Working through the night..

So this post is going to be short and sweet.

This Friday we are heading back to our home town (Jason and I grew up in the same town)
We are heading back for a high school friends birthday, as well as to see Jason's dad, my dog (who is at my dad's house, where a friend is taking care of him and living in the house :( while my dad is in the Peace Corp), and a friend of my family!

In attempt to get everything done, I am working through the night so I do not have much to do later this week...

Yes I was drinking wine while working and eating ice cream (I got two Bryers, but one get one free!  How could I say no?)
Today was pretty uneventful anyway.
Check out my workout log to see my workout!

I do have to say, I was extremely sore today and the run was a struggle!!

Jason grilled me mahi-mahi burgers with avocado, tomato, lettuce, and brie cheese, along with sweet potato fries! YUM! (i did take pictures but I am lacking energy after all that work, wine and ice cream)

Hope you all have a wonderful evening!

Whats your favorite kind of ice cream?
I always say mint chocolate chip because it is so repressing but lately I have also been liking dark cherry chocolate of any kind, soy, coconut, yogurt etc.  and of course CHOCOLATE.  Jason is a pistachio lover! 

Veggie Love.

Is it weird that I seriously love veggies.?
I mean, I don't think I could go ONE day without eating them, and when I do.. I am very sad.
Thankfully this is a rare event.

I LOVE veggies.. so much that Jay says I am going to turn into a veggie one day...

Favorite Veggies: (if I have to choose...)

• eggplant
• brussel sprouts
• lima beans
• carrots
• lettuce
• spinach
• celery
• green beans
• tomatoes (though technically a fruit...)
• CUCUMBER!

I don't know why I made a list.  I seriously love all veggies!  Potatoes are probably my least favorite, though recently I have discovered a love for sweet potatoes! What gross veggies are there?

Jay thinks I am weird because I put spinach in my smoothies but it just gives me POWER like Popeye!

I just ate a plateful of eggplant with pesto! Weird I know .. but these are two of my loves mixed together.

Anyway..
I was very much looking forward to a night with Jay tonight..
He made plans...
He went to visit a friend from college, his old room-mate until Thursday!
Bummer..
Oh, well..

So now I am sitting outside, after finishing my plate of eggplant with a glass of wine.
I just got told by one of my neighbors it is not a good sign that I am drinking alone..
...well I am alone, so I will have my glass of wine!

Workout
My workout today was a bit rough!
My legs were sore from the long run yesterday..
I love/hate feeling sore!
I did:
20 mins stairclimber
21 minutes on the treadmill, (5 min. warmup at 7.0, every minute after increased speed to 8.0)--> I struggled..
30 minutes stairclimber
Stretching
Weight lifting.. was kinda random but..
Finished off with a 7:15 mile.. which I also struggled through.
I wanted to run more but my body did not let me.. So, that is that.

Oat bran with protein powder, nutmeg and apples for Bfast
Lunch was kinda on the run-- water, banana, and Luna Bar (which was melty because it had been sitting in the sun!)

Overall today was not so bad..my session was a success, traffic wasn't bad, it turned into a beautiful but sweaty day, and my eval from my school went well!

Hope you had a beautiful Tuesday!  Its almost half way through the week!!

I feel like this is me sometimes.. and I miss those beautiful moments in life..

**source!--> I just found this, and love some of the quotes! Check it out!
This one is great!-- And a good reminder!

Don't forget to enter Blue Eyed Runner's Giveaway!

MIA

I have been MIA lately.
But I have my reasons --> busy, wedding, workouts, laziness, tired... but mostly just being busy, I swear!

Thursday:
I SHOT A GUN! (and cried..)
maybe its my love for adrenaline, and I decided to jump at the opportunity to go to the shooting range when Jason mentioned it.  Its something that I know scares me, and something that I want to try, but was not sure about it. Jason has been to the shooting range lately, using a gun that his Dad gave him a couple years ago.

Yes I wore the goggles and head set.  I still jumped every time a gun was shot.
I shot the gun multiple times and then just broke down and said I did not want to do it.  My eyes watered,.  It was too scary, too much, and I did not like it!

At least it is something to check off my list...

Thursday was a rest day for me..I wanted to work out, but after lunch at Panera, and the shooting range, I came home, napped, read, and did not do anything.
Jason hung out with his little brother, playing chess and checkers, and then going out for pizza.

