My Own Personal Trainer

I had taken it upon myself during the golden child’s nap time to work stair climbing into my routine. Why use a Stairmaster at a gym you really can’t afford when your mortgage provides you with three flights of stairs in a four-story house?

On one of my recent days away from the store, I stayed home and dealt with a few yard-related chores. It was the day after a tremendous storm, and our three big trees took the chance to shed a few pounds of excess…branches that had been hanging around and needed to move on.

There was also a small bed I had been meaning to edge with limestone. These specific rocks had been waiting for me to deal with them all summer and had been placed at the back of our property. The bed was at the front of our yard. So I moved them.

One of four.
One of four.

I decided on my two treks up the driveway to lift two pieces at a time – one in each hand – and do reps with them by lifting them backwards, in an up and down motion, to work a group of muscles that just might need a little extra. These rocks weighed about 20 pounds each, and I combined this stroke-of-genius routine with a slower pace to increase the reps. I took my time with the hundred feet I needed to cover.

A few hours later, I was remembering the last time I took personal training upon myself in a semi-serious manner. It was within the year of my son’s birth, and our walks together with the stroller and the hikes with the kiddie backpack still left me feeling cooped up. I had lived in fear during my pregnancy of losing my core strength and was trying to gain it back, and it just seemed like walking wasn’t the trick. I like to “do” for myself. I do not like to wait – for myself to regain or for others to help. I find the challenge of solo-moving the piano/appliance/sofa just that.

So, I had taken it upon myself during the golden child’s nap time to work stair climbing into my routine. Why use a Stairmaster at a gym you really can’t afford when your mortgage provides you with three flights of stairs in a four-story house? I was checking how to get my first Minnesota home loan and actually considering these kind of advantages already that time.

I would start by strapping the baby monitor to my waist, so as not to miss the sweet darling’s squeaks and cries. This was done with a bungee cord of sorts, as the monitor was not designed for this exact purpose. Why did I not just hold it? Well, that’s because I would carry large cans of tomatoes in each hand and work lifting them into my “stair routine”. If the tomatoes had been consumed before the next session, it was two other matching somethings from the pantry with strict specifics on weight. It MUST be 20oz or more, or why waste my time?

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The base of my climb was our driveway. Up the flight of stairs to the first floor deck, up the back flight of stairs to the second floor landing, and up the final set of stairs to the third floor. Then I would retrace my steps to the driveway and start again. This was all done at the back of the house, because the baby’s room was in the front of the house. Always thinking, that’s me.

My initial goal was twenty-five climbs up – with arm movements to match the width of the staircases – and twenty-five climbs down. I eased it up to thirty over time and maxed out at fifty. That’s when I was finally and totally bored with this concept. It was still blended with the walks and hikes, but interior staircases hold little allure. Even the dog, who I had to dance around initially as he did every step with me, got bored and started to just lie on the deck positioned perfectly where he could see me climb the first two flights. His eyes were always on me.

Somewhere during my reps with the tomatoes during the days of the thirty climbs, I changed my lifting and lifted the cans behind me. Angled to go backwards and work the back of my arms a wee bit. I can be zealous in my private moments, and I finished every step and lift. That day I felt good when it was over.

At the end of most of my days with a new baby and new business, I went to bed tired. That night I felt great when I went to sleep.

The next day, I went to lift the baby out of his crib and I found that one arm just wouldn’t make the move to lift. It ached a bit as I massaged it before reaching back in for my sweet bundle. Again, no go with the left arm. I didn’t actually hurt, and there was no distinct pain – it just was telling me no.

So I lifted the baby with my right arm and carried him down the stairs in both arms. By the end of the day, the left arm was fine again. Crisis averted but never told to my husband.

But I will never forget looking over at the dog, who was with me at the crib always. As I massaged my arm, he gave me a look that told me he knew everything and had seen this coming. We spent a lot of time together, he and me and the new human. He turned his head and walked ahead of me down the stairs.

I swear he was tsking and smiling his dog smile where I couldn’t see.

Smart dog.

Sloane

Here is my husband mimicking my unique brand of crazy.
Here is my husband mimicking my unique brand of crazy all these years later. He’s is choosing the easy way to carry rocks. I, however, choose the one that suits me.

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Good Dog

One of our greatest joys is working each day with a dog in our office. Our little Chancey brings us happiness and warmth at the most unexpected times. He never shows frustration or impatience. He always has time to listen or to share a hug. He never complains. He is always cheerful.

December 16, 2014

One of our greatest joys is working each day with a dog in our office. Our little Chancey brings us happiness and warmth at the most unexpected times. He never shows frustration or impatience. He always has time to listen or to share a hug. He never complains. He is always cheerful.

STUFF has always been a dog-friendly business. We invite pups into the store with their people. We offer a handful of gifts for our furry friends. We always make sure our Christmas tree has plenty of animal ornaments. And we have a long, beautiful history of store dogs.

Each year we host over 25 charity parties at STUFF during our Season of Giving from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Tonight we will host Wayside Waifs at our 23rd party of 26 charity parties this season.

Wayside Waifs is the only pet-based charity that booked an event this year, and Chancey has been waiting. He has been working hard by our sides all year. It is finally a night all about his furry friends, and he is pretty excited.

We would like to share our gratitude for our pet family members and to thank Chancey for his loyal commitment to this small family-owned business. If you would like to donate here are some dry food choices.

Happy Holidays!

Casey & Sloane
Casey & Sloane Simmons
Sisters & Co-owners

 

 

Chancey spends his days doing the usual office stuff: Greeting customers, working with artists, testing out product, and browsing the Internet. (Mmmm...bacon.)
Chancey spends his days doing the usual office stuff: Greeting customers, working with artists, testing out product, and browsing the Internet. (Mmmm…bacon.)

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It’s not a “Chick’s Blog” Until You Post a Photo of Your Cat

I was roaming through blogs the other day and realized that this blog is not officially written by “chicks” until we post an image of a darling cat

I was roaming through blogs the other day and realized that this blog is not officially written by two “chicks” until we post an image of a darling cat. The cuter the better. An “ahhhhh” inspiring photo is preferred if you take into consideration the other big-time-chick-bloggers. So…here ya go.

Lady Matilda, my daughter’s darling little grey cat.

Since the summer heat kicked in this pretty much all she does all day.
Since the summer heat kicked in this pretty much all she does all day.
This is her cute curled up pose. This is the pose that makes me want to snuggle with her.
This is her cute curled-up pose.

Casey

PS. I have to admit I love this tiny little girl.

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Laughter Solves Everything

Yesterday my day was filled with laughter. It was all I could do to survive the comedy of errors my day was destined to offer.

Yesterday my day was filled with laughter. It was all I could do to survive the comedy of errors my day was destined to offer.

Here is a quick snap shot.

  • I lost my credit card.
  • I wrecked my car.
  • I fell on the ice.
  • I peed in my pants.
  • And the dog puked in the car…twice.

Yep, I live a life of grace and luxury. My friend said it best in a late night text: “Ahhh, parenthood, the gift that keeps on giving.”

I hope your holidays are filled with as much laughter as I shared with loving people yesterday. It really was a great day. Now, Friday…bring it!

hApPy HoLiDaYs!

Casey

 

 

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Lilypads

Our mother has a gentle, giant dog named Lily. She sent me this photo recently with the title “Lilypads”. This is what my daughter was spending her time with Nana doing, “decorating” Lily.

Lily is such a good sport. I love my family.

Casey

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