Merry Christmas from The Schmidts

Update From A Mad Runner

One week until Christmas!! So excited and I hoped that this week would go by so fast....but I'm sure to no ones surprise it was so slow.
Monday: 2.5 miles .25 walk, OH YEAH. Started out strong. I figure whatever I run this week will be good. I'm giving myself a little break (it's my Christmas present to myself;). I also did my ab burner workout after.
Tuesday: No run. I managed to get to the store for some last minute gift buying and the wine store. Guess which one I liked more...it's a tough decision. I got home and B was here. He didn't go to the gym, surprise surprise, no really that is a HUGE surprise. I was begging (;) him to run with me. But in the end I decided not to run either. I did a little workout regimen that I found on pinterest.com, my new fun Web site. It was a plyo workout, abs, arms, jumping jacks and lots of that fun stuff. I also did some leg stretches too. The back of my knee is so sore from running on Monday.
Wednesday: 2 miles, no walk. I was so hungry and felt week so I ran and left!! I had to lower my speed just to make it to the 2 miles mark!
Thursday: 2.5 miles, I really pushed myself today and am so glad I did. Around 1.25 miles I was talking to myself and was going to do 1.5 miles, then started thinking of the rest of the week and how I won't have anytime to run on Friday. Then I talked myself into running 2 miles. Then I started doing the math (which isn't easy when you run) and thought that if I make it 2.5 miles I will only have to make it 2 miles on Saturday. Which I could do, or should be able to do.
Friday we had a Christmas Eve Party go to. So much fun to see some friends, have some cocktails and white elephant gift exchange.
Saturday: According to B it is Christmas! I was trying to tell him that Christmas was not until Sunday, but all day long B was bugging me about opening presents. I distracted him a little by heading to get coffee, had a quick trip to the grocery store and then Barnes and Noble. We got some lunch at the Wing Nutz and then hung out at home, cooked dinner and then opened presents. It was so fun to spend some time with B and me.Also Izzie loved opening her presents.
Sunday: We have B's brother and his girlfriend coming to SLC today. We got up early and I ran 2 miles. I ran a little slower but still got through it. Yay for me!! So excited to meet a goal on such a busy week. Now I just need to get the rest of our dinner ready early, then I just need to warm up the dinner again. Now time to enjoy some movies and "word with friends" with B, we are SO addicted!!

Izzie opening her presents

Update From A Mad Runner

This week started out well how should I put it...HORRIBLE! I could barely run, my knees were killing me which made me not want to run at all, anyday, and I didn't care!
Monday: 2 miles walked .33 uphill. Even though I made it 2 miles, I barely made it 1.25 and hit a brick wall at 1.88. Holy, seriously sore knees! My knees are aching just thinking about this run. It was terrible. B came home and ran with me in our workout room and I had to leave before he was done. I didn't do anything else other than stretch and lay on my couch. .
Tuesday: NADA! Laziness mixed with my horrible run on Monday I didn't want to leave my bed let alone run! I am not sure I will make it much over the 5 miles this week. But I did make it out to a movie that night. I went to New Years Eve with a friend. It got terrible reviews, but I really like it. It's a chick flick what do you expect!
Wednesday: Of course tired and lazy again but I did make it to the treadmill and ran 2 miles .5 miles uphill. I ran .5 uphill for one mile and have been running a tish faster than normal. I also did an Ab burner workout on my Nike Fit and I didn't want to do a full arm workout so I did some push ups instead. Then I got stuck watching the trainwreck called Toddlers and Tiaras. It's not good...but I can't look away!! And the previews make me not want to miss it!
Thursday: 2 miles, oh yeah. I even made a 30 minute strenght work out and man my butt was sure feeling it on Friday morning. Felt like my skin was burning below my butt cheeks. A good burn.
Friday: Duh, day off. We had our office Christmas party, turkey dinner and half day of work....sign me up! B and I then got my new phone and then went to the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I love those movies, I even started reading volume one of his books! Robert Downey Jr is spot on!
Saturday: got up early, got our morning coffee and then clean the entire house! All before noon! Then I went and ran, I couldn't quite finish 3 miles. I only made it 2.5 miles. I got to about 1.6 miles and took a drink of water, then I got really light headed. I really tried to push myself, but I didn't want to get rug burns down my face from fainting. I think I need to eat something other than coffee before I work out!
So this week ended in 8.5 miles total. From how I started out on Monday I'll take it. Now we just need to get groceries for next week and then I'll start cooking Christmas dinner around Wednesday night. Luckily the meal I'm making can be made early and be refrigerated prior.

