Friday, April 29, 2011

Happy Happy Friday!!!!

1/2 day of work. Haircut. Mani-pedi. Family time. Attending my 1st bridal shower hosted by my sister & mom. Pics to follow. It's going to be a fantastic weekend.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

27

Happy Birthday to my best friend, who knows everything there is to know about me and wants to marry me anyway.  Who challenges me to be a better, more patient person every single day. 

Happy birthday to my travel companion. Who shares the same sense of adventure and goals that I do.
Washington DC summer 2010

New Orleans February 2010

Cozumel Mexico (our first vacay together) Spring Break 2007

Happy Birthday to my workout buddy, who challenges to me to run faster and give it my all, even when I'm ready to give up.

Happy Birthday Dad, love Oliver.  I appreciate everything you do for me & for taking care of me when I was really sick. Mom is really happy you're home, she missed you those last 6 months :-) Please never leave me home with her for long again.     

 Happy birthday to my solider.  You're so brave for volunteering to do what you've done.  And I'm so extremely proud of you!!! I agree with Oliver, try not to leave me for another 6 months again. At least for a while.

Happy Birthday to the man who can always manage to make me laugh.  Even when I don't want to.  This makes it very hard for me to stay mad at you :-)

Happy Birthday to the father of our future children.  I can't believe that in just 2 months and one week, we're going to be husband & wife.  We've been on one crazy/wild journey and I could not be more content with where we are right now.  I'm looking forward to what lies ahead of us and being your wife.  I love you.    

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Take Me out to the Ball Game!

Tonight, LC & I are attending our first baseball game of the season at Wrigley Field.  I'm usually pretty excited for our first game because it means that summer isn't too far off.  But as I look out the window, I'm not really thrilled about going to a baseball game on a rainy day.  Last year we went to a game around this time & it was freezing cold. At least the temperature is decent today.
Here's a few of my favorite "Mar & LC's baseball adventures" pics :-)


Busch Stadium April 2007

Wrigley Field (I'm thinking of going short again after the wedding. I'm dying to chop my hair!)

typical behavior...

Our first game of the season 2010

When it comes to baseball, I could honestly take it or leave it.  I love going to the games to drink, socialize & eat.  I don't even know who the Cubs are playing tonight :-/  BUT when the Brewers & The Cubs play each other, you will always find me in Brewers gear.  I have to support my home team after all.  Other than that, LC always buys me Cubs' shirts to wear to games.  Football on the other hand...you will never catch me dead in anything Bears related. ICK! I'm a Packer girl at heart.

Tonight's game eats will be a little different.  I'm trying to lay off of the carbs this week since my first offical dress fitting is Friday, I want to actually feel good and not bloated.  So no bread & no beer :-(  Just some salad and bacardi & diet...I don't know how good of a plan that is either.

Last week, I did a posting called Say it, Do it.  It really helped me stay accountable for all of my workouts.  I did everything I posted & then some!  I didn't post anything on Monday and guess what?? I canceled bar method yesterday.  Major fail. So here's my workout plan for this week.

Monday: Free weights & ab work
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 30 minutes of cardio/Bar Method
Thursday: 45 minutes Elliptical/Bar Method
Friday: 30 minutes cardio/Bar Method
Saturday: Go for a walk if it's nice (I'll be in WI ask still can't do workout videos b/c of my ankle injury)
Saturday: free weights & ab work and....Attend my first bridal shower!!!  

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Little Green Monster Mash


I woke up this morning with very little motivation to get up & workout.  I was just about to hit snooze on my alarm when I remembered that I published this.  I think publishing my workouts for the week on my blog is probably the best thing I could have done.  It definitely holds me accountable & keeps me motivated because, unless I injure myself again, there really is no good excuse. 

After my workout, I made this delightful green monster of a smoothie.  I had some produce in my refrigerator that was about to go bad, so I threw them in the blender and hoped for the best.  It turned out pretty good!

