Month in Review: October 2014

Books I've Read:

1. The Animated Man: The Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier

I really enjoyed this read. I knew next to nothing about Walt Disney before picking up this book, other than the movies and Disneyland. I feel like this book gave a fair overview of Walt's life. It didn't make him seem like some perfect dreamer or just a sexiest/racist man. He really was neither of those things, just a normal person, that started a far reaching business that wasn't always that successful in his life time.

Movies I've Watched:

1. Gone Girl

My mother and I went to see this in theaters, I hadn't read the book, so I was shocked by all the twist and turns. I really enjoyed the movie, but I probably wouldn't see it again, as I know everything that would happen. My mom thought it was too long and too raunchy.

2. Chef

I wanted to see this in theaters so bad, but it never came out locally! I was excited when I saw this film on demand. I didn't really know what to expect from this movie, but I just love foodie movies. And while this movie had a lot to do with food, it was more about the relationship between him and his son. This movie was excellent! Loved every minute.

3. Obvious Child

I rented this from the redbox on a whim. The movie was somewhat entertaining, even though it turned out to be about a sensitive subject (abortion, I had no idea it was about that when I rented it).  The main problem I had with the movie was that the actress played stand-up comedian, but her stand-up routine was so gross. I really hate fart jokes, is that just me?

4. Despicable Me

I can't believe I have never taken the time to see this movie. But Jana and I were thinking about dressing as minions when we go to Universal on our big racecation, so I needed to do some research. Loved this movie so much, so funny and so cute!

Fun Things I did in October:

1. Celebrated my 9 month surgiversery

2. Carved Pumpkins!

3. Decorated the Home for Fall

4. Had the Best Halloween

5. Ran, Ran, Ran

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Disney Princess Half-Marathon Training Week 5

Week 5, Run 1

There wasn't anything really special about my Tuesday morning run. I manged to get up early, even though I stayed up fairly late on Monday night (and by late, I'm mean 10:30, I try to get in bed by 9 on the nights before my runs). I ran around my neighborhood and the nearby school, blasting the new Taylor Swift CD just because I COULD. My splits were 12:47 and 13:30.

Week 5, Run 2

I had no excuse to not get up early on Thursday morning. I slept well, and when my alarm went off I felt rested. But my bed was just soo gosh darn warm.  So I slept in that extra hour, and I really have no regrets. I decided to run on my lunch break.

The minute I got to the park where I run, 3-4 school buses dropped off children to have lunch outside. I was like really?!? I did not want to run in front of a whole bunch of teenagers, but I didn't have any other options, so I did.

When I started running it felt really hard, I don't know why, just an off day. But I knew I just had to keep going. I felt a little better after a mile, but not by much. I felt slow and clumsy, I was sure my times would be awful. But they were decent, just not my best (13:05 and 14:10). But any run where I don't give up is a great run!

Week 5, Run 3

Saturday was the day of my big 5 miler.I have never ran further than 4 miles. I had been nervous about it all week, and I was really nervous when I woke up on Saturday morning. So I put it off. I spent the day in town with Adam, and then came home and took a nap, promising myself I would run after my nap. Which is what I did. Since it was late, and it was dark, I decided just to run around my block. I knew it would be a little bit boring with no changes in scenery (I would just be rounding my block 10 times). But it seemed like the best option. 

I loaded up some podcasts, did a short warm-up walk, took a deep breath, said a prayer, and then I took off. I figured I would not have the best times, since I tend to slow down a bit with each mile. But I had a secret goal to finish under 1:20, and I ended up finishing in 1:06! It was a hard work-out, but not unmanageable so, and I could have ran further if I had to. I managed not to lose more than a minute from my first mile time to my last mile time. My splits were 12:53, 13:02, 13:17, 13:36, and 13:47.

I was so proud of myself, the only other time I have ever felt that kind of pride was when I completed my first 5k running.

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Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet

I don't know if it was because Halloween was on a Friday this year, which just put me in a celebratory, "it's the weekend" mood, but I just LOVED Halloween this year. It was a blast.

My costume this year was Where's Waldo. How cute is that? Actually, Adam says I should call myself Wilma, since apparently that is Waldo's girlfriend. Who knew he had a girlfriend other than my dorky husband? But I'm sticking with calling myself Waldo because I'm not worried about gender roles. 

