Makes Me Want to Shave
The music is loud, and the machines are filled with people of all ages and fitness levels. The trainers circulate throughout the room. The pool is full of women getting "aqua fit," and the classrooms are loaded with sweaty people, stepping up, stepping down, moving to the music. Unlike many who go to socialize, I am there to recover, to build strength so that I can return to karate.
I know my routine and I stick to it. I push myself, even when there's no one watching, even when there's no trainer there telling me to "finish strong." Music from my headphones drowns out those around me as I move methodically from one machine to another and finally to the mats for ab exercises.
I've heard before that it takes 40 days to create and keep a new habit. I think for me, it's a bit less time. I am going to the gym at least twice a week and I am loving it. Sure, I wake up and try to make excuses; but I always make myself go. Not only is my knee feeling better, but it's me time. I love me some me time. I put my headphones on and I have a good hour of music and no whining (unless you count my own ocassionally ).
The other night, I was talking to Mr. BBM about how much I'm enjoying working out on a regular basis again. Everyone always says that you feel better about yourself when you go to the gym and I am finding out that it is true.
"Look at me. I'm doing my nails. When I took a shower earlier, I actually shaved my legs. I even tweezed my eyebrows" I said to Mr. BBM.
He burst out laughing. He may think it's funny, but it's amazing how something as simple as hitting the gym a couple times a week can have such a positive effect. Although I'm crashing on the couch, pretty much nightly, when I am awake I have more energy.
Yesterday, I hung 19 pictures on the walls. I even used a drill to install curtain hold-backs. I'm not watching TV except for a mere handful of shows and I'm loving all the time I seem to have now that I'm avoiding the so-so shows that before just occupied my time.
Of course, some days I'm too sore to lift my arms above my head which would make hanging curtains and pictures difficult. Overall though, the benefits have been fantastic. This year, I may actually have the beach body I want. Funny that when I joined the gym, this was the furthest thing from my mind. I'm considering it a fringe benefit of making a healthy decision that will hopefully get me back to where I want to be. . . on the dojo floor.
Coming Out of the R&B Closet
When we lived at our former neighborhood, the only playmates we really had were mine. Big I and Lil C didn't really have many friends in our immediate neighborhood. While there were a few kids (one particular family that I owe a phone call-Hi Rachael!), there was not a regular coming and going of children like there is at our new place.
My friends in the old neighborhood were as diverse a group as they come. A professor, a dean, a personal chef, and I felt completely at ease being myself, musically. In other words, they all knew I was jamming to Timbaland (not the shoes) and Akon on a fairly regular basis.
I've said it before that my kids listen to my music. I always buy the clean versions of R&B and rap CDs so that I can listen to it around them. Lil C's favorite song is currently that new Beyonce "All the single ladies, put a ring on it" and Big I is digging the Rihanna collaboration "Live Your Life."
However, in our new neighborhood, where our house has quickly become the favorite house to play, I'm feeling a bit inhibited. While I certainly have my fair share of The Killers, Foo Fighters, and Feist, I have more of the stuff that a lot of parents would probably not like.
This week, I got an IPOD shuffle in the mail (as a gift for reviewing a new website-how sweet is that!). I quickly filled it up with all my favorite songs that would be good for working out. My list includes the following:
"Right Now" Akon
"Me & U" Cassie
"Killa" Cherish
"Green Light" John Legend
"Get It Shawty" Lloyd
"What them girls like" Ludacris
"Live Your Life" T.I. & Rihanna
"Whatever you like" T.I.
"Buy U a Drank" T-Pain
"Miss Independent" Ne-yo
"Never Too Late" Three Days Grace
I totally threw you off with that last one, huh? Why do I tell you that these are my current favorite songs? Because I am coming out of the R&B/Rap closet. While I certainly don't approve of their spelling, there is something about that music that just keeps me coming back for more. This neighborhood is just going to have to accept me as is and deal with it when I refer to their children as "shawty" (first definition only, which I totally thought just meant "short person").
