Adventures of the Elf on the Shelf Continued

If you're following along in the Adventures of the Elf on the Shelf:  Lulu (which I'm updating everyday so it will become a full list of all Lulu's adventures so click the link to see ALL the ideas) then here are her escapades from yesterday. 

Lulu made Ella's lunch (the boys are out of town with George).  The lunch had a whole Christmas theme complete with a tree shaped sandwich, a gingerbread shaped sandwhich, a reindeer made with a chocolate donut, pretzel antlers, edible eyes and a red M&M nose.  She also included Christmas shaped cheese which she cut out with cookie cutters.  I know this because she washed them and left them on the counter to dry. What a good little Elf. 

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Throwback Thursday: Sibling Edition

Back: Amy (left) and Sara (right)
Front:  Susan and Tim 

So much of my childhood memories revolve around my brother and my sisters.  I would assume that is true for anyone that has siblings.  Am I right?  Tim and I are 18 months apart and Tim and Sara are 11 months apart and our sister Amy is older than me by 8 years.  

I definitely looked up to my sister Amy so much (actually I still do in a lot of ways).  She was definitely the "cool big sister" in my eyes.  I idolized her and wanted to be just like her.  She was smart and pretty much perfect at everything she did.  I'm sure I was a more of a pain to my sister than anything else, but she always made me feel loved.  

Sara, Tim and I, since we were so close in age, went through all the experiences in life at pretty much the same time.  We did everything together and not always because we wanted to.  We fought ALL the time, but when it came down to it we would rally and fight for one another.  

My brother and sisters are some of the smartest people I know.  They are funny, witty, crafty, creative and did I say smart.  Damn they are smart!  My favorite quality though, is that they all have an awesome sense of humor.  When I'm with my siblings we always laugh and have so much fun.  

Even though it's tough to be as close as we once were as children, when we do get together I'm always reminded of how much I love these people whose blood I share.  So many people wouldn't pick their siblings if given the chance, but I'd pick mine.  We all have flaws, and we're all a mess at times, but I love them all-- then and now!  

If you're following along in the Adventures of the Elf on the Shelf:  Lulu (which I'm updating everyday so it will become a full list of all Lulu's adventures so click the link to see ALL the ideas) then here are her escapades from yesterday.   

Lulu turned the milk green and then popped a squat in the fridge so sip some of her green frothy goodness.  The kids were NOT fans of the green milk.  Luckily the 1/2 gallon was almost gone.  

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I Don't Love Running

If you're following along in the Adventures of the Elf on the Shelf:  Lulu (which I'm updating everyday so it will become a full list of all Lulu's adventures so click the link to see ALL the ideas) then here are her escapades from yesterday.

Lulu took some sugar from the pantry to make it look like snow and built herself several snowmen.  She's so sneaky that Lulu.  I wonder what she'll think of next.

Now that that's over with...

I've come to a revaluation about something and I thought I should share.  It's quite simple really, but it might shock you.  Here it is... I don't love running.  There I've said it.  I know a lot of people that LOVE running.

My Pittsburgh Running BFF Tracey: 

My Texas Running BFF Bianca:

My Blog Running BFF Kortni:

Sidebar:  I have lots of BFF so if you're one don't be offended, you're probably just in another category.  

All these ladies LOVE to run.  They get cranky if they don't run.  They miss it when they're injured.  Quite frankly, they NEED to run.  Me, on the other hand, I don't love it, I don't get cranky without it, I don't miss it and I certainly don't NEED it.

Now if you replace the word run with exercise in general then that's a totally different story, but in general I just don't love running.   So now that the marathon is over and I can make my own training plan, I'm not running as much.  In fact, I'm planning on running just 2 days a week right now.

Here's what ideally I'd like my week to look like if nothing (i.e. children) interferes:

Monday:  Swim
Tuesday: CrossFit
Wednesday: Run 5 miles
Thursday: CrossFit
Friday: Bike (spinning right now)
Saturday: Rest or Run 10 miles
Sunday: Rest of Run 10 miles depending on previous day

I think ALL my running BFFs are running 4 or more days a week right now and I think those sickos really do love it.  Even when I was training for the marathon, I used a training plan that required me to run just 3 days a week.  I liked it that way.  I didn't get burned out (as badly) and I didn't, as a general rule, dread the run.

