much value in that. 

We see our own truth in glimpses on days that are truly horrible or truly fantastic, and the rest of the time we we seek that understanding of the world. Maybe understanding, even if the world is not what we wanted it to be, is happiness. 

I go into this winter seeking that feeling and trying to write a little faster to capture it before I walk into a crowd and forget all about it.

Like many people, I periodically fall off the fitness and eating well wagon, typically due to stress and sometimes due to injury. And though I happily resumed exercise once I received my 6-week postpartum clearance, this fall, self-care fell to the wayside due to new home and work commitments. And it's taken it's toll. Not only do I feel a little squishy around the edges, but more troubling, I've felt tired, tense, and well in need of a vantage point beyond my laptop.

Like many moms, it often feels impossible to carve out time. But despite my current scenario -- starting this week I have even less childcare hours in which to run multiple businesses -- I am committed to making this happen. I've been jotting down inspiration points over the past week; here are 11 easy ways to get back to fitness -- all of them have helped motivate me at one time or another!

1. Chat with a fitness-enthused friend. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I saw my friend Andrew, a couch (computer?) potato turned marathon runner. His energy is utterly infectious and after talking with him about his training, I felt eager to lace up my sneakers. Also, when he says stuff like, "I went for a 15 mile run this morning" I figure I can make the time to run 15 minutes.

2. Rally via social media. I credit social media (particularly, my friends behind The Shredheads) for getting me back on the fitness wagon a couple of years ago. There's something oddly motivating about putting out there that you are waffling about a run and then having a bunch of people tweet or Facebook you, barking at you to get your butt out the door. And just the other day, I posted that I took a 15 minute midday break to stretch and encouraged other people to do the same -- even if they got weird looks at the office -- and people responded, thanking me for the inspiration and telling me they stretched. So fun!

3. Pick up a fitness magazine. The other day I bought a running magazine -- there's something about the glossy photos featuring happy people working out that helps me forget (temporarily at least!) how labored I sometimes feel when I'm out on the pavement. Plus, I usually pick up some good tips for nutrition or short workouts.

4. Remember that 10-20 minutes is still awesome. Pursuant to the above point, I once read in a running magazine that 10 minutes of running is better than no running, and I completely agree. If you can do more, fantastic, but my point is, just do something and don't be hindered by the idea that if you can''t do a full 45-60 minute workout it isn't worth it (which is what used to hang me up).

5. Multitask. Since I've been short on time lately, the best way I have found to fit exercise in is via multitasking. I'll run to the post office and back. I've even run to meetings and back (thankfully, my business partner doesn't mind if I show up sweaty). Just yesterday I broke out the jogging stroller for the first time and took Violet out for a zoom to pick a few things up at Whole Foods. She loved it!

6. Set small, achievable goals. Although I think it's great to put big things (e.g., marathon) on your life list, they can be daunting in the now if you're just trying to get back to things. Set smaller goals, such as "run 15 minutes" or "run a 5K" or "do 5 push-ups." I highly recommend Couch to 5K if you want to experiment with running -- this is the plan that helped convert me from a non-runner to someone who could participate in a 200-mile relay race.

7. Exercise with friends. Meet up with friends for a run, walk, or Zumba class. Sign up for a race together. Other people will help hold you accountable.

8. Put it in your calendar. If you're like me and live and breathe by your to-do lists, put exercise on your to-do list or calendar. I'm getting in the habit of mapping out my fitness plan as I review the week ahead every Sunday.

9. Track data. If tracking data renders a sense of accomplishment and motivates you, sign up with something like Daily Mile. It's basically Facebook for fitness. You'll get reports about mileage covered and can interface with your friends (or complete strangers) and motivate one another.

10. Gear up. One thing that can set you up for failure is not having gear that fits or works. If your yoga gear is ill fitting or threadbare you will not feel comfortable downward dogging. Or if your running shoes are old and worn out, you will hurt more the day following and will not want to run again. Gear up so you can get moving safely and comfortably.

11. Try something new. Getting bored makes it easy to fall off the wagon. I've being doing my running/yoga mix for a long time now and though I'm enjoying it since I'm just getting back into it again, I'm also thinking about investigating something new, like ballet. (Cue image of Olivia the pig envisioning herself on stage.)

I hope these tips are helpful -- if you have others to share, I've love to read them in the comments below!

Image credit: photostock via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We have a 40-foot evergreen tree (probably) (I didn't measure it) in our yard. My husband has been dying to light that baby up since we moved here four years ago. The problem? LED lights. A tish expensive. 

I hope you kids see what a waste of resources this has been.

He worked really hard on it, Grandma.

BUT! This weekend when we unpacked the Christmas decorations, lo, we discovered we had cleaned Target out of LED lights at the end-of-season sale last year and forgot all about it. It was like sleep-light-buying. Also, inexplicably, we bought four large outdoor Christmas balls the size of my head.

