Thursday, December 4, 2014

Midweek Update

What a busy week!  It’s a good thing my office phone tells me what day it is, I have lost track.   

Tuesday I missed the gym because I had my first Christmas party of the season!  Woot Woot! Fist pump!  I count that as the #1 acceptable reason to miss the gym.  I had a great time and was recognized by the organization for the commitment I have shown over the last year.  It is an honor to be part of this great organization.


Wednesday I hit the gym for an extra long session.  Funny that I stayed late since I didn’t even want to go.  It had been pouring rain for two days and I had a pot of chili waiting for me at home.  Somehow, my car ended up there despite my best efforts to skip.  I’m so glad it did because it was a great session and it was chest day!!   I partnered with my friend, Steve, who is quite the inspiration.  He’s in incredible shape and one of the nicest most genuine people you could ever meet.  I learned from him and he pushed me to do more than I thought I could.  I’m truly blessed to call him friend.   

When I finally arrived home I found a nice surprise on Facebook.  The picture from my last photo shoot with the amazing Red Light Shoppe was posted.  It's definitely in my top 5 favorite.

Senior Portrait Shoot Nov, 2014

Somewhere in all of this we started decorating the office for Christmas.  This is my favorite time of the year.  I love the decorations and giving spirit.  It’s always the thought that counts and I get a high from finding/making/discovering the perfect gift. I've started checking off my list, have you? 



I did receive my first Christmas gift!  I have been instructed to wait until Christmas morning to open it and then I’ll receive a call with more details.  This only escalated my curiosity.  What details are required?  I think this is my Mom’s gift to herself – my slow torture.

  

Monday, December 1, 2014

Thanksgiving 2014

Wednesday night I kicked off my Thanksgiving celebration by going for drinks after a great workout.  It was nice to spend time with these ladies (away from the gym) but it cost me.  I was up until 3:30 am cooking.

Fit Lab Familia (minus a few)

Thursday I kicked off Thanksgiving with a great 2 hour workout followed by a delicious meal and some family from Texas visiting.  Our 'little' cousin was also celebrating his 21st B-day.  Nothing  makes you feel old like still thinking of someone as 5 but knowing they're 21.  Sorry, no pictures of this.  Some things are better left undocumented.
The Menu

Tire Flips
 
Missing my Oklahoma family so I wore a shirt to represent



Friday I escaped the daily grind and headed up the mountains to visit family.  We ended up at this small town celebration where most stores were giving out free hot cocoa or wine, great discounts, there was a horse drawn carriage, performers, Santa and the Mrs, and I got to see the newly redone building that housed the first brothel in CA.






Saturday we strolled through a quaint little town and I discovered two of the best wines I've ever tasted.  Both are Scott Harvey wines - Jana Riesling and the InZINerator.  After a gazillion years I finally found a bottle of wine I could share with my husband.

Sutter Creek
1st bottle I've ever shared with the husband


Traveling on the Sunday after Thanksgiving made us a statistic.  We were 3 of the millions of people that traveled this day.  As we sat in stop-n-go traffic for an extra 1.5 hours I was sure to mention this.  I also mentioned that next time we should leave a day early or later.  Luckily, I had a beautiful sky and Christmas carols to sing to pass the time.  That is until my son begged me to play 'real' music.

The sunset we expected to watch from home

California's hwy 5