Wonderful Weekend

Sorry  I have been MIA, nothing too exciting had happened and I really didn't have much to say. This weekend was a different story, because I got my hubby back! I didn't want to put on here when he was gone, because then crazies would know I was home alone, but he was in the field for 5 weeks and he is finally home! I am so glad he is home and we had a nice, fun, Memorial Day weekend!

We did lots of relaxing and hanging out, which was wonderful. On Monday we wanted to check out a World War II memorial near our house. It was really nice and informative. Also, it was not just World War II, they had sections for each war that the US has fought in since World War I. In the center of the memorial, there is a giant American flag, surrounded by each states flag (in the order that they became a state). If you are in El Paso, I suggest checking it out!

 Me and my home state, New York!

 My three favorite/most meaningful states, Virginia, New York and North Carolina. All lined next to eachother!

 Andy and his home state, Virginia!

This past weekend we also went and saw The Great Gatsby, which I loved! It is one of my favorite books and I think the film version was wonderful! I will also be purchasing the soundtrack shortly, which was awesome. We did a lot of eating out and relaxing, and took a little trip to the outlets. Only hit two stores, so it was a short trip, but got some good things.

Lastly, we both got iPhone 5s this weekend! We have had out droids for 2 years now and I have had so much trouble with it, I was very ready for a new phone. I am loving the iPhone so far, it is very user friendly and I don't have to charge it 3 times a day which is great. So, what running apps do you use? I know there the Nike app, Map my Run, and Run Keeper. Which do you find is the best?

Now, I leave you with a beautiful sunset over Northeast El Paso as we were driving back from dinner last night! Have a great day!

Attack of the Desert Critter (not really, but a little)

Ahhh! So, there is a gecko loose in my house which does not sit well with me. I have never been a fan of critters (unless they are cute earrings with ladybugs or something on them, in my true Alpha Sigma Alpha way), and this gecko is no exception. It scurried right in when I went to let Jimmy out before bed last night, and Jimmy didn't even have to go the bathroom, thanks pup! Needless to say, this resulted with me sleeping with the bedroom light on and towels under my door, just incase it decided to show its face from under the fridge, which is its last known location.  If I don't post again soon, its because the gecko has gotten me HAHA

On a better note, since I didn't really sleep well last night (because I through a lizard was going to get me), I was up at 6:45am. This allowed me plenty of time for a nice run before work today, before it becomes 97 degrees (our high for today). It was really pretty nice out and it was good to go for a run since I didn't yesterday. Instead of running yesterday, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and then 30 minutes of weight training. I think it is good to mix up a workout a bit, it also helps with weight loss and toning, which is my main goal (along with running more races). What do you think? Are you a strict runner or do you like to mix it up?

Feels Like Summer

Last night I did a nice run around my neighborhood, which was HOT! It has been in the mid-90s around her this week and will continue to be mid-90s or higher. I love summer, but I am ready for some normal temps, not these 112 degree days that lovely El Paso gets on the regular. Hopefully the summers in Oklahoma will be a little more my speed, because next month we move!

With it being summer, a new hair-do is in order. I am going to the salon today and am still not sure what I am going to get. I know I want to go lighter, but just not sure how light. I've done blonde and red highlights before and am leaning toward that, but who knows what I will want when I sit down in the salon chair. I guess you will just have to find out once I am all done! I will post a pic in my next post and you'll find out! Have a wonderful Friday friends!

Weekend Recap (A Day Late)

I had a wonderful weekend here in Texas! My mom and aunt flew in on Friday night from North Carolina to visit me for the weekend. It was so great to have them here, probably the last time they will be in El Paso (unless the Army sends us back here after Captains Career Course).

Their flight got here a little late, so what do you do at the airport when you are waiting? Well, go to Starbucks of course! I enjoyed my coffee and banana nut bread while waiting for them, as I watched the rain. That's right, it rained here in El Paso. I don't remember the last time it rained here, maybe 3 or 4 months ago.

On Saturday we did a lot of running around. We went to Saddleblanket, a great southwest store down here. My mom likes to go there every time she comes to visit. They have tons of southwest pottery, jewelry, housewares (even furniture). But, my favorite thing to look at there are the cowboy boots. They carry Montana Boots, the only place in town that sells them I think. I have had my eye on these blue bird boots for about a year and a half now, but with a ticket price of $329 I just wasn't going to do it. Well, apparently they are no longer going to carry the boots, so they are getting rid of their stock. I would be my luck that the one pair of vintage blue birds that they had left were my size and only $119, how could I say no!?!? Needless to say, they are now in my collection and I am very excited about it! Then we went to eat and saw Pain and Gain, which was really good, and kind of hard to believe it is a true story, I would suggest it (plus, who doesn't like looking at Marky Mark)

Sunday was spent with me taking them on a Mother's Day brunch. We went to a great place called Geske's and it was wonderful. We had the best server and the food was delish! Then we took Jimmy to the dog park and he had a blast playing fetch. Monday we went to the mall and I did some damage at Old Navy (as usual), then to lunch at another great place called Crave, followed by seeing Iron Man 3 in 3D.

It was so wonderful to have them here this weekend, but now they are back to NC today. I hope you all had as much fun this weekend as I did, even though there was no running or gym sessions involved. I'll be back at it tonight.

Military Spouse Appreciation

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day! A quick thank you to all of the amazing spouses that I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know. I look forward to more exciting times as a military spouse to my loving husband, I don't know what I would do without him (good thing I get him back in 2 weeks!)

Treadmill or Road Run

I didn't get the chance to do much running over the weekend, so come Monday I knew I wanted to hit the gym. After I got off work I drove over to the gym and ran on the treadmill for 40 minutes. It was an okay run and then I came home and continued on with my evening. Tuesday morning I wanted to go for a run before work around my neighborhood, but I just couldn't get out of bed early enough and I had to start work early yesterday so that would have meant an even earlier wake up. So, this morning I was determined to get my butt out of bed for a morning run, and I did!

It was a great run. The weather was just right (mid-60s), the sun was coming up, it was just a really nice morning. As I was running I thought to myself, 'this is way easier and better than the treadmill'. I was using the Nike running app on my phone and about 5 minutes into the run I decided to take a look and see how I was doing. According to the app, i had gone .05 miles in 5 minutes. Now, I am not the fastest runner but even walking I can go more than.05 miles in 5 minutes, So, I turned off the app and just decided to run until I felt like it (and until it was time to be home and get ready for work). I ended up running farther then I do on the treadmill and faster! This was definitely a great start to the day and I now know that I need to make more of an effort to get out of bed in the morning and start the day off right. (and maybe get a Garmin Forerunner 10 watch to better track my run). Have a wonderful day everyone!

A day off and crappy TV

Yesterday day morning I woke up and could not turn my head to the left, not even a little. I must have slept on my neck wrong or something, or it could have been that my dog Jimmy slept right in the middle of my queen sized bed and I had to sleep twisted. Apparently his dog bed isn't cutting it and my bed belongs to him So, I figured going for a run when you can't really move your head is not the best idea.

Not getting to go for a run really bummed me out because now that I am back into running, it is what I look forward to at the end of the workday. Instead of going for an awesome run last night, I watched crappy TV to relax. This included New Girl and The Mindy Project (OK, not crappy shows) followed by a Hallmark movie called Honeymoon for One. It wasn't the best movie, but it was filmed in Ireland and made me miss it and want to go back.  Hopefully tonight I will be 100% (or at 80%) better and will be up for a run because now it is a way to relax, not just a workout.