Kerry and Frank are getting married!!! The wedding will be held at Glacier National Park on August 11, 2012. We are very excited about it. We've invited the family and a few friends but I think it will probably be Pat and me, Franks parents and Kerry's friends. It's a very expensive trip and most people don't have money to get out there. Pat and I are going to camp for a few days and will be staying at Glacier Guides Lodge for the night before and the night of the wedding. That way Kerry will have a place to get dressed and fix her hair and make up. OMG!! What am I going to wear? LOL

Pat and I have decided to take a 2 week road trip out to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and The Grand Tetons. This is the trip that Kerry and I did last summer and it was fabulous. I really want Pat to be able to share it with me. We will be camping for most of the trip which should be pretty crazy. We haven't taken a trip alone in in more than 25 years so now is the time and it is going to be the best trip ever.

Here are a few pictures that we took when Kerry and I went to Glacier last summer. It's an amazing place. 

As Featured In Globe Magazine

So here is the story. I'm pretty thrilled about it. I wrote to Richard and sent him a copy of the story and he wrote me back right away. He is very proud of me. I'm pretty proud of myself. :)

I can't help but wonder what the universe has in store for me now.

I'm Going To Be In Globe Magazine!!!!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a writer from Globe Magazine asking me if I would be interested in having my weight loss story featured in the weight loss issue of their magazine. I was totally shocked and was very curious about how they had heard about me. It turns out that they found me through the Yoga Source. The writer, Lynn, is a friend of Pam Leal who is a flow teacher at The Source. Lynn picked up on of the flyers about the "Just My Size" yoga class and contacted me about my story. I just got an email from Lynn saying that my issue of Globe will hit the stands on Wednesday. Wow!

I really am very excited about being featured as a weight loss success story but also as a yoga teacher. I am very proud of my new teaching career which has really taken off recently. I am teaching 2 group classes and privates in my home studio, 2 classes at Eagle Trace County Club and 2 classes at The Yoga Source. I also sub whenever I am called upon which is fairly often. I have students that come every week and sometimes twice a week. I feel very good about helping people to become more mindful and grounded.

A long time ago Richard Simmons called me and asked me if he could show my before and after pictures and call me from the QVC studios. The next thing I knew I was on QVC talking to Richard. Many years later I was featured as a success story on Richard's website. Not long after that I found myself at Slimmons in front of a large group of people telling them how I was able to lose my weight in "Meet The Pros". That was about 6 years ago and things have been pretty quiet on the weight loss front. Now, I will be featured in a national magazine. I wonder what will happen from it. Yeah, I am excited. :)

Coming Up On Another New Year

Boy, they sure are going fast. The years, I mean. Here I am, thinking about resolutions, changes and goals for the upcoming new year. I don't really know where to begin. Yoga says that we should set intentions and not goals. I always have lots of intentions. They are always the same.

I intend to get a grip on my food. Yes, I'm at a good weight but will I ever really be happy with my weight? I am at a weight now that I can hold without any trouble, or work. I eat what I want and exercise almost every day. Now that I'm teaching yoga exercise is not a problem. My eating is, however, terrible. If Richard knew he would have a field day with me. I am going to set an intention to be more mindful of my food. I will pay more attention not only to what I eat but to what I eat when I am eating it. I remember a few years back when Laura, Beth, Vennie and I were the "Fab Four" (not anymore, long story) I talked about yogic eating. Slowing down while eating and really noticing the tastes and textures of the food. I am going to do that this year and I am going to start today. I am not going to wait until "next year".

Another intention that concerns food is that I intend to cook more at home. We spend way too much money on eating out and not only does it cost lots of money but it's full of salt and totally bad for you. I was recently at Bob's office and he said that if my blood pressure doesn't go down he is going to increase my blood pressure meds. Salt is one of the reasons for my higher blood pressure. Salt is found in restaurant food. I am going to try to cook outside the box and make some new recipes that don't include salt. I really don't want my health to be effected by my eating.

Speaking of health I intend to incorporate a little more exercise into my life. I ordered Bob Harper's DVD's that were on sale which I'm hoping will help. I walked 4 miles yesterday at the track and I am going to go back to some weight training. Three times a week should be sufficient however every day would be better. I want to get back to the track more often and maybe some pilates to flatten the stomach too.

