5K on the Way

My cousin and I are running a 5K this weekend, and I'm really excited about it.  I'm surprised I'm not dreading it, however, because my good ol' shin splints have returned and I know I am not going to PR at this race (seeing as I'm only allowing myself to run a few miles this week to avoid some serious shin pain). 

And, *gasp*, I'm OK with that.

So, I thought today would be a good time to reflect on why 5K racing is awesome, regardless of the time.

1. I always run a 5k with a buddy (whether we run together or not), and running buddies are awesome.

2. They are short enough for my family to come and watch without getting terribly bored.

3. Races feel a little like a carnival, and there are always interesting people around.  Without the super-nerves of a half marathon, you can really enjoy the atmosphere, and the run, with all the cool people.

4. You have enough energy at the end to blast past some people...sorry!  :)

Can't really count this as blasting past...she let me beat her.

5. Even without a PR, it's fun to track your time, set goals, and compare with past races.

There is a chance of light snow on race day, which won't be good for my time, but I'm aiming for faster than 28:30, which would be my second fastest 5K.  We'll see if the shin splints and Mother Nature agree.  I have been pretty leary of setting a time goal for myself, as I don't want to be disappointed, but I still want to push myself.  I'm definitely a person who is afraid to fail.

Do you pressure yourself to meet goals?  Any races coming up?

Resolutions Update

Can you believe it's already the end of January!  It seems like just yesterday we were posting about our 2012 goals/resolutions.  Being a month into the year, we thought it would a good idea to update on the goals we set...also to help remind and motivate us!

Amy's up first...

1. Actually complete either my workout room or my office.  No progress made on this one so far.  It's on the financial to-do list for March, after I throw my friend's baby shower and hopefully pay off a student loan.

2. Start a retirement savings account.  Again, no progress.  This one will pop up after the office is finished.

3. Run a sub-2:00 half marathon.  Starting to get nervous about this one, but I know it's too early for nerves.  The shin splints are back, and I'm not sure what it's going to do to my training (I've got my eyes on a May race, so would need to start training fairly soon).

4. Run a race in every season.  So far, so good...sort of.  I'm signed up for a Superbowl Shuffle 5K next weekend.  After that, planning on talking to the doctor about the evil shin splints, and then running a half in May.  Just haven't signed up yet.

Both of our teams are out this year...may as well run before the Superbowl (and then go eat some wings, obviously)!

5. Go meatless one day per week. Check. So far, so good!

Resolution: To spend more time appreciating what I have than worrying about what I don't.  I have my good days and bad days...but most are good.  Glad for the reminder though!

And Ashley...

Goals:
1.  Finish painting my house:  No progress made on this yet, being our house is new construction it had to be looked over and any issues with the construction had to be fixed by the builder... that took MUCH longer than planned and the work was only sub-par to me so we are currently fighting to have the work re-done...this time BETTER!  Paint will come soon after.

2.  Establish a workout routine that I look forward to following:  So far I've been seeing what is out there...  I've been able to get out for a few long walks that made me feel good about myself and I plan on trying to start the "Couch to 5K plan" found here.  I feel it is worth a try but I'm not going to hurt myself if I discover I'm just not a runner.

3.  Organize my life:  Working super hard on this and so far so good!! Very proud of myself.

and my resolution- To get in touch with old friends.    I haven't gotten in touch with many old friends YET, but I have tried to see the positive in people even if they aren't or have never been my friend.






How are you doing on your 2012 goals/resolutions?

The start of a hobby.

    I thought I would use this blog entry to share some special photos I've taken.  I have come across letter photography at a few craft shows that I was at this past craft season and one show last year; I thought it was so cool.   So this year I wanted to personalize a gift for Christmas, but I just couldn't find photographed letters that I liked enough to put them together into a wall hanging.  Instead, I took out my own camera and took some letter pictures of my own.  I have only one or two shots of just a few letters of the alphabet, but it's a start!  Here is some of my work...

*Please do NOT copy or reuse or erase the watermark on any of my photos without permission*

  

...and the photo responding to my challenge from Amy: 

Challenge was -Something I am proud of

The Chevrolet symbol on the wheel of my car.  I am VERY proud of my car that I bought on my own shortly after graduating college. 

