Big Weekend

The past week or so has been quite busy, but oh so much fun! Here's a recap and explanation as to why I haven't been around in blogger land for almost a week!

Friday Night:

My parents and sister came into town and we enjoyed a nice dinner at my aunt's house. Later on, a bunch of us met up with my sister's fiance and his parents for some drinks. I chose to be some sort of a designated driver as I knew I was going to be having fun the next night... after graduation.

Last year at this time, my sister and I, as well as a couple of our cousins, introduced my father and a few uncles to the wonderful world of jag bombs. This year, we introduced my mom and her sister to a Chuck Norris drink. I think she enjoyed it... as she was the first one to slam her glass down! Too cute!

Aunt, Mom, Dad, Sis

Graduation:

Saturday started with an early morning, running some errands, and rushing off to graduation. My sister's Fiance B and I took off before others, as we had to be there quite early. Early enough to just stand around in a line for over a half hour.

The ceremony lasted for a good few hours. I couldn't sit still at all. All I had in my system was a little breakfast and coffee. Not a good mix. Afterwards, we met up with our families outdoors. The weather was gorgeous with the sun shining from the baby blue sky! I was so ready to get out of my cap, gown, and hood.. geez, all the stuff they require you to wear when you get your masters. I will definitely not be working towards my doctorate.

Mom, Me, Dad

Me & Steph (Sis)

Me, Steph, and B (Steph's Fiance)

Saturday Night:

After a wonderful dinner at a local country club, it was MY turn to have some fun. We had a late start as the dinner went late, but it was still a lot of fun. We went to a local bar as a co-worker's husband's band was playing. Too much fun!

Chuck Norris...anyone?!?!

B, Dad, Me, Mom, B's roomie, Aunt

Group shot... again! I don't think I was having much fun...

Me and my sista! Some say we look like sisters... Nah!!

All and all, the weekend was supurb! And to be able to see my Mom on mother's day was another treat. For her and me, I would think! Now, I just need to land me a job!

Yesterday I had my doctor appointment and it went well. I forgot to ask when I can run, so I will be calling today. Although, my ankle has been bothering me. I am starting to really question why I run. Anytime I can get back into the swing of things, something happens. I have the dull achy pain that wraps around my right ankle when I push off of my foot. Frustrating. Very very frustrating. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated! {EDIT: I talked to the Nurse. No running for 5 days. Minimum. I guess it is good...for my ankle if anything.}

Restful Wednesday

Last night was my rest night. We went out for dinner for a "going away" party for one of the teachers. It was very nice, and a lot of teachers showed up for it. I didn't get home until shortly after 9pm. I got ready for bed, and looked over some of my old training logs while I watched the end of the Twins game. It was kind of interesting to see what I was doing this time of year a year ago.

The picture below was taken while my Sis and I were driving back to GF on sunday evening. We got lot of rain this past weekend and there was this beautiful rainbow. We could see both sides, but the middle was covered by the clouds. At one point there were two rainbows. Very nice. We couldn't find the pot of gold ... or skittles either.


Tonight, I hope to go for an easy jog and get to bed early. I didn't sleep well last night and was up for good around 515 this morning.

Happy running, y'all! The weekend is almost here, and it's almost time to party!

Call me Crazy ... with a capital "C"

It's been one hell-a-vuh-week! I am definitely running out of time here people! I have only two "free" weekends between now and the end of May that I can get a lot done... that is, free to pack/move, apply for jobs, and complete four projects for school. Ahhhh!

But, on a side note, it's been a few days since I have posted. So here is a brief update. "Brief" being the opperative word.

