Begin Again and Again and Again...

I have lots of dreams.  They include everything from sheep to road bikes to my dog actually listening to me... I also LOVE to take pictures.  I mean LOVE .  Sometimes I go weeks without taking a single picture. Weird right?  Why not do something I feel that passionately about, everyday? Here are some of my most recent pictures: I live in Wisconsin and feel blessed that there are so many beautiful things for me to take pictures of.  When you're obsessed with barns and farm animals like I am, they're but a country road away! I'm going to slowly try to find myself again.  For the hundredth time.  I am sorry if that is all I write about here on this blog now, but hey - blogs are journals of a sort.  They just happen to be public ;)  Trish

January 2014.  I'm supposed to be uber fit, an organic farmer and self employed by now. I. Am. None. Of. Those. Things. Not even one.  For a while, I felt like a big loser, but then I realized: Ugh.  Yep, it's all me.  I wish. A LOT.  I DO. Very little.  I have no one or no where to place the blame, but on me. I have the tools and the knowledge, I choose to ignore both and do nothing.  It all comes down to choices. How do I start?  Where do I start? At the beginning. AGAIN. -So, I've joined Weight Watchers (I wonder if there is a record for how many times a single person has started and stopped Weight Watchers?  I'd probably win). -I'm planning my garden and new chicken coop. -I'm baking bread today (yes, I realize this may impact WW, but homemade bread!!!) -I'm beginning to make what I can, whether it be food or beauty products. Too much all at once?  I have no idea.  Will I fail?  I certainly hope not....

I am writing this post from my couch.  Not a bad thing, nor an usual thing, to be honest!  However, I have been on this couch for about a month!! :(  I "injured" my back four weeks ago and my Physical Therapist has given me quite a few restrictions.  One of which is bending over. Seriously.  Do you have any idea how many times you bend forward in a day?? Even unloading/loading the dishwasher is a "no-no".  I have to think about every move I make from putting on my shoes to standing up from a seated position.  When I sit, no slouching and I have to use a lumbar roll. No running, no lifting, no swimming, no twisting, no bending, no... you get the picture.  The verdict is that I have a "slipped disc" along with already existing hypertrophy (arthritic changes basically) in my lumbar/sacral vertebrae.  Grrr!  It's slowly getting better, but not quick enough (of course)!  I am dying to work out!! (I had to put that...

With farmers market's and beaches and camping and other summer activities, I find myself always needing a bag.  I have several that I've acquired over the years, but they're kind of boring, to be honest.  So, I decided to sew up some quick and easy (unlined ;) bags... Much cuter than your standard canvas bag? Yes? Sorry the pics are awful.  It's dreary out and I used my cell to take the pics inside :)  I'm going to make fabric flowers to put on these as well!! My other project this week: Pin curls!!   Those of you who know me in person know that I have crazy, curly thick hair.  My oldest daughter does too and we both view it as a blessing and a curse ;)  My younger two have straight thick hair that resists curls, but of course want curls!  So we decided to try these super cute pin curls we had seen on Pinterest (of course!)  I don't have a picture of the after, because my daughter was freaked out by how her hair looked....

New throw pillow covers I made a couple of weeks ago!   Finished and started the same day :)  (Sorry the pics aren't the greatest.)   I love making these.  They are super quick and easy and are an inexpensive way to change your decor.  Yes, I realize that they don't match each other and yes, they are all on the same couch.  We have a sectional and they're spread out. Besides that, I am eclectic and my home reflects that about me!   I'm going to try to take pics of my quilt top tomorrow (read: bribe Mike into doing it for me).   It's been sitting folded up in a drawer since last year. :(  I need to quilt it because: A. It's my first quilt and B. I love it and can't wait to use it!!     I've been throwing a lot of love out there in the quilt world the last couple of days, because I am flat out with an injured back.  So to all of you whom I've visited or will visit, thank you.  You're keeping me ...

Mike finished the upstairs of his shop for me. For my space. To use as I wish.  It's been finished and painted for a year.  Last night I finally felt the urge to begin to sort through and organize.  This is the beginning of my new studio space and I couldn't be more excited!!  I haven't created much art or jewelry over the last few years and until last night, I didn't realize how much I missed it.  Obviously, I still have a lot of work to do up here, but my work table is up and towards the back you can see my completely awesome blueprint file drawers that I won't be using for blueprints ;) I've been feeling a little "off" lately and I think I've finally figured why.  I am a creative person at heart and I've been stifling my own creativity to conform and to make time for everything else.  I've decided it's time to fly my own flag and be who I am.  Who cares if one day all I think about is running and the next I am so engrossed in a...