Alrighty, sis...here is my challenge for this week:  Take a photo of something that people would probably think you were weird for laughing at.

Oh, Oatmeal

I am trying to eat healthy these days...not necessarily to lose weight, but because I like the way I feel when I do.  I have always been a HUGE fan of breakfast--I would eat it for every meal of the day.  My mom was asking me for some breakfast ideas the other day (she is a toast and yogurt eater, which SO would not do it for me), so I thought I'd do a post of some of the healthy breakfasts that I have been loving lately.

I am a sweet breakfast sort of girl, and it has to hold me over for the morning.  If I get too hungry before lunch, it throws off my whole day.

Ashley and her husband always make fun of me for loving oatmeal...so prepare yourself for several of those.

Giant bowl of oatmeal stumbled upon while walking through NYC...obvious photo-op.

So here are some of my fav's, in no particular order:

Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oatmeal from Get Healthy with Heather

My teaching schedule requires me to get up super early, so making breakfast is not in the cards.  I pretty much love all things PB/banana, and I like my oatmeal a little on the thicker side, so I love this one!

Oatmeal Protein Pancake from Carrots 'n Cake

I don't make it with protein powder, as I think it makes it a little too tough.  Instead, I top it with PB and banana...mmm.  I make it the night before and toss it in the fridge.

Pumpkin Protein Frosting from Healthy Diva Eats

I totally did not expect to like this, but it is amazing.  Pretty much the first thing I make with leftover pumpkin.  I put some on a banana or waffle.

Breakfast Cookie from The Fitnessista

Another awesome overnight breakfast.  I make mine with dried cranberries in it (tried pumpkin, but it made it too soft).  I usually top it with some--you guessed it--banana.

Flax Crusted French Toast from Carrots 'n Cake

Tina pretty much rocks at breakfast ideas.  This is one of my favorite weekend breakfasts.  Who can guess what I top it with?

Apple Pie Oatmeal from Oh She Glows

This is my absolute favorite oatmeal recipe.  For awhile, I was making it every weekend.  It makes my house smell awesome for hours.  No PB or banana here...shocking!

Post-wedding brunch...my favorite part of their big day.  (haha...jk sis!)

I'm always on the lookout for new breakfast ideas.  Pass along your favorite!

20 Questions

I've seen this survey pop up on several of my favorite blogs this week, so I figured we might as well jump on in!

1) What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday?

Amy: Lunch and shopping with my mom/sister
Ashley: Spending time with my mom and/or Amy or just relaxing with Matt.

2) List your top three favorite TV shows.

Amy: Glee, The Office, Biggest Loser
Ashley: Grey's Anatomy, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Say Yes to the Dress


3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them?

Amy: It sounds kind of vain to say that I would rather be in them, but I'm not a big photographer, and so the alternative is my only choice.
Ashley:Take them for sure!


4) Why do you blog?

Amy: I really love to write, always have...and this gives me a great excuse to write WITH one of my favorite people!

Ashley: I'd give the same answer as Amy but I'd also add because it's an easy way to make sure we document memories.  It's sad that so many years have gone by with out documented memories.


5) Share five websites that you visit regularly…

Amy: Facebook, Hotmail, AOL, my Google Reader, and Pinterest.
Ashley: Facebook, Pinterest, Yahoo, Target, and of course Blogger!


6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be?

We don't have Twitter!  It's definitely on our list of things to do...


7) List a few of your favorite snacks.

Amy: Basically anything involving PB and banana, cereal, or a bagel if I'm feeling mischievous. 
Ashley: I'm not much of a snacker...but when I do I favor granola or crackers


8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind?

Amy: Nope...but definitely thinking about a dog.
Ashley:  Same as Amy! 

9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without?

Amy: My phone, my computer, and my car (lame answer...probably the same for lots of people)
Ashley: I'd say my phone, my computer and my camera.


10) What’s your favorite drink?

Amy: Lately I am sooo into iced coffee with vanilla almond milk...mmmm
Ashley: I'd have to say Water...I don't like juice and am not a fan of many other things either.



