Ultimate coffee date

First Coffee Date of 2015!

January 3, 2015 by Michelle 25 Comments

Happy New Year! It’s the first Saturday of the month/year so grab a cup of your favorite tea, cocoa or coffee and join in for the Ultimate Coffee Date!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that it’s been a great Christmas break around the RWA house! It’s been a great stretch filled with lots laughs, food, family and good times. Going to the Nutcracker and watching my youngest son & his hockey team skate at the Bruins game on New Year’s eve were definite highlights!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that my family listened to my ~~not so~~ subtle hints and loaded me up with some great gear from Athleta and a new Garmin 10 for Christmas!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I managed to strain my left medial meniscus just over a week ago (and on the bike no less!). Since then I’ve been diligently doing my PT exercises, leg strength workouts from the trainer, and icing and rolling like it’s my job. The good news is I can get back to running next week!

Source

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’ve decided I want to return to keeping a training journal. After looking at many different ones I settled on the Believe Training Journal by Lauren Fleshman and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas. I love that it’s more than a straightforward training log – it offers goal setting and race day worksheets, motivational quotes, tips on nutrition and training (both physical and mental), and lots of space for reflection. I think the holistic approach will work well for me.

I’m linking up with Coco, Lynda and Deborah so be sure to stop by and check out all the great posts.

If we were having coffee together, what would you tell me?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

Ultimate Coffee Date: December Edition

December 6, 2014 by Michelle 20 Comments

It’s the first Saturday of the month so it’s time once again for the Ultimate Coffee Date! This morning I’m happy to be linking up with Coco, Lynda and Deborah. This is always one of my favorite link-ups – it’s a great time to catch up, so grab a mug and pull up a chair!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’ve started working out with a trainer. I had my first session yesterday and it was a killer…but in a good way! She’s created a great plan for me to help strengthen my trouble zones and correct the imbalance between my left and right sides. Hopefully working with Stacey, combined with the work I’m doing on my own, will put me in good shape come spring.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I’ve been thinking a lot about which races I want to do next year. I’ve made no secret of my love of the 10-miler, so I’m going try to run more of them in 2015. There are three races in the area and I’ve decided to throw my hat into the Cherry Blossom lottery. I will definitely take on a half marathon or two, but I’m leaning towards holding off until the fall.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you we’re starting Christmas cookie baking in our house this weekend. Pecan balls, peanutbutter blossoms, rum balls, coffee-cashew biscotti and the classic sugar cookie are some of our faves. But, I’m itching to try something new – do you have a favorite?

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I just got tickets for J, the boys and I to see the Nutcracker over the school break. I took my oldest son a couple of years ago and we had so much fun. I’m really looking forward to all of us going!

If we were having coffee together, what would you tell me? Any good cookie recipes to share?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

November’s Ultimate Coffee Date

November 1, 2014 by Michelle 12 Comments

It’s the first Saturday of the month so that means it’s time to join in on the Ultimate Coffee Date! This month I’m linking up with Coco at Running with Perseverance. This is always a great time to catch up, so grab a mug and pull up a chair!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I started a new job last month! It’s a long-term consulting gig with a nonprofit – first time for me working in the nonprofit arena. It’s part-time hours and I can work from my home office – huge win!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that with the new job I’ve needed to shift my running time to o’dark thirty and boy am I struggling to get my face out of the pillow! Except for summer months, when I head out uber-early to beat the heat, I usually don’t run until post-school bus/mid-morning. But now I need to be out and back before my kids (and the sun!) are up.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that since I’ve made my decision about Philly, running has become a lot less stressful for me – definitely a sign that it was the right decision.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that our family is doing “30 Days of Thankful” where each day everyone will share at least one thing they’re thankful for. I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately, especially where my kids are concerned. As we head into the season of consumerism on overdrive (aka the holidays), I’m hoping to help them strike a balance.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I haven’t been able to comment on other blogs for almost a week. So frustrating! I’ve been working with Akismet so my posts are flagged as spam. They keep telling me that they’ve fixed it but it’s still not working. So please know that I’m not being rude – hopefully I’ll be back to commenting soon 🙂 .

If we were having coffee together what would you tell me?

Filed Under: early morning runs, gratitude, Ultimate coffee date

September’s Ultimate Coffee Date

September 6, 2014 by Michelle 10 Comments

It’s the first Saturday of the month which means it’s time again for the Ultimate Coffee Date! So grab your favorite morning beverage and let’s catch up for a bit!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I just finished a nine mile run and good grief was it hard. The humidity was just soul-sucking…but on the good side my ITB gave me no trouble!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that my boys went back to school this week so we’re s-l-o-w-l-y adjusting to the new schedule. I must admit I’m enjoying how quiet the house is in the morning!

