#72: Get a Massage

I have never really had a good professional massage.  I had one in Hot Springs, AR at one of the bathhouses there, but it REALLY hurt.  I don't know what the deal was, but it was not pleasant!  So I added getting a massage to my 101 list...I thought it would be nice to complete a goal where I could just lie back and enjoy it - literally!

As I said in my previous post, my brother-in-law Justin treated Kim (and me!) to an amazing time at the spa this past weekend for her birthday.  I originally had planned on going to get a massage for myself after I completed the Hundred Pushup Challenge, a 5k, or lost 15 pounds, but when this opportunity came along, I just couldn't pass it up!

 

We went to the Rigenerante Day Spa in Leawood.  For those of you in the Kansas City area, I would definitely recommend this place.  It was beautifully decorated, and was so quiet and relaxing.    The sheets were amazingly soft.  They have some there that you can purchase and I am seriously considering it!  My massage therapist was wonderful.  That was the quickest 45 minutes of my life!  I think I could get used to it. :)

After the massages, Kim and I both got pedicures.  Here's the only picture I got of our time there. 

It's not a great picture of us, but it's funny how much we look alike.  The massage therapist asked if we were twins.  She couldn't believe we are actually 6 years apart.  Kim and I decided that we look like 26-year-old twins....not 32-year old twins! :)

This may be up there with one of my favorite 101 goals so far!

Thanks Justin!

Kim's Birthday Weekend

My brother-in-law Justin contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if Trevor and I would want to come up to Nebraska for Kim's birthday.  I let him know that I could come, but Trevor couldn't make it due to a wrestling tournament he was coaching.  Justin was also wondering if I had any good ideas for a fun gift for Kim.  He said that he was thinking of sending her to the spa and that he thought it would be more fun for her if I went with her and we had a "Girl's Day" at the spa.  I told him I thought that sounded like a GREAT idea! :)  Later, he wrote back and said he was thinking Kim would like it if they came to Kansas City for the weekend instead so they could see Trevor too.  I was very excited for them to come, since I hadn't seen the girls (and Kim & Justin!) since Christmas. 

They arrived Friday night and we just spent some time hanging out and talking (and stayed up until about midnight waiting for the plumber to finally finish replacing our gas-leaking water heater....long story.)  Kim and I spent Saturday morning at the spa and then Saturday evening, Kim & Justin went out for a nice birthday dinner, while Trevor and I babysat the girls!  We had a great time! 

Here's a few pictures of our fun time....

Trevor reading to Victoria

Trevor and Alexandra

Victoria

I hesitated to post this next video, but it's just too darn funny not to!  Victoria and I got down with our bad selves to a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while Trevor and I were babysitting.  Now, keep in mind, this is my "dancing with a 2-year old" dance, I don't really dance like this! ;)  Riiiiiiight....

I love Alexandra's face at the end of the video.  It cracks me up every time I see it!

Thanks for making the trip down to Kansas City Kim and Justin.  We love getting to see you.  Hope you had a great birthday Kim!

Week 5: One Hundred Pushup Challenge Progress

 

Week 5 of the Hundred Pushup Challenge was rough.  So rough that we actually repeated it.  In our defense, we both ended up getting sick during the first attempt, but it still seemed like a big jump in difficulty.  It also didn't help that I decided to begin the Couch to 5K program the same week.  I decided that it was pathetic that I would get out of breath doing pushups, so I thought I should start working on my cardio too.  I hadn't done much exercise since before Thanksgiving, so needless to say, I was pretty sore. 

We tried to do the exhaustion test after the first week and neither of us improved, so we just decided to repeat the week again.  We finished up the second attempt last week and did the week 5 exhaustion test this past Thursday.  Here's the update!

Trevor:
Initial Test:	39
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	39**
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	58
Week 5 Exhaustion Test:	63
Steph:
Initial Test:	2 . . .  HA!
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	16
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	31
Week 5 Exhaustion Test:	46

**Since Trevor could do 39 pushups on his initial test, it told him not to start the program until week 3, therefore he didn't actually repeat the week 2 exhaustion test.

I barely squeaked by yet again!  I had to be able to do 46 to move onto week 6...and again, that's what I did.  I see a repeat of week 6 (or two, or three, or four repeats!) in our future as 100 pushups stills seems SO far away.  I have to admit I've been feeling pretty pessimistic about it lately, but then I remind myself I can still do FORTY-SIX pushups....considering I could only do two at the beginning of the year, I should still feel good about that.

How's it going for those of you that have joined me....Tyler, Karen, Jarrod?

#34: Update My Résumé

I updated my résumé over my Christmas vacation.  (Did you know it is spelled "résumé" not "resumé?"  At least that is what spell-checker is telling me. I always thought it was the latter....)  Anyway, not the most enjoyable goal-completion on my list, but I made myself do it. 

I don't think I can write an interesting blog about updating my résumé so I'll leave you with the only half-way funny résumé cartoon I could find...  At least it is an ode to my favorite show "The Office."

#64: Try 30 New Recipes (4 of 30) - Buffalo Chicken Dip

I actually first made this recipe for a Nebraska football game this fall and I've made it quite a few times since.  I just kept forgetting to take a picture.   I finally remembered to get a shot of the ingredients when I made it for our Super Bowl party this past weekend and I just have to share the recipe with you!   This dip is A-MAZ-ING.  It is so addicting, we have started referring to it as "crack dip" around the Goertzen household.

____________________________________________

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients:

- Approx. 2.5 lbs of cooked chicken breast (shredded)

- 16 oz. cream cheese

- 1 cup ranch dressing

- 3/4 cup Frank's Buffalo Wing Sauce (only use Frank's!)

- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Combine cream cheese, ranch dressing, and wing sauce in mixer.  Add chicken and stir until chicken is coated.  Spread in 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until bubbly.  Cover with shredded cheese and bake an additional 10 minutes.  (I have also just thrown this all together in the crock pot after mixing the ingredients all together to keep it warm for parties.)  Serve with tortilla chips.  Enjoy!

____________________________________________

Here's a quick picture of our Super Bowl party...we crammed 19 people into our living room! 

And if you take a picture on my camera at said Super Bowl party without me knowing about it, then you deserve to have it posted on my blog.  You're welcome Paul.