'Tis the Season for Gorging on Cookies!

Many years ago some friends and I started the tradition of a day of Christmas cookie baking.  This meant lots of drinking (helps make the cookies taste better), lots of laughs and many cookies.  Unfortunately, as time goes by, things change.  One friend has moved on with her life and I am not a part of it.  The other passed away 6 years ago.

So as I bake every year since my friend passed away, it's with a heavy heart.  But the wonderful memories of the fun times we had are still there.  I still have the scar on my finger from where I tried to open something with scissors and opened up my finger instead.  And as any big brother would do, my brother had to note that the excessive blood gushing from my finger and the feeling I was going to pass out was because of the drinking that had started at 9a.m.  He was living with me at the time and was our safety monitor/cookie taster.

Two cookies have become a mainstay in my Christmas cookie repertoire.  The first one is the famous Snicker Surprise.  I say famous because over the past 13 years, I have wowed my co-workers with this recipe and they have become addicted to it.  As the holiday season approaches, they would always ask when the Snicker Surprises would show up.

As you can see from the opened up cookie, it has an amazing gooey center--as the cookie bakes, the Snicker melts and becomes this "crack" like substance that everyone becomes addicted to.

They are easy to make, especially if you have a Kitchen Aid mixer.  The Kitchen Aid mixer has to be the best kitchen appliance and the best investment ever.  We have had this mixer for over 10 years and it still in great shape (I hope I haven't just jinxed myself).

The other amazing kitchen tool is this years Christmas gift from an amazing friend (also fellow baker!)  I was so excited to use this over the weekend during my Christmas Cookie Extravaganza.

These have to be the cutest measuring cups and tea/tablespoons I have ever seen!! How can you not be happy while using these!  My friend knows me to well!

Back to the Snicker Surprises.  They have lots of yummy brown sugar, peanut butter, sugar and butter in them....

The aftermath once I add the flour is always disastrous.  I don't use the bowl protector and I usually do a double batch, so things get a bit out of control.  But why bake if you don't have fun and make it messy.

Snicker Surprise Recipe

2 Sticks Butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 package Snickers minis

Preheat oven to 300. Combine the butter, peanut butter and sugars using a mixer on a medium speed until light and fluffy.
Slowly add eggs and vanilla until thoroughly combined.  Then mix in flour, salt and baking soda. 
Cover and chill for 2-3 hours. (I don't always do this. Most of the time I cook right away--the dough will be gooier but still comes out ok!)
Remove and divide into 1tbls pieces and place the Snicker in the center.  Form the dough into a ball around the Snicker.  Place on a greased cookie sheet and cook for about 12 -15 minutes. They are so delicious when they are still a bit warm. 

My other staple is No Bake Oatmeal cookies.  These are my brother's favorite.  He came over on Sunday to try out the batch I've made.  I think he went into a cookie coma shortly after.

These are so easy to make and really quick.  This is how your pot will look as you dump in the initial ingredients.  Please note I was making a double batch--I heard all the gasps when you saw all the sugar!  Still there is a lot of sugar in these but hey, doesn't the peanut butter and oatmeal balance it out??

Here is the finished product, cooling off on the counter.  You will definitely need some counter space for this.  I made the mistake last year of lining my wood dining room table with the wax paper for the no bakes.  Needless to say, I had a big mess of wax residue left on my table after.  Cookies were ok, so says my brother.

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cocoa
pinch salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups of quick-cooking oatmeal

In large saucepan, combine sugar, milk, cocoa, salt and butter and mix well.  Bring to a boil and cover saucepan for 30 seconds to allow steam to wash sugar crystals down sides of pan.  Stir mixture and bring it to a boil that can't be stirred down for a minute.  Then remove from the heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.  Add oatmeal and mix well.  Immediately drop by spoonfuls (I use my Pampered Chef melon baller which works wonderfully!!) onto waxed paper.  Let cool completely and store in a tightly covered container.

Even though I indulge in my cookies during the holidays, I make sure I stay on track with my workouts.  Makes me less guilty about the cookie gorging!!

So as you indulge this holiday says and you don't feel like working out.... remember...

80's Rewind

I am a child of the 80's and I still love the 80's--the music, the movies, the clothing...ok, some of the clothing.

The 80's are definitely making a comeback right now through clothing.  I have to say, I am quite excited about some of the styles coming back.

