tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27978966732260013342024-03-13T19:13:37.917-07:00NamiZuni SkatesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-56059258203284333672014-04-21T22:14:00.000-07:002014-04-21T22:14:10.445-07:00Time to Blossom<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">One of my favorite quotes of all time is this one from Anais Nin:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/187010835/purple-daydreams-amethyst-sterling" target="_blank">These earrings just "blossomed" in my shop!</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And the day came when the risk </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>to remain tight in a bud </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>was more painful than </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the risk it took to blossom.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>- Anais Nin</i></span></div>
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I don’t know about the rest of you, but I seem to cycle in and out of taking care of my body. When everything comes together—exercise, eating well, sleeping sufficiently—my mind and body feel good. Then at other times, I fall far short of taking care of myself and I start to feel run down. Tired, crankier, I gain a few pounds. That’s where I had been over much of this winter. I’ve been exercising fairly regularly…3 to 4 times per week…but I haven’t been eating so well and I’m definitely overtired. </div>
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My friend Tricia has been feeling the same way it seems. When she suggested we form a support group for each other’s health and fitness goals, not only did I jump on it but so did two of our friends, Eileen and Marie. I’m calling it <b>Team Blossom</b>. </div>
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It’s not clear how this is all going to work, but Tricia promises to send out encouragement to us on a regular basis. Tricia knows that by keeping us accountable that she will keep herself on the right track as well. So far we've been texting to each other via a group text. I've found myself becoming more diligent in my exercise. Instead of a vicious cycle, it's a virtuous cycle--I'm motivated to exercise, I feel better, I want to keep exercising to keep feeling that buzz, I feel even better, and so forth. We're about 10 days out since we formed our little group...I'm surprised at how much stronger I feel already!</div>
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My yoga instructor, Howard VanEs said something last week that stuck with me. It became a positive internal message to me all week--I mulled it over again and again as I exercised and throughout other parts of my day as well. He said that the purpose of yoga is not to be able to do some idealized version of the postures. Instead, the purpose of yoga is to <b>meet yourself where you are and accept it.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">This is the perfect approach for reaching the level of fitness and health you want or you previously had. For me it means I can stop beating myself up if I am not returning to previous benchmarks as quickly as I would like. If I accept where I am, I can expend my energy working from that point and moving forward, instead of recriminating myself for having slacked off for a bit.</span></div>
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In any event, I’m glad to be resuming my yoga practice, skating a bit longer and more often, focusing on healing my shoulder injury, and enjoying the support and encouragement from my group, <b>Team Blossom</b>.</div>
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I’m going to try to get Tricia to write a guest blog for me. The way she has taken to running over the last few years, including regular 1/2 marathons, has been so inspiring to me. It helps me to keep going--if she can do it, then I know I can too! <br />
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Or maybe one of the other members of our <b>Team Blossom</b> group would like to write a guest blog...Eileen, Marie?</div>
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Join us! Leave a comment and tell me how you want to blossom! It's time.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hugs,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Nancie</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">4/18/14</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #34 of ?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">6.17 miles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Alamo, CA</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NamiZuni Jewelry Design</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Express Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.namizuni.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NamiZuni.com</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-9063216086813406412014-04-07T23:42:00.000-07:002014-04-07T23:55:22.262-07:00Skating Erratically...and being OK with it!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's been quite a while since I posted a blog about my skating</b>...or for that matter, any blog at all! I've started numerous posts over the last two months, but ultimately none of them coalesced into a complete entry online.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>What's that about?</b> I guess it's easier for me to write when things are humming along. I skate, ideas come to me, I sit down to write, and voila--a complete blog just falls into place. Somehow, the last few months my skating has been more erratic. I've gone less often and taken longer breaks in between. And even when I did skate, I just wasn’t coming up with anything that seemed worth writing about. I just felt blah.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><b>It's not that I'm reluctant to share my struggles skating</b> (or about my life in general, for that matter). I think my difficulty in writing my blog has been more that I haven't known how I feel or what it means that I have slowed down my skating over the fall and winter. I was trying to get a handle on it myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>At the beginning of 2013, I had set an intention that I would skate 200 times by the end of 2013.</b> I was humming along on that pace until about October. Then I took a nasty fall on the street in preparing for a 15-mile event. I managed to complete the event, but the shoulder injury from the fall nagged at me. At the same time I loaded way too many commitments on my plate and at times felt resentful about some of my responsibilities, all the while knowing that I myself had created the situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Long story short, I "only" made it to 165 skates during 2013.</b> I put the quotation marks around the word "only" because part of me realizes that 165 skates is a significant achievement, while on another level I was somehow disappointed in myself for falling short of my goal of 200.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For 2014, I set a different intention for my skating.</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I decided it has to be okay to wax and wane in the frequency of my skating workouts. It's okay to take a break if I'm feeling sick, or tired, or just overwhelmed with all that's on my plate. If my body needed to slow it down for the last 6 months, that is okay. My main goal is to keep the enjoyment alive. The important thing is to listen to my body.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I find myself now with a renewed sense of excitement about skating.</b> The weather has been at times sunny and warm and at other times rainy. When it's sunny, I'm hot to skate. When it rains, I feel sad that I can't go skating. That's a good feeling--to be missing exercise and to be anxious to get back to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The is a church parking lot next to my trail in Alamo. This is a great spot to practice turns and stops. It's also a good place to get back on your skates if you haven't skated for awhile. Anyone want to meet me there to try skating?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now I’m enjoying skating only when I want to skate and not feeling guilty if I don't want to skate.</b> If I’ve got time and the inclination, I’ll skate for 6 miles or more. If I don’t have much time or much energy, I’ll skate for 2 miles. If I don’t feel like skating at all, then I’ll skate 0 miles. It's all good.<br /><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I’d like to get some more voices besides mine here on this blog. </b>Have any of you trained for a long event or recently decided to get back in shape? Are there any among you that would like to write a bit about your own trials, tribulations, successes, insights learned through exercise? Tricia? Kristine? Irline? Liz? Elaine? Cynthia? Brian? Anyone else? If any of you answer “Yes!” or even “…um, maybe?” then send me an email!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Next Blog: </b>Trying out my new toy that arrived today--Skorpion skates...they're a whole 'nother thing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">H</span><span style="background-color: white;">ugs,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Nancie</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">4/7/14</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #28 of ?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">2.22 miles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Lafayette Moraga Trail</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Lafayette, CA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NamiZuni Jewelry Design</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expressing Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.namizuni.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.namizuni.com</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-53176017984896257782014-01-14T23:10:00.002-08:002014-01-17T23:45:52.892-08:0010 Things I Learned from My Gratitude Jar<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); line-height: 26px;">It's been a while since I posted a new entry here. I do want to tell you about how my 2013 "Intentions" went (NOT resolutions!) and what Intentions I'm setting for 2014 (hint: one of them involves being more on time!). First, though, I want to tell you about my <b>Gratitude Jar</b>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of years ago, I saw a post on Facebook about creating a <b>Gratitude Jar</b>. I liked the idea of filling the jar throughout the year with scraps of paper to remember and record the many blessings in my life. At the end of the year, you can read the slips of paper and remind yourself all you have to be thankful for.</span></div>
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In 2012, I started my own gratitude jar. Naturally, the artist in me picked a beautiful vase in my favorite blue color instead of just a plain old jar! It makes me happy just to look at it!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week I removed the 2013 papers and started reading them. Here is a random sampling of some of the things my jar reminded me to appreciate:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. My pretty </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">gratitude jar</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and my friend </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bundy</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> who first shared the Facebook post about creating one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <b>Maple syrup</b>...the real stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Learning <b>how to back into a parking space</b>. I don't mean parallel parking, I mean backing into a parking lot space between two other cars. In 2013 I consciously set out to get good at something I thought I didn't have the "knack" for. In fact, I noticed far more men than women park this way. More about that in a future post.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9GU1QyTp1w/UtY1tMjtH2I/AAAAAAAAAV0/Ee3qhcVlU6M/s1600/IMG_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9GU1QyTp1w/UtY1tMjtH2I/AAAAAAAAAV0/Ee3qhcVlU6M/s1600/IMG_0246.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. <b>Bead Fest Philadelphia </b>where I found these treasures to make into new jewelry pieces:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. My friend <b>Cheryl</b> telling me about the Napa Skating 1/2 Marathon, which I never would have competed in if she hadn't spurred me on. I'm definitely planning on doing it again this year. <b> Anyone want to join me?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. My chiropractor <b>Dr. Nicole Toenjes</b>...yes, she's very good and keeps my body feeling flexible and strong:</span><br />
<span class="gray_sub_header" style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">Lotus Integrative Wellness</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;"></span><span class="gray_text" style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">3708 Mount Diablo Blvd<br />Lafayette, CA 94549<br />Phone: 925-283-6900</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7xiKrBwCNI/UtYupEWOJAI/AAAAAAAAAVo/HwP7GsKGG-0/s1600/Image+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o7xiKrBwCNI/UtYupEWOJAI/AAAAAAAAAVo/HwP7GsKGG-0/s1600/Image+2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Replacement wheels</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for my inline skates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Getting a <b>tattoo</b> with my dear friend Gail...yes, you heard right! At the ripe "old" age of 56, I am no longer a tattoo virgin. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-D7rGBM2S8/UtYupsRKOhI/AAAAAAAAAVg/C4Qw9Nw7eSI/s1600/Image+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-D7rGBM2S8/UtYupsRKOhI/AAAAAAAAAVg/C4Qw9Nw7eSI/s1600/Image+3.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. <b>New inline skates</b> that I love as much as my old favorites. I've logged 307 miles on them since I got them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Having <b>readers</b> comment on my blog...the feedback is warmly received!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I already started my 2014 gratitude jar, which doesn't really involve any action on my part other than emptying last year's papers and adding new ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As far as skating</b>, I'm still getting out there, but not so much as last year. I've skated four times in 2014 so far, which is more regularly than what I managed in December. It's got to be okay for me to skate more sometimes and less sometimes. I'll get back into it more regularly in time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Until then, I'm striving towards more balance.</b> I'm back at my regular yoga class, trying to go to bed earlier, and looking forward to longer days of sunshine. No complaints about the weather here in Northern California (especially in a drought year with so many clear days!) but the short days do leave me feeling funky at times nonetheless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What are you grateful for?</b> And what are you doing to chase the winter blues away?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever you do)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">H</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">ugs,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i>Nancie</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">1/8/14</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #4 of ?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">4.25 miles</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Alamo, CA</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NamiZuni Jewelry Design</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expressing Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.namizuni.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.namizuni.com</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-45524735106137157332013-12-19T23:33:00.003-08:002013-12-19T23:44:26.645-08:00Return of the Chocolate Truffle Recipe<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3809370822008589524" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578px;">
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Hello, friends!</div>
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I haven't skated in 4 days...like everyone this time of year, I've just been so busy! I vow to do less and be more organized next year! I've been busy making chocolate truffles like I do each year. My friend Veronica mentioned that she loved the Spicy Kahlua Truffles I made a few years ago, so I just started a batch. To the basic recipe, I added 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (yes, you read that right!), 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder, and Kahlua for the liqueur. They are surprisingly good!</div>
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Anyway, since I don't have much to say about skating (except that I can't wait to fit some skating in soon for my mental health!), here is a repeat of my blog from last year about how to make your own chocolate truffles. The results may not be beautiful on your first go, but I bet they'll be delicious!</div>
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December 13, 2012</div>
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One of the symbols of the Christmas season for me is making and giving chocolate truffles. I originally saw the recipe in the San Francisco Chronicle in the early '80s and have been making about 400 a year ever since then.</div>
