tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8949388529784952232024-03-08T13:06:55.630-08:00Running ShoresAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-57635839081108302672013-01-18T19:23:00.002-08:002013-01-18T19:23:51.680-08:00Glutton Detox<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not sure there is a lot of difference between a drug
detox and a bad food/sedentary life style detox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been addicted to drugs, but from
what I have read and seen, I imagine that it’s similar in that your body goes
into a bit of a shock and you feel sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today I have a pressing head ache and my body is also achy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t help that I have cut my coffee
from an unprecedented amount to simply two cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No wonder it’s hard to stick to the beginning
stages of “diet and exercise”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who the
hell wants this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to see it
getting better, but I’ve been here before so I know it will (as I think to
myself, “why did I let it get back to this point again?!” *deep breath*)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today was my first day back in the gym and for a little
motivation I made Erick tag along with the lure of Racket ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really hoping he would fall in love
with the gym as I have and want to join with me… but, my husband isn’t that
guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really don’t blame him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many men need the gym to get themselves
feeling manly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s face it, I’m there
to feel more womanly; but my husband doesn’t need the gym when he has an
amazing confidence backed by some serious martial arts skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which, by the way, were dialed in yesterday
when our neighbor thought someone might have broken into her house and she
called Erick to check the place out… let’s just say that was hotter than any
muscle man at the gym….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I digress…</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What was I writing about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh yeah, detox… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well with the Racket Ball and some running afterward, I
think I truly felt REAL hunger for the first time in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For people reading this that never have
struggled with their weight this seems odd, but it’s regrettably true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I ate and I ate healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not for the body cleansing that has
swarmed the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve done these… the
one where you drink a mix of lemonade, cayenne pepper and honey, to where you
juice everything and drink your calories. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love fresh juice and surprisingly I still
love lemonade, but all I’ve come away with these “cleansings” is over eating because
I missed eating so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all I
think this journey is about finding what works for you without being extreme,
because that never works!</div>
Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-34344036555956846802013-01-17T12:36:00.003-08:002013-01-17T12:41:29.201-08:00One Year LaterHas it really been a year? Wow...<br />
<br />
Well, as I find myself clawing my way out of a year of hell, I look to the excitement this year promises...<br />
<br />
Mountain Shore Craftworks seems to be taking off, in spite of not participate in Holiday Bazaars this past season. I'm finding my small foot hold in the big, wide world of crafters/artists and even though some of "my" ideas have been hitting the market before I have had a chance to put my stamp on it, I am continuing to grow and hone in on my artistic skills. I am in complete bliss when working in my art space and because of this, expect to see great things coming out of that little room!<br />
<br />
The market, however, is NOT favoring Dream-A-Theme Parties. I shrug it off, knowing not every idea can make it. I have done a party here and there, but nothing like I wished which, honestly, is totally okay with me.. for now...<br />
<br />
As I said, this year wasn't good and I always seem to let my body be an indicator of that. Embarrassingly, I am currently at the weight I was shortly after giving birth to Zayah (who is now 6). It's really not easy for me to write about this because I am very private when it comes to really exposing my true physical self to the world. But I have learned a valuable lesson this past year and that is a little inspiration goes a long way for people who are searching for a little bit of hope in their lives.<br />
