Couch to 5K and Other Stories

My friend has been trying to get me to start running 5Ks with her for the last year...at least. I am not a big runner or a runner at all to be completely honest. I have been trying to hold her off until I suddenly had the idea that running would be a good thing. So, I had Mike purchase me a nice pair of Patagonia running shoes while he was at Outdoor Retail Store. Then I realized I was going to have to use them.

This is when my friend came to me again with a class called Hip Hop Hustle. Now that I felt like I could do. I signed up and went to class with her and another friend of ours. It was my first time in an actual work out class. It was very fun. I loved it. In fact, I'm going back next Saturday too.

Getting me to that class made me realize I was out of shape. When she asked me to start the Couch to 5K program I decided this was it...now or never. Tonight was our first night and I can tell you it kicked my butt. I'm so very out of shape. Even just the light jogging we did left me winded and sweating like a pig. We had the kids with so it was even a little stressful. I have to find a sitter for some of the nights in order to make this happen. I need to make it happen. It's a 9 week program and 6 of the weeks I'll be working on my final course for my Masters.

Tight fit!

Gonna make it work.

Jingle Bells?

That's right fellow Bloggers. It is nearing the end of August already. That means we have just about 4 months left until Christmas. While many of you might be begging me to stop the madness that is promoting Christmas prior to Thanksgiving, when you have a business making things handmade it is important to get as many people in early as possible.

To do this, I'm offering the coupon code BLOGGERFANS for FREE SHIPPING! Use the code to get free shipping on your order and start crossing people off your Christmas shopping list.

Great time to work with me to do a custom order. You can email me at JLooman515@gmail.com or convo me at my Etsy store. We can work on the perfect size, color, and item to wow even the hardest to buy for on your list. Best part, it is handmade with love :)

Just a few ideas:
Scarves
Hats
Fingerless Gloves
Beanies
Baby Booties
Diaper Covers
Elf Hats
Baby Blankets
Bath poofs
Dishcloths
Washcloths

Or contact me with your idea!

Obsession Confession: Purses

I once wrote a blog regarding my obsession with lip balms. I went through a phase where I purchased many many over a month and a half period or so. Other things I am obsessed with on a normal basis include shoes (which I have done very well at staying away from) and purses. Oh yes, purses. I could purchase a zillion purses and still desire more. One for every occasion...or day. I love them. My husband is always making fun of my purse choices. The length of the strap, the color, the size...he doesn't get why I would want so many. This is why I was SHOCKED when he came home with this!

It's a Sherpani Pinot S11. CUTE! I love how the company is big on sustainability.


Product Overview
Fun and flirty, small and light.

Product Details
•Earth Friendly - 67% Recycled Fabric
•Exterior zippered pockets
•Large opening for easy access
•Secure Top-Zippered Closure
•Smooth Webbing Handles
•Foam bottom for stability
•9.5in x 8in x 5.5in

LOVE!!!

It may look small but it holds everything my large purse was holding ;) You too can get one from the Sherpani website OR if you are in the Winona area stop by Sole Sport, the new outfitter store in town.

Good purchase Mr. Looman. You have a happy wife.

Back to the Grind

It has been really hard to get back into the swing of things this week. One week ago today we lost Grandpa and two weeks ago today I lost a dear Uncle. Mike is back from the grind of doing season shows and we're working on getting back into a schedule of picking up the kids from daycare, dinner, play time, sleep for kids, school, and so on. Day 2 and we're still out of wack but it's to be expected.

Only two more weeks of summer before Nathan starts 1st grade. I can't believe how old he has gotten and how fast it really does go. He did get the teacher I was rooting for so that is a blessing. She just seems like she wants to have fun with the kids. Nathan needs that in order to relate it to learning. He wont do what he doesn't have fun doing. I guess that's part of being six.

Hard to believe is that I only have 2 more weeks of class before starting my last class to end my Masters. That's 8 more weeks of school and then I'll be done :) ::insert happy dance here::

K - I am exhausted. Time for bed!

Oh Yeah!

I gots a new hair do! :)

Long Drives

The time it takes to get from Minnesota to Michigan is 8.5 hours. On the way there I completed 2 pairs of fingerless gloves. On the way home I completed another. I now have completed 5 pairs and have started my 6th. I'm a little obsessed with this pattern but more than that I plan on giving these away as Christmas presents to co-workers and friends this year.

While I faired well on the drive there and back chit chatting with my mother-in-law about life in general...my one year old was not as much of a fan of the long drive. About a few hours in on the way home he turned into the CRACK-ER MONSTER.

This was not a lot of fun. In fact, there was only a 20 minute break the entire trip where I was able to snag this precious picture.

Nice to be home. Jacob is already making up for the long drive by sleeping soundly in his bed and Nathan is watching Charlie Brown movies on the couch. Once he's in bed I'll get to school work and the happily crash in my own bed :) Not looking forward to going back to work but happy to start a normal routine again.

