As the days tick by, I find myself getting more and more excited for the holidays. I am all about the music and the lights, and I’m embracing all of the festive spirit. I know we won’t be doing any parties or events, but we can still be outside and I plan on taking full advantage of that.
Sunday – 3.93 miles, walking
What a beautiful day!
The boys decorated the outside of the house with lights and inflatables. They got some extra ridiculous pieces this year (I have to get a good picture), and it’s going to bring much joy.
I was tired after all my decorating the day before, so let them deal with that on their own.
Monday – 3.74 miles, walking
It’s pretty much A’s last week of school before winter break. He didn’t have any live classes, but there was plenty of review for midterms. Eek.
While he worked, I played with my Cricut vinyl cutter. I’ve done several iron-on shirts, but not so much with adhesive vinyl. I think I’ve got the hang of it!
Tuesday – 4.75 miles running + 1.66 miles, walking
Our run was FREEZING! Literally in the 30s! While it’s nice to have a change, the weather swings are always so sudden.
Since it was December 1, A got to open the “first gift of Christmas.” It was the Star Wars Lego calendar he had been hoping for. He was thrilled and so surprised.
After his review sessions, he had Cooking Club. This week, the kids were supposed to make a roll cake! Yikes! We started in the morning, so he would only have to make the filling and ganache during the evening Zoom. This was a tough one, but he did a fabulous job and we all enjoyed it!
Wednesday – 3.67 miles, walking
Happy Wednesday! Seriously, could this week be any longer? Much as I was worn out, a walk a day is the name of my game, so out I went. Brrr.
Here’s another Cricut win. I really do vacillate between sappy, cheesy holiday movies and crazy, twisted true crime shows and movies. Clearly, I’m all about extremes.
I also picked up some goodies from a super cute small business, in an effort to support local (love curbside pickup). There are going to be some extra big smiles when presents are open this year.
Thursday – 3.97 miles, walking
Our run got postponed until Friday, which was fine because, dang it was freezing and windy! I think it would have made for an awful run.
That being said, the day mellowed out beautifully, so we were able to visit an outdoor lights installation on the beach. We went early enough that there were almost no people, and had a wonderful time checking out all the lifeguard chairs that local companies had decorated for the season.
Friday – 4.75 miles, running + 1.96 miles, walking
J met me bright and early for our makeup run. It was actually fantastic. Yes, it was perfect weather, and I felt so strong the whole time. These are my favorite kinds of run, and I hope there are more of them in my future.
For those of you who voted for me to try the Sugarplum Macchiato, I did. It was not bad at all! I couldn’t drink it all (I don’t even put sugar in my coffee, so it was a little on the sweet side), but I enjoyed the flavor and loved having the pretty purple.
A completed both parts of his math midterm, and did an outstanding job. They were tough tests, but he has really been doing so great. Once was finished, I made a shirt drop-off to a friend, and then enjoyed an outdoor lunch at a local BBQ joint with my book.
Our holiday activity was to make cards for the Cards For Hospitalized Kids organization. Our creations were made from cardstock, paint chips and rhinestones, and I think they came out great. A also made a few with hand-cut snowflakes that were so pretty.
He also used some of his own earnings to sponsor a holiday box for Fostering Connections of St. Johns. These boxes will be handed out at a drive-through holiday party this month, and will really bring some joy to some our community’s foster children.
Saturday – 3.2 miles, walking
Normally, Saturdays are for long runs, but since our 10K race was on Sunday, I enjoyed a nice walk on my own. It was pretty cold again, but also beautifully sunny.
Our holiday plan for the day was an outdoor brunch. Even though the restaurant was new, it wasn’t at all crowded. We got prime seating on the patio, and enjoyed a yummy breakfast and drinks!
I really could have used a nap after all that, but we needed groceries and a few more things, so I was still on duty. It ended up being a long night with dinner-making, brownie-baking, laundry, and a Hurricanes game. I ended up sleeping so poorly, which is never fun the night before a race.
Goal-getting
I felt incredibly productive this week. There were a few moments were I struggled emotionally, but I was able to pull up out of them, and I was really proud of the miles I laid out.
Our holiday countdown calendar is going well. Today is actually the first day we skipped our goal (a drive-through light show at the Daytona Speedway), but other than that, we’ve been doing a great job staying on track. I think this something we will continue doing for years to come.
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
How was your week in training?
Anyone else love true crime and serial killer documentaries? Any races coming up?
You are going to have an awesome winter in FL! Being able to go outside and do things and socialize safely is huge in dealing with the pandemic, and whomp, whomp, up North we’re kind of stuck inside for a while. Hopefully your frost will clear out soon. I can’t wait to hear more about the 10k.
