Why is it...

..when you are just having an absolutely horrible day, someone says something or does something to totally erase all the bad stuff going on? 

To say that I had a horrible day at work yesterday would be a gross understatement.  I started out in a good mood and it all went south about 9am and didn’t stop until I left to go to my yoga classes.  What I love most about yoga is the fact that when I step on to my mat – even when I’m teaching – the world seems to fall away and doesn’t matter any more.   It felt good to be in the presence of the ladies in my class and to move and laugh with them.  

But what really made my day worthwhile again, was meeting members of my family afterwards for some drinks.  Terry, Marna, her sister Donelle, and my sister Peggy were in fine form by the time I got there and apparently it was “pick on Sherry” night.   Almost every embarrassing thing I’ve done during the last three months was thrown out there for everyone to enjoy.  And you know what???  I loved it!!  It was all in good fun and it made me realize that whatever is going on in my life, nothing…and I mean…NOTHING is more important than family.  

So that day from hell, turned in to a lovely evening with yoga peeps, and my family! 

Namaste’

 

Colorful

One of my favorite movies is "Rockstar" with Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston.  The soundtrack to the movie is pretty awesome and Mark Wahlberg is spectacular.  I found the message hidden in the movie to be quite deep.  It isn't just about a young man becoming a rock star.  Watch it, and see what you think.

One of the songs played at the end of the movie is called Colorful (by Verve Pipe).  A beautiful, poignant song.  The lyrics grabbed me so I thought I'd share them with you. 

Written by Brian Vander Ark

The show is over close the story book
There will be no encore
And all the random hands that I have shook
Well they're reaching for the door
I watch their backs as they leave single file
But you stood stubborn, cheering all the while

I know I can be colorful
I know I can be gray
But I know this loser's living fortunate
Cause I know you will love me either way

Most were being good for goodness sake
But you wouldn't pantomime
You are more beautiful when you awake
Than most are in a lifetime
Through the haze that is my memory well
You stayed for drama though you paid for a comedy

I know I can be colorful
I know I can be gray
But I know this loser's living fortunate
Cause I know you will love me either way

Look ahead as far as you can see
We'll live in drama but we'll die in a comedy
I know I can be colorful...

A good day

Every once in a while, the day starts out on a good note and then it gets better and better!  

I woke up earlier this morning so had extra time to do a longer yoga practice.  Everything flowed so easily and the body even cooperated!   I didn’t feel like I needed an oil can to get the joints moving. Shockeroo! 

I pulled my outfit together in a snap, all my bags were packed, the coffee tasted great and the drive in to work was uneventful.  Everything worked like clockwork – just the way you want it. 

The best part of this morning though was driving in to the parking lot and getting stopped by two different people -getting compliments from each of them.   A NICE way to put a spring in your step!  Of course, a little joke and some laughter was shared too! We all left with smiles on our faces.  ALL of this happening before 8 am in the morning. 

Yes, it is a good day!

Sherry

 

What a wild week!

I tell you what, I'm glad that hummer of a week is over with.  I definitely got a workout and I didn't even need to go to the gym to get it. 

Laying sandbags at my brothers house on Tuesday and Wednesday pretty much took up all of my focus for the week.  But, we laid down 7000 bags and helped keep the river out of his house, which is a good thing.

The weather is cooperating also.  Right now the melt has slowed down due to colder temperatures.  Less snow melt means less water traveling towards my brothers house.  Yeah.  Of course, that which freezes must unthaw again - but I'm not thinking about that right now! ~L~ 

Aside from that, it's been an alright week.   I  had a massage with Jen on Friday night that helped to take the kinks out of my muscles (Thank you Jen!!!), had my final Saturday class at Tia Tanning on Saturday morning (Thank you Ladies!), and managed to hit the gym for a power workout also.  Man, did that feel good!!!

Unfortunately, reality set in when I stepped inside my house and realized I'd done nothing but a "lick and a promise" for housework in the last three weeks.  My bad!!  So, I commenced to cleaning and doing laundry.  NOT my ideal way to spend a Saturday afternoon, but that's what I get for playing!  I got everything accomplished though and felt good about it last night.

What am I doing today??   Bookwork and listening to Bon Jovi!For those of you who didn't see it, I attended the concert of Bon Jovi last week Saturday.  It was, without a doubt, the best concert I've ever attended.  They rocked the roof off the Dome for 2.5 hours!!  Not only is Jon a wonderful musician, but he leads by example in his humanitarion work and the messages he writes in to the lyrics of his songs.  Truely a wonderful man. 

What's on deck this upcoming week?  Yoga, yoga, and more yoga!  ~L~  Oh, and get this!  I'm taking part in a Chili Cookoff on Saturday from 11-2pm at the Mall!  Proceeds go to Meals on Wheels ($5 lets you sample all of the chili from participants!).   Guess I'll be cooking on Friday, huh......

Flood Fight 2010

Well, another year of flood waters and another year of sandbags.   I've spent the last two days laying down sandbags at my brothers house.  We've laid down 7000 sandbags and my body feels every one of those sandbags.  

I spent a majority of the day yesterday in the laying line doing the relay of the sandbags.  I was the only female amongst men and I was holding my own with the young bucks.  It really does pay to be in good shape.   I was supposed to have a training session with Levi tonight, but I cancelled.  I think I'm having a good enough workout just by laying down sandbags.

Today we finished laying at Terry's house with what he had supplies for.  We need to dike up about another 45 feet in front of the garage.  We believe the National Guard is going to be in the area tomorrow, so hopefully we will be able to tap in to their resources and get them to help us finish that out. 

We had some awesome help in this fight:  high school students, local fire department, community neighbors, the Red Cross for bringing food, and family too.  It sure made it go alot faster than if we were doing it ourselves. 

