Random Five (Friday Five Edition)

It's been quite awhile since I have posted.  It's been a very busy couple of weeks for me which included training all week last week, which meant catching up on everything this week.  So I thought I would post some random things that have been happening.

1 - Since about May I have had a sore throat on and off.  Never with a fever and never anything that was a big deal.  When I had my yearly physical last month, I mentioned it to her.  She wanted me to go see an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor.  Again, since I didn't think it was a huge deal it took me awhile to get around to make an appointment.  The funny thing about the practice she referred me to was I called and expected that it would be 3-4 weeks at a minimum to get an appointment, and they had one for the next day.  That never happens.  I saw one of the ENTs on Monday and he put an optical fiber endoscopy down my nose to look at the back of my throat.  It turns out that I have Adenoiditis.  It just means that my adenoids are infected and he gave me these HUGE antibiotic pills to take.  If it doesn't clear up, I'm to go back in a couple of weeks.

2 - Just these past few days, it is now starting to feel like fall.  I've never really like fall as this time of year is when I get most of my anxiety due to darker and colder days.  Even though it's the same 24 hours, because it's darker early, I feel like I have less time to get things done, which causes most of my anxiety.  Once I get used to it, the anxiety tends to alleviate for the most part.  But I am very thankful to have the few extra weeks this year.

3 - I only play the Mega Millions and Powerball when the jackpot gets really high like it is now.  I know I will never win, but I enjoy thinking of what I would do if I did.  Paying off my house and car and paying off any debts that my parents have and then traveling.  I've only won a dollar a couple of times, but I played the Mega Millions last Wednesday and I matched 3 numbers and won $10!  I know that's not a huge deal, but it was exciting for me.  And I'll be reinvesting that money into my dreams for tonight's drawing. :)

4 - I'm a bit embarrassed on how long I have owned my couch, but I've had it forever.  It is a loveseat that rocks and reclines.  I've had it forever because it's very comfortable and it fits perfectly in my awkwardly long and narrow living room.  I always sit on the right hand side because it's closest to the end table and the past month I have noticed that the cushioning (or lack of) on that side is probably causing me issues with my glutes (and therefore my knee).  So I have moved the couch around so that the end table is on the left side.  I have to say it is awkward.  I am right handed and it's weird to have everything on the left side.  But I either have to get used to it or go shopping for a new couch, which fills me with anxiety.  For big purchases that will be daily use, I have to know everything about every option and I have to analyze it all to make sure I am making the right choice.  I swear as the item for purchase gets bigger, the time I analyze it goes up 100 times.  It's ridiculous.  So for now we will see how this works.

5 - I never hum.  I never whistle (while I work).  I never sing.  But I noticed over the last few months that I have started humming.  It's so weird, I don't know why I all of the sudden started.  And the weirder part, it's always the same song.  Not only that, it's always the same Christmas song.  I might understand it some if I started it now, but it's been happening all summer long.  In June out of nowhere I'll realize that I'm humming a Christmas song.

And a bonus - I had to share this as it's probably one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen.  It was on a sunrise ride I did last weekend.

I'm hoping to get a few posts prepped, so when I do have a busy couple weeks, I'll still have something to post when I don't have time to sit down and write something out.  Till next time. :)

How have you been?  Anything random happen to you this week?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Weekly Update - Christmas Edition....Sort Of... (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

Hi All!

I'm supposed to be training for the Princess Half Marathon in February, but my running has been about as sporadic as my posting to this blog.  I have realized, that no matter what I have been doing for exercise, running is usually the only thing that prompts me to post.  I don't know the reason, but I seem to think about possible posts while I run.  That never happens when I'm biking or swimming.  But since I seem to be in a better swing of things for my running, maybe that will correlate to my posting.  One can hope.

I've been getting in a couple of runs a week for the past month.  This past week I actually got three runs in.  I haven't had any knee pain, so I have been pushing the runs a little.  My run on Saturday was very good.  I ended up not joining the running group as I only planned on 4 miles and no one could do brunch afterward.  So that meant I could sleep in and run in good temperatures.  When I finally got out it was in the lower 60's.  Even with the wind blowing a lot, it was still great temperatures to run in.  In my neighborhood I usually try for progressive runs without looking at my watch.  Which means if I had a really good first mile, that meant that each mile after I would have to push a little bit more.  That's what happened Saturday.  I had a good first mile.  Then a good second mile.  By the end of the third mile I couldn't catch my breath, but I kept pushing.  I didn't think I had much in me for that last mile, but I was determined to push through it.  I haven't pushed on a run like that in a very long time.  And the time for this run, was as good as my times were when I was in my best running shape.  But back then, I wasn't huffing and puffing and barely getting the last steps in.  But this shows me that it is possible to get back into that shape again if I work at it.  Or maybe close to it.