Jason brought me back some slices and we played Scrabble.  Although I lost, I gave him a pretty good run for his money!

Friday:
I went to my office to drop somethings off, and then off to do some errands.
TJ Maxx in search of shoes.
Traders Joes for dinner.
Mall to check out some other shoe options.
Gym
Home to cook dinner.
Despite my vegetarian lifestyle I decided to cook Jason a whole chicken for dinner..

Roast veggies- carrots, potato's, onions, rosemary, thyme & olive oil

salad with tomato's, cucumbers, feta cheese

all done & roasted!

roast chicken, stuffed with lemons and covered in lemon juice

all plated up.  I ate a bit of chicken, just to try it out!

We rarely make meat, and I thought it would be a nice surprise for him.
He was very surprised and it was surprisingly good.  I loved the veggies and salad!!!  I need to make a point to roast more veggies.

Saturday:
I woke up early to talk to my dad via Skype.  We have only done this a couple times, but it is very nice to do, and will probably do it more regularly..

Off to the gym for a 5 mile run including intervals for the first 20 min, and hills for the next 20 minutes, followed by a Body Combat class.
I don't know what it was but I felt like the class was not as tough this time..
Don't get my wrong, I was still sweaty, and I suffered through burpees and pushups.
She actually stopped the class after 45 minutes.. even though its an hour long class.
Not sure why?
Finished off with some stretching, more abs, wall squats, squats, lunges with high knee,  & some moves I did in between sets.

I stopped & got some iced coffee for Jason & I.
He was getting ready to play some bball at the park so I made a quick smoothie & joined him for about 20 minutes before heading back home to get ready for the wedding..

Mr. & Mrs!

the happy couple :)

isn't she adorable?!

The ceremony was short & sweet, with lots of family members reading passages, & the priest giving advice for the couple.
We hung around for a bit after the wedding..
I talked to the little flower girl who I actually tested for one of my classes (IQ testing).
When I came up to her, she said:
"Why are you wearing this?" --pointing to my dress
"Because we are at a wedding..Why are you wearing your dress?"
"Because its pretty.."
The priest came up to her to tell her she did a great job and she was smiling very happily, and then told me she was embarrased about it!
I asked her if she was planning on dancing at the wedding..
"Yes, right now? Why is no one else dancing?" (her)
"We can dance at the party afterwords!"
"Ok!" (her)
"Are you excited about the cake?"
"Yes!  I hope its ice cream cake beacuse it is my favorite, and maybe they will have ice cream too, in an ice cream cone!" (her)
"And maybe even with chocolate sauce, and sprinkles, and a cherry on top!"
"YES!!!" with a big smile on her face...

Little kids are soooo cute!

We had a couple hours to kill before the reception (kinda a bummer!) so we headed out to my friend Chrissy's house, where there was a grad. party going on..
We enjoyed some watermelon and everyone else enjoyed some of the catered food there..
As well as some fresh sangria... YUM!

The reception began at 6, with the cocktail hour lasting for an hour.
I used to work at the catering hall and am not a big fan of the place for a wedding as it is not generally a unique place for a wedding and there was actually another wedding going on.  The guests from both weddings were together in the cocktail hour.. Not a fan!

The food wasn't bad though I wasn't too hungry (too filled up with watermelon!)

The wedding party wandered around so it was nice to see everyone!

We were called in, and after everyone made their grand entrances, and the couples first dance... (to the Foo Fighters, Everlong- one of my favorite songs!)....

...dinner was served.

pasta

fish with potatoes green beans and carrots. 

the pasta was ok.  a salad was served in between but I gobbled it up and did not take a picture.
the main course ok.. Initially the server gave me the chicken, and another person the fish.  Luckily she recognized that her "chicken" was very flakey!  When I asked the server if it was fish.. she said "I think so..."  which was not too convincing for me..  Luckily before I dug in, I went to the bathroom, and by the time I came back the mix up was fixed!  I gobbled up the veggies, the fish was ok.. but I could tell it was pretty greasy, and the potato.. ehh, no so much!

We met a great couple sitting next to us.  They were in their 40's and they had left their kids at the hotel, but they were great to talk to and very intelligent.  She contracts work for NASA and he contracts work for the government!!

Jason & I

We danced a bit, drank some drinks, had some ok desert (Banana's Foster with vanilla bean ice cream..)

We were wondering what happened to the cake.. and they actually served it in little baggies to go. (they have always done that at this place..to save time & money!)  I don't think it is the usual, and I was not really a fan but...

