Friday, May 28, 2010

Racing

So, I'm kinda thinking that I want to run a 5K. I want to have something to work for and I want to improve my cardiovascular health, and I've heard running is good for that. I have some friends we recently ran a 5K and I really admire them and wonder if I even could? I think I could. We usually go down to Utah for the 4th of July weekend and they have a 5K and 10K race in the morning and last year my SIL ran the 5K while her husband ran the 10K. I was very impressed. Of course, if I'm really going to do this, I probably should do some running before then, right? Looking at my schedule, that means probably in the mornings before Robert leaves for work. Luckily it is light then, but man, I am not sure about getting up earlier. It would probably be good for me, though, so I think I should just suck it up and go for it. Yeah, that's what I'll do, just go for it. Anyone have any advice?

Sunday, May 16, 2010

My Coffee Table

One of the goals that I've had for a while is to re-do my coffee table. I didn't like the color of the design and I wanted to make it more my own to fit my tastes. I had this idea in my head, but I needed Robert's help with it and we finally found some time for him to do what I needed. I think it looks pretty good. I didn't have enough of the resin that fills in the middles of the tables, so I'm waiting on some of that, but it is usable now and I like it!


I didn't get any of the resin on the matching end table, but it is all ready. I think they are going to look so amazing when they are all done.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Media Diet

Listening to some talks a while ago and also reading some things I realized that I spent way too much time with my electronic media. Too much time on the computer, too much time on the phone, too much time with the radio and the t.v. So, I decided to go on a media diet. I allowed myself a few minutes in the morning and at night to get online, but I cut out a lot of the fluff stuff that I used to do, including any games that I played. I turned off the radio in the car and didn't turn on my itunes in the house. T.v. hasn't ever been really big, so we didn't do too much changing there and the same goes for the phone.

I started this a few weeks ago and it has been interesting. The first thing I noticed is that I went through withdrawals from my music. Now, I know many people who will say music isn't bad and what is the harm of having it on during the day? Also, much music can be uplifting and inspiring, and I completely agree, but with all the background noise of the music, I was missing a lot of what my kids were saying and doing. I began to hear other things that I hadn't noticed before. The same thing went with traveling in the car. It was a lot easier to hear what the kids were trying to tell me and I didn't have to say "wait until this song is done" or "I just want to finish listening to what they have to say on the radio". Instead, we talked and sang songs. It was more of a bonding experience than previously. And then in the quiet moments, I had time to think and reflect and that was nice.

The computer ended up not being has hard to let go of as I thought it would be. I have just kept myself busy doing other things. Things like reading books to the kids, picking up the house, putting together puzzles, and going outside if the weather is nice. I found that I really haven't missed out on too much if I only take a few minutes in the morning and evening. There have been a few times during the day when I have needed to look something up and I've turned the computer on, but those times have been the exception rather than the rule, and once I'm done, I turn the computer off. Our home has been better since I quit ignoring the kids so that I could play a game or mindlessly surf for things I didn't need.

This has been an interesting experience. I think it is something that I am going to keep doing. I guess if we want more music in our home, we will have to make it ourselves, maybe that will inspire me to practice the piano a little more ;)

Monday, May 3, 2010

Monday Miracles

1. Hot running water
2. Kitchen Tables
3. Warm Sweatshirts
4. Fuzzy socks
5. Pillowtop mattresses