Running thru life... Seasons 52

A couple weeks ago Joe and I headed to Tyson's to have dinner with some of our favorite friends,  A & A. 

We always have to make plans a couple months in advance because both couple have busy schedules.

We made plans back in August with them to have dinner in the end of of September. 

A suggested we try Seasons 52. 

Joe and I quickly took a look and the menu and were sold. 

The restaurant is themed on meals under 475 calories and a rotating menu depending on the season and the fruits/veggies/meats to match.  I truly love when restaurants do this because it make the food quality better!

So how was it?

It was really good.

Atomosphere:  A+

Food  A

I ordered the duck salad which was amazing. 

Everyone was happy with there dinner

Dessert was very cute- they bring about 10 shot glasses filled with different desserts and you get to select right there what you want for dessert.  

This is perfect because the dessert is small and just a little something.  It was $2.50 per dessert.  

All in all we had a great time!  

I would definitely eat here again. 
I wished I would have taken pictures....
sorry... next time!

Running thru Life....A Snowy Day

So as most of you know it snowed Saturday-

It was more like a rainy winter mix. 

I have been putting stuff of to do this weekend-
primarily a lot of Christmas shopping and errand running.

No snow/rain was going to stop me!

I woke up with a terrible neck cramp that radiated down my back-
I decided to go run my errands and come home and run later. 

I was hoping my body would recover as the day goes on. 

So I headed out in the slushy mix to do some shopping. 

I had to go over to Dulles because their stores had stuff that I needed that the Fairfax Shops did not have.

I stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond with much sucess picking up a Christmas Gift, a pineapple cutter, and some pillows (of course with my coupons in hand).

Followed by a stop at Lowe's for another Christmas present

Followed by a stop at Target to pick up some doggie presents for Clemson's new cousin. 

Followed by the Dulles Mall to look at these boots I have been covetting. 

(They did not have my size). 
=0(

Completed- door to door in less than 3 hours. 

It is amazing how empty stores are when it is snowing!

I headed home to show all my purchases to my hubby. 

I was so proud!!!

Then I jumped on the treadmill to watch the latest episode of Greys Anatomy. 

Shower then a nap with Clemson Puppy.

I then started talking to my husband how I loved these boots I tried on but they did not have my size,
 they had the side bigger which was too big.  

He stated that I needed to go buy them now because knowing me I would wait too long and then would be gone and then he would have to list to me complain that I should of found my size and purchased them.
This happens to me alot!

Again this was not a purchase I rushed into- I did my homework, picked from one of my "staple brands" (Michael Khors,  Kenneth Cole,  Marc Fischer, Franco Sarto) so I know they would be comfortable and also fit my feet, waited for them to go on mega sale.   I have been wanting a pair of nice tall dress boots for over two years but I have had a hard time finding a pair that fits my calves.  I wanted them to have a heel but not a 4 inch heel like my normal style is!

Do not get me wrong- I love my calves but they make boot buying a little harder.  

So my hubby and I drove up to FairOaks (a different mall then earlier) and headed into Macys.
Yeap my hubby went with me because he also needed a new pair of shoes for work. 

I was in luck- they had my size.  

I tried them on and to my suprise my husband looked at me and smile- "you have to get them!"

Yes yes I do!!

Even more luck- the sales person let me take home the "Boot Molds" that they use to put boots on display to help my boots keep there shape. 

I was so happy! 

We proceeded to the counter with gift cards and coupons in hand and

now they below to me and my closet!. 
Marc Fisher Kevin Tall Boots

Followed by a puppy play date and some Clemson football. 

Unfortunately, Clemson football did not go so well...

but what a great way to spend a snow day!

Running thru life.... BPA?

So everyone has probably heard on the news by now about the new studies concerning BPA. 
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/medical/pediatrics/story/2011-10-24/BPA-may-make-girls-anxious-hyperactive-study-says/50884230/1

I literally heard this tuesday and came come and pilled up everything that did not have BPA free in our kitchen. 