If we were having coffee together, I’d also tell you that it only took a couple of days to fill our kitchen calendar with a sea of school events, sports practices and games!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we’re in middle of home renovations – when you live in a 100+ year old house something always needs renovation 😉 I’m happy to be getting the mudroom we so desperately need!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I find home renovations addictive. I’m a DIY Network junkie and I’m already eyeing our next project – the upstairs bath!

Speaking of which I should get ready to go and see if I can help out!

If we were having coffee together what would you tell me?

Filed Under: back to school, home renovations, Ultimate coffee date

Ultimate Coffee Date – August

August 2, 2014 by Michelle 22 Comments

This morning I’m happy to be linking up once again with Jill, Nikki and Lynda for the Ultimate Coffee Date. I missed the last two Coffee Dates thanks to vacation in June and the 4th holiday weekend, but I’m so glad we could catch up for a cup this morning!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I cannot believe how fast July flew by! It was a great month filled with lots of time spent with friends and family – I’m looking forward to August bringing more of the same!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you after eyeing the Nike Studio Wraps online I was very happy to find these at a Nike outlet for a fraction of the cost! Can’t wait to try them out in Wednesday’s Pilates Barre class.

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that I haven’t been sleeping very well lately. Unfortunately, I go through bouts of insomnia from time to time. I have no problem crashing at night, just can’t stay asleep. Thank goodness for coffee 😉

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we’re in the middle of a flurry of family birthdays. We celebrated my youngest’s son’s birthday at the Red Sox game last week. My birthday is Monday, my oldest son’s is later this week and then my husband J’s is a little later this month!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you that we’re driving to Maine today to look at a potential sleep-away camp for my oldest son for next summer. I will admit that the thought of a sleep-away camp unnerves me just a little – I remind myself that we’re just looking.

In fact, I’m sorry to cut our coffee time short, but I need to get everyone organized so we can get on the road!

If we were having coffee together what would you tell me?

Filed Under: Ultimate coffee date

Coffee Date – May edition

May 3, 2014 by Michelle 17 Comments

It’s the first Saturday of the month so it’s time once again for the Ultimate Coffee Date link-up!

I’m back from this morning’s run, so pull up a mug and join me….

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you how excited I am for the month of May! While the schedule will definitely get a little crazy at times, there’s a lot of fun stuff planned – and the weather’s finally starting to feel like spring!

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you I started Shaun T’s Focus T25 this week and it is challenging for sure as I adjust to adding it in with my running and Pilates classes — but I’m loving it and think I’ll be stronger for doing it.

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you I spent a fun morning with my mom yesterday at my favorite nursery and I cannot wait to get to work in my garden.

A sample of the plants I picked up!

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that a lacrosse obsession has firmly taken hold in my house! My oldest is playing on two teams and my youngest son is playing for the first time. My husband is coaching plus playing in his own league. And every weekend, I feel like my television is permanently tuned to ESPNU which always has the best college match-ups. The MML season has just gotten underway and my boys have been begging for us to get some Boston Cannons’ tickets — Yes it’s a full-on obsession around here!

If we were having coffee together, I’d tell you I’d tell you I’ve got 34 days until our family vacation 🙂

If we were having coffee together, what would you tell me?

Filed Under: gardening, general musings, Lacrosse, Ultimate coffee date

Let’s grab coffee together!

April 5, 2014 by Michelle 21 Comments

This morning I’m happy to be linking up with Jill, Nikki and Lynda for the first monthly Ultimate Coffee Date!

I have always enjoyed reading virtual coffee date posts – they’re a fun way to connect and share with others. Who doesn’t enjoy catching up with friends over coffee or tea? (Okay, wine works too but it’s a little early in the day for that!) So pull up a mug and join me….

If we were having coffee together I would tell you that this morning’s recovery run did not go well. I feel like my running continues to be up and down and all over the place – the inconsistency is frustrating!

If we were having coffee together I would tell you that while I’m thrilled that spring is finally here, I feel a little panicked every time I look at our family’s calendar. There’s very little white space happening!

If we were having coffee together I would tell you that I just booked our family vacation for June, which makes looking at our crazy calendar a little easier 🙂

If we were having coffee together I would tell you that parenting a middle schooler is really hard some days.

If we were having coffee together I would tell you that I haven’t read a good book in ages and ask you for some suggestions.

If we were having coffee together I would tell you that I’ve fallen off the meditation bandwagon and can tell I need to climb back on. I feel so much more centered and present when I practice meditation – helps to keep my Type A personality a bit more mellowed.

If we were having coffee together I would tell you how much I’m looking forward to getting together with friends for dinner tonight. We always have such a good time – there will be a lot of laughter…and probably a lot of wine 😉

If we were having coffee together, what would you tell me?

Filed Under: general musings, Ultimate coffee date