Working Out How to Work it Out

I had a good day today. I didn't win the lottery. But I did get something for free.

First off, my foot is injured - the arch - and I've been resting it. It's tough. I like to do bouncy, cardio exercise classes. I've been grounded! gmmmff. Although I did what I could in class. I modified my bouncy movements with others- mostly squat stuff (tougher on the legs, easier on the joints). At any rate, it's irksome being injured and has dampened my mood. For those of you who work out regularly, being told to "rest" is the kiss of death! Anything but that.

Today after the gym I shopped with my buddy and fellow strongwoman , Emily Haight (keep kickin' butt Em), for some parting Preschool/Kindergarten class gifts. We hit the local dollar store and scoured for items that fit a "beach" theme. We scored! On the way out, a postman in a truck took care to let me know that the star I was wearing was the nicest star he's seen in awhile. Thanks, I said. Then I realized he was talking about my booty. (Duh, I need to get out more often). Sidebar: I made the shorts for my first Turbo Kick audition so I'd be easily noticed by those whom I was instructing (women).
I thought it would be a fun bucket stuffer for the kids to get a free lunch at a neighborhood sandwich shop. After Ais and I had lunch, I waited for the counter to clear and then asked for the owner, who was not there, then asked the manager if they would donate 37 kid lunch certificates for a PreK and K graduation gift bucket. They said "sure, I'll have it for you Thursday after 5." Wow, that was easy as pie! Easier. So snaps to Costello's Sandwich Shop in Lincoln Square for being so generous. I'd like to remind you all that they also generously donated sandwiches and kids meals back when we did The Amazing Mama Race! (I miss Rox). Patronize them. The meatball sandwich is my favorite.

Let there be cow.... costumes!

Reach for the sky! I'm not holding you up Gunsmoke style. Now that I have your attention!

My life, lately, has been just a crazy, dense mass of new things and projects with deadlines. Too busy. A friend Facebooked me a one sentence qauestion. I gave him a 4 paragraph reply. Ugh, am I due for a blog post! I do like to remain busy and love new experiences, even if they often scare the tar outta me. You never really find the courage, you just go for it and gain confidence. But initially it's all guts. I digress (again).

I realized I was waaay too busy when I started feeling anxious because life would happen and I couldn't follow my plan scheduled. So I'm cutting back. The kids will soon be out of school and my personal time will be even less. One fun thing I had the opportunity to do was make 13 cow costumes! I dug back into my pattern making arsenal and created a great pattern for said costume. I shopped the fabric, made the pattern, trued the pattern, cut fabric, stitched the costumes together, hot glued on a zillion sparkly cow spots and pink bellies - and sewed the perimeter of each hem with a little tutu. Only after making 8 of them did I realize that the base garment can be made from an over sized tee shirt with the sleeves cut off. Whole lot cheaper too! To my credit, I didn't buy more base fabric I merely ordered tees and followed my revised plan. I had to aggressively starch the tees so they firmed up a bit. I felt like June Cleaver and was thankful for the slave-wage technology that brings non-iron button down shirts. What a Killer App!

Indigo's play is this Thursday and all the costume bits and pieces are in. They are cute, they are comfortable. Most importantly, they are done! Next! More exciting adventures and new experiences to tell ya about. So stay tuned. There's a big philosophical one coming to start chilling your beers.

P.S. The "Wackadoo Zoo" Primary grades Operetta was a sell out, smashing success. They received a standing ovation. I must say I was impressed with the vocal projection! Way to sing it loud and proud kids! I,especially, grew quite fond of a little calf in the side front, small than the others, who so convincingly acted kitty-like (that was their shtick). A kitty-calf! Indigo is a shining gem in my crown of life. I love her so much and am so proud!

I Want to Be Exceptional

I want to be exceptional. Don't we all? Well there is a journey that needs to occur in order to get there. Otherwise we haven't paid our dues and don't deserve to be there. And can we actually claim that we get "it" unless we've had to jump some hurdles along the way or flubbed an opportunity? It's the big picture that counts. It's how we handle our losses that differentiate exceptional from ordinary.