11) Do you enjoy cooking?

Amy: Love it...just wish I had a little more time for it...and someone to clean up after I'm done.  :)
Ashley:  I enjoy it and but I'm still learning.

12) Do you have children?

Amy: Nope...unless you count the 160 I keep track of at work.  :)
Ashley: Nope


13) What are your favorite hobbies?

Amy: Running, reading, blogging, and crafts.
Ashley: Writing, reading, crafts, photography


14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing?

Amy: I'd say I'm a little more on the shy-ish side.  Although I am quite outgoing with people I'm comfortable around.
Ashley: I'm on the shy side, very rarely like to venture out of my comfort zone.


15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change?

Amy: I would worry less and be a little less stuck in my routines.
Ashley:  I need to learn to stop sweating the small stuff... if I can't change it don't worry about it.

16) Who is your favorite actor/actress?

Amy: Not sure why, but I LOVE Michael Douglas...and I'm a big fan of Jon Krasinski (did I spell that right?) from The Office.

Ashley: I'm not sure I really have one.  Although I do like movies with Julia Roberts and George Clooney.


17) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week?

Amy: Either threw an ice cream party for some of my students, or helped celebrate my Grandpa's 85th birthday.

Ashley: I think through the eyes of a 2 year old and 6 month old I do "cool" things often but I'd say the best thing for me was the celebration of my Grandpa's 85th, that was special to me.


18) Do you live near your family or far from them?

Amy: I have run to Ashley's house before...so we're quite close, and my parents are only about 10-15 minutes away.

Ashley: Same as Amy's answer except I have never run to her house before and I'm about 20 minutes from my parents and about 1/2 hour from Matts.


19) List three of your talents.

Amy: Singing (although I don't let people hear it anymore), making a 3-leaf clover with my tongue (yep, I'm that awesome), and catching things that fall out of the cabinet (but I never get to do it when someone is there to marvel at my skills...haha).

Ashley: Writing Poetry, Off the wall ideas that contribute to my creativity and I'd say teaching children, not really a talent but I am finding it hard to answer this question.


20) What is your greatest attribute?

Amy: I have surprised myself at my ability to make something difficult into something I can be proud of.

Ashley: My level of patience with situations that many other people can't be patient with.

My kind of crafting..

As Amy posted here we have decided to change the blog a little bit and my main focus will be on types of photos and things I can do with photography.

Before I delve into that, I'll give a little bit of my history about it.  As a child when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I always answered "a mom."  I was a huge fan of baby dolls, and playing with Barbies was rare for me.  Anyway, I'd always take my dolls on "trips" to get their picture taken, and I would always practice staging a photo with props.  If I had a disposable camera (yep I'm showing my age by talking about a disposable camera, do they even make them anymore??), I would take pictures of my toys set up.  Anyway, the other day I had a thought...I'm currently an Early Childhood professional (they aren't my own kids but I still work closely with them), and I have also developed an extreme interest in photography-- the two things I played daily when I was a child.  It makes me wonder if this has always been my calling in life.  So there you have it, my focus for the blog, along with some DIY projects and of course New Recipe Nights, I will document my learning as I venture into trying to become a better photographer. 

I'm working toward a camera like this and my goal is to have it in my possession by Christmas 2012. 

Once I get my camera I plan to enroll in some photography classes to help me learn exactly how to do the fun things that I'd love to photograph. 

Working with an easy point and shoot digital camera at this time these are some of my favorite photos of scenery:

This isn't scenery but it is Amy crossing the finish line at her first 5k.  I love how you can see her, the finish sign and the time.

Taken at the zoo

A lone Cardinal in our tree.

 

So there ya have it!  My intro to my interests!

Do any of our readers have ideas of things I can photograph?  I'm always up for a challenge.

Winter Running

It's winter.  It's cold.  It's snowy.  I. don't. like. it.

Rant complete.  All whining aside, running in winter is not easy.  I have gone out a few times since we started actually getting snow, and, to be honest, it hasn't been so bad!  Since the jury is still out on getting a gym membership, I'm going to devote this post to the perks of exercising outside during the winter.

