Aaaaand, We're Back!

Whew! That was quite a break, wasn't it? So sorry about that, life just got in the way. The Hubs and I were busy getting ready for his mom's Thanksgiving visit, the Andre Rieu concert, the pageant, I have rehearsal a lot... etc. No excuse but there are a hundred excuses why I haven't posted.

I've also been taking Christmas pictures for people. Like this couple, who were a dream to work with. They were definitely models and were so relaxed in front of the camera. If you or anyone you know in my area are thinking of Christmas pictures but don't think they can afford it, have them contact me! I can work with just about anyone's prices.


Have a great holiday season... we just put up a bunch of decorations last night. Can't wait to post pictures!

This is Why I Married Him

Conversation at approximately 10:30pm Saturday night.

Hubs: I'm going up to bed.

Me: Ok, I'm going to make marshmallows and then I'll be up. (mind you, I never mentioned my desire to make marshmallows at all during the day. It just CAME to me, you know?)

Hubs: Ok.

The man didn't even blink. Any other guy probably would have questioned my motives or wondered why I was thinking about doing that at 10:30 at night.

Nope. Not this guy. And that's just one of the many reasons why I married him.

Weekly Workout 11/8/10

I seem to be slacking a little with these weekly workout posts. I am working out but sometimes it just seems so blah to post about them. Especially when my work out week was pretty blah itself.

Monday: skip. This seems to be a reoccuring theme.

Tuesday: C25K Week 8 Day 1. This run was just fine. Felt good. Looked good. (ha, whatever).

Wednesday: Choreography rehearsal. Danced for 3 hours. So much fun.

Thursday: skipped. Can't remember why.

Friday: Off day. Should have worked out.

Saturday: C25L Week 8, Day 2. Don't remember much about this one. OH, I did run at 11:30 am which was a mistake because temps went up here again. Obnoxious.

Sunday: Was going to run the Mission Inn 5k but realized that I had to be at church at 9. 7:30am 5k 20 miles away? It wasn't going to happen if I was going to look decent for church. The children did a marvelous job singing, btw.

So yeah, last week fell a little flat. I didn't work out yesterday (slept horribly Sunday night). But I did work out today and I think have choreography tomorrow. I shouldn't replace my workouts with choreography but sometimes I can't help it. I'm tired!

How are your work outs going? Have you done anything to mix it up?

Sunday Sweet

What do you get when you take this:


and add it to this?


mmm. Heaven.


Apple crisp with caramel sauce.

Shutterbug-Shutterfly

Do you guys like Christmas cards? I LOVE Christmas cards. I like any cards, really. I think it's because I like getting mail. I might be kind of obsessed with it, actually. Every day I run into the house and ask, "Did we get any mail today?" Hubs probably thinks I'm waiting for something or to hide a piece of mail from him but it's just that I love getting personal mail of any kind.

That's why when I saw this opportunity on Katie's blog, I had to jump on it! I've used Shutterfly for a lot of projects in the past (one of them being our photo guest book at our wedding) but the chance to get 50 free cards was just too good to pass up! I've loved using Shutterfly because they are constantly having a sale, they have super fast delivery and their products are very high quality. What's not to love?

So I started looking through all the Christmas cards and they have SUCH great ones this year:

Of course, I started with the Photo Christmas Cards

This one is super cute. I like the idea of updating friends about your family and really like that it's only a couple of lines. Plus, those little boys are adorable.

Love this one. It's simple but a nice change from just one picture.


I LOVE blue and red together for Christmas. We did that for our card last year. So I'm thinking I may mix it up this year. But this is still sweet. Nice and simple.


I love me some monograms. We have M's all over the house. So of course this one spoke to me. We definitely don't have enough pictures to fill it up though.


This one may be my absolute fav. Isn't it great? I love the message. Plus it's my favorite Christmas song!


And if Christmas isn't your thing, you can't go wrong with a holiday card.

There are so many more great gift ideas on Shutterfly's site. Makes me want to have kids so I can plaster them all over a calendar or a mug. :) Just kidding Hubs! (Sorta. But really.)

So go! Check them out. I dare you to find just one that you like. And if you're a blogger, you could get 50 cards free too! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Just act surprised when you guys get one in the mail, ok?

Thankful Thursday: Doing Something I Love

For this Thankful Thursday, I'm thankful for a person. A certain person:

Do you have just one thing in life you ADORE doing? Like something so challenging and difficult but still fun enough that if you were going for hours and hours, you could keep going and get past the pain?

I love dancing. Absolutely love it. But it has to be the right teacher/choreographer/drill sergeant or else I can't stand it. Or if it's not challenging enough. If I don't go home completely wiped out, I feel like it's a waste of time.

I've worked with many choreographers in many shows and only a few really make each person feel like they are dancers. Like, they appreciate we love to dance and though we may not be able to do everything, they don't dumb it down for us.

I'm in one of those shows right now. I've worked with this choreographer before and would be in any show that he was involved with. He's hard working, expects a lot, patient and really funny. He pushes us and is so creative with his ideas.