Monday: I squeezed in a 4.05 mile run when I got out of class at 9pm-ish. Averaged 10:48/mile. Right leg was a little sore, possibly due to the fact that I ran 3 days in a row... with an accumulation of 11.4 miles.
Tuesday: Wasn't able to squeeze in any lifting or light running, since I was going and going from 7am until 5pm. Just had enough time for spin class from 5:30 - 6:15 before my 7pm class. Total, 9.26 miles spin.
Wednesday: Rested. Ahhh.... Actually, I did laundry and some dishes, watched American Idol and was to bed by 9:30pm. :)
Thursday: Was hoping to do a 4 mile run this morning before school, but overslept a half hour past my usual wake-up time. Oops. So, I had to run before spin tonight. Since I knew I wasn't going to get in my hopeful 4 miles, I opted for doing a few intervals. (Doing a total of 2.25 miles)

• 800 M warm-up jog = 5:31 (5.7 mph)
• 200 M walk = 1:51
• 400 M run = 2:29 (6.5)
• 200 M walk = 1:50
• 400 M run = 2:23 (6.7)
• 200 M walk = 1:38
• 400 M run = 2:17 (6.9)
• 200 M walk = 1:36
• 400 M run = 2:10 (7.4)
• 400 M cool down jog = 3:00 (5.5)

After running, I grabbed my sports beans and hit the bike. All went well, was a little tired though. Intervals are probably not the best thing to do before spinning. I ended up spinning a total of 9.6 miles. Afterwards, I hit the weight room and worked on the arms. This teacher can't have those things jiggling when writing on the board... how embarassing!

Friday: I plan to run, and then lift legs. I would like to do it before school, but I don't know if that will happen! We'll see. I might have more time to do 4 miles and lifting after school without feeling rushed. That way I can do a thorough job!

One of my RT friends invited a bunch of us over to barbeque tonight at 7pm. I had told him earlier this week I was going to come, but that was before I realized that thursdays are usually my long work out day (2+ hours). I didn't get home until 7 and then showered and had to fill my body with some carbs. I knew that I wasn't going to drink or eat at the barbeque. I told him I didn't think I would make it as I needed to ice and eat some good pasta... He just told me he was disappointed! Will they ever get it? I am trying so hard to make a lifestyle change here, and I go and say NO one time and they don't get it. Peer pressure sucks, people!! As much as I would have loved to be hangin' out with all those guys tonight, I knew that I needed to take care of my body first. I wanted to ice and eat well so I could get in a nice run tomorrow. In the back of my mind I knew that I had a lot of paperwork that I wanted to get done tonight for my mentor to look over tomorrow. I am sick of trying to explain myself. They call me crazy! Crazy for running before spinning; crazy for being able to find time to workout 5 or 6 days a week with all of my classes and teaching; crazy for running... period. So, call me crazy. Call me crazy with a capital "C"! I don't care. You know why? Because I feel a whole lot better when I do it... and if that makes me crazy... so be it!

Happy Running, y'all! Tomorrow's friday... jeans day is here again!

P.S. Check out another one of my favorite songs below. Lucky Man by The Verve.

Progress Reports

It is almost time to do progress reports at school again. I feel like I just spent hours doing the last batch of them, why is it that this quarter has gone by so fast?

Speaking of progress reports, if some so-called "workout instructor" were to write up a progress report on me, this is probably what it would look like:

Stacy has been working hard, getting in most of her runs and doing some quite intense cross-training once or twice a week. She has also been able to add consistent weight training before some runs a couple times a week. She has been eating healthy for the most part and able to refrain from snacking after 7 in the evenings for the past two weeks. She has attempted to cut back in her alcohol consumption, even though this happens on a rare occasion to begin with. With that note, she has been attempting to increase her mileage on some longer runs. However, it appears as if Stacy is slipping away from her routine. Due to excessive paperwork and presentations with work and class, she has had to put off her running and workout routine. It is felt that this might be due to some procrastination. We hope that with the change in weather and some extra rest, Stacy will be able to get back out there running again.

Spring Break for UND is this coming week. I still have to work Monday thru Thursday (no school Friday due to boys state basketball tournament), but will have open evenings all week due to no classes! Yippee! The weather is supposed to be above freezing for the most part so I look forward to a possible run or two outdoors next week.