I consider us very lucky. Not that we don’t have to be cautious, but we have so many more opportunities to be outdoors and socially distant. It helps so much.
I have not tried that Sugarplum Macchiato. Now I am curious about it.
When you mentioned cold I didn’t quite believe you. :-). But I guess 30s is cold for Florida.
I love how creative you are with your Cricut. I am trying to figure out if I need or just want one. I am sure I can make many things for my students.
I don’t exaggerate about the cold! It’s crazy here!
So funny story – I got the Cricut last year for Christmas, but I was so focused on my injury and rehab that I never touched it. Now I am finally learning how to do everything and I love it too much.
The thing about Fla, it doesn’t stay cold. Here it just gets colder.
The holidays are so fun when you have kids at home. Enjoy it!
I don’t mind running in the cold but it’s hard to get out the door!!
I don’t know. It feels like it’s getting colder this week! And yes, it’s so hard to get out the door when it’s that cold.
He hasn’t felt super festive, but I think this year has really made a turn.
Sheesh I’ll bet that cold snap was a shock to the system! Wow A did a great job on that cake roll. Those are not easy to make. What a cute way to repurpose paint samples!
It’s crazy! And it’s still continuing this week! I don’t love it.
It was a hard cake! He did so well putting it together. It cracked a little, but I don’t think he let it sit long enough when he took it out of the fridge. Nothing some filling and ganache couldn’t fix.
The nice thing about the cold down south is it never stays for long! Since I’ve lived most of my life in frozen tundra areas, I always had all the warm clothes, too.
Sounds like a busy, but fun, week. Way to leave us hanging about the 10k!
Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…In & Out: 11/30 – 12/6 WRD
It doesn’t stay cold, but it’s so sudden and hits so hard.
Haha! Race report is coming!
It was colder there than it was here in New England for most of the week!
You had quite the busy week! That outdoor light installation on the beach looks like fun. I’ve been trying to find an outdoor display around here.
I miss the days of the Lego Advent Calendar – my boys used to love it!
Seriously! It was.
We have several great outdoor lights displays. There is even a man in our neighborhood who sets up an epic lights and music shows for the holidays.We are so lucky.
This is his first lego Advent Calendar. He’s in love.
Busy week! I love those handmade cards…using the paint chips is a great idea! Our weather did a major plummet today (mid-30’s). That normally wouldn’t be unbearably cold, but we’d just had some much warmer weather and it was so damp outside today. YUCK.
I love how you fit in such fun holiday events into your week this week. Your son looks super happy with his legos. Enjoy your cooler temps they always have me running better. Have a good one and thanks for linking up
I’m so glad you’ve gotten into the holiday spirit! Covid can’t take that away!
Oddly enough, Florida was colder than CT last week! But we’ve since taken back our weather it seems.
Nice work getting all those miles in! Love the t-shirt you made!
I don’t know! It’s back in the 30s here! Brrrr!
I love the shirt, too. It just embodies my attitude lately.
I need you to share some of that holiday spirit with me! I love that you’re in the holiday spirit – it makes this time of year so much more magical.
Whatever you need! I will sing carols or quote Elf or throw candy canes! I am here for this!
Oh those cards using the paint charts are so cute! A good strong week for you and a good learning week for your boy. And actually wearing leggings in one pic – I have been in double layers and thermal leggings this week!!
I don’t know how would move in more layers. I’m just so not used to sleeves and pants!
It looks like you really do have a chef in the making at your house! That roll cake is impressive!
Love Luna’s ornament, lol. I need one for Cocoa! It’s a good thing they are so cute, isn’t it?
Glad it warmed up for you again! I fear our good weather streak is over.
So lucky they are cute. She is just so bad.
And now it’s back to low 30s! Come on!
Yeah, the roll cake was awesome. He did so great. I hope he makes another one soon.
Wow, it sounds like you had a busy week, but I bet this week is calmer with A on Christmas break. Here’s hoping you’re having lots of fun checking items off of your Holiday Countdown list!
I don’t know. The weather is gorgeous, and I want to do lots of hiking! Poor kid is going to be overloaded on fresh air!
That card is really beautiful! Such a nice thing to do. I’ve never used a Cricut machine, but it looks so versatile. I’m trying to come up with more Christmas things to do since everything is different this year.
I mean, we still have a lot available to us, but with our own comfort levels, it’s been challenging to come up with things. I liked having a mix of fun things for us and service and gifting to benefit others. It’s what the season is all about.