Green Monster Smoothie
1 C of O.J.
1 banana
1 small cucumber
1 small gala apple
2 C of spinach leaves
1 scoop of vanilla whey protein
1 T of flaxseed
A handful of ice cubes
*Blend & enjoy!

Today I'd also like to wish my little sister, running buddy, MOH, & BFF a very happy birthday!  She turns 24 today.  Unfortunately, I can't make it up to Milwaukee tonight to celebrate with her, but she's coming to Chicago tomorrow and staying for most of the weekend.  Our weekend consists, of a sushi date, Bar Method madness, & shopping for a dress for my shower.

This is us before we ran our first 1/2 marathon in August 2010.  Little did we know what we were about to get ourselves into! 

 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Say it, Do it!

Now that I'm somewhat mobile, it's time to hop back on the workout wagon!!  Jess at Fit Chick in the City, suggested blogging about her weekly workout plan to keep herself accountable.  If I put it out there that this is what I'm doing, I'm more likely to stick with it.  The same concept as setting dates with your BFF, Jim (gym).  Friends don't break plans with other friends :-)

Monday: Bar Method-check!(I think this might be helping my ankle!!)
Tuesday: 30 minutes on the elliptical DONE!
Wednesday: Bar Method, hopefully (as of now I'm on the wait-list) Cleared the waitlist!
Thursday: 45 on the elliptical
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Bar method with my sister & shop for a dress for my first shower! (that counts as cardio)
Sunday: Rest

Nothing too crazy.  I want to ease back into it this week and maybe next week we'll amp it up a bit more. I go for my first dress fitting on next Friday!

I need a Nap-a!

With the wedding getting closer, all the small details are finally starting to consume my life.  This weekend, my mom, sister, and I worked on the invitations...


Assembled the menus...

And LC & I finalized our honeymoon plans...
photo c/o 
While we were figuring out our wedding budget, and figuring out where we wanted to spend our money, we decided that stationary is where we wanted to cut back.  I didn't want to spend a ton of money on something that's only going to get thrown away.  Let's be real, the only person that will probably save our wedding invites are our parents and grandparents.  So we ended up with 4 boxes from Michael's.  Each box contains 30 invite sets for about $40.  Add in your Michael's coupons, and save almost 50%.  The last box I bought cost me $16.  Not too shabby.  They were pretty simple to do too.  Just load up the template, insert your text and print away.

The menus on the other hand were a total (and my first) DIY project and were kind of a pain to figure out the measurements, but once I did, it was smooth sailing.  The monogram was from I Do originals.  I bought 3 monograms for $9.  I used regular construction paper for the background from Broadway Paper.  Cardstock in these colors were over a buck a piece, so I bought over 200 pieces of construction paper for about $80 and I'll be able to use them for the programs as well.  The vellum paper I bought at Office Depot.  It was easy to print on (the ink didn't smear) but the paper had a tendancy to move while I was trying to cut it, so I had to be extra careful to make sure things didn't turn out crooked.  The menu cutting was done over a long period of wine nights :-) 

And finally, LC and booked our honeymoon :-)  We originally wanted to go to St. Lucia for our honeymoon.  It just looked so peaceful, romantic, and like I imagine heaven would like.  But after looking at plane ticket prices and realizing that our summers in the US are short, we decided to keep it local and revisit the St. Lucia idea during the winter months when it's freezing cold here.  So Cali, here we come!  LC and I have never been here and Napa has always been our one of my places to visit.  We both love wine & we both love food, so I can't think of a better place for us to spend our honeymoon.  We'll be lodging at The Cottages of Napa Valley which came recommended from Kate at Elefantitas Elegres.  Thanks Kate! 

We're both really excited and can't wait for the day to finally be here.  In other news, I'm back to doing Bar Method!! Yippee!  