I haven't ran since Sunday. Crazy. I am heading home this weekend for my sweet Grandpa's 80th Birthday party. I don't know if I will get any runs in, but hope to Saturday morning. I will keep you updated.

Happy running, y'all! Have a superb weekend!

...curve balls....

Not everything goes the way we would like. Sometimes we make plans or have dreams, and sometimes things don't just happen the way we want them to. Life will sometimes throw us curve balls, and you just got to go with it. Everything happens for a reason.

As much as I would like to uproot myself from the ND prairie and get my feet wet in a new, warmer location, I am okay if it doesn't work out as planned. Everything happens, or doesn't happen, for a reason.

In a previous post, I had commented on how much I was ready to move out of this state and try something new. I might have made it seem as if I was truly unhappy here; that's not the case. I am just ready for change. Mostly to be done with school and just teaching. I still dream of moving to my dream location... and I still plan to apply for positions out of state... But, I have come to terms that not everything happens the way we would like. And that is okay.

Isn't it our well-being that matters the most in the long run? I mean, our social, emotional, and physical well-being. I can honestly say that I am the happiest I have been in probably a few years. I am doing what I love and loving what I am doing. That's what really matters.

If life throws you a curve ball...swing. Striking out is the worst that can happen!

A day of rest?

Too busy to make much of this post. I was up early to work on some projects and do some reading for class. Then I was able to get in a run. I was hoping to do a little over an hour workout, but that didn't happen. Lungs felt very tight for the first couple miles and I just didn't have the strength today. So I opted for a very, very slow 4.55 miles. So slow that I didn't keep track of the time. Now I am off to spend a couple hours working on a project with a classmate. Fun times! So much for treating sunday as a day of rest. Maybe next sunday.

Happy running, y'all. Have a superb week!

Change is good....

...right?

I like to think I enjoy change. Initially, when change occurs in my life, I can become a little tense or worried, but usually something good comes out of it.

Why does the process of change have to be so overwhelming?

I tend to become overwhelmed when I feel as if things are happening too fast around me. It's already March. I haven't done as much applying for jobs at this point as I would have liked, but there is nothing I can do about that now. My sister and I plan to move out of our apartment by the end of April. I will plan to stay with my aunt to ride out the last few weeks of work at school and then head home for my sister's wedding in June. And this, is why I hope to have a job in line before May. (Do you sense my tense voice?)

Change ... I think I need it.

Almost two years ago I took a position as a long-term substitute working with elementary students with learning disabilities. I loved my students, my co-workers, and the school. I couldn't have asked for a better school to work for. Then the position was filled with someone more qualified. I had to make a decision. With the help of my director/boss, I was able to get into one of the best graduate programs at UND and planned on working as a resident teacher the following year at another small town school under the same SpEd Unit... Thanks to my director. I wouldn't have planned on getting my masters in 1 year if it weren't for her helping me get my place in the program.

Change ... is it necessary to be such a big change?

I don't want to live in GF the rest of my life. It doesn't have what I would like in a town (running paths, bike trails, better weather, job opportunities) and I just don't want to be here anymore. Period.

Do I need to move halfway across the country to experience change? Probably not.

If I don't, will I regret it? Probably.

Can I come back to ND if I don't like it? Most definitely.

I think some people worry that I will never come back.... but that is not true... I don't plan to stay away for ever.... And if I don't move to my dream location... I will definitely be doing some serious traveling....

....this girl just needs to spread her wings... and fly. Who knows where the Northwind will take me....

Grounded

First of all, when I mentioned the girl wearing the speedo in the gym yesterday... the reason I thought it was kind of weird was becuase our Campus pool is in a separate building from the wellness center...now is it kinda weird? And about the couple, I think it is perfectly fine to show PDA's... it just seemed odd to see that at the gym... I guess there is really nothing wrong with it...just out of the ordinary...

