THE 40 DAY CHALLENGE

The personal challenge for the next 40 days.  “40” has some significance.  The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.  Moses was on the mount for 40 days.  Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days, Noah survived 40 days and nights of rain.  I’m not “lenting”.  I’m starting on Tuesday, February 28^th, and will complete my challenge on the Saturday before Easter.  A friend who saw my post on FB felt inspired and she sent me a link on an30 day challenge. ( Matt Cutts: Try something new for 30 days | Video on TED.com

www.ted.com ) 30 days is going to come and go; will it be meaningful to you?  Good thought.  I will watch this clip several times thru the challenge, I’m sure.   

Thinking about what I should do, I decided to go with what I really need to do most, and what I have put off doing consistently all my life.  I have plans.  I am going to spend 1 hour a day exercising for 40 days.  (I may be able to make this a way of life, but I’m not going to state that at this point.)  I know that it isn’t wise or healthy to do strenuous exercise every day, so I will incorporate breathing exercises and relaxation exercises in with the plan.  I have a decent collection of work out DVDs of various types and will move the dining room set and use that hardwood floor there as my studio. 

The Runtastic app on my phone will post to facebook daily.   Really?  Yup, really.  … I think.   

The Firm has several, and the one I like best is a work out that will “burn 500 calories in an hour”.  The leader’s name is Kelsey and she is a wild woman.  She talks the whole time and has a really sweet voice and says things like “ok, girls, let’s party” as the music cranks up and the 5 chicks really work it.  UGH!!  Sweat, sweat, pant, pant, gasp, gasp.  But I’m not going to hate Kelsey.  That girl has sculpted arms and strong legs and could kick my trash with a smile on her face!!

Suzanne Deason has some nice yoga presentations.  I like yoga because you sweat without pumping your heart and getting all out of breath.  It feels kind of graceful.

One yoga instructor started us out with a breathing exercise.  If I light some fragrant candles or oils, dim the lights and put on some nice spa-ish music, the breathing and relaxation will be a great benefit to me on my non-work out days. 

Jillian Michaels was a beast-woman on The Biggest Loser, but on her own releases, she is very encouraging and mild.  

Hartland pool has a good water aerobics class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm with Cheryl.  I hesitate to do that in the winter months because it’s so cold coming home. 

I also have a TOTAL GYM.  J-man got sucked into an infomercial with the Texas ranger guy and Christi Brinkley.  I did actually use that for a while and the Pilates work out was fab.  It actually did change the way by bod was shaped.  It was much more work for “easy storage” than they demonstrated on tv.  That sucker is heavy, so I put it away and didn’t pull it out again.  Maybe it’s time to find a place for it. 

They say if you work out, you can feel it in 3 weeks, the family will see it in 3 months.  I wonder if there will be a physical change.  Hmmmm.    Guess I should buy a dress to wear on the weekend that I end this.  If I can find something on sale, maybe even from a re-sale shop in a size 10, that will be part of my plan. 

If you’re interested in joining me on a 40 day challenge, let me know.  We can cheer each other on, and whine to someone who will truly understand.  

I’ll be a size 10 in 42 days, so for now I need to go clear the dining room floor and move LuLu’s table.  

SEWING

I sewed in high school.  I had some great outfits, some were actually modified patterns/original designs.  I love fabrics and textures.  I made the dress for my wedding reception (I wore Dawn’s for the ceremony).  I sewed a few Halloween costumes for the kids.  I learned that sewing was NOT less expensive than buying and I was busy.  I started buying and not sewing.  Oh, wait, Mattson was in scouts, so I sewed merit badges on his sash.  Then he became an Eagle Scout so I gave my sewing machine away.  My mom found out that I didn’t have a sewing machine, so one day I got a delivery.  That lady…. She said she just couldn’t imagine me not having one.  I am thankful for that. 

                         

Of course she was right.  Every grandma needs to sew for her grandchildren.  (we recently acquired the treadle machine that J-man’s Nana had used to mend their jeans).  I made the dress that Nora was blessed in… the fabric was the skirt of Kirstynn’s wedding dress.  I hope another baby girl that we love can wear it one day.  I made the white pants that Kyree wore for Matt and Alie’s wedding ceremony.  I sew for my grand children.  When Marley said she wants a blue princess dress, she got the best Cinderella dress a LuLu could make.   Nora has the idea that “LuLu can make it”.  With J-man’s help, we have not yet disappointed her.   Ummm, a Tinkerbell costume, a red dress…. She knows if she sends me a picture, I’ll make it.  Everyone needs an apron, my kids have one that I made for them.  