I headed over to my mother's to hand out candy to trick or treaters, as her house always gets a MILLION. I'm not even exaggerating. There is usually a point in the night where we have to spint to turn out the lights and shut the front door because we have ran out of candy and there are trick or treaters heading down the driveway!

Adam stayed home because he was still working, and we had no clue how many trick or treaters  we would have. A neighbor had told us there wasn't many, which didn't surprise me because our neighborhood is older demographically. We are by far the youngest people on the block. But Adam was pleased to report we had about 20-30 trick or treaters, so next year I'll probably stay home with him.

When I got to Mom's, I was greeted by Carlee in her princess costume. As much as I teased mom about her dressing as a princess this year, I had to admit she looked cute. She even won 2nd place at a costume contest at her Vet's office. All the trick or treaters loved her and would holler, "It's a Princess Dog!"

After we ran out of candy, Mom (who was dressed as a nun), and I headed out to a local Halloween Festival at a small, local church I have recently started attending. I enjoyed watching the children play games (and not being the one in charge of the games for once, HA). I even got in on the action and played musical chairs. I lost horribly, going out in the first round. I guess I'm not cut throat enough.

When it was time to leave, I grabbed some cupcakes to take home to Adam. And while Adam ate his cupcakes, we watched one of my favorite Halloween movies, The Nightmare before Christmas. It was the perfect ending to the whole evening!

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Disney Princess Half-Marathon Training Week 4

Week 4, Run 1

I originally planned to keep to the regular running schedule this week, and I would just redo my failed weekend run on Saturday. But I got the idea on Monday night, I should just make my scheduled 30 minute run a 4 miler. So that is what I did. I got up 30 minutes earlier at 5 a.m., than I do for my typical run (omg, I am becoming a morning runner). 

I started my History Chicks podcast (this one about Julia Child), and hit the road. I ran a few blocks from the house around a fairly big intermediate school. It felt tough, but not as tough as it did this weekend. My splits were a little slow, but none were over 14:49. That typically happens if I skip a run.

I haven't done 4 miles in months, and it felt good to accomplish that. 4 miles is as far as I've ever gone, so in two weeks when I have to do 5, that will be a challenge. 

Week 4, Run 2

I ended up doing my run on my lunch break, and it was a beautiful day. Adam had dropped me off at work that morning because he had a friend in town, and they needed the car to bum around (we only have one car). So I ended up doing my warm-up by walking to the park where I usually run when I'm at work. The run went well, I wasn't really thrilled with my times for my two miles, but I don't get caught up with my speed too much. My first mile was 13:21 and my second one was 13:54.   Who am I to complain? When I first started running I was doing a 20 minute mile!

Week 4, Run 3

I woke up Saturday morning with sore legs. I'm not even sure why. I wasn't sore on Friday, so I don't think it was from my workout. But my calf muscle in my leg felt like I had had a charlie horse in it that I didn't stretch out properly. I was on the fence about whether I should run on it or not. So I took it easy all day Saturday, and after a nap,  I decided to go out for an evening run. I figured if it hurt, I would stop.

I had three miles on the schedule. I warmed up, and then I ran around the neighborhood and this nearby school I've gotten into the habit of running at because it has plenty of circular pathways. I was sore, but it didn't hurt while running, so I was able to finish the workout with no problem.  

I was super happy with my times for the three miles (12:41, 12:54, and 13:19).  That is an average speed of 4.6! I am a little extra sore on that muscle today, but I hope it will feel better by Tuesday.

In other news,  I signed up for a 10k on November 15th! Jana will be joining me, so we can update our race times for Disney and hopefully get a higher corral placement.

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WDW Virtual Countdown Chain: 17 Weeks to Go

17 weeks to go! I can't believe it. Thursday, my WDW Countdown app pinged me to say it was 120 days before our vacation, and I couldn't believe it. It seems so close, almost too close, considering I need to be able to run 13.1 miles by then!

For the countdown this week, I thought I would focus on New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom! This is one of the "lands" I'm most excited for.

Day 119: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

This is the newest ride in Walt Disney World, and it has a lot of great buzz.  It is supposed to be fun, and has excellent theming. I'm sure we will love it.

