a worthy cause and my embarrassment for the day

I stumbled upon this site the other day and thought it was brilliant. A testament to the caring community that scrapbookers and digital designers have created.

The premise is that each month, a digital designer will create a kit. All of the proceeds from the sale of the kit (after Paypal fees) will be donated to a different charity each month. This kit is obviously gorgeous but because this month, all monies will be donated to the American Diabetes Association, I knew I absolutely had to purchase it.

Both my mom and my sister are dealing with Type 1 Diabetes. My mom, since I was a teenager and my sister, just a few months ago. Both are dealing with it well and thriving but it's not an easy road and every advancement towards eliminating the disease puts them one step closer to better health and longevity.

So, I thought it only fitting that I use the kit to do a layout about my mom. And in the process, I realized that I need more pictures of her because this one is almost a year old! And my sister, yup, her too. That will be a priority the next time I see both of them. Everything you see here is in the kit so if you're a digital scrapper or digi-interested, check it out!

Speaking of my mom, today was the first day of the cardio/strength training class we decided to take together (aka, my embarrassment for the day)

We walked in at 9 am and discovered that the class was comprised of about 15 senior citizens and us. We thought we were in the wrong class. We *asked* if there was another class. We know that the class wasn't listed as a specifically senior class and yet, there we were. I joked to my mom as we were about to start "gee, hope I can keep up!" hardy har har. Guess what. I couldn't. Those old ladies KICKED MY ASS. I had to take a breather because I got a little light headed. I have a long list of excuses...I was doing the full moves while most of the students were doing modified versions according to their abilities...I just got over a sinus infection and my equilibrium is a bit off still...I didn't have anything for breakfast but a cup of coffe (Kona, the good stuff :D). Excuses aside, I'm just out of shape! Apparently the cardio I've been doing the past few weeks did nothing to prepare me for the strength training aspect. I'm sore. And in more ways than one...kind of bruises the ego to have someone twice your age console you after class and reassure you that "it will get easier."

It will get easier. I can laugh about it. Try not to laugh too hard *at* me.

Oh, and if you haven't had a chance, check out the new Garden Girls at 2peas...all excellent choices in my opinion! I'm excited to see what they come up with!

Later gators!