Fun Stuff | Keeping up with Kate

Bucket List – Summer 2013

Posted on May 19, 2013 by keepingupwithkate91

On this drizzly Sunday afternoon, I thought I’d put together a Summer Bucket List 2013 since the unofficial start of summer stars next weekend! (some are already planned so I should be able have some items crossed off my list) 🙂

2 Week Jersey Shore Vacation – Booked
Kohr’s Vanilla Custard with chocolate sprinkles – (this is a given!!) (I should probably put a limit on the # of times)
Phillies Baseball Game – Planned
Carnival Rides – Planned
Camden Riversharks Baseball Game
Statue of Liberty or Bronx Zoo
Island Beach State Park
Go to a Drive-in or an Outdoor Movie Event
Go to an Outdoor Play or Summer Concert
Go canoeing or kayaking (something new)
Lobster Bisque at the Lobster House in Cape May, NJ
Make S’Mores
Hang at the Lazy B
PSU vs. Syracuse Game at Giant’s Stadium — Planned
Read The Great Gatsby (just have to since it is now a movie), Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the Ernest Hemingway books I bought last summer and lastly Forever (just because) (I read it when I was in middle school – like to see it from an adult’s POV).
Play Miniature Golf (been a long time since I’ve played)
Spend time with Family and Friends
Take more pictures of said bucket list items (with people in them too)

I’ll keep you posted throughout the summer on how I’m doing. Anything special you have planned for the summer?

Sleeping with my iPhone – it isn’t what you think!:-)

Posted on May 2, 2013 by keepingupwithkate91

I’ve had my iPhone for over a year now and one of the first apps that I downloaded (based on another blogger’s recommendation) was Sleep Cycle. http://www.sleepcycle.com/

Sleep Cycle icon on my phone – next to the SFDC Chatter icon – yes I had a lot of unopened email! 🙂

Sleep Cycle (per the app intro) – used a wake up phase (30 minutes by default) that ends at your desired alarm time. During the phase Sleep Cycle will monitor your body to wake you softly when you are in the lightest possible sleep state. Sleep Cycle uses the iPhone accelerometer to sense your movement as you sleep. You place your iPhone upside down on your mattress. Mine is always on airplane mode when I use it – not text or email alerts when I’m trying to sleep.

I had a great night sleep Tuesday night – 100% quality! I’ve only had one other 100% night sleep and both times they were days when I did YOGA!

100% Sleep Quality Night!

You can notes based on some of your daily habits to see how they impact your sleep pattern. I only added this in the last 6 – 8 months. Here is a view of what the graphs look like – stress (dah) negatively impacts my sleep pattern.

Yoga and Eating Late have a positive impact on my sleep pattern – stressful day – not so much!

Hardbody/Worked are the same activity, tea is herbal and good hydration has a slight advantage over low.

At first I was skeptical about this app, however, I can tell you I see how it changes and when I work up Wednesday morning I really felt refreshed. Just wish I had a lot more 100% night sleeps – most of mine nights hover around the 80% + /- area.

3 month sleep quality %

You can check out lots of trends. I also found out I really need 7 1/2 – 8 hours of quality sleep – good news is I’m really close to that goal on average.

Average Hours per night and other interesting data points.

I think this is very insightful as I continue to learn more and more about myself and how sleep impacts my ability to function and lose weight. Sleep it does the body good! (or in my case – GREAT)!!

Spring Break 2013

Posted on April 13, 2013 by keepingupwithkate91

Last week, I was on Spring Break for the first time since I was in college and the destination was beautiful Anna Maria Island, Florida (about an hour outside of Tampa). My college destination was Central PA. I was pretty darn excited to be going someplace warm, spend time with my family and just get away as 2013 has been super busy for me so far.

The travel day was a bit of a pain – major airport delays (non weather related). However, I did get to hang with my brother and his family – and we toasted the end of Lent at the airport bar (I gave up alcohol for Lent) – here is my first cocktail – yummy Bloody Mary!

First Adult Beverage post Lent – yummy Bloody Mary

I also treated myself to a last minute 1st Class Upgrade – the downside – the gentleman sitting next to me snored like a freight train – so annoying!