<br />
I am not "Biggest Loser" fat, but I could stand to lose 50 pounds. In 2010 I ran a marathon, and now I can hardly run a quarter mile. I have found that it's almost "easier" for those who have NEVER been athletic to get there once they grab hold of their motivation. I struggle with the, "I used to be able to.." thoughts and these really drag me down. <br />
<br />
My continuing inspirational pick-me-ups come from my BFF in California. She was not a runner. Her body isn't a typical "runner's body" and here she is going on her, what, 5th(?) half marathon. She looks better now than she ever has! She has started a Facebook group called "Kiss My Pace" that has women of all athletic abilities contributing inspiration, hardships, and support.<br />
<br />
I have officially signed up for a half marathon in June to jump start me getting my body back to healthy! Today is day "zero" for me. This means, I am continuing as I have been, but being extremely mindful of how I feel and really seeing my bad habit triggers. I should probably post a picture so the visual can be clearer for when I do finally get back to where I want to be, but I can't.... Just know that I can only fit into 2 pairs of my pants and old t-shirts. I don't sleep well and I am constantly feeling like I am walking through mud. And no, I don't have the flu, but as long as I continue being this way I am sick...<br />
<br />
I really hope that my blog this year can help inspire and support family and friends who are also "sick". Before I end this post I want to say, celebrate EVERY accomplishment, even if it is as small as taking 5 more steps today than you did yesterday.<br />
<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-20025102021576622462012-01-05T18:35:00.000-08:002012-01-05T18:57:37.753-08:00The Past 7 MonthsWith all of my running (literally and metaphorically... but mostly metaphorically) I forget to stop and take a moment to fill my writing void. My first intention was to back log the last 7 months and highlight the... well, highlights. But my head is so full of now I find that task a current impossibility. So here is what is happening in my universe (realizing I didn't send out Christmas cards this year, I also hope this post can make up for that somehow): <br /><br />Erick has found a new passion with woodworking and he's pretty good at it. I think selling one of his 3-D puzzles at a bazaar helped him out of his shyness to share his work with the world. Now he has designed a puzzle for niece Laiken as a wedding gift and is planning out more projects for the future. I do have to make a note here, when I said he sold "one" puzzle you have to understand he only had the one to sell, because I am without doubt that if he had more he would have sold those too.<br /><br />The girls are girls. Busy. Ornery. Loveable. Cute. What can I say about a 6 and 5 year old other than they make my life complete and every day is an adventure whether I am up for it or not. ;)<br /><br />I am in the middle of making dreams come true, party style. I plan on creating a few more blogs to highlight my makings. What?! Yes, I know that keeping up with this one has not been completely successful but if I succeeded in all my doings then what would be the point of a New Years resolution? For now you can check out my facebook pages: Dream-A-Theme Parties, LLC and Mountain Shore Craftworks. I also have an etsy shop with Mountain Shore Craftworks also. Lots to do, keeping super busy, but I work hard today so later I can play.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-60535489747547750312011-06-07T12:44:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:24:58.203-07:00Pushing through the log jamMy stalemate is slowly moving forward and I couldn't be more excited! I finally got some space saver bags to test on my dinosaurs. If this works out then I can dramatically reduce my shipping costs and get these guys sold!<br /><br />The rains are decreasing and we finally have grass in the backyard! Yesterday the girls played barefoot in the soft greeness of it all. It was fun to watch as they giggled and wiggled their toes in it. The garden is in too and growing steadily. Now all that is left is to seed the front and we will officially have a yard to play in. In the meantime neighborhood kids are coming out of the woods (so to speak) and we are having a fun time learning of the playmate possibilities for the summer. Not that we've left much time for ourselves to relish in the old traditions of summer neighborhood play... This month is already spoken for and a busy July lays just over the horizon. <br /><br />Unfortunately in all my business I failed to sign up for the Vancouver marathon this year, but I am signed up and ready to race with Andrew in a 10k mud-run. Fun right? I'm pretty excited about it! <br /><br />Then last, but certainly not least, I have found my calling to get a bit more cash flow in the house as a party planner. I love doing it for my girls and family, so it's perfect. All I have to do is make up a company name, print some cards and away I go!