From 7-10 last night, we hardly took a break. But none of us cared. We just wanted to keep rehearsing over and over again until we got it right. I'm so proud of myself because a couple of years ago, I would have been moaning and groaning about how sore I was from doing all that but I think the working out has helped a lot. I do have bruises on my hands (don't ask) and on my knees (REALLY don't ask) but they are so worth it. I came home last night and plopped on the floor like I did 4 years ago when I was in Beauty and the Beast. But I had a huge smile on my face. I was SO happy to be doing this again.

Anyone who comes to see this show next month is going to be wowwed. Not necessarily by us but by how creatively we're telling the story. I am so proud to be putting this on stage and offering it to the community. And to have a strong leader getting us there? That's priceless.

I'm also thankful that my body can do these things. That I have the ability and coordination to dance and just let it all go.

While I'm thankful for many things this week (good job situation, lovely husband, good friends, exercise and food!), this is what is making me shine right now.

What are you thankful for right now?

My Heaven

After church on Sunday (see Hub's big performance here) we headed down to the Mission Inn for Cupcake Camp! All proceeds went towards Breast Cancer research. I'm down with that but you know what I'm MORE down with? CUPCAKES!




This group was cute: Cupcake Mama's. They had their kids with them too.


I was a bit dissapointed with Casey's Cupcakes. The frosting tasted like it was from a can!


There were cupcakes everywhere!




This guy was sporting his pink shoes for the cause.


The whole room set up. It was absolutely packed.


$10 got you 4 tastings and all the coffee, milk and water you wanted. Our loot:


The drinks. The coffee is definitely mine. Not the Hubs.


Digging in!
Chocolate and Raspberry Lemonade


CHOMP


Om nom nom nom.

That one was my favorite. Pumpkin and chocolate. Not too sweet. Perfect.

Overall, the cupcakes were just ok. I think I'm spoiled by My Delight Cupcakery. Their cupcakes are some of the best I've ever had. But it all went to a good cause. If they were to do it again next year (and they should!) it should probably be in a bigger place. It was kind of a turn off to be pushed around just to get cupcakes.

Go Cupcake Camp!

I Can Finally Spill the Beans!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Did you hear that screeching from your house/place of work/car?

That would be me. Screeching about something totally exciting.

And no, we're not pregnant. Did you know married people can have exciting news that ISN'T having a baby? Other stuff happens when you get married, you know. Sheesh.

But really, we're absolutely thrilled with this opportunity that has landed in our lap.

As you know, we just started a job as children's choir directors at a local church. The job is probably the funniest, goofiest, craziest thing I've ever done (can't speak for the Hubs) but the fact that we get to hang with these kids and teach them music is a pretty cool thing.

About 3 weeks ago, the Hubs and I were in JCPenney, picking out some new clothes when I get this phone call from one of the choir moms. She's talking really fast about this guy who needs a choir for this Christmas Concert. Ok, cool. We can see if it works with our choir schedule and if so, yes.

I call her back when I'm not in a loud store and she tells me about this world-reknown violinist who does these over the top concerts. He is coming to our area and he needs a children's choir for a song in his concert. Ok, still thinking it's cool. Whatevs.

I then start researching the guy and realize this is bigger than we both had originally thought. I actually started shaking at work after I watched the video that his manager had passed along.

I talk to my family and friends and they all know this guy and his music and love his concerts (well, some of them love his concerts but my aunt nearly had a heart attack and is already looking for tickets).

So this December, our choir kids will be performing with Andre Rieu in his Christmas concert.

Well, hello to you too.

Seriously. I still can't believe it. Here's what they will be performing.




It totally gives me chills. And the fact that our kids get to perform it, it's just incredible. I have to thank the previous choir director for building this program to what it is today and giving us this opportunity. eeeeeeeee!!!

My Husband, the Drama King

The church where we direct the children's choir has been very welcoming. We're constantly being invited to events, encouraged to participate in church activities, etc.

This past Sunday, the bell choir put on a performance during church and there was a familiar face who was invited to perform with them.


Can you see him? MAGIC ENHANCE!


Ta-daaaaa! The Hubs was invited to be the narrator for the bell choir's performance. It was all about Moses and the Ten Commandments. It was all very cute and the Hubs had great comedic timing. It's true! A kid in the choir (all of 6 years old) came up to him, stuck his finger in his chest and said, "YOU are FUNNY".

I totally agree.

Ear Worm

I have had this beautiful song on repeat for the last 3 days. I rediscovered my box set of Sufjan Steven's Christmas album and have been enjoying it ever since. If you haven't heard this, here's your treat for today!

Finally!

I'm so excited, my office is finally looking like someone actually works in there.

Here's the before:


And the after! 2 of them fell one weekend and they just now got fixed.


Much much better.

Ab Ripper

I think this might be slowly becoming an exercise blog. Hm. Not sure how I feel about that.

The exercise part is great. Although, I was complaining last night that I had been working out about 5 days a week for the past month and have yet to feel any different. The Hubs said, "It's because you haven't been doing the Ab workout". I got completely weirded out because he's always gone for work before I start my workouts. How did he know I wasn't doing it? He said he knew I wasn't doing it because I wasn't complaining about how my abs hurt nearly enough.