Finally in Florida – Flip Flops on before heading to the Condo – post flight

I’m not going to bore you with a blow by blow of what I did on my vacation. However, I will hit some of the highlights:

Lunch and Cocktails at The Sand Bar in Anna Maria – right on the beach – beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.
View from our seat on the patio at The Sandbar
Getting 3 days on Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach – a great public beach.
View from my chair at Manatee Beach
Fishing on the “Wanna Go” with my Dad and Brother – we caught lots of Spanish Mackerel and one Sea Trout (well my Dad caught that one). Spanish Mackerel taste yummy marinated in Ken’s Teriyaki (low sugar too) and grilled.
Our catch from our morning fishing on the “Wanna Go”

Post fishing beverage

Spending time with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and my niece and nephew
Skinny’s – yum – they post their wait based on the number of beers. Our first order was a 2.5 beer wait – by the time I walked up from the beach it was a 3.5 beer wait (good thing my order was already placed – I did enjoy 2 Corona Lights before our order was up!).
Great burgers, ice cold beer (frosted mugs and a cool cylinder in pitchers) and atmosphere (and 1/2 a block from the beach)!
3 Great Workouts at Island Fitness in Holmes Beach
Having dinner with a life long friend, her husband and my Mom – oh and the food was fabulous – The Palm in Tampa! And we were seated in the Steinbrenner Booth!
Dinner at The Sign of the Mermaid with my parents and the Taylors – food was great and the company was fabulous
Having one last Corona Light or two with the above group at Skinny’s on Friday night! 🙂

It was a great vacation – went by way to quickly (was bummed that Thursday was a complete bust – lots of rain)!

Just one of many pictures I took during the all day rain.

I could’ve used another week as I was just starting to figure where everything was located (and other things I wanted to do). I would go back – very relaxing!

Last Day on the Beach!

Where I’ve been lately…

Posted on March 18, 2013 by keepingupwithkate91

My posts seem to be few and far between lately. Things have been quite busy at work lately (and I don’t see that changing) – I see that as a good thing!

Since November, I’ve been planning for our Annual Sales Kick-off Meeting in Chicago. It was a the Palmer House Hilton – one beautiful, historic hotel. Same place as last year – and they did not disappoint. I highly recommend this hotel if you have an opportunity to stay there in Chicago. Now back to my post…

I flew into Chicago on Monday, March 11th. I was up late getting all the presentations to flow, etc. The meeting started at Noon on the 12th. There was lots to do in morning prior to the meeting. Everything was going great. I can tell you the whole time, I was wondering to myself (and may even have said it out loud too) – I’m not nervous – What is wrong – I’m usually so nervous before it starts and then once we start I’m good. Hmmm – what is going on?

Our theme was – WE ARE THE DIFFERENCE! The meeting started with a quick welcome and then off to our keynote speaker, Steve Gilliland (check him out on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiaQm54ZURM) – he spoke to us about “Making a Difference.” It was great and I can’t wait to read his book. The one thing he mentioned was ‘Prepare Hard and Finish Easy’ – then the light bulb went off in my head – this is exactly what I had done (along with my team)! Long story short – great meeting – great city!

Here are some pictures from the hotel – did I mention earlier? – Beautiful!!

2013 Happenings…

Posted on February 18, 2013 by keepingupwithkate91

I know I’ve been just terrible with my updates over the last few months. Thought I’d share some 2013 happenings…

A quiet Happy New Year
Got to be a NYC tourist to see the Christmas Tree – going after New Year’s definitely is a bonus – no crowds (and had a great dinner at Virgil’s – best BBQ in NYC – it is good stuff).

Rockefeller Center Tree – 2012 – 2013

Met up with friends post Christmas Tree visit to a really cool pub – Cassidy’s Pub (loved the accents – bonus) – extra bonus – walked outside and hailed a cab in mere seconds! (seriously – fastest I’ve ever gotten a cab).
Traveled to NYC for a quick work trip and had a chance to catch up with some work friends – a nice meal and a quick drink at The Perfect Pint.
PSU vs. VT Hockey game in Philly with good friends – bonus – PSU WON!!

We WIN!

Completed 100 push-ups during our Million Dollar Baby inspired workout at BP (such a sense of accomplishment)
Girls Night Out Wine Party – great friends, time, food and of course wine. New favorites: Layer Cake Malbec ($16.99) and Chateau Bonnet Bordeaux ($14.99)

Layer Cake and Chateau Bonnet – yummy

Drove down to OCNJ – first time down since Superstorm Sandy. OCNJ didn’t get hit anywhere near as hard as other areas of the Jersey Shore – still damage -stood on a dune at 52nd street – it was a small pile of sand – in awe of mother nature.
Held our 6th Annual Bowl Over Cancer Event to Benefit THON – Raised $2.5K FTK
Hanging with my niece and nephew – such a fun time.
THON raising $12.3M for the Four Diamonds Fund – to date over $100M raised since 1977. For more information on THON go to http://www.thon.org

Inspire Tomorrow’s Miracles

Have a fabulous week!

PSU vs. WI – 2012

Posted on December 1, 2012 by keepingupwithkate91

Last week was the final game of the PSU Football 2012 season. I won’t go into the details as to why – you know.

It was a cold and windy day (with snow flurries making an appearance too). Did I say cold and windy? – boy it sure was! It was so windy, my canopy was a no go (and I left if there as the wind bent the frame and put holes in the tarp) and I couldn’t get my heater to work. Thank goodness for the group from Altoona and Allentown – we hung out with them to stay out of the wind (and got my heater to work).

