Boun-SEE

Boun-Sing Ideas: Packing More Life Into My Days

2012-01-30T17:30:00.000-06:00

I have to say, I'm just loving these "10 minute increments" that I'm building into my day. I do sometimes truly feel like I'm packing extra life into my days. These are a few of the things that are keeping me busy:

1. TalkShoe.com: how come no one ever told me about this site before? Ha! You can literally take classes for free. I'm currently listening to a podcast course on entrepreneurism. I can sneak in clips here and get a Carnegie Mellon University-worthy education for myself along the way. What a concept!

2. TedTalks: These are just mesmerizing, if you didn't already know. These come in 20-minute increments, but I often just have them playing in the background. Some are motivating, some are educational, and some are downright awe-inspiring.

3. I just picked up these two books from the library as a complement to the journaling course I'm taking. I'm just trying to soak in all the different journaling techniques to use and coming up with of some of my own.

Journal Junkies Workshop

Visual Chronicles

4. Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall: I keep trying to squirrel away time to read this book, because I'm completely mesmerized. I'm a runner, so I find myself just wanting to steep myself in this culture of mega-distance runners and learn all their little secrets. My aunt was visiting last week and she was the one that turned me on to the book. Thanks Aunt Mary! And thank goodness for the public library.

5. Picnik.com: I messed around on this site this past week. Wow! Right now Picnik is offering all their premium stuff for FREE!!! Until April, when they merge with Google, the site is just open to the public. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a Picnik open slate, hey! I am trying to learn new ways to make my blog cuter without Photoshop. So, slowly but surely I'm teaching myself little techniques in those spare moments. I just played around with the above banner, designed an Etsy banner and made a really cool picture invitation. That's right friends, I'm actually taking steps to open an Etsy shop. S'about time!

Any other ideas of great things to sneak in during the day? What do you accomplish on your lunch break?

Boun-sing Ideas: How to Spend my Christmas Money

2012-01-16T17:30:00.000-06:00

So, I am notorious for holding onto chunks of change until I find something I absolutely adore. There are no holes burning in my pockets like there was in my husband's. His Christmas money is long gone, spent mostly on the magnetic force that is his appetite. I joked that he'd have his money gone by Tuesday, following Christmas, and mine would be gone by June. Anyhow, here are a few things that are stealing my thoughts lately and will perhaps be the means to the end of my small Christmas stash (because I guess you're never too old to get Christmas checks):

1. The Crosley Lancaster: I haven't owned a record player since college when one of my friends decided to borrow my thrifted find and returned it in "not working" condition. But instead of updating my vinyl collection, I decided I just couldn't part with them and must.find.record.player. This particular record player has a CD player and radio built in. Best of the old and the new. I have a feeling that when I pull off the bubble wrap and test out the fresh needle, my level of inspiration will skyrocket. This is an investment in my productivity people!

2. Washi tape: I am an improviser the the nth degree, but you can't really improvise on pretty tape, right? This will get used for all sorts of projects from art journaling to banner-making and other pretties.

3. Speaking of art journaling, my first $30 was spent without blinking an eye on Elsie Larson and Rachel Denbow's Art Journal All Year e-course. That was literally a no-brainer. No thought whatsoever. My fingers did the walking before my brain even had time to process it. I never make impulse buys, so that must tell you something... I might consider buying another e-course from Red Velvet as well.

4. Feist CD: Every Pandora station I tune into comes around to her in one way or another. What can I say? Love it!

I have already spent a few bucks here and there one treats for my husband, a trip to the thrift store and a trip to Office Max to get a fresh new sketchbook for the art journaling challenge (which I will offer a sneak peek in a future post:) Oh, and I bought my boy some requested fine-point pens for his second semester of college. I am so proud, I don't even know how to fully express it!!!

Boun-See Seats: It's a Pleasure to be Your Momma

2012-01-05T17:30:00.000-06:00

Our daily indoor trampoline date: I swore we wouldn't keep it in the house

He calls out "momma!" at least 16 times per minute. Look at this. Try this. I'm thirsty. Follow me. Let's be ghosts. Hide! I want one.

Yesterday it bothered me, to the point that I started to mimic him. Oh heavens, please forgive me. But today, I decided to be a little bit more contemplative and deliberate about embracing it. After all, I know that before I know it, there will come a time when he'll be more inclined to talk to a garbage can than his own mother. That little tiny high-pitched voice will turn into a manly grumble. And I know I'll miss these days and all that "momma"-ing.

So today, I'm going to embrace it. I'm going to wrap my arms around him and listen to everything he has to say, complete with eye contact and legitimate interest in his words. I'm not too jaded to hear what's all been said before, because it hasn't been said by this particular little human. Because there's something truly thrilling about watching my boy learn all these new things for the first time himself.

There's this magical glue that we mommas have that keeps our little ones at our sides and fuses our souls. There will be times when our children will be so far away, even if in the next room, but that momma bond is one tough cookie. It can survive the utmost tragedies and coldness (a la Gone With the Wind). And if anything is truly worth celebrating, it is this mother/child connection.

I know firsthand how much mommas mean, because I know what mine means to me. It's enough to make a grown person cry. That sublime connection alone makes it such a pleasure to be this little man's momma.

P.S. Speaking of little Peanuts: my husband told me today that our son knows the words to the Walker Texas Ranger theme song. Oh brother! Not sure I can embrace that one. Haha!

Boun-Sing Ideas: Changing Life in Increments

2012-01-04T17:30:00.000-06:00

I spoke in my resolution post about avoiding time-waste by filling all those random 10-minute increments in a day with meaningful activities. I've got to say, I'm off to a strong start:

1. This morning, while watching the news (still productive in itself), I pulled out this gentle workout from my magazine for my new "morning warming" idea. It's bitter cold here where I live right now. Mornings are tough when you have to force yourself out of bed into the brisk winter air. To wake up, warm up and start my day off right, I decided to implement a "morning warming" ritual. Could be tea, could be yoga, could be Dr. Oz's 7-minute Morning Workout. But it eases me nicely into a productive winter day.

2. Each day, I try to peek at a success story or two. Right now, I'm drawn to weight loss success stories, but creative entrepreneurial business successes have been known capture me whole-heartedly. I seek them out and use them as fuel. Success stories are my favorite part of my magazines and the very reason I started working out from the very beginning. Thank you Self Magazine! I've even written about a few success stories here on my blog. I just read that, according to science, reading/watching about success stories can do wonders for your health. What a great way to spend 10 minutes!

3. Quality family time can be built in 10-minute increments. A jump-fest on the trampoline? Sure! You should see the smile on that boy's face. That trampoline is keeping us all young--and releasing all this pent-up, cabin-fever rambunctiousness. Seriously, who could resist?

I'm loving this new experiment. What else could I fill those precious 10-minute spaces with?

Boun-Sing Ideas: Resolutions for Happiness

2012-01-03T17:30:00.000-06:00

Last year I wrote a great article outlining ways to stay on top of your resolutions. I also blogged about how I don't think resolutions need to be confined to one day of the year. I believe we can start over any day, any second of any day.

This year, I'm approaching resolutions from a "what makes me happy" standpoint. I'm going to make it a point to enrich my life this year, not trouble myself too much with where I'm falling short.

I did some, what I like to call, stream-of-consciousness journaling. I was grabbing papers out of the recycle bin and bits of fabric from the craft room floor to piece together the pages. Here is a personal peek inside the pages:

I have a terrible habit of collecting things and "saving them" for a good time. Sometimes I save them to the point that they're outdated or no longer suit my taste. For instance, I have a whole package of 8-1/2" x 11" scrapbook paper from high school that I collected bit by bit. I find some of the patterns horrifying now and I've since graduated to the standard 12"x12" scrapbook anyhow. I am still inclined to save beautiful fabrics for that "ideal" project and expensive face cream for the night before special parties. Instead, this year, I'm going to make a concerted effort to enjoy the things I find beautiful NOW!

I also did some season-specific pages, outlining the things that I want to do in the summer and the winter, like "perfect a Sangria recipe" in summer and "morning jump rope/stretches to get warm" in winter. My whole heart felt lighter as I was brainstorming all these things that bring me pleasure. I want to remember to indulge in these special things with each passing month. In fact, I'm so eager about them, I want to do them all today!

I even did a "Do the things I Love" page, listing my top sources of pleasure, so that I don't forget to make space for them in my daily routine.

And I plan to do my favorite things by implementing a 10-min increment plan. You know, all those 10 minute chunks of time we let slip away each day? Well, I'm going to squirrel them away and work my hardest to bring some of my dreams to fruition. There's a lot you can make, research about, see or sweat off in 10 minutes. Even parts of those "things I love" from the list above can be managed in 10 minutes.

I also set some fun fitness, finance and romance goals. And I have a page listing what I could be doing daily, weekly and monthly to achieve my dreams. This process is like therapy! I suggest giving it a try. In fact, "dream planning" is now on my list of weekly goals, along with picking out my weekly workouts, and checking in on the family budget. Ahhh, sounds perfect.

What are your plans for 2012?

Boun-See Seats: Christmas Tradition Ideas From Our Home

2011-12-29T17:30:00.000-06:00

This year, we started what we hope to become some new Christmas traditions with our son. Of course, cutting down a real tree has always been one of them.

But here are a few more that we added to the repertoire this year:

Washing dishes by the light of Christmas lights strung over the window:

Singing Silent Night at the candlelight service is also one of my all-time favorite Christmas traditions. Following church, we thought it would be so much fun to throw mattresses on the floor and have one big family sleepover on Christmas Eve, with an over-the-top pancake breakfast in the morning. (Hint: try egg nog instead of milk in your favorite pancake recipe-yummo!). Aren't we cute?

My all-time best Christmas memories revolve around huge family get-togethers at my grandparent's house with a huge feast and gift-opening frenzy. But the most cherished moments center around an entire extended family listening intently to my grandpa as he spoke about the First Christmas and the real meaning behind the holiday.

What are your favorite traditions and memories?

Boun-Sing Ideas: Eight Ways to Display Artwork on a Budget

2011-12-28T20:30:00.000-06:00

Displaying artwork in your home does not have to be a pocket-burner. In fact, most of the artwork in my home cost less than $25 each. Let's talk about easy ways to add art, culture, themes and color to your home for a lady on a budget:

1. Art Prints: purchasing prints of original paintings happens to be very cost-effective. The images above are prints, even though you can't tell by looking at them. The left image on the top pic came from a bookstore in Northern Wisconsin. The one on the right was from an art auction on our honeymoon cruise. Just for attending the auction, each person received an art print for free. The bottom image shows three framed images we have hanging in our son's room. Each frame contains a print we bought at an art store in Florida, supporting local artists. If you can't tell, the theme in our son's room (and most of the house) is nature-centered, and these prints pull that theme together easily.

2. Make friends with artists: this one just sort of happened by default, but my best friend happens to be an uber-talented watercolorist. She has gifted us several original paintings and prints that we excitedly hang from our walls. Her mother also gifted us an original watercolor that hangs in our bedroom. These beautiful, hand-painted images are some of the most cherished gifts we've ever received.

3. Scour vintage and consignment shops: The painting above was purchased for $4 at a local consignment shop. This picture hangs in our office, which is painted the same blue and yellow in the picture. Score!

4. Frame art greeting cards: This is a close-up of an image from above. Not only is this a print of a watercolor, but it also came in greeting card form. Some spectacular art can be bought in greeting card form for usually around $1 to $5. They often fit perfect inside 4x6 or 5x7 matted frames.

5. Book pages: Sometimes book pages are beautiful enough to frame, especially special vintage finds. Sometimes, even children's book pages are whimsical enough to display. Above is a garland of pages from a $0.10 thrift store book, hanging in our son's playroom. Who could resist that outrageous cow anyhow?

6. Mirrors as art: Mirrors have a magical way of adding dimension and extra perceived space to your home. This mirror anchors our side-by-side dining room windows. The frame also has a beautiful ornate design with an antique-y finish. Etched, vanity, or other artistic mirrors make wonderful substitutes for works of art in your home.

7. Printed book pages on Etsy: I purchased the prints above from a local brick and mortar handmade shop, but the artist also sells on Etsy. I bought three matching 8-1/2" x 11" frames and three coordinating vintage-y scrapbook paper pages to display the prints in. (Sorry I can't remember the artist off-hand). These food-themed beauties hang in my kitchen, of course.

8. Pretty fabric or papers also make lovely frame-worthy art. I've seen a lot of vignette-style arrangements of framed scrapbook paper. In fact, I framed some ornate Oriental fabric for my sister for Christmas as part of an Oriental home decor-themed gift. This can be a great way to anchor the colors you have chosen for any particular room in your house, especially when you can't find any artwork to match.

As a note: most of the actual frames in my home were picked up at Hobby Lobby on their 1/2-off days, which happen just about every other week.

Happy decorating!

Boun-See Seats: Children's Book Inspiration

2011-12-21T17:30:00.000-06:00

Taking a break from all the Christmas hubbub, this is what's inspiring me right now--vintage children's book illustrations:

Love the geometry, colors, and beauty:

I might save this one to frame for Easter. It's just right, yes?

You can't tell from the picture, but the these ornate illustrations are printed with shiny metallic inks:
Who wouldn't want a rickety mansion of a treehouse like this?

This page is currently being used as a page divider in my personal journal. In fact, it's the first page I see, because I love looking at it:

A treehouse city? Yes, please.

Each of these books was carefully thrifted for its beautiful use of color, imaginative designs, charm and aptly-drawn childlike quality. Love love love!

Boun-sing Ideas: Christmas Around Our House Part 2

2011-12-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

Just give me one men's plaid XL shirt at the thrift store, and this is what I can do with it:

1. Christmas wreath: starting at the sleeves of the shirt, I cut a bunch of fabric strips. I hot glued each piece down to my thrifted straw wreath (50 cents!!!) as I went, overlapping pieces the whole way. Then, I took three more strips and made three rolled roses. To make the red "foliage," I cut a bunch (maybe a dozen) of squares out of some spare red fabric I had. Fold them in half once, then in half again, and glue them down. You can round the top edges to make it look softer.

2. Christmas garland: starting at the hem of the shirt, I cut long strips of fabric about 1-2 inches thick. I tied three pieces together and braided them. I connected two braids in the middle to get enough to go around the doorway. Don't mind the little ornaments. Haha! Though I think it would be neat to hang bulbs from the garland at intervals. Hmmmm. Might try that when I get home.

3. Christmas Forest: The three tall trees I thrifted a couple of years ago. Recently, I found two foam cones at the thrift store. I wrapped each in extra fabric strips from the shirt. I wound the strips around and used sewing pins to hold them down. I made the star ornaments several years back with felt and embroidery thread. I hung the last two stragglers on my trees with matching gold buttons for an extra touch.

4. Framed Christmas Greetings: I thrifted this frame for a fun DIY photo shoot at my wine and cheese party last year. I strung two fabric strips from the back of the frame and hot glued them down. I cut out 9 total 2x2 inch squares from some green scrapbook paper I already had. Then, I stenciled in the letters. Then, I just stapled the letter squares to the fabric strips. Voila!

Call me the crafty thrifter, this was so much fun! I loved the project, because it formed a color theme throughout the house. The color-coordination makes all the decorations flow together. I still have a little fabric left, so I might have to drum up another project. We shall see.

Boun-sing Ideas: Christmas Around Our House Part 1

2011-12-15T17:30:00.000-06:00

Here are a few sneak peeks into merry Christmas-making around our parts:

Our local community park does a huge Christmas light show during the holidays. A big fellow in a red suit hides out in one of the heated shelters.

Peanut wore his hat for the occasion. Do you see how intent he is here? He had some serious business to do with the Big Guy.

One of the Christmas traditions both my husband and I were adamant about bringing into our family was cutting our own tree every year. We even did this before the Peanut was in the mix. It's been unusually warm here in Wisconsin, making it much easier to continue that tradition without complaining. Once home, we had a tiny tree-raising ceremony complete with pink cheeks and hot chocolate.

Here is where we remind Peanut about the true meaning of Christmas. And the scene behind our learning the lyrics to Away in a Manger. He likes to point to "the stars in the sky" that look down where he lay.

Putting these meaningful touches all around our house is such a source of joy for me. Seeing my son start to understand all the concepts of Christmas and engaging in all our traditions is just amazing.

More to come!

Boun-Sing Ideas: One Scary Moment Equals More Gratitude

2011-12-14T17:30:00.000-06:00

I normally wouldn't post about personal medical topics, but I experienced the scariest moment of my life yesterday morning. I woke up, coughed, and suddenly couldn't breathe. My throat closed up and I felt like I could've died. It was disappointing and terrifying feeling like my body had failed me. After what felt like hours, but probably was more like one minute, I sat down and finally caught a breath and then another. After an ER trip determined I was fine, I went back to life as usual, taking breathing a little less for granted and coughing a little more hesitantly.

With more breaths afforded to me, I thought it appropriate to express my gratitude for what's been happening lately. I am so thankful for:

1. A healthy family. Everyone in my home is feeling well.
2. An exciting meeting at work this week.
3. Accidentally falling asleep with my son, watching Christmas movies, more than once this week. Daddy came in and carefully transplanted the boy into his own bed and then reclaimed his place next to me.
4. Washing dishes under the light of Christmas lights. This will never get old.
5. Putting the finishing touches of Christmas around the house.
6. Teaching the Peanut Christmas carols. We're working on Away in a Manger, and he loves to sing it over and over and over while looking at the nativity. I am more-than-happy to oblige.
7. Watching my nephew's church Christmas program and enjoying lunch afterward with my all-time favorite, beef tips and gravy.
8. Feeling a little like a pioneer with a freezer fully stocked with venison and frozen shredded zucchini.
9. Feeling very supported by my husband who, uncharacteristically, waxed philosophical and offered his massagin' hands.
10. Seeing my Peanut revel in the simple joy that his own light-up Christmas tree brings him at bedtime. It makes a great night light!

Boun-See Balls: Letter to ExerciseTV

2011-11-29T17:30:00.000-06:00

Dear ExerciseTV,

Please don't go!

I went to your site yesterday and saw this:

I am in complete denial that this is true, so please tell me that I am seeing things. Is there a petition I can sign or something? This is the biggest travesty to the fitness community that I could ever imagine. Such a shame.

Yours truly,

Avid ExerciseTV user

P.S. to my readers, you can buy a few of their workouts for download for only $1.00. It's like the Dollar Store of workout videos, only the quality of the product is much more savory. Best buck ever spent. And I'm really excited to do this workout tonight. At least there are still some free workout videos out there. If you know of any others out there, please let me know.

Boun-sing Back!

2011-11-28T17:30:00.000-06:00

I had a short little hiatus here from work and blogging, but I'm so glad to be back. Just a few weeks more and I'll be taking another one for Christmas. I have encountered a surge of ideas this Monday morning after my little "refresher," which makes every bit of the break sooooo worth it!