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-55270786686836126202011-04-19T19:12:00.001-07:002011-04-19T20:13:23.623-07:00Dirt PusherThrough the months stacked upon months of rain I watched as my unfinished yard turned into a mecca of weeds. But yesterday gave me hope and today I am sunburned, walking hunched from tight shoulders and a sore back... yet I keep on going.<br /><br />Last week we also had a day without rain for a few hours so I got out this little rotter tiller thinking I would go over the yard and save myself a lot of time... little did I know that this tiller is a masochist. With every pull it sorta starts, then dies fueling my hopes and making me try "one more time". Then, laughing as it did, it would finally start and run for more than a second. I get it into place and start tilling a line, then - boom, it dies again. Over and over this happened. When the little 87 year-old neighbor, Joe, poked his head out and asked if he could help I knew my time was up. Later that night Erick swore it was me as I swore (literally) that it wasn't and if HE was such a hot shot, then go ahead and get it to work.<br /><br />Oh sweet gratification!. He tried, and tried, and sprayed some things, and tried, and took some things apart, and tried, and tried once more before he too gave in to a hopeless cause. Nothing was said, no looks were given. He knew.<br /><br />So yesterday while pulling or hand raking weeds I was also very slowly pulling down the little hill we have left in the front. There will always be a slight incline to the wall, but as of yesterday there was nothing slight about the hill. Erick was a sweet heart and got a 1/2 yard of dirt. (So little because our little truck is gutless and that's all it can handle at a time on a good day). However, because of the rain, the dirt was saturated and was basically clay. Lumpy, non-spreadable crappy clay. In response I have learned to take dirt from one part of the yard for the use of another part and when (if) the dirt we buy dries out, then we can fill in the holes later. I dug the dog run area down about 6 inches. Not really necessary, I admit, but this dirt gave way for the flower bed under the trees in the front, and it helped fill in holes in the back. The already existing flower beds also got a dig-down. This dirt created new flower beds in the back and began the "de-hilling" process in the front.<br /><br />Tomorrow I am sure I will be out of places to take dirt so I will get the back yard ready for grass! Yay for three rainless days!! Also, we haven't had solid grass back there sense we moved in and having a big dog doesn't help, so it's about time we did!!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-655293787183280522011-02-21T13:25:00.000-08:002011-02-21T14:09:17.369-08:00Sewing Machine Set BacksI realize now more than ever that starting a new business is painfully slow. At least this has been my experience thus far. My goal for the moment is to save the necessary funds to get into the local farmer's market. I feel like once I have that niche, my business will start to ride a bit smoother. But as we all know life happens and in the middle of building some inventory, my machine went on the fritz and landed in the shop, halting inventory production completely for at least two weeks. Even though the machine is only a few years old, it's a cheaper model and the demands I put on it wears it down pretty quickly. So in the meantime I wait to sew but move on to the next idea, writing, crocheting and knitting along the way...<br /><br />I am spending some time on the computer trying to figure out how to build a website separate from Facebook and Esty, but my computer is slower than stalagmite growth and my patients for technology is wearing thin... I seariously haven't been 'away' from technology (other than google, e-mail and Facebook) for more than a few years and I feel like I've had my head in a cave all my life. It boggles my mind how fast technology progresses!! But I digress...<br /><br />My next idea involves specialty food and a lot of experimenting. Last night was less than successful and even though the girls and Erick didn't mind because the outcome was eatable (just unsaleable), I'm not sure if my waistline will hold up to this challenge I have given myself!!<br /><br />Speaking of... Vancouver Marathon training starts this week and even though I am pulling back and only running a half marathon, the running will be a nice distraction from the lack of movement in my other endeavors.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-43202627945473209792011-02-08T16:07:00.000-08:002011-02-08T16:56:29.773-08:00Designing, learning, and loveIdeas flow through me like coffee on a long road trip... for awhile there's nothing. Then, you have to go. Right. Now.<br /><br />Some ideas work out, some don't, while others wait patiently in my sketch pad or on a scrap piece of construction paper swiped from the girls' art closet to be put into real life. I find that when I get overwhelmed with ideas I often do nothing which, obviously, complicates my situation.