Friday is here and there is nothing more that I would rather do than relax and have a few beers with some friends. But, I have officially grounded myself. Yah. I have plenty of paperwork to do from work and MUST get started on some of my projects for class, and finish up some paperwork for my final project for graduation. It is also a goal of mine this weekend to find 5 locations that I would like to apply for jobs. With that I need to update my resume and type up a beautiful cover letter. Grounded. Oh well. The weather is going to be icky and my sister has left me all alone this weekend. Sniff...sniff..

Now, I am going to do some laundry and get some reading out of the way. Maybe I will find a B-ball game on tv to half-listen to....

Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!

I HEART life

Before I get into the main purpose of this post, I want to quick make a comment about my injury. I have to give my Mom some credit here (and Wes) for putting in my head that my difficulties with my leg could possibly be stemming from Spin. Oddly enough. My Mom had mentioned to me that she struggles with bicycling becuase it bothers her knees (but she is able to run half marathons)... and then Wes had mentioned how when one gets on their bike, you use different muscles and can also injure different parts of the body. So, tonight I went to the gym hoping to get in a Spin class at 430 but didn't get there in time. So I had an hour to kill before the next class and chose to do some walking. I walked a little over a mile and then decided to test the running. I will admit, I was scared, but I did it. I went a mile and decided to stop. I didn't want to push it and knew I was going to Spin so I didn't want to wear myself out. All and all, I put on 2.25 miles on the thrillmill. Afterwards I grabbed a bike, adjusted everything to meet my needs and started moving. Yep. Kinda felt it. That feeling behind the back of my knee on the outside. Not pain. Just tightness. What the heck! I pushed through and did 8.6 miles. Tuesday night Spin is a whole lot different then Wednesday night (besides the different instructor). Tonight I knew it was going to be difficult when she passed out those elastic stretch bands. Oh boy. We used those to strengthen our arms while cycling slower a couple times throughout the session. Hence the reason why I only put on 8.6 miles. But, it was wonderful and I am already feeling the soreness in my arms! So, I came home tonight after class, stretched, iced and will be looking further into why my leg is bothering me. I am almost sure it is Spin now... but I don't want to quit that either!


Once again...Valentine's Day is pretty much here. Ah, the over-commercialized big day of the year! Don't get me wrong, I love the big Valentine's Day, but sometimes it can be too overrated! And I am not just saying that becuase I am single... Even when dating, it wasn't that great. With being single this year (first time in 5 years) I am going to make the most of it with a couple friends...I think! Dinner and a glass of wine? In honor of Valentine's Day, I made a list of things I love...to remind me of what is important in life!

1. LIFE!
2. My parents - they have given me so much and I must say they did a wonderful job on molding me into the superb adult I am today! ;)
   
3. My sistas! Oh how I have learned so much from them as they are both so different...as we all three have our differences...and similarities as well!
4. The rest of my family... sometimes we all take for granted how lucky we are to be so close!
   
5. My lovely friends.. Those near and far.... Those who support me in my running ups and downs, ins and outs (RBFer's, family and other friends)... Those who are there to wind down with after a long and stressful week, especially my "shaken' on the dancefloor partner, k-dog".... Those who I can vent to, because they know exactly what I am going through...
6. Did I mention LIFE???
7. I HEART learning... Education was probably the best field for me to go into... I will be required to constantly educate myself to become the best teacher I can be... next on my list of education: work towards my ASD credential (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
   
8. My students...oh how I have learned so much from them and hope that they learn a little in return!
9. I love watching my sports... especially basketball... I HEART my Tarheels!
10. I love being active. Running... cycling (spinning)... swimming... (basketbal, volleyball, etc.) ... Is there a possibility of a Tri in the future???

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

Wednesday is almost here...

and I am done with class for the week! Ahhhh.....

(ahh...now I have to spend the rest of the week doing paperwork and homework!)

Tonight I went to the gym before my class. I didn't know what I was going to do, especially with my ankle slightly bothering me. But, I felt I could atleast go and get a good lift session in and walk the track to get moving a bit.

