Archive for the Category »babbling «

22
Jul 2010

Giveaway: A month of free yoga in La Jolla

By becky

La Jolla Yoga Center - free month

Have you heard of BuyWithMe yet? Why haven’t you joined? Get great volume deals through local businesses. Food. Fun. YOGA. Yes, yoga.

Right now you can get a month of unlimited yoga through La Jolla Yoga Center. And guess what? I HAVE ONE TO GIVE AWAY.

That’s right – if you want to try out a month’s worth of yoga classes, enter this giveaway. You’ll get a voucher through BuyWithMe San Diego good for a month’s classes. (That’s $160 value!) The only caveat is that you need to take your first class by September 19th.

Here’s the great thing, for me at least. They offer prenatal yoga! That’s what caught my eye and I knew I had to check it out.

Details from BuyWithMe:

There’s nothing like downward dog to ease your stresses and heal your woes. Yet there’s no denying that some yoga studios simply fall flat. Thankfully, La Jolla Yoga Center is not one of them. Earning 5 stars on yelp, this serene spot is, in the words of one satisfied yogi, “easily the finest studio south of Santa Monica.”

Check it out for less with today’s deal: $59 for one month of unlimited yoga classes at La Jolla Yoga Center ($160 value).

The crème de la crème of yoga studios, La Jolla Yoga Center has three studios, at least 80 classes per week, and over thirty highly-trained and inspirational instructors. Located right near the beach, the relaxing and pure spot attracts some of the best yogis in the country to teach and learn from its truly unique assortment of classes. And now you can join them!

With your monthly pass, you can choose from all classes offered. Relax with a soothing class such as Yin, Restorative, and Hatha. Develop your core power with Power Yoga, Vinyasa and Pilates. Perfect your posture with Anusara, Iyengar and Healthy Back. Truly, truly has it all, even small classes for True Beginners that make it totally non-intimidating for newbies to give it a try. Don’t forget, your first class must be used by September 19th, so go online to reserve a spot in advance, then head to the studio 10 minutes before your first class starts and check in at the front desk.

So grab a voucher for yourself and as many as you’d like for your yogi friends. Your stresses and woes will be gone … especially since your voucher also grants you 15% off the purchase of a future monthly membership. If you ever thought of doing yoga, this is the place, the time, and the teachers to do it with.

Now you’re excited, right? Want to win? Here’s how you do it:

  • Leave a comment below telling me why you’d like to try a yoga class. Looking for a new studio? New to yoga? Lapsed in your exercise and want to get back to it?
  • Follow me on twitter (@lolagoetz) & leave a separate comment noting so
  • Follow BuyWithMe on twitter (@BuyWithMeSD) & leave another comment for that
  • You can retweet my tweet about the giveaway, and just leave a link to your tweet in the comments.

That’s it! I hope it’s not too complicated. Join in! Don’t forget this would make a great gift for friends as well – you can buy a voucher and give it as a gift, too!
Contest ends at 11:59pm on Sunday night, July 25th. I’ll announce a winner on Monday!

Disclosure: In addition to giving away this package, I get to try it, too. But even without that, I would still be ecstatic to find a prenatal yoga class as I desperately need it!

And the winner is… comment #6. That’s Ali! Congrats! I’ll be forwarding the certificate to you.
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Category: babbling, miscellany  Tags: ,  17 Comments
05
May 2010

I changed my mind. This is what I want for Mother’s Day.

By becky

Okay, so it wasn’t too many days ago I said I want a gift card for Mother’s Day. But after browsing through my reader I actually saw something else I really, really want.

I haven’t been into creating my own art for too long. Well, not on paper with paint, brushes, glue and messes. Photography, yes. Other art? No. And even though I don’t have a lot of time to work on my art journals these days, it still calls to me. So much so that I’m going to have to make time to get my hands dirty really soon. It speaks to a deep part of me that I didn’t realize needed its own form of expression.

Several months ago, I bought a book called Taking Flight: Inspiration & Techniques to give your Creative spirit wings by Kelly Rae Roberts. Before picking up this book, I was not at all familiar with her art. But it wasn’t her art that drew me in. It was the content of her book. At that time, at that moment when I started reading her book, I needed inspiration and encouragement. I needed to hear how we all find our place (in art) with experimentation. There’s no room for perfection, but there’s plenty of room for play.

I tend to get frustrated with myself because I see the amazing things other incredible art journalers are doing and I really wish I could do that, too. I want to be inspired by them and learn new ways to do things, not to be intimidated into thinking that I’ll never make anything interesting.

And then I remembered that I’m not making any of this for anyone else but me. Would I love to do this and someday have people want to see it and enjoy it? Yes. But not yet.

There is that someday, though. How would I do it if I wanted to get my art out there and maybe even make money with it at some point? How in the world do you get started?

