Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Got my blogs back!
Somehow I did something to lose access to my blogs, but thank heavens I save every email about registrations and was finally able to dig up my verification code! I am confused, though, about what name to log in as...but here I am!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Trips, home repairs, new glass classes...
I am excited about so many things today that I find myself pacing around the house...not knowing where to light!
We are planning an August vacation to Washington State and I am really buzzed about that. A couple of days in Seattle/Tacoma and then on to the wilds...over to Mt Rainier first and then upstate to Skagit Valley, Cascade Loop, the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island... everytime I sit down I make the mistake of looking at the travel guide put out by the state, finding some new website to explore. Planning and anticipation is really a big part of the joy. But I'm glad it's not too far off or I'd pop.
Also very excited that DH Ellis finally patched the hole in the porch roof. And he fixed both faucets (kitchen and bathroom). I think his spurt of home repair energy is prompted by the impending visit of his sister for her sister-in-law's wedding in early August. Whatever it takes! I've been after him forever to fix this stuff. Thank you, Erica!
And a new bead class starts tonight. I am always excited about making beads. One of the places we plan to visit in Tacoma is the Museum of Glass. How cool will that be? I have to focus when I make beads, so that will help me center a bit and maybe I'll settle down. Or not!
We are planning an August vacation to Washington State and I am really buzzed about that. A couple of days in Seattle/Tacoma and then on to the wilds...over to Mt Rainier first and then upstate to Skagit Valley, Cascade Loop, the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island... everytime I sit down I make the mistake of looking at the travel guide put out by the state, finding some new website to explore. Planning and anticipation is really a big part of the joy. But I'm glad it's not too far off or I'd pop.
Also very excited that DH Ellis finally patched the hole in the porch roof. And he fixed both faucets (kitchen and bathroom). I think his spurt of home repair energy is prompted by the impending visit of his sister for her sister-in-law's wedding in early August. Whatever it takes! I've been after him forever to fix this stuff. Thank you, Erica!
And a new bead class starts tonight. I am always excited about making beads. One of the places we plan to visit in Tacoma is the Museum of Glass. How cool will that be? I have to focus when I make beads, so that will help me center a bit and maybe I'll settle down. Or not!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Why I can't run...yet
I had my annual check up and am incredibly healthy. I did ask my doctor about running and why my knees hurt (especially my right knee) and if I should go to a specialist. She looked at my incredibly gorgeous legs and told me my right quad is smaller than my left and my knee would hurt until I built it up.
SO I will continue bike riding and walking and get my tail back to the gym and do leg presses with one leg at a time and maybe eventually I will be able to run.
SO I will continue bike riding and walking and get my tail back to the gym and do leg presses with one leg at a time and maybe eventually I will be able to run.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Eric's coming home
Eric's coming home from scout camp today - and, yes, I am excited about that! He's been at Camp Hale in Oklahoma for the past week. This picture shows him working on his Rifle Shooting merit badge.
He and his dad were gone for several days last week to visit Ellis' parents in Baton Rouge, so I haven't seen much of Eric for two weeks.
I'll probably be ready to send him off again by Monday evening. Not.
Monday, June 15, 2009
More Glass Bead Classes
I am taking a shaping class at Blue Moon Glassworks. It's a four-week class and we've met once so far. Using the oxygen-propane mix is very different than the propylene setup I have...trying to convince/coerce E3 into cleaning off the back porch (screened in) so I can set up an oxygen=propane rig out there. Better ventilation. The mixed gas gets so much hotter and it's quicker and easier to get the glass melted for the base beads.
Until that day, I'll keep working away with my hot head torch, and maybe rent some torch time at Blue Moon when I feel the need for working hotter. I'm still fascinated by this whole process and can work at my torch for a couple of hours without noticing the time go by. I work in the mornings before it gets too hot to open the windows - it's just now noon and already 86.
Can't wait for this week's class. Lisa is a great teacher.
Until that day, I'll keep working away with my hot head torch, and maybe rent some torch time at Blue Moon when I feel the need for working hotter. I'm still fascinated by this whole process and can work at my torch for a couple of hours without noticing the time go by. I work in the mornings before it gets too hot to open the windows - it's just now noon and already 86.
Can't wait for this week's class. Lisa is a great teacher.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Lampwork Beads
I took a bead-making class from Molly of Heritage Glass in New Braunfels. This is more fun than ... well, lots of things. Working with a torch, molten glass...I gravitate towards dangerous crafts. I am not particularly good at this yet, but I make a few beads every couple of days and my technique is definitely improving. One day soon I will take and share pictures of some of my better efforts.
Blue Moon Glassworks here in Austin also offers classes, and they have plenty of supplies. I met Rose and Lisa this week when I was picking up a few more glass rods. They are very friendly and helpful...not to mention all they know about this stuff.