It's true though. I haven't been doing Ab Ripper X. I guess it's because I've been working out for an hour already and I don't feel like doing anymore. Or maybe it's because I like my extra 15 minutes of free time when I get ready in the morning.

So, I AM exercising but I guess I'm also kind of being lazy about it. There are workout plans for a reason.

I woke up early this morning to go running but it was so early that it was still dark out. And I don't like that at all. But I hauled myself out of bed and did Ab Ripper instead.

He was right. I was complaining like crazy when I was finished but I think it will really help in the long run. I haven't been doing hardly any core workouts and the core is the most important part of working out.

Oh my gosh, am I boring anyone else? I feel like I'm putting myself to sleep too.

Because I don't want to be all crazy-workout-look-at-my-fitness, here are the adorable cupcakes my past students delivered to my office today. They are too cute (and too yummy. seriously, I had to give them to my coworkers because I could not be trusted with all of them).


I also made a Gooey Butter cake for our potluck Wednesday dinner and holy crap. You guys, this recipe is amazing. Like, sell your first born for a piece, amazing. They should call this "Get a Man with this Gooey Butter Cake" or "So Sweet it Will Make Your Teeth Hurt Gooey Butter Cake". Go make it this weekend. Do it. Oh! and make it the day before you need it. And put it in the fridge. Trust me, it makes it better (if you can believe it).

We Need a Better Name for This Gooey Butter Cake
taken from allrecipes.com
Ingredients
Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Mix cake mix, melted butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs with a spoon. Pat into a 9 X 13 inch pan.
3.Mix cream cheese, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer. Slowly beat in confectioner's sugar (I only used about 2 and 1/2 - 3 cups). Pour over cake layer. Will be a little runny.
4.Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool. Put in fridge overnight.

Ugh

My run today was HORRIBLE. Absolutely horrible.

I just started week 7 of the c25k program and the first day is another 25 minute run. Not bad, I just did that on Sunday and it was hot outside. Now, the elements weren't against me, it was in the morning and I had already proved I could do it.

Here are the reasons why it sucked.
1. Didn't fuel properly. I'm so used to getting up and working out that I don't fuel at all. It's a stupid thing to do and I have to stop doing it.

2. I started a little later than normal and ran into the traffic jam that is the middle school morning drop off. I had to break my stride and jog in place while mean moms gave me the side-eye if I even made the slightest move to leave the sidewalk. Very frustrating.

3. I couldn't push past the side cramps. I've able to do it before but today I just couldn't.

4. My pace was all off. Because I was waiting for cars to pass, I thought I should make up that time by running faster but all that did was wear me out sooner. I didn't keep a steady and consistant pace.

So yeah, I'm frustrated. But I didn't stop running and just walk the whole way. I took short walking breaks then jogged a little. Walking break, jog, etc. I know not every run is going to be great but I was frustrated all the same.

Runner friends, what do you do when your run doesn't go as expected? A part of me wants to make it up elsewhere in the week but the other part is like, eh. Whatever I'll just try harder next time.

Weekly Workout 10/25

Monday: Skipped. Yup. Not gonna lie, my bed was feeling awesome that morning. I loafed around and I don't regret it one bit.

Tuesday: C25K Week 6 day 1. Good stuff although I have to keep increasing the lengths of my routes because I'm coming up short each time. I like my current route because I only have to cross one busy street. If I add more distance, I'm going to have to start going through stop lights. Not a bad thing, my any means (trust me, I'm so thrilled that I'm increasing my distance!) but still something I need to consider from here on out.

Wednesday: p90x Plyometrics. I realized I shouldn't just be focusing on weight training on my non c25k days and I'm going to do the p90x classic program, alternating my running days. Plyo wasn't bad when I was doing it but today, my legs are yelling at me. I completely forgot all about the squats and so stairs are not my friend.

Thursday: C25K Week 6 day 2. Same thing as Monday. Thrilled about going further distances in the same amount of time but need to map out my runs a little differently I think. I love my current route because there are no hills and only a small incline during my cooldown. So, we'll see what I come up with.

Friday: Day off. Took off work to prep for our Halloween party.

Saturday: p90x Arms and Shoulders. Goes a lot faster when you zap through Tony's babbling.

Sunday: c25k Week 6 Day 3. Went and did this at 3:30 in the afternoon. Kind of a mistake. It's starting to heat back up again down here. It was warm up for 5 minutes, run for 25, cool down for 5. I almost made it the whole way through and walked a few steps only twice. I'm almost up to 3 miles on these runs. Slowly but surely, I'm getting there!

So there you go. Eating has been fine this weekend. I'm trying to eat big breakfasts and smaller lunches and that's been working. Hearty breakfasts are really the way to go for me. I don't want to be hungry by 11!

I also got a new jacket. It's been really chilly here in the morning but I always end up taking it off halfway through the run.

How's your exercising going? Have any goals for the new month?