Zumba at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate

I had so much fun tonight at 24 Hour Fitness in Northgate here in Seattle. It's sad that Christina is leaving. She's such an amazing Zumba instructor. She's the one in the middle with the blue beads. Next to Christina on the right is Daniel who is such a popular instructor. He's always nice and such a gifted dancer. Akiko next to Daniel just got back from Japan for the summer. She's a new Zumba instructor. Vimala is on the left next to Christina. Vimala goes to Zumba often and is planning on taking Zumba Basic 1 instructor training soon. She's very nice.

I am going to work hard to Zumba myself skinny. I should only wear black but sometimes it's good to see how you really look.

Zumba at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate in Seattle

 

I just got home from Daniel's Zumba class at 24 Hour Fitness in Northgate. I had a great time. Christina in the photo above is leaving the area and we will all miss her. Both are amazing and gifted Zumba instructors at 24 Hour Fitness.

 

Daniel is from Brazil. He always packs them in the room. It's always crowded when Daniel's teaching. He is such a gifted dancer and such a nice person.

 

Christina can zoom around the room without effort with the most amazing choreography. She's such a gifted dancer. She can do anything. I'm grateful that I got to go to her class on Sunday mornings at 24 Hour Fitness. She's nice to everyone and always so kind. She has this amazing way of making everyone feel included and part of the Zumba family. Everyone loves her and will miss her.

"Downtown Crime Shocks New Yorker" says Seattle Times

This morning in the NW Wednesday section of the Seattle Times on the first page is the headlines, "Downtown Crime Shocks New Yorker," written by Danny Westneat.

Seattle has so much culture here. We have Broadway plays, the Seattle Art Museum, the Opera, the Aquarium, Zoo, Science Center, Seattle Symphony, and more. We have perfect weather. We have great public transportation.

People who enjoy the cultural aspects of a big city do not want to be accosted by a homeless person, see a homeless person urinate on the sidewalk, or see homeless people sitting around in the street. Public drunkenness shouldn't be allowed. This doesn't help tourism or make people feel comfortable shopping downtown or coming to all the great cultural events Seattle has to offer.

Why do the police feel their hands are tied? What is going on? Aren't the police in charge of public safety?

In the article, it says that a New Yorker named Marvin who lives downtown feels "...the sidewalks and alleys of every block of Belltown and the downtown shopping district features some level of human misery or low-grade street crime, at all times. He's astonished, he says, by the pervasiveness of the homelessness, mental illness, public urination, panhandling, drug use, and drug dealing, all out there mixing with Seattle's condo and office-tower boomtown."

Yes, Seattle has lots of flavor and variety. You are likely to see a very wide mix of people in Seattle but anyone who was brought up in decent surroundings wants to feel safe. Why would anyone pay 500K to 1 million for a condo in downtown to walk out on the sidewalk to see the homeless on the sidewalk, public drunkenness, being accosted by mentally ill, and seeing people urinate publically against the building?

I don't understand why the leaders don't get it. I don't understand why they don't see that something needs to change.

Marvin in this article goes on to say, "Giuliani had a zero tolerance for the open drinking, the peeing in public. His theory was you go after that small stuff to help with the big stuff. It worked in a big way."

"Seattle's got to get tougher," Marvin said. "You go up to the police here and say 'There's a guy smoking crack over there,' or worse, and they say 'Our hands are tied; there's nothing we can do'."

I want to know why? Why can't the police do anything? Who is stopping them? Doesn't everyone agree that these behaviors aren't okay?

Seattle is a liberal city. No one wants a police state, but I don't understand this tolerance and acceptance for criminal behavior in downtown.

Zumba Core

I just passed the online class certification for ZUMBA CORE! Now I will get choreography and music in the mail. I'm so excited. I love Zumba. It is so important to me. Health and fitness are my first priority and I know of no better way to be healthy and fit than with Zumba. Zumba is pure fun.

