As a Personal Trainer Tom is always looking for fun ways to get people moving. One of these is SkyBall. It is kind of like ultimate frisbee combined with soccer.
The Rules:
- A team will have 5 players on the field at 1 time (there can be more people on a team but only 5 can be in play at a time)
- Ball can be held for no more than 5 seconds then ball is turned over to other team
- When in possession of the ball, player may advance the ball on foot with 3 steps ONLY
- If at anytime the ball touches the ground, possession changes to other team. Intercepting team gets the ball where it lands.
- NO contact with another player
- No tackling, pushing, grabbing, or slapping of the ball
- Penalty of 1 minute per violation, 3 penalties out of game
- When 2 or more players have held of the ball (more of 2 sec) at the same time A jump ball is played – ref. toss into air – ball is batted to opponent
- When possession is taken by the other team at the goal line Ball must be passed to a team member and passed again before a score is made.
- Any ball that goes out-of-bounds is to be put into play at nearest line
- Ball must travel through FRONT of goal cones, either by passing or by someone traveling 3 steps.
- Goal cones are placed at 6’ for 50 yds and smaller or 8’ for larger than 50 yds
This game is a lot of fun and a great way to get some aerobic exercise. All levels of fitness can play this game. I can barely fun for a minute at a time, yet I had a blast. Tom who is much more fit and athletic does great but we both have fun which is the most important part of SkyBall.

The ball, see nice and easy to catch…unless you close your eyes like I do. Tom is great at blocking but I have learned to use my shortness to and advantage and throw under people.

1, 2, 3 steps then you must throw within 5 seconds.

Ball in play.

Another action shot.
Categories: Bellingham · Certified Personal Trainer · Fun Stuff · SkyBall
This year Tom provided free massages to the participants of the Lake Padden Triathlon
Tom worked the recreational division which looks like it might be a fun goal to work for next year. I wonder if they allow kick boards in the swimming part (I am not a strong swimmer)?
Competitive: Swim 1/2 mile, Bike 21 miles, Run 5.2 miles - Start: 8:30 a.m.
Recreational: Swim 1/4 mile, Bike 10 miles, Run 2.6 miles- Start: 1:00 p.m.
See the recreational doesn’t look to bad, especially if I can have my kickboard and walk the run. Tom will probably do great. I would be happy just to make it to the end.
At the start, it was a cool cloudy morning but the athletes enjoyed the weather.

They have canoe’s and paddlers in case you get tired.

Tom waiting for the racers to come get their sore muscles massaged.

These ducks were happy when the swimming leg was done so they could have their lake back.

So next year hopefully I will have pictures of Tom and I participating…I better start training now
Categories: Bellingham · Massage Therapy · Whatcom County
A couple of weeks ago we went to go pick up a sign. On of the perks to be a real estate agent or agents wife is getting to see so much of beautiful Whatcom County. This particular trip was out to Maple Falls early Sunday morning.

Yeah we hadn’t stopped for coffee…

The mist was incredible, moving and changing with every picture.

Another mist shot because I love them and I had bunches, be happy I didn’t share all of them.

So technically this is not ANOTHER mist shot because it has greenery and trees in it.

I know we have had a cold June but just a reminder of what May looked like.

All the different shades of green in Washington constantly amazes me. Growing up in CA we just did not have this kind of layers upon layers of fabulous green.
Categories: Bellingham · Deming · Real Estate Stories · Weather · Whatcom County
Usually sunset pictures are so dramatic and bright reds. The other night it was beautiful muted tones that I thought should be shared.



Categories: Barkley · Bellingham · Whatcom County

getting nice and toasty notice the attempt at a dog pancake in the back
This is what we usually like to eat on Sunday mornings. A yummy breakfast treat. The extras can be stored and toasted later and you can enjoy the wonderful smell and taste of cinnamon and apples on a busy morning.
1 cup of flour
2 cups of “quick cook oats” (or you can grind up 2 cups of whole oats in blender)
4 tsps of Baking Powder
2-4 tablespns of Sugar (to your taste)
1 tsp of Cinnamon
2 cups of milk
3 eggs
1 large apple grated (skin and all) or 1 3/4 cup of chunky apple sauce
1/4 cup oil or melted butter (optional)
Mix dry ingredients thoroughly.
Mix wet ingredients together in separate bowl, beating eggs well.Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredient bowl, stir well. Let sit about 15 to 30 minutes.
** if batter is to thick then ad more milk one table spoon at a time. This batter should be pretty thick though.
Cook on griddle at 325-350. If you don’t use oil/butter in the cakes you may have a bit of sticking if you do not have a nonstick griddle.
Enjoy with fresh fruit, honey or jam. Or they are good plain.

They smell so good it is hard to resist them
Categories: Bellingham · Family · Fun Stuff · Nutrition · Whatcom County · dogs · food
sometimes no words are needed…








Categories: Barkley · Bellingham · Whatcom County
…the wonderful hiking trails of Stewart Mountain.
On our way to the top
Almost there
Nooksack River
View from the top
We all had a great time
Categories: Fun Stuff · Hiking · Whatcom County · dogs
Received this from a friend this morning…
Summary of Life
GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats..
2) When your Mum is mad at your Dad, don’t let her brush your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
5) You can’t trust dogs to watch your food.
6) Don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
7) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9) Don’t wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
10) The best place to be when you’re sad is Grandma’s lap.
GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.
2) Wrinkles don’t hurt.
3) Families are like fudge….mostly sweet, with a few nuts
4) Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground..
5) Laughing is good exercise. It’s like jogging on the inside..
6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional..
2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.
3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you’re down there.
4) You’re getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) It’s frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
6) Time may be a great healer, but it’s a lousy beautician
7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.
THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don’t believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus.
4) You look like Santa Claus.
SUCCESS:
At age 4 success is . . . . not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is …. .. . having friends.
At age 17 success is . . . having a driver’s license.
At age 35 success is . . .. having money.
At age 50 success is . . . having money.
At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . . . having friends.
At age 80 success is . . . not piddling in your pants.

Picard enjoying his soft bed
Categories: Fun Stuff
Spring is coming ready or not!
Blossoms at Sunset.


Categories: Barkley · Bellingham
This is very funny but is rated PG-13 (so if you aren’t over 13 or are easily offended by body part references please do not read).
It is from The Oatmeal if you want to visit the original link.











Categories: Fun Stuff · Uncategorized