One of my most favorite things is the tight, colored jeans.  I still remember these hot pink tight jeans I had that I wore all the time.  I even had these floral shoes that I'd wear with them. (That may not have been the best decision, looking back on it now).  So when I saw the colored jeans back in the store, I had to get some!  I am a proud owner of purple and red ones.

The other jean style revival from the 80's is the patterned jeans.  Even though I could go crazy buy different ones, I used restraint and only polka dot ones.  I LOVE THEM!!!!!  How can you not be happy wearing some fun colored or patterned jeans???

Another style trend that I am loving is the leg warmers. Gone are the days of the Flashdance/Jane Fonda/Fame style leg warmers. (Even though I have to say that back in the day, I had some cool red leg warmers with white flecks in them that were pretty cool.)

Now the "leg warmers" are mostly called boot socks and are to be warn with knee high boots.  The fun of it is to let the tops of them stick out and it looks cute.  I am obsessed.  A friend and I hit Nordie Rack a couple of weeks ago and got great deals on very cute boot socks.  I'll try not to combine my purple jeans with my ruffled boot socks---that may be an 80's overkill.

All this 80's style got me very nostalgic to 80's music.  I listen to 80's alternative and punk on a regular basis still.  But I went through my iPod and put together a playlist for the gym of songs I hadn't listened to for a while.  This playlist gets me pumped, energized and just down right happy!!! (And for those of you who want to get technical, some of these may be early 90's but I can't really remember.  Late 80's--early 90's kind of ran together--what can I say; I was a college student then!)

Jump Around--House of Pain
Rump Shaker--Wreckx-n-Effect
Push It--Salt N Pepa
Wild Thing--Tone Loc
U Can't Touch This--MC Hammer
Humpty Dance--Digital Underground
Supersonic--J.J. Fad
Jam On It--Newcleus
It's Tricky--Run D.M.C
Pop Goes the Weasel--K7
Brass Monkey--Beastie Boys
It Takes Two--Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

**Note how great the band names were back then!!!

Now on to the 80's rewind that I don't like.  What is the deal with Hollywood remaking 80's movies.  It's very upsetting to me.  The originals are just fine and for the children of the 80's, they have a space in our heart.  So when they are remade, it angers me.

When Hollywood remade Footloose a year or so ago, I couldn't believe it.  Sorry but you just can't replace Kevin Bacon as Ren!!  I refuse to watch the movie.  Nothing will top the original.

Recently I went to the movies with my friend that I have known since 6th grade.  So we have grown up through the 80's together--we've seen all the 80's movies that are dear to our hearts together.  We were horrified when we saw the movie poster for Red Dawn in the theater.  CLASSIC MOVIE!!!  I mean, hello!!! How can you go wrong with Patrick Swayze, Lea Thompson, C. Thomas Howell, and Charlie Sheen (pre craziness).

What are they going to do next--remake Pretty in Pink or Sixteen Candles??? (Hollywood, if you do, I know all the lines and I have red hair-hint hint.)


This is totally me:

Never Say Never

The holiday season is bearing upon us and the stores are in a frenzy today for Black Friday. 

Yesterday as I was driving out to my dad's for Thanksgiving, my brother asked me if I was going to go do some Thanksgiving eve or Black Friday shopping.  I went on a mini-tirade about how it's crazy that people go out in the frenzy.  I said there is nothing I need that badly that I would risk being trampled.  Many news reports note that a lot of these door buster "deals" aren't really deals. 

Fast forward to me sitting on my dad's couch before dinner, looking at the ads to check out these "deals."  The Michael's ad caught my eye.  There were some great deals on scrapbooking stuff that I always use (I am old school and I still scrapbook.)  Plus there was Christmas wrap and some children creative art kits on sale.  Hmmm.... my mind started churning.  Then I notice the 30% off the total purchase coupon.  And the fact that they were open on Thanksgiving from 4-11pm. 

Me: "Dad!  Do you mind if I take this coupon just in case I decide to be crazy and go to Michael's tonight"
Dad: "Sure. Whatever. Take it"
My Brother: "Ummmm, didn't you just go on and on in the car about how there is NOTHING that you need that badly to go out today or tomorrow?  How quickly things change."
Me: " Shut up. That was before I saw the Michael's ad.  I don't know if I will actually go but....maybe I'll drive by and check things out"

Fast forward again to halftime of the Cowboys/Redskins game.  I am a Cowboys fan and my brother was taunting me about the touchdown that the Redskins had just scored.(Older brothers....good grief!)  I was grumpy and full from eating too much.  All I could think about was heading home and crawling into bed.  My brother asks if I was still up for my Michael's adventure as we got on the road back home.  I was wavering at that point.

