Weekend Plans

It's another exciting weekend for us! Well, we have a lot planned anyway.

Tonight I am heading to a "wine party" with some family friends. I have to make a trey of fruit to go with the champagne we are tasting. Should be kind of a fun evening. A friend of mine works for a liquor distributor and she needs to work on her wine pairing skills, so she decided to throw a little get together where everyone brings a dish and she will pair the wines to go with each dish. But I can't get too excited about the wine because.....

I get to wake up tomorrow and run 9 miles!!! YAY! haha. All I really want to do is sleep in, but alas, we are getting up and heading out around 8:30. And it hasnt warmed up at all around here. blah. I need to map out our route today so we will be prepared in the morning.

After that, it will be a day of errands, P90X- X Stretch (which I am kind of excited about and will definitely be needed after the run) and heading to the next town over for a friends birthday. We are heading out to eat with a group of people and then probably hitting up the bar for a least a drink or two... what else are you supposed to do on your birthday??? :)

The Sunday, I have a wedding shower to go to at 2pm. Followed by a lovely P90X session and some house cleaning. It seems to be another weekend of running around and not much laying around-- which is going to be happening for the next several weeks (maybe up until race day).

Wish me luck on the 9 miler tomorrow and hope my feet don't fall off!

babies babies everywhere

Does anyone else feel like EVERYONE you know is pregnant?

I could name probably 15 different people right now that I know are with child (just found out about another one last night) It's amazing... and kind of creepy. I guess it's just my age, and the age of all my friends. I don't know, but I am definitely not at that stage yet. I don't think I am ready to take care of a life that is not my own! I don't feel like I am supposed to have a kid yet, didn't I just graduate from high school? Surely, I am not getting close to 30! It's not like a dog, that you can just leave to their own devices after the age of two, or put them in a crate if they are "bad".

And there is soo much stuff for babies too. I have been doing a lot of baby searches for various showers and what not, and there is probably more websites for babies than weddings! (and I thought the wedding stuff was overload). If anyone ever checks the history on my computer would probably think I was having that baby for as much stuff as I have looked up lately. And it's all so cute! I want to buy it all, just to give for gifts.

Still, it creeps me out. I don't know what to do or say when people tell me they are pregnant.."YAY! Congrats!"? It feels awkward, like they are still 15 and having one out of wedlock. I guess I just have to get over it and move on cause it's gonna happen.

Welcome to Hollywood.. what's your dream?

G and I bought our tickets to L.A. today. We are going out there to celebrate my sisters 30th birthday! I am soo pumped. I have only spent a total of about 12 hours there when my sister and I drove out there back in 2007.... she was moving there from Chicago. So I am thrilled to get to see the sites and be a little touristy. We will also visit G's bro when we are there too.

YAHOO!!

Week 7 Update

I sort of can't believe it has been 7 weeks since we began our mini marathon training. It's pretty amazing the amount of miles we have run, and the fact that we have stuck to our schedule (with just a few misses). Last week was no exception.

Here is how last week went:
Monday: 4.5 miles (was supposed to do 5, but had to run on the treadmill because of the 7 inches of snow and just couldn't get that last .5 mile in...oops!)
Tuesday: 2 Miles + Shoulders & Arms and Ab Ripper
Wednesday: Yoga X and no run because I seriously needed a break from the running
Thursday: 2 Miles + Legs & Back
Friday: Kenpo X
Saturday: 8 MILES!!! WHOO HOOO... another "longest run to date". So proud of G that day for completing the 8 miles, with just a couple very short breaks and his blister. 8 miles is HARD but we were lucky enough to be able to do it outside (the first for a long time).
Sunday: Was supposed to do Yoga X-- to start my 4th "week" of Phase 1, but I had a baby shower and other things to do, and just couldn't pull myself to do it.