This past week I have enjoyed:

1. Making a new Christmas wreath and matching garland (ideas and images coming soon).
2. Thrift shopping for longer than is considered reasonable.
3. Beginning a new exciting project involving old hard covered books, picked up at said thrift store.
4. Staying at a friend's parent's house while my husband hunted deer. After finding three deer, our chest freezer is now fully stocked.
5. Making new friends, adult and tot-sized.
6. Feeling genuinely thankful for our home and family, Thanksgiving or not.
7. Putting lots of thought into Christmas gifts, and checking a few names off.
8. Planning Christmas decorations and traditions (daily readings with hot cocoa, Christmas movies, cutting a tree, etc).
9. Working out extra hard and coming out on the other side of the holiday 1lb lighter.
10. Going to a neat indie craft fair and soaking up the art inspiration and holiday excitement.

How was your week?

Boun-Sing Ideas: Make the World Lovely

2011-11-18T18:00:00.000-06:00

I believe in dining room tablecloths
I believe in hair bows and nice socks
I believe in pretty ribbons wrapped around keys on the pegboard
I believe in a feather tucked behind the ear
I believe in doodled love notes tucked inside pockets
I believe in a sparkly swipe of eyeshadow on date night
I believe in caving to that urge to jump in a puddle
I believe in tucking pretty rocks in with the books on the shelf
I believe in tucking extra treats into gift wrapping
I believe in holding hands while watching TV
I believe in spoiling a tiny boy with “campouts” every weekend because we love it too
I believe in one cupcake at midnight
I believe in dancing while you sweep
I believe in coloring inside the letters in work meetings
I believe in keeping an extra picnic blanket in the car
I believe in anything that can make life just a little prettier.

It’s not about materialism or whittling away time on meaningless things, it’s about finding and adding beauty a little here and a little there.

Boun-See Balls: From A Recovering Couch Potato

2011-11-16T17:30:00.000-06:00

I was just thinking the other day about how being the Valedictorian--or even the Salutatorian--was as close as one gym class away for me. I hated gym class. Like so many others, I have stories about wheezing through the one-mile run, being picked last for every sport despite real skill in some, and dreading the mandatory swimming semester. OMG, I have to wear my swimming suit in front of those mean kids?

But as I thought about it, I realized gym class was the very reason that I didn't quite make it to the head of my class. I did graduate #7 out of a class of 366, but #1-4 were the valedictorians and #5-6 were the salutatorians. Yep, I was that close. And gym class (and one *ahem* B in science) was the reason. To guarantee an A for the semester, we had to swim 10 full laps. It took me almost the entire class period, but you can sure as heck bet I eked out those 10 laps. I was retching and dying, but I did it. And somehow I ended up with a B anyway. It was one of those instances where I kick myself for not confronting the teacher about it. But alas, I took my B with my tail between my legs.

Funny thing is, now you would never guess I was that girl. Gym class can "bite me" now. I run at least three days a week, usually around 3 miles each. That one-miler has nothing on my now! I've completed a handful of 5ks and a Half Marathon. Take that mean gym teachers! I get a huge thrill from exercise, I have a huge crush on workout videos, I have a "gym" membership, I inhale every exercise magazine I can lay my hands on, and I secretly sometimes think about being a gym instructor. Take that, gym class!

It's ironic how your body can turn around and do the complete opposite of what you ever thought it could do and that your reason for non-valedictorian-ism is now coughing up the dust you left in your running path.

Boun-See Balls: A Magical 3-Mile Run

2011-11-14T17:30:00.000-06:00

Image by Judd Patterson

I have been dreaming again about the most amazing run I had over the summer as the weather is getting colder. The in-laws were up from Florida for a visit, and they took our family to the Milwaukee Zoo. We stayed overnight nearby so my MIL could spend some time with her closest friend that lives close by. I, of course, packed my runnin' shoes.

Just across the street from the motel was the mouth of a nature path. Around dusk, I laced up and left my two boys to unwind in the room with strict instructions that if I didn't return in 45 minutes to send a search party. I didn't feel like running. True confession: most of the time I don't feel like running. But I know exactly how I'll feel if I do run, so I always do anyway.

The air was perfect for a run. The visual relief of nature was delightful. The departure from the norm was fantastic. Just running in a new place has a way of reviving the spirit of fitness inside me. But it got soooo much better.

I rounded a bend about halfway through my run when I heard some rustling that made my hair stand up. I saw something moving in the brush. Then, a brown neck popped up and I realized I was within feet of a beautiful doe. Right then, I noticed the second one. Those huge eyes, those beautiful bodies standing dead-still waiting to determine if I was a threat. I just smiled at them knowingly as I padded by, trying to send signals with my eyes that I would never hurt them.

Not too far up the path, I reached my halfway point and turned around. Those pretty girls were still there. Those city gals let me get pretty close, so I could snap a shot with my phone as proof. Then, I left them alone again and carried on. Near the end of the run, I saw another flash in the brush. Thinking I'd spied the eyes of a rodent or other little animal, I ran a little faster. But I noticed another flash and another and another until I realized I was completely surrounded by lightning bugs. It was so magical, almost mystical.

I had not seen lightning bugs since I was a kid on a family camping trip. I rode my bike through a small patch of trees and there was a tiny swarm of them. That was another magical moment from another time. I went a little slower for the rest of the run, taking it all in. In fact, I even ran back through one stretch, just so I could run through it again. It was amazing!

Back at the motel, I insisted that the boys retrieve their shoes and follow me back down the path. I got to experience my son's first encounter with lightning bugs and it was so surreal and beautiful.

Nothing beats a run like that.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Fall Reading List

2011-11-08T17:30:00.000-06:00

This is what's on my book list lately. Yep, I'm reading them all at the same time.
I pick up wherever I left off in the tome that matches my mood that day. It's a terrible habit that I have of starting too many books at one time. I'll put books on hold at the library at the same time that an Amazon order arrives at the doorstep and the Bible study starts a new book. Aye!

Thankfully fall is a great time to refresh the bookcases, because there's plenty of dark time to enjoy a few hours of reading.

1. Handmade Marketplace: I've been toying with the idea for awhile of starting an Etsy store. This book is great for goal-setting and branding a craft store.

2. Cannery Row: A friend lent this Steinbeck classic to me. It's great because the chapters are short and they jump around. So, I can pick up where I left off easily. Steinbeck's descriptions are expert!!!

3. God Girl: This is actually meant for the younger lady, but I love it anyway. It's so soft and sweet and makes God feel like your best friend. It's fresh not to be so serious and in-depth once in awhile.

4. Desiring God: I've mentioned this one before. Apparently, it's a Christian classic that's regaining ground again. I love love love the idea of finding or re-living pure joy in God.

5. Power Thoughts: This is the Christian response to the Law of Attraction movement that's shaking the ground right now. It puts thoughts into a Christian perspective. Yes, you can use your thoughts for great things, but you can't "think into being" your favorite house or a million dollars. So helpful for not getting caught up in all those materialistic concepts.

I almost added more to this stack, but I had to stop somewhere. Inevitably, a few will go half-read once the library demands their books back. A book like Desiring God cannot be inhaled in one night. It's meant to be savored and re-visited for a quite some time. Thankfully, some are short enough to be completely read within a few more days. Happy Reading!

Boun-Sing Ideas: De-cluttering Old Schoolwork

2011-11-07T17:30:00.000-06:00

I went in the attic to locate a buried research paper example for my husband. He has to write a 10 to 12-pager by the end of the semester and doesn't even know what one looks like. Well, being an English major, I had 10 to 15-pagers aplenty. So I went on a search to find one that I could easily explain to him. A paper deconstructing literature would've been much too difficult to break down for him.

I found the paper I was looking for quite easily and then I tried to pry something...anything...out of the box and into the garbage. After all, I know I will never return to those notes or those posters or any of it really. I paged through one notebook and thought about it in the garbage and immediately returned it to the box. I just.can't.do.it. Short of someone coming in with a pry bar, I cannot let these papers go. The time invested. The real raw blood, sweat and tears. Those four whole gruelling years of full-time school and full-time work to put myself through college. It feels like trying to amputate my own limb.

I marveled at the way I could write. I mean, I know I can write, but sometimes I forget exactly how keen my intellect can be amidst piles of research and analysis. I'll admit, looking through the papers calms my inferiority complex a bit. Especially coming across all the letters and stickers I got for being on the Dean's list almost every semester. I don't mean to boast, because most of the time I'm pretty hard on myself, but sometimes those gentle reminders of our talents and abilities really do give us a boost.

Then, I think about my kids coming across my old papers one day. I came across old papers from my mom's elementary school days and I was completely enamored. Seeing her handwriting and her grades and imagining her in cute red polyester jumpsuits sitting at her Catholic school desk was just too sweet to miss. I wondered if somehow I time-traveled and ended up in her same class, if we would instantly be best friends. Wanting to immerse myself in that sentiment, I even swiped one of her rad retro leftover folders.

Being the writer that I am, the back page of every one of my notebook was littered with my word graffiti. Story ideas were born there. Poems originated in the margins. My favorite words were recorded there. The beauty of being a harried student and full-time worker is that the best ideas are born out of the overwhelming chaos. My muse materializes during bouts of over-scheduling and information overload. I built a lot of my best work off of those scribbled-up "back pages."

A friend and I just had a conversation about decluttering old school papers. She just did it with a shrug of the shoulder and her head turned the other way. I told her that I really tried to channel her in my own purge attempt, but it totally failed. I'm convinced that pieces of my identity are tucked inside the folds in there. It's only one box anyway. It's not like Hoarders territory or anything. I'll think I'll keep them just a little longer.

Is there anything that you still cling to? Your favorite dolly from childhood (oops, I'm guilty of this one too), your collection of Tonka trucks or pen pal letters?

Boun-see Seats: Peanut Picnics #6

2011-11-06T13:01:00.000-06:00

Our sixth picnic ended faster than it started. But hey, at least we got to eat before we left.

Those boys no longer cooperate with the camera either. Ha! Nice milk mustache, man.

This was probably one of the most random outings we've had yet. There was a squirrel checking us out.

The boys insisted I take a picture of a floating bottle.

But the water always brings an extra sense of wonder to those playful pups. And the weather was unseasonably warm for an October day in Wisconsin.

See the watch on his arm? I guess this could be considered foreshadowing to what happened, but that is actually a "potty timer." Thanks Pull-Ups!

The boys did get to play for a few minutes though.

We got to play for about 5 minutes. Momma included. They put me on one of those spinny playground chairs. But my feet couldn't even reach the ground. And those things are engineered to keep spinning to infinity. I had to cry out between fits of laughter for them to stop me.

That's when I noticed the wet spot down the legs of the boy who insisted on wearing real underwear to the park. And that was the short end of that. Thank goodness I had an extra Pull-Up in the car.

Boun-Sing Ideas: DIY Baby Milestone Book

2011-11-05T10:02:00.000-05:00

Two of my dearest friends recently brought brand new additions into their homes. For their baby showers, I designed two little books for each of them. One was a baby milestone book and the other was a letter-a-year book. I think it's much too difficult to keep up with baby milestones in a big scrapbook or other complicated way, especially with the culture shock that a new baby adds to daily life. To make it easy for them, I made one page for each month, printed with journal lines for a quick jot. Even the most harried mommies amongst us can handle that, right? That is, if we remember...

The back of the book had a few pages to reminisce about other things, such as "Our Favorite Lullabies" and "Our Family Tree." I also included a little envelope for the first lock of hair.

The second book was designed with one pocket for each of the child's birthdays through age 18. And each pocket was furnished with one sheet of writing paper. The idea is to write a quick note to your child on each birthday about what the past year meant to you and to let your heart out. Then, when they're old enough to appreciate it, you can share the stack of letters with them. I do this every year for my son, and I thought I would share this wonderful tradition with my good friends and blog readers.

For each, I bought a stack of baby-themed cardstock from Hobby Lobby. I punched a hole in the corner of each sheet and strung them through a binder clip. The stamped words throughout were made from a small set of letter stampers. I embellished the pages with a few baby-themed stickers and other ephemera, but I wanted to keep it fairly simple. I just can't wait to see what the ladies do with them!

Boun-Sing Ideas: DIY Envelope System

2011-11-04T17:30:00.000-05:00

I needed an envelope system for the cash I regularly carry in my purse that was:

Not bulky--a girl's purse is already a shoulder breaker
Organized--trying to keep all the money straight isn't easy for a girl on a budget
Cute--has to fit the whole aesthetic of the purse, wallet, etc.
Easy to grab and go

I was concerned that the prevalent cloth versions on Etsy would get bulky and beat up in a purse. I was thinking, what could I use that has multiple pockets, doesn't bend and is super-slim? Ah-ha, a pocket picture album! Dollar bills fit in 4x6 album pages perfectly. Keeping in line with said budget, the project is also super low-cost. Even a few friends have even adopted this great idea.

Supplies: heavy-duty scissors, contact paper/adhesive drawer liner, a 4x6 picture album, embellishments, 1 standard sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper cut into six 4x6 sheets.

1. Cut a piece of contact paper slightly smaller than the width/height of the album cover. Fold it in half about three times.

2. Cut the contact paper like those snowflakes you made as a child. You will need the heavy-duty scissors to cut through those thick layers.

3. Apply the resulting paper design to the cover. If you've found a vintage photo album that already has a beautiful cover, feel free to skip these first three steps!

4. Insert the scrapbook paper into six pages of the album. Feel free to use more if you need to.

5. I used some leftover scraps of contact paper and a felt-tip marker to label each envelope: EAT, DUDS, POST, ENTERTAIN, SUNDAY, and SPEND. Be sure to label the outside of the picture sleeve or your greenbacks will cover up the label and you'll waste time trying to figure out which pocket is which.

6. Embellish as desired. I didn't want to add any sort of money symbols to the front cover so I could keep the wallet more "covert." I didn't want to make it very inviting for sticky fingers.

This project is a great way to prepare for all those upcoming New Years' Resolutions or to keep tabs on your Christmas budget. I've heard it said (from financial professionals) that the envelope system is one of the best methods for keeping a budget, so I'm sticking to it. When the "out to eat" money is gone, it's gone. But hey, I feel so excited that we even have an "out to eat" category in our budget now.

Featured on the Made By You Monday link party at:

Boun-Sing Ideas: Magnet Board Makeover

2011-10-25T19:30:00.000-05:00

I saw these at the thrift store and just had to buy them. I wasn't sure what I'd do with them, but I was determined to do something. After all, it was 1/2-off day. And my oh my do I have a hankering for magnet boards.

So, I whipped out the Mod Podge, the scrapbook paper, a few buttons and a little ribbon and ta-da!

Before and after. Aren't these super adorable? As much as I'd like to keep them, I believe I will sell them with the rest of the crafty goodies I've been cookin' up.

Boun-See Seats: Peanut Picnics #5

2011-10-23T12:49:00.000-05:00

It took awhile to find this local park. I knew whereabouts it was, but couldn't pinpoint it. We weaved through quite a few roads. Just as I was on my way to a different park, I took one last turn and got just as excited as the kids to have finally found it.

There's a playground on one side of the street and a huge open football field on the other side. My son was yelling "Go Pack Go," even though the field was populated by the little leagues.

The boys noticed some "balls" from one of the trees. They gathered as many as their little arms could carry, up to the elbows. They had the whole park going with ball games. One tiny boy put a ball on the bridge and started jumping. They played ski-ball on the slides. They played catch. Amazing what one little gift from a tree can do for the entertainment of tiny people.

My nephew has told his mommy more than once that she's not allowed to come along on our picnics. This is something he only does with his cousin and auntie, so there!

Boun-Sing Ideas: Easiest Fall Wreath Ever!

2011-10-22T19:30:00.000-05:00

This rag wreath is one of the easiest decorations you could ever put together, and it will bring festive fall flavor to your front door or living room wall faster than you can say "buy it at a craft fair."

Materials:
*about 1/4-yard fabric (or shirt material, leftover ribbons, etc) in warm fall colors
*a twig wreath
*fabric scissors

Directions:

1. Cut your fabric into strips about 1/2 to 1-inch thick and long enough to tie around the wreath.

2. Double-knot the strips at regular intervals around the wreath.
3. Um, wait. That's it!!! Well, you might want to trim the bottom ties so they don't hang too far down.

You can vary this in so many ways. You can vary the colors and textures by alternating two, three or four different fabric patterns. You could glue an arrangement of leaves and acorns at the bottom corner. I found my twig wreath at the thrift store for $1. I already had the fabric. Keep your eyes peeled, because you can often find gaudy already-decorated wreaths at the thrift store that are super-easy to take apart. Red, orange and brown fabric can come from anything from rags to shirts to faded corduroy pants. Then, for Christmas, you can start over with red and green strips!

Boun-Sing Ideas: For the Love of the Vignette

2011-10-21T19:54:00.000-05:00

Vignette [vin-yet] n.
1. Any small pleasing picture or view.
2. A small, graceful literary sketch.

Turns out I love a vignette in any of its forms. In high school Honors English, after reading a book, the teacher asked us what the biggest lesson we learned from it was. I was astounded to learn about a new way of writing. I never knew you could write a whole book in vignettes. What an epiphany! I never thought I could manage writing an entire novel with plot climaxes, antagonists and foreshadowing. But I knew I could piece something beautiful together with soft, intertwining vignettes.

Fast forward a few years, and I have another epiphany. What? You can create vignettes in your home too? I've said it before, but interior design is something I knew almost zero about. But oh, the idea of beautifully-curated little landing spots for the eyes. I had been using them from the time I had my own room growing up, but I didn't have a name for them and I hadn't learned the skills of scale, balance and color.

In her Style Your Space e-course, Rachel Denbow makes the compilation of the vignette seem absolutely why-didn't-I-do-this-before, do-able. My favorite part of the vignette? The way they can prevent "dumping zones." These are my least favorite parts of the house where library books, mail, random tools and toy parts pile up like pigeons around a bag lady. And they zap my energy whenever I look at them. Place a graceful vignette in the same spot, and like magic, the dumping stops. It's as though all the males living in the house actually realize the aesthetic they'd be destroying if they "dumped" there. Yessss!!!

So, here's my first shot. I'm no pro, but I grabbed a few things from the house that I already had, a peacock feather my husband bought the same day for me, a thrifted pot, some acorns from one of our picnics and some little seed pods I plucked at a local corn maze. See, I've already started to notice the beautiful patterns and colors around me, even in subtle, easily-overlooked places.

I love the mix of feathery and sharp, round and triangular, short and tall. Obviously green is my favorite color. The pumpkin stands out a little, but is anchored back in by the peeking green ridges. Plus, this makes my least-favorite piece of furniture (an old VHS cabinet) so much easier to look at.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Best Place to Work

2011-10-19T20:30:00.000-05:00

I work at one of the best places to work. Really! It's official. We were voted in the top 10 best places to work in the nation.

