It's the Holidays

With Thanksgiving behind us, I finally have a little time to sit down and do an update on what we did for the holiday.

J and I {as I mentioned before} finished up our last issue of 2009 right before leaving for Austin to spend some QT with my family. We were both a bit stressed about getting the issue approved and helping his parents get their paper out early, before getting tangled in terrible traffic hitting the road.

We hit the road on Tuesday around 2, which, of course, put us in Fort Worth for rush hour. {While FW is by no means Dallas, the traffic there is no better. It took us the better part of an hour and a half just to get through there. J was so frustrated!} We finally made it to Austin around 8:30 {after a bathroom/gas stop in Waco and a stop at George's to pick up the rolls for Thanksgiving}.

My brother, SIL and niece and nephew flew in around noon on Wednesday. They have a love for Taco Bueno that not many people can understand, so the moment they stepped off of the plane, the plan was to head straight to Bueno for a potato burrito and mexi dips and chips {sooo good!}. Not most poeple's idea of the ideal homecoming meal, but to them, we were eating the finest fast-food-mexican money can buy.

Thursday was very fun, but not without it's "family moments" but the food came out awesome and it was so much fun having everyone together! We had lunch around 2 and then got everyone together for a family picture. We haven't had a good one since J and I tied the knot. After a few attempts we got a couple of good ones and even got "photographic evidence" of my brother having a "mullet" {it's a family joke that will never die...}.

Friday came way too soon, but we were thankful for as much time as we got with my family. We need get up to Denver soon and are maybe planning another long-weekend trip back to Austin sometime before Christmas.

I have a lot of good pictures, but until I have a chance to go through them all, here's a smattering of the good ones {that also happen to already be on the computer...how convenient!}

My family, with my mom putting a halo over Mia's head

Hannah Mae with whipped cream on her precious little face...she's pretty darn cute, huh?

nephew Hunter licking the beater...he's also super happy and super cute. Wish we got to see he and his family more often!

This is where Lily would camp out most of the time. She loved that super-soft blanket.

Christmas Cards

I started working on a Christmas card back in July. Yes, I love me some Christmas, and I was excited to make my own cards this year.

We sent out cards two years ago, but I was slacker last year...So, I'm back on the wagon and designing my own cards. Here's one of the two I designed. I'm not sending this one out because it's square and would require extra postage booo hissss.

What do you think?

If this were the chosen one, those would not have been the chosen pics. Although, J and I love that pic of the dogs, because it's a good representation of what they like to do on summer days. The backyard is like their African savannah.

Back to the real world, what do your Christmas cards look like this year?

Half-Marathon Training (HMT): Week 1

My first week of training for a half-marathon has come and gone, not without a bit of stress and blood, sweat and tears.

My plan is to do my week 1 training twice, since Thanksgiving would be in the middle of week 2 (and, let's be honest, Austin is entirely too hilly for my fragile week 2 status). So, for my first week, my long run was 4 miles. I know it's not some cross-country trek, but it's longest I've ever run outside and I was definitely nervous.

But, it went great! I ran my first mile on the track behind our house, then my usual 3 mile route. I think I went a little (uhh...like .2) farther than 4 miles! And, by the end, I kind of felt like I had more energy to run further. Bring on the 13.1 now!

The only thing I need to work on is my "stretch & strengthening" and my choices of cross-training activities. My only option at this point is walking, but I'd like to get a bike to do some of them. We'll see...my parents have some old bikes at home, but is it worth it to refurbish one of those or would it be better to buy a new one?

I'll get back to you on that one. And, I'll keep you posted my training!

So glad it's over

Last week was brutal, which explains my absence!

Our last issue of the semester comes out December 1, but because of our press lag and Thanksgiving, we've had to have the issue to the press a day early. Then I found out that our editor would be out of town all weekend, even Monday. So, the issue essentially had to be done by Friday.

I was constantly working and constantly stressed, but this morning, I finished up the last few things I had to get done before I take our final issue tomorrow morning.

Then, it's hello Thanksgiving and hello relaxing family time!

Oh {cold} snap!

The weather has finally turned from fall/spring temperatures to winter temperatures!

The last two mornings {yes, I'm back in my morning workout routine!} have been freezing and super windy. And although the wind and cold usually make one of my eyes water {so weird and so annoying}, I'll take the cold, winter weather.