Coming Out of the R&B Closet
When we lived at our former neighborhood, the only playmates we really had were mine. Big I and Lil C didn't really have many friends in our immediate neighborhood. While there were a few kids (one particular family that I owe a phone call-Hi Rachael!), there was not a regular coming and going of children like there is at our new place.
My friends in the old neighborhood were as diverse a group as they come. A professor, a dean, a personal chef, and I felt completely at ease being myself, musically. In other words, they all knew I was jamming to Timbaland (not the shoes) and Akon on a fairly regular basis.
I've said it before that my kids listen to my music. I always buy the clean versions of R&B and rap CDs so that I can listen to it around them. Lil C's favorite song is currently that new Beyonce "All the single ladies, put a ring on it" and Big I is digging the Rihanna collaboration "Live Your Life."
However, in our new neighborhood, where our house has quickly become the favorite house to play, I'm feeling a bit inhibited. While I certainly have my fair share of The Killers, Foo Fighters, and Feist, I have more of the stuff that a lot of parents would probably not like.
This week, I got an IPOD shuffle in the mail (as a gift for reviewing a new website-how sweet is that!). I quickly filled it up with all my favorite songs that would be good for working out. My list includes the following:
"Right Now" Akon
"Me & U" Cassie
"Killa" Cherish
"Green Light" John Legend
"Get It Shawty" Lloyd
"What them girls like" Ludacris
"Live Your Life" T.I. & Rihanna
"Whatever you like" T.I.
"Buy U a Drank" T-Pain
"Miss Independent" Ne-yo
"Never Too Late" Three Days Grace
I totally threw you off with that last one, huh? Why do I tell you that these are my current favorite songs? Because I am coming out of the R&B/Rap closet. While I certainly don't approve of their spelling, there is something about that music that just keeps me coming back for more. This neighborhood is just going to have to accept me as is and deal with it when I refer to their children as "shawty" (first definition only, which I totally thought just meant "short person").
Fitness Pays Off
Every year, Mr. BBM makes suggestions to the girls about what they "want" for Christmas. The year the Wii came out, he started talking about it immediately after pre-orders were taken which meant that I spent weeks driving around searching until I got lucky just a few days before Christmas.
This year, he started talking up Wii Fit. I've watched the demo. It is a really cool game and it would be good for all of us. I mean, have you seen the balancing exercises? It would be great for my knee. So, we started the search this weekend and came up empty.
The sales person at Gamestop basically told us we were SOL. I searched the internet and all I could find were bundles with junk we don't need. I swore I wouldn't do this searching for the big favorite toy thing ever again, but here I was doing it.
After watching the Steelers game and The Unit last night, I went to bed really late. I usually hit the gym on Monday mornings but I wasn't feeling it today. I talked to Mr. BBM though and he told me to just go. So I did. I found some new exercises to do for my legs and busted my butt on the stationary bike too. I spent an hour and then picked up Lil C from the Kid Zone and drove to the store. There just so happened to be a Gamestop right next door so I thought I'd just inquire about the availability of Wii Fit. After all, since I looked sweaty and tired, I figured someone might feel sorry for me and hold one back.
It wasn't necessary. Behind the girl were stacked a bunch of new delivery boxes. "I know this is a stupid question, but do you have any of the Wii Fit games in stock?"
She turned around, slit open a box and handed one to me. No bundle, no inflated price, just like that.
Suffice it to say that I am thrilled as I'm sure Big I will be on Christmas morning. And this year relatives, we'll be doing yoga after dinner. Just warning you now.
Open House Part 1
I've been working non-stop to get this house in order, and I am finally ready to show you part of the house. Here goes:
The foyer. . . (That mirror is centered on an angled wall. It's hard to tell that it's angled from this picture.)
The dining room. . .
The living room. . .
The view from the back of the family room to the entrance. . .
The family room (we're still working on hanging pictures and curtains) from upstairs. . .
Can you tell that this is my favorite room?
The back of the family room "hallway" and back staircase. . .
The kitchen. . .
Part of the back yard which is starting to get grass but would still be a great place for mud wrestling. . .
Stay tuned for the bedrooms, master bathroom (my other favorite room), etc.
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