I intend to save money. I need to save money so that we can go to Glacier National Park for Kerry's wedding in August. She is getting married on Irv's birthday, August 11. Pat and I are going to buy a new car (finally) and take a really long road trip. Kerry bought us a tent for Christmas and I have the camper's stove so just an air mattress and we are ready to go. I want to have a lot of money to spend on this trip. I need to be more mindful about my spendable cash if I want to attend my daughter's wedding without any money worries.

I still have some time before the new year comes but I think this is a good start for my intentions. I guess the goals will have to wait. :)

Thanksgiving with the new In Laws

Kerry told me that Frank's parents were going to go to a buffet for Thanksgiving so I offered up an invitation to them for Thanksgiving dinner. I really didn't think that they would come but they did and it turned out to be a wonderful first Thanksgiving dinner for all of us together.

I was totally stressed that there wouldn't be enough food but I was totally wrong. We had turkey for the meat eaters, Tofurky for Kerry and me and enough sides to kill a horse. We also had Kerry's favorite Boston Cream Pie that said Happy Birthday Peewee because besides Thanksgiving it was also Kerry's 25th birthday. Cousin Stevie brought an apple pie, Jon brought flowers and Frank's parents, Ron and Joanne, brought a gorgeous edible arrangements fruit thing, and wine. Yep, we had it all. We all ate too much food and sang happy birthday to Kerry.

When dinner was over Pat and Ron sat at the table talking while Joanne, Kerry, Frank and I rolled around in the yoga room. Frank and I did headstands and then we all just talked. It was really fun. I like Joanne very much. She is very open and friendly. It's quite a difference from Mike's parents who always felt that we were from the wrong side of the tracks. I think Joanne and I will be friends. I'm happy about that.

I was very happy to open our little house to Frank and his parents. They are really nice and they seem to love Kerry. I felt good being the one to bring the new extended family together. We need to get used to it. Kerry and Frank will be married in August and like it or not we will all be one big happy family. You know what? I like it. :)

Kerry's getting married, a new car and life rocks

It has been a really long time since I have posted here on my, kind of, life story. I don't really know why but I'm back and it feels good.

So much has happened since my last post. Kerry came home twice. Once to buy a brand new white Kia Soul. Her life is taking off. She is doing so well and I am more than proud. I love her so much and she never fails to make me the proudest mom on the face of the earth. She also came home to pick up the car and drive it home with Frank. She bought it at Coral Springs Kia and I, of course, negotiated a great price for a perfect car for her. I think it would be a great car for Pat but as long as he wants to drive "the son of sweatmobile" he is free to do so. I also love the no car payment aspect of the SOS. :)

More importantly Kerry and Frank have decided to get married. Both Pat and I are very happy about this latest development. They seem perfect for each other. They are both travel bugs as well as biologists. They are also both only children. It's a perfect match. The plan is for them to be married at Glacier National Park on August 18, 2010. We are waiting for the approval from Glacier. It is a gorgeous place for a glorious event.

My yoga teaching has been really great. Juliana went away and I got to teach 3 out of 4 Juliana's home classes per week for 6 weeks. My teaching really grew leaps and bounds. I also subbed for Juli and Joy at The Yoga Source. Classes in general are very sparce. Many students go away on vacation. I've picked up a lady from the Yoga Source for my home classes occasionally and I have also taken on an older gentleman who has requested 3 privates per week. We are doing very well and he finally has started to let go a little bit. It turns out Pat knows him from the pool tournament world. One Sandy also likes her privates and I need to call her and let her know that I am back from my trip which I will blog about another time. I love my classes but I would really like to teach more.

I have my private with Juliana tomorrow. I will be blessed. :) :)

Dental Issues

I went to Dr Spector's office for a check up today and Katrina found a pocket in my gums that was very large. She did an x-ray and I was told that the tooth is not good. It looks like my choices are going to be a dental implant that costs $3200 and is not covered by insurance or an apicoectomy which is one of the most painful dental procedures out there. I know this because I have had two of them. I got a black eye with both of them and was down for two weeks.

I am very scared right now. I'm not sure which is worse. The apico is extremely painful and expensive but my dental insurance will help out the the cost of that. The implant is not as bad as far as pain is concerned (I am told) but it is not covered by insurance. I am also having some pain in my lower left area that Dr Spector says is from the scaling that we recently did but I have my doubts about that. I'm hoping that the pain will go away. It seems to be getting worse.

If I have an apico I'll have to sub out my Sunday class because as I remember Dr Flax only does big operations on Fridays and there is no way I'll be able to teach on Sunday. I really don't want to have to do that. I am developing a following with that class and I don't want to lose it but there really is nothing that I can do about it.