So, I lifted my heart out. I really pushed my self hard and can feel it now... what wonderful feeling!

Afterwards, I thought that I would just attempt some *light* running ... yeah... ...only went about 1.3 miles and had to force myself to stop. It wasn't a really bad pain, but it was there and I was afraid I would make it worse.

So I stopped. How frustrating. Oh well. Tomorrow night I will attempt another mile, and do 45 minutes of spin. Then I will try to do a few miles on thursday! If all is well with the ankle that is...

Did I mention it was -36 with the windchill coming home tonight? Brrr. If this isn't more motiviation to really start looking for a job in the Carolina's...I don't know what is! It's so cold that my car didn't get the chance to warm up much between campus and home...which is a good 10 minute drive.. you try icing your legs after being out in these frigid temps! Kind of hard, but you do what you gotta do..

Keep on keeping on!

Looking forward to wednesday....becuase...

....monday's can be disasterous with leaving home at 7am and not getting home until after 9. especially when you realize you didn't have really anything to take for lunch... and you probably won't get to the grocery store before wednesday evening....

.... tuesday I will start the day of with a meeting with the PT, OT, SLP, Strategist, Principal, classroom teacher to discuss assessment results with parents of a struggling student.... and to plan out a new IEP....just...

..... to be followed by.... an observation of my wonderful teaching skills...done my my university mentor....

.....and then another late night of class ...until 10...

Hopefully on wednesday I have time to get to the grocery store... so I will be able to cook a decent meal... so I have left overs to take for lunch thursday... and maybe friday...

For how long and tiring the beginning of my week can be, it sure goes by fast. Before I know it, May will be here. Oh how ready I am for May temps. Woke up to -32 this morning. Thankfully my car started.

Did I mention my ankle is bothering me? If it's not one thing, it's another... sometimes I stop and wonder why I do this running stuff... But oh how I LOVE it so much.

Lack of Structure

Friday was quite eventful with the CEC conference and then hitting the gym for a nice long run and some lifting. But, I chose to go out with some friends, some of them whom I haven't seen since July and had a few drinks. That totally throws my weekend out of wack, with me sleeping in and wasting a good portion of my day. Plus, I feel completely icky and mostly dehydrated. I was hoping to hit the gym saturday afternoon but just couldn't do it. Not enough structure what-so-ever.

Workout: Today, I did things a little differently. I did 45 minutes of pilates late this morning, went to the gym and lifted arms and legs...then, I did my 3.1 mile run! I have read that lifting before running helps with weight loss....even though this isn't a huge concern of mine, I wanted to see how well I would be able to run after lifting. Results? I did a total of 3.3 miles, with 3.1 being done in 31:49 minutes! An average 10:15 minute mile! Yeah! I have a feeling I am going to be sore tomorrow...but a good sore.

Now, I am saving my appetite for yummy apps and taps at a friends house for the Superbowl! Yeah! Go Bears...or Colts?!?! I can't decide. I am just looking forward to the commercials, a few drinks, a lot of food...and some football!

Happy running, y'all!

Body-numbing, snot-freezing, head-aching....

Random thought:
Cupid's Chokehold...such a weird title for a song. But, I guess I have heard worse! Cupid's Chokehold by GYM CLASS HEROES is my favorite song at the moment! If you are looking for a new song to jog to, try this one! Just saw the video and thought it was weird, but I like the beat!

Tomorrow I will not be going to school. Nope. I quit! No...not really. I will be attending a CEC (Council for Exceptional Children) Conference here in town. I am quite pumped! You can never learn to much, right? With that note, I am so pumped that I don't have to drive all the way to school (35 miles) and park my car out there. I don't have a block heater and the high tomorrow is supposed to be -10 with the windchill reaching a near body-numbing, snot-freezing, head-aching 40 below windchill! Who would want to leave their warm home in that kind of weather? Not this chica! Thanks to my Sis, she will be getting up early to drive me to the conference and pick me up at 4! That way I won't have to worry about my car not starting...becuase it probably wouldn't!

