lights, CAMERA, action

At this very moment,
There is a package in the mail
There is a package in the mail, with my name on it
There is a package in the mail, with my name on it, and a camera inside

I cannot wait!

In April, we sold my camera to a relative as there had been talk about me wanting a smaller, point and shoot camera. All of which is true but it has taken until now to get one. Cameron read up on so many reviews trying to get me the best of the best for the best price. Last night I brought up "the camera" talk and was jumped on right then, read a few more reviews, and came to a decision.

I am so HAPPY to have a camera again! My blog is in great need of pictures.

You can bet once it arrives, pictures will be taken. And those pictures will be taken right away. Stay tuned!

Softball Stitching

Have you ever been hit by a softball?
Have you ever been hit by a softball, on the knee?
Have you ever been hit by a softball, on the knee, leaving an imprint of the stitching lines?

I have! And I have been laughing so hard about it. It was unbelievable!

After last weeks softball game, my legs had taken several beatings. Let's just say that before the start of this season it has been several years since I last played softball. And when I did play softball it was an all girls team, not coed. This year I was asked to play on Stockamp's (where Cameron works) team. For the past several games, I have been playing 3rd base. The combination of playing 3rd base and not having played in several years made me a bit timid to get down low and catch the low flying balls. I think my mentality was if I can not stop the ball in my glove why not use my body?! I knew if the ball made it past me it would stop somewhere in the middle of 3rd base and left field. Which if that held to be true, they opposing team may get several bases out of the hit, if not runs. Towards the end of the game, the batters were really putting on the heat and slamming them right up my alley. I feared of losing teeth or getting smacked in the face by the ball so I used my legs a few times to stop the ball. It has been 1 1/2 weeks since the game and two large bruises are still hanging around. Thank heavens I do not wear shorts often!

Bally or Belly?

After a year of debating whether or not I should join a gym, the decision has been made. A couple of weeks ago Cameron heard about a promotion Bally Total Fitness was running. That very evening we ran over to the gym to tour the facility and to get a few questions answered. Before long the paper work had been completed and I was an official member of Bally.

Getting exercise has always been important to me, even if it is just walking and pushing the stroller. However, on those bad weather days you need to have an alternative plan. I refuse to let the weather interfere with my ability or inability to get my heart pumping. The indoor plan left me with three options: 1) Use my community's fitness center 2) Do at home dvd workouts 3) Join a gym.

First, the community fitness center. To use my community's fitness center I would need to wake up early enough to get over there and back before my girl's awoke so as not to stall Cameron as he gets ready for his work day. For a few mornings, I set my alarm for 5am. My alarm did go off as a good little alarm should but I was just not ready to roll out of bed. I then decided that I was either not motivated enough to exercise or my sleep was much too important---both of which were true at 5am. The other possibility was to go in the evenings once the girls were down for the night. I was successful at doing this many times but I came home jittery and it took sometime before I was able to fall asleep.

Second, the dvd workouts. Cameron and I have attempted Billy Blanks Boot Camp but due to lack of space and having to watch the dvd on a laptop screen, it did not last for long.

Third, the gym. I really struggled with this option/decision because joining a gym involves money AND we already have free access to a fitness center which has enough equipment to get a decent workout. I would ask myself, "Why would anyone pay for a gym membership when they have one just 100 yds from their house?" The answer is......CHILD CARE. I love my girls to bits and pieces but lets face it, having young ones makes exercising more challenging.

For the past couple weeks it has worked out wonderfully. The girls and I get up, have breakfast, and are at the gym right when the child care center opens. I get in my workout, pick up the girls, and we are out of there before things get too crazy. I have LOVED working up a good sweat. There seems to be something about gyms that drives me and encourages me to perform and do my best. Is anyone else that way? I know some are a bit self conscious in settings like a gym but for me it motivates. I am trying my best to make exercising a daily routine in my life. As I make the time to exercise, I know my children will see it is a priority for me and will one day want that for themselves.

A special thanks to Bally and the childcare staff for bringing out the best in me! I leave feeling a more patient, loving, energized, and a healthier mother and wife.