Now I am going to work on certification for ZUMBA GLUTES.

Born Again

I was asked today if I was a born again Christian.

I grew up in the Lutheran church going to church every Sunday. My mom played the organ. My friends were Lutheran. I went to Luther League.

Now after multiple disappointing experiences where people in various churches didn't live up to their words and the words of their faith, this is my answer.

I believe that God made everyone on earth. It's not my place to judge or say my star is better than your star. He made atheists, people from other religions, people who are homosexual, people very different from me in other parts of the world. It is my place in the world to be nice, to be kind, to help when I am able, not to judge, not to stifle someone else's dream but to uplift, encourage, and inspire.

I guess now I believe in Zumba because in Zumba everyone is welcome. There is no talking. You are part of the group. It is a healthy choice because you are encouraged to exercise and eat healthy. Zumba unites the world.

Jim Pugel, Seattle Police Chief

On the front page of NW Wednesday, the second section of the Seattle Times this morning is notice of a letter sent by Jim Pugel, Seattle Police Chief to Pete Holmes Seattle City Attorney asking for cooperation to crack down on 28 repeat offenders in downtown Seattle who have numerous infractions for public drinking, sitting, lying on sidewalks, and criminal behavior. These behaviors have been identified by Seattle Downtown Association as in direct conflict with tourism and public safety. The Seattle Police are trying to get individuals with chronic problem behaviors who have been cited with criminal charges off the streets. That's a good goal, isn't it?

I think it is kind of odd that the Seattle Police feel powerless to act and accomplish certain goals for the public safety. Aren't the Seattle Police in charge of public safety? Why aren't city leaders working together? Yes, rules must be followed and rights must be respected but there must be much more to the picture.

Some cities put individuals like this on a bus and drive them a few states away and then drop them off. I know of churches who give money to move just to get problem people out of their congregation. Is this the right thing to do? No. It temporarily solves the problem but the larger problem is left unsolved which is to deal with issues, solve problems once and for all.

Some individuals are a drain on society and do not give back. They continually break the law, cause problems, and never seem to turn their life around to become productive members of society. What is even worse are those individuals who cause harm, murder, rape, and pillage and never mend their ways. What is the answer? One country put an entire population of people with criminal behaviors on a boat and dropped them off in another part of the world to give them a second chance. Some countries in the world take problem people to the edge of the city without a trial and shoot them. It ends the cycle once and for all. Is this the answer? It's a harsh and final answer but is in direct conflict with our way of life and our moral traditions in this country.

Are we ever going to be able to help all the people who need help in the world?

What is the vision we want for Seattle? What goals do we want to work toward? Do we accept certain problems as a necessary reality or do we deal with it? Always more questions than answers.

It seems as though people aren't working together. Problems need to be solved. Issues need to be addressed. People need to take responsibility to protect the downtown environment of Seattle so everyone feels safe.

The Serene

The Serene, one of the largest yachts in the world is moored in Elliott Bay according to the Seattle Times. Owner, Yuri Scheffler is an international vodka distributer. He lives a completely golden life and one that I have never experienced. The yacht is 48,000 square feet and longer than a football field with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and is known as a floating palace. I just can't imagine. It must be so amazing to see and to live this kind of life.

Seaweed

I eat roasted seaweed often. I know it's good for me. I eat it as a snack. It's delicious. I buy it for under $3 for 8 packages at HT Market on Aurora. I also buy bittermelon there. I get my Asian sauces like oyster sauce, sesame oil, and hoisin sauce for stir fry at HT Market. I love to buy dragonfruit but they were out the last time I went. It's so good. The last time I went I tried a new fruit since they didn't have dragonfruit called prickly pear. Delicious.

Joann Fabrics

I worked this evening at Joann Fabrics. My shift was from 5:30 to 9:30. I was asked to check in early because the store was very busy. Then I was asked to work at the register. We were very busy. I love it when we are busy and I enjoy working at the register. The register practically works itself and is easy to use.