It was a holiday miracle!

Cut to Sunday. Beloved had been outside for hours. Finally he knocked on the door and asked me to help him. I only wish I had video or even a photo of this process, but I was helping. So was the neighbor.

My husband had duct-taped together five mop/broom/whatever poles and fashioned a hook on the very end with wire. The contraption was tall enough to reach the roof of our two-story house.

He had also electrical taped every strand of lights together and looped them into a cooler on wheels so he could feed them out as he went. And he checked every bulb to make sure it worked first.

I just don't understand what happened.

Did you check every bulb?

Every one.

As my neighbor and I stared open-mouthed, he proceeded to hang the lights on this enormous tree in less than an hour while we followed him, feeding him lights.

SLACK, RITA, I NEED SLACK.

There were just enough lights. I handed him these basketball-like Christmas ornaments, and he had to adapt his hanging device to open the loops on the ornaments to better hang them on the limbs by adding another prong. 

Last night he told me he wants to take a picture of the little angel in front of that tree at just the right moment of dusk to use for our Christmas cards. I told him I thought such a picture would suck because I am such a horrible photographer and it would have to be me because these days he's usually not home before sunset. I am about as good at capturing the moment between dusk and night as I am at long division. But then I saw the look on his face and immediately felt like the world's biggest asshole, because hello, he taped together every cleaning device we have in our house for this*.

So I'm going to attempt it. 

Lord help me.

*Next year he says he's going to make a better hanging device out of PVC pipe. I'm hoping he can patent it and sell it worldwide so we can quit our jobs and watch John Hughes movies all day. Stay tuned.

I've been immersed in change and exploration ever since career pivoting five years ago, so I'm really looking forward to attending the Mass Conference for Women -- which encourages attendees to live fearlessly and pursue their path. In addition to undoubtedly drawing inspiration from speakers and attendees, next week I'll provide social media consulting sessions for those looking for guidance in developing their brand. My consult sessions apparently are already full (sorry about that -- I should have posted sooner!) but I did want to pass along a discount code in case you want to attend. Use code MAWD29 for a rate of $125 per individual ($30 off) and $1,250 for a table of 10 ($200 off). Hope to see you there!

Last night my husband decided to clean out our kitchen junk drawer. It's that weird long, skinny drawer that was created specifically for housing your shish kebob skewers. You know, the important drawer. Ours was crammed with all  manner of things. 

As he got deeper into the drawer, he decided to pull it all the way out of the cabinet. There were ... things ... stuck in the back.

Things that were not ours.

Such as Mary's teeth.

I just threw up in my mouth. 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday long weekend! As I mentioned last week, we're in the midst of a lot of transition in my house right now so I decided to take time off and focus on the family. It was really lovely and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this week! I hope your re-entry back into the real world is smooth; meanwhile, here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:
November 28: If you're a classical music lover and can swing a sitter (or mama sitting exchange!) last minute, enjoy tonight's free performance by the Borromeo String Quartet.

November 29 (also December 1 & 7): The Boston JCC is offering programming for interfaith couples and parents to explore how to honor Chanukah and Christmas.

November 30 (through January 1): Take in the pretty at Winter Lights IV in Lowell.

December 1: Celebrate local at Holiday in the Square in Lynn.

December 1-4: Or do the same via the Marblehead Christmas Walk.

December 1: Join the masses for Boston's Official Holiday Lighting.

December 2: Love performance spectacle? The Radio City Chistmas Spectacular kicks off in Boston. (And stay tuned, I'll be giving away tickets to this show soon!)

December 2: Learn how to give baby a rub down at this free infant massage class.

December 2: I love that the Lexington Symphony is offering two Pops shows; a Kids' Pops at 4pm and Holidays Pops at 8pm.

December 2-4: The unique and festive Holly Folly Weekend kicks off in Provincetown.

Now through January 1: This visual celebration of children's literature sounds so lovely.

At your leisure: Put aside some toys to donate to your school or community toy drive.

At your leisure: Check through your kids' outgrown winter gear; donate cold weather items to kids in need.

At your leisure: If you're interested, this is why I've been especially busy the last few months. I'm growing this wonderful company and just redesigned the website. I'm thrilled with how pretty it looks!

At your leisure: I wrote a guest post sharing 8 tips to healthier holidays if you need some ideas.

At your leisure: Schedule coffee or a night out with a girlfriend. (I am long overdue on this and am trying to get something in the books this week.)

At your leisure: Think of how to help out a mom friend with one small act. My act for the week will be delivering dinner to my friend who just had a baby.

At your leisure: Do something kind for yourself. Personally, I'm thinking it's time to book body work with Heather.

