Cold Toes!

I miss Utah winters!! I used to think that Utah was cold, but now I am experiencing a whole new kind of winter. Today the high temperature was -2 degrees. Luckily, I don't have to go outside very often. I prefer to stay indoors and drink hot chocolate. Last week, I had an experience that almost made me pack my bags and move to Arizona. I left work and walking outside to my car, when I got to my car it wouldn't start. This particular day was the coldest day in December since 1998. With the wind chill it was -30 degrees. Thank goodness for cell phones! I called my friend from work and he told me to stay by my car and he would send security to give me a jump. Fifteen minutes later....my toes and fingers were frozen. Security finally came and started my car, but I couldn't get warm. I had my heater on full blast and my butt warmers, but my toes were frozen. It was painful to push in the clutch with my foot. My toes felt like they were on fire. I have much more respect for the Pioneers and homeless people. The twenty minute ride home felt like an hour. By the time I finally arrived home, I was in tears!! Ryan was there to give me a big hug. He was surprised to see me crying and mumbling something about my toes and my dead battery. He helped me slowly warm up my toes and made me some hot chocolate. I thought that they might have to be amputated, but it looks like I can keep them. I do not know how the pioneers walked in the snow without heaters and butt warmers. Since that experience, I have learned a lot about winter preparation in Minnesota. I now wear boots and bring shoes to change into at work. I have better gloves, a new battery, flashlight, blankets, and hand warmers in my car. (Thanks Mom!)

THE WAVE

I have really been debating on whether or not to join a gym. During the summer and fall, Ryan and I were training for the Chicago marathon and I was running at least 4-5 days per week. Now the weather is cold and everything is frozen. I haven't been running since the temperature dipped below 40 degrees. I am a whimp when it comes to cold weather!! I took the month of October off and claimed I was recovering from the marathon. In November, I started to feel lazy so I checked out a few gyms in the area. There is one that is really close, but it is small and expensive. There is also a huge Lifetime Fitness downtown, but it is further away and there is no parking. Ryan mostly works out at school during lunch so I'm on my own. I started looking for alternative means of exercise. I was bored watching TV on a Saturday morning (when I should have been working-out!). I was flipping through channels and stumbled upon an infomercial for The Wave. I am not usually a sucker for TV specials, but this one caught my eye. After 30 minutes of instructions and inspiring life changing stories, I was sold! Plus they threw in an extra bonus and free express shipping if I was one of the first 500 callers!!! After I made the phone call to purchase The Wave, I had a few second thoughts. But it was worth a shot because I didn't have to leave my house to exercise and it was cheaper than joining a gym. It came with two work-out videos and a ten minute abs work-out. It is awesome! It took a couple of times to get the hang of it, but I was definitely sore the next day. The instructors move really fast. There is a sculpting video and one that is more cardio. Since this purchase, I have also bought hand weights and a couple of other home work-out videos. I love it! I am glad that I didn't join a gym. The wave is a good work-out and it is kind of fun too! Ryan made fun of me at first but I think he secretly wants to use it. I am not a spokesperson for The Wave, but I would definitely recommend it to a friend! http://www.thefirmwave.com/

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. After Thanksgiving has come and gone, it is time to put up the Christmas decorations. Now we can start listening to Christmas music. (I disagree with those who have the Christmas spirit before thanksgiving.) We have a Christmas tree, stockings on the mantle, and a wreath on the door. It is not much, but it brings the excitement of Christmas to our little apartment. We are counting down the days until we will be home for Christmas.

Sunday night we went to the Vikings vs. Bears football game. It was WILD! I have never seen so many fans dressed in purple. These are not your average everyday fan, these fans live and breathe the Vikings!! They are serious about their football. They started tailgating at noon and were intoxicated by game time. But the Vikings won and nobody got shot.