sher's corner

{Creative Corner} DIY Christmas trees

2012-01-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

Another Christmas craft I created. I was inspired by Living Locurto.

{Creative Corner} DIY Advent Calendar

2011-12-23T00:02:00.000-08:00

On December 1st we began our advent calendar. I was inspired by Martha Stewart and made a stocking advent calendar.

We have enjoyed counting the days and getting a stocking each day. It is fun way to count down to Christmas.

{Creative Corner} Crafty Inspiration

2011-12-22T16:12:00.000-08:00

I have neglected this blog for sometime. I am so sorry blog. I've spent more time blogging with Baby Bear and not much for me. I recently gave in and joined pinterest. It is a great website where many other bloggers share their ideas and crafts. Here are a few things I have been inspired to make.

I made these cards for Baby Bear's teachers (inspired by eighteen25) and packaged it along with a coffee cup and some treats (I forgot to get a picture of the final product) as a holiday gift.

For Baby Bear's class mates, I made these little cards that they could color along with a few crayons. Here is a picture of the inside of the card.

{Photo Corner} Week 12 and 13: The Big Apple

2011-03-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

Since I was on vacation in NYC, I didn't get to post pictures. But I took a lot and so here are a few (some taken by me and some by Papa Bear, since I Baby Bear needed a bit of attention, Papa Bear had more control of the camera than I did).

Central Park.

A New York City evening.

Tourists at the museum.

The Empire State Building.

At Times Square.

For more pictures of our trip to the Big Apple, check out Baby Bear's blog.

{Photo Corner} Week 11: Lesson 5 Composition

2011-03-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

I am a bit behind on my lessons, but that is fine. I just have to take it all one step at a time. Lesson 5 is on composition and gives 6 tips to help compose a photos:

Keep it simple - eliminate distractions
Apply the rule of thirds
Keep an eye on the horizon
Frame your subject
Fill the frame
Try a new perspective

Here are a few of the tips in action. A nice and easy lesson.

Fill the frame.

Keep it simple (and fill the frame).

Rule of thirds.

{Photo Corner} Week 9 and 10: Catching Up

2011-03-11T20:55:00.000-08:00

I have fallen way behind on my pictures. I've been so busy with work and life that I haven't had much time to blog. So here I am catching up. I got a new lens for my birthday and have been playing with it.

So to catch up here are photos for week 9 and 10 of my 52 week challenge.

And my favorite picture.

I am enjoying this new lens. It is definitely nicer quality photos from my kit lens.

Ash Wednesday: The beginning of 40 days

2011-03-09T22:39:00.000-08:00

Today is Ash Wednesday marking the start of the Lenten season. I admit that I have not been the best Catholic. In fact, since Baby Bear was born I have only been to mass a handful of times. I really need to get back to church. Luckily, they held a mass at the colleges and I was able to go during lunch to get my ashes.

I still plan to observe Lent as I always do. I am planning to give up sweets; meaning candy, treats, chocolate, ice cream, etc. I also plan to collect one item of my belongings each day to give to Goodwill or other charitable causes. So the idea is that by the end of the 40 days of Lent, I should have 40 items, whether it be clothing or trinkets or anything else to donate. The caveat is that it has to be my belonging not Baby Bear's or Papa Bear's. It would be way to easy to give away a bunch of Baby Bear's clothing and toys. I have way too many material possessions and this is one way for me to give to those who don't have as much.

{Photo Corner} Week 8: Celebrating 36

2011-03-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday. We didn't do much this year to celebrate, just laid low. Papa Bear had class in the evening and I ended up having to work. I usually try to take the day off for my birthday but I was just too busy at work. Besides we are going to New York in 17 days for work and play, so I figured I would take the time off then and Papa Bear and I can celebrate both our birthdays in New York since his birthday is towards the end of March.

Papa Bear watched Baby Bear yesterday and brought her to work to meet me for lunch. It is always nice to see my Baby Bear. I received some really nice messages from friends on facebook and cards from my lola and BFF. It was a mellow and beautiful day.

Papa Bear got me a new lens for my camera, the nifty fifty. I can't wait for it to come and to try it out. From what I hear it is worlds better than the kit lens that I have been using.

I got some gorgeous flowers from my mother-in-law. And here are those beautiful flowers...

Desert Dash 2011 - rain

2011-02-21T20:53:00.000-08:00

I was planning on running the Desert Dash 5K in Parker, AZ. We drove out to Parker to meet up with some friends, but on Saturday morning we woke up to pouring rain. So I opted out of running. The run is in the desert in dirt and all uphill, there was no way I was going to be able to run that. I am just not that hard core. I am bummed because I was looking forward to it, but I was not willing to run in pouring rain. A little drizzle and running on asphalt or cement, no problem but I was not looking to do a mud run.

{Photo Corner} Week 7: A little behind

2011-02-21T20:50:00.000-08:00

I am a little behind with posting pictures. Here of Baby Bear's little friend she made this weekend.

This is Cornelius, he is a sweet pug. I'll hopefully get back to the lessons soon. Life happens and it has been crazy busy.

{Fitness Corner} Sometimes life happens

2011-02-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

I have been doing well to keep my routine going. This week, I have been focusing on training for a 5K. I haven't been training hard or anything, but just shifting gears from strength training to running more. I've been able to keep it up with 4-5 days a week of working out, which has been great and leaves me feeling good.

Well, it looks like things might have to change. My workout time at the gym is before work. Well I am going to have to alter my workout schedule since I was just asked to join a weekly research team meeting on Wednesday mornings. So this meeting is probably going to cut into my workout time. My workout time is timed just so that I can drop Baby Bear off at daycare, workout for 20-30 minutes (depends on how cooperative Baby Bear was that morning in getting out the door on time), shower and get ready, and then walk to my office (it is nice having a nice gym on campus). Having a meeting in the mornings means either cutting my workout time or not working out that morning.

I will see how I might be able to manage it. It is not the end of the world. Wednesdays I also do yoga, so I get two workouts in that day. So it might not be so bad. But it is a bit disappointing since I am not a fan of morning meetings. Work is work and I have to do it and be a team player

{Creative Corner} Valentine's Day cards

2011-02-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is coming and I designed a Valentine's Day card for Baby Bear to give out to her daycare friends.

A Walk for MS

2011-02-08T09:11:00.001-08:00

One of my oldest and dearest friends, John Juniper, was recently diagnose with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is an unpredictable neurological disease that could prevent him from walking someday. He has chosen to start an Interferon therapy that should slow the disease progression, but to date there is no cure for MS.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to moving us closer toward a world free of MS, but they can't do it without our help. I will be participating in Walk MS 2011 in Rancho Cucamonga on April 9, 2011. I am joining The J Crew for John and will walk with them to support this important cause.

Please help by making a donation to support my fundraising efforts. Money raised will support education, advocacy, research, and local programs that enhance the quality of life for people with MS and their families. Click here to visit my personal web page to make a secure, online donation. If you prefer, you can mail a check to the National MS Society, Walk MS, 2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Please be sure to put my name and our team name, The J Crew, in the memo portion of the check so it will be credited to my fundraising efforts.

Join me at the walk! Walk MS is our rallying point, a time and a place for our communities to come together to raise funds and celebrate hope for the future. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to moving us toward a world free of MS. They fund research into effective MS therapies and also help people with MS to live powerful, meaningful lives. I believe in the work they do.

Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. We appreciate your support and look forward to keeping you updated as the event draws nearer.

{Photo Corner} Week 6: Lesson 4 Flash

2011-02-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

This week's lesson was on the flash. Basically, when to use a flash and things to consider when you use a flash such as distance and glare. It also covers using your flash outdoors.

The challenge for this lesson required to go outdoors and use a flash. I wasn't able to do the first part of the challenge since it asked that you go out on a gray day. And though it is winter time, in Southern California we had beautiful 70 degree weather this weekend. I love living in So Cal!

The second part of the challenge was to use fill flash to eliminate dark shadows on the face on a bright day. With beautiful weather, this was something I could do!

This picture is without a flash with my favorite model.

Here is another picture of Baby Bear, with the flash this time.

Here is another set. First without a flash:

With the flash:

I never would have thought to use a flash outside during the day (Papa Bear even asked why I had the flash on during the day). Even with only an internal flash, it does make a difference in certain situations. I am having so much fun learning about photography.

{Health and Fitness} NROL4W Stage 2 complete

2011-02-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

Wow, it felt like I just started stage 2 and it is now done. I guess stage 1 took longer because it was a longer and I was doing it 2 days a week. I now have 3 days a weeks to devote to it and that made the stage 2 speed on by. I like the program and that it does move along so it doesn't seem like I am doing the same thing all the time. Plus, I know that it is better to switch things up a bit so that my body continues to work and be challenged. I am look forward to the new challenge ahead.

I am going to take the next couple of week to focus on running before moving to stage 3. A break is recommended in the first place. But I have also committed to doing a 5K in a couple of weeks and have done nothing to train. I did the Desert Dash 5K last year and I remember the terrain was really steep, pretty much uphill the entire way. So I do not expect to break any records or even run the majority of it. But I do feel the need to start up some training even if I do plan to most walk it.

I am feeling stronger. I haven't weighed myself or anything but weight loss was never my goal. My goal was to build strength, tone, and define. Of course, I should really work on what I eat to lose fat but I was never one to diet. I do need to focus on eating healthier and I need to make a conscious effort to limit my treats. I have been overdoing it a little bit and I need to watch that more. It is all about moderation and finding the right balance. I am working on it.

{Photo Corner} Week 5: A red retro kitchen

2011-02-03T20:35:00.000-08:00

I wasn't able to do lesson 4 because it requires you to go outside and it is generally dark by the time I get home, so I will have to wait until the weekend to do the next lesson. For now I leave you with a few pictures of a kitchen...

