Fat chicks do yoga

I am disappointed. In so much. Disappointed that we didn't have another 10 inches of snow on the ground this morning, yes. But really, I am disappointed to realize that you can be decent at yoga (read: flexible) and not skinny or toned, as was the chick next to me in class last night. I'm sure it all makes sense to someone more in the know about fitness, but it doesn't make sense to me.

I need to see that the people who are experienced at yoga--the ones who can stand on one leg, grab the big toe of their other foot and hold their leg out straight in front of them and then all the way to the side--are also thin and toned. I need to know that if I keep doing yoga I will be thin and toned too. I know it won't happen with just yoga alone, hence the deathly boring stints on the treadmill, but I need to know that it will help. I'm using my muscles. I'm sweating. Something fitnessy is happening.

Also, I did a head stand for like two whole minutes and it felt great. Except now I can't turn my head very far to either side. Can you remember the last time you did a head stand? And back bends. Remember those? Not so easy anymore. Try one.

Is it so hard to return a call?

I assume the Internet is the ultimate source of information. I should be able to Google a word or a name and find what I'm looking for. I may have to search through a few pages of links, but it should be there.

Recently, I was searching for information about Dr. Langdon in the endocrinology department at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I expected that someone somewhere has had something to say about him. Maybe I gave up too early, but either way I did not find what I was looking for.

So, I'm going to put it out there. Our experience with him has been less than ideal and we are currently searching for a new doctor. Based on our experience, I would not recommend him. Kyra has autoimmune thyroiditis and vitiligo. Lately, she's had some new symptoms - similar to hypoglycemia or Addison's disease. Based on what I researched about Addison's disease, I hope it's hypoglycemia. Either way, something's not quite right. So as any parent would do, I called Dr. Langdon and left a message that Kyra was showing new symptoms. I waited one day. I waited another day. I left another message. No call back. I waited another day. No call back. I left another message. A week has gone by now since my first message and I've received no return call. I'm sure you can imagine how distressing this is.

Fortunately, Kyra isn't deathly ill and has actually been fine the last few days. Because it seems to surround food, I would guess it's likely hypoglycemia. In fact, we've brought this issue up with him in the past. We've just always made sure she snacks frequently. Either way, we don't know for sure.

Not returning important calls is not the only reason I wouldn't recommend him. I don't feel he has a true interest in thyroid disease. And I feel that he treated Kyra like a textbook case without looking at other factors (weight) when it came to medication dosing. I talked about that here when she was first diagnosed.

Like I said, this was just our experience and I wanted to share it.

Funny Snippet: I don't like Chuck

I had to take Kyra to a birthday party on Sunday. Not that big of a deal, you think. We all have to make our sacrifices. I think, a good opportunity to mingle with other mom's. You know I'm trying to make some friends in the area.

But then it goes down hill.

It's at Chuck E. Cheese. Chuck E. Cheese is stimulation overload...for me. All the screaming kids. The noisy games. The singing giant animals. The talking parents. The flashing lights. 60 minutes into it and I can feel my eyeballs shaking.

And it gets worse. I have to take two other girls.

I sort of got suckered into this one. A neighbor stopped by to pick up her daughters from a playdate at my house. We hadn't seen each other in months and spent an hour catching up. She was also invited to the party, as was her neighbor. Neither of them wanted to stay so they were going to carpool. I was planning to stay for the mingling, plus it's Chuck E. Cheese - it's mayhem. I wasn't leaving my kid there. I think somehow in the conversation I sort of volunteered to take them, but not really. I felt like I should have volunteered so maybe something came out of my mouth. It's all a little fuzzy now.

The next morning, the mom called. Her older daughter had to go to the doctor, would I mind taking the other daughter to the party. Of course not, I said. But what about the other girl, I was afraid to ask but did. Because this mom was supposed to drive them and now she couldn't. And neither could the other mom (or really, she just didn't want to cancel her plans). You see where this is going...I took the girls to the party and brought them home. And somewhere in the middle of it all, I realized I actually had to watch them too. A fine detail I neglected to consider. Keeping my eyes on three girls at Chuck E. Cheese? Why oh why does this place not serve wine?

