Safely arrived in NYC, let the fun times begin

Our flight left Memphis at 0600 hrs, which was actually a 0330 hrs wake up.  Zachary handled the flight like a trooper, I was very proud of him. Landed in Newark airport at about noon.  Headed to the hotel, tried to figure out routes to get around.

Spent some time swimming laps with Zachary ate at a local diner.  Spending the whole day tomorrow sightseeing and then a Christmas party. Then I was informed I needed to get some New York Giants gear for my oldest son. 

This trip has been a blessing and I am extremely grateful for it

Farewell for now long hair

As many of you know I love my ponytail, well loved my ponytail.  I love the ease of not having to do my hair.  For some reason I got it all cut off today.  I had been contemplating it for several months because it was starting to look like straw.  Every time I get my hair cut I donate it to Locks of Love.  This is a charity that uses donated hair to make wigs for children, young girls, with cancer.  Although I will miss my hair I love knowing that a little girl somewhere will be wearing it. Spread the love, and I know there will be a sparkly eyed girl somewhere!!!!
Farewell my friend

That is ten inches of my hair

So tomorrow is the big day.  I hate flying but I have to not show it because this is Zachary's first time flying.  I dread flying I visually inspect the plane, lol, seriously I look for missing screws, dents, or anything else I feel may cause a problem.  It is not like I am qualified to make these assumptions.  It is best that I take my clonazepam and go to sleep for the entire flight. Zachary is excited. The last time I flew was to see my father before he passed away and I was too preoccupied with the thought of life without him that I never even realized I was on a plane.  I miss him so much.

I have a huge bucket list and plan on marking off a few these next few days. 

And a run across the Brooklyn bridge.

Any ideas for places to eat in NYC?

Have you ever donated your hair? To whom?

Do you have Christmas plans?

New York crunch time,

Anywhere I go should be alerted upon my arrival, not really!!!

So sparkly, I can only imagine with all the Christmas lights what it will look like.

Only a day and a half before I'll be in New York City, and I cannot wait.  I plan on squeezing in as much fun as I can. It is the city that never sleeps, isn't it?  I know it is going to be awesome.

I've been working out pretty hard the last two weeks.  Increasing mileage and speed because I have a lot of upcoming races.  Very satisfied with the PIYO workout from beach body.  It came with a seven day supply of shakeology which is a meal replacement shake.  Definitely going to stick with the shakeology as well.  It is pricey, however there is nothing on the market that compares.

This is going to gross you out. Last night I was watching (because there was nothing on) my criminal addiction. Did you know that there is a disorder called ABDL. Ok are you ready for this, Adult Baby Diaper Lovers.  Seriously???? This guy would steal dirty baby diapers and wear them. He figured out that he could buy baby diapers in adult sizes and started wearing them, however kept stealing dirty diapers.  WTF.  I spent 20 years in law enforcement and never heard of that.

Have you ever heard of ABDL? I had not

What are some must see things in NYC?

Have you ever done meal replacement? Did you like it?

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, I love Kroger!!!

Today is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.  It is pathetic that the acts of today's society, for instance Ferguson, have overshadowed real history that made this country great.  

Does anyone else love Kroger? Up north it is Giant Eagle. I love their sales and Friday freebies. Friday freebies is of course on Friday where Kroger gives a product away for free. All you have to do is download the coupon onto your shoppers plus card.  This week was Kraft barbecue sauce!! Zachary puts barbecue sauce on everything. Plus they have awesome sales all the time. I love whole foods for their unique selection of healthy foods, but for everyday needs Kroger is my go to.

Got twenty two miles in this weekend running. The weather has absolutely sucked lately. It would be nice to see the sun for more than a couple minutes each day.

Congratulations to all the St Jude runners who participated in the Memphis marathon weekend. This is such a great cause to run for, I will definitely run it next year!

Do you have a favorite grocery store? What is it?

How was your weekend?

PIYO works, recipe for Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

I'm so excited that I get to go to Eat Well today, I love sushi.  They have these delicious scallops in scampi sauce. I worked out extra hard this morning to make room for dinner.

I started my PIYO workout yesterday, and it works!!!! I was sore this morning which is always a good feeling. After my PIYO workout I went running. Seven miles at a 7:43 pace. Getting back to where I was.

I must admit I am an overpacker, I pack too much. Way too much.  For example a three day trip=10 pair of socks, seriously??? I can never decide what to take so I take it all just in case. I mean it is New York City what do you pack?  I have to take dress clothes, running clothes, and the usual wear. 

This will be me in the airport, lol

As I promised here is the recipe for OOEY GOOEY TOFFEE CAKE they are the best I have ever made!!!!

Ingredients:

Cake:
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix (I used Butter Recipe Yellow)
1 large egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup toffee bits (I buy a bag of Heathy toffee bits in the baking section.  I use 1 cup in the filling and the remaining toffee bits sprinkled on top of the cake.)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9 by-2-inch baking pan.

For the cake: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.

For the filling: Still using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners’ sugar and beat well. Reduce the speed and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. Fold in toffee bits.

Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. You can top the cake with the leftover toffee bits.  Bake for 35-45 minutes. Don’t be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don’t bake it past that point!

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way.

New fitness program, rainy run

"Got my new workout program called PIYO (Pilates/yoga).  It is supposed to help with stretching and toning which I desperately need.  Did my first session this morning and I was sweating, which is awesome.

I felt so good afterwards I went for a run, in the pouring rain. I was pretty happy with the pace. There are actually good people out there a few people stopped and asked me if I needed a ride. When I told them I was running for exercise they looked at me like I was crazy.  But it was really nice of them to offer!!!!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for my trip to New York!!!!  I have planned out a couple runs while there, run across the Brooklyn Bridge and run in Central Park.  Not to mention the hotel has an awesome gym. I am not going to eat like a hog, like I have in the past on trips. I have worked so hard to get back in shape, I am not throwing that out. 

I know it is going to be beautiful there and sparkly!!!

I hate flying, I have to take medicine before I fly, or I will be like the lady on Bridesmaids. Bridesmaids in one of my favorite movies I seriously have watched it over 100 times.

Haha

Going to make a cake that Jennifer Chaffin gave me the recipe to Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake.  I will post the recipe tomorrow.

What are your weekend plans? I am running, eating, and spreading cheer.

Do you hide in the rain or just do it?

What is your favorite movie? How many times have you watched it?

National Cookie Day

Happy National Cookie Day!!!  What a great day to bake cookies.

Came across some interesting facts about eating cookies.

I don't like hard cookies. I like soft cookies like Mexican wedding cookies, snicker doodles, Italian wedding cookies, chocolate chip. Just a few of my favorites.

Did you know that the Girl Scouts will be selling their cookies online this year? How easy will that be?

Adding mileage to my runs this week ran 15 miles this morning. I have been so exhausted this week. I went to bed at seven last night. This is how I feel right now, lol.

Eat lots of cookies today !!!!!

 

Only six days before I will be in New York City