Who do you LOVE?

Simple question, not so simple answer.  On this Valentine's Day I reflect on what the day means to me.  In the past it was a time to send secret messages to that cute boy in class to hint of your crush but not blurt it out.  It was also a time to create fun home-made cards with my kids while teaching them to spell.

Recently, it has been a day.  A day just like every other - bombarded with commercials, billboards, magazine and newspaper ads, and bright shinny store displays for the latest and greatest "gadget" to buy your sweetheart.  Whether it's Christmas, Easter, St Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day or even Arbor Day, my head is being filled  with "buy me" from major companies who can quilt-trip me into buying "the greatest thing" or I will not be loved.

Forget it!  Not this year.  I instead want to fill this day with it's original intention......LOVE.  Love like no other.  Love that fills my heart and shines brighter than any display.  Love for my parents (rest in peace Mom & Dad), love for my siblings and their families, love for my husband and my children and their families, love for my friends and neighbors.  Love for my fellow Americans - ALL of them.  Love for all of mankind....even my enemies. Race, religion, political stand.....these should not be reasons to not let my heart fill with love.  This is a hard one.  It is easy for most of us (including me) to judge people and to make them into something we feel is "wrong".  If we walk in their shoes and just for a moment really try to understand where they are coming from we may get a glimpse of their life, their stance, their beliefs, and their situations.  Consequently, we may be able to feel love for them.

That is my goal.  It is a challenge......but I intend to live the next full year with love in my heart for all people.  No judgement, no enemies - only close friends, acquaintances, and those I have not yet met but still hold love in my heart for them.  I will report back Valentine's Day  2013 to let you all know how my year of LOVE went.  Will you join me?  Who do you love?

"And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make,"
Sir Paul McCartney

Happy Valentines Day,
Denise

Reflection-gone in a flash!

Penny and Putty

It is common at this time of year to reflect.  At Christmas we reflect on Christmases past. (I remember my childhood Christmases and my kids' childhood Christmases VERY fondly). At New Years we reflect on the year as it comes to a close. (What a year it has been for the McCoy's.  A whole new chapter has opened up as we have added a new generation to our family.)  Tomorrow I turn 50 and I have been reflecting a lot on my life so far.

I am excited for what is to come but I would be lying if I said I was not a little depressed about the big 5-0.  I know, 50 is the new 30 right.  It's all how you feel, blah, blah, blah. Whatever!  Those are usually people younger than you saying that.  I am taking it stride.  I embrace my age because what it brings is wisdom.  Am I wise yet?  As I pull myself out of the daily operations of The Little Gym of Corvallis and start my next 50 years I wonder;  what will I be when I grow up?

In my life I have been a waitress, a medical assistant, an EEG tech, a massage therapist, a tasting room host at Tyee and Lumos wineries, a gymnastics teacher, a small business owner, a customer service representative, a cashier, a bookkeeper and even a model.  At one time, I was 5 of those all at one time.  My most rewarding jobs (besides the one not mentioned here - a mother) have been the ones in which I was at service to the public.

With my new position in life (stepping away from The Little Gym, Corvallis), I will take on a service project in the form of volunteering.  I encourage each and everyone of you who reads this to consider, if you don't already, volunteering your time to a cause in which you feel is worthy.  Giving of yourself to further the well being of mankind is a wonderful feeling and serves as a great role model for your children.  My dream, is to teach my dog Putty to be a reading dog so I can take him into the hospitals and read with the children who are admitted there.  I am open to any comments, advise or suggestions, please comment here.  I would greatly appreciate it.

In the meantime, I will continue to play with Penelope, do a massage or two here and there, be a mother to my growing children and a life partner to my best friend, Randy.  I may be a little older, but I am wiser and know when it is time to slow down and do something a little different.  Thank you, Denise

Cookies and Fudge and Egg Nog OH MY!