<br /><br />I have accepted that over the past few months old sheets rock my world and much to the horror (or relief) of my husband, who often thinks of me in the beginning stages of hoarding (minus the filth), I've begun to make use of those sheets I wouldn't let go of or the millions of buttons I keep in jars, which justifies me keeping it all.<br /><br />My latest idea has finally come into reality. It's great. It's exciting. It has huge possibilities. Now what to do with it... Hang on to it until I find a toy agent who could guide me through the business? Sell it simply at bazaars and hope no one takes the idea to China? Or maybe try to find someone who knows someone, if you get my meaning (because I know no one)?<br /><br />I love designing these toys and the process that goes with it and the best part of all of this is that I'm just starting! Who knows what I will come up with next! In the meantime I am off to sew my legacy as the "Dinosaur Lady"... which, by the way, I have come up with some pretty spectacular new patterns I am itching to try out.<br /><br />Live, Love, Laugh, Learn, but above all, breath.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-74459788980592165832011-01-04T14:19:00.001-08:002011-01-04T15:42:21.060-08:00The GymAh the gym...<br /><br />A flow of air sweeps my hair back every time I open the doors to a steady hum of the treadmills, clanking of weights and a steady beat of music. I walk through the small assortment of workout clothes to the front desk, punch in my number and scan my finger. "Hello Amy, here are some towels. Enjoy your workout." Inhaling smells of rubber and cleanser I smile back, thank the front desk employee and zig-zag my way back to the locker room. Deep in concentration, I find a convenient open locker, unload my things, gather my water bottle and headphones and head out to the main area.<br /><br />Given the time of day, a treadmill attached to a little T.V. screen can be hard to find. While there are huge T.V.s every 2 feet across and at least 10 rows back, the personal T.V. is pretty nice. First, you can change the channel and second it's right there. No need to look at an awkward angle to watch because running on a treadmill can be challenging enough. I pop the headphones, I find an amusing channel if the overhead music isn't to my liking, start the belt, and take a look around.<br /><br />The people I love seeing are the supper overweight ones. Really. It inspires me to keep working hard because if they are overcoming their obvious personal challenges then so can I. I love seeing their story unfold but at the same time I try not to day dream too long in their direction because I don't want to look like a jerk.<br /><br />After my run I move on to the weight lifting area. I take a deep breath and plunge through. I don't much care for this area because of the muscle men. Every gym has them. Fascinating as it is to watch these men who are so large armed that they can't touch their right shoulder with their right hand because muscle gets in the way, I can't help to feel like a weeny when I'm pushing as hard as I can on the shoulder press at 10 pounds... There is no where to put your eyes except right in front of you and that is usually where they are and because you can't look anywhere else, and stay in good form, these guys get their hourly shot of ego boost as they probably think I am checking them out. Which I'm not completely denying....<br /><br />After stretching on the mat on the far end of the gym, worn out and ready to high-tail it out of there, I go back into the locker room and face the most dreaded people of all. I have yet to come up for a nick-name but I know everyone knows the type. Generally these girls are in the young to mid twenties and undoubtedly know someone else in the locker room to whom they are talking with so you get the whole story.... "Does my eye make up look okay? I wore waterproof mascara today so when I sweat I don't get black eyes." Her friend, "Ew. How bad do you sweat? Hey should my running shorts be folded down like this or inward like this?" Response, "Did you get the text from Jenny today? I just can't believe it! Hey, you want to get some coffee later?" With one last look in the mirrors they disappear around the corner.<br /><br />One night there was a trio of these girls as I was coming out of the swimming pool area. They were talking about how they needed to get some color and then there was an off handed comment about someone's color that was just in the locker room, "She was so white you could see her veins! I mean, come on. That's just nasty." (I want to note that these girls were white as well.) I, having no shame, walked in the middle of these hens, who's chatter continued, stripped down to my birthday suit then proceeded to find my locker; making it so I had to walk around before getting the things I needed for my shower, including the towel I did not wrap up in. They stopped talking so fast it was almost startling. I wanted to eye them, dare them to say something, but they put their heads down, and couldn't pack their bags fast enough before leaving. Shallow minds only go so far, but at least they will have something to talk about over coffee.