Celebrity Run-in: Beaverdale Style

Last month was the annual Beaverdale Fall Festival, and what is a Beaverdale Fall Festival without a photo op with Dale the Beaver? (Yes, of course our neighborhood has a mascot! Do you honestly think Lawrence would live in a neighborhood that didn't?!? Have you met my husband?!?)

Dale was in the parade later that day, so that means he's pretty much Rock Star status in our book. You should be in awe of us that we even got to get our picture taken next to him. I mean, we did have to push a few kids out of the way and elbow our way through the line, but all's fair in celebrity sightings, right? Don't worry, there were only a few bumps and scrapes on the kids and I'm sure they healed just fine.

Little Doors for Big Dreamers

Where have I been? What the heck have I been doing? Standing with my head in the sand like an awkward ostrich? (try saying that 10 times fast!) Too consumed with my own little life dramas to hear about the amazingness that is happening in Michigan?

I just ran across this blog today which in turn directed me to this NPR story which in turn made me determined to run out to the nearest dollhouse supply store and build a fairy door for my very own!

I think I will put one in my office in hopes that a little office fairy will visit in the wee morning hours and complete a few of those not-so-fun tasks on my to-do list. I do live in Iowa, after all. Our unofficial state motto is "If you build it, they will come." Don't you worry, little fairies- I'll build it really soon!  After all, the not-so-fun tasks on my to-do list are really starting to pile up.

By the Numbers

The Challenge is over. (Did you hear that? I think it was angels singing!) It was actually over 2 1/2 weeks ago, but we're a little slow on the blog updates around here. Plus, we just wanted to keep you in suspense. So as not to have you lose any more sleep over anticipation on hearing how we ended up, here you go... (Are you on the edge of your seat with excitement? If not, scoot forward and then continue reading... go on, scoot...)

First of all, let me share with you that on the day of our final testing, it SNOWED. And if you remember from our initial testing (where it was super hot for the mile run), our mile run is done outside. So yes, we had to run a mile in the snow. And if you continue to remember from the initial testing, I don't like to run at all (that hasn't changed). And if you know me at all, you know that I don't like to be cold. So it wasn't all sunshine and roses like it should have been to be at the very end of this madness The Challenge. But we were all smiles at the end of the run, as evidence from the picture below with our coaches who endured our bitching supported us through each step of the way. If you'll excuse the Lifetime television for women moment here, I honestly don't think I could have done it without them! Thanks Jen & Mike!

So, here are our results...

Push-ups: Brandy went from doing 17 in a minute to doing 51 in a minute. Lawrence went from doing 23 in a minute to doing 64 in a minute.

Sit-ups: Brandy went from doing 23 in a minute to doing 35 in a minute. Lawrence went from doing 42 in a minute to doing 58 in a minute.

% Body Fat Lost:  Brandy lost 3.4%. Lawrence lost 5.6% (aka boys suck- why weren't they created with big butts and wide hips?!?)

Mile Run: Brandy shaved over 2 minutes off her mile time. Lawrence ran his final mile in 6:05. (in the snow, mind you!) Crazy fast!

# Pounds Lost: Brandy lost 14.4 pounds. Lawrence lost 16.6 pounds.

We still have a ways to go but we're both pretty pleased that it's over with our results. (Well, I still have a ways to go. Lawrence is already down about 6 pants sizes and if he gets any smaller I'm going to start to have a complex and flashbacks to my junior high boyfriend, neither of which are good for an almost 30 year old!) So... we've decided to continue with the Maintenance Plan. The Maintenance Plan is just like The Challenge except you don't have any food nazis coaches and there is no end in sight it is a monthly workout fee rather than a specific 9-week program. But you still work out 6 days a week and you're still supposed to watch what you eat. (Pay no attention to my previous blog entry about ice cream, Jen! I made it all up, I swear!)

So, morale of the story, now that we've finally come to then end of the tunnel, we've turned right back around and entered it again. This time, we're a little less fluffy and more hydrated starting off. But don't you worry, after taking two weeks off from any physical activity beyond throwing a frisbee, our first day back working out on Monday was almost just as painful as the first time around. Only this time there were a lot of familiar friendly faces in the room with us.

