I had never heard of a Christmas Cactus until we bought our house and it came with one. Most of the year this plant is well, kind of ugly. It just looks like a boring semi-green cactus. I almost threw it out the first year we had it. But then every year in December, right around Christmas no less - it gets beautiful flowers on it!
In training news I've been swimming IM at the pool. I am proud to announce I can now do 25m of butterfly without drowning! I have been told this will help my freestyle. If not, at least it is good for putting my heart rate through the roof and leaving me gasping for air while clinging to the gutter as my lane mates chat about what a beautiful day it is. All while breathing normally.