If Patrick Sharp can do it, by golly, so can I!  :)

1. Probably the biggest perk: I find that I don't get as tired as easily because I'm not overheating.  I am the kind of runner that needs to get out early during the summer, because, if I'm too hot, I burn out (no pun intended) fast.

2. There are very few people outside, so, really, it's kind of peaceful.

3. You have an excuse for running a little slower.  :)  (I will likely be using this excuse in my upcoming SuperBowl Sunday 5K, as I do not plan to buy the "shoe chains" that they are suggesting.)

4. It's really beautiful.  No if's, and's, or but's about it (well...except for the dirty slush on the side of the road, but that's a small detail).

...and we thought THIS was cold!

Some things I'm still trying to figure out:

1. How to do speedwork outside.  Taking time off for my shin splints has slowed me down a little.  I know I'm not going to PR at my upcoming 5K, and that's OK with me, but I would like to come close.

2. A spin class that doesn't require a gym membership.  Still looking for that one.

3. Should I just bite the bullet, get the gym membership, and start running on the dreaded treadmill?

Your turn: Are you a treadmill runner?  Any tips for any of the things I'm still trying to figure out?

Ch-Ch-Changes

Ashley and I have been talking, and we finally decided to give our blog a little shift in focus.

When we started this blog, we were inspired by blogs like Young House Love and wanted to take a DIY/decorating approach.

While we really love to do crafty stuff, we just don't have time to make it enough of a priority to really focus our blog on it.

Case in point...the window frosting project that has been only partially completed since July.  Way to go Amy.

So, we had a talk about what each of us would love to blog about and how to work them together so we can still blog together.

I could spend hours in front of running/healthy living blogs like Hungry Runner Girl and Carrots 'n Cake.

Ashley, on the other hand, loves to spend her time looking for photography ideas and honing her skills at it.

With our new year's goals/resolutions in mind, we decided to make this blog more about finding a balance between what is necessary (work, being healthy, etc.) and what makes us happy (photography, running, going on random adventures, etc.).

You had better believe we will still be making time for New Recipe Night...balance, people!

We still don't have a definitive answer as to what this blog is "about."  Here is what we know:

• I will post at least once a week about something health/nutrition/running related that interests me.
• Ashley will post at least once a week about something photography related (we have a fun little challenge up our sleeves).
• Each week we will post something random that we have done together...because that is how we roll!

Eventually, we might be able to categorize this blog.  But maybe not!  Time will tell, and we hope you follow along for the ride!

Pinterest Addiction part II

Hello All, Ashley here!  Sorry I have been on a blog hiatus this week, its been a long and busy one.  This week we celebrated Matt's birthday, so a quick Happy Birthday to him. 

                               First Up:  Our completed Color Me Mine pieces found in our post here.

Next Up:  Ashley's Pinterest Addiction! While not easy to pick a board to highlight,  I have chosen to highlight pins off of my "DIY Projects and Crafts" board.

First up:  Our Pantry Door

Original Project is found here .    Since our kitchen is connected to the dining and living room area I have always wanted to isolate the kitchen as its own room by giving my kitchen it's own decorative theme.  So, I've added this vinyl decoration onto my "to-do" list, but I'd love to make it on my Cricut!

Project #2 -  A DIY  bench, find the tutorial here.  It's actually a redone COFFEE TABLE!  How fun.  Once this project is completed I'd place the final product between the two tall windows in my master bedroom.

And finally something I have to complete to get a start on my to do list.

When it comes to security in my home I would like all of the bells and whistles that I can get, but that doesn't come over night, therefore near the top of the to-do list is frosting the glass next to my front door to add a touch more privacy to our entry. 

This project was found on this blog and also here on Young House Love

Pinterest Addiction

The two of us have a bit of an obsession with Pinterest.

If you're not on it...you should definitely change that.  Unless, of course, you value your time and doing things other than sitting in front of the computer.  Because, let me tell you, this crazy website will surely get you sitting in front of the computer.  It's genius!

So, today, I'm going to highlight some of my favorites from one of my boards.  Perhaps this will entice me to actually get moving on some of these projects, instead of just pinning...and pinning...and pinning.