Day 118: The Classic Dumbo Ride

How can you go to WDW and not ride Dumbo? I remember being pleasantly surprised at how high you actually go on this ride when I was in Disneyland. It is actually quite a bit of fun. 

Day 117: Meet Gaston

I am really excited about meeting Gaston, especially since I'm dressing as Belle for marathon day! I just can't wait to tell him how burly and brawny he is.

Day 116: Enchanted Tales with Belle

This is another newish attraction at WDW, less of a ride and more of a story reenactment. You better believe I going to volunteer to be part of the play. I also can't wait to take pictures of Maurise's Cottage.

Day 115: Prince Eric's Castle

Yes, I am all about Beauty and the Beast, but a 2nd favorite would have to be The Little Mermaid, so I can't wait to see Prince Eric's Castle as well!

Day 116: Rapunzel Rest Area

This is just a small thing, but I think the floating lanterns look really pretty. Plus the girl's bathroom here is decorated like Rapunzel painted the walls and ceilings!

 

Day 115: Meet Aerial at her Grotto

She is one of the top characters on my list that I just have to meet! I'm hoping to meet her both as a mermaid and as a human. 

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Fall Decor in our New Home

I think one of my favorite things about living in our very own home is finally getting to decorate for the holidays. Although I decorated our apartment last year, it was on a smaller scale. So it was fun to add decor both inside and out this year.  Apparently, I've learned that I have a love for scarecrows?? I have no idea why, I just do.

Also, I love the decorations on the kitchen table. People, we finally have a real grown-up kitchen table after 5 and a half years of marriage! For years, we had no room in the places we lived for one. And in the apartment last year, we made our priority having a treadmill instead of a table (I still think that was a good choice, that DREADMILL has served us well). We got this wonderful table as a housewarming gift from a family friend. It is beautiful, and we love being able to have real meals together, especially on Sunday nights, when we sit down and I eat my small meal and Adam eats the spaghetti I make him.

Fall is such an amazing season, probably my favorite season. Getting to decorate for it in our new home, just makes it even better. 

I was so excited for our fall decor, I made a page about it in my Project Life Album. I used the studio calico kit, The Underground, for this project. Click the picture to enlarge.

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Disney Princess Half-Marathon Training Week 3

 

Week 3, Run 1 

Oh Monday night was full of trail and tribulations, or at least the type of trail and tribulations that worked together as a force to keep me from not sleeping. We had an extremely bad storm Monday night, that knocked out our power on Monday for hours! We had nothing to do but sit in the dark. I probably dozed off & on on the couch till about 9, and woke up when the power kicked back on by 9:30. I guess my body treated that as a nap, and I could not get back to sleep forever. And then the storm, kicked the power back off after I finally got to sleep. Which is only a problem because when it kicked back on, it turned on our overhead lights in the bedroom. Waking me up and keeping me up for hours again!

I was so exhausted when my alarm went off, and I had to get ready for work. All day long I dreaded my run because I was tired.  When 6 o'clock rolled around, I thought about skipping it, or just cutting myself some slack and walking it. But I decided I couldn't do it. I actually ended up with decent splits, 13:14 for my first mile and 14:04 for my second. Not too shabby for having no energy. 

But I'm most proud that I didn't use how I felt as an excuse not to give it my all!

Week 3, Run 2

I got my run done in the afternoon because all Thursday I was a bit under the weather. But even though I was under the weather, the weather was BEAUTIFUL.   It was around 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky, which was nice due to all the bad weather we have been having lately.

I decided to just do my run around the neighborhood. Just 4 loops around the block. I started my run, and I felt like I was doing pretty good. But I was shocked when my app told me I had completed my first mile in 12:53!! I have never done a mile under 13 minutes, I almost cried with happiness. I was so proud! My second mile was 13:28, still excellent for me.

I'm so happy with the speed progress I am making. 

Week 3, Run 3

I am unhappy to report, that I have had a rough weekend. I've been very sick with a problem I can't share publicly, that has left me feeling week.   I tried to run both on Saturday and on Sunday, and both times I had to quit because I could not breathe. I understand that it is my body's way of telling me I need to rest and recuperate. I hate missing a work-out! But I will pick it up Tuesday. My plan is to switch things around and try again for 4 miles next Saturday (instead of the three on schedule). I can do this.

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