So far in 2024 I’ve been focusing on rushing less, doing less, and documenting less*, and it’s been absolutely lovely. It’s been a slow and gentle start to the year, mostly because we’ve had sh*t weather and are leaving the house less. Hey, I’ll take it.
We did leave this weekend though! We drove to Ames, Iowa, for a belated Christmas celebration with Steven’s dad and brother. None of us live in Ames, but we all went to college there, and Steven’s dad has some family there, so we picked it as an in-between point.
In the spirit of less documentation, here is the only “group” photo I took this weekend.
Each of us are represented with a stocking. Ha.
We got in Friday night around the same time, unpacked the cars, then got dinner. Steven and I both slept so well that night and Saturday night that we documented the brand of mattress when we left (it’s novaform brand, not sure which one).
On Saturday I walked** to the store for groceries and a chai for me,
I think the high Saturday was 4°F
Oh! And I did my first rock hides of the year!
then we had breakfast at the Airbnb and exchanged presents. Steven, his dad, and I toured Steven’s rebuilt fraternity, then got lunch, then explored campus*** and town, then we hung out a bit with Steven’s brother back at the Airbnb before the extended family came over and hung out for the evening.
On Sunday I ran** outside. It was -1°F with a -15° windchill, but I was bundled up and felt fine! But… I also got lost and had to run through deep snow to get back to the trail and added on an extra 2.5 miles. Oops?
We checked out of our Airbnb, got breakfast, and hit the road around 10:45 am! A short but good visit!
We stopped and saw my family on the way to Ames on Friday and on the way back home Sunday. My dad’s mom was feeling unwell and it was important to me to see her Friday, then of course I had to say hi to everyone who was over at my snister’s. That was a great way to break up the 6 hour drive and made me feel a little better about missing seeing them the weekend before!
*I didn’t even post on my personal Instagram until January 19th! WHO AM I?!
**Whenever I do Myers-Briggs I always test right on the edge of I/E, and get an E, but let me tell ya, YA GIRL is sometimes exhausted after peopling all day. EXHAUSTED. That is why I start my day with a workout and time to myself. I really need it before (and after) a day of making conversation.
***I wish it hadn’t been sub zero temps so we could get out and walk campus. Someday!
Good for you for getting out and getting a run in despite those temperatures! And I totally get needing it to fill your cup for other parts of your day – I am the same way, need to get my workout in before I go to work, just to have that sense of accomplishment and the calm feeling it gives me before I go in.
I hope your Dad’s mom is doing better soon
Thank you! Yes, it’s exactly that. You get me!
Thank you, I hope so too. Hoping to see her again this weekend.
Okay, brr. I remember that kind of cold, but only vaguely. It does sound like a fun adventure to get bundled up and run through the snow like that!
It was! And it let me clear my head for the day too!
It’s warmer now! Yay! My lungs don’t hurt when I step outside.
So exciting!!! Freezing rain be damned! LOL
A high of 4 degrees. Dear god. I would have refused to go outside for anything. Oof!
Does it feel weird to not try to document everything, or does it feel nice? I’m trying to do that, too, and I feel very uncomfortable to not take pictures all the time. HOW WILL I REMEMBER THIS MOMENT?!?!?
The sad part is, it didn’t feel horrible because the sun was out and it wasn’t super windy. LOL. The midwest.
It’s a mix! But mostly leaning toward nice. I do have the same wonder of how will I remember, but I am still writing a bit and doing my line a day!
Good grief, woman. Running below zero? You are a true midwesterner. Meanwhile, I was plotting how I could avoid leaving my apartment for days. (In my defense, my tire light ALWAYS goes on in those temps and I hate having to go get air put in them…avoidance is the best option, in that case, right? :>)
Oh yeah, believe me, if I had been home or had access to an indoor track there, I would have used those!!! Best to avoid going out when it’s like that!