We did not stay too long.  We left around 10:45.. tired and full, and feeling very old.  Everyone was heading to the hotel bar but we all decided not to!

Sunday:
 Last but not least...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! 

My dad is currently in Kazakhstan for the Peace Corp..
I have not seen him since March but I do have weekly communication with him through email/Skype/texting.
We have had our ups and downs, but over the past couple years we have really grown close..
Especially since my mom has moved to the Netherlands, he is the one that I would call when I was upset, my car broke down, or just to talk...
He has always been there when I need anything whether its financial, support..
He is funny, very smart (graduating Valecictiorian from his class in college), caring, and wants to make the world a better place (he taught at a Juvenile Prison, trying to help them get back into the community for almost 30 years, traveled abroad over summers to Turkey, S. Africa and Japan to teach English, & is now in the Peace Corp)
I could not imagine a better dad!


Today...I did not get to spend time with my dad but I did get to spend a little one on one time with Jay..
Being lazy on the couch.. recovering from our food comas, going to Target for grad some things for the week, and grabbing brunch before he headed off for work..
We went to a place called Green Eggs Cafe
Its a cute little place which usually has a wait.
They do not have any freezers or microwaves at the location, and make everything completely fresh with local ingredients.
Along with some iced coffee, I got an omlet with spinach, tomato's and goat cheese along with seasonal fruit and some toast.  Jason got a Breakfast Burrito..

Breakfast Burrito tomato basil tortilla with eggs, olives, corn, house made chorizo, signature potato, peppers, and onions, tex mex cheese, topped with pico de gallo, sour cream, avocado, and fire roasted red pepper black bean sauce

I tried some.. pretty yummy!

Jason went off to work and I went to the gym..for an OK work out...
40 minutes eliptical
18 minutes running (stomach was NOT feeling good)
stretched out a bit before hopping on the stair climber
46 minutes

I weighed myself at the gym and realize I had gained a couple pounds.
I dont know if its with the food from yesterday, or stress, or my upcoming time of the month..
But I am NOT happy.
I told Jay and he told me I still look great. Its nothing to worry about but..I even got asked at the gym today how I stay so in shape!  So I should not worry about the numbers but still..its a bit shocking since this is the heaviest I have been since my sophomore/junior year of college when I was loosing all the weight from my freshman year!

Now time to relax, watch Miss USA! and get some things done around the house..
Hope you all enjoyed your weekend/Father's Day!

Tomorrow is going to be a pretty intense day for me so I need to decompress.

Remind me never to do this again...
This was an all day thing writing this post!

A Day in Pictures..

Max never ventured into the gross basement, until Jay's Mom brought her dog came and he got scared!

...and he got a little messy when he went exploring.

..he looks like he is wearing a veil!

prepping for dinner tonight. carrots, yellow squash and zucchini!

A pot of hot pasta!

sauteed with olive oil and garlic.

added some grape tomatoes.. yummy & summery!

Save the date for Jason's sister! She drew that herself!!

a favorite quote from an Australian aboriginal writing

Mismatched Schedules

Waking up this morning was a lot easier today, compared to yesterday..

Feeling a lot more rested from the weekend party.. :)

Off to the Gym..
I decided to take it easier on running today.. well sort of.  Instead of a fast run, I did 6 miles at about 8:30 pace will 2.0-2.5 incline (about 50 minutes).  I was still super sweaty at the end.  I hopped on the stair climber for about 20 min, level 15, but felt like I was struggling through it.. I was dripping sweat!!  I never really care if I am the gross and sweaty girl at the gym.  Atleast I am getting a good work out, instead of trying to look pretty.

Just a tangent off of that.. one of my BIIIIIGGEST pet peeves at the gym is girls who have the hair down while running, with a full face of make up, and girls who aren't wearing sports bras, and have their boobs hanging out.  I would much rather look gross and sweaty than impress anyone at the gym.  Hope I don't offend any one :)

Anyway...I did Gina's Day One of the Summer Shape Up!  (Congrats to Gina by the way..For her Amazing news on her new addition!) Then finished up with about a 7 minute mile before heading home..

A new smoothie today!  Frozen Pineapple, Fresh PEACHES (yum!), Spinach, Ice, Vanilla Protein Powder, and Banana.  I also added water, a little too much making my smoothie a little more watery than I wanted...but still yummy.

