Wednesday, November 15, 2006

soliciting suggestions

OK, so I have 2 burning questions I'm seeking your help on. (Actually, I'm sure I have more than 2, but these are the ones currently driving me crazy, so...)

1. Does anyone have a good solution to storing alphabet foam stamps? (Amy H., I mean besides those perfect document holders from the Target $ spot that I missed the boat on.) I must have about 15 sets of these, and they're completely out of control. The original packaging is worthless for storage, so I've put them in ziplocs, but these don't stack well, and it's hard to find the letter I'm looking for. This remains one of those bastions of disorganization in my scrap room.

2. Any ideas for a good indoor, wintertime workout? Now that it's getting too cold to bike, I'm realizing I don't have just the right alternative yet. I have Jessie's elliptical machine (which I love to use), but it's not something I can do when Eva is awake, because she always tries to climb on it with me and no amount of distraction can dissuade her from her task. Sure, I could wait and do it during her nap, but that would mean not exercising and taking a shower until 1:00 in the afternoon -- not my ideal solution. I'm looking for a show I can record on my DVR, a good DVD, and/or some inexpensive home equipment that I can use in the morning while Eva plays (or possibly gets into the groove with me). I'm feeling desperate to keep up my newfound good exercise habits -- please help!

And I thank you for your support.

{Incidentally, I tried Blogger spell check for the first time, and it suggested "splice" in place of "ziploc". Yeah, I think I'll forego this useful tool and stick to my own spell-checking devices.}

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have my stamps in those little storage drawer stacks- they are like tuber ware but not and in tower form. I still have to somewhat search for the letters, but they all fit nicely and the drawers were cheap at Big Lots. I am kinda hoping someone has a better idea for you cause I want to know.

Indoor exercise- can you put on a movie for Eva when you do the elliptical thing? For me it is wearing ankle weights while I clean and I try to go up and downstairs at least 20 times. Not the best, but it keeps my heart rate up for about an hour and the weights were only $20 from Garts Sports- so worth it for me. Then I have some free weights I lift for 15 minutes and Mya loves to help.

Jill said...

Gotta love Blogger spell check, it's always good for a laugh.

I would suggest going to your fabulous local library to check out various exercise videos to find something you like, then you can do that for awhile and when you get sick of it or if it becomes too easy you can go back and check out something else.

Anonymous said...

Hi - I came across your blog and really enjoy it. I am a stay at home mom of two in Syracuse, UT. I like to do Denise Austin. She has 2 shows on the Lifetime channel - fit and lite and daily workout. I love to record them on my DVR and do them when it fits my day best. You can try both her shows and see which one you like better, She annoys some people, but I really like her because I can do it in my home and she does a variety of things. Plus it's only 25 min. so I can squeeze that in.

Bond Girl 007 said...

Oh michelle...I wish I could help...I would do the eleptical earlier before she wakes...and maybe weight trainning...that is as good as cardio, because it creates muscle and muscle fights fat....so just a thought! I know if you are not a morning person this falls out of the window...but with the weights I had to buy alexei a 2lb...weights...wish I could have found 1 lb...since he wanted to join me soo effusively (while I watch my weight/tape) since the 3lb were such a hard thing for him to pick up! good luck

Diana said...

Sorry can't help you with the stamps.
I don't know how you feel about workout videos, i have a great pilates one that is actually challenging, I did it all the time when Kira was younger, she would love to try to do it with me. I'll burn you a copy and you can decide.

Liz said...

No ideas for your stamp storage, except maybe you could store them in baskets alphabetically?

Can you get something to attach to your bike so that you can ride it like an exercise bike? A friend used to do that. Of course than you'd need to strap Eva into something as well. Hmmm, having little ones around sure makes it difficult to exercise!

Jana said...

I absolutely love Yoga -- even more than Pilates. I have a friend who has some really good tapes. I'll find out what they are for you.

Elizabeth said...

I love doing the 8 min series. They have 8 min abs, arms, buns, legs. They really work and I find that I can usually get in 8 mins before my toddler needs me. I also have a mini trampoline I run on while I watch a show. I know I am burning calories and it is good on my aging joints.

amy gretchen said...

