Five Things Friday

1. I am home from work today because little bitty is sick so we didn't want to leave her with anyone else. I plan to use the time to watch tons of cartoons with her, do a puzzle or two, and of course get in my (short) run and bodyrock workout (most likely during her nap).

2. I ate an entire loaf of banana bread yesterday! I did so well getting my eating back on track Tuesday and Wednesday, but then the banana bread kept looking at me and I couldn't stand it any more and I ate it. It was so yummy!! I didn't eat too badly other than that and I did get a 3 mile run in so I'm just calling the day a wash.

3. I tried a new recipe yesterday and it was yummy! I made chicken in peanut sauce. I used whole wheat egg noodles and added peas too and it was so so yummy!!! I am trying to make more new recipes to give us more variety in our eating and this one was a winner for me, hubs thought it was OK and little bitty was not a fan. The other girls weren't here for dinner, which was good because I knew that my oldest would NOT eat the sauce because she refuses to eat anything with peanuts in it!

4. I am going to start Jamie Eason's 12 week Transformation Plan soon. I want to start immediately, but am unsure how her fitness plan and my running streak AND half marathon training will mesh. So, I decided to start it as soon as we get home from the half on January 30. I'm excited to have something to look forward to after the race!



5. I am working on my year in review and my plans for 2012. Stay tuned, I will be sharing soon...

The Post Where I Beg for Donations

It is getting down to the wire, it is exactly a month until the Tinkerbell Half Marathon (and 9 days less than that until I have to turn in all my money) and I still have $400 to raise. If I don't raise it I still get to run, I just have to fork over the money myself (actually they just take it straight out of my checking account, scary!!). So I am blatantly begging for donations. I am running for a great cause (it's not like the money is going to fund my running gear obsession), the Lazarex Cancer Foundation.

My donation page

Lazarex Cancer Foundation's mission is to provide resources for cancer patients who’ve been told they have no other options, but who are not yet done with their journey in life and refuse to give up now.

Lazarex Cancer Foundation builds a bridge to hope, dignity and life for cancer patients and their families. They provide financial assistance to defray the costs associated with patient participation in FDA clinical trials and help patients navigate their clinical trial options and provide community education and outreach services.

• They help patients of all ages and walks of life, with all forms of cancer.
• They  help patients take advantage of medical breakthroughs today, because they may not have a tomorrow.
• They believe that the size of a patient's checkbook should not stand between them and the choices they make or the treatments they need.
• They  provide resources to fill the gap that exists between when a patient is told there is no more hope and when they are truly done with their journey in life.

My grandma died from a very rare form of brain cancer in October of 2005 and never got to meet my youngest daughter or my stepdaughter.

4 Generations (with my oldest)

Groups like the Lazarex Cancer Foundation are helping people with cancer fight, and win their battles, so that they don't miss out on life.

If you have the ability to donate to my run, even $5, I would greatly appreciate it. It will benefit a very worthy cause!

Another Day, Another Virtual Run

Yesterday was a whirlwind day! After the girls all got home we packed up and headed to my parents, it's only about a 40 minute drive but it always feels so long after she used to only live a few miles away. We played, we ate, we opened presents, and then we packed up and headed home to open MORE presents (at least the girls, hubs and I were done).

The girls opened and played more and we attempted to open all the packages and pick up some of the debris.

I'm sure she'd hate me for posting this,

but she was SO excited!

We all went to bed super late and didnt' wake up that late, the latest little was mini me at 8. Then we packed up and hubs took the two little ones to feed the ducks while I took the two big ones to ride bikes at the school nearby.
My Bug wasn't quite adept at riding her two wheeler on the way to the school today, but after a few laps with mom holding the seat and running beside her she got the hang of it. I realize that she is late starting on the two wheel bike thing, but I was this old and so was my big girl. We are going to start working with the little girls soon so that we can all go on family bike rides! They all got cool new helmets for Christmas too so that rocks!!

Then we came home and had brunch, yum! Played Just Dance 3 and played with new toys. After that we drove the big girls to their dad's and I ran from there. I did The Home for the Holidays Virtual 10K created by Stephanie at Run for Fun. It was another great run, not as fast as yesterday's but still good, but afterward I was POOPED, it was warmer out than I had expected and I was hot!

Yeah I know, you wish you were this pretty!

Now we're watching The Smurfs with little bitty and being lazy!