Nic was working in the back room. She's very intelligent and a gifted artist. She's valued and gets things done. Everyone can count on her.

I closed with Debbie and Heather. Heather is a supervisor. Both were working very hard all evening to get everything done. There was so much fabric that had to be put away around the cutting counter when I came to work that I was surprised that it all got put away, especially since the store was so busy at the cutting counter. Heather was busy supervising, helping to solve problems. She worked very hard and was busy all night. I can honestly say that I haven't seen a supervisor work as hard as Heather this evening.

It was a pleasure to work with Debbie, Heather, and Nic. I have a day off tomorrow.

Beto Perez is coming to Columbus, Ohio

Beto Perez is coming to Columbus, Ohio on September 1st at 4 p.m. He will be at the Columbus Convention Center. Get your tickets at ticket master and dance with the best. I really admire Beto. He started Zumba. Zumba unites the world. Beto's face should be on the front cover of Time Magazine with a big interview telling all about Zumba and how it all got started. He is changing the world and making it a better place with Zumba.

Zumba Gold

I'm officially signed up to take Zumba Gold instructor training. I'm really excited. Zumba Gold is slower, easier without all the jumping. It is more my style. I think slower is better.

So far I am certified in Zumba Basic 1 and Zumba Toning. In the last two days, I got all the new choreography for Basic 1 and Toning so I'm excited to learn the moves and add spice and flavor.

I absolutely love Zumba. If I ever get off the ground and start teaching, I will be so happy.

Jimmy Johns

I haven't been to Jimmy Johns in a long time but I went this evening to the one located behind 24 Hour Fitness in Northgate on Northgate Way. I ordered a #4--the turkey. It was really good. I'm glad I went. I got great service.

Seattle Police Officers

Whenever I see a blue vehicle of the Seattle Police, I think that they need a bigger budget for more police officers, new cars, more equipment, and whatever they need to do their job. I am also grateful for all they do. They go out first when it is the most dangerous of circumstances. I admire police officers. I know that not all have responded in the best way but they must respond immediately, instantly, and I think that for the most part, they are doing the best they can to protect and to serve the public.

I think that they should get all new vehicles with the best equipment and whatever they need. I think that there should be more police officers hired.

I love Seattle. I think that the Seattle Police Department is doing an amazing job already in protecting the quality of life in Seattle. After all, this is Seattle, the greatest city in the world!

I think that we should thank the Seattle Police Department for their fine service and for all they do every day to keep everyone safe. So I say Thank You!

Joann Fabrics

I worked this morning at Joann Fabrics at the Shoreline store on Aurora from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. I enjoyed working at the cash register. I love the new store. It's beautiful. I work for the BEST manager, Lori. I have never worked for a better manager. She's fair. She works hard. She's professional. She's nice. She instructs and trains. I'm impressed with her and I am grateful to be working for her. I will do whatever she asks of me and work hard to complete any goal I am given.

A Joann TV Show

I always wake up with ideas. This morning I woke up thinking about my supervisor's purse.

I worked last night at Joann Fabrics from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. I was tired. I had a big day. I finished my creativity coach assignment and got it e-mailed off. I heard from a writer who had critiqued my last mystery novel. She said with more revision, it could turn into a marketable series and she suggested a publisher. I was also busy with the never ending chores of life--taking out the garbage, dishes, yada, yada, yada......

Back to the purse. At the end of the shift, we are supposed to open our bags and purses to the supervisor on duty to check before clocking out as we walk out the door. When the supervisor showed her purse to be checked. I was struck how beautiful it was and I said so. She opened it and it showed endless pockets with great organization. I didn't understand that she said it was chaotic. It didn't make any sense. I'm not someone who wants to argue with anyone so I was quiet plus I was tired. I just let it pass. I have a feeling that she is the most organized person on the planet or one of them after looking at her purse. She could give lessons. I know she really knows how to sew and would be perfect to teach all the classes in the Joann classroom but she can't because she is a supervisor.

