Weekend Wrap Up!

 

It's Monday! My first day of school with the student. Now that I'm back at work, I am going to try to make the most of my weekends! Hopefully, that means more interesting "Weekend Wrap Ups"... but who knows!?

Here's what I was up to...

Friday

Friday was a lifting day! I headed to Planet Fitness. I can't say it was bright and early, but I can say it was DARK an early. Oh, how I wish it was light out during my morning workouts! I'm glad to be back at PF with the morning crowd, but for some reason,  people talk to me WAY more in the mornings than they do in the afternoon. I don't think anyone has said a word to me at PF all summer. I prefer it that way. I want to get in, focus on my workout, and get out. Well this morning, a gentleman struck up two conversations that annoyed me greatly.

I was warming up on the mats with some jumping jacks and push ups (old school, I know!) when the man hopped on the Lat Pull Down machine next to me and said, "So did you take a month off or something?" I explained that no, I'm a teacher, so in the summers I don't go to the gym as early. "Oh, so you're back to work now?" he asks. "Are you one of those teachers who complains about going back to work?" he asked with a little smile. I don't know if he was trying to be funny or what, but that's not funny to me. It's annoying. "No, I like my job," I answered, and continued with my jumping jacks.

Then he got me again while I was resting between sets of pull ups! I was writing down the amount of weight I used as I went along, and he goes, "Oh I wouldn't write down what I'm doing. I never write down what I'm doing, I just come in and do what feels right. I don't like to stress myself out, I do worse that way. I wouldn't write anything down if I were you."

DID I ASK FOR HIS ADVICE?

I just smiled and nodded, did a little chuckle, and continued with my pull ups. Luckily, that was the last he talked to me that morning. Unfortunately he is there a lot, so I will have to find a way to avoid him... suggestions welcome. (I do have headphones in, he seems to not care.) I just know that if I was a guy, he wouldn't be telling me how to workout.

Work on Friday was pretty simple. I had the whole morning to finish setting up my classroom and write lesson plans. I managed to get everything completely ready for the first six days of school. Woohoo! I stayed in my room for lunch and finished some things up and studied. I figured, the more I studied at lunch, the less I would have to study on the weekend! In the afternoon, we had a district wide meeting about how to keep our schools safe. It was very informative and I really liked the speaker.

After work I was exhausted because I had been staying up way too late and getting up way too early. I took a 4 hour nap! When I awoke, I was ready for some fun, so I met some work friends at Dockside Willies for a drink. That place is HOPPING on a Friday evening. There was a band and everything.

When I got home, my hubby and I got caught up on the latest episode of Dexter. I have been disappointed with the recent episodes. I feel like they are trying to make Hannah McKay a sympathetic character and she's NOT!

Saturday

On Saturday, we did our weekly disc golf/running date, except I didn't run. I lugged some dumb bells, a kettle bell, jump rope, and stability ball to Willow Mill Park and did circuits while Paul played disc golf. I would tell you about my awesome workout, but I am going to save it for a future post!

That afternoon, I visited with my family at my brother's house. He grilled some yummy chicken. I have to start marinating mine! It was fun to see my family and play with my niece.

I took a selfie of me and my niece.

Since there's two of us, maybe it should be called an "ussie"?

She talked ALL evening. I think I caught her mid-word!

Tyler is great at grillin'!

Mmmmm chicken!

Sunday

Sunday morning I did a 7 mile tempo run at a 7:25 pace. It felt GOOD! Then I went hiking with my hubby's family. We did a section of the Appalachian Trail starting at the top of Peter's Mountain.

The kids made sure we all had walking sticks.

What a view!

The next up and coming rock star... Princess Giggles!

AKA Timothy Cooney!

Me and the hubs.

I was exhausted after our crazy morning, but I had to do some grocery shopping for the week, clean, do the wash, and prepare my food for the next day. The key to eating healthy at work? TUPPERWARE!

Then I did some studying, whooped Paul's arse in Monopoly deal, watched Big Brother (YAY Elissa!!!) and ate this YUMMY dinner...

