Everyone seems to have posted their official New Year's Resolutions for the year, so I know I'm a little late on this. Usually I make like a thousand resolutions and never write any of them down and then can't remember what any of them are by February. Only this year I've reached January 5th and can't really remember all the virtues I intended to instill into my life... oops! Instead, here are some things I'm looking forward to in the next year, with some resolutions mixed in:
HALF MARATHONS!!! I've declared 2010 the year of the half. I decided that if I am going to reach my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon by the time I'm 30 (way closer than it used to be!) I need to actually try to run faster.
I have 4 halfs lined up for the spring, the first of which is this month! I haven't signed up for the Topeka to Auburn 1/2 marathon yet b/c I'm holding out on the weather. If it is going to be below 20 degrees I'm out. I'm not that tough! My PR is something like 1 hour and 50 minutes for a half marathon and I'd like to beat that sometime this spring. After that we'll see if I stick with the 1/2 or move on to training for another full this fall.
****Resolution****
Run faster
SCHOOL!!! Yep, I'm going back to school! I'm so excited to start classes next week! I'm taking 11 hours at Johnson County Community College and 6 hours online through K-State, all in an attempt to get my degree in Family and Consumer Science Education. I'm gonna be a Home Ec Teacher! Sorry Jana, I know I'm not supposed to use the HE word!
I'm also super nervous for school! I'm going to be almost 10 years older than some of the people in my classes! So weird. What am I going to wear? And more importantly, what kind of bag do I carry? If you are bored at work (and why else would you be reading this?) please take some time to search online for a new bag for me to carry my books in. I need something cute, but not something that screams "I'm old and trying to be cool!" Bonus points to whoever finds me the best bag!
****Resolution****
Be more organized, get good grades, look cute, not old!
WE'RE DEBT FREE!!! Okay, not really. But as you may know, I'm a huge Dave Ramsey fan. So I'm very excited to be paying off Drew's car in the next few months... just in time to replace that debt with student loans. Dave would not be pleased to hear about that, so please don't tell him. It will just be so nice not to have a car payment every month!
****Resolution****
Stop spending money!
VACATION!!! Okay, not really. I'm forgoing the annual Spring trip to St. Croix this year because it conflicts with those classes I mentioned earlier. So poor Drew will have to go it alone this year... and possibly for the next few years! As someone pointed out, teachers can't really take off in the middle of the year to go to the islands. Do you think the bank would be willing to coordinate its audit with Spring Break?
Even though I won't be spending a week on the beach, we do have some fun weekend trips lined up for the upcoming year. We're hoping to make it to Kentucky to visit our friend Blake. My cousin is getting married in May in Nashville to a lovely gal. I've always wanted to go to Nashville! I'd really like to get our friends together for a float trip this summer! Anyone in? And I'm bound and determined to start an annual ski weekend in Angel Fire with Jess and Ryan. Sounds fun, huh?!
****Resolution****
Have more fun.
ECLIPSE!!! Comes out in June, right?!? Jess will not make the mistake of ordering a Diet Coke in a cup other than the collector's edition.
****Resolution****
Find out if the Taylors really broke up, add more goth pieces to wardrobe, practice teen angst.
So, lots of things to look forward to in 2010! As for other resolutions, Drew and I have decided to start eating "cleaner". We're eating less processed foods (goodbye Oreos) and trying to eat more real, whole foods (hello Mr. Apple), organic when possible. We're also avoiding high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils. So far it is going pretty well. I think the hardest part for me is going to be baking. I guess I just have to replace cupcakes with muffins and cookies with granola. Man, I'm going to be a popular gal at game nights and dinner parties!
We've also agreed to one "cheat" meal a week where we can have the processed stuff we've been missing. I'm pretty sure we'll be holding out for Sunday night dinners at the Gibsons because there is no way I could ever turn away a dessert from Drew's mom. I don't have that kind of will power.
We'll see how it goes... we're not trying to lose weight or anything... just trying to be healthier in general without going overboard or doing something crazy like swearing off Ben & Jerry's forever. I'm sure I'll be updating, and if I'm not it is probably because I'm hiding in the closet stuffing my face with oreos or devouring a bowl of brownie batter. Cheers to that!
What are you looking forward to in the new year?