And now that I'm running two days a week?  Now, I'm enjoying running even more.  I might even like it again.  Notice I said "like".  15 to 20 miles a week is just about perfect for me.  So you might be wondering.  Why?  Why if I don't love running do I train to do marathons?  Why did I spend the last several months logging over 100 miles?  Why did I set a challenge for myself to run 1000 miles in 2012?  Why?  Well, I think I have an answer.

I don't think I'm one to ever take the easy way out.  I'm constantly looking to challenge myself and keep just a little bit outside of my comfort zone (just a little).  If something becomes easy, then I get bored.  Why do I want to do something that makes me feel like it's hum drum?  Running is something I'm just average at doing.  Don't go rolling your eyes at me, it's true.  I'm an average runner and if you look at my race results you'll see I'm average by definition.  The point is, there is PLETNY of room for improvement.

So I keep going.  I keep running and I keep doing CrossFit to get better at running.  And I'll keep running and training and running races because I want to be better.  I want to NOT be average.  I want to be proud when you click the "races" link at the top of my blog.  I want to be better tomorrow than I am today.

So what if I don't love running.  There are no rules that say I have to love it.  My name is Susan Tirch and I'm a runner, but I don't love running.

Who would have thunk it?

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The Elf on the Shelf Journey: Lulu (Elf on the Shelf Ideas)

We've had an Elf on a Shelf for two seasons thus far.  Ours arrived in December of 2010 and his name is Sidney.  As it turns out, Sidney apparently got caught up in the North Pole this year.  Apparently Santa needed him to stay back and make toys.  Thankfully, Santa and Sidney were kind enough to send Sidney's sister Lulu to keep an eye on the kids this year.  Don't worry, Sidney left a note explaining it all and I think the kids understood why he couldn't make it.  

DAY ONE

I thought it would be fun if you followed along with the many adventures of Lulu.  Maybe you can make some suggestions to your Elf on the Shelf about how to be mischievous.  Lulu, is just like her brother Sidney, and likes to get into a lot of trouble and do fun things.

Last night she toilet papered the Christmas tree while we were sleeping.

DAY TWO: 

Toilet Papered the Tree 

Who knows what other things she's got planned, but I know the kids are looking forward to figuring it all out each morning.  If you're interested, be sure to check back every day throughout December to find out what Lulu is up to.  I know you wouldn't want to miss our on her adventures.  (I will add a picture a day of all of Lulu's adventures until December 25th).

DAY THREE: 

Lulu took some sugar from the pantry to make it look like snow and built herself several marshmallow snowmen.

DAY FOUR:

Lulu turned our milk green and then popped a squat in the fridge and slurped some milk herself.  

DAY FIVE

Lulu made Ella's lunch (the boys are out of town with George).  The lunch had a whole Christmas theme complete with a tree shaped sandwich, a gingerbread shaped sandwhich, a reindeer made with a chocolate donut, pretzel antlers, edible eyes and a red M&M nose.  She also included Christmas shaped cheese which she cut out with cookie cutters.  I know this because she washed them and left them on the counter to dry. What a good little Elf.   Oh and she included a candy cane and a nice little note too.  Sweet Lulu! 

DAY SIX

Lulu was tired from all her previous adventures and somehow got herself tangled in the Christmas garland/lights.   Hopefully she's back to more antics again tomorrow. 

DAY SEVEN: 

Lulu painted her face and grabbed some Steeler's garb, the remote and some popcorn.  Totally appropriate heading into Football Sunday.  She even offered to be QB, but the Steeler's didn't need her this week.  

DAY EIGHT: 

Lulu Zip lined from the second floor bannister to the chandelier in the dining room on a Candy Cane. She's getting quite adventurous in her old age.  

DAY NINE:

Lulu did a face in the hole in the Lucky Charms box.  This create quite a giggle among my kiddos.  

