Table Saw 101

So we finally had a free weekend that my husband and I could both be in the garage together.  I needed him to be there when I started building the bench because I needed him to give me a crash course in Table saw 101.

I was pretty freaked starting out, because it's such a dangerous piece of equipment.  I wish we would have got the one that the blade stops if it senses skin on it, but we don't have the luxury of owning that one.  Maybe someday.

Like Norm says "measure twice, cut once".

Started out with all my measurements.

Then it was time for me to put my big girl pants on and make my cuts.  It's tricky holding onto the wood while pushing it through.  The table saw is also pretty quiet.  Our miter saw makes a BIG scary noise, this thing is pretty quiet.  That helps calm the nerves a bit.

You may be tempted to grab the wood next to the blade to move it out of the way. DON'T do that.  This is me jumping back after I make my cut.  Yeah, I was pretty freaked out.  I like my fingers and really want to keep them.

Here is all my wood, cut, sanded and ready for assembly!  I would say I made a good portion of the cuts myself, the rest my wonderful husband did.  SO proud of myself for using the big scary table saw!

Rethinking Running

Lately I've started to rethink my plans on running. If you read this post it will tell you about my journey into the running world.

In fall I took a running hiatus, and even though I finished C25K I never actually RAN a 5K.  I know.  What was the point.  When I started running again I realized I wasn't ready to run a 5K, so rather than jump into the 10K program I did the "Ease Into 10K plan."

The first few weeks went really well.  Even now It's going ok, but there is a problem.  The workout is LONG.  Like almost an hour run long, and that's fine if that is my ONLY workout of the day, but then I ended up giving up my Zumba classes (which even though they make me crave Mexican food, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Zumba.  It's SO fun).

So I came up with this CRAZY workout schedule.  It failed.  Miserably. 

As awesome as P90X is.  I CANT workout at home.  Two little ones under my feet just isn't working.  Also I get too distracted.  I need the gym and I NEED their daycare.  I wanted to do it ALL, but at this time in my life raising small ones I just can't.

I also CAN'T give up running.  The difference that it's made in my body is unbelievable.  I never want to stop running and I always want to incorporate it into my workout regimen. 

The long runs are draining me.  Don't get me wrong, I plan to finish the 10K program and run a 10K.  I want to be able to say I did it.  But I'm thinking that I don't want all my running to be for endurance.

My husband and I started discussing sprinting.

Then I saw images like these:

img from HealthierLiving.com

And these:

img from HybridFitnessSolutions.com

Also, the more I started to read and research, the more it started to make sense.  PLEASE don't think I'm hating on marathon runners.  There is definitely something to be said for endurance.  As much as running has helped me shed the pounds that I wanted, I'm just not seeing the muscle definition there that I want, and SOMETHING has to change in my schedule.

I ran across this today and I LOVE it.  (Three Simple Sprint Workouts).

So I'm thinking now of somehow incorporating sprinting into my schedule, keep up with my strength training in my boot camp class, and bring BACK Zumba, because nothing is more fun than dancing to Latin music, even if it does make me want to eat tacos. 

My First Pinterest Wednesday

Ok, I'm doing my very first "Oh how Pinteresting Wednesday".

What is Pinterest you may say?

img source cheezburger.com via ragebuilder.com

Not kidding.  That's pretty much all it boils down to.

So I decided to share my favorite pins from the past week with you all.

Img from Anawhite.com via apartmenttherapy.com

My 4 year old has been begging for a desk, but with a huge dresser, toys, and sharing a room with little sis, doesn't give us much room.  I think this would be a PERFECT solution.  I love it.

img from BHG.com

A "command center".  A place to put all the school paperwork and stuff that goes in and out of the house.  I LOVE it and hope to someday have this in my den/office area.

from impatientlyprayingforpatience.blogspot.com

These little bad boys were staircase newel posts turned into candlesticks.  SOOOOO doing this.

img source julievic.polyvore.com

I discovered Polyvore last week also.  Let me tell you I could spend hours putting together outfits I'll never wear.  Seems like I may have pretty decent taste because this little bad boy had 17 repins.

img source bamboofloorings.org

Wide plank walnut flooring.  Oh, I could just die.  LOVE it.

img from houzz.com

LOVELY barn doors that my husband hates.  Sigh.  Still trying to win him over, but it's not working.

And the crowing jewel of my week on Pinterest.  I laughed so hard at this I was crying.

no photo credit available.  Sorry!

I still look at that and laugh and laugh.  So funny!

I'm linking this post up to The Vintage Apple "Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday."