Our Thanksgiving Eve: Frustration, Family, Fitness, & Friends

Remember how there was a huge picture of soy sauce in my one post last week? Well this week, a huge picture of a cat dish has popped up and I can't get rid of it. SORRY!

Onto the real post...

The day before Thanksgiving is always a magical day in my world. It almost feels like Christmas Eve in a way. Normally we have an in-service day at work and the magic doesn't start until after that, but this year, our union fought for us to have that day off and we got it! (The day will be made up at some other point in the school year. It's not a "free" day off.) I didn't realize we had the day off until about a week before, so it was an extra special surprise for me! Our day was full of the Four F's- Frustration, Family, Fitness, & Friends. Here's what went down! 

Frustration:

On Wednesday morning I had a couple errands to run. I always listen to podcasts on my mp3 player when I am in the car, even if it's just going to be a short trip. When I pulled into the parking lot at Michael's I got out of the car, but my mp3 player popped off my headphones and feel in between my seat and the  middle console.

I tried to slide my fingers in between and get my device, but all my efforts just pushed it down farther. I was starting to get frustrated. I got out of the car and moved the seat forward and backward in the effort to figure out how to best get my hands under there and grab the mp3 player. Unfortunately, I ended up pushing it down in between the carpet lining of the car and I could not get it.

By this point, my hands were greasy and a bit cut up from frantically grabbing for my device without worrying about scratching myself on the metal under my seat. I wasn't sure how I was going to get my mp3 player now, but I was pretty sure it would include scissors.

I was so frustrated! After I ran my errands, I came home and got some scissors so I could cut the carpet lining and reach my hand to grab it. Unfortunately, I couldn't angle the scissors to cut correctly because the seat was in the way. FREAKING A! I went inside and grabbed a knife. I sawed a 2 inch slit in the carpet lining and VOILA, I got my mp3 player out!

It was a rough morning.

Family:

Paul and I took Ellie and Clementine on their first outing with just the two of us. We took them to a McDonald's with an indoor Playplace.

They got their first Happy Meal ever and were quite surprised by the toy inside. I guess aunts and uncles are meant to spoil!

The four of us shared a strawberry milkshake (which Ellie insisted was cherry because there was a cherry on top), but honestly Ellie was able to suck down most of it.

After they ate, the girls played in the Playplace with a bunch of kids for at least an hour and a half! It was nuts! They were just having so much fun and we didn't have anywhere to be, so we let them go.

Clem did not want to pose for a picture. She wanted to keep going!

I got to drive Debby's minivan. I liked sitting up high! I felt like I was in charge of the whole road.

Clark stayed home with his mommy. You can come along in two years, Clark!

It's fun to be aunt and uncle!

Fitness:

After watching Ellie and Clem run around all afternoon, it was time for us to get some exercise. We went to Planet Fitness around 3pm and it was surprisingly busy! I bet a lot of people were released from work early.

We both lifted. Paul got a shot of me doing my band assisted pull ups.

Friends:

That evening, we went to our friend Emily and Jake's Thanksgiving Eve party. They just moved into a new house so it was fun to see their new place. This is the one day a of the year we get to see their family too, so it is always fun to chat and catch up.

Unfortunately, we took zero pics! So this is the only proof we were there:

People ate my Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Emily gave me a cat dish.

See? We were totally there!

Do you do anything special on Thanksgiving Eve?

Playplaces: Yay or Nay? I hear there are tons of germs!

What is the last really frustrating thing that happened to you?

Weekly Workouts!

Hey, hey, hey!
I vowed to run less this week and I did!
DREAM BIG!
Here's what I was up to...

Saturday- 10 miles on the Conewago Trail. It was a hot, sunny day. Paul walked while I ran. He walks fast. I can run faster than him but he can walk faster than me! I let him use my Garmin because he forgot his.

Sunday- Lifting @ Planet Fitness. This workout was epic. I was there for 2 hours!

Bench Press w/ Smith machine- 2x6x65lb, 2x6x75lb, 1x8x85lb

Chest Press- 5x6x30lb

Band Asst. Wide Grip Pull Ups- 5x6

Band Asst. Neutral Grip Pull Ups- 5x6

Shoulder Press- 5x8x22.5lb

Bicep Curls- 5x8x17.5

Tricep Push down w/ rope- 5x10x25lb

Capt. Chair- 5x20

Bicycles- 5x40

Stability Ball Knee Tuck- 5x15

Hip/Glute exercises

Stretching

Plank- 10x1 min

Monday- Light upper body, core, and hip/glute stuff at home. There were 33mph winds. There was no way I was going to run in that!

Tuesday- 6 miles in my hood. It wasn't too chilly out, so this was just a nice "la la la" run.

Wednesday- Lifting back @ Planet Fitness. Paul took some video of my band asst pull ups!

Band Asst. Pull Ups- 5x6
Band Asst. Pull Ups (neutral grip)- 5x6
Inverted Row- 5x10
Lat Pull Down- 5x8x85lb
Cable Row- 5x10x55lb
Bicep Curl- 5x10x15lb
Bicycles- 5x40
Capt. Chair- 5x20
Stab. Ball Knee Tuck- 5x15
Plank- 8x1 min
Hip/Glute exercises
Stretching

Thursday- 8 morning miles. I was excited to run, but when I got out there I was slow and creaky. It wasn't that fun. 8:24 pace.

