Okay, as you may have seen on my Facebook status, I have been trying to get myself back on skates. Why? Well, first, I need to do something more to get some of this weight off. Second, I really miss skating with my hubby. Third, I don’t think that I can teach skating effectively if I don’t have my skates on.
So, I took the skates out of the bag and tried them again, hoping that it was just a break-in issue. Unfortunately, the more I worked with them, the worse they hurt my feet. I figured that since I gained so much weight, my feet spread, and maybe I should just go have the boots stretched from a regular width to a wide width. So, I called the local boot and leather shop, and they assured me that it would be no problem, and it would only cost me $4.80. Wow! That’s a lot cheaper than buying new boots for my skates! So, right before we left for Nationals, I dropped off my skates to be stretched.
After we returned, I picked up my boots and headed to the rink with excitement that I haven’t felt in quite a while. I put the boots on and was quite disappointed - they didn’t feel any different than they had before. That was it! I was done! I’m giving it up. Who needs skating anyway?
Then, Curt mentioned a friend that had a size 6 for sale. He suggested that I contact her, but I protested saying that a 6 would be way too big, since my boots were only a 5. Well, I finally broke down and emailed her about the skates. (I had talked to her about buying them before, but I backed out, since I thought the boot stretching would work.)
On Saturday morning, I went to the rink to try the skates. It was strange wearing someone else’s skates, but overall, they fit better than mine did. I skated for a while - with Curt close by if not attached to my hip because I was quite nervous. To make a long story short, Curt and I talked, and we decided that I should buy them.
I wore them again yesterday for a while, and I’ll wear them again tonight. The only thing that needs done to them is cutting the boot down, but I’ll have that done while the rink is closed down next month. This may be another small step to help me get myself back into shape! Hey, maybe we’ll even skate competitively again in the future...the very distant future (so don’t get your hopes up). Right now it’s just one little step at a time...with skates on!
Forget the Olympics, Let's Just Get Ourselves Together!
With the recent news about the newly appointed sports for the 2016 Olympics, I felt that I needed to get a few things off my chest and out into the open. No one will probably even see it here, but I have to give it a try. Please keep in mind that I did not have any skaters skating in these events, nor was I skating in any of these events.
I just recently returned from the National Championships, and I have to say that I was really disappointed. Now, I first have to say that we were there for the “Adult” portion of the championships. (The “Youth” and “Elite” were held the previous week and a half.) Now, let me explain what disappointed me.
First, were the “ringers.” Do you know what a ringer is? The “informal” definition is “somebody or something fraudulently substituted in a competition.” The adult divisions include “B” events, which were originally supposed to be for beginners or skaters who are new to the sport. This year, the rules were changed by the powers that be, and skaters who had never placed at Nationals were allowed to return to the “B” events - despite Regional placements or years in competition. Therefore, you had teams/skaters who have been skating for years in the upper divisions returning to the lower divisions and blowing the new skaters away. So then, when you go to Nationals, you see all the same skaters that you saw before...because all of the new skaters were left in the dust, back home. If you didn’t have a ringer leaving people at home, it was probably because the events were too small, and they had to send everyone who skated to Nationals.
Okay, so now, we’re at Nationals. We’re watching a “B” division elimination in “prime time,” while some of the “A” division final events are being held at 6:00 in the morning. What’s up with that? And figures in the afternoon? Who has ever wanted to watch figures at 2:00 in the afternoon? Figures have always been first thing in the morning, except at Nationals.
Then, there has been a tradition (at least, since I’ve been going Nationals) that for finals during dance events (which, in case you don’t know, usually consists of 6 or 8 skaters/teams performing three dances), the crowd stands during the last dance to cheer for all of the competitors. It’s always been fun and exciting - especially when you’re skating in that event. You’re usually so tired, but the crowd always pumps you up on that last dance. When the announcer announced it, so many people in the crowd (if you could call it a crowd) ignored it. In fact, I even heard someone behind me say, “Why don’t these people just sit down? It’s not like the event is that good.”