I call it a POWER MEAL.

Quinoa, ground turkey, chopped celery, tomatoes, cheese, and taco sauce!

I see many more POWER MEALS in my future!

I hope you had a fun weekend! It certainly was gorgeous!

What did you do this weekend?

A Day In My Life... 8-13-13

In honor of today being my first day back at work, here is a "Day In My Life" post I wrote a little over a week ago. I would reread it before posting (like I usually do, to look for typos!) But I fear it will depress me! (Teacher problems, I know!)

Which leads me to mention, from now on you can look for my blog posts during the 5am hour! That is when I'll be posting them.

Enjoy!!!!

A Day In My Life - 8-13-13

Tuesday is a pretty busy day for me during the school year and during the summer. 

For some reason, a lot of my piano lessons fall on a Tuesday. 

So I got up bright and early to eat some breakfast and relax before it was time to teach.

Coffee and Special K Protein Plus- A great way to start the day!

(I ate all the cereal before I remembered to take a pic... oops.)

It was sort of dreary out this morning- bummer!

Then I taught 4 piano lessons

I had an hour break at one point, so I took advantage of the time and recorded my study notes into my mp3 player. That way, I can listen to them and essentially study while working out, driving, cleaning, or whatever! This system is really going to save me some time! 

(I'm used to listening to podcasts when I workout, anyway! I never listen to music!)

After lessons, I had to rush out the door to see the best chiropractor in the area- Dr. Olivetti. 

I see him for all my running related injuries!

When I got home, my husband and I decided to have a little disc golf/running date at Pinchot Park! I was starving though, and had to get some fuel in my before our adventure.

I can never get enough of this stuff!

I also had a Powerbar. I bought a ton of these at Amelia's last week.

 They were only 50 cents apiece and no, they were NOT expired.

My husband played a round of disc golf while I got in a 7 mile run. 

I ran on the road, but it was still just as pretty as the trail, as you can see from these pictures...

And I made some interesting animal friends along the way!

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling that great during my run. In fact, I was feeling pretty shitty.
Oh well, my next run is sure to be better!

Back at home, I refueled with a Grahamful, 2 c. milk and a scoop of vanilla whey protein.
Lately, I have been craving milk HARD. 

Then I enjoyed some "me" time and messed around on my computer, blogged, paid some bills (yuck!) and flipped through my favorite magazine that came in the mail!

They have a website too!

It's pretty much a magazine that sells clothes with phrases sassy older-middle aged women would wear. 

Some examples: 

"Don't make me put my hands on my hips!"

"It is what it is."

"ACD: Accumulative Cat Disorder"

"Sassy, Classy, and a little Bad Assy"

"Jesus loves you but I'm his favorite."

And of course, this t-shirt of simply the face of a humming bird.

Should I wear this on the first day of school and scare the kids?

You get the idea... This magazine has been coming to our house ever since we moved in. 

I can only assume the woman who lived here before us read it.

Then Paul whipped my ass in Monopoly Deal! If you have not tried this game, you are missing out!

Drink and dinner time... Paul made the chicken (He's the best!) and I made the steamed the veggies.

vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, water, 12 ice cubes

While we ate, we watched the new Netflix show, Orange is the New Black. I LOVE IT!

Then we caught up on Dexter...

Dinner did not fill me at all, so I ended up having to have some oatmeal with Greek yogurt mixed in (I used too much and it turned out disgusting!) 4 chocolate covered coffee beans, and then a few bites of this yummy vanilla ice cream. 

Dare I say it is WAY better than Aldis ice cream!

I stayed up pretty late. I was craving something salty, so I had 4 of these yummy almonds and 5 chips that were leftover from game night. Yes, I count. If I don't, I could easily eat the whole bag!

These are like CRACK!

I started drinking a casein protein shake before bed. Casein is a slow digesting protein. 80% of the protein in milk is casein, so if you drink milk, you've had this... just not in the powdered form!

Why do I drink it before bed? Well, when you sleep, your body is fasting. 