This morning I woke up thinking about her purse because I had wanted to know if there were more layers of pockets. It looked like the most organized purse I had ever seen. I think it was handmade. I wonder if she designed it. I wonder if she made it. The fabric choice was beautiful so bright and colorful. Now I want to really see, to investigate because it is a beautiful purse and one I have never seen. It is the dream of every woman to have an organized purse.

So on to another idea that came right after thinking about her purse. I love to travel. I miss traveling so added on to my last post about wanting to create a blog about Joann store #805, I was thinking there needs to be a television show--The Joann Show. It could show all the amazing projects that is possible at Joann Fabrics. It would showcase all the talent of the team members and the customers. Of course, I was thinking I would be the person who travels all across the country to each Joann Store with a camera crew or I could do it myself since I have taken video editing at CCTV but I would need to update my skills since that was in 1999 when I went through the master gardening course and made a master gardening video.

Okay back to the Joann TV show and me traveling across the country............doesn't this just sound like fun and an exciting kind of job. What would happen is that I would travel around videoing and interviewing people at each store and then come back to create the TV show. Then I would have to go out and do more shows. It would be endless and it would be pure fun.

All this would need major permission from Joann Fabrics. People love to be recognized for their talent and ability. This show would do it.

Usually when I have ideas, all I can do is write about it. I guess that is why I started writing novels.

So this is the first idea this morning...........now I need to eat breakfast and get to work.

Kelly's Kloset

Kelly's Kloset is a featured blog on Google and Blogger today and it is worth the look. Fashion, style, Florida events, and brand names dominate as Kelly poses showing featured picks. It's an impressive successful blog.

It inspires me to want to do a crafting or a Joann Fabrics blog to show all the amazing products and creative projects. It would be fun. If I were given permission and started another blog, I could feature my store #805 with photos of those wanting to participate. I could show creative projects. I could feature fabrics, patterns, and garments. I could show yarn and finished projects. So much is possible. So many quilts. So many blankets. So many ideas to highlight. I would want to showcase the talents of others with whom I work and customers who shop at Joann's. What fun! I could also feature crafting events in the Seattle area and show all the amazing craft guilds and groups in the area with examples of projects. I like to showcase the talents of others. It makes me happy. Wondering about making this happen...................

The last time I worked a gentleman came in looking for 2 mm Swarovski crystals to replace diamonds in his beautiful watch. The last two days I worked a young guy working on a construction project came in and bought 30 yards of black fabric to use as curtain dividers to hide the work space from the restaurant. There is a kind lady who comes in often buying fabric who must be singlehandedly sewing every wedding gown in the area. She's not even making any money. She has earned the reputation in her church and everyone comes to her for help. A young man came in to buy fleece for a surf board cover. So many heroes walk through the door of Joann Fabrics who are working on projects to help others and to donate for charity. So many people come through the door with exciting or interesting projects they are working on. So many people working on beautiful quilts, sweaters, blankets, etc. Women from other countries buying lengths of fabric for dresses. It would be fun to be able to carry my camera, interview on the spot asking a few questions, and showcase it in a blog. So much is possible.

There are so many new exciting products sold in Joann Fabrics. New ones come in every day. I'm constantly amazed at the variety and choices. I could also highlight products and show how they can be used featuring customers and team members from Joann's.
   

Billy Elliott

I just finished watching Billy Elliott. I've watched it several times through the years.

The story of Billy Elliott touches my heart deeply. Any one who tries to squish dreams out of a person.....Anyone who doesn't want the ones they love to be the best they can be......Anyone who doesn't want to encourage the best in others......I don't understand this. Dream stealers are the bullies of the world. They live at the expense of others. They take. They stomp. They feel nothing. This isn't the story line of Billy Elliott because his father does feel and changes and grows as any good novel or screenplay will show. In life, dream stealers need to also change.