It was a great day for a final football game in November – Big 10 Football. We got into the game early as it was Senior Day (a favorite game of mine). This year it was special since this year’s Seniors truly showed what it mean to be Leaders and what Success with Honor really means. Here is a great tribute to them prior to the game and a tribute to the entire team – 2012 will always be remembered in the Stadium not for an undefeated season or a championship but because they stayed and due to their leadership and commitment have showed all of us what ONE TEAM really means!

The game was exciting (and did I mention cold?). Although at halftime I had the best HOT CHOCOLATE EVER!! After lots of back and forth and a great show of force of the defense the game was TIED and we went into OT. PSU had the first possession and put 3 points on the board. WI had a chance to tie with a field goal and it went wide left. The jubilation that erupted in the stadium was amazing (I can’t find the right words to describe)!

The singing of the Alma Mater with the team, students and fans was the best ever! And BOB closed it out with a WE ARE… and he was met with a resounding PENN STATE!

I’ve been a Penn State fan for as long as I can remember. I remember watching the 1986 championship game against Miami – the interception at the end of the game was amazing. Penn State wasn’t the best team when I was in college, but my Senior year in 1990 – I remember watching the team beat undefeated (& #1) ND (at Southbend) on a 13 inch tv with my roommate – and the celebration downtown was awesome! I still have The Daily Collegian from the following Monday. Another favorite was the 2005 game against OSU – my favorite game in the stadium (until now) – it was the time for us to prove we were BACK and the stadium was rockin’. I’m so glad my brother and I were there to watch it together. Another memory is the 2008 PSU vs. MSU game – a great football day – cold, snowy, Senior Day and in the end a Big 10 Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl (and another great trip with my brother). As I remember all of those great games and personal memories – I have to say that last Saturday is now my favorite PSU game – not only for the WIN (what a way to end a season), but because the Penn State family pulled together – the Players, Coaches, Staff, Cheerleaders and Blue Band needed the Alums and Fans as much as we needed them. We fed off of each others energy! And in the end – adults had a chance to learn from some young men – 31 Seniors to be exact about Leadership, Commitment and Success with Honor! For the Glory!!

WE ARE…

PS: Here is a link the the Football Letter published by the Penn State Alumni Association and written by John Black: http://www.imakenews.com/footballletter/e_article002572182.cfm?x=blN4tl6,b2VBTTNL

What happened to September?

Posted on September 30, 2012 by keepingupwithkate91

Have you missed me? I can’t believe how fast time flies. I know it has something to do with getting older. Where did September go?

Here is what I’ve been up to this past month via my weekends:

I started off the month heading to Central PA and PSU’s season opener against Ohio with my Mom. We had a great time – it was an emotional day too. We didn’t walk away with a win – but I’m so glad I was there.
The second weekend of the month was my birthday weekend – where I just chilled out at home, relaxed, had some reflexology and went out with friends.
Back to Happy Valley for the PSU vs. Navy game with my college friends. The group keeps getting smaller each year, but we always pick up like it is was just yesterday we were in college. I’m sure there will be a time when we are all able to get the larger group together. It was a great time, great win, great way to show our American pride – a great weekend overall!
Back to Happy Valley for the PSU vs. Temple game with my college roommates from my Junior year. We had so much fun. We hit a lot of our favorite spots, enjoyed the game (and stayed dry during the little bit of rain), got our picture taken at the LION and as a reward got some Creamery Ice Cream.
Milestone Alert – Monday afternoon I went back to the Nutritionist – happy to say I’m down 11 pounds since May! Wahoo!! He is pleased with my progress. And I haven’t missed out on enjoying the festivities of the weekends in September. PS: Although I am a bit impatient – I have to remember ‘Slow and Steady Wins the Race’! 🙂
And this last weekend of September – I chilled out at home most of the time – watched the game with friends and joined some other friends for dinner Saturday night.

Hope you had a great September – sorry to see Summer go – but if it has to go I’m sure glad Fall follows!

Ready for a fun and busy October!

Peer Pressure Can Be a Good Thing

Posted on August 10, 2012 by keepingupwithkate91

Back in May I agreed to do a 1/2 Marathon. If you read the post you knew that I was scared but had finally come around to reality that I was going to do it. The friend of mine I was to wog (walk / jog) the 1/2 Marathon with got excellent news – she is expecting – so it has been postponed a year. I will tell you I was a bit relieved that it was postponed.

Now fastforward to Wednesday night – I’m out with some friends from Bootcamp. We were talking about some of our Bootcamp peers who are training for a tri and about a mud run some of them have done in the past. Somehow we got talking about runs in the fall and I remember our trainer talking about Beauty and the Beach (and rumor has it they have a great swag bag) in Long Branch, NJ. At first we thought it was a 5K and low and behold it is a 5 mile all ladies walk/run. I checked my schedule and PSU doesn’t have a home game – and we all agreed that we would try it.

