I know that your life has just not been complete without Friday Fun Facts.  So, I am here to save the day!

Friday Fun Facts 

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• I have been listening to Christmas music since the first of November because we have been getting random little snow storms since November 1st.  And like clockwork, yesterday December 1st we got 6 inches.

 Is this the UGLIEST Christmas sweater you have ever seen or what!!!

• Although I am not hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party (I wish I were), I am hosting a little girls’ night get together tonight.  I will be taking pictures of all my Christmas decorating and my tips for hosting.

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• Speaking of cold…I am running the Rudolph Ramble in City Park this Sunday morning where expected low temperature is 9 degrees.  9!!!!!!  Anyone else in Denver running this race?  Lets meet up for hot chocolate!

• Finally, I start my new job as an attorney on Monday and thus my life ends and I will have zero free time.  I really hope to maintain this blog as I love all my readers.  Quite honestly you all are my friends right now because I am in a new town and you all are the best!

You all know what time it is…

Friday Fun Facts

• I received my actual brand ambassador Athleta outfit in the mail the other day.  The Hanarun shorts are seriously the lightest weight shorts I have ever worn.  They are a little bit looser than I normally wear shorts but I think maybe I should have just done down a size.  The top we got is super cute!  I love the cut-out back and actually wore it is a shirt, not just to workout.

• Mackey is adorable.  He may be a little terror on a leash and have zero manners but the little guy is really freakin’ cute!

Look at that little Mackey butt in the bottom right!

• Good jeans make or break you.  Seriously.  Every woman needs to spend the money/time to find jeans you like.  You can wear them tailgating, to lunch, or throw on heels and wear them out.  I found these babies on sale at Nordstrom Rack.  I loved the jeans that Kate Middleton wore in Canada so I tried out these cropped, dark wash Joe’s Jeans.  Bonus:  they will easily tuck into all the boots I am going to buy now that I live somewhere cold!

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• I had a bologna sandwich for dinner at 4pm yesterday.  Sometimes that is just life.  Classy.

• You still have time to win this hat!!!!  Click here to enter the giveaway!  I will be announcing sometime later tonight.

Okay ladies and gents…we are back to your regularly scheduled program!

Friday Fun Facts

• Mackey has never seen a vacuum/sweeper before.  Well that is just an educated guess considering he chases it and tries to eat it as I am sweeping the rugs.

• I came up with a new low-calorie cocktail recipe this week!  Fruit Splash Cocktail:  1 shot orange vodka, frozen fruit, lemon-lime sparkling water, and ice.  Fill glass halfway with ice cubes, top off with frozen fruit.  Add shot of orange vodka and top off glass with sparkling water.  Stir and enjoy.  For even better taste let the drink sit in fridge before enjoying.

• I finally have the red couch I have always wanted.  Okay…I got a red loveseat-sleeper that is in the office/study (formally a dining room).  Either way it is big, red, and awesome!
• I am considering cutting my hair.  I told my husband and he shook his head and reminded me that the last time I cut my hair I cried for 2 years as it grew back out.  Whatever…may do it anyway.
• Hermann Park Trail Run–I did a trail running video awhile ago for a film student in Houston.  It was really nice that all my running was actually useful for something!

You all know what time it is…

Friday Fun Facts

• I hate watching the news. It is really depressing, especially in Houston.  Let me sum up the news this morning:  people were murdered, a cop was shot, and all of the schools are laying off their teachers.  Yeah…so it was a depressing way to start my morning.

• I think Skippy Natural peanut butter is amazing!  I would go so far as to say that it is my favorite PB.  I have bought a couple different Organic variety lately and they just don’t compare!
• My favorite meals revolve around the concept:  everything but the kitchen sink. Wednesday’s dinner was roasted carrots & zucchini, sauteed chickpeas, and small tilapia fillet all drizzled with roasted red pepper dressing.  Yum!
• My obsession this week has been what I like to call hummsa, a dip made by combining regular hummus and fresh chunky salsa or pico de gallo

• I get a Hoffman birthday card every year from my friend Anna.  Seriously, every year a card from the Hoff and this year it is sound card so the Hoffman himself tells me Happy Birthday.  You can all be jealous.

• Tomorrow morning at 7am I will begin the first day of the MS 150.

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There is just a little preview of what our weekend looks like…I may be tired just looking at it!

Remember to enter the last MS 150 Giveaway to win soy candles! I had originally planned on  announcing winner tonight…but I have to go pick up my new car (!!!!) so I am extending the giveaway until Monday.

