When cold is now warm

Isn't it weird how your body adjusts to different temperatures?  This morning it is 40 degrees out and I feel like I could have worn my spring jacket instead of my winter coat.  It felt quite nice outside waiting for the bus.  But really, it's 40 and that is not actually a warm spring day.  However, after waiting for the bus in single digit weather all winter, 40 degrees seems quite warm.  It will be extra nice when it's light out in the morning, because ever since the time changed it's been dark.  And I have wait for the bus in front of an apartment complex that burned down so there are no lights and every morning I practically jump up and down as the bus comes because I'm afraid he won't see me standing on the corner in pitch black.  Let's just say I am ready for spring!

In anticipation of spring, I got a few hairs cut.

Wow, it feels amazing to have short hair again!!  I literally hadn't had my hair cut since last April.  My hair was long and blah, so I always wore it in a pony tail.  Ok, so the ponytail was partly due to my laziness but even when I felt less lazy there was no point in doing my hair because it was so blah.  I feel like a new person with my hair cut and normal looking again.  Now I have to actually blow dry it more often then putting it in a ponytail (remember, that was one of my 2014 commitments - look less frumpy and blow dry my hair when I get it cut).  Especially because it cost me $184 to get it cut.  Does that seem like highway robbery to you???  I was a bit shocked...I guess prices go up when you don't go for a year!  Last time I thought I paid $150 and that included tip.  Yikes!  No wonder I only go once a year!!

Yesterday was Father's Day in Honduras so we had a very small celebration.  Ivan got fried fish.  

I'm not sure what Evan's doing in this photo, but he refused to smile.  It kind of looks like he's making fish noises....

That's one of his favorite meals so it was his special treat.  There are not too many places that serve the entire fish (head, eyeballs, and tail) rather than a fillet, but we have found a place right down the street from us.  Since he never knew his dad and was sad growing up as a kid never celebrating Father's Day he is very into celebrating both the Honduran and American Father's Day.  Honduran Mother's Day is the same day as the American Mother's Day so I don't get an extra day to celebrate.  Oh well, one day is enough for me!

Also, I got this exciting new planner in the mail today.  Remember how a few days ago I boasted about how I can survive on only five hours of sleep??  Well, I can assure you, my memory is not happy with that arrangement.  I have forgotten so many things that I decided I need to write EVERYTHING down. So, I started with a beautiful Erin Condren planner that I have been eying for a while.  I was so excited to get it!!

It came in this beautiful box all wrapped up pretty.  It even smelled nice too because she had a candle scent sample in there that smelled refreshingly like a tropical beach.

And here is the beautiful planner!  Isn't it wonderful?  I got to customize the front and back with pictures and had a fun time picking out which photos I wanted on it.  On the inside it has a monthly calendar and a weekly calendar, so I can stay nice and organized.

I love the planner and hope it makes me write down everything so I don't keep missing deadlines or airplanes!

Here's to being more organized!

Also, here are a few photos from our hiking adventure last weekend - I am determined to turn Evan into an avid outdoorsman!!

Notice how we brought his shovel with us - it comes with us everywhere we go.  He did think it was really fun trying to pick up pine cones with his shovel and throw them into the woods.

He still has a huge love of trees and wanted to touch every tree we passed.  It made for an interesting hike through a forest.  He got pretty excited though and would just go up to each tree and touch it for a second or two.  Quite adorable.

 

If you look closely, you can see that he's standing on a tree stump.  He stood here for at least five minutes.  Apparently, it's even more fun to stand on a tree than it is to touch the tree.  He was very excited and stomped around on this truck.  Then he saw an airplane - another one of his loves.

Today is supposed to be 60 degrees so I am very excited to get a run in and maybe a few more outdoor activities this weekend. 

Happy Thursday!!!

Weekend Recaps and Good Morning

I think I went to bed close to 10 pm last night, a small miracle.  So I feel a smidgen less tired this morning.  Don't think that means I won't sleep in a few minutes, I just might be a but more coherent while writing this.  Except I just tried to spell writing with two t's in the last sentence (auto correct wouldn't let me though), so maybe I am less coherent than I think.

Sorry I wasn't around yesterday.  It was my niece's bday so my sister had to volunteer at her preschool, which meant the daycare was closed.  So I worked from home in the morning and then took the afternoon off.  You will be shocked to know what I did in the afternoon.  Put your seat belts on or you will be blown away!  I went for a run!!  I know, pretty monumental, right.  And not just a five minute run down the street...nope, I did a full 5.5 miles.  Amazing, right?!?!  I took two and a half months off completely and then last week I did a three mile run and a four mile run and then I managed to get a five and a half mile run in without falling over.  And it was hilly!  My legs were tired but I made it.  We'll see what I feel like today but hopefully I will recover.  I will admit my recovery fuel was not stellar...some chips and frozen yogurt...but I will try and work on that.  I have today off and then I will try and do four tomorrow.  I'm not sure it't the brightest idea to jump right into the middle of my training plan pretending that I have been running for the past few months, but I'm not sure what other options I have...the half marathon is a short five weeks away!

