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New Balance Minimus : giveaway

January 15, 2012 By Stephanie 312 Comments

I actually miss running. (Never in a million years did I think I would say that).

At 28weeks pregnant, however, I’ve committed to walking 1-1.5miles/day. More power to the women who run 5Ks and 1/2 marathons with bulging bellies, but it’s not for me.

Tim, however, has been running in the recently debuted New Balance Minimus. They’re like the Vibram FiveFingers shoes – but without the alien toe look. He says they remind him of race shoes…like the ones from his bygone high school track & field competitions. Little padding. Lightweight. Lots of traction. Ideal for short distances. Although he’s not completely sold on barefoot running science, he does think it’s been to fun to give them a go on his nightly runs.

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Available for both men and women, the shoes come in a variety of colors and for a variety of purposes (trail, cross-trainer, etc.).

Have you joined the “barefoot running” club? What style shoe do you most prefer?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a pair of New Balance Minimus shoes! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, January 22 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to New Balance for providing two pairs of shoes – one for review and one for this giveaway.  

*UPDATE* The winner is #63 Renee C. Congratulations!

Filed Under: Fitness, Giveaways Tagged With: barefoot running science, minimalist running shoes, new balance minimus, vibram fivefingers

Tuesday Tours

January 10, 2012 By Stephanie 11 Comments

spacer Welcome to “Tuesday Tours.” I’m Stephanie and I’ll be your tour guide – showcasing the best contests, reads, and news on the web.

Contests

Are you or do you know a mom who’s made a real difference in her community’s schools? Nominate her to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to DC to attend the 2012 Mom Congress. Deadline: Feb 15.

Good Reads

Convicted by Laura’s thought-provoking post: Learning from Imperfect People.

Standing ovation for this post by Miriam: Flirting with babies. (I agree 100%).

Erin talks about her Real Marriage. I especially like the bits about homemaking and sex books.

Nicholas reminds us that, “The crucial period seems to be from conception through early childhood.”

Andrews gives 9 (extremely compelling) reasons NOT to plant a church in 2012.

Miscellany

This Small House only has one room, but I think our family could live in it just fine. Beautiful.

Favorite New Song of the Week: Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye.

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*** If you have a contest or an announcement that you think might be a good fit for Tuesday Tours, e-mail me at stephanie@metropolitanmama.net.

Filed Under: Tuesday Tours Tagged With: 2012 mom congress, flirting babies, one-room house, real marriage, reasons not to plant a church, somebody that i used to know

10 years

January 6, 2012 By Stephanie 35 Comments

You charmed me with your green eyes in 1998. I still remember the way you caught my elbow with your hand as I walked to your car that night. “Stealing my keys, stealing my heart,” your voice pounded in my blood.

You were my first kiss. My first everything. We grew up together – you & I.

High school plays and soccer games, $1 pasta dinners in college, changing careers, and then tiny feet in our hallway.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Jan 4, 2002

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2011

I love you – then, now, and always.

Filed Under: About Me, marriage Tagged With: 10 years, 10-year anniversary, decade together

2012*

January 2, 2012 By Stephanie 50 Comments

Every morning in 2012, I’m going to wake up with the thought that something wonderful is about to happen.

The best thing about that pledge is that something wonderful always will – because I’m surrounded by the best people ever. [Hint: My Family].

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These are my hopes + dreams for 2012 and beyond – NOT in order of importance or urgency.  Some are frivolous; some are fantastic. Some are attainable this year; others may take a bit longer. ALL are do-able.

There are 60 bullets on my list - I’m sure I’m forgetting quite a bit.