Our half hour drive was pretty uneventful and there weren't that many people on the road at 6:30pm.  I started to rethink my Michael's trip.  I didn't really feel up to going home and watching the rest of the game.  Maybe a little shopping would cheer me up.  Decision made. 

I dropped off my brother and headed over to the shopping center where Michael's is.  I was worried what it would be like, as the Walmart, Target and Best Buy are right there also.  But I don't think they were opening until 8pm, so I feel confident that maybe things would be good.  And I was right.  There was no traffic getting into the shopping center.  I pulled in front of Michael's and there were 5 other cars there.  WHAT????  How could I be so lucky!!

I was walking in with another lady and she turned to me....Do you feel weird about being here on Thanksgiving? she asks me.  I said yes. I'm glad someone else feels the same way! 

It was amazing in there.  Holiday candles, check.  Christmas presents for the kids in the family, check. Wrapping paper, check.  Scrapbooking goodies, check check check.  Easy check out, check.  Huge savings, CHECK!!!! 

I felt like I was on some kind of crazy high when I got home.  I was so excited about how much I saved and excited about all the amazing stuff I got!  I can kind of see now why people go out to get the deals, even though I would never be able to deal with the crowds!

I'm not saying I would do it again because I think I was very lucky in my experience.  But NEVER SAY NEVER!

Healthy Motivation for the Day (It was an amazing day out today and after my gorge yesterday, I went for a 2 hour walk with a good friend.  Not a better way to feel energized again!)

C'MON MAN! Part Deux

My previous C'MON MAN posting was fun to do, so as I go through my days and something comes up where I'm saying, C'MON MAN, I am keeping track to fill up a new posting.  I have to say that living in Northern Virginia, I pretty much saying C'MON MAN all the time, especially while driving.

Part Deux of C'MON MAN, fiery wench style (meaning, not sport related like the "real" C'MON MAN)

This first one is actually about me.  Yes, I do say C'MON MAN to myself more than you would know!  For about the first week or so after getting my hair dyed it's fiery red, I have the issue of the color bleeding.  Usually this is just bad after washing my hair.  But since my head gets so sweaty while working out, it also will bleed because of the sweat.  So unfortunately for the gym, I use their white towels while working out to wipe my head, face and neck constantly.  At the end of the workout, the white towel now looks like I've used it to clean up a crime scene and is all streaked with red.  I'm not talking lightly; it's pretty major.  Every time, I say to myself... SELF!  You need to bring your own towel.  That is just disturbing and gross.  But here we are again, a week after getting my hair done and I left the gym with another crime scene towel this morning.  C'MON MAN!

As you all know, the time changed two weeks ago, so now we are plunged into darkness at 5pm now.  It's horrible and I hate this time of year.  What I hate more is the fact that people seem to "forget" that it's dark earlier when they are driving and are driving around without their headlights on.  C'MON MAN! Use your brain!  How can you see?  I was leaving boxing the other night at 5:15 and almost pulled into a black car without their headlights on.  Hello! I cant see you!  (Just so you know, the parking lot I am pulling out of backs to trees so there really isn't extra lights around in case you were saying C'MON MAN to me for not being able to see in a shopping area). Headlights are put on the car for a reason....use them.

Tuesday I pulled into the gym for my spin class and a lady was sitting in her car smoking.  Since there is a liquor store right by my gym (yes, exciting and convenient), I wasn't sure if she was waiting for them to open or something.  Nope...she just needed those couple extra drags off her cancer stick before coming in to the gym to pump some iron.  C'MON MAN!  Fine, that is the choice that you make and good for you to be coming to the gym.  But can you please curb the smoking until after your workout?  Smokers don't realize they stink.  STINK!  (I can say this as having smoked for quite a few years).  So when someone is working out near me stinking of cigarette smell, it's very nauseating!

