Triathlon Challenge

One of my good friends, Scott, has been working hard to get into shape lately.

I, on the other hand, have been working hard at avoiding the gym.

Yesterday Scott decided to challenge me to a triathlon. Oh yeah. I've done tris the past two summers and decided this past summer that I wouldn't do another one this upcoming summer. Eh, got bored.

Until I got challenged of course! Muahahaha... I love a good challenge!

Source

I've obviously agreed to the challenge (with the pending agreement of a handicap, since boys are ALWAYS faster than girls). So now I will turn to you, bloggers, as inspiration.

I will post my workouts every week, day pending, to track my progress (and make sure I'm actually doing something). Training will suck for awhile, since its WINTER IN MINNESOTA, but thats all right. I've got a gym membership and I know how to use it.

Time to break out the dusty workout guides and start training again. I'd better update my Ipod music selection - time to get inspired to run (god running sucks).

Another good form of inspiration : my hubs might think that Scott can beat me. Must.prove.him.wrong.

Any helpful hints out there?! I'd love to hear ANY HINTS regarding working out, motivation, and triathlons. I'm by no means an expert.

This Blogging Thang...

All Right, so I've been doing the blogging thing for a bit now.. more seriously for the past few weeks.

I read quite a few blogs, but I've noticed that those blogs have a lot more followers than mine does.

Am I doing something wrong?

Whats your input?

Rude!

Today is Black Friday - which I usually don't partake in because I'm usually out in the middle of the woods in MI. Buuuut since I didn't go home for Turkey Day (we celebrate Thanksgiving, usually, at our cottage, which is in the middle of nowhere - no cell service, even!), and I was alone all day, I decided to head out to see what the deal was.

Turns out, its not half bad. I've been out before on Black Friday in MI, but its not the same as it is here. I think because I live in Minneapolis, and have access to a trillion good stores, it was better here. I did get most of my Christmas shopping done, so that is awesome. I've already started wrapping the gifts too, I just LOVE Christmas time.

The downside to today is that N. headed out today to NY for work. Ususally I would love come Katie  time to myself, but this time, I'm just LONELY. It sucks. And he will be gone for almost a week. Ugh.

Anywho, back to Black Friday. Today I was in Kohls, about to leave after standing in line for over an HOUR (my mom better LOVE her Xmas gift, hehe), and I witnessed a RUDE lady. The escalator down to the first floor was broken, so people had to walk down it instead of riding it. In front of me was a mom and her two-ish year old baby boy. So Cute. Anyway, he was bound and determined to walk down by himself, so he and his mommy were slowly making their way down. Obvs they were going a little slower than I might have liked, but I sighed on the inside (and reminded myself to be patient!) and just gave them some space to head down the escalator. The guy and gal behind me were not as patient. The girl said "Ugh, just pick up that stupid kid already, we gotta go!"

UHHHH, ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!?!

You were obviously in the same line I was, which means that you just spent at least an hour waiting in line to buy your stupid costume jewelery and onesie set, and you can't wait another teeny weeny two minutes so this baby boy can make his way down the stairs. Oh no sister.

So I turned around, gave her the look of death, and said "THERE IS A LITTLE KID WALKING DOWN THE STEPS ... JUST HOLD UP A SECOND!"

I wanted to say something else, but since there was a kid or two in earshot, I didn't. But I wanted too.

I get its Black Friday, but you should come prepared to be patient, since you've GOTTA  know that you are going to be forced to wait a few times throughout the day.

Ugh. Made me so angry.

Oh well. I got some good deals and spent my day being entertained by crazy shoppers.

Have you guys ever said something to rude shoppers?

So Thankful

This Thanksgiving is the 2nd year I've been in Minneapolis instead of MI with my family. As much as it sucks to be away from all the shenanigans at home, I'm so thankful to be able to spend Turkey Day with my husband. (And Sasha..)