Here's the proof. Where else do you get henna tattoos for free on your work break?

Business owners take note: One of the best ways to ensure customer service exceeds your expectations is to treat your "internal customers" with just as much respect and gratitude. Well-taken-care-of employees will naturally feel more inclined to take good care of customers.

If I've learned anything from working where I work, it's that some of the best ways to honor employees are free:

1. Start some lunchtime or after-work clubs for people with similar interests. Give new parents, crafters, gardeners and others a place to gather and form long-lasting relationships. Allow participants to relax their professional demeanor a bit and show their true colors. Bring in a guest speaker every once in awhile.

2. Offer free workouts at lunchtime. Use a TV or projector to show workout videos. Exercise TV has all those free workouts on demand.

3. Host a supply exchange: Set out a table and invite employees to swap extras of an item that you choose. Some ideas are books, craft supplies, tools and kids' clothes. The rule is, you bring one to take one.

4. Relax the dress code, even just once a month.

5. Send out a weekly internal email updating everyone on what's happening inside your company. You might showcase one employee per week, revealing something no one knows about that person. This is a great way to keep everyone in-the-loop and start conversations.

5. Have employees donate business books that are in good condition to the company library and allow everyone to "check out" books from the selection.

Some of these ideas are taken directly from my own workplace. We incorporate some of these things and so much more, you probably would never guess. But henna...that's when you know you've got it good.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Current Obsessions

2011-10-14T19:30:00.000-05:00

Every once in awhile I become completely obsessive over someone or something. The objects of my obsession all relate to my deepest passions in life in one way or another. I love studying people who are doing exactly what I want to be doing or things that trip my heart a little. Here are some of my recent and past obsessions:

1. Sylvia Plath: her intelligence, way with words, and desire to follow her writing dreams. I don't like to delve too deep into the dark side, but I think her writing is genius. I'm a little bit of a nerd when it comes to reading scholarly articles that analyze her works, just don't tell anyone.

2. JK Rowling: her background story is riveting. Her keen intelligence and humbleness makes her oh-so-likable. The way her ingenious, detail-driven mind works is astounding. I love how protective she is of her own creation too. She will never sell out to anything that doesn't completely match her vision. I never hear ego when I hear her speak, I just hear a passion for her creation.

3. Creative, playful, self-driven girls making their own ways in the world like Ginny, Amy, Elsie and Rachel. I have to go back and read earlier posts just to soak up as much as I can. I find that when I steep myself in all their charm, beauty and creativity, it jumpstarts the inspiration in my own life. A big thanks!

4. Zee Avi music: my soul does a happy little skip when her voice comes on my Pandora channel.

5. I somehow can't soak up enough podcasts about thinkers, ideas, literature, big dreams, fitness, and weird science. I will be a student until the day I die.

6. Diana Vreeland: I can't help it, but I'm hooked. I read her biography, researched her life and fell in love. Yes, there's the arrogance, but she has no apologies for it. I just think it's riveting how she pretty much inspired fashion in her time. She didn't just track fashion trends in Vogue, she actually dictated fashion to the world. She knew exactly what she wanted and never wavered even a smidgen. I got stuck on Jackie O for the same reason--she had vision. I like that.

7. Mad Men: A friend and I started watching the series at the same time just because we thought it looked neat. "Looked neat" is such an understatement, no? The clothes, the interior design, the juicy plots, the inside look at the advertising world (I'm a copywriter, I can't help it). I'm in a love/hate relationship with the moodiness, but it's better than frothiness if you ask me.

8. Christian Hedonism: I'm reading Desiring God by John Piper (bless him!). I want to lap up every last drop. Who knew Christians were really supposed to be that happy? My spirit is growing from having a solemn attitude (which has its place in certain contexts) about faith to a downright giddy one. It's exciting!

9. Oprah's LifeClass: I'm not going to be trite and gush about how Oprah has changed my life, but you have to respect the woman for her self-built empire and unprecedented gallery of information. That said, I'm finding the LifeClass immensely groundbreaking for curating a life built upon my deepest, most pure potential. Even some of those listed above have been creative, lifestyle role models and have helped me realize some key things about myself and what I want to accomplish.

Boun-See Seats: Moms Criticizing Other Moms

2011-10-07T19:00:00.000-05:00

"I don't mean to interfere or anything" Really? You could've fooled me. "You know, there's a strong undertow right next to this island." A woman drove past, reversed, got out of her car, and crossed a foot bridge just to tell me this.

"Um, no. I didn't know that." I reply, trying not to roll my eyes like an irresponsible teenager.

"I wouldn't let those kids climb those rocks like that. If they fall in, you're never going to see them again."

"Well, of course, I'm not letting them go past a certain point" (And I'm sitting right here within arm's reach of them. And there's at least 20 feet of slowly-sloping rocks they'd have to climb down and forcefully throw themselves in to actually make it in the water. And you can see the water is completely still at the bottom of the ledge. And I want these kids to experience nature, to climb, to explore, to practice their agility, to grow stronger, etc. I refuse to shelter them from every single imagined danger there is. Believe me, my stomach already does cartwheels every time my son climbs a ladder at a simple playground.)

"Yeah, but they could fall in and that current would pull them right under."

"I assure you, I'm not going to let anything happen to these boys." I say with as much conviction as I've ever had in my life.

"Well, I hope so." She says, as though there's even a chance that this might not be so.

What is the deal with moms criticizing other moms as though we're all hapless waifs trying everything we can do to purposefully hurt our children? Please, stop! My love for my child runs deeper than anything I've ever felt in my entire life. I would, without a second thought, put my body in front of a bullet for him. If fact, I would McGuyver whatever I could within reach and contort my body into impossible positions to stop anything from hurting my child. This I assure you with my entire heart, body and soul.

In spite of this, I could list numerous incidents where other moms (strangers) have come up to me to tell me that I was doing something wrong. I don't know whether it's because I'm a younger mom (no one has EVER dared to say anything to my husband or mom) or because mothers just feel a certain entitlement-of-the-wise to interfere, but several people have offered their "input" about my parenting skills. And it makes my blood boil every time. I probably shouldn't take it so personally, but the entire issue of moms criticizing other moms seems to be trending. It's not just me. It's other moms I know and even moms I don't know.

I mean, does our utmost devotion to our beautiful creations mean nothing? Does our obsessive tending, nurturing, directing, teaching, minding, worrying, and guiding count for nothing? Don't our overly-obsessive thoughts about what's best for our children count for anyting? If they sneeze once, we stay awake at night watching them, making sure they're breathing. We shape our entire existences around our children. Our life goals are centered around their care and wellbeing.

Please, unless you have good reason to believe that someone is physically or emotionally abusing a child (which makes me sick to my stomach), or unless she explicitely requests your input, refrain from criticizing another woman about how she's raising her child. Be assured that she is doing the best that she can and her mother-in-law is probably already on her case about it anyway. Maybe instead you could give her a pat on the back and a compliment. Those displays of motherly affection are, ironically, all-too-rare.

Boun-See Seats: Peanut Picnics #4

2011-10-05T19:20:00.000-05:00

It was raining when we went on our 4th picnic. But we had a nice shelter to keep us covered. Our picnic quilt ended up being my goofy nephew's cover-up until we ran back to the car for his jacket.

If there's one thing I've learned with our weekly picnics it's that keeping children at the table when they've just arrived at a new adventure is next to impossible. Especially when they see a playground out of ~~the corners of their eyes~~ their huge staring eyes and turned heads. I really wish I could drum up the same level of excitement about a different corner of town as they do. I'm learning. These tiny tots are teaching me.

After eating, we explored our territory and found more unexpected trails! Right at the mouth, we saw a beaver or woodchuck or other similar wood-gnawing animal. As we got closer, we noticed a little animal trail that went from one side of the path to the other through two small openings. Around the corner, we saw a chewed up branch. I love finding these little clues to animals' lives while we're not watching.

We also came across a small slow-moving stream.

The rain came down off and on during our walk, but we just stopped under the trees when it sprinkled. We climbed logs, scoped out the fallen trees and imagined magical lands beyond the scope of the trail.

We also got a little goofy while we waited out the showers.

When we got back, Tom and Huck (ha!) finally, finally got to play on the toys. And this, my friends, is how you teeter-totter when your legs are a bit too short to reach the ground yet.

While the boys were playing, I was busy collecting pretty acorns. These beauties were scattered everywhere around the park. I have some little leaf-shaped plates that would make the perfect showcase for these. Decorating for fall makes me feel so giddy.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Some Soule Mama Inspiration

2011-10-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

If you don't already know about her, you have to check out this awesome mama/writer/pioneer/artist... I just got done going through her Handmade Home book. I am completely smitten with the concept of handcrafting things for your home that nurture your family, entertain your children, mother your sick, and personalize your space. I swoon a little bit every time I read through the pages and gaze longingly at the pictures. I am reminded again and again what the purpose of my life is at this very moment, for my three-year-old and husband--to nurture my family and carve a loving home.

I did, however, actually complete one of the projects in the book. Yay me!!! Mind you, my sewing machine had tragically been sitting unused for at least five years before this. I suddenly had a strong desire to make something that had a certain purpose in my home that I couldn't find any other remedy to.

My husband has this annoying habit of grabbing a second towel to put on the floor for his feet. It's sloppy, but I didn't have any better solutions. We had tried a carpet square, but the second that that started, um, smelling, I had to throw it away. It was unwashable.

Enter the washable bath mat. Hooray! This was also the least intimidating sewing option for my rusty skill. I found a microfiber cloth at the dollar store and a pillowcase at the thrift store. I cut a piece of the pillowcase fabric the same size as the towel, sewed 'em both together, and voila! I got a tiny bit lazy and skipped the part about layering towel pieces over the top, so it doesn't look quite as cute as Amanda's. But it works!

In putting together one's sewing toolkit, Amanda also suggests finding a sewer's user manual. She says new or old, the basic sewing principles have not changed much. Guess who was a little giddy when she snagged a vintage copy of the Better Homes and Gardens Sewing Book in mint condition? Oh yeah. And that $2 price tag tasted oh-so-sweet.

Look how sweet the old-time pictures are.

To top off all the great feelings and motivation that came from making something practical with my own two hands, I even thrifted a new sewing machine cover. Ok, I think it was intended to be a toaster cover, but it fits over the guts of the machine perfectly. And the sunflower print was much too perfect to pass up.

Boun-Sing Ideas: My Vintage Romance

2011-09-30T12:52:00.000-05:00

I am currently taking Rachel Denbow's Style Your Space e-course. Those girls over at Red Velvet are the coolest, and it was hard to choose which e-course to start with. But I am pretty inept when it comes to interior design, so it made the most sense to start there. I'm only about a quarter of the way into the online class, but I have to say, I am looking at my home in a whole different light.

I enjoyed Rachel's story about her vintage romance and her bff Elsie's recent story and tips for thrift-shopping, which made me want to explore my own second-hand story.

It all began when I was a tiny little girl spending the night at my grandma's house. Grandma volunteered at a local thrift store and the staff there appreciated our voluntary afternoon help so much that we often left with fistfuls of items that never had a chance to make it to the racks. Many of the treasures I don't remember, but I do still wear the vintage nightgown I once found. But the thrifty legacy my grandma afforded me has shaped my entire existence.

Grandma would admonish us for buying her anything new for Christmas or her birthday, because she'd always say "I can get that at the store." And indeed she could find anything there. Her closet was lined with the cutest "dancing outfits" she'd go out with her boyfriend in and the most darling matching clutch purses. Her reading material, including the latest issues of her favorite magazines, were stacked neatly in thrifted baskets. Even her well-kept furniture looked like it came straight from a modish 1950s department store. She may have even laid the foundation for my active lifestyle, because we never visited grandma without the requisite stop at her local YMCA.

I spent my school years begging my mom to take me to Goodwill. After making sure no one saw me enter (someone did once and I never heard the end of it), I entered my zone. I abhorred anything mainstream, so this was the place to get a completely personalized look.

In college, 100s of miles from home, I scouted out the thrift stores before anything else, scooping up some mismatched vintage plates and ephemera for my dorm room. A friend took me to a thrift store in her hometown where I found the requisite college shot glasses (despite drinking very rarely). Another friend and I snooped around for cool T-shirts we could re-size. My all-time favorite is an "I Have Kaleidoscope Eyes" from the Beatle's song. When I first starting working out, after transferring back to my hometown, I scoured the thrift store for workout clothes and came away with a nice starter athletic wardrobe. And I squirreled things away for my own home one day.

Some of my most interesting memories come from the thrift store. My sister and I watched two guys get arrested in one. They were just browsing, making hilarious comments, so I'm not sure what they got called for.

Before I even knew what "vintage" was, I would raid my mom and dad's old collections of 1970s clothes. I wish I remembered what we did with them. I just knew I loved the look and I knew I didn't want to wear the standard-issue Abercrombie look everyone else was wearing.

Now I love to search out nightgowns, sheets and curtains to re-purpose into other things. Craft supplies. The racks I turn to again and again are the dresses, skirts, crafts, books and scarves. I peek in the toys for my son and only grab things if they're in mint condition and include the play pieces.

I am also highly likely to donate a bag on the same day that I shop. It's too easy to accumulate too much, so I make it a point to go through some things and pitch a few things that don't suit us anymore before I go in and buy more.

I'll have to show you some Rachel-inspired changes around my home as they come. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your romance story!

Boun-Sing Ideas: DIY Wedding Unity Candle

2011-09-29T09:28:00.000-05:00

Remind me to give you the story one day of how my husband and I put together our super-budget wedding. And when I say budget, I actually mean it. Not like when Jessica Simpson says it. Anyhow, I refused to spend money on a few things that I knew for certain I could do myself. A $35 unity candle? No way!!!

A $5-or-less, 5-minute unity candle that looks less cheesy? Yes, please.

This is all you have to do. Find a little modern-day version of the dime store. The Family Dollar would probably suffice. We found this little local party wholesale store. Now, find a large white pillar candle and two tapered candles. You might even look for a nice candle stand while you're at it. Even the dollar stores have some candle holders that would work.

Then, head to your local craft store and find some pretty lace. I picked a beautiful strand for just pennies.

Wrap the lace around the candle and hot glue in place. I wrapped two strips of lace around mine because it was so delicate. Do the same with the tapered candles.

Ta-da. Insta-unity candle without the outrageous price tag. Because I knew that the candles would only be lit for a few minutes, I wasn't worried about burning up the lace. However, if you do plan on using the candle later, you might want to take that hazard into account.

There's a lot more where this came from my friends:)

Boun-sing Ideas: What to do with an English Major

2011-09-23T08:22:00.000-05:00

The most unjust thing a college counselor can say, with brows furrowed, to an English major is: "So what are you going to do with an English major?" You can either become a teacher or a starving poet. That's what everyone thinks. Even the most trusted, well-meaning adult authority figures in your life will nudge you toward something "more lucrative." You'll get annoyed by the dollar signs in their eyes. Don't they understand that words and literature give your life meaning, thrill you to the soul, and push blood through your very heart?

I'm here to tell you to go for it! There are ways to go about a career with an English major in the right way. If reading, writing, analyzing words or editing give you a rush, don't ignore that. After all, the most fulfilling concept you can practice is: Feed your hopes, not your fears. Here is a list of lucrative and exciting careers that having an English degree can prepare you for:

1. Internal Communications
2. Public Relations
3. Social Media Marketing
4. Product Copywriter (that's me!)
5. Advertising Copywriter
6. Freelance Writer
7. Journalist
8. Editor
9. If you're as lucky and strategic as some, you could make money as a blog writer.
10. Resume Writer/Consultant
11. News Writer
12. Technical Writer
13. Magazine Article Writer (on almost any subject, might I add: food, travel, fashion, sports, fitness...)
14. Magazine Editor
15. Author (fiction, non-fiction, adults, children, young adults...chick lit? Oh yes!)
16. Grant Writer
17. Screenwriter
18. Speech Writer
19. Songwriter
20. Proofreader
21. E-book or E-course writer
22. Website Content Writer

There are so many more that I'm missing and so many careers outside of reading, writing and editing. Check out this list of famous people with English majors to see how they're using them. Some of these careers take a long time to infiltrate, building a portfolio, making connections and such. But just take a look at the jobs being posted on sites like MediaBistro and freelancewritinggigs.com if you're feeling discouraged.

Good communication skills are a dying, yet highly valued art form. Good writing is also one of those skills that translates well to every single business and even to the the digital world. It will not die with technological advances. In fact, technological advances have actually opened up whole new opportunities for writers, including SEO content, social media marketing and brand writing.

A lot of writers defect into the business world, but you can always pen and submit your personal essays and poems on the side. I myself have several poems and a short story in print. One that even provided some pocket money.

An English degree? Lucrative it is!

Boun-see Balls: Vintage Running Clothes

2011-09-22T08:53:00.000-05:00

I love this little article over at The Sew Weekly about vintage running clothes. I've been thinking about this a lot lately too. All the new moisture wicking running clothes, which really is an emerging field of apparel, looks very contemporary. A few coworkers and I were discussing the amount of "pink" we all have in our running wardrobes, because that color seems to be pretty prevalent in the workout clothes department. Along with pink, gray, black and aqua blue seem to hold the highest rank. The cuts and styles are all very similar as well. Curating a personal athletic style is almost impossible because the apparel choices for the everyday female runner are slim.

And vintage running clothes? Forget about it! Not that we'd want to wear vintage running clothes, because of their outdated/non-existent athletic technology. The shoes especially were quite inept by today's standards. But I'd sure love for someone--or even myself--to design some cute vintage-inspired, moisture-wicking, sun-blocking, anti-static garments with cute little flower prints on them. Is that asking too much? Maybe for now it is. But I can see it coming. Tell them you saw it here first.

Ok, maybe Nike already thought of it. Of course they did! This little pamphlet is a hoot. Check it out.

Well, at least we're not required by a phallocentric bureaucracy to wear dresses! Am I right?

Boun-see Balls: Catching My Breath After Skipped Workouts

2011-09-21T08:35:00.000-05:00

I've noticed another side effect of skipping runs during the week. I can't breathe! I run Monday, Wednesday and Friday like clockwork. Sometimes Sundays with a friend too. Last week, after helping a desperate husband work through his homework two nights in a row, rescuing a sister with a dead car and fully enjoying a "date night" said husband planned out completely for us, there was little time or energy left for a 3-mile run. And I never use the "no time" excuse, because I don't believe in it. But staying up so late was taking a toll and my body needed rest. I did sneak in a relaxing 30-minute yoga workout and my husband and I got a little sweaty playing darts on our date, so it wasn't like I completely abandoned my active lifestyle.

But by Thursday and Friday, I felt like I wasn't breathing right, like my lungs weren't getting enough air. The shallow breaths and idleness of my body were screaming for cardio. I had to stop and do some deep breathing just to feel OK. Don't get me wrong though, because I'm not complaining. These reactions are all the more motivation to keep running. Me and running, we've got a good thing going. We don't like to be apart for long.