Seeing as one of my new year's resolutions is to get moving on making my office look like it belongs to an adult instead of a broke college student, I'm going to focus on my "Decorating Ideas" board.  Here are some of my favorite pins:

This is one of my first pins, from houzz.com (the link from the pin doesn't take you to the right place, otherwise I'd give the exact link), and is my first office inspiration.  I love the corner desk concept...and just now noticed there are some bib numbers on the wall.  Woo for running!

I also can't help but go back and stare at this one.  I definitely want to do this in my little mud room/laundry room/basement.  The pin is from Made By Girl, and the blog  is super adorable.  Another great thing about Pinterest...it leads you to other fun blogs!

This is one of those that I was shocked to find myself repinning, because I am sooo not a green kind of girl.  However, I find myself more and more drawn to this color combo...pretty sure this is the route I'll take with my office (since it's a pretty blank slate and I can switch it out easily if I don't like it).  The pin is originally from Canadian House and Home magazine.

And finally, I'm loving this picture.  Why on Earth did she pin a picture of a kid's room, do you ask?  I don't blame you, because I asked myself the same thing.  However, this is the blue and green combo again.  In this one, I am loving the green accent wall with the curtains.  I LOVE the curtains.  Definitely on the to-do list for the office.  This one is from Little Green Notebook.

Hope you enjoyed this mini-glimpse into my Pinterest world!  It was fun to me to take a peek back at some things I pinned awhile ago!  Happy Pinning!

Gym Memberships

Since finishing my half marathon in November, running has been a struggle.

And this is not OK with me.

It discourages me at times, but I also try to focus on the fact that I shouldn't force myself to run, because I don't want to lose my love for it.

So, when I stumbled upon a Groupon for a gym near me, I decided to go for it.  The Groupon provided me 10 passes, so I decided to try some classes and see what I liked.  Here is my take on the things I've tried:

Cardio Mix
I have done this class twice and am saving my last pass so I can go one more time.  I have pretty much determined that I love this class so much because of the instructor, which makes me sad since I don't plan to stay with this gym (too far from home).

"Core and More"
This class was the first I tried.  I had never really had the group fitness experience before, but I loved it!  I'm not sure if I loved the new-ness of it, or the fact that I got a great workout from something other than running.  I think it was both.  Let me tell you, though, I was SORE afterward!  Definitely taught me a lesson in stretching...

PowerPump
I had no strong feelings about this class either way.  Perhaps it was just this particular session, but I didn't feel very challenged.

Spin
I was shocked at my feelings about this class...because I LOVED it.  Growing up, I was never one to enjoy a bike ride for very long, but this class was fantastic.  I definitely feel like it was the best workout I got from all the classes I tried, and I loved the instructor's music choices...even Christmas spin was awesome!  This class pretty much sold me on the fact that I need to find a gym of my own so I can keep doing this class.

Zumba
I was also surprised by my feelings about this class, but in the opposite direction.  I was not a fan of this class.  While it was super fun to dance around, I didn't feel challenged at all.  I also definitely felt like a newbie, as pretty much everyone in the class knew the routines, so I always felt a step behind.  The people were really nice and the atmosphere and music were fun, but I would prefer Spin any day.

I am getting back into running, slowly but surely.  However, I don't want to rely on just running as a work out and end up burning myself out on it...especially when I've found something else I love.  Now that I only have one pass left, I'm trying to decide where to go from here.  Gym memberships are SO expensive.

Anyone have some input for me?  Any other classes I should try as well?

P.S. Check me out on Daily Mile!  It is definitely helping bring back my motivation to run.

Color Me Mine

For my bachelorette party , Amy had the idea of going to a place called Color Me Mine  Where you can choose a piece of pottery and paint it how you wish.  After about a week you pick up your finished piece.  Amy and I had hoped to make it to Color Me Mine to pick and paint something for our mom for a Christmas gift.  We didn't make it to paint something for her so we decided to let her choose for herself and we made a mother/daughter day out of it. 

This is my bowl when in progress.

Amy chose to make a large mug as a memoir of her first half marathon.  She also painted the mileage on the mug.

