Run for your life</h1> <article> <h1>Run for your life</h1> <p>The Meanest Bean of Them All — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:12:53 +0000</p> <p>A little update on my Get Healthy progress – I use SparkPeople for blogging about this, tracking my food and exercise, and gaining motivation and support from others. If you’re wanting to get healthier and need a support network, I can’t reccomend Spark enough. And it’s completely, 100% FREE. <em>How can you say no? </em></p> <p>First things first. I weighed in on Friday, and today I finally decided to go ahead and let myself weigh in again. I was trying to only do it once a month, but that’s really hard. So for now, when the urge is super strong I will, but I will not obsess about it.</p> <p>Good news! I dropped 9 tenths of a pound! I’m tracking carefully now, I’ve worked out every day in some way since Friday, and I’m actually being conscious of what I eat, not just total calories. Shocking…common sense works.</p> <p> Let’s keep this train going!</p> <p>After the Shamrock Stride 5k walk last month, I knew that I wanted to work up to being a runner, but I haven’t had a goal race to work toward. Now, I do.</p> <ul> <li>Now, I plan to outrun zombies.</li> <li>Slide in the mud.</li> <li>Run through a pond.</li> <li>Get dirty, wet, and thoroughly happy.</li> </ul> <p>I am going to train for <a href="http://runforyourlives.com" target="_blank">Run For Your Lives</a>, a 5k zombie obstacle course. It’s basically like a live video game. You have 3 “health flags” that the zombie volunteers are going for, and if you emerge with any of those left, you’re ALIVE. If you lose them all, you’re DEAD, but either way you get a medal and a cool shirt, and bragging rights for having done a wicked awesome zombie run.</p> <p>The one by me isn’t until August 4, which gives me plenty of time. My only concern is that Matt and I will be celebrating our <strong>10th anniversary (!!!!!!) </strong> the day prior, and may be on a cruise during this time. But for now, I will train as though I’m doing that race, and we’ll see what happens. I am just enamored with this idea, and I know I would have an absolute BLAST running this course.</p> <p><strong>Look out zombies, I’m going to outrun you!! </strong></p> </article> <article> <h1>More coming soon</h1> <p>The Meanest Bean of Them All — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:00:05 +0000</p> <p>This week has been absolutely INSANITY, but I promise you I have a lovely mini-tutorial coming for you. I will show you how to take an outdated prom dress, make your kiddo happy AND have yourself a refashioned petticoat. All for $6 and some time at the sewing machine!</p> <p>Matt is going to get some good photos of me in the petticoat so you can see how the finished product fills out your skirts. Unfortunately it’s been raining like crazy, or the sun has peeked out and he hasn’t been home. Hopefully we’ll get that shoot in this week so I can finish the tutorial and share it with you!</p> <p>In the meantime, between Timbers games (I lost my voice at tonight’s game, between a poor show most of the game and TERRIBLE refs….eek) visiting family, and more, here is kiddo giving you an excellent demonstration of how I feel every day lately:</p> <p><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0097.jpg"></a></p> </article> <article> <h1>Stroll with me</h1> <p>The Meanest Bean of Them All — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:03:18 +0000</p> <p>Let’s meander a little ways down Memory Lane, shall we?</p> <p>A week or so ago, I cleaned out a purse I haven’t used in months, only to find a bag with 8 or 9 rolls of undeveloped film sitting in it! I haven’t used film since college or so, which told me these rolls were decently aged. I called up my photographer sister in law to see if the age would prevent me from using the local 1 hour photo place, and she gave me the green light.</p> <p>So, since film isn’t all that cheap to develop, I’m gradually doing these rolls. First up? A random disposable camera from my second year or so of college.</p> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2403' title='R1-02924-0022'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2392' title='R1-02924-0005'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2390' title='R1-02924-0003'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2398' title='R1-02924-0015'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2401' title='R1-02924-0020'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2393' title='R1-02924-0010'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2395' title='R1-02924-0012'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2402' title='R1-02924-0021'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2404' title='R1-02924-0023'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2389' title='R1-02924-0002'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2400' title='R1-02924-0017'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2405' title='R1-02924-0024'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2388' title='R1-02924-0001'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2399' title='R1-02924-0016'></a> <a href='http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?attachment_id=2394' title='R1-02924-0011'></a> <p> </p> <p><strong>Do you have any film languishing about your house? Will you ever develop it? Or will it become the Las Vegas of memories, never to tell your secrets?</strong></p> </article> <article> <h1>Tailgating, the Timbers way</h1> <p>The Meanest Bean of Them All — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:04:39 +0000</p> <p>Here I present to you unedited, but super fun, pictures of my day tailgaiting, the Timbers way</p> <p>All pictures were taken on March 12.2012, and only my laziness has prevented thier posting.</p> <p>PORTLAND TIMBERS 2012 FIRST HOME GAME/SEASON OPENER</p> <div id="attachment_2344" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0001a.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My new knitting friend Janet - she's just as cool as she looks <3</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2345" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0004.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Kicking off the morning with mimosas!</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2346" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0011.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My Game Day Outfit! Sadly, you can't see my petticoat in this picture, but I'm revamping it to be a bit more ostentatious =D</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2347" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0029.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">We did a lot of knitting</p></div> <div id="attachment_2348" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0032.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">and laughing</p></div> <div id="attachment_2349" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0036a.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">and knitting and laughing!</p></div> <div id="attachment_2350" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0039a.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">knitting en masse - we were even interviewed by the local news, but only a tiny bit of the interview made it on camera, and it wasn't my bit. It was still good, but of the stuff she talked to us about, they only used the most boring parts, of course!