Exercise

Whew! It's nearly February and I feel like I'm only just beginning to recover from all the fun I had over the holidays. It must be my age or "yikes" maybe it's because I haven't been to the gym in ages to work out... That could be it! "Ding!" If I want to feel peppy, I just may have to change my habits to include, I hate to even say the word, but here goes exercise.

In the past, swimming was my favorite way to get in shape. Now, if I can bring myself to put on a swimsuit and then convince the devil in me that the water is not really that cold, I'll be good to go.

I admire people who like to run, don't understand them, but I admire them. How they deal with gasping for air and sharp shooting pain is beyond me. I smile when I think about it, but I took a jogging class in College because I wanted to lose weight. We had to jog four miles to pass the class. I passed, but it nearly killed me and believe me my pace was nothing to brag about. The fear of failure was the only thing that kept me moving on the pavement.

All that said, would you believe I studied Shorei Karate at the University of Wisconsin Parkside for five years? I practiced and exercised my butt off when I was involved with that program. When you're sparring with another person, you don't think about anything but the moment. And, if you want to do well,cross training helps. So, it worked for me. That program was well worth the pain involved. And that is because there is more to Karate than exercise...

Creative Valentines Gift Ideas

Today I thought I'd share some more unique Valentines Designs with you. I've been working on some really cute 'honey bees', some abstract and whimsical valentine creations as well. It's so much fun to play around and experiment with designs, you just never know what you'll come up with. I also wanted to feature a great squidoo lens by another artist known as Sketchart26. She has put together a list of Top 50 Valentine's Designs on Zazzle This really showcases a lot of different designers work and you will be sure to find a great Valentines gift for someone too! So stop by and see what she's put together.

Another fun idea for a quick and easy Valentines Gift is homemade Chocolate Covered Pretzels You'll have them eating out of your hand!

Quote: "In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities"
By Janos Arnay

You've Got To Get A Steam Mop

Well I thought I'd share with you my top ranking lens 'The Best Steam Mop Around' and tell you a few little stories and why this lens seems to be doing so well. This steam mop lens has had over 8400 visits and to date I have had over 50 comments on this lens, it seems people are very interested in steam mop reviews. I created this lens about my Steam Mop that I purchased at a National Exhibition, you know one of those big fairs where they sell everything from the latest cooking gadgets to mops! I was so excited when I saw the demonstration and had to have one! So about my lens, I have had some great comments from folks and some funny ones too. One of the comments was from someone who purchased the mop and needed some more of the velcro pads that attach to the bottom of the mop. She apparently thought I owned the 'Steam Mop' business as she sent me her address and personal info. I've had all kinds of questions, many of which I've been able to answer and some that other commenters have given their advice on. It is such a cool way to share and help others. So I encourage you to visit my Steam Mop lens and read some of the great comments and maybe you'll decide you should have one too!
This week I've been working on some more Valentine Designs for my store and some fun fruit designs too! Pop in for a look at what's new.Shell's Designs

Quote: "What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it" Author Unknown

Exercise Helps Your Quality of Life

Well have you continued or started an exercise program this January? The gym was extremely busy this morning but I was inspired to see so many people working out and getting themselves in shape. It makes you feel so good and has so many health benefits if you work out regularly! So for those of you struggling, think about your future, your worth it so come on stick to it! I just finished a lens on the Schwinn Force Home Gym (for those that prefer to workout at home) I'll post it in the sidebar here! I've also been working on some Valentines designs for my store as well as some cartoon animals. Come by for a look! Shell's Designs
Let's also send our prayers and thoughts to those in Haiti that have been devasted by this huge earthquake. If you have resources to give there are lots of charities that have sites to donate funds too, like the Red Cross and World Vision to name a couple.

Quote:"Cherish life's simple pleasures"

New Beginnings, Goals and Dreams

Well this is my first post of the New Year. Hard to believe we are in 2010, sometimes it feels as if we are in a time warp! Anyone else feel like that?

As I was thinking over all the things I've learned over the last year I'm still a little overwhelmed by all that I have taken in! Let's see since last year I have started my on-line zazzle business, creating unique designs for hundreds of products. I've been blogging now for over a year. I write mini-articles for a platform called Squidoo, not to mention I've become an avid 'twitter user' and I am a member of a fabulous group called 'Rocktemoms' made up of smart, creative, entrepreneurial women. So overall I'm pretty proud of all I've learned so far but the journey is never over. I still have many goals and dreams to pursue, I hope you do too! Keep learning and stretching yourself, the journey is amazing!

Alright for this week I'll share some neat birthday ideas I've created for my store. Also working on Valentines and Graduation designs. Pop by my store for a visit and see all my new designs, I add new items almost daily!
Shell's Designs

Quote:"Oftentimes the solution to a problem requires a new perspective."
Author: Monte

2010

The beginning of January is like an empty sheet of paper. It holds tremendous promise and hope (like the song says). We all have a chance to start fresh; to really strive for those goals we have floating around in our brains. What? You don't think you have goals? Oh yeah you do, they're there even if you don't write them down. And, because it is the beginning of January, I say we may as well put those goals down on paper and figure out a plan to achieve them or 'poof' they will be like colorful dreams that disappear in no time at all.

My plan is to think about five things I will strive to accomplish in the year 2010, write them down and put the list in our New Years Resolution folder. I've been doing this with my family since the mid-nineties. It's always a surprise if I achieve everything on this list. That does not discourage me, however, because I'm a firm believer in the word strive. I always have been. For example, when my children were in elementary school, I never told them they had to have A's on their report cards. What I said was, "You need to do your best." No one can ask anything more of a person. Life is about the process not the end.