I took Nora to the fabric store and started teaching her.  “What do you think that fabric is for?”  “A blanket”.  Good.  “This is corduroy, this is pinwale corduroy, and this is wide wale corduroy, this is seersucker, and yes, you can have sparkle fabric, but it can be an accent, so let’s pick out the main fabric, then the secondary, the contrasting, and finally the sparkle.  Then we look for the pattern.   She chose 8, I narrowed it down to 3 and she made the final decision.  Of course that means 3 dresses, for my 3 little grandgirls.  Next time we’re in Marley’s neighborhood, she can pick out the fabrics and pattern, and 3 more dresses will be made. 

Here is one of the the new dresses, it's Nora's.  Marley's' will be the same, Ava's similar.  

 

I am glad that my mom sent me that sewing machine, because I am creating some fun dresses at LuLu’s Table.  

MY NAME IS DANA AND I’M A SPA JUNKIE

I’m not really addicted; my spa-going does not jeopardize my life (it enhances it), relationships(it prolongs them) or livelihood (I only go if all my bills are paid), but I think I “spa” more than many women I know.  Every woman (except those who are phobic) should go to the spa sometime, just to know that the experience is available. Price is a factor with me (always is) and I have learned to get the most for the least.  There are different types of spas, and I know many that are good for different things.  My favorite spa, for example, does not do a good couples massage. I think it was a mis-thought in construction, but I do know where to get the best couples massage.  The spa near my house has a very nice steam room for $10.  The best spa pedicure is in Northern Michigan (the room and the girls there make it extra nice.)  There is a whole magazine about spa-going!!  The top spa in the United States a few years ago was Mii Amo in Sonoma, AZ.   Funny, that February Brenda and Don were getting married in AZ. 

IT WAS FABULOUS!  No question.

    
I had just come out of an exceptionally difficult year and needed a physical/emotional experience (my spirit was flourishing).  I took a yoga class, learned to do some meditation in their grato.  I took full benefit of every square foot of that place… in door and out door pools, oh, and the massage I got was “Watsu”.   It was a life-changing experience (mostly because my life was needing to change).  I specifically relish the time I spent journaling.  I had a yellow legal pad and took a sofa with comfy pillows in the sun and began to write and cry and nap and cry and write.  Spa attendants checked on me and brought me a beverage, but let me feel totally comfortable in my space.  I went back a couple years later.  I was far-less pathetic, but I loved it just the same.  I will go there again.

Spa-ing is like vacationing.  There is joy, anticipation and excitement in planning, and relief and sweet memory long after return.  When a friend is in a near-melt-down state, I suggest a spa day.  The best in Michigan is Immerse at the MGM in Detroit.  They really know how to do it right.  It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but it is worth a million bux.  (I’ve never had a million bux, but I don’t imagine it would feel much better than the spa.)

Occasionally I plan a Girls’ Day at the spa.  One such day was 2 weeks ago.


  My sister and 15 wonderful women arrived as early as 8:30 and stayed as late as 6pm.  It was fun to jump in and out of the pool, whirlpool, steam room, nap, lunch and just “be” and be with people I enjoy.  We’ll do it about 3 times a year and we will be better wives, sisters and mothers for it.  It is a wonderful physical experience, appealing to all senses.  The staff is very helpful and the atmosphere is clean and calming; you know you are someone special. 

There is a day a year that is particularly difficult for me.  This year I am spending it at the spa.  I have my plans all made; I’m leaving the house at 6am to be there when they open.  I’ve the list of what I’m packing, my services are booked and I’ve even selected what I’m ordering for lunch.  This year it is a day I am actually looking forward to.  Maybe I’ll even take a batch homemade lemonade with me (future blog topic).

If you ever need any spa advice I am happy to give it to you.  If  you don’t want to go alone, I’d love to go with you.  When our last grandchild is 7 years old, I am taking Kirstynn and Alison away for a spa vacation.  I don’t know when that will be (if Miles is the last, that will be in 7 years).  I will carefully select the destination and time of year to enhance our experience.  I have a few ideas. 

But for now I’ll enjoy an occasional spa day and dream about it while I’m sitting at LuLu’s Table.