adventures in exercise: spin class ed.

Once upon a time in college, I took a spin class.

I don't think it went well. I can't say that for sure, but since the only memories I retain about the experience are the sensation of excruciating pain and severe strobe-light-induced nausea, it leads me to believe that spin class wasn't really my thing. Ever since that class, I've had a pretty extreme fear and aversion to spin classes. I see you in there on your bikes going nowhere. Have fun getting skinny. I'll be out here doing ANYTHING THAT ISN'T THAT.

But at some point you just get sick of letting your fears run your life. I mean, choosing workout classes isn't really a Real Life Problem, per se, but it is something I do a couple of times a week. And it started annoying me that I automatically ruled out half of the classes offered at convenient times at my gym because they happen to be spin classes. Why? Based on one fuzzy memory of something I tried over a decade ago and didn't like? What if I used that logic on everything in life? One bad taco=NEVER EAT MEXICAN FOOD AGAIN? Um, no. One mealy apple=NEVER EAT FRUIT AGAIN? This is terrible logic.

So yesterday I decided to conquer my fears and take a spin class. Here's some of the logical facts I used to convince myself to try it:

1. I like riding my (real) bike. So spinning won't be that bad, plus there's no risk of dogs chasing after me and trying to kill me! Or getting hit by a car!

2. Low impact. This is important when you're anciently old like me.

3. Summer=no/less college kids=less judgy people in spin classes. Good time to try it out.

4. The Biggest Loser contestants that seem to maintain the healthiest lifestyles post-show all do spinning. Therefore it must be great. I will probably get skinny after one class!

5. I'm 80% sure they don't have a strobe light (public enemy #1) in the spin room at this gym.

6. I'm in pretty good shape. Surely this won't be that bad. Maybe I was just really out of shape in college (that's not remotely true, but I'm not beyond lying to myself just to be convincing).

7. It's only an hour. I can do anything for an hour.

With all of those thoughts resonating in my head and Matt dragging me by the arm, I bravely entered the spin studio. Matt's a relative expert at spinning, having taken two classes in the last five months, so I was glad to have him there to show me the ropes.

And then it started. And then I died. And now I am Ghost Erika on Jelly Legs, coming from beyond the grave to report back that ALL OF MY LOGIC FAILED ME and my college memories were 100% accurate. Spinning is NOT FUN.

I mean, I survived the class. But at what cost? Why all the ancillary pain, Spin Class? I understand pain related to muscles getting stronger. I accept the pain in my thighs and calves-- it is for a purpose. But why the awful tiny seats that cause horrible and fruitless butt pain?!?! Why the weird pedals and clip things that make my feet fall asleep while I'm furiously pedaling, the weirdest paradox ever? These things I cannot accept. I don't appreciate EXTRA pain that has no purpose. Ugh.

So...yeah. A decade and twenty-five extra pounds later, I still don't like spin class. But despite that, I think I'll try it at least once more before I swear it off for another decade or six. I have padded bike shorts that I wear when I ride my bike outside...maybe those would help with the butt pain situation. And maybe I'll Google and see if I can figure out how to get my feet to not fall asleep. And maybe I'll grow miraculously stronger overnight so that my legs don't want to break off after like...the warm up. I mean, I might be lazy and inclined to complain, but I'm not a quitter. So I want to feel like I really gave spinning a fair chance. But seriously. Ugh. Why do people like this??!

a particularly perfect weekend.

The weekend was summery perfection. It makes returning to work this morning particularly unappealing. But I have new lipstick, so that helps a little.

Not shockingly, I spent as much time as possible piddling around in my yard and flower beds.

Saturday morning's harvest that went directly into our bellies at breakfast. Aren't the golden tomatoes fun? I've never grown them before, but I was wooed by the fact that they're ready for harvest like two weeks earlier than my usual red varieties...and so they are! They taste yummy, too, and also their plants grow totally differently than what I'm used to, so it's been fun getting to watch them grow! And eat them, of course. Duh.

Dahlias DO NOT PLAY when it comes to being fabulous. I can't believe this is my first year planting them. Next year I'm going to plant like...a dozen.

We finally have enough variety in what's blooming to make some fun mixed bouquets!! Now the inside of my house looks happy, too!