One of my short term goals is to become a group fitness instructor. I really like exercise, working hard is my personal gift. I also like exercising with other people and encouraging them. Getting an extra squat jump out of someone ready to give up. Getting unfit people to move and enjoy their movements! From an employment perspective, the job doesn't pay much. However, there is a lot of job satisfaction. We can philosophize about the ratio of job unhappiness with compensation later. For now, it's about me. Because it's my blog.

I had my very first group fitness audition ever. I practiced and practiced. I showed up on time., made special shorts with a star on my booty so I'm easy to see. I showed up for the audition waaaaaaay more nervous than any time in my life. I have other stressors going on in my life and I thought that if I bombed that everything else would fall apart. It still might. I haven't ruled that out. But I digress (as usual). How did I do? I was asked to "practice and come back next week". Chris Silva, Women's Workout World Area Fitness Director was a class act. She, convincingly, told me what they were looking for and that I had great potential. So I didn't completely flop. I just need to clarify to her that I can indeed lead my own class. That's a huge responsibility and in my opinion a GREAT opportunity. If I nail this I can build the credibility I need to reach out to woman and men about fitness and self esteem in general. It's a natural fit for me. It's a journey.

The photos were taken right after my audition (I was sweaty) but it's real. That's a real smile on my face - and although I don't have the characteristic "gym body" I am strong and have great endurance.

I want to be exceptional. If I fail, I'll keep going. That's what real leaders do (even if I bitch about it). I know I can do it. So watch out for me. - perpetually the underdog. All 5'2 of me.

Growing isn't easy but it's definitely interesting and will have you on the edge of your seat. After all that positive talk, feel free to give me a hug when you see me. We all need bolstering. :-)

In the Class of M

I wouldn't call myself a daredevil. I'm not one of those people who are the first to bungee jump, sky dive or eat exotic food. Those things appeal to me but I don't "need" them. I'm just "fun".

One thing that I've always loved was motorcycles. I like the speed, I like the open air and being outside. I've owned 2 motorcycles - A Honda Twinstar 200 and a piece-of-crap-Yamaha 650. I really like the power of the 650. The size of the 200 suited my 5'2' frame a bit better. When I was pregnant with my 2nd child I realized that there was no way I was going to be riding a motorcycle for at least awhile. A pregnant woman on a motorcycle, in any capacity, is like seeing a pregnant woman smoke a cigarette. They just don't mix.

Here I am with kids - NOT pregnant- and ready to make good on my badass dreams. I played it safe this time, like a grown up. I entered into Motorcycle riding School for a weekend (there was one other woman in the course, the other 30 were men - a safe place to pick up men if you're single). Early Friday AM I took the roadtest and am, again, a card carrying member of the M-class driving license!

Now to find a suitable bike! It's killing me! I've got a limited budget. I feel if I don't get something I'll bust! I imagine myself riding to my plein air painting locations on the motorcycle and running around on weekends. I'd give the kids rides down the alley too (with helmets). It's a freedom song. A dream fulfilled with every ride. I could easily do motocross too. I have no problems trying to jump dirt hills and gaps in the road. I'd have to be taught how to do it but it's extremely appealing to me.

There are other things I really like too. I like exercise. I like fitness, the hard work of training and pushing thru the fatigue and mental mania that accompanies it. But really only in an athletic environment. I push thru the mental anguish of caring for kids as they whine and demand me all day. But the latter example is a huge drag. I love my kids so I do it. Probably because I don't see the benefit of such a "work out". A work over is more like it! It must affect a different part of the brain. Exercise produces endorphins which is said to energize you after a workout. I get it. I experience it. But it's not as good as a liquor buzz, orgasm or frankly, a well timed, can't-hold-it-any-longer cathartic pee. I know, I know, there are other benefits to raising children. Yes, they are a joy and I'm very blessed and grateful that I am a Mom. But on the realistic side, it's darn hard work. Guess it just tastes different from other pleasures - but I like it.

I digress, again. But that's why I have this blog.

So far, here is what I like. Haven't bought it, think I need more power. But she sure is pretty:

Blinky

While researching what calves (little cows) actually look like for an upcoming costuming gig, I came across, yet another, odd thing. A cow with two heads. They named him blinky because all four of his eyes blinked at the same time. Austrialians. I had to chuckle.

Don't take my word for it, check for yourselves.