Today was the 100th day of school! In most schools, that is a big day in grades K-2/3! So, most of the kids were walking around with necklaces made of 10 sets of 10 fruitloops. The Kindergarteners got 10 sets of 10 different dot stickers to do what ever they wanted to do with them...on paper that is. The kids were pretty excited! Not as excited as the teachers realizing that we are more than halfway over the hump! I am excited because I only have 99 days until I graduate! Wahoo!

Exercise related..... I did not do anything today. I got into town after school, changed, and headed to the coffee shop on campus. I was there until a little after 9pm working on an assessment report that we are going over in a meeting next tuesday. Eeks. This is the first time I have done one of these, and boy are they a lot of work!

Tomorrow, I hope to go to the gym after my coference for a nice 3.1 mile run! We'll see.

amazingly crazy life...

... As some of you had read in my previous post, I was unable to do my long run on Sunday due to "losing" my student ID to get into the Wellness Center. So yesterday, after I drove back into town from school, I quickly ran to get a new photo ID made ... paying ten bucks, and quickly headed to class for 5 hours. Yeah.

Today, after school I had a terrible headache and almost thought I would can my intervals for the day and head home to rest. But, since my evening class for tonight was canceled (due to professor being ill) I took advantage of my free evening and hit the gym. When I was walking into the gym I found my ID that I had lost, in the back pocket of my wallet...I never put it there. I was just floored!

All in all, I was able to accomplish my intervals and some lifting. And, my headache was gone before I knew it. I don't care what people say about running....running is my therapy! It may physically wear me out, but all worries about my students and classwork dissapear the second I increase that speed on that thrillmill!

Workout summary: Last week's results in blue, this weeks results in red. I took it easy last week due to the fact that I had added another set of intervals and I didn't want to wear myself out too early. I also noticed this week that I was really struggling with my adding/subtracting skills last week. Something wasn't right with my 200m walks.... But, this week, when I got on the treadmill, I remembered to switch the clock to time elapsed rather than time remaining so I didn't have to think too hard!


800M warmup run - 5:45 / 5:48

400M run - 2:40 (6.2 mph) / 2:28 (6.3)
200M walk - 2:38 / 1:46

400M run - 2: 34 (6.5 mph) / 2:24 (6.6)
200M walk - 2:20 / 1:45

400M run - 2:28 (6.7 mph) / 2:18 (6.9)
200M walk - 2:12 / 1:44

400M run - 2:20 (6.9 mph) / 2:14 (7.1)
200M walk - 1:49 / 1:45

400M run - 2:15 (7.2 mph) / 2:08 (7.4)
200M walk - 1:45 / 1:43

400M run - 2:07 (7.6 mph) / 2:02 (7.8)
200M walk - 1:45 / 3:48 (this was 400M instead of 200M)

800M cooldown run - 5:36 / 10:54 (I did mile cooldown instead of 800M)


Total Miles --> 3.875 (I will count the 5/1000 of a mile!)



Sports Commentary:

Those of you not interested in sports, disregard this portion of the post! I am sooooo pumped that the T-wolves were able to break the Sun's 19 game winning streak! Especially for how poorly the Wolves have been playing and for how awesome the Sun's are! And what about the Kobe suspension....?!?!?!? RE-DIC-U-LOUS! That's just crazy. This is basketball people! I haven't always been a HUGE Lakers fan, or a Kobe fan, but I must admit it...they're pretty decent... and I guess I do support them...somewhat.... as I sit hear typing my post wearing a Lakers champion sweatshirt from the 1986-1987 season...thanks Dad!


With a good nights rest tonight (due to not having class until 10pm) I look forward to a great ride in Spin class tomorrow! And..maybe a nice 1 mile warmup jog!

Happy running, y'all!