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-4041313812080616702010-12-29T10:48:00.000-08:002010-12-29T11:37:12.446-08:00Christmas Cards running late...againEvery year I say, "This will be the year everyone will get our Christmas cards BEFORE Christmas!" and every year I fail miserably. I think last year I didn't even get them out at all. I figure once mid-July comes around Christmas cards are really a mute point. <br /><br />So just before I open Word and actually write out my post-holiday cheer I thought I'd write a quick blog for a touch of inspiration. It comes to no surprise to me that after my marathon and nursing my foot I am finding it hard to start up a running routine again. Running is many things if not one of the most frustrating of all exercise possibilities. I was barely able to run 3 miles yesterday. I couldn't believe how fast I lost all those months - practically a year - of hard work. But just before I got to the point of beating myself up over it, I took a step back, inhaled deeply and reflected...<br /><br />I ran 3 miles. This time last year I could hardly run 1, but what is important to remember here is that I ran. I can run. Sure I ache and with my foot I have yet another ailment to be irritated about, but if I am being completely honest here I would probably lose interest if this all came easy for me. Where's the adventure if there's not some kind of struggle to overcome, right?<br /><br />My heart goes out to a very dear family member of mine who, due to a series of unfortunate events, has found herself in a temporary state of disability and of all the people in the world who can read this, I hope she is one. Today, tomorrow, and the days to come I run for her. I run through my selfishness and self doubt knowing her struggles are greater but not without hope. I run to let her know that in time she will run too (yes run) and sometimes we have to go through the bad days to really appreciate the good ones.<br /><br />In the meantime I give a shout out to all the women in my life: Osteoporosis is not an old woman disease. Educate yourself. Love yourself. And have a great start to a new year.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-21535342112334991952010-12-12T21:34:00.000-08:002010-12-12T21:54:56.162-08:00First BazaarWell, it would have been better if more people actually came because when people were there, they bought stuff. A poorly advertised event is one in which I will not be returning to. I lived. I learned. And now I am moving on.<br /><br />There is a whole subculture in the bazaar industry. People hold close their trade secrets. Never ask an apron maker where she gets her fabric or a snack maker how they get the wasabi to so beautifully and evenly coat the sunflower seeds because you will be met with a deep stare, then a plastered smile, followed by a comment of, "mumble, mumble, mumble."<br /><br />My fellow vendors were generally kind-hearted and we talked more than sold, but so goes the way of a bazaar vendor. One show can make you thousands, where others one simply prays they will make enough to cover the cost of their table. <br /><br />It's fun making things that have not been on the market. I am now known as "The Dinosaur Lady" or the, "oh my gosh, did you really make this?" lady. So if you are looking for a teddy bear, that perfect hat or scarf, or fleece blanket do not come knocking on my booth. All you will find are new twists on old ideas, and stuffed delights that bring you back to when you were a child. And if you are pleased enough you will buy it, take it home and share the delight with someone in your life.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-59092379890262301992010-12-08T01:33:00.000-08:002010-12-08T01:56:38.288-08:00It must be nice being a dogAs I come to a stopping point in my crafting madness, but still a bit buzzed from the coffee overload I partook in at 5pm, I reflect...<br /><br />To say the least, I am so excited for my first holiday bazaar. However, I am a poor manager of time and this, I am afraid, is an extreme understatement. I didn't want to be working like mad up to the last second and yet here I am neglecting the gym, using the TV to put my children in a lobotomized state of complacency so I can sew in the next room and not walking the dog.<br /><br />Ah, Artex. When Erick brought him home last Christmas as a gift to me I cried with joy. Soon I began to cry out in irritation and anger as he chewed his way through my floors and any possible wiring he could put his mouth on and yet, no sparks. Lucky dog. Having lost his cow bone, a few days back I got Artex a soft plastic toy I was hoping would subdue him in the coming week as my crafting load was shifting into overdrive. He immediately tore it up and ate most of it spending this week with diarrhea and more whining than usual.