If anyone is wondering, I have finished up my second week at my new job and so far I have really loved it.  Even though this is a contract position (to hire after 6 months and if all goes well), I have been made to feel like I am one of the team.  The team has been without a Scrum Master for awhile and while they are getting all the items done they need to, it's very chaotic.  I get to start reining things in and get things organized.  It's even more then I could have hoped for.  I can't wait to get things truly started in the new year. 

Christmas is tomorrow and while it will be low key as usual, I think it will be nice to spend some time with my folks.  While my dad doesn't seem to understand a lot that is going on, he is almost always in a good mood.  I'll go over to their house sometime in the late morning.  We will have the homemade Cinnamon Rolls and do the gift thing.  We will eventually start making dinner.  Throughout the day we most likely watch a couple Christmas movies, including A Christmas Story.

I didn't do much Christmas decorating.  But every year, I make sure I put out a Christmas flag.  Here is the one that is out this year.



While I don't do much decorating at my house, my mom will do some at her house.  Here are some of my favorite things that my mom puts out.

My grandmother made these figures.  When I was little, she did a lot of these Slipcasting pieces when I was younger.  I even went with her a few times to make my own.

I made this reindeer - yes, that is a reindeer - when I was in middle school.  I always hated it because it was not done very well and really needs a lot of work.  But my mom loves it.  There probably is a reason she covers it up with that big bow.

And this is my favorite Christmas decoration.  That is my cute little chubby face there.  It is an ordainment that usually goes on the tree.  But the years that my mom doesn't put up the tree, she still gets it out and displays it.  That is one item she will never let me have.  She may even be buried with it. 

This was my second year participating in the  Fairytales and Fitness' Blogger Holiday Card Swap.  This year I got a cute kitty card from Chaitali.  I was able to meet her earlier this year at the Star Wars Half Marathon in Disney World.  Included was an Amazon gift card. Love Amazon!



As I was writing this post, I had carolers come by to sing me a song.  I have never had carolers come to my house, it was amazing!  And they were giving out small bags of home made cookies.  Wow, that was just so special.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!!

What are your plans this Christmas?  What are some of your favorite Christmas decorations?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Christmas Traditions (Friday Five Edition)

I know everyone is saying this, but I can't believe that Christmas is only a few days away.  was the Winter Solstice.  I know I have stated before, but one of the things I don't like about the fall is that the days get shorter.  And we have come to the shortest day of the year.  My dad has always loved this day.  He says that is because every day from here just gets longer.  That is defiantly something to look forward to.  

Christmas is just 3 days away.  I know everyone has been saying this, but man has the time just flown by!  I thought I'd share with you some holiday traditions that my family has for Christmas.

1. Christmas Jammies - As Christmas would get closer more presents would appear under the tree.  While we were able to touch, shake, and guess what might be under the wrapping, we were not allowed to open any.  Not until Christmas Eve.  And then, we were able to open just one.  And these would always be our Christmas Jammies.  My Grandmother would pick out new jammies for us to wear to bed on Christmas Eve.  Even though I no longer live at home and my Grandmother is no longer with us, I still get a pair of jammies before Christmas. 

We even got matching jammies last year in Denver.

2. Homemade Cinnamon Roles - My mom has been making homemade Cinnamon Roles for our Christmas morning for as long as I can remember.  Not only home baked, but she has always made the bread part of it from scratch.  She starts the process the night before so that it gives time for the dough to rise.  She then finishes it up and lets it bake while we open gifts.

3. Santa Gifts - I have found the different traditions with Santa gifts very interesting.  When we were little, we were only allowed to ask Santa for two things.  The night before we would put out cookies and milk for Santa and hang our stockings (with care).  The next morning we would find our stockings full as well as the two things we asked Santa for, unwrapped, and sitting on the fire place step. 

My dad helping me hang my stocking Christmas Eve in my new Christmas Jammies when I was about 6 or 7.  (No our fireplace did not have a mantel)

Here are a couple of funny stories about Santa gifts......

One year, my brother asked for the Kitt Car from Knight Rider.  He found instead of the car, he got an IOU.  I guess they had those "hot" toys sell out at Christmas back in the 80's even before the Internet caused a frenzy.  The day after Christmas we went on vacation and when we got back, my brother got a card saying that Santa was very sorry for the delay and he could find his gift at the next door neighbors. 