Question of the Day - What was your best holiday memory this year?

Christmas 5K

Good morning and Merry Christmas all!!

It's been a bit of an odd morning since all the girls woke up at the other houses, so Santa didn't come here and it's just me and hubs for a couple more hours. We got up, drank coffee and opened presents. I was thoroughly spoiled by hubs this year!! I got a footrubz, a spibelt, a gorgeous skirt sports shirt, road runner sports compression knickers, the Aspaeris shorts, my rain jacket, AND new Brooks Glycerin 9s!! After we opened presents I put on a bunch of new stuff to go run the Daily Vitamin F Christmas Day 5K.

I actually thought about running with the Santa hat on

And I ran an awesome time!! I almost made my PR time, I felt great (and looked great doing it if I do say so myself!).

Then I got home, showered and hubs made a healthy tortilla (he added broccoli and we used half egg whites and half eggs) and now we are catching up on The League (it is new to us and VERY funny!)

Once the girls get here we are headed to my parents for the afternoon. Hope you all are having a great day!

Merry Christmas

I've been so busy the last few days doing this -

Crafts

Baking (these were by far not all I baked)

Christmas museum tours

Opening one present

Testing out the new game

I love Perfection

My new Nike rain jacket

We have been doing a ton, but every day (until today) I got my exercise in, including continuing the streak (24 days!!), but today I am just drained!! It is still early so I can get that mile in, but I don't know if I want to. I may just call this a real rest day. I am looking forward to tomorrow, I love Christmas.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah!

The Christmas Questionnaire

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?Hot chocolate for sure. I really dislike eggnog, just the smell makes me want to throw up a little bit! I really don't drink much hot chocolate either, but I do enjoy it, especially if it has peppermint in it.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Always unwrapped, Santa gifts are out in front and are assembled and ready to be played with so mom has a chance to drink some coffee before the "open this" requests start.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights, preferably the icicle kind, I think they are so very pretty. We also only put white on the tree. I don't really dig the colored lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Never have

5. When do you put your decorations up?
I start putting them up the day after Thanksgiving, I like to be done by December 1st.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
I am not sure, Christmas food isn't my favorite. My dad always makes prime rib, so gross!! I would have to say it's the spinach and Swiss cheese dish my mom makes.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I can't think of a favorite, I have a terrible memory so I don't know.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember this either. I was probably pretty old.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
One gift right before bed on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
My tree is a mash up of all the decorations I've bought the girls over the years, the ornaments my mom bought me over the years, the ones I've bought for hubs and for us together and then ones the girls have made. We have white lights too. It's a nice mix.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
IDK. We don't have snow here. I suppose the idea of snow is nice.

12. Can you ice skate?
I can, it's fun. I've only been a few times but I enjoyed it every time.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Gosh, that's a hard one. I don't remember one favorite. I remember getting a computer when I was 13 and I thought that was amazing.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
It has to be being with my family. I love spending lazy days with the girls and watching them enjoy the season and giving, and then watching them open and enjoy the gifts we've bought them.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Apple pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Tough call - watching the girls decorate the tree is up there, moving the elf and watching the girls find him every morning, and going on the Christmas house tour with my mom are my favorites.

17. What tops your tree?
We have a Santa tree topper, but the tree is tall and the roof is low so there isn't anything on there right now.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
Giving, it is so much more fun to pick gifts, wrap them and then watch them be opened than to receive. I love making the people I love happy!!
19. Candy canes: yuck or yum?
Yum doesn't even come close to covering it! I ADORE candy canes and everything peppermint!!

20. Favorite Christmas show?
A Christmas Story, Four Christmases (because hubs and I went and saw it on one of our first dates), and Santa Clause are my tops. But, I love Christmas movies and shows so we watch them a lot during the season!!
21. Saddest Christmas song?
The Christmas Shoes, so so horribly sad, I avoid it like the plague. I cry EVERY TIME I hear it! Not my kind of Christmas song!!

22. What’s your favorite Christmas song?
My favorite Christmas song is harder. My new favorite is a tiny bit embarrassing, I love Justin Bieber's Mistletoe I also adore listening to the girls sing I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and then my all time favorite is (probably) White Christmas sung by Bing.

Now you answer and link up with Jenn at Jenn's Adventures!