Today I'm making Corninsh Hens, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Squash, and Pumpkin Pie Bars. Should be a good feast... with leftovers forever... :)

Thanksgiving is such a good reminder to be thankful - and I have SO MUCH to be thankful for :

My crazy fabulous family

Dog bones that take days to eat - just sayin..

Love & Dreams*



Thankful for Ann

  Thankful for SwEaTpAnTs


Thankful for my Husband. Because he is simply amazing.



My mom being Cancer Free

Health

Thankful for besties who will do anything for each other.



Thankful for familiar faces when I'm far from home.

Thankful for all my friends, near or far.

Thankful for warm weather. Because sometimes when you live in MN, you forget what thats like..



Thankful for new family. I couldn't have dreamed of better sister-in-laws.



Thankful for my job, as insane as it can sometimes be.

Thankful for tired floppy Sasha after a good run



A special thanks to all the people who are working today to keep us safe and healthy. I cannot express my gratitude. A simple thanks will never be enough..



Brenna & my mom

Thankful for flowers in the winter, because they brighten up my house.

And thankful for another year. Because it has been the best year yet.

Sweet Peanut

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before, but I'm not a fan of newborn babies, in general.

They are so tiny and breakable and they cry and you're not sure why... they just make me nervous. Sometimes I wonder if they can smell my fear like doggies can...

However, there are some acceptions to my fear. One will come in January, and her little nickname is Peanut. I am over the moon that my cousin Maria is about to have a baby, and let me tell you, as soon as that baby makes her debut into the real world, I'm going to love on her like nobody's business.

Anywho, I got an adorable invite in the mail the other day to Maria's baby shower. Since it is so close to Christmas, I'm going to have to miss it (too much travel -sad-). But, just because I'm not there in person doesn't mean that fabulous gifts won't be there in my place. I'm going to get her a few things from her registry, because as I learned for my wedding - ya put stuff on the registry you REALLY want and need. However, Peanut will be getting some fabulous things that aren't from her registry too - because baby things are just so darn cute and I can't resist!

Link

Sooo cute right?! So necessary, because Peanut will need to represent MN in some way!

Link

I know it is a little rediculous, but I seriously love it. Every spoiled little peanut should have one, right?

And something she will definetly be getting

Link

The book has some significant meaning - I just love it.

I will get little Peanut things from her registry, of course, but that little thing will HAVE to get some fun adorable things from her Auntie Katie in MN. Because if I can't be there to play and snuggle with her, she should be able to rock some redic gear, right?

Baby Its Cold Outside...

Ever worn 3 pairs of pants at one time?

I have.

Just a typical afternoon in Minnesota.

Spent at the doggie park.

Because one look into those cute puppy brown eyes makes my heart melt and my mind turn to mush.

Whats that? Your heart melted too?
Understandable.

Adult Truths

I found this little post while reading this blog & it made me smile. Happy Monday.

ADULT TRUTHS

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blu Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch three consecutive times and still not know what time it is. 

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey – but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from three feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

 

:)

Sasha's Vet Adventures

When we adopted an adorable puppy doggie, we had no idea what we were getting into!

Sasha is the most adorable, loving, cute pup we could have asked for, but she is definetly keeping us on our toes. We have had her for a month, and she has already been to the vet like a trillion times. So many times, in fact, that she gets excited, reconizes some of the pet nurses, and knows exactly how to weigh herself.

She has had a bladder infection, gotten spayed, gotten her puppy shots (as many as she can so far), and gotten mites. Don't you fret, she can't pass along mites to doggies or peeps.

Blah. What a little train wreck. But she is the best little birthday gift from my hubs I ever could have asked for. She's my little sidekick :)

Mom's Weekend!

Hey Ya'll! It's been busy 'round these parts!

I mentioned before that my mom had flown in for a visit - which was amazing!

She flew in late Friday night, which made Friday all day seem like it took Forever! Once upon a time my mom and I didn't really get along (ok ok, I was in high school and quite the little biotch), but now everytime I get to see her, I'm just stoked.

I failed to take any pics of the weekend, which makes me sad, so now all I've got is a blog to remind me of the happiest of weekends.