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy 2010
New Year's has always been one of my least favorite holidays... for a few reasons. Okay, its a fun night to get dolled up and look all cute... but it is cold. I'm more likely to hibernate in the winter than run around in heels and a cute dress. It is expensive. $100 for open bar and appetizers at a crowded bar with 500 people you don't know... not my style. Bar hopping at the Plaza or Power & Light District? Okay, that involves both cold and expensive... definitely not my kind of night. I just feel like New Year's is always built up to be some fabulous evening and it turns out being a huge hassle instead. Now I know you're thinking I'm a grumpy old fun-hater... you're probably right.
I've been pleased as punch that the rest of the crew is catching up with my aversion to the traditional New Year's events and hosting their own parties instead! I'd so much rather ring in the new year with my favorite people than at some bar or club with a bunch of strangers. :)
My wonderful, fabulous friend Heather hosts a New Year's party every year in Wichita, but sadly we weren't able to make the trip this year. So we celebrated here with Drew's friends instead.
I knew it was going to be a super fun evening when they busted out Catch Phrase!!!
And when I was greeted at the door by a furry fellow:
Johnny Walker is a 6-month old puppy and he was such a sweetheart!!! He'd just run and jump on anyone's lap and cuddle:
The award for "Clue of the Night" goes to Joe Brown for "A complex carbohydrate that you pass around". Any guesses? It's a hot potato!
They had some serious track lighting in the kitchen... spotlight on me:
10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Cheers!!!!
And after midnight we returned to our game of Catch Phrase:
I've been pleased as punch that the rest of the crew is catching up with my aversion to the traditional New Year's events and hosting their own parties instead! I'd so much rather ring in the new year with my favorite people than at some bar or club with a bunch of strangers. :)
My wonderful, fabulous friend Heather hosts a New Year's party every year in Wichita, but sadly we weren't able to make the trip this year. So we celebrated here with Drew's friends instead.
I knew it was going to be a super fun evening when they busted out Catch Phrase!!!
And when I was greeted at the door by a furry fellow:
Johnny Walker is a 6-month old puppy and he was such a sweetheart!!! He'd just run and jump on anyone's lap and cuddle:
The award for "Clue of the Night" goes to Joe Brown for "A complex carbohydrate that you pass around". Any guesses? It's a hot potato!
They had some serious track lighting in the kitchen... spotlight on me:
10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Cheers!!!!
And after midnight we returned to our game of Catch Phrase:
Here's hoping to a fabulous 2010! Anyone make any fun resolutions they want to share? My resolution is to play more Catch Phrase. I'm declaring 2010 the year of the Game Night. Get excited!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Christmas Recap Part 3: Gibson Fun
Christmas Eve is probably the best night of the year in my book. Unfortunately I don't have pictures because they are all on the fancy camera that I had to return to its rightful owners. Some highlights:
It was snowing pretty good as we drove to church and had been for some time. We passed a man, looked around my age, as we drove who was running down Nall... in the snow... in short shorts!!! These are the people who make me feel like I'm not a real runner. Also, whoever said Catholic Mass is long, have you been to a Lutheran service? Holy Christmas it was long!
Drew's dad was born on Christmas so usually we go out to eat on Christmas Eve to celebrate his birthday. Our newest family member J-Man Jack, doesn't currently have the attention span or manners to go to a fancy restaurant. So instead we spent the evening at Drew's Aunt Nancy's house where we had food catered from Johnny Cascone's. That combined with cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, a wine tasting bar, and the best Christmas cookies ever (thanks Brooke!) made for one fantastic night.
Drew's cousin Todd and his wife Gayle just moved to Omaha from North Carolina, which means they are able to attend all these events. I hadn't had much of a chance to get to know them before and am so glad to get the chance now. Especially since Todd always seems to be the one pouring the shots at family gatherings like these.
One person who is probably glad I don't have access to the pictures from the night is Brooke. Bryan was a bit under the weather on Christmas Eve and Brooke took full advantage... by double and sometimes triple-fisting her holiday drinks. I heard she had to shovel snow to get rid of her hangover before Christmas brunch with Bryan's parents the next day. There is nothing I love more than Brooke with a drink (or a few)!
We had a white Christmas, if you didn't know. Drew and I have a tradition of making Monkey Bread and opening presents first thing in the morning. No pictures, no camera. Sorry! But my super wonderful hubs pre-ordered the first season of Glee for me! All you haters and non-watchers are invited over for a marathon of the best show ever.
We headed back to the Gibsons in the afternoon for Christmas dinner (delish) and presents! And I know ya'll are getting sick of reading my recaps without pics.... so lucky for you I got a new camera for Christmas!!! My Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS is teal. She's so pretty.
Of course Christmas was all about Jack this year. He sort of knew what was going on with the whole present opening thing... and good thing. Because Santa was good to the little man.
