We're Back!

Posted by Amy Baranski and Melissa Baumgart

After a year of changes and falling of the blogging wagon, Good Luck With That is back for a new year.  It will be our 4th year and likely the best one yet!

Here is what we will be up to throughout this coming year:

February:  Letter Writing
March:  Lose Weight
April:  Paleo Diet
May:  Genealogy
June:  Run a Race
July:  Styling
August:  iPhotography
September:  Picnicking
October:  Soccer
November:  Pinterest Projects
December:  Macrame
January:  Relaxation/Self-Care

Realistically, we had to take a long hard look at living a full life AND giving time to the blog.  Amy is a new Mom and Melissa is a full time midwifery student (and Mom of 3).  We decided that we need this.  The blog's purpose is to step out of our comfort zones, to try new things, and above all to give back to ourselves and tap into our creativity.  When you're busy, it's easy to put yourself to the side.  We're starting over - for us.  And we hope that you also pledge to do some new things this year - for you!

When your courage opens unexpected doors

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
You know how this blog has turned into a vehicle to continually keep stepping out of our comfort zones? A way to keep trying new things and opening up to the infinite possibilities that being alive has to offer?

Well, sometimes those things really catch my fancy, like with yoga.  Even though I don't go as much as I wish I could, I still love it and I always will.  I look forward to a time in my life when I can go again, every single day.

Some things suck.  They seem like great ideas at some point, but then I end up not liking them.  Like anything crafty.  I really want to be crafty and handy, but alas, I am not.  And while I am ecstatic to have a beautiful dress to wear, that I made!  And to have that tufted headboard under which I fall asleep every night in my new "hotel" bedroom.  But the truth of the matter is, that in the process, I truly hate every moment.

And then sometimes, something unexpected happens.  Although, I was terrified to tears to stand on a platform 23 feet in the air and leap forth while holding the heaviest metal bar that can exist, my oldest daughter loved it!  She came with me to one of the trapeze classes and fell in love.  And I could tell from the first time, she really had a natural ability for the flying trapeze.

Tonight, at her school Talent Show, she shared a video of her performing on the flying trapeze.  I was so proud of her, and so happy that I chose to step beyond my usual and into something so uncomfortable that it made me tremble with fear.  Because, you just never know what might come from your courage.  It might be you growing and learning, or maybe, you might just open up the world in a bright, new way for someone else.

Hope you enjoyed her video!
Melissa

Who picked DIY, Mama?

Posted by Melissa Baumgart

Love/Hate

Tufting Update:
I am half-way finished with the tufting.  I need to wait until tomorrow morning to work on it some more because that is when I will have an extra pair of hands around.  The waiting is difficult.  The tufting was more difficult.  But I have to say, this morning at 6am, with my husband stapling and me holding the thread taut with the button pressed firmly in place, it wasn't that hard.  Dare I say, it has become easy?

But that definition of easy has only come after hours of frustration.  Sometimes perspective is everything.  Just yesterday evening, I looked Amy square in the eye and in a calm voice that clearly masks insanity, I said, "I f*#@ing hate crafting.  I hate it.  I always hate it."

My kids, each one in their own time, has asked, "Who picked DIY, Mama?"  And when I answer, "Me." They look at me bewildered.  They must be thinking, how could someone pick something that makes them so cranky and mean?  And therein lies the true lesson, how to remain calm in the face of extreme frustration and pain.  (My thumbs are killing me.)

I need to get myself back on the yoga mat, in my Bikram class.  That is where I really learn about how to train the mind to be calm in the face of adversity.  How to be less reactionary.  How to not walk over and slap my son's hand and curtly snap "Stop it!" as he annoyingly repeats a tapping noise on the computer keyboard, after being asked many times not to.  Yes, I did that while tufting.

Here are my big tangible lessons thus far:

1. This is a two person job.  This is not a DIY (Do it yourself), it is a DIMYWTHOAF (Do it mostly yourself with the help of a friend.)  
2. Make sure you have extra fabric.  And when you don't, resist the temptation to blame it on the fabric cutter at Jo-Ann's who said you didn't need 3 whole yards.  Always get extra.  That $6.00 - $10.00 is going to matter little in the end.
3. "Just keep tufting.  Just keep tufting."  It may be helpful to sing this little ditty inspired by Dory on the movie, Finding Nemo.  

I will post a final photo when finished, as well as all the nitty-gritty details.  Just wanted to keep you all in the loop.  Since you're all doing this along with me, right?  Right?

"Do it yourself!"

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
Here is what DIY looked like this past weekend:

Kid 1:  "Mama!  I need a glass of water!"

Me:  "Do it yourself!"

Kid 2:  "Mom!  Get my pajamas for me!"

Me:  "Do it yourself!"

Kid 3:  "Mama!  Will you find my baseball hat for me?"

Me:  "Do it yourself!"

It's everywhere!

