Remember when it was in the 50s in January and we were all so excited?

Those days are over. At least my view at work is better. The empty lot across the street (that was supposed to be some kind of water park / baseball fields / hotel complex, before the recession hit) is much prettier covered in snow.







According to Facebook, everyone's commute home was like this tonight (this picture was taken at a red light). Actually this was the better part of my commute. I went down some streets that were worse. And the side streets I take to get to where I park at home weren't plowed at all and it kind of felt like I was steering a boat! Too bad I wasn't actually steering a boat. That would mean I'm on vacation somewhere warm and relaxing.



75 minutes later (to go 12 miles), I was home safely.



It sure is pretty though, isn't it? Once you are home and in sweatpants, it is.



I'll pretend that because of the snow we are staying in, but really, this would be our Friday night regardless. Side-by-side laptops in bed. Just as marriage is intended to be.



Also, another perk to living with your parents? Driving home in a snowstorm to homemade soup on the stove. AND corned beef and cabbage in the fridge for re-heating. Seriously. I don't know why more people pushing 30 don't live with their parents.

Christmas ... No Room For Pie FAIL

When The Sailor and I first became a "serious couple" (a couple that spent holidays together), we tried to squeeze both families into one day on holidays. That didn't last long. I think we did one long Thanksgiving day with two gigantic feasts and an hour drive in between and it was exhausting (from the length of the day and the amount of digesting we had to do).

We quickly decided to pick one family for each holiday, and rotate to keep things fair. This year, we spent Thanksgiving day with my family, so Christmas day was for The Sailor's family.

The Sailor with our nephew

Cuddling with my nephew (and his Star Wars action figures).

Niece and nephew. Probably eating cookies. Check out the personalized placemats.

My husband was one month old in this picture.
He was over 10 pounds when he was born.
I am kind of scared to have his children.

Getting ready to open presents

Also, I think I might need to rename this blog for real. I ate so much food during the day (grazing on appetizers, dinner and Christmas cookies) that by the time dessert came out, I was too full to eat anything. So I didn't have any of the triple-layer chocolate cake that The Sailor made from scratch, or any pumpkin pie (MY FAVORITE). No cake. NO PIE. Nothing. Just a small glass of homemade egg nog.

And, my sister-in-law Melissa (brother Mark's wife) got me a set a penguin footie pajamas. I think she said she also got a pair for our other sister-in-law, and has a pair herself. Might need to get a photo ... something to go along with this gem from 2009 a.k.a. a Very Snuggie Christmas?

In the Zebra snuggie: brother Steve and his wife Loren
In the leopard snuggie: brother Mark and his wife Melissa
In the blue "snuggle up with Skilling" snuggie: The Sailor and me

Our 2011 Christmas e-card

Click to view larger

I used to do traditional Christmas cards. One year I did photo cards through Shutterfly - I made the graphic to the right to place in a Shutterfly holiday card template. I think that was from 2007, the year we were married.

Then I just bought generic cards and sent those. I always included what I thought was a witty letter updating our friends & family on what a married couple with no kids and no home ownership do all year. I tried to be funny but I'm sure my friends & family got it and rolled their eyes.

A few years ago, through a project at work, I taught myself how to make my own e-card. And I can send those for free!

Besides, without kids, does anyone really care about what we're up to? Do they really want a picture of just the two of us? (Maybe if I include the cat they would.) 

Eventually, when we have our own spawn, we will mail out photo Christmas cards, because, well, I know I love looking at pictures of other people's kids.

In the meantime ... I'm "going green."

So, I bring you our 2011 Christmas card, the third installment of our family's electronic holiday greetings:



You've probably seen all of these pictures in this blog already.

Photo Post of the Weekend to Distract You From the Fact that It's Monday

Christmas is in a week! ARE YOU READY? No pressure.  

Saturday night was our annual friends Christmas party with a white elephant gift exchange. Here I am, about to open up a talking Christmas tree that was missing a power cord. I ended up sticking my brother with it, because I stole the 6-pack of home-brewed beer he opened. Score! (Sorry, bro. Not. Even though it will probably take me a month to finish it.)

One of the more popular gifts was a cigar-box banjo (on the left, being played by Tiny, who you may have met before). This is not the only time I've gotten a picture of a banjo jam in this garage.

It was also a potluck party, and one of my offerings was pretzel-rolo turtles. So easy, and so yummy. Here, let me get all "Foodie Blogger" on you. Hope you can keep up.