Boun-See Balls: Peanut Picnics #3

2011-09-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

This week I chose a local school ground for our picnic. Behind the school is one of the best playgrounds in town. But you can't see any of it from the road, so you'd never know. Behind the playground is a humongous open field for soccer, frolicking and other games. Then, behind that, is a chunk of woods with well-managed trails.

However, the boys were not convinced. They saw playground toys and only wanted toys. With a little "we'll go home if you're not going to listen," I got them to indulge me (mwahaha) and follow me to the opening. When they saw the mysterious pathways and beautiful meadow grasses and flowers, they got excited, like I knew they would. We came upon a shelter filled with picnic tables nestled in a corner of the woods. Perfect!

We spread out our food and got to work on supper. This is one of the hardest parts of our picnics. With so much anticipation for what they're going to see and where they're going to play, it takes quite a lot of willpower and self-control to actually eat.

See what I mean? But those goofy goons finally finished and we made our way through some of the trails. The boys just had to carry their own lunch boxes. Grandma made sure they each had their own brand new lunch box for these weekly trips. Grandma's the best.

The ambiance was complete with the smell from the wildfires happening hundreds of miles away in Minnesota. The autumn winds brought the campfire smell and a faint haze to our corner of Wisconsin that day.

We were almost to the end of the trail when my son said, "there's a deer." He sometimes points out pretend deer when we're in the woods just for fun, so I kept going. Then, I looked back and had to look again. Well, I'll be... There stood a beautiful doe. She must be well-adapted to humans, because she stood in the same spot while we talked to her and took pictures.

Then, of course, we had to hit up the playground. I had one little Spider Monkey climbing a web-like rope contraption and another checking out each and every slide. I took a moment to get "up to the sky" on a swing. My stomach had a lot more butterflies in it than I ever remember having.

I was busy reflecting on these great experiences we are having every week. Being outdoors away from TV, steeping ourselves in nature, spending quality time with the kiddos, being active, exploring new territory, and spending very little moola...it feels like an adventure in happiness every week. And it's just as simple as carving out one night a week, when my husband is away, to visit a different park. Magnificent! Give it a try!

Boun-see Seats: Peanut Picnics #2

2011-09-14T10:18:00.000-05:00

Last Tuesday we geared up for a picnic on a little island. The island is connected to the mainland by a little bridge. There's still a beautiful lighthouse situated on said island.

We laid out our "new" vintage quilt and cracked open the Yoo-hoo milk.

After a little while, the boys spotted an airplane. My nephew got all excited and said, "They can see Jesus up there!" My favorite moment so far!

Disclaimer: this shot was totally not staged! Ha! My explorers went to scout out the island and stood side-by-side with hands on hips surveying the new territory.

While we were eating, we were graced by the company of this beauty. Something you don't see around the kitchen table or noshing in front of the tube.

When they were done eating--a task that took quite awhile with all the beautiful distractions--we took an adventure exploring the rest of the island. On the opposite end is a little pool of still water. So, the boys picked up a few sticks and got to work "fishing." The seaweed is a beautiful fish, isn't it?

We found holes...

...and mountains.

Then, we took a walk to another section of the mainland park. There's an open field next to a wooded area that I was going to let the Peanuts run around. When I was little, our family would bring our dogs here to run. I've been coming to this part of the park since I was tiny.

I noticed a little opening at one end of the wooded area, so we walked toward it. There was a sign. I assumed it would say "no trespassing." It did not. It said the trail was meant for hiking and cross-country skiing.

How did I not know about this trail all these 20-something years of frequenting the place!?!?!

We started walking and came upon a fork in the road. Taking the path on the right, we found a huge open field. And then we entered fricken' Narnia! Or the Secret Garden! One of those magnificent secret places you always hoped you'd stumble upon as a kid but never found. Really, I was THAT excited about it. I have dreams about such adventures as this. There was a locked up little campground with about four cabins and a main building. We found a picnic table with a grill and a volleyball net. And even a set of well-kept swings!!!

We left the other fork yet undiscovered for another time. We'll definitely be back to see where that one leads.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Vintage Flower Theme Around My House

2011-09-11T21:19:00.000-05:00

I've noticed that I have a vintage flower theme going on in my house. I just love the petite fragile flowers in hearty shades of pink and red. Here is a little peek:

This is a set of three antique postcards standing along the ridge of my cupboard.

I found this giant flower at the local pharmacy of all places. It was on clearance for like $2.50. I have it hanging between two art pictures on my dining room wall.

This is a pretty vintage flower print on a closet door in our room. I'm not usually a fan of wallpaper, but just this tiny little snippet of it on a tiny little door was just enough. The door needed some TLC and this was an easy and charming fix.

Here's a little trivet I picked up at a flea market that I keep on the dining room table:

My mom bought me this set of adorable jars at an antique stores. I still don't have anything inside of them. I just like to look at the little pretties:

And finally, a thrifted botanical print that hangs over the stove:

Of course, there's a lot more where that came from. Perhaps I'll do another post with even more flora.

Boun-Sing Ideas: A Successful Thrifting Adventure

2011-09-05T15:37:00.000-05:00

Remember how I said I needed a picnic blanket and tablecloth for our weekly picnics? Just Saturday I went thrifting and came up with everything I need and then some. What a rush!

I found a beautiful quilt that I'm going to have a hard time using on the ground. I feel like I should be using it on my son's bed or something rather than the great outdoors. But for $3, I think it'll be OK.

The vintage tablecloth has a beautiful flower pattern on it. Again, I feel like I should be using this on the dining room table, but we have enough tablecloths for the whole year already. And this beautiful specimen was only $2.

A few other things I was psyched to find:

A nearly complete/barely used set of oil pastels for the youngin' and I to get artsy with. And yes, that's what I paid for it. Nope the other price. A whole quarter!!!

And this gorgeous vintage serving platter for $0.75. I think this was there last time I visited my favorite thrift store. I had my eye on it then too. I even picked it up several times and drooled over the pretty design. Why did I even hesitate for that price?

Especially when it dawned on me what I could use it for. It makes a nice display piece for my homemade hair bows, doesn't it?

Then, there's the beautiful stack of extra pillowcases I found. I was looking for some extras that match the sheets we already have, because pillowcases always seem to be in short supply.

Boun-See Seats: Peanut Picnics #1

2011-08-31T08:40:00.000-05:00

As long as the weather remains bearable, I will be taking my two favorite little Peanuts on a picnic every Tuesday night. My husband went back to school and has a night class that leaves us apart from the time I get home from work to the time I drop into bed. I thought it would be a fun idea to take my son and nephew to a new localle around town for each picnic. I've been making a mental checklist of places for awhile now. Last night, we hit the gazebo at a local park because it was on the verge of raining. See, I have a few "backup" places in mind too so the rain can't stop us.

I threw a few Lunchables in the bag for the kiddos and a sandwich for me and off we went.

These two kids have such extremes in the hair department. One gets comments for his near-white albino-like hair and one gets compliments for his shiny copper top.

After they were done eating, and we had shoo'd away the lone bee that wanted our juice, we made our way over to the nearby playground. Climbing the trees seemed like more fun than the slides!

And blowing dandelions. I love how kids pick up on simple things like this. You show them once and they remember it for a lifetime. I mean, he had no idea about this simple childhood pleasure of dandelion-blowing until one day we were stuck in the backyard one day with nothing to do. Instant entertainment. Makes me think about all the wonderful I'd like to teach him.

My basic requirements as a mother: keep those babies well-fed and happy. Here's the evidence that I'm doing a fine job.

Mental notes for next time:

1. Find a nice reusable tablecloth for the questionable picnic tables around town. This time, we made sure we kept everything on top of plastic baggies and Lunchable trays.

2. I'm still trying to find a cute old quilt to throw on the ground anywhere we decide to munch or hang out. We have an old off-white blanket that we use for the dog in the car, but I think I'd like something a little more memorable or whimsical.

3. Juice=Bee Catcher. Lets try chocolate milk or airtight water bottles next time.

Boun-see Balls: A Shocking Treadmill Experience

2011-08-30T10:54:00.000-05:00

Anyone else have a problem with static shock when running on the treadmill? At the new gym I'm going to, the treadmill zaps me every time I touch the handles. I remember this happening at previous gyms too. And it happens on all different treadmills, not just one in particular. It doesn't let up after I'm damp with sweat either. Maybe I'm just more electrifying than most people. Yeah, that must be it! Ha!

From the solutions I scrounged, I didn't come up with any that really fit my particular situation. I have no control over the humidity levels in the gym nor do I have any control over grounding the treadmills (which I have confidence are already properly installed).

A few other suggestions were to wear those wristbands attached to the treadmill, but I don't think these treadmills have any (plus they're pretty dorky-looking). You can also go out and get new running shoes that prevent shock, but my budget doesn't really comply as I just recently bought brand-new running shoes.

Now I don't know if this is scientifically sound or not, but it seemed like when I rubbed my fingers on my cotton shirt (which holds a neutral charge) before touching the bars, I wouldn't get shocked. I must somehow be dispelling the charge. Or maybe I'm just crazy. Either way, it's worth experimenting with since this is the easiest fix I could fathom. And this article indicates that polyester and nylon clothes--typical in performance-wear--are good conductors of electricity. Cotton is not.

The most comprehensive solutions I found were in this Runner's World forum.

None of this will stop me from running of course. It's my drug of choice. I've been a runner for over 10 years now, and I don't plan on letting a tiny thing like this prevent me from my chosen exercise. However, I do think it could be enough to deter a beginner or exercise-averse type, so it's worth looking into.

Boun-See Balls: Embracing My Plate

2011-08-29T14:04:00.000-05:00

I did a post awhile ago about Bento Boxes (laptop lunches). The timeliness of these pre-portioned containers is impeccable! Of course you know that the USDA is no longer using the Pyramid to indicate how many servings of each different type of food is recommended. They're using a sectioned plate! My Plate is being embraced by Starbucks with their new Bistro Boxes. The system also translates well to the Bento Box or those standard paper picnic plates with different sections. Some businesses are even designing plates exactly as the USDA advises. It will be fun to watch how different businesses align their brands with this simplified system and embrace this new take on nutrition.

It's so much easier to visualize a meal this way. Just knowing that half my plate should be fruits and vegetables--in other words, the main part of the meal should be produce--makes it so much easier to plan menus and go grocery shopping. Even just eyeballing a throw-together lunch is much less daunting than attempting to count all the items in the pyramid for each day.

MMEJR59VEAGH

Boun-See Balls: My Champion Breakfasts

2011-08-24T13:45:00.000-05:00

When it comes to breakfast, cereal just doesn't cut it for me. At all. I will be ravishingly hungry by about 9:30 with cereal, even if I go waaaaay over the standard 3/4 to 1 cup serving. A good bowl of Kashi might cut it on a relatively sedentary day. But, I've found a handful of healthy breakfasts I thought I'd share that do keep me very satisfied until lunchtime. And by that I mean around 12:30, not at almost-11:00. Not only are they diet-friendly, but they're also super-fast and simple to prepare and very inexpensive. My kind of meal!

1. Waffles: Two whole grain toaster waffles, 1/4 c sugar-free syrup, 1/4 c cottage cheese on the side and sometimes a sprinkling of blueberries over the top. A sweet applesauce/syrup mixture is also a great way to sneak in fruit.

2. Oatmeal: 1/2 c quick oats, 1/2 c milk, 1/4 c sugar-free syrup and 1 mini box of raisins all heated in the microwave for about 1.5 minutes. I use milk instead of water for my oatmeal to make it richer. Then, I have another cup to drink.

3. PB&Honey Toast: Two slices whole wheat toast spread with 1 T peanut butter each and a drizzle of honey over the top. Side of canned pears.

4. Eggs: Scrambled Egg Beaters with two slices of buttered toast. Side of fruit. I like to mix whatever I have on-hand into the scrambled eggs if possible: mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, deli meat, green pepper, shredded cheese, etc.

Boun-Sing Ideas: My New American Dream

2011-08-19T12:35:00.000-05:00

I entered an essay-writing contest put on by Rent.com recently called the New American Dream Contest. It was a 250-word-or-less contest describing what the new American dream is, which is far-removed from the Gatsby-esque picket fences and 2-1/2 kids of yore. The first bout of judging was a "popularity contest" type of judging where you have to send all your friends and family to the site to vote for you (blech!). The second round was judged by a panel of third-party professionals. I was notified that I made it to the top 25 and then heard nothing more.

This might sound crazy, but I was already dreaming of the winning vacation and researching the motel. However, I think my entry got lost. Long story short, my essay does NOT show up in the top 25 (which I'm totally miffed about) and I've been trying to contact both Rent.com and their third-party consultants to figure out what went awry. I'm a bit disheartened, but I'll live:) *wink*

Anyhow, I just thought I would share my entry:

My American Dream is to be able to go to bed at night without worrying about foundations failing in rainy weather or roofs leaking into moldy messes. To be surrounded by the people and things that make my heart sing. To have the resources to be able to do something that profoundly improves the life of someone else. To be able to give of my time, heart, and wealth generously. To feel relatively safe from intrusion while I'm sleeping at night. To be able to occasionally gather with a kindhearted group of friends and warm their bellies. To have a second child without fears of bankruptcy or crippling lifelong debt. To have a happy family without sacrificing time on multiple side jobs or donating body parts to survive. To enjoy cleanliness and safety throughout our home. To enjoy a cup of tea without worrying about the effects of the cost per tea bag on my family's overall well being. To constantly be intellectually stimulated through travel and educational opportunities. To have a small stash of cash in the bank for that feeling of security. To be able to hear the words "middle class" and not hear the derogatory underlying suggestions of struggle and lack. And most of all, to one day stand in front of my family, the group of people that I had a hand in creating, and be able to relish in all their accomplishments and valuable contributions to the world.

Boun-See Seats: Birthday Boys

2011-08-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago, my in-laws from Florida stayed with us for a week. It was so hard to see them go after my son became so close to both of them, especially his grandpa. With them being so far away, and our budget being constrained by tuition and other normal things, we don't get to see them but maybe once a year. But we have some photos to hold us over until then. The best thing I can do for my son is to make him copies of these pictures and put together his very own picture album. We'll go over the pictures from time to time and relive the moments so those memories don't fade and he can hang onto that beautiful, sweet connection he had with his family.

Here he is being checked by Doctor Grandpa. We know their hearts are definitely dearly connected.

He and his grandma also shared special moments filled with teasing, goofing and laughter.

Until next time, we miss you deeply!

Boun-See Balls: Job Perks

2011-08-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

It's official! I am now a brand-new member of the gym again, thanks to my employer. Can you believe this place? Offering gym memberships to all of its employees, among all the other things they do for us? I went last night and, although I had never been inside that particular gym before, I felt like I was right at home. I even walked confidently over to the weight lifting area where all the sinewy dudes were grunting and claimed a bench for my own 20-minute strength routine. (PS, I know it's not fair to judge other people at the gym, but some of those sinewy dudes had terrible form. I just thought I'd inject that lest you be intimidated by joining the gym because of the likes of these dudes. They are, in fact, imperfect, just like the rest of us.)

I remember walking into a first gym for the first time. It was like walking into a foreign country and not knowing the language, the etiquette, or the popular fashion. But once you start going regularly, taking the gym up on their offer for a free personal training session, attending group classes, and reading the trade magazines (for me, these are Self and Shape), you get to know the territory. If you start watching what other people are doing, you begin to notice habits and patterns. Maybe no one told you that you're supposed to wipe down the equipment, but you notice several people grab the spray bottle while you're on the treadmill. Ah-ha, take a note to self... Please, try not to be intimidated (though you will be), try to get into the habit, and just take a look around. We're all glad you're here. And you'll be a gym rat in no time!

Boun-See Seats: Voting is Just What We Do

2011-08-10T16:08:00.000-05:00

In history-making fashion, my husband and I headed to the polls last night for the Wisconsin recall elections. According to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, there have been only 20 recalls like this since 1908 in the entire US. Wisconsin is holding 9 in just one month, fueled in part by a vote to strip government workers of their collective bargaining rights. There have been more campaigners at my door every single day this past month than there were for the last presidential election--and kind, non-pushy, polite ones at that. I am more than proud to say that I was a participant in this unprecedented event.

But more importantly, we took our three-year-old son along. He took in the scene from the school gymnasium with wide eyes and followed along with us so obediently, as if he knew something important was happening here necessitating his best behavior. The fact that there were only two people on the ballot made the voting process painless, but still... He was absorbing an event that was completely new to him, but something that we, as his parents, are determined to instill as completely normal activity. Voting is just what we do.

I grew up in a politically-apathetic house, where no one really voted or paid attention to elections until we were in high school and urged our mom to vote just so we could get extra credit points in social studies. The concepts of "the structure of the government" and "how a bill becomes a law" were foreign to me in school. And now, though I wouldn't really call myself completely politically-inclined, I still take my right to vote very seriously and do what research I can at election time. I firmly believe that the actions of one person are crucial. And just like with working out, I want my son to see voting as something routine, just a natural thing, so he might be more inclined to take a proactive role in his own life and that of his country when he's all grown up.

Wait, I didn't say that. He's going to be my little baby forever!

Boun-See Seats: Banning Children

2011-08-02T08:03:00.000-05:00

Ok. I get it. Some kids could potentially derail your plans to have a nice quiet dinner away from home. But what's the deal with the new trend and enthusiasm for banning kids?

Looking at this strictly from a constitutional standpoint, isn't this a complete and utter example of age discrimination? I mean, I like to get away from my son once in awhile for adult time too, but I certainly don't like the idea of his rights to enter a public building being stripped away. Especially because of someone else's lifestyle choice to remain kid-free. I respect that lifestyle choice, but I do not think it constitutes a right to shun someone else's. Isn't this the equivalent of putting up signs that, say, people of a certain color are not allowed in an establishment? Let's blow the entire structure our country was founded upon because someone finds it grating when a child whimpers.

It always made me seethe inside when I was in high school, and the nearby gas station put up signs up that said only three students were allowed to enter the convenience store at a time. And then the owners would watch you like a hawk. This is a small town in WI, mind you. Either way, it's discriminatory. If you look younger than 18, you automatically hold a scarlet letter that says "most likely to steal" or "most likely to ruin your dinner." Highly discriminatory.

It's such a shame that young people are becoming the victims of this modern stigmatization, this new round of sheer discrimination.

Boun-See Balls: Will Work Out for Mental Health

2011-07-27T09:04:00.000-05:00

I've been officially active for about 10 years now. I came back from a semester at college noticeably-to-others more overweight than I left, complete with comments from people who usually don't notice. Obviously, I had to do something about it. A friend was redeeming a free weeks' pass at a local gym, and she was given a free pass for a guest. After a week, I signed up and the rest is ... well, you know.

