Here’s a little throwback to Christmas last year when we went on our Christmas lights viewing date. We haven’t changed much! Except for Jake’s stache…I think he needs the beard back! Anyone else agree? (Say yes, please!) ; ) I’ve been giving him a hard time about the moustache ever since he shaved.

I headed out for a run once the sun had come up, which was a nice change! I woke up Thursday just not wanting to run in the dark. My hamstring doesn’t hurt at all during my runs, but it gets sore afterwards. I am running quite a bit slower and trying to take smaller strides. I’m hoping I can continue to build a base while recovering. Not sure if that’s possible, but the pain isn’t bad enough to keep me from running. Plus, running is my favorite way to start the day and it’s my number one stress reliever!

Also, let’s chat for a second about the fact that I wore shorts and t-shirt to run outside on December 21st. SO crazy! I couldn’t believe Christmas was in 4 days. Not that I’m complaining! I loved it. That being said, I do hope it snows on Christmas!

Quiche with sweet potato crust for breakfast after my run. Mmmm. I’ve had some acid reflux lately, so I haven’t been eating Sriracha. Major bummer. BUT, this was still delicious and I loved it. Speaking of all my ailments (sorry to be a downer) I’ve also had a constant headache since my migraine two weeks ago. It’s awful. Sometimes it’s not really that bad, but then it can get pretty painful. It gets worse when I look at my computer (which is almost all day, everyday), so I’m wondering if I need to go see the eye doctor. Does anyone have experience with this? I have always had perfect vision, but lately, it gets blurry a lot and the headaches are just always there.

This made me laugh pretty hard…I REALLY hope I get to experience all of these emotions. I don’t want to have to pull out of my marathon. Listen up, hammy, HEAL YOURSELF.

I got hungry again…so I had a blueberry waffle with PB and honey. It was delicious.

I had an interview for my study after my run, then I threw our dinner in the crockpot! I was SO pumped for those pickled onions.

Here’s the pork! And that random floating thing is a jalapeño.

Jake and I have never needed anything as badly as we need these! This is our life.

Lunch was a bunch of leftovers. Soup from last week and the tiny bit of meatloaf that I found in our fridge from Wednesday’s dinner. I thought it was all gone, so I was pumped to have a little bit left for lunch.

Then I spent the next 5 hours on my computer. I got a TON accomplished, headache and all. I am actually all caught up for the first time this semester. That might be a slight exaggeration, but it also might be true. This whole semester has kind of blended together. It felt really good to mark everything off my to-do list yesterday.

I sipped on some Nuun vitamins while I worked. This flavor was grapefruit something. It’s my favorite! It’s a little tart, but not too much. It’s delicious.

Dinner time! Pulled pork, jalapeños, pickled onions, corn tortillas, lettuce, and avocado.

Pulled pork tacos! Mm.

I needed chocolate again. I ended up only having a small piece of the dark chocolate with cacao nibs. I was planning on demolishing these, but the single piece ended up being enough. That never happens!

After dinner, I had another interview for my study and Jake built this in his new camper shell! He’s going camping tonight before a 20-some mile run with a group in Arkansas Saturday morning. He’s pretty excited to camp in this! I was very impressed. He did all of this in like 2 hours.

I’m not a huge fan of tent camping, but I think I’m going to like this a lot better! Can’t to hear what he thinks of it.

While he was finishing up, I did some moves that are supposed to help strengthen an injured hamstring. I iced, heated, took an Epsom salt bath, foam rolled, and stretched after my run yesterday, too. I’m desperate to get this injury completely healed. As much as I know I’ll regret saying this, I miss doing speed work. I’ve been running pretty slow, just trying to ease back into things and not aggravate my hammy, but I miss tempo runs and track work! Trust me, I’m sure I’ll be complaining about them as soon as I start doing them again, but right now, I miss them!

I wasn’t alone for long…Lu even dropped her toy right on my stomach and then growled at me immediately after. She’s so loving.


Then we headed to the new brewery by our house!! We have been SO excited for 4 By 4 to open. We love craft beer and had heard super good things about the people opening this place. Holy cow. They did not disappoint. This is their Pineapple IPA and it is AMAZING. It’s the perfect amount of pineapple sweetness and IPA hops. So, so good.

I have a feeling we will be here A LOT. Jake had a black IPA that he was obsessed with, then we tried an Amber Ale and a Double IPA, both of which were outstanding. SO excited to have this in our backyard!!

Aaaaand, they have free popcorn. One of my weaknesses. Heck yeah!

Here’s where the magic happens. The venue itself is adorable, as well. The decor is welcoming and feels so cozy. Go check it out! 4 By 4 Brewing Co @ 2811 E. Galloway Street. Let me know what you think!

They also gave each of us a koozie. Aren’t they adorable?

Friday is a rest day for me, so I took my time getting out of bed this morning. I plan to sit and enjoy this view for a little bit before getting started on work. I am totally caught up for the week, so after I knock a few things off my to-do list for today, I’m going to start tackling some stuff for next week!

Jake will leave to go camping after work tonight, so I’m having a night with my girls! I’m going to go to dinner with my parents, too! I’m really excited about Saturday morning – I’m going to run and then go to a class at one of my favorite gyms – Physique Fitness! I cannot wait. I’ve been missing the girls at Physique. Then it’s time to start celebrating Christmas! I cannot believe Christmas is Monday. Anyone have big plans?? This year is just flying by. We have 3 or 4 Christmases to go to, so it’ll be busy, but wonderful. We both love having our families so close and getting to spend time with them. I hope each of you has a wonderful holiday weekend!
Happy Friday, friends!
Merry Christmas to you and Jake!
2018 is going to be amazing for you guys!
For Christmas Day we are going to my parents house to celebrate and for dinner, my brother and sister and their spouses/kids will all be there, so it should be awesome. We have 4 nephews that are: 10, 3, 21 months and 14 months.
All the best!!
Dayle
Hi, Dayle!
It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas! I’ve loved seeing all of your pictures!
Happy Tuesday!
Chelsea
Chelsea, I am a RN and would suggest that you go to see your primary physician. Constant headache for days and blurred vision warrants a trip to see the Dr. I get that you are staring at a computer for your work for most of the day and this might aggravate this situation but still this would be my 2 cents.
Hi, Rebecca!
Thank you SO much for your feedback – I will definitely call my doctor. I hate having a headache, so I need to get it checked out.
I hope you have an amazing day!