Search This Blog

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Vegas Bound

Matt and I are joining some friends on a trip to VEGAS in May.  I have never been, so I am so super excited!  We are going to stay at the Encore.   Looks like sooo much fun! 





 

Treadmill review

It has been about a week since we got the treadmill up and running (pun intended...)!

The IFIT feature is not as exciting as I thought.  Basically, you wirelessly download your workouts onto the machine.  The problem is that sometimes they don't download and the machine tends to time out. 

Other than that, it is going well!  We have been running on it almost every night.  I am going to start my 8 week guide soon for the shamrock shuffle.  If anyone is interested, here is the training guide that is supposed to be pretty helpful! 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Bachelor 3

From my sister....

Better late than never. Last week on the bachelor I of course fell in love with Emily even more. In a way I hope she doesn't win because I would love to see her as the next bachelorette. I still really like both Ashleys as well. I think the Executive Assistant is also becoming a front runner. Michelle is totally nuts and if I hear her say "he needs a woman not a girl" one more time I might throw up. I thought Madison's exit was great. Loved when she said she wanted to find love but there were girls there that NEEDED to find love. Time to get ready for tonight's episode!!

Recipe

Last night was my monthly cooking club.  I brought buffalo chicken dip, which was a huge hit! 

Here is the recipe:

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP

2 [10 ounce] cans chunk chicken, drained
2 [8 ounce]packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup Ranch dressing
3/4 cup red hot sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Heat chicken and red hot until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and Ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half the cheddar cheese and transfer mixture to a slow cooker.Sprinkle of the remaining cheese over top, cover, and cook on low setting until hot and bubbly.
Serve with Ritz cracker


PS.. yes mom, I know that you gave this recipe to me...

Friday, January 21, 2011

Happy friday

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  I will definitely be watching the Bears playoff game! 


Thursday, January 20, 2011

This explains it...

After work yesterday, I had a problem getting to my parking spot because there were news cameras and tons of people by the theatre.  I came across this posting, and now it all makes sense. 

Dolly Parton Celebrates Her Birthday With 9 to 5!

Filed under: Exclusives! > Music Minute > Dolly Parton > Events > pHOtos!
dolly attends 9 to 5 opening in chicagodolly attends 9 to 5 opening in chicago 2
Perezhilton.com has been sent EXCLUSIVE photos (above) of Dolly Parton at the opening night of 9 to 5: The Musical in Chicago.
Looking fab as always, bb!
We're excited about all the Dolly we've been seeing lately. She is keeping super busy at 65 years old!
Loves it!

http://perezhilton.com/

script type="text/javascript">
  var _gaq = _gaq || [];
  _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-20879963-1']);
  _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
  (function() {
    var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
    ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
  })();
</script>

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Flashback

I found this picture of my sister (on the very far right) from years ago... so funny! 

Treadmill troubles...

We received our treadmill yesterday.  This is how it is looking so far..... 




This last picture was taken at midnight! 

Monday, January 17, 2011

Big News..

My Blog has hit 300 views since I started it in December!

UPDATE

Great news, our treadmill is getting delivered tomorrow!!!  So excited!!! 

Now... I am not sure how long it will take us (by us I mean Matt) to set up.

Stay tuned....  

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Random thought...

Since I have been on the juice cleanse, I have been thinking about things that I can and cannot live without.  The biggest thing I cannot live without is... 

UGGS - hands down the best purchase I have ever made!  I don't know if I could survive the cold Chicago winters without them.  



I love Chicago, just not its weather!!! 

Cleanse update

It is day 2 of the juice cleanse... its much harder than I expected.  I have been drinking veggies for a day and a half. 




I also had some slight hallucinations last night.  When I looked at box for our new roomba, I thought it said chocolate factory...clearly, I was very hungry. 

I am about 1/2 way through...  I am planning out my meal for Tuesday already! 

Friday, January 14, 2011

Leaving COMMENTS!!!

After receiving thousands (really 3) of requests by my loyal readers, I have now made it easier to post comments on my posts! 