Once upon a time, the retailers would start the holiday season after Thanksgiving.  Then over the last several years it edged to around Halloween.  But noooo.....2 months of holiday decorations and music just isn't enough anymore.  I was in Target two weeks before Halloween and they had out there decorations.  I got very confused all of the sudden.  Did I miss a month? I know time flies but is my memory going that I totally missed the end of October and most of November?  As I walked further two aisles, I saw all the Halloween decorations.  Nice that all these holidays can get along and live side by side in harmony.  But that didn't push me over the edge (it was close).  On Monday, I was out with a friend in a town center by us and we both stopped at the same time as we heard the wafting of Christmas music.  We looked at each other, as we needed to confirm that we were hearing the same thing.  Yes, indeed it was Christmas music.  I may also point out that it was a gorgeous day and was about 70 degrees out, which made the music even more intolerable.  Why why why do they have to start playing Christmas music so early?  Starting it at Thanksgiving always gave me a headache but now two weeks before? C'MON MAN!  Stop pushing it.  The holidays stress me out, plain and simple.  The pressures of present buying, spending all this money... trying to see all the family and make everyone happy.  It's too much.  But now the retailers have to remind me so much earlier?  I hate it.  Will we be seeing the retailers decorating at Labor Day next year?

Fitness/Healthy Tip for the day

I Heart Zombies

I have a fascination with zombies.  Ok, let me take that back.  I am obsessed with zombies.

This obsession started from my original obsession of reading post-Apocalypse books. I think my obsession with post-Apocalypse books started years ago after watching The Day After on tv back in 1983. (yes, I just aged myself!).  That movie made me think about survival after an atomic bomb, chemical warfare or alien attack.  (I've had a vivid imagination since I was young).

Before I go on, I will note that I don't have a bunker under my house.  I don't have a year of supplies in my house to survive nor do I own any fire arms (anyone knows that it's better to use a baseball bat, pick ax or shovel against zombies anyways--duh!)  I do watch the show Doomsday Preppers because it's interesting, but it also assures me that I'm not as crazy as other people.  I enjoy reading the books, but not actually prepping for  the downfall of our society as we know it.

With that said, back to my obsession.  A lot of the post-Apocalypse books I've read to have zombies in them, which fascinated me.  I think it's the strategy of how to stay alive against creatures that intrigues me.  I'm not saying that I would survive in an actual event, but it's interesting to read about.

My obsession kicked into high gear when the movie 28 Days Later came out.  My husband went to see it with friends and he told me all about it.  Finally seeing it on DVD, I was hooked.  If you haven't seen it, it's a must see.  The sequel 28 Weeks Later isn't as good but I still liked it.  Whenever these movies are on one of the million movie channels that we subscribed to through Fios, I have to watch it.  I can't count how many times I've seen it.

From that point on, I was hooked.  I was reading tons of zombie books.  Thanks to my brother, he fueled that fire in me by getting me a variety of zombie items for the holidays. (Courtesy of thinkgeek.com, for all your zombie necessities)

Is that zombie monkey cute or what??  The Zombie Survival Guide is a great, hilarious read.  Definitely makes me think of the movie Zombieland, where many great tips can be learned.

So with this obsession, it's quite obvious that one of my favorite shows on t.v. is The Walking Dead on amc.  Amazing show.  They do an incredible job with the visual effects and each episode keeps your on the edge of your seat.  Spoiler alert--A lot of people get killed on the show.  Unfortunately even ones that you get attached to over the last 2 seasons and into this 3rd season.  For those women out there who aren't convinced about this show, there is something sexy about men fighting zombies to survive.

And my favorite.... (spoiler alert for below...)

who unfortunately died at the end of Season 2.  Season 3 just isn't the same without Shane. (My husband would disagree with me.  I think he may have actually cheered when he died....as I wept.)

Healthy Tip for Today:

Sweaty Or Weird Shaped Ears??

I have had issues with earphones for my iPod for years but it's now a critical situation.  I don't know if I just have sweaty ears so the ear buds fall out or if my ears are just shaped weird!  Does anyone else have this issue?

My current ear buds are okay and have worked better than the earphones that came with the iPod. 

The ones that came with the iPod always fell out of my ears.  They never stayed in while I was working out.  Maybe I move my head a lot when I work out? I'm not sure.  I noticed in recent Apple commercials that they have redesigned their earphones so I'm not sure if those are better.

I thought when I bought these new ear buds that things would be better for my very serious dilemma!  But these won't stay in my ears either.  I have to constantly push them back in my ears as they slide out during my workout.  Part of the problem could be the sweat pouring down my head (another dilemma that I have while working out--even without a hat on, my head sweats so much.)

So I think I am finally at the point in my crisis where I may need to break down and buy (pause as I cringe), headphones.  Like the old school type that covers your ears.  I know it's the rage and so many younger people are wearing them now.  I see people at the gym with them but they are kind of silly looking.  It's like someone just walked out of a recording studio or off a DJing gig.