I guess I should just wait until my appointment with Dr Flax on Friday and see what is said. Whatever it is it is and there is nothing I can do about it. I have to accept whatever happens and not freak out. Freaking won't do me any good. I need to follow my own advice and live in the present moment.

Back to 155.5

The scale was not my friend this morning. It read 155.5. On second thought maybe the scale was my friend by telling me the truth. A real friend tells you the truth no matter what even if you don't like what you are hearing and I don't like it at all.

It's not as if I didn't know. I know my eating has been out of control lately. I don't know why. I'm not upset by anything new. I mean, I miss Kerry but I always miss her. She did tell me that she would be spending her spring break with Frank in Gainesville and not be coming home at all but I know that's what makes her happy. It's what I want for her. I want her to be happy. I have my new yoga studio up and running. I love it and so do the students. I am teaching two fantastic classes at The Yoga Source and they are growing every week.

I also know that I have not been getting any exercise besides yoga. It's really all I do. I need to get some kind of cardio back in my life. Although I have been walking with Michele a few times a week we are not really walking very fast and it's not really much of a challenge for me. I've given up weights completely. I absolutely need to get back on track with my exercise because as the exercise goes so goes the eating.

So today is a new day. I am going to Juliana's yoga class at the Source and then when I get home I am going to do some cardio. It's cool out today so I could actually bring my sneakers with me and stop at the track on the way home or I could do a richard video in the yoga room. I don't have a TV in there anymore so I'd have to put it on my laptop but that's ok.

It's all about calories in and calories out and I know that. My calories in has been way more than my calories out. Get a grip, Claudia. It's what you need to do for your health and that's all that matters. I need to be healthy for Pat and Kerry and for me and my own peace of mind.

I'm a yoga teacher!!!

I taught my second class at the Yoga Source this morning. How thrilled was I when I saw a bunch of people in my room waiting to take my class? Lisa from last week was there with her friend Gail who works at the front desk on Wednesday and then 4 ladies that I didn't know!!! Yay!!! I had 6 students and I really felt in the groove. I was really feeling my class. I still need to improve though. I forgot to invert and I forgot fish pose. On the other hand I went and got bolsters from the Hatha room and started them lying on them. It was really cool. Then we did some seated postures and then I brought them up to standing and we did some half sun salutation. Then we did triangle, both sides of course and then we went into wide legged utanasana, to the right, to the left, spider and then my favorite squat down and come up and finally down forward bends, twists and savanasana with Lavander oils. It totally rocked. :) :)

The salon went well. It was just Erin with a bad back and Tim so I took it really easy with them but it turns out that the half sun salutations helped Erin with her back along with half moon. Yay. Go me!!! I am pretty awesome. Yep, pretty awesome.

I have jury duty tomorrow. I hope they don't want me. I sure as hell don't want them!

My letter to Richard

Hey Baby, :)

How are you? I saw you on TV and once again you looked very svelte and fabulous which is always wonderful to see. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday with Lenny and Cathy. The new year looking very bright for both of us. Ok, so you have a new TV show coming which is way cooler than what I have going but my stuff is pretty cool too. :)

Cool thing number one is....As you know I became certified by the Yoga Alliance and I have been teaching my own classes in a small studio that I share with a friend. I have also been subbing for some of the finest yoga teachers in this area at the premier studio, The Yoga Source. It is not easy to break into this studio. They are very picky about who they allow to teach there and just being on the sub list is a huge accomplishment. Well, guess who got offered her own gentle yoga class at 9:00 every Sunday morning? Yep, Me!!!!! They got great feedback from the students who were in class when I was subbing and it seems that they were looking for someone just like me for this early morning slot. I think they are looking to attract some of the more mature (did you like the way I phrased that?) ladies who might be intimidated by the younger teachers. They said that they loved my positive attitude, my energy and style of teaching. Last Sunday was my first class and it was a fabulous experience. I'm sure it's going to take a while before the word gets out but I'm teaching at The Yoga Source and I am more than thrilled about it. I got to meet all the other teachers at the Christmas party and I've also scored a few more subbing gigs. As a matter of fact I'm subbing today. Yay.

