Crown Molding...only if you really want to mess with someone

Well, I recently enjoyed the experience of replacing crown molding on an entertainment center we inherited/received from a family member. I gained 2 things from the experience:

1.) If you really, really want to mess with someone's brain, ask them to put up crown molding and return in 2-4 hours. I would suggest only performing such a practical joke on those you wish to truly lose their minds. Also, be prepared for agitation, aggression and profane language upon your return (don't say I didn't warn you, I've even seen bishops turn into sailors).

2.) I am now a true man. For a pencil-pusher/nerd physical therapist that really has no talent when it comes to tools, construction and other 'manly' things, I can say I conquered the beast (and the beast wasn't as scary as I thought).

After concluding that my father in law or brother in law shouldn't have to hold my hand every time I approached a tool, I decided that I would just dive right in. 2 hours at Home Depot, a miter saw, air compression and finish nail gun later I was armed to fight the beast. Being naive I figured this must be simple geometry and cut them at 45 degree angles...after my first cut the look on my face may have indicated that I had realized I was in over my head.

Luckily as a physical therapist we have to measure angles all the time (usually to see if people are regaining their range of motion in a joint, e.g. shoulder, knee or ankle). So I used a goniometer (see picture) to find the angles I need as well as a quick consultation with the omniscient 'google'.



Again I thought I was on top of things until I realized the brain twister of how to place the crown in order to get the correct cut. It is not really that difficult but when you are getting play by play commentary from a 2 and 5 year old with questions about the scary machine and comments like "Daddy, I don't think you know what you are doing" or "I bet gramdpa or chad would be done by now" (courtesy of Shara) it is not too hard to get frustrated. Jane was kind enough to give me her opinion as well which consisted of "It's too loud!!!" "Scary!!! Scary!! Stop it daddy!!"

Nonetheless, my determination was fierce and focused. By the time I was finished it was dark, the girls had in bed for a while, my neighbors were grateful the noise finally came to an end, and no blood had been shed. Success.



Hanging it was fun too, not nearly as hard and the crown looks great!! Ta da'!! It may have taken a few tries though (see below) :]

Fabulous Winner!

You could be a winner!

The first 5 people to respond to this post will receive something made by me for you. I get to pick what I make for you, but it will be especially for you.
But here's the deal:
1 I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (But I'll try to make something cool:)
2 What I create will be just for you.
3 It will be done sometime this year.
4 You have no clue what it will be.
The catch? The catch is that you must repost this on your own blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on their blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did will win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!! Maybe I'll get crafty, maybe I'll bake, maybe I'll come with something else. Who knows! So come and play along!

New stages

As you are all aware I have never been a great updater but felling under the weather has definitely slowed me down even more. Trust me it shows in my house too. I am normally a very faithful cleaner but have I let it go the last few weeks. I felt good the second half of the day yesterday and got the ball rolling. I got off the couch and cleaned my house from top to bottom I even organized my files and scrapbook room and got two projects done. I thought I shouldn't stop there, I thought I would update too. This morning I was so excited because I an 14 weeks along and was not expecting to feel the baby move for another week, but it has been moving like crazy today. It makes it feel a lot more real when you can feel the baby inside, I think this is one of my favorite parts, to bad Mike and the girls will still have to wait awhile to feel it. Many have you have been asking how far along I am and when I am due. I wasn't 100% sure so I have put off answering. After my Dr visit a week and a half ago I am sure. I am 14 weeks today and due on Sept 4. Both of my girls have been a week early so we might make the school deadline with this one. Thank you for all the offers to help me out. We are doing great and I really feel pretty good now except at night. I am hoping that only last another week or so. Now my biggest problem with this new stage is finding clothes to wear, I'm barely showing so maternity clothes are way to big and I am just big enough my regular clothes look a little funny. Oh well can't have it all I guess. If you see me just don't tell me you can really tell now and I will survive the awkward stage.

Simple Joys

I have been thinking of how it seems to be the simplest things in life that bring us joy. For example the girls worked together the other night to surprise us by putting flowers in Jane's hair, because of the reaction they got they have done it over and over. Then last night at the store my girls found toy cameras, You can't really see through them and the only thing they do is say 3 or 4 things when you push the button, but they think it is the greatest. They worked together the other night to surprise us by putting flowers in Jane's hair, because of the reaction they got they have done it over and over. They were just given big beds (twin size with frames) Shara had a big one but it was just on the floor, now Jane is excited for nap time and they both like going to bed. Who would have thought that would make such a difference.

