Savannah Trip

Ya know, I'm not big on long distance drives for the day, but I did agree 'cause Steve made the attempt to plan SOMETHING for the weekend!! He got tix for Brian Regan and he was playing in Savannah. Woo hoo!

Our family has been a fan of Brian Regan since Mary Jo (pilates tutor/friend) gave us the CD for a Christmas gift. We started playing the cd in the car on the way to a Hawks game. Comments from the crowd: "Turn that off!" "That is stupid!". . . . well . . . wait a minute . . . hmmm . . .silence. They started listening!

Went to the game. Got back in the car. "Turn that CD back on!" Laughter all the way home. And then a dedication to Brian Regan and all his Comedy Channel shows.

So much so, that Cameron is reciting the lines during the show, the gal in front of us turns around amazed that he can predict! OK, maybe Brian should never do old stuff but, hey - that's what guys do, right? Practice makes perfect. . .

On another note, let me show you a photo from the Italian restaurant where we dined prior: Gavin ordered Surf n Turf and I was cracking up so much that Steve didn't notice. Here's what he got:

What happened?

A year's worth of what happened, I suppose, is in order from this lazy blogger.

2008, . . .We launched a new biz on the side . . . Steve is full time at IBM, and I am part time at roam. roam is going in full force. We are engaged as much as possible as investors/owners. (Can I tell u how much fun it is to hang out there? Can U imagine what it is like to have a business, where the employees are so awesome, that you just enjoy being there to talk/interact with them? That is Gale, Jose, Jody, Shane G and Shane C. I don't make this stuff up.). And the members/customers - they make it fun to come into work every day. Ok, and I will have to add Brian Kramer, new President, although occasionally he will introduce himself as "Evil Brian", but I frankly don't get that.

A really cool thing (no, well, two really cool things) happened: we (roam) joined the Georgia Alliance of Private Clubs and Atlanta Magazine voted us "best of 2008." We didn't fit a 'category' so we were voted "best new coffee shop" , which was undoubtedly a reference to our private coffee blend "a-roam-a" and the fact that we make laVazza espresso drinks. Viva Italia!

Danish dinner extraordinaire. . . well, actually, this is the easiest cuisine of all to adopt, I'm all for good food that is easy to prepare. Here is Steve handing the torch to John for carving up the green ham so that the crackling comes out crispy and juicy:



Enough about work and dreams.

I met up with sister Hilda in St. George, Utah! We almost saw a KennyLoggins concert (saw the prep with the mountains in the background, it was awesome ("check, check!"), we rode over on our single speed cruiser bicycles to check it out, and instead decided to spend our last evening at home).

Julien Six was our summer student from France and John will be going there next summer. The Stimpsons will be coming here for spring break after two years!!! Everyone has waited so patiently to get them back to Marietta. Share, people, share!!!

David and Martha (and Lily) have moved from California back to Indiana, and Lily is in college at De Paul University.

Don't hear much from anyone else except Klaus in Denmark. We had a fun conference call between Stephen, David, and Klaus on Christmas Day. I don't know what they planned but I'm sure we are all in a bit of trouble.

Goodbye to all our beloved ones lost in 2008.
Much love,
suZen

Is pilates the new yoga?

I have been a yoga enthusiast since I was 16 years old. Growing up in rural America, I watched "Lilias Yoga and You" on PBS; practiced from a book at 17; and took my first actual course in college at 21. When I was 30, a friend introduced me to Iyengar style and I was committed, for a long time, even continuing through a trial with cancer and several pregnancies and after. Pilates has been around forever, but I just watched and waited as it grew more popular and the mat classes became widely available and affordable. Until I started my private personal training on the pilates large equipment (reformer, cadillac) with MaryJo Falvey of Pilates Tutor Studio . . . and now, all I do is pilates! Maybe a little cardio, I know I need that too!