I have to get back on the wagon this week and really get all my P90X workouts in (and on schedule). I also asked G if we could try to cook at home all week. It really does save us money, and makes me eat better. I am also praying the weather holds up this week so we can do our longer runs outside. The puppy definitely needs to get some exercise in too. And we will prepare for our 9 miles on saturday.. ACK!!!

Are these cute?

Are these cute? They are rain boots from Corky's. And I am just not sure how I feel about them. On one hand, I am total fan of cowboy boot and these look to have a good shape, but on the other hand, is it weird they are rainboots? I have needed some rainboots lately with all the snow and slush that is happening, but these are a little more stylish than just your average wellie. yes? no?

Shrinking pants?

Can cotton pants shrink after you have had them for years?

I am totally serious.

I am one of those people that dry (gasp!) all of my pants (jeans included) because I just feel that they get stretched out when wearing. And because I have always done it this way. Anyway, there have been a couple pairs lately that seem to be fitting snugger than normal. I would be concerned if it was all my pants, but it's not. It's the older ones. For instance, the pants I have on today, were definitely tighther than I remember them being the last time I had them on, which was probably a week ago (these are work pants). And I have been busting my butt running 5 days a week AND doing P90x 4-5 days, basically working out 7 days a week. Shouldn't my butt be getting smaller? I feel smaller. G even told me, just yesterday, I was looking tighter. So I just dont understand how my pants can all of the sudden not fit the same (and not in a good way). I am convinced they have shrunk!

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40 Days

Well, it's that time of year again, Lent and as a "raised" Catholic I am feeling the struggle of whether or not I want to participate this year. I have pretty much been an "nonpracticing" catholic for the past 10 years of my life (ever since I was on my own and able to make my own choices come Sunday morning). When you grow up with a Catholic education for 12 years of your young life, you begin to not really know where you stand on faith, or at least I have.

Last year, when G and I were getting married, my mother INSISTED we get married in the Catholic church, and thus, not to argue with the authority, we did. We basically had to use their church membership to do it (and knowing a priest doesnt hurt either). But we never actually joined a parish when we got married. We only go to church these days on Easter, Xmas and any other important holiday my mother wishes us to go, like Mother's Day or whatever.

So now, that Lent is around I am finding that I want to participate and "give up" something. Maybe it's because I like a challenge (like not eating out for the month of January) but I am still finding it hard to even go to the Ash Wednesday service tonight. My faith just isnt there. There are things I agree with and things I don't and so I don't really know what to do or what it means any more.

I guess this is a struggle that everyone goes through with at least once in their life, trying to figure out Faith and what it means and how it can benefit your life. And maybe I'll be in this struggle for a long time, maybe I'll never really figure it out. So what to do about Lent? Do I take this time to participate and work on faith? do it for the challenge? or just say screw it?

what would I "give up" anyway? somehow sodas and junk food (like most people) doesnt seem to fit it what is supposed to be all about.

I'm lost.

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Week 6 Update

Things got a little messed up last week, and I am blaming the snow! I finished all my running days but didnt complete the runs how I needed to. For instance, Monday was supposed to be a 5 miler, but I ended up having to run on the treadmill and only got to 4 (have I mentioned I HATE the treadmill). Then the same thing happened wednesday, but I did 4.5 instead of 5. Thursday I got the schedule messed up and ran 2 instead of 1 (which I guess made up for my other two days).

On saturday, we had the race. We were a little late getting there and ended up being 6 minutes behind the start of the race! OOPS. But we went ahead and completed it anyway. Then we had to run an additional 3 miles to make our scheduled 7 miles for the day. We ended up only doing an additional 2 for a total of 6, but that's ok, it was cold and icy.

The P90X didn't go much smoother. Somehow I was off from the week before, so everything got pushed back a day and now I am a day behind. But I did do Legs & Back plus Ab Ripper, KenpoX, Core Synergistics and Cardio X. Hopefully, if I have enough time I can do Shoulders & Arms plus Ab Ripper today after my 5 mile run and then be back on schedule. Let's cross our fingers.

