Christmas Cheer around the House

Whirlwind of Random Thoughts

1.  I recently got a new computer at work!! I have finally emerged from the Dark Ages and I am loving, I mean truly loving life!

2.  I found out while I was Black Friday shopping that I am drawn to gadgets and technology. I love technology. See number 1.

3.  The Hustler surprised me and put lights on the house. White lights of course. He is slowly learning the do's and don'ts of Christmas decorating.

4.  I decorated this year in purple and silver. B-E-A-U-TIFUL!

5.  Augusta had to go to the vet today to get a sticker surgically removed from her paw. She is pouting as we speak.

6.  Just discovered The Big Bang Theory.  Where have The Hustler and I been the last 4 years!?

7.  My Christmas gift from The Hustler and my parents gets here tomorrow. A new bedroom set. So excited!!

8.  I am regretting that we didn't do Christmas cards this year.

9.  I decorated Christmas cookies with my BFF tonight. So much fun! 

10.  I showed up to my hair appointment yesterday, turns out I was a week early.

11.  I have not had a pop in 5 days! 

12.  Harley has destroyed 1 present and unwrapped 2 so far. We are now utilizing the kennels when we leave.

13.  I am burnt out of the internet, Facebook, Blogs and Reverb 10. What's wrong with me! :)  

14.  I still have not tried out my new Ocho Cinco running shoes.  

13.  I absolutely cannot wait to see all of my family over Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone! 

Pop, Soda, Diet, Soda Drink, Soda Pop, Coca-Cola, Refresco

I have come to love, love Diet Coke. So much that when I wake up I crave it (don't worry I don't allow myself to drink DC before 11am!). I probably drink 1-3 Cokes a day. I personally, prefer cans over bottles and Diet Coke over Diet Pepsi. 

But here's the deal. Since I have fostered a loving relationship with Diet Coke, I have completely turned my back on Water. I tend to go days without water. YIKES! 

In an effort to drink more water and consume less Diet Coke chemicals, I am giving up all pop, soda, diet, soda drinks, soda pops, coca-cola, refrescos- whatever you want to call it- for the next 13 days. 

Anyone want to join me? 
 
 

A Swim Story

I went to the gym today!!! You have no idea how good I feel about myself. I have been craving the gym for about a month now. Sometimes good ol' fashion running or swimming sounds fun. Today I swam. Tomorrow I am going to pick up my cool new running shoes. Next year (25 days to be exact), is going to be all about running; so much that I am naming my new kicks. Their name "Ocho Cinco". You'll understand once I show you a picture of them (or maybe you won't, I don't know).

The Hustler also played a hand in motivating me to get back to the gym. He and his BFF have been getting up in the morning to play racquetball/basketball. This goes to show what working out with a friend does to your motivation and accountability. I tell ya, The Huster literally jumps out of bed at 5:30AM in the freaking morning!! He hasn't missed a day yet! 

Moral of the story: workout with a partner.

Back to the swim. My swim was great, that's not what I want to talk about. I want to talk about the lady who runs the pool at the gym. I call her the Pool Nazi. Honestly. Today she was giving swim lessons when I was about to jump into the water. Knowing that she is the Pool Nazi I immediately turned right back around and showered off before I got into the water. But even after I wash off and am dripping wet she still calls out to me, "You must shower from head to toe." Apparently my hair wasn't wet. Seriously lady!? Pool Nazi! 

That's not all. As I was relaxing in the hot tub I couldn't help but notice that Pool Nazi was teaching a new lesson to a group of 5 little girls. Pool Nazi was extremely MEAN!! Okay maybe I am exaggerating with the word mean. I think it had to do more with her tone (I sound like my mom- watch your tone). Anyways,the little girls where practicing their wall starts. She told the next girl in line "GO" and when the girl didn't move the Pool Nazi yelled "GO" in a very annoyed, very loud voice. Okay either the girl didn't hear you the first time or she was nervous and trying to psych herself up and froze.  There were a lot more instances, but I am a bad story teller so just take my word for it okay? 

I wish someone would tell Pool Nazi that these are little girls, who probably based on their experience in your swim class may or may not ever take another swim lesson again. Because of you they will either love swimming or hate swimming. Your job, Pool Nazi, is to teach them the fundamentals of swimming while allowing them to have some fun without yelling at them and shamming them! I doesn't sound very hard to me. But then again she is the Pool Nazi.