Ok, this really turned into a long post and I haven't even gotten to the purpose of it yet. So good ole Chuck E. Cheese typically makes an appearance at the birthday tables. Kyra is not a fan of Mr. Cheese. "He freaks me out!" she screamed in near tears when she heard the kids saying he was coming. She was ready to dive under the table. "I don't want to see him." She kept turning around trying to spot him. So I moved her to a booth and squeezed her in next to the wall. Chuck E. Cheese was not going to get by me. Then finally, he appears. The kids are all excited, photos are being taken, the birthday song is being sung to her friend. She's missing out on the party. But she looked over my shoulder and very flatly stated, "I don't like Chuck." Because they're on a first name basis like that.

Googled

Have you Googled yourself lately? Every once in a while I think to do it, and get freaked out when I see my name linked to Facebook and Twitter and other sites I've signed up for, filled out a bio and attached a photo to. I don't want to be found. Assuming someone's looking for me. I don't know why this makes me uneasy. So I started thinking about it. What's the big deal if someone from high school finds me? Or from an old job? Why is that so bad?

I have no answer. I don't have embarassing drunk photos floating around (that I can remember). I haven't been arrested for slashing tires. I don't weigh 200 more pounds than I did 10 years ago. Umm, wait. That doesn't mean 10 years ago I weighed 200 pounds and now I don't weigh 400. Oh, you know what I mean.

So, why is it so bothersome?

I have found no easy explanation. But I think it falls in with the same idea of people talking about you behind your back. You know that feeling? I don't want people reading stuff about me without me being there. Yeah, I know. That makes no sense.

Ok, where's my pipe? I need another hit.

Google yourself, people, and see how you feel.

Knitted

I didn't realize I was so close to finishing the hat I was knitting for Ella. I put some dedicated knitting time in on Saturday and ... voila!
Five months later...It's not perfect by any means, but it's wearable. Until I get faster I don't think I'll take something on like this again. 84 stitches to a row takes a while to complete. Thankfully, and for some odd reason, Kyra has not asked for one.

I'm now working on a matching scarf with the leftover yarn. I'm two inches in. Maybe it will be ready for next winter.

Some randoms

Yoga, crocheting, beadboard wallpaper and furniture-making... in no particular order.

1. I just taught myself how to crochet. Just the single crochet stitch, but I'm proud nonetheless. It took me a couple tries to get it right and I nearly enlisted the help of a coworker, but that was too weird. Bringing my yarn and crochet needle to work? Couldn't do it. Anyway, I can crochet! Now I can start projects and never find the time to finish them, just like the hat I've been knitting for Ella for 5 months. Why can't retirement be around the corner?

2. Somehow I linked from a link from a link and probably another link and found this amazingly inspiring blog, Knock off Wood, filled with projects and plans for making your own Pottery Barn and more furniture! Go check it out. You won't believe how easy the projects look. I've been drooling over bookshelves and workstations for days. They cut wood for you at Home Depot, right? If not, add a saw to my Mother's Day gifts please. Oh, and a couple workhorses. And a Home Depot gift card would really come in handy too. I feel a new hobby coming on!

3. My bedroom has slanted walls from the middle point up. We're on the third floor, just under the roof. Lately, the walls have been looking kind of naked to me. I can't hang prints because, well, the walls are angled. I think beadboard would look awesome, but I know that's a project we'll never get around too. Except the other day I found beadboard wallpaper! How amazingly real does it look? A new project for me? I think yes. Look for photos of my new bedroom soon.