Finally, there were the attitude issues. Some examples I witnessed included a coach telling a skater, “Now, don’t you dare take off that medal before you come off the floor.” (Skaters are awarded medals for first through fourth place, and they have to skate the entire length of the floor to the podium and then skate back.) The skater was (apparently) disappointed with the placement awarded! I skated Nationals several times, and I would have been happy with any medal! Another incident was when I heard one coach say, “Well, the judges just don’t know what they’re looking at.” Now, I may disagree with the judges, but I don’t ever tell a skater that the judges don’t know what they’re doing. (I have to say that the judging this year at both Regionals and Nationals, in my opinion, was a bit off, but then again, I’m not a judge.)
I think that many of our skaters and coaches have become spoiled. Instead of working to improve, let’s just fight to add another event...or let’s implement a sliding scale. (For those who don’t know, skaters/teams used to need a placement of first, second, or third to go to Nationals. That wasn’t enough, so they added fourth to the list. That still wasn’t quite enough, so now it depends on the number of people skating the event. The more skaters skating, the more skaters qualify for Nationals. Skaters have become accustomed to winning their local meets/competitions, so they think that they should automatically get a placement at Nationals. At least, that how it seems to me.
My whole point is that we need to start concentrating on building the sport, not getting into the Olympics. We need to concentrate on making our sport better, more entertaining, highlighting the best of the best, not just making new events or implementing sliding scales so more people can go to Nationals. Nationals has become a joke - it seems - to many skaters (and coaches). They no longer appreciate what the National Championships are all about! Maybe they should have skated “back in the day” when there were only 12 events to choose from, and you were either good enough or you weren’t - you either skated what was available or you didn't skate. Maybe they should have skated when I started...you could only skate the beginner levels for three years, and then you had to move - regardless of placement. You either worked your butt off to get better, or you were left in the dust.
Wow, this has really gotten loooooooong! I guess I’m getting frustrated because I’m actually trying to get back into things. I’m getting my skates back tonight, and I’m hoping to get some students going for next season. Okay...I’m going to shut up now! Until next time...
I just recently returned from the National Championships, and I have to say that I was really disappointed. Now, I first have to say that we were there for the “Adult” portion of the championships. (The “Youth” and “Elite” were held the previous week and a half.) Now, let me explain what disappointed me.
First, were the “ringers.” Do you know what a ringer is? The “informal” definition is “somebody or something fraudulently substituted in a competition.” The adult divisions include “B” events, which were originally supposed to be for beginners or skaters who are new to the sport. This year, the rules were changed by the powers that be, and skaters who had never placed at Nationals were allowed to return to the “B” events - despite Regional placements or years in competition. Therefore, you had teams/skaters who have been skating for years in the upper divisions returning to the lower divisions and blowing the new skaters away. So then, when you go to Nationals, you see all the same skaters that you saw before...because all of the new skaters were left in the dust, back home. If you didn’t have a ringer leaving people at home, it was probably because the events were too small, and they had to send everyone who skated to Nationals.
Okay, so now, we’re at Nationals. We’re watching a “B” division elimination in “prime time,” while some of the “A” division final events are being held at 6:00 in the morning. What’s up with that? And figures in the afternoon? Who has ever wanted to watch figures at 2:00 in the afternoon? Figures have always been first thing in the morning, except at Nationals.
Then, there has been a tradition (at least, since I’ve been going Nationals) that for finals during dance events (which, in case you don’t know, usually consists of 6 or 8 skaters/teams performing three dances), the crowd stands during the last dance to cheer for all of the competitors. It’s always been fun and exciting - especially when you’re skating in that event. You’re usually so tired, but the crowd always pumps you up on that last dance. When the announcer announced it, so many people in the crowd (if you could call it a crowd) ignored it. In fact, I even heard someone behind me say, “Why don’t these people just sit down? It’s not like the event is that good.”
Finally, there were the attitude issues. Some examples I witnessed included a coach telling a skater, “Now, don’t you dare take off that medal before you come off the floor.” (Skaters are awarded medals for first through fourth place, and they have to skate the entire length of the floor to the podium and then skate back.) The skater was (apparently) disappointed with the placement awarded! I skated Nationals several times, and I would have been happy with any medal! Another incident was when I heard one coach say, “Well, the judges just don’t know what they’re looking at.” Now, I may disagree with the judges, but I don’t ever tell a skater that the judges don’t know what they’re doing. (I have to say that the judging this year at both Regionals and Nationals, in my opinion, was a bit off, but then again, I’m not a judge.)