Obviously, dramatic changes happened right from the get-go. I lost the Freshmen, ahem, 15. I felt more energetic and I even got sick less. I'd get one cold every few weeks in the winter pre-fitness and maybe one per year in my post-sedentary life.

However, other changes happened that were less noticeable at the beginning. Most recently, I experienced a few days' sabbatical from working out. While some might roll their eyes at this, it is a big deal for me. More so than I thought. For instance, last week, due to a business trip in the middle of the week, I went from Monday clear through to Saturday without breaking an exercise-induced sweat. Let me tell you, my mental health did not benefit. By Friday, I was noticeably moody. Saturday morning I worked out, and the difference was profound. Same kind of thing happened the week before. I fell into a funk that only running for at least 30 minutes straight could remedy.

It's official, I'm addicted to endorphins. My husband rolled his eyes at me when I insisted that I needed to get on the treadmill, stat. I told him, "Honey, this is not for my looks. This is for my mental and emotional health." He did not stop me or say anything more after that. Probably because he was the primary victim of the exercise-deprived villain within me. Someone I hadn't known myself until fitness became my way of life.

Boun-See Balls: The Downside of Early Morning Workouts

2011-07-25T09:44:00.000-05:00

Recently, I finally forced myself to get up early and work out before work as opposed to after. This workout time fixed a number of "problems," but ended up creating some new ones. What's a girl to do?

Pros of early morning workout:
1. Workout is done for the day right away--starts the day off on the right key. I go to work feeling truly refreshed with invigorated lungs.

2. One shower per day as opposed to two. Silly problem, I know, but that extra water and time loss was actually really bothering me.

3. I love the energy of the early morning...the way barely anyone is up and about, the way the sun hits the planet, the way the mist is still lifting, and on and on.

4. I feel like I'm left with more time in my day. I leave work feeling like there's less on my "to-do list" and more time to spend with my family or getting other things done. When I did after-work workouts, by the time I clocked 35-40 on the treadmill and at least 20 minutes of strength, then showered, it was practically time to go to bed.

Cons of working out in the early morning:
1. I never have time to do the strength training after running like I did with my after-work workouts. And no, I'm not about to get up any earlier. The truth is in the numbers. In May, I clocked in 1260 workout minutes (I track this for our wellness program at work) and in June, when I started the morning routine, I only got 990 minutes. Although the scale hasn't budged, the wiggle when I wave and the protruding-more-than-normal gut don't lie. Believe me, I can tell the difference!

2. I just.can't.get.up. Most mornings start with me being pissed off about getting up so early. It's only about 1/2-hour, but it makes a difference. I'm not a natural early-morning person, so it hurts every time. I was starting to resent the early morning workout. I don't want to resent it!

3. And trying to get to bed earlier never works out. With toddler bedtimes and leftover to-dos, I just can't seem to hit the sack by 9:30.

I guess the pros outweigh the cons, but at least I gave morning workouts a shot. I'm really proud of myself, because I've only done morning workouts like three times in my entire life. To go three weeks was really a feat! At least I can pat myself on the back for that. We shall see if I decide to keep this up.

2011-06-29T12:16:00.000-05:00

Babygazing has got to be located somewhere in the realm of the divine. An evening spent burying our feet in the sandbox, playing "fish" in the bathtub, and lap-reading for an extended time felt so great it was almost spiritual. Peering in at the little boy asleep in stillness topped the experience with pure bliss. Could it be that the free 'Yoga in the Gardens" session that I went to last night carried over into my parenting?

Could be.

At this very time, I've also been reading a soulful book titled "The Creative Family" by Amanda Blake Soule. The book is filled with gentle reminders about the intricacy and delicacy of childhood. How it's important to engage your children in meaningful activities, especially natural and artistic pursuits. How you should appreciate the sensitivities of a child. The passage that I remember the most was about how it's essential to appreciate when your child goes jumping in puddles and playing in the mud because of the crucial learning opportunities they provide. These are natural, tactile adventures. It's all about exploration and spontaneity and experimentation. You could get mad, or you could get mindful.

Soule points to mindful parenting in the resources section of the book. Interested in learning more about where Soule may have learned some of her own unique parenting skills, I did a little research about it. Bingo! Just what I needed.

When I was a brand-new first-time mother of a newborn, the most grounding habit I took up was my yoga hour on Saturday mornings. Afterwords, I approached my son much more gently and the intimidation of new motherhood seemed a little more surmountable. But I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Now I see that the connection between yoga and mindful parenting is phenomenal. Last night, while I was slowing down my breath and thoughts on that beautiful manicured lawn, moving my body gently on all different planes, and being reminded to feel the earth beneath my feet, my patience was restored and "hurry up" was eliminated from my routine. My relationship with my son last night was all the better for it as I was being mindful of the sand shoes on my feet and being sensitive to my son's whims and curiosities.

I can feel what nurturing myself and slowing down does for my own body, and now I clearly and firmly recognize what it does for my child.

Boun-Sing Ideas: We're Painting the Roses Red

2011-06-07T09:20:00.000-05:00

With inspiration from articles like this from Apartment Therapy, my husband and I decided to paint the ugly wood paneling in our upstairs hallway. Failing to take "before" pictures, I have an "after" shot and a shot of the paneling by the stairs that we have yet to finish (we're still trying to figure out how to paint that high up).

This gives you an idea of what the wood paneling looked like before:

And the finished hallway after:

Yeah, that's how dramatic it was! Our wood paneling was as ugly as is imaginable. It was old, cheap, thin and smudged. There were random nail holes probably from the previous owner's picture montage or something. We weren't sure whether painting wood paneling would look rather grungy-hotel cheap or not. We talked in passing about drywalling over it, but that seemed even more daunting.

So, we went for it. All we did was prime the walls with two coats and paint it. We used about two coats of low VOC white gloss paint straight from the can, since white is the furthest thing from dark deathlike wood. (Gloss is also easier to clean, and should we need to touch anything up, we obviously won't have to worry about getting the exact shade right.) The amount of light that now penetrates the hallway is about 50-fold. I'm not even exaggerating. It was so dark and stagnant up there before. We use the same single hall light as before. Previously, you could barely see what was on the floor. Now, the timid hall light actually seems super bright.

Before, we had to open several doors so light from the windows would lighten the dark. In fact, I was sure that nothing short of carving a skylight in the ceiling would cure the darkness. Now, we can have all the doors closed and still see the sun on the walls. And it looks rather tasteful. No dingy motel vibe whatsoever.

This has got to be my favorite home project yet. And I have to say, painting is one of my least favorite things to do in life. Actually I hate it almost as much as going to the dentist. But this project likened me to it again in a big way. If feng shui has any merit, the chi is totally flowing in a tangible way through this hallway now. It looks bigger, I can breathe stronger in it, and the light of the sun is penetrating in such a healing way.

Yes, you CAN paint over wood paneling!

Boun-sing Ideas: Writing Announcement

2011-06-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

I have an announcement to make concerning an essay I entered into the Rent.com New American Dream essay contest: I am in the top 25! Round one consisted of a "popularity contest" where you had to get your friends to vote for your essay. They had to sign up for the site in order to do so, so I'm sure I missed some votes just because of that. I was sure that I wouldn't make it through just based on the "vote for me" criteria. But, out of 488 entries, I indeed made it past the first stage!

Now, I'm in the top 25 for a chance at $10,000, a Caribbean trip, or a Visa gift card. There are 7 prizes total, giving me a 28% chance of winning at least something. Yes, I totally did the math. This round will be judged by a panel of expert judges based on creativity, clarity, and such. And not to sound conceited in any form of the word, but I read some of the other entries and I'm not sure others took the "essay" part of the contest very seriously. I've got a good shot here!

My biggest hope is to win, not so much for the prizes involved (although I'll probably faint with excitement and gladly take a trip to the ocean or mortgage lender's office), but for the accolades winning would give me for my writing career. Sweet!

I'll keep you posted.

Boun-See Balls: What Not To Do When You Work Out

2011-05-27T08:22:00.000-05:00

Every once in awhile I face an exercise obstacle that I didn't anticipate. Like any learning opportunity, these little snafus give me ideas for doing things better and encourage a good cathartic laugh.

Rule #1: Never try to rollerblade while pulling a child in a wagon. I mean, I was pretty sure this wasn't going to work anyway. But my husband insisted that changing the bike seat back into a running stroller was no simple task. So we tried the next best thing: the wagon. Impossible! By the way, even if you hook a dog leash to the handle, you'll still be panting and swerving all over the sidewalk. Oh my gosh, think of what we looked like to onlookers. Ha! We originally wanted to bring our son along on this "family outing," but ended up finding a sitter for a good 30 minute ride.

Rule #2: Don't rollerblade anywhere near the lake when the lakeflies are in season. We had no idea they were swarming until we were eating them in the thicks of their buzzing. Our city has a problem with this breed of buzzers for about two weeks every spring and they literally form a black wall for a good block all around the lake. Honey quick! Turn around! Cover your face and nose! Yes, they are that bad! People from around here know exactly what I mean. People from anywhere else will not believe me.

Rule #3: Do not talk to me while I'm on the treadmill. I'm not trying to be rude or antisocial or callous or disconnected when I say this. I'm just not well-equipped to keep up with myself and carry on conversation at the same time. I am a master multi-tasker, and I don't normally get very moody, but try talking to me while I'm running. I just can't do it. I have a one-track mind on the treadmill. I can read magazines on there, but I just can't talk.

Rule #4: Don't close your eyes and jam out to your music on the treadmill. It's a little funny, but potentially very dangerous. I watched as my mom edged toward the back of the treadmill and slid right off the back before I even had a chance to warn her. We both laughed really hard, but it definitely could've turned out much worse.

Rule #5: Never try to go for a run with the jogging stroller AND the dog. I always feel guilty when I go out running without bringing one or the other. The dog never really gets enough exercise and the baby will throw himself on the floor crying if I leave without him. So one time, like a good mommy, I thought I'd try bringing both. Wrong move. First of all, good running form is completely impossible. Both hands are tied up so you can't swing them. You're hunched over the stroller while one arm is being tugged. You can't concentrate and enjoy your run when you have the baby asking to get out and walk and the dog is trying to chase a squirrel on the other side. Just don't do it!

Be careful out there. There are so many ways to bang oneself up in and outside a gym. Some of them, you'll just never see coming though.

Boun-See Balls: Perfect Snack

2011-05-18T11:12:00.000-05:00

Trail Mix:

It's the perfect blend of salty/sweet, crunchy/chewy, and hard/soft. It's relatively cheap. It gives one an immediate boost from the carbs and sustained energy from the fat and protein. It makes for a great breakfast, snack or side.

Trail mix is aptly named because it is a favorite of hikers because it's a nonperishable food, it's easy to eat by the handful, and it's also very easy to pack/carry. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to go trail hiking. It's more of a leisurely thing with me. I love to meander through the trails, pick a flower, dip my toes in the water, watch for fish, etc. I also love to go camping with my family. For either activity, trail mix is one of the easiest things to prepare and bring along.

The only caveat is the calories. You have to be very careful how much you eat because peanuts and dried fruit add up much faster than you'd ever suspect. Just measure it out before you pack it to be sure you don't sabotage your entire workout with one plastic baggie.

Simply mix and match your favorite ingredients in a baggie:

Nuts: peanuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, etc.
Seeds: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, pine nuts
Soy nuts
M&M's or Reese's Pieces
Dark chocolate chips
Dried fruit: raisins, craisins, banana chips, etc
Cereal: Chex, granola, cheerios, etc
Pretzels
Yogurt bites
Asian rice crackers
Shredded coconut

Boun-See Balls: Tracy Anderson 30-Day Method Review

2011-05-09T13:08:00.000-05:00

I'm on Day One. I don't know if I'll really make it to Day 30. But I wanted to give the method a shot. And hey, the library carries it for free! I can try before I buy.

Here are the cons: The cardio video segments have absolutely no instruction. Anderson jumps around in front of the camera, and just as you get used to one jump, she changes to another and another. Through most of the video, you feel like you're just trying to catch up. Then, Cardio Segment One and Two look exactly the same. So similar, in fact, that I had to stop the video and return to the menu to make sure I picked the right segment. As I've noticed in all the clips I've seen of Anderson, she doesn't like to talk or look away from the mirror and she doesn't apologize for it. In fact, a mirror is one piece of required equipment, so you can watch yourself too. I didn't understand the connection to skin tone either. Apparently, by doing the Anderson Method, your skin will clear up. I wasn't sure if she was referring to cellulite or making a claim about coloring. And the diet consists of your choice of soup, salad or green kale shakes. (And you better have a solid craving for fresh cracked black pepper because it's in everything.) I mostly disregarded this section.

The pros: I do have a deep respect for Anderson's devotion to research though, if it is as she says. I just wish I knew more background about the research itself. It's so very hush hush secretive, and I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't want people to copy her method or because the evidence is so paper-thin that we'd all disregard it. I do enjoy the matwork, even if I'm incapable of doing 50 reps of each at the moment. I don't think I would commit to doing the Anderson Method solely, because of the nonproportioned focus on the same sets of muscles over and over again. However, I would incorporate many of these moves into my regular routine.

I can't quite put my finger on the dance-y stuff that seems off, but it just doesn't look like any sort of real dance to me. I think the focus is mainly on dynamic heart-pumping movement and less on dance steps. And I'm not convinced that I shouldn't do anything that's not part of the Method. (Hello, faithful running addict here.) But I would take bits and pieces of the Method to incorporate into my own workout system. And I would love to try one of Anderson's studios (for much less than the staggering $900/hr), which look more like Cirque du Soleil practice halls than gyms. After all, who doesn't want that teeny tiny Anderson body?

Boun-See Balls: Wrestling Around

2011-05-04T08:56:00.000-05:00

Image courtesy of lululemon athletica

Wrestling around must be good for your family life and your health. Last night, my husband and I spread a blanket in the living room and challenged each other to some crazy challenging poses. I challenged him to the Crow, Bow, Bridge and Camel poses from Yoga. By the way, he can actually do the Crow pose and I can't. He challenged me to the partial headstand. He can keep his legs vertical, mine stay slanted. We also did some weird tandem moves that he remembered from back in grade school. Then he showed me some real wresting moves that he did back in his one year on the high school team.

Meanwhile, our son was doing somersaults and being my rescuer from daddy. We looked like a bunch of goons, but it was fun. The TV and computer stayed off. We were laughing like crazy. We reminisced about high school and gym classes. And I can feel the effects in my legs and back today. I never had more fun working out. In fact, I didn't even consider it a workout.

Boun-See Balls: Exercise Role Models

2011-05-03T14:26:00.000-05:00

I can't tell you how pleased I was when I saw my son incorporating a "workout" into his imaginary play. I grew up in a household where no one moved. Taking the dog around the block caused quite the groaning and griping. I didn't have a real role model for exercise. Or healthy eating, for that matter. To say the least, it was grueling work to train myself to be the active person I am today. To watch my son pretending to do pushups is so rewarding, it's unbelievable. He will never have to retrain his whole body and pattern of thought into an active way of life--it will be natural.

My husband has been participating in a Biggest Loser contest at his workplace as well. Our son is seeing him working up a sweat, running on the treadmill and weight training on my step bench. The first time the little man saw him, he pulled my arm with eyes wide: "Look momma, look. Look at Da!" It was something my son wasn't used to seeing from my other half.

And recently, the little man has been doing some of the moves with me. When I'm doing easy stuff like walking in place or jumping, he'll stand next to me and pull his best pose. He always has to do a minute of walking on the treadmill before I'm allowed to use it too. It's comical. But it's also gratifying to know that I can be a good role model for him. And it doesn't take much. It just takes him watching me make exercise a normal part of my life. He won't know any other way.

This is the best way for momma to lose too! With my husband working out and crunching calories and losing weight at the bat of an eye, I, who am already a fitness buff, am making strides. I lost 2 lbs just this week. And while that doesn't sound like much, it's a huge feat when you're way closer to your healthy weight. I've been trying to lose those 2 pesky pounds for four months.

Boun-sing Ideas: You Know You're A Writer When...

2011-04-28T15:54:00.000-05:00

You Know You're A Writer When:

1. There are scraps of computer paper with scribbling littering your desk and stuck out of your purse, lunch bag and jacket pocket. True story. I just looked over at my "stuff" and there are writing ideas nesting in every available cranny.

2. You can barely talk to people without translating the subject of your conversation into potential blog posts, magazine articles, headlines, columns, marketing angles, etc. I'm sorry, I really am listening. In fact, I hope you feel honored that our talks are so interesting that they'd make great topic pieces.

3. You can barely go about your daily functions without translating your own habits and thoughts into potential blog posts, magazine articles... It's not that our egos think our lives are so very interesting. Really, it's not. It's that we think we can connect to other people by admitting to our own weird quirks. Hey, there's got to be someone else out there who can't sleep at night until they can figure out where they've seen that funky spatula with the smiling face cut out of the center before.

4. Unconsciously, you begin "fixing" other people's writing, emails and resumes in your head. I mean seriously, don't you think you could come up with something better than "operated heavy machinery?" And "drive-thru" is just wrong. Again, this is not an indication of our arrogance or anything, just that our minds are trained that way.

Boun-See Seats:

2011-04-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

We were visiting my grandma when it happened. From the bookshelf at the assisted living facility where she lives, I pulled a book with breathtaking photographs of wild animals in their natural habitats. My almost-3-year-old was mesmerized by the book for a good 15 minutes--which is quite amazing in itself, considering he isn't inclined to sit still for an entire minute at a time. I was having fun explaining where the animals lived, making up stories about what they were doing and even counting "heads." Grandma was just beaming watching her great-grandson delight in the images.

Then, the blue-eyed boy looked at me with the deepest, most pure longing and said "I go this place?" He wanted with all his heart to visit the places in the book. Those stark majestic mountains, crystal-blue untouched waters, and wild animal-populated grasslands. This brings back memories of the binder I kept as a young girl with all the collectible wildlife information cards. I can clearly see the attic door that I decorated with pictures of decadent waterfalls, stark cabins and lush rainforests cut from National Geographic. And I get a little lighthearted thinking about the longings I had to join Swiss Family Robinson or Hatchet on their wilderness quests. Oh honey, I want to go there too!

In the meantime, I might have to find him some National Geographics, buy him a "Nature Songs" CD or subscribe him to Ranger Rick. But that will have to be after I put together a "penny jar" for our dream vacation in the wilderness. And maybe we can kidnap grandma for awhile to take her there too. She would just love it!

Boun-See Balls: Working Every Muscle

2011-04-18T13:24:00.000-05:00

When I started working out, I stuck to a strict plan of running 30 minutes straight and then working out each major muscle group. If a workout plan ripped from a magazine didn't incorporate every muscle group, I'd either ditch it or supplement it with additional moves. I had to hit biceps, triceps, abs, legs, calves and butt. That was that. No compromise. Even if I got bored, I didn't stray from this plan.