It began simply: I bid on a series of personal sessions with MaryJo at our school's fundraiser. She was also teaching the mat class at the Y, which I began taking. She said, "Susan, you have to come and take your personal sessions!" Isn't that the case . . . sometimes you just sit on these things for a year or two . . .

Well, that was a couple years ago, and while I am not her strongest, youngest, most flexible, or fearless student, I believe that I am the most committed. I'm at the intermediate level and can do some of the advanced moves, and I'm pushing 50. I believe in her commitment to the Stott method; she is professional, dedicated, and probably the most talented Stott instructor in Atlanta. If you don't believe me, you can watch as her practice has exploded and see how she is filling her classes as soon as she offers them.

She has the respect of other studios around Atlanta, too. Her work with me has resulted in the elimination of repetitive back and shoulder problems, increases in strength, even the awe of my children ("Mom, you're ripped!") Shouldn't we all get that from our teenage boys?

I certainly hope that Stott appreciates the attention that this go-getter has brought to them. There are plenty of generic pilates instructors all over the place. Stott demands intensive training, and fees for equipment, training, and certification are very high as a result. After all, STOTT PILATES™ is the only full service integrated pilates company offering equipment, education, videos, manuals, studios, licensing, and support.

You won't regret checking this out: go book your friends or your business for a private group class, or just sign up for personal training with MaryJo, Carla, or Elizabeth. She currently has a coupon for a free class. Special tip: hot yoga teacher/Invigorated Life wellness coach Kimberly Kirby is also teaching at Pilates Tutor . . .

Need I say more. Pilates is the new yoga. Or better.

The coolest anthropology experiment - ever! Mummified fast food!

My friend Kimberly Kirby, yogini, author, and wellness coach (see link to the right: Invigorated Life) indulged us last night in a preview of her talk that she will be giving at an East Cobb Town Hall meeting. You have to see this to believe it!! It was so cool!!! I don't know if kids or parents will be more intrigued . . . probably a tie!

We know that trans fats (aka partially hydrogenated oils and more hidden names) and preservatives are no-nos . . . but have you ever seen a one year-old plus fast food hamburger in its wrapper (we will not name the chain). Is it moldy? Has it decayed? Have any bugs invaded it (she keeps it in a highly accessible paper bag in her pantry)? Well, the answer is no . . . so why do we eat this stuff?

For all of you who plan to attend the town hall meeting, lucky you! Kimberly also has visuals and props, showing sugar content in 'healthy" drinks and foods . . . and more! She has a really sexy yoga teacher voice, so I highly recommend attending. She only gets 10 minutes, so be on time!! Carpool? Call me!

Here are the details:

JOIN A TOWN HALL MEETING ON CHILDHOOD NUTRITION IN COBB SCHOOLS

How much attention do you pay to childhood nutrition in our schools? The health and wellness of our county’s youngest citizens extends beyond the home. Parents, schools, teachers, elected officials, PTAs – and most notably, you – influence the daily nutrition of our children. This is a very important topic and one that has already gained national recognition.
A Town Hall Meeting has been scheduled to bring together elected officials, School Board, Cobb County Food and Nutrition Services, parents, PTAs, Administration and students for a healthy discussion, education and voice on the nutritional programs within Cobb County schools. Explore the results of successful changes in California and New York State Schools and learn from Diane Harris, Ph.D and Kimberly Kirby, two leading nutritional experts and East Cobb elementary school moms, as well as personal experiences from students Cooper Driskell (Sope Creek Elementary), Tiffany Mills (East Cobb Middle School) and Chandler Converse (Pebblebrook High School). Be a part of this unprecedented event and learn some easy tips on how you can take on responsibility for the betterment of Cobb’s youngest citizens. Parking is limited so plan to carpool.

What: Cobb County Town Hall Meeting on Modern Childhood Nutrition

When: April 17, 2008 at 7 p.m.

