NROLFW- Stage 1B

I know I haven't posted forever, but I want to keep a record as I make my way through the New Rules of Lifting for Women book and figured this would be the best way.

On Saturday, I did Stage 1A WO 1 and didn't really feel like I had even lifted... that is until the next day when I thought for sure that I had broken my right tricep, that is if you can even break a muscle. :D

Today, I completed Stage 1B WO 1 and I could feel a difference while working out. I was so much more tired than during WO 1A. I had that "my limbs feel like limp spaghetti" feeling. And, can I just say how much I HATE lunges! Hate them! They are my least favorite exercise ever, and I had to do 2 sets of 15. I can barely contain my excitement for later in the program when I have to do 3 sets of them....

Off to ice down my knees so that they don't hate me the way I hate lunges.

Glazed Blueberry Pie- A story in pictures

Goodbye 28, Hello 29

On Thursday, I will be 29. Truth be told, this is not at all what I expected my life to be like as I turned 29. But, overall, year 28 was pretty good.

Some highlights of Year 28:

I went on three interviews and got offered two jobs. If the one in Pittsburgh had been for longer than just one year, I would be writing this post from a different city. But, all in all, things worked out well. I love the school I'm at and the people I work with. Things happen for a reason, right? So there must be some explanation for why I got hired in Hollidaysburg.

I bought a house!


I reconnected with some friends from college and high school, but I also "lost touch" with some friends as well.

I finally got to see a Stanley Cup banner go up in the Mellon, after waiting since 1993.



I also got to see the last game at the Mellon Arena, too. And yes, I will admit that I held it together until Mario walked out onto the ice, then I started crying.


I bought an imac and my life has never been the same!


I am the smallest and healthiest I have been in my adult (heck, even teenage) life. I probably drive people crazy with how particular I am about the types of food I will and will not eat. In my defense, I do try REALLY hard not to be a pain about it, so if I am, I apologize! :O)



As for year 29, who knows what it has in store, but here are some hopes:

* Many games at the new CEC
* A trip to Chicago to see the Hawks and Pens
* Participate in a 5K (to walk, not run- my poor knees could never handle running!)
* A 30th birthday vacation to a location that requires a passport
* And many, many good times with friends and all of their babies, especially the ones who love to cuddle (Talkin' 'bout you, Camden!)

Homemade Zucchini Straws

Every summer, I buy zucchini from the Amish thinking that I will love it, and every summer, I find out that I am not a huge fan of zucchini. Although this summer, with the help of P-Dub (aka The Pioneer Woman), I found a great recipe that could make anyone love zucchini...

Homemade zucchini straws!!!!

Between the flour, the oil, and the thin pieces, you don't even know you are eating zucchini! And those are the kind of vegetables that Laura likes!

Visitors from Virgina, Part 2

On Friday, we had a fun filled day at the best parks in Altoona. First, we stopped at the Learning Express playground. Everything is perfect size for toddlers and small children. While we were there, we ran into my friend Maureen and her little girl.




Next, we headed to Delgrosso's. Such a great park for kids! It was such a beautiful day: sunny, warm, and ZERO humidity!



After dinner, we headed to the Penn State campus to walk and find some ducks to look at.

Visitors from Virgina, Part 1

This week, my friend Kelli and her little boy came to visit. They live in Virgina, so they had quite the drive to Altoona. Thursday night, we went to Legion Park and had a TON of fun. I haven't been there for years, but the playground was great! It wasn't too busy, so it was nice to be able to run around and play where we wanted.

Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About...

Found a great new set of books by Steve Sheinkin, a former text book author. He would get upset when publishers didn't let him use the "good" stories he found when researching, so he kept track of them and compiled them into books for kids. So far I've finished




(I secretly love American history, so I thoroughly enjoyed these books!)

Now off to find