Good Bye, So Long, Farewell

All things even really good things must come to an end.  I just don't see continuing with Life in Southern Suburbia.  It holds a special place over a period of 4 years though the last years I haven't posted much. I've met some wonderful people through blogging - many in person.  I've blogged through great times like App's national championships and that little game against Michigan. I posted my trips to the Caymans, Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming and several to Florida.  I wrote about really sad and personal subjects such as my mother's diagnosis with cancer and subsequent passing. 

Why stop blogging?

• The blogging culture has changed.  Micro blogging through facebook and twitter have taken over.
• I feel I've said all I can and need to say and still respect the privacy of my family, friends and coworkers

I continue to lurk on your blogs.  If you wish to stay in touch via facebook or twitter, please email me at ASUjoan@gmail.com.  Good bye. So long. Farewell

How Do You Watch a Movie? The Many Choices We Have

We have been long time members of Netflix.  Now there's another Netflix feature I'm making a lot of use of in addition to the DVD's - Instant Viewing through the Wii.  (You can also play Instant Viewing through your computer). Almost every day, I access one the their workout videos.  I especially enjoy the 10 Minute Solution series because you can do from 1 up to 5 10 minute workouts. They offer 10 minute solutions in a variety of exercises.  My favorites are Pilates, Target Toning and Kickbox Bootcamp.

I have several complaints about the Instant Viewing: 1) If you just browse a genre, the majority of the videos are not listed. You have to know the name to find it. 2) The offerings are not the most updated and choices are limited especially with movies.  I've heard rumors Netflix will be increasing their selection in light of the postage increase. As technology improves, it will become less expensive to stream movies than ship them. 


The majority of the time we watch Netflix DVD's.  Occasionally I'll go to a Redbox location.  Often my daughter will stream movies on her laptop using Netflix or iTunes.  My son has rented movies through PlayStation3. We use to do pay-per-view through Directv. We rarely buy movies or go to the video store. 

What are your habits? Do you use Netflix, Redbox, iTunes, Amazon, PS3 to watch or stream movies?  Do you still run out to the video store? Do you tend to built up a video library and buy movies or rent more often?

(I'd like to add I am not affliliated with Netflix other than as a member. )

Seeing Morning's First Light (well not quite that early)

Though I didn't set out to make New Year's resolutions, I started making changes in 2010.  First, I worked on eating/nutrition.  I'm not eating as perfect or restrictive as I did in the beginning but I have made some positive steps. Overall I feel I am eating better, I have not had soda since I gave it up for Lent, and I started taking vitamins and supplements on a regular basis. There is another aspect of eating I plan on dealing with and hope to post about down the road. Second, I concentrated on exercise. My primary focus is running but I'm trying other things, too. My workout log is visible on the sidebar. Third, I decided I needed to get up earlier.

In an previous post, I wrote about how I was not a morning person.  I didn't sleep real late like my kids but I thought it would help to get up earlier.  Actually when I do wake up earlier, after a few minutes I am usually glad I did. Also I feel guilty when I sleep too late.  I began the plan a few weeks ago. I confess it was difficult at first especially the mornings I rolled out of bed for a run. I had to set an alarm.  Now it has (almost) become second nature.  I am waking up on my own.  I don't question if I should get up or try to get in a few minutes more sleep.  Let me stop here from patting myself on the back.  I do feel it's easier to get up earlier in the summer.  I am not dealing with the kids going to school.  It has been so hot if I do want to run outdoors, I have to get started around 7 a.m.    On the days I work, I did get up by 7 a.m. My goal was to do this everyday - even weekends.  Currently I find myself waking up around 6:15 to 6:45 a.m.

I got comments previously about morning wake up routines so I'll ask if there are any goals you are working toward now?

On the Runway but No Jack

FedEx has completed a distribution center.  It's been in the works for years causing roads to be re-routed and an additional runway built at the airport. There was controversy in the surrounding neighborhoods over how much noise is would produce.
The new runway has not opened yet but last Saturday a 5k was held on it.  Monies raised went toward lymphoma research.  About 900 people showed up.  For security reasons, we had to board buses and be shuttled onto the runway.  I had flashes of my favorite movie Speed.  Sadly no Jack Traven (Keanu) to rescue me at the end.  I've run in several 5k races but I confess I walked most of this one.  My friend Cindy (in the picture over my right shoulder) asked me to join her.  She doesn't run ... yet so I walked with her most of the time. Near the end we both ran.  I think she may have gotten the fever.  She told me she's starting to add running in with her daily walks.

