Fritz Clan……

Posted on November 29, 2011 by tootallfritz

We did a whirlwind Thanksgiving with the Fritz Clan on Saturday. Drove there and back (6+ hours) ~~without even screaming at each other~~ in the same day. Since mom did the cooking, I was able to ~~coerce~~ encourage a very few photos out of the bunch in between trying to keep Mr. Michael alive & ~~randomly~~ offering my assistance. Sara, Mom & Me:

Everyone thinks Sara & I are twins. We, of course, don’t see it. She is 2.5 years my junior, is obviously much shorter and better proportioned, plus she has straight hair ~~you might have been able to see that yourself if she had washed it but alas arrived with 2 hours of sleep coming off a FL vacay/birthday/anniversary trip~~ verses my curly hair. But we both got the Fritz ~~huge, crazy, crooked~~ nose!

Here is a “stock” photo of us when we were all looking our best at Sara & David’s 2008 wedding celebration – Mom, Sara & Me:

This is Papa, PawPaw, Grampy Fritz……has a million better non-grandchildren friendly nick names too but let’s leave it at that. Michael & Dad:

Michael is obsessed with Grampy, follows him around constantly, sits on his lap watching ~~boring~~ fishing/hunting shows, wants to ride with him in his little fishing boat, wants to rake leaves with him, swim with him, clean fish with him……..do everything except what Grandpa really wants, which is to take a nap. Grandpa works 3rd shift so we really turn his world upside down when we are visiting. But he doesn’t mind.

Another stock family photo from Sara’s Wedding (I’m the one on the far left in case you still think Sara & I look like twins ~~I know it would have helped if she had stayed in her wedding dress all night~~)

And the Fritz Clan wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t attempt to rope in the kiddos and Uncle Jim (Dad’s brother). Of course, I couldn’t manage to pull off a photo of these elusives at Thanksgiving but I’ll dust off another stock photo from Halloween 2011: “Angelic” Alexis (Sara & David’s daughter), Aby, Sara (wrestling Michael into the photo) & Uncle Jim (Dad’s brother).I am going to make it a mission at Christmas to get both a Carey and Fritz family photo…..with everyone looking at the camera at the same time, in the same room, possibly even by the Christmas Tree! Wish me luck!

Do you ever manage to get your entire family in one photo? Do you find yourself running around crazy during the holiday prep to only realize after everyone has left that you didn’t take one photo the entire day? See Misfit Thanksgiving here for the Carey family/friend photos ~~or lack thereof~~.

Cheers, Amanda – TooTallFritz

Misfit Thanksgiving 2011

Posted on November 24, 2011 by tootallfritz

It has become an annual tradition to host Thanksgiving for my little family, my in-laws and a few friends. I ~~secretly call us The Misfits~~ consider us to be a diverse group, we all are part of larger families but it seems that due to distance, the addition of spouses/children, and ~~jackass family members~~ busy schedules we all seem to be solo on some major holidays. I have always dreamed of this HUGE family with lots of people, screaming kids and absolute chaos but it never seems to work out for everyone to get together at one time, on one day, in one place…….enter my Misfits.

Websters may define family as: 1) a group of individuals living under one roof; and 2) a group of persons of common ancestry. However, Ms. TooTall knows that family is what you make it, should be about the people you love and those who are there for you thru thick-n-thin. And I am very happy for my family of Misfits!

If you happen to also be homeless for the holidays, feel free to come on over. I guarantee the stuffing will be cold, the floors will be dirty and there WILL BE screaming children and ~~stinky~~ barking dogs…..but you’re welcome to join us for the festivities! Wasn’t lying about the ~~nasty~~ dirty floors…..this kid had a bath this morning! I really should be embarrassed but I’m ~~NOT~~ busy living life rather than cleaning my house.

My thing about Holidays and Family is tradition. Although, I am somewhat non-traditional when it comes to many things, there are also other things which I am crazy ~~psycho~~ paticular about and like to do every year. For many years now, I have been participating in the Running For Kicks 4 mile Turkey Trot in Palos ~~humongous~~ Hills on Thanksgiving morning. It’s certainly not an easy race and I ~~clawed my way up several hills~~ was far from my best today but was still happy to be out there doing what I love with so many people I love! Kristina H., Nicki T. & myself ~~fresh off a kill~~ with red eyes.

Nicki says she now needs to re-evaluate our friendship since I ~~pressured~~ convinced her to run this crazy, hilly race. HeHeHeHeHe……she’ll be back next year!

A couple of folks from the Frankfort Running Club: Julie B., Little Joe B. and Brian P.

Note to self……start races far behind Brian P. and Little Joe cuz they ~~kick ass~~ float uphill and ~~make Ms. TooTall look like she is standing still~~ run really fast. Once results posted I ~~stalked~~ looked up their times….Brian – 30:10, Joe – 31:34, Me – 31:55….Julie held back with me to ~~push me up the hills~~ make me feel better.

