And you thought going to the bathroom couldn't be fun

There are few greater things than a child's curiosity. Then there's trying to go to the bathroom in peace. Or trying to wipe. My nephew is at an age where "potty time" is a monumentus occassion for learning. Even if it's while you are on the potty. It was like having my own personal bathroom attendant, but it was closer to probably having a doctor in the bathroom with you—he was curious to see the nether regions and to know: You poop?! Ah, curiosity.

Yoga, yoga, yoga

So after purchasing a year-long unlimited pass at Darling Yoga, I went to two classes this week—along with preggo Amanda. I think that's a pretty good start. First class was just yoga basics and last night, have some prodding from Amanda, we went to restorative yoga. Yoga Basics didn't feel basic. I could barely hold plank or down dog, but in my defense, my wrist was bothering me. I had done restorative yoga before in Lawrence, and it just didn't seem to fulfill my intense nature (if I don't feel a burn, it's not accomplishing anthing IMHO). This restorative class rocked however. We did lots of leg stretches, which I needed after being in hibernation and sitting on my butt for so long. We also did some twist, which amazingly, reached all the way to my tight shoulders and helped open them up. My favorite pose came at the end. And I knew it was coming. It's called Supta Baddha Konasana. The last time I did it, it wasn't all that comfortable. I don't know if it was all the stretching we did prior, but my body was one giant noodle when it came to this pose.

Or so I thought. After a few minutes in the pose, which I thought I was doing really well, Emily (the fabulous owner and instructor) came around and adjusted those afore mentioned tight shoulders of mine. Um, wow. It felt so good I think I could have fell asleep in the pose. I walked out of class feeling so relaxed, happy, and energized. Even finding out that Jonathan ate my m&ms didn't bother me. He did leave me some. Thanks honey.

I'm in Denver next week to spend some time with my little rascal nephew and my sister and to attend yet another tradeshow. I'm thinking a jaunt up to the mountains, more yoga, lots of food, writing (that I'm behind on!), and some TLC. Oh, and work, but who could forget that?

Music for dance giggles

For your entertainment, here's some of my favorite crazy dance songs. Jonathan and I play these for giggles, busting out crazy moves. There will be no show times, but feel free to have your own.

Thik Lizzy

I'm peeking out of my work hole long enough to tell you: Jessie rocked it on Saturday at a Thik Lizzy gig. Co-worker and the most cool and famous person I know, Eric Melin (of the scene-stealers.com phenomenon), was part of his band, Dead Girls Ruin Everything, tribute band Thik Lizzy. I didn't know any Thin Lizzy songs except "The Boyz are Back in Town," but that's okay. I felt just like a groupie. Eric rocked the drums in his wig and apparently his tight pants (I kept my eyes averted). I give the performance a solid rock fist up!

In my work hole

Hello? Down here. Yes, in this dark hole. I'm working, on my freelance editing gig. I don't have anything else to talk about or anything else to say until it's over for the month. Til then, go check out my favorites.

A Capricious Perspective just decorated for fall. Yes, fall. She crazy. Or check out my blog vice, celebrity babies. Totally weird, I know. But the people who read it are just as fascinating. They even post where you can get outfits celebrity moms-to-be or celebrity kids wear. Is that not creepy? You can dress your kid (if you can afford it) like Suri or Violet. Okay, maybe I'm the creep for even finding it. Then there's Mandy's Musings, which always cracks me up. She has a burger thing. Wanna burger recommendation? Go there. She's a pro having sampled burgers across the nation.

So check out my favorites until I come up for air, in which I write you a spellbinding post. Auvoir!

Down in the dumps

It happened yesterday evening. I had felt it coming all morning and afternoon. The dumps. That lonely, crazy feeling that sneaks up on you until you feel sad and blue. Maybe because it's because I have so much work to do and I. really. don't. want. to. do. it.

Yesterday, I decided that our gigantic zucchini that was hanging out our in our fridge needed eaten. So after chatting with a friend about something quick, easy, and delish that I could do with my zucc, I sliced her up. Using my food processor (This is only my second time using it, but I have a feeling that this little friend is going to make lots of dreams come true. Especially come November, when I'll have to make Jonathan's customary chocolate-chip cheesecakes. No more pounding Oreos in a bag now!), I put in fresh basil (it was a little wilted, but still tasty anyways), two garlic cloves, parmasean cheese, and olive oil. It was some very tasty pesto. Next, I dumped all my zucc slices in a bowl with the pesto to coat them. Having preheated the oven to 350 degrees, I put the slices on a cookie sheet and cooked them until the extra cheese I put on top was turning brown. Tasty, tasty.

