Yes folks, we got Tangled from redbox and loved it. The kids love Max, the horse who thinks he's part bloodhound. Yet my favorite line from the movie has to got to be "Frying pans. Who knew, right?"
I did.
A great heavy-weight cast iron pan is good for so many things.
1)Camping cookware of choice, unless hiking.
2) Browning and searing.
3) Getting a little extra iron in your tomato sauce. Non-dairy sauces in general do well on low heat
4) baking cornbread/cobbler if deep enough
5) One stop pan for range to oven applications
6) Pan frying. No other pan comes close!
7) Self defense, (a bit heavy for the calvary though.)
8) Discourages unauthorized cooking by minors. Those pans are heavy!
9) Hate to wash dishes? These pans hate soap.
10) High quality cookware available at fairly reasonable prices. Just shop at Target instead of Cabela's.
Ours is a 12" skillet that's about 1.5-2" deep. I hope to get its 10" younger brother and mama dutch oven in the relatively near future. Even cookware is a family deal.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
I'm moving my fitness stuff to a new blog
Since, I'm hoping for a long-term reform I figured it needed it's own outlet. And the kids are the stars here.
So if you wish, proceed to http://fantasiastichippomom.blogspot.com/ where I'll chronicle my reintroduction to the gym-rat race.
So if you wish, proceed to http://fantasiastichippomom.blogspot.com/ where I'll chronicle my reintroduction to the gym-rat race.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday morning aqua aerobics
Yes, I did just dive right into this class thing.
Aqua aerobics has some pros and cons.
Pros:
1) Most of my mistakes are under water, so who else would know?
2) It's kind of like a cardio dance class w/ antigravity powers. Doing those jumps was really fun.
3) It's easier to adjust to my own "zone" than a typical class.
4) I got to shower alone.
5) Coffee on the way home
Cons:
1) It's in the pool.
2) The times I can make it are well before I'm usually out of bed.
3) It's in the pool.
As you might gather, I'm really not a fan of indoor swimming pools. About 15 minutes before the end of class the chlorine was starting to get to me. I have super-sensitive skin so I really won't be able to do this more than a couple times a week. That and I just hate the "oh brr." feeling of getting in. Add in that I'm about as graceful as an elephant and splash accordingly, riding the noodle seemed almost indecent, and that I tend to "roll over" instead of "helicopter", this class still is in the "maybe I can get used to it category." I'll try, because overall I felt better afterwards than before.
Aqua aerobics has some pros and cons.
Pros:
1) Most of my mistakes are under water, so who else would know?
2) It's kind of like a cardio dance class w/ antigravity powers. Doing those jumps was really fun.
3) It's easier to adjust to my own "zone" than a typical class.
4) I got to shower alone.
5) Coffee on the way home
Cons:
1) It's in the pool.
2) The times I can make it are well before I'm usually out of bed.
3) It's in the pool.
As you might gather, I'm really not a fan of indoor swimming pools. About 15 minutes before the end of class the chlorine was starting to get to me. I have super-sensitive skin so I really won't be able to do this more than a couple times a week. That and I just hate the "oh brr." feeling of getting in. Add in that I'm about as graceful as an elephant and splash accordingly, riding the noodle seemed almost indecent, and that I tend to "roll over" instead of "helicopter", this class still is in the "maybe I can get used to it category." I'll try, because overall I felt better afterwards than before.
Friday, March 25, 2011
.Gym, take 1!
Yes, I got the lovely purple yoga mat w/ kind of matching strap at Target. No that's not all we bought. We now have Gator Golf and a new play-doh set. Both, more than worth the money for the hours on nondigital play they've provided the last couple of days.
So, with Mr. M armed w/ new toys & nick jr, I went solo this morning to the gym. I left at 8:15, drove in circles, parked, sat in my car, and finally walked in at 8:55. One of the longest 15 minute drives I've ever taken.
While waiting for Tai Chi to start, I watched some people cycle, some dancing, and took a peek at the aqua aerobics class in the pool. Aqua aerobics will be my next adventure.
A few things made the pre-exercise confindence soar a bit.