Our Mom chose a mug as well but hers was more for fun rather than to remember something special to her. 

Complete! 

We've agreed that Color Me Mine is a fun place to go on a rainy (or snowy) day.  Whether you have a vision of the product you want to accomplish at the end or not its a good way to use your creative side!

The Past Year!

So, we have already done a survey about how the year 2011 was for us, but this one takes a different approach for recapping the year...and like we've said, we love a good survey!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Amy: Ran a half marathon
Ashley:  Got Married!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for 2012?
Amy: Yep...my resolution was to run 20 miles a month.  I made a bunch, as we discussed in our new year's post.
Ashley:  My resolution was to work out every day... I failed to keep it, but I did try.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Amy:  Two of my cousins had babies.
Ashley: Yes!  One of my best friends gave birth to my little godson!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Amy: Unfortunately, yes.  But I believe she is in a better place.
Ashley: Unfortunately Yes.  Our step-grandma passed away  = (

5. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Amy: More appreciation for what I have.
Ashley:  I'm going to have to give the generic answer 'money" because 2011 was full of wedding expenses. 

6. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Amy: Probably my sister's and friend's wedding days.
Ashley: 7/15/2011 A very special little boy was born,  9.17.11- My wedding day

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Amy: If I had to pick one I'd say buying my house...it was the biggest leap of faith I think I've ever taken.
Ashley: Planning my wedding and having it go glitch free,  moving into our first home! And a silly achievement I want to add... Taking Matt to the airport for a business trip AND picking him up, tollway driving+airport confusion is NOT my thing, but I did it!

8. What was your biggest failure?
Amy: Walking too close to the finish line at my 5k in March and missing my goal time by 12 seconds.
Ashley:  Not going back to school like I wanted to.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Amy: Minor battle with shin splints, but nothing I couldn't conquer.
Ashley: Just a bad case of Strep Throat.  Otherwise I was healthy this year... hope to keep up the good immune system for years to come!

10. What was the best thing you bought?
Amy: Definitely my house.
Ashley:  oh goodness... I'd have to say our house even though we closed on it just before 2011.

11. Where did most of your money go?
Amy: Those fun mortgage payments.
Ashley: Wedding and mortgage

12. What did you get really excited about?
Amy: Buying my house, moving into my house, decorating my house...lol...Amanda's wedding, Ashley's wedding, my NYC trip, my first half, and finishing my masters!
Ashley:  My bridal shower, bachelorette party, wedding day, honeymoon, the holidays, Amy's 1st Half Marathon!

13. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Amy: Lol...first one to pop into my head isn't one I can blog about...
Ashley:  Way too many to count this year!

14. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Amy: Definitely happier
Ashley: Happier
b) thinner or fatter?
Amy: Um...probably about the same
Ashley:  I actually maintained give or take.
c) richer or poorer?
Amy: Probably about the same
Ashley: Richer - in more ways than one!

15. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Amy: Spent time with friends I don't see much.
Ashley: Exercise.

16. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Amy: Worrying about things I can't control.
Ashley:  Being lazy and complaining.

17. How did you spend Christmas?
Amy: With my family at Matt and Ashley's house.
Ashley: Matt and I hosted it at our house this year.

18. What was your favorite TV program?
Amy: Glee!
Ashley:  Grey's Anatomy, The Bachelorette, Dancing With the Stars.

19. What was the best book you read?
Amy: Divergent by Veronica Roth.  OMG. Amazing.
Ashley: I'd have to say the last book of the Twilight series was pretty good. 

20. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Amy: Hm...just random songs I guess.
Ashley:  The Michael Buble Christmas CD!

21. What did you want and get?
Amy: Kindle!  Woot!
Ashley:  A new camera.

22. What did you want and not get?
Amy: A boyfriend, lol.
Ashley:  I think I was pretty fortunate this year.

23. What was your favorite film of this year?
Amy: The Help.  Actually liked it better than the book, which SO does not happen in my world!
Ashley: Bridesmaids was definately a great comedy.

24. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Amy: Went to lunch and to the flea market.  Pretty low key, but lovely for the big 2-7.
Ashley:  Celebrated with Matt and Amy and had a new recipe night and then craft day with Amy a few days later!  Such a fun gift.

25. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Amy: This year was a pretty satisfying one...I don't think I would change it.
Ashley: Going back to school.

26. What kept you sane?
Amy: Running.  Hands down.
Ashley: Trying to keep organized, taking time to relax when needed and my family.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Amy: To believe in myself, because we are capable of more than we could ever imagine.
Ashley:  If you can't change it, then just stop worrying about it.

Catch Up Time: Photo Challenge

For those of you following:  These are the last few photos of my photo challenge found here.

Day 15: Silver Bells

Day 16: A Hippopotamus

      Day 17:  Under the mistletoe (We don't hang any so...no photo here!)

          Day 18:  A Cup of Cheer- Reused photo- the one I had planned wont show up for some reason

          Day 19:  Toys in every store

Day 20:  A Winter Wonderland -  We haven't gotten much snow, but we did get a heavy frost a few weeks ago that looked really pretty on the trees around my house.

Day 21: Tiny Tots with their eyes all a glow-  a little man who is very dear to my heart helping my husband Matt decorate our Christmas tree.

Day 22:  Holiday Greetings-  Look familiar?  My moms creation.  A Holiday dessert stand covered with greetings.

Day 23:  A shining star-  We didn't put a star on top of our tree this year, but some people believe that stars in the night sky are angels glowing... This angel has been in the family since Amy and I were kids.

Day 24:  Children Sleeping

Little precious

Day 25:  The Number 25.... Lets face it... We all know what the number 25 looks like.  I had plenty of ideas for this photo but decided that I would skip it to avoid boring our readers.

This photo challenge was fun, it caused me to think a lot so my photos weren't the same as a "typical" photo. I will probably do a more generalized Photo Challenge in the near future!!

Until Next time.....

Stuff: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!  We hope you had a fun and safe night last night and are enjoying a very relaxing new year's day.

Last night, I spent the evening with my parents and some family friends.  We made pizza, played taboo, and laughed a LOT.  It was definitely a great night.

Ashley and Matt spent the evening with some friends.  Some of them were from out of town, so they were excited to be able to ring in the new year with some people they don't get to spend as much time with as they would like.

Now that it's 2012, pretty much everyone is thinking about resolutions.  And we are no different!

I, in particular, am a person who kind of loves resolutions.  I'm a goal setter for sure, and since I finished my half marathon, I have been definitely craving some things to put my energy into.  So, here are our resolutions for 2012:

Amy's Resolutions
I have to admit, I went back and changed this after reading Ashley's resolutions below.  There is definitely a difference between goals and resolutions (what a smart sister I have!).  So, I'll start with goals:

1. Actually complete either my workout room or my office.  I have been in this house for 8 months now, it's time to get a move on!

My office inspiration.  It will be beautiful.  Found it here on Pinterest, where else?

2. Start a retirement savings account.  Gotta start early if I want to spend those golden years doing as little, or as much, as my little heart desires!

3. Run a sub-2:00 half marathon.

My legs may disagree with this one...but we shall try!

4. Run a race in every season.  Any winter suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  :)

5. Go meatless one day per week (I'll probably join the Meatless Monday trend because it's easier to remember).  No real reason for picking this one, just think it would be kind of a fun little mini-challenge.  My BIL thinks I'm nuts...

And my resolution is...

To spend more time appreciating what I have than worrying about what I don't.

Ashley's Resolutions

I think that goals and resolutions are different things, goals are much easier to come by because you can work toward a single one at at time and it isnt so overwhelming in the long run.  However for the year 2012 I have both goals and resolutions.

Goals:
1. Finish painting my house, some rooms by myself, some rooms done by a professional painter (due to high ceilings and a lack of ladders.)

2.  Establish a work out routine that I look forward to following. 

3.  Organize my life, now that I don't have wedding planning to take up all of my time there is no longer an excuse for clutter.

Resolution:
I only have one,
To get back in touch with good friends that I've lost touch with over the years.  My friends and I went seperate ways after High School graduation and did different things in terms of college and career.  I think it would be fun to catch up with them and see what they are doing these days.