21 Days Later

I was really really lazy this morning and didn't get up to run. Then there was a lot to do this afternoon and evening and I almost just skipped my run today. But I realized that I could give myself 20 minutes while the girls were playing (quite nicely I might add) to get my run in. I did my hill/sprint run again and it felt great, I did 1.8 miles in 20 minutes. I did it right after an amazing dinner made by hubs too, he made sauteed veggies and chicken, as well as shrimp and baby octopus (which all the girls but little bitty disliked). It was definitely hard to get the run done on a full tummy, but I was determined because today was streak day 21! I have gone 3 full weeks running at least a mile every day! I am really proud of myself and feeling great!! It would have been so easy to just skip my run but I decided not to let the streak go yet.

Those two quotes are favorites of mine and got me moving today!


The girls and I have lots of big, fun, plans for my days off. I will be sure to post about them (with pictures) in the evenings.

How Not to Have a Case of the Mondays

Today has been a very good day, espceically for a Monday. I got up dark and early and got my 1.3 mile warm up run before I did my bodyrock.tv workout, I did the Butt Buster Workout and it felt great! Then I went to work and we had our girls Christmas lunch/gift exchange, I got two adorable Santa decorations.

The best part of the day was when I came home from work hubs ordered the Aspaeris Pivot Shorts I'd been coveting. He is the greatest (not just because of this), he also ordered a bunch of running goodies I had on my wishlist on Amazon, including a new pair of runnning shoes (woot!!)

Imagine these in red

I am so excited!! I am very much looking forward to wearing them, especially as part of my Snow White outfit I'm going to wear for the Tinkerbell Half! I saw this picture

while researching costume ideas and knew I had to have it!! I'm going to wear a tutu instead of a sparkle skirt (because I LOVE tutus!) but this is it!!
I also finished wrapping the girls Christmas presents today. The only thing left to do is bake for some family friends we take baked goods to, I love baking (as long as I don't screw it up).

Tomorrow is my Friday and I think instead of just running I'll do a short run and another bodyrock workout.

Hope everyone had a great Modnay!

Too Much Good Stuff

This weekend has been filled with eating way too much! Especially today!! But let's rewind for the full recap.

Friday was mini me's Christmas program at school, she did a great job singing. After that we went to Wendy's for a quick lunch and then went to bug's class to help make the Rudolph sandwiches (bread cut into triangles, peanut butter, pretzel sticks, cherry, and chocolate chips). Then we went up to work for my work Christmas lunch, there was far too much yummy stuff!! In the afternoon I took bug to get gifts for her sisters at Target and then got Jack in the Box for dinner, so not healthy (again!).

Yesterday I got up and did a quick run and my bodyrock workout before heading to work for just a few hours. Then, I came home and hung out with little bitty while hubs went to a Dr.'s appt. We all took a nap and then headed to Zoo Lights, with a stop at Carl's Jr for dinner on the way. We had a lot of fun seeing the lights and Santa, but it was a little sad too because the tiger died recently so her house was empty.

Today I went to work for a couple of hours again and then went to brunch with 4 of my friends that I've known since my freshman year of high school. We get together every year for Christmas and it is one of my favorite things. Brunch was AMAZING, one of the girls and I shared a HUGE mushroom and Swiss cheese omelet (with hollandaise on the side) and banana bread french toast.

When I got home I hung out with hubs and little bitty, took an hour and a half long nap and then we went out for Mexican food for dinner, where I ate way too much again! I knew that I had to suck it up and get my run in tonight, even though (or especially because) I've been a huge glutton all weekend. So, we turned the computer screen so that I could watch Jackass 3 while I ran (Jackass is one of my all time favorite things!!) Then I started out slow, but I ended up sprinting the last 1.25 of 3.25. I still feel a bit gross from my gluttony, but I'm feeling better because I got my run in. Today was streak day 19!!

Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to eat better, even though I'm going to lunch with the girls from work and we are going to the place with the yummy cupcakes. I am going to get up and do my short run and bodyrock workout so hopefully that will counteract the bad eating a little bit...

Time Flies

So I am a total spaz lately, I can't remember to blog with everything that is going on! I make sure that I get everything done and suddenly it's 10:30 or 11 pm, which is way past my bedtime! This is going to be a quick fly by to document my workouts on Friday and Saturday and then hopefully this evening I will be able to get my crap together enough to update you on my weekend and post some pictures of my super cute kids!

