March 25, 2013
Motivation Monday: Don't Wish it Away
Recently I have been planning, or trying to plan a lot of fun things in the coming months, in addition to the many exciting things I already have calendared (2 weddings, a bachelorette party, a bridal shower, etc). I am so excited about what lies in front of me that I am finding myself not living in the present, but rather alway looking to the future. It is times like these I need the following reminder.
In my own experiences, I have regretted wishing away various times in my life. I look back and think, if only I could have enjoyed it while it was happening instead of looking forward to the next day, weekend, month. Don't wish your time away - it is pretty much the only thing you can never get back!
March 21, 2013
Quack, Quack!
I grew up in the SF Bay Area, so naturally I am a Giants fan and a 49ers fan. But, when it comes to hockey, I am by no means a Shark's fan. My interest in hockey was sparked by my now roommate. She LOVES hockey and some of that definitely rubbed off (on me and other friends as well!) and she happens to be a Ducks fan. So, I too am a Ducks fan!
I have gone to several games in the past, but not nearly as many as I have this year, which is funny since the lockout eliminated half of the season. I have already been to four games this year - 3 in Anaheim, and one in Phoenix and I will probably go to at least one more.
The more I watch hockey, the more I like it. It is fast and physical. Fighting is not only acceptable, but encouraged. It is intense and fun and there is rarely a dull moment.
I am so glad to have been introduced to this sport, and in particular this team. :) Go Ducks!
Pictures from my first game this season (2 rows from the ice!):
Say yes to Duck's Hockey!!
The one responsible for my Ducks fandom! :)
I have gone to several games in the past, but not nearly as many as I have this year, which is funny since the lockout eliminated half of the season. I have already been to four games this year - 3 in Anaheim, and one in Phoenix and I will probably go to at least one more.
The more I watch hockey, the more I like it. It is fast and physical. Fighting is not only acceptable, but encouraged. It is intense and fun and there is rarely a dull moment.
I am so glad to have been introduced to this sport, and in particular this team. :) Go Ducks!
Pictures from my first game this season (2 rows from the ice!):
Winnik! My player.
Huddle?
Receiving line ... high fives!
Ducks win!
Two rows from the ice.
Say yes to Duck's Hockey!!
March 18, 2013
Motivation Monday: Redefine Impossible
Two years ago this weekend I joined the gym, and met Adam, who as you know changed my life. (Have I told you that enough? Are you getting sick of hearing it? Tough! I will continue to say it, because this relationship has truly shaped who I am as a person.)
As I look back on the last 2 years I am in shock and awe at some of the things I have accomplished, some things that at one time I had labeled "impossible." Now those things fall into the category of accomplishments.
In reflection on these "impossible" tasks, this small statement makes so much sense:
What is impossible today will not be impossible tomorrow and nothing, absolutely nothing is truly impossible.
As I look back on the last 2 years I am in shock and awe at some of the things I have accomplished, some things that at one time I had labeled "impossible." Now those things fall into the category of accomplishments.
In reflection on these "impossible" tasks, this small statement makes so much sense:
What is impossible today will not be impossible tomorrow and nothing, absolutely nothing is truly impossible.
March 15, 2013
Fanciful Friday: And More Shoes
I'm a big sports fan and I know some big sports fans. I love supporting my team in the form of apparel. I have t-shirts and jackets, hats and scarves. But until now, I have never had shoes.
Inspired by my work on my first pair (see last week's post), I decided to make a pair for myself. I wanted to make 49ers shoes for superbowl sunday.
I bought a pair of inexpensive flats from target. They were $16.99. They had then in different color combinations, but I decided on the blue and white polka dots with the tan trim because I could cover the majority with red and leave the tan trim since it matched the niners colors.
First I used white fabric paint to paint on the SF logo on one shoe and 49ers on the other shoe. It takes some patience and a steady hand, but it turned out pretty good.
After I painted on the white I painted the rest of the shoe with a very thin layer of red fabric paint to prevent the blue and polka dots from showing through. Then came the sparkles! I painted small sections on the shoe with fabric glue, starting with the hard part, around the logos. Then as I completed each section I sprinkled it with glitter. Last but not least I sealed the shoes with a flexible clear gloss glaze.
I think they turned out pretty amazing and I can't wait for football season so I can wear them again. I had so much fun making these shoes and the other pair that I am seriously considering selling them. What do you think?
Again, say yes to shoes!
Inspired by my work on my first pair (see last week's post), I decided to make a pair for myself. I wanted to make 49ers shoes for superbowl sunday.
I bought a pair of inexpensive flats from target. They were $16.99. They had then in different color combinations, but I decided on the blue and white polka dots with the tan trim because I could cover the majority with red and leave the tan trim since it matched the niners colors.