If I can someday write a story and screenplay that even comes close to Billy Elliott, I will feel very proud of my accomplishment.

Beans and Rice

I went to QFC this evening to buy a couple of things I needed to make the beans and rice recipe I found on Facebook this morning posted by this amazing writer, Melissa Hart. I don't know her personally but I really admire her. I've been reading her articles in the Writer for years and she is a professor at the University of Oregon at the School of Journalism. She was kind to be a Facebook friend.

Anyway, I just had to make this beans and rice recipe from Costa Rica after work. What really seemed to emphasize the need was waiting on this neat lady at Joann Fabrics who was wearing a Costa Rica shirt, which reminded me of Melissa Hart, which reminded me of the cruise my husband and I took through the Panama Canal stopping at Costa Rica. I remember the Toucan in the eves of the outdoor restaurant where we ate. My husband remembered seeing crocodiles on the beach. I don't remember ever seeing crocodiles.

Beans and rice from Costa Rica..................

Volcom Fiji Pro 2013

I haven't been able to watch pro surfing in years. I used to watch in Oregon on television. I can't get it here in Seattle and now that I turned off television, I really can't get it.

But this afternoon at Joann Fabrics, a young man came in the store looking at the fleece on sale thinking that it would make a good surf board cover since it was on sale for 70% off. I asked him if he really surfs in this area thinking that the ocean must be really cold and not as inviting as other parts of the world. He said sure. I told him that I used to watch pro surfing. He was surprised I watched it on TV and said he watches it on the Internet, which made me want to turn to Google to find what is going on with John John and Kelly Slater.

Sure enough after searching on Google, I found the Volcom Fiji Pro 2013 on YouTube. You probably wonder why an old, fat lady loves to watch pro surfing, especially since I have never in my life once surfed or even tried. While, in my heart, I'm not an old fat lady. I'm the young slim, not so bad-looking girl that I was in high school and college. I don't feel old and I'm working on not being fat.

It sure is fun to see John John Florence surf the long barrel waves and see Kelly Slater win yet another title. Cool!

If I could surf like that, I would never want to leave the water. I'd keep wanting to go out for another wave and another and another and another.................

I work with this really neat lady who lives the good life and gets to travel to Hawaii at least a couple of times every year selling things she makes. What a dream life! I need to learn how. If I could just pay for the plane fare, a place to stay, food, and the materials to make the golden item that sells, it would be perfect. If I ever got to do it, surfing would take center stage in a novel I write. I love Hawaii. I'm a Pisces. I love the water. I love palm trees. I love the easy-going life style in Hawaii.

100% Silk

Yesterday I was working from 9 to 4:30 at Joann Fabrics in Shoreline. I was asked which thread is the strongest. Without hesitation, I answered 100% silk. The woman looked surprised. Some say silk thread is as strong as steel. If you want an applique quilt to last, you use 100% silk thread.

It says on the 100% silk fabric that we sell that you must dry clean but I have learned that if you wash the fabric before cutting, you can wash the garment after it is made. When you wash it the first time, it will shrink an average of 5 inches a yard. An added benefit is that it will not wrinkle.

Silk thread fiber is so strong that it has lasted over 4000 years in tombs. Silk is strong.

My husband and I traveled to Hong Kong twice in the early 90's. He had a tux made by a tailor and I had a dress made of silk.

Polyester burns. 100% silk doesn't burn. Silk is a natural fiber that is worth the money. It's beautiful.

University of Washington Screenwriting Certificate Program in Seattle

I got notification today that I have been accepted into the University of Washington Screenwriting Certificate Program for 2013/2014. I'm so excited. I'm skipping around and letting go of helium balloons in my heart. I've always wanted to do this since I was in grade school when I used to write episodes of Gunsmoke. Although it is highly unlikely that I will make it since only 18% of members of Writers Guild of America are women and it is very hard for women to break into this field, I'm trying because I will regret forever not trying. It will be fun and I will learn and grow.