Off to work..

In between Clients I had a banana and a Starbucks Ice Lemonade Green Tea.. Not bad.  I was just really looking for some extra energy..and maybe should have just gotten iced coffee.


Trying to Keep it Together

Jason and I haven't been able to spend a lot of time together which has put a bit of a damper on our relationship.  Its pretty hard because our schedules are so different.  He works in the evening (which is not so bad because we usually get home at the same time, and have dinner and relax together for the night), and 2 days a week he works from 3 pm until 11.. not getting home till almost midnight.  Also he occasionally works at 4 am or 5:30 am.

I always find it hard when he works on Sunday and Monday nights, though I usually get home late on Mondays.. I would rather enjoy dinner with someone than by myself.  It makes it even harder when one of us is gone one day during the weekend like this past weekend...
On Friday, he worked at 4 am and worked 2 shifts..And then again on Saturday.
I was off Saturday until Sunday and by the time I came home on Sunday, he was back to work until late.
Then yesterday I got up early for the gym and only saw him for about 30 minutes before heading off to work...
Again he was gone to work until 12 last night..
And I only saw him for about 15 minutes at the gym as he was starting his work out and I was leaving..
Finally tonight, we got to enjoy some homemade pizza together, but he has to get up early again for work tomorrow.
Usually he has off on Thursdays and Fridays, but he has some additional training this week, and then is heading out of town for a friend's birthday on Friday....
Soooooo.. the next time we can really spend some hard core time together is Saturday, AFTER he gets back.. I am hoping he will not be too hung over so that we can actually hang out!
Ahh...
Any advice?
When this initially started I began to make Saturday our night where I would experiment with a new recipe and make him a special dinner, but lately its been a struggle!..

Off to snuggle with him while reading...at least its a little quality time together.

Permenantly Sweaty.

Another hot and sweaty day.
Again I woke up semi-early, and made a trip to the bank then gym.
It was already mid-80's.  I wanted to run outside this morning for National Running Day, but my tummy wasn't really feeling up for it, so decided to head to the gym where I would be safe if any tummy problems occurs :/  So jealous of Bess, & her sweaty run!
I ran for a bit, but my hips were definitely feeling it.. still I managed to run 5 miles in 42 minutes (7.0, 2 incline).
I did 35 min. on the Stair Master, and wanted to do more but I was seriously grossly sweaty and felt like I could not hold on to anything without slipping, or splashing others with sweat!
so.. I just stretched, did some abs, and weights.  Jason came just as I was finishing so I benched a little with him before climbing on the bike for 13 minutes before heading out.
I have recently begun looooving some cardio at the end of my work outs, usually and hot and speedy interval.  I gives me that last little boost to get started with my day...
I decided against running today to give my hips a break.

After a pretty unsuccessful smoothie due to some temporary malfunction from the blender, and headed off for some work in the office, and then a session with a kid.  Nothing to spectacular.  I brought some veggies and hummus, along with an orange to snack on.  (also "taste tested" some little organic nut/fruit bars in the bins at Wegmans when I went to pick up BBQ sauce for dinner.. Everyone does it right??!)

BBQ chicken, shrimp along with some eggplant, spinach and broccoli for dinner tonight while sitting outside on our pathetic little pavement yard... at least we have something outside?!

Now to relax, with the Phillies game in the background, and reading on the couch.  I just began reading Breaking Night.  So far so good..  I love reading but lately haven't had time to because of school.  I recently finished Water for Elephants which I started months ago, along with The Story of a Beautiful Girl both of which I highly recommend (thought i think many people already know about Water for Elephants.  I love reading.  When I was little I would read books in a day.  I still tend to do that a lot but have less time to do so..

One thing that made me really sad today was about this little girl that I am working with.  A report was recently made that her Mom's ex-boyfriend sexually abused her.  She is a cute little 4 year old girl, and her Mom is so upset about it, and I cannot blame her.  There are a lot of signs that it may be true as well. Today she was told that she has to bring her to the doctor to get examined...for scar tissue.  Horrible.  Her mom is super worried because she has always told her that she is the only one that is supposed to touch her down there when she takes a bath, and wonders what will happen when the doctor examines her.. ugh.. horrible.  No one deserves this type of thing to happen to their child!

Congrats to Julie!  I am so jealous and wish I could do that but then realize I am still in school and working to do something more, and I have a lot more to come in the next couple years/months...?