Letting Go

Reverb 10
December 5 – Let Go.
What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why?
(Author: Alice Bradley)

I am only on December 5th and I already feel like I have talked about the same things for all of the prompts. Sorry about that- I blame it on my poor memory. I honestly can't remember what else happened in my life! I even had The Hustler run through each month with me to pinpoint the highlights. 

Because I am afraid this is getting a little boring to read and because I am tried of writing about it I'll make this one short!

Letting Go: I let go of the notion that I am not a runner. 

Letting Go: I let go of a few pounds.

Letting Go: I let go of a sedentary life style.

Letting Go: I let go of the idea that my house will always be sparkling clean (I have 2 dogs). 

Letting Go: I let go of the little voice telling me I never finish anything I start.

Letting Go: I let go of the idea that you have to drink alcohol to have fun in a social setting. 

Sense of Wonder

December 4 – Wonder. 
How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? 
(Author: Jeffrey Davis)

 First of all, I had to look up what a "sense of wonder" even means. 

SENSE OF WONDER n. a feeling of awakening or awe triggered by an expansion of one’s awareness of what is possible or by confrontation with the vastness of space and time, as brought on by reading science fiction. (The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction)

I don't read Science Fiction- except for The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is a great book by the way, a must read. I know, I'm getting off topic, but I don't like this question. So what do you do when you don't like something... put it in list format and add some color. 

2010 Events that Cultivated a Sense of Wonder or Awe
1. Being onstage with The Blue Man Group in Vegas
2. Winning $2400 at the Craps table at MGM 
3. Climbing the Incline for the first time
4. Running my first 5k (St. Patrick's 5k)
5. The whole Tri For The Cure experience
6. First time on the water in our boat Uncle Sam 

My Moment

Today's #reverb 10:

December 3 – Moment.
Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).
(Author: Ali Edwards)

Hands down the #1 highlight of my year was competing in The Tri For The Cure Triathlon. This moment was absolutely amazing! I was so happy I got to share this moment with my BFF and family.

This day happened all too fast, but let me try to recreate it. It started with my BFF and I getting up at an ungodly hour to find a parking spot and most importantly the perfect transition spot. We meticulously set-up camp and nervously waited for our heat to be called.

Sunrise

I remember standing in our heat line edging closer and closer to the water waving frantically at Ashley's dad. Before we knew it we were in the cold, murky green water counting down... 10,9,8... At 1 I plunged into the water kicking and swimming as fast as I could to distance myself from the pack. I had no idea where Ashley was or if I was making any progress. My goggles quickly fogged up and the bright blare from the sun made it difficult to navigate in the water. At times I would have to stop to maneuver around a stagnate swimmer. When I was training I imagined getting ahead of the slow swimmers and having no problem. But I didn't anticipate catching up to the nearly drowning swimmers from the prior heat. At times I would take a stroke and end up hitting a fellow swimmer. For the first half of the course I couldn't see much due to my crappy goggles and the sun. I had to stop and pop my head out of the water to make sure I wasn't swimming in circles- a huge fear of mine! After I passed the last turn I knew I was so close to home. I stepped up my stroke by giving myself a little pep talk, but for the most part I kept hitting people. I finally got out of the water and ran as fast as I could to my flip flops tearing off my swim cap.

I got back to my transition station and threw on my bike shorts, shirt, socks and shoes, bike helmet and glasses and waited for Ashley. I remember saying to myself come on Ashley, come on Ashley. I knew she was close behind me, but I was getting nervous. I then saw her and we decided I would go ahead of her and she would catch up to me. 

I took off with my bike and ran. Once I jumped on I thought crap I forgot to adjust my bike pedal straps. They weren't tight enough so I couldn't pull and push as well as I would have liked to be able to. I peddled as fast as my legs would let me trying to pass one person after another. The bike portion of the race was amazing. It was so calming. I tried to take everything in as I biked by it. My only fear was not finding Ashley and getting a flat tire. Every person I saw on the side of rode fixing a tire I made sure wasn't Ashley, because I knew she would need my help if it was her. Luckily, we both made it through the bike portion without any problems!

I made it back to my transition station and put on my running hat and waited for Ashley. I didn't have to wait long, she was right behind me. We took off for the run realizing that this was the last leg of the race and we were almost done. What a relief! 

