Kung Fu

Well, hello snowy Tuesday! Although we didn't get the "storm of the century" downstate like everyone was predicting (seriously, when will people learn not to trust the weather?) it seems as if the snow gods have graced us with the perfect white blanket to serve as a winter backdrop for the end of January.  Ahh.  The commute home was a little rocky yesterday, but overall, no complaints.

When life gets crazy, go for 2 "shboops"
 instead of one!

It's been another zany week at the homestead - a few house showings, some appointments, FINALLY got the car back, and the usual melee o family life.  Still on point with my 27 day running streak (mini bow) and I'm up to 63 miles for the year.  Not on par for 2015 miles, but that's ok.  With a few races now on docket (one half, one trail 12 miler) I'm prepping for some long ass endurance events come summer and fall.  And I couldn't be happier.  I'm filing in events as I go - for some reason, running just calms me down and gets my head clearer than swimming or biking right now.  I think Mind the Ducks did that to me - the zone is just so amazing. I adore triathlon, but with a kiddo, I'm tapping out at the shorter distances this year and focusing more on the long run.  It worked well last year, let's see what happens now!

Another part of training I've been seriously getting into is cross training.  Pilates, yoga, lifting, and Kickboxing.  It stretches me out, strengthens my runs, and helps with sanity (again). Which, with work stress, house stress and family stress is a much needed relief. After all, everyone needs a little kung fu.  Or at least, some fu (tofu, that is.)

This is a super easy stir fry I threw together using the "baked fried" method of tofu.  Check it out!

Tuesday Night Tofu (serves 2)

1 block extra firm tofu
2 cups string beans, diced
8 ounces whole wheat pasta
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp sesame oil
pepper to taste

To prep the tofu - dice into triangle cubes.  Lay flat on a dish over a towel.  Wrap towel over tofu, place in fridge with a gallon of milk over it to press out moisture.  Let set for 1-2 hours.  Mix soy sauce, garlic, honey, pepper (I used 1 tbsp) and one 1tbsp of sesame oil in a container with a lid.  Add in tofu, let marinade for at least 30 minutes.  Place tofu cubes onto a baking tray lined with foil and bake at 400 for 30 minutes, then broil at 500 for 5.  In the meantime, add in remaining oil and onion to saucepan, saute.  Add in green beans, cook until softened.  Cook pasta until al dente, add to beans and onions.  Pour in marinade (since it isn't used on meat, it's safe!) and let simmer for 5 minutes.  Plate pasta and veggies, top with tofu, and serve!

Even Rob approved.

But not as much as he approved of the pudding for dessert.

Smart kid.

Big Wheel Keep on Turnin'

mmmm....cocoa pudding.

And here we are.  It's the middle of January - Christmas is over, resolutions have bee road tested and either failed or become routine (Hey, I did well with 2 outta 3!) and...what's next?  Well, for some of us lucky kids (don't hate) we do get today off for MLK Jr day.  So that's nice.  And what better to do on a cloudy Monday than to go through your pictures, do some organizing, a snowy run, and settle down with a mug of cocoa and a trashy magazine?  Mmmm....nothing.  I adore my child.  But I also adore a daycare day when Mommy doesn't have to work!

So, deer update - it seems as if my car was a hot mess.  It's been at the spa for a week and they *hope* it will be done by Friday.  Being a one car family has been rather interesting - juggling daycare, work, running errands, etc.  I don't think we could do it long term, but thanks to my awesome daycare and super flexible amazing boss, we have made it work.  Also, hats off to my mom for doing pick up drop off a few times!!  I'll be changing my comprehensive for sure in the winter - seems as if there is only a $7 difference between a $200 and $500 deductible, which would have been much easier to swallow.  If you live in a deer filled area- check your comprehensive!  That's what they go for when it's an animal run in.  Damn deer.

Save now, play later!...or...both.

On the ole $$ money front, Greg and I have been looking at our finances in 2015.  We read an article in one of my magazines on saving $$, and one of the suggestions was to think about how your decisions today affect your 80 year old self.  And to give that self a name and to refer to that self as an actual person when you're holding that $150 pair of jeans or $6 latte.  Well, we happen to be talking about Back to The Future at the time, so...we will be looking at our expenses through the eyes of Lorraine and George.  We are so classy.  And Lorraine says I don't need two phones anymore, so as of February 1 we are downsizing our cell plan and getting rid of my phone.  I'll still have google voice, so my cell can ring to my work phone or Greg's phone, so I won't lose the number entirely (which is awesome, I have a great number!)  But for two people that use the phone as little as we do, it makes a ton of cents.  Roughly 7,000 a month, exactly.