Baby Bear's new play kitchen. Isn't it just too cute!

The knobs actually work!

Practicing this white balance thing a little more. I think I might be getting the hang of it. At least I think the coloring in these photos are way better when I use a custom white balance setting. I did try the other pre-sets.

For some pictures of Baby Bear playing with her new kitchen, check out her blog.

Welcome February!

2011-02-01T11:42:00.000-08:00

Yay to February! It is the best month of the year, which also happens to be my birthday month. That is right just 27 more days until one of the most important days of the year!!

Welcome February!

{Health and Fitness} My workout schedule

2011-01-27T20:36:00.000-08:00

One of the big goals is to increase the intensity and rigor of my workout and get back to my yoga regular practice. So far so good. I think I have found a schedule that works for me for now.

Monday - New Rules of Lifting for Women (NROL4W)
Tuesday - rest
Wednesday - NROL4W and yoga
Thursday - interval runs
Friday NROL4W
Saturday - jog with baby bear
Sunday - rest

I have been able to work it with Papa Bear to be able to take my yoga class again. So every Wednesday night, he takes over to get Baby Bear bathed and ready for bed so that I can go to my yoga class. I love being able to get back into it. I love yoga and it feels amazing and helps to have that time to myself. I am not exactly at the same level that I used to be, but I am working my way back. It just feels so great. You know a yoga class is great when you are sweating (and I am not talking about doing Bikram or hot yoga). Monica - thank you for a great class every week.

When I started the NROL4W, I was doing it 2 days a week. I have been able to add an extra day which is what they recommend and I am able to add a day of running by bringing Baby Bear with me in the jogging stroller.

The NROL4W is a nice program so far, I am in Stage 2 and I am sore and feeling stronger every day. I am increasing the weight slowly and I am feeling good. I think it is a great workout plan. I am moving along the program nicely. What I like most about it is that it is not this plan where you just do it for 30 days or something like that. I like the progressive nature of the program. Granted I am only in Stage 2.

So I am working well toward my goal for balance with health and fitness. It is so important for me and such a big part of who I am. The two weeks where I had to take a hiatus due to moving and Baby Bear's pneumonia were rough weeks. There were days in that period where I thought I was going to lose it. The loss of balance in my life really threw me; I was exhausted, stressed, unhappy, and just falling apart. Now that I am getting back on track with my health and fitness, it really makes a difference to provide me with some balance. It gives me a few moments to myself where I just get to focus on me and it makes a huge difference in my quality of life. It is good for me; not just for my body but also for my mind and soul.

{Photo Corner} Week 4: Lesson 3 The Color of Light

2011-01-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

I hope to be back on track with my photography lessons. The third lesson was on light and white balance. "White balance is simply a fancy way of setting the color temperature of your image." There are several White Balance settings: cloudy, tungsten, bright sun, and florescent. However, the best way is to use a custom white balance, which forces the camera to set its white balance for the exact lighting situation that you are shooting.

Automatic White Balance (AWB)

Tungsten setting. You don't really see a drastic difference between the two photos.

Custom White Balance. Here is where you see less of a orange cast on the photo.

I really enjoy learning about photography and how to use my manual settings.

{Photo Corner} Week 3: Growing Up

2011-01-20T22:51:00.000-08:00

This week I didn't have time to do the 3rd lesson, so instead for my 52 week challenge I took a few pictures on my favorite subject, Baby Bear!

Still learning to take better photos...

{Photo Corner} Week 2: Lesson 2 ISO and Shutter Speed

2011-01-10T22:23:00.000-08:00

Lesson 2 is on ISO and Shutter Speed.

ISO, or film speed, is really just a setting to determine how quickly an image will be captured by either the film or digital sensor. The higher the ISO, the quicker the image will be captured and the less light that is required. The lower the ISO, the longer it takes for the image to be captured and the more light you will need.

general rule of thumb:

100 - 200 sunny and outdoors
400 in the shade, overcast, indoors with good light
800 - 1600 indoors, low light conditions, sports or action

Shutter speed is how quickly the shutter, or the little door that opens in front of your film or image sensor, operates. It can range from several seconds (or minutes on the Bulb setting) to 1/1600 of a second or faster.

general rule of thumb:

use a tripod or flat surface to steady your hand for anything 1/50th or under
if you are handholding, use a minimum of 1/60th. Hold your breath while taking the photo to reduce camera shake.
fast moving objects require at least 1/1000 to freeze the action.

My photos from the weekly challenge:

1/80 speed with ISO 1600

1/1000 speed with ISO 1600.

You can see that the action in the second photo is frozen more than first. Pretty cool!

{Photo Corner} Week 1: Lesson 1 - Aperture

2011-01-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

One of my goals was to get more creative by learning to use my new DSLR camera in manual.

My camera: Canon Rebel T2i. I love it!

So to challenge myself and help me meet my 2011 goal, I am doing a 52 week challenge in which I take a photo once a week. I had thought about a 365 challenge but didn't think that was very feasible with my lifestyle and schedule to take a photo a day. So 52 weeks it is. For the first 12 weeks, I am doing a 12 week online course with a few friends. Each lesson has several challenges to help you learn each concept.

The first lesson is on aperture or f/stop. The size of the aperture, or f/stop, of a lens determines how much of your photograph is in focus. The f/stop numbers refer to how open or closed the aperture on the lens is. Basically:

low f/stop = less of your photo will be in focus.
high f/stop = MORE of your photo will be in focus.

So here are my photos from the weekly challenge using different f/stops.

f/3.5. You can see that the background is blurry in this photo.

f/8. Here you can see that the background has a little more clarity.

f/22. With the larger f/stop you can clearly see the flowers on the window. A great deal more clarity.

It was fun to learn something about taking photos in manual rather than relying on auto. I am excited that I can see the differences among the photos as well. On to the next lesson...

Happy 2011

2011-01-05T22:30:00.000-08:00

It is a new year. We are in our newly remodeled home (I will post some pictures later) and it is great. I am not one to make New Year's resolutions rather I usually make some goals for the year. I hadn't really got the chance to think about any goals for this new year since we had been so busy with the move. So now that I have had a chance to think more about it, I realized that I need to focus more on myself. I have been so busy being mommy, that I haven't really had the chance to do the things I like or want to do. So this year is about carving out time for me. Yes, I am Mama Bear, but I am also me. My needs have been put aside for 19 months, but I think it is time to find a balance between meeting my needs and the needs of my family.

My goals for 2011:

Get creative. There are two things that I hope to do to be more creative.

Learn to use my camera in manual. I got a new DSLR camera for Christmas. I had been wanting one for years and I finally got one and I am so excited to be able to use it. Several of my friends are doing an online 12 week lesson. So this will get me on my way. I've already completed week 1 and I will start posting the results of my lessons here as well.
Continue to design invitations. I enjoy designing and last year go back into it with designing Baby Bear's birthday invitation, my friend's baby shower invitation, and my grandmother's 90th birthday invitation. It has been so fun to have a creative outlet and I am currently designing an invitation for a friend's baby shower. I will share that here soon.

Revisit what I enjoy doing to stay balanced. Being balanced helps me to be a better mommy and less stressed and I really feel that it is time to focus a little on myself so that I can have the patience to deal with the challenges of parenting and have a clear head to parent more positively.

Increase the intensity and rigor of my workout. Before becoming Mama Bear, I exercised and worked out regularly. I still do that, but the intensity and level of my activity was much more rigorous. Part of it is carving the time for it, but it is also about making it a priority. It is important for me to be in shape and I need to make it a bigger priority. I started the New Rules of Lifting for Women the end of last year. I finished stage 1 and I am now into stage 2. I will admit I slacked off with stage 2 when the holidays hit and we began our move. I am ready to get back at it.
Get back to my regular yoga practice. I absolutely love yoga, but I haven't been able to regularly go to classes like I did before Baby Bear was born. I tried on multiple occasions. Now that Baby Bear is older and we are in our house, I am making this a priority. I went to a class tonight and it was fabulous. I felt so refreshed and amazing. I want to feel like that all the time.

Pamper myself on occasion. This one is a bit of a challenge since it requires me to spend money, which is something we don't have a lot of since spending and hemorrhaging (as Papa Bear likes to say) so much money on our remodel. We really should be saving to replenish the money spent. But nevertheless I do think is an important part of focusing on me.

Get a manicure and pedicure once in a while. I haven't had a real manicure or pedicure since the day before Baby Bear was born. Being that Baby Bear is now 19 months old, that was 19 months ago! I am not talking about doing this on a regular basis, but it is nice to be pampered once in a while. I don't have a particular goal with regard to frequency. Maybe once every two-three months as a treat. I think that may be reasonable, we will have to see how our wallet likes that one.
Dress less frumpy. I just feel like I have very little time to make myself look beautiful each day. I am not talking about dressing up and being glamorous, just helping myself to feel less blah looking each day. I need some new clothes that fit. My pre-pregnancy clothing fit, but my body has changed so they don't fit as well as they used to. I am particular about the way clothes fit and look on me. I find that lately I don't feel good about how I look because clothes don't fit me right. Again, I don't want to spend a lot of money and I really don't have a lot of time to shop either. So this particular goal is going to be quite challenging, but I am going to try to make an effort to solve this issue. Not sure how quite yet.

De-clutter. Now that we are in our newly remodeled home, we have a little more space. But just because we have more space doesn't mean we can have more things. Packing and moving has made me realize that we have too much stuff and I think it is time for me to go through what we have to de-clutter and to pare down. On top of what we have at home, we have stuff in storage. It is time to really think about what we need and what is just clutter.

So there we have it, my goals for 2011.

I know she is with us

2010-12-17T09:34:00.001-08:00

Tricia, you are greatly missed. Three years ago, Tricia was taken from us. She was taken too early by breast cancer. I miss my sister-in-law. Though she is not present on earth with us, I know that she is here watching over us.