Then, I got smarter. Working out the same muscles in the same way with each workout spells "plateau." I am not that strict with myself anymore. I still love running and enjoy hitting the treadmill or pavement for around 35 minutes every other day. I don't analyze it down to a science though. Sometimes I incorporate fartleks or intervals at random. Sometimes I juice up the incline to make sure I keep getting results. Sometimes I pick a cardio plan at random from the archives and go with it. When I'm training for a run, I'll print a plan and use that. Running at the same pace straight through doesn't do a thing for improving endurance.

My strength training is also very unpredictable. It's pretty go-with-the-flow. On days I'm feeling super-pumped, I do tougher strength training. On days I'm feeling wiped and not much like working out, I'll do some easier Yoga and stretching. Over the course of the week, I know I've hit all sorts of different muscle groups. I like to do different magazine workouts or online/on-demand videos so my body never gets used to anything. And I don't worry too much about what I'm doing as long as I'm doing something and I can FEEL it.

For me, the only rules are that I need both cardio and strength. And I need to feel it when I'm done. Here's my schedule:

Cardio: 35 min running/3x per week
Strength Training: 20 min/3x per week.
Other: I walk to and from work whenever I can and sometimes do an extra weekend run with a friend or bike ride with my family. Lunch breaks are broken up by a 1/2-hour of laps, and summer will find me taking walks whenever I can with my toddler.

Boun-See Balls: Relaxation Techniques for Bedtime

2011-03-31T11:02:00.000-05:00

From http://www.stopsmoking1.co.uk/

I've mentioned before the calming, massage-like effects of bedtime yoga. Another relaxing routine in my personal arsenal is a different kind of progressive relaxation. Instead of tensing and un-tensing muscles from the feet to the head, I progressively relax a little more with each exhalation. I take a total of seven breaths and try to relax further and further with each breath.

I also like to look at pictures of my dreams. I sometimes print off motivational pictures that I come across or find in Google Image searches. This brings my awareness and focus back around to important or happy things and away from worries and to-do lists. It can also make for some sweet dreams.

My mom recently dumped off a box of books at my house that I've apparantly been storing at hers for maybe 10 years. Some things never change, like my love for growing things and making homemade beauty products. In the stack, I found a Bath and Body Works at-home beauty book that got me thinking about a refreshing, invigorating morning routine:

1. Try some fired up yoga breathing and gentle stretching before leaving the bedroom. Ease into morning.

2. Drink a glass of ice cold water first thing when you leave the room. Better yet, throw in a slice of orange an enjoy the energizing effects of citrus. I love that sensation in my throat of the first cold drink going down.

3. Dry brush the body with a loofa or use a light body scrub to increase circulation and wake up the nervous system.

4. Give yourself periodic cold spritzes in the shower. The shock can be quite energizing. It will certainly bring you back to life.

5. A little bit later, you might enjoy a glass of tea. Peppermint tea is very refreshing and the minty steam opens up the senses.

Now, say ahhhhhhhhhhhh...

Boun-Sing Ideas: The Mother of Invention

2011-03-29T12:16:00.000-05:00

My mind has recently taken to thinking up inventions and website development ideas. Of course, I don't have the wherewithal to carry most of them out (or maybe I do and don't know it). I just like to think them up. I keep reading about 16-year-olds who started up their own websites and became overnight millionaires. I'm not necessarily looking at this with dollar signs in my eyes, but the concept of coming up with these ideas just fascinates and intrigues me beyond belief.

Some of the websites that I've been thinking about are already out there in cyberspace. And they help me tremendously once I find them, such as this online recipe organizer. I start with the basic concept that the mother of all invention is necessity (I really need a place to store all my favorite recipes online!). Such a simple adage with such profound effects in the world.

I'm working on developing a personalized notebook where you can reload or remove sheets as needed. It would also include and organize a bunch of needs in one place. Mine would have about a million tabs in it for writing ideas, sketches, gratitude lists, books to read lists, things to buy lists and about 999,995 more. Different types of papers and designs would also be required. My notebook would probably be more like something you would find on Etsy. I've been doing a lot of research on quality sketch and watercolor papers and bookbinding techniques to make it just right. If I get good momentum going, I could probably make some others for upcoming gifts and sell them in my own yet-unestablished Etsy store. Here is a peek at some of the designs that are inspiring me right now:

I absolutely love the three-ring laminated designs by Crown Bindery

Monika Wright's mini notebooks and albums are just darling and absolutely perfect.

I am a big fan of repurposing old tattered old books into something new and cherished. I've had my eye on storybook notebooks like this one from BigLittle's shop for awhile now.

My husband has promised to try an experiment with a drill to see if we can bring some of my ideas to fruition. I am at least hopeful that we can "invent" some kind of paper organization system that works for me. I am so tired of seeing my little piles of tattered notes and musings scattered about everywhere. I need a place to keep them all safe and sound.

Plus, I've been on an artsy creation streak for awhile now. I recently made some no-sew applique scarves, fridge menu boards, fabric flowers and other ephemera. I just.can't.sit.still!!!!

Boun-see Balls: Another Success Story

2011-03-18T12:22:00.000-05:00

Pic from jpowers65's on Flickr

One of my uncles flew in Wednesday from Texas and flew back out early Thursday morning, and in that short time, his presence inspired me in three very influential, perhaps life-changing ways.

First, he bought my grandparents, his parents, two brand-spanking new vehicles. Yes, you heard that right! This has got to be the highlight of the month...winter...perhaps year. My grandma has always always had a dream of owning a little red sports car. Every one of us in the family knows this and has always known this. Well, how about a brand-new, lipstick-red, Ford Mustang convertible? I'm pretty sure that qualifies. I'm pretty sure that would also qualify as Socrates' version of the "perfect form" of little red sports car. My grandpa is also enjoying his fresh-from-the-mint Ford Ranger. To me, this has very little to do with the materialistic aspect of the gifts. It's about one man showing his deepest love, respect and gratitude to his parents. It is the most endearing, generous and lovely thing I have seen in a very long time.

You will never meet two more deserving people of that level of love and respect. I have always said that it would be difficult to demonstrate the level of my appreciation to them for all that they do, but that I just hope I can strive to be as good a parent/grandparent as they have been to their progeny. And this experience has made me want to be the best mom I can be for my son every.single.moment. I want to emulate whatever it is they're doing so right. A mother's level of love for her children is an impossible pinnacle to surpass, and I want my son to experience every morsel of it. I will never suppress it or keep it undercover from him. And I hope that one day, he too will raise a family of all-around good people.

Second, my uncle is an affluent businessman. He radiates an air of utter unerring confidence wherever he is. I only had the opportunity to visit with him for a few hours. But even in that length of time, his aura of dignity and integrity resonated with me. There is not a hint of hesitation in his step or passiveness in his manner. I am constantly trying to evolve and progress in my personal life and profession. And his presence and long-standing success infused me with a fresh surge of inspiration.

Third, I didn't recognize the man when I walked in the door of the dealership. He has lost over 100 lbs and looks amazing. There's definition in his face and a sense of limberness in his body. I'm a complete sucker for a success story. I go scouting for them when I need a boost. And when a success story hits this "close to home" (really!), it is the most potent of all. All I can say is, my grandpa has obviously passed on his diligence and self-discipline to other members of the family, providing other role models for me to revere and success stories to challenge me--and hopefully others as well!

2011-03-07T14:49:00.000-06:00

I'm really digging the cover art for JayMay's Autumn Falling. It's very carefree, very lighthearted and "un-stuffy." I love how the equilibrium is juxtaposed with a little bit of unevenness. And I like the muted color combinations. It's chunky, clunky and oh so refreshing.

I've been itchin' to create again lately. And I have loads of design inspiration saved to my desktop. I am definitely going to bookmark this album cover. I've been playing with the idea of breaking out the watercolors with my two-year-old to see what we can accomplish. My favorite art is uncomplicated. And this parallel painting might just inspire something of my very own.

2011-03-07T14:36:00.000-06:00

Image from IlluminatedPerfume

I think I've finally pinpointed my love of glass, crisp empty notebooks, air purifying plants, crisp white clothes (although I don't own many because of a deep-seated fear of bleach), fresh air, lotus flowers, fresh real foods, water, icicles and so much more than I could list. I've even come to embrace the act of spring cleaning recently. The link would've been so blatant, had I compiled a list of some of my favorite things sooner.

These things resonate with my passion for purity and cleanliness, blank canvases and clarity, the wholesome and genuine. My most favorite people are not those with essences of mystery or muddied intentions, but those of trueness and openness. I enjoy the company of authentic people with clear intentions and clear consciences. I bask in tranquility. I have faith in a soul-cleansing God. I treasure honesty. I value sincerity. Following a pure and faultless path is grounds for clarity. And all the things I listed embody that sentiment.

Boun-See Balls: Don't Blow Your H2O

2011-02-24T12:31:00.000-06:00

Who knew drinking water could be so complicated. Should I drink tap, filtered, or bottle water? Should it be room temperature or ice cold? How much water do I need to be drinking for my body size?

I read in one place that you'll burn more calories by drinking ice cold water than lukewarm water because it takes energy for your body to warm it. Then, in another place I read that cold water hinders your body's homeostasis. Huh?

Does tea count towards your daily water quota? I mean, tea is essentially colored water, but some of it does have caffeine. And after you drink caffeine, you're supposed to drink like 8 cups of water to make up for the caffeine. But tea and soup and sugar-free drink mixes for that matter seem like good sources of water. I'm so lost.

One time when every water filter at work was empty, I filled my cup from *gasp* the kitchen sink. I made sure no one was looking and listened for footsteps like I was doing something socially unacceptable. What the?

Should I drink water at a certain time? Like with meals for instance. Some say drinking water before a meal helps you eat less. Some say drinking water before a meal interrupts the enzymes that break down food. Are you kidding me?

What about the vessel from which you drink your water? BPA is the new health swear word. Disposable bottles are an environmental no-no. Avoiding tap water could diminish your exposure to beneficial fluoride. And I remember learning in college that bottled water is not much different than tap water. So what gives?

All I know is that drinking water is healthy and required for almost every bodily function. My favorite website, sparkpeople.com, uses water consumption as one of its major dietary recommendations and even has a tracker for water intake. I know drinking water is super-important, but I don't want to get caught up in all the details. So here are my favorite easy-peasy water tips:

1. Drink water first thing when you wake up. That feeling of cool water in your throat is always so refreshing. It's a great start to the day, especially when it's so common to wake up with a bad case of dry-mouth. And it helps keep the momentum flowing for the rest of the day.

2. Keep a glass of water next to you throughout the day and drink as much as you can. Get a cute fashionable cup or bottle if it helps make water more enticing to you.

3. If you're feeling the itch to snack, have a glass of water first. I've read over and over that sometimes thirst signals are misread as hunger. Make sure you're hitting the right craving by trying water first.

4. Opt for water as your refreshment of choice most of the time. One of the first things I learned when I started my health journey was that a huge number of my daily calories were coming from drinks. Soda, milk, juice and other drinks can add up much faster than you would think. Have a cup or two of milk per day, but stick to water whenever you can. It's calorie-free, yippee!

The best part abut water is that it's essentially free! So, drink up!

2011-02-24T12:13:00.000-06:00

My inbox has been teeming with advice about daily gratitude lists from some of the health and fitness newsletters I subscribe to. Everything I've been reading lately stresses the importance of gratefulness on emotional, relational, and spiritual wellbeing. I'm taking it as a sign. Here's a list of things I'm exceptionally grateful for today:

1. A hubby who went hog-wild and got everything on his to-do list done. Aside from that, he made some truly decadent cookies. He even worked on potty training all day. Who is this guy?

2. Sunshine has been out and even makes the car nice and cozy warm.

3. Preparing for a party on Saturday has got me cleaning nooks and crannies in my home that don't get much attention. It actually feels quite refreshing.

4. Getting tickets for my mommy and me to see a play. I'm itching for a little theatrical diversion.

5. The truly uninhibited facial expressions a little two-year-old will make.

Boun-Sing Ideas: A Very Merry Un-Birthday to Me

2011-02-24T12:06:00.000-06:00

I hosted a wine and cheese party for some of my favorite people last Saturday. I've mentioned this idea before, but I finally put it together and did it and enjoyed every minute. We had quite the spread of cheeses, a tub full of wine bottles, and a choice assortment of dried fruit, figs, olives, chocolates, crackers and nuts.

My grandma recently bestowed me with my great-grandmother's china, and I couldn't have been any giddier to showcase it and put it to good use. My great-grandma bought the set for herself while she worked outside the home for a short time. You see, my great-grandparents owned a farm and didn't have a lot of money left over after getting the necessities for frivolity. So, it just makes me feel all tingly knowing she did this one nice thing just for herself.

We also broke out our Tiffany candle holders that have been protectively wrapped up in tissue inside the familiar blue box. These were a wedding gift from almost five years ago that I am always afraid to bring/leave out. We joke that they're some of the only refined things we own, aside from the china now.

I put up a fun tinsel/streamer wall with a set of props and charades-like cards for picture-taking. With a little encouragement, almost everyone got their mugs captured. Even my husband tried his best Rockette's pose. Oh boy!

We watched a comedy collection of four Independent Films and rated Best Picture, Best Performance, and Best Original Story. We chatted. We broke out the Wii. And a few of us went out to a lounge afterwards to catch a cover band, featuring a friend of one of the girls.

I am truly honored and grateful to have such wonderful friends. Sometimes, winter seems to turn us into such impersonal, stagnant beings. We only see our neighbors if we both happen to be outside shovelling at the same time. Everyone's hibernating in their own homes, there's not a whole lot to do, and we can start to feel quite bored and lonely. This party sure broke up some of the winter doldrums and made my heart feel all warm. I think I might start a new tradition and try this again, once every year.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Putting a Little Love in My Heart

2011-02-17T13:24:00.000-06:00

Picture from Zen on Flickr

I know it's a few days late, but my heart was peeled open on Valentine's day by a quick scan through an old journal I kept. I found the pages where my husband and I became an item. And the date--May of 2003! The story isn't overly interesting, there is no plot climax, no sparkling lift-off. It's all pretty tame. But the feelings I felt after reading it tell another story.

I could practically feel the butterflies again. I was reliving some of the conversations and critical moments. I was laughing about how he always tried to surprise me with things and the uncanny ways it never worked out. I was laughing at all the people on the roster that wanted us to start "going out." I read aloud some of the sappy and funny things to my husband and we both enjoyed the good-humored reminiscing.

The next day, I woke up feeling like someone had hit the "refresh" button. There were emotions stirred up inside me that had long been forgotten. I looked at my husband like he still had some charm left:) Ha! But anyway, I felt very different. On a small high, if you will.

This got me thinking even further into using writing as cheap therapy. Writing down five things that were great about your day or nice things people said to you is rather healthy. I found some compliments in this same journal that gave me a bit of an emotional lift even this many years later, but I know I wasn't thinking about that when I wrote them down. Write them down today and who knows what sort of joy they'll bring in a year or five. I know exactly where I'll turn when I need a little boost about the feelings of my marriage.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Too Many Ideas Bouncing Around

2011-02-10T15:01:00.000-06:00

Disclaimer to those who know me: Sometimes I have so many ideas, thoughts, analyses, observations and deductions rolling around inside my head that when I talk to an actual person, I sometimes come off as sounding a bit vapid. Those thoughts overtake my conscious capacity to the point where I am completely consumed and there is no extra room for spoken word. I sometimes feel disoriented when leaving my head to engage in conversation. I am a master multi-tasker, so you can't accuse me of this shortcoming. I have, however, always been able to say it better in writing than in vocal form. Just thought you might like to know, in case you can't get much out of me today.

Boun-See Balls: Cutting the Cable

2011-02-04T13:50:00.000-06:00

I don't know what I'm going to do when we have to cancel our three-month trial of our extra cable channels. We originally got the extras specifically for FitTV (now called Fit & Health), by my request. And at around $5 for the first few months, it's soooo worth it!

Now I don't know what's going on with FitTV these days, but I seem to remember seeing a lot more workouts than there are now. Anyhow, I had to wait two full days before there were any actual workout videos playing after work. I got all suited up and into position, ready to change the channel promptly at 5:00. "FitTV is currently unavailable." Excuse me?

I was not a satisfied customer when the only channel on the whole tube that I care about was currently unavailable. My husband saw the look on my face and dutifully started dialing. The fastest they could send a technician was on the weekend. After several unsatisfactory phone transfers, the lady on the line pointed us to ExerciseTV On Demand. Oh brother!

Handfuls and handfuls of fitness videos I can turn on as I please? I don't have to do the same workout twice? Hallelujah! Those videos I bought a month ago will be collecting dust for three months because I won't waste them (and risk growing tired of them faster) until On Demand is gone. Believe you me I am going to squeeze every last drop of potential out of those channels until our time is up.

Boun-See Balls: That's a Total Crock-Pot

2011-02-01T13:40:00.000-06:00

The crockpot has got to be the single most important diet invention ever. Especially for the working gal who only has a passing interest in "cooking." You can make anything in there. Oh yes, you can. Lasagna, enchiladas, meatballs, barbecue chicken...every.thing.

Type in "crockpot" on the SparkRecipes website and you get 200 recipes, many of them saying they're "the easiest recipe ever!" Now that's what I like to hear. Since the site is affiliated with SparkPeople, most of the recipes are going to be rather healthy.

People, this is easier than cruising to the drive-through. Dinner arrives just in time, while pizza can be expected to arrive 30-45 minutes after you're already starving. You place your chosen meat, packet of seasoning and can of cream-of-something soup in there and it cooks for you while you're busy at work.

And I don't know about you, but sometimes I miss the smells that came from my mother's kitchen. But when I walk into my house after a day of work, a simmering crockpot emits a smell that could rival a restaurant. That onion soup-drenched roast smells almost as good as mom's.

Boun-Sing Ideas: The Effects of Music on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds

2011-01-27T15:56:00.000-06:00

I cannot stop playing Mairi Campbell's version of Auld Lang Syne from the first Sex and the City movie. You can watch the clip here. I'm completely moved and I can't quite put my finger on why. So, this journal entry is dedicated to sorting it out. Please, indulge me.

The melody is a bit melancholy, as though accompanying a video montage you're watching years later and reliving those joyful moments, as one might with old reels of childhood footage. Mournful and joyful at the same time. There's also something about your friends getting out of bed, picking their way through the snow, and going all the way across town just to keep you company for a few hours that's very touching. There are festivities going on all over town, but not everyone is involved. And the viewer is sort of an outsider, peeking in on all the beauty and glamour, wanting to be there. Or at least desiring the beautiful clothes and parties.