<br /><br />While I sat hand sewing closed some stuffed dinosaurs, I shook my head and started to feel a little sorry for him. All he wanted was attention. A simple walk. I instead gave him a 'pacifier' because I am too consumed with my doings. To make me feel worse, it backfired and gave him a belly ache and just at the moment of complete sympathy Artex, who was previously sleeping off his boredom, yelps and looks at his butt. I stop and watch as he excretes some of his toy. Gone completely crazy from boredom, or just because he is a dog, Artex is once again chipper and happy to see he has his toy back and begins to play with it despite where it just came from. Does he know?! Because he obviously didn't care as he thought we were going to play catch as I grabbed a rag, took it forcibly away and settled down to do more sewing.<br /><br />Do not fret. He got his walk in and he got an extra bonus of going to the dog park. Ah, the life of a dog...Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-68095273143348150332010-12-01T22:39:00.000-08:002010-12-01T23:15:33.336-08:00LA vacation part two: J-tree dudeNearly a month later I finally get a moment, late at night, to finish writing about our experience in LA. When the snow and ice hit a few weeks back, I closed my eyes real tight and thought about the desert. Not just any desert. The Joshua Tree forest was located within a desert I had never experienced before. Here in Washington/Oregon, the deserts are high, cut from glaciers and full of juniper and whistle pigs. The Joshua Tree desert is full of cactus, rattle snakes, sand and million pound rocks that felt like sandpaper and looked as though they had been meticulously placed on top of each other. Awesome.<br /><br />I love camping and car camping is like going to the spa. No worries about what I couldn't carry, no minimalistic thoughts and no need to shovel a hole to do my business. The ground was extremely hard and the threat of snake bites in the butt loomed, so I was so pleased about the outhouses. We even lucked out of the often rancid olfactory overload in which outhouses produce (even in the chilliest of climates) because some very nice person lit a candle that lasted our whole stay. Both nights were clear and even a little too warm the first night.<br /><br />Ah the first night. Vali and Gio had all their friends gathered around the fire. We were in happy spirits and ready to let loose when a couple of Navy guys asked if they could share our site. Gio had rented three spots and it ended up that we only needed two, barely. So being of good humor, as a collective we accepted these strangers into our site. Aside from them, the group as a whole did not know each other and connected only by Vali herself but nonetheless these guys were deemed "the strangers". The strangers tried too hard and talked a little too much. They were visiting to do some climbing and given the perfectness of the rocks, I would have even been tempted to scale a few if the opportunity arose. They were from San Diego and were obviously surfers from their sun-smacked skin and bleached hair to the on stranger's super lame lazier gun tattoo on his forearm. They stayed only the one night and were gone when we returned from one of many of our day hikes around the park.<br /><br />Vali and Gio have a good group of people they surround themselves with and it was a real treat to be within it, if only for a few days. We took the warm atmosphere home to a typical Northwest pre-winter chill and dug right back into life and when I open my eyes to look at the stiff, frozen outside I smile. The trip was needed and leaves my pending winter warmer than usual.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-7490084511318246712010-11-11T14:35:00.000-08:002010-11-11T16:35:30.684-08:00LA vacation part one: Arrival"We are starting our gradual decent to Las Angelas where it's sunny and currently 97 degrees," the pilot announced over the intercom. I smiled at myself and glanced over at Erick. He was plastered to the window like a child at a toy store to which he was not allowed to enter. Less than a year ago I thought the same.<br /> "Why do I want to spend the money to see over-aggressive people and concrete? Not to mention the air pollution. What's the draw?" Erick had pretty much said this repeatedly sense Vali, our close mutual friend, suggested we come visit her years ago. Every year I would comment or hint suggestions of going, but always these conversations ended the same: no.<br /> Despite our lack of visiting her, Vali and her boy friend, Gio, always managed to come up here and visit. Sometimes their visits were a quick hello at the park. Other times it was longer. But the fact remained that she made the effort. She came all the way up for our wedding when I know it wasn't the easiest of times for her to do so. The least we could do was go down there and when better to do so than for her 30th birthday.