Author: Maria Runs

Haircut

Hey!

The excitement in my class is at fever pitch at the moment what with it being so close to Christmas. I came home as soon as I could and even managed a cup of teapigs mint tea, squeezed in between cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, doing some dusting, washing up and putting a wash on. Phew. But I feel good that a lot of those jobs are out of the way before holiday. (By the way, if you missed it, me and Andy are off to the USA for Christmas- paying a visit to Disney and also a few places in the south- Savannah and Charleson 🙂  ).

Although we are now debating to go to Gatwick on friday night (and try to get a hotel) as snow is due here. We don’t want to get stuck here on saturday morning if the snow is bad here but not at Gatwick. Any thoughts?

Anyway, I went to get my haircut and was planning on wandering around the shops, but we had some snow and the traffic was bad, and so I had ten minutes before my haircut, and then the shops shut at 7. What kind of late night shopping is that? So they were shut when I came out. I did manage a speed shop in Boots for the last few things before I ran to the hairdressers! I am trying to grow my hair a little longer, so I had a trim but had my fringe cut again; I am quite liking having a fringe at the moment- makes me look like I have a hair style instead of just hair!

No running today (and no body pump); running service (and baking service) will resume shortly after the new year 🙂

Cheerio 🙂

Walking on clouds

Hey!

Yesterday was the secret santa present swap at work. We don’t buy for individual people but get a themed present which are then randomly given out. I was given two pairs of fluffy bedsocks (the theme was “warm”).

After work I had a run (5 miles in the drizzle- I was so tempted by a cup of tea but I had posted on wlr in the morning that I would go- I felt better after!) and after my shower I put on a pair of the socks. It feels like I am walking in clouds they are so soft! Perfect for this time of year.

After yesterdays panic I am feeling a bit better about being ready. I have most of my clothes ready, Andy has been charging all the cameras and things, and I have a list of toiletries that I need to get tomorrow. I am having my hair cut 🙂 and as it is late night opening I can pop to the shops on my way back to pick up the last few bits I need.

I am off to relax now 🙂

Pre holiday panic

Hello

So the panic has begun! I like to be packed with a week to go so I know that I will not forget anything. I also like to make sure I have cleaned the house before I go (so I don’t have to when I get home), and left it all nice and tidy. Well, I made my list the other day but I keep having dreams where I get off the plane and find I have not even packed underwear.

Today started with mince pie porridge;

Yum, sprinkled with cinnamon of course!

It was the christmas play at work and I was feeling nervous, (it went fine) but I have been feeling all day like I have been full of adrenaline- its a weird feeling. Anyway, it wasnt the play because even when it was over I still felt funny. After work I had 2/3 of a graze flapjack (I didn’t know they did them until it arrived in my box)

(along with a cardboard make-your-own reindeer which I made of course). Good for a pre aerobics snack anyway. (Aerobics was fab, very high evergy which is what I needed). I thought it might help but I still feel a bit panicked. I have put some of my holiday clothes in a box in the living room as I don’t want to wear anything that I want to take in case I don’t manage to wash it in time.

Anyway, I am going to relax now – hopefully the start of my packing will put a stop to the nervous dreams!

So what kind of packer are you? A list and organised kind, or a shove it in the suitcase the night before and don’t worry kind?

Night 🙂

Better run and home-made gifts

Evening

After my bath last night (and deep heat) my leg felt better today, so after work I went on a short, 3 mile, gentle run to help loosen it further. I took it easy and although I felt ok, made myself stop after those 3 miles. The run was good, although it was colder than I had anticipated so was still chilly every time I stopped (to cross roads etc).

Then it was time to sort out the gifts I have been making.

I made some cranberry and white chocolate fudge- I used the Rachel Allen recipe for white chocolate fudge and added in cranberries for a festive touch. I was going to add in pistachios too (for the green colour) but I wasn’t sure if anyone was allergic so they are in the cupboard for another time. I got some little food gift bags from Sainburys;

I think the bags make it look so cute- much better than in a sandwich bag!

I also melted a few squares of dark chocolate to finish off the Mickeys I made for Andy (and the Minnies for me 🙂 )

Also a picture of the baby christmas cakes I made for our work tea tomorrow. I halved a christmas cake recipe and cooked it in a small square tin, once cool I cut it into little squares, covered each one with marzipan and then icing. (This I did on Sunday).

🙂 I am thinking that they will go perfectly with a cup of tea after work (its a sort of end of term social at school for all the staff) and as they are quite small people will have one.

Off to pack up all the presents to take to work now, so exciting- night 🙂

Hard run

Hey all, and welcome to the non gingerbread post of the weekend!

Friday and Saturday evenings we had family over for dinner and stollen etc, so it was pretty busy.

I went on my run, and it was my last long run before holiday. I managed 8.7 miles in 92 mins, but it was hard work, my legs felt heavy and I felt tired. I told myself it was all in my mind, and I knew that if I didn’t do the whole distance I would be annoyed with myself for a while. Also I had not taken any water with me. I normally do on longer runs, but the last few weeks it has been so cold that my hand holding the bottle (even with gloves) had got too cold so I have been leaving it at home. Yesterday was much milder and I should have taken it with me. Anyway, once home it was time for nesquick and my last US clif bar, only I had run out of nesquick. Please note that cocoa powder mixed with milk does not mix as well or taste the same!

After a shower it was lunch time (it was about half 1 I think!) and so I treated myself to toast with chocolate PB;

Yum 🙂 I also had some nuun rehydration (well, a tablet in a big glass of water). I really think it helps; without fail I would have a headache every single Saturday after a long run, but since taking this as well as water I hardly get them at all. I still do occasionally, but not regularly and certainly not every week. So if you have a problem with headaches after runs then they would be worth a try. (I just ordered a new pack from wiggle so they are on my mind).

Over the weekend I was busy making the gingerbread house. I also made a cake for our work tea next week, which I cut into little squares and have since covered in marzipan and icing. Very fiddly, but I think they will be appreciated.

Today I tried mince pie porridge- I cooked porridge as usual and then added a spoonful of mincemeat and some cinnamon. It was tasty.

My legs have been so stiff today, so I think I actually found the run yesterday harder work than usual. I had a walk up to the shops and back (for about an hour) which helped a bit, but I am going to see if a bath later will help.

Tonight I am going to watch Inception- we had some kind of deal with Sky to get it for free, so the plan is to watch that while wrapping the last few presents, and writing a few cards. It’s not a festive film at all, but it gets deleted tonight!

Anyone else loving the Kirsty and Phil Christmas shows? I think (exepct for cooking the ham and stuff) they did all my favourite festive things. I think in an ideal world home-made gifts are perfect. When I was little we made decorations for the tree and I have no idea how we did them, I would love to do that sort of thing. Although making cards has never appealed to me. I have made some fudge for people at work so hopefully they will appreciate the time and effort 😉