sewing and running, fabric

Good morning, everyone! I finally finished my online classes, so now I have a little bit more time on my hands! I found two races coming up soon. An 8k here in Appleton, the Freedom Run:  http://www.active.com/running/appleton-wi/freedom-run-8k-2012 ; and the Newton Blackmour Trail Run:  http://www.active.com/running-class/new-london-wi/newton-blackmour-10k-run-walk-2012 , the 10k. I'm so excited to have found a couple of races nearby. I really hate traveling very far to run a road race. First, I'm not a fast runner, so I'm not competing. Second, the entry fees add up; that on top of gas make races close to home the logical choice. I'm really looking forward to running these races! I've even convinced a new friend to join me for the 10k, but she's hesitant about doing 10 and would prefer 5. We'll see!

So, on to discussing sewing! I have a few patterns picked out, the material all washed and ready to go and I'll slowly be working my way through these projects. I have a maxi dress from a wonderful designer, Tina Givens, that I am finishing up this week. I usually sew before I go to work, but that only allows for a couple of seams to be completed.

I recently made some  napkins and a waterproof picnic blanket to donate to work as a raffle basket for the Strong Kids Campaign. People at work seemed to like everything in it, but I noticed that no on has bought any raffle tickets! Oh well.

So... the patterns I'll be working on over the next few weeks are 6055 by New Look, 5431 by McCall's, 5319 by Butterick, 6557 by McCall's and the Crepe dress by Colette designs. There is also a free tutorial that I am going to attempt, it is for a paper bag waist skirt. There are step by step instructions: http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2010/07/long-awaited-paper-bag-waist-skirt.html . There was also a sew a long for the Crepe dress that I will be reading to help with the construction of that dress: http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2010/12/crepe-sew-along-6-dont-forget-to-pre.html . There is so much advice for sewing on the web, and my mom always answers my questions!

Well, have a good day!

sewing!

So, I am still running, a couple of times each week. With working and taking some classes, time is limited. I have a new venture, though! I am learning to sew. I know the basics, my wonderful mom taught me. Expanding on my sewing skills, taking on harder and more complex projects. I've made quite a few tote bags, curtains for the house, a skirt and a dress/tunic. I'd like to work on summer clothes, but it's so dang cold here I may have to work on winter clothes! If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will do that!

Stay tuned!

Cold

So, it's been a while since I last wrote anything. A lot has changed! We up and moved from Switzerland to Wisconsin and settling in hasn't exactly been easy. Let's just say that Northerners are not any where near as friendly as Texans.

Summer was great for running! I ran everywhere we visited. Wisconsin, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and a bit of Nebraska. It was great. Haven't been doing so much in the last couple of weeks because it has been COLD!! Windy, cold, rainy, ugh. Gotta figure out how to get out there and run in this stuff because it is here to stay. (At least until May.)

A great bit of news is that after 18 years of staying home with my babies, I am gainfully employed! I got a job at the YMCA's childcare facility. They pay sucks, but the job will be great. I love working with kids, and my measly little paycheck will help pay for me to go back to school.

Speaking of back to school, the kids love their new school. #1 is finally so involved in activities, I can't keep track of her. This is wonderful! Band, orchestra, choir, advanced placement classes. Yay!

Until later....

The 1/2 I really want to do

Hello, everyone! I hope this new year brings good health, happiness, lots of laughter and love for you. 2010 is over and 2011 has barely begun. Has anyone made any resolutions or commitments for 2011? I have made one. Only 1. That is enough for me. Are you curious?

My goal (the one and only) is to complete a marathon this year. The plan is to run/walk it. There you go. That's it. I'm sure I can do it.

Okay, on to other topics. I have had my eye on this half marathon for years. About 7 years now, ever since I started running longer distances than 5 and 10k. It is a tough, tough run. It's in Wyoming, on this stretch of land between Laramie and Cheyenne. Absolutely gorgeous scenery, desolate area, few people. My favorite type of run. Here is the link:

http://www.angelfire.com/wy2/marathon/

Check it out. I know I can do it, there is no time limit, just be done before dark. I can take my time and plod along up the mountain. It's a thought...