We are now on week 7 of Mini Marathon training and week 5 of P90X (at my every other day pace). Just 9 more weeks to go before the big race!!!

Another Weekend, Another Race

We are gearing up for the 3rd race of the "season" tomorrow. It is still bitterly cold here and they even had to change the course because of ice still on the roads. It is supposed to be a 6K or a 4 miler, but with the change, it will only be 3.6 miles. Therefore, instead of the easy 3 extra miles we have to run tomorrow, we now get to add on another .4 to complete our total of 7!
The morning is gonna come early, and I am not looking forward to the hills on the course! But all will be good when we finish the race. Wish team Flab to Fab luck on this next adventure.

PS. I have also been getting random comments from what look to be spammers.. please stop this. I love comments, and would love more, but I dont want them from spammers. K, thx.

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A Million Things

I feel like I have a million things going on in my head right now. From current "today" lists to "future" lists. I just feel like I am in a whirlwind and can't keep things straight. Thank god I write everything down or I'd go nuts trying to remember it all. I hope there is one day where I have NO list...wouldnt that be nice?! So, here are some current topics going on in my head:

1. My butt hurts from doing P90X legs and back AND running 4.5 miles yesterday (not looking forward to the 2 miles and KenpoX today.. ugh.

2. I have some design work to do for my sister, her friend Erin, G's friend, plus my own website.

3. what are we having for dinner?

4. I really shouldn't be eating these swedish fish... why do I do this to myself?

5. Need to find a cheaper flight to LA in march (have been looking forever)

6. Oh yea, I gotta find a printer for a friend's invitations I have created

7. I need to clean the house

8. I need to clean my car (at least the inside, i have muddy doggy paws in my back seat, ICK!)

9. Remember to take recycle out! It's been 3 weeks and it's definitely piling.

10. Sign up for another cooking class

11. RSVP to parties

12. Buy shower gifts

13. Buy birthday gift

and on and on and on and on... how is one person supposed to keep all this together!?

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Week 5 Update

Another week has come and gone and we are still on track!

Completed all my mile on the schedule. Even going out for a 6 mile run in the cold and snow on Sunday with Charlie-dog. G had a bit of an off week because he got a stiff neck around thursday and couldnt move to well. He is still healing a bit but hopefully will be back at it this week. We have another race on Saturday, 6K (4 miles), plus we have to do an additional 3 miles to complete our 7 that is scheduled. It is going to be a tough saturday. :)

I was even able to complete most of my P90X schedule. Things got a little hectic so I had to move some days around, and right now I am one day behind. I am hoping to catch up tonight. By thursday I will start my "third" week of P90X. Hopefully after week "four" I will have some "after" pictures to show (depends on how ballsy I am feeling).

As I already explained in my last post, the eating habits kind of went downhill last week. I am trying to get back on it this week... we'll see how it goes. It snowed a bunch last night, so I dont see us venturing out much this week. And G is making chili tonight..YUM!

Off to do 2 miles today, plus Legs & Back and Ab RipperX (and if I am feeling really good Kenpo X-- this might be overload though)

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Off the Wagon!!

I have been so excited this week because we were finally able to eat out, eat sweets, etc etc that I kind of went over board. You would think that when you have been eating fairly good (and at home) for 30 days, it would start to become routine, and you wouldnt "crave" the stuff you are giving up, but not so much for me.
I was starving on wednesday morning, so I made the trek to Walgreen's (another place I gave up for the month of January). There I bought myself a yummy orange soda, cheezits and sour patch kids! I couldnt help myself. I had been depriving way to long of the nasty stuff. And now I am here to say it wasnt such a good idea. It completely filled my body up with salt. Ugh. And now I feel that I am feeling the effects of them. Thankfully, I didnt eat them all in one day, but I could have. I believe I even gained 2 lbs of water/salt weight. ICK. I now know better. No more snacking at work (and eat breakfast!!!). I just couldn't say no to the temptation. But maybe now, that I have had my "fix", I'll be back on track.
Wish me luck!