Kelly Rae is giving a class just like that. It’s called Flying Lessons: Tips + Tricks to Help Your Creative Business Soar . And I admit it. I want to take it. Who knows if she’ll even offer it again. There’s something about her tone in her writing that I really enjoy. I think I’d learn a lot from her.

Alas, the $99 price tag is nowhere in our budget right now. So while I’d love for this to be my Mother’s Day gift, it isn’t going to happen. But maybe one of you out there will get a chance to take it and I can live vicariously though you.

Category: babbling, me, me, me  Tags: , ,  Leave a Comment
26
Apr 2010

Mother’s Day Approacheth

By becky

Hard to believe that Mother’s Day will be here shortly. Where does the time go?

I doubt we’ll have much time or money to do any celebrating, but I wonder if I can convince hubby to get me a Amazon.com Gift Card? I’m a sucker for books. Of course, the sad part is that I would probably just buy diapers with said gift cards. I still haven’t made up my mind whether I want a Kindle or a Nook. And then there’s the iPad, too. So many choices. None of which are relevant again, because of $$.

I knew it would be tight with me working from home. We both knew it & consciously made that choice.

So this Mother’s Day, I really just need to sit down and think about the good things I do have, celebrate my family, and remember how fortunate I am to have been given the gift of motherhood. And that I am supremely lucky to have been blessed with an incredible mom, who I miss terribly.

Category: babbling  2 Comments
04
Apr 2010

Holy earthquake, Batman!

By becky

earthquake map 4.4.10If there’s one thing I will never get used to living here in Southern California, it’s earthquakes. Big or small, they freak me out. Today was no exception.

Or maybe it was, because this was no small thing. And it definitely freaked me out more than previous shakers. A lot more.

The unpredictability of earthquakes is what gets me. The ground starts shaking. Then it shakes a little more. And more. Is it going to keep shaking? Is it going to get a lot worse? Is my apartment going to fall down around me? How do I protect my son?

All of us were in bed, trying to take a nap. I was just starting to doze off when I felt the bed moving. It felt like someone was standing next to it & bumping it, trying to wake me up. But it kept shaking. Then it got a little harder. “Earthquake!” I said, and my husband woke up, too. It kept shaking, getting a bit harder. “Should we get in the doorway?” “Yeah, I think so.”

I grabbed my son & headed into the little hallway just outside our bedroom. Hubby went out into the living room. Things were STILL shaking. At that point, I was dizzy & couldn’t tell if it was me or if the building was still moving.

It finally stopped.

We decided to get dressed & get out of the house in case something bigger came along. We opened the front door & could hear neighbors downstairs, talking about the shaking. Our next door neighbor opened his door about the same time we did, checking in on us as we asked him how they were.

Just some shaking, a few things fell off of shelves and high places. Not so bad. No major damage that we can tell. Possibly some cracks, but this place is already so cracked who can tell?

First thing after the shaking, when I was sure we were all okay and things had stopped moving? I hit Twitter. Of course. So did a ton of other people in San Diego & So Cal. News gets around so fast.

Later, in the car, I posted a Facebook update as well, so friends would know that we felt it but things were ok. I didn’t stop being jumpy, though, for at least another hour or two.

Maybe it was waking up from a nap. You’re disoriented and it takes a moment to realize what’s happening. Or maybe it was because this really was the strongest and longest quake I can remember since I’ve lived in Cali (that’s going on 16 years, BTW).

I’m just glad it wasn’t worse. It could have been so much worse.

(thinking of those in Mexicali who did actually have it worse. and Haiti, where it was unspeakable.)

Photo: USGS

Category: babbling, me, me, me  Tags: , , , ,  4 Comments
06
Mar 2010

This is why I love the internets

By becky

Gratitude

“It’s really not all that bad.” That’s what I — and my husband — keep telling myself. I love the time I spend with my son, even as I feel guilty that it’s not enough… or especially not enough quality over quantity.

But then I lie in bed in the morning, after my son is up and we’re both snuggled up watching a cartoon or two, and I realize how good I have it. There’s no rushing around in the morning to get him to daycare and me to work. I doze a little while he plays with his cars and sips his milk. I smile as he runs his cars all over my head and shoulders, making these new little “vroom vroom” noises.

And I realize all of this, even as we’re terribly short on money, when I am able to get out of my own head. That’s not easy when you work from home and don’t really get out much. And yet, the internet helps me there, too. I chat with people on twitter when I take breaks. I read blogs and get to see how my internet friends are doing.

I’ve even made new local friends. That’s probably the biggest thing that the ‘net has brought me. As I think I’ve mentioned before, several of my closest friends have moved in the last few years. Since I don’t work outside the home any longer, it has been much harder to find new people to hang out with. But then I went to a couple of events that I found out about on Twitter. And I started meeting other moms.