Overall it was an awesome day running, cooking, and I really enjoyed hanging out with my Misfits. I hope all of you had a blessed and joyous day regardless of how you spent it. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

How did you spend Thanksgiving Day 2011? Did you workout, run a Turkey Trot or just chill with the family?

Happy Thanksgiving, Amanda – TooTallFritz

Quality Time

Posted on November 19, 2011 by tootallfritz

I ended up with solo quality time with both kiddos yesterday. That doesn’t happen often. Michael and I spent the day cleaning and running errands, which is probably sounds boring but Michael is a busy boy and needs to be DOING something constantly or will ~~be a total terror~~ get into trouble. Plus, he just likes to be with his mamma.

My lil cool dude…..he has black motorcycle boots too…..must complete the look!

Then Aby and I went to see the much awaited Breaking Dawn movie. Yes, we are “TWI-Hards”….whatever that means. I think it means we are ~~in love with Edward~~ fans. We have been to each of the movies on opening night . And sometimes we go back to see it a second time. I do believe the acting is ~~horrible~~ improving, plus I loved the books. As with all book to movie sequences, the movie falls way short of the book reader’s expectations but we still go to watch even if it ~~is a train wreck~~ has a little to be desired in terms of quality. We both liked the movie a lot and Aby already wants to go back to see it again, plus has asked me a million questions as to what I think will be in the final movie and when it will be out. I tried to be a good mommy and ~~lie~~ answer her questions to best of my ability.

What do you do with your kiddos/family when you get quality time?

Amanda – TooTallFritz amanda@tootallfritz.com

Sunday Funday…..

Posted on November 6, 2011 by tootallfritz

Mick and I picked up the kiddos from my parents this afternoon and we’ve done absolutely nothing! It feels cool to me with wind and light rain so slippers are a must!

Sunday Funday it is for us with movie and popcorn!

I hope you too are having a relaxing Sunday and enjoying what God has given you.

Cheers, Amanda – TooTallFritz

A Local HAUNT

Posted on October 31, 2011 by tootallfritz

Halloween is a fun holiday for the young and the old. My favorite activities are those where we can have ~~a few beers~~ fun AND take the kiddos along. Saturday night we decided to make an appearance at a local Haunt (the professional term for an EXTREMELY decorated Halloween house) where they take the “holiday” to a level ~~of insanity~~ at which most would be unable to afford in terms of $$ or time. However, in order to even step foot on the sidewalk, I ~~felt pressured~~ wanted to make an effort to be festive. Normally, I am ~~a total wet blanket~~ more conservative and would “opt out” of dressing up but as I get older, I also seem to find fun in the “little” things so was actually excited about the prospects. Obviously the kiddos were already set up (photo below of my little pirates: Aby & Michael and my “Angelic” niece, Alexis).

However the ~~old people~~ adults needed a little help. We tried to get creative in an effort to be economical. Aby has been a vampire several times and we have two capes so I thought we could go as his & hers vampires but thankfully hubby is much more creative than and I and he opted to go as my “bite” victim. Funny. I was pretty pale with white make-up, a few blood drippings at the chin and sparkly glitter on top….hard to tell in this ~~crappy~~ photo.

Hubby actually has a bite on his neck if you can see it and loads of make-up on his face and hands to make him look purplish and dead.

And we are off to the local Haunt……….

I must say I was impressed ~~which doesn’t happen often~~. The homeowner, is our computer ~~geek~~ guru and I have known him for several years. Each Halloween, we get an informal invitation to visit the house and attend the SAT night party. Normally, I am out-of-town at my parents and can’t make it but this year I came home early ~~because Grandma was sick~~ to go to the party. I had seen the website and knew it was going to be over the top but the live version was so much better! There was, of course, spooky music, over 200 spiders in and out of the house, a backyard grave yard, a casket with a skeleton and so much more that I could never ~~in a million years~~ do any real justice.

Fun time! Aby was totally freaked by the spiders, Michael was freaked by ~~everything~~ a lot of different items but they also had a blast. The host and hostess were also very nice and accommodating about showing off all their hard work. Kudos to Bob & Family for all that they have done, their creativity and the wonder of their progression from the beginning of the process many, many years ago to what it is today. Lots of time, $$, and creativity!

And just in case you too need a bit of help in the make-up removal department, it came off surprisingly easy with a baby wipe!

Cheers! Amanda – TooTallFritz

Dogged Endurance

Posted on October 29, 2011 by tootallfritz

In order to fit everything into today that I wanted/needed, I had to get rolling ~~in the middle of the night~~ pretty early. I was “slightly” tired ~~since I haven’t slept since I got knocked up with Mr. Michael~~ and the obligatory bathroom-blogger photo showed as much.

A few run essentials, if you are also running in the dark, are pictured below. The Knuckle Lights are a great product which I highly recommend! They really light up the night and the roads, so much better than a headlamp. I am also loving the SPI-Belt since it even holds my humongous DROID phone.