Cool thing number two is....I got on the scale this morning and it said 149.5. This is the first time I have been in the 140's in about 3 years or more and I feel great about that too. I've been much more active lately and I've also been watching my portions more. Yes, I've always known thats the way to do it but actually doing it was the hard part (as you know). I am very proud of both of this. I even went hiking in the Everglades yesterday. Wow! Go me! :)

In December I started thinking about making my New Years Resolutions and I was really apprehensive about it. I know you are a fan of them but I've always had trouble keeping the resolutions that I have made in the past. In a wild, crazy moment I said to myself that teaching my own classes at the Yoga Source was going to be one of my resolutions for the new year never really thinking that it would ever happen. I did it last Sunday, January 2. Resolution 1..check! I also made a resolution to see 14anything even 149.5 on the scale again. This morning I saw 149.5. It's January 6. Resolution 2..check! The last resolution that I made is that I am going to come to LA to spend some good time with Laura and come to see you for my yearly visit. That one may take a little while longer because of money issues but I'm going to do that too. :)

I just wanted you to know what is going on with me. I'm very proud of myself and I'm thinking 2011 is going to be an awesome year for both you and me. :)

I love you so much.

Claudia

New Years Day

I am feeling pretty good today. I'm a little nervous about my class at The Source but nothing too terrible. I'm sure once I get started I'll be fine. I really need to look my crowd over and teach what they will want. They are coming to a gentle yoga class so I guess I should give then just that. Gentle. OK, we'll do pranayama on our backs and warm up there. Then I will bring them to seated. Maybe some eagle arms with circling and sweeping, half moons, maybe some twists too. Then up to hands and knees, balance, knee to chest, cat, cows, maybe some child to table with arm sweeping, and then up to standing, half sun salutes, half moons and some triangles. If I have time some forward bends and twists and to the back for relaxation. It sounds like a good class to me. I know Ruth will be there and Wendi said that she would be there too. I'm secretly hoping for a big turnout. :)

The front reception area at The Yoga Source

I lifted weights today while watching the Gators play Penn State in the Outback Bowl. I'm not feeling real good about this. I'm hoping that next year will be better with the new coach. At least I have the Irish (how ironic is that?) LOL

Out with the old and in with the new

It's New Years Eve 2010. Another year that just flew by. It's like Ma said. "You turn around once and you're 65". Well, next month I will turn around and be 59. Holy cow! How did that happen?

2010 was a wonderful year. I did my Yoga Teacher Training with Juliana even helping her with all of the paperwork. The training was scary but fantastic. I taught my first class subbing for Juliana when she went out of town. It grew from there. I started my own classes at Etro Salon with Courtney and I have regulars that come almost every week. Then Joy asked me to sub at the Yoga Source and then I was put on the sub list. After subbing for Joy again I was offered a gentle yoga class on Sundays at 9. It was a great yoga year for me. The best ever.

I'm starting my new yoga class at the Yoga Source and I am extremely excited about it. I will be teaching in the Kundilini room which is where the christmas party was. I love it in that room. It's carpeted and it is warm. I am going to TRY not to sweat the turnout. It is what it is. I just hope that enough students are interested in a gentle yoga class on Sundays so that I can keep the class forever. :)

I've decided to make 2011 a great year. I went to the track this morning for the first time in a long time. I walked 3 miles and it was really wonderful. The weather was perfect....cool and sunny. Just perfect. I felt really great when I finished. I set my towel down and did some yoga stretches. Some forward bends and twists and of course, downward facing dog. It felt great.

The best part came after I got home. I got undressed and hopped on the scale and it said 149. I couldn't believe it so I jumped off it, took a breath and got back on. It said 151.5 the 3 other times I got on but at least I got to see 149 on the scale again even if is a false 149. I know my scale and it does that but I have always have made the low weight that it gives me so it's only a matter of time now.

I must be diligent about my exercise. I must start going to the track on a regular basis like I used to do. I know I won't be able to get there on Sundays because I'll have to be at the Yoga Source at 8:45 or so but all the other days are good. I am going to be realistic. I also go to Joy at 9:00 on Wednesdays so I won't make the track that day either so what does this mean?

I really hate New Years Resolutions and so I'm not going to make one here but I am going to say that I am going to go forward into 2011 and be as healthy as I can be. I will exercise and eat right most of the time and this is the year that I will see the 140's on my scale again. I'm sure of that.