Friday was technically my rest day, but since I'm doing the Runner's World Streak I got on the treadmill and ended up doing just over 1.8 miles. I did a .25 mile warm up and then sprinted (for me) an 8 mph mile and then cooled down with just over a .5 mile.

Yesterday I got up dark and early to get my workout in since I knew it was my only chance. I did my normal 1.7 mile warm up and did the Enjoy the Burn workout on bodyrock.tv, such a great workout in such a short time.

This morning I was planning to get up early and run out in the freezing cold dark for the Jingle Bell Hell, but I couldn't force myself out of bed early enough. I will have to figure out something to do this evening, don't think it will be hellish so I guess I won't be part of that one (so sad, I love virtual runs!) but I need to get in at least a few miles...

Hope everyone is doing well.

Question of the day - Did you participate in Jingle Bell Hell?

Three Things Thursday

1. I made it through my 13 mile run today and today was streak day 16! It actually went really well! I ended up not following my planned route and got back to the house at 11.5 miles so I jumped on the treadmill for 1.5 miles. My final time was 2:29. I ran 2 hills, the big one was hard.

I don't know if you can tell how steep it is

After I ran I got in an ice bath for 15 minutes and then took a scalding hot shower and fell asleep for 15 minutes and felt great! I'm a bit stiff, but otherwise I feel really good.

2. Little bitty had her preschool Christmas program tonight. She ended up being right in front of me, serendipity! She was adorable!!

A little blurry,

but so cute waving at daddy!

3. It's only 10 days until Christmas and I am so ready!! All the presents we have gotten are wrapped and we only need to get a couple more. We are also going to Zoo Lights on Saturday and I can't wait.

Winning Wednesday

Today I got two fun packages in the mail. I won Day 8 of a Fit Christmas on Jess's blog Run With Jess. And my gorgeous necklace from Tribute Sports came today!!

I got the "Live to run Love to run"

See how happy I am!

Most of the other packages were presents for hubs and the girls but I got a box that I was surprised by, it was Pirate's Booty that I won from a Self online giveaway last month, yay!! We love Pirate's Booty!!

The day went a lot smoother than planned. Mini me's teacher was sick, so I didn't end up staying to help because I thought I'd be more of a hindrance to the substitute. Since I was free earlier than expected and I'd already done my 1.75 mile run and my ass kicking BodyRock.tv Butt Busting Workout (a very painful, yet fun, 12 minutes) I did the most logical thing, I ran to Walmart for a few things I REALLY needed and came out $100 poorer. Then I ran to the post office and mailed off my last few Christmas cards, went to the library, took hubs Starbucks, ordered photo gifts, wrapped the presents that arrived in the mail, went to lunch with my mom, went to the two big girls school and went about our evening. After the girls dance class hubs made some amazing veggies and chicken and homemade gnocchi, yum!! I baked cookies and brownies to give to the girls teachers Friday and now we're watching the weirdest show on TV, American Horror Story, and winding down.

Tomorrow is a big day! It's long run day and it's a new long. Tomorrow I become a half marathoner (at least in training miles), I've got 13 miles on the log. I'm scared after the debacle that was my 11.5! But, I will eat early and remember to take fuel with me. I can do this!

I'll be back tomorrow to let you all know how it goes.

21 Random Bits

Kim at (Just) Trying is for Little Girls tagged me in her 21 random bits post so now I have to think of 21 random tidbits about myself to fill you all in on (and then tag 5 of you to do the same).

1. I changed my major twice in college. I started college intending to be an OB/GYN and then changed to an English major when I decided I didn't want to be in school for so long and end with over $100,000 in student loans. Then I ended up changing my major again to Recreation Administration.

2. My degree is pretty much a degree in playing games! It is a BS in Recreation Administration with an emphasis on Leisure Services Management. I took classes like rock climbing, survival skills, ropes course facilitator, and other fun things where I had to teach people to play games and have fun in parks.

3. I did not fly in a plane until I was 20 (except one time in a two seater with my dad when I was a teenager). I HATE flying.

4. I love Justin Bieber. I bought his Christmas CD for me, not the girls.

5. I cry over really silly things. There is a song on the kids station (Fits Right In) that makes me cry, reading other people's race reports make me cry, weddings (even on TV) always make me cry, the National Anthem makes me cry, you get the point.

