51 days to go far

Just 51 days until the Fargo Marathon. I'm currently training for the half marathon...I haven't worked up the courage (or insanity) to run the full yet. Maybe another year. So for now my goal is to shave about 6-7 minutes off of my time from last year. My training has been going pretty good so far aside from the fact that I've completely slacked off over the last week, but it was a holiday so I had an excuse. I'm loosely following an intermediate training guide developed by Hal Higdon and I've been happy with it up to this point. I'll decide how I feel about Hal and his guide on race day!

What's in a name?

Hey there Lost fans! Bad boy Sawyer has a nickname for you. To find out what it is, click here.

I heart truffles!

There is a nice candy store located in the Sioux Falls and Bismarck malls called Northwoods Candy Emporium. I've had a few of their treats and thought they were really good (except for a giant peanut butter cup - I know - you wouldn't think you could go wrong).

One of the Valentine treats Jeff got for me was a box of their truffles. I'm about halfway through the box and they've all been good. If you're in the area, splurge a little....just stay away from the giant peanut butter cup!

The Mind-Reading Gopher

A girl I know once told me that when she had the feeling that somebody was trying to read her mind she say to them (in her mind, of course), "Please stop reading my mind. It is very rude." I laugh every time I think of that. Well I don't think she would like this little gopher....

Training Log

There is a new online Training Log at the Runner's World magazine website. On the site you can track all of your exercise including running, biking, swimming, walking, strength training and more. It's really easy to set up and it's FREE!

New Socks!

I love, love, love new socks! Especially fun socks. Well this weekend Jeff came to visit me and we took a trip to Scheels to pick up some new running shoes for him and he treated us to new running socks (Wigwam Dri-Release Running Socks). I've never had special socks for running, but now I know what I've been missing all this time. I didn't really think that they would make that much of a difference, but they really did and we're excited to have them for the half marathon. Every comfort will make a difference I'm sure.

The sock excitement continued this afternoon when I was talking to Jeff on the phone after he left today and he told me to check my cupboards for a present. He hid a bag with some chocolates and Valentine socks in one of my cupboards yesterday when I wasn't looking. What a fun surprise!

This is a true sign of nerdiness. Does anybody else get excited about socks...and then write a blog about it?!?!? I have to get out more...

The Total Money Makeover

My pastor recommended that Jeff and I read the book The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey before we get married, so I put it on my Christmas wish list. My parents got a copy for both of us so we could read it while we're apart. I'm only a few chapters into it, but I really like it so far. Anyway, if you're looking for some practical advice on how to get your finances in order (and a little humor) you may want to check it out.

Ugly Betty

I just watched the first two episodes of Ugly Betty last night for the first time. A girl that I work with always raves about the show, but I never watched it because my loyalties are with The Office (which was on at the same time). Well I was at the video store last night, so I thought I would give it a try...and it was totally worth it! I can't believe that I've been missing out on the fun all this time. The highlight last night for me was when Betty was waiting for an interview with a fashion magazine and she complimented a model-type person on her poncho which was purchased in France and created by Dolce & Gabbana. When Betty later gets the job at the magazine she is sure about what she should wear her first day to work...a poncho her dad got for her in Guadalajara.

I think this show is a gem.

These are a few of my favorite things....

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
The handy new gadget that's on my key ring
These are a few of my favorite things


I just had a car starter installed yesterday (my Christmas present from Jeff), and I LOVE IT!!! My car was warm when I left the grocery store yesterday. It was warm when I left my apartment after supper. When I left the gym, warm. On my way to work this morning, warm. I cannot believe that I've been starting my car for more than a decade. I highly recommend this handy gadget to anyone who lives in eastern North Dakota.

I heart a Montana boy...AND Montana!

I spent my entire Christmas break with my fiance, Jeff, which was such a blessing since we live six hours apart. We were able to spend 16 days together including Christmas with my family and a visit to his home state, Montana. We had a great time visiting his family and spending time in the great outdoors.


We spent one day at Red Lodge where I skiid for the second time in my life. The first time I went skiing was with my youth group in the hills of Minnesota 12 years ago. My memories of that trip include falling into the splits which I could not do. OUCH! Needless to say I was terrified of tumbling down the mountainside. But once Jeff talked me into my skiis and down the training slope I had a great time. I loved it!


Another day included snowmobiling in the mountians near Cooke City, MT where everybody drives their sleds in the street. Sledding through the mountains was unbelievable. It was snowing really hard when we were there and I felt like I was in a snow globe. We had a great time riding around and enjoying lunch at a cozy restaurant. With the exception of my driving the sled off the trail into three feet of snow where we were stuck for about 20 minutes digging and pushing, the day was wonderful.

We had a great vacation and I'm super excited to spend more time out west this summer.

