365 Workouts: January Check-In

If you were caught in the path of Winter Storm Juno this week, I hope you’re staying safe and warm! We got all of two inches here in the DC area, but temps have been so low that the snow is still on the ground. Seriously, this is the time of year when I just want either one big, major snowstorm or none at all.

Anyway, as part of my 365 Workouts plan for 2015, I’m holding myself accountable with monthly check-ins. I’m proud to say that I've stayed on track so far, doing a fitness DVD or heading to trampoline boot camp every day this month (except for two especially tiring evenings when I settled for weights and crunches while watching TV). But still, that's something, right?

My special Flight Fit trampoline socks with sticky grip-strips on the bottom. 

Working out consistently has me looking and feeling so much better already. I’m down a couple pounds, have more energy and have even adapted from being a night owl to turning in and waking up earlier. Here’s hoping I’ll be able to keep it up and continue seeing results during February!

How are you doing with your 2015 goals? Are you on track so far? 

DC Up Close: Trains, Lighthouses & Sailing Ships

Along with cookies, candy canes and Christmas trees, one thing I especially love about the holiday season is the U.S. Botanic Garden’s annual train exhibit. This year’s display, which featured lighthouses and ships made from plant material, was by far my favorite collection yet. Being from So Cal and having a mother from Boston, I think I’ve just always had a natural fondness for the sea. 

Pretty cool, huh? After touring the exhibit on New Year's Day, Stephen and I then headed over to the Kennedy Center to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. While it wasn't my favorite show, I did appreciate the music, humor and moral behind the story. 

Oh, and how cute is this handmade alpaca I picked up at the National Museum of the American Indian? Definitely a cute addition to our living room shelves! 

Are there any annual exhibits in your area that you love checking out? 

Mouse in the House: When Owning a Home Isn't Quite As Much Fun

Along with all of the awesome things about owning a home, like gaining more space and no longer having to deal with rent increases, come some not-so-nice things, like unexpected repairs and unwanted critters trying to escape the winter cold.  

It was late three nights ago when we first heard the scampering coming from the vent above our microwave. At first, I hoped it was just my imagination or something else, but obviously, it wasn’t. Two semi-sleepless nights and a few stomach grumbles later (I’d been afraid to spend more than a few seconds at a time in the kitchen), a pest control expert came out to investigate.

The only mouse I ever want to see. (via Babble)

Upon checking the kitchen, utility room and yard, he found evidence of one lone mouse that had entered our home. For a fee of $189, he then set up four bait stations, two indoors and two outdoors. If the mouse hasn't already left, it will take the bait, become dehydrated and leave our house to find a new water source. Pest control will come back in one week to check the bait stations. He did say that this is the smallest mouse infestation he's ever seen, and that we caught it early, so that is very good news!

Have you dealt with this type of situation before? What's your most hated thing about being a homeowner? 

New Year, New Me: 365 Workouts

Happy 2015, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed wonderful holidays and are ready for new adventures in the new year. Our Christmas and New Year’s Eve were both fun and relaxing, and today we’ll be heading into DC to check out the Botanic Garden’s annual holiday display and also see a performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

(via Catster) 

Like so many other people, I try to be serious about health and fitness all year long, but sometimes struggle to stay committed during times of stress, boredom or just plain laziness. That’s why this year, I’m launching my 365 Workouts plan and setting a goal to be physically active every day, whether by heading to a Flight Fit trampoline class, doing a Jillian Michaels DVD, going out for a walk when the weather is warm or even just lifting hand-weights while watching TV after dinner.

I already got a positive jump-start toward the end of 2014, and have seen definite improvements in the way I look and feel. Here’s hoping those improvements will continue into 2015. Now, who’s with me? 

What are your goals for 2015?