I was thinking of her this morning. As I was thinking of her something wonderful happened. Somehow she came to my rescue. I truly believe she was my angel to make things happen. We have been preparing for our move next week and I have been trying to arrange for Baby Bear's care so that I can focus on the move. Trust me it will be so much easier if she is not here, she is a busy girl and will most likely get into everything that she is not supposed to. I had most days covered except for Thursday, which happens to be the day that we move most everything. I got a call this morning from my mother-in-law and her appointment that prevented her from taking Baby Bear was canceled. This all happened as I was thinking of Tricia. Coincidence or not, I believe that Tricia was watching over us and helping to lift some stress from our lives. Thank you Tricia. I love you and I miss you.

So much to do this Holiday Season

2010-12-15T13:57:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays. This year is no different despite the chaos. We are hoping to move into our newly remodeled home next week. Just days before Christmas. And yes we are going to spend Christmas in our home. We may not be totally moved in but we will have Christmas in our house!

Papa Bear has been working like crazy to get it all done. There are painters, electricians, and carpenters (oh my!) at the house. Everything is all scheduled and hopefully the rain will clear up by early next week so that we can move in. I am excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. I have so much to do, I have to pack, move, and then unpack before people come on Christmas day. The day after we are hosting a holiday party. I have to cook and bake, wrap Christmas presents, get a Christmas tree, decorate, and many things that I can't even wrap my head around.

It is hard to prioritize what to do since space is limited and many things are being packed up. Do I wrap presents now? If I do then where do I put them so they don't get ruined or lost while moving. I am not sure. I am trying to pack but is also hard to organize myself. I know there is much that we no longer need, so I should sort as I pack. It is just all overwhelming.

Overwhelming as it may be, it will all be okay. We may not be totally moved in but we will definitely have a memorable Christmas as a family in our house. That to me feels really good.

Our Kitchen: Refrigerator purchased

2010-12-08T22:24:00.000-08:00

We bought our new refrigerator tonight. I am very excited and can't wait to use it in my new kitchen. We picked out the Samsung 28.0 Cu. Ft. French Door Refrigerator in Stainless-Steel. It is a really nice looking fridge and I really like the FlexZone drawer feature that will come in handy when Baby Bear is older. It will be a great place for her snacks and drinks. It has a lot of great features that we really liked. I hope it will work as well as we hope it will. It will be delivered next Tuesday!

Everything is starting to come together.

Our Kitchen: More progress

2010-12-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

Lots of progress is being made very quickly. We are planning to host our annual Christmas party with a group of close friends. The evite went out on December 1st, so there is no turning back now. We are committed. We have been slated to host for years, but have put it off since we didn't have the space. This year we said we would be ready to host and Papa Bear is working very hard to get us there. These photos were taken last month and much more progress has been made since then. Here are a few photos of the kitchen.

The hardwood floors are in.

The glass tile backsplash was installed. It looks kind of green in the photo, but it is actually more of beige color in real life.

Since this picture was taken the dishwasher has been installed in that hole.

We are getting closer and closer every day.

The New Rules of Lifting for Women

2010-09-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law recently gave me a copy of The New Rules of Lifting for Women (NROLFW). I had heard of it before and wanted to check it out, so I was really excited that she had an extra copy and gave it to me. I finally got the chance to sit down and read it (it is not often in the last year that I have had the opportunity to read anything that was not baby related).

I really enjoyed what the book had to say. It dispels many of the myths of lifting weights for women. I have always known the benefits of lifting and actually preferring strength training to cardio, so I really liked what the authors had to say. I agreed with much of what they had to say and learned some new things as well.

The workout plan seems very doable. I have been looking to make a change in my workout routine and needed a good plan to follow to see better results. I have just been winging it in terms of my strength training. I knew I needed something that would fit into my busy schedule as a working mother. NROLFW is just what I need. It is a routine that is done 2-3 times a week and it is a full body workout that can be done in less than an hour. Perfect for my schedule. With my schedule and commitments, I have 4 mornings available to workout. The ideal is to follow their plan 3 days a week with a full rest day between workouts, however I only have 2 days with a rest in between to devote with my schedule. The other 2 days I have will be my cardio (rest) days. It is a 6 month program doing it 3 days a week, so it will be a little longer for me. That is just fine with me, I realize and understand that it takes time. My goals are long term.

I really appreciate that the plan is efficient use of time. They talk about doing functional exercises that not just isolate but work several muscles at a time. That makes a lot of sense to me. It really isn't an efficient use of my time to do bicep curls that only work my biceps when I can do a push up that works so much more. Plus, I actually love push ups. I know I am crazy.

So I look forward to going through this program and started this week and so far so good. My legs are definitely feeling it. I think I may need to increase the weight to feel it in my upper body. I do think I can keep this up. I am not very good at following programs on my own, but I really think this is something I can do. This program is very doable.

Our Kitchen: Before and in progress

2010-08-22T18:42:00.000-07:00

The granite counter tops are in!!! Here are some photos with the new cabinets (still need to get the backsplash in):

Some close-up photos of the granite. I love it!

We still have to get the glass tile backsplash up. We had a sample of the white glass tile backsplash, but I didn't like how it looked, it was too stark white with the granite. We just need a color that is closer to the color of the granite, an off-white or cream, which shouldn't be a problem. There is still much work to do, but we have come a long way. Take a look at some before shots of the kitchen:

Here is a picture of the kitchen after Mr. Bear tore out the wall joining the dining room and kitchen.

Our Kitchen: The granite

2010-08-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

We went to Arizona Tile in Ontario, CA to pick out granite for our kitchen counter tops over the weekend. What a great showroom and a painless experience. I thought that I had an idea in my head of what I wanted. I wanted lighter colored granite. But after walking around and looking at all the beautiful granite, I started to become unsure. There were many options and they were all so beautiful. Granite really is beautiful. Papa Bear told me to pick out what ever I wanted and he said that there really was no way to go wrong with granite since it is just beautiful. So it really was up to me to find the right fit for our kitchen.

I had found one that I really liked and Papa Bear agreed it was very special, but it had a lot of variations within the slab. It was called Typhoon Bordeaux; it started off with some browns and golds with burgundy on the top half and then gradually changed to a cream with gray, burgundy, and gold on the bottom half. It was indeed beautiful with all the variations in the granite, but Papa Bear reminded me that we would be using about a 2 foot part of the slab for the counter tops so not all of the variations that I liked would show up (the slabs were really big, maybe 7-8 feet tall and 10 feet wide). I am glad he brought that up. I really liked the cream part of the slab especially since I was sure I wanted to go with light granite; but we would have to get the entire slab. A little disappointed, I walked around more to take another look while Papa Bear went off with Baby Bear. He went and talked to the sales person and he told the sales person what I was looking for. The sales person mentioned that he had some slabs of that same granite that was just the cream colored part. It was the same but the cut of granite only had the lighter part.

Meanwhile, I walked around and looked at all the granite again. I found two lighter colored granite styles that I kind of liked and asked Papa Bear to look at a couple of them. He mentioned that the original one we liked came in just the lighter variation of the granite. So we asked them to pull out a few different slabs so that I could take a better look at them and make a final decision. We picked the Typhoon Bordeaux that was all cream. I am so glad that Papa Bear mentioned to the sales person what I liked because they only had 3 slabs left. We need only need 2 slabs but they like to reserve 3 slab just in case something happens along the way. Granite can break and when working with the heavy large slabs you never know what will happen.

Here it is.

These pictures are from the website (the second photo shows it close up):

The pictures does not do it any justice, it is really beautiful with some burgundy, gold, and gray in it. It really is special and exactly what I was looking for. I thought it would be so much harder to pick something out. And before I saw this one; I had narrowed it down to 2 others that I liked but but did not love. Thank goodness Papa Bear likes to talk to people, because as soon as they brought this one out, I told Papa Bear: "That is it!." I had no doubts. I can't wait to see it with my cabinets.

Kitchen Design

2010-07-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

Our new (new to us) custom kitchen cabinet are all in and Papa Bear purchased our cast iron kitchen sink and faucet. I am excited to have this large sink.

I have always loved the look of white cabinets with a white tile backsplash. But our cabinets are a beautiful cherry wood and so I had to do a little research on what look color counter tops to go with these cabinets. We will have oak wood floors put in to match our existing oak floors in the rest of the house. So that is a lot of wood and darkness especially considering that the kitchen doesn't have a lot of natural light; we only have one big garden window. So I thought that light colored granite counter tops would brighten up the kitchen and would go nicely with our cast iron sink.

I haven't found a picture of a kitchen that clearly depicts how I picture it in my head. This kitchen is fairly close. It has light colored counter tops and simple white tile backsplash, which is along the lines of what I am going for. Plus the island is white cabinets, which we have a cabinet that joins the kitchen and dining room that will also be white. This picture shows me that all those parts can go together.

I shared my thoughts with Papa Bear and while he like the idea of light granite to brighten up the darker woods, he wasn't too thrilled about the white tile backsplash. He had installed some under the cabinet lighting and he wanted a backsplash that would pick up the light and be a little more exciting. He wanted something a little more special.

He suggested glass tile. I wasn't quite sure about the glass tile backsplash, the glass tile I had seen are usually small and look like mosaics. While beautiful, it just wasn't my style nor was it the classic look that I was going for. Then he found this white glass tile backsplash (the white tiles beneath the cabinets in the picture below).

It is a white glass tile that is larger in size than the smaller tiles you usually see with glass tile. I love it. It brings a modern touch to a classic traditional white tile backsplash. Plus, the under the cabinet lighting will really make these tile pop and bring a little specialness to the whole design. Those are the ideas for now, as we go things may change as a I am sure they will. Papa Bear ordered some samples of the glass tile and soon we will go pick out granite. I may totally fall in love with something else as time goes by.