When your body is fasting, it breaks down MUSCLE for energy. NOOOO!!! I worked HARD for that muscle! (And I don't have much of it to waste!) 

If you eat a slow digesting protein before bed (like casein) it will keep your body from breaking down your precious muscle for protein... AND it keeps your metabolism humming along overnight because it has to work hard to break down that protein you just ate!

Whey protein (which is what I have after a workout) as a faster digesting protein. It's better to consume whey after a workout, when you immediately want to replenish!

Sorry, I didn't mean that to be a lecture in protein powders!

I always log my food on a website called MyNetDiary. I highly recommend it if you want to track calories or macro nutrients. I'm not trying to lose weight, just keep myself in check. According to MyNetDiary, today I consumed 1963 calories and burned 656 calories via exercise.

Well, that was my day! It wasn't super exciting, but I don't like summer days to be too crazy.

Are you watching Orange is the New Black?

How about Dexter?

Weekend Wrap Up!

It is the last Monday of my summer! I'm ready to get back into a routine. My CATS are ready for me to get back into a routine! Anyway, here is the wrap up of my last weekend of the summer!

Friday

I did "Jack Squat" Friday morning.

Okay, I'll be a little more specific.

Friday morning I...

1. Slept until 10:30am
2. Took a shower.
3. Messed around on my computer for way too long.
4. Studied.
5. Practiced piano.

Then I went to Planet Fitness and did chest, triceps and abs. A finished off with some HIIT, so I was dripping with sweat by the time I was done!

When I got home, I had a pbj!

I also had a scoop of whey protein powder mixed with 16 oz. milk. It was SO DELICIOUS!

Next, I got out my day planner and my new HUGE calendar that is going to go on my desk at school. Here it is:

Sorry it's sideways!

There is nothing that excites me more than filling out a calendar or day planner. I love dates, scheduling things, and organizing. I am a record keeping GEEK! (aka a teacher!)

At around 6pm, it was time for my husband and I to go out on our BIG FRIDAY NIGHT DATE!!! First, we got wild and crazy at the Verizon store (Paul needed his two year upgrade), then we got jiggy wit it at Karns, and then we hit the MOTHERLOAD at Amelia's and swiped up some Powerbars!!

Do you think I got enough? They were only 50 cents and they don't expire until October.

Let's quick jump back to the Verizon store. Did I ever tell you I HATE Verizon? It all started a little over two years ago, when I got a free upgrade for my phone. It was one of those pay $50 up front and get a $50 rebate in the mail type of deal. Well, I wasn't completely sold on the phone, but the sales girl assured me that if I didn't like it, I could return it within 14 days. Sounded good to me!

Well, by the next day, I was so frustrated with my new phone. It was not user friendly at ALL and I just wanted to go back to my old phone. So I decided to return it. Well, it turned out there was a $25 restocking fee that the gal didn't tell me about!!!! I'd basically be paying $25 to GIVE the phone BACK. Or I could just keep it and not use it for $0. I kept the dumb phone and it's been in the basement ever since.

On this particular trip, they did something ELSE to make my shit list. My husband went in the store simply to get the free upgrade he was entitled to. Again, a $50 payment with a $50 rebate... so it ends up being free. Well, after the sales dude got the phone out for him, activated it, transferred all his contacts, he THEN tells Paul there is a "one time $30 upgrade fee".

What!!!??

That's NOT A FREE UPGRADE.

So Paul says, "A one time fee?"

Clerk: "Yes, then it goes away."

Paul: "Until I upgrade again, and then I will be charged $30 again?"

Clerk: Right.

AUGH!!!!! It's not the $30 fee that is annoying, it's the advertisement that upgrading is FREE, AND the fact that the clerk activated the phone and everything so it would be extremely awkward for Paul to back out at that point. It was a trick! Now me, I am the bitch that would say, "Oh, well then no thank you," and take my old phone and leave...

We capped off our wild and crazy Friday night at home with a few rounds of Monopoly Deal, Big Brother, and Orange is the New Black.

