Author Archives: yearoffunsarah

Mar 07 2013
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Around the House/DIY, Fun for Couples, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 164: TV Gesture

I mentioned yesterday that I haven’t been feeling well. I’ve been a little run down and this morning I woke up just not well. Tired, headache, sore throat, body aches, all of it. So the hubs did something very nice and somewhat taboo.

He moved my old little TV and dvd player out of the spare bedroom and in to our room so I could stay in bed and watch Friends (which, let’s face it, is really all I want to do when I don’t feel well). Yet people may view this as unromantic, very “old and married,” a TV in the bedroom? Even though I’m the one who has trouble sleeping and likes a TV to lull me to my nightly rest, I have always been opposed to it. But this morning it was the best thing ever and I had as much fun as a sick person can watching Friends in bed.

I’m feeling better now, but I don’t think we will move it back yet…or ever…I mean its not like it has cable or anything : )

Mar 06 2013
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Chicago Specific Fun, Nightlife, Uncategorized

Day 163: Hopleaf

Hopleaf is a Belgian eatery with unique dishes like duck reuben, mussels and fries and, my favorite, the CB & J. That’s cashew butter, fig jam and raclette cheese on fried bread. On a normal night, it’s pretty darn good. After a day of feeling sick but going to six meetings anyway, it’s downright DELICIOUS. Thanks Hopleaf (and the hubs and C and B) for a chill night after a long day. Very fun.

Mar 05 2013
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Around the House/DIY

Day 162: Duct Tape. Part 1?

When I lived in Minnesota as part of a smaller theater community, I encountered a point of view I had never heard before: that not everyone should make Art and that the attitude that everyone can is detrimental to the craft and profession of making Art. There’s an interesting debate here that I think applies to DIY, a craze that seems to say anyone can decorate their bathroom, paint their hallway, or refinish their furniture. Anyone can make floating shelves out of closet doors or headboards out of Ikea Tables or artwork out of duct tape. But some would say (and many of them are probably interior decorators or carpenters) not everyone should. I’m pretty sure I fall in to that category, except that I have fun thinking up craft projects. For me, the execution leaves a little to be desired. But the ideas are always fun.

Tonight I tested the duct tape project on a folder the hubs and I use to hold the hard copies of house listings we’ve picked up at the open houses we have been going to. I found this mustachioed kind at my local Walgreens and went to town cutting strips and placing them in a (somewhat) interesting pattern. We have this old, ugly bookcase in our entry way that I’ve been wanting to change in some way. I’m not sure if this will be the method or not, but it was a fun idea to test!

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Mar 04 2013
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Chicago Specific Fun, Fitness, Fun for Couples, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 161: LSAC

The hubs and I joined the Lincoln Square Athletic Club this weekend and today I went for my first work out. It has been a LONG time since I’ve worked out. Walking the dog certainly counts, but it is not as strenuous and focused as working out at a gym.

After a five minute bike warm up, I did 15 minutes on an elliptical. The bike was hard at first. My knees were not used to that kind of motion but I took it easy and it got better as I went. The elliptical was harder because I wanted to go in at 100%. I am a person who likes to do very well at everything I attempt, so it was hard for me to go slower and shorter than I have in the past. I had to remind myself that I will be able to measure progress even if it is slower than I would like.

Here are some of my workout goals:

1. Increase time on cardio machine each week building up to 30 minutes at least three times per week.
2. Try a spin class.
3. Try a “Ballet Burn” class.
4. Continue to feel good about myself as I work towards a healthier body.

Now, here are some things I really like about this gym so far:

1. There are a lot of machines.
2. Each machine has a little cable TV.
3. They offer a lot of interesting classes at various times throughout the day.
4. THEY HAVE A POOL.

On Sunday, I will be trying my first water workout class. This is supposed to be the best kind of workout a person with arthritis can do because the water provides a lot of resistance, yet there is little to no pressure on the joints. Expect a post about this.

I’m very excited about this new addition to my lifestyle. No more sitting around being secretly jealous of my many friends who are fit and athletic!

Mar 03 2013
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Online Fun, Solitary Fun

Day 160: Home Video, Malfunction.

On this the last day of YouTube week, I’ve decided to share a video from my phone. I have a few embarrassing ones of people at parties and/or weddings but I think I’ll keep those private. This one is still funny though. And lovable. Well, to me at least.

The problem is that, in order for me to actually upload a video on to WordPress, I would have to buy a $60 upgrade. I’m not going to do that, but I will post the video to the Year of Fun Facebook page. So if you go to this link, you can view the video. And maybe also like my page?

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