Thankful for...

Perfectly wrapped burritos babies, ready to go to bed....even though it's been 1.5 hours since that picture and they still insist on staying up!

My top 10 reasons to be thankful today...

• My Alex and Lucas
• My husband who keeps me smiling (and forgives me when I'm losing it!)
• My family that has helped me SO MUCH!. I have no idea how I would have survived the last 1.5 months without my mom, my dad and my stepmom.
• My sisters who are always there to listen and make me laugh.
• My friends who know that I do still care for them even though I haven't talked to them in...well, 1.5 months!
• My cleaning lady -- enough said.
• My running shoes...been out there twice since getting the go ahead from the Dr. Will need my running shoes to get me back into shape!.
• My DVR. I know it sounds silly...but without it I would never watch any of my favorite shows!
• My doggie, Chepe. He knows that I love him and I hope he forgives me for making him share his couch with the boys.
• Wine. Again, enough said.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Happy December!

(Note: you can click on the pictures so see them bigger)

I can't believe December is here already!!!. By this time last year I was busy busy with wedding planning, fittings, etc...wow, time flies!

Thanksgiving was a big hit. Alejandro thought the Turkey was the best one we've made so far and the gravy was top notch. I owe it all to Mr. Scanonne!! :) My sister's apple crisp pie was delishhhh and my pumpkin pie didn't disappoint!.
Thursday running update: Nah, I was sore from my 3 days straight of running (M-W)....in all of which I ran in the 9s min/mile pace!!!






Friday, as promised, we had a lazy but fun day. We started with brunch (pumpkin pancakes -with the help of a little one!-, chilaquiles -my sis' made- and fruit salad). Then while the sis' and I cleaned, the rest went to get the Christmas tree!....a beautiful and perfect Christmas tree!. We decorated, did some crafts and relaxed.
Friday running update: Didn't I say it was a lazy day?...no running!



Saturday we headed down to Miami for a wedding. It was a good time and the hotel was beautiful!!!.
Saturday running update: Went out for a 3.32 mile run, it was awesome...great weather, good pace!. After the run I joined Alejandro at the gym for some toning and then it was time to get ready for the wedding!



Sunday we drove back..and let's just say I wasn't feeling my best...so no running :(

That brings me to December. I started the week at the Doctor!...but in a good way because I was headed for the third Alcohol Shot for the Neuroma!. I was excited because I can already (with only two shots) feel the results!!! My foot doesn't go numb when I go pass the 3 miles anymore!....woohoo!. The Dr. still recommends I get all seven shots, but I'm not sure I need to get all of those...so off to Google later today to find out what other people have done.

So no running yesterday due to the shot (my foot actually got pretty swollen this time around!), I will try going to the Pump class today and tomorrow it is....BOOT CAMP!!!. I am so excited!! I don' think I'll enjoy the morning workout thing, but if the class is good it will be all worth it!.

Since I couldn't run yesterday, I took time to use leftovers from Thursday!! Made Turkey Veggie Soup and Pumpkin Honey Wheat muffins.

Ready, Set...Run, bake, host, smile, be grateful and enjoy!

Yayyy!! Thanksgiving is *almost* here!....and in this house, we are ready to roll!

The "bird" is marinating....of course a special recipe from Armano Scanonne (the writer of the little red book almost all Venezuelans have in their collection!).

The sugar pumpkin has been roasted and pureed...ready to get mixed in tomorrow to make a delicious home made pumpkin pie!

The table is set with beautiful fall flowers and all!. I even made cute little leaf shaped place cards for everyone :)

Tatiana (the sis') is making a surprise appetizer and comes ready with all the Christmas crafts we plan to do with my nephews on Friday!. We'll go get the tree, decorate and relax!...skipping the madness at the mall.

This morning I could not get out of bed to go running because I didn't sleep well....right now I'm still debating what I should do for exercise before dinner...a little run? some toning? decisions, decisions...

Just for fun (maybe not THAT much fun, but what the heck) here are five things I'm thankful for this year:

• First and foremost that we are all healthy in the family!!
• Marrying my awesome, loving and handsome husband :)
• My job...I got promoted and have a great boss!
• My sister moving to FL!!!. if only, the other sister liked FL, but who knows, maybe one day we'll all end up in one place!!
• And well, of course, the discovery of running!

I hope every one has a great Thanksgiving!!!

Cheers ;)

The power of...

positive negative thinking?...or the power of hunger?

Today was my first morning workout (part of the new evil plan to make myself love morning workouts).

I envisioned I would be running, enjoying the sun, listening to my music and thinking about all the things I'm grateful for...the birds flying and little squirrels running around. I thought I would pass fellow runners or walkers and wave gladly at them, with a smile form ear to ear...because well, what a beautiful morning to get out there and run.

ehmmm, well, it wasn't exactly as I have envisioned.

It was warm (I've been getting used to the awesome night runs with the cool winds!), my Nike+Ipod decided to not give me my stats during the run, I was hungry, thirsty and couldn't not wait to get this over with and just get home!!!.

I finally was in the home stretch...I swear I could start tasting the coffee and stove top oatmeal (with bananas, cinnamon and pecans) I was about to make when I got home!. I end the run, start walking, end my workout on my Ipod...and there it was:

• Average pace: 9'47'' Mins/Mile
• Distance: 3.09 Miles (.01 miles short of 5K)

9'47''!!! That's a record for me. I only hit that average pace or lower when I'm on the treadmill, but never ever I had broke the 10 min/miles on concrete!!!

So whatever power got me through it, I'll take it. I do know it wasn't the power of positive thinking, because the entire workout I was thinking "this is NOT a good run"/"I much rather workout at nights"/ "this sucks"/ "I'm hot"/ "How much longer", etc, etc, etc.

So well, of course I want to enjoy my runs so now I have to work on my morning attitude (the hard work never ends does it!), but maybe once my body gets used to it I will actually start loving it, and would be able to give other runners/walkers/cyclists a true honest smile that says "I'm loving it!!, isn't this great!?"

Until then, I'll rely on the power of hunger for improving my pace ;)

• On a side note...
  
  I hope everyone is having a great week and finding all the reasons to be grateful this week. This Thanksgiving I will have my sister, brother in law and nephews at our house!. This is the first time ever I spend a Thanksgiving with my family!!. We didn't celebrate it back home since this is an American tradition...but after being in this country for almost 14 years, it has become a special time for me too. I can't wait to introduce them to this awesome Holiday and that's something to be grateful for :)
  
  Happy Tuesday!
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