I'm not sure where I found this, but thank you whoever you are! My two younger daughters have birthdays this weekend. They are two years minus a day apart.  Blech!  I feel for them, but hey, God's will. Anyway, they are turning 13 and 15 and NEITHER OF THEM WANTED A CAKE. No cake. For a birthday. No birthday cake.  Huh. I did not make a cake.  I did try convincing them (because, well, it's cake), but nope.  I didn't see the point in making cakes if they would only eat a tiny piece to make me feel good and then I'd have all of that cake staring at me. For days..... For those of you who aren't crafty or live under a rock if you are in the sewing world, Quilt Market is in Portland this weekend.  I am soooo jealous.  It is a trade show, only open to those who own shops, pattern makers, fabric makers, etc.   Someday, I intend to go to quilt market .  If you'd like to see some fabric/quilt eye candy, google spring 2013 quilt market.  ...

I've decided to go a different direction with my blog for a bit. I'm going to share more of the DIY things that I love. I'll still be running and working out, but I'm really focusing on my family and my home and I want my blog to mirror that. With that said, I'm planting my own garden this year instead of joining the CSA farm we like we have the last couple of years. Here is the beginning: I've decided to try pallets as raised beds.  I'll either fence them or put sides on them. The rabbits around here are crazy!  The next step is to mix up my soil mixture and get planting!  I'll share pics of my greenhouse made from reclaimed windows later this week :)

Let's see, I haven't posted in, well, FOREVER!  I'm back to hot yoga and I'm ready to get serious about everything else again!  No more excuses, no more messing around.  This is my one and only life and I want to be around as long as possible to enjoy it!!  I'm following about a zillion fitness pages on Facebook and I'm going to be doing a couple challenges on there as well.  This Facebook think is cool for stuff like that!! My newest accountability project: This door is in my kitchen and leads into the basement.  I was going to just keep track of my workouts in my personal planner, but I thought a little public accountability would be best.  I want to set a good example for my daughters and I know they will help keep me motivated! Tomorrow I begin C25K .  AGAIN. For about the 100th time.  Hence, the name of my blog! ;)  I'm also going to do a no sugar challenge, but I can't seem to find the page :(  Once I find it, I'll ...

That's right!  You can still get in on  a good deal for the Bia Sports Watch.  Head over to the Bia website to get introductory pricing on their Sports Watch that is going to come in amazing colors, have a safety alert feature and won't waste your time waiting for satellites! (It's also probably going to make Garmin cry ;)  So, if you missed the chance to become a Bia backer via Kickstarter , this is your chance for a great price on awesome new technology + a 30% discount on future products FOREVER!!! As if getting a watch with custom bands and cool colors isn't enough, Bia recently sent out a fun gift to Kickstarter backers: The bracelet is super awesome!! I love it and I'm using it as an intention bracelet.  I'm not sure what the beads are, but they have a nice weight and the color is gorgeous!  They also sent three temporary tattoos with intentions ( Ink that makes you Think ;)  I'm giving 2 away to friends, but I have one extra to send to...

I'm a sucker for a challenge, especially when it involves my money!!  So, I joined up with Jess and gang to do the Run Your A$$ Off Challenge .  It begins January 28 and goes until the 24th of February.  The goal is to lose 4% of your current weight.  Totally doable.  (I think).  You "bet" $10.00 through DietBet and if you meet your 4% goal, you split the pot with the other players.  So, at a minimum if you lose the weight, you get your money back!!! Check out Jess's post to learn more and enter.    And if you have never read Jess's blog , you are in for a treat.  This girl has sooo much energy and she totally rocks!! Click HERE to go to Jess's challenge post. Good Luck and Have Fun!! I'll keep you posted on my results. :) Trish

Is this the last time I will post a "beginning again" post? I hope so.  I want this so bad.  I want to be a runner. I want to be a triathlete.  I want to finally lose the weight and gain the fitness. I want it, but I always want it.  I have not had a "trigger moment".  You know the one.  You decide not to accept where you are for one more minute.  Not one more second.  I have not had that aha moment.  Truth is, I like myself.  I think I'm pretty awesome!  BUT I could be sooo much better! I had decided to begin on 12/31/12.  I did not want to start on 1/1/13.  I didn't want it to be a New Year's thing.  So, I hit the treadmill and did my first run of my new beginning on New Year's Eve.  And then the hammer dropped.  I woke up on New Year's Day and I didn't feel quite right.  Not "I had a couple of glasses of wine" not right, but, my chest, throat and body hurt not quite right.  So, I did what any...