Before
First I used white fabric paint to paint on the SF logo on one shoe and 49ers on the other shoe. It takes some patience and a steady hand, but it turned out pretty good.
During
After I painted on the white I painted the rest of the shoe with a very thin layer of red fabric paint to prevent the blue and polka dots from showing through. Then came the sparkles! I painted small sections on the shoe with fabric glue, starting with the hard part, around the logos. Then as I completed each section I sprinkled it with glitter. Last but not least I sealed the shoes with a flexible clear gloss glaze.
After
I think they turned out pretty amazing and I can't wait for football season so I can wear them again. I had so much fun making these shoes and the other pair that I am seriously considering selling them. What do you think?
Again, say yes to shoes!
March 13, 2013
Cabin Fever
Friends of mine have a family cabin in Idyllwild that I have been to a couple of times. It is beautiful and quite. It is a rare place where I am happy doing absolutely nothing (most of you know just how rare that is).
A group of 5 of us went up for Martin Luther King weekend. It was 2 days of watching Modern Family, playing cards, walking around town, feeding squirrels, and enjoying the fresh air.
I don't have too many pictures from the weekend, but here are a few:
A group of 5 of us went up for Martin Luther King weekend. It was 2 days of watching Modern Family, playing cards, walking around town, feeding squirrels, and enjoying the fresh air.
I don't have too many pictures from the weekend, but here are a few:
Beautiful clear blue skies.
Trees and Sunshine!
Hills and windy roads.
Colorful sunset to end the weekend.
Say yes to fresh air!
March 11, 2013
Motivation Monday: Now is Right on Time
At the end of this week, I am coming up on 2 years since I started my fitness journey. I really cannot even believe it.
The first year was full of incredibly dramatic changes and results. I lost pounds and pant sizes like crazy. My body transformed and my abilities increased. I was a new person. I look back on my first year with a huge sense of accomplishment and pride.
The second year was quite different. It started with the best of intentions to keep on the rapid weight loss path, but I encountered some road blocks along the way that were, shall we say, unforeseen. The second year was much more of an emotional change than a physical one. I was dealing with adjusting to a new body, trying to figure out how to incorporate my fitness life into real life, and dealing with normal life issues that included relationships and work. My second year in this journey saw a change in nutritional guidance, 2 changes in jobs, a huge move, and ultimately a change in trainers. It was a bit stressful. It was not what I wanted it to be.
But, throughout all of the stresses of this second year, I have not gained weight from where I was a year ago. I have not completely relapsed into my old habits. I was able to stabilize and get through some tough periods of life. I am still a size smaller than I was a year ago, and a couple pounds lighter. Definitely not the accomplishments of the first year, but big accomplishments just the same.
I often think "man, I could have been down to my goal weight by now if I had just kept on the right track." But that is not how I need to think; that is not how any of us need to think. We are exactly where we need to be and we need to remember that.
Oddly enough as I was drafting this post, my new trainer posted on his facebook the same quote above in a different image. Clearly we must be on the same page, and that is a great place to be!
So when you think you have lost time, change your thinking. Everything is right on time.
The first year was full of incredibly dramatic changes and results. I lost pounds and pant sizes like crazy. My body transformed and my abilities increased. I was a new person. I look back on my first year with a huge sense of accomplishment and pride.
The second year was quite different. It started with the best of intentions to keep on the rapid weight loss path, but I encountered some road blocks along the way that were, shall we say, unforeseen. The second year was much more of an emotional change than a physical one. I was dealing with adjusting to a new body, trying to figure out how to incorporate my fitness life into real life, and dealing with normal life issues that included relationships and work. My second year in this journey saw a change in nutritional guidance, 2 changes in jobs, a huge move, and ultimately a change in trainers. It was a bit stressful. It was not what I wanted it to be.
But, throughout all of the stresses of this second year, I have not gained weight from where I was a year ago. I have not completely relapsed into my old habits. I was able to stabilize and get through some tough periods of life. I am still a size smaller than I was a year ago, and a couple pounds lighter. Definitely not the accomplishments of the first year, but big accomplishments just the same.
I often think "man, I could have been down to my goal weight by now if I had just kept on the right track." But that is not how I need to think; that is not how any of us need to think. We are exactly where we need to be and we need to remember that.
Oddly enough as I was drafting this post, my new trainer posted on his facebook the same quote above in a different image. Clearly we must be on the same page, and that is a great place to be!
So when you think you have lost time, change your thinking. Everything is right on time.
March 10, 2013
Spring Training 2013
Oh what a glorious time of year it is ... the smell of freshly cut grass, the feel of the sun on your skin for the first time in months, and the familiar voice of your favorite announcers. It is a rebirth. It is the beginning of baseball season!!