1) Not everyone there looked like supermodels.
2) I'm at least two decades younger than most morning class participants.
3) Diet coke in the vending machine outside the gym. I am not a nice person precaffeine.
Then the Tai Chi peeps were there, and I noticed
1)no mats
2) shoes.
Crud. Wrong prep for this class. But the teacher said barefoot was fine. So barefoot I did!
Tai Chi went sooo well! I was excited, wanted to use my new mat, and not exercised out, so I called Mr. M and asked if he'd mind if I stayed for the next class, "Gentle Yoga."
He said sure, so stay I did.
I'm sooo thankful for my pretty purple mat! I would have hated to give cooties to the next user of the gyms mats from all the tears I shed during that class. Gentle my arse. Appropriately enough the resting pose was called "the child pose." I spent a bit of extra time there and in the "total muscle failure" pose. Especially when the others were in Downward Dog and that other inverted V pose. I have great calves. I can do that L thing. I can do the "airplane." But apparently those thigh/hip muscles have a ways to go. My personal mortification was amplified by the beauty of the 80+ year old lady next to me and how gracefully she could shift from one phase to the next.
After the class, said lady actually spoke to me.
"Is this your first class?"
"Yeah. I haven't been in a gym for about ten years."
"Well, keep trying. I felt that way at first too. But it gets easier. I've been doing this for about two years, and just never give up."
Then I went back to my car and was crying again...but for a much better reason.
So, with Mr. M armed w/ new toys & nick jr, I went solo this morning to the gym. I left at 8:15, drove in circles, parked, sat in my car, and finally walked in at 8:55. One of the longest 15 minute drives I've ever taken.
While waiting for Tai Chi to start, I watched some people cycle, some dancing, and took a peek at the aqua aerobics class in the pool. Aqua aerobics will be my next adventure.
A few things made the pre-exercise confindence soar a bit.
1) Not everyone there looked like supermodels.
2) I'm at least two decades younger than most morning class participants.
3) Diet coke in the vending machine outside the gym. I am not a nice person precaffeine.
Then the Tai Chi peeps were there, and I noticed
1)no mats
2) shoes.
Crud. Wrong prep for this class. But the teacher said barefoot was fine. So barefoot I did!
Tai Chi went sooo well! I was excited, wanted to use my new mat, and not exercised out, so I called Mr. M and asked if he'd mind if I stayed for the next class, "Gentle Yoga."
He said sure, so stay I did.
I'm sooo thankful for my pretty purple mat! I would have hated to give cooties to the next user of the gyms mats from all the tears I shed during that class. Gentle my arse. Appropriately enough the resting pose was called "the child pose." I spent a bit of extra time there and in the "total muscle failure" pose. Especially when the others were in Downward Dog and that other inverted V pose. I have great calves. I can do that L thing. I can do the "airplane." But apparently those thigh/hip muscles have a ways to go. My personal mortification was amplified by the beauty of the 80+ year old lady next to me and how gracefully she could shift from one phase to the next.
After the class, said lady actually spoke to me.
"Is this your first class?"
"Yeah. I haven't been in a gym for about ten years."
"Well, keep trying. I felt that way at first too. But it gets easier. I've been doing this for about two years, and just never give up."
Then I went back to my car and was crying again...but for a much better reason.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Today it's just me and the tweedles.
And for a 40 degree cloudy day after Spring Break, it's been pretty laid back.
This afternoon, I go on the great yoga mat hunt. at Target, because like Target. Decent stuff at a realistic price point, and also because the toy section is just across the aisle from the sports/fitness stuff, so maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to think, sort, prioritize.
Because bribery and blackmail is what parenting is all about. We just call it diversion, rewards, and other warm fuzzy words. Okay, it's not the focus of parenting, but definitely the method of choice of any preschool mother who is attempting to make a non-child purchase while accompanied by little sticky fingers...or get 5 minutes to herself.
Sometimes it takes the form of a favorite t.v. show so that we can shower alone.
Sometimes relinquishing the computer to our preteen so we can start cooking dinner.
In this case, it will be, just don't touch anything HERE and we'll go right over THERE to look next, okay?