</p></div> <p style="text-align: center;"> <div id="attachment_2351" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0043.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">SO glad I got there before the big crowds arrived!!</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2352" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0055.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Super big sandwich! It took 4 of us to eat it, literally</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2354" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0061.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Teamwork!</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2355" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0070.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Crochet awesomeness spotted in the wilds of the Timbers Army!</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2356" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0076.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My new, awesome friends <3</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2359" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0097a.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Sadly, this is the closest I got for player pictures</p></div> <p><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0131.jpg"></a></p> <div id="attachment_2362" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0161.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Scoooooooooooooore!!</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2368" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0197.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My favorite capo =D</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2370" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0214.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My Father In Law, screening out the smoke</p></div> <p><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0223.jpg"></a></p> <div id="attachment_2375" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0238.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Cheering our team as they go into the locker room</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2374" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0231a.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Super fun glittery confetti my friend Janet made for Opening Day</p></div> <p> </p> <div id="attachment_2372" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 650px"><a href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/DSC0219.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Final score...Timbers 3, Philly Union...stomped.</p></div> </article> <article> <h1>Daydreaming</h1> <p>The Meanest Bean of Them All — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:56:53 +0000</p> <p>There truly need to be more hours in the day. Not hours for office work, housework, commuting or any of those other things that have to be done that few of us look forward to. No, I would like to have “free” hours added to our days, please. Hours that don’t cut into our precious sleeping time, so we can spend two or three hours a day “playing”, whatever that looks like for each of us.</p> <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://www.edupics.com/play-time-t14817.jpg"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Photo credit: edupics</p></div> <p>If I had several extra hours each day? Ideally I’d like to think I’d be farther along on all my projects, and finally get caught up to the many things I want to accomplish. In reality, I know that I’d use that valuable time to <em>start </em>more projects instead of finishing them. So, it’s probably good (for me) that these mythical hours don’t exist.</p> <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 570px"><a href="http://libweb.uoregon.edu/cmet/consulting/hours.html"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Photo linked to credit site (U of O library)</p></div> <p>As a form of spring cleaning, I’m trying to finish up projects that are languishing. I’m about halfway through quilting <a title="Oh dear, I caught the bug" href="http://mymeanbean.com/Blog/?p=2331" target="_blank">Donna’s adorable M.E. quilt</a>, and I haven’t done much knitting because of this. I have been doing a ton of reading on sewing blogs, sites, finding tips and techniques, and otherwise gorging myself on information on projects that aren’t even in the works yet. It’s very inspiring, and I do find that reading about people doing things that I want to do spurs me to clear out mental and physical space for me to start them myself.</p> <p>One thing that I’ve seen, and something I’ve tossed around for a few years now, is the idea of making my wardrobe. Not just one or two peices, but planning out things I like that I know I’ll wear, and making them. I’ve been gradually doing something like this for a while, as I have 4 skirts in heavy rotation that I made, a couple of sweaters that I knitted (though one is rarely worn and I’ll probably pull it apart and make something else instead), and various accessories that I’ve made. Matt has made me several necklaces and bracelets, and those stay in rotation as well.</p> <p>The idea of dressing well, and paring down my closet is very appealing to me. The thought of having layers for the erratic weather patterns we have here in Portland, paired with a fun vintage aesthetic makes my heart go a-flutter. As I browse the web, I find ideas for layering where I will still look the way I want, and not like I put on a dress over something modern to “go retro”. Please don’t misunderstand, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, or any other style one chooses to wear! My personal taste tends toward being as accurate as I can be, because I really love the look and feel. Compared to my usual jeans and t-shirt each day, even casual dresses are dressy and make me feel fabulous.</p> <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 494px"><a href="http://simplysharpe.com/"></a><p class="wp-caption-text">image credit: Simply Sharpe</p></div> <p>My hope is to park myself at Jo-Ann’s on Saturday and look through all the pattern books I can get my hands on, and get some ideas of what I want in my closet. I already have some pretty clear ideas. Such as, I really love <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Sew-Retro-The-Starlet-Suit-Jacket/56" target="_blank">the Starlet Suit</a>, but I would really like just the pattern, not the full course. However, the tailoring tips and whatnot I think would be invaluable, so I may one day invest in this course. However, I still plan to see if I can find a full skirted suit pattern on my own.</p> <p>I also plan to invest in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-Revised-Updated-Knitting-Magazine/dp/1933027002/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332463963&sr=8-1" target="_blank">the big pink Vogue book</a>. Everyone on Amazon just raves about this book and what a great reference it is! It’s only $19.77 so this book will be purchased sooner rather than later </p> <p>Just writing about the things I want to get done makes me itch to go sew. So, I’m off …ta for now!</p> </article> </main></body></html>