It was soooooo dark. The older I get the more ~~terrified~~ cautious I am in regard to the dark and the road conditions. Today I was at my parents so had to run on a busy road to hit the less traveled country roads. Once I hit the first country road I breathed a sigh of relief thinking I was in safer territory. However, that feeling didn’t last long as I was barely into mile 2 when I heard a rustling in the corn field and “something” jumped out at me and ~~freaked me out~~ started running beside me! I immediately went for my pepper spray since I ~~had been bitten by 3 dogs in less than 4 months at the beginning of the year~~ was being cautious but this LilWhiteDog was not out for blood but apparently just wanted to run. I can appreciate that.

I didn’t anticipate my friend to go too far, usually a friendly dog may run a 1/2 or full mile with me but never more than that before they turn back toward home or get distracted onto a new adventure. However this LilWhiteDog was in it for the long haul. I must say that it ~~stressed me out~~ slowed my progress as I was afraid it was going to get hit by a car or that it was running too far for its lil legs, or that it needed water, etc. I greatly enjoyed the company and he certainly took my mind off the task at hand but I wanted the LilWhiteDog to go home where it would be safe and be loved and be able to rest! I hit my turn-around at mile 5 and he also made the u-turn. At this point, I was relieved thinking when we got back to where he initially joined me that he would go back home. So I ran on thinking that he would be safe soon enough. I did notice the LilWhiteDog to be unusually savy about life on the road. He always ran into a ditch when a car was coming, he stopped and listened intently when a “mean dog” sounded its bark, and he just was incredibly intelligent and worldly for such a lil thing. I was impressed.

We get back to the road where ~~my friend~~ LilWhiteDog joined me and he kept running beside me. We hit the busy road and I took my turn and prayed that he would stay but he followed. I almost cried thinking he would never make it the length of BusyRoad without being hit by a car but he did. And then he took the turn into the lakeside subdivision with me. And then he turned into the driveway with me. And then I closed the door to the house and prayed he would FINALLY go home. But he didn’t. LilWhiteDog jumped up on the door and started barking/whining. Did I mention that the Parents just ~~tore down the lakeside shack and built a NICE new house~~ remodeled the cottage? Did I mention that the Parents ~~HATE~~ don’t like dogs? LilWhiteDog found the patio doors/windows to look into the great room.

LilWhiteDog wasn’t leaving.

A couple of hours later we left to go trick or treating and LilWhiteDog chased my car down the road, then stopped and walked back to my parents.

Several hour later we came home and didn’t see LilWhiteDog but then a lady power walking came down the street with a mysterious partner……LilWhiteDog. I encouraged her to take him home and she laughed. I was packing up the car and guess who came back.

Auntie Sara ~~was strong-armed~~ decided to take LilWhiteDog ~~home~~ back to Ft Wayne to see if she can ~~pawn him off on one of her friends~~ find him a home, otherwise he will be going to the Allen Co Animal Shelter tomorrow or Monday. Aby and I are hoping ~~Uncle David falls in love with him~~ she finds him a good home.

Good-Bye and Good Luck ~~my friend~~ LilWhiteDog.

10.04 miles – 1:43:46 – This is super slow for me but I stopped many times to try to get photos in the dark with my flash which ~~was a TOTAL FAIL~~ didn’t work out, then I had to get off the road multiple times for either my safety of that of my running partner, plus I walked in the 7th mile for a little bit because ~~I felt like it~~ my hips were tight.

“Run”way Fashion: It was under 40 degrees so I needed long sleeves and went with my Nike Chicago 2016 Candidate City shirt which I still wear even though ~~I’m the only one who wanted to the Olympics in Chicago~~ we lost the bid.

And I tried out the new CW-X compression 3/4 quarter tights, which I really liked!

Women’s 3/4 Stabilyx Tight – Black/Raspberry

The Stabilyx tights provide optimum targeted support to the core and knees. They’re ideal for activities with lateral motion such as skiing and snowboarding and for athletes seeking our best form of knee support. The patented CW-X Support Web™ bands together the muscles and ligaments of the lower leg to stabilize the knee and reduce vibration for increased efficiency. The CW-X Support Web™ also harnesses the midsection, supporting the lower abdominals, hips and back to channel power through the core. Variable compression facilitates circulation during and after activity, minimizing lactic acid build-up so that you can be active longer and recover faster.

I have been having issues with my hips and knees and just general lower leg aches/pain since the Plantar Fasciitis has reached the advanced stages. Apparently, ~~I am running funny~~ my form is deteriorating. I could definitely feel the added support, particularly in my hips and probably the part that I LOVED the most was that I didn’t have to pull them up one time! That alone was worth the price!!! I don’t know yet about the recovering faster part, I didn’t have time to lounge in them so don’t know if it really counts. Photo below is “me” not a “stock” photo.