Wondering about electric bills

I am wondering about electric bills. Seattle City Light has reasonable electric bills. I'm wondering what the electric bills are like in the Southern United States.

I'm wondering if people pay high electric bills in the summer for air conditioning in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Georgia, Alabama, and the other Southern states. I'm wondering why solar panels in these states aren't used on houses and businesses to generate energy that can be sold to other states in the north or in other countries? I'm wondering why members of the House and Senate don't enact laws to make this mandatory to help save on energy costs in this country. We could be selling this solar energy to other countries, have everyone in this country have low or zero bills, and make money.

Anna is a writer at age 4

This is Anna, my granddaughter who is 4 1/2. She has written a book. She drew all the pictures for the book. Then she dictated the words for each page to her mother, Amanda who wrote them down for her. Ben, my son, read the book to her before bedtime 10 times last night.

I'm proud of you, Anna. You are a real writer and you already wrote a book.

Amber Alert

I received an Amber Alert on my cell phone a few minutes ago.

It says:

Boulevard, CA
Lic: 6WCU986
Blue Nissan Versa

Watch out for this car and license plate.

An Amber Alert means a missing child has been abducted.

Seattle Art Museum Japanese Fashion Exhibit

I went to the Japanese Fashion Exhibit this afternoon at the Seattle Art Museum. I went on the 1 p.m. guided tour.

When I think of fashion and couture, I think of Paris and NYC. I think of Tim Gunn and Project Runway. I think of Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire. I don't think of Japan and yet, the most influential fashion designer in the world today is Japanese.

There is a dress made with 20 layers of muslin draped into folds that form ruffles. There is a dress that folds flat but when lifted up forms an accordion-like sculpture that flares out and looks stiff, as if made from paper using orgami. The word that comes to mind is ethereal. I learned that a kimono is 6 yards of silk--2 yards for the front, 2 yards for the back, and 2 yards for the sleeves. There is a plastic coat with 44 pockets filled with flowers. The stiff dresses that form ruffles make me wonder if they use the stabilizer sold at Joann Fabrics that helps to make hats stiff. One dress is made out of circles of fabric. One dress has intricate holes cut out all over the fabric. At the entrance of an exhibit was a black dress with gold chains sewn as design elements throughout the dress. We sell these gold chains by the yard at Joann Fabrics. One of the five designers featured in the exhibit designed using three shades of black.

The designers in the show have a distaste for heels, makeup, and for the most part, tight fighting garments. One design, which was a glittered skin suit worn by Lady Gaga was an exception. Models wear Doc Martens or go bare foot on the runway in Japan. One video showed a fashion show with rain coming down on the runway models.

This is a must-see exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. I want to go again and again. I only scratched the surface.

 



 

This dress above made of denim was interesting with many pin tuck seams on each flared edge.

Who is the world's most influential designer today? Rei Kawakubo. She "creates for women who don't care what husband's think." She didn't go to fashion school. She creates. She considers herself a business woman, not an artist. 

One room in the exhibit shows "cool Japan" with young clothing like the designs seen in Seattle and Portland earlier this year at Sakuracon and Kumoricon.

Become a member of the Seattle Art Museum. You will need to go at least a couple of times to see this show so you had better just become a member and save money because there is so much to see with more great exhibits coming.



Joann Fabrics in Shoreline, WA

I worked at Joann Fabrics in Shoreline this morning from 6 to 10 a.m. It was my first day back after working on the night shift. The store is beautiful. Everyone's going to love shopping in the newly remodeled and larger store. It has so many new products and fabrics. I'm happy to work at Joann's.

Today I found brochures for classes offered at the store. A wide range of classes from cake decorating to knitting to making quilts. I've never made fondant and they have a class on making it teaching the Wilton method of cake decorating. So many great classes!

I'm grateful for my part time job and working at a job where there is so much creative energy. This is one of the few stores where women are encouraged to be creative and to learn. It's the Disneyland for women.