6. I hate needles but I willingly give blood, have had my nose, belly button, and tongue (x2) pierced and have 7 tattoos.

7. I spent my first year of college at a private all-girls college in SoCal that is a sister school of the school that Real Genius (you must watch this if you haven't seen it) was loosely based on and the movie was also filmed there.

8. I've never broken a bone, only my nose.

9. Watching or hearing people throw up or gag makes me laugh. Case in point, my coworker almost threw up from a story another coworker told and I almost (like seriously!!) peed my pants I was laughing so hard. It comes in really handy when the girls are sick.

10. Disneyland is my very favorite place on Earth! I would live there if it was possible. We have gone every year for Christmas since 2000, this year will be the first year we don't go since we are going next month for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon. We even went in 2006 when Hannah was 6 days old.

11. The only time I've ever been out of the country was on a Mexican Riviera cruise with my parents after I graduated High School.

12. My favorite book is The Catcher in the Rye

13. My all time favorite movie is Pleasantville, yet I don't own it...

14. I have HORRIBLE short term memory, I completely forget things as if they never happened!

15. I live in the house I grew up in. It was my grandparents house and after my grandma died in 2005 I sold my house and downsized to keep it.

16. My favorite color is bubble gum pink, I'm 3 at heart.

17. When I was little I had over 25 Barbies that were collector's editions and my mom made me keep them in the boxes so that they would retain their value and now they are gone. Disappeared! They were so pretty and all I wanted to do was play with them and now I wish I still had them mint in the box to look at (they got lost in a move at some point...)

18. I played the flute through high school. My oldest daughter started playing my flute this year.

19. I got chased by a bear once. It was at camp and it didn't really chase us, it was actually as scared as we were, but it ran the same direction as we did for a bit and therefore we thought we were being chased!

20. I met John Candy once at a Kings hockey game. I got his autograph and he was as sweet as could be. Jim McMahon was at the same game and he was a horrible, drunk jerk!

21. My husband is 8 years older than me, which makes him 40!

Now to tag 5 of you to play -

1. Falon @ Falon Does Marathon

2. Carrie @ Family Fitness Food

3. Kara @ It's a dock lick baby world

4. Laura @ Mommy, run fast!

5. Marcia @ The Studly Runner

Just Another Manic (Sunday and) Monday

The last two days have felt so busy and rushed! I don't feel like I've gotten much accomplished, but I also don't feel like I've had much time to relax!

Sunday I worked, then I came home and we ran to Target and somehow spent $100 in one fell swoop. Then we grabbed Subway for dinner. I ran 2 quick miles (streak day 12!) before I ate and then we did some filing. I am a bit of a clutter bug, I don't keep everything so I'm not a pack rat, but I have no system of order in place so we're trying to create some order. Then we ate and watched Priest while we wrapped presents. All the presents we have here are wrapped, there are about 10 more we are waiting to get in the mail. Most of hubs gifts haven't arrived yet and only one of the ones he got me are here (compression capris from Road Runner Sports!!).

Today I got up and did a 1.7 mile warm up run (streak day 13) before doing another bodyrock.tv workout (I might be a bit addicted!). I did the Pin Up Legs Workout and while it was only 12 minutes long it was KILLER!! I am thinking I will feel that in the morning. Then I headed to work. After work I rushed to the big girl's dance class and then to the market. We made breakfast for dinner and then went to our 4-H meeting, which seemed to last forever! Then we came home and got everyone ready for bed, but no one seems to want to go to sleep!!

I don't think things are going to slow down any time soon, so if I disappear I'm not dead, just super busy!!

Question of the day - How much Christmas shopping do you have left to do?

It's a Beautiful Day

Today wasn't a perfect day, but it was a beautiful day. I left work early so that I could go lead a 4-H Christmas Party, Mini Member Meeting (I'm the leader for all of our members in Kindergarten-3rd grade), and Caroling. It was so much fun!! We didn't have as many kids show up as we had hoped, but those who were there were great! We held the event at a local senior independent living home. The seniors were amazing, they sang along as we caroled, they thanked us for coming, they were sweet and being there made my heart swell.

Me and the girlies

After we sang we made ornaments and had lots of fun.

After that ended I came home and ran hills and sprints. It was only a 21 minute workout but it was great!! Now we are watching a couple more movies - Thor and Priest. We will see if I make it through both.

Question of the day - What did you do today?