Summer Trip Home

In pictures...

The End

July or October?

I’m not sure what is going on with this summer weather, but we set a few record lows in Texas last week.  I had the AC off and the windows open for a few days.  The kitties didn’t know what was going on…

It also made for some good running weather.  I have only been doing short 2-3 mile runs, but they have been feeling pretty good.  On Friday, I went out for a mid-day run and almost got eaten by this thing…

Now we have several days of 100+ about to be strung together, but I will be in Illinois for it.  At home this week, I don’t think the temperature is supposed to get above 85.  I’m not sure how to function in July when it is below 98, but I will take it.  Hoping to run every day I am at home, even if it is just 2 miles.  We’ll see how that goes.

Stupid Day

Ever have one of those days where nothing goes right?  Yeah, that was my day.  I was running behind getting to work, was low on gas and realized I forgot my purse.  Awesome!  There was supposed to be storms all day, so I didn’t want to let the gas get too low in case of traffic or other issues.  Thankfully Cindy let me borrow $10 to get gas.  Went to the gas station at lunch, right when the storms hit.  Awesome!  Made it home, grabbed the purse and changed into dry clothes.  Then at the gym I was excited to get to try Insanity.  Yup – that got canceled.  They forgot to get a sub for the instructor.

On a bright note, the lake should probably go up another foot with all the rain we have been getting.  And I got to use my new bike rack yesterday.  It will take a little getting used to attaching the rack to the hitch.  It’s a bit heavy, but once I get a system down, I’m sure it will get easier.

Hopefully the weather will be nice this weekend to get in some more running and biking.  Lots of short runs lately and I have been much more consistent.

Friday Favs!

Here are some of my favorites from the week!

• Having Friday off and being SUPER productive

• Wednesday night - Rangers game with work.  All you can eat.  Several people had to back out so I was able to bring Jen too

• Finally got the hitch on my car installed, bike rack here we come.  Too bad I was being too productive to actually use it

• My backyard is looking like a backyard again!  Did a ton more work and sprayed for weeds.  There is still more work to be done, but I am seeing actual progress!

 



• He he, it made me laugh



4th of July weekending!

It was a much needed and very relaxing 3 day weekend out on the lake.  None of our friends came out this weekend, which was actually quite nice.  I get bored just sitting on the dock all weekend, but I also don’t like partying everyday, so this weekend was a nice mix.

Good luck with that! 

Friday we didn’t go out on the water until Noon, and we went to Wood Island aka Family Island.  It was nice because we were tied up next to people in our marina, and we were able to play our music and had our own little area on the beach.  There was laying out, drinking, playing catch, and grilling out, and we ended up staying there past dark in order to shoot off fireworks.  Dozens and dozens of people were putting on their own show.  No matter which way you looked over the lake, fireworks!  We had fun lighting off tons ourselves.  Also, check out my new Bloody Mary cup – that is a quality cup right there.

Saturday was a dock day.  Just hanging around and getting things done.  Mid-day I decided to take a 4 mile hike on the trails and try and figure them out just a bit more.  I am also already known as the health nut out there.  I am proud to say that I didn’t get lost on the trails because I was smart enough to mark my way back.   Found some really cool forts and teepees and forts that the kids have built over the years.

 

The marina was having a cookout and most people just stayed around the docks.  I did two new to me things, shooting a (pellet) gun and jet skiing.  After scooping out the watermelon for my vodka watermelon slushie, I through the watermelon shell in the lake.  When Mark asked if I wanted to shoot it with the pellet gun, I’m not sure who was more surprised I said yes, me or him.   I have never shot a gun in my life and realized I have to shot it right handed because of the eye I wink.  The first shot was a test shot not aiming at anything just to get the feel.  The next two shots I hit my target!  Next we took the jet ski out.  I have ridden one once before but at a more leisurely pace.  We waited until later in the day so there were less boats and the water was calmer.  Pretty fun to have another toy to use.  More to do on days that we don’t take the big boat out.

Sunday, the day started with Texas whaffles!  Then Joe and Elle did end up coming out.  We took the boat out and parked it in a cove and just floated and hung around.  Probably stayed a bit too late, but oh well the cats had enough food and all the chores were still there when I got home!

What I am Loving Wednesday!

1.    Watermelon!  I have been obsessively eating it.  And then reading through another blog (The athletarian), she mentions Watermelon juice.  Throw the watermelon in the blender and then refrigerate.  Looks delicious!  I am hopefully going to make some to bring to the lake (in Mason jars of course) and then potentially add Vodka!

 **Photo from the Athleterian

2.    Short work weeks!  We get out around 2:30 on Thrusday and then it will be off to get things done before heading to the lake Friday morning.  3 day weekend!!!!

3.    Having a flexible workplace.  I love that I don’t have to clock in and out.  That my work treats you like adults, do your job, get your work done, and leave as you need.  Doctors appointments, appointments to get bike hitches J installed, leaving town and want to beat the traffic, family/friends visiting.  They understand about life outside of work.  As long as you do your job and don’t take advantage of it, it is all good.  That being said, I was supposed to get my bike hitch installed this morning, but the part didn’t come in on time.  So hopefully tomorrow morning!!!

4.    Cooler temperatures!  For some reason we have (so far) had a mild-ish summer.  It’s already July and I don’t think we have had any days over 100.  Maybe 1 or 2, but that’s nothing for us.

5.    Jillian Michaels is no longer on the Biggest Loser.  They are picking up 2 new trainers, so there will be a total of 4 trainers.  The BEST PART – the new female trainer is a former star of the AMERICAN GLADIATORS (the newer one that was out in 2008).  Her name was Phoenix.  Who knew she was from Downers Grove, IL?

June Recap & July Goals

June Goals:

~Run 85 miles:  Not so much.  I only managed to get to 69 running miles.  I was however impressed that I did 51 biking miles for a total of 120 miles!! That’s not too shabby.

~Complete the 30 day Buns, Guns & Abs Challenge:  Not so much.  I gave up around Day 20.  Once you start skipping days later in the month, it gets harder and harder to make them up.  Hence why you probably shouldn’t skip days…

~Make every Tuesday Body Pump class:  Check!  I have made every Tuesday and am loving it.  I have been able to increase the weights for most of the arm exercises.

~Make every Thursday Spin class: Check!  Well at least until they canceled it.  And after that I went back to spinning on Tuesdays.

July will probably be similar to June, out at the lake most weekends and a trip home in the middle.  So let’s see what all I can get accomplished during the week.

July Goals:

~Run 75 miles

~Bike 3 times

~Sundowner 5K in under 25 minutes

~Body Pump every Tuesday