It has been so long since I have felt as elated I do right now. I have been diligently trying to stay true to manifesting/creating a lifestyle change. So far so good.

I participated in my first yoga class “ever”…what the hell was I thinking…? For a girl who has all the agility of a brick, yoga is no easy feat. Excuse me, but, is there a pink elephant in the room? Wow, talk about sticking out like a sore thumb. I believe the only pose that I actually got right was the downward-facing dog. Other than that, I was pretty much a fish without water. Have you ever seen the “Seinfeld” episode where Elaine dances….I needn’t say anymore.

However, I will go on. I like the idea and concepts behind yoga. The practice of yoga allows one to explore, develop, and integrate the body, mind and spirit. The word YOGA is a Sanskrit term that means “to yoke; to unite”. Your entire person, being body, mind and soul working together makes this much more than just a physical fitness program. The benefits of just taking one yoga session per week (I’ve committed to 2, being the little (big) eager beaver that I am) are great. For example:

• Dramatic increases in flexibility and strength
• Increased circulation to all internal organs and glands
• A calming effect to the nervous system
• Greatly improved concentration (one I’m looking forward too)
• Releasing and cleansing of toxins that contribute to stress and disease

With all those wonderful benefits I should be a new woman my summer! Hopefully, I won’t feel so awkward and will begin to understand and implement the true purpose of yoga. Not to mention, I will be able to stand on one leg in the yoga “tree” position. (who knew that was going to be so hard?)

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But, as I said (previous post) it’s New Year’s and a time for resolutions. Get fit, get healthy, be happy and live long.

So, at the gym the other day, while walking on the treadmill, I started thinking…what is the difference between a “rut” and a “routine”? Because, I am sure I suffer from one of those. None the less, still a question that requires an answer. According to “The Concise Oxford Dictionary” (my personal favorite) a rut is: “an established mode of practice or procedure”, a routine: “a regular course or procedure”…it would appear that there is really no difference at all. Yet everyone lives, works and likes routine, but hates being in a rut…weird.

Did I happen to mention that my mind goes to strange places when I am bored walking on a treadmill? I still think it is interesting though. Perhaps, routines are things that you are happy doing and ruts not so happy, but habitual…I’ll go with that for today.

I keep thinking that there is some outer force putting the kibosh on my endeavor to develop a new 2008 routine. I was so excited to get back to the gym this morning in anticipation of how sore I would be tomorrow, but, we are having this nasty weather and my vehicle would not start…really, hubby said it wouldn’t even turn over…and I know he’s not trying to sabotage my fitness plans (there is a huge meaning behind that comment that only he will get, out of moral correctness I cannot discuss it). This is a picture taken after our latest snow storm…After the first snowfall I had to pour hot water on the doors due to the fact that they were locked shut it’s been a huge mess ever since. In addition my daughter and I have been housebound for a couple of days now and if I have to watch one more “Barbie” movie I am going to snap. (some might say it is too late for that) Also, I miss my workouts…I was going to re-associate myself with an aerobics class this week. Admittedly, I am a little nervous about doing heavy cardio for fear of having a heart attack  half way through. Hopefully there will be someone there with their St. John’s Ambulance certification.

I’ll keep you posted.

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However, for my 3 followers, I feel I owe you more…perhaps, something intelligent, or even noteworthy? Then again, I will probably be more insightful tomorrow morning…so I think I will let it ride. Now there is pressure…I am promising something for tomorrow in hopes of an epiphany tonight…you be the judge.
It would appear I work better under pressure and I think I do…

I am actually going to the gym tomorrow for an orientation…girlfriend has to do something, I can hardly stand to look at myself in a mirror…what happened to the girl that once exuded confidence and could not be stopped…I liked her…my husband did too…and I am sure that my daughter would like to know her as well…so yes…I AM DOING IT!

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First thing..I am going to use the gym membership I purchased last week. I haven’t been yet, but I promise I am going…tomorrow! This will help me with my blog posts because now I will have something to actually say. I am beginning to realize that most people are not really interested in soap opera updates.

The last time I was at a gym I was the step class instructor, now it would seem I can barely step up to the top of the staircase. This is not good. One should never feel like they are going into cardiac arrest just by climbing twenty-two stairs. Maybe if I did it twice a day it would be better? But, I digress (not that unusual), by the end of the week I will be a gym bunny?! Not to mention a blogging fool. Wish me luck.