Pain in the Ass

So I turned 27 and everything went downhill.
I think I just hit puberty, I have more zits now then I ever have, my butt is drooping and I'm getting saddlebags on my thighs. This is what spurred me into working out more, eating better and getting all these new face washes.
I did some leg, butt and thigh workouts while I was catching up on The Millionaire Matchmaker and now I can barely get up from my chair!

Update From A Mad Runner

Monday: 2 miles. Ab Burner and Arm ripper. Arms arms arms! I have been neglecting my arms, although they felt like I was working them with how sore they were getting. Probably from the planks and push ups in the conditioning workouts I was sneaking in. I have not been focusing on my arm workouts though and I think it's showing, I noticed myself running with T-Rex arms and I was getting so tired around 1.5 mile but once I actually started using my arms I got a little energy back!
Tuesday: Yay for me. I actually woke up early (6 a.m.) and did a mile run so I am at an even 3 for the week. I am still debating if I want to run 8 miles total this week or bump it up to 9. I'll see how the rest of the week is going. I really want to run 3 miles Saturday, that's my main goal for the week. I'll do what I can until then. I recently became a Pinterest addict. I have been on that site for a while but now that I have a cookie extravaganza on Saturday to get ready for I was searching for some new recipes to try out. I also found some motivational pics and workout info. One was a quick morning workout of 50 jumping jacks, 20 crunches, 20 mountain climbers, 30 second plank and 10 burpees. I did that this morning as well. It worked well, but my arms are a little dead from last night and today! It's still going to be a good day!!
Wednesday: 1.5 miles. .25 walk, burned 200 calories on the treadmill (supposedly) I also did a Body Flexor 30 minute workout on my Nike Fit. So motivated gotta love it!
Thursday: Morning I did my 50 jumping jacks, 20 crunches, 20 mountain climbers 30 second plank and 10 burpees. I did it yesterday morning too. I need to think of something to call that so I don't have to type that out everytime (as I am going to try to do this every morning).
Friday: broke my rule again! I ran 1 mile this evening and walked .5 mile uphill. The an a burner workout.
Saturday: B and I woke up early, got coffee and ran to Target. We picked up some stocking stuffers and wasted time, who doesn't love wasting time at Target! I should say that I actually work up a little after 7 and was ready to run asap. But while I was on my way to the club house I spotted a gentlemen briskly walking to the door trying to beat me to it! That is the only negative of our clubhouse, there is only one treadmill, one elliptical and one stationary bike. Most people use the treadmill and if you don't get there you'll be stuck with the other two or have to wait. I always bug people to see how long they are going to be. Anywho, I'm proud of myself for at least trying to run right away, but I got there about noon and ran my 2.5 miles. I was TIRED! I really wish I was able to get in there right away in the a.m. but I made it through. I did some stretching and then B came home and we ran some more errands, did some xmas shopping and then went to our friends two year olds bday party! How fast he's grown! I can't believe it, it seems like she just had him and now he's two and they have a newborn! Such a beautiful family. I then went to a cookie exchange party, so good thing I worked it off before hand and skipped my dinner so I could stuff my face with sweets!! Delicious.
Today I took the day off. I was going to run a mile, but honestly I didn't want to and I don't care. I woke up early again and B and I laid in bed and watched a movie together. It was nice to just be lazy, but then we got it into gear. We got coffee, braved the mall and I got some stuff up to the thrift store, finally mailed a gift to a friend (I've had it in my house since March, yeah, finally right!) and got some more xmas gifts!! I feel like I kicked xmas ass this year, everything mailed, all gifts thought out and bought and I had my xmas cards done by the time I got my first in the mail I was ready to send mine out! I only have B left and I am only waiting because he is a snoop!!
Hope everyone else is having a great Holiday Season, it's hard to believe that Xmas is only a couple weeks away!

Post Office

I just mailed my Christmas cards and a couple boxes of gifts to family. I think I spent the same amount on my gifts and cards as I did to send them to everyone! Holy Moly the post office is expensive!!