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That's one of the reasons I love rollerblading...so I can indulge in sinful treats such as chocolate truffles upon occasion. I'm partial to the dark chocolate varieties, but I've branched out to make milk chocolate, white chocolate and semisweet ones too. Here's my recipe for the original dark chocolate ones. They may not turn our looking picture perfect the first time--or even the 20th time--but they will taste great no matter how they look!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Chocolate Truffles</span></span></h1>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Centers: Yield: 30-36 truffles <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 c. heavy cream <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate morsels <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 oz. unsweetened chocolate <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 T. unsalted butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 c. liqueur (such as Amaretto, Chambord,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crème de Menthe, or Grand Marnier)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(optional) 1/2 c. finely chopped nuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(optional) 1 capful flavoring extract such as peppermint or almond<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chop unsweetened chocolate into morsel-sized pieces.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Simmer cream in a saucepan.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When cream comes to a boil, remove pan from heat.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add both chocolates and butter.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stir firmly with a wire whisk until chocolate-chip effect goes away and mixture is like pudding.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pour into a bowl and continue to whisk until chocolate and butter is dissolved. Stir in liqueur (and optional nuts or flavoring extract). Cover and refrigerate overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To shape centers, scoop about 1 tablespoon with a spoon; roll in your palms to form a ball. Place on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Freeze centers overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coating: 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 6 oz. unsweetened chocolate</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Note: make sure you do NOT get any water in the melting chocolate. Even a small amount of water will cause the chocolate to seize up.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melt chocolate in a double boiler (or a bowl set over a pan of almost simmering water). Remove chocolate from heat. Dip frozen centers into chocolate one at a time. Let extra coating drip off and place coated truffle on waxed paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate. Before serving, allow truffles to warm about 15 minutes at room temperature. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> White Chocolate Mint</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Milk chocolate and white chocolate require a different recipe. If you don't like dark chocolate, try the recipe above using all semisweet chocolate. Leave me a note here (or email me) if you would like the challenge of making milk or white chocolate varieties. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even after dozens of attempts, my white chocolate mint truffles look a bit lumpy! <table _mce_style="background-image: none; display: table; background-color: #ffffff;" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" class="BlockMargin mceItemTable" id="textEdit" style="background-image: none; display: inline !important;"><tbody style="display: inline !important;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy your truffles if you make them and happy holidays to you and your family!</span></div>
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Keep skating!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie ♥ </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-----------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">12/16/13</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Skate #16</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Iron Horse Trail 3.04 mi</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(How many truffles does that earn me?)</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-86229018348966422202013-11-17T17:44:00.003-08:002013-11-18T12:33:55.827-08:00Wheels for Meals Ride: The Conclusion<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you missed part 1 of my story about skating in a Meals on Wheels fundraiser <a href="http://namizuniskates.blogspot.com/2013/11/wheels-for-meals-got-me-rolling-again.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>. Or, just jump right into the middle of the story--I'll recap it below:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To recap: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Last month I signed up to skate in a Meals on Wheels Alameda County fundraiser (<a href="http://www.wheelsformealsride.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">click here</a>), which started off in Shadow Cliffs Park in Pleasanton.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- It was a bicycling event, but one of the organizers, Jessica Albonico, told me that skaters were welcome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I decided to skate the shortest distance which was 15 miles, longer than I had ever skated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband Marty accompanied me in case I needed to bail partway though the event. <b> I really doubted that I could finish, but I was determined to give it my best shot. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I mentioned in my last blog, it was a beautiful, sunny fall day--cool in the morning but with a promise of warmer temperatures as the day wore on. I left the park and headed out on a bike path that was the beginning of the course, realizing after about a mile or so that I had left my wrist guards in my car. This realization made me feel a bit more tentative, a bit more cautious, but also added to my excitement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The dozens of bicyclists that passed me were all encouraging and supportive.</b> "How far are you going to skate?" many of them asked. To each one I answered, "My goal is the entire 15 miles. I'm going to see how it goes!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is something so exciting about being part of a mass exercise event. I discovered it for the first time over the summer when I skated a 1/2 marathon in Napa Valley, and again when I "ran" in the Moraga Fun Run on the Fourth of July. Now I know why all of my running friends participate in races and other events. The energy of the crowd combined with, in this case, supporting a worthy cause, just got me all pumped up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The course was smooth and well marked. Despite this, what would be considered a smooth surface to bike, walk, or run on, would not be considered so smooth for my tiny inline wheels. Nevertheless, it was as smooth as I expect skating on roads, bumpy curb cut-outs, and bike paths to be. That is, the bumps are challenging, but in a way that I like--it makes me work to stay relaxed and balanced. That is part of what I like about skating...that it provides challenges that will I will never totally overcome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around <b>mile 3</b>, I was hitting my stride...warmed up, starting to feel some endorphins, pumped up by the crowds of bikers passing by me, and encouraged by the volunteers manning the course and directing the riders. The course veered off the bike path and through residential neighborhoods. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, the course was well marked, because about<b> mile 4</b> I realized that I had lost my course map! At that point there were enough riders that I could just follow the crowd. Around <b>mile 5</b>, there was a rest stop with water, fruit, and other snacks. I was well provisioned with my Camelbak of water and my Gu energy gel, but I stopped at the rest stop anyway to catch my breath and regroup. I was glad I stopped because I so enjoyed talking to the volunteers and participants. One young man that I talked to was marveling that I expected to skate the entire 15 miles. He said to me, "Wow, you must be almost 50 years old!" Well, I'm a few years beyond that milestone, and I have to admit, it gave me a charge thinking that some of the younger folks were extra impressed that an "old lady" would tackle (and hopefully master) this challenge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Another woman was telling me of a "enormous hill" coming up ahead. "Will you be able to handle it?" she wondered. I replied that I actually like to skate hills quite a bit, downhill more than uphill, but inside I reflected upon my missing wrist guards and wondered just how "enormous" this "enormous hill" was! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around <b>mile 6</b>, I was skating down a slight downhill when I noticed some volunteers motioning to me about a left turn. I thought it was for one of the longer distances (the days event also had 2 longer bicycling options: 35 and 70 miles) and I skated past the turn. To tell you the truth, I was coasting nicely downhill and didn't want to lose my momentum stopping to ask, so I continued straight ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a bit more than 1/2 mile, I realized that there were no longer any bicycles passing me, and I was beginning to realize I had made a mistake by not making the turn, so I called my husband, who had a copy of the course map. He confirmed that I had missed my turn. Reluctantly, I did an about face and skated back uphill towards my missed turn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My error cost me an additional 1.5 miles, so the 15 mile skate that I was unsure of being able to finish now had become a 16.5 mile skate! I felt like a bit of a dope but plodded on. In the back of my mind I kept telling myself, "Just do your best. Keep skating as long as you can. Just take 1 mile at a time."</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it to the top of the hill!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mile 8</b> found me back on a bike path and climbing a fairly steep and long hill. I had to pause a few times on the way up to catch my breath, but I felt heartened by the number of bikers who had to dismount and walk their bikes up the hill. At the top of the hill I was rewarded by a spectacular view of Pleasanton and the surrounding areas. The downhill wound through vineyards and a llama farm. So exhilarating! Yee-haaaa! A little nerve wracking when I reached the street at the bottom of the hill and had to keep myself from falling. Again, I kept flashing on my missing wrist guards!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I reached <b>mile 10</b>, I was beginning to feel my confidence grow. I had already gone more than half the distance, including the biggest hill on the course. I passed by the second rest stop without stopping, feeling eager to finish the course and well fueled with my Camelbak for water and my Gu energy gel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>last 5 miles</b> or so were mostly along city streets, some a bit busier than I would prefer, but nothing too challenging. As I made the last turn back towards the park, I texted my husband to let him know I was almost finished. He met me at the end of the course and cheered me on as I finished. What a great feeling! I had finished the course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Nike + Running app clocked my time and distance at 16.5 miles in 2 hours 12 minutes. It was the longest time and distance I have ever skated. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaned up and resting on my laurels</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I changed out of my sweaty skating clothes and skates, I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. I said to my husband, "I feel like a beast for having done that!" He replied, "You ARE a beast!" I was on a high for days afterwards!</span><span style="line-height: 26px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What I liked about this event:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are not too many organized skates, so I was happy to be able to participate in this event. The money raised went to a great cause, Meals on Wheels Alameda County (link), and made me feel like I was part of something greater than just my own experience that day. Being part of an organized sporting event is a thrill that I hadn't known until this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also liked the opportunity to push myself beyond my preconceived limits. Before this event, I didn't know how far I could skate, especially without the training I thought I needed. I'm reminded over and over that <b>accomplishing something big is sometimes just a matter of starting down a path and not stopping when things get a bit tough.</b> When a challenge presents itself--no wrist guards, going off course, having an equipment malfunction, feeling tired and discouraged--<b>giving up is one choice but not the only choice</b>. Better still is to realize that you always have an alternative choice--you can choose instead to continue on anyway despite the obstacles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Would I do it again next year?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yes, in a heartbeat.</b> This event was very well organized and attended. The course was well marked and staffed. Everyone was friendly. It was a great location. As I mentioned earlier, there are not too many events that I can do as a skater, so I appreciate being welcome to join in on the Wheels for Meals Ride 2013. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Count me in for Wheels for Meals Ride 2014! Maybe some of you would like to join me...on a bike or on skates!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Next time I'll have my wrist guards!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A shout out to the following people:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Jessica Albonico</b> for organizing a great event and welcoming me to participate as a skater</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Karen Kelly</b>, Jessica's mom, who was so encouraging to me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Marty Giedlin</b>, my husband and biggest supporter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Cathy Behm</b> for advising me to start at my own pace and to just skate my own event</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Tricia Vaughan</b> for moral support, advice, and for giving me my first tube of Gu energy gel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my <b>Aunt Marie Piacine</b> for being a faithful supporter of my blog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my skating buddies <b>Cynthia McLoughlin</b>, <b>Kristine Hubner</b>, <b>Irline Van Ardenne</b>, & <b>Cheryl Ogren</b> (aka Jayne Clobber)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Keep skating (or whatever you do)!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">H</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">ugs,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><i>Nancie</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br />This skate:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">10/19/13</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Skate #143 of 200</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">16.5 miles</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Pleasanton, CA</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">11/15/13</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #156 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">4.56 miles</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">UC Davis campus</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Davis, CA</span></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
Nancie Zimmerman</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
<b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
<i>Expressing Your Inner Goddess</i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
925-890-9221</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