Before I wrap up our exciting Friday, here is the yummy dinner I had:

That is  sandwich thin (like pictured above) with pizza sauce, cheese, turkey pepperoni,

garlic, pepper, salt, and oregano. I broiled it, and it was DIVINE. A dinner is not complete

without grilled chicken! I was in the mood for cheese tonight, so I topped the chicken with cheese, too!

Saturday

My cats woke me up at 4:30am. They have several tactics to do this. They range from laying next to me and purring really loud, licking my face, crying, or scratching the closet door. All four tactics were used this morning, and at 5:30am, I declared the cats the victors and dragged my butt out of bed.

Luckily, I had something to look forward to! I met the Crispy Balance Running Group for a beautiful 8am run through East Hanover Township. I haven't run with the "Crispies" since... probably over a year. It's been way too long! I picked a good morning to meet up with them because there were so many familiar faces. I got to run 8 beautiful, hilly miles with my pal Charlie. He's an amazing runner. I think we do well at pacing and pushing each other.

Aren't we a colorful bunch!?

It was great to see all of these familiar and friendly faces bright and early!

That evening, my hubby and I took a stroll around City Island. There was a baseball game about to start, so we had plenty of opportunity to people watch! We were going to sit on the deck at Duke's afterward, but then realized we could just sit on our back porch and have dinner for free! So that is what we did.

I was extremely tired from getting up at 4:30am, but I managed to stay up until 10:30pm on Saturday night! I better start getting back on a normal sleep schedule if I don't want the first few days of work to be painful...

Oh, I also have to mention that I had my second slip up of the summer. I drank some Crystal Lite. Right before I went to bed. Don't worry, I feel really bad about it.

Sunday

What a dreary day! My hubby and I didn't let that stop our plans. We had a disc golf/running date at the Middlesex Township Park in Carlisle. I got done first, so I sat at a picnic table and opened up to chapter one in this book:

Holy hell, it is going to be HARD to learn chapter one. It goes into GREAT detail on the seven main systems of the body, as well as the muscles, bones and joints. I knew I would have to learn all of this... but all in one CHAPTER? I am officially getting a little freaked out about school starting and having time to study.

I shall calm myself by looking at some pictures my husband took of the beautiful disc golf course. I hope you enjoy them!

After our little date, I did some grocery shopping, cleaned out the fridge, and did some cooking. I made a batch of quinoa for the next couple days and then a batch of these chocolate chip brownies:

My hubby was wrapped up in his fantasy football draft for the duration of the night, so I took a few hour and stockpiled some blog posts. That way when school starts, I will have some blogs already written in case I have a busy week and don't get online much. I've got some great posts coming up... Like the story on how I banned Weis Markets and other topics more fitness related.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!

IU-Pizzle: Weekend Wrap Up - Part 1

IU-Pizzle (What my hubby calls it!)

I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Mine was a little out of the ordinary because we actually took an overnight trip to Western PA. It was a surprise birthday gift planned for me by my husband! I'm going to go ahead and break up this weekend's wrap up into two parts since there is a lot to report.

On to business!

Preparation

As I get older, it becomes more apparent that planning for a vacation is a huge process- and we don't even have kids!

Example # 1 - I have to make sure I have healthy food options for the trip.

Starting from the top and going clockwise, we have my protein cereal,
protein bar, almonds, rolled oats, chocolate covered coffee
beans (for antioxidants, I swear!!!!!) and protein powder.

Example # 2 - Since I wouldn't be able to run (I'll explain why in an upcoming blog post- slight injury that is getting better!) I had to be sure to bring some fitness toys.

Who brings a 15lb kettle bell on vacation? THIS girl.

Example # 3 - We had to find someone to watch our cats for us. (Who turned out to be Pet Sitter of the Year, sending text message updates and pictures!)

We bribe our cat sitters with their choice of alcohol.
Now you want to be our cat sitter too, right?

Example # 4 - Wanting to pack light, I had to decide on which pair of Vera Wang (for Kohls) heels to bring along.

