A year to be in shape.

At the end of 2010 I had the owner of the gym I go to give me a running workout so I could lower my run time for my annual pt test.  I have the ability and training to do my own, but I didn't want to take the energy and time to do it because of my schedule (I can barely fit fitness in as it is).  So far things have been going great and I have endurance I've never had before.

While on TDY (temporary military duty) with a friend in my unit she mentioned a fitness challenge she is doing with some of her friends.  It's called Tough Mudder.  I was game from the start and then got Paul on board.  Here is a description from the website if you don't take the time to visit it:
        

Tough Mudder is not your average lame-ass mud run or spirit-crushing ‘endurance’ road race. It’s Ironman meets Burning Man. Our 7-12 mile obstacle courses are designed by British Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.

**The course we are running in is 8 miles**

The proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

I had never heard of it before my friend mentioning it, but upon further digging into what I was getting myself into, I have found that it seems to be gaining popularity with others.  The challenge we signed up for takes place in July at Devil's head resort.

Right now Paul and I are also considering getting a team together for the warrior dash.  It's "3.08 hellish miles" set to take place in Sept in Twin Lakes.  We definitely have a year of fitness cut out for us and I couldn't be more excited.

Week 4!

I must say that going to school full-time and working full-time hasn't been as crazy as I thought it would be.  Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have a lot of free time, but I'm not drowning either.  As long as I do homework every.single.day I'm good. 

I'm now in week 4 and time is going fast.  Maybe it's because I'm gone on trips for work too that is making it go fast.  It definitely helps having classes online.  Only another year and a half of this and I will have a BS!

Ringing in 2011

I left the end of 2010 extremely busy.  December was a full month that looked like this:
first weekend was drill
second weekend was drill again with a huge inspection
a quick 24 hour trip to New Orleans for work
school finals
hours picked up at my part time job
and then just working my regular full time job too!

I ended up having 2 days off the whole month. 

Now to ringing in 2011.  I would love for it to be a slower year but that won't be the case.  I will be going to school full time, working full time and will working hours at my part time job.  Whew! 

Have I mentioned yet that we have house projects that have been sitting undone for almost a year now.  Somewhere I have to find time to get to those. 

Hope the new year brings you everything you want!

A tip for stringing lights on your tree.

If you can answer yes to this question, Do you use a ton of strands to light up your tree?

Then this tip will be your best friend.

Use icicle lights to put on your tree.  Because they hang you can wrap your tree in less time with just the same amount of lighting.  I have a 7.5ft tree and it took 2 strands.  Another tip from someone was to use the netting lights made for bushes.

A Very spoiled Zayla

While I was doing homework this is where Zayla decided she had to be

and me being a nice "mommy" I didn't make her move.  I just worked around her.

My boy Zeke

I don't know how he climbed into the chair and managed this.  He's curled up in a little ball with the pillow propped perfectly for his head to rest on...ADORABLE!!

For those of you who own a dog or cat...

 Dear Dog & Cat,
The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think that I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out with tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miricale I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years--canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.
The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!
To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door: Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "furniture.")
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.
Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they: eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never drive your car, don't hang our with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need gazillion dollars for college, and if they get pregnant, you can sell their children.