I think we are going to be OK with what we've laid down. At least for this first crest. The water has come up 3.5 - 4 feet in the last 24 hours.  D-Day is tomorrow as that is when the Army Corps says it will crest. 

I'm tired and sore.  I'm going to suck down a few beers then head home to a hot bath and a warm bed.

Later everyone.

Now I've heard it all...

I actually heard today that someone was talking about me and saying that I "go to extremes" when it comes to exercising.

Huh??  Surely they must mean someone else named Sherry.

I don't go to extremes... I'm just trying my damndest to stay healthy - or for that matter, GET healthy.  All of that sweat you see pouring off me is NOT what I call fun and games.  No, it's me sucking air and trying to gasp for breath before I pass out! 

No, I don't go to extremes at all - and I'm sorry that I give that impression.  But seriously, I don't really care what anyone thinks. 

For far too long, I wasn't in very good health or shape.  So, when I look at the progress that I've made with my health and my body, I'm quite proud of myself.  Frankly, I feel I could push myself a little harder sometimes - and it is a kick to see exactly what my limits are - and trust me, I have limits!  I'm not out to impress anyone, alienate anyone, or make anyone feel guilty for doing what they feel they need to do in order for them to feel healthy.

My only concern is me......that's it. 

So talk amongst yourselves if you must.....don't mind me.  I'll just be over there on the treadmill ...I'll be easy to spot.....I'm the one gasping for breath and sweating like a stuck pig at butcherin time!  ~L~ 

Where does the time go?

We have already complete one week of March. Oh my goodness! Time has flown by so fast that I feel like I should buckle my seatbelt and hang on for the ride! 

I know that part of the problem is that I try and pack so many things in to my days.  I get up in the morning (typically between 4:45 and 5:15am - depending on when I need to be at work), and start checking off my "to do" list - but NOT until I've had my first cup of coffee.  Seriously!  The...MY...world does not start moving until I've had my morning cup of ambition!

Once I've shaken the cobwebs off with coffee and some yoga (yes, I still do a morning practice), then I hit the shower running and start thinking of everything that I need for the day: 

• Is it a yoga day?  (then I need my yoga clothes, my briefcase, my music, my mat, etc).
• Is it a gym day?  (then I need my gym clothes, my music, my water bottle, etc.)
• Grocery day, K-Mart or Wal-Mart day?  Then I need the grocery list, or essentials list.
• Do I have my day planner/calendar with me?  (As much as I hate to admit it, I'm lost without it!)
• Oh yeah, and what am I gonna fix for supper??  (which is a whole category in of itself!)
• Are my clothes ironed?  Is my favorite shirt still in the laundry? Where are my socks?

You get the picture, right?  Yes, I practice deep breathing at 5:30am in the morning!!

Once I have all of that figured out and the right bags, essentials sitting by the door, I get dressed, put on my war paint (that's makeup folks!), eat breakfast and I'm out the door. 

On the way to work, I crank up the tunes (gotta have music to start the day - it's almost as essential as coffee!) and start to think of the projects staring me in the face when I hit work. 

Now, Mondays suck!  I don't even try and sugar coat it anymore.  The BEST that I can hope for is that I can be left alone in my corner of the office and wallow in the misery of being back at work.  Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for my job and I DO love what I do, but I mourn the loss of my weekends!

Once at work, I start crossing things off as they come up, resist the urge to paste a "lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part" message to my email then watch the clock every 1/2 hour and wonder why it doesn't move any faster. 

Once 4:30pm hits, I'm off and running.  I hurry up and change clothes and head out the door to either the gym or my yoga classes. If I'm at the gym, I can zone out and listen to music while I work up a sweat.  It really is kind of relaxing in a quirky kind of way.  If I'm at yoga, all the cares and stress of the days just seems to leave the  minute I walk on to my mat.  It's odd - but I'm in a different frame of mind almost immediately - and it lasts until the last student walks out the door and I close down The Bunker.

Then the race is on once more.  Hurry home and fix supper for the hubs and me, do dishes, do any laundry that needs to be done, pick up the house a little (you never know when you get unexpected company), get my bags (gym or yoga) ready for the next day and start thinking about the next day as I fall into bed somewhere around 10:30pm at night....HOPING that I can fall asleep right away cuz I have to hurry up and sleep so I can get up and do it ALL over again in the morning. 

Now...for those of you who have children....  GOD BLESS YOU!!  I don't know how the heck you do it, but you have my respect and admiration......cuz I seriously do not know how I would fit a child in to a routine on a daily basis.  You all seem to manage though and I say "You ROCK!"  :-)

Needless to say by the time I get used to the work week, it's almost 1/2 over and the weekend is on the horizon!! 

Yeppers...life is good....gotta live it while you can.  :-)

Texting while Driving

I had the opportunity to watch the "No Phone Zone" show on Oprah a while back.  Stunning, Scary, and downright dangerous!  I felt so sorry for the parents, spouses, families that lost loved ones due to the carelessness of another driver who was texting (or talking) while driving.  It still brings goosebumps to me even now.

I was talking about this a while back with some fellow yogi's, and I relayed a story to them.

I was driving home from yoga, calling my husband to tell him I was on my way home.  In the process of talking to him, I had to cross a two-lane highway and a set of railroad tracks.  I do not remember doing either, until I heard the train whistle blowing as it passed right behind me - after I had crossed the tracks not moments before.

Yeah.  Enough said. 

If you haven't already discovered, texting while driving is dangerous.....not only to your life, but the lives of others on the road with you.  Talking on the cell phone is equally dangerous - as your mind is distracted from the road;  your focus is on the conversation rather than the road and your surroundings.

I urge everyone to rethink their use of cell phones while driving. 

Don't tempt fate, that text (or call) can wait - Oprah "No Phone Zone" pledge.