Friday- 6 miles. I felt great on this run! It's weird how I can have two runs in two days and they feel completely different. 8:09 pace.

How were your workouts this week?

Friday 5! (Christmas Activities/Destinations!)

Hey all! I am linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 5 2.0!

I love the Christmas season! Growing up, I have so many happy childhood memories from Christmas. My mom always made decorating the house a special event. We picked out a tree as a family. My dad set up the train around the tree to me and my brother's delight. We listened to Christmas music around the house and baked cookies. This is why I love Christmas so much.

There are many fun Christmas activities that happen in Central PA and the surrounding areas, and by golly, this year, Paul and I are going to actually do them! All of these events are on our calendar... and you know I will do a recap of all of them!

These are the events we plan to attend!

1. Christmas Magic at Rocky Ridge Park in York, PA

From what I understand, this is a trail decorated with Christmas lights. I'm sure it will be much more low key than Hershey Park's Christmas Candylane... You couldn't pay me to go to that shit show!

2. Christkindl Market in Mifflinburg, PA

My mom has been a crafter at this festival for years but we have yet to go. Apparently, the whole main street is decorated like a little German town. There are crafts, food, and entertainment. I can't wait to finally go!

3. Longwood Gardens Christmas

Everyone always tells me to go to Longwood Gardens, but I am not a flowery, gardeny person. Apparently you don't have to like gardens to like Longwood Gardens... so people have told me. In December they do Christmas events and lights so I figure it would be a good time to go. I don't like gardens but I do like Christmas!

4. Old Tyme Christmas at Harpers Ferry

Paul recently went to Harpers Ferry with his family. He only spent a day there, but he loved it and wants to take me. Of course I found out that they have special nights in December where the town celebrates Christmas, so that's when we'll go. We will spend the night so that the next day we can hike on the Appalachian Trail and run on the canal trail.

5. Christmas Caroling!

My friend Kristen has been organizing Christmas Caroling for the past couple years. I hope she does it again this year because it is always so fun. I love to sing, especially Christmas music.

Do you go Christmas Caroling?

Are there any Christmas activities/destinations you're doing this year?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!

I hope your day is filled with family, love, and yummy food!

Today we are going to my cousin's house to spend time with my dad's side of the family. I am so excited to see the whole crew... most of whom I only see a couple times a year.

I'm also excited to have stuffing and my Auntie Eileen's homemade cranberry sauce. There's nothing like it! Oh, and my mom's pumpkin pie!

Since I hate crowds and do most of my Christmas shopping online, I won't be out on Black Friday. This will basically be a long, cozy weekend with my boys... with a few exciting outings sprinkled throughout!

I hope you all have a great holiday!

Day In The Life

OMG THIS IS THE LONGEST DITL EVER!

HUNKER DOWN!!!!

The cats woke me up at 4:25. At 4:45, I was wide awake, so I just got up. 

The first thing I did was make sure my Christmas decorations were still in the front yard. There were 33 mph wind gusts all night and I was convinced my little fox and friends would be gone. Luckily, they were still staked into the yard.

This is my, "Whew, my lights are still up!" face.

Good morning, Chrissy!

I made iced coffee and cleaned up the house a little.

Does your house have a cabinet like this where you throw junk?

I was torn as to what workout to do. I lifted heavy the day before and planned to run. But when I went outside to feel it out... omg it was so windy and cold!

I don't know how to do screen shots so I just take a picture of my computer...

I decided to do a *light* weight workout at home with core and hip/glute stuff. I'm not sure how effective it was.

Breakfast was dippy eggs and toast. 

Even though I got up an hour before I normally do, I still managed to be 3 minutes late for work. It didn't help that I got behind a really slow truck.

This is my "DRIVE FASTER you a$$hole!!!!" face.

Work, sweet work.

The first thing I did when I got to work was make a coffee and tackle my to do list.

It was a busy day. Second grade sang autumn songs and fourth grade got their recorders.

You can always tell how busy I am by how big my pit stains are by lunch time.

Lunch was the last little bit of my homemade chicken noodle soup with a couple random carrots thrown in. That wasn't enough so I had peanut butter pretzels too.

The end of the day was crazy. Kindergarten was a mess, first grade was wearing their pajamas (reward day!?) and third grade was late due to some sort of Thanksgiving activity. They all smelled like sugar, so I scrapped my lesson plan and threw in a Stomp DVD. That just sometimes happens on the day before Thanksgiving break!

Mondays are a great day because I don't have piano lessons after work! But before I headed home, I stopped by the mall to get my eyebrows and lip waxed. Then of course I had to putz around for awhile. I only spent $4.90 on a little gold necklace to replace one of mine that broke.

 Paul had all the Christmas lights on when I came home!

Santa and Cecil the Fox were sort of falling over...

I had to dye my hair, but Paul and I had a game date at 5pm. So I quickly dyed my hair and then let it simmer while we played games.

Jelly loves his daddy...

Code Names is our newest game...

I am easier to beat when I drink cab sav.

Jelly almost ruined Sequence...

 All up in our business!

Me, gloating because I won.

 Dinner was a protein bowl while we watched Family Feud.

Jam coffee cake for dessert!

I fell asleep reading solvingjonbenet.blogspot.com around 9pm.

It was a great day! I'm glad I won't have grey hairs, a unibrow, and a mustache when I see my family on Thanksgiving!

Do you wax your eyebrows or your lip?
What's your favorite card game to play?