If I was going to make a resolution I would have said to get a class a the Yoga Souce and I've already done that and it's still 2010! It's gonna be a great year. :)

150 or 140 1/2

I am very proud of myself. Yes, I am. I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 150. That means that if I can manage to lose 1/2 of 1 pound I will have achieved an important goal that I have been chasing for a few years. Someday I will weigh less that 150 pounds. That's the goal and I'm so close that I can taste it.

HOWEVER....does it really matter? I mean isn't 150 pounds basically the same as 149 1/2 pounds (which would be below 150). I think it is but then again it isn't. When I weigh in at 150 I think it is same but when I finally make it to 149 1/2 I will think that there is a huge difference between those two numbers. Very interesting!!!

Anyway, whatever! I am really close and I am going for it. I've been really eating well lately. I've also been doing yoga almost every day. I taught Saturday for Juliana at the Yoga Source, Sunday at the Salon,and Monday at Juliana's studio. The rest of my week has lots of yoga in it as well. I really need to start more cardio but I'm feeling well and looking great or at least that's what people have been telling me. :)

So it's all in place. Now I just have to continue down the right path. :)

Getting Paul

While Kerry was home we went to Towne Center Mall in Boca Raton and it was great. Kerry wanted to go back to the Apple store and return an Ipad case that she had bought so I stood in line waiting to get in gazing at the 6 foot cardboard image of Paul in the late 60's drooling. It occurred to me that this store was probably going to throw that fabulous Paul in the garbage. I realized my reason for being in that store at that time.

As we left the store I found Mark and asked him if I could have that picture of Paul. He grabbed his manager Matt and introduced us as "his favorite customers". Kerry jumped in telling him how many Apple products she had and how she just bought her new Ipad the other day. Then Mark said "she really is a huge fan. She has Paul McCartney's driver's license with her". Matt whipped around and said to me "lets see it". I dug into my pocketbook and handed him Paul McCartney's drivers license and smiled. "Can I have it? PLLLEEEAAASSSEEE!!! He asked for a business card which I whipped out at record speed. He said that yes I could have it after it comes down around December 13. Yay me!!!

I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to put Paul but I'll have him in about two weeks. It's a perfect Christmas present for me!!! :) :)

It's a Mom Thing-Kerry's Birthday

I have to wake the kid up in a few minutes. We have to get to the airport on time for her to catch her flight back to Notre Dame. Crap!!!! She's leaving again. Just when I get really used to having her around she leaves again. I hate it!

It was a great Thanksgiving/Kerry's birthday visit. I picked her up at the airport last Wednesday and her boyfriend, Frank came over within an hour of her landing. They seem extremely happy together and he is a very nice guy. Pat and I were able to get to know him a little better this trip and we like him very much. I'm all about Kerry's happiness. If she's happy then I am too. It's hard for her to be living so far away from him. He's finishing up his PhD at UF in Florida while she is working on her PhD at Notre Dame in Indiana.

Kerry and Frank

Jon and Cousin Stevie came over for Thanksgiving dinner and we ate way more than we should have. Kerry wanted Frank to meet the family and I think it went well. I made Kerry's holiday favorite Tofurky. Dinner was served early so the kids could pack up and go to Frank's parents house for their second dinner. His parents live about an hour north of us so Kerry and Frank stayed there on Thanksgiving night.

Black Friday came and Kerry and I went shopping. So what else is new? :) I should have known that she was plotting a purchase but I was in my own world and I didn't pick up on it. Unfortunately while we were in the mall Kerry got a really bad migraine but refused to leave the mall. We went out to my car which has very dark tinted windows and she closed her eyes for a while and started to feel better so we went back into the mall. That was when I realized that she was on a mission.

After lots of pouting and making me feel guilty because it was her birthday and I only got her earrings (yep, only) she squeezed me for an Ipad. She said she would split the cost with me but I know I will never see that money. It didn't matter because she was so happy with her new acquisition that nothing else mattered...even the migraine. Amazingly it went away. :)

Frank met us back at the house and they hung out with her old boyfriend and friend Scott who I call Nerdly. LOL. He came by and it was great to see him. Just like the old days. Pat and I hit the sack early because I was whipped and the kids went to see Harry Potter.

Frank left to go back to UF on Sunday morning and Kerry was very upset knowing she would not be seeing him for a while. With tears being shed at the thought of being without Frank she looked up at me all pathetic and said "Do you want to go to the mall?" LOL. Needless to say we went to the mall.

It's amazing how easy it is to fall back into the old patterns. I do realize that she is no longer "a kid" but now I get what my mom was trying to tell me when I was Kerry's age. She used to say " You can't just stop. It's the "Mom thing". Now I understand what she was trying to tell me because now it's my "Mom thing".

