Love and Laughter

31 days blog challenge

Starting October 1st I'll be participating in the 31 days blog challenge. It's a challenge to blog about one topic every day for 31 days. My topic will be "The Many Faces of Change" I've had a lot going on in the last few years and a LOT of change. Looking forward to the challenge!

Swimsuit challenges

Why is it that there are no cute, fun swimsuits for adults? I'd love a swimsuit that made me laugh, was women's size, not sexy, not a leg cut up to my armpits (really who wants to shave every freaking day?) and fun! Did I mention fun?

Kids get cute little mermaid suits. Women get sex pot high cut leg, low cut cleavage suits.

Now who can't rock the heck out of a tu tu style suit? Might slow me down a bit in the water but bet it'd make me smile.

I yearn for a fun suit, adult sized and practical.

Do Something Today

The Grass Is Greener

Pool swims start soon YIKES!

Fall is fast approaching and I find myself contemplating the winter triathlon program with TriStars with a mix of emotions. I’ve been a runner for many years now, so I look forward to the running group and running clinics the group holds. The biking portion has been hit and miss, I am still on a hybrid bike (NOT a road bike) so I often feel much slower than the others. Then there is the swimming portion.

That deserves it’s own paragraph.

I’ve had a life long fear of swimming in open water, when I started triathlon training early this year I thought the pool swim would be a simple way to get over my fear. That was not the case! Swimming in general causes a whole bunch of mixed emotions, most of which center around fear. But, as I find fall coming and pools swims starting soon I find myself looking forward to it. The fear is still very much there, my stomach clenches when I even think about swimming in a busy pool. Swimming I’ve come to realize though is very good for my mental fitness, probably better for me than the physical benefits.  My swim sessions last approximately an hour. An hour is a LONG time to maintain any kind of composure when feeling panicked.  Swimming has forced me to keep my thoughts under control for longer periods of time, squelching the voice that screams “GET OUT of the water, you cannot do this!”, focusing on just one more stroke, one more lap, breathing and technique. On a bad day I manage to convince myself that just showing up is enough. On a good day I come away feeling proud and content that I gave it my all and came away feeling successful.

While working out is hard no matter what sport you chose, sometimes there are more than just physical benefits.

Absolutely

What a week!

I spent all last week with friends and what a week it was! I started out by taking a boro sculptural class with Jennifer Umphress and I have to say it was probably the best class I've ever taken. She's a talented glass worker and patient instructor. her course had a specific progression to it and I finished up making pieces I'd never thought I could do. I learnt a lot and hope it gets my mojo up and running again.

Spent the end of the week hanging out with my bead friends, something I can never get enough of. A few fun projects, campfires, laughs and some time for reflection and closure.

I am really lucky to have friends that accept me (faults and all) and listen to my good and bad thoughts. I wish we all lived a lot closer, having my closet friends live so far away can be a struggle. But every time we all get together it's like we just saw each other yesterday which makes me realize how special they are and lucky I am.