Kirkwood Mom Starts Blogging!

Well, here I am, Kirkwood mom...blogging away.

When Patch asked for bloggers in our area, from parents, and also from those with an interest in physical fitness, I jumped on it right away. People will want to read what I write, right? Right?

My interest in parenting comes from, well, being a parent. I have two boys, currently in eighth and sixth grades. We are proud they attend Kirkwood schools. Most recently I helped out cleaning up after a staff appreciation luncheon for the staff and teachers at the middle school.

Very glamorous "work," cleaning up trash, packaging leftovers, and of course, washing dishes. Truly, though, this is extremely rewarding. I was thanked by all the staff and teachers I saw that day. I gave credit each time...the heavy work really lies with the coordinators of these projects, who not only do the planning and coordinating leading up to that day, but were at school from set up at 9 a.m. through the completion of clean-up at 2:30 p.m. Hats off to all volunteers, in schools and out!

We had a great Mother's Day. Ours consisted of my choice of activities: a picnic at Sugar Creek Park (where I used to take my kids to the playground when they were toddlers) and then coming home and forcing my family to watch one of my favorite movies, Gone With the Wind.  I figured, what other day could I make this happen?  They enjoyed it, with only a few dozen deep sighs/groans to let me know what an amazing sacrifice they were making for me, their loving mom. I highly suggest this for your future Mother's Day traditions! Not necessarily Gone With the Wind, but whatever 4-hour film you really love!

Patch wanted bloggers interested in physical fitness. My interest in physical fitness came later in life...not just post-children, but post-cancer diagnosis. Searching for answers, I learned we all can boost our own immunity against such diseases by simple, regular, good ol' fashioned exercise.  I started out with walking.  Then I purchased a VHS tape at Target of something that looked interesting: yoga.  I've worked my way up from a two to three time per week exercise girl doing 20 minutes in my living room (at the most) to being a fitness instructor at The Lab Gym on Forest Park Avenue!

I have also completed several half-marathons and one full one. But as a good friend from college enjoys reminding me, "Carola, remember when you used to say you hate to sweat?"  She is right, I did.  I detested physical activity.  While living in my very first apartment in Maryland Heights, I was known to drive from my very first apartment to my very first apartment pool, a distance of probably, oh, 75 feet. Okay, maybe it was 100.

I frequently can be found on several times a week. I am the one smiling and saying hello, even to the unfriendliest of walkers, bikers, runners and roller bladers. Most of the trail goers are friendly, however.

Around town in the past couple weeks, I've enjoyed at , brunch at , dinner at , and frozen yogurt at Yo My Goodness! and also Red Mango. I do enjoy cooking but adore eating out, especially at locally owned establishments.

I look forward to writing, sharing and observing our life in historical and beautific Kirkwood and Webster Groves.

See you around town!