These past few weekends have been lots of fun but I was busy posting delayed holiday posts so I will tell you about them now.  Last weekend we actually did something fun and this weekend we didn't, but for some reason it was still a good weekend in my eyes.  Last weekend we FINALLY used our membership to the aquarium.  We got it for Evan's birthday because we thought it would be a fun activity to do in the winter but then with the move and the holidays we never made it downtown.  However last weekend we went with some friends and it was a lot of fun.  I'm not sure who liked it more, Evan or Ivan! 

It's hard to make us out but there we are in front of the Amazonian mangroves.  My parents and I actually went on a mangrove tour in Honduras and it was amazing, so this was fun to look at.  That tour seems like years ago, and actually it was seven and a half years ago so I guess it was years ago.

Our attempt at a family selfie

One of my favorite parts of the aquarium is the rainforest.  You get to walk through it and I think it's so fun.  I guess it might seem odd since it's not underwater, but I like it anyway.  We saw a sloth sitting on a tree which was fun, although I have seen a sloth in Costa Rica in the wild so this was a little less amazing.  Ivan wasn't a fan of the rainforest exhibit because it was hot and by the time we left the rainforest he was drenched in sweat.  I made him pose for one more family photo though.

His favorite thing was the sharks, of course.

We didn't see everything so we want to go back soon, maybe next weekend or the weekend after.  Since it's free with our membership all we pay for is parking.

This weekend we went shopping for some rugs to put in the house but were unsuccessful.  We ended up going to Kohl's and JCPenney's but Kohl's was way too expensive and JCPenney's didn't have many in the store, so we ended up buying one online.  We still need on to put in the dining room and kitchen because it's just too loud with the dog and Evan that we are afraid the neighbors will complain.  I wasn't willing to shell out $100 bucks so we only bought one, and the one we bought is for the living room.  We needed one to put in front of the couch so when Ivan puts his boots on he doesn't stain the carpet.  It's really annoying renting sometimes - you have to constantly think about what the place is going to look like when you move out...and dirt stains on the carpet can be a problem.

On Sunday we tried to go to church but failed miserably.  Evan is just so talkative that it was a nightmare.  Everyone kept giving us the Look and even though I tried to be strong and kept telling myself that the Catholic church is against abortion and birth control and that children are the future of the church and they should be welcome...Ivan still ended up spending 98% of the time in the hallway with him.  We may not go back for a while.  Then we went to Panera and ate chocolate chip bagels and coffee and played on the mall playground.  They have a little play area inside and during mall hours it is crazy with kids jumping wild and large kids (who are too big for the playground anyway) pushing the little kids, etc.  However, the mall hadn't opened yet so there were only a few other kids playing around.  Evan loved it.

We went to the playground by our house yesterday too and no one was there so Evan had a blast walking from one play thing to the next.

He loves these cars but there are two so you put him in one and then he points to the other.

So then you put him in that one and then he wants the other one.

And then he just wonders off (that's the dog's leash in the bottom of the photo, in case you were wondering). 

After my run we went and got Evan's haircut.  It's very cute.  We had the same woman who cuts Ivan's hair cut Evan's and she did a good job.  He was so well-behaved and just sat there the entire time...completely unlike church.  Then we headed to my sister's for cake and ice cream to celebrate my niece's birthday.

Now it's back to the bus and work.  And my nap!

Motivation to run when you don't want to and odd impressions

Sadly I think my body has adjusted to the new time.  It was a great few days where it felt like I was sleeping in.  Today I overslept and got up a half hour late...so no more feeling like I am catching up in my sleep.  Too bad.  It was nice while it lasted.

On Tuesday I went for a lunchtime run, which is nothing short of a miracle because I haven't gotten out for too many lunch runs so far.  I was extra proud of myself because I did not want to go at all.  I had been cold all day and the thought of putting shorts and a t-shirt on was not appealing, especially since it was cold outside and I had forgotten to change my clothes out for warmer attire.  However I texted my friend and she told me to go.  So I went and I ran as fast as I could.  I only did a three mile route, but I did it fast.  My legs were sore yesterday.  And like they say, I didn't regret it.  That's usually one of my motivating phrases is that you never regret going for a run when you are finished, but you often regret not going.  Very true.  I have another one today so I am hoping to be motivated to go again.  I also chatted with some running friends and am trying to plan a few fun runs together on Saturdays, since golf is over.  I miss running with people and I hope it works out.  They are much more serious runners and have been doing half marathons and marathons since we all had babies, but I can still keep up with them...I think.

On Tuesday I got back from class and Evan and Ivan were asleep on the couch.  I put Evan in his crib and didn't think anything out of the ordinary.  When I woke up, Ivan informed me that he had cut Evan's hair, himself.  WHAT!!!!