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Light at the End of the Tunnel

What a week it's been here in our casa.  On Saturday my ankle was feeling better, so I tried out the stationary bike.  All was good.  Then I pressed my luck with the elliptical trainer.  Pretty good, except for the changing intervals that jerked my ankle.  And then I sat in "stop and go" Chicago traffic for about an hour, trying to get to my BFF's son's first birthday.  FAIL.  So  happy to see the little guy on his birthday (I'd post pics, but she doesn't have facebook for the reason of not wanting his pictures online. A choice I totally respect).  I had so much fun catching up with my ladies, but the drive up there really put my ankle back at square one.  Too much too fast.  Needless to say, I did not make it to the baby shower on Sunday.

Instead, Oliver and I sat outside our apartment building and watched the people race in the Shamrock Shuffle.  They couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  I ran this race with my sister last year when it was held in March and the weather was less than favorable.

So I sat outside, and dreamed about the days when I could run again.  I'm getting super antsy if you couldn't tell.    
While I watched the runners and cheered on fellow co-workers & friends, Oliver was off in his own little world.  Oddly, he kept licking the cement and I couldn't figure out why because I made sure there was nothing on the ground where we sat.  After I saw my friend and passed her a high five, I decided that it was time for us to go in.  Oliver was not acting his normal self.  He was very tired and passed out on the couch.  I figured it was because of the sun and being outside for so long.  As the day went on, Oliver became sick.  Monday came, and LC said he had some interest in food but nothing like what he normally would have.  I came home and Oliver seemed back to his playful self, so I figured it was definitely something he ate outside and that it would just pass.  Tuesday morning, at the love hour of 1:30 a.m. I wake up to a puppers whining in his kennel.  It was unusual because he hadn't done that since the first night we got him.  LC got up and saw Oliver made a "mess" in his kennel.  Our 6lb was sick from both ends.  

LC wanted to take him the ER and I told him that he was ridiculous.  It was 2 a.m. and I told him to come back to bed and we'd call the vet first thing in the morning.  We got him in and our vet told us that it could be either pancreatitis or just something bad that the ate.  He stayed at the vet all of yesterday.  When I brought him home, I kept him in the kitchen just in case if he had any other accidents.  I woke up this morning to this face.            
I took him on a walk today and he's feeling a little bit better.  I told LC, that between me and Oliver and all of our emergencies, he was going to trade us in for a new family. He told me that he would never :-) 

My doctor gave me good news today! I can say adios to my air cast.  I can resume all low-impact activities right away.  I can start back at Bar Method on Friday.  He kept reminding me to "listen to my body", something I for sure have trouble with when I have a goal set.  Bad news: I have to stay away from all running paths for about another month.  At least I'll be back in business just in time for marathon training to start.    

Friday, April 8, 2011

The Stripper Debate

Happy Friday! Thanks for all of the well wishes on the ankle.  It's coming along.  On Wednesday, I thought for sure I'd be able to go to Bar Method today.  But I did too much too fast and I think set myself back a day. The swelling has gone down, but it's still bruised up pretty badly.  So this week I've just been resting, icing, and lifting some free weights.  I've also been eating as healthy as possible, with the exception of Lou Malnatti's last night. Oh well! 

This morning I got back on track with a really great smoothie.  Probably the best one I've ever made to date.  A chocolate, peanut butter and banana smootie :-)  YUUUMMMMMM!     
Recipe for deliciousness:
1 heaping scoop of whey protein
1 cup of chocolate almond milk
1 medium banana
2 T peanut butter
1 T flaxseed
A few ice cubes
*Blend & enoy!