Home remodel back on track!

2010-06-09T10:44:00.000-07:00

For three years, we have been living in the back apartment while the front house was undergoing a remodel. We put the remodel on hold when the recession started and Papa Bear's business slowed down. Then I got pregnant and we once again started on the remodel. But Papa Bear's work starting to pick up again and when there is work, Papa Bear has to work. We had hoped to be in the house by the time Baby Bear was born, but that did not happen since Papa Bear was pretty busy with work. It was a good thing that Papa Bear was busy because that meant income, which is important when you have a baby.

Now Baby Bear is a one year old and walking! Papa Bear is really motivated to get us in the front house and has told me that we will be there by Labor Day. Papa Bear has been working really hard the last few weeks and has taken some time off to devote to our home remodel (usually he is working on other people's homes, so our home usually falls down on the priority list).

Our house was built in 1913 and Papa Bear has had the electrical work redone in our garage, had the exterior paint touched up and finished, had the rock work on our chimney and porch fixed, and had our hardwood oak floors patched up. Papa Bear has made a lot of progress on our kitchen. Initially, we did not plan to replace our cabinets since that was out of our budget. So we were going to live with the old cabinets for the time being. But Papa Bear was able to get us some beautiful custom built cherry wood cabinets for our kitchen for almost free! A client was tearing out these beautiful kitchen cabinets and replacing them. Papa Bear offered to demolition the kitchen for free and in doing so was able to take the kitchen cabinets. So we got custom cabinets for the cost of labor to have some of his workers remove the cabinets. Papa Bear measured out all the cabinets and got out his trusty pencil, graph paper, and ruler to design a kitchen that would work with the cabinets and he did a wonderful job! It was almost as if those cabinets were custom made for our kitchen.

Over the weekend, Papa Bear demolished our existing kitchen cabinets with the help of his father and he installed the cabinets. The other day he purchased our new stainless steel LG kitchen appliances:

Aren't they beautiful. They go very nicely with the dishwasher that we got from the Ellen Show last year (which Papa Bear designed the cabinets around). I am so excited to have a beautiful kitchen. I can't wait to use them.

There is still much for Papa Bear to do: granite counter tops and tile backsplash, our bathroom, refinishing the hardwood floors, paint, etc. We are well underway. I will post some kitchen in progress pictures soon. I am so lucky to have such a talented husband.

Ran fo the Red!

2010-05-24T09:08:00.000-07:00

I completed my 10K yesterday. My legs are a little sore today. I ran the 10K in 1:12 and I feel really good about that time. My goal was to do it in under 1:20 and I was hoping for 1:15, so I made it well within my goal. It is the first 10K I have done since Baby Bear was born and the last one I did was 4 days after finding out I was pregnant and I did that in 1:11. So I didn't do too bad.

It was a great run through the Claremont Colleges. Fortunately, I know the terrain well. No crazy hills, just a nice scenic run through the colleges. It was the first annual Run for the Red and for the first time putting on the event, it was organized very nicely and had a nice turn out. I think I will do this one again. It is close to home and it is at work. I run this area every week, so no real surprises. Just a fun run.

A few friends ran as well and did really well. For my friend, Aileen, it was her first 10K and she did a wonderful job. We had been training on the weekends and she does better and better every week as we add distance. I am very proud of her! What an accomplishment.

Despite being a little sore (I didn't really stretch after the run, which was a mistake), I feel great. It was nice to have Baby Bear and Papa Bear at the finish line cheering me on. I am ready for the next one!

10 years ago I met a boy

2010-05-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

Ten years ago today I met a boy at Cinco de Mayo party. Seven years later on Cinco de Mayo I married that boy. After 3 years of marriage and a decade as a couple, we are still smiling and loving each other. Happy Anniversary my love!

Photo by Amy Squires

Time for myself

2010-04-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

I need to remember to take the time for myself. I get so consumed with being a mom, wife, and employee, that I often forget to take time to just be me. I have carved out time to workout and go for runs, so that has been a start. But nothing more than that. Until today; I had a pedicure. The first professional pedicure that I have had in 10 months!! My last one was the day I went into labor. A professional pedicure is just so much better than painting your own toes.

I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful husband. He took Baby Bear for the morning. I went of a jog/walk with a friend, took a nice long, hot shower (it is nice not to rush through a shower), and got a pedicure. I also had time to vacuum and start a load of laundry without a baby yelling at me for my attention (I couldn't help it I had to get some chores done).

I love my Baby Bear, but sometimes I just need some time to myself to relax and unwind. Sometimes I need a little time without Baby Bear to pick up around the house. Baby Bear can be very clingy and demanding of my time. I want to spend as much time as possible with her, but a little time away helps me to be a better mommy. A person can feel a little trapped by having someone so dependent on you. And I was beginning to feel that way. I was beginning to feel like I had to run away. I do get time away when I go to work during the week, but I am work working. I needed time to just be by myself and relax.

To top of the day, Mr. Bear and I had a date night. We went to dinner, just the two of us. I had the chance to eat dinner without rushing through dinner. I even ordered a mai tai with my dinner. I only drank half of it, when I realized that I was feeling a buzz. Wow, it has been forever since I've had a real drink since I am still breastfeeding.

Run for the Red 10K

2010-04-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

I signed up to run the Red Cross Run for the Red 10K. I've been running 3 days a week and working my way up to running a 10K. I decided that a 10K would be more challenging and motivating for me versus the 5K. I haven't ran a 10K since the relay triathlon that I did just a few days after I found out I was pregnant.

I don't have a particular goal except to finish the 10K. I would like to maintain an 11-12 minute mile and try to finish in about 1:15 or so. That is not a speedy goal, but I have never been a very fast runner and that has seemed to me my average speed right now, so if I can keep that up through the 6 or so miles I would be pleased.

I have been running with two different friends during the week. That has really helped to keep me accountable to getting out and running at least 2 days a week. Having someone to run with also helps pass the time. I try to get a another run in one more day a week on my own to get 3 days in a week. So far, so good. I have a little less than 2 months until the 10K so I have plenty of time to train. I am excited that I am getting back in the groove and help me to lose the last 5 lbs that seems to be holding on. Although it may hold on until I finally wean Baby Bear for breastfeeding, but a girl can hope.

The Desert Dash 5K

2010-02-17T20:34:00.000-08:00

This weekend we went to the river. A few friends and I ran the Desert Dash 5K while we were out there. It is a 5k that ends at the Desert Bar. What 5K ends up at a bar? Well, Papa Bear and Baby Bear were at the finish line to support me. This is a 5K that Papa Bear enjoys to cheer me on ! Especially, since he gets to wait for me at a bar, LOL.

It was the first 5K I have ran since having Baby Bear. I have been getting back into running, so I was excited to run this 5K. It was a pretty tough course; the terrain was rough (being that we were running a dirt road in the desert) and the majority of the course was uphill. I did pretty well for the first 2 miles, but that last uphill mile was killer and I ended up walking the majority of the last mile. I don't know what my time was because I forgot to check. But I was just proud of myself for finishing and making an attempt to run as much as I did (especially with it being a lot of uphill running). It felt good to get a 5K under my belt. I still have a ways to go to get myself back into shape. Although I do not know what my time was, my time was pretty slow. Plus, the fact that I started to poop out during the last mile tells me that I need to work on my stamina more.

Tennis elbow - Confirmed

2010-02-03T12:40:00.000-08:00

Last year, I found myself injured and self-diagnosed myself with tennis elbow. Well, I finally went to the doctor and she confirmed it. The treatment, other than anti-inflammatory medications, is to change the way I use my right arm. Easier said than done, especially with a baby in tow. What I find myself often doing is carrying around Baby Bear with my left arm and using my free arm to lift and do everything else. That is most likely what led to the inflammation in my elbow. With Baby Bear so clingy lately, it will definitely be hard to change things up right now. But I really don't have much of a choice if I want it to get better.

Sadly, for now I have to lay off lifting weights, which I actually prefer to do over cardio. My buff biceps will have to wait. Hopefully, I can heal before the weather warms up so that I can tone my arms before the tank top season comes.

Run time

2010-02-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

My run time has once again improved! My mile time today was 11:40. Not the fastest time in the world, but then again I was never the fastest runner. This is pretty close to where I used to be. I am very proud of myself. Now that I have improved time and ability to actually run a whole mile, I need to work on distance to get myself 5K ready.

It feels good to be moving again. Now if only I can sleep more again, but that is a whole other story.

Yay, it's February!!

2010-02-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

My favorite month of the year!! Why? Because it is my birthday month and it means that 27 days until my birthday! Wohoo! It doesn't matter that it is a short month or that my birthday falls on the last day of the year (except on leap years, where I get an extended birthday). It is just hands down the best month of the year!!

I am turning 35 this year and that is kind of crazy. A lot of people freak out when they turn 30, but I welcomed my 30's. I have enjoyed my early 30's. It was a great time. Turning 35 is something different. I can't quite pinpoint how I feel about it. But there is something about it. I will have to reflect on this a little bit more.

Here is to February!! Although shorter than the other months, the best month of them all. After all, good things come in small (shorter) packages. :)

Run time improvement

2010-01-20T10:06:00.000-08:00

After being sick and the rain, I wasn't able to get a run in earlier this week. I finally got one in today after dropping Baby Bear off at daycare. I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill and my mile time has drastically improved since last week! My mile time was 12:22, that is more than a minute off my time from last week.

Even with missing a running session earlier this week, I was still able to improve. Yay!! I have been getting two short runs in a week, although I have been hoping to get three in. I missed out on a run on Monday since I was sick. Usually, I would workout even when I have cold, but since it was raining outside and I had Baby Bear with me, I didn't want to take her out in the jogging stroller in the rain. I am hoping the weather will be dry on Friday so I can get a run in again. I have been running about a mile and half each time I am out, I hope to get some 2 mile runs in. As my time improves, I should be able to. My time is limited so as I get better I should be able to run farther. I am very happy with my progress.