Sometimes it works. Sometimes not so much. I'm stacking the odds in my favor by going right after lunch, a lunch I let them choose and make themselves. Full tummies ahead! Here's hoping all I come home with is a yoga mat.
This afternoon, I go on the great yoga mat hunt. at Target, because like Target. Decent stuff at a realistic price point, and also because the toy section is just across the aisle from the sports/fitness stuff, so maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to think, sort, prioritize.
Because bribery and blackmail is what parenting is all about. We just call it diversion, rewards, and other warm fuzzy words. Okay, it's not the focus of parenting, but definitely the method of choice of any preschool mother who is attempting to make a non-child purchase while accompanied by little sticky fingers...or get 5 minutes to herself.
Sometimes it takes the form of a favorite t.v. show so that we can shower alone.
Sometimes relinquishing the computer to our preteen so we can start cooking dinner.
In this case, it will be, just don't touch anything HERE and we'll go right over THERE to look next, okay?
Sometimes it works. Sometimes not so much. I'm stacking the odds in my favor by going right after lunch, a lunch I let them choose and make themselves. Full tummies ahead! Here's hoping all I come home with is a yoga mat.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Texas
We spent our spring break camping in Texas. Most of my kids love camping. The others tolerate it.
Miss D helped both set up and take down tents. E2 helped set up.
Miss D & our oldest helped wash dishes.
I had plenty of volunteers to help cook, but declined those offers.
Something about sleeping in a tent makes substandard rations okay with the kids. We had zero complaints about the hot cereal breakfast, cold sandwich lunch, hot dog dinner regime. Only Si guy has eaten oatmeal since we've gotten home though.
High camp points included:
Setting up.
Tearing down without incident.
Sand, dirt and rocks. (at least for kids 3-6)
Neighbor kids at the campsite across from us for a couple of days.
I had one glorious afternoon of hanging out in my reclining camp chair to read a couple of magazines. I had 4 days of chasing our oldest out of said chair whenever I wanted to sit down.
"Why do you get the cool chair?"
"Who's money bought the chair?"
"Dad's!"
"Let's try again. Who organized this trip? Bought all the stuff? reserved the campsite?"
"You."
"That's right. Now gimmee my chair. Besides, I'm over the weight limit for most of the others."
(Unfortunate, but true. I'm working on that.)
E1 was in hog heaven with Texas warm weather.
"Mom, why can't we move here?"
"Come back in August kid, and ask me that again. There's a reason we reserve Texas for spring/fall camping."
Now, other than camping, the high point of Texas is visiting relatives.
We spent one afternoon at my cousin's house, where the little kids worked on a floor puzzle, and the big kids turned into t.v. zombies...well, digital is banned at our campsite. They have to get it where they can. Me, I admired the baby. Mr. M rolled his eyes and was thankful for his v.
I also admired his absolutely beautiful and tastefully decorated home. Mr. M was thankful for the home we should FINALLY be moving into around memorial day. It was an interesting afternoon.
Another event we attended in Texas was an IMB sending service for our friends who are entering the missions field. It made a big impression on the kids. They'd never seen a church with it's own parking garage, or one that took up two large downtown buildings before.
The orchestra was impressive. It was fun pointing out the different instruments to the kids, from oboes & french horns to three kinds of drums. We sat up in the nosebleed section, where we were surrounded by the organ pipes. The sound board was in front of us. It was a pretty cool view. Besides the awesomeness of the building, the service itself got our oldest thinking about missions, and what missionaries do. This I consider a success. The kids considered the cookies at the reception afterwards to be a success too.
The last two days of our trip were dedicated to J, my oldest son who was placed for adoption. We attended one of his baseball games, and caught the tail end of another. ( Nine a.m. is a time to wake up, not be somewhere for us. We tried though. We were up at 7 that day. Just could not get the gear down & van loaded fast enough.) We spent a couple hours each day on a playground where he chased, pushed swings, and just was a rock star in general for Mr. M & I's six kids. Day 1 was all about the kids. Day 2, we talked quite a bit as he pushed the ever demanding tire swing.
