5 Things I’d Tell You Over Coffee…January, 2018 Edition

The weather outside is frightful!

Holy, moly, it’s cold out there! My usual M.O. includes drinking a full pot of coffee in the morning, but with the wind chill well below zero in Chicago this week, why not pour yourself a cup of Joe and enjoy some with me as I brew myself a second pot?

If we were having coffee, I would tell you I have majorly slacked on my diet in the past month. I’m usually not too bad at this time of year, but between a trip to Vegas in the middle of December and hosting both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house, well, you know. We had some amazing dinners in Vegas (ask me for some recommendations ~ I’m a frequent flyer!) and of course coupled with the libations that go along with them, that has added up to too many pounds to mention.

I do love my Heineken

Speaking of libations, if we were having coffee, I might likely be pouring some Bailey’s and Kahlua in it. Seriously…I have been drinking waaaay too much, and I have the body to prove it. I have never had a belly on me, but I am sporting a pretty good one right now. Da Hell! After three kids and one C-section, I’ve always been able to boast a flat belly with not much work. I know it’s a combination of overeating, too little exercise, and way too much beer, so it’s time to turn things around. Now let’s not get crazy here–I won’t be giving up my wine, but it’s time to set the ice-cold Heinekens (and you know I love ’em!) to the side for a while. I’ll take the title of ‘white girl with the black girl booty’ (thank you very much, Laura), but I won’t me known as the ‘frumpy mom with the beer belly’.

Mark, Holly, David and Michael having a little family fun

Over coffee I would tell you that with the holidays here and gone, I’m sad to have my house so empty again. I am never so happy as I am when my three boys are home and together. My eldest son Mark and my daughter-in-law Holly spent almost five full days with us over Christmas, my middle son Michael was here for four, and my college son David was home for winter break. We had so much fun decorating the tree, playing hours and hours of Scrabble, laughing together, and with all of them being of age, a night of beer drinking games (did I mention my beer belly? Blame it on the kids!)

As I pour another cup, I have to tell you, I want to sign up for all. the. races. I’ve been catching up on everyone’s growing 2018 race calendars, and I want to meet up with everyone! So far I am signed up for three marathons, two half marathons, and a sprint triathlon (never mind the fact that I can’t swim). I am trying to spread things out between my job, business travel, and averaging no more than one race per month, but there are just so many cool races out there!

And last, over our final cup of coffee, I would tell you I have spent a small fortune on Powerball and Mega Millions tickets in the past few weeks. I play these games sporadically and like many, especially when the jackpots get this high. You know, because winning a measly $50 million just wouldn’t be worth it. What can I say? I’m a gambler at heart!

Why yes, yes it will

 

I’m linking up with Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date and with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda for the Friday Five 2.0!

 

What would you share with me over coffee? How were your holidays? Did you fall off the diet and exercise train? What would you do if you won the lottery?

 

 

44 Comments

  1. You’re signed up for THREE MARATHONS?! Amazing!!! I’m so jealous. I wish I could sign up for anything but I’m too nervous.

    And I feel ya on the drinking thing… I’ve gotten soft and it is NO good!!

    1. Author

      It would be nice if these big races allowed bib transfers. It would be so much easier to sign up in times of uncertainty. Ha! Soft is a good way to describe my belly. Definitely no bueno!

  2. Your Blog is fabulous – I’m feeling your pain about the lbs creeping up over the holidays. Oh well, I love food and bevvies!!! Take care. When you are fed up with the cold, come and visit.

  3. P.S. A gal I workout with at Orange Theory almost talked me into doing a the Big Sur Marathon with her the end of April. She has run a few marathons, including Chicago’s, and wants to run a marathon this year to celebrate her 60th. I told her I would be her running buddy but couldn’t commit when I remembered Tom and I will be travelling that weekend with my sister. But, she planted the marathon seed. Will keep you posted!

    1. Author

      OMG that would be so awesome! Big Sur is one of those bucket list races for lots of runners. It’s supposed to be quite hilly, but absolutely beautiful! I would love to do it one day!

  4. Oh, if I won the lottery, I’d have a lifetime of running shoes and races every weekend 😉 I’m tall (5’9), so if I gain any weight, it’s never very obvious (even to myself). That said, I think I did well this holiday season…I didn’t bake as much, and with limited refrigerator space, I kept everything in our garage (because it was plenty cold out there). Out of sight, out of hands LOL

    1. Author

      I always say if you’re tall you’re lucky because if you gain a few pounds, it doesn’t show–but likewise, if you lose a few, people might not notice! I don’t bake much (if at all) over the holidays, so that’s a big help here!

  5. Oh, if only I’d win the powerball, then my work woes would be no more!

    What races are you planning on? I hope we get to meet up this year!

    1. Author

      I always say if I win I just wouldn’t show up at work…they’d figure it out eventually! The two halfs are the Naperville Women’s in April and Napa to Sonoma in July, and the fulls are Grandma’s, Berlin, and Chicago. I am trying to see if the Shamrock Shuffle will fit into my schedule…will let you know!

  6. I really hope you win the lottery! Someone has to right? I also over did the eating last month and I am happy to be back on track this week. I feel really good. It is hard when the kiddos leave isn’t it? Thanks for linking up for coffee!

    1. Author

      Well I didn’t win the Mega Millions game…hoping for Powerball tonight! It sounds like ALL of us overindulged just a little this year!