In 2012, I went to spring training for the very first time, and I absolutely loved it. I thought it would be hard to top my first trip ... it was after all the first, so it held a lot of sentimental value. BUT, my second trip trumped the first ... by far!!
When the weekend was selected, I check out who the Giants would be playing. They would play the Cubs on Saturday, ok, cool. On Sunday they would play the Diamondbacks. Hmm, the Diamondbacks, why would that be exciting? Well, its exciting because the Diamondbacks just signed one of my very favorite players, and former Giant, CODY ROSS!! Needless to say I was thrilled.
So on Friday 3/1 I got off work early, piled into the car with 2 of my friends and drove to Arizona. I was so incredibly excited I could hardly stand it! That night we printed tickets and consulted rosters. Much to my delight and surprise, we found out the former Giant, Nate Schierholtz was playing for the Cubs! What luck!
Saturday we arrived at the stadium and checked out the line-up. Along with a cast of minor leaguers, we got Blanco, Posey, Panda, Pence, and Crawford!! Also, Nate was DHing for the Cubs.
We took pictures, we shopped in the dugout store, we explored the stadium, and we finally sat in our seats, which thankfully were shaded after the second inning. Much to everyone's surprise, Romo even pitched - we thought he would be gone for the World Baseball Classic. It was a fun game, and the Giants won. :) Then the best part of the day ...
After the game we headed out to the parking lot to see the players come out, and who was out there sigining autographs?? The one and only Sergio Romo! I was excited and just so happened to be wearing my Romo shirt. I carefully slipped to the front of the pack of people and held out my ticket for his signature, and got it. I was a happy girl, my spring training was just made.
After the baseball game, we quickly headed over to Jobing.com arena to catch the Ducks take on the Coyotes. The game was intense, tied 4-4 even after overtime, so it went to a shootout. Eventually the Coyotes won (bummer!) but at least it was a good game. After the hockey game, we were starving, so we went to Mellow Mushroom, an awesome pizza place that really needs to expand to California.
Sunday we got up a little earlier and went to a breakfast place called Butters Pancakes. It was delicious. Then we headed over to the stadium. There was only 1 name I was looking for on the roster, and it was there!! I would get to see Cody Ross play! And even better, he was not placed in his usual left field, but was rather in right field, directly in front of our seats!!
We went out to field to catch warm-ups and I was so glad that I had decided to wear my "You're the Boss, Cody Ross" shirt from when the Giants won the World Series in 2010. We watched the Diamondbacks warm up and at the end they headed toward their dugout and Cody came right over to me, walked directly to me, did not pass go, did not collect $200, just walked right up to me! He signed baseballs for the little kids next to me and then took my pen and signed my ticket. I'm pretty sure I was in shock. It was awesome, and that does not even really begin to describe it.
The game was kind of a blur, though we did get to see Posey play first base, Pence play right field, and Zito pitch. The Giants beat the Diamondbacks, and that was that, spring training was over for another year. But what a spring training it was ... I don't know how next year can possibly top this one!
Say yes to spring training, SF Giants, and meeting your favorite players! Wow ...
In 2012, I went to spring training for the very first time, and I absolutely loved it. I thought it would be hard to top my first trip ... it was after all the first, so it held a lot of sentimental value. BUT, my second trip trumped the first ... by far!!
When the weekend was selected, I check out who the Giants would be playing. They would play the Cubs on Saturday, ok, cool. On Sunday they would play the Diamondbacks. Hmm, the Diamondbacks, why would that be exciting? Well, its exciting because the Diamondbacks just signed one of my very favorite players, and former Giant, CODY ROSS!! Needless to say I was thrilled.
So on Friday 3/1 I got off work early, piled into the car with 2 of my friends and drove to Arizona. I was so incredibly excited I could hardly stand it! That night we printed tickets and consulted rosters. Much to my delight and surprise, we found out the former Giant, Nate Schierholtz was playing for the Cubs! What luck!
Oh Yeah! 2012 World Series Champs ... how Sweep it is! :)
Felt good to be back at Scottsdale Stadium.
Saturday we arrived at the stadium and checked out the line-up. Along with a cast of minor leaguers, we got Blanco, Posey, Panda, Pence, and Crawford!! Also, Nate was DHing for the Cubs.
Line-up, Day 1
We took pictures, we shopped in the dugout store, we explored the stadium, and we finally sat in our seats, which thankfully were shaded after the second inning. Much to everyone's surprise, Romo even pitched - we thought he would be gone for the World Baseball Classic. It was a fun game, and the Giants won. :) Then the best part of the day ...
All the girls!
His first spring training game!