Back in the swing of things

2010-01-13T14:54:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been pretty sleep deprived and have been choosing sleep over exercise. Considering the little sleep I have been getting in the last week, it is all for the best. This morning, I felt decent enough to get to the gym and run on the treadmill before work. I still running pretty slow, but am working on it. My mile run time was 13:55, at least is was under 14 minutes, but still pretty slow. I am thinking about doing a 5K in March and so that will be a great motivator to get me back in shape. If I can get more sleep, I am sure I can bet back in the swing of things and back to a regular schedule of working out. I really want to get back to it, since that is my alone time and I miss that time to myself.

The end of a decade

2009-12-31T21:34:00.001-08:00

Wow, I can't believe that it is the end of a decade.

In this decade...

I met and fell in love with the man I would marry.
I completed my Ph.D.
I got my first real job.
I learned to crochet.
I bought my first car on my own (I always had hand me downs).
I made many new and wonderful friends.
I moved 4 times.
I lost my sister-in-law.
I married my best friend.
I paid off all my credit cards.
I ran a 10K and a relay triathlon.
I became a mother (probably the best things that happened to me this decade).

The last 10 years were packed with so much, some great and some not so great (losing my sister-in-law in particular). Lets see what the next decade holds for me.

Not the mama

2009-12-29T22:43:00.001-08:00

I used to watch this show as a kid. I have been trying to remember what the show was called and my brother reminded me today.

Injured, ugh!

2009-12-22T21:10:00.000-08:00

I think that I have tennis elbow. I have been experiencing pain in my elbow and forearm. At first I thought it was just muscle soreness from starting to lift weights and doing my push-ups, but my right arm has continued to hurt. Sometimes lifting my water bottle to drink hurts. I was talking to a friend about it and he mentioned that it might be tennis elbow and that I should probably lay off push-ups and lifting. I don't really like that solution, but I supposed it is what I need to do. It is tough to not lift anything at all, since Baby Bear does need to be carried more often than not. So my healing process will probably be slowed due to her demands. Just when I thought I was getting back on track I hit another roadblock.

Since I have to put the 100 push-ups on the back burner, I am going to try to focus on cardio and running. My mile time is atrocious, so that I will be working on a time that is more acceptable to me. I have never been a fast runner, so I am realistic about it and I know I have to take it a little slow at first because of my knees. (They have been bothering me too. I know I am falling apart.) But I just got new running shoes, so maybe that will help. I sure hope so.

Motherhood is wonderful, but it has done a number on my body. I have to remember to be patient since it has only been 6 months postpartum. I will get there; I know I will.

Two years

2009-12-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

Two years ago today Tricia was taken from us by cancer. Her memory is still very strong in our hearts and minds and will always be so.

Tricia, you are not forgotten. You are always in our heart and memories. I think of you often and I miss you.

100 push up update and a new gym

2009-12-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

I am finally back on track with my 100 push up training. I am on week 3 of the training and I have to go down a level of training. Missing training has a definite impact on your progress. But that is life and being a new mommy has a toll on you. I am still suffering from sleep deprivation but I am doing my best.

I have found a new workout schedule that seems to be working for me. I have free access to the gym at the college that I work at. It is a new gym and last week I started going before heading back to work. So far that has been working out for me. I drop Baby Bear off a little earlier and get a 30 minute workout in (I wish I had more time, but that is all I can squeeze in right now). I shower and change and then walk over to my office a little later than usual. I think this has been the best bet for me. I have worked out more in the last week and a half than I have in the last 2 months since I came back to work. So this is great. Lunch time workout were not working, but so far this new schedule is working.

I definitely have a ways to go before getting back to the level I once was at. I ran on the treadmill yesterday morning and my time was really sad. It took me almost 14 minutes to run a mile. Now that is sad, you would have thought I was walking. I just have to keep on working to get my stamina back. All in time.

100 push-up update and step class

2009-11-24T22:17:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest, I been slacking off with my 100 push-ups training. Mostly because Baby Bear has been sick and then Papa Bear got sick, so essentially I had two sick babies. That meant I wasn't getting much sleep at all so week 3 of training went out the door. I know excuses, excuses. I promise myself that I will be back on track next week.

On a positive note, today I had the chance to go to the gym and take a step class. I hadn't taken a step class since I was pregnant. It kicked my butt a bit, but it felt so good to be challenged! I have been walking a lot with Baby Bear (she is not quite old enough for me to be able to run with the jogging stroller, hopefully soon) but it is not the same as doing a really good workout. It was really nice to get to the gym. It is tough to find the time. I tried fitting in lunch time workouts and did so for a week or so, but that was not very successful since I generally have to pump during lunch and many times end up working through lunch. It is going to take me a little more time to find a way to fit exercise back into my life. I just keep having to to try different times during the week and hopefully I will be able to find something that will work into my life and schedule.

100 push-ups: Week 2 update

2009-11-17T10:34:00.000-08:00

I am a little late with my week 2 update (I had a sick Baby Bear to deal with the last couple of days). Week 2 was tougher but I survived. At the end of the week, I did the exhaustion test and I completed good 24 push-ups. That means that for week 3, I will go to the second level of training. I was just 2 push-ups away from the third level of training, but I could not push out another push-up. Let's see how I do this week.

Autism Walk

2009-11-15T20:02:00.001-08:00

We walked on Saturday and I raised just under $300 for Autism Speaks. Our team raised $1600. Not bad! Thank you to everyone who supported Baby Bear and I in our walk. For some pictures, check out Baby Bear's blog.

It is not the most organized walk, but it is for a good cause and it is pretty cool to get to walk on the field of Angels Stadium.

Walk for Autsim - reaching our Goal!

2009-11-09T09:41:00.000-08:00

Saturday is the Walk for Autism and Baby Bear and I have already surpassed our fundraising goal!! Thank you to all who have donated!

If you would still like to donate, it is not too late to help out. Click here to go to my personal web page and help me and Baby Bear in our efforts to support Autism Speaks.

100 push-ups: Survived the first week

2009-11-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Made it through the first week of my 100 push-up challenge and training program. Didn't do too bad and did a total of 62 push-ups for day 3. For day 3, the training has you do 5 sets with 120 second rest breaks. So I did 11, 15, 9, 9 for the first 4 sets. The last set, you do as many push-ups as you can manage and I did 18 (10 of them were full push-ups and the last 8 I ended up going on my knees). Not too bad for the first week.

Lunch time yoga

2009-11-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

Today I did a yoga podcast during my lunch break. I turned off the lights in my office and went for it. It felt so great and I feel energized during the afternoon when I usually feel a slump. I am glad I gave it a shot. I think lunch may be my only workout time and so I am going to do my best to keep doing something energizing during lunch time.

100 push-ups: Day 2

2009-11-04T20:46:00.000-08:00

I decided not to move down to the second level and stick it out with the third level. I am doing this to challenge myself and make it to 100 push-ups. I have set the goal to get to at least to 50 consecutive push-ups in my first shot. Because I still working my way to get back in shape, I want to make a realistic goal. It has been a long time since I really did push-ups. I stopped doing push-ups during my pregnancy because my baby bump got in the way. It's hard to do a proper push-up when you belly does not allow you to go down to your chest, LOL!!

100 push-ups: Week 1, Day 1

2009-11-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

I started the training today. I started with level 3 of the workout, which was where my initial test placed me. Yikes, that was tough. I am thinking that I should probably start off with the second level. I made it through but I did not do full push-ups for each set. I will have a rest day tomorrow and then go on to day 2 on Wednesday. It really wasn't so bad.

100 push ups: Initial Test (and yoga!)

2009-10-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

So I am serious about starting my 1o0 push-up training and the first step was to do the initial test to see what level I will start at and how many I can do. I completed 12 full good push-ups. That puts me in the 2nd rank according to the website (I was two away from the 3rd rank just and I couldn't get that 13 push-up out). That is not as bad as I thought I would do. But I also know that I used to be able to do about 20 or so and at one time I could do 30. Because I completed more than 10, that puts in the highest training level (there are 3). Crazy especially since I haven't done any real push-ups in so long. I had to stop some time during the pregnancy since my belly bump got in the way. Now I am ready to get started on Monday. It will be a good way to start a new week and a new month!! Wohoo! I am excited about this.

On top of starting up my 100 push-up training, this morning I went to yoga!! I love yoga. I had been going to yoga classes sporadically during my maternity leave and I was going to a Mommy and Me yoga class. Now that I know that Baby Bear can take a bottle (she was previously on bottle strike) I plan to go to yoga more regularly since I am now confident that Papa Bear can watch Baby Bear without starving her. My back is all out of whack from pregnancy and my epidural and I believe that yoga will help me to strengthen my back again. I know that when I began practicing yoga almost 8 year ago, that my back pains were greatly alleviated. In fact, I rarely had back pains when I started practicing yoga regularly. So I hope that the same will happen once I keep up my practice.

It feels good to getting back to some type of fitness routine. I am well on my way to getting fit. Hurray!!

100 push-up challenge

2009-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

I so need to get back into shape. As a working mother, I am finding it very hard to find the time to workout. Before having Baby Bear, I worked out and exercised 4-6 days a week. I exercised throughout my pregnancy and even went for a nice walk the day I went into labor. Since she has been born, my time to work out has been scarce. I thought I would be back to getting into the gym by now, but I like to spend the little free time I have during the day with Baby Bear.

I really miss getting to the gym and doing an intense workout session and I feel so out of shape that it is very depressing to me. So I figured that I have to do something about it. Looking at my time, I am going to try to get a little exercise in during my lunch breaks. I figure 30-45 minutes a day is better than nothing.

