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. 

Stuff: 2011 in Review

Here we are at the end of 2011.  Can you believe it?!?

It has been a pretty big year for the both of us, so we thought it would be fun to take some time to look back at all the awesome things we did this year.

January

• Amy made the offer on her house, and it was accepted!  Then, the waiting game began.
• Matt and Ashley moved into their very first house!

February

• We went to a pretty awesome food tasting for Ashley and Matt's wedding reception.

• Crafting for our friend Amanda's wedding began.  LOTS of flower balls were made!

March

• Amy did a lot of fun things with Amanda, including a Blackhawks game, bridal shower #1, and the first 5K of the year!

April

• Amy moved into her house!

• Amy and Matt (the BIL) went to our first rooftop Cubs game!

 May

• Our good friends Amanda and Brian got married!  Amy was lucky enough to be a member of the bridal party for this awesome day.

June

• Amy's 4th year teaching came to an end.
• We celebrated Ashley's birthday.

July

• We had a great time at Ashley's bridal shower.

Thanks to the lovely bridesmaid Monika for this picture of the tough-girl bride.

• Amy ran another 5K.

August

• Ashley's Bachelorette Party was definitely a highlight of this month!

• ...Unless you count the fact that we started this blog!  :)

September

• Ashley and Matt got married!  It was fairly awesome, and more than a little deserving of a thumbs-up!

• As if that wasn't enough excitement, we met one of our favorite singers.

October

• Amy went on her dream trip to New York City!

• Amy ran another 5K and set a major PR.  (Think this girl likes to run?)

November

• We celebrated Thanksgiving.
• Amy ran her first half marathon.

December

• Amy completed her masters degree.
• Ashley and Matt hosted Christmas at their house for the first time.

Looking back on 2011, we are in awe of how fortunate we were to have all these amazing experiences!  What was your most amazing experience of 2011?

Here's to an equally excellent (if not BETTER) 2012!

Sisters: Blue, well, Black, Ribbon

Since I had several days off before Christmas this year, I felt the need to get crafty on some of my gifts.  So, I decided to make some jewelry (something I really like to do, but don't often enough, for whatever reason).  I love the look of those ribbon necklaces, so I made three complementary necklaces, one for Ashley, Mom, and myself.

I got a great deal on some beads, chain, and ribbon at Michaels, and I had some jewelry wire in my craft box, which really came in handy.

Heaven forbid I walk downstairs where I could actually have some room on the table

To start, I basically just looked around at some pictures of ribbon necklaces online, and got started.  It was not easy taking pictures during the process.

For Ashley's, I attached some wire to the chain and beaded silver beads onto it to give it a doubled-up look.  The back was a ribbon with a bow at the end.

Ashley's finished product

For my necklace, I beaded alternating "pearls" and silver beads onto the wire, then used a ribbon for the back.  Instead of a bow, I attached the flower I wore in my hair for Ashley's wedding.  I've been wanting to find a way to use it, as I rarely wear barrettes, and I ended up loving this!

My finished product

Finally, I wanted to make mom's a little different, so I took parts of mine and Ashley's, and then added a little something new.  So, the beading part was the same as mine.  Then, I used chain for the back but weaved (wove? hm...) ribbon through it.

Mom's finished product

Honestly, I feel like my mom's necklace needs something more; I just can't figure out what it is.  She says she's happy with it this way...but you know moms have to say that.  :)  I'm waiting for the genius solution to come to me.

Have you ever made jewelry before?  How did it go?