I thought this weekend was going to be filled with sawing and stapling and other crafty DIY kind of stuff.  Instead it was filled with sunshine and family, processing raw life emotions and baking Easter bread. Like I often say here on GLWT, you gotta roll with the punches.  I just drove by that strip mall that Amy and I went to last year when we were learning tai chi.  It brought me back to that experience and reminded me how much I love that this blog has taken me to so many places, to meet so many people and totally takes me out of my comfort zone.

It takes guts, for sure.  And sometimes, I end up never wanting to do something again.  But the experience enriches my life nonetheless.  I was just talking to my Dad the other day about my financial struggles with school, and he reminded me that life experience isn't something you can fake. The fact that struggle presented itself and I found a way to persevere, has brought an experience to my life that no classroom could ever offer.

So, even within our times of fear or struggle, there is always a place within each of us called courage.  You can't find your courage until your trembling, and shaky and wondering if you might just fall off the side of a mountain.  Or maybe you're about to step onto a trapeze platform and fly for the first time.  Or maybe it looks like changing a habit that's no longer serving your body, mind and spirit.  Whatever that is for you, I challenge you to go there and find your courage.

This week, I will not only continue on my journey to reaching my goal weight, but I will also be stepping way out of my non-handy-person world and finishing a DIY project.  I am officially making that commitment. *yikes*  Let's just hope whatever I make will actually be usable!
-Melissa

Take the Plunge!

Posted by Melissa Baumgart & Amy Baranski
Welcome to Water Aerobics Month!

We are clearly very excited about it.

Are you up for the challenge of the month?  Are you going to jump in the pool and get some exercise with us?  We have a new poll on the sidebar, up top under our monthly photo, where you can share your intentions.  

If you're new to this blog, we have a monthly activity, where we step out of our comfort zone and try something new.  We always have a lot of fun with our monthly photo shoots, this month being no exception.  

If you are in Seattle, the Parks and Recreation Department offers a Fitness and Aerobics Swim Ticket (FAST) which is an unlimited monthly pass for a great price. This includes public swims and classes, such as water aerobes, aqua jog and deep water fitness.  Our guess is there is something similar in your area if you don't live in Seattle.  

Here's to looking better in our swimsuits by the end of March!  

If you're new to this blog, check out what we do, why we do it and like our Facebook page to stay up to date and participate.

When procrastination wins over production

Trying to read at a basketball game, didn't really work.

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
Some days are just days.  Nothing much happens, even though there are a million things to do.  Procrastination wins over production, and I feel like I am left with the remnants of undone aspirations of which I have many choices of what I can make of them.  I can be creative, and twist them into a DIY project that makes my life appear more beautiful and shines a rosy light of "Wow, look what she did!" over my wasted day.  Or I can go the opposite direction, and wallow and wade through them like I am the main character on an episode of "Hoarders."

Even on productive days, on love-y sun filled golden days, we still have that choice.  I think that is why some people remain depressed, no matter their external circumstances.  There is a psychology epistemology called Post-Modernism.  In it they propose that we are constantly creating our experience, and that it is through our own mental constructs that we live and breathe.  We can live and breathe a day as a failure or as a success, no matter what happened that day.  What matters, they say, is how we choose to perceive it in the moment in which we are taking each breath.

These are the things I think about after a day filled with nothing much but a little reading in my book.  Yesterday was the kind of day with a long to-do list, and the to-do list never even got written.

Today is a new day.  And I am choosing to walk forward with the perspective that I am exactly where I need to be, in every way.  I am trying to create more of that in my everyday life, and not just from those special moments.  I have the idea that the more we step outside of our comfort zone, and find the magical moments in life...the more we are able to see that they are always around us, just waiting to be found.

I woke up this morning and immediately did the dishes of previous days gone by.  I set up my study-station on the dining room table.  I took my seat here at the computer to write this post.  Who knows what the rest of the day will bring...hopefully some more pages being read form my book of the week.

I mentioned in my previous post that my book I am reading, Extremely Load & Incredibly Close (yes, I am starting to really remember the title), had a very powerful sentence.  Turns out it is filled with them.  Every page has a new thought provoking phrase, or after reading a chapter I might realize that the last few pages have been completely symbolic in nature, while still keeping with the story line.  I am finding the book to be very touching and inspiring.  Not inspiring in the sense that I am walking around beaming from ear to ear and spreading world peace, but in a creative and life affirming sense.

I leave you now to get on with my day, whatever it may bring.  But I have to admit, I do hope it brings me a deeper understanding of endocrinology, the nervous system and sight and hearing physiology for my upcoming exam.  It is interesting to bounce between literary fiction, exploring the emotional elements of being human; and anatomy & physiology, learning about the minute details of how our bodies keep us alive and healthy.

And one last thing, speaking of health: I have not forgotten about Healthival.  It continues on into February, with a few minor adjustments.  In addition to no wheat, no dairy and no sugar I have added no corn chips, I overeat them and feel like crap.  A little wine added in, for fun.  And I have made more phone calls to friends, well a lot of calls to one friend, but you gotta start somewhere!

So far we have 6 readers in on the "Book a Week" challenge and 2 reading two books this month! Anyone else reading along?  Leave us your vote of support on our poll.  Thanks!

xo
Melissa