I think that many of our skaters and coaches have become spoiled. Instead of working to improve, let’s just fight to add another event...or let’s implement a sliding scale. (For those who don’t know, skaters/teams used to need a placement of first, second, or third to go to Nationals. That wasn’t enough, so they added fourth to the list. That still wasn’t quite enough, so now it depends on the number of people skating the event. The more skaters skating, the more skaters qualify for Nationals. Skaters have become accustomed to winning their local meets/competitions, so they think that they should automatically get a placement at Nationals. At least, that how it seems to me.
My whole point is that we need to start concentrating on building the sport, not getting into the Olympics. We need to concentrate on making our sport better, more entertaining, highlighting the best of the best, not just making new events or implementing sliding scales so more people can go to Nationals. Nationals has become a joke - it seems - to many skaters (and coaches). They no longer appreciate what the National Championships are all about! Maybe they should have skated “back in the day” when there were only 12 events to choose from, and you were either good enough or you weren’t - you either skated what was available or you didn't skate. Maybe they should have skated when I started...you could only skate the beginner levels for three years, and then you had to move - regardless of placement. You either worked your butt off to get better, or you were left in the dust.
Wow, this has really gotten loooooooong! I guess I’m getting frustrated because I’m actually trying to get back into things. I’m getting my skates back tonight, and I’m hoping to get some students going for next season. Okay...I’m going to shut up now! Until next time...
June 2009 Update
It’s been nearly a month since my last blog (other than the poem, which doesn’t count since I didn’t write it), and I thought it was about time to tell everyone what’s been going on with us.
It has been crazy around the Baun residence lately!
As usual, this time of year, things have been really busy. First, there was all the time spent watching the Stanley Cup Finals at the beginning of the month. Then, Curt and I have season tickets to the Mahoning Valley Thunder (AF2 Football), and we had two games in two weeks. Usually they are spaced out a little more than that. On June 19, we took a friend and her son (who I think is now 7 years old) to see one of the games. It was actually the best game of the year! The game on the 27th was Fireworks Night, so we got home a little later than usual.
Then, between the two Thunder games, we had the Great Lakes Regional Roller Skating Championships in Romeoville, Illinois. Obviously, Curt and I were not skating, but Curt had students that were. Out of the three entries (four students skating - two solo and one team), one solo skater qualified for the National Championships in August. So, on August 7, we will be heading to Peoria, Illinois for the National Championships.
Then yesterday, Sunday, June 28, was a big day for me. I was baptized. It was such an amazing experience, and I don’t even know how to begin to describe it…so I won’t. (LOL) I’ll just say that it was so great to have Curt there, in the water with me (pictures on FB), and to have my parents there, as well as Bill, Amy, and Matthew. After church, we went to eat with my parents. We got to spend a little time with Matthew later in the afternoon, and we visited with long-time family friends at Curt’s parents’ house. It was such an awesome day that I didn’t want it to end!
However, here it is…Monday…and I’m back at work. I’m so glad to have a long weekend coming up. Of course, as usual, we have a full, busy weekend planned. I think we’ll have a free weekend in the middle of August! So, until I have some free time again…
It has been crazy around the Baun residence lately!
As usual, this time of year, things have been really busy. First, there was all the time spent watching the Stanley Cup Finals at the beginning of the month. Then, Curt and I have season tickets to the Mahoning Valley Thunder (AF2 Football), and we had two games in two weeks. Usually they are spaced out a little more than that. On June 19, we took a friend and her son (who I think is now 7 years old) to see one of the games. It was actually the best game of the year! The game on the 27th was Fireworks Night, so we got home a little later than usual.
Then, between the two Thunder games, we had the Great Lakes Regional Roller Skating Championships in Romeoville, Illinois. Obviously, Curt and I were not skating, but Curt had students that were. Out of the three entries (four students skating - two solo and one team), one solo skater qualified for the National Championships in August. So, on August 7, we will be heading to Peoria, Illinois for the National Championships.
