To Run or Not To Run?

I am having to decide what to do with  my running steak for this year. At the moment I am able to run, though it is slightly icy out there..... that is the stupid thing about snow here in Seattle. It's wet, people drive on it so it becomes super slushy, and then it freezes: we are all just driving around on a sheet of ice the next day.

I headed out today to just get a mile or two, to keep things going. Aaron went with me, slipped after about two minutes and turned around and went back: I kept going. I was fine, never slipped once, but if we get the snow they say we are suppose to get over the next few days I'm in trouble.

Here is the executive decision I have made. I am running this streak for myself. I am not trying to impress anyone, get on any lists or win any awards. It's just a personal goal for myself and myself only. So, I am not out to risk life and limb over getting a run in. I have an elliptical, and this is what I bought it for - exercising on days I just can't get out. I am going to count my elliptical miles as running miles when it is impossible to get out and run. 

I feel good about that decision.

My New Years Resolution

I am not one to set New Years Resolutions. I think they are hokey and usually set you up for failure. If you want to do something then just freakin' do it and not wait until January 1st to start AND on the flip side of that coin, if you start something just cause you feel like you need to have a "resolution" it isn't going to happen: you have to want it to make it happen.

With that said, I have decided to start a goal, and January 1st seemed the most logical time to start it. Vacation is over, things are settling back down again and it just seemed fun to do it for the entire year...... I'm going to go on a running streak for 2012.

In order for a running streak to be "official" (which, official is such a loose term, because it's all on the honor system and you don't really get anything for it - just a personal goal) you have to run every day, and you have to go at least a mile each day. I figure the weather can't ever get bad enough, or I won't be sick enough, to be able to haul my carcass out for one stupid mile.

I will not, however, do this at risk of health or safety. If I am really sick, or if I get injured some how, then running will be off - but it would have to be pretty bad. This goal will help me on those days that I just don't feel like it, because the hardest part of exercising some days is just getting out the door - if you can do that, then you are good to go.

We'll see how it goes. I'm going to keep track of my running total on here, because if I have to be accountable then it will help me keep going. I will also write about any significant experiences, thoughts or important notes along the way. I had contemplated actually making a running blog for this, but we all know that I already have too many blogs, and a couple of them are not getting any attention - I didn't want that to happen with this!

So, here I go - on my 2012 running streak! Wish me luck.

Merry Christmas!

It has been a few years since we made the trek to Utah for Christmas, so we decided to do it again this year. Once again, we were blessed with amazing weather all the way there and only ran into a bit of snow coming back - all in all an uneventful drive, just the way we like it.

We spent the whole week with the Hamblins, and with the exception of a few moments (kids throwing up and a little Cheney drama) we had a great time. Sure wish we didn't live so far away from each other!

 Making sugar cookies!

We also spent a couple of days over at Weldon and Julies house - Christmas day for a yummy dinner and the next day for pizza and a movie. It was so great being surrounded by all of our family! We love them a lot.

 

Our Pre-Christmas Party

Since we were going to be out of town for Christmas, we got together with all our favorite peeps the weekend before to have a celebration and exchange gifts. We had such a great night together eating and hanging out! I love these people!

 

Chrome Molly at HD Hotspurs

The big Christmas gig was a blast. Getting all decked out for the holiday was super fun, and you know me, I love to dance all night long! I wasn't super impressed with the restaurant but it was still a fun night.

Chome Molly at Gonzos Sports Bar

Well, I was involved with my first bar fight this weekend. Was I in the fight? No! But I had to break it up. Here is the sum-up version of what happened.

I was talking to a gal I had just met that night, he boyfriend is an old friend of Aaron's and played a song with the band. As we were talking a drunk girl jumped up on stage and started using Debbie as a stripper pole and you could tell Debbie wasn't quite sure how to hand the situation. Kristie (the gal I was talking to) was pretty disgusted by the whole thing and we were talking about it.... well, the girl on stage saw her point at her and it was obvious that she was talking about her.... nuff said.

It was a pretty intense situation for about 5 minutes, until a hit was swung and the bouncer finally decided to waddle his fat ass over to see what was going on. Ya, thanks! Where were you 10 minutes ago when said drunk girl jumped up on stage to begin with?!

At least I have a good story to tell now.

On a more happy note, the band played great! They were all really on, the crowd was very responsive and it was a fun night. I had a blast! It is SO fun for me to see Aaron have so much fun with this band and following his passion! I'm very proud of him.

A Victorian Christmas

Mom and I did our annual visit to the Victorian Christmas bizarre. It really helps kick me into the Christmas spirit to surround myself with so much Christmasness ;o) Music, decorations, Santa, shopping - it's just awesome. I think I wear her out whenever we go, but I think she goes home happy.

I found some really fun treasures this year that I am excited to give people for gifts. One of the things I love so much about going is most of the vendors there are local, small businesses. A lot of the stuff is hand-made things, and I just love to see the creativity that other people have! I also am a HUGE advocate of supporting the local economy when I can... I know what it's like to try to have your own local business so I try to support that as much as possible.

This cute little Christmas moose and snowman were gifts to me from mom. She kind of spoils me some times, but I won't allow  her to do it too much. As a matter of fact, she told me she was buying them for herself, cause she knows that, and then gave them to me as I was getting ready to leave the stinker. But, they are so cute I have forgiven her! I LOVE them and can't wait to get the decorations up and incorporate them in! (Decorations are going up late this year because I am waiting for Jess to get home to do it together).

I had a great time spending the day with mom and wandering around the bizarre. It's one of the things I look forward to every year.