Podcasts and more yoga reviews

Yoga Zone-Gentle yoga for beginners. First, I rented this at the local Family Video so no money wasted buying it. Just a buck for a week. There are two sessions on this dvd. I have only done the second session once. Last night, after doing my regular yoga routine at the Y, which includes leg and ab pilates at the end, my back, neck and shoulders were very sore. All the kids were in bed, dh was out for the count and I decided instead of reading my boring book (must pick up that last twilight book from Misty, yes I'm a closet Twilight fan) I would try this dvd. I looked at the two session menus and thought session two sounded about right. I wanted something easy, not too energizing (bedtime ya know) but would bring peace to my shoulders. I really liked it. I found the poses easy and gentle. I did not like the "clock" which is basically pelvic tilt nor the one were you lay on your back and bring your legs straight up and back to your head. That hurt my back. I thought I'd come on here and do a 2 thumbs up review. I did a google search so I could provide a link (click the title of the post) and began reading the Amazon.com reviews. Hmmm...there are several technical complaints about the first session on the dvd that I haven't done yet. Then there are the usual complaints of "too hard", "too easy", "too fast" and "too slow". Those are all based on a person's knowledge, skill and expectations I suppose. Keeping in mind that I've only done the second session, I've only been doing yoga since October but am always reading everything I can about yoga and practicing every chance I get (not often I tell ya!) here is my review: It WAS gentle, I think it would be easy for a beginner yet a nice, relaxing practice for a more experienced yogi who's looking for a light workout. It certainly did the trick for me. My back and shoulders felt great and I was able to go right to sleep. Until the 4 y/o coughed from midnight til 2:30. I was very happy to have had a chance to relax and destress before dealing with the middle of the night coughing spell!

Now, on to podcasts! I had a brief love affair with my Creative Zen Vision M a couple of years ago then put it away and forgot about it. Getting into knitting introduced me to knitting podcasts such as Knitpicks and Lime and Violet. Not having enough time as it is to knit and having no cd player in my van (I know, I know it's freaking 2009 and I don't have a cd player) I really didn't get into podcasts. Then along came my love affair with yoga and my desire to learn more and expand on my pose database. I found yoga podcasts!! Free, downloadable videos and audio practices!! OMGOSH MUST HAVE THESE. I now have some 15 hours worth downloaded into iTunes. Dug out the mp3 player, found my old computer speakers, stole the power cord to Livie's portable dvd player and I have a huge library of yoga podcasts! WOOHOO. My favorites so far are Yogadownload.com. You can download directly from their site or you can go to iTunes store. There are even more at the apple itunes store than on yogadownload.com's site. Heaven!! I have probably 200 podcasts downloaded now between knitting and yoga! Told my husband he HAS to get me a cd player that will connect to my mp3 player for my van.

Uhoh I just added about 90 more to my podcast download. Lucy will be waking from her nap soon so I must sign off and ....whaddid I tell ya? She's calling for me now.

Spiderman Blanket

Thank goodness I read the forum posts on this first. The pattern has you knitting front/back post then at line 15 you are to make one before you knit the first stitch. I don’t know if I would have problems with it but someone did and because I read about it first I definitely didn’t. I just made one as described at knittinghelp.com by lifting the bar from the stitches below. I also am using stitch markers between each set of repeats so I don’t get lost since I get interrupted frequently. I also took the time to write out the rest of the pattern, which I will put in my blog so I can mark off where I’m at. Since this is a bday present for my son I have to cram it into hiding if he comes in the room so it’s nice to be able to see where I’m at.


Click post title to go to pattern.

Silent Auction for Easter Seals at Culven's Peoria, IL

When: Monday, March 2nd, 2009
Where: Culvers of Peoria (4612 N University St, Peoria)
What: Silent Auction from 5:00-7:00 p.m. also
10% of all proceeds at Culvers between 5:00-8:00 p.m. will benefit Easter Seals
why: Easter Seals provides exceptional services to ensure that people with disabilities
and their families have equal opportunity to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

So, mark your calendars, come on over, eat, bid, help Matthew support Easter Seals, and HAVE FUN!

See below for your sneak peek of the wonderful packages we have to auction off. If you would like to volunteer to help with the auction, or have questions, please contact Kristie Moorman at 693-3156 or e-mail me ateeyorific@sbcglobal.net


(1) Matthew's Pick
- Peoria Chiefs Baseball (4 tickets)
- Children's Discovery Museum (4 tickets)
- Christian Center (1 sport registration)
- $25.00 Chili's Restaurant gift certificate
Total package value: $149.00

(2) Family Ties
- Riverplex (4 passes)
- $40.00 Denny's Restaurant gift card
- Peoria Palace (6 passes)
- Lakeview Museum (8 tickets)
Total package value: $164.00

(3) Shop Til You Drop
- $25.00 Naturally Yours Grocery gift card
- $10.00 Kroger Foods gift card
- $20.00 Old Navy gift card
- Papa Johns - 4 large one topping pizzas
- $20.00 Wal-Mart gift card
- $10.00 Jimmy John's gift certificates
- $25.00 Merle Norman gift card
Total package value: $157.96

(4) The Chateau Hotel
- The Chateau Hotel
* This package includes:
over night accommodations for two
dinner for two at hotel restaurant
breakfast for two at hotel
wine and cheese basket
loaf of bread
Total package value: $200.00

(5) Pamper Yourself
- $50.00 Buffalo Wild Wings gift certificates
- Starbucks gift basket
- Bergner's Fragrance Basket
Total package value: $235.00

(6) Fun For the Family
- $25.00 McDonalds gift certificates
- Rivermen (4 upper bowl tickets)
- Five Points Washington (4 tickets)
- Hollywood Video Basket with Wall-E Movie
Total package value: $165.00

(7) Down by the River
- Overnight Accommodations at Mark Twain Hotel
- Spirit of Peoria Family Pass Sight seeing cruise
- Downtown Carriage Ride for 2 Adults
Total package value: $220.00

(8) Live & Learn
- Hobby Lobby Goodie Basket -
($100.00 value of fun kits for kids of all ages)
- APACHE Homeschool Convention Tickets
- School House - 2 Puzzles
- $10.00 Family Video gift cards
Total package value: $174.00

(9) This & That
- Spirit of Peoria Family Sightseeing Pass
(2 adults 4 children)
- $20.00 Olive Garden gift card
- $20.00 Carlos O Kelly's gift card
- Red Wing Shoe - Men's Leather Cell Phone Case
Total package value: $117.00


"The truth of God's love is not that he allows bad things to happen....
it's his promise that he will be there with us when they do!"

Help Matthew score a "grand slam" for Easter Seals! Click on link to see how..
http://www.easterseals.com/goto/matthewmoorman