First, I want to apologize for the lack of blogging this week!  Things have been really crazy around here with all the upcoming changes. I am waiting to make an official announcement to you all until I see it in black & white on paper.  I am a 150% positive kind of person.

Alright, time for some Friday Fun!

Friday Fun Facts

• These are two of my favorite meals from the week!  I also had a really delicious club salad at Watson’s House of Ales after our training ride last night but I didn’t have my camera with me and it was dark outside.

• If you like hard cider than you need to try this one!  I have tried all kinds of ciders and this one is definitely at the top of the list!  Light, crisp, and refreshing. I could actually enjoy this drink on an 105 degree Houston summer evening.

• While you NorthEasterns are cursing the winter and snow…I am trying to keep a little bit of winter alive while I sweat to death before sunrise.  I am really loving this Vanilla Spiced Rum coffee creamer.  There isn’t any rum but it is still yummy!
• It may be time to say goodbye to the PT Cruiser.  Although I don’t feel like a rockstar rolling around town in my PT, this car has been pretty awesome.  Driven cross country, multiple trips across Texas (about the same as across the country), and the carrier of bikes with no complaints.  However, we are looking into getting an SUV again.  If anyone has any suggestions for a reliable SUV with 4Wheel drive let me know!

• I will be announcing another MS 150 Support Giveaway on Monday!!!  Up for grabs are two homemade soy candles.  My parents are crafters & make some really great soy candles (trust me, they are all over my apartment!).  So stay tuned for Monday!

Happy Friday All!!!  Leave me a Fun Fact!  (I am thinking about creating a page of the Best Friday Fun Facts for kicks and giggles!)

P.S. Any fellow Boilermakers see the new Purdue Pete? Click here to check him out. I can honestly say that I am embarrassed…I hope they don’t continue this nonsense!

Happy Friday everyone.  Lets get started!

Friday Fun Facts

• My blogging has been a little lackluster lately because my life has been crazy.  There are a lot of big things happening, a lot of life decisions to make, and big changes to come!  That being said…I am freaking out a bit…I am a creature of routine.  Of planning.  Of scheduling. I have had my life outlined since 5th grade.  This is where blogging comes in…bloggers are a great community of support (even if they don’t know it). Even if you don’t reach out, just reading about others’ struggles, triumphs, and life changes can make you feel supported.  I have been following Lisa and Astrid because these women have the courage to make a change in their life and the strength to allow themselves to be happy.

• Unfortunately I am a very serious person…all the time…so there will be no April Fools jokes from me this year.  I have pulled off an April Fools joke one time. Right when my husband (then boyfriend/manfriend) started seeing each other we decided to April Fools all his roommates.  I spent nearly all my time over there with the guys and beer pong was a nightly occurrence.  [I was in college...give me a break.] Anyway on April Fools day I casually said I would play but that I didn’t want to drink.  As the queen, seriously, of beer pong this was a bit odd but they thought I just didn’t feel like beer.  Anyway I continued to say no to any type of drinks or food all night.  One of my husband’s friend asked my husband if I was okay…then he planted to seed that I might be pregnant.  Being the good friends that they are it spread like wildfire and soon they were concerned about where I would live, what we do, and if we were getting married.  Anyway, one of them finally came up to me and asked where I replied, “April Fools…geesh do I look fat or something?”  Yeah…probably not that funny, but we all have weird senses of humor.  [**Please do not take offense to this April Fools joke:  I was young & had/have a sick sense of humor.  Pregnancy is a serious issue so please don't think I take it lightly**]

• We are thinking about adopting another dog. I love Trooper so much and think that it may be good for him to have a brother.  Especially since I will be home a lot, but I will be studying for the Bar…thus the little guy thinks I am ignoring him.  I think it may be good for him to have a playmate.  Anyone adopt another dog after your first one?

• You still have time to win this dumb bell alarm clock! I am extending the MS 150 Support Giveaway until Monday evening!  You get one entry for every $1 you donate and one entry for your tweet.  To enter the giveaway click here!

• I am extending this giveaway because I don’t have the next giveaway ready yet! Yep, that is right, another giveaway!!! As you can tell this cause is really important to me, so I am willing to bribe to make it important to others.  Please check out the MS 150 tab on my blog or click on the links to the right-hand side: inform  yourself, spread the word, and support!

Happy Friday all!  Do you pull April Fool’s pranks?  What was your best one?

Time for some Friday Fun…

Friday Fun Facts

• I had a very active day yesterday!  It was like the old, normal me made its first appearance since moving to Texas.    I hit the gym in the morning for 45 minutes of elliptical and some ab work (I hate ab work).  After work the hubby and I quickly picked up our bikes and headed over to Memorial for a few quick laps, approximately 8 miles. Go me! Trooper wanted me to pay attention to him if you can’t tell.
  