 Source: beatsbydrdre.com

(Ok, maybe I have done some research and I have already picked out the color I would want...)

I just feel like I would look like Princess Lea wearing these around! (Thus the need for turquoise!)

Fitness Motivation for the day (Why I don't mind a sweaty head at the gym):

Happy Halloween

Halloween candy always kills my diet.  Every year I try to buy candy that won't entice me.  But the candy company's are very crafty with their Halloween candy bags. Putting Whoppers (ick, I'll pass), Take 5 (my husband eats them all before I can even find one), Jolly Ranchers (love them but I can control myself) and Reese's Cups (some self control but barely) all together.  They strategically put one good candy in with others that I can resist. 

The first thought that went through my head this year was to buy something healthy.  Obesity is such a huge problem in the US and I want to stand behind what I believe in. (Don't worry, I won't get on my soap box about that). This is how I pictured myself handing out healthy snacks.

But I really don't feel like cleaning up the eggs and toilet paper from the house tomorrow, so I gave into the society's belief that we should get our kids high on fructose.  I waited until Friday to get the candy and would have bought it today to help with not eating it before the kids came but Hurricane Sandy put a wrench in that.  Thanks to Sandy also, I ate my fair share of Reese's Cups on Monday and Tuesday.  I was out of my workout schedule due to the gym being closed, which usually helps with the cravings.

Now, all I can hope for is that the kids actually go trick-or-treating tonight so I don't have the candy left in my house!

My dilemma for this evening is that I have boxing at 6:30.  Since I didn't get my workouts in on Monday and Tuesday, I am definitely not skipping.  My husband has guitar lessons, so the house will be unmanned.  I think I'll just leave a bowl of candy on the doorstep and hope for the best.  I figure that is better than not having anyone or any candy there at all.

Halloween Fitness Motivation: Why I am working out twice today

C'MON MAN!

I love watching football and Monday night football is always great.  One of my favorites things is the NFL Monday Night Countdown on ESPN and their segment of C'Mon Man.  The cast play clips from the weekend of football of criticize the clip, which is a boneheaded or foolish play.  It's always good for a laugh.

Source: ESPN.com

I have come up with my own C'MON MAN, fiery wench style. 

There is a young guy in his early 20's that comes to the same Monday night boxing class I do.  The guy only does 20% of the class (and I think I am being quite generous with that estimate).  For all of you who are out there going awwww, at least he is there, I'll give you a C'MON MAN for even thinking that.  (As my Wednesday night boxing instructor says, This ain't social hour people. Keep working hard.) The instructor rotates around the room, so when he comes by the guy, the guy starts working out.  Otherwise, he just STANDS THERE. Seriously, move your feet and legs; Pretend like you are working out. No, he just stands there.  But once the instructor turns around, he puts on a show that he is working hard.  So I give him a big C'MON MAN!  I am almost 20 years older than you and I put your workout to major shame. 

A friend and I were going out to dinner and we got off on the wrong exit.  We pulled into a gas station to turn around to get back on the highway.  A guy on an ATV was pulling out of the gas station ahead of us and he got onto the road.   C'MON MAN!  You aren't on a dirt road out in the country; why are you driving your ATV on the road?  As we pulled up behind him, we realized the reason for the urgent run to the gas station.  A case of Nattie Light and Miller Light, ready for his Friday night at home. (I am not even going to comment on the butt crack situation--believe me, it was much worse in person.)

I was in Subway the other day and the guy behind the counter stopped making the sandwich for the guy in line when I walked in and immediately asked me if I colored my hair.  The guy in line started laughing because he couldn't believe what was happening.  I looked at him with a straight face and said, no, why would you say that?  But then I started laughing and said yes.  (I'm still not sure why I even entertained the question but I didn't have my sandwich yet, so...).  As the guy was ringing me up, he was gushing about how my hair color was beautiful and how it looked so good on me.  I was trying to high tail it out of there as he said, I hope to see you soon, like tomorrow.  C'MON MAN!  I'm old enough to be your mom and asking someone if they color their hair isn't a good pick up line (nor is it proper etiquette!).  And thanks to you, I will never go to that Subway again!

What is the deal with people on the highway who miss their exits and you see them on the side of the road backing up to pull off onto their exit???  For the love of God, go to the next exit and turn around.   If you are in a hurry, then you shouldn't have been paying attention idiot.  It blows me away how often I see this happening here in NOVA.   C'MON MAN!  For the safety of those around you (note I didn't say for yourself), please go to the next exit and turn around.  Or get off your damn phone and pay attention while you are driving!