Then there's all the other pesky things one must worry about. Is the car filled with gas? (Nope, had to stop before we even got on the turnpike.) Do we have cash for tolls, tipping the maid, etc? (Nope, hit up our neighborhood bank as soon as we left the house.) Luckily we had the important stuff, though. Like kettle bells and chocolate covered coffee beans...

Day # 1 - Crazy Turnpike Drivers, IUP, Donegal, and Foggy Bottom

I have talked before about how people drive super crazy on the turnpike, but I must address this topic again. Let's preface this all by saying I do not drive like a little old lady. The turnpike is 65mph unless it's a construction zone. I hover anywhere between 71-73mph. (Sorry, Mom!) Of course, this is only if conditions are safe and there is not a lot of congestion or traffic. Generally, it's a pretty safe speed to be going, and one is probably not going to get pulled over. Okay, so I just wanted to make sure you know I drive safely and efficiently before I start complaining about other drivers.

PEOPLE ARE CRAZY. I am SHOCKED that there are not more traffic accidents/deaths than there already are. First of all, people LOVE to ride your ass on the turnpike. Say you're in the left lane, following a bunch of cars as you all pass slower drivers in the right lane. I like to keep a couple car lengths between me and the person in front of me. We ARE going 70mph+ after all, and if someone has to slam on their brakes, you don't want a pile up, right? WRONG. I can't tell you how many times I was passed in this situation, just so the person who passed me could be one car length ahead. And then they would ride the ass of the person in front of them. It is crazy. If you are someone who does this, I think you really need to reevaluate whether you like being alive, because this is a great way to get in a wreck and die on the turnpike. I'm just saying...

Then, there are people on the turnpike who just hate turn signals. They don't use them! They switch lanes, pass people, whatever, and they don't even clue in the people around them. It astounds me.

So there is my rant about the turnpike. I am sure I have a few more gray hairs from this road trip.

Megan's turnpike PSA: "Use your turn signal and maintain a safe driving
distance between you and other vehicles SO THAT YOU DON'T DIE."

I'll tell you one thing about the turnpike I really like. Rest stops. You see all kids of people there. My favorite kind of people I see at rest stops are Vacation Dads. I love Vacation Dads. They have the bright white sneakers, socks pulled up a little too high, khaki shorts, tucked in tee, and a big smile on their face because they are with their family on vacation! I applaud all Vacation Dads because it is a tough job, trying to keep everyone happy on the road and still have some sort of relaxation for yourself!

So after about three hours of dangerous turnpike driving, we made it to my Alma Mater- Indiana University of Pennsylvania! I hadn't been there in a very long time. In fact, I didn't even go to my graduation. The truth is, I didn't really like college. If I wasn't in class or studying, I was usually doing something alone... like eating, going to the movies, or elliptical-ing at the gym. I did meet three gals who turned out to be pretty close friends, but I only keep in touch with one via Facebook. I don't even know what the other two are up to. I was pretty much a loner and worried about getting good grades, practicing, and finding a ride home on the weekends because I was always super homesick.

Random Things I Remember About IUP:

1. Eating turkey sandwiches w/ pretzels on them during my world religions class. 

There was a girl in that class named Johntra. She was named after John Travolta.

2. Setting my VCR to record Survivor and The Bachelor.

3. Chatting on AOL Instant Messenger. (AIM)

4. Spending my Friday and Saturday nights either going to a movie alone 

or watching Forensic Files in my room.

5. Renting movies at Giant Eagle.

6. Walking about a mile to Bi-Lo for groceries and carrying 6 bags back to my dorm.

7. The yummy smell of the grilled cheese sandwiches one of the music fraternities would make 

and sell in Cogswell Hall over lunch time. I wonder if they still make them!?

8.  The "Jesus Man" who would stand in the Oak Grove during peak hours and proselytize.

The first thing I noticed as we drove into IUP is that about 50% of the campus is different from when I was last there about 10 years ago. Most of the old dorms that were there when I was were torn down and replaced with "suites". Luckily, my old building I lived in for most of my time at IUP was still standing strong (probably because they were single rooms) and I got to show my hubby where I lived. 