He's graduating high school this year, and moving on into the big, big, unsheltered world of college. He's got great ambitions and huge ideals. His parents have given him the tools to succeed, and his firm faith will serve him well. His plans probably include the military at some point, something I really wouldn't wish for any of my offspring, especially ones that express wishes to have families, but his life was given to God long ago, and God knows what's best for him. I'm just grateful he decided to find us, and that he really does want us to a part of his life, however large or small that part may be.
Miss D helped both set up and take down tents. E2 helped set up.
Miss D & our oldest helped wash dishes.
I had plenty of volunteers to help cook, but declined those offers.
Something about sleeping in a tent makes substandard rations okay with the kids. We had zero complaints about the hot cereal breakfast, cold sandwich lunch, hot dog dinner regime. Only Si guy has eaten oatmeal since we've gotten home though.
High camp points included:
Setting up.
Tearing down without incident.
Sand, dirt and rocks. (at least for kids 3-6)
Neighbor kids at the campsite across from us for a couple of days.
I had one glorious afternoon of hanging out in my reclining camp chair to read a couple of magazines. I had 4 days of chasing our oldest out of said chair whenever I wanted to sit down.
"Why do you get the cool chair?"
"Who's money bought the chair?"
"Dad's!"
"Let's try again. Who organized this trip? Bought all the stuff? reserved the campsite?"
"You."
"That's right. Now gimmee my chair. Besides, I'm over the weight limit for most of the others."
(Unfortunate, but true. I'm working on that.)
E1 was in hog heaven with Texas warm weather.
"Mom, why can't we move here?"
"Come back in August kid, and ask me that again. There's a reason we reserve Texas for spring/fall camping."
Now, other than camping, the high point of Texas is visiting relatives.
We spent one afternoon at my cousin's house, where the little kids worked on a floor puzzle, and the big kids turned into t.v. zombies...well, digital is banned at our campsite. They have to get it where they can. Me, I admired the baby. Mr. M rolled his eyes and was thankful for his v.
I also admired his absolutely beautiful and tastefully decorated home. Mr. M was thankful for the home we should FINALLY be moving into around memorial day. It was an interesting afternoon.
Another event we attended in Texas was an IMB sending service for our friends who are entering the missions field. It made a big impression on the kids. They'd never seen a church with it's own parking garage, or one that took up two large downtown buildings before.
The orchestra was impressive. It was fun pointing out the different instruments to the kids, from oboes & french horns to three kinds of drums. We sat up in the nosebleed section, where we were surrounded by the organ pipes. The sound board was in front of us. It was a pretty cool view. Besides the awesomeness of the building, the service itself got our oldest thinking about missions, and what missionaries do. This I consider a success. The kids considered the cookies at the reception afterwards to be a success too.
The last two days of our trip were dedicated to J, my oldest son who was placed for adoption. We attended one of his baseball games, and caught the tail end of another. ( Nine a.m. is a time to wake up, not be somewhere for us. We tried though. We were up at 7 that day. Just could not get the gear down & van loaded fast enough.) We spent a couple hours each day on a playground where he chased, pushed swings, and just was a rock star in general for Mr. M & I's six kids. Day 1 was all about the kids. Day 2, we talked quite a bit as he pushed the ever demanding tire swing.
He's graduating high school this year, and moving on into the big, big, unsheltered world of college. He's got great ambitions and huge ideals. His parents have given him the tools to succeed, and his firm faith will serve him well. His plans probably include the military at some point, something I really wouldn't wish for any of my offspring, especially ones that express wishes to have families, but his life was given to God long ago, and God knows what's best for him. I'm just grateful he decided to find us, and that he really does want us to a part of his life, however large or small that part may be.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Yes, I'm that kind of mom.
This morning I'm home alone with our youngest three, the 3,5, and 6 year olds.
They are having a blast.
They are taking turns "showering" (aka, flooding the bathroom and pretending they are Noah's animals.)
I think it's great, because I'm that kind of mom.
Yesterday they were playing in their designated mud hole in the back yard. Yes, they have a place where no grass goes, that they're allowed to dig and fill with the hose and play trucks, pigs, adobe hut builders,etc. because I'm that kind of mom.
