Lacing Up…Let the Countdown Begin!

So, if you don’t already know…I’ve signed up to run a half marathon this spring!  I’m really excited to be training for a longer, more intense race, but honestly it’s hard to stay motivated this time of year.  During the fall it was easy to go out and run.  Coming out of the humid summer months, going out for a 4 mile run was no big deal.  The days were still fairly long and the weather was beautiful.  Now that we’re in the middle of winter (and yes, I know it hasn’t been too bad) I am really finding it hard to go out and run more than a mile or two.  Maybe on a weekend I can force myself to go out and run further, but after work, it’s just not happening.  I have found myself really procrastinating those long runs…it’s ok, I can get to it next week.  But here I am, less than 2 months out, and I’m totally not ready!!  I know I still have time, but it’s becoming a little nerve racking!

The race is on St. Patty’s day (the most awesome fun holiday ever!) so I think it’s time to start a double count down. 

Regardless of how I do at the race… only 43 days until it’s time for a Green Beer!

On Happy Holidays...

Every week I read Post Secret. It’s a blog where people can send ‘post cards’ with an anonymous secret, and the best of the bunch make it on the site. I saw this particular secret, and decided it summed up all my feelings on the “happy holidays” issue…

Holiday Party Time!

Matt, me, Shelly & Craig

Last night we had the holiday work party.  I was on the party committee, so of course I was a little stressed about it going well.  All in all, it was a lot of fun and everything went off without a hitch.  I’ve had a little trouble getting into the holiday spirit this year…not really sure why.  But now that we’ve had a few really chilly days, and we had our work Christmas party, maybe I can finally get into that jolly holly mood!

Decorating – Sell Style

Matt's keeping Cisco company....

Just because Matt and I are now married and living in our own home, doesn’t mean we don’t get to partake in the annual decorating traditions held at my mom’s house. This past weekend, we made our way up to Bel Air to help decorate the Christmas Tree with my parents. Decorating the tree is always fun with my family. Typically, my dad puts lights on the tree, and then mom and I decorate while Grandma helps put on hooks, etc. As per usual, this year was no different from any other. Dad spent Saturday proudly wrapping 700, yes he insisted that there were actually 700, lights on the tree, and then Sunday, mom and I put on the decorations. To top it off, even Grandma helped string the tinsel. Not exactly sure what Matt did to help partake in the festivities, but if nothing else, he did a great job keeping Cisco company….

My family also has some unusual Christmas traditions. As my Grandma is “right off the boat” (literally) from England, we also make sure to continue the British Christmas traditions that she loves. When I was a kid, each year we would head to Grandma’s apartment for a traditional Christmas Dinner and gift exchange. Now that I’m an adult, and Grandma lives with my parents, we modified the traditions a little. Sunday night, dad fixed us the traditional British Christmas dinner…this included roast beef, brussel sprouts, potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding…he forgot the corn. After dinner, we headed downstairs to Grandmas table for Christmas pudding, desserts, singing and gifts from “the Christmas elf.”

Although it seems silly to continue to do some of these traditions (like get gifts from the elf), it really is the family time around the holidays that make it so special. I am so lucky to have such an amazing family!



Me and Grandma decorating mom's tree.



Grandma's famous "Christmas Pudding"

Silly Christmas headbands are a must!

The "Brown" Christmas tree!

Our first Christmas ornament

These last two photos are at our house...we just can't get enough Christmas decorating!

It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

Especially in the Brown house….

This past weekend kicked off the Brown (& Brogan) Christmas season. As I said before, the weekend following Thanksgiving is the official Brown/Brogan family Christmas. Once we all get together after Thanksgiving, it’s time to really get into the Christmas spirit. As Matt and I made our way back from WV on Sunday, we decided to stop and look at Christmas trees. We pulled up at the lot and were ready to dive in an make the annual tree purchase, but the 70 degree weather really just put a damper on our festive moods. So we decided to wait a few more days until the weather became seasonal again.

Yesterday was the first chilly day in a while, so we decided it was time to start putting up the decorations. Although we haven’t gotten our tree yet, we have started putting up garland, lights, wreaths, etc all over the house. Getting our tree is on the agenda for Friday night, I’m really looking forward to it!

Happy December 1st - Let the Christmas Countdown begin!

Gobble Gobble

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with one of my girlfriends about the holidays. The conversation started with religion, and digressed into the holiday season (at that time it was still in the ‘quickly approaching’ stages) Religion aside, I started thinking about what makes the holidays so special for me. It didn’t take me long to come to the conclusion that spending time with good friends and family is what the holidays are really all about. I think it’s one of those things that you really understand when you get older. When I was a kid, everyone always told me that spending time with family was the most important part of the holiday season, I think I finally realize how important it really is.

That being said, this holiday season is going to be different then many past years. Due to some ‘little’ developments, Christine and family will not be spending the holidays with us. This makes me sad, but then I see Oscar’s little face, and all that sad just melts away…how can an adorable blonde haired child not make you smile?! This will also be our first holiday without Ms. Vicki. Although it is going to be tough, that’s one of the great things about our family, we’ll be there for each other, and I’m sure we’ll have a good time reminiscing about silly Vicki moments.

Ah the joys of growing up. Although some things are changing, there are certainly plenty of new memories and traditions to be made. After all, this is our first holiday season of Mr. & Mrs…

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!

What a Week

Just a quick apology for my lack of blogging this week. It's really been "one of those weeks," if you know what I mean. I'm just glad the weekend has finally arrived. Although Matt is working (boo!!) I have some time to catch up on house chores and get some Christmas shopping done, which is nice. Believe it or not, I'm actually almost done my shopping this year. Just a few more things to cross off the list. Oh, and of course I made time for a nice long run this morning, and managed to sign up for a 5K tomorrow w/ Shelly...ahhh.

So, is everyone ready for Turkey Day? Next week is going to be crazy. Working Monday - Wednesday...headed to moms Wednesday night for Thanksgiving, Turkey Trot 5K with lots of great people (Me, dad, Mr. Sam, Megan and Tasha) on Thursday morning, celebrating Thanksgiving, back to work on Friday (boo!! who needs money on Black Friday anyhow?! pshhhh), then headed to WVA for Brogan/Brown family early Christmas. Busy, busy. I love the holidays!

Trick or Treat

I mentioned before that we had a little Halloween shin dig on Saturday night, in celebration of Matt’s 25th birthday. Just wanted to share a few photos from the event! Hope everyone has a safe, happy and maybe a little bit spooky Halloween!

The ladies :-)

Cowgirl Ginger!

Matt and Me, Sookie and Bill from True Blood