On Sunday we dug up and replaced all of the pansies in the front bed with summer annuals (vinca). That meant Matt dug 72 holes and I filled them with 72 little plants. It wasn't really the afternoon of my lower back's dreams, but it needed to be done. And now our front bed looks way less depressing. Dozens of rotting pansies weren't really doing much for my front yard feng shui. I'll take pictures once the plants look a little less HI, I'M NEW HERE!!! 

Back to Saturday. After a morning in the yard, we did the Good Grownup Thing and went to the gym. Now that the college kids are (mostly) gone for the summer, the gym is gloriously empty and devoid of people doing annoying things. Also I can take pictures in the mirrors in the Ab Room without people seeing me and judging me.

Don't worry. Matt isn't napping. We'd just finished doing a lot of really painful planks. Promise.

After the gym, we spent a few hours recovering in and by the pool. That is perfection. If only every workout could be followed with a sunny and lazy afternoon at the pool.

Saturday night was Book Club!! In the last four months, Book Club has quickly become one of my favorite things to look forward to each month. This week we discussed The Rosie Project, which was universally loved. This month we're heading back to our young adult roots and reading The Program, which I'm really excited about!

I spent the wee hours of Saturday night/Sunday morning and late Sunday afternoon starting and finishing The Fault in our Stars. I know. It's embarrassing that I'm only now reading it, but better late than never, right? (says the girl who still hasn't attempted Harry Potter....) It was fabulous and heartbreaking. And now I am prepared to go see the movie with all of the other adults-who-love-YA-books.

That's pretty much it. Oh, I also spent a lot of time oooooohing and awwwwwing over pictures of my newest baby niece! She was born on Thursday and obviously is the cutest thing ever (I mean, equal to my other niece and nephew, of course). Now I just need a free weekend so that I can go meet her in person.

Yall watching The Bachelorette this season? I know I haven't talked about it much, but I'm faithfully watching! To be honest, I followed Reality Steve all through the 'off-season' (while they were actually filming), so I've been spoiled from the beginning. So all of my thoughts about things are tainted with knowing what happens, hence the radio silence. But I'm still enjoying the season and am SUPER GLAD that Bradley the Super Obnoxious Attention-Seeking Opera Singer is gone. Also I discovered that Sharleen, my favorite contestant from JP's season (and possibly favorite person on earth ever) has a new blog!! She does episode recaps (in addition to other stuff) and as you would suspect, they're thoughtful, insightful, and grammatically correct. In conclusion, I love Sharleen. So if you're a Bachelor(ette) fan, you should check that out.

Have a happy Monday!

pretty flowers, questionable outfits

I was going to have extra time to blog today. But then I spent my extra time roaming around my yard and admiring all the pretty flowers, so...now I have less time to blog than normal. Funny how that works. Flowers before bloggers. Or something?

But at least I have pictures of flowers! 

I planted four varieties of zinnias this year. Only ONE of them appear to be actually growing and blooming. I'm blaming the stupid late frost on this situation. But at least the zinnias that toughed it out are super pretty!

My pincushion flower(s?) (the purple ones in the background) gets bigger every year-- I love it! I just have to remember each spring to not toss it in the compost. When it starts growing it looks exactly like a weed. It has almost been weeded and killed by me for several years running. But once it starts blooming, it's beautiful and I remember that it isn't a weed.

We have several varieties of knockout roses, but this bush is my faaaaaavorite. I love how the blooms come out in perfect little bouquets. They look pink in this picture, but in real life they're much closer to red. The only sad thing is that they don't smell good (well, they don't smell bad, either...they just don't smell). My other knockouts smell amaaazing, but I don't think they're quite as pretty.

Then I took some selfies with the roses. Because of course.

I'm not entirely sure about my outfit today. I actually brought a change of clothes to work in case I decide I don't like it halfway through the day. I got these shorts a few weeks ago because I loved them in the dressing room. Since then, I've ironed them THREE TIMES, tried them on in my room a few times, and worn them zero times (oh, but of course I ripped the tags off). Until today. I just can't figure out what kind of top to wear with them? And I can't decide if I think they're flattering or if they make me look super huge. And also they get SUPER WRINKLY just by existing...please see: worn zero times, ironed THREE TIMES. Note: one of those times was with my flat iron, because I am crafty like that. If I hadn't taken the tags off, I'd probably return them, buttttt....since I'm stuck with them now, I'm finally trying to wear them. Also, they are insanely comfortable, so I've gotta give them credit there. We'll see how long they last. And also if my boss thinks they're work-appropriate, ha. Just taking all kinds of chances today.

