think about and get ready for spring?

We enjoyed the snow, our extended time together, the fun with had with neighbors/getting to know our neighbors (crazy what 3 ft of snow will do to a neighborhood) and sledding in the park.

The weekend after the big blizzard(S), we headed to Deep Creek/Wisp with a group of friends. That weekend, Marc and I both tried skiing for the first time; we enjoy those moments when we are both experiencing something new together.  We really enjoyed it but we're also trying to think of smart ways to slowly incorporate new (and somewhat expensive) hobbies into our life. We can both easily get hooked on things and then run out to buy the gear, clothes, passes, etc.  Babysteps....I have to keep reminding myself that.  For now, skiing is something we enjoyed and next season maybe we'll go at least twice before truly committing to making it a winter hobby of ours.  Not to worry...I still think "Why not?" It's always nice to try things. (pics coming soon)!

So...spring...ah!!! The last couple of days, we've had weather in the 40's.  40+ degree weather is more typical for this time of year in Baltimore.  I'm loving it (who would have thought a California girl would be EXCITED for 40 degree weather??).  Last weekend, we went to Race Pace  to check out bikes and go on test rides.  Buying bikes is something we have budgeted for (they are actually Christmas presents to each other) but we knew that we wanted to wait until the weather got better.  I've had a couple of practices at Race Pace for Iron Girl and thought that they were by far the best bike shop I'd been to.

I'm also getting excited about gardening again (yes, this was originally what this blog was about).  I'm hoping to make it down to Meyer's Seed Company this weekend and look around or possibly buy some cool climate greens (lettuce and sorts) or other seeds to get started indoors.  I'm actually looking forward to another season of container gardening to see if I can increase my yields from last year.  My friend, John, is another avid container gardener so I'm excited to see his plans come to fruition this season and share some ideas!

For my gardening followers, I found this garden planner and it looks pretty neat!
 

embrace the snow storm?

Well, we're going on day 3 of being "stuck."  Baltimore received about 27 inches of snow.  The city shuts down with 3-5 inches on the ground so you can only imagine how we're handling more than 2 feet!

Marc and I made the best of our snow days in together.  We watched tv, read, napped, cooked, walked to our local bar and PLAYED!  Sasha had a lot of fun too! We had a great time--we made a great snow ramp for other kids in the neighborhood at the park.  Kids asked us if they could sled down our "path." I guess it helps when you have two heavier folks (at least heavier than the kids) to make a great snow path.

I was feeling a little "guilty" about all of the eating and being sedentary. But after shoveling (or at least helping a little bit), trekking through the snow and climbing up the hills to tube, I definitely got in my workout!   Here are some pics from our adventure.  More snow is on the way!  Looks like we'll be in all week!

take a spinning class?

I've been going to the gym on a fairly regular schedule for the last month and I definitely feel a difference. I can actually run for five minutes on the treadmill without falling off (kidding).  Since I've been a member at my gym, I noticed long lines of folks waiting to reserve their bikes before a cycling class.  Once their class started, I would walk by and see people intensely sweating...almost drenched in sweat.  I always thought, "Eh, not for me.  I'd rather go to Zumba or Yoga." So, I did.
  
To prepare for the biking portion of the sprint triathlon, I've read that spinning classes are a great way to assist with cycling training (especially during the winter months).  Also, since I don't have a bike...YET (that's a conversation for another time) it's important that I get in some sort of cycling training.

So, I've been to two spinning classes and I'm hooked.  Yes, I've become one of the sweaty beasts that I questioned.  The instructor provides great tips and techniques for endurance, positioning and pacing that I'm sure I can use once I'm on my bike.  Tomorrow is practice #1 so, I'll let you know how it goes!

sell my body?

I went to my kick off meeting for Team in Training and left feeling inspired.  There were about 25 or so women there from around the greater Baltimore area.  I think that the average age was probably 40 of ALL shapes, sizes and experience!  I was impressed and inspired.  There were women that had competed in 16 Team in Training events, 1 TNT event and PLENTY of 1st timers like myself.  so far, I think our team consists of about 40 women total.

So, we were divided up into sub teams and paired with a mentor: someone who has been successful at fundraising for TNT in the past.  She gave me the BRILLIANT idea to "sell my body!"  It's definitely peaked people's interest.  Donate and I'll write your name on a body part...think of it as "swimming, biking, running" with me the whole way to the finish line! Buy my body and save lives...sounds good to me!

My friend/colleague Carol is going to do this "with" me.  That's an added bonus!  Someone else who will be trying to fit in workouts with our "crazy" work schedule and a training/fundraising buddy.  We've already been thinking about a few fundraising events (wine tasting, yoga, zumba, etc) so stay posted! I'm hoping that this is also going to help us with fundraising for our "day job."  It's something the two of us want to get better at doing. I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that my friend, Shayna, will "take the plunge" as well!  

