Mashed
Our weekend was a mish-mash of socializing, running errands, relaxing and preparing for our trip out East for Thanksgiving. Since our weekend was a little of this and a little of that, it’s only appropriate that this blog post follow the lead!
I was a little frustrated at our weigh-in last week. I was a hero when it comes to my activity level that week. Running 7 days. Sweating it out in Bikram yoga. And even lifting weights a couple times, too. But, my snacking was a little out of control. When I got on the scale, I knew the score. Snacking 1, Exercise 0. Boo. A particular sting since my mom spent a week in Paris with a girlfriend, wined and dined all week, and still managed to lose weight upon her return. Double boo!
On Friday, I got an email from our attorney. No one likes unsolicited communication from attorneys. It usually means one of two things, you’re getting an advertisement or you’re in trouble! Thankfully, this time, it was neither of the above. I might have forgotten about a tax escrow account set up by the sellers of our unit. They agreed to pay taxes up through the day of our closing. Since we pay taxes in arrears, we are just now paying our 2008 taxes. The long and the short of it is we are getting a fat check in the mail to cover said taxes (an amount we’ve already put away in escrow, so it’s like bonus!). Hi Christmas presents and savings!!!
Speaking of presents, I’ve been actively following the 30-day Bikram yoga challenges that the writers of My Thoughtful Spot and Hannah, just breathe… have been completing. The basic idea is they are taking one 90-minute Bikram yoga class a day for 30 days. I’ve become inspired by their struggles, their accomplishments, their journeys and I think I will institute my own challenge, possibly in January. Although I love my yoga studio, I may make the leap to another studio for that month. They’re offering a $30 unlimited special for a month for first-timers that pales in comparison to the $150 I’d have to spend at my current studio.
Sweets and I went to the tile store on Friday. Though we already knew which tile we want for our fireplace surround, we had not been able to pinpoint a tile for the back splash in the kitchen. The store ordered us a sample of tile we thought we’d like. We took that sample home plus a few more samples. In the end, we didn’t pick the sample we had ordered (too blah!) nor did we pick Sweets’ favorite (too risky of a choice when it comes to resale of our condo). What we did choose, though, is a tile the still reflects our personality and will make the kitchen look a little more gorgeous.
Sweets might have started demolition of the current tile surround for our fireplace. Saturday went well. Sunday, he continued the job while I was gone. I might have had a mini freakout (or major meltdown, depending on whom you ask) when I came home to find our living room (our new furniture!) covered in dust. Demolition was a little more intense than he expected and didn’t realize the damage until it was too late. Let’s just say I’m no longer hyperventilating and am still excited about this DIY project.
Saturday morning, Sweets, SoMi and I went for a 4+ mile run. It was the longest distance Sweets has done since he renewed his interest in doing a triathlon next year. It was a beautiful day and we had a great run. Though, I think we countered all the good we did for our bodies later that day when we ordered take-out Thai with our neighbors! (Let it be known that this was the first time Sweets and I have had take-out in about 6 months!)
We talked holidays over the weekend, in particular Christmas. Sweets’ family often has a busy schedule between family, church and friends at that time of year. It was decided that the family gathering would take place on Christmas Eve Day. Only, at the time that schedule was discussed, neither Sweets nor I were sure we even had the day off from work (normally, I don’t, but since Christmas falls on a Saturday this year, I just might … still to be determined). When I mentioned that I might not have the day off from work, it was asked/suggested that I take a half day. I bit my lip. Since Christmas isn’t my holiday, I’m not accustomed to making it a priority. I was a little put off that it was assumed I’d make it a priority (instead of maybe suggesting that the family gathering could take place on Sunday, the day after Christmas, to make it easier on everyone). But, I think I also need to learn that joining an interfaith marriage sometimes means making holidays a priority that were otherwise second thoughts. I’m working on that. [Note: Thanks to a few comments, I now realize Christmas falls on a Friday, which means I definitely do not have Christmas Eve off as a holiday (and draws into question whether Sweets does, either). I'm going to let Sweets' work schedule dictate whether I take this day off as a holiday or not.]
That’s all from this side of the blogging world. Hope all of you were able to enjoy your weekends (did you do anything fun?) and are ready to attack your weeks with vigor!
November 16th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Since it was such a beautiful weekend, we went to the zoo. It was nice to spend time as a family before my husband went out of town again for work.
That Christmas thing is a difficult thing to figure out even when both people do celebrate Christmas. Sometimes people don’t understand that just because they have the day off not everyone does. I remember when I was working and it was suggested by a family member that I take Christmas Eve off. I didn’t want to because I didn’t want to waste a day off for a day at work that was so easy because half the world seems to have it off.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:19 am
My calendar says Christmas is on a Friday this year!
November 16th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Yeah, Christmas is on a Friday this year. I’ve got to take some vacation before the year ends, so I was looking at our holiday schedule a couple of weeks ago, looking to get maximum time off with the minimum of vacation. I was bummed to find out we have to work both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
The holiday thing can be really sticky when it comes to juggling families. Just keep in mind that Christmas has been a tradition for them, and they’d like to include you since you are part of the family.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:49 am
What a full weekend! I am really looking forward to reading more about the tiles and the end result. I have no desgin sense but absolutely love watching (reading) about other people making over their living spaces.