Then yesterday, Sunday, June 28, was a big day for me. I was baptized. It was such an amazing experience, and I don’t even know how to begin to describe it…so I won’t. (LOL) I’ll just say that it was so great to have Curt there, in the water with me (pictures on FB), and to have my parents there, as well as Bill, Amy, and Matthew. After church, we went to eat with my parents. We got to spend a little time with Matthew later in the afternoon, and we visited with long-time family friends at Curt’s parents’ house. It was such an awesome day that I didn’t want it to end!
However, here it is…Monday…and I’m back at work.
Ain't
This was sent to me by a dear friend of our family. I thought that it was just too cute not to share!
He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.
A neighbour watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.
'I've been to Bible School ,'
He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'
'M'm very fine way,' the neighbour said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't.'
Have a great week!
He was just a little boy,
On a week's first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.
He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the 'filler.'
A bird's nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.
A neighbour watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he'd been that day
And what was going on.
'I've been to Bible School ,'
He said and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
'I've learned a lot about God.'
'M'm very fine way,' the neighbour said,
'for a boy to spend his time.'
'If you'll tell me where God is,
I'll give you a brand new dime.'
Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain't.'
Have a great week!
I can feel the Lord working…
I can feel the Lord working in my life…Really, I can! I know that may sound crazy to some of you, while other know exactly what I am talking about. Some may say that it’s just a change in my attitude, while others would say that because of the Lord working in my life, my attitude has changed.
Now, I’m not saying that every day I wake up feeling good and ready to jump feet first into whatever I encounter. No…that’s not it at all. There are just things that I cannot explain away with “simple” logic. Let me give you a huge example, one that has really just hit home with me today.
Recently at New Hope, we were going through a series on recovery from our addictions, hang-ups, etc. I kept trying to figure out what my hang-up was. I conquered my smoking addiction a while ago, so that couldn’t be it. Could it? No, because when I say I conquered it is because I finally had no more temptation to pick up a cigarette. Could my hang-up be overeating or eating too much junk. Yeah, that could be it, but I like just as many healthy foods as I do junk foods, and I’ve really been doing well at controlling the junk-food cravings and eating healthier foods. Could it be laziness? I don’t do nearly enough physical activity, and it is causing me some health issues. Yeah, I suppose that could be it, too.
There were so many things that I thought could be a hang-up, but I felt that it was a hopeless situation to try to pinpoint just one on which to focus my efforts. I kept asking the question: Why is it so easy to get addicted to bad things, like smoking or drugs, yet it is so difficult to get addicted to things that are good for you, like eating right and exercising? What’s up with that?
How quickly things have changed for me! I prayed about these things during the recovery teaching series at New Hope, and I was getting frustrated that I couldn’t find my answer. Then, about a week after the series ended, it hit me! I finally pinpointed one thing that could really improve my life and the lives of those around me. I realized that my biggest hang-up (right now, anyway) is being lazy. Now, that may not sound like a major thing to most people, but it is a major thing with me. I don’t want to do anything. I go home, eat dinner, and sit around doing nothing. Sure, once in a while I clean a little, do dishes, work outside, but not nearly like I should…and my health is seriously paying the price. I have gained a lot of weight, which is causing problems with my breathing and my blood pressure, not to mention my sore feet from carrying all this extra weight. My doctor actually told me last year that if I don’t lose some weight and bring down my BP, it will kill me. It's also keeping me from skating with Curt, from getting more involved in teaching skating, and from playing with the kids in our lives.
Okay…so I found my hang-up. Now, what do I do about it? I still was not motivated. Instead of actually doing something, I would sit and think, “I should be…”
One morning, I said to Curt as he was leaving for work, “I found my hang-up, and it’s laziness. Have to stop being lazy, get off my butt, and do things. I’ll start by moving the Wii so I can do the Wii Fit more often.” He leaned over, kissed me, and said, “Well then, do it!”
That’s all it took! It seems like I actually had to tell someone about my hang-up before anything started working. I moved the Wii, and I’ve been doing some Wii Fit Yoga, aerobics, and balance games every day. I started about two weeks ago now, and I could only do two Yoga poses, one or two balance games, and about 10 minutes of aerobics (about 15 minutes total). I didn’t even think about the strength training exercises! Now, I’m up to 4 Yoga poses, 20 minutes of aerobics, and three balance games, about 30 minutes total. (I’m still not even thinking about the strength training. I’ll save that until next month since my muscles are sore enough as it is!)