While my husband thought this was a little overkill-

I looked at him and said something along the lines of:

"I still have a good uterus for all I know and I would like to make sure it stays that way if any inhabitants decide to come on later in life." 
More importantely if they are just starting to really research BPA who knows what it will tell us 10 years from now. 

At first he gave me this weird look but then proceed to help me with going thru the kitchen to double check.

Most of the items I found are from our college years and really we do not use so they are going to go to Salvation Army.  I tried to research on determining if products are BPA free but there is nothing that gives me the exact answers so the Oliveria- Hecker household will not be taking a chance!

 

This also gave me the perfect chance to get rid of alot of stuff that we don't use. 
Maybe it is overkill, but I tell my patient every day what to eat, what to drink, how much to exercise, so it is just something to add to the list. 

Running thru Life... I heart the Container Store

 I heart the Container Store!

I could spend so much time and money in there it is dangerous.

I headed out on Sunday to pick up a couple things to help Joe finish his closet-
still a work in progress and found some other items that I needed!!!

My closet- Another bin

A large hook for all my purses!

Previously I had them all on a hanger but they were too heavy for one hanger so I had them on three so this eliminates the need for the hangers and is sterdy.  

Cable Drop- Cable Clips

I am going to use these on our desk to help hide all of Joe's annoying cords that drive me insane!!

I heart the Container Store!!

Running thru Life....... Bring it on!

After running my half marathon in the Spring I told myself I did not think I could do a full. 

My body felt Ok after finishing, I just could not imagine running twice as long -
primarily because I became bored!

With my 30th birthday approaching ever so rapidly- 

I am going to do it!

Rock n' Roll Marathon DC on March 17th!!!!!

I have heard nothing but great things about the Rock and Roll Marathon Series I decided to give it a whirl! 

Of course when I presented my husband with this idea - he looked at me with this weird face.
"Do you think your body could handle it?" 
I dropped some weight when training for the 10 miles and and the 1/2.
I also up to that point was not good at eating right and making sure I was hydrated.
Because of this I was getting headaches, nausea, and leg cramps- not a good place to be at.  
I am more comfortable with my body and running now. 

My answer was 'I am not worried about my body but my brain!"
What if I don't finish? 
But I will never know if I don't try!

Wish me luck!

Running thru life... Christmas Shopping

Yes... Fall is here which means a couple things for me.

One is that it is time to start my Christmas Shopping. 

Let me start with stating that I HATE shopping around the holidays because of the crowds. 

So each year I start my shopping a little early and am normally done by beginning of December. 

I have a system to Christmas shopping.

Step One:  Set a price point

We buy gifts for my family and Joe's family so I have found over the year that we pick a price point and stick with it.  This is something that is a 2 second conversation between myself and Joe.  I normally have already figured out how much money is budgeted for Christmas and what that means for each family member. 

Step Two:  Lists

With the help of my ipad and my "Sorted" app, I made a list for everyone.  This way I have everything in one place. 

Step Three:  Prioritize Purchases

I have it set up that we make one purchase a week. 

This also helps me line up coupons, specials, etc.  I am the queen when it comes to saving on Christmas gifts because you can almost find a coupon for anything!

This spreads out the cost significantly and also make me feel like I am not spending my life shopping.

Step  Four:  Storage

I have a closet in the guest room designated as storage for our Christmas gift. 

I hate clutter so this is a nice place to store them out of the way.

Step Five:  Receipts

Each year I find an envelope and write "Christmas" on it.

I place every receipt in here and when we head off to Christmas' at our parents I slip the envelope into my purse.  That way if for some reason the person needs to return the gift I can give them the receipt then and there and do not have to worry about mailing it to them later.  This is a personal pet peeve of mine.

I also do this for gifts for any occasion.  I always either make sure a gift receipt is attached and have a special envelop at home on my desk that I keep all gift receipts and return recipients until the gifts are given. 

Step Six: Wrapping Gifts

I sit down and wrap all gift at once.  I find this is the most efficient way to do this.  It normally takes me less than 2 hours.  I normally try to do this either the first week of Christmas or the second week.

I know this may sound like overwhelming but it really makes my life easier.