Be Still, My Heart!

It's here, it's here, it's here, it's here, it's here!!! Edy's Slow Churned Peppermint Ice Cream is in the stores for the holiday season! Nothing says it's time to put up the trimmings like peppermint ice cream in the grocery store. And Edy's is the best peppermint ice cream there is. Trust me. There's really not any life crisis or family disaster that I haven't been able to drown out turn around with a bowl of this delightful concoction (not for lack of trying from particular family members as of late, but that's for another post). It's like wine in that way, but frozen. And with dairy products. But almost just like wine.

I even snapped proof of it during my last grocery run (yes, I was that person with a cell phone taking photos of the freezer section... Creeperish, I know.) BUT I didn't purchase any of my very own... Not yet, anyway! I was feeling guilty enough about having skipped out on working out that day and I figured I couldn't justify a pint of ice cream in the freezer when we still had a dozen cookies on our counter leftover from game night, so... I just looked longingly at it through the window until it got all steamy and fogged over from my heavy breathing of delight and went home with my cart full of healthy stuff like spinach and chicken. Mmm, yum. Chicken. (just to clarify, chicken and spinach are NOT LIKE peppermint ice cream or wine in any way.)

But don't you worry, little pint of peppermintasticness- I'll be back for you before the snow falls and we can be together again until springtime! 

Big Win!

ISU won again Nebraska AT Nebraska for the first time since 1977. Just to put that in perspective, that was three years before Lawrence and I were even born.

Even though we weren't in Lincoln for the big win, the victory is just as sweet. And this video makes me feel like I was almost there!

Motherload

So.. apparently I haven't downloaded any photos from my camera since before September 17. It's been a heck of a last month, folks! That's really the only thing I can say, and it's not an excuse or even a good explanation but that's all I got.

Don't you worry, though, because in the next few days we'll be sharing more details (and photos!) about beavers, corn mazes, tailgating, fun and games, renaissance festivals, and workout updates. Stay tuned!

PS- does anyone know how to do spellcheck with the new blogger? I'm not a total idiot, but sometimes when I start typing I get too excited and my fingers can't keep up (mainly just my ring fingers and pinkys- why aren't they just as agile as the others?!?), and I'd like to be able to spell check my words, especially since apparently I have a lot to catch you all up on! Let me know... otherwise, just squint and read quickly and you won't notice as many errors.

Splish, splash, WTF?!?

Um, it's 10:45pm and Lawrence and I just discovered 2 inches of water in our basement. It's like a long-winded Groundhog's Day at this point. Am I right? Do you remember LC's blog months ago about the flooded basement? Full circle, folks, that's what this is. It's a full circle sort of day. Actually, before we even discovered the water it was already a two bottle of wine sort of night. Now we're on to three and I just don't think it's going to help anymore. Thank goodness I have a cute pair of golashes- I might just want to walk off the roof otherwise.

I quit. If you could see me, you'd see I was waving my little white flag in surrender. While standing in a basement-sized puddle. In cute golashes. I QUIT.

Where was THIS option?!

Um, where was this option when we were busting our butts getting up at 5:45am to work out 6 days a week and eating no sweet stuff to speak of?!? Do you know how BAD I craved a cookie the past 9 weeks on The Challenge? Do you know what I would have given to have a bite of oatmeal raisin goodness??? And, turns out, there's a diet out there complete made of COOKIES!!! Who knew?!?

Apparently my dad did, because he's the newest addition to the Cookie Diet craze. Alright, Pops, bring it on! Let's see how you do!

Sold!

In the Menards ad this week there is a Fog Machine for $17.77! Now, I don't know how much these babies typically go for (and gosh, I wouldn't want to over-exert myself by doing a quick google search to find out) but this seems like a heck of a deal! I'm thinking the Cunningham Casa NEEDS one for Halloween. (Yes, dad, I do recall our many "talks" about wants versus needs, and this definitely falls into the needs category. Duh.) How great would our house look on Halloween night if we had fog coming out the front door? Wouldn't we be the hit of the neighborhood? Don't you think that's the perfect way to ring in our first Halloween in our new house?