• I enjoyed a green beer last night for St. Patty’s day even though I hate the color green and have zero Irish blood.  I also stuck to one beer considering the amount of shenanigans my body is going to have to handle this weekend.  My friend also had the best green accessory:  her little green hat.
• I could never be a celebrity after reading Giuliana Rancic’s “meal plan”. Half a Kashi bar?  Seriously?  That would last me all about 15 minutes.

• March Madness time! My Boilers play tonight at 7:20ET.  Yet again the team has to play a few men down…I am beginning to think we will never have a season where all the pieces fall into place.  Regardless, I am cheering on my Boilers and hoping for a Sweet Sixteen in San Antonio and the dream come true Final Four in Houston!
• This picture has nothing to do with the fun fact…but Trooper is just too cute!!!  The fun fact is that I will be announcing Grocery Giveaway winner later this afternoon (after my hair appointment) so you have until then to enter!

Happy Friday!!! I have a busy weekend ahead of me: hair cut, Purdue watch party, half marathon relay, two long bike rides, and a bachelorette party!  What are your plans for the weekend?

I am back with your regularly scheduled programming this week:  Friday Fun Facts!

Friday Fun Facts

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• I watched every single car parked on my street get a ticket this morning. Our street has these old school parking meters.  For the last 3 years there has been a parking sign that says metered parking 8am-6pm. This week they installed one of those fancy credit card meters in the middle of the block on the sidewalk.  The new meter is still wrapped in plastic and there are no new signs with different parking hours.  Anyway, apparently the hours have changed from 7am to 6pm which I found out after about 15 minutes of research online.  I then proceeded to write a complaint to the parking enforcement which I am sure will be deleted.  Even though I don’t park on the street I felt I should be a good citizen and complain for the 25-30 people who got ticketed without notice this morning.

• Today is my last day of work. You might have noticed that I have a lot of my plate right now…too much on my plate right now.  14 hours of class, part-time job, MS 150 training (which I haven’t had time to start), graduation planning, post-graduation  planning, and trying to maintain a home.  I put in my notice a few weeks ago and today is my last day at my job.  This was a really hard decision for me because money is extremely tight right now, but in the end something just had to give.  I am struggling in my corporations class and working 5 days a week takes all my extra time.  I am hoping having the extra time will be worth the lost income.

• My roomie from college is coming to visit!!!! Yes, my roomie is wearing spandex and dressed as a lady bug in that picture because she is that awesome.  (Fyi, this photo is courtesy of breakfast  club).  My old roomie, Kaley, and I have a random history.  We both started college at IU (Boo….lapse in judgment on my part) and ended up being next door to each other in the dorms.  I transferred to Purdue my second semester and Kaley came to visit me and I would like to think I sold her on the idea of becoming a Boilermaker.  We lived together the next year in an apartment with 4 girls—disaster!  Our junior year we moved into a tiny, tiny apartment (great location).  Anyway, I met my husband through her group of friends from her hometown.  We also ended up working together at two different jobs!  Anyway through the powers that be we ended up being roomies and friends.  Now, if she would only move to Houston.

• I want to cut my hair but I am a big baby. Since about the 5th grade I would grow my hair out for a year or two then be all dramatic and chop it off.  Then I would cry for a year while it grew back out.  For having so much education I am very illogical about my hair!

• The hubby and I bit the bullet and bought bike shoes last night. We only have about 5 weeks to train with them for the MS 150…yikes!  P.S. Biking seems way more expensive than running!

• Bonus fun fact: My hubby bought me this awesome Chicago coffee mug.  It is really big so I use it for my iced coffee!

Happy Friday all!  For my Purdue fans…first game of the Big Ten Tournament tonight!!!

Leave me a fun fact!

It is that Friday time again and you know what that means:  Friday Fun Facts!

Lets just jump right in shall we….

Friday Fun Facts

• I lasted 1 whole day of eating in my normal healthy moderation way. Actually I made it all the way thru dinner yesterday eating really well and feeling well then my after-dinner snacking began.  After dinner I managed to power down this bowl of cereal x 2. 5…yeah, oops.  My genius husband arrived home to see me in my cereal-induced-coma to inform me I am an emotional eater. Duh.