We did a lot of fun things while she was here - but I made sure not to jam too much into the weekend becaue I just love sitting around with her and talking. It was so nice to be able to have her stay at our place, since N. and I have always lived with roommates, and having roommates just complicates having a family member stay for a weekend. I know Jess would have been just fine, but its always a more comfortable visit when the guest can have their own space and not have to crash on the couch!

Since her arrival on Friday was pretty late, we didn't do much, just got back, got her all settled in and then chatted until we were so tired we couldn't stay awake.

Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day, with warm temps (for fall) and sunshine. We took Sasha out on a walk, then headed to an apple orchard. Since it was sort-of post-season, there wasn't a whole lot to see at the orchard, but we got to browse the store a little bit and I got some amazing Christmas gift ideas! It was fun just to hang out with my mom and not be on a schedule :) Plus we scored some delish caramel apples - yum!

After the apple orchard, we headed back to N. and my townhouse where we chilled out and watched some football. After awhile, we headed back out to walk Sasha again, then I dazzled mi madre with my cooking skillz.

Sunday ended up being another gorgeous day, so my mom and I walked to 2 blocks to the cute little neighborhood church for mass. The mass was quick, although a little lady did shove me outta the way for communion. How was I supposed to know there were 3 lines!? I was just following the guy in front of me! My mom and I giggled about that for awhile after :)

Since I wanted to do something fun that we could really only do in Minneapolis, I decided to get N., myself, and my mom tickets to see a play at the Guthrie. We headed out for lunch at Brasa (yum!) and then N. chauffered us to the play. It was a comedy, and I'm pretty sure I enjoyed the company more than the play. Don't get me wrong, the play was hilarious, I was just so happy to be with N. and my mom! We checked out the view from the building, then headed back to the casa to spend her last night with us.

Overall it was a lazy weekend, but it was just so perfect to be able to catch up (in person) with her! I was pretty excited to be able to show her our new house and our new puppy! Its hard to have her be so far away (and I'm sure it is tough for her too) when we are making such huge life changes.

Jumping on the Promo bandwagon

I am no fool. And I'm a lover of coupons.

So let me just spread the good news!

Shutterfly is offering a fab-u-lous promo - and since I love their site and their products, I'm sharing the wealth.

Since N. and I are married this Christmas, I thought it would be so cute to send out Christmas cards. You know, start a new tradition.

Here are some of my favorites, who are in the running :



Perfect for a pic of us, and a pic of the new pooch.


Just love <3

You can find lots of other goodies for Christmas or whenever here:

Christmas Cards like the adorable ones above!


You can find Ho-Ho-Holiday Cards here!

Or  they have other cards for any occasion Here.
 
Such goodies!
 
PS. Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… learn more: http://bit.ly/sfly2010
 
Go go go! <3

Fail. Again.

Ok, so I like to make it a habit of going MIA for a month or two at a time. Perhaps this whole blogging thing will someday become a habit. Like when I get a new computer that doesn't suck. Until then.. just random logins with entertaining stories.

So much has changed since I've last blogged.

I mentioned before we got a puppy, and she has just taken my little heart over. I just adore her. She is insane and has tons of energy, but she became a part of our family immediately. It amazes me how much I love her after month. She is a great little sidekick for me while N. is traveling, and she loves playing with N. when he is home.

My birthday is on Monday, and I just can't wait for it! My best friend is flying in from KY on Friday, and I can barely sit still I'm so excited. My friend Lynsey is also coming in from Chicago, and I am pretty much in heaven. The four of us (Jess lives in Minneapolis already) are going to spend some quality time together this weekend. Its going to be amazing! One thing I really miss living in MN is that I left all my friends to come out here. Some of them moved, okay most of them moved, away, but that doesn't change the fact that I secretly wish we could all just move into a subdivision and be best friends and neighbors. Its my dream.

Life has been busy lately, with the puppy, a husband, work, and life in general.

My mom was here to visit last weekend, but those stories will have to wait for another day.. the pup is begging for attention <3

KW