Fitness/Health Inspiration for the Day

This is for my husband, who says C'MON MAN whenever I talk about my guns or flex for him.

Good Reason to Workout

Never a Dull Moment

I love the indoor cycling (spin) classes at my gym, Xsport.  The teachers are energetic and work you hard.  There is never a dull moment in class.  And most of the time it's not because of the actual class, it's the wacky interactions of the people in class.

Picture a fairly compact room, filled with 35-40 bikes.  The lights are out, music blaring.  Everyone is is sweating and working hard.  I love it. 

But because the room is small and everyone is sweating, it gets really hot in there.  I swear there is no circulation in that room and about 1-2 songs into class, I need to turn the fan on.  At the back of the room on either side are 2 large fans.  I sit in the back near the fan because I get so hot and I want to be near the air.  There are others who have very strong opinions about the fans.

I mentioned in a previous blog about a woman that I have named Fan Girl.  Fan girl comes to the Saturday morning class and she is pretty obnoxious.  She is VERY vocal about her distaste for having the fan on.  Anytime someone puts it on, she makes a comment like "Great, the 747 is about to land" or "Really, it's not that warm in here." She sits up front, away from the fan, so I don't really know why it's such an issue.  Yes the fan is loud, but the music is louder so you don't really notice it.  But EVERYTIME the fan goes on, it's a whole diatribe about the fan. 

This last Thursday, I had another non-fan loving incident.  Another lady who comes every week was on the bike next to me, at she'll tell me if she's ready for the fan if I haven't turned it on yet. (I can reach from my bike to hit the on button).  I asked if she was ready and I turned it on.  She starts laughing and says, oh no, somebody is really cold.  I look over and a lady several bikes over has a hooded sweatshirt on--zipped all the way up and she has the hood on.  Umm, really?  It's like in the 80's in the room.   Ok, whatever, I don't care.  But what I do care about is the glaring, nasty looks she is giving me.  What the what???  Someone needs to work harder and get a sweat going if you are that cold!  After the end of that song, she jumps off her bikes, goes to the other side of the room and gets on a bike over there, where she proceeds to send me icy looks (She had a better angle from there--yikes!).  But I welcomed the icy stares because I was still hot!  Thanks for the cool down honey!  She kept her hood on the whole time and a lot of the class, she had her arms crossed on her chest.  Anyone who has been to indoor cycling, you know that is not one of the positions you cycle in. 

Last Saturday was an interesting class also.  It was total chaos in there because there were about 7 new people, who didn't know how to set up there bike or how to spin.  I felt bad for the teacher as she is running around trying to get latecomers set up, as class should be starting. Even though she explained to everyone how you should be positioned when standing, no one could get it and she had to keep jumping off her bike to try to assist.  She was worried people would get injured.  I truly thought the lady in front of me was  going to get injured.  She couldn't get the concept that your butt has to be back over the seat when you are climbing, like you are on a hill.  When the teacher tried to get her to do so, she would take her feet out of the cages and one leg would go flying off the pedals, while the other one is on it.  As you may know, the wheels are weighted, so I was waiting for her leg to get pulled out of the socket.  It was a crazy sight.  My teacher didn't even know what to do, so she basically told the lady not to stand--haha.  That will solve it!

Today we had a substitute cycling instructor.  Imagine Nicholas Cage circa Valley Girl.

This was our instructor (but more of a fake tan).  It was hilarious.  He worked us hard but I had to giggle every time he said, "come on, you should be breathing heavy, fer suuurre."  I am not lying.  He kept saying "fer suurrree" like a Valley Girl.  Ahhh, I miss the 80's.

Yes, I Am That Person

I can't believe I am going to admit this, but I have a disgusting habit.  Well, habit may be a strong word.  But on occasion, I will run errands after going to the gym.  Some may shrug and say ok, what's the big deal. (My husband would say it's totally gross).  The big deal is that I work out hard and I am disgusting after.  I mean totally covered in sweat and I am sure I stink.

The reason why I do this sometimes is because I'm trying to be efficient.  If I am already out and I am driving by the grocery store on my way back from the gym, why shouldn't I just pop in and do my shopping?  Or why can't I run into Target and pick up a couple of things.  I will make a disclaimer that I never try on clothes after the gym--that would be really bad!