Update From A Mad Runner

I started out strong this week, had a little setback on humpday and then picked it back up to make it over my goal of seven miles and completed EIGHT miles this week! (I had no idea that I went over the seven miles target. I thought I was losing my mind and had to add this together with B to make sure I was right! I also had to go to my last post to make sure I was on the right week)

Monday; A 1.75 miles run! .25 walked. I also used my Nike Fit app to get a butt buster and ab burner workout in.
Tuesday: I woke up with some sore, sore knees. I ran like Phoebe and was able to do a 1.25 mile run, so I have an even 3 under my belt. I did a Nike Fit 30 min conditioning workout to help tone up the buttocks.
Wednesday...laziness hits. Ran errands after work. Skyped with Heather and Cameron. I didn't want to do anything but finally got the energy to do my leg sculptor and ab burner workout with my Nike Fit.
Thursday: 2 mile run. Holla I'm back! Since I've been upping my miles I also need to up my stretching. Which I tried tonight
Friday: I broke my own rule...I worked out on a Friday. I did a mile. I left work a little early and was bored, B told me to run, which made me mad. But I did it anyways. I guess he does know what he's talking about. I ran and then ordered pizza. Good thing I was able to work it off before I indulged in some greasy food!
Saturday: 2 mile run and I'm done! Ab workout. B and I are (again) laying low again this weekend. I feel like I say that a lot. I guess it must be the perks (reason) of living away from family and in laws. We don't have a lot of obligations to meet and can do what we want, which at this point I am unsure if it is a pro or con.

So again today I woke up around 5 a.m. Izzie was cuddling with me and no B anywhere in sight. He must have fell asleep downstairs after playing video games. Izzie gets a little dazed and confused when B and I are not together in the same room. She always runs in between both of us. So I left the door open for her so she could relax a little and get to take turns laying by both of us. We have also noticed that Izzie is starting to finally turn from a pup to a dog. She is getting a little more lazy, likes to lay around. We've experienced her not being able to keep her big puppy dog eyes open during the days on Saturday and especially Sunday. It's adorable to see her eyes get heavier and heavier before she can't keep her head up anymore.

Top news!! We got some presents for under our tree! Christmas is really coming!

Foot in the mouth

I do speak my mind. I don't want to be too blunt or ever rude, but with my close friends I do say what I think. Other times I have learned to keep my mouth shut.
Until 2 days ago. 

It's not a good feeling!!

Update From A Mad Runner

Well this week I started out strong. Of course I did though, what do you expect when Thanksgiving is at the end of the week!
Monday: 1.5 miles, walked .5 did ab and shoulder ripper workout. My running is not getting any better though. I think I got my running form from Phoebe...if you are familiar with Friends you understand what I am talking about. This year I'm thankful for no one being in our workout room when I am...I would get embarrassed for sure.
Tuesday: Another 1.5 miles. Whoo Hoo! I was only going to do 1 mile, but got the energy I guess (must be from my running form). Then went to girls movie night. Breaking Dawn Part 1. Terrible, Terrible movie. I have to admit I will watch Part 2, but I am not excited about it. I can not believe those people are paid actors and actresses!
Wednesday: After work I braved the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. I had all my Thanksgiving shopping done but then decided to make something new for dinner and needed a few ingredients. I survived. I then ran 1 mile and did a 30 minute workout on my Nike Fit while I caught up on my Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Got to love the drama! I also pulled my groin, not from running but from my high leg kicks (I was warming up, after my run, so strange). Guess I'll have to work on that one.
Thursday: Turkey Day! No workout! Yes. B and I went up to Snowbird Resort for my first day on the Mts. It was terrible. There is not a lot of snow yet, only two lifts open and the lines were crazy. There was only one way down the Mt. and I guess this is the best time to teach your youngest to ski because there was a million young kids on the slopes. But, after that rant, it was nice to get out to the Mt. We'll have to wait for more snow to fall to go again. I am sore as can be, in my neck, which is weird cause I don't remember falling.
Friday: My day off. No, not from work, from workouts. I did work that day, and B got up early and went Black Friday shopping with some friends. He braved the lines, got some great deals and had brunch all before I spoke to my first customer of the day. He also got me The Girl Who Played with Fire. I am so excited to start reading it! Another amazing part of this week, one of my best friends was in town for the holiday visiting her family! We were able to meet them for dinner and caught up on everything that has happened since their wedding in June.
Saturday: We slept in, B was still tired from shopping. I was up early, called my family. Watched The House Bunny did an arm workout and ab ripper on my Nike Fit. I also finished my running week with my 2 mile run! Holla I made it and walked .5 miles for a cool down. We laid low for the night and then B and I went out on a date night and then saw my friends again one last time before they flew out today.
I guess Sunday will be another day off for me. Not officially but this week for sure. B woke up with the flu and was in bed all day. I was able to decorate our house like crazy for Christmas and did some shopping.Found my xmas present to myself....Clueless! I also found about $100 worth of more decorations. In LOVE with our house and tree! I hope the weeks go by slow until Christmas so I can enjoy the decor.