I'm going to be hot yoga girl

It comes down to this: I need help getting back into my yoga routine. So starting next month, I'm going to be joining my favorite yoga studio in KC. I'm going to stretch, balance, and work my muscles content every day (I hope) starting next month. Since I've been sick I've found it hard to get back into my home routine. But even when I was practicing it everyday, I didn't feel as committed or felt like I could go as deep as I could in the studio. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was practicing in our where-crap-gets-tossed 2nd bedroom. Not only is there a giant treadmill, there's a full-size bed, boxes of all the things we can't unpack, a mountain of blankets that can't fit in our linen closet, a desk, a TV, and book shelf stuffed with books. It's no surprise that I can't concentrate enough to really get into each asana. At the studio, I can really focus and have a clean space in which to work.

It hurts me to think that last year I was doing handstands for minutes at a time, and I was about to move away from the wall while doing them. I have to start from the beginning now. Knowing me, I'll overdo it.

Medical knowledge

I am my mother's daughter. If Mom hadn't told me I was a good writer and that someday I should write a book (yeah, right!), I probably would had gone with a career in science. Just like Mom. Or stuck with being a speech pathologist. I know I would have made more money.

Mom liked to read about all things science. Mostly genetics. (Crazy, I know, right?) She also read a lot about lung cancer and CPOD, because knowledge is power. I'm the same way, and I didn't know it until I was diagnosed with MS. What I discovered, and what Mom probably did too, is that all diseases have some of the same fundamental properties. It's just the little things that set them all apart. So I'm learning, and making connections. For example, I read that interferons are also used in the treatment of cancer. Although mine is one strain of interferon taken at a low dose, I too take an interferon.

Here's where I get on my soapbox: If something seems suspicious, nip it the bud and get it checked out by your doctor. It may be no small thing. Just like I didn't in fact pull something in my leg while running. And that mole that I had removed, well, it came back negative, but it could have been something worse. Oh, and please use sun screen and avoid tanning beds. Not only does tanning age you (noticeably), you're just asking for skin cancer. Being healthy is more beautiful than any sun-kissed glow.

[Stepped off soapbox]

Now, does anyone else think that Michael Phelps is taking 'roids? The boy can swim!

Bb online

My favorite hair-care products now are available online from Bumble and Bumble. My faves: Curl Conscious creme, Prep, Tonic, Sumotech, gentle shampoo, and super rich conditioner. Not only do all these products deliver, but I also the wonderful, light yet yummy smells. But it'll cost ya. But it's so totally worth it if you're looking to indulge without the calories.

A fleeting appearance

I had bought a hummingbird feeder never really thinking I would see one of these mesmerizing creatures. But after a day of rain and sitting on my couch watching the Olympics with my patio blinds open, one such hummingbird flew around my patio. I don't think he got a taste of the sweet nectar, but he restored my hope.

Slowly, you forget

I passed an anniversary this week without realizing it. I don't know if it's good or sad that I know longer count the days Mom has no longer touched the days of my life.Three years have passed, and what I miss most are the small things that she gave life: the love you more thans, movie nights with chocolate, popcorn, and Coke, enjoying a good thunder storm, and more recently, simple solutions to household cleaning. I hope I can teach my future kids that. Mom, if you're reading, we miss you down here—oh, and I apologize for my profanity on this blog. :)

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Here's Mom in the middle, just where she liked to be. This is one of my favorite pictures, courtesy of my dear pregnant cousin (I think they're all pregnant at this point, just about) Melody—who seriously needs to update her webpage.

Treadmill, tennis shoes unearthed

Today I unearthed my tennis shoes and my treadmill. Tennis shoes were in the back of the closet, like I hadn't worn them in a while. Okay, I hadn't. The treadmill was dusty and cobwebby, and our extra blankets and pillows were threatening to overtake it. I guess it's, uh, been a while. It didn't feel like it had been that long, but then, even if it hadn't, the exercise was inconsistent. But it's a new day.

Today I only did half a mile at 3 (a somewhat brisk pace). I plan on slowly building up so I don't over exert myself, because I love to bite off more than I can chew or put in two miles running on that first day. To help me along, I'm recording my success in my iPhone. (MacBaby is so useful.) The goal: two steady miles running. I plan on adding some crunches and push ups down the road, but really I want to start my yoga routine first. There I go again, chewing on my own plans that I can't swallow. Jonathan has promised to keep me honest and motivated. And I hope that if all goes according to plan, not only will I be in shape again, I'll start eating healthy too. They really go hand in hand. Wish me luck!

The many useful apps of an iPhone

Iphone users can download many applications, ranging from $200 (or more) programs such as patient charts if you are a doctor to the free (sometimes silly) programs, including the Phonesaber. MacBaby now has Jedi fighting skills, complete with saber noises. Amanda, you just may have to come over to the dark side and get an iPhone now. You know you're burning to have a phone saber of your own.