winter

This past long weekend, we had a fab opportunity to hop over to Madrid, Spain.  Flights were cheap, and friends of ours from Baltimore (who now live in Germany) suggested a Turkey Day meetup there awhile back.

So we were like sure, why not??

Madrid totally surprised me. I pretty much had no expectations going in, outside of knowing we were attending a Flamenco show for Thanksgiving Dinner... and that our friends Brian and Sarah would make better tour guides than we ever will.

Travel pals

I'll spare the rambling about the beauty of Madrid and the surrounding countryside (although I easily could write paragraphs about it) because I think I prefer that my travel posts offer more than just describing the trip, and more of the emotional side of it...

We both packed about thirty ten minutes prior to our cab picking us up for the airport on Wednesday night - I literally was just throwing random things into my suitcase and hoping for the best.  Luckily I glanced at the weather and noticed lows there were in the 40's, and that we should probably pull out those things that we haven't had to use here in TLV yet... what are they called again?

Coats.

Sure enough, the weather was crap.  Crap is actually the word I would have used six months ago... but after 3+ straight months of only sun, and temps in the 70's and 80's, I actually really really loved the weather.

Fun fact that most of you probably know but some of you may not - I really adore winter.  Always have, always will.  The snow, the cold that comes with it, the ice.  The bulky clothes, the skiing/sledding/snowball fights, hot chocolate - I could continue this list for days.

So yeah, I'm missing my winter a little bit.  I keep hearing from locals/people who have lived here for awhile - just wait, winter will come and it's going to suck.

Well, it's about to be December 1st and I'm still waiting, because I'm pretty sure I took the dog for a run on the beach in shorts and t-shirt this morning.

So anyways - back to Madrid. I rocked my winter coat and boots most of the trip, and loved every second of it.  The light drizzle and slight chill seemed to add to the enchanted-ness of such a gorgeous city, and the occasional wet toes were easily fixed by a few glasses of sangria.

Never in my life (outside of skiing in Michigan at age 5) have I gone on a vacation intentionally to somewhere colder; it's always been off to the beaches. But I loved every second of cold, dreary Spain, and it made me excited to plan our next cold weather trip, whenever that may be.

OK you probably have better things to do than read about how I tie my emotions to weather. I probably do too.  Have a great hump day!

Cheers - 

Kait

8 Mile

Disclaimer: this post's title is in no way related to that movie with Eminem in it.

I came to a couple realizations today. After going to bed at 10:30 last night, and waking up unwillingly at 9:30 AM... I realized that 11 hours of sleep was necessary after a hectic week of adjusting back from 1. vacation 2. mountain time.

Yet as good as sleeping in felt, I woke up and I immediately knew a solid sweaty run was in the books for today. So I pulled on my new running shirt that my wolf Leslie gave to me last weekend, and set out with every intention to sweat completely through it.

Mission accomplished

I did. About a half a mile in I was like 'Why not set a goal for this run Kait?' While I knew I wanted to run 8 miles, it felt appropriate to shoot to hold an 8 minute pace. Here's what I came up with:

Of course I started off way to fast because that's just how I roll. Some day I'll get better at that. The last two miles were a slight uphill, and I tired with a capital T. Like possibly wheezing. I tried to give myself the benefit of the doubt by telling myself that I haven't run this far in about 3 months, but I think what it really comes down to is the crap I've periodically been putting into my body for the past ten days.

Time to reign that in a little bit better.

Exhibit A:

Grapefruit Crushes will be the end of me this summer

Yesterday I had a grapefruit crush or two at the beach. I've been begging and whining and pleading with Andrew that we make a trip to the beach before he leaves. Apparently he's a softy because he gave in on Saturday morning, because we found ourselves here right around 10 AM:

Rehoboth Beach

Neither of us were mad about it. It was 80 something degrees, with a beautiful breeze. We laid there.

I wanted to take up this offer, but then realized I can barely take care of myself and probably shouldn't take a precious hermit crab's life into my own hands...

However, I can manage throw together wicked nasty pizza with some help from Trader Joe's pizza dough...

Dinner tonight, plus some wine and a movie. Rainy Sundays don't end much better.

Back to the trenches tomorrow, we've got a full week ahead of us. Whose ready? I'm not.

Regardless, cheers!

A lot of beaching

Insert celebratory Friday exclamation here! Hollaaaa!

Last night I had my millionth 3rd eye doctor appointment of the past two weeks. I was informed that the holes in my eyes are healing nicely (lovely) ... and I still need to be glasses bound through the weekend. Sweet.

Sad Grandma Face

However I really didn't get too angry, for two specific reasons.

Reason #1: I was wearing my favorite shirt at the time...

I make fast look good. (truth)

Reason #2: Andrew and I are going to the beach tomorrow.

anticipatory grandma face

It's funny because a little over a year ago, early morning weekends typically meant we were getting up to drive into the mountains to ski AKA shred some powder.

The good ole' days

Now it means this:

Rehoboth Beach

I expect Saturday to be full of sun, sand, some reading, some country music and a whole lot of laying. My poor eyes, as well as my foot are in need of some rest... and so that's precisely what I shall give them.

Anyone else have a restful weekend planned?

Cheers!