I am going to start the 100 push-ups training program. I have talked before about how I love push-ups. I used to be able to do full push-ups without too much of a problem. Now I am lucky to do a few. So this will be one way to get me back. It is a 3-day a week commitment for 6 weeks, so it is very doable during lunch breaks. Hopefully, I can get a walk or maybe even a run in on the other days.

I am very excited to give it a shot and I will update my progress on this blog to help me stay accountable and to get this blog up and running again. This poor blog has been largely neglected because I have nothing to write about except Baby Bear. So here is something that is just for me that I can start to write about. I am very excited about this challenge and to get fit once again.

Walk Now for Autism

2009-10-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last year I participated in the Walk for Autism and I have signed up to do it once again. This will be Baby Bear's first charity walk (well, she participated last year in the womb). It is never too early to start to give and do something for a good cause.

I have written about why this cause is near and dear to my heart before, you can read about it in my other blog, Sher's Corner.

Click here to go to my personal web page and help me and Baby Bear in our efforts to support Autism Speaks.

Time to change those wiper blades

2009-10-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

The forecast calls for possible rain in Southern California and my car needed new windshield wiper blades. Papa Bear kindly took care of this last night in anticipation of the rain. He went to one store and they were sold out of windshield wiper blades, so he went to another store and got them. He put them on in the parking lot and threw away the packaging and old wiper in the dumpster near the store. The dumpster was filled with old wiper blades and packaging. I guess we weren't the only ones taking care of things in anticipation of the rain.

Thanks Papa Bear for taking care of me! I love you.

A Pooh Bear Sequel

2009-10-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Photo from NPR

A sequel to the Winnie the Pooh books, Return to the Hundred Acre Woods, is coming out. I am totally excited!!!

Listen to the report on NPR.

Update on ways to help

2009-09-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

My wonderful friends set up a few ways that people can help Jewelyn's family.

A P.O. box (thanks Kim!) was set up to accept formula checks (any brand, even checks that are expired!), diaper coupons, or gift cards -- basically anything that can fit in an envelope. Anything not used will be donated to The Liz Logelin Foundation. Send to:

The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971

A memorial fund was set up at Arrowhead Credit Union (thanks, Angelina!), and checks can be made out to The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund. They can be mailed to:

The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971

For those who want to send packages larger than an envelope or shipments from UPS, Fed Ex, etc., please send to:

Brandi Futrell
c/o The Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
14928 S. Maple Avenue
Gardena, CA 90248

There is also the option to contribute via PayPal, that email address is 4jewelyn@gmail.com.

It is absolutely amazing the out pour of support that we have received for Jewelyn's family from all over the world. Thank you to everyone who has helped to get the word out and thank you for your support.

A call for help

2009-09-29T10:12:00.000-07:00

If you follow my other blog, you know that my friend, Jewelyn, passed away on Sunday, September 27th due to an amniotic fluid embolism, just hours after giving birth to her first child, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle is doing well and will be released from the NICU this week. Jewelyn's husband, Philip, is going to need all the help he can get over the coming months and years.

A PO Box has been set up to receive formula checks and diaper coupons. Any and all brands will be accepted, and whatever Philip doesn't use will be donated to the Liz Logelin Foundation.

Formula checks and diaper coupons can be sent to:

Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
PO Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971

All the Single Babies

2009-09-23T21:38:00.001-07:00

Just too cute!!

Hello again!

2009-09-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been some time since I have posted on this blog. I had a baby and life has changed. I worried about losing myself and be so absorbed into motherhood that the other parts of me would be lost. I think that for the first few months while Baby Bear was a newborn it was. Baby Bear needed me so much that I had to be absorbed into motherhood, if I hadn't allowed myself that I would not have been the best mama bear I could possibly be. Is it selfish that I also want to be more than a mother and also be who I have always been? I don't think so and I hope that is not the case.

I love being a mother, it is absolutely amazing. Baby Bear is absolutely amazing and you see more about her on her blog. I have about a month left until I return to work and it is time to focus a fraction of my attention on me. A happy mama = a happy baby.

The one thing I have really wanted to get back into is working out. I have been taking Baby Bear for walks/jogs and going to mommy and Me yoga. But I am not able to workout like I was pre-pregnancy or even to the extent that I did during pregnancy. It is hard to find the time to get back to the gym with a baby who is so dependent on you. So I decided I needed to figure something out.

Today, I started the 30 Day Shred. I've heard so much about it and wanted to try it out before I got pregnant. I started with level 1 and that kicked my butt. I realize that it has been some time since I have done a real workout and I had a baby 3 months ago, but boy am I out of shape. I have a month before I go back to work and who knows what my time will be like once I add work back into the mix. So I figured I better get my butt in gear and make the commitment. I feel great! I love working out and feeling the burn. I missed that so much!!

I do still have baby weight to lose, but I am more concerned about toning back up and getting back to being fit. My goal is not to lose weight as much since I am still breastfeeding, but to get back to my pre-pregnancy fitness level.

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
~Maya Angelou

Prenatal Yoga

2009-05-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

(also posted on Adventures with Baby Bear)

I while back I participated in a yoga video, see blog entry here. Well, I have loved yoga. Yoga practice was a big part of who I was and what I did before I got pregnant. I have been practicing yoga for over 5 years and I continued to practice yoga throughout my pregnancy. Yoga has been wonderful for me. I never took any formal prenatal yoga class, rather I continued to take my yoga class with my favorite yoga instructor, Monica Matthews. I modified my poses to accommodate my growing baby bump.

Yoga is amazing and helped me to feel amazing throughout my pregnancy. It helped with all the aches and pains that accompany pregnancy. It was especially wonderful for back pains and tight hips. The yoga poses helped to keep me strong and flexible; yoga helps you to build awareness of your body and to relax. It has just been absolutely great for me.

Monica asked to take come pictures on me in poses to put on her website. I was absolutely flattered. I was also honored to be in her yoga video which is an awesome yoga video, Yoga - Wherever You Are, for all levels (of course I am a little biased). Here are some of the photos that she took:

Just felt a little earthquake!!

2009-05-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

Did you feel it? It didn't seem real big. But we definitely felt it. Not big but not fun!! We definitely felt it about 45 miles away.

This is what I found on Kcal9.com and here (Thanks Wee):

5.0 earthquake in Los Angeles at about 8:39pm.

EDIT: there was an aftershock of 3.1 at 8:45pm

Procrastination: 2 years later

2009-05-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

It has taken me two years to finally get my wedding dress cleaned. As I have been nesting and getting our home ready for baby bear, I realized that my wedding dress (still in a garment bag) was in the corner of the room waiting to be cleaned. I am not usually a procrastinator, I am usually a planner who gets things done right away. But when it came to getting my wedding dress cleaned I just never got around to it. Well, it is finally off to get cleaned and boxed up. It is definitely time. I loved that dress and although I don't expect Baby Bear to ever wear the dress, I do want to keep it for me.

One of my favorite pictures of my dress:

Happy Mother's Day!!

2009-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothers-to-be!!!

Our Anniversary update

2009-05-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

We had a very nice low key anniversary. It was just perfect since we were together. Mr. Bear got me a dozen red roses that were absolutely beautiful and we went to yummy dinner at PF Changs. The food was good and the company was even better. It is hard to believe that not only have we been married for 712 days (Mr. Bear calculated the days), but we met 9 years ago to the day. Mr. Bear said it was a good 9 years and I agree.

At the end of dinner we got our fortune cookies and strangely enough my fortune cookie had two fortunes in it!! It had one for Baby Bear. What are the chance of that? That was pretty cool. It was nice to have Baby Bear with us to celebrate our special day!!

2 years!!

2009-05-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrate our 2 year wedding anniversary!! I can't believe how quickly time has gone. I can't believe that in about a month we will add to our family a beautiful little Baby Bear.

We are pretty simple and low key people. With all that is going on, we are just going to have a nice low key anniversary. What matters most is that we are together. Each day is a special important day knowing that he is in my life. I cherish and celebrate every day we have with each other. I am so happy to be Mrs. Bear and I am so thankful to have such a wonderful man in my life who is loving, kind, and caring. I know that he loves me and that I am important to him.

We enter this new journey in our family as parents together. I know that Mr. Bear will be a great father. I see the love and kindness in his eyes. I see the apprehension and worry as well, but I think that all comes with the territory because I feet it too. I know that this will be something that we will do together. We both want to do what is best for our little girl and we both want to provide a loving home for our family. I love who we are together today and I love what we are going to become as a family in the days to come.

Mr. Bear is the best husband and everything I can ever hope for in a husband and life partner. I love him with all my heart and I look forward to many years to come. I am glad that I have him to share in this journey of life together.

Neglect

2009-05-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

I realize that I have been very neglectful of this blog. Impending motherhood has been all consuming of my mind and body. When I am not working, I am thinking about Baby Bear's arrival and preparing as much as I can. I never knew that the idea of becoming a mother takes over you so completely. But, it does so in a good way.

I always thought that I would be able to retain a part of me that would be independent of motherhood. I still believe that I will (who knows I may be naive in thinking this), but I think it will take some time and at this particular time the changes in my body and hormones have taken over so completely that my needs are not so important as the needs of the new life that is inside of me. It is an amazing experience and feeling.

Many people say that motherhood changes you and I am sure that it will, but I also hope at the same time that I still able to retain who I am. I look forward to the challenges and rewards of motherhood, but I hope it will enhance who I am rather than totally change my entire being, if that makes any sense. I guess time will tell.