The things I have found to be simple joys lately are:
-A box of cereal that I can eat anytime and still enjoy without being sick
-breakfast rolls that are my morning snack, I love not having to wonder what I can eat.
-20 more min of sleep in the morning when my girls sleep a little longer
-finding two socks with no holes that match (i just bought new ones last night)
-a hug from Mike
-using the restroom without someone coming in(rare when you have young kids)
Shara's simple joys are:
-the paper airplane her daddy helped her make, she can fly it for hours
-working on homework for school, she loves learning, i hope that lasts
-having her picture taken for any reason
-having me read a book to her in an accent
-being moms helper for anything
-opening the jewelery when is arrives to see what everything looks like
Jane loves:
-a sucker, preferably 2. It stops most crying and entertains her for a long time
-knowing her sister has to take a nap too
-doing things by herself like taking off her coat or putting on her shoes and socks
-snuggling, she loves to hold you, whither watching a movie or just hanging out
-hearing the garage and going to meet daddy as he comes in the door
-painting her toes
what I perceive as simple joys for Mike are:
-a day going by with no major problems at work, sometimes rare
-working out in the morning
-being greeted at the door by his girls with a hug
-watching the office
-playing Madden(PlayStation)with Dave uninterrupted
-the beach in San Clemente

What are your simple joys?

p90 What!?!?!?!?

p90x by Tony Horton and Beachbody.com is:

1)The best and most complete workout I've seen/experienced.

2)Exactly what I needed after getting a little bored of going to the gym by myself.

3)Completely INSANE/intense

So...I have a missed 3 days the past 3 weeks, but I am loving the program. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it is a program that includes 12 workout DVDs. You are suppose to workout 6 days a week and you don't simply randomly pick a DVD. Instead he gives you a great method that will challenge you and keep you interested. The method is called periodization (he calls it muscle confusion) and is currently used for all competitive athletes at the college, professional and even some high school levels.

As a physical therapist, certified strength and conditioning specialist and a proud holder of a "BS" of Exercise Science from BYU I don't know that the problem for me was that I didn't know how to work out. Rather, I think that like most people I just got busy, bored and a little unmotivated. I found myself teaching others how to care for your bodies, injuries and even how to lose weight yet my waist line was larger than ever.

I heard about p90x from a few patients, then my bro in law "Mr. O" bought it and let me preview a few DVDs and I was incredibly impressed. I found a great deal from a friend who burned out after a week and landed the DVDs, workout books and pull up bar for a mere $80. Another $80 investment of push up bars, Heart Rate monitor, yoga mat x 2 (my wife has been enjoying the workouts as well) and a few other odds and ends and I am in love with this workout!!!

The work out is crazy intense, but they show you levels that most average, middle-aged adults could do. This workout is not for those with back, shoulder or knee problems. On that note, I tore my Achilles tendon and can do most of the workouts with my protective boot (except for plyometrics, but that is probably the hardest, most aggressive work out of the bunch).

The Pros:

1) Fun, Tony is just corny enough that he isn't annoying and you don't want to pound his face in as he mocks you. He is a refined trainer that explains well, makes excellent points and is pretty freakin' buff at 50.

2) Different, I LOVE the yoga DVD (however I have yet to complete more than 50 minutes of the 90 min workout), Kenpo is fun, the Shoulder/Arm routine is AWESOME...the chest/back routine is just hard. But nonetheless I feel like there is enough variety that I my interest is piqued and now that I am 3 weeks into it, it is time to do 6 different DVDs this week and I'm not really even ready for that.

3) Incredible technique, form, information, Tony is spot-on with his advice. I have actually incorporated a few of his moves into the rehab of some of my patients.

The Cons:

1)Not for the faint of heart, this will require commitment and if you are really out of shape, you may need to do some lighter training

2) Time, with proper meal planning and the workouts you have to invest at 1.5-2 hours per day, WELL WORTH IT. I am currently working 60+ hours a week to save my company and I still do it, so quite whining.

3)This program may have taken your last excuse away of "I don't know what to do...Working out just isn't fun...I don't have time." Do half the DVD and tell me you aren't completely wasted. It has a 15 min ab workout that leaves my abs in pain they are burning so much.

As they say on the videos..."Do your best and don't worry about the rest"

Two thumbs up, 5 stars, I can't give it any higher recommendation as a health care professional. If everyone did these workouts I would not have a job, period, the end.

I plan on doing several rounds of 90 days due to my Achilles injury and simply based on the fact that I can switch it up and do it forever really. So in a year when I am HUGE, you will know why. :]

P.S. the workout drink they advertise as "really good" ACTUALLY IS!!! The first 1-2 times I thought it was just okay, but I am LOVING it. I drink it 3x/week, instead of 6x as they would like my wallet, I mean as they would like me to do.

see http://p90x.com for more details