Check out those bangs! It's reminiscent of bad haircut photos from school pictures!  Ivan said his hair was in his eyes so he tried to shorten it and Evan kept moving so he kept having to correct it.  Nice.  Luckily after his bed head went away he looked a little better.

Except it looks like he has aged five years.  Where did my BABY go???

And a random piece of information.  I was chatting with a friend from high school who said that I come off as a complete bad a$$ and that when we were friends in high school she was intimidated and a little jealous of how independent I was and how I appeared to not need anyone or anything.  She said I still acted like a bad a$$.  I thought it was the funniest thing because I can tell you right here and now that I am the most un-bad a$$ around.  I cry at sad commercials.  And I never feel independent or like I don't need anyone.  She was one of my best friends in high school and I remember always worrying that she wasn't going to want to be friends with me anymore.  It was funny chatting about it because she had always intimidated me when we were young and I was intimidating her right back.  It makes me think how different appearances can be from the real you, even to people who are close to you and know you well.  I told my husband and he laughed for a good ten minutes about me being a bad a$$.  I guess you can't fool everyone! 

Alrighty...time for some shut eye on this bus of mine.  Hope you have a glorious Thursday!!

Cold mornings

Winter is a coming.  This morning before heading out I grabbed a scarf and put on a heavier coat.  Not a winter coat, but something heavier than my spring jacket.  It was in the 30s, which is cold for me.  I even put Evan's winter hat on.

I had a pretty exciting day back to work on Tuesday.  A few weeks ago I was asked to give the closing remarks at a Congressional Briefing.  I didn't really want to do it, but decided I would because who knows when I'd be asked again.  I was a bit nervous, but it went ok.  I feel like I could have done a better job and if ever asked again, I would, but it was my first time so I wasn't exactly clear on what my role was.  I didn't do a terrible job, but I could definitely have improved.  After, I took a picture in front of the podium, like a complete dork.  Oh well, sometimes you have to look ridiculous!

I had to get up extra early so I could look professional...meaning blow dry my hair and put on make-up.  After all that work I don't think I looked that professional anyway.  I could seriously use a haircut.  My hair was so drab, even after spending time drying it and stuff.  A haircut is just so expensive and we are so short on cash.  It would be nice to look decent again though, rather than frumpy.  Maybe one of these days.

My running is going slowly these days.  I went once at my parents' house, but that was it.  I really need to step my game up.  I usually get my runs in at work, it's the weekend runs that allude me.  I feel like I still have plenty of time, but in reality I don't.  I am going to try to be more vigilant about getting out there often and for longer distances.  Let's hope it works.

Not much to share today.  Hope you are having a great week!

First Day of School

Chemistry might not be so bad.  I can't believe I'm actually typing that, but it's true.  I had my first class on Tuesday night.  It's a late one, from 7:30pm-10:20pm.  My bedtime is supposed to be at 10:00pm, so a class that ends after that is just bad news.  It means that by the time I get home, get ready for bed, and unwind, it's practically midnight.  And then I have to get up again four and a half hours later.  And I do that twice since I have class twice a week.

It wasn't that miserable though.  Much less miserable than it could have been.  My friend recommended a set of professors (one for lab and one for lecture) and it turns out, they are great.  The lecture guy is from England and has an accent (and chemistry talk with a British accent is way more interesting than chemistry talk sans accent) and is so nice and excited about Chemistry it's funny.  He actually shook our hands as we came in and asked us our names and then stood by the door and shook our hands as we left.  And the lecture woman is funny and relaxed too.  So, it really could be much worse.  

Last night we got out of lab early so I got home around 8:30pm.  And guess what??  Evan was asleep and Ivan was washing the dishes for me.  It was the best thing ever.  I was happily surprised.  It made the rest of the evening so much more relaxed.  And let's be honest, relaxed evenings are not common in my household.

And in completely other news.  Look at this big boy who lives in my house.

He is growing up too fast.  He practically looks like an adult.  Maybe because we cut his hair.  I didn't want to but since it was always in his face and he was constantly rubbing his eyes because it tickled, I figured it was time.

Here he is before (don't mind me - I look tired 24/7).

And here he is after.

Look at how much older he looks! 

And can I complain that a haircut at Cartoon Cuts cost $16.99.  That's practically highway robbery if you ask me.  Really?? He had like 30 snips.  He's 11 months people!  My husband gets his hair cut for less than that and he requires a razor and they give him and neck and head massage at the end.  Yes, they gave me a certificate congratulating him on his first haircut and put some snippings in a baggie, so maybe it was worth it for the first time.  But next time?  No Cartoon Cuts here, we are just going to the regular barber shop where Ivan goes.

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Are you taking any classes this semester?  When was the last time you took Chemistry?

When was the last time that someone surprised you and did your chores for you?