Since I've Been Away

It's been nearly a month since I last posted.  You may wonder what I've been up to.  Since it has been such a long time the only way to handle it was, you guessed it, a photo update.

 

Since we last visited I have...

 

 

Made these amazing treats

 

I've served snow cones at S'ghetti Girl's middle school fun night

 

Rocked out while we decorated our little tree in Virginia

 

made salt dough ornaments

 

I've ran a bit.  About 272.7 miles since my last post. 

No need to thank me for sparing you from all those self-portraits.

 

The family and I enjoy seeing some ice sculptures come to life at our home town holiday festival

 

 

and we told Santa our wishes.

 

We got silly and played

 

We gathered at my sister's house to bake sugar cookies

 

I finally opened the box and put together

thanks to my better half

my new treadmill

a variation of the pumpkin jars from Halloween.

 

I got crafty and made jars to give away puppy chow

 

We got a NEW CAR!

Does anyone know what kind it is? 

 It deserves it's own post, coming soon.

 

Hubby and I celebrated our anniversary with a dinner alone.

 

 

We enjoyed our traditional Christmas Eve morning cousin's breakfast that my younger sister hosts.

Hubby and I crashed it this year to get to spend more time with the oldest and his GF.

 

The traditions continued with Christmas eve at my mom's house followed by candle light service and gift opening into the wee hours.

 

The family and I must have made it home in time because...

 

...we enjoyed a Christmas morning filled with gift unwrapping.

 

And we enjoyed a white Christmas and piles of snow.

 

It has been a wonderful December break but I'm glad to be back and have so much more to share with you like BIG BIG race plans, a potential giveaway and lots of fitness and creative fun!

HBBC Weekly Update - Excess

LBM is awesome at Insanity

 

This past week might be summed up as a week of excess.  Not the usual kind of excess in drinking or eating but an excess in workouts and let's not forget the excessively nice weather! 

 

The start of HBBC is usually the start of some serious cross training for me.  This time of year I don't have any races to look forward to until at least February so I use the "off" time to try to focus on getting my fitness a bit more well rounded.  This year I am also working on getting my hips to look at little less rounded.

How many times do you think I've stepped on that cat?

 

November 26th;  15.5 mile run, 1 FV, 1 FB partic = 17.5 pts

November 27th ;  10.36 mile run, 3 Insanity Plyo Cardio , 1 WOW, 1 FB partic = 15.36 pts 

November 28th;  7 mile run, 3 Insanity Plyo Cardio , 1 Cardio abs, 1 FV, 1 FB partic = 13pts

November 29th;  10 pts run, 3 Insanity Pure Cardio, 1Cardio abs, 1 FV, 1 FB partic =  16 pts

November 30th;  14 pts run, 3 pts Insanity Power/Resistance, 1 pt Cardio Abs, FB 1 pt, FV 1 pt = 20pts

December 1st;  12 run pts, Insanity Power 3 pts,Cardio abs 1 pt, FB 1 pt, FV 1 pt = 18 pts

December 2nd;  9 mile run, Insanity Plyo 3 pts, FB 1 pt, FV 1 = 14 pts 

113.86 pts for the week

 

I didn't look back to see what my running/workouts looked like last year at this time but I ended the week feeling like my schedule might have been a little excessive.  And considering I'm expecting I probably should not go over board.   

 

What do you think?  Excessive or just holiday spirit?

 

Speaking of excessive, our neighbors put up their lights.  Actually they had been working on it for a few weeks.  This is just a small sample of what their property looks like.  

 

 Did I slip that in or will you be back tomorrow for the announcement?



Our Holiday

Our holiday started off with a wonderful and all too infrequent night out with the super secret spy.  We celebrated another year of not killing each other wedded bliss.

A lingering meal at Jean Bonnet Tavern and several hours of adult conversation that was priceless.

Saturday morning we shared a big breakfast.  After breakfast the super secret spy took the little kids to see Arthur Christmas so I could finish wrapping presents.  I was bummed that I would miss seeing the movie since I am a big fan of animated kid movies but I'm sure I'll enjoy watching it on DVD while running on the mill in a few months. 

I finished just in time to go to my mom's for our Christmas Eve get together before heading out for evening church services.  Then back to mom's in our pjs for a gift exchange. 

The cousins exchanged names and gave out their gifts first so everyone shared in the excitement of the giving and receiving.