DAY TEN:

Lulu was very tired and took a snooze in the kleenex box with a tissue pillow and blankie.  

DAY ELEVEN:

Lulu reminds the kiddos to Be Good and is found digging in the M&Ms

 DAY TWELVE:

Ella lost her tooth and apparently Lulu ran into the Tooth Fairy.

DAY THIRTEEN: 

Lulu created an original piece of art.. ok ok she colored in a coloring book

DAY FOURTEEN: 

Lulu on a tire swing hanging form the 2nd floor banister

DAY FIFTEEN:

Lulu decided that all this Elf business is a little tiring and tried to clone herself.

DAY SIXTEEN: 

Lulu hid out in a Christmas Tree jar and posted a sign for help!  

DAY SEVENTEEN: 

Lulu crepe papered the kids' rooms so when they walked out the door they'd be trapped.  She's a little naughty.

DAY EIGHTEEN:

Lulu couldn't get back in the house after leaving for the North Pole 

DAY NINETEEN: 

Lulu sipping syrup upside down in the pantry 

DAY TWENTY: 

Lulu decided to put together a puzzle 

DAY TWENTY ONE: 

Where's Lulu?  Lulu hid out "ET" style 

DAY TWENTY TWO:

Lulu took a bubble bath... ok ok it's marshmallows

DAY TWENTY THREE:

Lulu sent a note to our old elf Sidney and she got a note back from him along with some Hershey kisses that Lulu ate!  

DAY TWENTY-FOUR 

Lulu brought a message from Santa (see below)

DAY TWENTY-FIVE:

Lulu acting a little modest while her skirt was drying in the dryer

DAY TWENTY-SIX: 

Lulu decided to make funny faces on everyone's pictures giving me cat whiskers, George devil horns, Jack an afro, Nicholas a beard and Ella a halo.

 DAY TWENTY-SEVEN: 

Lulu playing pool.  (Don't have a pool?  Try your elf playing ANY game)

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT: 

Lulu left the kids a Christmas present from her.  Scratch off Lottery ticket.  

DAY TWENTY-NINE:  

Lulu was so exhausted from all her adventures that she settled in for a nap on a makeshift hammock

We'll see you all next year.  I hope you enjoyed all the adventures of Lulu 

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How to Dress Your Wife for the Holidays

Now I'm not saying that there are many men out there reading (I know there are some, but I doubt it's the majority), but there could be a certain male out there who is just looking to know what to buy his wife for the holidays.

Now I'm not saying what type of woman would like this, but she's probably VERY athletic (and pretty, and smart, and funny... well you get the point).  She runs, she likes to do CrossFit and she loves to look fashionable.

Now you'll need to dress her from head to toe.  So let's start at the top.

You know I she'll like a good sweaty band.  It really doesn't matter what kind.  Sweatybands are just the best.  I'm thinking she needs the Viva Diva in 1 inch black.  Oh yes she does.  Hello Stocking stuffer... get in my her stocking.

Next up, the Star Runner Short Sleeve Shirt from Lululemon.  I'm thinking purple would look nice.  Anything heatherish would be fine.  Let it be known, if this item is out of stock any similar item will do.

And because it can't always be trusted to be warm outside, then we'll need a little something to go over it.  Well lookie there, The Swiftly Tech 1/2 Zip.  No color other than the black will do.  What?  It's just slimming!

And because you don't want her walking around naked on the bottom then you'll need a little something for that too.  I'd recommend a tried and true item-- The Under Armour Heat Gear Capri.

Now I get the feeling that she's probably not going to wear these socks with the capris, but she'll want them when wearing shorts.  Nevertheless, I'm throwing it out there, just in case you need another stocking stuffer.  Anyway, The Reebok Women's CrossFit Sock will do.

And finally, we can't expect anyone to go around barefoot now can we?  What would look better with the Reebok CrossFit socks than the Reebok CrossFit Nano 2.0 (black and pink of course).

So there you have it.  A complete en-semb for your lovely lady.  If she gets ALL these items, she will definitely thank you!  

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