Um, It's Cold...and I Took a Break!....

Freezing temperatures are not good for a frugal gal!! I enjoy keeping my bills cheap, I use the furnace and space heaters to keep my utilities well under $100 a month.

I have way better things to spend my money on!

We had the coldest temps in 20 years, they say. It was in the negatives, with a wind chill of -40 for two days. We had a week break, and then back into the single digits.  Everyone complained, and all the schools were shut down, and no one showed up to work, but through the ashes (ice chips), me and my Ford Fusion still made it through.

I also got back to the gym, and running again after a three week "vacation". (my boot camp instructor likes to say I was off for 4 months) The time off was kind of nice...instead of squats, weights, and cardio, I perfected the art of snuggling under a blanket with some cats, eating comfort foods, and gaining weight. But my clothes told me that this had to come to an end quick!

I paid the price of taking time off in the way of everything hurting, and not being the baddest ass in class. (which I HATE!)  I have also been having mean green juice, the last few days in an effort to flush out all of the crap and sugar I've been ingesting.

I came to the conclusion that green juice tastes best served in a wine glass with an orange wheel garnish! Presentation is everything!

By way of groupon I recruited a few coworkers to join boot camp with me. One girl came one time, and left to throw up half way through class..and refuses to return. It kind of reminded me that this class is not for everyone, and you have to want to improve and be the best. All of us "regulars" have been there, but we came back and got past that point. I mean, I don't know what people think I do in a boot camp class?? Aerobics? I mean, it's called boot camp for a reason! 

And here are my "kids" enjoying the cold weather...

I made new cushions for my cat beds to help keep them toasty...Fizzgig approves..

Mr. Magoo and his kitty brother, Pickachu discovered the best way to stay warm is to snuggle!

Fozzie likes to be on top!

These two don't know they are not related....

Stay warm out there, friends! And don't be like me and use it as a vacation from your fitness! 

Bad Volunteer....

I generally don't make resolutions, because I don't believe in setting myself up for failure. I like to have goals all of the time, so that every step toward that goal is a win, no matter what day of the year it is! With that being said...

I was a really bad animal rescue volunteer over the past couple of months, and I didn't show my face at the rescue ONCE! It wasn't because of weather, or being too busy...it was just sheer laziness.

I had really been wanting to get back to the shelter, but I had been gone so long...I felt guilty just showing back up. But just as the universe does, it opens doors for you when you ask for them to be opened. There was a group walk for the dog walkers/trainers this past weekend, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get back at it.

The dog trainer was on the walk, so I took out some really hard cases so that the trainer could help me get approved for walking the tougher cases on my own. These are the dogs that people don't tend to adopt because they are hard to handle, or have "no manners".

I learned how to control a 100lb dog, who was afraid of noises, barked at the other dogs, and pulled constantly simply by the placement of his leash, and a flick of my wrist.

This is also something I learned in my MMA classes...if you control someones head, you can control their entire body! It's amazing!

I am happy to be back to doing what makes me feel accomplished, while making my heart smile.

Plus, I got to meet, and play with the cutest puppy in the universe afterwards. It was a great reminder as to why spending time at the rescue is important to me. I get my kitten and puppy fix without having to take them home. I know that they are well cared for with the staff and volunteers, until they find homes... and in the meantime..I get to enjoy them and help them get adopted!

Yes..I Hate Sports..But I've Made an Exception....

It's only a few days into the new year, and already I am well on my way for not only trying new things, but being spontaneous. The past couple of years I got so regimented, that I wouldn't stray from my plans, and in a sense, I got kind of boring.

Just on my birthday I had an invite to dinner before my get-together, and I just couldn't bring myself to go!

So, without my usual "week's notice rule" (I'm that annoying!)  I went cross country skiing with one of my bff's on a whim! I mean, we had a great snowfall (about 7") and I had a half day off of work to burn! Yes, it was freezing, but the sun was beautiful and it was such a great work out, once you get going, you keep pretty warm!

I have never had a better time outdoors! We laughed the entire time, from how ridiculous you look doing it, to how fun it was to catch a little speed!

Look at all of this untouched snow! It is just beautiful!

One of the best parts of the day was when I started zipping along thinking "this is just like the nordic track" and I was catching some speed.

Here I am, skiing along, pretty bad-ass!

And then here I am when I totally biffed it! On flat land. 

Here I am signaling that I'm Ok...you notice my bff didn't come to help, but rather got pictures.

Later, while trying to turn around I got my two ski's overlapped, and boom! I biffed it again while standing. We were laughing so hard about the fact that I honestly could not untangle my ski's and figure out how to stand back up, that my bff fell down in laughter!

One of the trails we took. Stuff like this makes you see the beauty in the snow!!

 The sun on the snow seems magical!

Snow covered trees!

The next day, despite my rigorous workouts, I found muscles that I didn't even know I had!

After skiing, we had hot toddies, (a first for me) and I tried sushi. Which I don't like. But I had an avocado roll, which I would totally have again! And saki...and I guess..who doesn't like saki? I didn't care for the fish smell of the joint, but I had fun nonetheless!

Now, we are buckeling down for a -40 wind chill here in NE Ohio. We get cold and snow, and the occasional subzero temp...but this is something none of us are use to!

Warm thoughts!