3 Recent Scares

June 30, 2014 Kim 116 Comments

How do you handle those true scares – you know – when someone jumps out at you or startles you?! When the boys were younger, they decided that it was super fun to scare their parents (but for some reason neither one of them like to be scared by us – hmmm…..).

1. A couple weeks ago I mentioned one night at dinner that I had jumped a little when I walked through our “play room” to get to my workout room one morning (5:15ish). Hunter had left his cello in there after his lesson the night before but with the light off (I only turn on minimal lights in the mornings) I didn’t know what it was.

See how the hat could make it look like a person?

So, Jordan sat and listened and formulated a plan.

The next morning I went downstairs a bit after 5:00 am just like every morning. I was messing with my phone (I like to take a few minutes to check FB and mail before I start my workout) so I walked through the workout room, flipped on the light and then into the living room to put my water down. I went back to the workout room to get what I needed for my 44 and saw this –

Jordan in his wizard's cloak — Jordan in his wizard’s cloak

I about came unglued!! Jordan got up at 4:30 am to make sure he was standing in place like this when I walked in so that he could scare me – he succeeded!! I’m pretty sure that I could have skipped my workout since my heart rate was sky high!!!

2. Last week I was working at the venue – I was setting up the ballroom which involved trips to the back room for tables and chairs. And, I had music playing so I was in my own world!!!

I was busy working not paying attention to anything else and I happened to look up and see someone walking toward me carrying stuff.

(Obviously this isn’t a current picture but for some reason I don’t have many of Chris in his flight suit.)

I might have shrieked just a bit!!

Turns out Chris knew that I was going to be there all day (over 8 hours) cleaning, setting up and ironing table cloths and he brought me lunch!!!

3. Saturday morning we had to clean at the venue AGAIN but I decided to try something new. Since Chris was off and could help, I told him that I was going to run from our house to the GRH and meet him there. (and he could do the cleaning!!!)

I wasn’t sure how far it was for the route that I planned (it turned out to be exactly 10 miles!!) – I knew that there was going to be one sketchy part through the ghetto but it was only about 7 blocks so I decided to just suck it up and go.

I was running along on this awful brick sidewalk in the part I dreaded – It was very uneven!! All of a sudden I heard this man yelling something. I looked up and saw an emaciated guy in overalls without a shirt on a rickety porch – then I heard the DOG!!

There was a chain link fence that looked similar to this – and I had no idea if there was a gate or the dog was fixing to spring out at me. I jumped into the street and the creepy man started laughing. He said, “Aw, he won’t hurt you – he can’t even get out.”

Thankfully the lady with no shirt or teeth, just a blanket wrapped around her (even though it was unbelievable hot and muggy) and the guy with her didn’t laugh, too!!!

I’m not sure that my heart rate ever settled the rest of my run!!!

What has been your most recent scare?

Happy Monday – hopefully a day with no scares!!!

Kim

Butt, Fitness, Running

Stability (6/22-6/28)

June 28, 2014 Kim 42 Comments

This week I used my stability ball and focused on the butt – I ended up doing a lot of new moves and some of them were HARD!!!

Sunday 6/22 – 44 stability ball kick back toner.

Start by placing your hands on the ball – and kick right leg back.

Pull your right knee in to the ball –

Repeat for 44 reps and you will feel this in both legs – your left leg will be shaking!!! And, of course, you don’t want to be off balance so this has to be done on the other leg!!

I will definitely be doing this move more often!!!

Monday 6/23 – 44 hip lifts on stability ball.

This move looks fairly simple but after about 20 you will feel your butt and hamstrings a lot!!

This was a lifting day – Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit 3. Ready to move on to the next phase!!

And, I did a 10 mile run in 76:56 followed by 1.8 miles easy.

Tuesday 6/24 – 44 plank with shins on stability ball and alternate leg lifts.

This was hard to do and hold plank – my butt hurt, my arms were shaking and my core was burning – all signs of a good move.

I did another 10 mile run (76:15) followed by 1.6 easy miles.

Wednesday 6/25 – 44 side leg pulls on stability ball.

Start by leaning on the stability ball with your left side and extend your right leg to the side –

Pull your right knee in to the ball and hold for a 2-count –

After your right hip is dying (or when you complete all reps – 44) then switch sides to go again!!!

This move is another one that I will be doing more often – it was a great way to really work my hips!!!

I finally started the next phase in Chalean Extreme – Push Circuit 1. This phase involves heavier lifting with fewer reps. I have been sore the past couple of days so that is good!!!

And, I pulled out one of my 10 Minute Solution DVDs – Kickbox Bootcamp. This one is fun because the 5 sections are all a little different and it is a great whole body workout!!!

Thursday 6/26 – 44 single leg dead lift with one leg on stability ball.

This move was much harder than it looks!!! Keeping myself balanced was a huge challenge!! And, you know that I can’t just work one side!!

This was another 10 mile run day (I’m not sure why I did 10 miles every day I ran this week – just the amount that fit into my day!!) in 77:12 followed by 2.25 easy miles.

Friday 6/27 – 44 reverse leg lifts on the stability ball

Not gonna lie – this was one of my favorite moves of the week!!!

And, it was a lifting day!! Chalean Extreme – Push Circuit 2. I think I did heavier weights for shoulder presses than I ever have (not saying a lot but…..)!!!