After the game we headed out to the parking lot to see the players come out, and who was out there sigining autographs?? The one and only Sergio Romo! I was excited and just so happened to be wearing my Romo shirt. I carefully slipped to the front of the pack of people and held out my ticket for his signature, and got it. I was a happy girl, my spring training was just made.
Romo! That's What's Up!
After the baseball game, we quickly headed over to Jobing.com arena to catch the Ducks take on the Coyotes. The game was intense, tied 4-4 even after overtime, so it went to a shootout. Eventually the Coyotes won (bummer!) but at least it was a good game. After the hockey game, we were starving, so we went to Mellow Mushroom, an awesome pizza place that really needs to expand to California.
Sunday we got up a little earlier and went to a breakfast place called Butters Pancakes. It was delicious. Then we headed over to the stadium. There was only 1 name I was looking for on the roster, and it was there!! I would get to see Cody Ross play! And even better, he was not placed in his usual left field, but was rather in right field, directly in front of our seats!!
Line-up, Day 2
We went out to field to catch warm-ups and I was so glad that I had decided to wear my "You're the Boss, Cody Ross" shirt from when the Giants won the World Series in 2010. We watched the Diamondbacks warm up and at the end they headed toward their dugout and Cody came right over to me, walked directly to me, did not pass go, did not collect $200, just walked right up to me! He signed baseballs for the little kids next to me and then took my pen and signed my ticket. I'm pretty sure I was in shock. It was awesome, and that does not even really begin to describe it.
Smiles all around!
You're the Boss, Cody Ross!
No Zoom!
The game was kind of a blur, though we did get to see Posey play first base, Pence play right field, and Zito pitch. The Giants beat the Diamondbacks, and that was that, spring training was over for another year. But what a spring training it was ... I don't know how next year can possibly top this one!
Cody in Right Field.
Too bad that's the wrong uniform.
The Reverence Pence
Can we do this everyday?
Say yes to spring training, SF Giants, and meeting your favorite players! Wow ...
March 8, 2013
Fanciful Friday: Giant Heels
Today is the birthday of a friend of mine who is the sister of a very good friend of mine. She and I share a love of shoes and sports, though we unfortunately are fans of different teams altogether. I have been dying to post about the present that I made her, but I could not until now, because I did not want to spoil the surprise! But since today is her birthday and her present has arrived and been opened, you are in luck.
I wanted to get something unique, different, and totally fitting for this beautiful, sweet, fun girl. In the fall when I was looking for the NFL schedule I came across a picture of some shoes she would love - a combination of footwear, glitter, and the NY Giants. They were perfect for her, but not for sale. So just like my mom, instead of feeling defeated, my instant feeling was "I can do that," and I did.
I bought a pair of plain heels. I was looking for something that would be easy to paint over and would give me enough room on the side to put the name of the team and the logo. This is what I ended up with.
My first step was to use a pencil to trace on the Giants name and logo. Then I painted it is with white fabric paint. I did it free hand, but you could probably use some sort of stencil too.
After I completed the name and logo, I did the base of the shoe (the platform part) and the heel. I painted sections in a fabric glue and then sprinkled red glitter over the top.
Once the red glitter was applied to the base and heel, it was time to finish the rest of the shoe. I again painted sections of the shoe with fabric paint, starting with the hardest part, around the logo and name which I had already painted on in white. As I painted each section I applied the blue glitter. I finished the shoes off with a flexible clear, glossy glaze.
I wanted to get something unique, different, and totally fitting for this beautiful, sweet, fun girl. In the fall when I was looking for the NFL schedule I came across a picture of some shoes she would love - a combination of footwear, glitter, and the NY Giants. They were perfect for her, but not for sale. So just like my mom, instead of feeling defeated, my instant feeling was "I can do that," and I did.
I bought a pair of plain heels. I was looking for something that would be easy to paint over and would give me enough room on the side to put the name of the team and the logo. This is what I ended up with.
Before ... plain shoes!
My first step was to use a pencil to trace on the Giants name and logo. Then I painted it is with white fabric paint. I did it free hand, but you could probably use some sort of stencil too.
Start with stenciling and painting
After I completed the name and logo, I did the base of the shoe (the platform part) and the heel. I painted sections in a fabric glue and then sprinkled red glitter over the top.
Add some glitter
Once the red glitter was applied to the base and heel, it was time to finish the rest of the shoe. I again painted sections of the shoe with fabric paint, starting with the hardest part, around the logo and name which I had already painted on in white. As I painted each section I applied the blue glitter. I finished the shoes off with a flexible clear, glossy glaze.
And you have some beautiful, sparkly shoes
that any female sports fan will adore!!
I must say that despite the fact that the NY Giants are not my favorite NFL team, I adore these shoes. I could not think of a better person to give them to either! Happy Birthday!! :)
Say yes to shoes!