I hate it when it's warm in November and for the holidays and I have this "rule" that once I've discontinued my flip flops, I will not break them back out, no matter what the outside temps may be, until atleast March.

But, this year, I had to break that rule, and it pained me to do so! Not because my feet look gross because they haven't seen a nail file, bottle of nail polish or capable pedicure hands in too long, but because it's the principle. November = boots, tights, leggings and close-toed shoes. Not flip flops.

Anyway, the weathermen are predicting that the weather will warm up, and I'm sure I can count on 70s for Thanksgiving day {especially since we'll be in balmy Austin}. But, for now, I'll take what I can get. So you better believe that I'm wearing all the cold-weather gear I can get my hands before my hot flashes force me into short sleeves and {gasp!} flip flops!

Super Sunday

My usual Sunday goes something like this:

Wake up anywhere from 8:30 am to 11 am. Sit around watching tv and thinking about the fact that I should be doing laundry, making a grocery list, cleaning the kitchen, getting some work done, etc. When J wakes up, we watch some tv together and then I usually make my way to the guest bedroom to lay in bed and watch all of the shows that I DVRed during the week. {Seriously, I watch way too much tv...it's a bad habit!}. This goes on until around 10 or 10:30 pm, when it's time for me to hit the sack and say to hell with another week hello to another week of work. 

This is what I did today:

Woke up around 9:45, but wasn't quite feeling ready to get out of bed, so I slept until around 10:40 or so. {I was up until well past 3 am, so, my late wake up is justified. ok?} Called the BFF around 11, checked to make sure she was feeling ok, then solidified our plans for some QT. 

The BFF and I live about 40 minutes from each other, but we do not see each other enough. We made plans to hang out today {with lots of encouraging excitement from our NFL football-loving husbands}.

Lunch at Ted's, walking the too-crowded-for-a-Sunday mall. Checking out the Sprint store for a new phone for B. And, finally, checking out Old Navy to see if they had the jeans I wanted in the length that I needed {short...gasp! They had them and they were not as cute as previous pairs that I've owned. What happened ON?? What happened??}

I had a great time and really think that it should be a bi-weekly occurrence {one the hubs can jump onboard with}. So, what do you think B...wanna do it again? 

Veteran's Day

I have opinions about the war that we are currently engaged in, but those don't matter today.

Today is a day to THANK those men and women who are currently serving, who have served and those who have given their lives so that we may live in America, a free country.

Thank you for everything that you do!

Christmas on the run

It's no secret that I'm into running, and I'm really working on getting myself more training-friendly.

With Christmas around the corner {no, seriously, it's sooner than you think...no...seriously}, I've found a few things that would make this whole running thing a little easier {well not so much easier, as keep me a little better informed/dryer/warmer}.

This is a Garmin wristwatch, and I found it on amazon.com (here) for $148 (but I'm not sure how long that low low price will last. It's regularly $299) Can I just say that I had no idea these kinds of things existed. Sure, I knew you could have a Garmin for your car, but a watch? This would make tracking mileage much easier than timing myself and then hopping in my car to watch my odometer while I drive the course I just ran. Who knew!

There are cheaper ones available, but if I'm going to go for it, I may as well, go for it.

I already have one of these in purple and I love it! I seriously have to wash it all.the.time since it's my favorite one to wear. It's from Target, and since we all love Target {including me} and their fab sales, you know this one will be cheap. Right now you can find them for $16.99

Then there are these cute side-tie capri running tights. I'd probably prefer some long pants {with the weather on its way to being cold}, but I found these on sale at nordstrom.com for $32.90.

Here are a couple of examples of what I'm looking for in running tights. These aren't on sale, and I know I could find some cheaper ones {I'm a bit lazy today}, but I like UnderArmour ones a lot. Both are from nordstrom.com and the UA ones are $59.99 and the Nike ones are $50.

There you have it...a couple things that could really enhance my running, as well as my half-marathon goal.

Low Key

Life lately has been very low key.

Minus work {which is always crazy in some way} we've been pretty boring, and I like it. But, there are a few things I'm looking forward to:

•Thanksgiving {even though it'll be a too short visit with my fam, I always look forward to going home and trying to show John new aspects of Austin}
•Seeing my niece and nephew {it's been almost a year since we got to spend time with these two and that's wayyy too long!}
•Our last issue of the semester {this one goes to press just before Thanksgiving, which means we'll get a nice little break from the weekly craziness!}

Those are just our November happenings.