I watched a lot of Forensic Files in McCarthy Hall.

Then we drove up to The HUB and checked out the other place I lived:

Those gals were me 12 years ago! Except I'd be there on a Friday night
elliptical-ing and watching America's Funniest Home Videos.

After The HUB, we walked through the Oak Grove.

My husband assured me I could still pass for a college gal...

Don't you love his new outfit from Kohl's??????

Next, we checked out Cogswell Hall, the music building at IUP. I knew they tore down the old hall and constructed a new one, but I was not prepared for how different it would be. Obviously, it was a lot bigger, extremely updated, and over all 1,000 times better than the old Cogswell Hall. (For example, the old Cogswell had 14 practice rooms. The new one has 49.) But I was still sad to finally realize the building I spent so much time in only exists in my memory.

Next, it was off to Foster Dining Hall. It looked pretty much the same as I remember it. I did forget a few things- like where to dump your trays and how to exit. You would think I would remember something I did probably 3,000 times. Alas, I did not, and I told my husband the only reason I didn't know where to exit was because they changed it. Hehe! Anyway, the food was pretty much the same. Typical cafeteria style college food. I remember having a vanilla ice cream cone with chocolate sprinkles for dessert every day for lunch. I loved ice cream even way back then!

Next, we walked down the 11th Street hill to see where I lived my first semester- Scranton Hall. Except, it wasn't there anymore. It was demolished and replaced by the huge Stephenson Hall- full of fancy "suites". Whatever.

After a quick look at the athletic field, we took one more leisurely stroll through the Oak Grove and headed back to our car.

Onward to our next destination: The IUP Co-op Park! Apparently they have a gorgeous, highly rated disc golf course (Hmmmm maybe this is why my hubby wanted to check out IUP!?) so we had to make sure Paul got to play a round. I did a couple Deck of Cards workouts in the parking lot while I waited for him. I'm sure I looked crazy, but I couldn't run so I had no other choice! It's a really good course, so I am definitely glad we stopped by!

I don't know much about disc golf, but you throw
the discs into baskets instead of holes.

By now it was time to make the trip down to Donegal where we would stay overnight at a Holiday Inn Express. There is really no fast way to get to Donegal from Indiana. Some of the roads we were on didn't even have a painted line on them- that's how out in the country we were. I was so tired and hungry, but when our hotel appeared out of nowhere it was like a miracle!

It was a REALLY nice hotel. Normally we stay in pretty cheap places. Not just a cheap price, but cheap overall. This place was cheap in price but it was a brand new hotel! It had a nice pool, hot tub, small fitness center (nothing I could use, though), a huge free breakfast and coffee all day long. Most importantly, it was extremely clean and the staff was very friendly. If you ever visit Fallingwater (which was the occasion for our stay in Donegal) I would highly recommend staying here!

It had a lodge type decor, inside and out!

Lodge themed lobby. 

It was cool, except for these creepy-ass animals.

Granite EVERYTHING!

Nice pool! Too many kids, though.

It took us a long time to find somewhere to eat that night. Everything nearby seemed to be a "family style down home-y" type restaurant (I don't know how else to describe them, but I think you get the idea...) or a very smokey hole in the wall bar. There was a Subway and Dairy Queen but nowhere for me to where my awesome high heels I packed!

Luckily we found Foggy Bottom Lodge & Restaurant only 5 miles away. They had a nice deck for outdoor dining, and while I couldn't wear my heels (too dressy!) I could still wear a cute dress so I was okay with it.

I love Dirty Martinis!

Paul hates mason jars, but what do ya know, that's
what his soda came in. Poor Paul!

Ooooooh the GLUTTONY!!! Onion rings, french fries,
quesadilla, bacon cheeseburger... I rarely ever eat fried crap
(because that's basically what it is) but I must have a stomach made of
steel because when I do indulge, it does not bother me at all!

Time to head back to our hotel and get a good nights sleep! Tomorrow was set out to be an exciting day... I will save that for Part II. But here is a sneak peak at what is in store!

What did you do this weekend!?