What Are You Running From?

I'm not running from anything, but I sure am running for something! I found out the other night that there is a 5K race in Concord in May to benefit Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer, and I've set this goal as my first running race. It is called the Rock 'n Race because there are bands along the course and festivities of all kinds. It is run in downtown Concord and then there is a big celebration on the statehouse lawn at the end of the race. I saw the runners last year, but had no idea what the race was, so I'm really excited to be hearing about it so soon this year.

The best part is I'm not only running to prepare for the race, but I'm also running for myself too. I have started a running routine and I'm up to a 1/2 mile. I'll need to increase a little each week to be ready in time, but last week I was only at 1/4 mile, so I'm already improving. I love the feeling of getting stronger every week...even if the scale has been staying the same. I know I'm more toned, healthier and stronger and that makes me HAPPY! Set a goal for yourself today, it'll make you feel good.

Snow Bunny Gear Complete!

So after getting yet another winter jacket this weekend (thanks for that bad habit Dad), I REALLY needed to find some new snow pants. I looked and looked this weekend, but either places were sold out since it's so late in the season or didn't have my size...of course now all I can find is my old/larger size, but that's a happy feeling after all the hours I've been putting in at the gym. My old snowboard pants still work, but they are kind of big, and I really wanted to find brown ones to go with my two newer jackets. I never knew how difficult it was to find brown snow pants!

Anyway, I finally made it to Dick's yesterday on my lunch break and not only did I finally find a pair, but they were my size, brown and ON SALE! My favorite part. I found a pair of North Face ones that I really liked, but they were too big and were more expensive. So, I think I did pretty well and now I have two cute ways to be bundled up when hitting the slopes! I'll try to take pictures later tonight.

Off to another busy day...work, young professionals meeting tonight, gym after that. Happy Wednesday!

You're Suppose to Get BUFF at the Gym, NOT Bruised

So in true Stacy fashion, I injured myself at the gym this week. Not actually using a machine, but instead walking right into one! OUCH! I have a nice welt and bruise on my right shin now to show for it. But don't worry folks, I kept working out anyway! I'm down 22lbs. total since starting my new routine last fall...hoping to lose another 8 to get to my original goal and then I'll re-evaluate and see if I'm where I want to be. I'm feeling great though, and officially down to a size 10 pant...whoo hooo!

I have a new workout buddy at the gym too! My friend Kevin is a Health Management Rep. at my work and was looking for a new place to work out besides our fitness center at work. Since I have a black card at Planet Fitness, I can bring one guest a day, so why not use my membership to it's fullest. I thought I was just going to sign Kevin in for the free pass and then we'd both be off on our own workouts, but little did I know, he's going to be my personal trainer of sorts! He showed me how to use the leg press and some other machines in the "intimidating" weight area of the gym. We're going to try and do our new routine together once a week, so I'm thinking my legs are going to get pretty toned by bathing suit season...so very exciting!

In other news, I made it successfully through Valentine's Day, and in all honesty, it wasn't that bad. I handed out some little valentine's I had made for co-workers and friends and they loved them. I got some great e-mails/texts from friends and a card and homemade cookies from Carrie, along with a perfect card from my parents! I rounded off the night by making some delicious chocolate covered strawberries for a baby shower at work we had Friday. I made some with milk chocolate and some with dark, they came out perfectly too...but I forgot to take some photos before they were devoured, sorry folks!

So, this weekend I'm doing the usual chores...cleaning, laundry, etc. Tonight I'll be going snow tubing up at Gunstock with friends. Going to have to bundle up with the chilly air we have here today though. Tomorrow I'll join my mom and dad for brunch and then spend the day with them. I'm leaving Monday up in the air. Maybe I'll tackle my office/craft room re-organize. God knows that has been on my "to-do" list for months! Or maybe I'll just relax and try to catch up on sleep, since I haven't been sleeping well at all lately. That's the beauty of a three day weekend, having options for a free day...gotta love that!

Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Another Kind of Bucket List

This we will add to the things I don't understand category...

"food served in a bucket"

I guess I can understand chicken from KFC served in a bucket, still gross, but at least it's pretty much like serving it in a box or other container, since you'll probably just be putting it on a plate when you get home to eat. But tonight, as I was driving, I actually saw a sign outside a restaurant that said "baked ziti in a bucket"...are you kidding me? Baked ziti in a bucket? Why are we serving things in buckets now? It just confuses me. Needless to say, I won't be eating anything from a bucket anytime soon, and I'll advise you to do the same.

*end rant*

And Another Week Has Passed...Phew!

Back to being busy, busy, busy...had lots going on this week with work and working out and spending time with friends. This weekend is going to be more of the same. Steph's kiddos are having a birthday party tomorrow at a local kid's museum, so I'll be stopping by that for a bit, then hanging out with my buddy Brett from high school in the afternoon, and off to the Barley House with the boys to finish the night off I think.

Sunday I'm going to check out the new independent theater downtown. Still undecided about whether I want to see Atonement or The Diving Bell and the Butterfly...I might just wait until I get there and pick one, since I want to actually see both at some point.

Anyway, that's pretty much all that is new with me this week. Maybe I'll try and take some pictures over the weekend to share...or maybe something exciting will happen...you never know!

Cape Cod Getaway

So, my camera is kind of acting up and none of my pictures from the weekend really came out...but I was able to snag this photo from Steph. If you can believe it, this was the first time I'd ever had a jello shot. Don't worry Mom, we behaved and stayed out of trouble the whole weekend.

Miss Jenn put a ton of work into getting the "island" ready in time for our arrival and her apartment looks AMAZING! A warm tan paint color in the living room and hallway and a fun teal accent wall in her bedroom. Along with the oh-so-famous pole that Lee helped her install...hehehe. She did a great job and made our weekend getaway perfect, don't let her tell you she's not domestic...she even made us breakfast sandwiches one day and a hearty soup too!

Miss Jenn and Josie remembered their precious kitties with paw print tattoos on Saturday. They were really troopers, as I hear a tattoo on the top of your foot hurts pretty badly. Steph, Christy and I spent some of our time at the tattoo shop with the girls and the rest of the time down the street at Colorful Creations, picking up some crafty supplies. After the girls were all finished up, we headed back to the island to get our craft on for the rest of the night!

I made some new cards, scrapbook pages and put together a kit for a little birthday reminder book I've been hanging onto for a while. Maybe now I will get birthday cards in the mail BEFORE the birthday actually happens! But more than crafting, I did oh so much girl talk with the girls. It was just what I needed to get me out of my funk and I've had a much better week because of them! Sometimes you just need some relaxing and good girlfriends to remind you what the important things in life really are. Can't wait until our next getaway...look at your calendars girls, I'm ready to start the countdown again!