Hi everyone! Two years ago, I did the 12 Days of FroYo before Christmas. It was awesome! Last year, I didn’t do anything :-P. I would be more than happy to do the 12 Days of FroYo again this year, but I was able to counter the calories with some good long runs back in 2012! Right now, I am just starting to hobble around a little bit without crutches. In fact, last night was my first time doing so! I felt like a toddler taking her first steps! Dr Guanche suggested that I try to do this, because it will engage the hamstring and start bringing some functionality back to the muscle. I am definitely sore now, though, so I’m going to take it easy today.

I’ve decided to just blog about my everyday life for 12 days in a row until Christmas! What am I doing to keep myself from going insane? What have I done to decorate my house? What has Ali been up to? What am I making for myself in the kitchen? Blah blah blah! So let’s get to it!

Today, I just hung out and watched football, did laundry, and worked a little bit on my woman cave. I changed the decor from fall to a more “every season” and “girly girl” kind of look. When I film, I want to have something pretty in the background. To have done a ton of laundry is a huge accomplishment for me right now!! It feels great to have the piled up dirty clothes taken care of. I’ve managed to do pretty well keeping my house from turning into a complete disaster area! Everything takes four times as long as it normally does when you’re on crutches. This particular go around has taught me a lot of patience!

This past week, I was able to put out some Christmas decorations. I was getting so sad seeing everyone’s trees all lit, and not having mine up! My neighbor Anthony brought my tree downstairs for me. It was still put together with the ribbon on it and everything from last year, chilling in my extra bedroom. Look how perfectly being lazy worked out! Kat put up my lights for me on the arch before the party last week, and I put lights up on the rail. Ali’s santa pictures are out, and I have Christmas candles everywhere! Penguins are outside, Christmas tree on the balcony, red bulbs in the coach lights, and penguin mugs hanging above my coffee station. It’s a beautiful Christmassy homey home now!

Of course today, the first playoff game in one of my FF leagues, Aaron Rodgers had to play the most epically shitty game of his career. Zero TD’s, 2 INT. Thanks Aaron. Great timing.

Ali enjoyed hanging out and keeping me company. She likes to lay under the table for some reason. Isn’t she just the cutest and sweetest pug ever!?

I made myself a strawberry lemonade slushy with a pinch of cayenne and ginger as my afternoon snack. It was really good! It sounds weird, but the combo is really nice and refreshing. Don’t worry, I had my coffee this morning. I never forget that!

Speaking of the Colts, playoffs???? Yes! Playoffs! Woo hoo!!!! 

Lastly, I redid my nails with some fresh Jams, and a beautiful deep red color by FormulaX for Sephora. Isn’t it cool how you can use the clear ones alone or over polish? The color is called Ignite. It’s absolutely perfect for Christmas! I am getting better at putting on the Jamberry nail wraps. Yes, it’s tricky at first, and can be a little bit frustrating, but there are so many tricks that you can use if you just ask your rep! Kat told me you can heat up the rubber tip on the orange stick and use it to press the edges down so they don’t lift. There’s also the bag trick where you cover the nail with a plastic sandwich bag, pull it tight, and hold it in front of the heater to seal it. I also figured out that the longer you leave the strip in front of the heater (please invest in the heater-it makes life SO much easier!!), the easier they are to apply. Don’t give up on them if you don’t nail (seriously no pun intended, I swear!) the application the first time. Practice makes perfect!

I’m off to bed soon (yeah right!) Ok, so I’ve been staying up way too late and letting myself sleep in accordingly. I don’t know why I am, and always have been, such a night owl!! 

You guys have an awesome Monday, and I’ll talk to ya tomorrow!!

Happy Trails,

Stacey