<a href="http://www.namizuni.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;">http://www.namizuni.com</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-3049472950058574142013-11-12T21:51:00.001-08:002013-11-17T17:47:13.502-08:00Wheels for Meals Got Me Rolling Again!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Kangoo Jumps are fun, don't get me wrong (<a href="http://namizuniskates.blogspot.com/2013/10/mixing-it-up-kangoo-jumps.html" target="_blank">check out my previous blog here</a>), but skating is still the exercise I'm most passionate about. It's just fun, fun, fun. Even when I don't feel like exercising, once I strap on my skates, my helmet, and my wrist guards (yeah, still no knee pads...I've got to get a pair!), pick a playlist on my phone, and start my Nike + Running app to track my mileage, I'm off and running and it's pure magic. Skating is the closet thing I get to losing the constraints of my body and almost feel like I'm flying. It's dancing and exercise and thrills and happiness all rolled up in one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago, I had the occasion to participate in a fundraiser for <b>Meals on Wheels</b> Alameda County (<a href="http://www.feedingseniors.org/" target="_blank">Check them out here</a>). One of the organizers, Jessica Albonico, is a friend of mine. The event was a bike event, but several roller derby women were going to skate the shortest distance, 15 miles. Once Jessica told me about it, I thought, "What the heck, I'll give it a go!" </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXhEorvOiME/UoMPnDcELuI/AAAAAAAAAUg/qaQ-ZMp0zPY/s1600/IMG_1652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXhEorvOiME/UoMPnDcELuI/AAAAAAAAAUg/qaQ-ZMp0zPY/s320/IMG_1652.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me with my event number attached to my Camelbak</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the summer when I did my 1/2 marathon skating race in Napa Valley, I spread the news wide and far prior to the race. Some equipment challenges coupled with it being my first race meant that the race was far harder than I thought it would be. Nonetheless, it was big fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This time, I kept the event mostly to myself. </b> For one thing, this event was longer (the 1/2 marathon was 13.1 miles, this was 15 miles). For another thing, I wasn't sure how skate-friendly the course was going to be. And, probably most importantly, <b>I doubted my ability to complete the 15 miles</b>, so I didn't want to broadcast it too much ahead of time only to have to admit later that I hadn't been able to conquer it. Just an ego thing, I guess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then on top of all those issues, I had a nasty case of bronchitis two weeks before the event, so I hadn't been training like I wanted (or needed).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, the morning of October 19 dawned bright, early, and sunny. My faithful husband, Marty, accompanied me to the event, which started at Shadow Cliffs Park in Pleasanton. Marty is one of my biggest champions, so it was great to have him along. He planned on walking/running on some of the hiking trails around the park while I skated. He was also available to come pick me up should I decide along the 15 miles that I was ready to pack it in and couldn't finish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My friend Cathy, an avid cyclist, had advised me before my 1/2 marathon to start out slow</b>, find my own pace. Sadly, despite my best intentions, I didn't take her advice for my 1/2 marathon and it cost me in terms of my stamina halfway through that event. This time I was determined to listen to her wisdom, start out slow, go at my own pace, find my own rhythm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because the Wheels for Meals event wasn't timed, there wasn't a mass start. Once I registered, I was free to start at my leisure within a one-hour window. This meant that I wouldn't get caught in a frenzy of bicycles that would be zooming past me--I was free to start off at my own pace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Usually when I skate, I have several pieces of key equipment, which <b>I put on in the same specific order every time</b> so that I don't forget anything:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my headphones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my helmet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my socks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my skates (of course!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my wrist guards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- my iPhone (for tunes and to keep track of my mileage)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I know, I know, I really need to add kneepads to the list!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For this event I added a Camelbak which contained water and several tubes of Gu</b> (an energy gel for long workouts...Thanks, Tricia! <a href="https://guenergy.com/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for info about Gu). I guess these two equipment additions combined with the excitement of the event threw me off my regular routine and <b>I forgot to put on my wrist guards, a fact that I only realized about 2 miles into the event!</b> I didn't want to turn around, which would have added 4 miles to the skate, and Marty was off on his run/walk, so I just kept skating on without them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the back of my mind, however, <b>I kept flashing back to my bad fall in my 1/2 marathon race</b> over the summer and to my <b>training fall</b> just a week before this event. A fall without my wrist guards could easily result in a broken bone. I was quite anxious skating without this key piece of equipment, and this strangely just added to my excitement. <b>As my son points out</b>, fear and excitement produce the same exact chemical response in ones body, so I try to enjoy the excitement that that scary/anxious feeling produces. It doesn't always work, but that is definitely one of the aspects I like about skating...feeling slightly on the edge and almost--<b>but not quite</b>--out of control. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A word to any of you that think you might like to try skating:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't like the excitement that comes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from being a bit off kilter in your body, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you probably will NOT like skating!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;">How did my event go? To be continued... <a href="http://namizuniskates.blogspot.com/2013/11/wheels-for-meals-ride-conclusion.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here for the conclusion</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">Here's a teaser...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCRmkaYAjWg/UoMPnRlXnTI/AAAAAAAAAUs/qDk8Jigz0e0/s1600/IMG_1608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCRmkaYAjWg/UoMPnRlXnTI/AAAAAAAAAUs/qDk8Jigz0e0/s320/IMG_1608.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I at least made it to the top of this hill!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zA8JerjB66U/UoMPmxspIQI/AAAAAAAAAUo/sSZjZcf575A/s1600/IMG_1613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zA8JerjB66U/UoMPmxspIQI/AAAAAAAAAUo/sSZjZcf575A/s320/IMG_1613.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a "selfie" of me at the top of the hill</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever you do)!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">H</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">ugs,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><i>Nancie</i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">11/12/13</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #153 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">5.19 miles</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Alamo, CA</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last time on my Kangoo Jumps:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/17/13</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kangoo Jump #3 of ?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.51 miles</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Iron Horse Trail</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alamo, CA</span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
Nancie Zimmerman</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
<b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
<i>Expressing Your Inner Goddess</i></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
925-890-9221</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;">
<a href="http://www.namizuni.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;">http://www.namizuni.com</a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-41945641180247926892013-10-15T00:35:00.000-07:002013-10-15T00:35:47.686-07:00Mixing it Up: Kangoo Jumps<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I've written that I have not had the same drive to get out there and skate as I had earlier in the year. I'm okay with the plus/minuses of my attitude, but I feel like I need a bit of a boost to get really excited about skating again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One idea many friends suggested to me was to try a different activity. I had seen a woman on the Lafayette Moraga trail almost a year ago using these crazy rebound running shoes called Kangoo Jumps:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adzRhqncfvI/UlzpwmAMpGI/AAAAAAAAATQ/_k1lUm_o4fA/s1600/IMG_0482+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adzRhqncfvI/UlzpwmAMpGI/AAAAAAAAATQ/_k1lUm_o4fA/s400/IMG_0482+-+Version+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a video of them in action:</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKfRfoChNQ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<a href="http://youtu.be/BKfRfoChNQ0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch a newbie and a pro demonstrate Kangoo Jumps</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been thinking about them ever since I first saw them, and last week I finally broke down and bought a pair on line from the manufacturer:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.kangoo-jumps.com/" target="_blank">Kangoo Jumps Website</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I can't wait to try them out. We used to have a trampoline in our yard, which was so much fun and such great exercise. I'm hoping these Kangoo Jumps have all the fun and great exercise of my skating and jumping on a trampoline.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, I was laid up sick for most of the last week and still have a nasty, lingering cough, so my skating has been nonexistent for over a week now. Between my frustration at not being able to do everything I think I should be doing and lack of exercise, my mood is a bit glum. Even though it feels like I'm pushing it a little, I think I need to at least get out for a short skate today. At least until my Kangoo Jumps arrive!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the plus side, the last few days I've started feeling good enough to make jewelry, if not to exercise. Accordingly, I've been beading up a storm. I procured some beautiful lampwork focal beads from <a href="http://www.unicornebeads.com/" target="_blank">Unicorne Beads</a> and from <a href="http://gracebeads.com/" target="_blank">Grace Lampwork Beads</a>. Here is a selection of them:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each bead is a miniature work of art in itself, so I have been making simple pendants from them and stringing them on a black velveteen cord. Here are a couple examples:</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGMC9gSzY34/UlzrDqxRgGI/AAAAAAAAATs/B3lzpvaFXnQ/s1600/IMG_0310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxnXM4eTmeo/UlzrCpAw16I/AAAAAAAAATc/V_yhRNADI80/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxnXM4eTmeo/UlzrCpAw16I/AAAAAAAAATc/V_yhRNADI80/s320/IMG_0280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Update: my Kangoo Jumps arrived! They are so fun, even if I do feel a bit dorky using them in public. Here's a video my daughter took of me playing with them inside. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzFrMa2YqtpxIZLkexy2P3p0KBURQpfb5a3huAvUM8TJj7yGRaDHhSXXcgT0DO5-NSgBQbTbOUjWkL8p2GHYg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here I am demonstrating my new Kangoo Jumps</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have buckles that adjust the fit from women's size 7 - 9, so if any of you live nearby and want to try them, give me a holler! My daughter said she couldn't decide if they were cool or dorky...I think they're both!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">10/14/13</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #140 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">2.40 miles</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Alamo, CA</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last time on my Kangoo Jumps:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10/12/13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kangoo Jump #2 of ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.0 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my neighborhood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moraga, CA</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Nancie Zimmerman</span></div>
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<b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></div>
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<i>Expressing Your Inner Goddess</i></div>
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925-890-9221</div>
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<a href="http://www.namizuni.com/">http://www.namizuni.com</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-76175169731178962692013-08-30T10:45:00.001-07:002013-08-30T22:57:42.258-07:00Feeling Blah About Skating<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since last month when I skated my 1/2 marathon event in Napa Valley, I've been kind of blase about skating. I've still managed to skate 16 times in the last 6 weeks, but my passion has not really been there. I still love it when I do skate, but I'm not as jazzed as often as I had been about fitting in a skate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This leaves me in a quandary--I've tried to just listen to what my body is telling me about exercise, what I eat, my jewelry business--I've really tried to just listen to my body's "inner wisdom" and right now something inside of me is telling me to cool it a bit where it comes to skating--either not exercising or doing something else like walking or going to the club to work out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the other hand, I set the intention of skating 200 times during 2013 and right now I'm 12 skates off my pace for the year. I need to skate 17 times a month to keep on track (about 4 times a week...totally do-able usually). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here I am returning from a week away with family and friends and I'm just feeling kind of blah. I didn't take my skates with me--too heavy to cart along if I don't actually use them--and there are only 2 days left in the month. I also certainly enjoyed myself eating and drinking while away--also not conducive to feeling too "raring to go."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This whole regular exercise thing for me is still somewhat in its infancy. I've exercised in the past, but never in such a committed and consistent way as I have the last two years. If I cool it for a bit will I pick it back up in a few weeks or slide back into lethargy? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need some advice from some of you that have a longer track record of being in shape. Do I relax and wait till my inner voice sparks my excitement again? Or do I push myself to get out there and just skate even if I don't feel like it on a particular day? Or do I need a different exercise for a bit? Help!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know at least part of my problem the last two months has been that I've also not been regular in my mediation and yoga practice. So maybe that's my answer: commit myself just for this week to meditate at least once a day and practice yoga two times. Then I'll wait to see what happens and trust that my answer will come. It's like the following quote:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Your mind will answer most questions if you learn </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">to relax and wait for the answer." - William S. Burrroughs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So maybe what I need to do is relax and not worry about it so much. After all, the part that I've liked so much about skating has been that it hasn't felt like exercise--it has just felt fun. So if I try to force it, maybe I'll squeeze the fun out of it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIVda_meQFo/UiDV33uPTpI/AAAAAAAAASY/VZtoXhvF7Z4/s1600/IMG_1307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIVda_meQFo/UiDV33uPTpI/AAAAAAAAASY/VZtoXhvF7Z4/s400/IMG_1307.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a jewelry-related note, I've gone to two bead shows in the last few weeks...one in Concord, California with my jewelry buddy Karen Kelly (one of her pieces that I love is shown to the right--check out her new Etsy shop: <a href="http://www.jewelrybydivine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Karen's online shop</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second bead show I went to was Bead Fest ouside Philadelphia with my good buddy Gail. Both Karen and Gail were so fun to shop with as they give me design ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own. I expected it from Karen as she is a very talented artist. I didn't expect it from Gail, because she doesn't make jewelry, but she has a fantastic artistic eye nonetheless and stimulated some wonderful creativity in me. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOt5cJR9Wvo/UiDV6WGniXI/AAAAAAAAASw/0GeyH4PRaoQ/s1600/IMG_1471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nOt5cJR9Wvo/UiDV6WGniXI/AAAAAAAAASw/0GeyH4PRaoQ/s400/IMG_1471.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I made a quick necklace by stringing an engraved shell from LillyPilly Designs on a silk ribbon from Saki Silver. My cousin Suzi's barn provided the perfect backdrop to photograph my new necklace:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I'm super stoked to get back into my studio and create some fresh new pieces with my new beads! I also have a ton of new pieces already completed and photographed and ready to list in my Etsy shop. Here's a set I particularly like:</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHdCL8fn8Hw/UiDX9HEjJvI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8hwmuvmej4g/s1600/IMG_6521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHdCL8fn8Hw/UiDX9HEjJvI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8hwmuvmej4g/s640/IMG_6521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out my online shop: <a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Click here to visit my shop</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully by my next blog, the skating bug will have re-bitten me! Until then, <b>if there are any of you out there that would like to write a guest blog for me, dash me an email!