I have many thoughts and feelings with the idea of motherhood. Apprehension and excitement is all around this entire experience. Will I be a good mother? Will I continue to be a good wife? Will I continue to be me? So many questions run through my head. In the end this new life will enter the world and it is up to Mr. Bear and I to guide her through life. we are up for the challenge and we are so excited for this little one to enter our lives. But at the same time I am a little nervous about it all. Will there ever come a time where I do not obsess about motherhood and my abilities to be a good mother? Or is this a part of this new phase of my life and a part of who I have become? Hmmm, I wonder.

Happy Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T05:12:00.000-07:00

What have been doing to be green?

I use reusable shopping bags whenever I go to the grocery store or Target. I do need to get better at bringing a reusable bag when I do other shopping, so that is my next goal.
We recycle.
I use natural cleaning products, pretty much vinegar is a cleaning staple in our household. I stop using dryer sheets and instead use vinegar in my rinse cycle and use the dryer balls in the dryer. I will definitely continue to do this for all of Baby Bear's clothes. It is better for us and better for the environment.
I receive paperless statements and all my banking and payments are done online.
I always reuse the back side of scratch paper. My work printer has scratch paper in it so I do my best not to waste paper when I do have to print things out.

I know it is not a whole lot considering that I do drive an SUV, but I don't drive much or very far to work. I was riding my bike to work a few days a week before I got pregnant, but at 33 weeks pregnant that is just not going to be very practical. I would like to get back to that again but we will have to see how Baby Bear will change things.

I know there is so much more that I can be doing and I will keep working on it. I do try to be cognizant and chose to be more earth and green friendly when I make choices on a daily business. But I do have to admit that I am not always good about it.

I love my cat

2009-04-14T01:49:00.000-07:00

Chase Monster is just the best cat ever!! He may not be the most affectionate cat in the world but he definitely loves me. I truly believe that animals can sense when you are pregnant. Lately, he has been by my side a lot more. He knows that something is up and that I am moving quite differently than normal. Well, basically I am waddling.

Here he is looking outside and watching the birds. He can easily push the screen door open and make a run for freedom. But he would never leave the comforts of home and his mama bear. He just loves me too much.

Here you can see his bigness in proportion to the door.

He has never ever even made an attempt to go out, but I often wonder what he is thinking about as he looks out. Out there there is no bed for him to sleep on and no one to feed him when he meows. He must know how good he has it. He is the king of the house and so so spoiled (Baby Bear may disrupt that a bit).

Chase Monster could never be an outdoor kitty, he just doesn't have the street smarts, nor would he be able to run and jump fences as other skinny kitties would. He is big boned and not much of a runner.

Happy Easter!!

2009-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Who will I become?

2009-03-31T04:09:00.000-07:00

This blog has not been receiving the love it deserves from me. I have been all consumed by pregnancy and upcoming motherhood, that I have been neglectful of this blog. I guess that it is true that motherhood begins to alter you when you become pregnant. But I always hoped that I would continue to define myself by my many roles; psychologist, wife, friend, woman, and mother. Lately, it has all been about being mother-to-be.

I guess this all makes sense since this new journey is uncharted territory for me. I have the excitement and anxiety that comes when you take on a new role. Yet, this role is different from any other role I have taken. With this role comes the responsibility of a new life and guiding this at first helpless being into a productive individual. I am looking forward to figuring this all out and the challenge of it all, but a part of me worries that I will lose a part of myself along the way. Right now when people look at me all they see is an obviously pregnant woman. I am constantly asked how I am feeling and how far along I am. While the attention is nice and I should enjoy it while it lasts (I only have about 10 weeks left to go), I wonder if a part of me is lost or if a part of me is altered. I know I am forever changed and this is a great change that I have been looking forward to for a long time. But as with every change you experience there is some apprehension and anxiety about where it will take you.

I like who I am and who I was, will I like who I become? Can I continue to be the person I was after this life changing event? So many questions run through me head.

Today's forecast

2009-03-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

From accuweather.com

Currently At 5:42AM

51°F

Cloudy

Then why is it raining outside??

The forecast says:

Monday, Mar 30

High: 71 °F RealFeel®: 76 °F

Sunshine

It is almost 6 in the morning and it is definitely raining out there. Not a little morning drizzle or dew. I was looking forward to a beautiful sunny day. Maybe it will clear up. I hope so.

Happy Birthday Mr. Bear!!

2009-03-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today is his birthday!! Mr. Bear is the best and most wonderful husband. We don't do anything big for our birthdays, but I did make him a yummy pot roast dinner. He seems content with a homemade dinner. I was going make him some red velvet cupcakes, but that would entail making an entire batch of 24 cupcakes. It is kind of hard to make just a few. So he said not to make any. His mom had gotten him some Lindt Lindor Truffles as part of his gift. Those are some yummy truffles!

Mr. Bear, I hope you had a great Birthday!! I LOVE YOU!

Best Yoga Instructor

2009-03-20T17:08:00.000-07:00

My yoga instructor sent me this video. Gotta love it!! In fact, in yoga this morning she incorporated some of these poses :) I love yoga!

Spring is here!

2009-03-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring!! It is a perfect day in Southern California. Sunny and warm (but not too warm). What a great first day of spring. I enjoy what spring has to bring, beautiful flowers in so many beautiful shades and sunny days. I've always enjoyed the coming of spring because the weather usually gets warmer and because of daylight savings time, the days are longer. Enjoy the spring season.

I raced!

2009-03-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

(Blog entry from Sher's Corner)

I did it, I Raced for the Cure yesterday. Thank you to all that helped to support this organization. I raised a total of $905! I never raised that much money for anything. I am really proud of myself for doing so. Baby Bear and I completed the 5K in a little over 52 minutes. Not too bad for being 28 weeks pregnant. We jog a small part of it but mostly walked since the extra weight I have gained makes my feet hurt when I run (it is a sad thing about being pregnant). I am pretty happy that I did this! I was excited to see others jogging with jogging strollers and their babies. Next year, that will be me!!

It was a great event and had a wonderful turn out. I have participated in the Race for the Cure for several years now and I was glad that I was still able to participate and not let being pregnant make me miss out on this. It has been important for me to do this in memory of my sister-in-law.

(I did take a picture but I look so awful in it there is no way I am posting it. Mr. Bear agreed that it wasn't the best picture of me. Oh well next year!)

Cheez-Its: My all time favorite snack

2009-03-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten how much I love Cheez-Its. I saw it on sale at the store the other day and picked up a box and it is almost gone. As a kid, I absolutely loved Cheez-Its, I still do. My favorite is to have Cheez-Its with cream cheese. Mmmm.

I know that Cheez-Its are not the healthiest choice, but there is something comforting about Cheez-Its to me. I know that is really strange but it is true. I don't buy them often simply because I know they are my weakness. I can't seem to eat them in moderation. I fail in that respect. I am eating them as I type and I am not even hungry. They sure do taste good.

Chase Monster loves them too! He always seems to know when I am snacking on them, he is immediately by my side. I always give him a couple of crackers. I know probably not a good idea for my monster of a cat, but it is not everyday that I buy Cheez-Its.

Another birthday tech toy

2009-03-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

I know it is a week past my birthday, but I got some birthday money from my parents and a phone upgrade credit just waiting to be used. So I got a new phone for my birthday. I have been wanting a smartphone that would sync with my email accounts.

It has been really busy at work (being pregnant and working 2 jobs probably doesn't help matters), so I have also been heavily relying on my Outlook calendar to keep me organized with my meetings and commitments that having two offices entails. I thought a smartphone would at least help me to manage my email influx when I was between offices. Since I will become a working mother, I know that being organized is a pretty important thing when managing work and family. I felt that this little piece of technology might help to make things a little easier. When Baby Bear comes I will need all the help I can get.

So I did my research, as I always do. I didn't have a lot of options since I did want to stick with my existing wireless provides, so that I could take advantage of my upgrade credit. My family uses Verizon wireless, so that left me with only a few choices. I kind of wanted an iPhone, but Verizon does not offer that phone. So I turned my research to Verizon phones.

It was very important that the smartphone I chose sync up with my Outlook at work. First, I considered the Blackberry Storm, which is Blackberry's version of the iPhone. It did look very cool and felt nice. But I had read some reviews about bugs in the system and I knew it would take a little more work for me to figure out how to configure it with my Outlook at work (according to our work website, they do not support Blackberries. It can be done but my IT dept. won't be able to really help me). Not a good sign for the Storm.

So I looked at the Samsung Omnia i910. Also a touch screen phone and very comparable to the Blackberry Storm and the iPhone. I looked at reviews online and there were many favorable reviews, both by users and professional reviewers. Some touted the Omnia to be better than the Storm and the iPhone. Definitely, a worthy competitor to the iPhone. It operates on Windows Mobile, which allows it to work very well with Outlook. That was definitely a plus for me. Plus, Verizon was offering a rebate for the purchase of an Omnia.

So I went to a Verizon store to take a look at the Samsung Omnia i910 in person. I liked the feel of it and the way it worked in the store. The rebate coupled with the upgrade credit helped to make it very inexpensive in comparison to other phones, so it seemed like the way to go. I've only had it for a day so we will so how it holds up. So far I am pleased with my choice.

My B-day gift: Aiptek 720p HD camcorder

2009-03-03T04:47:00.001-08:00

For a little while, Mr. Bear and I had been talking about getting a small little video camera for when the baby arrives. I had been talking with my friend who has extensive knowledge about these things (he has worked for Warner Bros, Disney, and Dreamworks) and he recommended an Aiptek High Definition camcorder.

He has an older model and uses this more than his professional grade equipment since it is so portable. I had played around with his in the past and it was so easy to use. I really love how small it is. I have heard so much about the Flip Video and was looking into those as well. But the Aiptek not only has 1 GB of memory storage, but also takes a SD flash card as well for more memory. Whereas the Flip only has the built-in memory, so you would have to download videos right away in order to take other videos after you use your memory up. I like that I can stick the SD Flash card in my card reader and not have the need to install any other program like you would for the Flip. The Aiptek also takes still photos (up to 8 megapixels), not really a necessary feature for me but the Flip does not take still photos so that is an added bonus for the Aiptek. The Flip has some great reviews but I really liked the versatility of the Aiptek, plus the recommendation from someone I trust who really knows his video equipment helped.