And that's all I have time for. Flowers and outfits that are maybe a no. Have a happy weekend!

PS. I noticed after publishing that today is Show us Your Garden at Kelly's Korner! What a great linkup! If I'd known in advance, I would have taken some less crappy pictures with a better camera, but...oh well. If you're visiting from KK, hi! For more (mostly bad, but enthusiastic!) pictures and musings about my veggies, flowers, and gardening in general, go here!

another favorite thing

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Trader Joe's. And I feel super sorry for any of you unfortunate enough to not live within road tripping distance of one. But not sorry enough to stop gushing about my favorite stuff I buy there. I've preached extensively about some of my favorite TJ's beauty steals before, but during my trip there yesterday afternoon, I realized that I've never shared about one of my other MOST FAVORITE THINGS EVER that they sell.

But first, some back story.

Greeting cards stress me out. They just do. I feel like I have an unusually long list of Things That Shouldn't Be Stressful But Are, and this is yet another item on the list. Having to find a card to accompany a birthday present or shower gift or whatever...it reaaaaalllllyyyyy troubles me. First of all, they're too expensive. IT'S A PIECE OF PAPER. Second of all, they're mostly WAY too cheesy, fake, or dumb. Occasionally I'll find a great funny one, but then it's $5 and I want to cry. I have never, ever liked a card as much as I like a latte, and so spending $5 on a card is out of the question. And I feel like most card recipients would agree. If I'm going to spend $5 more on your gift, wouldn't you rather it be in the form of the actual GIFT and not the piece of paper you're going to throw away in ten minutes? And that's the last thing that stresses me out. Knowing that no matter how pretty/inspirational/cute the card is, it's just going to get tossed in the trash. This makes me want to just write "Happy birthday, I love you!!!" on the back side of a post-it note I've already used or something...at least I don't have to feel guilty when it lands in the landfill. Oh, and the $1 cards that they usually have at Target or the grocery store or whatever? Vomit. Just because I'm frugal doesn't mean I automatically love obnoxiously bright colors on glossy cardstock with even worse words/phrases/poetry. Ick.

So anyway. As you can guess, I avoid buying cards at all costs. 

Except at Trader Joe's.

In keeping with their general commitment to excellence, Trader Joe's does their cards extremely well. So well that sometimes I actually just browse the cards for fun. In direct contrast to the card aisle at Target, the (very small) card selection at TJ's makes me smile and feel happy. AND THEY ARE ALL ONLY A DOLLAR. That's right. The cards are lovely, not cheesy, appropriate, AND CHEAP. I swear, if the typical TJ's card was at Target, it'd be $5. The paper is thick and lovely. Depending on the design on the front, often there is texture to it...like, you can feel ridges and outlines, highs and lows. I mean, they're nice. And surprisingly generic. Many of them have a quote or something on the front, but they're real quotes (spoken by people you've heard of...not random card designers in the Hallmark laboratories) that don't make you squirm with discomfort. And if there's something on the inside, it's also generic-ish enough that you could use the card for a variety of occasions. Like this (which is currently serving as inspirational office decor, hence the lovely tape on the top):

Please excuse my horrid iPhone photography and how it makes this card look like a piece of crap. In real life, it's pretty.

Pretty, right? The inside simply says "Thank you." Which means that I've given this card for birthdays, Mother's Days, and just because. 

Here's another one currently sprucing up my office:

I should really consider taking better pictures. But you get the idea. This one is a really nice paper and the lettering and designs are all textured and raised...and just lovely. This one is blank on the inside. IT WAS A DOLLAR. I really can't stress that point enough. Only a dollar, AND pretty enough to not be immediately thrown in the trash-- when Matt gave me these cards, I didn't have to awkwardly wonder if it was okay to trash them or debate whether saving them made me a hoarder...I stuck them up on the wall of my office and called it decor!

I bought this one yesterday. I don't even need a card, nor do I plan to give it away. It just looked pretty and I thought I'd like to frame it or hang it up somewhere. Because for a buck, I can do that.

This one says "Here's to new beginnings" on the inside.

So there you have it. Next time you're card shopping (or just grocery shopping), make a stop by Trader Joe's. It's a slam dunk every time. Oh, but be warned: like most of the best things at TJ's, the card selection changes frequently. If you see a card you love, don't assume it'll be there next week. Go ahead and buy it while you can-- there'll still be great cards next week, but they may be completely different. Learn from my tragic experiences!!