Santa was also good to Drew! Drew asked for tools for Christmas and Santa must have gotten confused and brought Drew new golf clubs. Those are tools, right? Here's Drew, thinking about trying them out in the snow:
Santa was also good to Bryan! He received a brand new Tickle Me Elmo! Yea Bryan! I know its what you've always wanted!!!
Wine... and more important; dessert! Since it is Tom's birthday he always gets his favorite desserts; German Chocolate Cake and Pineapple Pie. I had never had Pineapple Pie before, but Brooke makes one each year for her dad and I think we all agreed that she totally perfected if this year. So good! Lots of wine:
It was snowing pretty good as we drove to church and had been for some time. We passed a man, looked around my age, as we drove who was running down Nall... in the snow... in short shorts!!! These are the people who make me feel like I'm not a real runner. Also, whoever said Catholic Mass is long, have you been to a Lutheran service? Holy Christmas it was long!
Drew's dad was born on Christmas so usually we go out to eat on Christmas Eve to celebrate his birthday. Our newest family member J-Man Jack, doesn't currently have the attention span or manners to go to a fancy restaurant. So instead we spent the evening at Drew's Aunt Nancy's house where we had food catered from Johnny Cascone's. That combined with cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, a wine tasting bar, and the best Christmas cookies ever (thanks Brooke!) made for one fantastic night.
Drew's cousin Todd and his wife Gayle just moved to Omaha from North Carolina, which means they are able to attend all these events. I hadn't had much of a chance to get to know them before and am so glad to get the chance now. Especially since Todd always seems to be the one pouring the shots at family gatherings like these.
One person who is probably glad I don't have access to the pictures from the night is Brooke. Bryan was a bit under the weather on Christmas Eve and Brooke took full advantage... by double and sometimes triple-fisting her holiday drinks. I heard she had to shovel snow to get rid of her hangover before Christmas brunch with Bryan's parents the next day. There is nothing I love more than Brooke with a drink (or a few)!
We had a white Christmas, if you didn't know. Drew and I have a tradition of making Monkey Bread and opening presents first thing in the morning. No pictures, no camera. Sorry! But my super wonderful hubs pre-ordered the first season of Glee for me! All you haters and non-watchers are invited over for a marathon of the best show ever.
We headed back to the Gibsons in the afternoon for Christmas dinner (delish) and presents! And I know ya'll are getting sick of reading my recaps without pics.... so lucky for you I got a new camera for Christmas!!! My Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS is teal. She's so pretty.
Of course Christmas was all about Jack this year. He sort of knew what was going on with the whole present opening thing... and good thing. Because Santa was good to the little man.
Santa was also good to Drew! Drew asked for tools for Christmas and Santa must have gotten confused and brought Drew new golf clubs. Those are tools, right? Here's Drew, thinking about trying them out in the snow:
Santa was also good to Bryan! He received a brand new Tickle Me Elmo! Yea Bryan! I know its what you've always wanted!!!
And, more cuteness from the J-Man:
That hat isn't from Santa. Its from Aunt Jamie. How stinking cute is he?!? To get your own awesome kids wear, check out the best children's boutique in KC, Mady & Me!!!
We all (the girls) got really excited when we saw that Santa brought Cheryl a Tivol box. Doesn't get much more exciting than that, right?
Jack, you need to put on your chaps and boots if you're going to be riding that horse around all day!
After we'd opened all of our gifts we headed downstairs where Jack tried out another one of his gifts. To Brooke's delight this one was "some assembly required." Its okay, Elmo is here to help.
Wine... and more important; dessert! Since it is Tom's birthday he always gets his favorite desserts; German Chocolate Cake and Pineapple Pie. I had never had Pineapple Pie before, but Brooke makes one each year for her dad and I think we all agreed that she totally perfected if this year. So good! Lots of wine:
And we got to try out our new toys too! I'm not a big video game person but Super Mario Brothers is awesome! And I actually know how to play thanks to countless hours doing so as a kid.
Who does marketing for Nintendo? Because they are seriously genius. I feel like everyone now has the tradition of spending the holidays playing Wii together. Whoever came up with that... total genius. That guy needs a raise.
Who does marketing for Nintendo? Because they are seriously genius. I feel like everyone now has the tradition of spending the holidays playing Wii together. Whoever came up with that... total genius. That guy needs a raise.
Such a good Christmas! I'm so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life to spend the holidays with! I hope you all had an equally fabulous Christmas! I'm off to play with my new camera. :)
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