Our first practice is Wednesday!  I'm really looking forward to it.  I've been skimming YouTube videos for added inspiration (as though I needed any more motivation to do this).  Here's one that caught my attention.  Enjoy!

spend time with girlfriends (both new and "old")?

This past weekend was wonderful!  My good friend, Marlena, hosted a girls weekend at her place in Philly.  She's also a great cook and really into fresh, healthy foods so needless to say we ate well!  We danced (literally turned her living room into a dance floor/dance studio..."instructors" and all), drank, ate, LAUGHED, cried, LAUGHED some more, walked, window shopped and just spent quality time together.

I knew about half of the women fairly well and the other women I had met once before or heard about.  Our "common denominator" was Marlena.  You would have thought we'd known one another forever! Great times... Here's a few shots of us on our "A Love Letter for You" mural tour.

sign up to be an Iron Girl?

   First, Happy New Year!! I'm at it again...I can picture some of my friends/family saying "WHAT?!?! WHY?!?!" As always, my answer is "Why not?!?!" Well...sort of this time.

    So, in my New Year's word/theme of discipline (no resolutions for me) I decided to sign up for the AFLAC Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon that will be held August 22nd in Columbia, MD.  I've been interested in the IDEA since a friend, Liz, competed in one 1 1/2 years ago.  I went with her to Lake Michigan (Marc and I were staying with she and Kavan in Chicago) to "spot" her as she swam in open water.  Really, I only walked along the edge of the lake, with my mouth wide open looking at these amazing athletes jump off of their bikes and jump in the water to take a.long.swim.  Wow...I thought..that's some dedication.  I would also sporadically "cheer" Liz on and realized that swimming a 1/4-1/2 mile is REALLY long.

   I also remember going to see Marlena run her first marathon in Philly.  Again, I felt inspired by people of ALL shapes, sizes, AND ages crossing the finish line.  26.2 miles...sheesh.  I'm not that big on running, especially 26 miles (who am I kidding, anything more than a mile at this point is daunting...LOL).  But it made me think that these individuals set a goal and worked towards it.  I'm sure many of them doubted their abilities, yet sure enough...they crossed the finish line. People may have asked them, "Why?" but watching them run across the finish line, I'm sure they had a "Why not?" mentality!

   SO...discipline...that's my word of the year.  It's time to take my thoughts/ideas into action.  So, I attempted to sign up for the event.  REGISTRATION CLOSED..WHAT??!?! The event is 8 months away.  There was a list of charities that I could run for/with in order to register.  "Hmmm...even better," I thought.  Then I started really looking into each charity.  I read up on Team in Training.  I remember donating to John's marathon last year and I THINK Ashley's.  I know that the money went to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but beyond that I didn't know much about the Team in Training organization.

    Here's the deal: I joined Team in Training and will compete in the Iron Girl sprint triathlon (.62 miles swimming, 17.5 miles biking and 3.4 miles running).  By joining the "TEAM" I will be provided a coach, mentors, a team and inspiration; the organization pairs me/the team with a patient that we will be fundraising for.  We will start to work out in Feb once a week and then in April moving to ~3 times a week.  I have to raise $2,000 in exchange. 75% of the money raised will go directly to cancer patients/research.  Again, I need a little bit of "discipline support" so joining a team and having clear schedules/ will be helpful.  I will keep you posted on the progress...

make Christmas gifts?

I love being crafty.  It's in my blood (read my first whynot post that mentions my parents).  Anyway, ever since I was in elementary school, I liked making gifts for my parents and Lori and Alissa (best friends from the age of 4). I think in college I made Lori and Alissa pillows (I put my sewing machine to use) and ironed on pictures of the three to the front.

So...I have restarted that tradition and made a few  gifts again this year (last year I made purse hooks..that was fun).  I find that I enjoy making "girlie" gifts.  So, this year I made earring holders.  I saw them once at a craft show.  A woman displayed her handmade earrings on them and had some of the holders for sale.  Of course I thought, "I can MAKE that!" (Another saying that I get teased for saying often...lol).  So, I did..I made earring holders.

I tried my best to find really unique antique frames. The ones that I liked best are tilt frames.  That way, they stand up on their own.  I searched on ebay and Etsy (one of my fav sites) and collected a few.  I thought if I went straight to antique stores, they'd be easy to find but that wasn't the case.  I still am looking for more...there are a few more folks I'd like to give one to (maybe for their bday or next Christmas)!!

I had so much fun making them, hand delivering them or shipping them!

The finished products! I made them by taking out the glass, attaching window screen and gluing ribbon around the edges to cover the seams.