Other big amazing news of the week....my big brother is engaged! So excited for him and his new fiance, Kari. Congrats to both of you! Love you millions and so excited to get another member of our family!

Update From a Mad Runner

I don't know what's more pathetic, the fact that shopping at H&M gave me the motivation to get my run on or the fact that a year ago I was able to train and run a half marathon and now can barely get the motivation to run at all! H&M opened in SLC last Friday. The lines were out the door (obv) so I went on Sunday with a friend. We didn't have to wait in line too long (yes, there was still a line to get into the store) and we spent a while scouring the store, all sections, making sure we did not miss one article of clothing. I wore heels to shop in, it's been a while since I now work with limitations of how high my heels can be. I looked good but by Sunday night I was already feeling in my legs the downfall of my decision. How can i be so sore from shopping?! By Monday my back, neck legs..holy hell I was in pain and that's when I decided I better motivate myself to get back into shape!

Monday; I was ready to start off strong. I made it 1.5 miles did a .5 mile walk. Enjoyed Forgetting Sarah Marshall while I ran and busted it out in under a half an hour. Now why do I think running is such a pain in the ass when it is one of the fastest ways to get a workout in?
Tuesday; I was still ready to kick it into gear. I did another 1.5 miles, no walking, then did my Nike Fit arm definer workout and ab definer.
Wednesday; I am still SO sore from working out, shopping, running I don't know what. My arms were twitching all day at work. I decided to do my yogalates (yoga and Pilates) workout video. I have a few different workouts on it, abs, arms and lower body. Since my arms were in no shape to withstand another defining work out I decided to do the leg workout. I thought it would be nice to get a good stretch in, little did I know (remember) it was an actual workout for my lets. It definitely didn't help with my sore hamstrings, but I made it through.
Thursday; Day off. I was not feeling it and was also heading up to PC to visit a friend for dinner. I left after work and B had my car and I had his Jeep. Let me start this story by letting you know that we just had some work done to the Jeep. Here in the beautiful state of Utah you have to get your vehicle checked out to pass a safety and emission test. Let's just say B's Jeep passed after about $400 of work. The next week the check engine light came back on, we took it back to the place to get checked out, they say nothing was wrong. Light went off. Next week light came back on, I got it check and it was for the same thing we just spent the money on to repair. Light went off. I head up to PC, I'm accelerating up a Mt and all of a sudden the Jeep makes a noise and the light comes back on. In the meantime a semi is speeding up behind me and I am not able to move, the RPM's drop to 0 and I am down to about 40 MPH on a 65 MPH uphill climb. Luckily I veered over to an off ramp that THANK GOD was right there, called the friend I was meeting to explain why I'm late and then realize that I can not not stop. I finally found out the engine shut off on me. I got the Jeep stopped, parked and restarted the damn thing and pulled into a gas station and called the only person I thought could help me...my dad. The car was running fine, but I was so nervous to even think about driving down a canyon, at night, with the possibility of this car engine shutting off on me again and not having breaks! I finally calmed down, my friend got me to the restaurant by way of back roads and we had a great meal and caught up. We came to the determination that she would follow me down the canyon to make sure I made it home OK.
Friday; Rule I have, no workouts Friday.
Saturday; I only have 2 more miles to run for the week. I pushed myself, actually not that hard and made it the 2 miles, walked .5 miles and did some squats and arm curls. Hallelujah!
I spent the rest of my Saturday cleaning, getting coffee, shopping, finished cleaning, more shopping (which by the way, hello Xmas season, it's crazy out there) and then apps and games with friends.

Now Sunday, we had brunch with an old coworker who was in town and then football. Right now I have no motivation to do anything else, not even leave my room, but I might try to do a Nike Fit work out (right now I'm betting that doesn't happen, but please wish me luck!)
Up next.....I will try to run more that 5 miles in this next week.