I am the kind of mom that wants my kids to learn by experiencing life.
I am the kind of mom that refuses to purchase battery operated toys for kids under 4th grade. (Just can't get around those video game systems for the older boys. )
That said, they do get regular turns on the computer on age appropriate internet sites, because I'm that kind of mom too.
I'm the kind of mom that will sleep in a tent for 5 nights so my kids can dig in the dirt in a different setting, but only if that tent site has indoor plumbing.
I'm the kind of mom that lets my kids watch too much t.v. on occassion, or even semi-regularly if they're too young to read...as long as it's educational t.v.
I'm the kind of mom who picks out four books a year for my chapter readers to read.
I'm also the kind of mom that lets them bring home comic books from the library.
I'm the mom with the revolving bedroom door. I've never had a kid sleep with me who's started kindergarten yet. And that open door can lead to some interesting discussions with my nocturnal pre-teen.
I am not the kind of mom who is good at "laying down the law."
I am the kind of mom that allows natural consequences, even when they hurt to watch.
My kids vent about friends, school, and their siblings to me, because I'm that kind of mom.
They say one inappropriate word about their father and they are ice-stared down, because I'm that kind of wife too.
I get up on stage to have flour dumped down my shirt because I'm that kind of mom.
I am somebody's mom to at least half the elementary school, because I'm there so much...because I'm that kind of mom too.
I am or have been a soccer mom, a football mom, a baseball mom, a homeschool mom, a PTA mom, a cookie mom, a dance mom, a scout mom, AWANA store director mom, room mom, stay at home mom, working opposite shifts mom, and more.
I am a mom who has had preschool age or younger children in my home for the last 12.5 years, and still have 1.5 years more.
By the time my youngest starts school, I'll have been a mostly at home with kids mom for 14 years.
And I'm sure there will be more labels ahead, choir mom, drama mom, maybe band mom...maybe not.
It really doesn't matter, because I will always be there to help my kids succeed, because I'm that kind of mom.
They are having a blast.
They are taking turns "showering" (aka, flooding the bathroom and pretending they are Noah's animals.)
I think it's great, because I'm that kind of mom.
Yesterday they were playing in their designated mud hole in the back yard. Yes, they have a place where no grass goes, that they're allowed to dig and fill with the hose and play trucks, pigs, adobe hut builders,etc. because I'm that kind of mom.
I am the kind of mom that wants my kids to learn by experiencing life.
I am the kind of mom that refuses to purchase battery operated toys for kids under 4th grade. (Just can't get around those video game systems for the older boys. )
That said, they do get regular turns on the computer on age appropriate internet sites, because I'm that kind of mom too.
I'm the kind of mom that will sleep in a tent for 5 nights so my kids can dig in the dirt in a different setting, but only if that tent site has indoor plumbing.
I'm the kind of mom that lets my kids watch too much t.v. on occassion, or even semi-regularly if they're too young to read...as long as it's educational t.v.
I'm the kind of mom who picks out four books a year for my chapter readers to read.
I'm also the kind of mom that lets them bring home comic books from the library.
I'm the mom with the revolving bedroom door. I've never had a kid sleep with me who's started kindergarten yet. And that open door can lead to some interesting discussions with my nocturnal pre-teen.
I am not the kind of mom who is good at "laying down the law."
I am the kind of mom that allows natural consequences, even when they hurt to watch.
My kids vent about friends, school, and their siblings to me, because I'm that kind of mom.
They say one inappropriate word about their father and they are ice-stared down, because I'm that kind of wife too.
I get up on stage to have flour dumped down my shirt because I'm that kind of mom.
I am somebody's mom to at least half the elementary school, because I'm there so much...because I'm that kind of mom too.
I am or have been a soccer mom, a football mom, a baseball mom, a homeschool mom, a PTA mom, a cookie mom, a dance mom, a scout mom, AWANA store director mom, room mom, stay at home mom, working opposite shifts mom, and more.
I am a mom who has had preschool age or younger children in my home for the last 12.5 years, and still have 1.5 years more.