From there, I found out about events through sdGNO (San Diego Girl’s Night Out) and sdIRL (San Diego In Real Life). And wouldn’t you know it? I have made a bunch of new friends and connected with some old ones, too. (Of course, that totally doesn’t include everyone, but you can see lists of people I’ve met via some twitter lists.)

Just getting to hang out with many cool people, get our kids together for playdates, and get out of the darn house has been making a big difference for me. It’s slowly getting better, the more I push myself to go do cool things.

As long as I can keep reminding myself not to think to hard about all that I’m not doing and not getting accomplished — and concentrate on the good — I think it’ll be okay.

Nah, I’m sure of it.

I’d also like to thank the kind person who nominated me for a “Best in Lifestyle” award from the San Diego Social Media Awards (#influenceSD). I absolutely wasn’t expecting it and no matter where I wind up, I’m honored to be in a group with so many of my friends. (PS – you can vote for me here, if you are so inclined.)

Category: Gratitude in my Attitude, babbling, me, me, me  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  4 Comments
21
Feb 2010

My reality

By becky

Recently, it feels like I am such a failure at everything. And when you feel that way, it is so hard to write about it. Since that’s all I’ve been talking about lately anyway, it gets pretty old. And if it’s bugging me, it certainly must not be fun for you to read about.

And yet… it is my reality. All I see are the things I haven’t done. Projects I haven’t finished, things I have failed my son and husband in, my messy house, a stack of books I haven’t read, filing and laundry and dishes to be done…

I used to be (and feel) so organized. I was on top of everything most of the time. And now, if it weren’t for automatic billpay, we’d probably be without living quarters or utilities. I just can’t seem to get it together.

It’s hard to admit. Hence, the ongoing silence. What do I say without sounding like I’m just whining? AGAIN? It’s still my reality right now. All I see right now as I look around is everything I haven’t done yet. Every misstep. Every failure.

Category: babbling, me, me, me, you might think i'm crazy  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,  10 Comments
04
Feb 2010

When I get there

By becky

I used to think I would die young. I’m not sure why those thoughts were in my head. I just didn’t foresee a future of me getting old. But now, I do hope I get old so I can see my son grow up. Have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Watching my aunt pass away and seeing all of the people gathered around her to help in the end made me realize how much I want to be surrounded by family. Lots and lots of family.

And yet, even if I grow old and everyone’s gone except me, the kids are too busy with their lives & their own kids to visit, I will hold these times close. I will wrap the memory of these days around me like a soft, familiar blanket. I will comfort myself with the remembered feel of my sons arms around my neck as he climbs down from his high chair, pausing at the end to just stand there and hug me. I will store up these times and treasure them.

He’s small now, but he won’t be for long. I want to treasure the big things. The little things. The ordinary, everyday things. Things to keep me warm with rosy memories in my old age. When I get there. I do plan to get there.

Category: babbling, me, me, me  Tags:  6 Comments
30
Jan 2010

Gettin’ scrappy

By becky

So here’s what I’ve been doing with a lot of my time recently. I haven’t used my sewing machine in YEARS, but I finally dug it out, got it serviced, and am USING it. Of course, not for what you’d think. But still. Creating. Learning. Enjoying.

I’ve never made a scrappy journal like this before and I absolutely love it. I don’t think it’ll replace the art journals, but I can see how great this type of journal will be for vacations – collecting little tidbits and memories.

I so enjoyed making it. I hope you enjoy taking a peek. BTW, the video is kinda long. I couldn’t figure out how to make it shorter without skipping pages. And we couldn’t do that now, could we?


My Scrappy Journal from Becky S. on Vimeo.

Category: babbling, me, me, me  Tags: , , , , ,  10 Comments
27
Jan 2010

Not dead yet!

By becky

Just not a lot of writing going on.

What’s new with you?

Category: babbling  Leave a Comment
11
Jan 2010

Still artsy

By becky

Swirls

Surprisingly, there’s one “project” that I haven’t lost momentum on. Art journaling. Yes, I am still at it. In fact, I’m learning even more techniques, reading, and trying to grow. I got a few art journal/ mixed media art books for Christmas (I was saving for a Nook, but decided that some of these books would be more fun) and I’m gobbling them up.

I tend to flit from thing to thing. Sometimes I have great powers of concentration. I can focus on details or the big picture. Or both. But hobbies? I jump around a lot. I get really enthusiastic in the beginning, but it tapers off.

But I’ve written in journals since elementary school. Adding pictures, doodles, paint, collage … it has opened up a new arena of inspiration for me. There are times when I just write because I need a lot of blank paper to get my thoughts out. But other times, I enjoy adding a design element to it.

I really, REALLY enjoy it. I’ve had such a hard time finding things that I like over the last year. I’m still having some trouble finding direction, especially in my career. But at least there’s one little thing that is providing some enjoyment right now.

Category: babbling, me, me, me  Tags: , , ,  Leave a Comment
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