</b> I'd love to include some other voices here. Maybe you're training for an event, or just started exercise, or have some other passion you would like to share. Come on, it'll be fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever you do)!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">H</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">ugs,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥ </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">My last skate:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">8/29/13</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #121 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">4.69 miles</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Alamo, CA</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Update 8/30/13, 10 PM: I went for a great short skate tonight. It really got my endorphins going...just what I needed to improve my mood and to help me get back into skating. I got some good advice from a few friends today that also helped. A selection of the advice:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">"Mix it up, try a different exercise for a bit...trampolining, working out at the club, swimming."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">"Fall is the perfect time to rededicate yourself to your fitness and eating routines. Everyone thinks summer is the time to be more active, but summer schedules can be challenging. There's so much to do." (from a Weight Watcher leader friend)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Also fall related: "Wait till the cooler days of September." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">"Concentrate on organizing a Triton reunion." (from a former coworker at Triton Biosciences, where my husband Marty and I met.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> Zim</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">merman</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-64534873821727595882013-07-22T12:59:00.002-07:002013-07-22T12:59:20.319-07:00How I Survived a 1/2 Marathon Skating Race<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Silverado Trail is a wide 2-lane road that runs most of the length of the eastern edge of the Napa Valley in California. On either side of the road there are miles and miles of vineyards and wineries. It is so beautiful and peaceful there in the early morning: </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA7-qBMeBnI/Ue2IC2H3FPI/AAAAAAAAARo/FyuVdFIEQVk/s1600/IMG_1411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA7-qBMeBnI/Ue2IC2H3FPI/AAAAAAAAARo/FyuVdFIEQVk/s640/IMG_1411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A week ago Sunday bright and early I joined a few hundred skaters of all types and skills--speed skaters, derby girls, and fitness enthusiasts--on a <b>half marathon/full marathon race</b>. My friend and roller derby participant, Cheryl (aka "Jayne Clobber"), met me at the start of the race. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I did the half marathon...13.1 miles.</b> It was both more difficult and more fun than I had expected. Here's a summary:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>I finished but it wasn't pretty!</b> I had some issues with my skates, a took a wicked tumble at about mile 9, and for the last 3 miles I doubted my ability to finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- In the end, <b>I did finish</b>--second to last of all the 1/2 marathoners that finished, but also ahead of the 7 people who failed to finish, and according to my friend Tricia, <b>WAY ahead of all the people that stayed home that morning</b>. (Sometimes your friends know just what to say!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved interacting with all the people</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Those of you that have participated in races know what I'm talking about. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone was friendly and supportive:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie & "Jayne Clobber" (Cheryl)</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">my friend Cheryl who was the one who first told me about the race</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the derby girls that I met through Cheryl</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the high-caliber skaters who finished the FULL marathon in less time than I did the HALF</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the fellow Moraga mom, Brenda, with whom I skated the first couple of miles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the spectators cheering us on</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> one of the race support guys who skated from mile 11.5 to 12 with me, giving me a pep talk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> and my faithful husband Marty, who woke up with me at 3:30 AM, drove me up to the event, and was my most ardent supporter</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am not as good of a skater as I thought I was</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but I am still out there getting it done. And I know I can beat this year's time of 1 hour, 55 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>the "taper" that I did the last 2 weeks of my training did not help</b> and probably hurt a bit. I need to do more research about training for a skating 1/2 marathon. It's clearly different training for skating a 1/2 marathon than a running 1/2 marathon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- <b>Chocolate Gu is delicious</b> and just the pick me up I needed at mile 8. <b>Thanks to Tricia</b> for sharing a packet with me. Not only did the flavor and calories give me a boost, but thinking about my friends that <u>run</u> this distance encouraged me as well. It was as if Tricia and Eileen were mentally there cheering me on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-<b> I should have listened to my friend Cathy's advice</b> about not going out to fast in the beginning. I got caught up in the race excitement and in trying to keep up with a couple friends and ran out of juice halfway through the race.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An inspiring group of women to hang out with!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I am totally doing this race again next year!</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My friend, Cynthia, who trained "with" me in Connecticut and skated the race distance on her own that same day, wants to do the race with me next year, but she wants to do the full marathon. I need to think about that a bit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the end I realized that <b>finishing something is sometimes a matter of deciding to not stop</b>--to just keep putting one skate in front of the other until little by little the task is done. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Kee</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">p skating...I know I plan to!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">H</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">ugs,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px;">♥ </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Zim</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">merman</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><i>Ex</i></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pressing Y</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our Inner Goddess</span></span></i><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #6666cc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">NamiZuniJewelry.etsy.com</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">My 1/2 marathon skate:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #106 of 200</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">13.1 miles</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Napa Valley, CA</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scroll down if you want to see what my leg looked like after my fall. I really think I need to break down and start wearing knee pads! It's healing up nicely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(DON'T SCROLL down if you don't like seeing "road rash"...okay that's my warning!)</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-48036741896466676452013-07-02T23:45:00.000-07:002013-07-10T21:15:15.940-07:00(NOT) Training for the 4th of July Run<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As most of you know, I'm training for a skating 1/2 marathon on July 14 (Bastille Day!). Ironically, I have been skating fewer miles per week WHILE training than I did BEFORE I was training. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been skating longer miles at a time in preparation for this long event, but it's too taxing on my body to skate too many long skates in a week. My goal had been two 10+ miles outings per week and then a couple of shorter ones (4-5 miles). The longer ones seemed to burn me out a bit, so I think I'm going to just skate shorter skates for the remaining two weeks until my event. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think that's what I'm supposed to do anyway, but I'm kind of doing this training thing by the seat of my pants!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which brings me to the <b>Moraga Fun Run on the Fourth of July</b>. My husband and daughter have done it several years together, mostly the 2-mile run I think. There's also a 5-miler which some friends are doing (yee-haa, Tricia and Brian!) The entrance fee for either distance includes a <b>free pancake breakfast</b>--who can pass that up? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somehow they talked my son into joining them. Once that happened, I didn't want to be the odd person out, so I mused out loud, "Hmmmm…maybe I should join you for the 2-mile race and make it a family deal." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My gang enthusiastically supported my decision with one caveat: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do NOT expect them to wait for me at the end of the race…they would be going directly to the pancake breakfast as soon as they finished!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good to know where I rate on the pancake scale!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, works for me, but now I find myself reasonably fit with my inline skating and yoga and the miscellaneous other exercises I fit in every couple of weeks or so. But I haven't run in more years than I can remember! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is this a good idea?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thinking it's quite possibly a <b>not-so-good idea</b>, but who says we should only do things that are good ideas? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm putting it out there that sometimes we have to do things that may turn out to be bad ideas, just so we keep used to <b>trying new activities and challenges</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll let you know how it goes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a jewelry related note, I'm working on 3 new pieces for birthday presents for some dear friends. I'll be sure to photograph them and put them on my Facebook page:</span></div>
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<a href="http://facebook.com/namizunijewelrydesign" target="_blank">Click here to visit and Like my Facebook page</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a necklace I made last week as a custom piece for a friend to give his wife...isn't he a peach?...amethyst, Swarovski crystals, garnet and sterling silver:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next time: "Learnin</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">g How to Back into a Parking Space"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Kee</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">p skating...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">H</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">ugs,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥ </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"> Zim</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">merman</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><i>Ex</i></span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pressing Y</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our Inner Goddess</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">My last skate:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">7/2/13</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">4.1 miles</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(103 degrees!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. July 10th: I only ran the first 1/4 mile and the last 1/4 mile and walked the rest of it. I ended up finishing 14th of 23 for my age group. My shins and feet hurt quite a lot the next few days. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't think I'll become a runner anytime soon, but I loved the camaraderie of being together with the other athletes. I also loved the excitement of trying something I had never tried before. Now I am excited for my skating 1/2 marathon on Sunday, July 14th. I'll let you know how it goes!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-62116703259492944192013-06-17T22:58:00.003-07:002013-06-27T22:35:17.248-07:00How to Pick a Really Good Training Buddy!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm officially training for this half marathon skate event July 14--one month from today as I write this. Yikes! My pal, Cynthia, is back in Connecticut training with me. You wouldn't think you could train with someone that lives 3000 miles away, but she's turning out to be a kick ass buddy. We encourage each other, swap distances skated, share how we're progressing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Sunday</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Cynthia kicked it up a notch</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> by skating 13.5 miles that day! For crying out loud, that's more than the 1/2 marathon we're training for! How did she suddenly jump from doing 4 to 6 miles to doing the length of the entire event on what was only our second week of official training?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kicked my butt</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> into gear to get out and skate that day...not because I was feeling competitive with her, but just because I was inspired by her. I was already feeling the aftereffects of being pushed to my limits at my yoga class that morning, so I was not too jazzed to skate but figured I should at least do 4 miles, which is a typical everyday kind of distance for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I set out </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on a hilly section of the Lafayette Moraga trail (near St. Mary's College for you local folks), expecting to turn around at the 2 mile mark. A funny thing happened. By the time I got to what would have been my turnaround point, I was starting to get into the groove skating-wise. It has a great downhill from mile 1 to 2, so it usually gets me pretty amped up once I go down it--as a side note, I especially like it if I can do it without using my brake even once, which is what I managed that day. The downhill gives me an almost-but-not-quite feeling of being out of control. I</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t's a real adrenaline thrill and I love it!</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I kep</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t skating. When I got to mile 3 (which would mean a total skate of 6 miles), I said to myself, "Why don't you go to mile 4? That would make it an 8-mile skate." </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I thought of Cynthia doing her 13.5 and went for it.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll spare</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> you the intervening decision points, but suffice it to say I continued to skate to mile 6, figuring this would make a respectable 12-mile skate. Mind you, the 6 miles returning was mostly uphill and I hadn't taken any water or energy bars with. Nonetheless, short of calling one of my family members to come rescue me, I realized I just needed to gut it out and skate back to my car.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> back:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile 7:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Oooh, there's a water fountain...I sure am thirsty!" So I stopped for a drink and realized how sweaty I was and how glad I was that the day had turned cloudy, cool, and windy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8: "Whew! I am really working at this and it feels good."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile 9: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After stopping I felt shaky and weak. I was making mental notes of the adjustments I need to make for my half marathon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile 1</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">0: Just keep skating...just keep skating...just keep skating...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile 11:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "Hmmm...I'm almost back at my car. I only need to skate an additional .75 miles away from my car and back to it and I will have matched Cynthia's distance! Maybe I could do this."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile 12:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> At my car. "I'm tired for sure but I can do that last .75 miles out and back." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12.75: So glad to be almost done!