On the first year I didn't believe in the Santa magic, I thought I could blackmail my folks into getting me a Cabbage Patch doll that they had refused to buy me earlier that year.  I don't remember how I found out about Santa, but my brother still believed.  I told them that if I didn't get the doll that I would tell my brother the truth.  Well they apparently don't do ultimatums and I didn't get the doll.  I honestly don't remember if I told my brother or not, but I know that was the last year he believed as well. 

4. Stockings First - Growing up, my Grandmother lived with us.  She was an early morning person, while my mom could sleep most of the morning away.  Like all kids, my brother and I would get up so very early on Christmas morning and rush downstairs to see what Santa had brought us.  We were allowed to play with our Santa gift, but nothing else.  Our Grandmother usually was up with us, or not far behind (especially if we were a little loud outside her door).  Once she was up, we were allowed to open up the gifts in our stockings.  This would give my parents a little extra sleep as they were always up late helping Santa out.  Once they were awake, we were allowed to open up the gifts under the tree.

5. Christmas Dinner - Instead of a traditional Turkey or Ham dinner, we have Goose.  Yes, like they had in A Christmas Carol.  I really don't know where in my family history this tradition started, but it is a yummy tradition.  If you have never had Goose, it's like having the dark meat of a Turkey.  Geese are usually smaller than Turkeys, so there usually isn't much of any left overs.  The rest of the meal is basically exactly as it is for Thanksgiving: Brussel Sprouts, mashed potatoes (with celery root), corn (to be mixed in with the mashed potatoes), stuffing (with a can of Cranberry sauce), gravy, rolls (when we remember to put them in the oven), and deviled eggs.  Mmmmm, getting hungry now.

One last item I wanted to mention is one that started probably 10 years ago or so.  It would be watching 24 Hours of A Christmas Story.  This is by far, my favorite Christmas movie.  We usually have it on for a bit of the day till my mom gets tired of it.  I haven't seen it yet this season, so maybe that's why it's not quite feeling like Christmas yet.  "You'll shoot your eye out!"  Did you know that there were two sequels to this movie?  I knew of one - My Summer Story.  I saw it on TV once and what I remember is the Bumpus' dogs.  And as I was looking up the title of this one, I found out that there is also A Christmas Story 2.  I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy of that one.

What are some of your Christmas traditions?  Do you have a favorite Christmas movie?  Any funny Santa stories?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Christmas in Denver vlog (Tuesdays on the Run Edition)

I know Tuesday's on the Run's main focus is supposed to be about running, but I wanted to get my vlog from Denver up.  In my defense I do talk about the runs I did while I was there.  So I hope that counts. :)

Disclaimer:  Again, I didn't get as many videos done that I wanted to, so I filled some of it with still pictures.  I'll have to see if I can do better in Disneyland.  I hope everyone likes it.

I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.

Happy New Year! (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

So I haven't done much of anything to report on the running front.  I really just haven't had the motivation to get out there and run.  Though I really need to get a last long run in the next couple of days since I have a half marathon in two weeks.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  While the second half of 2016 really hasn't been that great for me, I'm looking forward to making 2017 a much better year.  2017 will be the year of change.  I will be at some point getting a new job, and at the very least, that will be a lot of change with that.  For now, that means I have a bit of time off. 

With my time off, I'd like to organize my house.  Right now my whole house is a huge mess.  Between half unpacking (and getting things ready for my trip in a couple of weeks), laundry, and cleaning out that room.  You know that room, the one where you throw everything into and close the door.  I'm about half way through cleaning it out.  Which means everything that was in that room is everywhere else in my house.  Bags of trash, recycling, and Goodwill.  I hope to finish sometime this week and get the trash and recycling out for Friday's pickup and all the bags to the Goodwill.  I have a feeling there still will be a ton to do to get things all organized the way I want it to be.  Which will mean more bags of trash, recycling, and Goodwill.

On the race front I am only registered for two races this year, the Star Wars Challenges with runDisney.  As for other races, I'm leaving that up in the air for now.  I'm still thinking about the King Crab Challenge in Maryland, but I will wait a few months to make that decision.

As for resolutions, I usually don't make them.  I always think if there is something that I need to change in my life, I don't need to wait till the New Year to do so.  I need to find a new job, but that really isn't a resolution.  I need to lose weight, but I don't have the motivation right now to go on a diet.  So really, there isn't any resolutions I will be making this year.