LBM loved his new remote control truck.

And S'ghetti girl was excited with all her goodies as was her little red-headed cousin, Z. 

Biking Sherpa got a gift that fits everyone...a shirt made out of money.

I know she won't return it.

Any guesses on who is who?

Our holiday slipper sock tradition got a bit updated with some really eye catching foot wear!

We had a great evening but it was far from over...

After the Christmas Eve festivities were over and my house was finally all asleep, Santa paid our house a visit.

It was a tiring day.  But I still enjoyed having those midnight hours alone in the house with the tree lit and the gift arranged just so.  It is a nice moment to really give thanks for the original Christmas gift.  

But in no time at all it was time for a frenzy of paper.

We tired to slow down the process...

But soon everyone was opening something.  I think it is kind of expected with younger kids that the morning end with mounds of paper.

Sprinkled amount those days have been my runs.  Which have been reather uneventful, I'm sad to say.  With the rest of the week free of my Big Girl job I am looking forward to running my usual 6.5 mile hilly route with the jogger and hopefully an agreeable LBM.   

Our Holiday

Our holiday activities started bright and early with the cousins breakfast.  My younger sister started a tradition of taking her nieces and nephews out the morning before Christmas for breakfast.  What started as a group of four has grown a little over the years.  Although she is now accompanied by her husband, Hubbs and I decided to join the fun and offer another set of hands to help keep the little ones under control plus we got to visit and enjoy a healthy breakfast together. 

Christmas Eve ~ Day # 229 ~ 10 miles

I know you love the headphones!

And by healthy I meant completely yummy but not so good for me so after breakfast Hubbs and Army son went to finish shopping and the little kids and I went home so I could run.

(Runner first)

After Christmas Eve service at church we all gathered at my mother's house for our gift exchange. 

Biking Sherpa loves Hello Kitty.  Could you guess?

Christmas Eve at my mom's is another wonderful tradition that we all love.  We mostly love the hanging out in our pjs part.  The guys don't join in that part.  This year's main event was my BIL cutting himself with a knife trying to open a toy for his little boy.  Today's packaging, that's a post for another day.

BIL ended up going for 4 stitiches and otherwise is fine.

Christmas morning we woke up to a steady snowfall.  It really made it feel like Christmas.

LBM was not so sure about the need to get up early and Army son has been enjoying going to bed and awaking up when he wants to, a luxury he will not have for very long.

But S'ghetti girl could not have waited another minute! 

She was just a excited to give out her gifts as she was to get them.

Our Christmas day was wonderful.  We exhanged gifts in the morning and enjoyed a day spent together.

We shared another lingering meal with our families and left the distractions at home.

I'd say one of the best gifts we received was simply the gift of time.

Time to be together.  Time to actually listen to one another. 

Time to take a breath.

Time to see who we each really are and what we mean to each other.

Day after Christmas ~ Day # 131 ~ 15 miles

....and time to run!

Three Things Thursday - and then some.

I recently won a gift certificate to a wonderful company Zoe Clothing Company.

Their clothing is faith inspired.  I love using creative ways to begin a conversation with someone who you may otherwise have not gotten the chance to influence.

The downside is nothing I ordered fits.

Didn't I just post about realizing my true size?

Yes.  Yes I did.

HERE

The kids and I started decorating the Christmas tree.  So far all that is on the tree aside from the lights are all the homemade decorations that the kids have made over the years.  S'ghetti girl thought that the tree was pretty crowded already.  LBM decided to enjoy the beauty by being our first present under the tree.

Now he's a LBM-in-the-box.

I am still on the treadmill most runs.  Usually only getting outside in the early morning and the weekends now.  The upside is the increased mileage and the ability to do a little speed work since I am not pushing the stroller while I am on the mill.  The downside is the loss of resistance from pushing the stroller.  It's amazing how much "softer" my arms and core are from not running with the stroller.

Poor LBM will be in the stroller until he is 15 just so I can consolidate my workouts!

But for now I am adding in my yoga and weights after running when I can. 

And incase you were wondering - and I know you were - it's day

221

just sayin'

What I Did on my Christmas Vacation

My holiday really began with a great dinner at a local restaurant, The Jean Bonnet Tavern to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  No photos, sorry.  I wish I had taken some.  The food was beautiful and pentiful.  In fact, hubbs and I did a little shopping after our meal to "walk off" some of our over eating!  Since I had to work until 5:00 that day we didn't get much else done after our dinner.  That was December 23rd.