I went to bootcamp today and checked with everyone to make sure they were still in and the answer was YES. I registered when I got home this morning and then sent them all links to register. I know at least 3 of us are now registered (and if you are reading this blog – you know who you are – don’t forget to register – http://tiny.cc/brpuiw) for the event. I’m so excited!!

So I jokingly put in the subject line about Peer Pressure and don’t get me wrong that definately helped; however, my mindset has changed a lot since May. I’ve been much more focused on my workouts and what I eat/drink.

Thank You Ladies for pushing me at each and every bootcamp – I love the camraderie and letting peer pressure be a good thing!

Loving forward to November 3, 2012!! 🙂

Names I’ve been called lately – all in good fun!

Posted on June 3, 2012 by keepingupwithkate91

At work for the past year they launch a SprintGetFit challenge. It gets the competitive juices flowing plus it is great as we all become healthier. This time around, I’m the team captain. You can have a team of up to 11 people (we have 9) and they ask you to track weight, steps walked and minutes exercise – you have to compete in at least on category (and everything is private). The program runs from May 14th – July 8th.

One part of the program allows everyone to issue daily challenges. A challenge could be to walk or run for 30 minutes, yoga, drink 64 ozs of water, complete your favorite exercise and even record your results (and yes that is a challenge) (and there are prizes for this program). I decided this time around, I would take this a lot more seriously – especially since I’m a team captain. I’ve leveraged some of my boot camp experience to issue a little more challenging ‘challenges’. Here is an example of one of them: 30 minutes of exercise, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups and 2 30 second planks. Here are some of the comments from my team (and btw I love it): ‘Taskmaster’, ‘Are you crazy?’, ‘Always up for a ‘D’ Challenge’, ‘I hate planks, but I will do them’, ‘Fun for all’. At least they are reviewing the challenges right? And even doing them. It helps me hold myself accountable and provides additional motivation! (I shared the comments with my trainer and she loved it – she even volunteered to help me with challenges – some of my team reads this blog too – hmmmm – maybe I’ll take her up on her offer 🙂 )!

I’ve even put out some easier challenges as well – here was Friday’s: Drink at least 64 ozs of water (not ice tea or crystal light – pure water) and 30 minutes of your favorite exercise. Even got some people not in our group to accept the challenge. I think the team was glad to see I went a little easy on Friday.

Then I posted Saturday’s challenge (which I didn’t get to until tonight): Set the clock for 15 minutes and do the following (record your rounds): 5 bicep curls, 5 tricep kickbacks, 5 walking lunges (I had to do high knees), 10 Jumping Jacks (modified mine), 10 full sit-ups (with a weight) and 10 squats. Rest/Hydrate as needed. All exercises requiring weights I used 8 lbs weights – I just got 6 rounds in! Whew – and worked up a great sweat!

Have a fantastic week!!

PS: Hope you enjoy the two posts in 1 day!

I’ve forgotten how much I LOVE Trader Joe’s

Posted on February 28, 2012 by keepingupwithkate91

I’m not a big fan of food shopping, I think it is because there are certain foods I like but there isn’t just one store that has it all for me.

There is a place that opened up close by me (after the really close store closed), but it didn’t turn out to be what I expected – although they do carry Boar’s Head lunch meat and local eggs…so big plus. So I’ve been putting off going grocery shopping for the week (I do belong to Chef Express so I just need some basics). I finally made the long ride (NOT…it is only a 15 or 20 minute ride) to Trader Joe’s tonight.

It is obvious I haven’t been there in awhile…it is bigger, they changed the entrance and completely changed the store around.

I was in and out of there in 20 minutes or so and made some great finds (and spent less than $50).

1. Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk – $1.69 (usually $2.50 or > for other brands). I was so excited I bought 3 (yes I need to get out more)!

2. Trader Joe’s Horseradish Hummus – I can’t wait to try this…love hummus and horseradish.

3. Trader Joe’s Mini Brie Bites – comes in a 5 pack individual servings – think this would be great on a pear.

4. Trader Joe’s Chopped Veggies – saw this on another blog…great option for making a nice big salad without the hassle and waste.

5. Trader Joe’s Sweet Baby Bells – figure I can use these with the hummus

6. Trader Joe’s Pita Bite Crackers – for a little bit of crunch

7. Trader Joe’s Greek Yogurt – want to see if it is a good as Fage

8. Trader Joe’s Water – I just had to buy this as it was only $0.49 and I need a new bottle for my work-out tomorrow.

Wish I had two other things to highlight…the other stuff wasn’t that exciting! 🙂 Anyway it was great to get re-acquainted with a new friend!