A Good Exercise Day

Early this morning I was sitting on my butt in front of my laptop computer and I came across a video clip of none other than my bud Richard Simmons. He was talking about losing weight over the holidays instead of gaining weight. He was talking about portion control, exercise and loving yourself. It was good to see him and I knew what he was saying was true so I got off my butt, got into my walking clothes and went to the track. I had forgotten what a peaceful and special place it is.

I plugged in my Ipod (Paul, of course) and took off for a three mile walk. It felt really good to be there. I think I could have gone more if I wasn't wearing brand new sneakers that need to be broken in. I developed a blister on the back of my right foot but other than that I felt good. I even cooled down with some yoga on my towel. I'm thinking of offering a free yoga class at the park to drum up some business. A little Karma yoga is good for the soul. :) :)

A good exercise day!! Go me!!!

Thoughts on the upcoming holidays

I've been feeling good lately although I know some stressful times are coming. Thanksgiving is a stressful time for me as it's always at my house. I am so glad that Kerry is coming home for the holiday this year. Last year Pat and I packed up Rigby and went up to Gainesville to spend Thanksgiving up there with Kerry up at UF. We cooked Thanksgiving dinner for the 4 of us (Rigby included) and then went to the UF/FSU game. We had such a great time and it was good to get away from the stress of having Thanksgiving dinner at my house.

Kerry will be arriving on her birthday Wednesday in the morning and then Frank will be coming in later on in the day. They are planning to spend the holiday split between us and Frank's parents who live about an hour away. I don't mind sharing. I'm just happy to have them here. Jon and Cousin Stevie will be coming over for dinner and to meet Frank. It'll be Turkey for the carnivores, Tofurkey for the vegetarians and birthday cake for everyone. :)

Frank and Kerry

Kerry is going to spend Friday with me. We will be going shopping!!!!! Yay!!!!! It's been way too long since we have combed the malls for bargains. I'm sure we will be getting a very early start. There is nothing better in the whole world then Black Friday with the kid. :)

On Saturday we will be going to an engagement party in the morning and then I'm sure she will want to spend time with Frank before he goes back to Gainesville on Sunday. Kerry is flying out on Monday but she will be back in a few weeks to spend some more time with us during her winter break from Notre Dame.

The Grotto at Notre Dame

The three of us at Notre Dame Football Stadium

The golden dome at Notre Dame

I miss her. I can't help it. I just miss her and I'm so looking forward to spending some time with her.

Yoga Journal Conference 2010

Last Saturday Ruth and I went to the Yoga Journal Conference at the Diplomat Hotel in Hallendale Beach and it was truly a wonderful time. I am feeling sore now but I am so glad that I went. If I didn't have Ruth I never would have gone. Never in a million years. I am very lucky to have such a good friend to share all things yoga with.

Ruth and I so happy to be at the conference

Ruth picked me up at 5:45 am and we set off on our adventure. When we arrived at the hotel I was totally blown away by the beauty of the Westin Diplomat. We walked around for a while checking the place out and scouting out the room where our first class was going to be. Then we to the Cafe and had some coffee in this gorgeous hotel.

Arriving at the hotel

Hips and Twists with Rodney Yee was going to be our first class and we were extremely excited about it. We were the first ones to put our mats down and we made sure we had a good spot. I have been doing Rodney's DVDs for years and I was sooo psyched not only to see him in person but to take class with him. All of a sudden the door opened and there he was. The famous and fabulous Rodney Yee sat on the stage in front of us with his wife Colleen Saidman Yee.

Ruth waiting for Rodney Yee

I was waiting for Rodney too!!!

Rodney and Colleen

We worked hard in the two hour class that focused on hip opening and twisting. Rodney and Colleen took turns teaching and adjusting students in poses. When they brought us into downward facing dog with a twist Rodney came over and grabbed my extended let and helped me go further into the twist. I felt like I was just touched by......well....the Yoga God. LOL I was surprised by how down to earth and friendly he was. He taught us with a sense of purpose but also a sense of humor. It was an honor to be in the in same room with this amazing teacher.

Rodney in Side Angle

When class was over we met him and Colleen and he was nice enough to sit and pose for picture with both Ruth and myself. Both he and Colleen were very friendly. Ruthie and I were like groupies. LOL It was the perfect beginning to a wonderful day.

