Hi there,

How goes it? It’s finally starting to feel like December now. It was cold and windy on today’s run. A real feel temp of 27 degrees. I bundled up.

hat, buff and hoodie over a long sleeve shirt

hat, buff and hoodie over a long sleeve shirt

and I even wore leggings instead of capris

and I even wore leggings instead of capris

I’ve run a lot around the neighborhood in the last couple of weeks and kept thinking I should do another edition of holiday decorations. In 2013 I felt the need to analyze a whole lot, especially the square snowman. In 2014 I was injured but walked the hood and couldn’t get over the amount of non-holiday holiday decorations. An eiffel tower and a crown? What?

This year I noticed a large amount of candy canes. Fuzzy, ones, tall ones, short ones….even blue striped ones!

Fuzzy candy canes

Fuzzy candy canes

2 sizes of candy canes but can we talk about these adorable pigs too?

2 sizes of candy canes but can we talk about these adorable pigs too?

Blueberry candy canes?

Blueberry candy canes?

It was a rather slow 3.5 miles as I stopped frequently to snap pics but I’m happy I got the miles in. img_7957

In other news Duncan has been as cute as ever lately and I’ve had to document his cuteness with these pics…

The ready to play look

The ready to play look

The lazy look

The lazy look

the "take the pic already so i can have that cookie you're dangling to get the perfect shot" look

the “take the pic already so i can have that cookie you’re dangling to get the perfect shot” look

the cute and bored look

the cute and bored look

I had a weird experience the other day. As I was driving across a bridge this huge blob of paint landed on my windshield. At first I assumed it was bird poop so I used the wipers and smeared it. Once I realized it was paint I freaked out. But after a solid 30 minutes of scraping with my finger nail and a rough old towel I got most of it off.

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I love my very short conversations with Mr. SOTSS today.

morning-convo evening-convo

We just saw each other yesterday so we’re all caught up. Tonight I’m hanging with the pooch and filling out my holiday cards (although I keep getting distracted with Facebook and Words With Friends).

So what’s new with you all?

Anyone see any good movies lately?

Any exciting weekend plans? 

Hi and Happy Monday!

I’ve been thinking more about my goals for 2017 and in addition to wanting to run with friends for that “conversational pace” at least once a month I also want to PR in the 5k. The reason behind this one is that I really want to be able to run just one time with Mr. SOTSS during a race. He agreed to slow down to a 9 minute pace for me if I can speed up to it. My current PR is 9:12 average pace so I just need to shave 12 seconds per mile from that.

This past weekend we ran the Big Chill 5k and while I wasn’t trying to run hard I ended up feeling good and finished in 30:11 (a 9:39 average pace per mile). img_7833

I love the long sleeve shirts they give. I now have 3 and use them for pajamas

I love the long sleeve shirts they give. I now have 3 and use them for pajamas

img_7839This was my 3rd time running the race and about the 8th time for Mr. SOTSS. It’s an awesome charity event. The “entry fee” is an unwrapped toy valued at $15 or more.

entry fee toys

entry fee toys

In 2014 I had to walk it because I had a sprained ankle. And last year I ran about a minute faster than this year finishing in 29 minutes. The entire morning was great except that Jane and her hubby weren’t there this year. But I did see my friend Amy quickly before and after.

The gymnasium at Rutgers University was packed with runners checking in. The back wall is all the toys donated

The gymnasium at Rutgers University was packed with runners checking in. The back wall is all the toys donated

I ran behind some elves

I ran behind some elves

After the race we went for breakfast and I was so happy for a cup of coffee because the cup I made before leaving the house in the morning had to get tossed thanks to some curdled cream….boo!

coffee...YES!

coffee…YES!

 

Other than the race Mr. SOTSS watched me put up my tree this weekend.

Keeping me company while I decorate my tree

Keeping me company while I decorate my tree

My newest ornament from my trip to Banff in September :)

My newest ornament from my trip to Banff in September 🙂

All done!

My tree is up!

We took the dogs for a few great walks in the park.

happy Chester

happy Chester

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me and my shadow....and my love and his shadow

me and my shadow….and my love and his shadow

I wonder if I look as happy as him when I run

I wonder if I look as happy as him when I run

We also went to a convention in Atlantic City for business but but enjoyed a nice meal and time away for a quick overnight. And I won $100 on the slots in the casino! Woot woot!

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pub food…yum!

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$100 payout in the casino and an overnight away with my sweets…. #winning

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How was your weekend?