I've been kicking around the idea of having a holiday party, but I'm not sure. Our house is so small that I worry about where everyone will be...not much couch room to sit on, not much room in the kitchen to hang out in. Not to mention the fact that we're a bit out of the way for many of our friends. Hmmm, what to do...

I'd love to put together a cute invite and fun menu, but is it too much work? Ahhh! I'll keep you posted if I decide to go through with it!

Christmas literature

I've been in a bit of a book rut recently.

When Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince came out in the theaters in July, I opened the book {again, for about the 4th time} and read it. Then, of course, I had to read the seventh book {it's a vicious cycle, really}. But, those are the only two books I've read in a really long time.

Sad, I know. So, I've decided I want a few new books on my shelves to get me through this 70 degree cold winter weather.

sTori Telling {by Tori Spelling}, under $15 on amazon.com

Mommywood {also by Tori Spelling} under $20 on amazon.com

LA Candy {by Lauren Conrad, of The Hills} around $10 on amazon.com

I fully realize that these are not exactly Pulitzer prize winning novels, but they caught my eye. Hey, I'm a sucker for reality tv. I watched Laguna Beach from the beginning and made the move to LA with Lauren to The Hills. And, I'm a newcomer to Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, but I love them as a couple, I can't help it! Plus, everyone needs a frivolous read {or two...or three}.

Rules of the road

I have a bone to pick with bikes on city streets {and the hipsters that ride them, but that's another post altogether}.

I understand that riding a bike is a "green" mode of transportation, not to mention, it's a great workout {two birds, one stone}, but, when riding your bike around, you are supposed to follow all traffic laws. This means you stop at stop signs, yield, stay in your lane {which should be the sidewalk, because you're slow} and signal when you're turning.

Please try to be aware of your surroundings, otherwise, I might be tempted to forget that I, too, have traffic laws to abide by.

What I want for Christmas

Since Christmas is right around the corner {yessssssss!}, I thought I'd give all you eager generous gift-givers out there a little insight into what I'm craving. I'm going to post {at least} one item a week that anyone who might be around 5'4" with brown hair and hazel eyes {hey, that's me!} would love!

The first item on my list {but, really, this is in no particular order} is a Michael Kors watch. I have a watch, but it's very small and very ladylike, and I think sometimes, I don't want to be small and ladylike {that's what she said?}, I want to wear a big ol' chunky watch, and Michael "King of American Design" Kors knows what he's doin'.

Gold Oversized Runway Watch

   

White Midsized Chronograph Watch {195}

I like both of these watches, and honestly, MK's watches are pretty reasonably priced. Most are between $195 and $250. For a watch {that should last a lifetime} that's a great price! Find them here.

What will be the next item on my list {oooo, the suspense!}

A girl can dream

I love me some fashion, which means I love to scour websites for all the cutest stuff, drooling over the clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, etc.

I've been jonesin' for something cute and sequined {remember this post?}, and when I came across this adorable sequined cardigan {which also comes in black}, I decided to do an inspiration board of what I might wear with it {if that nasty little B word -- budget -- weren't a part of my vocabulary...}.

Here's what I came up with:

I'm mostly a simple kind of gal, when it comes to clothes. I like to spice up one part of my outfit and keep the rest pretty simple. But I also love a little unique detail, and I think this outfit has a little of both.

I love the fanciness {is that a word?} in contrast to the distressed jeans and I like the fringe to keep the sequins playful and I like the black pocket tank to keep the sequins and fringe from being too much and well, I love those foley + corinna bags {they're just the perfect everyday accessory}.

What would you wear for a casual Saturday?

Splish Splash

I didn't go overboard decorating for fall, but I did put a few little splashes in our house. So, on Friday {after cleaning the house} I picked up the camera to take a few pics and continue working on my photography skills.

a couple of cute little pumpkins on our shelves

a couple more {I really think our wall color compliments the colors in the pumpkins}

"woven" wood pumpkin on our coffee table

{a little closer this time}

With Halloween behind us, I'm kind of chomping at the bit to fill our house with Christmas decoration and smells. Is November 2 too early???

PS - Can you believe it's already November?