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mile</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> 13.5: "Yeeeee-friggin-haaaaa!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">whole thing took me about 1 hour 45 minutes. Whew! Here's what the day was like--fortunately it was overcast and chilly, which kept me from getting too overheated:</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Mary's College Chapel in Moraga, CA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so glad </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to know that I can skate the distance needed for my 1/2 marathon next month, </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thanks to Cynthia's inspiration</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Here's what I learned I need to do to better prepare for these longer distances: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new socks</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, perhaps a thin polypropylene layer with a thicker layer over. My feet sure sweated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new padded insoles</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for my skates. My feet got sore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my wheels need rotating</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Them puppies are getting worn down!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new wheels on my other pair of Rollerblades</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> so that I can switch it up and work some slightly different muscles</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">practice yoga 2-3 times a week</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to keep my body toned and stretched</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">regular</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> chiropractic adjustments and massage</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> till my event</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I need to clean and refill my Camelback so that I can</span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> re-hydrate</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and carry some </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">energy</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> source like Gu. I did get some Energy Beans from Jelly Belly, but I haven't tried them yet. I got some coconut water halfway through a previous long skate, and that was very refreshing. Perhaps I should carry some of that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ICE!</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I sure do need to ice those various parts after a long skate! Knees...feet...lower back...neck...shoulders...psoas muscles...elbows...what part doesn't need ice?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">went for another long skate today, this time a 10-mile skate. It was a hot day, but it was at least on a flat section of trail. I am feeling it tonight!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Does </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">anyone have any advice to offer?</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I'm pretty new at this training for an event thing, so any words of wisdom from any of you runners or other athletes out there would be most welcomed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">still kind of cracks me up to think of myself as an athlete, because believe me, I've logged more time as a couch potato over my lifetime than I have engaging in sports! But somehow an athlete I am now, and it gives me a charge to think of myself that way and it changes my behavior just by changing my thinking about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> changes are you willing to make in your thinking in order to bring about changes in your behavior?</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> about it and let me know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kee</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">p skating...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">H</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">ugs,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">♥ </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Nancie</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Zim</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">merman</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ex</i></span><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pressing Y</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our Inner Goddess</span></span></i><br />
<a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NamiZuniJewelry.etsy.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">6/16/13</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-30194373528987345882013-05-30T23:34:00.002-07:002013-05-30T23:36:04.792-07:00Taking My Skates on Vacation<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was away last week visiting a few friends that needed some of my time (and I needed theirs!). It was a fun getaway that flew by so quickly. I am playing catchup with my jewelry business as well as my personal life since I returned home. (I'm sorry if I didn't get to see you while I was back east...it was a whirlwind trip with too much on my plate.) It was totally fun though and a welcome getaway. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the first time I took my skates with me with the intention of using them while away from home. Too many activities packed into a short window of time plus some rainy weather meant that I didn't get to skate as much as I would have liked, but I did manage to skate on morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I realized that my body starts feeling pretty creaky if I don't get any exercise. When I returned home I really felt stiff, achy and tired. Fortunately, I realized that I needed to get out and skate, even though I felt like a slug and would have really liked to just sit on the couch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just yesterday I learned about a skating marathon/half marathon on the Silverado Trail in Napa this summer. This seemed like the perfect goal to set to really kick start my skating and to take on a new challenge. Anyone care to join me? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheryl from our local Starbucks was the person that told me about it (she does roller derby and occasionally takes her quad skates on the trail also). She and I are both going to do the half marathon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now I am officially "in training." I don't know exactly if that changes anything in my skating workouts, but I like the way it sounds. Somehow it has shifted something in my brain to think of myself in training. I like to realize that I can change my life by changing my thinking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll keep you posted as I prepare for the half marathon. By the way, it's July 14 from 7 - 10 AM if anyone wants to join in!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.active.com/running/yountville-ca/napa-valley-inline-marathon-and-half-marathon-2013" target="_blank">Napa Valley Inline Marathon and Half Marathon 2013</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4;">Keep skating (or whatever you like to do)!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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Here is a new limited edition necklace that I designed in honor of a friend. It is called "Ronaldo's Serenade," coming soon to my on line shop.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expressing Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;">http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/30/13</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #85 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">5.07 miles</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-50616015766787313722013-05-05T13:15:00.001-07:002013-05-05T13:15:52.028-07:00Intentions, part 2: Listen to My Body's Wisdom<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I've mentioned before, one of my "intentions" at the beginning of this year was to go out and skate 200 days during the calendar year. (I did </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOT make resolutions!…see my blog about intentions versus resolutions: </span><a href="http://namizuniskates.blogspot.com/2013/01/new-years-intentions.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">click here</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another of my intentions was to:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen to my body's inner wisdom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does this mean? This just means to trust that my body knows what it needs to stay healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually. In essence, all I need to do is to practice listening for the signs to tell me whatever my body needs. For instance, if my body says "rest," I try to listen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or in my case right now…skate! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mentioned in a previous blog (</span><a href="http://namizuniskates.blogspot.com/2013/04/6-steps-to-get-back-into-exercise.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">click here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) what I did to get back into my inline skating after I was really sick with bronchitis. I guess my suggestions worked, because I have been on a roll (lol…literally) skating. As I write this, I have skated 13 days in a row (I am also icing my psoas muscles, which I just learned how to spell, and my lower back!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I go for a short skate (my shortest skate was only 2 miles and took 16 min). Sometimes I get going and don't want to stop so I skate and skate and skate (my longest skate was 11 miles and took about 90 minutes including a stopover in a Danville Starbucks with my skates on--I got some looks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">When I skate, I love to listen to a playlist I cheekily call "Love, Lust & Longing." It's a special mix of songs that are good warm up and cool down songs or good songs to get me dancing and moving more energetically. Mostly they are just songs that move me in some way. I've been posting songs to my Pinterest board of the same name. It's an eclectic mix from Dubstep to show tunes to reggae to Bollywood to belly dancing to rock to music that defies labeling. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check out my Pinterest page and click on the board labeled "Love, Lust & Longing." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/namizuni/" target="_blank">Click here for my Pinterest page</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My mind and body just love the space that skating puts me into. I love to interact with people I meet on the trail, I love watching the changing seasons and vegetation, I love to work up a good sweat, I love to crank out a good dose of feel-good chemicals in my brain mixed with music mixed with the joy of moving my body. I love how my body feels stronger and stronger the more I skate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you tell I love inline skating? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not sure how long my skating streak will continue. I'm planning on going tomorrow, that's all I know. That will make 14 days in a row. It's the longest streak I've ever had so far so maybe I'll stop there, although 15 sounds like a good number. I'll check in with my body tomorrow and the day after that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Try paying attention when your body gives you signs---that you need rest, or more exercise, or something to drink, or even if it tells you it requires chocolate. My body gives me that last command every day…and I make sure to listen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4;">Keep skating (or whatever you like to do)!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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And here's something that has nothing to do with skating except that I get most of my best ideas while I'm skating...one idea is for an upcoming newsletter about how to coordinate different jewelry pieces together. Here is a photo I just got back from my photographer, <a href="http://thephotocottage.net/" target="_blank">Nancy Ingersoll</a>:<span id="goog_1890924892"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fEnucHG4wY/UYYDoLiJFzI/AAAAAAAAAQU/6_jRhBj4xN8/s1600/IMG_5951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2fEnucHG4wY/UYYDoLiJFzI/AAAAAAAAAQU/6_jRhBj4xN8/s400/IMG_5951.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expressing Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;">http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/4/13</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #72 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">4.5 miles</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-8210384834379434222013-04-23T21:36:00.002-07:002013-04-23T21:43:12.543-07:006 Tips for Getting Back into Exercise<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Friends!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently had a nasty case of bronchitis that laid me up in bed for an entire 5 days. All together I missed an entire week of skating. Ugh! Not fun! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prior to getting sick, I had been feeling somewhat superior for not having gotten more than a very mild cold for the last few years, thinking that my clean living, exercise, and positive mental outlook kept me immune from the diseases that other people got. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently all those factors only went so far. When I went down sick, I went down hard. I didn't really have any choice but to let time, rest and antibiotics run their course. There was no way I could exercise--I barely made it out of bed and onto the couch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually I began to feel better and started itching to go skating, which is a huge step forward in my thinking about exercise. Before last year, I was never one to exercise regularly for any length of time. I would have periods of regular exercise, but whenever life, illness, or injury got in the way, I was easily derailed from my regular routine. Sometimes it would take me months or years to get motivated again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now I consider myself an athlete, with exercise a key ingredient to my physical and mental well being. This time there was no doubt in my mind that once I started feeling better, I would get back on track with skating. Now, two weeks post illness, I can happily say that I am back to my pre-illness level of fitness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what worked for me to get me back on track:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Relax and give it time</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give yourself a break. You will get back to your previous level of fitness, your previous accomplishments. It will take time, but <b>don't doubt your resolve</b> to get back on track.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Listen to your body's wisdom</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you heal from injury or illness, your body will tell you how to proceed if you pay attention. Respect what it is telling you. If you need to take a day off, take it. If you need to push harder, do it if your body is crying out for that.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Start slowly but do start</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found that it was better for me to go out for a very short skate early on in the recovery process just to get my muscles moving and to see how it felt. I only went a short while the first day and added gradually day by day. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Trust that with time you will get you back to your previous level of fitness. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give yourself a break if you aren't progressing as quickly as you had hoped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. ICE!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are already get how magic ice is, jump down to step 6. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4;">If you DON'T ice, even though you've been told about it from many, many different sources, you should really give it a try. I had a troublesome </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">groin injury for the last few months. Nothing seemed to make it totally go away--not stretches, nor ibuprofen, nor trips to my chiropractor's office. Until I finally listened to my chiropractor, <b>Dr. Nicole Toenjes-Merriman of Lotus Integrative Wellness in Lafayette, CA 925-283-6900</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I wasn't too thrilled about icing my groin--even though I am a regular icer on my aches and pains, the thought of nestling a cold pack between my legs was none too appealing! But once I finally started icing my groin injury after I skated, my injury totally cleared up! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">So please ice! Especially as you are pushing yourself to get back into exercise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6. </b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: black; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The better shape you're in before you get sick, the faster you will regain your fitness afterwards.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not saying I'm any kind of super athlete, but I do work out regularly and enjoy it immensely. The bonus to keeping myself in shape is that post-illness, it took only about a week to be skating as hard and as far as I did before I got sick. And last Friday and again today, I skated the two longest distances since I started keeping track, over 10 miles apiece.