Always a sucker for a good deal...

I found a good deal for a juice cleanse! I know what you are thinking ... maple syrup and pepper. (the Beyonce diet) Nope!

This is actually a really healthy one by a new place by us called Green Corner. It is just a 3 day cleanse and I have to pick up the juice each morning so it is fresh.  Doesn't sound too bad right? 

From Green Corner.....

The Green Corner Cleanse:
We provide you six 16 oz. bottles of organic juice made fresh daily. Four of these juices are our signature Green Corner Juice, which consists of all organic Kale, Cucumber, Celery, Apple and Lemon. One is a Red Juice, consisting of Beet, Carrot, and Apple. The last is a Fresh squeezed Grapefruit juice. One day of our juice cleanse is equivalent to twenty pounds of vegetables and fruits, providing with all the nutrients your body needs while you take a break from food and drinks. The Green Corner juice cleanse simultaneously removes toxins and provides nutrition by giving the body vital minerals, vitamins and enzymes in a juice form that is easily assimilated into the body. You may choose to add herbal tea and wheatgrass throughout the day to add a boost of energy. 

I will keep you updated on the cleanse! Wish me luck....

Marathon update

Well I am still without a treadmill!  I considered running outside and then I looked out and saw this:



Lets be honest, if I run in that I am going to need crutches!  So after bothering nordictrack again, I was told that it has gone to UTAH to be processed and they estimate it will arrive in Chicago in 2 weeks! 

So basically update is:

New running shoes -- check
New music for ipod-- check
miles run-- zero!  

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Matt's nightmare!

It's Matt's nightmare....  Doesn't she look like Sophie?

http://teddyhilton.com/2011-01-12-lucy-a-cat-living-in-south-wales-is-39-years-old/?from=PH

Bachelor recap 2

From Kayla....

Can anyone tell me what an “Energy Suck” is? DRAMA!!!! The 2nd week of The Bachelor was less than entertaining to me. I thought his first date with Ashley at the carnival went really well. While I was bored with it, he seemed to have some kind of connection to her. I did not think his date with Jackie was too promising.  When you hand someone a rose and say “I am willing to stick it out if you are” does not really scream love to me. The group date was too much for me. Between the girl fight and the “It’s my birthday” comment (times 1000000) I was totally over it. Michelle is too much to handle, while she is attractive she is too in your face for me. I am still sticking with Emily as my favorite. I am anxious to see when she is going to tell Brad her story.  I hope the rest of the season improves, because I am getting a little bored with this group of girls…YAWN

It's official!

After living in Illinois for many many years, I have finally obtained my Illinois driver's license! 

Of course, I had to point out to them that one of the answers in their handbook is inaccurate. 

Monday, January 10, 2011

New blog

I am adding a new blog to my favorites.  My friend Monica writes it.  She is also a Florida transplant and like me, hates the winters! 

http://monilogues.wordpress.com/

Check it out!

Friday, January 7, 2011

I wish I was in Italy.....

Its so cold and gloomy in Chicago today.  I wish I was back in Italy!  Some of my favorite pictures from our trip!  I posted a quiz, what is your favorite picture??







Favorite Shopping Sites

I am obsessed with a few websites for shopping:

http://www.ruelala.com/

http://www.gilt.com/

http://www.groupon.com/

All of these sites have great deals on really nice products and services. Groupon sends you an email with deals on shopping, spa and restaurants based on where you live.  Check them out!

I bought these on gilt last night!






  New Balance
  740 Running sneaker
   Color: Silver / blue

Star News

For anyone who doesn't know, I have a huge crush on Colin Firth.  (Pride and Prejudice)

colin-firth-walk-of-fame-star.jpg

According to Perez Hilton, he is getting a star on the walk of fame! 

http://perezhilton.com/?s=firth

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Day 2

Day two of my training for the 8k went about as well as the first.  I have no treadmill to train on. 