There are so many different types of beads, special techniques, cool tools and wonderful finishes to try! I look forward to many happy hours working at my torch.
Blue Moon Glassworks here in Austin also offers classes, and they have plenty of supplies. I met Rose and Lisa this week when I was picking up a few more glass rods. They are very friendly and helpful...not to mention all they know about this stuff.
There are so many different types of beads, special techniques, cool tools and wonderful finishes to try! I look forward to many happy hours working at my torch.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Running: Week 2
I splurged today and bought a new pair of running shoes. Went to RunTex and actually got fitted. Guess I shouldn't consider this a splurge; rather, I should think of it as an investment. Anyway, spending the money meant that I had to run today, even though I was pretty pooped after my gym session.
BUT I DID IT. This is week two, and started the run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes phase of the plan. My knees hurt -both in the same place - the inside, but they hurt before so I know it's not the shoes. It's not really joint pain, probably where the tendon or ligament or whatever joins to the bone or some such. I'm icing them, and that feels very good. From what I'm learning from my trainer Erica, this may be because the muscles on the outside of my legs are tight. Some ow-time with the foam rollers may help.
Towards the end it was very much just a slow jog, and I had to laugh - as I start my last 3-minute run, "I Will Survive" shuffled around and started up on the iPod.
And I did survive, and I know I'll live to run-walk again on Wednesday.
BUT I DID IT. This is week two, and started the run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes phase of the plan. My knees hurt -both in the same place - the inside, but they hurt before so I know it's not the shoes. It's not really joint pain, probably where the tendon or ligament or whatever joins to the bone or some such. I'm icing them, and that feels very good. From what I'm learning from my trainer Erica, this may be because the muscles on the outside of my legs are tight. Some ow-time with the foam rollers may help.
Towards the end it was very much just a slow jog, and I had to laugh - as I start my last 3-minute run, "I Will Survive" shuffled around and started up on the iPod.
And I did survive, and I know I'll live to run-walk again on Wednesday.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Learning to Run
Today will be my third installment in my first week as a beginning runner. I bought the Runner's World Complete Book of Running, dusted off my running shoes, and am happily following the recommended run-walk schedule. This week, it is run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes - repeat 5 times for a total of 30 minutes. The goal is to run 30 minutes solid in 10 weeks.
Why did I decide to do this? For one thing, I am looking to continue to improve my overall health and maintain my weight. Taking off (almost) 40 lbs isn't something I want to do again. I would like to lose another 10 lbs, though. I think running, combined with my improved eating patterns (I hate to say diet) and strength training should do the trick. I want to be like the 70-something skydiver in the V8 commercials. Except maybe not skydiving and definitely not a man. And not until I'm 70...
Anyway, the REAL reason I am doing this is so I can run in the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot this year with my 12-year old son, Eric. We talked about it last year, but I knew I couldn't run it, and he wasn't interested in walking it. So we made a pact to run it in 2009. The race is held here in Austin in the morning. A perfect way to start Thanksgiving Day.
Monday was the first day out, and I actually thought I wouldn't make it through that first 2 minute run. But it got incredibly easier each time around. And Wednesday's run segments were easier still. I tried to take longer strides. I'm not winning any speed records, but I'm moving.
I will be heading back to the gym tomorrow after two weeks out. I miss my leg presses! I hope I'm able to balance weights and running. I really enjoy strength training. Well, maybe not always when I'm doing it, but I appreciate the difference in my energy. Not to mention my mental outlook. Or my hip measurement.
Enough writing about doing stuff. Time to run/walk.
Why did I decide to do this? For one thing, I am looking to continue to improve my overall health and maintain my weight. Taking off (almost) 40 lbs isn't something I want to do again. I would like to lose another 10 lbs, though. I think running, combined with my improved eating patterns (I hate to say diet) and strength training should do the trick. I want to be like the 70-something skydiver in the V8 commercials. Except maybe not skydiving and definitely not a man. And not until I'm 70...
Anyway, the REAL reason I am doing this is so I can run in the Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot this year with my 12-year old son, Eric. We talked about it last year, but I knew I couldn't run it, and he wasn't interested in walking it. So we made a pact to run it in 2009. The race is held here in Austin in the morning. A perfect way to start Thanksgiving Day.
Monday was the first day out, and I actually thought I wouldn't make it through that first 2 minute run. But it got incredibly easier each time around. And Wednesday's run segments were easier still. I tried to take longer strides. I'm not winning any speed records, but I'm moving.
I will be heading back to the gym tomorrow after two weeks out. I miss my leg presses! I hope I'm able to balance weights and running. I really enjoy strength training. Well, maybe not always when I'm doing it, but I appreciate the difference in my energy. Not to mention my mental outlook. Or my hip measurement.
Enough writing about doing stuff. Time to run/walk.
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