Saturday 6/28 – 44 stability ball leg squeezes with a butt lift.

squeeze and lift your butt - hold for 2-count before lowering — squeeze and lift your butt – hold for 2-count before lowering

This move was great for the butt and inner thighs!!!

And, since we had to go clean for the 3rd day in a row at the venue, I decided to run through town and let Chris start the cleaning!

It was exactly 10 miles at an 8:30 pace (humid and muggy)!!! And, I didn’t have to clean – running beats cleaning any day!!!

Happy Saturday!

Kim

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Black Cats, Ladders, Mirrors…

June 26, 2014 Kim 54 Comments

Lately I have been breaking things – glass things!!

Last week I was helping Jordan get some stuff out of his room that he doesn’t want anymore and I had his old Lava lamp –

I was trying to put it in the ever-growing garage sale pile. What I didn’t know is that the glass part isn’t really attached to the base. Umm….it was a huge slimy mess with glass mixed in!!!

Yesterday morning I was helping some friends who are moving into a new house this weekend. They are trying to get everything but the furniture and heavy boxes done before Saturday (we will help them load the U-Haul Saturday). This morning we did all the kitchen stuff.

Instead of wrapping everything, we just filled laundry baskets and plastic bins – drove them to the new house – unpacked and went back for more.

Nothing broke in transit but I was loading a cabinet with drinking glasses, water bottles and coffee mugs.

I was adjusting one of the shelves with the little metal brackets –

I already had some glasses on the bottom of the cabinet – the shelf I was moving sort of slipped and crushed 2 stacked juice glasses. Pretty much this is what happened –

Then the worst break happened last night at a wedding change-over. Jordan, Chris and I were flipping the set-up from ceremony seating to reception set-up. Everything was going great and we would have been done in less than 15 minutes until several of the guests decided they could “help” us.

Well, when 10 people are going in and out of a small space working around decorations and stuff, bad things happen.

A tall glass vase – had a square mirror on it with a tall metal “thing” on that and then a lit candle.

Rolling out the final table (I was doing it for Jordan), the leg popped out and hit the structure and the entire thing toppled in slow motion! Glass and candle wax went everywhere – not cool!!!

So, on the way home Jordan asked me if I had seen any black cats lately or walked under an ladders.

The answer is – NO!!! I don’t know what is up with me and glass products lately but I seem to have issues!

I guess I should be happy the mirror didn’t break in the candle/vase decoration!!!

Are you superstitious?
Do you ever feel super klutzy or like a total butter fingers?

Happy Friday!!

Kim

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The Blogger Behind the Blog

June 24, 2014 Kim 101 Comments

I thought it would be fun to share some random facts that you probably didn’t even know you wanted to know!!!

1. How long does it take you to get ready for the day?
I can take a shower, do my hair & make-up, get dressed and be ready to go in under 30 minutes!! And, the thing that takes the longest is always my shower – I love long hot showers!!

2. Do you have any collections?
I collect cookbooks!!!

the shelves on the other side of the fireplace

I also have a thing for shoes (all kinds – cowboy boots, sandals, heels, running shoes…) and purses. Oh, and I like to add to my workout DVDs.

3. What are the ages of your siblings?
Tim – twin (44)
Sam – 38
Mandi – 37

4. Can you play any musical instruments?
Sadly, NO!!! I took piano lessons for about 3 years when I was 6-8 and I played the clarinet in 5th grade. I also can’t carry a tune but that doesn’t stop me from belting out songs when I’m working (cleaning/ironing at venue) and sometimes when I’m running.

5. Do you have friends that you have known since elementary school? Jr. High? High School?
The farthest I go back is 9th grade which was actually Jr. High at the time. We moved a lot growing up!! I am FB friends with a few people that I knew in 2nd-4th grade but I haven’t seen them in years!!!

6. If you had to pick your last meal, what would you choose?
I would probably go to Esparzas (our favorite Mexican food place in Grapevine, TX) and have an order of Queso Flameado – basically a lot of cheese with a bit of chicken and veggies – good stuff!!! Plus a couple Margaritas which is why we loved Esparzas!!!

7. What is your favorite sport to watch?
college basketball!!!

8. Are you “missing” any body parts?
I had my gall bladder removed in 2003 but I still have all the rest of my parts!!!

9. How many times have you moved?
21 times!!!! Yikes – I don’t think I’ve ever counted all of my moves before!!! I’m currently on my record in one place – it will be 10 years the first week of August!!!

10. Are you type A?
100% YES!!! My husband might even say I’m A+!!!

Pick any question (or all) and tell me your answer!

Happy Wednesday!!

Kim

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What Right Does Anyone Have to Judge Us?

June 23, 2014 Kim 112 Comments

How many times have you felt like you are being judged by others?

I know that I have felt judged and been judged way more times than I like. Because of how horrible it always makes me feel, I try really hard to not pass those feelings on to others.

These feelings started way back in my teen years and spilled over from there. I know that from the time I was about 17 through the present my mom has not approved of many of my decisions. The sad thing is they aren’t “bad” decisions – just not what she would choose.

Now, I’m at a point in my life where it doesn’t bother me as much to not please everyone. I know that people are always going to disapprove and make assumptions without knowing all of the facts.

I try very hard to make sure that my boys don’t feel judged by me. Even though we might not agree about everything, they are entitled to make their own decisions and I want to respect them and support the choices they make.