1. Own the perfect cocktail dress.

2. Write a children’s book.

3. Be invited to the White House.

4. Visit London.

5. Also: Paris.

6. Own a house with a front porch.

7. Run in a Disney 1/2 marathon.

8. Learn to ballroom dance with Tim.

9. Memorize one song for karaoke (and be confident enough to sing it).

10. Hire a personal trainer.

11. Make a million.

12. Be mentored.

13. Mentor someone.

14. Learn how to speak a second language reasonably well.

15. Take a firearms class.

16. Learn to play one song on the guitar.

17. Serve on the board or become a spokesperson for a cause I admire.

18. Be mortgage-less.

19. Have professional head shots taken.

20. Design my own house – from the floor up.

21. Try a stand-up desk.

22. Be best friends with my kids – now and in adulthood.

23. See Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in Utah.

24. Grow a garden with snap peas, zucchini, and basil (for starters).

25. Get an e-reader.

26. Be published in The New York Times.

27. Decorate my house exactly the way I want it – without regard to the cost.

28. Take a 1 or 2-day photography workshop from a photographer I admire.

29. Teach a college course.

30. Take a survival skills course.

31. Have a super cute swimsuit that I am proud to wear.

32. Straighten my teeth with Invisalign.

33. Obtain better eyesight with LASIK (if I’m not too scared).

34. Have a backyard with a porch swing, a fire pit, comfy seating, a place to eat, and plenty of room to play.

35. Flat stomach.

36. Figure out how to create/invent and sell a product.

37. Collaborate with a university to research something important.

38. Always have enough money to buy good shoes (for my kids too).

39. Run in a race with my daughters.

40. Post a HUGE wall calendar to keep track of birthdays of family & friends.

41. Create and maintain a well-stocked gift closet. Give generously and often.

42. Re-learn CPR.

43. Enroll in a one-on-one class on how to apply make-up.

44. Provide consulting to developers of master-planned communities, shopping centers, cities.

45. Put some of my favorite quotes up around the house – maybe on stretched canvas.

46. Re-create the hyper-organized craft closet I had before we left town.

47. Be a leader in Tucson. Help shape the vision. Make it an even better place to live.

48. Volunteer as a family.

49. Hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with Tim.

50. Read a book a week.

51. Start-up more websites and businesses with Tim. *Top Secret*

52. Figure out what “church” looks like for our family.

53. Record 1,000 things I’m thankful for.

54. Finally find the perfect facial moisturizer – one that isn’t full of scary chemicals.

55. Switch to homemade bar soap.

56. Advocate for education and literacy.

57. Explore more of Canada.

58. Get my doctorate (or at least an honorary doctorate).

59. Own an impressive children’s book collection. At least 500books. Only the best.

60. Give birth to baby #3 – peacefully.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2012? Let me hear ‘em. Outrageous or Ordinary. GO.

Filed Under: About Me Tagged With: 2012 dreams, 2012 goals, 2012 hopes, wake up with the thought

dear kayla and liv, you are my music

December 28, 2011 By Stephanie 13 Comments

spacer Music is, in many ways, a foreign language. It takes skill and practice to learn it – to dream it, to feel the tones and rhythms in your blood.

I never took instrument or voice lessons as a child. Even so, my childhood was not without music. I heard the leaves rustling, the birds twittering, the classical greats as I leapt across dance floors, the pounding of my heart at soccer games, and the sweet soprano of my mom’s voice as she strummed her guitar.

I don’t know what the future holds for my little girls – if they will embrace singing or art or science or rock-climbing. But I do know I want to open doors so that they can see the possibilities. To give them the chance to try.

To look inside themselves and see what music they find there.

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Hohner Kids recently sent us their beautiful My First Acoustic Guitar (~$50) and a Hand Drum (~$10). The guitar is adorably-sized – perfect for little fingers (ages 4+). It’s a miniature version of the real thing. The drum is super fun too – with nice tones for exploring and creating music.

* Hohner Kids also offers a variety of other musical instruments: cymbals, accordions, maracas, harmonicas, etc. 

Filed Under: Family, Homeschooling, product review Tagged With: first guitar, hand drum, hohner kids, my first acoustic guitar

December 25, 2011

December 26, 2011 By Stephanie 14 Comments

We SANG “Away in a Manger” and “O Holy Night.”

We READ the story – of wonder and mystery.

We ATE cinnamon rolls, eggs, berries, cherries, and oranges.

We OPENED gifts, but didn’t go too commercial (as Charlie Brown would say).

Most of all, we were – we are – GRATEFUL.

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Merry Christmas to you and your family.

What did you sing, read, eat, open, and/or do?

Filed Under: About Me Tagged With: christmas 2011, december 25 2011

I stopped using an RSS reader (but I’m reading more than ever)

December 19, 2011 By Stephanie 39 Comments

I can’t tell you how happy I am to be using my library card again. We’ve been heading to our local one at least thrice a week, leaving with a bulging bag of books and DVDs. What a wonder, such a thrill…to have new written works at our disposal without paying a dime. Gotta love the US of A.

Here are a few recent favorite reads.

spacer The Help was well-written and worthwhile. It was a nice reminder about how the courage of a few determined individuals can transform a community.

The Hunger Games trilogy kept me on the edge of my seat, but I wouldn’t necessarily qualify it as great lit. It’s creative and addictive, but also disturbing. I’m curious to see how the upcoming movie will portray Collins’ imaginative dystopian world.

Last week, I finished One Thousand Gifts (late to the party, I know). If I were an English professor, I’d use her first chapter as a prime example of exceptional storytelling. Her word pictures are profound and glorious. Parts of the text are a bit laborious, but I was inspired by the overall message. I plan to partake in the tracking of my own 1000 gifts as a result.

As far as blogs go, I stopped using an RSS reader awhile back (huge sigh of relief). Now I let Twitter and Facebook lead me to unexpected treasures. Of course, I also do my utmost to stay up with old and new favorites (examples: Emerging Mummy, Such the Spot, Mommying Grace, and Apartment Therapy).

What books and blogs have been capturing your time and attention lately? 

Filed Under: Books Tagged With: book recommendations, delete my rss feed, hunger games trilogy, local library, one thousand gifts, the help
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