Hi All,
It's a glorious late summer day and Mr. P&P is home today...finishing up a project for his Master's class. He and Lilly are out taking a little walk in this beautiful weather!
Fairies? Ok...we have a bowl of sugar packets (we use the organic all natural sugar) that Mr. P&P uses in his coffee (he drinks Illy espresso and uses 1 sugar packet), on our counter. The little bowl holds, oh, 8-10 packets. I do not use these sugar packets (I'm hazelnut, cream only) so when it gets empty I go into the cupboard and refill the sugar bowl. I often ask Mr. P&P who he thinks fills that bowl (since he won't...I think he would literally go without sugar in his coffee if it were empty) and he says, "The sugar fairy"?
There's also the toilet paper fairy, the cheddar bunny fairy (who looks, sees we are out of cheddar bunnies and buys more), the new sponge fairy (who sees the sponge needs to be thrown out and a new one used and does that) and on and on. You get the picture.
So, what 'fairies' do you have in your house?
Chime in and let us know...
Happy Monday-we hope to see you in class!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Lest we forget...
Tomorrow will mark 9 years.
Never forget.
Stop and thank a service member or their family member-without them we would not be free.
Take a moment and remember all the families who lost someone they love.
Do not buy into the craziness that begins to show itself this time of year. It only serves to disrespect those whom we have lost.
And maybe, just maybe, be kinder today. Remember that day and the weeks that followed? Remember how folks were nicer to each other, personally and behind the wheel of their cars. Remember why? Because that day, that day when the sky was so blue people on the news were commenting on how beautiful it was, that day brought us all closer in a way that we never thought possible. It reminded us of what was truly important-that we stand TOGETHER. Cutting each other off in traffic or in life is NOT important-in fact it's disgustingly UN-important.
Never forget.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Story of us...
HI All,
Well, last night was my first full class back on my own. One word-AWESOME. Yeah, I brought it. Next up-this weekend! Get ready!
Today as I was sitting at the desk during LH's class, I saw my old landlord, Harold K pull up to pick up his wife from her nail appointment. Harold's daughter owns our building now and she and her husband are great but I do miss Mr. K. He used to drive through the parking lot and pick up trash and was always around. It reminded me of the story of how we arrived in the here and now-so here's the story for those who do not know, as we come close (9/25) to celebrating our Sweet 16 anniversary!
Once upon a time there were 2 friends who opened classes in a church hall. One fine day one friend got pregnant with her first baby and the business moved to a little teeny dance studio. (At least it had air conditioning!) There the business grew and grew, very quickly outgrowing the teeny space.
I was dispatched to find a bigger place and landed on our current home. The building had just been bought by Mr. K and it was in process of getting a brand new parking lot (it was dirt) and hopefully getting new businesses to move in (there were some still there, like Timbo's). (Mr. K bought the building to move his daughter's liquor store in and make it bigger!)
I called the number and K kept saying we'd never get it or it would be too expensive. Well, I like to try and see before I throw in the towel.
I met Mr. K and drove it the dirt parking lot, every window in the building caked with dirt and mud. We walked in and the place looked dark and all the lights were filled with spiders and bugs. (The space had be vacant for years.) We walked around, I knew it was perfect and I swallowed hard and told him the pittance we could afford for this huge, perfect space. This kind man, who reminded me of my Grandpa, took my hand, put the key in it and said, "Pay me something every month and don't be late." I cried. I cry every time I think about it. It was a handshake deal all those years ago, something almost unheard of even then. His one caveat? Folks have got to park in the large parking area, not in front of the building. (Sound familiar?)
I called K, she didn't believe me...and the plans started. Mista was dispatched immediately to build the desk, paint went up, the logo (the old logo, handpainted) went up, cleaning out lights, cleaning bathrooms...we decided to move and re-open in less than 30 days.
We took field trips from our other location to show folks how close it was, we didn't sleep and we ate at the Center. Little K was 6 months old and the poor thing lived there for almost a month with all the craziness of getting ready to open.