The juxtaposition of a Scottish folk song with an all-American blockbuster fashion movie is endearing and brings some of the over-the-topness down to Earth. Plus the words themselves are heartwarming and haunting at the same time. They're about celebrating long-standing friendships for old time's sake, but they're also about realizing that there are years and years of stories separating you (seas between us). Most of the time Auld Lang Syne is sung with celebratory inflections with a group of people, arm's around each other, raising their glasses. This time, it's very melodramatic. There's happiness, uncertainty, loneliness, comradeship, celebration, restlessness, peace and dejection all rolled up into one scene. It's hard to process, it's so affecting.

Boun-See Balls: Michael Polan Rules

2011-01-21T12:18:00.000-06:00

If I were to recommend one book in this entire world for healthy eating, it would be Michael Polan's Food Rules. This is the best non-diet diet book I've ever come across. When you establish a healthy eating plan, you should pick something you can stick with for...well, for your entire life. Diets that are only temporary are usually inefficient and sometimes unhealthy. Changing your diet for the better should be something you can establish for a lifetime. That sounds daunting, but it's really not. Consider the three easiest diet rules you've ever seen:

Rule Number One: What should I eat? Eat food.
Rule Number Two: What kind of food should I eat? Mostly plants.
Rule Number Three: How much should I eat? Not too much.

1. For the most part, try to eat real food, not processed food. The more "pure" a food is, the better. It's not adulterated, altered, tainted with additives or ground into an unidentified substance. It still provides optimal levels of vitamins and antioxidants.

2. According to the pyramid, the things you should be eating the most servings of are fruits and vegetables. Whole grains are also high on the list. Sprinkle produce all throughout your day and you can hardly go wrong.

3. Pare down your serving sizes. Everything should be eaten in moderation. Pay attention to serving sizes. Don't eat the whole pie, but certainly don't forget to savor your sliver!

I would add Rule Number Four: Never lose an entire food group! Sure, eat food and eat mostly plants, but never do this to the exclusion of carbs, fats or any other portion of the pyramid. You'll miss out on essential nutrients, among so many other things.

Boun-See Seats: What a Nightmare

2011-01-14T12:10:00.000-06:00

My little bambino has been mighty sick lately. He's on his way to the doc right now. But the thing that concerns me most is his apparent nightmare two nights ago. I mean, the Lion King hyenas are a little scary and sometimes daddy watches something questionable, but it seems odd that a child with a pretty limited vocabulary and teeny tiny set of experiences could have such a harrowing nightmare that he picked his way in complete darkness to our bedside. He usually doesn't leave his bed until someone goes to get him. Finding him whimpering next to my bed was probably just as scary to me as it was to him to have such a nightmare, because it just kills me when he experiences such angst. Poor little guy.

So, knowing me, I had to Google "toddler nightmares" the next day because I had no idea how to approach this uncharted territory. I don't like to just ignore seemingly arbitrary things like this and I'm all about making things better for my family. The best advice I found is to ask your toddler briefly what's going on, and then change their thoughts. Go downstairs and get a glass of milk and read them another story. I like to check for monsters and pretend to eat them if the little guy suspects there are any lurking under his bed. This seems to reassure him. But there's nothing worse than being short with a toddler, so a little empathy and back-stroking go a long way. We now have a night light for his room and leave his door open so that he feels more secure.

There's a lot of irony with being a parent. While we're busy reassuring our little people that everything is OK, we're secretly worrying about upcoming bills, strange vehicle sputters, the health of our elders, our work relationships, and then some. Those petty nightmares seem to pale in comparison to real encounters with death and poverty. However, it is because of a toddler's lack of experience that those worries derived from nightmares feel just as potent as our biggest adult fears. It really puts things into perspective, as they say.

This incident also provides a lesson in thought re-patterning. I like the idea of acknowledging bad feelings and then redirecting thoughts to other more pleasant and productive things. In the real world, empathy and active listening go a long way too. It's amazing what you can learn from raising a child. More and more, these experiences reiterate the things I've learned in my own life.

This is also a lesson in the active imaginations of children. When we think they're not looking or paying attention, they're really actively absorbing more than we realize. We're going to have to be much more proactive about screening our television and word choices. My husband and I might just have to start playing the quarter game pretty soon too. Our potty mouths might get us into trouble one of these days...

Boun-Sing Ideas: Happy Blogiversary to Me!

2011-01-14T10:47:00.000-06:00

Well, today marks the first year anniversary of my first post in the blogosphere and it feels truly inspiring. Not only am I, myself, another year stronger, but so are my words. Sometimes just getting into the habit of writing can be a struggle. But this personal place allows me to explore ideas in an informal, yet sometimes informative way. And once I get into that routine habit of writing, the ideas swirl around in my mind much more freely which, in turn, enriches my life and my writing and the momentum continues to forge ahead.

This coming year, I plan to get a little bit more technical with this blog stuff. I know, I know. I need pictures. I need Technorati to pick me up. I need to learn a little bit more about html coding and such so that I can deck these walls with extra emphasis. This is a whole new world to me. That's goal number one.

Goal number two is to blog more frequently. As I said above, the more I write, the more I start to piece things together in my head and the more receptive I am to my environment and world. It's good for the blog and it's good for me. And hopefully it's good for someone else out there.

I blog because I love the freedom of expression it gives me. It's cathartic in some ways and soul-enriching in others. I also love the outlet this blog offers me to express what I've learned to everyday people with similar interests and concerns. I am a complete fitness junkie, devoted momma and writing fanatic among many other things. And my passion is for my words and I to reach out and to make connections with people. So, we move into this second year with abundant anticipation and enthusiasm.

Take a second to peruse some of my favorites from this past year:

1. Add more roughage to your diet with these tips.
2. A personal tidbit about motherhood
3. My Ultimate Thrifty Guide to getting fit
4. My best advice for getting into a fitness habit is writing a note like this to yourself.

Boun-See Balls: You Know You're a Fitness Junkie When...

2010-12-29T15:05:00.000-06:00

...You spend over $100 on Amazon in one fell swoop. All on workout DVDs and Yoga decks. No sweat though (well, for the cost anyway). This was my attempt to spend my hard-earned Christmas money (I've been a pretty good girl this year) and capitalize on some wellness moola at work. Score!

On the menu are Ellen Barrett's Barefoot Cardio, some good ole Quick Fix and 10 Minute Solution DVDs, a Bollywood dance workout, Shape Magazine's bikini body workout, a ballet-inspired Reach workout, some Iron Yoga, a small bit of capoeira, and some Shiva Rae. Ooooh. Aaaaaah. Endorphins, my drug of choice.

And as you can tell, I despise workout monotony. I have to refresh every once in awhile or my motivation wanes. I love trying all different types of movements, as you can tell. And if I can multitask while working out, all the better (i.e. learning new dance moves, practicing meditation while I move, getting strength and cardio done in one shot).

Now, I eagerly wait by the mailbox...

Boun-See Balls: Resolutions Smesolutions

2010-12-28T11:30:00.000-06:00

I may have mentioned before that I'm not a huge fan of New Year's resolutions. I think that it's important to recognize that you are fully capable of making a resolution right this second, this very day of the year, this singular moment before the next bite reaches your mouth. I think that the "I'll start on Monday" mentality is, please forgive me, lazy. It's a giant excuse not to take control of your own habits, bodies, responsibilities and health that you have full authority over. I like to keep in the practice of making resolutions the second I think of them. I don't wait until Monday, I begin with my next meal or transaction.

However, I do appreciate the freshness that the New Year offers. The feeling of vitality all around you, the fresh outlook, that sense of starting over. Plus every business everywhere capitalizes on the New Year, so you might as well take advantage of those gym fee waivers and exercise equipment sales if you're going that route.

I would like to offer a few tips from my own experience at forming New Year's resolutions every year since I've understood the concept. Hey, just because I don't agree with waiting until the New Year to tackle your ambitions doesn't mean that I don't like to use the date as a great time to re-evaluate where I'm going. So, my advice is to try to:

1. Practice your New Year's resolutions a week or more in advance. This gives you a chance to work out the kinks, rework your schedule, and adjust the picture before you even start. If you plunge ahead on Jan 1 without any practice, it's all too easy to fall for the all-or-nothing cop-out. My resolution for 2011 is to read through the Bible and I started in November so that I have plenty of "padding" for those days I know I'll miss. Given enough time, I was able to find this Bible podcast and these complementary sermons that I can listen to while I'm working. Through this early trial, I also figured out that reading two Bible companions in tandem with the Bible readings is overkill and I know I cannot dedicate myself to that much cross-referencing and reading right now.

2. Jot down every obstacle you can foresee on one side of a piece of paper. On the other side, brainstorm solutions for overcoming those obstacles. Without a Plan B, failure will be that much easier. On the other hand, if you know exactly what your action plan will be, you won't hesitate to keep going. There WILL be obstacles.

3. Write about your efforts, vocalize your goals, and gather your cheerleaders. If you keep your resolutions inside your head, you have only yourself to hold you accountable. When you put your plan in print, you are solidifying it and making it real. You are reminded of your efforts with every glance where memory may have failed you. Start a blog centered around your resolutions like her, write a few goals on a Post-it® attached to your computer screen, or enlist a friend to check in on you. The more you talk about it, the more concrete the idea will be in your mind.

4. Visualize yourself successfully completely your goals with every inch of your being. Taste the sweat, hear the crowd cheering and those compliments, touch the rope at the finish line, see yourself in your new fitted clothes and experience the entire thing down to the sensory details. If in your mind you've already succeeded, then you know for sure that success is not impossible. And once you immerse yourself in that feeling of accomplishment, nothing will stop you from getting there. It feels too good.

5. Do some research. It's a whole lot easier to jump into something on Jan 1 when you know what will be expected of you. Print off that 5k training plan, read others' success stories, track your spending for a month or two before implementing a budget, and become familiar with the terms and equipment at the gym so you can nail your resolutions head-on, without hesitation. Know exactly what you're getting yourself into--or out of!

6. But don't over-plan! You are not likely to be successful at losing weight if you immediately plan to track every morsel down to the almond, subscribe to three magazines, join every online weight loss community you come across, buy piles of complicated equipment, join a gym and forgo entire food groups unless you have some sort of rare iron-clad dedication. You're setting yourself up for failure if you plan to form a million new habits at once. The most successful dieters use baby steps to achieve their goals. Implement one new measurable strategy per week such as drinking two extra glasses of water, walking 2,000 extra steps, putting away 25 extra dollars, sending out three extra resumes, or using a smaller dinner plate. Continue with what works, chuck what doesn't. I can practically guarantee that by December, or maybe even July, you will reap the rewards of all those baby steps put together.

7. Don't let your imperfections or shortcomings derail your entire plan. Who says you can't change or rewrite your goals in February to better suit your lifestyle? Certainly not me!

Boun-sing Ideas: The Writing Structure and its Builders

2010-12-22T16:04:00.000-06:00

Great writers know that reading is one of the most important things that they can do to improve their craft. And here's another reason why. It's not always the content itself that inspires writing, but the form the writing takes. I remember reading a book in high school and the teacher asked us to write about one thing we learned from the book. I wrote about how the book opened me up to a completely different style of writing.

The book in question was written completely in vignettes. It didn't read like a regular book with a build-up, climax, and falling action. The vignettes were sort of scattered, but still contributed to the overall story. I remember thinking: "this is truly brilliant." I can do that! That's how my mind works anyhow, in bits and scattered chunks.

In college, we read poems and then copied their forms or subjects in our own way. Recently, I read a book that I've mentioned before called Wear More Cashmere. The style of that book and its celebration of womanhood has spawned some amazing writing ideas inside of me, but that I would like to express in my own way.

I can't wait to get started!

Boun-See Balls: Sugar Sugar Everywhere

2010-12-21T12:44:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited for Christmas. My home has been decked out for weeks, the sugar cookies have come and gone, about half of the gifts have been wrapped and placed under the tree. Every evening I come home and turn on a Christmas CD while I try to figure out what's for dinner. I love showing people how much thought I've put into celebrating them as a person by choosing gifts with meaning. I've taken my son to see many-a-Santa (but he's two, so he hasn't quite caught on that he looks different each time). The snow is falling in pure white blankets. The goodwill is so thick in the air you can almost taste it. But instead of taste it, you stop to check the calories...

I'm here to petition that we do not take the cheer out of the holiday treats. Everywhere around me, I keep hearing people grumbling and then taking fistfuls of treats almost reluctantly. At my lunch break exercise class, there was moaning during the walking lunges about how we'd better treat ourselves to extra pecan pie for this. There's something just so wrong with this picture. We shouldn't be lamenting these bountiful gifts from friends, family, business vendors, etc.

Please, by all means, have fun with the outpouring of Christmas suga'. Grab a few chocolate-covered pretzels and really enjoy each roll across the tongue. This is a rare once-a-year treat. Take an extra lap around the building before grabbing a cookie if you must, but please grab a cookie! Maybe not ten, but at least one or two. The more you fight it, the worse off you're going to be anyway. This is a time to celebrate, to enjoy, to indulge. What's to celebrate if you're too busy worrying about that monster chocolate cake you just bit into?

Boun-See Seats: Singing Lessons

2010-11-29T14:57:00.000-06:00

I have an endearing story about my dad singing to my sisters and me when we were babies. He would just repeat Silent Night over and over because that was the only song he knew all the words to. He wasn't that much of a hands-on dad when it came to discipline (unless we were bothering him specifically) or day-to-day affairs, but he sure loved his girls. Especially when we were all cuddled into his arms about to fall asleep. Awwwwwww. I don't quite remember this but I certainly appreciate the stories and the devotion.

I, of course, sing to my son the requisite "Hush Little Baby" and "Twinkle Twinkle" but am in the market for a new tune. I was just listening to an updated version of Amazing Grace and hadn't even thought of that one! Swing Low Sweet Chariot. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Sweet Child of Mine. Landslide. I am totally missing some good tunes! I need to get listening and bolster my playlist.

Boun-See Balls: It's All on the Menu

2010-11-17T14:15:00.000-06:00

The best smart-eating tip I can offer: you gotta plan out the menu people!

And these are my best strategies for menu planning:

1. Make a list of all the common meals you make for yourself or your family. You can do this with snacks and drinks too. I want to add my very own list to this blog very soon so I have my own record. Because sometimes when it's time to go to the grocery store, you just plumb can't think of anything to make. Continue adding to this list as you add new recipes to your repertoire.

2. Do a search at Cooking Light or SparkRecipes for more healthful versions of your favorites or try to do a few heart-healthy swaps (light sour cream versus the full-fat version). I bought a Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet cookbook that improves upon a good share of our family favorites in one book. Printing real recipes with actual nutrition labels also helps keep you honest about each serving.

3. Now go back through that meal list and place notes next to each meal listing the ingredients you'll need for each recipe.

4. Each week, plot out every breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack. This is not as hard as it sounds. It's perfectly OK to have nutritious waffles with blueberries all week so you need only buy those two things. For snacks, all you need is a carton of eggs for a hard-boiled snack or a bag of apples and bottle of peanut butter. Add the ingredients for these meals to your weekly shopping list.

5. I always find it helpful to jot down the meals and snacks I've planned on a white board or scrap of paper so I don't forget by Thursday what I actually had in mind. I scratch the meals off as I go.

This one simple meal-planning strategy sounds way too easy, but it really works. And as a bonus, it keeps our grocery bills much lower than ever!

Boun-Sing Ideas: The Party's at My House

2010-11-16T15:48:00.000-06:00

I think I was reading someone else's blog entry about having a wine and cheese party that got me thinking about having a girls' night sometime soon myself. Something to replenish those bonds and give us girls something to talk about. Ok, I was just looking for any excuse to get all the girlies I adore the most together. And banish awkward silences.

Then, something about indie film screening came into my inbox not two seconds later like surrendipity.

A few days later, this fantastic party favor idea (including wine party favor options) graced my inbox.

And there you have it: fate has arranged a fully-planned party for me. How does New Year's Eve sound?

Boun-see Balls: The Great Remote Search

2010-11-04T15:40:00.000-05:00

I'm not the lazy type that searches the entire house for the remote just to change the TV channels from the couch. Oh no. But for the past two days I've been in a real bind. I've wanted to work out to several different fitness DVDs, but I can't find the DVD remote. The actual box itself can only do so much. What about when I want to get to the third workout on that Turbo Jam DVD? I. just. can't. get to it! Ugh.

However, this did force me to pull out my old bundle of ripped-out magazine workouts and put them to darn good use. You should see the stack I have. You know those file envelopes with like 8 file dividers? I have two of those jam-packed about 2-inches thick with every type of workout you can think of from capoeira to back-to-the-80s leg warmer workouts to tae bo, you name it! And I always have good intentions of using them (otherwise I wouldn't horde them so), but somehow I just don't.

It's much easier for me to throw in a DVD and capitalize on the Chalene-style energy. Almost like I'm working out with someone else or in a class setting. I take less breaks and pump a whole lot harder. Those DVDs keep me a whole lot more accountable than a piece of paper I have to stop and read. But I did use the paper this time. And I liked it. Especially with my own music cranked up and the boys out of the house.

Boun-See Balls: Post-Workout Shower

2010-11-04T07:58:00.000-05:00

I have an odd conundrum that has to do with the post-workout shower. Ok, I admit I have gone places after a sweaty workout. I try to keep this social snafu to a minimum, but I assure you I never go to bed without a full lather-off. So, what do you do the next morning when your hair is all crazy kinked but you're still shower fresh? I know a lot of people who will take another shower in the morning. I have done that too, especially in the sticky summer heat, but it seems like such a waste--of water and extra time. They do tell you to even skip a day of showering for the benefit of your hair and skin moisture levels, which I just won't do. But double showering must do a real number on oil production.

So, if I take a shower in the morning and another shower post-workout that same day and don't take one the following morning, I still come out with my socially-acceptable one shower a day. Whew, at least I can keep my social standing. But I still don't know what to do about that hideous bed-head. It's not the cute Jennifer Aniston-esque-beach-wave-bed-head. It's the three-year-old-girl-after-a-day-of-craziness type.

Anyhow, so far, the only remedies I've come up with are clips to pin my hair back. It also helps if I wear a hat on my walk to work to flatten some of the bumps. Otherwise, cute pixie pigtails or a headband seem to do the trick. My hair's too short right now to resort to the oft-used ponytail. I may have to grow it out just for that reason. But then I'm afraid I'll get lazy and use the ponytail solution every day again like I've done before.

Boun-sing Ideas: The Sketchbook Project

2010-11-01T15:51:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to have found The Sketchbook Project during a recent bout of Internet "research." Ok ok, you caught me. I was in the market to buy a real artist's sketchbook and came across this cool new project to engulf myself in. You see, you get a sketchbook, fill it up with artwork and send it back in. Then, your art goes on a tour of the country. When the art tour is finished, the sketchbooks find a permanent home in the Brooklyn Art Library. They can be checked out like regular library books and the artist can keep track of how many times their book is viewed or "checked out."

I chose "make mine a double" as my theme. Although today I see that "Happy Thoughts" has been added as a theme, and that would've been downright perfect. Oh well. I've already done a brainstorm of doubles and hope to turn those ideas into wonderful works of art.