Etsy shop is back open! Once I get a good camera in hand, I'll have some gloves posted in the store ;)

Week in Michigan

While we have been here in Michigan, the days have been long and the emotions have run deep. Mike's grandfather passed away yesterday after a battle with dementia. We have spent the last 4 days praying and being by his side as he fought to take his last breaths. After yesterday we were emotionally spent. Today we spent the day gathering our hearts back together. I spent the day with my mother in law and playing with the boys.

We built a fort, played with loud toys, and ate out. Later on we decided to meet with my father and brother in law for dinner and some shopping to spoil the boys...and spoil we did!!! Nathan got some new t-shirts for school and Jacob got a few new outfits as well.

Pictures from our day include:

Nathan in his fort playing the drums.

My Jacob playing with some fabulously fun toys at Aunt Tanya and Uncle Goofy's house.

Caleb and Jacob playing in the ball pit.

Jacob eating at dinner. He loves his rolls and corn on the cob. Happy happy boy moment!

All of our boys together after a great day.

While it is emotionally draining it is beautiful to see the kids together and spend some time with family.

The Joys Of Being Six

Remember making forts from blankets and pillows? I sure do. There wasn't a better way than to spend the afternoon by completing a fort and then playing in it with toys. I can remember going to my best friends' house and using all her mom's couch pillows to build the most elaborate forts that could take up an entire living room. I also loved just getting a blanket, draping it over the table, and pretending it was a club house.

It's fun seeing my son enjoy the same thing and using his imagination. :) Makes me want to be a kid again.

Going to Michigan

Leaving for Michigan in 3.5 hours.

I can't sleep.

This isn't a good start to a 8.5 hour drive.

Boo.

Confession Thursday

I hate chosing a ring tone.

No really, I hate it a lot.

Either Or, Neither More

I’m not exactly sure what is worse…waiting for someone to die or having someone die so unexpectedly that you don’t feel like you got a chance to let them know how much you loved them.

I’m going through both this week.

Mike’s grandfather married us on our wedding day. He has always been so soft spoken, wise, and loving. His actions have never been anything but kind and caring (at least in the years I’ve known him). It’s almost hard to believe he was in the military where he had to be agressive. He started having issues with Dementia roughly 6 months ago. About a month ago he was found outside the house, lying in the street. He had broken bones and many bruises. It’s unknown what happened other than he left the house and cannot remember a darn thing.

Since then he has been progressing fast through the stages and is now in a hospice bed being given meds to keep him calm and pain free till he dies. He’s not even awake besides the occational mumble. Mike’s dad has been with his mom for the past week be we’ve opted to stay home till he passes away. It wont be long and honestly, what would we do besides stare at him and wish he could get better or end the misery? So sad to wish someone could pass on so that the pain for both himself and family could subside.

While all of this is going on my Uncle Ken passed away suddenly Tuesday. He was acting funny so they took him to the hospital on Sunday. Monday they diagnosed him with Leukemia. Tuesday morning he died. Just that quick it was over. No notice or time to think about it. Shock to the whole family. My aunt is in bed and wont move. She didn’t get a chance to tell him how she loved him. How she wished he wouldn’t go. She feel guilty.

I don’t know which is worse but as far as I’m concerned it’s a huge lesson in telling the ones you love how much you do before they’re gone (mentally or completely). Both are taxing on the family and friends. Both are hard to live through. Both take time to get over.

It’s been a rough week.

Poison Apple Red

Not sure why but this color red makes me think about snow white or little red riding hood. I finished one glove tonight and paln on doing the other tomorrow. I think I know what everyone is getting for Christmas! Well, at least most everyone...

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Oh Dear Goodness

Blogger is driving me insane lately!

Can't post - can't leave comments - can't stand the person answering the questions on the help page.

Ugh!

Hot off the Hook: Fingerless Gloves

I've been dying to try some projects that are not baby oriented but it's hard when I have the shop that is mainly baby items and so many of my friends are having little ones. I went to my favorite yarn store and bought some new Borrocco Flicker in grey. It's a baby alpaca and acrylic mix with a beautiful silver flec. I saw it and HAD to have it. But, what to do with it???

I pulled out a pattern I had yet to try and was very happy with how easily it worked up. The yarn was perfect for the pattern too!

Fingerless gloves have recently made a huge comeback. I was not impressed until I started seeing the handmade ones on Etsy. They just looked super soft and warm. I purchased a pattern from someone new. http://www.etsy.com/shop/JaybirdDesigns?ref=pr_shop_more She has a lot of super cute designs for my fellow crochet addicts to check out.


They're not listed in the store yet, but if you are interested send me a conversation at www.jessmiloo.etsy.com and we can work out pricing depending on the type of yarn you are looking for :) Hopefully I'll get them listed soon, but first I need to get some better photographs.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!