I'm thrilled that today is finally FRIDAY! I'd be even happier if it actually felt like spring here in Chicago.  LC has his bachelor party this weekend in Wisconsin Dells.  He and a bunch of his guys are renting a party cabin for the weekend.  Should be an absolute disaster :-)  He also informed me that there would be strippers at this cabin, which I already figured there would be.  I honestly could care less because I know him & I trust him and I'm very secure in our relationship.  And I know his friends; the strippers are more for their entertainment than his own.  I have friends who are getting married and they don't understand why their fiancés go to strip clubs or why they have to get strippers for the bachelor party.  I guess the same reason some girls carry around penis paraphenalia?  Because it's all part of the fun of your last "crazy" night out.  I know some of you are getting married soon, so what are your thoughts on strippers/strip clubs for the bachelor party? 

I, on the other hand, could not be spending my weekend anymore opposite of him.  Tomorrow, I will be attending a 1 year old's birthday party and on Sunday I will be going to a baby shower...

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Never Will I Ever...

  • Complain about working out or going for a run ever in my life.  I've never wanted to run so much as I do today.  It probably has to do with the fact that I can't right now.  
  • Run without my cell phone.  I'm sure some passerby would have had one, but I was really thankful that my iPod was not charged yesterday.
  • Be without my insurance cards. We definitely would have gotten to the ER faster, had I not insisted on stopping back at the apartment for them. I know that I would have been fine, but I didn't want to deal with that mess later on.
  • Be embarrassed to use crutches. It beats hopping out of the hospital with one running shoe and one hospital sock.  
  • Take my legs & mobility for granted.  I never thought about what a gift it was to be able to walk around the grocery store, walk to the L station, or take Oliver outside.
Even though I miss working out, being injured has freed up some of my time for other things.  Like wedding things I've been putting off :-/ Hopefully this week, I can finish printing out menus and reply cards.  Although, those HGTV marathons sounds much more appealing :-)

Monday, April 4, 2011

Ka-Boom

My fitness goals for April were to run outside 3 days a week and attend Bar Method Monday through Friday.  I knew it was going to be tough, but my first wedding shower is in a month and I really wanted to look and feel my best.  So today, I laced up my running shoes, put on my Garmin and headed out the door.  It was an overcast day.  The temperature was just perfect for running.  Not too hot, not too cold with a slight breeze.  For my first outside run this year, everything was going perfectly.  I ran my favorite route.  I had no problems with my calves cramping up.  Smooth sailing.  

 Can't wait for the fountains to turn on. Then it's "officially" spring.


 The two ladies walking in this picture are lifesavers. I am forever grateful to them because, shortly after I took this picture, I continued to run and before I knew it was falling into potholes, scraping my knees & elbows, and rolling my right ankle.


 Thankfully, I had my cell phone with me and LC was home.  The two women helped me off of the running path and onto Lake Shore Drive so that LC could find me easily.  I don't know if it was the pain, or the fact that I've never fallen before while on a run, but I couldn't stop crying.  LC picked me up and we headed straight to the ER just to make sure nothing was fractured.  Since it was 10 am on a Monday morning, the ER wasn't busy at all and it didn't take long for someone to see me.  The nurse took me back to take X-Rays of my ankle.  After the X-Rays, I was wheeled back into the emergency room and had to wait to see a doctor.  I'm very grateful for my pedicure, because the doctor looking at my naked foot was very McDreamy-like and very young! I almost wished my single, younger sister had been there instead of LC :-)  McDreamy looked at my X-Rays and shouted to us from the triage area that I had no broken bones.  LC gave him a thumbs up.  Very professional :-) He gave me an ice pack and an open air cast.  They offered me crutches or a cane and I declined both.  I didn't want to make a spectacle of myself over a sprain.  Although, as we were walking out to the car, I had wished I would have accepted the crutches, but oh well.  So here I sit, with an ice wrap on my ankle and an afternoon of HGTV's Selling New York. I guess it's Marathon Monday here on HGTV...
       

Even though I really don't want to, I've decided it would be best to take off from any physical activity besides walking to and from work.  Maybe I'll throw in some free weights later this week.  This is a major bummer because I was so motivated to get back outside and run! Please send fast healing wishes my way.