Christmas 2013 - A Recap

Hi blog, sorry we didn't spend any time together over the holidays! You've been a huge part of my life in 2013 and the year wouldn't have been the same without you. The holiday's also wouldn't have been the same with you, so I'm happy we took a little break from one another.

Since I'm a horrible holiday blogger, I don't have any photos to share (only the "OMG presents", and "OMG Tree", and "OMG I slept in so late" snap chats) but I can share my top four favorite gifts and share them with you in a collage!

Also, I'm wearing glasses today. That's how awesome this Monday is!

Mom and dad are always so thoughtful, can't thank them enough!

1. Apple TV + brother's iTunes login information

I never watch much TV and didn't know what to think when I opened this gift, but when I realized that the gift included access to my brother's iTunes library, it quickly became a huge hit! My first series has been Game of Thrones and I'm already a season in! 

2. Red Planet SubSonic Speaker

This little guy packs some POWER. It's tiny but don't let it fool you - I've been using it for everything, from amplifying the TV volume, Bluetooth connecting to my phone for music and even playing Pandora in the car on the way into work! Less than $60, it's well worth it!

3. Cash money for a Christmas Wish (any suggestions on how I should use it?)

Mom and dad wrote a check for a "Christmas Wish" and I almost want to just put it in savings and consider it as half of my Mac Book Pro. I know this is the boring way, so what other ideas do you have for a girl who doesn't need anything more?

4. House cleaning help!

I really didn't ask for it, but mom and dad delivered on some house cleaning for 6 months! Mom will be "Maria" and my kitchen will never be cleaner! I'm honestly not too tough on my house, so maybe I won't need 2x a month, let's negotiate!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Happiest wishes for your last days of 2013!

Tough Mudder #2

First I want to say another Happy Father's Day to my amazing dad! I didn't get to spend any of the weekend with him but mom treated him right and we will celebrate properly later this week. It sounds like all of you out there also have pretty remarkable dads. That makes me happy.

This weekend was Tough Mudder #2 for me and it was fun to drag Dan along - even if it meant having to watch the DVR version of the US Open when we got home.

Brooke was awesome and drove us East to the city of Fossil where we witnessed the other side of Oregon that those of us from the city often forget about. Fossil, OR is a place where there's no cell service and a simpler way of life on the ranch.

Or way of life on the ranch was anything but 'simple', but at least we had a fun stay!

Quick Hits - then I'm hitting the pillow!

• Last year I only made it over 3 of 4 walls, this year I made it over all 4 (with 2 slanted toward us!)


• Last year I fell multiple times on Everest and never made it up (I quit) and this year I made it up the first time!


• Having Dan there was the extra boost I needed to get me through <3


• Dan was a sweetheart and crashed into the water on the monkey bars before me, just to make it less embarrassing when I fell in on the first rung


• Arctic Enema was actually a welcome relief from the warm temperatures


• I had a 'Brain Reboot" (blacked out) for a moment through Electric Eel. I opened my eyes, heard white noise and just kept crawling.

Sorry for not many photos, my iPhone was stored in our bag pretty quick once we made it to the venue - you'll have to wait for the official race photos!

Thanks for a fun weekend, friends!

And yes, this was me on the monkey bars.

January's Eight Great Goals + 2013 Resolutions

Is everyone rested up? I am!

Now that I've had ample time to mentally prepare for returning to reality after an amazing holiday break, I think it's time to share my January's Eight Great Goals and also share the 2013 resolutions that have been on my mind the past few weeks.

Eight Great Goals

1. Make time during the workday to actually enjoy my lunch rather than working through it at my desk.

2. Lose the 5 pounds that I've put on during the holidays by January 31st - and maybe more if it comes off easily! (hint: drink water!!)

3. Assist Dan in a successful move from Southwest Beaverton to Southeast Portland.

4. No consuming food after 9pm!

5. Clean out my car - my trunk is a graveyard for things I never use but always think I'll need.

6. Attend 5 NTC sessions on top of my usual 100 running miles. (1,278 miles logged in 2012)

7. 5 servings a day of Fruits & Veggies + an increase protein intake.

8. Each night write down one thing from that day that made me smile - like a calendar journal.

I put a lot of thought into these goals and really think that if I keep them close to me I will be able to achieve each and every one of them.

And now what you've been waiting for - a list of 2,013 things that I want to accomplish this year...

via

JUST kidding - I only have five resolutions I'm publicly committing to!

1. NO using my phone while I'm the driver of a vehicle and the car is in motion. The risk isn't worth the reward.

2. Respect others for who they are and see the good in them no matter what I may think. The world needs more r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

3. Golf 9 holes with Dan while keeping score - and not look like a jerk doing it!

4. Meal Planning for both Dan & I. More structure up front, less poor and hungry decisions later.

5. Smarter spending and back on the saving train. I got carried away during the holiday season.

What are some of your resolutions this year? Whatever they are, believe in yourself to achieve them.

<3 JE