<br /> This was my response one day early in the year to Erick's non-compliance and it finally clicked for him. I, for once, was absolutely 100% right. Let me clarify. Erick was never against hanging out with our friends, he just was prejudice against the city and what he thought he knew about it. However, he was willing to open his mind, so to speak, for the sake of good friends to which we honestly have few.<br /> The first night there they treated us to an awesome sushi restaurant. As Portland engineers sucked at their freeway designs, so did LA engineers at creating enough parking around their commerce. This lead to a valet parking market to which every place we went had the service available, even when it was a bit unnecessary. We opted out and parked up a street around the corner of the restaurant. I think pretty much it was the steepest street in the valley, but we weren't phased because we were anticipating all you can eat sushi that was assured to be beyond the grocery store quality of Tadai's in Portland.<br /> We sat down and were given a menu with "the rules". Rule number one: you must eat everything, including the rice, before being allowed to order more. No problem. Rule number two: you must eat everything on your plate for the all you can eat to be put into effect or you will be charged for the individual sushi (which was ridiculously priced). Okay, we can do this. We ordered and it was delicious. The high quality meat wrapped in delicate layers of seaweed and rice disappeared off our plates, hesitating only to taste what someone else had ordered. Before we were ready, the food was gone. It was so good. The best by far we had ever experienced. We needed more. We craved more like a drug we couldn't get enough of... And then the emotional need crashed to a demanding physical halt. We were full and there before us, so perfectly wrapped, so beautifully displayed were two full rolls taunting us, laughing at our idiocy. Damn rule number 2! DAMN YOU! We couldn't afford it, we had to finish. Oh God, how it hurt. We tried breathing deep. Our hands shook. We closed our eyes and just plowed through. Not even chewing. Not even caring. Vomiting would be a blessing each of us were incapable of doing. There was a moment where we didn't think it possible, where we considered giving in but we didn't. We made it! We ate it ALL. Damn you rule number 2! You did not defeat us!<br /> With our stomachs so hard that I had a humorous fascination with it for the following hour, we left undefeated and that gave us enough energy to take a drive up to the observatory. The night was warm and clear and everyone around us and within our private circle were happy. This vacation rocked and it was only the first night!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-21440006605608952202010-10-22T11:09:00.000-07:002010-10-22T12:33:22.966-07:00Why 'Running Shores' ?While sitting down to a fantastic new dinner Erick prepared, I made a comment about posting the recipe on my blog. He said, "Too bad you call your blog 'Running Shores'. It really limits what you can talk about." But that is where he is wrong.<br /><br />I run literally and figuratively. Not to say I don't take moments to step back and enjoy life as it is. But I say, why do I need to step back and enjoy life when I am enjoying life in the moment? A woman's life is all but simple and we are constantly 'running'. Yes this is pretty much sexist, but unless you are a single man, be honest with yourself.<br /><br />Pre-world-war II, most women stayed home while the men left to make the money, or if they did work, it was domestic work in other people's homes. A woman's job was to keep up the house, take care of her family which included daily chores and making food. During World War II especially, women were called from there homes to work in the factories while the men were at war. In short, women began to work outside of their domestic responsibilities and it was liberating.<br /><br />As time progressed, woman's liberation turned into, "I can do anything you can do" and women were encouraged to have careers and compete in "a man's world". While it was looked down on, or thought cowardly of women to 'simply' stay at home, socially a woman needed to work to prove herself to the world. Thus, in my mind, much was lost. The family structure was severed. Divorce rates went up and embracing the 'simplicity' of what made women truly unique and special began disappear into history. Things like canning, quilting, knitting, sewing, soap making, crafting in general, etc were done by very, very few. AND if a woman took this art into heer life, it was greatly thought that the woman was uneducated because otherwise she would be working.<br /><br />Not only are women working right along side men in every aspect of society, now they are also domestically responsible AND women feel they need to bring back into their lives what most of our mothers and/or grandmothers shunned for decades. I see middle-aged women embracing sewing (among other crafts) now because growing up in the late 60's/70's educated, liberated women did not sew. Now... now it's okay to take on pre-world-war II, but just go ahead and add that to the list of all the other things women need to be doing.