A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2014 ended pretty fabulously. It started with the Japanese runners visiting for the OUC half and the exchange program. I hosted a runner this year, and it was a great experience. I loved making new friends and learning about the Japanese culture.

Welcome Dinner

Simone, she's what's for dinner!

Airboat Ride!

Airboat Ride!

Farewell friends!

Then I went to the most Christmasy run ever- the Jingle Bell 5k. Now you may say, what about the Reindeer Run, isn’t that Christmasy? Well…. Yes, but it’s just not as Christmasy and fabulous as the Jingle Bell 5k. It’s definitely a new favorite of mine. Plus, I got to hang out with my main man…

SANTA!!!!

Florida Snow!

Next up was the 3^rd Annual Christmas Brunch. For those of you who really know me, you know that it's, legit, my favorite day of the year.... ok second favorite to Christmas itself. This year it was a hit! 40+ people came. We consumed 16 bottles of champs, 5 gallons of hot chocolate, and lots and lots and lots of sugar.

As if that wasn't enough awesomeness for one day, that night I went to the most fabulously lit house in Orlando with my sister in law, my niece, Mel, Lori and Brayden.

  

 With hardly a moment in between, Christmas was here! This year we went to visit Derek’s dad and step mom in Tennessee. They live in a GORGEOUS log cabin!! Best part was, my little snuggle muffin was there!

She is talking up a storm now, and calls me Momo. I DIE!!

 

After Tennessee, we came home for a day so I could work, and then we were off to Port Saint Snoozy Lucie to visit Derek’s grandma.

After 2 nights there, we went down south to see my parents, my second parents (the Rosenblatts), Derek’s brother Kyle, and some friends. It was good times…

Best part is, this happened...

Now all I need is a picture of us in these amazeballs elf pj's with Santa, and I can legit die saying I've fulfilled all of my dreams (clearly, I aim low).

After Christmas, Derek was back on the road, but that didn’t stop me from having a fun New Years Eve. I rang in the new year hipster style—eating at hipster restaurants, doing a bar crawl at hipster bars, and then hanging around a campfire with a bongo (there seriously was a bongo). In other news, I’ve been informed that hipsters find the word hipster offensive, and prefer to be called Indie… sorry hipsters! The best part of the night was making myself as glittery on the inside as I am on the outside... literally...

I can't think of a more fabulous way to start 2015 than drinking glitter! This year looks like it'll be pretty fabulous-- a trip to Japan, a cruise, being MOH at my bestie's wedding-- all already on the books, and many more unforeseen adventures to come for sure. 

Happy New Year!

Where's Derek?

It's been a hot minute since I've posted, partially because absolutely nothing has happened in regards to the renovating of our home, and partially because a LOT has happened outside of the renovations.

I officially hit my one year mark as an insurance adjuster. In some ways it feels like it's been an eternity and in others it feels like I was teaching yesterday. In one year, I was sent to Boston twice, I got a bonus, I got 2 raises, I got promoted, and I made $840 in prizes. In 5 years of teaching, I got a crummy key chain flashlight.  The corporate life is pretty rad.

I've also recently joined the board of the Orlando Runner's Club. It's been great having an influence on the direction of the club, and helping to make the club better. I also became the official tent person, so I'm at just about every race in existence. If you're doing a race, feel free to stop by and say hello!

Since I have to wake up early and go to these races, I've been running them too.

So.... basically all I do now is work, run, and do stuff for the runner's club.

With 46 days until Christmas, I've also done a little "home improvement."

But wait! Where is Derek's logic and practicality keeping you from decorating before Black Friday? And, hey! All those running photos are selfies. Where is Derek??

 Hmmmmm......

Not here

Not here either

Not here

 So where is Derek? Who knows! Derek is on a new adventure, and this is how he's getting around...

Yup! Derek is a truck driver! He works for a truck owner that is contracted with FedEx Custom Critical. He doesn't deliver your mail. Custom Critical handles high priority loads that require special handling and quick delivery. And he's also not in Orlando. Heck, he's not even in Florida! He delivers all across the country and in Canada.

I generally know what state he's in, or which state he's headed to, but I don't always know where he is. So the next time I show up stag, and you ask, "Where's Derek?" Don't be surprised if I don't know, or if it takes me a few minutes to think about my answer.

Next blog (and I swear it won't be forever until it's posted, because it's already started): Trucker FAQs Answered by Everybody's Favorite Trucker, (that you didn't even know was a trucker until you read this) Derek Goodfriend! If you have a question you want answered, feel free to let me know so I can add it to the blog before it's finished.