Time to read

It was a very unusual January with about 7 snow days! The beauty of these snow days was the time I got to read!! I have always enjoyed reading, but most of the time I just read a few pages before bed. During all these snow days I was able to read 4 new books! The whole Divergent series by Veronica Roth really had my attention, and I think it's a good thing I find these books after they are all published because I don't know how I would have been able to wait for book 3 especially! After finishing those, I popped off one quick girly romance just in time to head back to work. I have to say I am extremely thankful my parents were both solid readers, they really encouraged a life long hobby and love!

Healthy and happy

This post is a little late, because I fell asleep on the couch last night!
Mondays Happy thought for the day was about my health and strength. I feel like I have probably posted a fair amount about working out lately. After a mostly relaxing day (yet another snow day) and running errands, last night swim practice was cancelled, so I did a home workout. I use an app on my phone that is basically high intensity intervals for a set time. It tells me when and what I have to do. It's great.

But while the workout was kicking my butt last night, I was thinking about how happy exercise makes me, and how thankful I am for my health, and that I keep getting stronger and stronger. Although I might have to accept my limits sometimes, like I can't run as fast, or jump as much, or swim as hard.... I keep improving, and thats all I can hope for!

That winning feeling!

When I compete in swimming, and triathlons, I am doing it for me. I like the challenge. They are both something that is physically difficult for me, and I push myself to get better. When I compete in sailing, it is a little different.  Its not the same intrinsic feeling of getting a personal best. But I have this competitive side... which anyone who knows me are probably laughing and nodding just reading this! But when I swim and do triathlons... I am not worried about the placing as much as I do in sailing. With Triathlons.. usually there are so many people that I don't expect to be as fast, and with swim meets, there are so few, that when you win out of 2 it doesn't feel the same. But that great feeling comes when you finish and you see your time, and you realize "hey I just did that better than ever before!!" Or, in your heat for swimming, you hit the wall first, and see that little 1 next to your lane. Although the people next to you may be in different age groups, or male, its such an amazing feeling to look up there and see the 1 plus a great time!! Today I was able to get a PR in 2 of my events, and placed 1st in my heat in one or 2 of them. Such a great feeling. And I got to share it with the support and excitement of our Lakewood swim group. We cheered for each other, congratulated each other, and supported each other. Overall... a pretty great day!!

Best Saturday Mornings

Most people consider Saturday mornings great when they get to sleep in, make a nice breakfast, enjoy some time at home before beginning their day. Not me. I've never been a sleep in person. As a kid and even a college kid... I was usually awake by 7 or 8 am. Now as an adult, I am lucky if i can sleep in past 7/730!

So what do I do on saturday mornings? Head to swim practice and then often get some brunch after. Nothing motivates you to get through a 730 am 3500-4000 yard practice like the promise of breakfast and friends!!

It also made me think, I have developed a group of girlfriends based solely on working out and food! That's what we do together, and I love it! We run, we swim, we bike, and we eat. Occasionally we might throw in other activities, but those are our go to's! These girls are also great because they are encouraging, pushing and fun.

Happy thought for the day- friends go a long way!

Sunday- we meet up again for a swimmeet!

Keeping the Living Room Warm

After our last super cold spell a few weeks ago, we learned that sometimes our first floor radiators just dont get the heat spread throughout the rooms like in the bedrooms. We didn't turn the heat up, just kinda dealt with a cold living room (and i spent most of a day in the bedroom!)
But my dad came up with the idea of putting a fan near a radiator to get the air moving. So this morning, I suggested that to Corey, and he seemed a little doubtful. We both kinda thought the fan would have to be behind the radiator to push the air out... and we don't have the room between the wall and a unit. So, before corey left, he took our window exhaust fan we use in the kitchen and put it on top of one of the radiators. 1 hour later, it was shocking how much warmer the dining room and living room were!!
On the plus side, the radiators don't have to kick on as much which may mean in the long run we will save a little gas (maybe it won't matter because of the energy spent using the fan, but I'm thinking less of two evils!!)

Hope everyone had a good Friday- I know I enjoyed yet another "cold" day and lounged around the house!

"Cat" nap

Had a little bit of a headache off and on today, so when I got home I had intentions of laying down and maybe reading. Well, a nap immediately ensued! But what I loved was that in seconds of me laying in bed, my awesome cat jumps up, starts purring and climbs right on top of me to nap with me! My cat, Gitta, never ceases to amaze me. She's probably one of the most friendly cats I know, loves people and loves both playtime and sleep equally. Maybe only loves food more!! I have had cats almost my whole life, but this one I feel is the most incredible. Her personality is just so fitting with Corey and I. Love her!

Now I'm headed to bed (pjs on backwards, dreamin of a snow day!)

Looking forward to what tomorrow brings.

Fresh Lake Erie Perch... doesn't get much better!

This past weekend Corey headed up to the bay to ice fish all weekend. Everyone he was with had a successful weekend, so in turn he came home with a few walleye and several perch. So tonight we fried up the perch for an easy dinner. Honestly, had more than we could eat in one sitting, but it was certainly good! Meant to take a picture, but then again, I am one of those people that feel like we see too many pictures of peoples meals on social media. So, use your imagination... imagine about 12 perch lightly fried up with just some flour and pepper, sitting on a plate! There ya go!
Finished the night off with a ride on the bike trainer for an hour. Loving this app i found last year that sets me up with intervals and beeps at me when its time to change gears so I don't have to do any thinking!

Thankful for the fresh fish, and looking forward to the Walleye dinner tomorrow night!