<br /><br />I stand in the middle and I encourage all women to do the same because extremism has only given us discrimination and heart ache. Find your happy place and don't let social implications keep you from that place! I embrace being a woman and all that this title gives me. I am educated. I work. I stay at home. I am domestic. I am running... always running and will continue until the day I die.<br /><br />Erick's found recipe:<br /><br />Makes 4 servings<br />Prep time: 30 min<br /><br />2 tbs unsalted butter<br />1 tbs vegetable oil<br />1 medium onion, sliced<br />2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and each cut into 8 wedges<br />1 Turkish bay leaf or 1/2 California<br />8 precooked bratwurst or Weisswurst<br />1 cup dry white wine<br />2/3 cup heavy cream<br />1 tbs cider inegar<br />1 tbs packed brown sugar<br /><br />Preheat broiler.<br /><br />Heat butter and oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until foam subsides, then cook onion and apples with bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring once or twice, until golden brown, about 6 minutes.<br /><br />Meanwhile, split bratwurst lengthwise (not all the way through) and open up. Lightly brush cut sides of brats with additional oil and transfer to a shallow baking pan (split sides up).<br /><br />Add wine to apple mixture, then simmer, covered, until apples are tender, 6 to 8 min. Remove lid and briskly simmer until liquid is reduced by 1/3, about 2 min.<br /><br />While apples simmer, broil brats 4 to 5 inches from heat until browned, about 6 min.<br /><br />Stir cream, vinegar and brown sugar into apple mixture and briskly simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 min. Discard bay leaf and serve apple compote over bratwursts.<br /><br />Enjoy.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-894938852978495223.post-59128067081323283352010-10-15T12:49:00.000-07:002010-10-15T13:44:27.348-07:00Portland Marathon 2010How this moment came about I really cannot say, but at one point I received an e-mail from Erick with a forward from my brother-in-law, Arron, early January showing me the registration for the Portland Marathon to be held on October 1oth, 2010. Erick writes, "Does it feel real yet?" It didn't.<br /><br />In January I wasn't at my most unhealthy state, but I most certainly wasn't were I felt like I wanted to be either. I always told Erick that if I had a goal to drive me I could stick to an exercise program. So here it was. No more excuses.<br /><br />Life moved forward and amazingly I found the time and determination to start running. Every mile was a great success for me. The hardest part was accepting my body as it was and accepting that my body wasn't the same as it once was and it would never be. This didn't mean that I could never be healthy again. This simply meant that after having children, after a massive amount of weight gain, my body was forever changed and getting through my runs was accepting my new body and learning new limits.<br /><br />My first obstacle was my knee. It hurt. It swelled. It limited my running. After seeing doctor after physical therapist after specialist it wasn't until 3 days before the race that all was explained to me (nice hu?) My ligaments and tendons are loose and when I run they rub, which create swelling. Obviously I didn't let knee pain hold me back from training. I figured either nothing was going to happen or I'd be meeting these guys in the ER. I don't recommend this to my readers... these actions of mine were only done after no one was giving me any answers, and even so I came out lucky.<br /><br />The next obstacle was making the time to get out there and just run. With planning around the girls and amazing support from Erick I was able to pound out the miles. At times I found myself running long miles around a high school track. Others I was in the gym watching cable tv, which can get pretty boring after 6 plus miles.<br /><br />The first time I ran 8 miles, I thought I was going to die.<br /><br />The first time I ran 10 miles, I thought I was going to die and couldn't run for a week due to blisters.<br /><br />The first time I ran 15 miles, I may have suffered from heat exhaustion and very well could have died but I live by an old motto: "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger."<br /><br />The first time I ran 26.2 miles I ended up on practically bed rest, nursing a badly sprained left foot and bursitis in my right hip... yeah it's been interesting.<br /><br />I write after the journey this time and because of that, so much is left unsaid. But keep checking in on me because the Vancouver Marathon is just around the corner and this boot on my foot is coming off on Monday.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14244202755986109425noreply@blogger.com1