Girlie Wisdom!

Girlie Wisdom!

1. A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills... she has 14 kids but she doesn't really care..

2. One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5 lbs.

3. My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

4. The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

5. The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

6. The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.

7. Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today...

8. Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

9. I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my panties.

10. Amazing! You hang something in your closet, for a while, and it shrinks 2 sizes!

11. Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like...'You know sometimes I forget to eat!'.....Now, I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name, and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!

12. The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing -- and then they marry him.

13. I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

(A friend sent it to me so I thought I would share. I have no idea where it came from originally)

In the mood to BUY!!

Do you ever get in those moods where you just want to BUY something? And it could be anything, but mostly, for me, it's clothes and shoes. I rarely go out shopping and by myself new clothes partially because the shopping experience can sometimes be annoying and partially for my lack of funds. But then there are times when I just want to buy something! haha. And then I go looking, and can't find anything I want. Or I want too many things. Or I can justify spending the money on it. I like to find a deal.. and when I say DEAL I mean DEAL! Not, $60 for a pair of shoes.. that isnt a deal. $10! is a deal on a pair of shoes. I have been purusing around the interwebs for a couple of days, looking at shoes, dresses, work clothes, furniture, etc. Maybe I am just bored at work and can't find anything else to interest me on the internet. I usually can do better to buy something if I actually go to the store and find it. Maybe I should take a trip to the mall.. or better yet, just save my money for something important.

What do you think? Ever have those days you want to BUY something?

(Anyone out there?!?! Comments welcome and appreciated!)

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Week 4 Update

Finally the end of January! I must say, it was kind of a tough month with not eating out at all, and not drinking sodas. And while, I wasn't 100% with my goals, I was definitely at like a 95%! We ate out I think 4 times, and I had maybe 3-4 sodas. I think that is pretty good. I am going to try to keep up with this goal though, (because I definitely saved some money!) but it's just not going to be as strict! I cannot wait to have me some sushi!!!!!! haha.

But as far as last week goes, another perfect week with the running. Even had to run the long 5 miles on saturday on the treadmill. I hope it warms up because I dont think I could go much further on the treadmill.... it's soo boring! Luckily, the Louisville/West Virginia game was on when I decided to run, so I ran the first half and it seemed to make the time go by faster. I also completed all my P90X videos I had schedules for the week, which included: Legs & Back, plus Ab Ripper, Kenpo X and yesterday started "week 2" with another Core Synergistic. I am definitely starting to feel the difference even after two weeks! 2010 goal here I come!!!

On friday night, G and I had made plans to go to a cooking class. A couple friends of ours had given us a gift certificate for classes as a wedding gift and we finally scheduled a class to go to. We enjoy cooking at home, but are always on the look out for new recipes. Our menu that night consisted of Classic Italian Risotto, Red Wine Braised Beef Tenderloin and Hot Chocolate Floats with Coffee Brandy! YUMMY! And for a little treat, here is the recipe for the hot chocolate floats:

12 oz whole milk
2 oz granulated sugar
1 oz rum
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
pinch of cinnamon
1-2 oz coffee brandy
2 scoops of ice cream (flavor of choice, we had rocky road)
2 oz whipped cream

Place the milk and sugar and rum in a sauce pan and place over low heat and allow to scald to a temperature of 205 degrees. Place the chocolate and the cinnamon in bowl and set aside. When the milk scalds, slowly pour over the chocolate and wisk until smooth. Pour chocolate mixture into a class, add in scoop of ice cream and drizzle with coffee brandy. Top with whipped cream!
(If you'd like to make for kids, obviously eliminate the alcohol). It was delicious!

This recipe was developed by Chef Mike Cunha from Sullivan College and Limestone Restaurant.

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