You only need three ingredients: 

Layer of pretzels, one rolo on top of each, into a 300-degree oven for four minutes. 

This is an oven

Remove them and immediately press a pecan on top of each. 

Then let cool completely. I put them outside. 

Once cooled, try not to eat them all. 

Oh ... It's winter already?

Today was the coldest day of the season. What a great day to go for a run! At 7am! (I'm forcing myself to be a morning person on the weekends for the sake of not running alone.)

Source: TooTallFritz.com (I'll let you guess which one she is)

Two long sleeve tech tees, lined jacket, tights, lined track pants, two pairs of socks, three pairs of gloves, hat, and a headband around my neck (and sometimes my face). Just enough to not be freezing but surprisingly I didn't overheat. Luckily it wasn't windy.

Four of us from a smaller running group (the Frankfort New Lenox Running Club, or as we like to call it - the F'N Runners) "crashed" a much larger (and more serious) running group's Saturday morning run.  (I don't think they minded since we know some of them ... the running community is a small world.) I ran 8 miles total (to the water dropped at mile 4 at back - ran back with a couple women who I usually run with on Monday night's with the local running store) and the other three F'N Runners did 10.

After getting back from my run, it was time to get ready to go back outside. To the Christkindlmarket in Chicago.

Gawain and Madeline

Hot Spiced Wine in a boot

SIL Melissa, niece Madeline, me

Madeline & Mark (my oldest bro)

Afterwards we warmed up with dinner at Fogo de Chao (Brazillian steakhouse). I'm no foodie, so this is my review: YUM. Their salad bar ... AMAZING. I wish I could have just spent half the price and had the salad bar all night. BUT the meat was delicious too. And I'm not even a very big meat eater.

Since I'm not a wanna be foodie, I didn't take pictures of my food, but I did take another picture of Madeline de-bundled (because I'm Stalker Aunt).

Madeline

Then we went to Marshall Field's Macy's so Melissa could buy Frangos and we could look at the tree and gawk at people who waited 3 hours for a table at the Walnut Room.

Don't forget: Give me $5 before 12/12/11 and I might just give you a FuelBelt. (Raising money for the American Cancer Society. Raffle info here.)

Another "How To Survive Winter Running" Post: Why You Should Find a Buddy/Group

Runners like to get together for pizza. Yes, those are nametags.
Yes, I was the only one in my stinky running clothes.

I know this topic has been covered by pretty much every running blogger and running web site, but it's my blog and I have at least one suggestion that I haven't read elsewhere. 

It's cold. The days are shorter. It's hard to stay motivated when it comes to running this time of year. How do you deal with it? For me, it comes down to:

1. Wear layers
2. Find a buddy or two or more.

The layers thing is a no-brainer. You can read a ton of other advice out there about staying warm without overheating this time of year. There are even charts and interactive web pages to help you. So I won't repeat what's already been said. But it takes some trial and error before you get a feel for how many layers you actually need when you are running. (Note to beginners: It's less than you think.) The general rule of thumb I've followed is dress as if it were 20 degrees warmer (but take wind and lack of sunlight into consideration). Because once you start moving, that's what it will feel like. But don't forget to prepare for the to and from - it's OK to wear sweats over your clothes before and after your race/run.

But the buddy thing. So, it took me awhile, but I eventually started checking out group runs and running clubs, and I'm so glad I did. For one thing, I'm getting faster, and I also have people to do races with (and can stop forcing my husband to join me every time). And I'm meeting new people, which is always fun.

If you have yet to check out a running group (and you want to), DO IT. Don't worry about being the slowest. Both groups I run with (one is a drop-in group at a local store, the other is a very casual "club") have runners of all levels. No one cares about your pace, even if you have to run/walk. I promise. Runners love meeting other runners! So check your local running stores to see when they do their group runs, or if they are familiar with any running clubs in the area. 

Anyway, I've realized having a group helps a lot with winter running:

It keeps me motivated. Knowing that people are expecting/hoping I show up for a run gives me more motivation to actually do it. It makes it much harder to just make an excuse and skip it.

It keeps me safer. Running alone at night is risky, even with reflective gear and lights. Running with a group is safer - cars are more likely to see a group of runners in reflective gear/lights versus one person. You can tackle certain trails and paths (please use your best judgement), which are usually car-free, if you aren't alone and you all have lights. Also, if you injure yourself mid-run (it's dark - more likely to take a bad step and twist your ankle or something), you'll have someone around to help you out.