Can you believe it?  I had to work a half day on Christmas Eve!  The kiddos went with their Auntie for the annual Christmas Eve Big Breakfast.  Which I missed out on a kiddo free house because I was at work.  Although, I did get quite a bit of work done however, the phone did not ring and I did not have a single customer walk through the door.  I could have worked from home!  Grrrrr.  On the upside, I did get out with my running sherpa for an awesome 9.5 miles.  It was so great to be outside. 

We had two biking running sherpas with my oldest and I.  My oldest is still preparing for his January joining the Army plan for life.  He is excited for everything except the running.  He...oh my, how can I break this to you all?  It is almost painful to type.  I know you won't understand but we have to be kind to those you just don't get it when it comes to running...and running a lot!  He, he...he hAtEs running!  There.  There I said it.  What is wrong with him? 

(full disclosure:  we don't say that word.  The 'h' one.  Yeah, I know I'm strict.  But I don't believe anyone really every "h"s anyone so I refuse to let my kids use that word towards anything....you see how well they listen to me, don't you?!?!?)

Love the running/biking or not a good time was has by all except for my little sherpa needed a seat adjustment that she waited waaaay too long to have me do.   That resulted in her getting very sore quads!  Sorry, sherpa!

After an awesome run, we all clean up and went to my mother's for dinner before candle light service at our church.  (no pictures)  After service we all head back to mommy's, put on our pjs and exchange gifts!

Not everyone remember to wear cool slipper socks!

Can you guess which ones are mine?? 

Be a follower who is first to e-mail me with the correct answer and you could win a price.

My oldest sis had ME this year and got my this!

It is from Lift Your Sole.  It could be my favorite Christmas present.  She works at a store Elaines Wearable Art.  She got me a great chain and two sparkly spacers to spice up my glimmering proclamation of love for running.

Thanks sis!

We got home a bit late and I had mountains of wrapping to get done.  The guys went downstairs and play video games while I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped.  That was Christmas Eve.

Until 3 a.m.  Then my littlest was up and down and up and down again.  Oh by then, the middle one was awake and ready to rip open presents!  So we opened and opened and videoed and took pictures and opened and drank coffee and had a great time. 

Santa was VeRy nICe to me!  I got loads of new running outfits.  Maybe my hubbs was trying to tell me that I have stinky running gear?!?!  Naaaah.  That can't be it.  Can you believe all that stuff?!?

My oldest got me this sweet tee from One More Mile. 

Hubbs got me some Steeler gear.  Live in PA.  You are required to love the Steelers.  It's in the contract.  The shorts however are soo short I doubt I will ever be allowed to wear them outside of the house.

This came with my great necklace!

This was with mycool  Kick Assphalt running shirt!

And that is not the half of my loot!  I must have been very very good.  Or else, someone wants something from me?  Hummmm.  Our littlest slept in and got to enjoy opening his gifts with everyone's attention.  At 16 months, he loved the "all eyes on me".  After all the gifts, we enjoy breakfast together.

That afternoon we indulged in another big meal.  Yummy!  We played two new games, "Whoonu" and "The Game of Things" and one we often play at get togethers, "Blokus".  We had a great evening.  That was Christmas Day.

We went to the in-laws the next day after a great long run of 10 miles!  Yeah!  I wanted it to be longer but was getting angry eyes from the hubbs who wanted to leave earlier...but no one woke up very early after so little sleep the night before.  Sorry, hubbs but I love my run. 

We had a nice visit (no pictures.  Actually, I took them but don't have the ok to post them).  We did not get home until late (again!  I am getting tired and I need a double run day sooooon!)  That was December 26th.

Today.  If there is actually anyone still reading this terribly long post.  Thank you.  I am grateful for all those you read and share their comments.  With this post you deserve a little extra gratitude, you've come a long way to get way down here.  Thanks!

Back to today, I got outside this morning for my favorite 6.5 loop.  My oldest went along for the first mile.  He was so happy to be doing it, too.  (read: yeah, right!)  I needed some more miles so I hit the treadmill later for 10 more while hubbs (watching the Steeler game) and the oldest (at his friend only going away party) were out of the house.  I joined the game watching for the last quarter...just in time to see them win! and wear my new jersey!   

That's what I did on my Christmas Vacation.   What did you do?