Now, I know you're probably thinking to yourself, don't you guys think your house looks scary enough with the half-finished landscaping circles around the trees and the barren ground? Well, yes, that does help the ambiance but a fog machine would put it over the top.

Maybe we should get TWO!

[Un]Changed Woman

Many have asked us if we think The Challenge has changed our eating habits for good. Yes, I do think we will forever think twice about what we eat but No, I don't think it has really changed my cravings or my weekly need for pizza (seriously, I think it's an imbalance of some sort!). In fact, we are on the home stretch (final testing is this Saturday!) and I can't wait.

Today my coach and I went spinning after our resistance training class (you know, just to change things up a bit- I really don't know what iIwas thinking to suggest it!) and before that I had mentioned that I was thinking about going to a kickboxing class tonight instead. So she emailed me this afternoon and said:

"Are you wiped out tired? I sure am…but I dare ya to do KB tonight, I know you have the energy left! Go for it."

To which I responded (and I'm sharing this in it's entirety just so you get the full idea of my Saturday plan):

"Are you kidding?! I feel like someone punched me down there thanks to my bright idea of going spinning this morning. Between resistance, spinning, and then your little mile jog idea after I almost died on the bike, I just got up from a two hour nap and I’m thinking of going upstairs and going to bed. And yes, it’s only 7:30. And no, I don’t care. But I’ll be at KB tomorrow morning, don’t you worry.
And in case you’re interested, here’s my list of food I’m planning on eating on Saturday. And yes, I do have it taped up next to my laptop. And yes, it is the best motivation I have right now.

Just to get started:
 - Casey’s donut with pink frosting & sprinkles
 - Pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks

A little after that:
 - a b-bops run for LC on the way down to Winterset

Have I mentioned it’s the annual Covered Bridge Festival back home this weekend full of great food all around the square?!? Coincidence? Definitely not.
 - Steak sandwich
 - Pickle on a stick
 - Old fashioned cherry coke
 - Pork loin sandwich (yes, I have to have both pork and steak- it’s tradition! And yummy!)
 - Fried bread (possibly two since I’ve been craving them so much)

And I might come home after that and have a big spoonful of regular Skippy peanut butter, just because I can! Right before the pizza delivery guy comes.

Great. Now I’m hungry. Guess I’m off to the kitchen to munch on some tuna and celery or something before I go to bed. Mmmm… "

I don't know why she thinks I have a bad attitude about all this or why it might seem that I haven't bought into the whole eating plan.

Toot, toot! Part 2

Why yes, it is sometimes deflating to live under the same roof as someone so talented, involved and community-minded as LC.

And yes, my feelings of being an under-achiever do increase with each award and accolade he receives.

But yes, I do still love him anyway and I'm proud to be connected to such an accomplished guy.

So yes, it's with only pride in my heart that I share yet another example of why my husband is indeed a big deal.

Lawrence was selected for the 2009-2010 Leadership Iowa class! You can read more about the program here, but the gist of it is that he was one of thirty out of over 200 nominees/applicants to be selected for this year-long experience. His first session is later this week so if he ever gets back on the blogging bandwagon maybe he'll tell you about it.

Clean House

Lawrence and I got back from Kansas City last night feeling defeated (oh, such a tough loss to K-State!), tired, dusty (after a few fun-filled hours at the Renaissance Festival), and snotty. Not in a I'm-so-better-than-you sort of a way, but in a pass-my-the kleenex-before-this-snot-drips-down-my-chin sort of a way. Yes, it appears this crazy weather and hectic schedule have caught up with us and now we are both sniffling our way through the day. I shouldn't complain. It's SO MUCH better than when that alien took over my body a few weeks ago, but it's still crappy to feel crappy.

To make matters worse, in our heighten state of excitement to get down to Kansas City for the big game, we definitely neglected to do any housework before we left so now we are snotty AND dirty. Well, at least living in a dirty house. I found this card this morning and it would be perfect for us to send to each other if I was confident I wouldn't backhand LC for sending it to me. In the meantime, you can buy it for us here. If we get it in the mail, we'll be out of backhand range.