By the time my youngest starts school, I'll have been a mostly at home with kids mom for 14 years.
And I'm sure there will be more labels ahead, choir mom, drama mom, maybe band mom...maybe not.
It really doesn't matter, because I will always be there to help my kids succeed, because I'm that kind of mom.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The plan. I think I have one
This is kind of part 2 of the fix me. So sorry for my kid story addicted readers, but really, this IS about my kids. It's about being there for them when they're grown up and have kids of their own.
Well, my other friend messaged me back. She's quite supportive cheerleader, health advocate, and amazing mom. Her first words were "Don't do Bikram. It's really not for beginners."
I'm glad to know my internal terror wasn't totally irrational. She then asked if I'd done anything about the community center.
And today I did, sort of.
Today I took my 3 & 5 year old to the community center to play at the indoor playground. Both on the way in and on the way out they had their noses pressed to the glass of the closed "child watch" area like Charlie at the chocolate shoppe. I consider this a good sign.
I picked up a class schedule and went home to discuss options with my husband.
He has given the financial go-ahead to do classes in the mid-morning with childcare because
1) I am NOT an early morning person. I'm rarely fully conscious before 7:30 am, let alone capable of dressing and driving to a 5:45am class.
2) Our evenings are kinda shot, with church, scouts, sports, chores, school activities, and well, possibly, maybe, a little family time once in a while?
3) For weekends, see evenings.
4) My dear husband is somewhat jealous of his time with me. He feels my Wed night women's Bible study and his Thursday night basketball is sufficient evening separation...really one more evening than he's truly comfortable with. Adding a Yoga class might destress me, but leaving him with all six kids would probably erase that effect rather quickly.
5) More scheduled daytime stuff would probably be a good idea for our two preschoolers, who at this moment can recite the entire morning lineups of PBS, disney jr, and nick jr. (I swear this is only a winter condition. As the weather warms we do spend most of our time outside doing more constructive activities. This afternoon they played for over an hour in their mud hole in front of the shed. Yet somehow, building your own pigpen and pretending to be pigs is not part of the official school readiness program, so again, more structured social time might not be a bad thing.)
6)I'm hoping that by exercising early in my day, my energy levels will stay in a higher gear for longer. Maybe I could get by with 1 can of diet soda in the afternoon instead of 3. Just maybe.
I've done all I am going to for this for now though. The next real thing on my agenda is our camping trip to Texas next week. After that, I'll fill my water bottle, buy a yoga mat and maybe some water shoes, and see how it goes.
Well, my other friend messaged me back. She's quite supportive cheerleader, health advocate, and amazing mom. Her first words were "Don't do Bikram. It's really not for beginners."
I'm glad to know my internal terror wasn't totally irrational. She then asked if I'd done anything about the community center.
And today I did, sort of.
Today I took my 3 & 5 year old to the community center to play at the indoor playground. Both on the way in and on the way out they had their noses pressed to the glass of the closed "child watch" area like Charlie at the chocolate shoppe. I consider this a good sign.
I picked up a class schedule and went home to discuss options with my husband.
He has given the financial go-ahead to do classes in the mid-morning with childcare because
1) I am NOT an early morning person. I'm rarely fully conscious before 7:30 am, let alone capable of dressing and driving to a 5:45am class.
2) Our evenings are kinda shot, with church, scouts, sports, chores, school activities, and well, possibly, maybe, a little family time once in a while?
3) For weekends, see evenings.
4) My dear husband is somewhat jealous of his time with me. He feels my Wed night women's Bible study and his Thursday night basketball is sufficient evening separation...really one more evening than he's truly comfortable with. Adding a Yoga class might destress me, but leaving him with all six kids would probably erase that effect rather quickly.
5) More scheduled daytime stuff would probably be a good idea for our two preschoolers, who at this moment can recite the entire morning lineups of PBS, disney jr, and nick jr. (I swear this is only a winter condition. As the weather warms we do spend most of our time outside doing more constructive activities. This afternoon they played for over an hour in their mud hole in front of the shed. Yet somehow, building your own pigpen and pretending to be pigs is not part of the official school readiness program, so again, more structured social time might not be a bad thing.)