Yesterday I had a great workout in the morning.  I had a dentist appointment at 1  and boxing at 4.   I knew that storms would be rolling through late morning and throughout the afternoon so it made sense just to pop into the grocery store on my way back from the gym.

There was another girl in Safeway with her workout gear on and we seemed to be going up and down the same aisles.  But she kept staring at me.  I didn't recognize her so I couldn't figure out why she kept looking.  She was wearing workout gear too, so surely it couldn't be me outfit (Capri workout pants and a grey Grateful Dead shirt).  As I was getting to the end of my list, I could feel some drips down my neck.  It turns out that I was still sweating and it was dripping off the tip of my pony tail.  As the honey badger would say, ewwww nasty!

But could that be why this girl is looking at me?  I decide self checkout would be the best thing to do at this point to get out of there and not offend anyone else with my sweat and stench.  As I was walking to my car in the parking lot, the girl is loading her car and just stares at me.  At this point I felt like flipping her the bird because it was just annoying but I went about my way.

I got home, unpacked and went upstairs to get in the shower.  This is when I saw myself for the first time.  I had huge armpit stains that were very visible since I was in a grey t-shirt plus sweat stains in various places on the front and back of the t-shirt.  I looked like a hot mess.  No wonder this girl was looking at me.  I was so embarrassed that I had done my shopping and had a full conversation with the fish counter guy about scallops looking like that.

So I have learned my lesson.  If I plan on doing errands after the gym,  I'll just have to take a shower at the gym first.  Ok, who am I kidding....for now on I will bring a sweatshirt to throw on to cover up my sweaty tank or t-shirt!!

Is It Too Much to Ask?

I live in a court with about 35 townhouses.  We are at the end of the court so we have to drive by all the other townhouses to get to ours.  This should be an easy feat but for some reason, everyone in our court is insane (except my husband and me, of course).

Before I go any further with my story, I looked up the definitions of several terms that are important to this story.  According to www.dictionary.com, these are the definitions.

Road: a long, narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, between two or more points.

Sidewalk: a hard-surfaced path for pedestrians alongside and little higher than a road

There doesn't go a day where I am leaving or driving into my court and someone is walking or standing in the road.  Many days it's every time I come or go.  I'm not talking on the side of the road; I'm talking far enough in the road that I am worried that I may hit them.  There are sidewalks on both sides of the road through the court but everyone in this court insists on walking in the road, chatting it up with their baby carriages in the road or having their kids play in the road.

These people don't make any attempts to move either.  They stare as I try to maneuver my car around them, trying not to run over the infant in the carriage.  I mean, what kind of animal would I be if I hit that carriage that is sitting in the middle of the road; a place where I should be able to drive my car.  I must be an idiot to think that the soccer moms should be having their conversation on the sidewalk.

Yesterday, I pulled in from the grocery store and wouldn't you know, a guy was walking in the MIDDLE of the court.  He put up his arm telling me to wait.  Oh thanks for telling me to wait, like I was going to run over you (ok, it did go through my mind).  If you want to walk in the road, at least walk off to the side!  Maybe I should start just driving on the sidewalks since no one is using them.  But my home owner's association would be all over my ass if I did that!

Wednesday night is play date night for the couple across the street's kids.  As I go into my tirade, please remember I love kids and I truly do not mind them playing in the street (even though there is a play ground at the end of our court!).  What I do mind is the lack of respect for your fellow neighbors who are trying to come into the court or leave in their car.  So every Wednesday night about 10 kids are running around, biking, using street chalk etc in our court.  Fine; don't care.  What really gets me is when I try to leave for boxing, the parents don't seem to rally their kids out of the street or if they do, all the parents still stand in the road and make it difficult for me to leave.  This all happens while all of them glare at me as I drive by.  I know, I know, I am such a horrible animal for trying to leave my house in my car on the ROAD! (see the definition--no where in there does it mention for the use of pedestrians on their feet).