Our holidays are always full around Christmas time too. I probably would have felt a little put out as well, but I completely agree that compromise is key when in an interfaith marriage.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:54 am
My guess is with Christmas on Friday, you won’t have Christmas Eve off, so seems that there are two weekend days immediately after that might work well for everyone. Holidays are so great, and I love them so much, but this is the part that I don’t like.
We booked a cruise for Dec 19-24 and you would think we murdered a litter of puppies and served them on graham crackers with the reaction we got.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I know we don’t get Christmas Eve off at work, only Christmas day but the office is always half empty. I’ll probably take it off because my parents are coming into town and I haven’t seen in them in quite a while.
I would have FREAKED had I found the new furniture covered in dust! So you’re definitely not the only one to have reacted in such a way. I hope the project goes well and everything looks lovely after it’s all done!
Don’t worry too much about the weigh-in. Most of us in the winter tend to gain a few pounds because we eat more since our bodies require it. Besides, I’m sure you are doing just fine. :)
November 16th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I figure I’ll work as much as I can over Christmas and New Years’ because I’ve got PLANS for the summer! Whoo Hoo! Although I am most decidedly taking the Friday off after Thanksgiving because the BABY WILL BE AT MY MOM AND DAD’S! I wouldn’t miss that for the world. Silly baby, messing up my priorities. hahahah!
November 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Sounds like a big mish mash!
Mister and I are using the next couple weeks to weigh out the advice everyone gave me about how we can cut down the family dinners this year. I’m really excited for us to make a plan that works for us instead of running around like crazy again.
What a relief!
November 16th, 2009 at 10:41 am
30 Yoga Classes in 30 days!? I can’t wait to hear more about that!
Good luck with the Christmas situation!
And, sending you Monday hugs just because I can =)
November 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am
i’m having a wee heart attack over doing 90 mins of bikram every day for a month. my GOSH. i think i’d pass out. a lot.
oh man.. christmas. i’m still pretending it’s not happening for a few months. la la la la la la la laaa… :-)
November 16th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I tried the Bikram yoga about 2 weeks ago (my housemate goes at least 4 times a week). It was one of the hardest things I’ve done. When we finished and were laying on the floor recovering with the lights out I lost it. I just started to cry. It was such an emotional thing to be able to finish and sweating out all of those toxins was cleansing. Good luck on your 30 day challenge! I’ll be rooting for you!
November 16th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
My weekend was supposed to be mashed full of fun… but I ended up knocked down for the count. Fortunately I did get out of the house on Saturday for lunch and a walk outside with my husband. I overtired myself, but it was worth it.
November 16th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I’m just giggling as I picture the scene of Sweets at the fireplace with some kind of hammer, oblivious to the action going on behing him (i.e., dust settling) and you coming in after running errands. Like my own personal sit-com!
My weekend was full of operating and driving back and forth from home to the hospital. Oh, and yoga. ;-)
November 16th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
It’s such a tough balance with these family things. If it were me I would definitely try to look at it as taking time off work for my husband and his family, not for Christmas. You know what I mean? It’s a change but as you say, an interfaith marriage means prioritizing things that you wouldn’t have prioritized before. I think the updated solution of letting Sweets’ work schedule decide this is very smart.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Are you putting up the tile around your fireplace yourself? I’m interested in doing our fireplace (it doesn’t have any tile right now – just drywall around an electric fireplace) but I’m a little intimidated by the work.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I can’t wait to see more pictures of your cute house! With pretty new tile. Hopefully Sweets cleaned up all the dust he created…
I don’t know how people do the holidays once they get married. It seems like such a sensitive time. Somebody’s feelings always seem to get tweaked. I think about how when I have a house, I’ll just try to host everything so I can pick the time and day! :) Hope your in-laws keep a reasonable perspective about it all.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I not only started my Christmas shopping this weekend, but also began creating my Christmas cards to send out on the 1st (though I have yet to create my Thanksgiving cards – opps!). I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR! Also had a friend over for dinner and went out to dinner on Sunday – both nights ended in late night wine drinking and very little sleep thereafter! I guess you could say it was a great weekend!
Also, I can totally also envision your face upon returning home to Sweets and lots of dust/plaster/etc all over your new couch, kind of like coming home to a puppy who has eaten up a whole pillow and is proud as can be, only to look at you with the cutest little face as to say, “What?”
November 16th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Wow $30 for unlimited classes? Where is that? I am dying to get into a more regular yoga routine. 30 days of Bikram though? Holy cow, that is intense.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:38 am
i want to go to a tile store and do home improvements! seriously, i do. i’m having home envy.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:53 am
So jealous of your tile shopping. I’m dying to do a backsplash in our kitchen. If only one of us was handy. Ah ha
November 17th, 2009 at 6:42 am
I totally thought Christmas was on Saturday this year. Damn, I am really confused. Well, that makes things a little harder for you! :(
I always lose weight when I travel because I walk so much! Even when I am eating like a pig! Too bad we can’t be traveling in Paris all the time! :)
I hope we get to see before and after pics of the fireplace! I would have had a little meltdown too. ;)