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the key is to find something you love to do--running, skating, dancing, ice dancing, hiking--and then your workouts feel <b>more like play and less like work</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4;">Because of getting sick, I'm a bit behind schedule for my "200 Skates in 2013" but not by much. And I know within a couple of weeks, I'll be caught up to where I want to be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4;">Yee-haa indeed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Just for fun, here are some bear statues that make me giggle along the Iron Horse trail in Alamo where I skate:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4;">Keep skating (or whatever you like to do)!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expressing Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;">http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4/23/13</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #61 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">11.2 mi</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-35539876973992909482013-04-03T13:53:00.001-07:002013-04-06T14:09:22.969-07:005 Steps to Inline Skate Maintenance<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I awoke to a steady downpour this morning after a night of off and on rain. My first reaction was, "Rats, now I can't skate today!" My husband Marty, helpful soul that he is, suggested that I could always go to the club instead (the 24 Hour Fitness in Moraga that I dutifully pay for every month and pass over in favor of skating 99% of the time!). I grumpily agreed he had a point. I resigned myself to this far-less-appealing second choice, but found a dozen other things to do first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After three hours of procrastinating going to the club, I received an optimistic sign: the clouds suddenly parted, the sun is streaming down, and my thoughts are happily back to skating. I still haven't put the new bearings and wheels on one of my pairs of skates that lie useless in my garage, so this could be just the motivator I need to get that task done and head for the trails. (Of course, I'm writing this instead so I guess now I'm procrasti-blogging!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Why do you need to perform maintenance? </b>The reasons for skate maintenance are basically to <b>lengthen the life of your wheels</b> (by rotating them), to <b>make your skating easier</b> (by cleaning or replacing the bearings as crud builds up in them), and to allow you to <b>stop easily when needed</b> (by replacing the brake if you have one). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I get out all the new parts I bought, my three pairs of skates, and I realize that this is a job I should take some care with. Here are some tips I'd like to share: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. <b>Assess and buy the right parts</b>. Check. I buy most of my replacement wheels and other accessories from this site:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/" target="_blank">Inline Warehouse</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have a great selection, good prices, and lots of helpful information about how to select what you want and then how to install products you buy. My last order include wheels, bearings (the part that go in the center of the wheels), new axles, a bearing cleaning kit, and lubrication for the bearing after you clean them.</span><br />
<a href="http://img.inlinewarehouse.com/new_big/RBBT-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="largemain" height="320" src="http://img.inlinewarehouse.com/new_big/RBBT-1.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 2: <b>Make sure you have the right tools.</b> The best tool you can get (and practically the only tool you'll ever need) is one of these 3-way skate tools:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has an Allen wrench, a Phillips-head screwdriver and a special tool for removing/replacing the bearings in your wheels without damaging your bearings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I broke the end off a screw driver the last time I tried to remove the bearings without this tool! I have a couple of these 3-way tools, I just couldn't find one and didn't want to take the time to look. Trust me, if you're going to skate, invest $10 in one of these.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3: <b>Be prepared to get dirty. </b>The wheels and bearings get pretty dirty skating outside. You will get dirty too, so spread newspaper on your table and wear something appropriate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 4: <b>Know what you're doing and take your time. </b>Whether you're rotating your wheels, cleaning or replacing the bearings, or installing a new brake, it's SOOO much easier if you find out what you're doing BEFORE you start taking things apart. Trust me on this point...learn from my mistake! I'm kind of a plunge-right-in kind of gal, but the site I linked to above has very good information about how to do all of these tasks. Of course, it you are like me and don't always listen to this kind of advice, let me get ready with my "I told you so" dance! (Email me if you want any help.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 5: (this is my favorite) <b>When you're all done, put on your skates and try them out around the house. </b>This is big fun and gets all kinds of funny looks and comments from your family members. (Only recommended if you have hardwood or other smooth floor surfaces--and watch your speed!) There's no real reason you have to do this step, it just makes me giggle skating inside the house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For today, I settle for installing new wheels and new bearings on the pair of skates that my sister Jill gave me. For good measure, I also put on a new brake pad. That's enough for one day...I want to leave some time for the biggest fun of all--the actual skating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yee-haa!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever you like to do)!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. Turns out there is a 6th step:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Step 6: <b>Try not to leave your favorite skates outside overnight in the rain! </b>While I was working on getting my second pair in good working order, I accidentally left my favorite skates outside in the pouring rain. The skates should be fine, but I may need to clean and lubricate the bearings...moisture/skate bearings is not a good combination! Unlike me, you probably already knew enough not to need this step! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expressing Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; line-height: normal;"></span><a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/" style="color: #6666cc; text-decoration: none;">http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/31/13</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-81842048751556451602013-03-28T00:36:00.004-07:002013-03-28T05:06:52.751-07:0050 Skates and Counting! <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the beginning of 2013, I made an intention (haha, NOT a resolution!) that I would like to skate 200 times during the calendar year. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That means that I need to skate roughly 17 skates per month or 50 for the quarter. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I hit the 50-skate mark for the year 2013</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, so I'm on track with my goal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel quite proud of myself, especially since I managed to keep on track for this quarter in spite of a not-fun tumble on wet pavement in January and a rib-injuring ski fall in February. I'm happy to be finally completely healed from both of those falls and would like to NOT have any falls during this month! So far, so good with only a few days left in the month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had my favorite pair of inline skates, a pair of Rollerblades, for probably 10 years now. I have 3 pairs total, but this original pair is my favorite. As parts of my favorite pair have broken down, I've had to cannibalize parts from the other 2 pair of skates…an axle from one pair, bearings from another, wheels from the original pair. On top of that, some parts of my favorite pair are coming apart. For instance the velcro strap on one boot has detached from where it mounts on the side of the boot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally I broke down and bought myself some spare parts…2 sets of wheels, a killer set of bearings (reputed to be very smooth and fast), an extra set of axles, a cleaning/lubrication kit for my bearings. I bought all of this at:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Inline Warehouse's online site</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They have good prices, a great selection, and lots of helpful information, such as <b>how to rotate your wheels</b> to get the most life out of them. Check the site out if you're thinking of buying skates or if you have skates that need some replacement parts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My goal in buying some spare parts is to get my other two pairs of skates in working order so I can switch it up. I've gotten too used to my favorite pair and need to keep it fresh by getting comfortable with other skates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though I've had the spare parts for more than a week, I haven't done more than open the box because I've been quite busy with making jewelry…I'm developing some new pieces plus restocking my depleted stock of pieces from my website. On top of that, I received an order for almost 50 of my veteran's campaign necklaces. Check out friends Gail and Robert's website to see where the profits from those necklaces go and also to see the work they're doing helping veterans heal and be remembered:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://isignedtheflag.org/" target="_blank">I Signed the Flag</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or to see the necklaces for a veteran you might know or in honor of a veteran, check them out in my shop:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NamiZuniJewelry?section_id=12418927" target="_blank">My Veteran's Necklaces for Men and Women</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But jewelry making aside, I need to get to those skates. My goal is to get my second-oldest pair…hand me downs from my sister, Jill (hand me ups? she's younger than I am)…in working order. They need a new set of wheels and new bearings. They have the potential to be my new favorite pair, so I need to get them in good working order, hopefully before the older ones totally fall apart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also been having fun with my new iPhone app, <b>HDR Pro</b>. It takes multiple shots when you take a picture and combines them into one really nice photo. Here's a couple of pictures I took while skating as a storm was blowing in while I was on the Lafayette Moraga Trail near St. Mary's College:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's one I took outside my front door a few days ago:</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiZqrIDiMxU/UVPvezinnEI/AAAAAAAAAPw/iBPmAZUKC-k/s1600/IMG_1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IiZqrIDiMxU/UVPvezinnEI/AAAAAAAAAPw/iBPmAZUKC-k/s640/IMG_1090.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If any of you are thinking of skating and you live in the Bay Area, contact me. I'd love to skate with you and am happy to help you get set up joining me on wheels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally a shout out to my buddy, <b>Tricia</b>, who ran the Oakland half-marathon this past weekend. A special "Yee-haa!" for you, girlfriend! I love that you swore by race's end that this was your last half marathon <b>ever</b>, but have now already signed up for your next one! You inspire me--you taking up running was one of the reasons I got back into skating.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever you do)!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expressing Your Inner Goddess</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span><a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/">http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3/26/13</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #50 of 200</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-72798547368806929052013-02-12T09:35:00.005-08:002013-03-13T23:26:24.418-07:00Two Hot Babes Hit Park City!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends,</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am typing this as I sit in the Oakland airport waiting to board a flight to Salt Lake City. I'm meeting up with my friend Cynthia for a few days of skiing in Park City. I've known Cynthia since our daughters were in kindergarten together more than 15 years ago. We became good friends by being Girl Scout leaders together, rollerblading, skiing, and doing crafts together. Her husband and my husband became good friends, as did all our sons and daughters. Since she moved to Connecticut a few years back I haven't gotten to see her as much as I'd like. I especially miss her as a fun skiing and rollerblading buddy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cynthia is the person that actually helped get me into rollerblading. She and I got skates at about the same time and started going together on the Lafayette Moraga trail and then on the Iron Horse trail. She had a good strategy that resonated with me--she said that she tried to learn one new thing every year. That way, as the years go by, she would have tried numerous new activities that she otherwise would never have attempted. I'm lucky rollerblading was her new thing that one year, because it turned out to be one of my greatest passions. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago she sent me a link to her new website/blog. She is a talented artist and is now sharing her gift with the world. Seeing her new website made me realize how much I miss her and especially how fun it would be to ski with her again. We managed to cobble together a quick trip to Utah for just the two of us. I predict much fun and many laughs. I haven't skied for a few years, so I hope I remember how!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a link to her website/blog. Check out her beautiful art work. The painting below is one of her Utah paintings. Sure makes me excited to ski there! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A number of years ago I switched from regular skis to shorties. They are only 100cm long (40 inches) and you don't use poles with them. They are so short that I actually managed to pack them into my suitcase rather than a ski bag. Once I switched to the shorties, I have never gone back to regular skis. The thing I like about the shorties is that I feel so free when I ski on them. It reminds me so much of inline skating. I am hoping that my regular rollerblading has put me in good shape to get back skiing. I'm afraid that Cynthia will ski me into the ground! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In any event, I realize how lucky I am to have gotten these 5 days away from my regular routine to go off and do something totally fun. I'll keep you posted and share a few pictures of two hot mamas skiing!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or skiing or whatever you do)!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warmly,</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Nancie Zimmerman</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b>NamiZuni Jewelry Design</b></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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</span></span><a href="http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com/">http://namizunijewelry.etsy.com</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">1/25/13</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #28 of 200</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail 6.18 mi</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Post trip addendum:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cynthia and I had a fantastic time skiing, eating, hot tubbing, chatting, more eating, and generally having a great time catching up. She was a thoughtful and attentive host. I felt like I stayed at a swanky bed and breakfast inn!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The biggest surprise to me came from realizing that I still did know how to ski, and, even better, that my rollerblading had paid off big time. My legs did not get to the "jello" stage until late in the third day of skiing after numerous runs, many of them either mogul runs, black diamond, or both. It cracked me up that Cynthia kept referring to our trip as "Nancie's Ski Boot Camp" but the reality is that we are very closely matched as skiers and she pushed me as much as I pushed her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did have kind of a nasty fall the second day, prompting me to invest in a ski helmet. I bruised some ribs pretty badly but luckily it didn't keep me from skiing the next day and it hasn't kept me from rollerblading upon my return home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This trip was the highlight of my year! Thanks, Cynthia! Again, here's her website and blog. Check it out:</span><br />
