1. It’s no secret fall is my favorite time of year, however the past month has felt more like WINTER. Too dark, too dreary, too much rain, daylight savings kicked my butt, and my motivation for nearly everything has gone down the drain.
However, one thing that gets me jazzed every year is a holiday cup from Starbucks. It’s an instant nostalgic mood boost.
2. I know once the holiday festivities are over, and the days get even shorter I will want to permanently keep my head attached to my pillow. In an attempt to mitigate such behavior I have signed up for another spring half marathon. Training for one this past year during Jan/Feb/March was a helpful way to stay active. I also love having a goal to look forward to.
Having a focus and training regime for the upcoming winter will keep me from turning into Jabba the Hutt. I think this will be a new annual routine for me.
3. Since we’re on the topic of running, I went for a trail run recently. While it’s not normally my thing, I didn’t hate it. I enjoy running solo, but I won’t trail run solo, so I don’t trail run. (That and I don’t love giant hills.) My friend who will also be running the spring half marathon (his first one!) likes trail running, so I accompanied him on a 5 miler.
The run felt good, but the sight I came home to afterwards felt even better.
4. After a routine trip to Sprouts recently I noticed one of my back tires was low. I drove to Costco to fill it with some air, where I discovered the tire had a screw in it. Ooofff. I thankfully managed to drive to Discount Tire where I was jazzed to discover I had a warranty on my tires. I got a new tire for free, but I was bamboozled by the guy helping me.
He asked me when the last time I changed my wipers was. I told him it had been a looonnngg time, and that I knew how to do it, but I was being lazy. He told me he could make me a great deal, so I told him if he could replace them for under $20 I was in. He said he could, and I was shocked. He manipulated his computer to get the $50 pair for just $19, but they are AWFUL.
Note to self: not all wipers are created equal. At least I got a free $118 tire…
5. Speaking of saving money, I officially had to buy a new pair of Merrell’s. I bought a pair of Move Glove shoes in 2021 and beat the ever living life out of them. I refused to buy a new pair until the pair I had were shot, and I think having a hole in the heel I can fit multiple fingers through counts as getting my moneys worth.
6. Duncan and I are going to a candlelight Vivaldi concert in two weeks, and I am beyond excited. I had seen the candlelight concert ads for years, and always thought they were a scam. Then I had a friend who went to one, and she confirmed it was no only NOT a scam, but a wonderful experience.
The candles are most certainly not real, but the ambiance will still be lovely. I haven’t been to a classical concert since I lived in Europe.
7. Little free library boxes bring me so much joy. I recently commandeered THREE books (two of which I already wanted to read) from three different ones. I don’t know who first started this trend, but I am so thankful for the pockets of joy. Once I finish these three I will return them to another box, and the cycle will continue.
8. Speaking of books, I set a goal to read 25 books this year. Then that goal was bumped to 30, then 45, and then to 60. I have decided to leave the goal at 60, even though I have surpassed the goal (currently at 65 books.) This may not be many books for devout readers, but as someone who only recently got back into reading for hobby I am quite chuffed by this. My favorite books of the year thus far are:
- I’m Thinking of Ending Things – Iain Reid (Psychological)
- It Happened One Summer – Tessa Bailey (Romance)
- The Great Alone – Kristin Hannah (Emotional)
- Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal – Mary Roach (Science)
- The Tattooist of Auschwitz – Heather Morris (Historical)
- Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers – Mary Roach (Science)
- Educated – Tara Westover (Memoir)
- And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie (Mystery)
- The Women – Kristin Hannah (Historical Fiction)
9. I’m not one to collect many souvenirs, but one thing I try to get from every national park I visit is a pin. I’ve kept all my pins in a small box, and when I told my friend Caitlin this she offered to make me something to display them on. She hand sewed some felt pieces together, and it turned out so adorable.
The best part is that she gave it to me with a pin already in it. I didn’t get a pin in YOHO National Park back in September when she and I went, so she found me one online and bought it for me. What a pal, I am so thankful for her.
10. I ran a Turkey Trot this year against my better judgement. It was a 5k, and while 3.1 miles is a respectable distance to run, for me it’s my baseline. Because of this I don’t like paying to run a 5K. Paying for a 10K or higher pushes me to train longer miles, and therefor is justifiable to pay.
I digress.
This trot was only $20, so I decided to sign up after a friend told me he would be running it. I arrived early the day of the race to pick up my running bib, and the poor volunteers were deep in the storm of chaos. I registered the day prior, so I gave them grace when they couldn’t find the bib attached to my name. I assumed I didn’t have one because I signed up too close to the day of the race.
The woman helping me then handed me a random running bib, and with no further direction said “ok, here you go” (after expressing she could not find mine.) Thankfully I overheard another volunteer tell someone else the random bib’s were not attached to anyone, and we would just have to look up the numbers for results under anonymous runner.
OK, no big deal.