  7. Wow that is COLD!!!

    Sounds like you have a great racing season ahead! I’m a bit jealous. I’d tell you that I’m due with twins in 3 months and scared as heck! But also excited 🙂

    1. Author

      Cold indeed! How exciting to have twins! And I can see how it’s scary too. I seriously expected to have twins at some point and was truly surprised every time it didn’t happen! My mom is a twin and it’s said to skip generations so I thought it would be me! My cousin has a set, so I guess he got that second generation round! Looking forward to watching a healthy third trimester for you!

  8. Yeah, I may have indulged a bit too much over the holidays too so you’re not alone. Sounds like you’ve got quite the race calendar already – which races are you planning?

    1. Author

      Sounds like we all over-did it this year! So far I have two halfs–the Naperville Women’s (Chicago area) and Napa to Sonoma, and three fulls–Grandma’s, Berlin, and Chicago. I’m eyeing a few more smaller races but am trying to space them out over the year.

  9. Girl, I’m right there with you with the diet over the holidays! It’s just down right tough to stick to a super nutritious plan when all of those sweets are around every corner!! I’m definitely trying to get back on top of things this past week though! Definitely coming off the sugar high though…HA!

    Good luck with all of your races this year!! I need to bite the bullet and get signed up for a few!

    Have an amazing weekend!!

  10. Sounds like you’ve been having lots of fun! Hooray for all the races! Wow 3 marathons??

    1. Author

      Well, you know I’m not killing myself on the marathons–little more than a casual stroll! Though I am hoping to train better this year and actually run the bulk of them!

    1. Author

      Well I just found out this morning I am NOT the single winner of the Mega Millions game! There’s still hope for the Powerball tonight!

  11. I am over this cold Chicago weather. Although it is picking up a little bit and it is getting warmer.

    Yes, winning the lottery will make me happy! I would quit my job and maybe work part time or maybe volunteer is a non profit organization. I would buy a house and donate to many other organizations.

    1. Author

      And to think it’s only the first week of January! It’s funny how we are anticipating the ‘warmer weather’ (still below freezing) this weekend! I would be so, so happy with a big lottery win! But you know what they say…careful what you wish for!

  12. ok I had to laugh about the drinking thing. and really, didn’t most of us eat and drink a bit too much over the past… month or so? I feel like my whole year has been “too much”… I am also a beer lover (and wine, and some other adult liquids…) but I most definitely am cutting that out over the next several months. Now that I’m going to train again AND I want to drop some weight, saying “no” to an ice cold brew is going to have to be the way forward…

    I am also a bit envious of all the race schedules. I have exactly 2 on my schedule. I didn’t get accepted into the fall race (Berlin) so I still want to find something. To me, you have plenty of stuff on your calendar but maybe you WANT more?

    We officially are stopping with the lottery here. I redid our finances and budget over the holidays and my husband has spent over EUR 1.000 on the lottery and maybe won about EUR 60??? So yeah. No more. My stepdad played for probably 30 years and finally won almost $50K. So, you know, it CAN happen.

    1. Author

      I think we all over-indulged, but I guess as long as we get back on track, all will be right with the world. I really need all these races to keep myself on track. I was lucky to get a spot for Berlin and was already signed up for Chicago. I think they are 3 weeks apart, but oh well. I did Chicago and MCM last year, and they were 2 weeks apart, so it’s doable!

      We’ve also spent far more on lottery tickets over the years than we have won, but you gotta play to win! We have fun with the scratch-offs. I think the most we’ve ever won on a single ticket is $200. Good for your stepdad!

  13. Whew! 3 marathons!??! Best of luck to you this year! :O

    I’d love to win the lottery, haha. *-* I’d get my parents an awesome vacation and pay off my student loans!

  14. Someone just won the powerball a couple of towns away from, must admit I am slightly jealous. I would love to just be able to take off and run all the races lol

    1. Author

      It sounds like we all over-indulged a bit over the holidays. I’m sure we’ll all get back on track…we seem to do this every year!

  15. Wow, which marathons? I need to start getting some races on my calendar – I’m starting to feel withdrawal symptoms LOL.

    I did pretty good over the holidays but I feel like I need to do a detox from the beer and Christmas cookies.

  16. I love the pictures and your race plans! What marathons are you signed up for? You will have a blast doing your sprint tri too!! 🙂

    Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com
    1. Author

      I have Grandma’s, Berlin, and Chicago on the calendar for 2018. They are sort of (not really!) spread out, so I am hoping not to kill myself doing them. I’m excited about the tri, but I need to get in a pool and learn to swim beyond just saving myself from drowning!

  17. Happy to hear you got to spend so much time together with the family, fun times! Finally bought 3 lottery tickets today and yes I will share a portion of my winnings with you. After taking care of the necessities and sharing the winnings with family, close friends and charities, I would invest the winnings then travel to all the places on my bucket list still. For purchases I would buy my dream car a jaguar convertible, homes on the ocean east and west coasts and Hawaii. I took a breather from excersise too but always feel better getting back to the gym 3 days a week. Peroni beer is a new beer I recently tried which I found quite refreshing. Thanks for a great year of blogs in 2017 and looking forward to 2018!

    1. Author

      Good luck in the lottery. We have won zilch in the past month, but we all did pretty well in Vegas! You have some great plans for spending all that moolah! I will have to check out that beer. I’ve never heard of it!

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