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<a href="http://cynthiamcloughlin.wordpress.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Cynthia's website</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Cynthia & Nancie:</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-25259237345849304712013-01-28T21:38:00.000-08:002013-01-28T21:38:32.202-08:002 Ways to Get Inspiration from Friends<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, Friends!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know you're passionate about something when you can't wait to do it, you don't care if you have to do it all by yourself, and you can lose track of time when doing it. That's how I feel about designing and making jewelry and that's how I feel about inline skating.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That said, when you find someone that can get as excited as you are about something, you can join forces and have even more fun together. Again, that works for me with both jewelry making and skating. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How lucky was I therefore to find two amazing women to skate with me on two separate occasions over the last week. Both women and their spouses are in my husband and my movie club and both women inspire me: Irline and Kristine.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Irline has been an ice dancer for the last several years. In fact here she is ice dancing:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkmevYDW9-g" target="_blank">Irline Ice Dancing</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She hadn't skated on wheels in years and years. I see her and her husband Martin on the Lafayette-Moraga trail--them walking and me skating--and I kept bugging her to join me on the trail. She said she wanted to but I figured it was one of those, "Wouldn't that be nice one day?" comments that we all make from time to time--activities we've like to do in theory but don't get around to. I was wrong about Irline. She emailed me last week and said if I could get her a pair of skates in her size, she'd go out with me. Lucky me she fit into one of my extra pairs and away we went.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also wrongly figured that on her first outing she would just want to tool around in the parking lot at the Lafayette Community Center. Instead, after 5 or 10 minutes of getting used to the skates she suggested we try the Lafayette-Moraga trail. Over 5 miles later--including curbs, wooden bridges, sticks, rocks, slight hills, and uneven pavement--she finally had her fill. Wow, was I impressed with her! She so naturally transferred her ice skating expertise, balance, and stamina into a related but new activity. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Irline so inspired me that the next day I skated my furthest distance since I began keeping track last year: 8.6 miles. (My Facebook post may have reported a longer distance, but that's because I forgot to turn off my app at the end of my skate and it recorded some of the ride home!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then today I had a skate date with another movie club member, Kristine. Here she is with her husband, David in the Virgin Islands:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has skated for years--even told me that she used skating as her main mode of transportation in college for a time. We met at a parking lot by the Iron Horse trail in Walnut Creek <b>after</b> she had already taken a workout class that morning at her gym! I figured maybe a 30-minute skate would be all she had left in her. She suggested an hour skate and away we went. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One hour and 8+ miles later, I was satisfied with myself and very impressed with Kristine.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With both Irline and Kristine, I enjoyed one of my favorite activities in a whole new way and got to know each of them a bit better. If you have something you like to do as much as I like inline skating, it's even more fun to enjoy it with a friend. And seeing the activity through their eyes made me look at my skating and the limitations I put on myself differently.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My next goal: go out again with Irline and the new inline skates she bought herself and to drag Kristine out on some hills!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look out, here we come!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever you do)!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">♥</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Skate #17 of 200</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Iron Horse Trail 8.08 mi</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-69505855954944668322013-01-03T23:47:00.001-08:002013-01-03T23:47:47.379-08:00New Year's Intentions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you make New Year's resolutions each year? Did you this year? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided that this year instead of resolutions that I would make intentions. The difference between the two for me is that a resolution is a pattern or path that you resolve to follow, no matter what. It leaves no room for nuance, no room for working towards a goal, getting better as time goes on. A resolution only allows you to follow it or to fail to follow it. And how many resolutions have we all had fall by the wayside over the years?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An intention, by contrast, is a statement that points you in the direction that you want to travel. It may be goal oriented--for instance, my intention this year is to skate 200 times in 2013--or it may be a principle that you would like to use to guide your behavior--for instance, I would like to speak with a kinder, gentler tone in my encounters with others. In both of these cases, my intentions give me a guide to follow. I may at times be more successful or less successful at adhering to my intention, but always I have in my mind that it is the direction I am heading. As long as I make some progress in the right direction, I cannot fail.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For instance, my intention of skating 200 times during this calendar year guides my choices. As a guide, it directs my brain and my actions towards activities and behavior that support my intention. During 2012, I made it to 177 skates. So this year, in order to meet my goal of 200 skates, I need to add 23 skates to what I was able to rack up last year. Considering I only began skating in February of 2012, and then only a few times a week (as compared to the 5 or 6 times per week I do now), my goal of 200 skates is easily do-able.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some of the new toys I received this year as gifts from my dear family that help support my intention of skating 200 times this year...because brrrrrr, it's been kind of chilly lately:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.altrec.com/columbia/womens-benton-springs-vest?sku_id=1930884" target="_blank">Columbia Benton Springs Fleece Vest</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the color (light grape) and it provides just the right amount of warmth when it's a chilly Bay Area day (in the 40s). It has a nice fit, interior pockets, and zip pockets on the outside to keep my keys, iPhone, and glasses safe.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.altrec.com/columbia/womens-benton-springs-vest?sku_id=1930884&cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google+PLA-_-Columbia-_-94801-1930884&mr:trackingCode=BAFA9151-D0E2-E111-ACC7-001B2163195C&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=19070796537&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=21201823497&origin=pla&gclid=CO-_gOqPzrQCFQmCQgodLEoACw" target="_blank"><img alt="Columbia Benton Springs Vest - great vest for rollerblading in cold weather." class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/230457705903775723_p84mQcDO_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rei.com/product/789940/rei-coolmax-ecomade-crew-socks" target="_blank">REI Coolmax Ecomade Crew Socks</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My old skating socks were 10 years old. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a few new pairs. 'Nuff said.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Good socks for skating: REI CoolMax EcoMade Crew Socks at REI.com" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/230457705903775739_nxfSliqK_c.jpg" width="316" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rei.com/product/821182/manzella-powerstretch-touchtip-gloves" target="_blank">Manzella Powerstretch Touchtip Gloves</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I don't have to operate my iPhone </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with my nose when it's cold! They have</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">little </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">pads in the index finger and thumb </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ends </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that allow you to operate a </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">touch-screen </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">device </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like your phone.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Now I don't have to operate my iPhone with my nose when I'm skating with gloves: Manzella PowerStretch TouchTip Gloves" class="PinImageImg" data-componenttype="MODAL_PIN" height="273" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/230457705903731787_OxOjmBSl_c.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my intention is to log 200 skates during 2012. I have other personal intentions and also business intentions. More about those later. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are your intentions for 2013? How about your intention for today? What will you do that supports your growth?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever you do)!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie ♥ </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-38093708220085895242012-12-13T01:08:00.004-08:002012-12-13T22:23:45.186-08:00Chocolate Truffle Recipe!<table _mce_style="background-image: none; display: table; background-color: #ffffff;" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" class="BlockMargin mceItemTable" id="textEdit" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; display: table; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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Hello, friends!</div>
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One of the symbols of the Christmas season for me is making and giving chocolate truffles. I originally saw the recipe in the San Francisco Chronicle in the early '80s and have been making about 400 a year ever since then.</div>
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That's one of the reasons I love rollerblading...so I can indulge in sinful treats such as chocolate truffles upon occasion. I'm partial to the dark chocolate varieties, but I've branched out to make milk chocolate, white chocolate and semisweet ones too. Here's my recipe for the original dark chocolate ones. They may not turn our looking picture perfect the first time--or even the 20th time--but they will taste great no matter how they look!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dark Chocolate Raspberry Truffles</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chocolate Truffles</span></span></h1>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Centers: Yield: 30-36 truffles <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 c. heavy cream <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate morsels <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4 oz. unsweetened chocolate <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 T. unsalted butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1/4 c. liqueur (such as Amaretto, Chambord,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crème de Menthe, or Grand Marnier)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(optional) 1/2 c. finely chopped nuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(optional) 1 capful flavoring extract such as peppermint or almond<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chop unsweetened chocolate into morsel-sized pieces.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Simmer cream in a saucepan.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When cream comes to a boil, remove pan from heat.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add both chocolates and butter.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stir firmly with a wire whisk until chocolate-chip effect goes away and mixture is like pudding.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pour into a bowl and continue to whisk until chocolate and butter is dissolved. Stir in liqueur (and optional nuts or flavoring extract). Cover and refrigerate overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To shape centers, scoop about 1 tablespoon with a spoon; roll in your palms to form a ball. Place on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Freeze centers overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Coating: 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Note: make sure you do NOT get any water in the melting chocolate. Even a small amount of water will cause the chocolate to seize up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Melt chocolate in a double boiler (or a bowl set over a pan of almost simmering water). Remove chocolate from heat. Dip frozen centers into chocolate one at a time. Let extra coating drip off and place coated truffle on waxed paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate. Before serving, allow truffles to warm about 15 minutes at room temperature. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Milk chocolate and white chocolate require a different recipe. If you don't like dark chocolate, try the recipe above using all semisweet chocolate. Leave me a note here (or email me) if you would like the challenge of making milk or white chocolate varieties. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even my white chocolate mint truffles look a bit lumpy and I've made them dozens of times!<table _mce_style="background-image: none; display: table; background-color: #ffffff;" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" class="BlockMargin mceItemTable" id="textEdit" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; display: inline !important;"><tbody style="display: inline !important;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy your truffles if you make them and happy holidays to you and your family!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie ♥ </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(How many truffles does that earn me?)</span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-52773845253844412572012-12-06T01:05:00.002-08:002012-12-06T01:54:31.586-08:00Wet Pavement: Moving Past Limits<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hello friends!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">This time of year is my busiest season. Between my jewelry business and my personal obligations, I sometimes have a hard time skating or doing other activities that keep me balanced. Add Liz Reynolds and my holiday boutique last weekend plus very raining weather, and I'm jonesing to get out skating. I actually start feeling like an addict who has had to quit cold turkey.</span><br />
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We in northern California had some major wet weather last week. (I know you folks that live in other parts of the country are feeling no sympathy!) Finally on Sunday afternoon the skies dried and the sun came out--just minutes after my poor husband finished cleaning out the gutters yet again! I waited as long as possible to give the trail the best shot at drying out a bit but still early enough that I could get a skate in before darkness took over. When the time was right, I made my move!</div>
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I started on the Lafayette Moraga trail at the Commons in Moraga. It seemed like many other people had the same idea and the trail was filled with walkers and bikers...an extra challenge but not insurmountable. I was the only fool on skates however.</div>
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I've written before about trying different techniques to mix up my skate a bit and to keep increasing my skills. This day, I didn't need to try too hard…between the plethora of sticks, leaves, acorns and rocks and the still-wet pavement, I had all the challenge I needed! There was even one section where the water was running freely right across the trail:</div>
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To my surprise, as long as I stepped a bit cautiously on the wet sections, I didn't have too much of a problem. Mind you, it was plenty challenging…the least bit of wet when I'm skating hard means that my skates slide sideways out from under me. On the wet surface I had to take smaller steps and be continually ready to correct my balance. </div>
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With a little trial and error, I found I could remain pretty steady on my feet and manage to get a satisfying workout. The workout combined with seeing a bit of sunshine, and my mood was soaring before long. I kept to the mile-long section between the commons and Rheem Boulevard. I did the same section two times to get a 4-mile skate and then managed to come home tired, sweaty and happy.</div>
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The next day the trail was drier still and I was now armed with the knowledge that my limits were not what I had thought them to be. It gave me confidence to skate further and skate harder. </div>