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a leg-shaving salute to halloween

Originally uploaded by Cait Jane

I wanted to include this in my post Ain’t Mis-Beshavin’ so you could get a visual of what I’m  talking about…thanks to Cait Jane for a great image.

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I still remember it like it was yesterday. I was 13 years old. Mom had left me with unkind task of cleaning the bathroom and both her and dad were out. Being naturally curious I started off by doing what I had always done, rifling through the medicine cabinet, looking for treasure. I used to love holding my mothers pretty perfume bottles, shaking the pill containers, opening moisturizes and sampling all of them, basically behaving in a manner, that back then, would have gotten me  smacked and grounded.

This particular day, I had started my hunt for something shiny and new on my fathers side of the vanity. I began with inspecting the medicine cabinet. I noticed the bottom shelf had all the usual suspects…shaving cream, deodorant, toothbrush, aftershave…the middle shelf…a little more interesting, aspirin bottle, A535, dental floss, electric razor…lastly, the top shelf…what’s this?…EUREKA! There it was, his black leather shaving kit. It was like finding a box in a box. I was so excited. My anticipation mounted as I gingerly removed it from the shelf. Holding the case close to me I went over to the bathtub and sat on the edge. I carefully balanced the kit on my lap, left hand resting flat on top as I gradually inched the zipper along with my right. It was open. I cautiously turned over the top and peered inside. It was beautiful…each piece in its own spot, the single blade razor then the silver tipped shaving brush alongside the porcelain shaving bowl and last to follow, his heavily spice scented shaving cream.

I could hardly wait to try it.

Firstly, I needed to make lather. I had watched my father do this often so I was quite sure I could copy the procedure. Instead of using the “Old Spice” shaving cream, I had opted for a more feminine scent. A bar of Ivory soap. I must have spent 5 minutes grinding that wet brush into the bar in order to achieve maximum foaminess.

Content with the volume of lather I had manufactured it was time to begin the second step. Generously applying the suds to my legs I spread the mixture evenly starting at my ankle and ending at mid thigh. I wanted to make sure I had ALL the hair on my legs removed. Satisfied that there were no appearances of bare skin, I was ready to move on to step 3. The thrilling part, shaving.

Once again, poised on the edge of the bathtub, legs stretched out in front of me, I leaned forward towards my feet, with razor in hand, starting at the bottom, center of my shin I swiftly slid the blade up to my knee cap. I remember thinking that if I did it quickly enough it wouldn’t hurt so bad…after all, Dad always had those little globs of toilet paper stuck to his face after he had shaved and that looked quite painful to me….I expected the same results to happen when shaving my legs. You’ll be interested to know, I wasn’t disappointed.

Had it not been for the red stream that immediately appeared amidst the abundant amount of soap on my leg I would not have noticed a thing. I felt no pain. So, without hesitation I switched to the other leg and with one long swoop I went up the center as well. Hmm, look at that…same red streak, no pain. Then it hit me…hey, that does sting a bit. As a matter of fact it really hurts!

I had to get the soap off of my legs straight away, I had a strong feeling that there was some damage.

I was right.

I had gouged my shins so badly I was in gauze bandages for a week. My mother was furious and my father lectured me for hours on the perils of getting into things that I had no right being into in the first place. Plus, my legs hurt.

I had learned my lesson. I would not touch a razor for another 5 years. To this day I still have the indentations that have resulted from that horrible mistake.

My point…waxing is best when it comes to hair removal.

Sandra

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However there was one booth I came across that literally made me give my head a shake! This particular company (and there are many more just like them) had created a “permanent” makeup line or as industry professionals like to refer to it “micropigmentation”. Basically tattooing.

Now, I admit that I do have my eyebrows dyed once a month in order to have them darkened…but, never once have I considered having them permanently tattooed onto my face! And let’s not stop just at eyebrows…there are also applications for eyeliner, lip liner, full lip color, eyeshadow and blush…just to name a few.

This got me thinking…what happens when you want to change your lipstick color, or you’ve lost interest in that particular eyeshade? Or, worse yet, like everyone who has tattooes, it starts to fade and begins to obscure…exactly how many “touchups” can your skin withstand?

I cannot imagine waking up every morning, looking in the mirror, donning a full face of makeup and I cannot help but wonder how many people live to regret that decision?

If anyone is looking for a career change…I suggest “tattoo removal”, I have a feeling there will be rapid growth in this industry.