We went from a 900 square foot dance studio to a 3100 square foot studio room. Our first class everyone was huddled in the middle of the room and it was weeks before everyone learned to spread out.
And we have paid every month on time since 1997.
And we have grown every year too.
And somewhere around 2000 I was able to sleep.
There has been another baby since then-little Mista. Little K learned to walk, talk and basically run the place. She's in 8th grade now, Little Mista in 4th grade.
I got married and have 2 furry babies of my own...and a new hip.
My hair got straighter and K's got curlier...both Mista and Mr. P&P have lost hair-and I'm sure the Center is to blame.
We've gained 9 more instructors since that year (Liz was with us in the beginning.) and countless class managers too.
We've had joy and pain and sorrow but we're still here.
And it all started with Mr. K handing me a key and having faith in us...before we really had it in ourselves.
So when you come to class and we push you and we tell you that you can do it and WE have faith in YOU before you have it in yourself...trust us. We know what we're talking about. We're just paying it forward.
Here's to Mr. K. We love you. Thank you for seeing something in us, trusting us and giving us the real start we needed to make our Center great!
Well, last night was my first full class back on my own. One word-AWESOME. Yeah, I brought it. Next up-this weekend! Get ready!
Today as I was sitting at the desk during LH's class, I saw my old landlord, Harold K pull up to pick up his wife from her nail appointment. Harold's daughter owns our building now and she and her husband are great but I do miss Mr. K. He used to drive through the parking lot and pick up trash and was always around. It reminded me of the story of how we arrived in the here and now-so here's the story for those who do not know, as we come close (9/25) to celebrating our Sweet 16 anniversary!
Once upon a time there were 2 friends who opened classes in a church hall. One fine day one friend got pregnant with her first baby and the business moved to a little teeny dance studio. (At least it had air conditioning!) There the business grew and grew, very quickly outgrowing the teeny space.
I was dispatched to find a bigger place and landed on our current home. The building had just been bought by Mr. K and it was in process of getting a brand new parking lot (it was dirt) and hopefully getting new businesses to move in (there were some still there, like Timbo's). (Mr. K bought the building to move his daughter's liquor store in and make it bigger!)
I called the number and K kept saying we'd never get it or it would be too expensive. Well, I like to try and see before I throw in the towel.
I met Mr. K and drove it the dirt parking lot, every window in the building caked with dirt and mud. We walked in and the place looked dark and all the lights were filled with spiders and bugs. (The space had be vacant for years.) We walked around, I knew it was perfect and I swallowed hard and told him the pittance we could afford for this huge, perfect space. This kind man, who reminded me of my Grandpa, took my hand, put the key in it and said, "Pay me something every month and don't be late." I cried. I cry every time I think about it. It was a handshake deal all those years ago, something almost unheard of even then. His one caveat? Folks have got to park in the large parking area, not in front of the building. (Sound familiar?)
I called K, she didn't believe me...and the plans started. Mista was dispatched immediately to build the desk, paint went up, the logo (the old logo, handpainted) went up, cleaning out lights, cleaning bathrooms...we decided to move and re-open in less than 30 days.
We took field trips from our other location to show folks how close it was, we didn't sleep and we ate at the Center. Little K was 6 months old and the poor thing lived there for almost a month with all the craziness of getting ready to open.
We went from a 900 square foot dance studio to a 3100 square foot studio room. Our first class everyone was huddled in the middle of the room and it was weeks before everyone learned to spread out.
And we have paid every month on time since 1997.
And we have grown every year too.
And somewhere around 2000 I was able to sleep.
There has been another baby since then-little Mista. Little K learned to walk, talk and basically run the place. She's in 8th grade now, Little Mista in 4th grade.
I got married and have 2 furry babies of my own...and a new hip.
My hair got straighter and K's got curlier...both Mista and Mr. P&P have lost hair-and I'm sure the Center is to blame.
We've gained 9 more instructors since that year (Liz was with us in the beginning.) and countless class managers too.
We've had joy and pain and sorrow but we're still here.
And it all started with Mr. K handing me a key and having faith in us...before we really had it in ourselves.