Where: Sope Creek Elementary, 3320 Paper Mill Road, Marietta, Ga. 30067

More Information: arasin5@bellsouth.net or fluffyjune@yahoo.com

What . . . you are still here? Incidentally, our middle school, Hightower Trail, is embarking on its own crusade against bad food. Ms. Tarbutton, the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher, has received a grant to purchase multiple copies of the book, "Chew on This", written by the same guy who wrote "Fast Food Nation." She is really doing her part to educate parents and kids on the harmful nature of bad nutritional choices. She is awesome!

(on a personal note, I could not put the proper punctuation on the book titles, which should be underlined, so I had to put quotation marks. I think it is glitch in blogger. My apologies!)

End of an ear-ah

Actually, can see the ear-ah's for the first time in year-ahs!

You guys are next!!!!

Hello from the Stimpsons

Our dear friends write to us from jolly old England . . . I am encouraging her to blog, because it is such a trip! We want to see pics too! We miss them terribly . . .

Yvonne writes: (and that is EEEEE-von, to you buddy!)

I’ve just manned the high school disco and I think I’m bleeding from the ears. Our computer continues to decide what we can and cannot see and often deletes emails before we get to open them – so, apologies if we’ve ignored anyone – its not deliberate. Haven’t been up to anything much really – Bob hasn’t been too well so have been nagging him back to health. Its difficult when he’s home – I feel like I have to be busy and interesting all the time, and I’m not really inclined to be either. He’s on the mend now so can resume couch-potato status. The kids (and me) just had a week off school, so I decided very last minute we needed a holiday – and headed off to Cornwall. We had a fantastic week – managed to get really lovely accommodation, had archery lessons, falconry lessons, how to eat and drink too much lessons. Cornwall is just amazing, and it really reminded me of New Zealand (yes, lots of sheep) and the yummiest ice cream. We got to spend a couple of days at the beach – the weather was actually brilliant for the whole week.

It was Alex’s birthday last week – 15 – can’t believe it. We went to London to see the Lion King musical for her birthday. Had a brilliant day – it was at Covent Garden which is an amazing place to spend a Sunday afternoon. There were loads of street performers, markets, shops, cafes. Really fun. We were all entranced by one street performer in particular, but all for different reasons. He was practically naked, totally sprayed silver, and could do the most outstanding things with his pecs. But the Lion King was good too.

Ben and Alex are tolerating things here, but would much rather be in Atlanta – especially Alex. Thomas has settled in really well. The menagerie is also doing well, although I do think English rodents are slower than American rodents – definite decline on the number of headless rats being dragged through the cat-flap – maybe its just too cold for them. Sam just continues to shag his way through life. I’m trying to be a little more adventurous in getting around, but I think I’m destined to forever go between the school and the supermarket. I got stuck on a huge roundabout last week, had not idea where I was supposed to go, and just ended up driving round and round the roundabout for ages.

Hope alls well with all of you. Please keep in touch – you know we miss you all.

Cheers, Yvonne

Transformational T-shirts

Yes, MaryJo, I did blog on this topic!! Had a little rough start to my morning, where I finally lost my temper big time, so into my closet I went and put on my Victoria Secret 'angel' tshirt for my pilates workout. . . . MJ commented on my pretty shirt and I told her it had special powers. It could change me from a screaming meemie into a placid saint. In fact, any tshirt in your closet will work just as well. If you are feeling frumpy, you just put on an old cool concert T and you will do a quick turn around (could also do a fake tattoo, or, a real one for that matter. Who's in?) Feeling out of shape, put your "pilates for hotties" tank on. Feeling unloved? Put on something that your friend or mom got you. (Jewelry works as well, especially like old boyfriend's items, etc. And you know who you are.) And if you are feeling financially stressed, fur works really well, best if it's right next to the skin! Like a Jane Fonda fur bikini. mm, hmmm.

Fashion is a right, not a privilege. And it's way better and faster than prozac.

OK. I'll be quiet now.