Hello and I hope that your week is off to a great start.

I am doing something very out of my normal routine – writing this post from a coffee shop. I almost always work from home but it was most efficient for me to stop into a coffee shop to do some work in between appointments this afternoon. I am drinking a half-caff, half-sweet brown sugar oat milk latte – and it’s a nice way to change up a Monday!

I just had a mammogram. Friendly reminder to get yours scheduled – and that you don’t necessarily have to wait until 40. This was my third time having a mammogram. My first was at age 33 due to an issue I had with my left breast. It can be helpful to have an early baseline mammogram – especially if you have a family history or concerns. I’ve already received the results back and everything is clear but the test result states that I have “extremely dense breast tissue” lowers the sensitivity of mammagorphy. I’ve always been told this and another reason why I’m glad I have an early baseline to compare to.

My next stop will be into Greenapple Sports & Wellness for a body tune-up and then to the gym to train one more client.

Before I do that – let’s backtrack to the weekend!

FRIDAY

I did something totally out of character for me on Friday evening – karaoked my heart out. It was Dorie’s birthday and she decided it was going to be a karaoke party. To be honest, I was really struggling with some social anxiety leading up to the party. I’ve always had it and it’s seemed to get worse as I’ve gotten older, become a mom and post-pandemic. But there was absolutely no way I was missing my BFFs birthday so I reminded myself of some of the best advice I’ve ever received as an introvert – the anticipation is worse than the participation. 

And that ended up being exactly the case. I had the BEST time and really needed a night like that to cut loose with friends, laugh and be silly. I sang “Like A Prayer” with this group.

And Shallows with my friend Joe (who absolutely killed it and might need to audition for The Voice, haha). It was a blast to cheer everyone on and sing along to all the fun songs people chose.

For my Charlotte-area crew, the party was at Seoul Food Meat Co’s new location in the Mill District. They have rooms you can rent by the hour for karoke and it’s just a fun, big hangout space that is family and dog friendly!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DORIE! <3

SATURDAY

It was a rainy Saturday morning in Charlotte so Finn and I slept in until almost 9a and then stayed in our PJs until well past noon.

I spent most of the morning in the kitchen making a big pot of carrot butternut squash ginger soup and maple pecan cookies.

Finn mostly kept me company in the kitchen and helped with the cookie baking. I was cracking up at his duel screen set up. He was watching YouTube videos on my laptop about this game he love, My Singing Monsters, while playing the game on his tablet.

We got out of the house mid-afternoon for a workout at the gym. My little guy is seriously getting so strong! He pushed this weighted sled a good five feet and then I took the plates off and he pushed the unweighted sled up and down the turf (he wanted to do this because I was pushing and pulling the other sled). Also, his push ups are on point! His form is awesome.

Virginia came over when we got home and we all went out for a walk. It was a nice and needed cool down after the strength training. We kept the pace nice and slow and got lots of chatting and catching up in. (Was impossible to chat the night before at karaoke – it was so loud in there!)

We ended our day at our annual street block party. Finn bounced his heart out and ate half a box of Domino’s cheese pizza while I chatted with neighbors. I took the maple pecan cookies to the party and not a one remained! 🙂

SUNDAY

I didn’t get Finn in bed until almost 9:30 on Saturday night so we all slept in again on Sunday. Benji’s snuggles are the best.

A pajama donut outing was in order. Finn had chocolate and I had strawberry. We LOVE O.M.G. Donuts! I think they’re the best traditional-style donuts in Charlotte. So soft and yeasty.

We spent another morning in the kitchen cooking. I prepped some stuffed peppers to have on hand this week and they turned out so well!

Finn went on an afternoon outing with his dad (we are trying this out on weekends he’s with the other parent) and I set out to get my long run done. Y’all, I ran TEN MILES! It’s the furthest I’ve run since having a baby in 2018! (I did not stage these balloons – they happened to be there right as I hit 10. I think it was a Girl Scout troop or a birthday.)

It was overcast and the temps were in the low 60s. I was never hot or cold. I ran a 9:23 pace which is pretty spot on given my race pace for last week’s 15K. I listened to a podcast for the first hour and music for the last 30. I felt great and am getting so pumped for the Novant Health Charlotte Half Marathon on November 4!!!

My post-long run ritual is always a very hot shower and comfy clothes. I then made a cup of hot ginger tea and waited for Finn to come home. If it’s even slightly chilly out when I run, I FREEZE after runs. Like the only thing that will warm me up is standing in a steaming hot shower for a long time and drinking hot beverages. I’ve always been like this.

Finn and I took a quick trip to the store to grab some groceries for the week. We both needed to restock on ice cream. Finn always chooses chocolate and I love all the crazy flavors. I got into this campfire peanut butter cup ice cream last night and it’s good! Tons of peanut butter cups in there and the toasted marshmallow ice cream is very fluffy and light in texture.

And that’s the end! Time to chiropractor so that I can keep up this fall running that I’m enjoying so much! 🙂

Have a great week friends!

QUESTIONS

Best store-bought ice cream flavor you’ve tried recently? 

Did you do any food prep or baking over the weekend? 

Last time you did karaoke?