Aches and Pains

So I don't have to ask myself about the aches and pains because I know the true source of the issue. But I thought I'd share w/you so that you can learn a lesson or two and not suffer as much as I am suffering.

I promised myself that I would practice more Pilates this year. Well, I've certainly kept that promise to myself. Since February, I've been doing Pilates twice a week (unless I'm traveling). This is not your typical Pilates. No, this is machine Pilates. I love my gym. It's like a cute little boutique gym. There are no more that six members in a Pilates class at a time. But the machines are wonderful - it's does not seem like work or exercise at all; quite relaxing.

But Pilates is not the reason for my aches ... no, occasionally on Monday afternoons I talk a walk through the neighborhood w/some of the girls from the gym. The neighborhood, mind you, is a bit hilly, meaning, we usually begin our walk by asking "should we take the big hill or the big, big hill?" All of the hills are gargantuan! That is the cause of my aches and pains, well, that and after the 45 minute walk (this is not a stroll) I then went to the gym for a Pilates class.

No complaints, right - no pain, no gain - except I am not striving for a goal, just some consistency in my workout regime.

My advice to you ... get your workout on, just spread the workouts out evenly ...

Feeling like I'm making progress

So I've been a bit of a busy body lately.

For some reason, I've gotten into the bad habit of staying up late - like 2 a.m.; then I usually get up by 9 a.m. I need more sleep and as a result I usually end up taking a nap. But I've had a few napless days lately.

Here's what I've managed to accomplish:

• Went grocery shopping
  
• 30 minute walk through the neighborhood (lots and lots of hills; almost got bitten by a dog and almost got hit by a car-twice)
• awesome Pilates class on Tuesday morning (another class tomorrow afternoon)
• completing the semester; graded final projects; completed grading for one course
• made lots and lots of cards (for submission, of course)
• walked to the nearby shopping district to get some shopping done (very refreshing; just can't buy what you can't carry)
• started working on my next article for Craft Critique
• ran the sweeper
• finished reading "After the Dance"
• paid some outstanding bills (like the cable bill where I have not received a paper bill for months; I only know that it is overdue when I receive the overdue bill - crazy)

There is more, but some of it is just too personal and I am not going there.

What I've Learned Lately

I'm working in Photoshop more these days. Finishing up a 4-week course w/Jessica Sprague. It has been a huge help. I like working w/flourishes, grunge frames and the brushes, oh, the brushes. And the actions too.

I'm doing more w/Dreamweaver too; it's a software program for web design. Would love to link to that page, but it is top secret. Actually, it's just a sample page and quite basic.

Oh, and I am working on some video tutorials. I'm already started. I am using Adobe's Premiere Pro. Do you see a theme here - I have the Adobe Master Collection CS3. It's pricey, but it has all of the bells and whistles. Another thing I've learned (actually I've known, but haven't taken advantage of) is the abundance of software at reduced rates that I have access to.

I've learned that if someone says that there is a sale at a store, if you don't get there pronto, the item that was on sale will be all gone; it will be an item that is discontinued and you will have totally missed out.

I've learned that taking my Pilates classes is doable. I'm taking them at least weekly; I think I'll get there just once this week due to a last minute scheduling of a dental cleaning. Ugh! But the following week it will be two Pilates classes per week. Plus I am adding a spinning class. It is getting time to 'flaunt it'; I should be ready.

I've learned, better yet, realized, that I have more things than I need. I surely don't need four pair of new shoes, yet I have them. Guess what? There will be four pair leaving the house at some point this week - never to return (and don't rule out the fact that I might 'return' a pair that was just purchased). Though the shoes I bought were cheapies - purchased at Target and Payless. So not much damage to the finances.

There have been more lessons learned, but you get the picture.

My resolve in ... '08

Yeah, I know ... it's February already and I am just posting my New Year's Resolutions! Don;t hate me because you were stressin tryin to get it done, while I took my time and let the resolutions marinate = less stress, happy me.

So last year, I concocted a lil New Year's resolution list. I did okay with that list. Here is the list of what carries over - and note to self: if it does not get done this year, it can not - will not roll over to '09.

• snowboarding lesson
• travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before
• run a 5K (at least)
• Get published in Cards magazine! and other craft related publications

Now here is what I've come up with for this year:

• Spend less and less often
• This is a big one; I want to shop less. I can do that, but I like fresh fruit and veggies, so that will be the only exception. For my own sake, I will have to more clearly define this one

• Get my mental act together
• This really means: do not allow other peoples negative actions to affect me emotionally - ooooommmmmmmm

• Do Pilates at least once a week

• Meditate for at least 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning

That's it for now ... gotta keep it doable.