It's just more fun. And you don't feel as crazy. I think every non-runner (and some wimpier runners - yes, I'm judging) think we're all crazy (well, crazier) this time of year, running in temps that they don't even want to walk in for the 30 seconds it takes to get from their front door to their car. It helps to have a few other crazy people in my life to make me feel slightly normal.

Staying warm + visible.

And now for my public service announcement:
It's dark. 
MAKE YOURSELF VISIBLE. 

As I was driving to my race on Saturday morning, it was early, overcast and I think the sun was still rising. I passed by two women running on the side of a busy road (with no sidewalks) and they were wearing zero reflective gear or lights. I know you feel like a major dork, but just wear that stuff. Please. If it's dark, wear it no matter where you run (outdoors ... I mean you can wear it on the treadmill if you really want to). If you're running IN THE STREET, wear it when it's dark, wear it when it's overcast - basically whenever the sun isn't shining.


Don't forget: Give me $5 and I might just give you a FuelBelt. (Raising money for the American Cancer Society. Raffle info here.)

Looking Forward To:

In addition to all the fun fallness I'm looking forward to, I'm also excited about ...

This Sunday: Fort 2 Base 10 Nautical Mile (11.5mi) Race. The first race The Sailor and I will run together since the Soldier Field 10 on May 28. Plus it's always fun going up to Great Lakes! And taking a trip to the NEX to buy some new Navy pride apparel. Maybe I'll start Christmas shopping ...

Later this month: A certain someone is taking me out to a very special restaurant with a very awesome chef to celebrate my birthday. (Yes it was last month but this restaurant is kind of a big deal and it's a challenge to get reservations at all.) (And yes I'm aware Rick Bayless probably won't cook my actual meal ... but you never know!!) I'm super excited!! I love watching his cooking shows.

I expect all of New England to look just like this while I'm there.

End of the month: Going to Boston for a whole week with my BFF Scott to visit our BFF Vera! And while I'm there, Vera and I are running our very first race together - the Applefest Half Marathon!

Next month: my first obstacle-course race. A spooky, Halloween-themed one at that. Honestly, as much as I love Halloween, I'm a little nervous. I get scared at haunted houses. Even ones for children. But I love to challenge myself.

At some point: Giving Pumpkin Spice Lattes a second chance. I tried one last year with soy milk and no whip cream, but I've been told it's better with full fat regular milk. (Thank you modern science for lactaid pills.)

Also, it's time for pumpkin patches and corn mazes! Forgot to mention that in my last fall-lovin post. And we have no shortage of those in the south suburbs of Chicago.

It addition to F2B and the Applefest half, I'm trying to figure out which shorter distance races I'm going to do this fall. Right now I'm trying to find a good Thanksgiving morning race. I'm pretty sure The Sailor thinks I've gone race crazy. Probably.

Do you like to do a Thanksgiving morning race? Any luck getting non-runners to join you? 

FALLLLLLL

Even though it's 93 degrees out, it's September, so in my mind, it's fall, my most favoritest season EVAR. Why? Many reasons ...

The fashion! Tights! Sweater dresses! Boots! Cute shoes! Cute jackets! Scarves! And, yes, even legginges (when worn appropriately - as an alternative to tights - and not as pants). What's not to love? Plus as a redhead, fall colors look so good on me.

     

The weather! Summer 2011 has been the first real summer we've had in awhile. I feel like for the past few years, summer has been milder than normal. Not that I'm complaining (unlike 99% of my Facebook friends) because I like my seasons to feel like seasons. Anyway, I'm looking forward to being able to turn off the a/c for good, and open the windows. Being able to wear cute fall fashions like boots and sweaters and tights and not look like an "ironic" hipster. And being able to go for a run and get my best times of the year. And, you know, the beauty that is fall:

  


HALLOWEEN! Hands down, my favorite holiday. Sure, with Christmas comes cookies and presents and pretty decorations. That's all nice and good and a close second. But with Halloween comes silly and scary decorations. And candy. And costumes. Luckily The Sailor shares my love of Halloween. Pretty sure when we finally have our own house, we're going to have some pretty elaborate decorations and be the house on the block that is turned into a haunted house for the neighborhood kids to go through.