Last Wednesday, I put my car in reverse and sat there for a minute, as there were 2 kids on bikes riding around behind me on the sidewalk.  Their mom was on the corner giving me the evil eye (by the way, this lady doesn't live in the court; she was over for the play date).  I figured a minute with my reverse lights on was enough warning.  As I start to back up, one of the kids jumps his bike off the curb and goes right behind me.  (I stopped in time, thanks to my cat like reflexes.)  Again, the mother just stood there staring at me.  Uh HELLO!  It's called parenting; why don't you try it before your kid gets killed.  Stop staring at me and tell your kid to chill for a second.  As I started to go further out of the court, the rest of the parents were standing in the middle of the road, as usual.  I stopped because another car was coming the other way and unless I went on the sidewalk, where the children had jumped onto, 2 cars wouldn't be able to pass at the same time.  Some lady who doesn't live in the court runs in front of my car and is holding up her hands to me, pushing her palms out over and over in a crazy motion, telling me to stop.  Thanks honey, I've already stopped and by the way, who are you?  It took all my effort not to get out of my car and rage.  It was a good thing I was leaving for boxing class so I was able to take out my aggressions on the bag. 

I'm thinking I should put fliers on everyone's doors with the meaning of sidewalk and road.  Maybe they just don't understand?  

Is it really too much to ask for people to use the sidewalk?

Day In My Life Through Pictures

I thought it would be fun to show a day in my life just by pictures of this I did, ate etc.  This was my Wednesday.  Quite exciting.

Bicycle Safety

This is a public service announcement.  I want to share some bicycle safety tips because I obviously wasn't using these tips yesterday when I went out for my ride.

It was a gorgeous morning as my cycling buddy and I head out for a nice ride.  We were almost 4 miles out when we came up to a busy intersection near Fair Oaks Hospital.  As we rolled up to stop, I did what I always have done since I got my clip petals on my bicycle.  I unclip my right shoe off the pedal and lean to the right.  I ALWAYS do this.  I have done this a million times and haven't had a problem.

Flashback to when I bought the pedals this spring.  The guy at the store said, it's best to unclip both feet.  I said, I ALWAYS stop with my right foot down.  It's automatic and I don't see why I would need to unclip both feet.  He said trust me, do it.  You will forget the other foot is clipped in at some point and you will fall.  He said when you fall, it most likely will be at a busy intersection where a ton of cars are sitting there staring at you.

Flash forward to yesterday...Not heeding the important advice of a well trained cyclist, I unclipped my right foot, went to reach for the crosswalk button as I'm chatting away mindlessly to my cycling buddy when all of the sudden my life went into slow motion.  I don't know what happened but I lost my balance and without my left foot loose, I couldn't catch myself as I fell over on my left side.  Who knew that I could get scratched this much for such an "easy" fall.

As the cycling shop guy predicted,  everyone at the light was staring at my stupid ass laying on the path going, what just happened?  Of course my cycling buddy was very sweet and worried..I get up and I'm fine--leg is scraped but not bad.  She says, wow, you are quiet when you fall.  HAHA.  I think because I was chatting all the way to the ground before I knew what was going on.

We keep riding because I am fine and we get to where there is a lot of construction on Fairfax County Parkway.  We have ridden here many times and I know there is a detour on the bike path.  But I was chatting away again and didn't notice the detour sign.

I realize my buddy is is going off to the right and for some reason, I'm not following the right arrow for the detour and I am going to the left.  I try to stop and AGAIN I only unclip my right foot and I skid on the gravel and fell on my left side, this time with momentum  Not good for the knee, the side of my leg that already is bloody and my hip/butt.  At this point, I am laughing because I have never fallen on the bike and in about a 30 minute time period, I have fallen twice.  The second time really hurt.

I picked the gravel off my leg and we rested for a couple a minutes because we are both stunned by the events at this point.

Still smiling after the second accident (you can see the caution cone holding the detour sign off to the side)
Luckily I had my jacket on, so it protected my elbows in the second fall.  Only slight road burn. 

Cut wrist--good reason to NOT wear a bracelet when cycling.  The clip on the bracelet dug into my skin good.

At this point, we are only about 6 miles out, so we decided that it really can't get much worse, so head down the road about 4 more miles to Reston Town Center and enjoyed some Starbucks outside. 

The ride back was very uneventful (thankfully!).  Washing the gravel out of the wounds when I got home was definitely not any fun and neither was cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide after.  Later in the after a beautiful huge bruise on my hip/butt formed around a 1/2 dollar sized road burn.  Good thing bathing suit season is over!

Back home in one piece!

Cycling Tips I learned Yesterday
**Unclip both feet when you come to a stop
**Don't let your conversation with your friend take precedent over paying attention to your surroundings
**When you see a detour sign, follow it
**Don't wear jewelry when cycling
**Remember, shit happens.  Laugh it off and keep going.

By the way, I decided to go to spin class this morning instead of biking outside.  It was a bit more safe!