So when you come to class and we push you and we tell you that you can do it and WE have faith in YOU before you have it in yourself...trust us. We know what we're talking about. We're just paying it forward.
Here's to Mr. K. We love you. Thank you for seeing something in us, trusting us and giving us the real start we needed to make our Center great!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Beautiful Day
Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow is my last official team teach with my girls before I spread my wings and fly on my own again. The following are the lyrics to a song by India.Aire called "A Beautiful Day" (we're doing it on this set as an ab routine). Why I have loved team teaching with my girls and having the amazing experience of getting a new hip and feeling 1000000000x better as they say, "Talent finds joy in execution".
This should tell you EXACTLY how I will feel on that day. Enjoy.
A Beautiful Day by India. Aire
Life is a Journey
Not a destination
There are no mistakes
Just chances we've taken
Lay down your regrets
Cause all we have is now
Wake up in the morning
And get out of bed
Start making a mental list in my head
Of all of the things that I am grateful for
Early in the morning
It's the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my eyes and
I open up my mind and
I wonder how life will surprise me today
Early in the morning
It's the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my heart and
I'm going do my part and
Make this a positively beautiful day
Life is a challenge
Not a competition
You can still smell the roses and be on a mission
Just take a moment to get in touch with your heart
Sometimes you feel like you've got something to prove
Remind yourself that there's only one you
Just take a moment to give thanks for who you are
Let's make this a wonderful powerful day
Life is a journey not a destination
There are no mistakes just chances we've taken
Lay down your regrets cause all we have is now
Tomorrow is my last official team teach with my girls before I spread my wings and fly on my own again. The following are the lyrics to a song by India.Aire called "A Beautiful Day" (we're doing it on this set as an ab routine). Why I have loved team teaching with my girls and having the amazing experience of getting a new hip and feeling 1000000000x better as they say, "Talent finds joy in execution".
This should tell you EXACTLY how I will feel on that day. Enjoy.
A Beautiful Day by India. Aire
Life is a Journey
Not a destination
There are no mistakes
Just chances we've taken
Lay down your regrets
Cause all we have is now
Wake up in the morning
And get out of bed
Start making a mental list in my head
Of all of the things that I am grateful for
Early in the morning
It's the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my eyes and
I open up my mind and
I wonder how life will surprise me today
Early in the morning
It's the dawn of a new day
New hopes new dreams new ways
I open up my heart and
I'm going do my part and
Make this a positively beautiful day
Life is a challenge
Not a competition
You can still smell the roses and be on a mission
Just take a moment to get in touch with your heart
Sometimes you feel like you've got something to prove
Remind yourself that there's only one you
Just take a moment to give thanks for who you are
Let's make this a wonderful powerful day
Life is a journey not a destination
There are no mistakes just chances we've taken
Lay down your regrets cause all we have is now
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Saturday Morning...
Hi Everyone,
Happy Labor Day weekend! Hurricane Earl was a non event, thank God, and it's sunny, beautiful and NOT humid out-a perfect day.
Another reason the day is close to perfect is how wonderful it was to see over 50 people in the 9:15am class today! WOWEE! I taught my Body Sculpt class and team taught with KT at the 9:15am, the last Saturday I'll do that before taking back my schedule, beginning this Wednesday, 6 weeks and 6 days after my surgery.
Today is not the first time I've team taught with one of my girls but it was the most amazing so far-to have a regular sized Saturday class in front of me and to be able to pass on to you the miracle that my surgery has been to me was unbelievable. I thank everyone who was there and it was made even more special to have Lyn, Tina, Kristine and Jessica in class too!
Really and truly it is only because of how fit and healthy J has made me that I have been able to come back this soon and safely.
When I look out at all of you in class, I see folks who are with us all the time and whom I know are committed to being healthy and fit. Unfortunately, I see other folks just 'going through the motions' and I guess feeling good because they belong to J and get to class X number of times a week. Yes, it IS better to move than not move. NO, it is not enough for you to just 'walk through' your workouts (***unless your just beginning working out, then you should start slow OR if you have a health condition and you need to be careful of intensity***). You have to push yourself. Why wouldn't you WANT to push yourself? Are you afraid it might hurt? Remember, you SHOULD feel your workouts and it may make you sore-but pain and soreness are two different things. Soreness is GOOD, true pain is BAD.