Rodney with my hand on his knee. Yeah, I had to touch him. :)

Rodney and Ruth

After taking pictures we ran to our second class which was a fun class about unstacking or decomposing postures. The teacher was Cindi Lee and she really taught us a lot about starting in simple poses and working up to more difficult postures. It really gave me food for thought.

Then it was time for lunch and shopping!!! We had so much fun walking around the yoga marketplace buying new shirts, mugs and of course, a shirt for Ruth's granddaughter, Emily. I managed to spend all the money I had allocated to this shopping spree. It wasn't hard to do. :)

We had an hour or so to relax and hang out so we walked around and went out to the pool area to find a place to sit and regroup. The weather was beautiful as was the pool at the hotel.

Ruth and I by the pool

We were pretty tired by this time but we managed to find a way to have fun and laugh. Boy, did we laugh.

Gangsta Yoginis

Our last class turned out to be a bit of a surprise. We thought we would be taking a class on how to teach beginner students but it turned out to be a beginner student class. We had a totally fun time in this class just being together. There was a lot more laughter in this class.

Then it was time to go home. We were both very tired but so happy we had gone to this conference. It was a time that neither one of us will ever forget.

Waiting for the car

I don't know about you Ruth but I am looking forward to next year's conference. If it is half as much fun and inspiring as this was it will be fantastic. :)

Where Does Self Confidence Come From?

It's the question of the day for me. Where does self confidence come from? Why don't I have any? Like today, for example. I am teaching at Juliana's which is always a wonderful experience. The students are always very complimentary when class is over. I've never heard one bad thing about my teaching but right now I'm sitting here nervous about teaching. Why don't I ever believe my own good press?

After class today, my best yoga bud in the entire world, Ruth is taking me over to LA Fitness to talk to the person who hires the yoga teachers for all the clubs in this area. I am totally nervous about this meeting. Now, not only am I a Registered Yoga Teacher certified by the Yoga Alliance and CPR certified but I also worked at Curves for a year and a half. I've lost 95 pounds in my life. I'M FRIENDS WITH RICHARD SIMMONS!!!! It seems to me that I would be a great fit for them but still I am nervous. What if they don't like me? What if they do like me? The idea of walking up in front of 30 or 40 people and teaching is making me sick to my stomach. Why am I even doing this? Yeah, I need to find my self confidence. Where is it?

Our Anniversary-Today or Tomorrow?

Ok, well there has been quite a lot of drama around me lately but I am happy to say that I have managed to come out the other side with my most important relationships intact. I am happy and peaceful again. It's how I need to be.

Today is a my 34th anniversary. Yep! I've been married to Pat for 34 years now. To top that off we had been together for 7 years before we got married. If you add it all up we have been together 41 years. Man, that's a long time.

I remember the day I got married. I remember thinking that it was funny that I woke up in the morning and said "See ya at the wedding". There was no-oh, don't see the bride before the wedding. It's bad luck-crap. That's pretty much how our marriage has been. Very laid back and very happy. Of course there have been some tough times but not many looking at the whole picture.

Even after all these years, I never know when we are going to turn off the lights to go to sleep and have something strike us really funny. It happened last night. My sides were hurting laughing over someone's last name on the PGA tour. It was Afabarnrat, which struck us hilarious sounding like half a barn rat. I know it's stupid but it's just the way it was. I was crying from laughter. He makes me very happy.

Pat and happy me

Scotty, Stevie's son, got married today in Chicago. Kerry was supposed to go but she got the first case of the swine flu at Notre Dame. I guess God struck her down with the Swine Flu for being the only Jewish student there. :) I'm glad that I got to speak to Scotty today and wish him well. It's a good luck day.

Kerry and Scotty

I miss Kerry very much today. She was the perfect addition to our family when she came. She ended up growing up with with Pat's and my sense of humor. I have so many wonderful memories of her growing up here, with me. Now, she's all grown up and living her own life at Notre Dame. I'm so proud of her but so sad that she is so far away. How did she grow up so fast? Where did the time go?

My baby Kerry

I was very happy to teach my Saturday yoga class today at Etro Salon. It was a small class with only two people but they seemed very happy when they left. Pat's nephew Johnny and his girlfriend Sherry are in town and we will be having dinner at Pat's favorite restaurant, Tijuana Flats. Not the most romantic day or evening but Pat has to work early tomorrow anyway. I think we will just make believe that our anniversary is really tomorrow. :)