a few items I'm currently obsessed with

-Our new king-size bed ~>
Our weekend trip to Phoenix(more details on that trip later) set Mike over the edge. We got home Sunday, went to pick out and buy the bed Monday, & we were sleeping in the bed by Tuesday evening. I didn't realize how much I'd like having a king bed...when you have a husband that thinks his "side" consists of 3/4 of the queen bed and I get 1/4, I guess a king size really does have its benefits.

-Starbucks grande skinny caramel latte ~>
I've raved about this deliciousness before and it never gets old. Yum!!

-Jamie Eason ~>
She is beautiful inside and outside and is such an incredible motivator in so many aspects of life. She is a fitness model and spokesperson for bodybuilding.com. Her spiritual connection with God is increible and she is more than willing to share her advice, whether it's fitness related or otherwise.

-Unsalted Raw Almonds ~>
So yummy and it's a perfect snack to run downstairs from my office, grab out of the pantry, & run back upstairs if I only have a few moments to spare.

-Stuart ~>
I have to get Stuart out of our bedroom at night. I have realized lately that every movement Stuart makes wakes me up. Not that I feel un-rested but I know I'd sleep even better if he wasn't in our bedroom. This could be a rough transition. ugh!

There you have it - hope you have a great day!

Do you ever really like...

an item that seems a little odd to like? Well...I REALLY like writing with mechanical pencils. I rarely write with a pen but when I do I like to use the Pilot Easy Touch ballpoint pen med point in black. I'm not that particular about my mechanical pencils but maybe some day I'll find a favorite brand.
Anything you like that might seem a little odd to like? :)

2012??? for real?

I forgot how much I enjoyed blogging and staying updated on my fellow bloggers...so...I'm back for another post. :) I didn't log off work until about 5:30(I typically log off around 3:30/3:45) so I'm a little pooped and could use some blog therapy.

I can't believe it's 2012 already. Wowsers!! I looked back at my first blog of 2011 and it looks like I did accomplish one goal(running 2 half-marathons) last year. Go me! Hmmm...what should 2012 bring for me?? Improving my snowboarding is still on my list of goals but that'll come eventually.

1) I've been working really hard at the gym lately. I'm not really focused on losing weight(however, I certainly wouldn't complain) but I am really "into" growing my strength. I've learned quickly I'm not a fan of the mentality of lifting 5lbs for 100 reps(what a waste of time!!) - I love lifting heavy(let's go 50 lbs for 6-10 reps) and see how my strength has increases. I've done ZERO cardio for the past 5 weeks or so and focused solely on strength training. I've added cardio back in starting this week. My goal is to continue this drive into 2012 and beyond. Strength training is SOOO critical to a woman's health so I would encourage all of you to give it a try. There are tons of resources out there to help create a plan for you!

2) A half-marathon might be on my list of goals for 2012...haven't decided yet.

3) I need to take better care of my teeth. Went to the dentist last Friday and have to get five fillings. WHAT?! I was about in tears at my dentist office. Luckily, Mike needs four fillings too and for some reason that fact makes me feel better. I told Mike my goal was to, on average, brush my teeth two times a day, every other day. Let's be honest - I certainly have not been brushing twice a day or flossing and I'd be kidding myself if I said I was going to start brushing twice a day, every day.

4) Exercise Patience - take a step back and try to look at a situation rationally & objectively before choosing my words and actions. Is there really a point for me to be "snappy" about something when it really doesn't matter? I feel I am a fairly patient person when it comes to my work but I sometimes have little patience with Mike and the pups. How about I pick the "battles" that are productive, instead of all this little, pointless, not life changing stuff!!?

Well - I don't think I can say that these are only 2012 goals but it's a good way to start the year and hopefully continue to develop some good habits.
Happy New Year!!

the truth is...

I really dislike blogging from our old, very slowwww laptop. I also dislike blogging from the iPad and feel blogging from my work computer probably isn't a good use of my WORK computer. So - here we are...I haven't even opened my blog or kept updated on others blogs since I last posted. UGH! I have a lot of catching up to do. Here is a short continuation of my previous post:

My mom came to visit and I ran my 4th half-marathon here in Santa Fe, NM.
San Diego was quite enjoyable and a nice break, even though Mike was sick part of the time and it rained for two days straight.

Temecula wine country!!

Here are some pics of the fabulous Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta when Mike's parents visited.

A pic of Justin, Stacey, Mike, & I at the end of our very long and strenuous hike. 20 minutes before this picture I was nearly in tears because it was so difficult. I couldn't go 10 steps without having to take a break. It was that steep and I was lacking a little oxygen at 1200 feet.

We took a mini trip down to Carlsbad, NM, where they have a riverboat light cruise on the Pecos. Unfortunately, we had to drive back to Santa Fe in white out conditions...but only ended up adding an hour to our overall drive time.

We were able to come back to NE for Christmas this year. It's been three years since we've been in NE for Christmas. It was so wonderful but went way too fast. I think this picture pretty much summarizes everything. :) Let us open the presents already!!

Cute little Stu! ~ well not so cute on Christmas Eve when he jumped onto a chair, then onto the buffet style table at my mom's to grab a chicken wing before I could get to him...then to do it again 10 minutes later from a different chair and grab a cookie. Seriously!!

Merry Christmas(a little late) from the Carpenters!