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I guess my surprising takeaway message was that my previously believed limits were largely self-imposed. Because of my previous bad experiences with wet pavement, I had thought it was something that I couldn't handle at all. Instead, I now know that with a bit of care and practice I CAN skate on wet pavement. </div>
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<b>A challenge is not the same thing as a limit unless I allow myself to believe it to be so</b>--a good thing to learn and to put into practice in other areas of my life.</div>
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What other challenges do I have that are holding me back because I think they're non-negotiable limits? Something for me to think about.</div>
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Nancie <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> ♥ </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-85384119281656638602012-11-25T23:29:00.000-08:002012-11-25T23:29:16.792-08:00Beautiful Bay Area Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NamiZuniJewelry?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NamiZuniJewelry?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_3" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">What a glorious, sunny, crisp, clear fall day! I feel so lucky to live here and have such great skating trails at my doorstep. </span><br />
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Today my husband Marty and I slept in a bit while both our kids got up early and went off to work. There's something that feels so delicious about that! With fewer hours of daylight, often wet trails, and a deficit of skating time over the last month, I'm hot to go whenever I can fit it in, but I did need to at least wait until the sun was up enough to dry off the trails a bit and to begin shrinking the puddles and patches of wet leaves. </div>
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Marty dropped me off on his way to the gym and I got right to skating. Because I had a good chunk of skating time to fill until he had finished his workout, I set out from the Commons Park in Moraga towards the Lafayette Community Center. At my usual turn-around point, I kept going. I ended up skating further than I have ever skated before (at least since keeping track with my Nike + Running app on my phone). I ended up skating a 10k. Yay me!</div>
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Did the trail have acorns, leaves, sticks, and puddles for me to deal with? Yes, yes it did. Here is a picture of one of the challenges.</div>
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The Lafayette-Moraga trail near the Lafayette Community Center</div>
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As I skated past the Lafayette Community Center, I came across this sign:</div>
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Have you ever seen such a thing? Well, you can't say they didn't warn us!</div>
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Years ago when our extended family took our annual ski trips together, my kickass-skiing cousin Suzi used to tell us that you need to push yourself when you ski. She thought that a good measure of pushing yourself enough is to fall down every so often. That way you would continue to improve as a skier. I think of her advice often when I skate. Not that I am okay with falling while skating…I try to avoid that if possible. But I do make sure I keep pushing myself so that I keep improving. </div>
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I consider it a successful skate if I have at least one bobble…an almost-fall-but-not-quite moment...every time I skate. That way I know I'm pushing my limits...getting better and better with each passing week. </div>
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The funny thing I've noticed…the more I'm comfortable pushing my limits skating, the more I'm comfortable pushing myself into other uncomfortable areas in my life.</div>
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How do you like to push yourself?</div>
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Keep skating...or whatever you like to do!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie ♥ </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-28899038447867790632012-11-14T19:01:00.000-08:002012-11-17T13:16:35.008-08:00Too busy to blog, but not too busy to skate...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been so busy getting ready for Liz and my <b>8th annual Holiday Boutique </b>that I've barely had time to write, but I have made time to skate. Our boutique:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <b>Friday, November 30 9 AM - 8 PM</b></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Saturday, December 1 9 AM - 2 PM </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">370 Redfield Pl, Moraga, CA</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are so excited about the many wonderful gift items we're busy making...jewelry, scarves, food gifts, baby gifts, holiday decor, and paperwhites ready to bloom in your home or for a friend. We're serving food, drinks, champagne in the evening, we're having a drawing for prizes such as jewelry and other gifts, and giving a free gift to everyone that attends. It's a fun event and part of our proceeds will benefit Friends of Faith, a local non-profit, in memory of Faith Fancher, which supports underserved women battling breast cancer. <b> Bring a friend for a special 20% off incentive on one regularly priced item in our boutique.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Shameless boutique plug done!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite how busy I've been, I've used managed to skate 11 of the last 13 days and that makes me a happy camper. I passed my personal goal of 150 skates in 2012. So great! I haven't had much time to write about skating though, so I thought I'd share a hilarious commercial of babies skating that my friend Joan sent to me. <b>Check it out for just 10 seconds</b> and I think you won't be able to stop watching.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If only I had started skating at such a young age!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?feature=player_embedded&v=341rybZ42vA#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here for how I wish I could skate!</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating (or whatever it is that YOU like to do)!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie ♥ </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-76056188515367325552012-11-08T22:12:00.000-08:002012-11-08T22:12:27.318-08:00Signs of Fall: Acorns and Sticks and Leaves...Oh My!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to my mom's open heart surgery and a trip back east that was extended due to Hurricane Sandy, I found myself <b>unable to skate for 2 full weeks</b>! By the time I returned to the bay area last week and my mom was released from rehab and home with my sister and stepdad to help out, I was climbing the walls with a desire to get back on the trails with my rollerblades. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And skate I have! I have skated every day over the last week, racking up over 30 miles altogether. It felt so great! At the same time, I've resumed my yoga practice, another critical piece of my well being. My yoga instructor, Howard VanEs, is just a fantastic teacher and I find myself enjoying yoga more and more. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Allan-VanEs/e/B0037JV22Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here to check out his series of books.</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I've been busy preparing for increased holiday sales of my jewelry and the extra demands of the holidays, I've needed the intense exercise even more than usual to keep my brain clear and happy and my energy level high. The weird thing is that until this year, I had never been that consistent with my exercise routine except for short periods of time. Now I'm at the point where I can no longer envision my life without yoga and without skating.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fall skating is beautiful and here's why I love living in Northern California:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But it does have its challenges:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Acorns, Sticks and Leaves</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some sections of the trail are just covered with the litter from the trees. My rear wheels scoop up the leaves and the brake on my right skate traps them. I'm toying with the idea of removing my brake, but I still have the occasional time when I am very happy for that brake...especially on the downhills! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lesson for handling the extra detritus on the trail...keep light on my feet, pay attention, relax, be prepared to make a quick correction when one of my wheels suddenly completely stops turning. All part of the excitement!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Darkness Descends</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The end of daylight savings time found me on the trail one evening this week as the daylight was fading quickly. I skated as fast as I could racing the sun, trying to finish up before darkness really set in. Alas, the sun was much faster than I was and I found myself returning to my car in almost complete darkness for the last 5 minutes. The plus side: since I couldn't see the leaves, sticks, and acorns, they didn't really even bother me. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I need to get one of those miner's headlights. I think my cousin Suzi has one I can borrow. Can you help me out, Suzi?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Rain!</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, here's the one obstacle I can't figure a way around. It started raining today before I got a chance to skate. Bummer! It was to be my 150th skate of 2012...an arbitrary milestone but still one I was looking forward to. Not only do I need to wait till it stops raining, but I'll also need to wait till those leaves are dry enough to stop being a slimy, slippery accident waiting to happen.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a quote I love that helps me face obstacles such as acorns, sticks, leaves, errant shoelaces, darkness and rain:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The universe provides obstacles to see how much you really want something.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it's a great way of looking at all the obstacles that might otherwise derail us from what we really want to accomplish.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What goals do you have and how badly do you really want them? Do you want them enough to push past the figurative acorns that might get in your way? </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XcGdQuk4E7c/UJyZYuFjT1I/AAAAAAAAAK8/hGHwPNgDEWY/s1600/IMG_0758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XcGdQuk4E7c/UJyZYuFjT1I/AAAAAAAAAK8/hGHwPNgDEWY/s400/IMG_0758.jpg" width="298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my 88-year-old mom, Jane, showing me how to overcome an obstacle such as a torn aortic valve. She's walking every day with my 90-year-old stepdad around a track near their house, building her stamina back up after her valve replacement 3 weeks ago. You go, Mom! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie ♥ </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate:</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654457022933449395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2797896673226001334.post-57061755039023636812012-10-29T22:39:00.001-07:002012-10-30T22:08:44.110-07:00How To Make Do When You Have To Do Without<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello, friends! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the midst of my mom's recovery from open-heart surgery, my daughter Melanie and I came to Pennsylvania for a few days to attend a dear friend's wedding. Our trip had been planned for months, while my mom's surgery was planned just recently. We decided not to cancel our trip, as my brother Mark and my step dad Dan were holding down the fort in our absence.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our plan was to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> fly home today, but Hurricane Sandy had other ideas. By Saturday, we learned that our flight had been canceled. While we are stranded in Pennsylvania, my brother is stranded in San Francisco, as his flight home to Nepal was to have gone through New York. So now Melanie and I have an unexpected bonus two days in Pennsylvania, giving me two more days with some family and friends. We are hunkered down at my cousin's house with plenty of food, water, and other emergency supplies. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, there has been no skating in my life for over a week and won't be for a number of days in my future. This is the longest I've gone without skating since January of this year. So what to do?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all, I am counting my blessings for my brother and step dad keeping an eye on things with my mom. She is recovering quickly and is in good hands, having been released from the hospital to a rehab facility a few days ago. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secondly, although I am jonesing to go out for a long skate, I am appeasing myself with the knowledge that I have made skating such an integral part of my life that I know I will jump right back into it as soon as I can. I'm relaxing and enjoying a bit of a break, eating all the yummy foods of my childhood: ring bologna, Philly cheese steaks, pizza, Tastykakes, and Aunt Barbara's chocolate cake (see recipe below).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also enjoying just hanging with some family and friends. Today for instance, we hunkered down inside, watched endless mindless TV interspersed with updates on Hurricane Sandy, played cards, and howled over funny YouTube videos. Here's one I particularly liked...it makes me cry with laughter every time I view it:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-6QncKMf_Y" target="_blank">Click here for the video "Every Infomercial Ever"</a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_843654802"></span><span id="goog_843654803"></span><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So while this is where I can't wait to be skating...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...instead I'm practicing the life skill of patience. I know my skates and my trail will be waiting for me when I get home and get my mom settled back into her home. Will my muscles be a bit squishier and my desire to skate more intense by the time I can get back out on the trail? Perhaps. Will I get back to my favorite exercise knowing that the interruption was just a temporary blip? You bet!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep skating! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nancie ♥ </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My last skate (9 days ago!):</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">10/20/12 </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Skate #143</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Lafayette-Moraga Trail 4.52 mi</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>Aunt Barbara’s Extra-Rich Chocolate Cake</u></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring to a boil in a saucepan:</span></div>
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1-1/2 sticks butter</div>
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1 c. water</div>
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Sift together in a bowl:</div>
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2 c. flour</div>
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2 c. sugar</div>
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1 tsp. cinnamon</div>
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1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder</div>
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1 tsp. baking soda</div>
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Pour hot mixture over dry ingredients. Stir.</div>
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Add to bowl:</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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1 tsp. vanilla extract</div>
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1/2 buttermilk or sour milk (to make sour milk: put 1/2 tsp. vinegar in a measuring cup, fill to 1/2 c. mark with milk, stir)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beat together. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan and back for 20-20 minutes at 375 degrees. Do NOT over bake...it may seem a little undone in the middle, but this is just right.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While cake is still hot, sift together in a mixing bowl:</span></div>
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1 lb. sifted confectioners sugar</div>
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1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa</div>
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Bring the following to a boil in a medium saucepan:</div>
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1 stick butter</div>
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6 T. milk<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove pan from heat, pour over dry ingredient and stir. Add 1 tsp. vanilla. (If desired, add 1 c. chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans or walnuts.) Beat until well mixed. Pour icing over hot cake and allow to cool.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This cake is fantastic when served with cold milk. </span><br />
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