House front - we've had some second showings this week and are fully expecting a non contingent offer this week.  Fingers crossed.  We did enjoy that at their end of visit survey last week they thought the house needed some work but was priced well.  This weekend it was excellent in showing, still needed some work, and is now overpriced.  LOL.  Funny how the housing market "turns" like that in 8 days....

Running - Still going strong!  Signed up for a spring race and am getting back into double digit training.  Love winter running (when its between 25 and 40.  I am such a wuss).  19 day running streak - 63 miles to date.  Woohooo!

Jump on It

Hey there kiddos!  Hope all is right in your world.  It's cold and snowy here, but its the pretty kind of snowglobe snow that actually makes you glad you live in NY.  And I'll take that on a Monday!

Well, it seems 2015 has gotten off to a decent start.  I haven't broken any resolutions yet (waahooo 12 days in I know!) and I've managed at least 1 mile running a day since January 1 :-) - up to 38 miles to date, which is chump change for some but I usually only run 3 days a week so I'm cool with it!

On the house front, we had another open house yesterday.  Seems we have at least one couple that is super interested - it's the third time they've seen the house and they brought a tape measure this time, lol.  Of course, they still have their house to sell, so it's a moot point, but it's kind of nice.  It's been a busy week for showings and we would be excited if we could get some non contingent offers!  As I've said, Greg and I are taking it one day at a time and for what it is - if we don't move, we don't move.  So the real question is, what do you do with an 18 month old for two hours on a cold Sunday?  The indoor playground, of course!  There's a really cool super big play place in fairport called "The Sandbox" and for $7 you can play as long as you want (we stayed 2 hours).  They have bounce houses, slides, play kicthens, roller coasters, a tree fort, and a light up Dance, dance! floor.  Rob had a blast....and so did Greg and I (don't let the seriousness here fool ya).

Other than that?  Not a ton going on.  Rob seems to be enjoying toddler (and has shown us his awesome verbiage - we are up to about 30 words so far!!) and our little family is doing well.  I've decided to jump into some marathon training - there are a few races this year that will require some pretty decent mileage, so I'm easing in.  I ran 3 times a week last year, and I'm not sure that was enough to help me out on race day, so I'm relying less on the mileage and more on the time/days on my feet.  Still frigid cold and hard to get motivated, as there isnt anything big on my calendar until April, but I think it will help in the end!  Otherwise, it's wintery January in full swing in NY, which means a few things - expect more crockpot recipes coming your way, and also maybe some savings/budgeting?  Sky is the limit!  If there's anything you'd like to see on the ole bloggie, feel free to comment or email me at raeglaser@gmail.com  Mwah!

Edited to add - after I wrote this yesterday, I ran out to the store to get a few things and a deer jumped on my car on the way home.  I am ok, the car is not.  Meh.  Why must I think of creative prophesizing titles to posts???  LOL

18 months - Its a....TODDLER!!

18 months - Its a....TODDLER!!  

Well, if it wasn't official before, it sure is now.  This morning we dropped you off in toddler, buddy. TODDLER.  You are getting so darn big - every day.  Seriously, what happened to my baby?  Oh, right.  He turned into the BEST BIG BOY EVER!!

So, it really is a big day.  18 months old, and starting in the toddler room for daycare.  I

dropped da 'bear (cause he's always my bear!) off this morning, and, admid tears (mine....Rob just looked at me as if to say "Hey, ma, whit being a whiny baby") I left him with his big boy friends.  Nah, just kidding.  I did get a titch wistful for my baby, but it is so. damn. much. fun to watch this kiddo grow that as he went off like a shot I laughed in delight right with him!  But, down to brass tacks here...it's time for another kiddo update (been awhile!)

At 18 months....