Running in the cold, ugh!

I would like to say that I’ve been too busy to write because I’ve been out running. Unfortunately, that is not the truth. Sadly, I’ve been battling a sinus infection, a chest cold, snow, ice and below freezing temperatures.

Many, many years ago, I left behind the cold, snowy, freezing winters of central New York to move to the warmer, friendlier climate of Southern California. Southern California is a great place to run. The only excuse I ever had was avoiding the rain, but I love running in the rain. After California, I moved to Texas. The heat was great; it was okay to run as long as I was out before the sun was too far up.

Currently, I’m living in Switzerland. Guess what? It snows here, it freezes, it gets icy and it stays cold. It’s not fun to run in. Even if I get all bundled up, I still worry about slipping on the ice. (Did I mention that we live in the Swiss Alps? I live in the hills.) My oh so awesome sister gave me a pair of yaktrax to help my shoes with traction, but they are not that comfortable.

Okay, enough whining. What to do about it? A friend challenged me to run 60 miles in the next 8 weeks. So, I’ve accepted the challenge. I actually ran a couple of miles yesterday. Yay! At least there was no ice, and it was above 32 Fahrenheit. Great day for a run!

Knee injury

Wow, what a couple of weeks. I felt so good right after the Lausanne 10k, getting my personal best and running such a great race! Monday came crashing down, though. I’d been fighting a cold the previous week and it caught up with me. Coughing, sore throat, serious sinus congestion, ugh. Took me all week to recuperate and I was unable to run. It was nice staying home, though! I crocheted, worked on the kitchen, and washed gazillion loads of laundry. It ended up being a productive week.

I was ready to go Monday; I ran some with my friend JM. The cold was still hanging on and we ran VERY, very slowly. Which is fine, I ran! However, the rest of the week my running has been put on hold. I have an injury. There is no great story behind it, but I’ll share it anyway.

This past weekend, I broke two of my favorite champagne glasses. They were so beautiful. Heart shaped, heavy at the base, thinning out to the top. We’ve had them since before we got married, 17 years ago; used them at our wedding for a toast; they’ve moved from California to Texas to Switzerland and survived all those moves. Until the day I decide to wash them! Oh well, c’est la vie. I cleaned up the bits and pieces and threw them in the trash, and didn’t give them a second thought.

Monday afternoon, 3:25 pm, right before pick up, I was taking the trash to the car so that I could drop it off at the huge bins that we take our trash to. Since the bag was a bit heavy, I decided to help it move along with my foot. Not a good idea when there is broken glass in a plastic trash bag. Zing! The glass had broken through the bag, ripped my pants and gave me a great slice below the knee. Dang! I looked at it, and never having a cut like this before decided that I’d better have it checked out. Three stitches later, I’m home.

That’s the story. No running for a few days. That’s how it goes.

Have a great weekend!

Lausanne Marathon

Hello, everyone! Happy Monday.

Sunday was a great day. Halloween, Girl Scouts and the Lausanne Marathon. It was a cloudy day, not chilly, no rain; perfect day for a run along the beautiful Lake Geneva. The race had several categories and I chose the 10k portion. It starts in Lausanne, turns around in Lutry and finishes in Ouchy (in front of the Olympic museum.) There were several spectators and loads of runners. It is great to see so many people out running, walking, nordic walking. There are also a couple of long, steady hills, ugh. I finished with a personal best,though, 1:06 for a 10k! Pretty good, I think.

A couple of friends ran the whole marathon (good job!) What an accomplishment that is. Two friends ran the 1/2 marathon and several friends ran the 10k. No matter what the distance, just getting out there to compete in any distance of race is what is important. You are exercising and doing something good for the body, and you've accomplished something so many people only dream about. Be proud. I know I am!