Just in Time for Fall!

If you will recall, last winter we had several snow storms keeping many of us indoors for many days at a time. I had this brilliant idea that I would take up sewing since I couldn't go anywhere. Well, I didn't have that moment of brilliance until after the first time I was stranded indoors. So, I made my way to a fabric store the following week and picked up some stuff and printed instructions from the web to make a tote bag. Before I knew it, spring had sprung and I wasn't overly motivated to stay inside and sew.

Flash forward to August. I have placed myself on a self imposed spending freeze. I've had numerous unexpected expenses along with a few expected ones. So, I'm not shopping right now. This weekend I decided that I would finish the barely started tote bag so I felt like I got something new without spending any money.

Meet my new fall accessory, the lovely tote bag.




Here is one of the pockets inside. The stitch isn't perfect but I like to call that "character."

And to spice things up, I added a ric rac top stitch around the top. Again, not perfect but FULL of character.

What's next you ask? I'm going to see what kind of T-shirt quilt I can make out of all my old Starbucks uniforms. That will make a great blanket for snuggling on the couch this fall and winter!

My Yoga Fix

Last winter, I took advantage of a fantastic special at a local hot yoga studio. I wanted to try it out and one of my friends was willing to join me. I absolutely loved it. I could tell a difference in my running and my stress level. When the special ended, so did I. I wanted to renew it, but couldn't justify the extra monthly cost when the studio was all the way down at Shore Drive, a good 20-30 minute drive from my home. It wouldn't be convenient.

Since then, I have thought a lot about yoga and wondering how I could fit it back into my life. My most recent issue of Runner's World advertised a new DVD, The No Om Zone. I did a little internet research and decided what the hay. I ordered it and received it today. I'm actually pretty pumped about it. I tried one of the workouts this evening. They are short individually, so it wasn't as intense as the class. I imagine if I do all workouts together, it will be more similar.

The appeal for this particular routine is it prides itself in "No Chanting, No Granola, No Sanskrit." It is strictly the physical part of yoga and not so much the mediation/chanting part. That always weirded me out in the class. I just hope this thing works me out as much as the class did.

So, if you are looking for some yoga options, this might work for you. I'm hoping it works for me!