The run was grueling hard! At the very beginning our legs were heavy like concrete. It took everything we had to put one foot in front of the other. From the very beginning we said we wouldn't walk at all. We kept true to our word. The first part of the run was mostly uphill up the damn. Seeing The Hustler and my sister and Mr. and my parents was probably the best part of the race. It gave me a splurge of energy I didn't know I had left in me to jolt through the finish line. 

Crossing the line was the best feeling I have ever experienced. All I could think was we did it. We just completed our first triathlon!! We are triathletes!!! I was so overjoyed and extremely proud of myself!! I was so happy I could experience this wonderful moment with my best friend and family that came to support and cheer us on! 

Ashley and I after the race.

Ashley and I will start training for this same triathlon and a 1/2 marathon in January. I cannot wait to relive this experience. Anyone want to join us?

Say What!?!

Today's #reverb10:

December 2 - Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

BORING! I'm not a writer and I don't want to try to become a writer. Mostly because I am not very good at it. It literally takes me 1-2 hours to write my blog posts. I am the slowest writer known to man. I have always had this problem. In college, when I didn't have my mom by my side at midnight helping me write my papers like in high school, I had to start on my papers weeks before they were due. What happens is I type a sentence and then delete it- over and over again! Anyone else do this? 

reverb10- have you heard about it?

I have joined Reverb 10- "an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead." 

Each day in the month of December, I will respond to a creative prompt from Reverb 10. 


What to join me? Go to www.reverb10.com.

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)
  
self-DISCOVERY 
This year has been all about discovering who I am. Let me explain. I have been married for 3 years. The first 2 years of my marriage I molded myself into my husband. His hobbies became mine. For example, I played in a pool league, attended all of his pool matches and basically did everything he did. I didn't know who I was or what I enjoyed doing in my free time. He never did anything to make me think I couldn't have my own hobbies or do my own thing, it was just something that happened without me realizing it. Before I knew it I didn't have an activity or hobby that I was passionate about. Does this sound familiar? I think this happens to a lot of women.

This year that all changed. I think for the first time I truly became comfortable in the relationship and loosened the grips so to speak. Little by little I started to learn who I was and what I enjoyed doing in my free time. 

My memory is atrocious, just ask my sister or BFF. I barley remember the highlights of high school 10 years ago. So for me to remember all of the events that took place in 2010 is hard. I should really keep a highlights list. Here is a list of 2010 events or moments, that I can recall, that has led me to new firsts and discover who I am and what I am passionate about. 

1. My BFF and I took a road trip to Nebraska- without the husbands- and learned all about the company Beachbody. This was my first real trip without The Hustler. I think this road trip set the stage for the rest of my year in terms of finding me.  

2. Soon after, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and signed up as a Beachbody Coach. I shouted out into the universe I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT living a healthy lifestyle and motivating others to do so also. Talk about terrifying! The self-doubt started to creep in- what if I fail, what if people think I am a moron for becoming a Coach, what if think why should I listen to her, what right does she have to talk about working out, does she think she is better than me. Yes, these were my thoughts. I actually thought people were going to think I was silly for becoming a Coach. Really!? Like you people care I am a Coach! What silly thoughts! I truly believe becoming a Coach has made me a more confident person by perusing something that I was sure would be met by resistance. 

3. My BFF and I trained for 7 long grueling months and compete in our very first Triathlon. Actually following through and competing in the triathlon was a huge milestone for me. I said I was going to do it and I did. For the first time (okay maybe not the first time I mean I did finish college), I set out and accomplished something! And I rocked it! 

4. I ran a mile for the first time! Come to find out, I actually enjoy running. I even competed in a total of four 5k's in 2010! 

5. I discovered that I like to be active and challenge myself to new adventures. I did the Incline for the first time in 2010. 

6. I took a photography class, all by my self, and completed it! If I were a betting man, I would have bet that I wouldn't have finished the class. It feels great when you surprise yourself and actually stick with something! Plus I learned some great photography tips.
  
7. I cooked the most amazing Thanksgiving turkey ever! Slowly I am learning how to cook.

8. The Hustler and I bought a boat and learned how to operate it. Boating is a new hobby that we both enjoy and something that we can do together.


2010 has been about finding self-confidence, discovering who I am, what I am passionate about and stepping outside of my comfort zone and taking on new challenges.


I want my word for 2011 to be focus. I want to focus on... our road to financial freedom and savings, relationships, Beachbody, fitness and health, organization, work and hobbies.