I’m feeling motivated like I never have before. I no longer feel like I have to do this; I want to do this. I feel that the Lord has some plans for me, and this was another step…getting my body back into shape. (The first step was the conquering of the smoking habit…not the quitting part, the conquering part! Maybe sometime, I’ll explain that better, but this is already getting really long!)
I realize that I have other hang-ups, faults, addictions, etc., but I just keep thinking about the saying I’ve seen many times and in many places over the years, “Please be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.” I truly feel Him working in my life right now, and I can’t wait to see where He leads me next!
Now, I’m not saying that every day I wake up feeling good and ready to jump feet first into whatever I encounter. No…that’s not it at all. There are just things that I cannot explain away with “simple” logic. Let me give you a huge example, one that has really just hit home with me today.
Recently at New Hope, we were going through a series on recovery from our addictions, hang-ups, etc. I kept trying to figure out what my hang-up was. I conquered my smoking addiction a while ago, so that couldn’t be it. Could it? No, because when I say I conquered it is because I finally had no more temptation to pick up a cigarette. Could my hang-up be overeating or eating too much junk. Yeah, that could be it, but I like just as many healthy foods as I do junk foods, and I’ve really been doing well at controlling the junk-food cravings and eating healthier foods. Could it be laziness? I don’t do nearly enough physical activity, and it is causing me some health issues. Yeah, I suppose that could be it, too.
There were so many things that I thought could be a hang-up, but I felt that it was a hopeless situation to try to pinpoint just one on which to focus my efforts. I kept asking the question: Why is it so easy to get addicted to bad things, like smoking or drugs, yet it is so difficult to get addicted to things that are good for you, like eating right and exercising? What’s up with that?
How quickly things have changed for me! I prayed about these things during the recovery teaching series at New Hope, and I was getting frustrated that I couldn’t find my answer. Then, about a week after the series ended, it hit me! I finally pinpointed one thing that could really improve my life and the lives of those around me. I realized that my biggest hang-up (right now, anyway) is being lazy. Now, that may not sound like a major thing to most people, but it is a major thing with me. I don’t want to do anything. I go home, eat dinner, and sit around doing nothing. Sure, once in a while I clean a little, do dishes, work outside, but not nearly like I should…and my health is seriously paying the price. I have gained a lot of weight, which is causing problems with my breathing and my blood pressure, not to mention my sore feet from carrying all this extra weight. My doctor actually told me last year that if I don’t lose some weight and bring down my BP, it will kill me. It's also keeping me from skating with Curt, from getting more involved in teaching skating, and from playing with the kids in our lives.
Okay…so I found my hang-up. Now, what do I do about it? I still was not motivated. Instead of actually doing something, I would sit and think, “I should be…”
One morning, I said to Curt as he was leaving for work, “I found my hang-up, and it’s laziness. Have to stop being lazy, get off my butt, and do things. I’ll start by moving the Wii so I can do the Wii Fit more often.” He leaned over, kissed me, and said, “Well then, do it!”
That’s all it took! It seems like I actually had to tell someone about my hang-up before anything started working. I moved the Wii, and I’ve been doing some Wii Fit Yoga, aerobics, and balance games every day. I started about two weeks ago now, and I could only do two Yoga poses, one or two balance games, and about 10 minutes of aerobics (about 15 minutes total). I didn’t even think about the strength training exercises! Now, I’m up to 4 Yoga poses, 20 minutes of aerobics, and three balance games, about 30 minutes total. (I’m still not even thinking about the strength training. I’ll save that until next month since my muscles are sore enough as it is!)
I’m feeling motivated like I never have before. I no longer feel like I have to do this; I want to do this. I feel that the Lord has some plans for me, and this was another step…getting my body back into shape. (The first step was the conquering of the smoking habit…not the quitting part, the conquering part! Maybe sometime, I’ll explain that better, but this is already getting really long!)
I realize that I have other hang-ups, faults, addictions, etc., but I just keep thinking about the saying I’ve seen many times and in many places over the years, “Please be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet.” I truly feel Him working in my life right now, and I can’t wait to see where He leads me next!
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