Today we are going to be doing our family Christmas celebration.  We didn't want to bring all of our presents to Colorado with us to just bring them back home.  So we will be having presents and our goose Christmas dinner tonight.

Here's to a great 2017!

Do you make resolutions?  What do you hope to get out of 2017?

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.

Christmas in Denver (Friday Five Edition)

Before I get into my Friday Five, I wanted to take a quick moment to share my sadness for Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds.   Carrie Fisher is best known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars.  She was a princess but could kick some ass.  Princess Leia was a role model for girls before the Lora Crofts or Katniss Everdeen.  She was a Princess that did more then wait for her Prince to save her.  Carrie Fisher was also an advocate for those with mental illness.  May she rest in peace.

So it's been a busy week.  We spent Christmas with family in Denver and had a good time.  I grew up here but moved to Virginia when I was 12. I've only been back once and that was 20 years ago. So I only remember a few things. But as we go around town I am getting flashbacks.  Here are five things that we did.

1. On Friday we went to the History Colorado Museum. It was a very fun museum to visit. They had a special exhibit about awkward family photos. You know those pictures you have on the wall which you wish you could hide in the attic so company would never see?  A bunch of those that just make you laugh.


They also had a bunch of things about Colorado that reminded me of my childhood. Like the Barrel Man. He would wear this barrel and hat (and nothing else). On a $10 bet Tim McKernan was supposed to get on TV. To do this he wore this outfit and won. He then continued to do this for every game for 30 years. No matter how cold.



2. We went to dinner at Casa Bonita. 

 

This place I totally remembered and it hasn't changed a bit. This place is a Mexican restaurant that has a tons of entertainment. They have shows like gun fights, magic shows, and diving.  

 

If you have never been there, it's kinda hard to describe.  South Park had done an episode about it that captures it pretty well.  I think it was the one thing I remembered best from my childhood in Denver.


3. I did a 10 mile run through downtown Denver.  I started at the Coors Field, the ballpark for the Rockies.



I then headed down to the 16th Street Mall which is about 1 1/4 miles long.



I then headed down to City Park, which is a very big park that includes the Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and even a golf course.  

 

I didn't realize it during my run, but the high school that my dad graduated from was right across the street from the park.  And then I headed back the same way back to Coors Field. 


4. On Christmas Day we ventured out in wind gusts of 70-75 MPH and went to Black Hawk.  It's a place where there are a ton of casinos.  We hung out and I lost money, my Aunt won and then we ate free at their all you can eat buffet.

5. We ventured into the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, which I had ran by a couple of days before.  I didn't think I had been there before, but there were a few things that I remembered.  The outside of the IMAX.  The growling sabertooth donation display.



The animal dioramas.



I didn't remember the exhibit, but they had a really cool dinosaur exhibit. 

Bonus - I know it's only Friday Five, not Friday Six, but I wanted to add the last place we went.  The Old Spaghetti Factory.  It is another restaurant that has not changed a bit since I was last there 30 years ago.



Did you go anywhere for Christmas?  Have you ever been to Denver?  Do you try to run when on vacation to see different sights?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!!

I don't have a weekly wrap up today. I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah!!






I'll have more of my Christmas recap in later posts. Till then I hope everyone enjoys the holidays!!

Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler Recap (Friday Five Edition)

I always have a hard time this time of year because I don't like the cold and I hate these short days.  Two days ago, on Wednesday, was the Winter Solstice.  My dad always said that the Winter Solstice is his favorite day of the year because the days only get longer from here.  I think of that and can look forward to the cold winter months as I know each day is getting longer and longer.  I hope you enjoyed the shortest day of the year (or longest night - how ever you would like to think about it).  Now on with my recap.

This past Saturday I did the Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler in Virginia Beach.  This was the first time I've done this race.  I was signed up for it last year but the holiday time just got in the way and I deferred it to this year.  I'm kinda glad I did as this year they were trying to break the Guinness Book of World Record of having the most Santas in a race.  Here are five things about the race.



1. This was my first 5 mile race.  I had to think about it some while I was running, but I have never done the 5 mile distance.  I've run that distance many times during training, but never as a race.  It's a nice distance.

2. Seeing all of the people dressed up in Santa suits was so much fun.  When I picked up my bib, we were given a one size fits all Santa suit instead of a shirt.  It comes with pants, coat, belt, beard, and hat.  You had to wear all 5 pieces crossing the start line and finish line to be part of the record.  It was weird to see people that were not in a Santa suit, or even in any holiday outfits.  They really stood out.