For those just starting out who may have a few extra pounds that you're here to get rid of...don't despair. Yes, it's going to be harder on your body with those extra pounds but you HAVE to get past that to get fit. You cannot give up because it's hard. If you can't get to the floor-do the strength training standing. If you can't use weights, don't. If your feet hurt, get better shoes. If your legs hurt, check with your doc and make sure it's nothing serious, and keep going. It IS going to hurt/be uncomfortable for the first few months. If you need to walk through the steps for the first few months, do it. For you, that IS pushing yourself and that's OK!
But, YES, it's going to get easier every time you come to class and, YES, one day soon you will FEEL how much better you can move in class and do everything in your own life after getting more fit and healthy. I promise, it does happen.
Remember, for a few years in my 20's I weight 219lbs. and found it hard to move, told folks I had bad knees (which I do not) and wore a size 24 bathing suit. See what taking a few years off J can do? Not good! If I can do it, YOU can. I'm not special...I'm just like you.
So, mark your calendars, get to class, do your best, eat well 5 days out of 7 and day by day you'll see-FIT and healthy feels good and looks good and will help YOU do anything you want in life! There's not better present than that!
Happy Labor Day weekend! Hurricane Earl was a non event, thank God, and it's sunny, beautiful and NOT humid out-a perfect day.
Another reason the day is close to perfect is how wonderful it was to see over 50 people in the 9:15am class today! WOWEE! I taught my Body Sculpt class and team taught with KT at the 9:15am, the last Saturday I'll do that before taking back my schedule, beginning this Wednesday, 6 weeks and 6 days after my surgery.
Today is not the first time I've team taught with one of my girls but it was the most amazing so far-to have a regular sized Saturday class in front of me and to be able to pass on to you the miracle that my surgery has been to me was unbelievable. I thank everyone who was there and it was made even more special to have Lyn, Tina, Kristine and Jessica in class too!
Really and truly it is only because of how fit and healthy J has made me that I have been able to come back this soon and safely.
When I look out at all of you in class, I see folks who are with us all the time and whom I know are committed to being healthy and fit. Unfortunately, I see other folks just 'going through the motions' and I guess feeling good because they belong to J and get to class X number of times a week. Yes, it IS better to move than not move. NO, it is not enough for you to just 'walk through' your workouts (***unless your just beginning working out, then you should start slow OR if you have a health condition and you need to be careful of intensity***). You have to push yourself. Why wouldn't you WANT to push yourself? Are you afraid it might hurt? Remember, you SHOULD feel your workouts and it may make you sore-but pain and soreness are two different things. Soreness is GOOD, true pain is BAD.
For those just starting out who may have a few extra pounds that you're here to get rid of...don't despair. Yes, it's going to be harder on your body with those extra pounds but you HAVE to get past that to get fit. You cannot give up because it's hard. If you can't get to the floor-do the strength training standing. If you can't use weights, don't. If your feet hurt, get better shoes. If your legs hurt, check with your doc and make sure it's nothing serious, and keep going. It IS going to hurt/be uncomfortable for the first few months. If you need to walk through the steps for the first few months, do it. For you, that IS pushing yourself and that's OK!
But, YES, it's going to get easier every time you come to class and, YES, one day soon you will FEEL how much better you can move in class and do everything in your own life after getting more fit and healthy. I promise, it does happen.
Remember, for a few years in my 20's I weight 219lbs. and found it hard to move, told folks I had bad knees (which I do not) and wore a size 24 bathing suit. See what taking a few years off J can do? Not good! If I can do it, YOU can. I'm not special...I'm just like you.
So, mark your calendars, get to class, do your best, eat well 5 days out of 7 and day by day you'll see-FIT and healthy feels good and looks good and will help YOU do anything you want in life! There's not better present than that!
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