I run the race, and I end up quite proud of my time (29:56), and while I know my name won’t be on the results page I still want to see my number for my official chipped time. Lo and behold, the number I ran with was attached to a Mr. Mark Kimball. I decided to type my name in just to see, and SURE ENOUGH, there was a bib attached to my name and SOMEONE ELSE RAN WITH IT.
I am aware this is the epitome of what’s considered a “first world problem” (this is a confession posts after all), but I was admittedly bummed because I like collecting the running certificates with my name and my times. Duncan convinced me to reach out to the people who ran the event, and they were able to attach my name to the number I ran with and all was well in the world. It’s ok if you judge me for this confession.
Q: What’s your confession? Favorite books this year?
Blissfulbritt 
31 thoughts on “Early Morning Confessions”
Rootchopper
On the shoe thing, as a former runner I learned to keep track of the miles on my shoes. It turns out the midsoles wear out long before the outsoles or the uppers. I’d buy new ones but keep the old shoes for bad weather days.
Wow, you’re a book nerd! I am working on a post about all the books I read but Demon Copperhead (read right after I read David Copperfield) was great. I’m currently checking two authors: John Le Carre and Tana French.
Brittany
I don’t often run in anything other than my five fingers, and one of my favorite things about those shoes is they last for years. I mean YEARS. Being essentially barefoot as it is, even if I get a small hole somewhere it’s east to ignore. I can’t stand how quickly some shoes wear out. These Merrell’s I put a lot of miles in both walking and running, and I was ok saying goodbye. 🤣
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Demon Copperhead. I checked it out from the library sometime in the beginning of the year, but it arrived at the same time as three other books I had on hold. 21 days wasn’t enough time to read all four for me, so I bailed on Demon Copperhead because it was the longest. Finding it in the little library was so exciting because now I can pick it up when I feel ready. Which will be soon!
I’ve heard a few people who read this one in tandem with David Copperfield. Would you suggest one being better to read first vs the other?
Rootchopper
Read Copperfield first or a at least a summary.
Peg
Another great blog, Brittany! I don’t know who started the Little Free Library, but back in the early 2000’s there was a thing called Book Crossing. They were set up in Starbucks Coffee houses. You would go online with your book and get a number from their website, then write it in the book and leave it at the Book Crossing shelf in Starbucks, with instructions to go to the website and register the book. Later you could check the number on the website and see if anyone had picked up the book, and most importantly, if they had registered it on the website. It was fun there for a while, and ai don’t know if it is still going on or not. My partner, who is an avid reader and always has her nose stuck in a book, visits the LFLs here in town quite often. She hardly ever has to buy a book.
Good luck with your winter training!
Brittany
Thank you, Peg! I always adore your comments. I had never heard of the Book Crossing idea, I love that. How fun would it be to see a book you left on the opposite side of the country? I don’t buy books because I’m cheap, but also because they take up space. I mostly utilize my local library, but when I find a good book in the Little Free Library it feels like Christmas. I also have a friend who does enjoy buying books, and she has been somewhat of a library for me as well. 🤣
Rootchopper
My mom donated all my kid lit books to my school library. 45 years later someone bought it at a thrift sale and showed up at our house to see if we wanted it back. My sister said “NO!” Ack.
Brittany
HA!! No way, this is great. But also creepy for a stranger to show up at your house…
Rootchopper
We’d lived there for 50 years. Not surprising they found us.
writersjourney2017
Thank you Brittany for liking my ‘Now that you’ve quit sugar’ post on my blog. You hit the jackpot on “who started the Little Free Library?” Not only do I know who it was but I have met him. He, Rick Brooks, was a friend of my wife, Mary Lipscomb, when they attended Beloit College back in the mid-60’s. He Rick, was a co-founder along with Todd Bol, who is given recognition as THE founder. I met him at a Beloit Reunion several years ago. Todd Bol passed away in 2018 but Rick is still living.
Brittany
WHOA!! This is amazing. How serendipitous that I saw your post which caused you to see mine. Thank you for sharing, what a cool full circle. I LOVE those little libraries!
Thistles and Kiwis
I loved ‘Crying in H Mart’. We have our book club Christmas meeting next week so I have to decide what my favourite book of the year is for that – still working on it!
Brittany
Crying in H Mart had me cryiiinnnggg in my bedroom. So sad, but I loved it too. I really want to find a book club, they sound so fun. Would love to know what your favorite is once you decide.
Duncan
I am so very proud that you are making this an active cold weather season! Even more proud that you are now a certified trail runner, just need to get in to HIIT workouts next 😉
Few are your rivals when it comes to devouring books, 65 in a year seems wild to me, but your enthusiasm is undeniable! I’ll stick to re-reading the Master and Commander series over and over again.
That Turkey Trot was something else in terms of organization, but its still heartwarming to see the community coming together for a good cause and to have some fun. I am happy that they were able to fix your bib time!
I too, am looking forward to the candlelight concert, may it be the first of many!
XOXO
Brittany
I see a few HIIT workouts in my future, but we runners call them fartleks.
I never imagined I’d read 65 books in a year (will likely be 66 or 67 by end of month), but man has it been fun!