Size:  You clock in at 27 pounds and 33" tall.  According to my scale, that is.  You're right smack in the middle of the charts for everything (except intelligence, of course - you are off the charts in that one!)  You fit right into size 18 months, except for that tummy that sometimes prefers 24 month clothing :-)  Diapers - size 4 still.  Hopefully up to 5's soon - mommy has about 900 of those ready to go :-P 

Likes: Oh, you love all of the things!!!  Sledding, sliding, swimming, the ocean, blocks, cars, the kittehs (your favorite words are KIT-TEY and Meb!), reading stories!  (We average about 7-8 stories per day because you LOVE READING!) and still - snuggles with mommy and daddy.  You've graduated to the big boy crib (oh what a struggle!) but you still adore snuggling with Mommy and Daddy in the big bed when you wake up at 6....or 5....and we are ok with that :-)  Sometimes you let us sleep till 7:30!

Dislikes: Being strapped down.  hah.  What a shocker!  You love the car but hate your carseat.  You love to eat but hate your high chair.  We finally moved you to a big boy booster seat which is MUCH better for you!  

Sleep: Pretty much nailed this one.  You take a nap for about an hour or two each afternoon and go to sleep about 8pm.  You wake up most mornings about 6, then snuggle with us for about an hour.  When you're teething or not feeling good, we let you sleep in the big bed, and everyone is happy for it :-)

Eating: Oh, kiddo.  You eat all of the things.  You adore your veggies and fruit.  Not as big a fan of meat but you still eat it.  We finally weaned you (so sorry it was NOT your idea but Mommy called that one) and now you drink out of a big boy cup and everything!  You are getting pretty awesome with a fork and spoon and we all love mealtime!

Milestones/Firsts:

Running - you are a speedster!

Stairs - You can climb up and down them!

Pointing to body parts and recognizing words - you can tell us about Kitty's, stars, cars, and most of your body parts!  You are learning to tell us about potty time, too!  

Words - Right now you have about 30 words and are learning more every single day!  We are really trying to watch our cursing.....lol

Best Moment: Christmas morning.  You had such a blast with Santa gifts and your energy was priceless!!  So much more fun this year.  We all had a blast!

Looking Forward to: Learning more from you every day!  Toddler crafts, sledding, snow play, the Easter bunny.....awww, I can't wait!  Love being your mommy!!!

2015: Life Happens. Deal with it.

Well, now here we are.  Miracles do happen.  Blogging again less than 48 hours later, I've updated my personal info so I'm not 30 anymore (which was sad) and updated some of my blog lovin and kiddo updates (need to still work on that!)  Look at me go in 2015!  How was your New Years?  Once again, we did an earlier low key party, and thought we might get away with a private New Year's smooch.   Well, Ro-Bear had some other plans - including a late night dance party from 11:30-2am.  Yikes,  So needless to say, we dragged a bit yesterday.  But after a full nights sleep last night (8.5 hours - UNHEARD of) and the bear in daycare today - Greg and I enjoyed a super super low key day and got a few things crossed off our list, including some binge "American Horror Story" watching.  Creepy - but addictive - show.  We also figured out our 2015 race calendar, due to some crazy awesome deals yesterday - check it out!  It's pretty obvious that 2015 is more of a running year for me - I'm taking a break from most tri's for a year.  I still love them, but I've felt way more into running lately, and with one ultra under my belt, I decided to go for another marathon and a 50 miler, which is the focus of my year.  Why the heck not?

So how bout them rezzies?  Well, I have a few goals this year, but they are more overarching goals rather than specific ones.  First, I want to keep the love that I have with my family - Greg and kiddo make me smile every single day and I want to continue to enjoy that journey.  I also have gotten closer to a few other family members in 2014 and I want to keep that alive - it's the best thing ever to be able to chat with people on a personal level about things you never saw yourself sharing.  Ever.

I have a goal to run 2015 miles in 2015.  This is not original, but it sounded like fun. Why not?  I'll keep a running (har har) tab on my blog at the end of each post, but it's mostly for me to remember.  Gotta keep accountable somehow!  January 2 - 7 miles in.

Lastly, I want to keep this quote in mind : "Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it".  In the last few months, I've been super stressed by a number of things that in the grand scheme of things, are ridiculous.  They are trying and have been wearing me down for sure, but in 5 years they won't matter.  And I spend way too much time worrying about them, which makes me a less happy person.  So in 2015, I resolve to look at my life and ask myself - "How can I deal with this (thing/person/event) and come out so I feel ok about who I am as a person?"  Rather than spouting crap about how X happened to me.  It's a lofty goal and I hope to rise to it.  I also suspect yoga, deep breaths, and chocolate will come into play.  Hey, one thing at a time.

What are your goals for 2015?

2015 miles to date: 7