4. And lastly, yoga. I went to yoga class last night. Somehow it got more advanced when I wasn't looking because the instructor was balancing his entire body on one arm while holding a foot with a hand around the back of his leg and... you get the picture. I like to push myself but this was bordering on injury. Permanent injury and total embarassment. AND I was in the front of the class. This is what happens when you get to class one minute late. PLUS, I forgot my mat. No biggie. I grabbed a studio mat. No sooner did I get settled in and warmed up did I notice the smell. Chemicals. Like public bathroom cleaning kind of chemicals. It's all I could smell. It's all I could think about. I had to put my forehead on the mat. It's all I could smell. Distracting isn't a strong enough word. I couldn't wait for class to be over. And I love my yoga class! What's worse, the smell came home with me. It was on my hands, my forehead, my clothes. I think I could even taste it. Note to self: never ever ever forget your mat again. Buy a brand new one if you do. Chemicals and yoga don't mix.

Well, that's about it. Thanks for reading!

Sledding

It has been more years than I can remember since I've been sledding. Until Saturday. It was as fun as I remembered.

 

 

 

 

Snowy Tree

Just thought I'd share.

Sneaking a peek

Kyra was busy in her room. Making her bed and cleaning up she said. I thought otherwise. I could hear things going on. So I peeked. She didn't know I was watching her jump as high as possible on her bed. The one she started to make as seen by the sheet pulled up to the top. That's about as far as she got before she became distracted with her own high jump competition.

Umm, yes, another snow post

The husband was shoveling (because the neighbor won't show up), the girls were playing and I was taking photos. Our other neighbor came by with her kids and offered to take some photos of us. She thought the tree in our front yard looked "gorgeous". And it did look awesome - every branch covered with snow. I love it! Clearly, it had nothing to do with how I looked. She didn't seem to notice I had zero makeup, hadn't brushed my teeth and was wearing my pjs under my coat and boots. I hadn't planned on leaving the house. Thank God for the ability to delete digital photos.

So we stepped into 30+ inches of snow and ...

...the husband pushed me down. I knew it would be a soft landing so I didn't fight it too much. Besides, I figured, we're in the snow...get snowy!

It's all fun in the blizzard.

How can you not LOVE this?

More snow? Why not!

I seem to be alone in my excitement for all the snow. And in my disappointment when it ends. I don't get it. If you didn't want snow, then why live here? We get snow days just a handful of days an entire year. Why not enjoy it for what it is? A good reason to cozy up with family, in front of a fire and to throw a good snowball. Not to mention, it's the only time you can go sledding! I, for one, am in heaven. And so are the girls.

Melted hearts - heart shaped crayons

My sister had a good idea to raid the dollar store and stock up on crayons for the Valentine's Day project. I thought 10 boxes and 500 brand new crayons would be sufficient. I hope, anyway. So far I've peeled half of them. We have 43 hearts to make.

And now the girls are sorting them into "families".Dropping the crayons into the heart mold, getting ready for the melt down. The smaller the pieces, the better. Melted hearts. Be sure not to shake the tray or you'll blend the colors.For instructions and to see the finished product, just scroll down a few posts.

More handcrafted Valentine's

We're fast approaching the deadline for Valentine's and I'm uncharacteristically not sure exactly what we'll be making. If you're also in a jam, here are two other ideas of Valentine's we've created in the past with success.


Butterfly Hearts


Puffy Heart Pins (I only have time to make enough for teachers, but if you have the time, these are really cute.)

Yes, it's the driveway saga again...

The 2nd largest snowstorm in Philadelphia's history landed on our driveway this weekend. Our SHARED driveway. Follow along here, people. It's important you know the history. At the very least, it's entertaining.

The snowstorm we had back in December was the 2nd biggest snow storm in Philadephia's history of snowstorms. Because we walk to the train station, and essentially don't drive all week, we decided we weren't wasting the back pain to shovel the snow off our SHARED driveway. If our neighbors wanted to get out, then they'd have to shovel themselves out for a change.

But they didn't. They just drove right through it.

Fuckers.

So, here we are yet again. This snowstorm trumped the 2nd biggest snowstorm of Philadelpia's history. And hell if we were shoveling the entire 22.5 inches off our 60+ foot long driveway ourselves.

My driveway is under here...somewhere...

A couple kids came around looking to make some money shoveling. My neighbors shockingly agreed to split the cost. But the kids ran off after they finished another neighbor's driveway. This was some serious snow.

