<p>"That is one warm blooded avatar running in such a skimpy outfit mid-winter – brrr! "</p>
<p>She looks exactly like I do when I run indoors. With the window open and the fan blasting! While pigging out on junk and looking through swimwear catalogs. ;)</p>
<p>More mall walking in store for me tonight. Did not expect that we would guests this coming weekend, so need to get some small Christmas gifts for the kids. </p>
<p>Wonder how many steps I walked the last couple of days in my kitchen back and forth making dozens of Christmas cookies…have only eaten a couple so far! (so far) - small wins. 
Had a lunch out with my Goddaughter today but I did pretty well ordering an apricot/feta/pine nut/chicken breast salad. It WAS delicious! </p>
<p>Oldest D arrived today and the house is alive with all 3 kids likely till New Years. Backing my workout bag and heading to the gym BEFORE work tomorrow - when I do that you KNOW I’m serious about trying my best to get some exercise in! </p>
<p>Zumba Gold tomorrow morning! Then time for more cooking as I have kids/grandkids coming in for a nice visit.</p>
<p>DH is working hard Mon/Tues but is off the rest of the week so I expect to be able to drag him outside or to the indoor track. He needs a dog but I know who would end up walking it all the time!</p>
<p>Edit: Wish you could have seen the look on these 3 young guys faces in the parking lot at Kroger. As usual, I was riding the shopping cart like a nut. But it’s so much fun! :/</p>
<p>Dragged my tired body home after a night of futile shopping and wanted to squeeze in a short run - only to find that the non-runner kiddo occupied the Precor. I was happy to see her moving. So I made dinner and will do weights a bit later. </p>
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<p>Wind Challenger has a wind proof laminate layer. Cuts the wind, but not a fan, makes a fleece stiff. If you need 100% wind block, you probably need a hard shell jacket. A fleece is supposed to be soft and breathable.</p>
<p>Fitness fleece, Polartec Power Stretch, and Polartec microgrid fleece are all the lightest weight fleece. I wear this weight 99% of the time. Fitness fleece is traditional fleece, not stretchy. Power Stretch is the same weight, but stretchy with a bit of spandex. Fuzzy inside, smooth woven outside. MicroGrid is Power Stretch with the inside fuzzy part cut into a grid pattern, making it a little lighter and more breathable.</p>
<p>Trail Model is Beans’ name for Polartec Classic 200 fleece – their mid weight. Great for outside, really warm inside. what most people would think of as a “fleece”.</p>
<p>My exercise today was two trips to the grocery store the week before Christmas.</p>
<p>Oh, and walking around an MC Escher exhibit at an art museum and a house tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Manchester:</p>
<p><a href=“The Zimmerman House in Manchester - YouTube”>The Zimmerman House in Manchester - YouTube;
<p>Place was built in 1951 and lived in by an elderly couple with no children. Every piece of furniture and fabric in the place is original Frank Lloyd Wright, as built. Pretty awesome little 1600 sq foot house.</p>
<p>We’re back at the beach for the holiday. Ran outside yesterday morning – about 4.3 miles. It’s rainy this morning, so I’ll have to see if I can squeeze in a walk between showers. </p>
<p>My Christmas baking palooza starts this morning – although I’m not making as much as in past years. Yesterday I made a double batch of granola to give as gifts and got an error message on my Wolf oven. I turned it off and back on, and it was OK. I can only hope I make it through the holiday baking, including Christmas Eve dinner, without it failing.</p>
<p>I knew iDad would comet through on the fleece!</p>
<p>I want to be at the beach!!!
Best of luck on the stove CBB!</p>
<p>Stuck to my plan and was at the fitness center at work by 7am. 3 miles and a shower before I do a couple hours of work and call it a week. Thrilled to get the workout in and DONE! </p>
<p>Okay, Abasket, you’ve inspired me. I have no excuses. Up and at 'em!</p>
<p>Do it Deb! You’ll thank me later…(:))</p>
<p>Overslept a little this morning and only had time (well, I didn’t really have time but I did it anyway) for 2 miles on the dreadmill. It was a little rainy and gloomy outside- but not cold. I’m hoping I can get outside for a few more miles after work so the bunny doesn’t pull away. I’m off work until next Monday, which will help.</p>
<p>Wait, there’s a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Manchester, NH? I have relatives there & elsewhere in NH. Need to put that on my bucket list!</p>
<p>I love Zumba but hate the mirrors in the studio. I decided that, while inside I may feel like a smooth Brasilian party chick, what I actually look like is an older white gringa. 
Oh well, it’s the most fun exercise there is, short of actually GOING to a party or wedding and dancing for hours.</p>
<p>Staying with it exercise wise but eating a lot. All I can say is that it is balancing out. </p>
<p>I’m going to a nice, warm place in January. So I’m super motivated to stay in beach shape! :D</p>
<p>Back from the park. Now to get rolling with everything else that needs to get done, but first a link for Momannoyed.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.franklloydwrightsites.com/sites.htm”>http://www.franklloydwrightsites.com/sites.htm</a></p>
<p>I’ve been to that FLW house in Manchester, IDad. It’s very cool. </p>
<p>Worked out with my trainer today–TRX, Kettlebells, and core stuff. Finished with 30 minutes on the Cybex arc. Did yoga a few days ago and will go to an early yoga class tomorrow. </p>
<p>Have fun at the beach CBB. </p>
<p>Here’s hoping 2015 sees BC, CJane, and Niquii happy and healthy. NMinn, if you’re reading, how are you doing?</p>
<p>Mostly ran with some fast walking on the treadmill this morning, then did some strength training. Visited the doctor to figure out why the fingers of my right hand have been sometimes numb over the last few days, and why one day they turned blue. It’s either Reynaud’s syndrome, a pinched nerve or ulnar nerve compression. Whichever one it is, he’s not worried so I won’t be either. </p>
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<p>There are actually two of them, on the same street, four houses apart. The one I visited is a perfect museum piece, everything original and in perfect condition. It was given to Currier Museum. Tours are $20 on a shuttle bus with a tour guide from the Museum. I want to go back in the summer when the garden is green.</p>
<p>The other one is lived in by the 90 year old brother of the doctor who built it. Looks like it would be a major renovation project. It’s on the market for $1.8 million.</p>
<p>I am glad I’m not cooking Christmas dinner in the kitchen of the house we toured. Gorgeous house, spectacular open spaces, but the kitchen would be a cramped, tiny nightmare.</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.google.com/search?q=zimmerman+house+manchester&safe=off&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=bNiZVNmkNe_IsASX0IC4CA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1680&bih=929”>https://www.google.com/search?q=zimmerman+house+manchester&safe=off&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=bNiZVNmkNe_IsASX0IC4CA&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1680&bih=929</a></p>
<p>Five pound standing rib roast from the local butcher for my Christmas dinner. A side of asparagus with Julia Child hollandaise!</p>
<p>Workouts are just not in my schedule. Houseguests, solo, means cooking multiple meal a day, trips to the grocery, etc. I’m spoiled to be able to wait til 8 pm for dinner if I feel like working out and showering beforehand.</p>