6)I'm hoping that by exercising early in my day, my energy levels will stay in a higher gear for longer. Maybe I could get by with 1 can of diet soda in the afternoon instead of 3. Just maybe.
I've done all I am going to for this for now though. The next real thing on my agenda is our camping trip to Texas next week. After that, I'll fill my water bottle, buy a yoga mat and maybe some water shoes, and see how it goes.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The fix me project
Right now, I'm assessing options for a "fix-me" project. I'm still a member at Sparkpeople. My spark has just kind of been fizzled. With warm weather coming, I get the itch to exercise again. I always enjoy walking, but it's more recreational than anything. So far I've looked into step aerobics, curves, jazzercise, and most recently, been considering yoga. Yoga theoretically can help with arthritis and anxiety issues, so it seemed like a good idea for me to try. I even e-mailed my two most qualified exercise addicted friends with my very serious question, "Do you know of a yoga class for whales?"
One friend did not reply. She doesn't know me that well though. However, the other one, the one who's known me for 20 years, but not seen me in the 14 I've been married, did.
"You have to try Bikram Yoga! It totally kicks your butt but is sooo awesome."
Okay. If it totally kicks your butt, what is it going to do to mine? I can't wear jeans and tie my shoes without bending into the forbidden "w" sitting position. I've seen the rabbit pose. This body is more like the carrot, okay marshmallow.
"It's hot yoga. The room is 105 degrees w/ 40% humidity."
Love you dear, but I'm 90lbs heavier than when you last saw me. Are you sure I won't melt?
"It's a 90 minute class."
Okay, 90 minutes + driving without any kids. Now THAT sounds decadent, luxurious, perhaps a bit selfish though. But I have kids. Even next fall when miss P starts K. What will I do with the tornado?
"We have people of ALL fitness levels!"
Okay, I'll think about it. After I take my six kids tent camping for 5 days next week. Of course, to some people that sounds equally impossible. And I'd like to be able to keep doing what I do, camping, walking, playing soccer with my kids. I'd like to be a walking leader at camp without feeling like death for the first three days. But isn't there a beginner's yoga?
Bikram is pretty hard core. My core hasn't been hard in years, if ever. It's more soft and cuddly.
And Bikram doesn't come cheap either. I month of unlimited Yoga for me is about 1.5 months
at a community center for my whole family.
"But Yoga is all about bare feet."
Ah, hit me where it hurts. You KNOW how I hate shoes!
What to do, what to do????
Feedback welcome. It's been a while since I've heard from some of you.
One friend did not reply. She doesn't know me that well though. However, the other one, the one who's known me for 20 years, but not seen me in the 14 I've been married, did.
"You have to try Bikram Yoga! It totally kicks your butt but is sooo awesome."
Okay. If it totally kicks your butt, what is it going to do to mine? I can't wear jeans and tie my shoes without bending into the forbidden "w" sitting position. I've seen the rabbit pose. This body is more like the carrot, okay marshmallow.
"It's hot yoga. The room is 105 degrees w/ 40% humidity."
Love you dear, but I'm 90lbs heavier than when you last saw me. Are you sure I won't melt?
"It's a 90 minute class."
Okay, 90 minutes + driving without any kids. Now THAT sounds decadent, luxurious, perhaps a bit selfish though. But I have kids. Even next fall when miss P starts K. What will I do with the tornado?
"We have people of ALL fitness levels!"
Okay, I'll think about it. After I take my six kids tent camping for 5 days next week. Of course, to some people that sounds equally impossible. And I'd like to be able to keep doing what I do, camping, walking, playing soccer with my kids. I'd like to be a walking leader at camp without feeling like death for the first three days. But isn't there a beginner's yoga?
Bikram is pretty hard core. My core hasn't been hard in years, if ever. It's more soft and cuddly.
And Bikram doesn't come cheap either. I month of unlimited Yoga for me is about 1.5 months
at a community center for my whole family.
"But Yoga is all about bare feet."
Ah, hit me where it hurts. You KNOW how I hate shoes!
What to do, what to do????