Reflect...Reschedule..Rest

Reflect...
...looking back on this week, I don't know what to think. I am just feeling a little frustrated, overwhelmed and just down-right-tired.

...things at school were crazy with some of my students, dealing with a couple issues. Lying. To me. One of my biggest pet peeves. Hate it.

...too much paperwork to do with none-to-little amount of time to do it at work and not much energy or motivation to do it at the end of the day...most likely after 7pm.

...staying on top of school work.

....getting my workouts in.


Reschedule....
...there needs to be some changes made. I feel that if I want to accomplish what I want to accomplish in a weeks span, I cannot have a social life. none. what. so. ever.

I need to figure out how to balance my time better. A lot better. Becuase, I need that social life by the end of the week. You would too if you spent most of your waking hours talking to, with, and about children ages 8-12.


Rest...
...ah, rest. And that my friends is why I chose to take a rest day today. I needed one.

Due to having a lack of energy to do my 3.1 miles yesterday (I chose to do pilates instead), I was going to do it this morning. Before work. But, when the alarm went off at 5am this morning, I said to myself:

"Self, if you get up now and do 3.1 miles, you will end up sleeping your friday evening away."

I just couldn't do it. I will make up my 3.1 miles this weekend. I hope to get in a nice 3.1 miles one day and my intervals the other day. With some decent weight lifting as well.

I am going to make some changes to my workout schedule, maybe putting a rest day in the middle of the week. I don't know. We'll see what happens. I might be attempting too much with my schedule.

I think I first need to try and get as much homework and paperwork done over the weekend so I don't have to fret during the week. This same crap happened last semester. One would think that I learned my lesson the first time around! But, it's different now. Different from last semester. Things are crazy busy with paper work and assessments right now at school. Come mid-February, things I hope, will be a whole lot better!

I have to remind myself that in 4 months... I will be all done with Graduate School. LESS than 4 months! Yippee!

Happy running, y'all!

Christmas Meme

Joe tagged me. Here you go:

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? I would have to prefer hot chocolate. But, I rarely drink it. It's too sweet I think. I would rather have a nice warm Tom and Jerry. If you don't know what it is, you are missing out (feel free to ask me about it!)
   
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? I do, but I don't usually have the patience to make it look all fancy with ribbons and bows. That is usually my mom's job to tell me to add more.
   
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? It depends. Our tree growing up was mostly colored and I loved it! But I do like the elegance and beauty of the while lights on trees and houses.
   
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Hmmm. Didn't really have much at my apartment, but did get them out last week. Due to lack of time mostly! Next year I will go all out! When I was living at home, the family would usually put up the decorations the weekend of Thanksgiving.
   
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Homemade mashed potatoes and rice, with a little homemade gravy on top of both. (And Grandma's homemade buns on the side).. .. ..mmmm....
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? I don't know if I necessarily had a FAVORITE memory, but there were lots.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I can't remember. I am sure some rotten kid at school told me, since I am the oldest.
   
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, that was the way we always have done it. We would open most of them on Christmas Eve and then "Santa's" gift in the morning.
   
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I don't have one at this moment.
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I love it as long as it is nice enough to play in!
    
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but since it seems as if I do it only once every few years, I can be quite sore and bruised up the next day.
    
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? No. I will admit, I think I might have been spoiled as a child. (I still am.)
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Being with family and friends...enjoying each others presence....laughing and sharing memories.
    
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? How do I choose ONE?
    
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Driving around for hours looking at Christmas lights while listening to Manheim Steamroller!
    
17. What tops your tree? N/A.
    
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving for sure! But receiving a little gift here and there doesn't hurt!
    
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
    
20. Candy canes? Mmm. The traditional Peppermint and the Cherry flavored ones as well.
21. Favorite Christmas movie? 1) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, 2) Elf, and 3) How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the one with Jim Carrey).
22. What do you leave for Santa? Nada! If I left out cookies, I would eat them before he would get there!