Christmas Tag

I used to LOVE tag when I was a little kid, even though I didn’t always get away. Apparently, not much has changed. The lovely Kerrie T at Mom vs Marathon tagged me with six, fun, get-to-know-you questions. Want to read them, here they go …

What is your FAVORITE time of day to run? Morning, definitely. I LOVE the beginning of the day, once the sun is out, ahem, and shining on my face. I like to make it one of the first things I do because the feeling I get after running leaves me ready to tackle my day.

If you could have ANY job in the world, what would it be? PG version? Just kidding. Sort of. Really, I’m not sure. I’m pretty close to doing what truly makes me happy already, but when I was younger I used to want to be a sportscaster. Watch out Hannah Storm.

Do you have a GUILTY food pleasure? (i.e. what’s your favorite empty calorie food?) Um, YEAH. Chocolate. And, beer. Do either of those count as food?

How and/or why did you START running? I’ve always thought running was sexy; and something I couldn’t do. I actually used to say, “I wish I could run.” One day I saw a television program about a marathon runner with prosthetic legs and I realized if he could do it without his own legs, I could do it with mine! I started walking and adding running spurts until eventually I was running through my neighborhood. Now I’m a marathoner.

Do you have any SPECIAL Christmastime traditions? Sure. We all get new pajamas on Christmas Eve; we have “table” gifts at dinner instead of using place cards; and we watch “Elf” together to kickoff the holidays.

What race/event are you MOST looking forward to in 2011? I’m still planning out my races for 2011 but I’m excited to do at least one race per month and to complete my second marathon in the fall.

My turn to tag …

YOU!

Seriously, consider yourself tagged by Wifey. I’d love to read more about you. If you want to answer the questions please leave me a comment so I can come and see your post.

Winks & Smiles,

A Few of my FAVORITE Things

I LOVE Christmas time. Everything from the tree, to the shopping, to fun nights with my family, to wrapping and cooking, and of course the reason for the season – Jesus’ birthday and that spiritual renewal that comes with this time of year.

I have so many highlights from this holiday like Christmas Eve church service; watching “Elf” with Husband and the kids; and not charging ONE gift this year – this is the first time I was CASH only (thanks Dave Ramsey); there’s too many to name but I figured I’d share a few pics of my FAVORITES with you.

My family. Hanging out Christmas Eve, too excited to sleep!

Husband – he’s one of my FAVORITE things all year round.

My niecey-pie! Is she just not the cutest? She's rockin' the tam and representing the rest of my family - my Mom, Dad, Grandma, Mother-in-law, Sister and Brother-in-law! (If one of them emails me pics I'll added them to the post - gasp!)

My mom gave Husband the Charlie Brown tree. Classic.

Our real tree Christmas morning.

Husband Santa left these in my stocking. Tennis and Running. He knows me so well.

My mother gave me these. Um, what is she trying to say? Ahem.

My dad gave Husband and my brother-in-law this. Again, with the beer? This might be my favorite gift and its not even mine.

My sister gave me a subscription to Runner’s World. Her and her tech savvy husband created this mock magazine cover to surprise me. LOVE it!

My table. Every year we have table gifts instead of regular place-cards.

It was a white Christmas in Atlanta for the first time in years so you know we had to get out and play in the snow.

Me and Milan having a blast.

You’ve got to have hot chocolate after an afternoon of snow!

We thawed out and played Just Dance 2 on Wii.

Miles hooking it up. My silly children – they actually thought they would beat me.

It was a wonderful weekend filled with family, friends and fun. Oh, did I mention food? Yes, it was filled with that, too. So much that I’m ready to get back to my healthy habits TODAY.

I LOVE you mac & cheese (you're a FAVORITE, too), but you’ve GOT TO GO!

Winks & Smiles,

Friday's Confession: I'm Ready to Roll

Friday's Confession ... I'm ready to roll.

Um, yes. I really am that corny. I've finished shopping and I've stepped into my Mrs. Claus apron. There's nothing but cookin' and wrappin' happening at Wifey's house ... and maybe a little sippin'. Ahem.

May you and your family have a safe and happy holiday!

Winks & Smiles,

Does RUNNING in Stores Count as Exercise?

I wonder how many calories running through the stores burns? How about squatting to get in and out of the car? Hopefully a lot because yesterday I found myself indulging in this …

And these …

And I washed it down with this …

Yes, it’s the holidays and I was out celebrating my sister’s birthday and squeezed in a little shopping.

My sister and me

Before we hit the stores we used our gift certificates we got from my Race & Relax event last summer – big fun! Then we went to Six Feet Under to partake in that wonderful feast you saw above. After that is when we really got serious and headed to Target.

Serious. Calories. Burned.

While I’m definitely on a mission to meet my birthday goal, I’m going to relax my food plan through the weekend and enjoy some of the treats I don’t normally eat any other time of the year. Instead of depriving myself I’m going to stick to good portion sizes and small meals – even if they’re made up of fried chicken and pound cake. GASP!

Oh, and I’ll be the crazy one lunging through the toy aisle at Target.

Winks & Smiles,

My Secret to Surviving the Holiday Break

Today is the first day of my kids’ two week school break. While I am genuinely excited to slow down and spend time with them I’m also afraid realistic that some patience and quiet time will be necessary. Oh, and some prayer.

I have my mother-in-law to thank for these words of wisdom which quietly lets me know she understands and Husband must’ve been a little terror loads of fun when he was little, ahem, but that’s another post.

May the force be with you and may you survive enjoy your holiday break.

Winks & Smiles,

Deck The Halls and Bling the Tree

I thought about doing a “Wordless Wednesday” post but, um, I don’t know how to be wordless. Really.

It’s been too damn cold to run for the past few days, 15 degrees is where I draw the line, so I’ve been running around my house decking the halls and blessing my tree with a little bling.

Here’s a few pics from our tree blinging last night and my attempt at “Wordless Wednesday” – yes the photos still have captions. I’m new at this, cut me some slack.

My mother-in-law gave me this sign to keep the snoopers out; and my daughter made the reindeer resting on my shoulder.

It’s officially Christmas now. A little low-fat eggnog and rum, ahem.

You know Santa’s almost here, Miles almost smiled for a picture.

This one is ALWAYS ready to say cheese!

Even the dog is feeling the holiday spirit.

Our tree and all its bling.

 

Oops, the star was cut off the last pic. Ta-da!

Happy “Not-So Wordless Wednesday!”

Winks & Smiles,

Who IS this Dude?

Ironically, that same doubtful darling is the only one at Wifey’s house who still believes in Santa four years later.

I LOVE this time of year.

Winks & Smiles,