Feedback welcome. It's been a while since I've heard from some of you.
Kids, sometimes they are smarter than us.
My son is more competent today than I am. As in the 12 year old who's still recovering from a two day mega-illness.
I spent 20 minutes trying to open the battery compartment of our new air pump so I can turn our living room into a bounce house...I mean, try to find an air bed that doesn't leak. He popped it open in 30 seconds. Then he opened the batteries for me. Then I looked at the pump w/ the batteries in it, and saw they moved too much. My darling husband had bought "C''s. The pump required D's. Such is how my return from "brink of consciousness" life sucking illness has begun.
He supervised his 3& 5 year old siblings on the computer after lunch. My legs fell asleep in the bathroom.
He has quietly helped me look for the keys to the van, so I could go get batteries. Neither of us has had any luck yet. I'm mentally freaking out thinking "no keys, no van, no camping, aargh."
He just looks at me and says "they'll turn up mom."
I'm sure they will, but when will I?
I spent 20 minutes trying to open the battery compartment of our new air pump so I can turn our living room into a bounce house...I mean, try to find an air bed that doesn't leak. He popped it open in 30 seconds. Then he opened the batteries for me. Then I looked at the pump w/ the batteries in it, and saw they moved too much. My darling husband had bought "C''s. The pump required D's. Such is how my return from "brink of consciousness" life sucking illness has begun.
He supervised his 3& 5 year old siblings on the computer after lunch. My legs fell asleep in the bathroom.
He has quietly helped me look for the keys to the van, so I could go get batteries. Neither of us has had any luck yet. I'm mentally freaking out thinking "no keys, no van, no camping, aargh."
He just looks at me and says "they'll turn up mom."
I'm sure they will, but when will I?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Happy Birthday Princess P
I love preschoolers. I love their honesty and enthusiasm. I love their curiosity and lack of fear. I love how affectionate and open they are, and that they like what they like. The world be damned.
Little miss P definitely encompasses all of these traits with gusto.
She's a determined little fireball. (This goes both ways on the parent scale. )
She's a cuddlebug and a diligent "mommy." (Just try to throw away a stuffed animal in this house...just try. Somebody is going to fish it out and hide it so you don't repeat your "mistake.")
Her first questions of the day are
"What are we doing todays? Are we going to church? Park? Is it one o'clock yet? (Her time for being on the computer.)"
Closely following the daily schedule interrogation is
"I hungry. Breakfast?"
Miss P is a lover of food. Unfortunately not all food loves her.
She's resigned to her fate sort of, except for the milk thing. Dang it, if Si Guy can eat yogurt she should be able to too! So once in a while I hear
"Mom, my tummy hurts." (Sigh.)
That's what happens when you eat ...(cheese, yogurt, pudding)
"I know mom. Won't do 'gain."
She loves companionship, whether human, stuffed, or doll...all are family to her. That's something I hope she hangs onto. That people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and all of us want to be loved.
"I love you mommy! Nigh'"
"I love you too princess." Don't change a thing.
Little miss P definitely encompasses all of these traits with gusto.
She's a determined little fireball. (This goes both ways on the parent scale. )
She's a cuddlebug and a diligent "mommy." (Just try to throw away a stuffed animal in this house...just try. Somebody is going to fish it out and hide it so you don't repeat your "mistake.")
Her first questions of the day are
"What are we doing todays? Are we going to church? Park? Is it one o'clock yet? (Her time for being on the computer.)"
Closely following the daily schedule interrogation is
"I hungry. Breakfast?"
Miss P is a lover of food. Unfortunately not all food loves her.
She's resigned to her fate sort of, except for the milk thing. Dang it, if Si Guy can eat yogurt she should be able to too! So once in a while I hear
"Mom, my tummy hurts." (Sigh.)
That's what happens when you eat ...(cheese, yogurt, pudding)
"I know mom. Won't do 'gain."
She loves companionship, whether human, stuffed, or doll...all are family to her. That's something I hope she hangs onto. That people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and all of us want to be loved.
"I love you mommy! Nigh'"
"I love you too princess." Don't change a thing.
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