• Uh…I am insane.  Proof:  I am registered to run the Rodeo Run 10k tomorrow morning. Yes, I did just run a marathon on Sunday.  Yes, I was just able to walk comfortably yesterday.  I signed up for the race because it is something the hubby and I have done since we moved here and they always have a great post-party.  I am considering either dropping down to the 5k or being okay to walk some of the 10k.  FYI, last year I ran this 10k in 51: 04 finishing 22nd in my age group.  Yeah, I rocked last year.  This year I need to remind myself of what my body has already accomplished this week.
• ****EDITED: Bonus Fun Fact:  Today is Go Texan Day!  That means you can wear an insane amount of denim, belt buckle, boots, and cowboy hat to work/school/etc…although I think Texans do this everyday anyway. [And no, I will not be participating. I will probably wear a Purdue shirt]

Leave me a Friday Fun Fact…

Holy crap!  I am leaving for Austin today to run a marathon!!!!  I truly have the same panic feel that I get the day before every final…utter anxiety, numbing fear, panic.  And much like finals, I did what I could although I don’t feel like it was enough.  I got sick, winter happened, I missed training, I missed 2 long runs…BUT I am here and this is it!

At this time last year I had run my first ever half marathon in under 2 hours and I really thought I would be running my first ever marathon under/or about 4 hours.  Life happened and I adjusted my expectations. Adjusting my expectations was hard and I hope write a post about how I handled that but for now…it is Friday Fun Facts time!

Friday Fun Facts–Marathon Addition

• This will be my 2nd Annual Austin Marathon/Half marathon. I ran the Half marathon last year on Valentine’s Day!

You know you have a keeper when he spends Valentine’s Day in the freezing cold holding your running gear and sprinting to the next vantage point of the race course!

This was an acceptable Valentine’s Day gift and I will make an exception to my I Hate VDay mantra to run a race! P.S. I don’t know why this picture makes  me look like I hadn’t eaten in months but no worries…I downed a huge piece of cake and ice cream last night, I won’t look all runway-fashion-modelesque this weekend.

• No hills!!! Okay, that is a big, fat lie!  It is Austin there are a lot of hills!  But according to this article they have revamped the course route so that the first 3 miles of the race aren’t entirely uphill!  Woo-hoo!

Uh yeah….that still looks pretty hilly to me!  I have lived (mostly) in two places:  Northern Indiana and Houston,  aka land that is flatter than a pancake.  I consider golf courses to by hilly.  Now that I think about it…why exactly did I sign up for this marathon? Oh yes, Houston Marathon switched to a dumb lottery system and I am twisted individual who loves to push my body.

• This fact is NOT fun. It is going to be pretty dang warm for the marathon.

According to a local Austin station it is going to be 75 on Sunday.  75!!!!! You native Southerns probably want me to shut my trap and stop complaining because we haven’t hit triple digits yet…but this girl was built to run between the temps of 40 and 50 degrees.  I trained some back in Indiana and most of my runs here have been surprisingly cold…so I am a bit unprepared for this warm weather!

• The Austin Marathon offers an app for tracking runners during the race.  They also offer a tracking webpage if you are cool like me and don’t use an iPhone.  If you care to stalk me (don’t do this people, I have contacts in the DA’s office), follow my death by hills run, or just lend support you can look me up with bib # 2887.  I promise to run an un-impressive average speed and possibly even take walking breaks if needed.

• Today’s last fun fact is a real doosey….I registered for the October 9th Chicago Marathon earlier this week!  Feel free to slap me in the face if you ever see me.  I know what you are thinking:  Uh…haven’t you been complaining about marathon training for like 4 months now?  Uh….didn’t you like massively fail on sticking to your marathon training plan?  Biggest uh…didn’t you at one point say that this was going to be you first and last and this marathon thing wasn’t for you. Yes to all of those.

Every single training run I was cursing myself for signing up for this thing (although running a marathon is one of my life goals) and I really don’t have time to be running double digit weekday runs with a real job…but I got sucked into the runner’s high mentality. I saw friends & bloggers signing up; I read about the entire city supporting the race; and I decided I could pretend to be hardcore at least one more time.

In my defense…running a marathon is a huge deal to me!  It has been one of those to-dos on my Life List and I am running my first one without my friends and family.  My hubby and dogchild will be there to cheer me on, but running in Chicago means that I get the chance to have an entire network of supporters there on race day.  That fact alone will make the race worth it.  [This does not mean I won't be whining and complaining like a 3 year old child when I am having to run 20 miles in the Houston summer heat.  I will probably cry, so just be prepared]

Happy Friday all!  Leave me a fun fact, no need to be running/race related.

**My hotel is supposed to have Wifi but if things get hairy I will be tweeting all weekend from my phone and you can follow me by clicking on button in the right column**