Gardening On the Run

Summer is here.  I'm still using my Square Foot Garden. The only things I've had success with is tomatoes so that's all I planted this spring.  My plants may be behind my neighbors but there is growth:



No topsy turvy this year.  Last season it produced tomatoes before the other plants but then lagged.  Now birds have taken up in it.  Dealing with birds creeps me out so I let them have it.

Other updates:  I'm still eating healthy.  I've let up a little on my restrictions rather going for moderation instead.  I did give up sodas for Lent in February and have not had any since.  I started back running as I seem to each spring.  In the past I always begin again using the Couch to 5K program.  While I think it is a good program, I feel it's too regimented for me. It's a pain keeping up with how long to run then walk.  I'm having more success right now alternating with some treadmill running.  I find the treadmill is easier and I can run longer.  It helps build up my endurance when I go run outside facing hills and heat.   Mainly, I go by the way I feel not what the program says I should be doing that week.

A Day at the Museums

The metallic tree at the NC Museum of Art


The cool shelter where my daughter and I had a picnic lunch

The Mona Lisa made up of spools of thread hanging vertically from chains


Barbie Carousel Kitchen at NC Museum of History. I had one of these

Keep In Touch

I've said it before but for right now I don't have that blogging feeling.  Of course when I've made that statement before I then roll out about 10 posts.  I'm not shutting Life Southern Suburbia down - too much history.  The Buckeye Outdoors training log and Shelfari will continue to be updated.  I do read your blogs (thanks Google reader!).  If you are on twitter please send a follower request to ASUjoan.  For facebook, email me: asujoan@yahoo. com.  When I do post here, I try to mention it on twitter.  As far as facebook, the majority of my friends don't know I blog (shhhh!)

The Traveler - Smarter or Set in My Ways?

As I am writing this, I am in Charlotte NC.  A much larger city than where I live - about 1 1/2 to 2 hours from home - depending on the destination.  It's the 3rd time I've been in the "Queen City" in a month.  All for different reasons.  Now I'm here with something my daughter is participating in.

I use travel on short trips fairly often.  Not quite as much now. I don't know if I've gotten smarter or more set in my ways but I've developed a routine when traveling.   First of all I pack food and drinks for snacking and avoiding the sugar, carb loaded hotel lobby breakfasts.  This trip I brought along waters, green tea bags, a Lara bar, raw almonds, vanilla coconut milk yogurt, an apple and a pear.  My daughter has her own set of snacks though she did eat the hotel breakfast.  It looks a little crazy packing an extra tote including a little lunch bag with ice packs for a 24 hour trip.

I'm ending up having several hours free this morning after I dropped my daughter off and before I meet a friend for lunch.  Of course I have my laptop so I did a very short exercise video and a likewise short yoga video. 

If I'm with my family in a hotel I still bring the food but forgo the exercise.  If I'm by myself at night, I use my iPod Touch to play white noise usually a waterfall.  I didn't do that here since my daughter was with me.  Fortunately the hotel was quiet.  Still I didn't sleep great.  No Chloe curled up at the backs of my knees. 

My daughter and I did visit a Trader Joe's yesterday.  We don't have one where we live and I wanted to see it.  Small but has a lot of interesting stuff.  I bought some tea.  My daughter got shampoo and conditioner.

Back home tonight.

Do you have any travel routines?

Pick Up the Pace

I usually walk with my neighbor or by myself.  Friday I walked with a group of girlfriends. Oh my goodness.  I wouldn't say they power walked as in that funny technique you see people doing but boy was their pace fast.  One lady did have a dog, too.  I was breathless at times while talking and lagged a little.  I felt so out of shape!  The next day I really could tell especially in my butt.  It was a great workout more so for me than when I ran.  I don't think I push myself like I should when I exercise by myself.  When my neighbor and I walk it ends up being more of a social thing. Unfortunately this group can usually only get together once a week but I did commit to joining them for their next outing.  

Rise and Shine

(image courtesy of Disney)

Despite eating better and overall feeling better the mornings are still difficult for me.  I'm fighting the urge to stay in bed and sleep in just a little longer. I haven't seemed to adjust to daylight saving time but I think that's just an excuse.  I shouldn't complain.  I can get by waking up at 6:45 a.m. For 8 years straight one or both of my kids had to be on the school bus by 6:35 a.m.  I think for the most part I am getting enough sleep and sleeping okay because I am not tired as the day goes on.  I am going to try to make sure I get to bed on time and gradually try to wake up earlier.  Give me about 30 minutes once I am awake and I'm glad I got up.  I like the feeling of being productive in the morning and getting things done.

You are morning or night person?