For my birthday, Mr. Bear went out and got me one!! He got me the Aiptek 720P. It is a high definition camcorder that fits in your hand. Best of all, it doesn't break the bank. It also takes still 8 megapixel photos as well as video and has a digital zoom (not the greatest, but fine for me and our purposes).

So far I love it. It will definitely come in handy for when Baby Bear arrives. I can stick it in my diaper bag and capture those first moments. Plus, it also has a decent camera so I won't miss those "Kodak" moments as well and I won't have to carry around a camera and a camcorder. In my first few uses, it has been really easy to use. I have yet to download the videos to my computer, but then again I haven't really captured anything substantial quite yet. Mostly, just random things in testing it out. I am quite pleased and looking forward to capturing some great family moments. I can't wait to capture some great Baby Bear moments with this new little toy. Thank you Mr. Bear, you are awesome and so thoughtful!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

2009-02-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

It's my birthday!! Yayy!!!!!

Will share later about my day :)

I will race!

2009-02-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

Once again, I'm participating in the Susan G. Komen LA Race for the Cure. This national nonprofit with chapters all over the U.S. work towards educating and providing funds for breast cancer research.

Yes, I realize that I will be 28 weeks pregnant during this event, but I assure you that I can do this (I have been exercising and jogging with my doctors okay, 3-4 days a week throughout my entire pregnancy). I have participated in this 5K for the past 5 years. As I did last year, I run/walk (maybe more of a waddle) in memory of my sister-in-law, Tricia Borba Vasquez, who was taken from us by this awful cancer.

As part of the event, I've created my own Personal Donation Page and since my birthday is coming up soon, what a great birthday gift!! Your support would be the best gift you could ever give me and this is for an important cause.

Did you know?

Ten to fifteen percent of breast cancers are not detected by mammography?
Men are also at risk for developing breast cancer?
Having no children or a first child after age 30 are among some of the risks?

I knew Octo-mom

2009-02-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

I was looking in Star Magazine (I know not the most intellectual magazine out there but it is one of my guilty pleasures) and it showed pictures of the Octo-mom from when she was in Jr. high school. She went to my Jr. high school and high school for a little while. I knew her!! She went by a different name then for some reason, but I definitely remembered her. I did not know her well, but she was in my class and I do remember her being a little different and quiet. I believe that she was in the band and that she played the flute, but I might be wrong about that. It was over 20 year ago.

From our 7th grade yearbook:

From freshman high school yearbook:

What a small world. I definitely have opinions about her actions and I really feel for her children. I think that she was very selfish in the decision she made to have additional children, when she could barely take care of the 6 children she already had. It is one thing to have children when you do not have the financial means for whatever reason. But it is another thing to get artificially inseminated (with 8 embryos no less!) when you are barely able to fully support the children you already have.

I just think of these children and the kind of life that they are going to have. These children had no choice in the matter and their lives will not be easy, at least not at this time. I think of all the women who want to desperately have 1 child and for whatever reason are unable to do so. I think how irresponsible this doctor was to do this. I don't know the whole story or what her thought process was like and I haven't followed this story to much. But, it just seems that she wasn't really thinking of her older children or the babies that she had, she was more interested in what she wanted and herself. It just seems like a sad situation.

Free pancakes at IHOP!

2009-02-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

National Pancake Day at IHOP is tomorrow! Go to your local IHOP between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. for a FREE short stack (three pancakes). All they ask is that you make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network, a great cause!!

Free Subway gift card

2009-02-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

Hey fellow Californians, you can go here to get a free $2 gift card to Subway. Limit one gift card per California household.

After the storm

2009-02-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

I always love the day after a good rain. The skies are clear and in the mountains are dusted with snow. It is absolutely beautiful after a storm. Mother nature is just amazing.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

I am not big on Valentine's Day. It is more of a Hallmark holiday than anything else.

We are celebrating our Valentine's Day buy spending it with some good friends and yummy food. We are having a Valentine's Gourmet Club tonight with wine and appetizers. I will post pictures soon on my food blog, Rumbly Tumbly Treats. I am trying a new recipe so we will see how it turns out.

Happy Birthday to my Mama Bear

2009-02-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Today is my mommy's birthday!! She is so beautiful and you would never guess that she is about to become a grandma!

I know she never gets to read my blog, since she doesn't have the internet and is not really into technology. Nevertheless, it is a special day and she should be acknowledged!!

Love you Mommy!!!

Brrr...

2009-02-10T11:08:00.001-08:00

It's cold. It is in the 50's today in Southern California. Brr, that is very cold!!! I just do not like the cold at all. Just last week, the weather was absolutely beautiful and it was around 70 degrees. While I realize that 50 degrees is not very cold in the grand scheme of things, it is very cold for this So. Cal. girl. I am such a wimp when it comes to cold.

I love warm, sunny days. That is one of the main reasons, I will most likely always be a So. Cal. girl. I am not generally one to complain about 100 degree weather, but I will complain when it goes below 60 degrees. I hope it warms up soon, even though I know our forecast calls for rain later this week. Boo! I can't wait for spring!

Free Breakfast Today!

2009-02-03T09:43:00.001-08:00

Wow, Life has been busy...

2009-02-02T16:30:00.001-08:00

Well, actually there really isn't anything too interesting going on in my life except for work and family. But work has been keeping me very busy. The next few months are going to be pretty crazy at work and I am just trying to keep up with all. As you might remember, I started a new position in November and working in two departments through the end of June (well, actually until I go on maternity leave). It is a lot of work working two positions that should really be 2 full-time positions (Right now I am splitting my time between the two so it is supposed to be two half-time positions). I am surviving, just barely.

What is most difficult, is that I want to excel in both positions. Since I will be leaving my old position at the end of the fiscal year, I want to leave on a positive note. Especially, since I will still continue to interact and collaborate with this boss on campus. My boss has been so supportive of me and I want to continue to provide her with quality work during this transition time.

With my new position, I still feel like I have to prove myself. Sometimes, I feel like I have to prove myself a little more in my newer position simply because I am pregnant and informed them of my pregnancy just after starting this new position. I realize that they should not look at my performance differently, but I worry that I am scrutinized a little differently. My newer boss is a man and I have never had a male boss until now. He is also a father; he is very supportive of me and he is a family-friendly boss. Yet, never having a male boss, I worry that I must work a little harder to show him that he did not make a bad decision in hiring me.

I also don't want to appear like I am slacking off on either job because I will be going on maternity leave and I want my newer boss to feel confident that I will return (because I will). So trying to balance these two positions is a challenge and taking up a lot of my time. Then add a personal life and family to all that and that is enough to keep anyone busy. I do count myself very fortunate that in this time of economic crisis that I have a job and it is a job(s) that I enjoy. I am not complaining, I am just a little tired. I guess the pregnancy may also contribute to that exhaustion a little.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all!! It is the Year of the Ox. The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. I think that is very fitting with the current times. Wishing you all the best.

Happy Blogiversary to Sher's Corner!!

2009-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is hard to believe that one year ago I started this blog. I have really enjoyed being a "blogger." I have enjoyed it so much that I began 2 other blogs. My food blog, Rumbly Tumbly Treats, was simply a way for me to organized new (and old) recipes that I have the chance to try and to share my gourmet club fun. My baby blog, Adventures with Baby Bear, is newer and was started for obvious reasons. I wanted a place to talk about this new journey in my life but was not yet ready to share with others, so the baby blog was kept private until Mr. Bear and I were ready to go public. The baby blog will focus on my journey into motherhood and my adventures with Baby Bear.

So my other two blogs have very specific purposes. What is the purpose of Sher's Corner? I began this blog as a thoughtful spot to write about silly stuff and fluff. Issues that I thought were important and things that were just nonsense. It continues to be my thoughtful spot. And as I delve into my new role as mother in about 4-5 months, I realize that this thoughtful spot will become even more important to me. I believe that life is about balance; it is about balanced health and well-being. I continually strive to find balance in my life. I will become a mother but I also continue to be an individual, a wife, an employee, a friend, a daughter, a woman, etc. Although I look forward to my new role as a mother, I realize that with this new role lies a new challenge of finding balance to allow myself to continue to be everything that I am including "mom." So the purpose of this blog remains the same: To be a thoughtful spot. I have enjoyed sharing my silly stuff and fluff over the last year and I look forward to sharing new silly stuff and fluff in the year to come.

Hannah you will be missed

2009-01-23T11:30:00.001-08:00

Last night, Mr. Bear's step-dad and mom had to put their beloved dog, Hannah, to sleep. She was 14 years old and was really doing very badly. It was a very sad day.

Hannah was a great pup; she was smart and friendly. I'll always remember her great love of beef jerky and her tail that could knock you over. She never barked and always greeted me when ever I came to visit. She was an awesome dog and awesome companion to my in-laws. She was a big part of our family. We all loved her.

I wish that I had a picture to share here so that I could share her sweet eyes.

Hannah will be missed!!!!

A Daughter's Approval

2009-01-21T18:55:00.000-08:00

Gotta love this moment. It just makes you feel good to have a little girl's approval at such an important event.

Obama's daughters are just so cute.

President Obama

2009-01-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

I wish our new president all the best. I truly hope that he will bring upon positive change.

I can only imagine that being the president of the United States of America is no easy task, especially with the state of our current economy. I believe that he will bring upon positive change to our nation and will help it rise out of the crisis that we are experiencing. It will not be easy, but I don't think that anyone runs for president thinking that it will be an easy job.