I started putting velcro on the back of my letters and putting them onto a stiff cardboard about 12X12. It was a ton of work so I stop and just threw them in a ziploc. I also saw in ck lisa brown put magnets on the back and hung them on metal sheets.

I love pilates. It's a tough workout, but you don't know it as you're lying on your back most the time. It's so easy to do with kids around. Mine use to do it with me.

jenn said...

Some of my foam stamps are in drawers (cute cardboard ones from IKEA) and some are still in the original package (unused because I don't want to put them back!)

The drawers have worked well, I should get more like Hannah's. But I LOVE the idea of sorting alphabetically- with as many stamps as I use and the fun of mixing fonts...
where do we get a 27 drawer unit? (26 letters and then numbers/punctuation)

I hate trying to exercise when Ethan is around- he totally interferes! I have liked my exercise ball ($11 at Wal-mart with a chart of 15-20 different exercises!) and I survive my bike. But I do them when Ethan is sleeping or enthralled in something else. I also ride with him in my lap alot!
LOVE Hannah's ankle weights while cleaning!!

jenn said...

oh yeah- and DDR is WAY fun exercise! We have a broken mat I let Ethan dance on while I use the one that is plugged in!

skbkmjfamily said...

for indoor exercise- I love the Kathy Kaehler workout on dvd, it is just 10.00 dollars. It is so worth it. The workouts are in 5 minute intervals, so if you don't have time for the whole 35 minutes at once you can break it up. The workouts are easy and just for moms she says. I have hooked all my friends on it as well. There is nothing crazy to do (don't get the step one, get the regular one). She is my favorite person because she is a great trainer. She uses the workouts that are tried and true, and really they work. I can't wait to do it again.

Anonymous said...

Liz has a great idea Michelle. The thing you attach to your bikes are called trainers. They hold the bike in place and viola, a stationary bike. I have had friends use them and really love them.

Love my Pilates, but I kind of screwed you last time with sending you the one too advanced. I promise, the original set is much easier and basic.

TX Girl said...

I love yoga. Baron Batiste is pretty amazing and you can do a lot of modifications. It is more of a cardio workout than most yoga tapes.

Jordan said...

I love blogger spellcheck!! It's a hoot to see what they come up with.

I'm with Lara, Baron Baptiste is my hero. He has some power yoga DVDs that really do work up a sweat (it's a set of three increasing in difficulty). I also love running in the cold, but it may be TOO cold for a jog.

Alison said...

I am totally useless on both these subjects. I don't even know what those stamps look like (!) and I am lucky enough to have a gym on my street, so I just run over there whenever the mood to work out strikes me. (Since the show opened, that has been rare.) I totally agree with others on yoga videos- and yoga is good for kids too- but in terms of cardio, my personal favorite when I am stranded in my house is "Dance Party." I turn up music really loud and dance until I think I am going explode, and then I dance some more. Sometimes I use weights. I am not sure, but I am fairly certain that your little lady friend will probably enjoy that as well. I have some good mixes if you need one. haha

jenny said...

No use on storage for stamps--sorry!

Have you tried Tai Bo? It gets pretty monotnous but if you have other workouts to switch up you might give Billy a try! Another good workout is if you have playstation or x-box the game pad seriously gives you a good sweat. I will admit I totally suck at it!

melanie said...

Ok so by now you have many choices to look into but my SIL has done so well with The Firm. It does both strength training and cardio. She is looking so good. I'm not sure how much weight she has lost but the inches have been coming off.

I have my rubber stamps just hanging out in the original packaging and it is waiting to fall apart. I'm always a day late with the organizing.

everything pink! said...

i don't know anything aboutthe foam stamps sorry.

how about a exercise ball?

Crystalyn said...

have no help with #1, but i would suggest pilates for #2. my kids love trying to do it with me. and your muscles sure will feel it!

Amy said...

Unfortunately I have no suggestions for either. I even did a search for the plastic document boxes and came up empty. I can say that I've heard that the dollar store (Dollar Tree, I think) has them frequently, if you want to dare go there on a regualr basis. The only other methods I've found are really expensive. The Container Store has tea storage boxes that are divided and great for storing foam stamps, but they're something like $15 each! What the. . .? I'll keep my eyes open. I have several sets that I do not have document boxes for and it's driving me crazy! You know how I like to have everything uniform!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...