Thanks for coming to be part of the local community support. Love you long time.
XxOo
C.A. Post
My favorite book this year is “Seeking Allah; Finding Jesus” by Nabeel Qureshi.
Brittany
Thank you for sharing!
Momma Jazzmin
I love Sprouts and Free Book Libraries
Momma Jazzmin
I love sprouts and libraries of all shapes and sizes.
Brittany
Libraries are the best!
Roy McCarthy
Yay on the running shoes 🙂 I’ve just christened a new pair of Nikes but can’t bring myself to throw out three older, still wearable, pairs.
Books – I can’t match any of yours, I’ll be reviewing my own reading at end Dec.
Well done on the sub-30. As a club member I get all club-organised races free. In particular there are monthly 5k time trials – I hate 5ks but there’s no better training than racing those.
Brittany
If the shoes are still wearable, I would have a hard time throwing them away too. I think if this pair didn’t have the hole I would still have them.
Looking forward to your book list!
I see the merit in the 5K for serious runners, of which I am not. But if I got into them for free I might take it more seriously. I don’t think my body is made to run fast and I’m ok with that!
niall
I think those shoes definitely deserve retirement 🤣 Also I love the pennent for the pins 😍
Brittany
Thankfully my regret for tossing the shoes in the bin was only temporary. That’s how I know it was time. HA.
Amy
I’ve missed you and your your posts!!! I was starting to worry about you last weekend because you hadn’t published anything on your blog in a while. My mind immediately went to your cute cat and whether something had happened to him. I hope everything is okay and you were just hibernating! ♡
Your mommy is the sweetest!! (No pun intended…) Giant brownies could probably motivate me to run hills too. 😉 I just discovered a new-to-me little free library while on a walk in a different part of my neighborhood today! I remember my parents reading lots of Barbara Kingsolver books throughout my childhood and young adult life… Along with J.A. Jance. I’m so impressed by how many books and different genres you’ve covered this year! And I can’t wait for you to collect pins from some National Parks in California either! 😉
Brittany
Oh Amy, you are so sweet. I find it harder to blog in the winter months because I don’t have much exciting to share! Thankfully I was not MIA because of cat declining, he is still chugging along. We have up’s and down’s, but it’s not his time yet.
There is a town I used to work in about 20 minutes by car from me where I prefer to run. I went for a run there yesterday, and within a 3 mile distance there are THREE of those little libraries. WELL, yesterday I found a FOURTH!!! I didn’t find anything I wanted, but I check those every time I am in the area.
I am saving every second with my cat, but when he is no longer with me I have to make up for lost time with traveling. You bet your britches I will be adding California National Parks to my list! Which one is closest to you…?
Amy
Whew!!! I’m so relieved to hear he’s chugging along. Give him an ear rub or head scratch from me!
That’s so neat! Four in that short of a distance… Maybe great motivation to run too?? There’s a teensy tiny one right next to the sand at my favorite beach. I think that might be the cutest one I’ve stumbled across yet!
YES! Mainly day trips and dog-friendly road trips for me right now… Hmm. Joshua Tree would probably be the closest National Park to where I live. Shhh, don’t tell — I haven’t been there yet! Yosemite isn’t too far of a drive from where my parents live, so I grew up tent camping in different parts of that park. Although not technically a National Park, my parents have a cabin in Tahoe, if you ever want to hike in and explore that area!
I just went down a research rabbit hole on the National Parks website… If you count things like the Cabrillo National Monument (actually in my town!), Alcatraz, the Presidio, and Golden Gate park, those are all SUPER close and easy to get to!
Brittany
Little loved his Amy head and chin rubs. LOL.
GIRL. I have never been to Tahoe, but I hear nothing but amazing things about that area!! Of course your parents have a cabin there, because they are cool and love to be outside!!! I have also never been to Joshua Tree, OR Yosemite. In the back of my mind I want to hike Half Dome, but then I think about those cables and I think I would probably faint from fear. Maybe one day. HAH. In the mean time I think all your local hometown sites would be EPIC to see someday. I could pay you in treats and coffee to be my tour guide.
Amy
And I LOVED seeing Little’s reaction!! Seriously… He made my entire week. I’m grinning like a total goofball right just thinking about him!
I’m right there with you about Half Dome… My fear of heights would kick in and I’d be clinging to the rock for dear life. Someone would probably have to carry me down. I much prefer the spot we found along the river down below where we can watch much braver souls try to climb it instead!
Deal!!! No payments necessary — finally hanging out in person is all I want! Whether in SD, SF, Tahoe, or any other place. You name it and I’m in!
Allie Zottola
Your friend who made you the pin display is such a gem!! Wow! That is so thoughtful.
I love a good Starbucks holiday mug as well! And you are awesome for getting things straightened out with your bib number!
Pree
Okay what is that droolworthy frosted square I presume and where can I get one 😂
Brittany
This delicious dark square is the gluten free brownie from Bella Bella Bakery. Do not let the gluten free label scare you, my entire family (and Duncan) GOBBLE THESE UP. Gosh they’re good.