Update From A Mad Runner

Ok, so I am freakin lazy when it comes to working out, unless it is my credit card and I'm spending money on clothes....and only clothes.
So I finally found a new challenge for running that I think I can stick with. I got the idea from my good friend. I am going to start this week. I'm going to run 5 miles this week and that will be my goal and I am going to try to add miles on every week. I couldn't decide how many to add each week. only one mile is nothing and five miles is too many, so I decided I would just do what I felt and my goal is to do more than the week before.
Wish me luck and please post comments to keep me motivated!

Another lazy Sunday....

What an amazing weekend.
Snow in the Mts, none on the Valley floor. Enjoyed some amazing Bad Ass coffee and even made a pot at home. B and I went grocery shopping on Friday and bought some new coffee creamers.
Did a butt buster workout on Saturday, still feeling the pain today. Was going to run tonight, but decided against it and made the typical NoDak Sunday dinner, meatloaf, veggies, stuffing and baked beans for my hunny. Then enjoyed the reality shows of Sunday night and now watching a movie...God I love HBO.
Highlight of my weekend. Doing my early Xmas shopping (for myself) at the new H&M store that opened here in SLC. There were lines to get into the store, but luckily being in Morman country on Sundays means the lines are going to be about 1/3 as long as they were yesterday. I found some amazing deals, sweaters, hats and stuff for my big Ben. I decided that mall shopping in general is not my thing anymore and will stick to the outdoor shops, but all in all it was a success!

New fur hat...gotta stay warm out there!

So I haven't been busy persay....

but I have been quite lazy on keeping up on my blog.
Instead of writing a long blog (like the last one) I figured I would explain in minimal words and pics.
1. I tried new food the last few months. Sauerkraut (and I grew up around it!) and a Reuben sandwich. I loved them both.
2. I bought my spouse a large shelf for his Transformers (he is not 12, and yes it will be filled).
3. I am obsessed with "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"! I don't want to put it down and NEED the next book ASAP.

 Cameron didn't like his B-Day cupcakes!

Cameron, Mom and Cam: Day at Snowbird 

 Close up

 Cameron with his Auntie and Uncle

 B and I at Snowbird, this area is now covered in snow

 Sisters

 Birthday Pic

 Ashley, Cyn and I at my surprise B-Day party

 Toast to Denver!

 Este's Park

 An Elk, he was tanning in the sun

 My favorite part of the trip, tour of Stanley Hotel!

 B, me and an orb. 

 "Race you to the top!"

 "We landed on the Moon!"

Sean White and the Black Swan

 

 Mandy and I

 Pretty Ladies

 The Redfield's Downtown Denver

 B and Me downtown

Thanks for the great trip!!

100th Post

I just noticed that this will be my 100th post on my blog, about 2 years running I believe. I definitely could do more on this but with all my TV shows I keep up on this is what you get.

My sister, brother in law and amazing nephew came to visit a couple weeks ago. Unlike last time Heather visited us in the greater SLC area, the weather was nice this time around! We were able to have dinner their first night with Heather's long time friend who lives in the area.

Sunday morning I had made my famous egg bake (well famous to Ben and myself) and a stop at the real famous Bad Ass coffee and up to PC we were. We hit up the last day of the Park Silly Market. It was beautiful weather and we had a great lunch at the Wasatch Brewery. I definitely recommend the Pumpkin Ale. The rest of the afternoon we spent at the Tanger Outlets, another famous spot, for a little retail therapy. I was able to get Cameron his first Nike shoes! That night we spent in and I made dinner for us and we threw an early birthday party for Cameron as he turns 1 on October 21. We got a few pictures of him with his makeshift cake/cupcakes and gifts, then we tried to have him smash the "cake". Cameron was not feeling the mudcake cupcakes, I do not know if he will fit in with the Bjugstad family, we all LOVE mudcake! He definitely liked unwrapping his gift though, some new pj's and socks (again he'll have to grow into them).

Monday we stopped as Bad Ass again and then up to Snowbird to take a ride up the mountain on the tram. It was beautiful views and Cameron loved the ride up and down! We were so lucky for such a beautiful day.

The next stops were to check out the Visitors Center at the University of Utah so Heather and Jason (mostly Heather) could check out where the Olympic Torch was in 2002. They had pictures and a day by day event write up we were able to read. We then headed over to the Olympic Oval to check out the gift shop which was closed the last time Heather was here to visit. We were also able to watch some of the short track relay practice as it was going on.

Tuesday morning the Giesen clan left, and we were back to our normal schedule.