Chocolate-Dipped Snowballs

Here's another fun recipe that I found in my FREE Kraft Food Magazine. I've made this treat for Thanksgiving and for a work party. They were a big hit at both celelbrations, and they are so simple to make.

Chocolate-Dipped Snowballs

• Prep Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 45 min
• Makes: 2 doz. or 24 servings, one ball each

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 pkg. (10 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallows

5 cups POST HONEY BUNCHES OF OATS with Almonds Cereal

1 container (7 oz.) BAKER'S Real Dark Semi-Sweet Dipping Chocolate

MELT butter in large saucepan on low heat. Add marshmallows; cook 5 min. or until marshmallows are melted and mixture is well blended, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cereal. Cool slightly.

SHAPE into 24 balls with moistened hands. Place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet; cool completely.

HEAT dipping chocolate as directed on container. Dip top of each ball in chocolate; return, dipped-side up, to baking sheet. Refrigerate 15 min. or until chocolate is firm. Cover and refrigerate remaining dipping chocolate.

An Engagement Picture

Something For The Fridge

Once a week I teach a Kindergarten class for 1/2 hour, and while I am sure that I could never teach them full time, the little guys are cute and sweet and funny. Yesterday one of my naughtier little 5-year-0ld students made this picture.

I asked him, "What are you drawing there?"
He answered, "That's you getting married in your wedding dress."
How darling! I love it when tough kids do something lovable like that.

Chocolate, Cranberry, & Oat Bars

Here is a yummy recipe for bars that I found in my
FREE Kraft Food Magazine. They turned out nicely and
have only 160 calories per serving.

(I substituted walnuts for pecans and chocolate chips for
chocolate baking squares.)

1 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup orange juice 1-1/2 cups flour 1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats 1 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder 1/4 tsp. salt 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) margarine, softened 1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 2 eggs 4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup PLANTERS Pecan Pieces

PREHEAT oven to 350ºF. Combine cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 sec. Let stand 10 min. Meanwhile, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt; set aside. Beat margarine and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in cranberry mixture, chocolate and pecans. SPREAD dough into 13x9-inch baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. BAKE 20 to 22 min. or until center is set. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting into bars.

Happy Candy Day!

Today I will eat candy. I like to take advantage of the candy sales during this time of the year, and then I eat it all myself. Why would I give out perfectly good candy to a complete stranger?!?! My candy of choice this year (other than Peanut M&Ms, of course) are Take 5 candy bars. Sweet and salty!

I love the sweet and salty combo. At work this week, somebody shared a mix of candy corn and peanuts. It was pretty good. Did you know that Americans eat 35 million pounds of candy corn every year. That is enough candy corn to circle the moon 4 times. Although I prefer chocolate to pretty much every other treat, if the tri-colored candy is sitting around, I just can't help myself. And...here's a fun little website where you can Carve a Pumpkin.

My Super Sweet Running Shirt

I just picked up a new running shirt by Champion for outdoor running this fall and it is super sweet. The shirt is stretchy and made of wicking material to keep you cool and dry, it has a pocket for an MP3 player, and the sleeves have cuffs that can be flipped over your hands to keep them warm.


Available (in black) at Target for $24.99

Mmmm....Honeycrisp

I do not claim to be an apple connoisseur, but I recently discovered Honeycrisp Apples. A coworker introduced me to them by saying they were better than chocolate. Of course I did not believe her because nothing is better than chocolate, but I had to try one for myself just to be sure. Totally good...crunchy, juicy, and sweet....but not better than chocolate. They are my new favorite apple.

On sale at Target this week for 99 cents a pound.

Oh, Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?

One of my coworkers was browsing the list of sex offenders in the city this morning and informed me that she saw one listed as living on my street. I've known that there have been a few living within a couple of blocks from me, but I checked out the address to find that he lives across the street. Lovely. It made me think of a song from my childhood...


The People in Your Neighborhood
A song from Sesame Street
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, In your neighborhood?
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood,
The people that you meet each day?

Oh, the fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, in your neighborhood.
The Fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
A person that you meet each day.

I don't remember there being a verse for sex offenders, but there are more of those in my neighborhood than there are firemen. Ha!

Good News for Office Fans!

First of all, if you aren't watching The Office on NBC Thursdays you are missing out. It may take a few episodes for the show to grow on you, but give it a try.

If you are loving The Office as much as I do, here are three FYI's:

*Season 3 is on sale at Target this week for $27.99 (regularly $39.99)
*There are fun things on The Office website, like Dwight's blog
*You can view full episodes from this season

Enjoy!

A Better Bath

I enjoy taking a bath every once in a while, but I am always frustrated that I can only fill my tub about 2/3 full before the over-flow drain starts sucking down the warm water. But I found a cheap way to remedy the problem at Bed Bath and Beyond. For just $4.99 I enjoyed a tub completely filled with warm water. Actually I used a coupon for 20% off, so it was even less than that!