   

Anything pumpkin or pumpkin-flavored. I love it all. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin coffee drinks ... I think this year I will make it my goal to make as many pumpkin-flavored things as possible. Starting with Turkey Pumpkin Chili, pumpkin brownies and maybe I'll even attempt pumpkin pie from scratch.

Please visit applefesthalfmarathon.com for more info.

Fall festivals. Not just the Halloween-related ones, but anything fall related. This year I'm going to miss the Long Grove Apple Festival, but to make up for it, I will be running the Applefest Half Marathon. Just look at those cute medals!!!

However, would you believe, despite all the Germans up in our family trees, that we've never been to any type of Oktoberfest? Maybe this year we'll make it to one. However, with many of them I can't tell if the only thing that makes it an Oktoberfest is the fact that it is in September or October and has a beer tent. I want the full deal - bratwurst and sour kraut and schnitzel and polka and leiderhosen and German singing and dancing. And German beer too of course. And I kind of want to wear this if/when we ever go. (If I had the money I would buy a real Frauline outfit but I don't [remember I mentioned we moved in with my parents?], so I have to resort to sexy Halloween costumes.)

What do YOU love about fall???? And what is the most interesting pumpkin food you've eaten?

Newsflash: It gets hot in the summer

July 19, 2009
yes, I'm wearing a cardigan. 

In case you didn't notice, it's hot out.

Perhaps you were clued into this fact by a Facebook post or Tweet by some non-runner who dared step outside their overly air-conditioned shelter only to post "oh my gah I'm so sick of this weather like mother nature get it together before my make-up sweats off!!!1111!" [dramatization]

Or by one of the many posts and tweets by runners who like to act all badass about running in 90 degree temps and/or 100 percent humidity. ['sup]

Or perhaps you have read one of the many articles titled something like "666 ways to deal with running in the heat. #1 hydrate. #2 run early before it gets hot."

Or maybe you looked at your calendar and noted that it is July and like every other July before this one (except for 2009 which was just a crappy summer - see photo proof), it gets a little hot.

I'm sure you have your ways of dealing with running in the heat. Good for you.

Oh hai there sprinklers

Now here are mine, other than the usual "hydrate and run early."

• Suck it up and run in the heat. If you were a genius like me an registered for a half marathon in the middle of August, this is probably a good idea to acclimate yourself to the heat. Eventually you will get used to it and temps in the low 80s will feel good.
• Find a forest preserve that does not have a story about some lonely jogger being murdered in it, and run there. (Alternate option for bad neighborhoods: Bring pepperspray or a buddy. I have found husbands who are 6'4, 250 pounds to be effective at assuaging my fears of running in the forest.)
• Wait until the sun is setting so at least you can get mostly shade during your run. Sadly I have found that no one has their sprinklers on at this time of day. Jerks. (Could also be the watering restrictions.) 
• Get over your body insecurities and run in as little clothing as possible. I guarantee that no one cares more about the way your body looks than you do.
• If you are running and see a sprinkler, run through it. Multiple times if it has a weak spray and doesn't get you wet enough. (TWSS?)
• Or: While running, stick your face in every drinking fountain you pass. (Drink some water too.) 
• Same idea but I haven't done this yet: After putting on your running clothes but before heading out the door, turn the shower to cold and jump in. 
• Or: A few hours before your run, get your running shorts wet and put them in the freezer. Put them on. Make "oooh!" sound and feel simultaneously cold and hot & bothered. 
• Last resort: Run on a treadmill. Feel like a failure the entire time. 

What do you do to deal with these lovely temps? 

snotorious b.i.g. [photos and video part two]

So we've survived the Chicago Blizzard of 2011 (that has hit more than just Chicago). It stopped snowing but it's freaking cold out (mostly due to the wind) and snow removal is a slow process. That's fine with me. We are lucky - our power never went out, so we've got heat, a refrigerator full of food and internet (and Netflix!).

And photos! Duh. Of course there are photos!

This was my car this morning:



Yup. Not going anywhere for awhile. (Where would I go anyway? Everything is closed.)

Time to start clearing out the driveway.



Trying to get shots of the backyard. Hard to get through the snow drifts + the large gate.



More snow blowing.



Cleared off the front steps.



Investigating the back yard with the neighbor.



Snow drift in the other neighbor's back yard. And yes, that's a tall fence. As tall as a person.



Clearing the sidewalk.



Here is the video made on my roommate's camera last night (starting with the video it was in response to). Check out the lightning around 1:25ish.