So we decided to tackle the driveway ourselves the next day, wondering...will the neighbors actually help this time? Mmmmm? Doubtful.

We shoveled. We ached. We sweated. We finished our side of the driveway. Enough time had gone by that the neighbors had to know we were out there. Plus, I was making some relatively loud remarks underneath their window.

Then, the neighbor showed with his shovel. We were about 85% finished. Surprise!

I hate people who are transparent. We see through you. Just so you know.

Colorful Hearts

Valentine project, attempt #1.

It's that time of year when I protest store-bought-tv-character-anything to make handmade Valentines. I'm a traditionalist that way. So when I came across this easy project to recycle crayon bits I was very excited - we get rid of the bits AND it's homemade AND it's usable AND it's not Spongebob. Bonus points for not being candy.
Collect all broken crayons, peeled crayons, cheap-non-Crayola-brand crayons. Make them naked. Break them into the smallest bits possible. Gather your heart shaped molds. Because I know you all have some laying around. I found some awesome silicone ones on eBay.
Fill the molds about halfway with your crayon bits. Be sure to mix evenly dark with bright colors. Heat oven to 250 degrees.

Place molds in oven for about 20 minutes or until bits have turned to liquid. Remove from the oven and wait for them to cool, about an hour. The silicone molds work nicely because they're bendable so you can just unfold your new heart shaped crayons right out.
To finish your Valentine, cut out a round circle of construction paper, put a glue dot on the back of your heart crayon and stick onto the center of the paper. Write your message around the heart. Voila!

Here's one last tip: make sure you have LOADS of crayon bits. We managed to make only 8 hearts. I need enough for about 35 kids. So, we'll be moving on to plan B.

Snow Photos with my iPhone

Backyard: Taken at 7:30 a.m.

Kyra: First one awake and very excited.

Round two in the snow. Standing behind a drift.

Sledding anyone? Homemade hills.

Snow Snow Snow

I have to say, I was a little disappointed when the snow stopped falling. As if 20+ inches wasn't enough. I was even excited to wake up and see how much was on the ground. We got lots. And it was fun. I'm still not tired of it all. Here's a little snippet of Kyra trying to make her way through the backyard.

Settle in for some snow

I don't know about you, but I am definitely NOT tired of snow storms. The house is stocked with wood for the fireplace. The winebar is brimming with yummy reds. We've even got a tip on the hot spot for sledding. I'm ready to be snowed in.

It's also a great time to work on our Valentine's Day projects. We started one last weekend that involved broken crayons and the oven. But we didn't have enough to make for all the kids. So, I've got another idea I'm hoping to execute this weekend. If my printer will cooperate. If not, there's always plan C and a potato. Stay tuned.

This past week has been relatively uneventful. Although I nearly accomplished a head stand in yoga. I was very proud of myself. I think my head hurt more than the rest of my body. I remember doing head stands as a kid and it was no big deal. It's a shame what happens to the body as we age.

So, I'll have plenty of time to post this weekend. Lots of photos will be coming of the sledding, Valentine's Projects and other such nonsense. Hunker down, and stay warm!

Zumba

So Zumba? Have you heard of it? The newest dance fitness craze sweeping the nation with women and men of all ages, colors and sizes shaking the bejesus out of their hips and all other things shakeable? Skip the interviews and the rest is exactly what I attempted.

I went to an introductory class Saturday with a friend excited to get my groove on and sweat and fall in love with this new exercise. Dancing to loud latin music? And it counts as exercise? Yes! Except it didn't quite go as smoothly as I envisioned it. Things got moving so fast and complicated-like that I just started moving randomly to keep moving. I sweated. But I did not get my groove on. It would have helped if I knew some basic dance steps like the samba and marengue but I don't. And I looked completely uncoordinated. Oh well. I can see how people really get into it though. It sure beats running around the block a dozen times.

Afternoon Snack

I just had some yogurt. With a fork. Otherwise known as too lazy to get up and find a spoon.