Go visit Michelle at CLOSE2myart .  She is seriously talented and oh so cool!  And she is having a majorly awesome giveaway!!! So, check her out.  She is also having a studio sale!! Woot Woot.  Go here to check out the giveaway and sale deets!! Stay tuned for a giveaway from yours truly, coming soon!! Trish

As you know, I am a Bia Sport watch backer through their Kickstarter project.  Today, I pledged to help another project.   Studio Cherie is a sewing business which includes patterns and notions, as well as lovely handmade goodies!  The rewards are super cool and I feel good about helping another small business succeed!  So, check out Cherie's Kickstarter project.  Your reward could include some of the below sweetness! Trish

The fabulous Jess of Run With Jess , hosted a virtual 5k this past week.  Today is the last day, so hurry and get that run in!!  After your run, treat yourself to a cupcake!!  I'd love to say that I got my run in, but... I walked it.  No worries!  Jess is an equal opportunity virtual run/walk/crawl host!! If you've read my last post, you'll know I was just getting back into the running groove after a summer hiatus.  Well, that ended five weeks ago when I injured my back.  I've been out of commission and am just now slooowly working back into being active.  So, my 5K was a walk, not a run, but it was glorious!!  I decided to take my favorite trail and enjoy the beautiful day that Southern Wisconsin was dishing up yesterday. The trail is open at parts, and covered with leaves and down tree branches in others.  My favorite part however is:  The downhill that leads to the creek!!  So pretty.  A little slick due to ...

Day three of my running plan is in the books!! Go me.  I really have missed running! Weird, right?  ;)  Trail running is definitely my cup of tea.  I am kicking myself that I won't be running in the North Face Endurance Challenge ! Next year. So, I am in the market for a good, stabilization, running shoe.  Any suggestions?  I feel like I need a little more sole than my current shoes. I'm also in the market for a new diet... I need something that I can live with for life.  I've tried most diets, so maybe what I'm looking for is a new way of eating.  One of my friends swears by Paleo, but I'm not convinced I could do it for life. If only... :) Trish Oh yeah, GO PACK GO!!!

I have not run since June, when I did the LoziLu Mud Run.  Whoa.  I could give the laundry list of whys, but let's just say that running has NOT been a priority.  That's the bottom line really.  It has to be a priority.  It has to been planned, scheduled and treated with the respect it deserves.  Respect the Run.  Respect your ability to run. Plan it.  Do it.  And no matter how many times it takes, you Begin Again.  I am going to follow the 5K training plan that I used to train for the LoziLu Mud Run.  It is a 12 week plan that includes strength exercises and was developed for LoziLu by Orange Shoe Fitness . I have also been doing yoga pretty religiously and I plan to continue with that.  Yoga gives me such a since of peace and it is super secret strength training ;)  You don't even know you're building strength!  I can plank with the best of them now and it's all due to yoga!! Unfortunately, I haven't dropped a p...

Recently,  I learned about a new sports watch for women (settle down boys, they make a model for dudes too ;).  This awesome watch is from Bia Sport .  It's pretty sweet, with lots of cool options not currently available from other watches.  However, I can't buy it.  :( You see, the watch isn't is not in production yet.  Bia is trying to raise the money to produce the watch via Kickstarter .  Check out the video here:  http://kck.st/LghrH4  and you'll see why I think it rocks!  I am super excited about this watch and I hope Bia can raise enough money!  I'm totally a backer and you could be one of the cool people too, with a new Bia watch on your wrist before your friends!! Peace. Trish

Mezamashii Run Project Click on the link above and you will see that Mizuno Running is doing something amazing.  Rather than throwing money at an ad campaign, they are putting shoes on runners' feet.  Genius.  By giving away thousands of pairs of shoes to runners everywhere, Mizuno is igniting not only a spark related to their shoes, but perhaps reuniting runners with why they started running in the first place! Simply go to http://www.mizunousa.com/mezamashiirunproject and click on "Apply for an invite." A friend of mine just got in -- the contest just started so there aren't loads of people who have applied, so there's not much competition right now -- so do it quick and your chances are very good! Good Luck! Trish

Yesterday I "ran" the LoziLu Women's Mud Run .  I had lots of fun!  It was super hot, but there was a nice breeze, a creek trek, water slide and plenty of aid stations.  I have to say that the water slide was probably the best obstacle I have ever encountered at a mud run! The reason I say "ran" is because I only ran about half a mile.  It was just too hot and humid and those conditions combined with my asthma made me feel like I was breathing through a straw!  However, I have no shame in saying I walked most of it.  I finished and completed every obstacle and that is what truly matters to me! The course layout was such that Mike was able to see almost all of the obstacles.  He missed the creek trek, although I'm sure he would have taken great pleasure in seeing me waist high in creek water ;) (I'm not a fan of water I can't see the bottom of !) LoziLu puts on a great Mud Run and a percentage of the proceeds are donated to support le...