We have maps of the store so be sure to ask for one, if you're not sure where everything is. There is a box of maps at the cutting counter.

Have fun shopping the bargains and looking at all the new merchandise.

Zumba Event at 24 Hour Fitness Supersport in Northgate

 

Here are the photos from the Zumba Event last night. I'm the fat one in the yellow Zumba shirt near the front. I had a great time. It's always fun to Zumba. In the front row on the top photo are AJ, Niel, and Michelle who are all Zumba instructors. I don't see Christina in the photos who is also an instructor. She teaches on Sunday mornings.

 

I woke up at this wee hour thinking of Zumba. The music of marioneta was playing in my head. I wanted to start practicing the choreography of this song but you can't just start playing music in an apartment building and dancing on people's heads at 1:47 a.m. AJ was kind and encouraging last night when I talked to him before Zumba. I'm going to just start practicing at least a half hour every single day to memorize the choreography of one song and then moving onto the next like AJ suggested. I'm going to start with marioneta because I suspect it is a Zumba Gold song. I love it.

 

I wish I knew that I would have a place to teach after I memorize the choreography. Sometimes you just have to have faith that everything is going to work out.

 

Zumba

This morning I went to Daniel's Zumba class late at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate. I was in the back for the last 25 minutes of class. I had a great time. The room was packed. Always a master class with Daniel.

This evening I went to the Zumba event at 24 Hour Fitness Northgate. Niel was the instructor. The room was packed. Christina, another instructor was in the room. Michelle taught the class with Niel. A.J. another great instructor was in front. It was a lot of fun but I fizzled early even though I stayed until the end. I haven't been doing a lot of Zumba in the last month since I have been working the graveyard shift at Joann Fabrics to get the store ready for the big grand reopening event on August 10th.

I tend to like to exercise with other people in a group. I should be practicing with all my DVD's at home but there is always something on my list that needs doing. Since I want to be a Zumba Gold instructor, I need to work hard to learn all the choreography and music. Need to take the Zumba Gold instructor training first. Then I will need to find a place to teach.

Healthy Eating

I just had a salmon fillet. Earlier I made a smoothie with wheat germ, ground flax seed, Greek yogurt, a banana, and frozen mixed fruit. Delicious! I ate tabbouleh for breakfast that I made using Bob's Red Mill bulgur wheat. I use the basic recipe on the package but I add extra. I use three English cucumbers, 6 tomatoes, a bunch of green onions, and I also add turmeric. It's really good.

24 Hour Fitness Northgate Supersport

I love my gym. I love going to 24 Hour Fitness in Northgate.

This morning I went to Body Pump at 9:30 a.m. It was a great class taught by Shari. I stayed for 45 minutes. I love this class with the music and the repetitions using the bar bell with weights doing squats, lunges, deadlifts, bicep curls, and more. You wouldn't think that at 65, I would love this class so much but I do. If I keep going often enough, it will help to sculpt and tone my body. It's going to help me lose weight. Strong and healthy women are in the class with an occasional man. I can feel it right now since I haven't been at the gym in about a month since I've been working graveyard. I don't feel it in my muscles. I can feel it in my knees so I just drank Joint Juice that I bought at Target. I have to work back into this routine.

Glad to be back and looking forward to Zumba. Looking forward to the big Zumba event tomorrow evening!

Katie Couric

Today Katie Couric taught me about having firm arms on the Internet. Thank you, Katie! You're awesome! Great exercises with only 3 pound weights.

Seattle is Heaven

Every day I am grateful to live in Seattle. It's absolutely perfect and as close to heaven as you can get. I love it here. The weather is perfect today--not too hot.

I just found out about an affordable writer's conference in the Seattle area. Guess who is going to be there and is part of the faculty.........drum roll.........Rick Steves!! I can't get over how great it is to live here. WRITE ON THE SOUND in Edmonds is at the first of October.

Life is good!