And Away I sew...

Last summer, I voiced my frustrations-intimidations-fears of sewing with my old Kenmore machine, inherited from my late grandma Pat. This summer break I laid those feelings aside for the greater good: fixing things.

First thing I did was have Jeff help me figure out the basic functions of my sewing machine: threading the needle, threading the bobbin, as well as tension & stitch settings.

I started with cloth napkins, considering them the most practical items. My how we have saved paper! The material came from rawly cut napkins from a friend's wedding. They are fun colors & Jeff loves using them...especially with greasy meals like chicken or ribs. I even taught him how to sew in the process! As my mother once said "If you can learn how to sew a straight line, you can make just about anything".

Since then, I have ventured on to tailor scrubs, mend jeans & shirts, shorten a maxi dress & to transform a camisole with a built in bra into sportswear. I love the possibilities now that I have learned how to use my machine! Not only can I see how this is saving us money, but it gives well-loved clothing a second chance. Mission accomplished!

Versace Dress by Herb Ritts

Versace Dress, Back View, El Mirage, 1990, Herb Ritts, gelatin silver print. Gift of the Herb Ritts Foundation. © Herb Ritts Foundation.

My family saw Herb Ritts' photography exhibit at the Getty & this is a work that I find very captivating. He often used the contrast of black & white against fit athletic bodies or famous individuals from Hollywood. This shot in particular is so full of lines & geometric symmetry my eyes could trace each part forever. The way this woman's back & leg are framed in an arid desert makes me think of a Picasso painting. To me, it speaks of time, independence & hope. What do you think?

The Holmquists & Their Fish

Well, I wouldn't say Jeff & I "graduated" from taking care of a life form as simple as plants (yes, some died in the process...3 to be exact), but it is yet another year of marriage & another chance to try our hand at a second form of parenting--maintaining a fresh water fish tank. What is involved? 45 gallons of water, 18 tropical fish, soil, live plants, rocks, waterlogged wood, snails, miniature lily pads, moss, a wooden cabinet stand, a filtering system & lights.

The special thing about this water-world is that it maintains itself! The soil under the rocks & lighting system allow the plants to grow which then puts oxygen into the water for the fish. The fish poop & it  fertilizes the plants.  The snail population cleans the glass of any green algae. They reproduce rather quickly, but are now controlled by our hungry catfish Mr. Ming. It is quite the little ecosystem & has become Jeff's new hobby. He loves taking care of everything. The good thing is, it only requires a water change a few times a year.

We are fascinated by our fish & have given them all names:

1. Cupid (top L red platy...we were told she was pregnant)
2. Nieve (the white Molly in the bottom R photo)
3. Paulo (the bright orange & yellow sunset platy top R, reminds us of Brazil)
4. Orleans (the yellow & black bumblebee platy top R photo, L corner)
5. Tweedelee-Dee & Tweedelee-Dum ( black & grey fish R photo, R corner )
6. The Bopsy twins (the other two fish which are exactly the same as #5)
7. Huey, Duey, Luey & Ed ( striped fish in R photo underneath Paulo)
8. Mr. Ming (catfish)
9. Trinidad, Tobago & Haiti (black, clear & neon orange fish)
10. Tigerlily (clear & white with a red face, very thin)
11. Neon lights ( baby fish with neon orange, yellow, silver & black)

R.I.P Lenny, our sucker fish, geisha, our panda platy & Francis.

We love having the tank in our study...nice company while I study & a resting spot after a long day of hard work...not to mention a good entertainment piece for guests. Long Live the year of Fish!

Attention All Moviegoers!

 

So, I get it...you know Red Box is a cheap way to see a film on a date at home, but you want to get out of the house!

Your solution? Don't spend 11+ dollars on a new release in the theaters. Visit a discount theater to save your money & your sanity.

Two great options:
 Simi Valley 10 Cinemas (off the 118 freeway) &  
Regency theater in North Hollywood.         

At Simi Valley 10 Cinemas you pay: matinee $3.50, evening $4.25
At Regency Theater you pay: Tuesday & Sunday $1.50, rest of the week $3.00, 3D Films $2.00 (surcharge fee).

For directions click on these links: Simi 10, Regency 

Note: Depending on the movie, it takes about 2 months for new releases to reach these discount theaters. Do it, it's worth the wait!

Drive, another original movie soundtrack obession

Do you like electronica? This album was designed to sound like "a kind of retro, 80ish, synthesizer europop". I found it familiar to a genre of music I very much enjoy, but was taken by its coarse sound & story-telling quality. The combination is addicting. Hear for yourself:
Drive OST

Favorite Tracks: Nightcall, Under Your Spell

One to Skip: Oh My Love

Sherman Oaks Castle Park Mini-Golf

 

If you are a penny-pinching couple living in the San Fernando Valley try this venue out for a morning date. Their special is:

$3.00 per person for Weekend Early Birds 9 am - 10:30 am.