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This morning while I was having breakfast with my 3 1/2 year old, I noticed her staring at my arms. I asked her what she was looking at….”I’m just counting the freckles on your hands” she replied innocently. Now just to be clear, I have never had freckles and at this late in the game doubt that I ever will. What my lovely little lady was counting, were age spots that appear to be cropping up at an incredibly rapid pace.

I believe it was just yesterday, yup, for sure yesterday, that I only had two, maybe three, of the light brown sporadic dots…today I woke up with thousands and they are no longer just on my hands they seem to be invading all areas of my body. Can you say mortified!

When I first met my husband he nicknamed me “Miss Lily” due to my pale skin tone. His new term of endearment for me is “Spot”. This is the reason I loathe nicknames.

So, what is a girl to do? Upon further investigation I have come to know that age spots are caused by exposure to the sun. This information, however, comes to me a little late. Not to mention, it is hard to find a tree on a beach to sit under. Even if I did, I am the only person I know who can burn whilst sitting under an umbrella wearing 50 SPF sunscreen! It’s true, I swear!

Hydroquinone…apparently, if I dab this “safe” lightening agent onto my spots everyday for a minimum of one month they become unnoticeable. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what I will be fixating on for the next little while.

I would like to know, exactly how it is a woman is to “grow old gracefully”. Everyday something is either shifting, sagging or appearing. It’s a full time job just trying to keep up! It seems to me that there is nothing distinguished about it. If “gracefully” includes having to lotion up with age defying creams on a daily basis well, I guess I am indeed quite elegant.

Also, what male, and I am sure it was, coined the phrase “children keep you young”? I am downright exhausted physically and mentally by the time evening falls, my legs hurt, my body aches and my brain is numb…not to mention those age spots did not materialize until AFTER childbirth!

Do you see the turmoil a 3 year old and a bad nickname can cause?

Sandra

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In the UK the male grooming market is a thriving industry worth 685 million pounds, in the U.S. this number is considerably larger at 5 billion dollars. Mens grooming has become a booming industry. Men are no longer shy or intimidated when it comes to a little “pampering”. With the increase of men spending more money than ever on grooming, the call for male estheticians is also on the rise. Afterall, some men might still be a intimated when it comes to letting a female perform their “Brazilian waxes”.

Also, a majority of reputable cosmetic companies have expanded their skin care lines to include the male market. For me, personally, I can deal with my man wearing moisturizer, but I draw the line at makeup. I will never forget the first date that I had with my husband, I was absolutely horrified when he showed up at my front door donning an excessive amount of dark eyeliner…I told him that “there is absolutely no way I could ever date a man who wore more makeup than me” and especially one who is stuck in the punk rock era. Needless to say, we are together today.

I do admit though, when I notice a man wearing foundation it’s all I can do not to break out in laughter…my girlfriend has labelled makeup wearing men as “mangina’s”, I think that is partly what I hear in my head when I see the made up male…so it just makes me laugh.

I have yet to meet a man who can pull off wearing “makeup”, but then again, I have never met Dennis Rodman or David Beckham. This is truly unfortunate! In my opinion, David Beckham is the epitome of metrosexual male and I would be very curious to know how long he spends each day on grooming and if in fact he does wear makeup on a daily basis. I mean let’s face it…he’s HOT. I wonder if he and Posh fight over the mirror as much as Bob and I do?

Sandra

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I, personally, can accomplish my grooming tasks in a half an hour…Bob, well, he takes over an hour. This is proving to be a problem when we both have to be somewhere at a certain time. The absolute worst is when he locks me out of the bathroom!

When did men start caring so much about skin care? I think it came around the same time as the word “metrosexual”. I know my father never spent long periods of time grooming. A quick shave, 30 seconds with a toothbrush a dollop of Brylcream and away he went.

Men are becoming just as obsessed as women when it comes to skin care, style and good grooming. It’s no small wonder that male grooming products are a billion dollar industry.

I like the fact that my husband cares about his appearance. I like the fact that he stays in shape. I like the fact that he’s into skin care. But, most importantly I like the fact that he no longer rolls his eyes when I purchase my $100.00 bottle of moisturizer. It would hardly seem right since he pays around $120.00 for his!

Yup, my guy is becoming quite obsessed with keeping the wrinkles at bay. Constantly drinking water, moisturizing regularly, professional facials and good lotions are all a part of his newly developed routine.

What do I say about all of this…

“That’s awesome, let’s have a spa day!”

I love my ladies day at the spa with my girlfriends…however, if I went with hubby I could probably tack on a few extra treatments…hmmm, something to think about.

Sandra

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