Hooping around!

Wowie-zowie! The other day at 'playschool,' a couple of the moms & I tried using the hula-hoops - without much success!
Then today, on jamie's blog there was a great bit about her 'authentic professionalism' class - & mention of one of the attendees, Allison, a 'hoopdance instructor' ??

Sooo - I checked out some sites & blogs, called my local toystore (they checked into it, & ended up suggesting trying an online source - or making my own!!) Jonathan in Boulder has a video, as do several others - & there was a hoop conference over in Bend last month, with 100 attendees from all over! Boo!!

Several gals in Portland (~ an hour or so N of me) teach Hooping - & there's a certification coming in the fall with C from Hoopgirl - then there's a Hoonotica trained instructor, & Jason has posted instructions for making your own hoop! Seems those 'kid' hoops don't spin easily 'cause they're too light!!

This just sounds like a lot of fun! My daughter says that Alyssa's 3rd grade teacher 'hoops' while watching TV, & when she mentions doing hula (to a DVD by Kili - great!) her friends think she's hula hooping!

I'll keep you posted!!

Lenten Challange - 30 minutes of Exercies daily

Following Genie's suggestion to visit the Green Smoothie Girl's site (great + info on coconut oil, a list of 12 'health myth busters' - including info. on dangers in eating many soy products) I rolled along through several blogs, & found this Lenten challenge over on Fat Bridesmaid here & here - to do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise over the 40 days of lent! I'm joining that challenge - what a delightful idea, to choose a positive!

I'd begun well, with our joint Ash Wed service at St James - the 16th year of this ecumenical service. It begins with a fish supper - including the best clam chowder - yum! Thinking of doing a 'spring cleanse/ detox' soon.
On Thur I did Tai Chi (which my dau. proclaimed as aerobic, since you are continuously in motion); Fri went to a ballroom & swing dance at the Ballroom (way more than 30 min of dancing!), Sat walked (OK, so it was in a store - but again, steady motion); & Sunday put on a Hula DVD (Kili - Island Girl series - we love these!! It's an easy way to have fun moving!

This morning was beautiful, so I took my little dog for a walk. We have a nice fenced yard she can play in, & Chihuahua's can take or leave walks, Gracie definitely doesn't like to wear coats, so is happier if it's fair :) & then another walk to take the 4 yr old GD to school - then over to my daughter's office to pick up an ergonomic purse one of her co-workers was passing on - so about an hour just around the neighborhood.

Now I need to remember which pocket I put which item in - always a challange with a new purse!
I made a case for the wooden chopsticks & spoon that I carry with me. Last year at our Farmer's Market, Peter the spoon man commented that he felt hypocritical when he used 'fast food plastic' if he got something from a food vender - so pulled out one of his older 'home' teaspoons to use. I thought that was a great idea, & into my purse went one of the flat spoons I'd purchased from him. The new case will hold the spoon & a dear pair of chopsticks (cherry) that I've had about 20 years.
I eat my morning granola from a pottery bowl & one of Peter's spoons, & most other things with a pair of yew chopsticks he made at my request (I love this shorter style!)

Glad I took those walks earlier - now it's hailing!! Prob a brief squall - I can see blue sky to the West, where our storms 'usually' originate.

Do you have a Lent or Spring intention?