Jeff & I have now been here twice. They have 3 or four courses you can try out. We would recommend the one on the far left because you don't get any noise from the freeway. Mini-golf is an activity that reminds me of my childhood & that is one that still remains a fun challenge. The grounds have all kinds of interesting structures to look at, not to mention that they are a little retro which contributes to the experience. Try it! for more information go to: http://www.laparks.org/shermanoaks_castlepk/index.htm

To be, or not to be...fit

      Why is it so hard to get in shape & stay in shape? Is it really a busy schedule, not enough money to invest in the right food, gym or equipment or a lack of discipline to be consistent? I ask myself these questions also wondering how much of a priority fitness should be and what kind of role it should have in my own life.
        I think it is helpful to know what I really am saying when I use terms such as "in shape". Here is a dictionary definition: "The proper condition of something necessary for action, effectiveness, or use: an athlete in excellent shape." In my case, I think it is necessary for me to be in physical condition to defend myself from any harm and perform daily activities without fatigue or injury to my body. Being in physical therapy school has taught me about the damage that can occur as a result of repetitive stresses on a deconditioned body.
        Fitness, another commonly used term, often refers to a conditioned heart under different circumstances. the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports They say fitness is "the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue and with ample energy to enjoy lesiure time pursuits and to meet unforseen emergencies."  Another useful description comes from the American Heart Association and includes a phrase about achieving " a state of body efficiency enabling a person to exercise vigorously for a long time period without fatigue." (http://intenceman.tripod.com/id21.html). In other words, to be fit, really means to prevent disease, sickness or comorbities = better quality of physical life.

        Spiritually, I believe exercise could be seen as an issue of stewardship as well as a way to naturally balance hormones affecting one's state of mind. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "¹⁹ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. " This passage speaks about sinning against one's own body through sexual immorality. Taking care of one's body through physical fitness seems like a good way to avoid sinning against it in other ways such as gluttony. In principle, I desire to honor God with my body & put it to the best use possible. Even the Proverbs 31 woman, my role model for being a godly wife & mother, is known to have some degree of fitness v17."She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. " I would love to hear any of my reader's insights on biblical support for fitness.

        So what do I do? I try to make exercise a priority. This summer has been an opportune time to develop an exercise routine for myself as well as for my husband. I realize that I must be careful to not let it become an idol or an obession, but when balanced with higher priorities I believe it can be an blessing & an enjoyment! I also have accepted the fact that I will not always have the same metabolism. This year I will be turning 25 & want to discipline myself to be as fit as possible now so that when I do start to decline physiologically it will not be so hard to stay in shape...the habit will already be in place as well as a healthy baseline.
        Right now, with access to a state of the art gym at CSUN I enjoy zumba & yoga classes, swimming laps, racquetball & weight machines. Boxing will be my next weekly pursuit. Realistically, I know Jeff & I will not always have the time or finances for that level of activity so I have also designed a morning work-out routine for Jeff & I before he goes to work. This way, I hope to instill a lifelong routine of fitness that does not depend on a gym. With the 2012 summer olympics in London, I am sure we will have enough inspiration to go around!

photo credit: Herb Ritts “Jackie Joyner-Kersee", Point Dume, 1987
 

Why I Like Discipline

Here I am again enjoying another summer break from school.  Rest & vacation are truly gifts from God. My appreciation for life significantly increases once I am out from under the stress of being a full time student. I walk slower, stop & listen to birds singing, take more naps, read for fun, hang out with friends & loved ones, spend quality time with God & pursue pastimes.   

    It seems that free time, cherished during the academic semester, can just as easily become my enemy & discipline my friend...as odd as it sounds. I have come to realize that having some structure to my day as well as general goals or plans is more fulfilling than vegging out in front of my computer screen for hours. What does that mean for me? Simply said, balancing sedentary activities with active ones & productive pastimes with unproductive ones. Although challenging, it proves to leave me feelling less groggy & more content with what I do with my time off. 

    Jeff has us on a schedule of waking up & going to bed early (as in 6am-10pm). There is just something to that schedule which makes my day feel longer. Working out, hanging out, and keeping up are the three things on my mind.  Why? I feel best when I am in shape, refreshed by relationships, and when my responsibilities don't fall by the way side. The thread that makes it meaningful is the overarching discipline of godliness.  I hope to do that by being aware of God-praising Him at all times.  I want to study His Word more so that I may more clearly understand my Creator, purpose & priorities.


"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." (1Tim 4:8-9)