Image credit: Borromeo String Quartet via NEC

Though I do enjoy shopping, I've admittedly been turning a blind eye to the onslaught of big box Black Friday pitches I've been receiving -- partially because this marketing approach seems awfully tiresome, and partially because I'm a big fan of supporting local indie businesses. As in past years, we plan on adhering to a pretty minimal approach to holiday shopping, but when I do get around to it, I'll start by turning to what's immediately around us. I wanted to share some great ways to shop local -- there's so much talent that warrants your attention!
1. MassArt Made recently opened at Huntington and Longwood. This store features handmade products by MassArt alums, students, faculty, and staff. I haven't had a chance to stop by yet but I hope to soon -- I adore the concept!

2. I have featured Boston Handmade before; this juried group of professional local artists and craftspeople are prominent on the local craft fair circuit. Check their calendar for updates; they are participating in Holly Days in Princeton, the Mudflat Holiday Sale, the Jamaica Plain Holiday Fair, and the Bazaar Bizarre, among other events.

3. I started the Boston Mamas mamapreneur business network as a way to feature listings for local, mom-driven talent. If you need a professional photographer, look no further! There are also lots of great listings for products, indoor activities, and more.

4. Whenever someone asks me about Etsy, I describe it as a beautiful, beautiful rabbit hole. Simply set your location, search for the item you are looking for (otherwise, general browsing could send you down the rabbit hole for hours!), then click on "Local Items" in the left sidebar to shop local artists. Totally awesome.

5. And of course, look around your neighborhood! I'm particularly keen on supporting local brick and mortars because I admire their bravery in taking the plunge in paying rent (one day I dream of being similarly brave and renting studio space). In past years, it's been fun to take Laurel to local stores so she can help pick presents for her grandparents. (I recommend telling the child what the spending limit is in advance!)

Finally, through Weekly Blueprint and my Fun Weekend Picks, I will do my best to call attention to upcoming local craft shows as I hear about them. Please always feel free to comment in if I'm missing something, or drop me a line to let me know about an upcoming event!

Image credit: delicious looking natural soaps by S.S. Soap in Boston via Etsy

I went today to attend a program at my daughter's school. The theme was patriotism, after the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. It's scheduled this week so family members in town for Thanksgiving can attend. 

It was cute and all until they sang about being the generation of the future. And then they sang, "We have the chance to do it right."

And I got all gooey watching these kids -- who clearly believed so totally in what they were singing -- dance and sing about America being the land of opportunity, so open to immigrants, the poor, the huddling masses.

It was hard not to think about how we're fighting about immigration and occupying Wall Street and all. It was hard not to realize as they sang about remembering that most of them hadn't been born yet in 2001.

I hope they have the chance to do it right. I hope we educate them well enough. I hope we teach them history -- real history -- so they don't repeat the mistakes of the past. I hope this generation puts the emphasis on compassion more than greed. I hope they don't have to occupy anything but their space in the world. I hope they leave that world better than they found it. 

I hope there's still time for my generation to do the same thing.

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week. I'm both looking forward to the connection and reflection that happens around this time of year, and admittedly am also a little overwhelmed by the details of life right this second, given that there's a lot of transition going on in our household (plus, poor Violet is suffering from a bizarre full body rash right now). Anyway, I hope you all enjoy lots of relaxing time this week; here are some handy/fun ideas to consider in this week's Weekly Blueprint:
November 21: Start the week out getting up close and personal with cows.

November 21-22: Get what you need at the grocery store before the pre-Thanksgiving freak out on Wednesday.

November 21-22: As you go through your pantry checking off supplies for Thanksgiving, pull out extras and donate to a food bank.

November 21-22: If you're traveling: squirrel away some travel surprises via books from the library, "what's old is new" toys from your own playroom/storage, toys swapped with friends, or items procured from a local toy or craft store.

November 22: If you're traveling: start setting aside a packing pile, or keep a piece of pen and paper handy to jot down items as you remember them. I pretty much always walk around with a piece of paper in my pocket to jot down to-do's since I can't seem to remember anything these days!

November 22: Plan your holiday tabletop; procure any last minute supplies.

November 23 (through December 10): Celebrate the festival of trees in Wellesley.

November 23: Need to occupy your kids while you prep pies? Have them help make place settings or other Thanksgiving inspired décor (think turkeys made from toilet paper rolls!). Or print up and have the kids color some of these free Thanksgiving coloring pages.

November 24: Reflect and be grateful.

November 24 (through January 1, 2012): Enjoy the kick off of ZooLights at the Stone Zoo.

November 25: Go for a run, brisk walk, or hike through the woods with your family.

November 25: The Nutcracker kicks off in Boston! (You can get half price tickets here.)

November 25 & 26: Celebrate native arts and culture in Cambridge.

November 26: Check out the Macy's Christmas Tree Lighting. **see comment from Sara below re: timing

Some time this week: Destress via acupuncture. My friend Roxanna swears by this place.

At your leisure: Tackle a small decluttering project. (I'm thinking about doing a year-long weekly decluttering project!)

Image credit: Appleton Farms