Painting Class

My March excursion was a painting class. Mine didn't quite look like the original painting, but it is starting to grow on me.

I need to search Groupon for April.

Empty canvas

In progress

Phase 0ne

Final product

Proud artist

No more BP meds

As I have stated many times, I started a journey of wellness in January 2014. 40 loomed, and I had to ask myself how I wanted the next 40 years to look. Having good health was a huge part of that equation.

Good news on the health front! My doctor has allowed me to go off blood pressure medicine. Between the weight loss (25 pounds most days – lol) and eating less process foods full of sodium, my blood pressure has been pretty steady, even when I weaned off medication.

So, I am excited. She did caution me to keep working out and not to put the weight back on. LOL!

I attribute a lot to my trainer, Brenda, for being a huge part of my journey. I have seen her every Tuesday and Thursday for the last 26 months, unless I am traveling. If she has to miss for some reason, I ask her for a workout and do it on my own. It was an expense, but investing in my health will have a great ROI!

I also walk, a lot. I try walking 90 minutes each day. I don’t do it all at once, and I don’t always make the goal, but I try. I’ve learned to walk inside while checking Instagram and Twitter. It kills two birds with one stone. When I park at places, I park far from the entrance, which may just add a minute or two, but each minute counts. I also walk down stairs (not always up) because each step counts.

I also did MixxedFit once a week. Dancing is such a fun way to burn calories, and it's a great way to do it with a community so you have accountability and support.

Today I walked my fifth St. Patrick's Day Dash (5K), and I will walk my fourth half marathon in June.

I eat tons of fruits and vegetables. For example, at work, I will bring at least six servings. This week: carrots, celery, bananas, strawberries, apples, blueberries, grapes, and tangerines. I don’t buy processed food for dinner anymore. The longer the shelf life, the scarier the product. I buy nuts at Trader Joe's. They are not only cheaper, they also have a shorter shelf life because there are less preservatives.

I do well with water most days, but I try my best to only drink water. I will occasionally crave something else, and I will drink it. Everything in moderation.

I also am sure to get sleep. I try to get eight hours. I am sleeping so much better since I started working out.

Anyway again super excited to be off blood pressure meds.

Me in 2012 and me October 2015

St. Patrick's Day Dash

Today I walked my fifth St. Patrick's Day Dash. It's a great, quick walk with tons of positive energy. One of these years, I will dress up. I've had snow, and I've had rain like today. This was the first time it coincided with Daylight's Saving Time for me. YOY! Despite being tired, I made it. I walked it with Kim and her husband, Steve.

Waiting for our wave to start with Kim and Scott

With Kim and Detlef Schrempf, whose foundation puts it on, before the race.

With Kim and Steve at the finish line! Woohoo!

LBC

Even with a quick work trip, I have to find time to hit the beach.

Beach!

LBC

Setting Sun

Birds

Sunset

 

 

 

 

Of course the best part is spending time with friends!

Mary!

Samarah!

Randy!

Glassblowing Class

As I have previously blogged, I want to make 2016 a year about learning/exploring new things. In January, I took a photography class.

I was procrastinating planning this month, and then I realized February was getting away from me, so I quickly checked Groupon. I was able to line up a painting class for March (one of the Sip and Paint type).

Then, as I continued to search, I saw a Groupon for Glassblowing, which was awesome because it is something I have wanted to do. I bought the Groupon, and I was able to get in a few days later for a Blow Your Own Glass class. I opted to make a bowl.

It was actually pretty cool. I don’t remember the technical terms, but here is what went down.

The instructor used the blowpipe to get molten glass from the furnace. The furnace was hot! When she opened it, I immediately stepped away and to the side. It was then up to me to reheat the glass (to keep it a certain temperature) and add the color glass pieces to my work. So I would roll the blowpipe in the reheating furnace then take it out and add the color. This was repeated several times.

 

Reheating the glass in the second furnace. This furnace was not as hot as the furnace with the molten glass.

Adding the color glass.

I decided on a mixture of yellow, orange, and red. Perfect for my place's color scheme.

To shape the glass, I blew into the blowpipe to make the glass expand. That was really cool. Then to make the glass indent for the bowl indentation, I sucked on the pipe and the glass constricted (for lack of a better word).

Once it took shape, I had to seal the bottom from when the bowl was cut from the blowpipe.

Sealing the bottom

Armed and dangerous.

It was then placed to slowly cool, and I was able to pick it up 48 hours later. Here is the final product.

My bowl!

It was a fun experience, and it is something I could see myself doing again. My class was 30 minutes, but they have four hour classes where they really get into the details. And they also have six week classes. At this point, I just wanted to make something, and I doubt it will be a hobby.