 
3. We ran down the Boardwalk and they had festive lights everywhere.  My favorite was the 12 Days of Christmas.  They had all 12 days in different lights.  I wish I took some pictures of them as some of them were really creative.  I just wish they would have started us a little later so when we got to the Boardwalk it would have been a little darker to really enjoy the lights.





4. I really like the J&A Races, especially the shorter ones as they are fun routes.  The route started at the Convention Center and went down to the Boardwalk and then back to the Convention Center.  I liked being on the Boardwalk for as long as we were.  They gave out Ginger Snap cookies and Candy Canes on the course.  They also give some sort of finisher thing at the end of the race.  This race we got gloves.

5.  The weather was unseasonably warm.  It was chilly all day, but a warm front came through in the afternoon.  It was about 50 degrees when we started at 4:30.  I knew to just wear shorts and a light shirt underneath.  I felt bad for those who had long pants and heavier shirts on.  Some were stripping down during the run to their base layer (which is legal for the record as long as they put everything back on before they crossed the finish line).

I think I would do this race again.  I know they won't do the Guinness Record again, but it is a fun race on the Boardwalk.  It's just a pain to drive 2 hours back and forth for the race.

Before I end this post, I wanted to give a shout out to Heather for my Blogger Card Swap. She sent me a very cute card with a fun sticker from #werunsocial and a gift card for Target.  I heart Target. :)  Thanks so much Heather!!





Have you done the Surf-n-Santa race before?  Have you done a 5 miler race, there doesn't seem to be a lot out there?  What is your favorite holiday race?

I'm linking up with Fairytales and Fitness and Running on Happy for Friday Five 2.0

Last Week of Routine (Weekly Wrap-up Edition)

I've been having a hard time starting this post.  Not sure why.  I'm training for a half in January, but I'm not really following any plan.  Just trying to keep my fitness and runs up from the Richmond Marathon last month.  So why am I having a hard time wrapping up my week?  Again, not sure why, but I'm just going to see what happens as I type.

Monday and Wednesday I got in a 4 mile run.  It has started to get chilly and feeling a little like winter.  I'm getting used to running in the cold now and have very little hesitation anymore.  The run was good and I was glad I was out there.

Friday got a lot colder.  My first run colder then freezing.  I think I bundled up well for the 4 miles and even needed to take off my gloves at mile 3.  Again, another good run this week.

I missed my run on Saturday cause we drove up to Maryland to make Christmas cookies with family.  We haven't seen most of the extended family for a long time.  My great uncle died over the summer and that was the first time in years that we saw anyone.  The funny thing about that funeral is that most everyone was not sure who everyone was in the family.

On my mom's side my great grandmother came to this country from Lithuania when she was a teenager.

My Great-Grandmother is the one in the middle

She had four children and it seems that most of us kept to our own families.  So we all were not sure who was who and it was a bit of a relief that we were not the only ones that were not sure.  After a lot of discussion we asked to be invited when they made Crusdes (Lithuanian Christmas cookies).

The four siblings, my grandmother is on the left

So we went up Saturday to see everyone and make cookies.  It was a lot of fun to catch up with everyone.  The cookies are a lot of fun to make.  The dough is made the night before and everyone brings their batches.  Then the dough is rolled out and cut into strips with a slit in the middle.  They are then twisted in the middle to make them really fun.  Then we fry them.

 

Like the typical setup, the women were in the kitchen rolling, cutting, and twisting, while the guys were in the garage with the fryers.  I wanted to try and catch up with everyone, so I went back and forth and did a bit of all the jobs.  I wish I would have taken pictures while I was there.  I'm bad a that when I'm in the middle of having fun.

I made up my long run on Sunday.  I ran 8 miles and it was a hard run at the end.  I started the run and the temperatures said it was 40 with a wind chill of 35.  The first 5 miles were good and I felt warm with what I was wearing.  Took off my hat and gloves and enjoyed being outside.  After the fifth mile things started to get cold again.  Like really cold.  The hat and gloves were put back on.  And I started to hate the run cause I was so cold.  I was glad to be done with the run though.  I did see this great decoration.

 

So the week is over and I'm about to start a new chapter of my life.  I have tons of things that I will be doing this week, plus a lot of things that need to get done before Christmas.  It is nice not to worry about work while I try to get all of this done.

Linking up with Holly and Tricia's Weekly Wrap Up.