Bar Method Challenge-one month in

So, I've joined the Bar Method Portland fitness challenge, and now that it's been the first of three months I decided to take stock in where I am. I've been frustrated because it doesn't feel like I'm making any headway, and those damn thigh exercises are as impossible as ever! My eating habits have sabotaged some of my efforts, but I'm working on that. So, as I was walking on the treadmill at the gym yesterday I made a mental list of the good and bad of my progress:

• I can do 30 pushups consecutively, 50 within the one hour class. On the other hand, I still can't do a guy pushup yet
• I can make it all the way thru the arm, buns, and (most of the time) the glutes without stopping. The abs and, as I said before, thighs are still a huge challenge
• Coming back to walking/jogging on the treadmill, I am improved in speed and length of time I can jog
• My flexibility is much better, but still a ways to go
• The scale is the same, but I was able to fit into a pair of jeans I haven't been able to button up in the last few months (there is still the muffin-top scenario though)

So, all in all I'm getting progress, more than I thought, but really need to kick in the better eating habits so I can feel I'm making better headway. I also need to remember that being in my 50's makes the whole process really slowwwwwwwww. I do feel great once I'm out of the class, so it's a good way to start the day.

I've been knitting a bit, trying to make a few pairs of fingerless gloves. I have a ton of stashed yarn, and am dieting with that too. Hopefully I can make better headway with that than my fitness challenge!

Here's another picture of yummy stash I've recently accumulated:

                                    (I said nothing about a fiber diet, now did I?!)

Fitness challenge

Ok, I am committing to a fall fitness challenge at The Bar Method. I've been exercising there for a month now (very killer workout) and decided to join the challenge as a way to stay on track. They took my measurements at the beginning (9/15/10) and will take again in 3 months. It was a bit embarrassing having this totally toned and fit person record my measurements but I figure that should encourage me to do well. Hopefully!! I've committed to going to class 4 days a week so we'll see how that all pans out.

I've been spinning a lot lately, and able to get my yarn a lot smoother and thinner. I bought a bunch of roving from CJ Delights and have been having a lot of fun with it. I think these are all rambouilet and, of course, the colors are much more delicious in real life.

Look at all those sample braids; I can't wait to see what they all spin up like!

I also got a bump of fiber from Rogue Adventures that is really pretty:

I've started to spin this up and I really like it; I'm stuck, however, until I find the end of the yarn I lost! I'm hoping to get most of this spun up before next weekend; this will be the first year I've attended OFFF so I'm excited to see all the fiber for sale. Whoo Hoo!!

9/11

I don't have a specific blog planned for today but wanted to acknowledge the day and all it's meant to our country since 2001. Here's a nod to the people who lost their lives, and the others who have helped clean up the aftermath.

Seen Astoria lately?

Hubby and I joined another couple for a weekend trip to Astoria; haven't been there in years. It's still gray most of the time and it has it's influx of tourists along the main drag but it also has some new places to explore. The views of the city and river are still the same, gorgeous in their own right:

Lots of old buildings lining the river's edge, with some picturesque ships in the water behind. There's a wonderful sunday market downtown, with fresh fruits and veggies along handmade crafts and other things to look at.

Vodoo Lounge is a great little place to hang out and have delicious pizza and check out the neat displays all around the room. It has a lot of little mexican figurines often displayed during Day of the Dead. It's a fun place to visit.

Vodoo Lounge

If you're hungry for a great breakfast or lunch, pop on over next door to the Columbia cafe. Prepare to wait in line a bit as it's a tiny little place and very popular. Scrumptious breakfast and drinks.

Columbia Cafe   

 

 

 

 

 

Spinning

Yes, I finally took some spinning lessons, 4 to be exact, and was spinning away to my heart's content the first night. I'm not saying I did anything worth bragging about, but never the less here is my first officially spun yarn:

It's the kind of thing only a mother could love, but I will keep it for posterity. Below is what I was spinning after another lesson and a lot of practice:

Still not perfect but I'm happy with it.

Good Bye to Pops and time for a breather

The last several months have been crazy; I've been busier than I think ever before. A sick in-law in Florida meant 3 weeks away from home and my honey. Get back home, only to go back down there two weeks later with my honey, only to see his father pass away. We now have mother-in-law living with us temporarily until her apartment becomes available. Moving an older person across country (to Oregon) is one hell of a project: re-establishing doctors, changing medicare, packing the important papers, working with her through her grief, etc, etc, etc. Oh, and I'm also taking 3 online classes through all this: 2 accounting classes and economics! Is it any wonder I can't sleep at night?! 

 In between all that I had a pre-scheduled trip to visit my mom in California. We drove down to Pasadena, her and my dad's old stomping ground, to see what we could see. Pasadena is a lovely town, beautiful and quaint old houses, wide streets with tall canopies of huge old trees, lots of history and memories. One of the things I enjoy the most is going to their arboretum. It's very unlike the one here in Portland, much more polished. The best part of the arboretum are these:

I love peacocks, have always been fascinated by them. Anyone who's ever read the Nancy Drew books will remember the one with peacocks wandering around the grounds of the house she was staying at. Ever since then they fascinate me (see, books are a big influence on kids!). They are funny creatures to watch and follow around. They also love to steal food off your table while you walk away for napkins!

several days in Heaven

Hubby and I just got back from a few days in a town near John Day, located in the high (?) desert of Oregon. The place we stayed at had million dollar views out every window and scenery that went on forever.

Most of my friends wouldn't be able to call this beautiful, instead enjoying less dry climates like the beach. I'd take this view over the beach any day, even a Florida beach! The smell of juniper is breathtaking, and the colors change constantly.

We hiked, cooked, played Tile Rummy, knit and took lots and lots of pictures. The sock I'm working on was attacked by this munchkin:

but fortunately, he just chewed the yarn from the sock, so all I have to do is re-attach it. How could anyone be mad at this gorgeous face?!
Even though the altitude was only 2000+ ft, it felt like the Himalayas to me as we're at sea level at home, so we were huffin' and a puffin' when walking around. Give me a month in a place like that and I'd be so much healthier!