As I've stated before, I have this abundance of creative energy building up inside of me and am in dire need of an expressive outlet for it. So thank the stars, it's in the mail.

5JEST59FP358

Boun-See Balls: The Stuffed Upper Crust

2010-10-26T12:05:00.001-05:00

I've noticed more and more that people are being drawn to health foods when it comes to sharing snacks or meals with others. We're all getting a little scared of going to parties where there is way too much to eat. They write about it in magazines all the time--how to not sabotage your diet in one fell swoop of the buffet table.

Snacks at work in a health-conscious department and even work-provided lunches are taking on a health spin. Make a calorie-light cupcake and watch them disappear. Bring in a calorie-dense cake and frown as you take most of it back home again. At church, at birthday celebrations, more and more people are leaning toward healthful fare. And everyone mumbles about donuts--so enticing no one can resist yet oh-so-naughty for the waist. And I almost feel guilty serving that sort of thing myself. As if I'm a devil's advocate of sorts. Here, engorge yourself, until you're uncomfortably stuffed and guilt-ridden. How hospitable is that?

We recently invited some friends over for dinner. Something people generally jump at the chance to enjoy, right? Well, they weren't sure if they could make it because they're trying to lose weight. Well, it's a good thing I have a few healthy recipes under my belt and am sort of a health buff myself. Sort of. So, I can make them feel at home in my home and in their own skin. I know, it's a gift.

As a side, would it be weird to host Thanksgiving this year and make it a health food affair with pre-portioned plates? I'm also fantasizing about that energized feeling after finishing a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, starting my day off on the right (and left) foot. But what's with the parting gift--a fresh pumpkin pie? Shouldn't we slim that down to a sugar-free, low-fat pie of some kind? We all know we'll ruin our efforts later in the day, but why help us take an unhealthful turn right away?

Boun-Sing Ideas: Wabi What-y?

2010-10-25T13:00:00.000-05:00

Turns out my love of imperfect things dates back to ancient Japanese tradition. Who knew? You see, I had this doll when I was in third grade. I remember how all of our backpacks were lined up on pegs outside the third grade classroom. With the scarcity of homework back in those wee days, my backpack often held other schoolgirl treasures. For awhile, I carried this plastic doll with me everywhere. I was so worried that one of my arch nemeses would weasel their peanut-butter fingers into my bag and out me and my closet doll fetish.

You see, I found this plastic doll in the little attic offshoot of my bedroom. She was a bit bedraggled. Her hair not as luscious as Barbie's. Her moving eyes were a little creepy and she sort of had that musty antique doll style to her. But those little worn patches on her skin and the permanent dirt on her knees endeared me to her even more. She and I together made a complete package of misfits. A little off-kilter, a little sloppy, a little defective in manner, if only to the naked eye. She belonged with me.

Turns out there's this ancient philosophy called Wabi Sabi that celebrates the imperfections, the worn-out places, the dirt in the cracks. This Whole Living article turned me on to the whole idea and it completely clicked with me. It makes sense that I was repelled by perfection. Nothing bothered me more in school than copy-cats who strove to be closer to the cool girl's idea of perfect. The pretentious, the trite, the mainstream--all of these things bothered me to no end. And for good reason. Perfection is delusional and denotes a lack of character. Striving for perfection is a fruitless endeavor, while celebrating flaws encourages us to take pure delight in our own and others' idiosyncrasies.

Now I have an excuse to not get rid of my little teapot with the crack through the lid. Oh happy day! XOXOXO Baby Doll.

Boun-sing Ideas: Sentimentality is Never Stationary

2010-10-18T11:32:00.000-05:00

I bought me some stationery yesterday with that bonus check I was talking about.

I just love the sentimental glamor of having a stash of expressive stationery on-hand on which to pen personalized "correspondence" like someone out of a Jane Austen novel. I'm a sucker for handwritten notes that actually come in the mail. A tactile demonstration that someone was thinking enough about you to break out the pen, ink, and stamp. Something that can be returned to with reminiscent pleasure.

Now, I'm trying to think of who the first lucky recipient will be. I know of a few folks who would raise their eyebrows at the old pen-and-ink way to communicate. I know of a few more to whom I talk quite frequently online and to whom it makes no sense to drop a letter in the mail.

But at least I have the pretty, graphic, delicate stationery to start with.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Past Tense

2010-10-15T09:42:00.001-05:00

I went through a phase in my life where I couldn't quite understand how the world could be a whole different place when my parents were young. I wanted badly to travel back in time and watch how they interacted with their high school friends and hear their groovy child voices. I'd watch Brady Bunch reruns and wonder if my mom wore her hair like Marsha or Jan or if her feet walked on mustard-colored shag carpeting. I envisioned my dad living in a wood-paneled Main Street apartment, listening to Journey, surrounded by latch-hook wall decor and macrame pot holders, and getting around by hitchhiking.

Nowadays, I'm so far behind on technology, I might as well be frolicking with the Partridge family. As a copywriter, I sometimes have to write product descriptions for technological gadgets that leave me feeling a little uneasy. Have I used some ancient terminology? Do I even know what all those abbreviations stand for? My husband and I just bought the original Mario and Pacman games, do I look like I know anything about Bluetooth technology?

But I'm learning. I find updating my personal hard drive an asset to society. There are so many advantages to being instantly connected and accomplishing tasks much more quickly. Sometimes, when I sneak peeks of other peoples' flat screens in their open lit windows, I think we should get one as much as my deep-seated nostalgic sentiments want to balk in opposition. I don't want to grow up to be old and afraid. I want to be energized by advances, not intimidated by them.

I, however, solemnly swear that I will never relinquish my love for Three's Company, paisley patterns, shirt dresses and gaudy hair flowers.

On another subject, here is a list of some of my favorite things today:

Licking the yogurt off the cover.
The Contemporary Folk station on Pandora.
Bonus checks that allow you to spend on girly pleasures like shoes and face cream where the family budget doesn't comply.
Reading A Streetcar Named Desire in the sun on my lunch break.

Boun-See Balls: Cuz I Eats Me Spinach

2010-09-29T08:04:00.000-05:00

Is it rough for you to squeeze enough roughage into your diet? I've compiled a list some of the helpful tips that I've accumulated from various magazines, news outlets and other sources. These pointers make obtaining your five-a-day quota of fruits and vegetables as simple as possible:

1. Start at the Beginning: Begin each meal with a fruit or vegetable. When you fill up on salad or fruit cocktail, you'll be less likely to eat as much of the heavier fare that follows.

2. Snack Attack: If you need a snack, start with a piece of fruit or a serving of vegetables. If you need more, move on to something else. But always start here. Training yourself to grab ripe produce when the hunger pangs strike is a much better habit to form than reaching for any chip bag that's within reach.

3. Supper Solution: Consider vegetables to be the main course of dinner with a side of meat. In fact, conventional wisdom dictates that your plate should be divided into 1 part whole grain, 1 part low-fat meat/protein and 2 parts vegetables.

4. Seeing Clearly: Research shows that storing food in see-through containers in the fridge will make you more likely to eat it. Chop up some of your favorites into bite-size pieces on Sunday and graze on them throughout the week. Place less healthful options in opaque containers.

5. Jump in Fruit First: Store those fresh picks in the front of the fridge, freezer or pantry and bury junk food in the back to make yourself more likely to nosh on better nourishment.

6. Color Wheel: Challenge yourself to put a new fruit or vegetable on your shopping list. Incorporating a larger variety of colors and tastes into your diet gives you a more well-rounded dose of vitamins and antioxidants.

7. An Apple a Day: A study I recently read about from Penn State said that people ate about 200 calories less at lunch when they ate an apple 15 minutes prior than when they didn't snack on anything.

8. Drink to Your Health: Some low-sodium veggie drinks provide you with an extra serving of vegetables without even trying! Protect your ticker. Duh, you could have a V8!

9. When making frozen dinners, whether personal-sized or family-sized, bulk them up with extra servings of complementary frozen vegetables. Simple and cheap! You can do this with canned soups, homemade soups or other dinners as well. Train your mind to pick out places where vegetables can be snuck in. Ever tried cauliflower in your mashed potatoes or applesauce in your muffins? Shhhhhh. They'll never know!

Boun-Sing Ideas: Backyard Healthcare Reform

2010-09-28T09:26:00.000-05:00

I watched a small blip on the news (the news isn't TV, right?) about a movement for the reform of school lunches, spurred by Michelle Obama. Flashback to 1990-something and memories of cheese globs, Cheetos, and fake pizza runs through my mind. Lunch came with a main dish, two sides, chips, a drink and dessert. I mean, seriously? The chips and dessert alone were enough to quiver at, let alone the "side" choices (i.e. fries, Ranch-drenched salad...you get the idea). Do you really think I chose the heated canned peas? Um....I'll pass. I literally still cringe when I think about how I ate a bag of Cheetos every.single.day! This foundation of childhood obesity not only carries a red flag, it features flashing red lights, glows in the dark and bellows at decibels that can be heard across the country.

Jump ahead a few years to an angst-ridden college student with weight problems faced with all-you-can-eat buffet-style cafeteria food. I can't even go there because the memories are too painful. Obviously, Houston, we have a mightily enlarged problem.

Needless to say, I whole-heartedly back this healthy school lunch movement. In fact, my mind also rolls back to the greenhouse in my high school and the surrounding school grounds--aka, fertile grounds for vegetable planting accompanied by horticulture, botany, and biology lessons. A huge money-saving win-win! I mean there's something so meaningful about a student growing tomatoes with their own hands and seeing them being served in their very own cafeteria, tasting them with each bite of said salad and developing healthy habits that will hopefully stick with them for a lifetime. Perhaps healthcare costs would be reduced by a much-healthier upcoming generation. Why haven't we thought of this/done something sooner?

Boun-Sing Ideas: Carrying it All

2010-09-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

So, I started ink sketching again. Something I haven't done since...oh, my college days. I'm not really sure why I ever abandoned it, but some new sources of inspiration have rekindled my desire to put pen to paper. I can even be productive in front of the tube. Wait, did I just say that? I'm not watching TV anymore remember? Anyway... I've been going in several other directions lately too, such as a paper bag tag project, the novel-in-progress, word bits and pieces that will one day form a poem, collage art, and so much more.

So, what's an artist to do? Sometimes on my work lunch breaks I feel like sketching and sometimes I want to write. Reading by the water is another favorite past time. Magazines tell me to keep a gratitude journal, an exercise log, a food tracker and a memory keeper. Writers like to keep journals to stay in the practice of writing and artists carry around sketchbooks whenever the mood strikes. Gurus and life coaches preach the powers of visualization and vision boards. What should an artist/writer/grateful human/dreamer/runner/healthy eater do? Carry around a backpack full of journals that weigh them down instead of lift them off? I think this is why artists always appear fragmented, disheveled and disorganized. It must be!

I can feel the invention wheels rolling in my head again. Something to reel in the restlessness yet fulfill all those roles.

Boun-sing Ideas: I Love you Again and Again

2010-08-18T13:54:00.000-05:00

We should be able to marry again and again and again.

There is so much anticipation, so many loved ones in one place, so much love radiating from the pews, so much fun to be had dancing with little tykes and all the uncles, and so much thought into every thread that graces the stage on that ceremonious day (and so little of it afterwards) that it should never have to stop. And the look in each other's eyes and those magical words "I do" could never lose their magic.

Besides, it can be so hard to narrow down a theme that it would be fun to be able to pick a different one every five years or experience an elopement, try a non-traditional dress, make room in the wedding party for new friends in your life, or give out party favors that convey something from each set of years you've spent together.

Oh, I could definitely live without the familial friction and the staggering bills, but I would desperately love to relive that enchantment that lasts only hours for one short miraculous day.

We evolve in our love for one another. And we could use a way to truly express that love beyond such trivial means available to the already-married. A way to renew that bond and celebrate something of such significance. To feel that raw love anew.

Boun-Sing Ideas: Swearing off the Boob Tube

2010-08-16T08:20:00.000-05:00

I wrote a letter to a chronically late friend some time ago explaining how this momma needs to take stock of what she's spending her time on and extinguish all the pesky places where time seems to be meaninglessly burned. In this case, it was waiting around for hours for her. Another huge time-sapping activity for me is watching television.

So, I watched a movie this weekend and sort of felt robbed afterwards. I couldn't believe I spent those golden hours while my child napped engrossed in something so stupid, meaningless, unauthentic, and ridiculous. So I feel that I need to consciously rearrange the agenda a bit and zap television from my day-to-day playlist.

Not only does television provide constant reminders of what we don't have it also diminishes bodily health. There is a direct relationship between time spent watching TV and the weight of the person watching. The more hours you watch, the fatter you get. It's blunt, but it's the gosh-darn truth.

In an effort to be more productive, energetic, and healthy; to be a positive role model for my son; and to pursue my passions much more rigorously than I have been, I am taking a sabbatical from the boob tube. I'd much rather:

*Make music like the two delightful young girls we saw at the coffee shop open mic, playing cellos and singing sweetly to their own worthy lyrics.

*Shop for beautiful antiques saturated with stories like quilts and old-time storybooks and dainty hors d'oeuvre forks.

*Cook exquisite Gordon Ramsay-worthy food beside my husband

*Make acoustical noise around the fire

*Fill sketchbooks with musings and colored pencil drawings

*Cut pretty pictures from magazines to collage into vision boards

*Make musical instruments from stuff we have just laying around the house and jam away with my talented two-year-old

*Perusing the farmer's market with friends who actually cherish their time with me

*Hone my flexibility and feelings of inner peace with yoga

*Honoring my legs and lungs with a sprint around the neighborhood

Boun-See Seats: Creating Peace at Home

2010-08-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

images courtesy of AarinFreePhoto.com

Ask me what's wrong with the medical system I've been dealing with lately, and I can list off dozens of things and their myriad of negative effects. Ask me what's going right in my home, and I'll be stumped to give any examples. This is when you know something is off-kilter.

In an effort to find my way back to Optimistic, a friend I've been avoiding like leprosy, I've decided to force myself to feel grateful, hoping that that old adage that if I act happy I'll be happy really works. And I have lots of hope that it does.

1. Singing someone to sleep
2. Foundational faith
3. Fresh scents
4. Inspiring colors
5. New green growth
6. Gratitude from someone else
7. Connections with depth
8. Giving old things new life
9. Skipping unabashedly
10. Sticky lollipop fingers: these can either be seen as a complete nuisance or a sign of completely immersing oneself in a sweet experience. I choose the latter.
11. A scrubbed-clean home
12. Colorful glass in the windows
13. A checked-off to-do list
14. Advice and encouragement from someone who knows, really knows
15. Central air, electricity, a steady job and creature comforts
16. A brand-new SUV that looks so "me"
17. An abundance of ideas and creative spirit
18. Discovering a new magazine: Living Crafts Magazine. Now, I'm not the bead, scrapbook, fake wreath type of crafter. I was looking for something modern, nature-inspired, inspiring in itself, and do-able and this is it!
19. Two little boys, one with amazing blue eyes and the other with shiny copper penny hair, splashing away in a kiddie pool
20. Discovering a new radio station that never bores: The Avenue.

Oh, and the Perseids. I almost forgot. I need to get out there tonight and see if I can see any last stragglers because I forgot to last night.

Boun-See Balls: What Have You Got to Lose?

2010-08-06T13:48:00.001-05:00

Picture courtesy of Sunipix

A lot!

I was thinking about what might make someone motivated to lose weight when they're sort of apathetic about their size...as in, their potentially-failing health, neutral body image, pleas from children, etc have not been enough of a push to get them to lose weight. These were some of my ideas:

1. Reproduction: Research shows that obesity is related to a host of reproductive problems. Planning to have a family--and a healthy one at that--can be a huge force toward leading a healthier lifestyle. I've also read that obese women are at higher risk for early and recurrent early miscarriages. It is highly advised that women get their weight under control to prevent this truly heartbreaking experience.

2. Insurance rates: I have seen instances where health insurance rates doubled as a result of health assessment reports. Talk about reason to lose weight!

3. Monetary incentives: Money, in general, is a good incentive for a lot of people to do anything. I see a lot of games popping up in area gyms and workplaces offering the “biggest loser” a pool of money or other great incentives. Perhaps stats on what they’d save money on if they’d lose weight such as grocery bills, clothing, airline seats (in some cases), gas, the obvious doctor bills and much more would assist in motivating.

4. Altruistic motives: How about encouragement to commit to running a race in honor of a friend with cancer or perhaps “dedicating” a few pounds to premature babies in the NICU (in the form of pledges per pound).

5: Success Stories: Motivational stories have always inspired me personally. When I see someone in my daily life begin to lose weight, I want to know everything about how they did it. It’s almost a stroke of jealousy that stirs up the desire in me. If someone larger than me (and whom I know personally or see in real life) can do it and look great, I want to!

6: I am also highly motivated to "show 'em" when people make rude comments or tease me about my weight or even another aspect of my life. When I came back to visit from my first semester in college, someone made a comment about my more-than-freshman-15 weight gain. That was a wake-up call. Someone else told me to revel in the weight I was at for my wedding because that was the lowest I'd ever be. Well, well, well. Today, after having a baby even, I weigh 15lbs less than I did the day I said my vows. I don't appreciate being labeled, judged or pressed into a self-fulfilling prophesy of someone else's. So there!

Boun-See Balls: Getting a Little Technical

2010-08-05T12:40:00.000-05:00

I received a fun new gadget as of late. Makes me so happy. How could a Heart Rate Monitor make someone so happy? I'm not sure. Anyhow, I don't need to stop running and risk dizziness for 15 seconds to check my pulse. This thing does it for me. And tracks calories and distance too. This is so perfect for running. I've often wondered if I'm running fast enough to get any benefits or even if I'm going too fast. Now I'll know!

So, I found this fabulous website for determining what heart rate zones I should be in for certain benefits and for how long. I already know the whole 220 minus age calculation that gets me to my maximum heart rate. But what are you supposed to do with the numbers from there? This site takes a closer look. There's nothing like feeling like you've actually done something good for your body after a run!

Perhaps this can move me past the plateau I've been in for the last, oh, two years. Oh wait, what's that you say? Yes, I'm walking over to the bakery to get a cupcake at lunch. So? I am walking...

Boun-Sing Ideas and Balls: The New Charity "Race"

2010-08-04T14:06:00.000-05:00

I just had a great idea for an invention I thought I'd share. Not so much a physical invention as an inventive idea. There are so many charity runs and only so many ways to switch those up (run a 5k night, taste beer along the way, etc). Why not do some sort of contest where you dedicate the pounds you intend to lose to a charity or worthy cause? You make some sort of pledge or solicit pledges for each pound lost. It would totally make sense to "donate your pounds" to premature babies in the ICU. This would be a great addition to a company wellness program or a gym promotion. Just a thought...