In other news, I will use the time it takes me to receive my new treadmill to focus on very important aspects of the 8k: my wardrobe.  I will obviously need new shoes! 

What I am considering at the moment:

740 Running sneaker

7500 Running Sneaker

Thoughts?

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Guest Blogger - Bachelor recap 1

My sister, Kayla, is going to guest blog each week about the Bachelor.  Here is her first post:

Oh The Bachelor. I wait months for this show, and I even dream about it. (No seriously, last night I had a dream about Brad Wolmack.) It always takes me a few episodes to get into the season and get to know the girls. However, there is always a favorite that I can pick out the very first night. The season it is Emily Maynard! No it is not just because she is blond..I liked her the minute she did her hometown story. She seemed sincere and ready to find love. I also liked Michelle (the hairdresser) to be honest, it was not her attitude, it was strictly because I thought she was pretty. I am sure she will be full of drama. The first impression rose, I thought was a good/safe choice. She was nice, but kind of corny...Those were really the standouts to me. Guess we will see where the season goes...hey if my life keeps going the way it is, maybe one day I will pop out of that limo....




More about Kayla's favorite.


Ricky Hendrick (full name Joseph Riddick Hendrick IV) was a famous NASCAR driver killed in a plane crash in 2004 at the age of 24. His widow, of sorts, was Emily Maynard. Hendrick and Maynard were not married when he was killed, but they had been together four years and were engaged at the time.

In another tragic twist to the story, Emily found out a week later that she was pregnant. She gave birth to their daughter in June 2005, whom she named Josephine Riddick "Ricky" Hendrick. Emily is now looking for love on "The Bachelor" with Brad Womack.

Ten people were killed in the 2004 crash, including Ricky's uncle John Hendrick and his two 22-year-old twin female cousins.

The Levine Children's Hospital where Emily is an event planner was made possible through several large donations, including a $3 million donation from Rick and Linda Hendrick, Ricky's parents. The pediatric ICU is called the Ricky Hendrick Centers for Intensive Care.

By Andrea Reiher
  
January 3, 2011 11:30 PM ET

http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2011/01/ricky-hendricks-fiance-emily-maynard-is-a-contestant-on-the-bachelor.html

Remind me why I live here again....

Today Jan 5Thu 6Fri 7Sat 8Sun 9
CloudyScattered FlurriesPartly CloudyFew Snow ShowersPartly Cloudy
CloudyScattered FlurriesPartly CloudyFew Snow ShowersPartly Cloudy
34°F25°22°21°28°
HighHighHighHighHigh
19°11°13°12°16°
LowLowLowLowLow
Chance of Precip:
20%
Chance of Snow:
30%
Chance of Precip:
20%
Chance of Snow:
30%
Chance of Precip:
20%

Day 1

Well, my day one of training did not start the way I hoped.  I got excited and ready to start my run.  (I even downloaded new songs on my IPOD)

I hopped on our treadmill (I really did, I was THAT excited) pushed start.... and NOTHING.  Our treadmill is broken.  We tried to fix it, but had to finally admit that our craiglist find was not such a good find. 

We did lots of research and found a good deal on a new one that has a warranty.  Of course the new treadmill we bought is out of stock and we won't get it for a few weeks.  Which caused me to ask the customer service operator: "but how will i train for my marathon?".  I left out it was a mini marathon.  I thought maybe she would feel bad for me and expedite shipping on my new treadmill - not so much. 




We have learned a good lesson:

Don't buy used equipment on craigslist!

When Matt signed me up for the 8k I bet he never thought it would cost him his sanity and a new treadmill.  Oh well.... 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Shamrock Shuffle

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not what you would call an "athlete".  However, the crazy person that I am, have decided (wait for it) to run an 8k!

Matt and I are going to do the shamrock shuffle on April 10th. 

God help us....

(you can stop laughing now....)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Good-bye Christmas tree


Another tree bites the dust....   We are taking our tree down tomorrow, which I am dreading.  I insisted on putting it up right after thanksgiving! 

Happy New Year!