Yummy and pretty Christmas cookies

'Tis the season for packing on the pounds.  I am not much of a dessert freak, however, all of the holiday goodies are my favorite.  Every year at our home, I would make around 10 pounds of fudge (my mother's recipe),  a favorite egg-nog recipe given by a good friend and another 3 pounds of chocolate covered toffee.  Then, on Christmas eve, my family and I would make plates of the goodies for our friends and neighbors, drive to their homes wearing our most festive holiday sweaters singing along with our favorite Christmas CD's.  Then, on our return home, we would feast on the left overs that did not get given away.  This was the McCoy family tradition!  We all enjoyed it very much.  What I didn't enjoy however, is the weight that I seem to gain every year.

Starting in October ever year, I would give my workout a turbo boost to "combat" the bulge.  Unfortunately, to no avail.  I would put on pounds ever year then work harder for the next 4 - 6 months to get that extra baggage off my hips and thighs.  As I get older, it seems to be a longer, harder task than before.  DRAT!

Maybe my turbo booster needed some repair.  Maybe I was not giving it my all.  Why would that be?  Maybe because when I was growing up exercise was never a fun activity.  Especially if I felt I had to do it.  In school, exercise was a punishment.  Hmmmm?  What's wrong with THAT picture.  Could it be I was not enjoying myself.  Or maybe, when I exercised I felt I was being punished.  WOW!  I may have hit on something here.  I think I need a therapist.

Here is something to think about the next time you are exercising:  Exercise should be enjoyed and something to look forward to. Find an activity or two that you truly enjoy doing.  Make a schedule that will be easy to keep so that you feel success (this is very important so be realistic).  Rotate your fun activities and do them for 21 days.  Why 21 days?  Because that is how long it takes to form a new habit.  Soon, you will have the healthy habit of exercising on a regular basis.

Then you can enjoy those candies, cakes and goodies at Christmas time and throughout the year.  Just remember a few words of advise that my mother told me; "everything in moderation!"

Enjoy!

Give your children happy exercise memories, enroll them in classes to teach good physical health habits (I know of a really cool place that boosts confidence and gives a great feeling of success!)

FUNSTRUCTION! A member interview

Meet Jackson.  Randy & I  met Jackson when he was almost 4.  He started coming to our classes but never participated fully.  He observed from the side-lines for 2 whole years.  He would come into opening circle (with his mom in tow) and then they would both head back to the wall to watch the rest of the class from there.  "Each week," his mother Lisa recalls, "he thought he might be ready; each week he wasn't quite."

Jackson stands head and shoulders above others in class.

However, when Jackson and his mom would get home, Jackson would replicate what he'd seen at class (sans all the gymnastics equipment and teachers).  Again, Lisa recalls: "In lieu of a springboard and giant foam cheese wedge (which Jackson desperately wanted), he used what resources were available from the closet: some pillows and a cheesy old exercise mat.  He even sang the songs and pretended to play guitar in opening circle."

At age 6, he was ready and jumped in with both feet.  Fast forward 6 more years; Jackson's feet are a whole lot bigger, his limbs a whole lot longer with a lot more body to move around.  With the fun-instruction (new word: FUNSTRUCTION!) and encouragement from his TLGC teachers, he has gained the confidence to perform new skills.

Jackson comes twice a week to The Little Gym

Jackson, "I've learned to listen to teachers when they are talking and not to interupt.  Also, I've learned to play with people of all ages (and sizes)."  Jackson now stands 5'8".  He is taller than every TLG teacher (even Randy) and still enjoys every minute on our, sometimes too small, equipment.

Jackson's favorite skills are Handstand Forward roll, Dive rolls and Back extension rolls.  He also comes to our Karate class and there he has learned a low block to ride hand.  "I like how I can block and strike in what feels like one move," Jackson told us.

Lisa, "For 6 solid years, TLG has, without fail, remained Jackson's number one, tip-top, absolute favorite choice when presented with a plethora of activities from which to choose.  He comes to a Grade School Gymnastics and Karate class twice a week because this February, Jackson will turn 13.  It is indeed bittersweet for him to age out of the program.  Our family's loyalty to TLG would not exist if it weren't for the entire McCoy family and their terrific crew.  They are the heart and soul of TLG.  They give life to oversized foam wedges (which Jackson still wants) and confidence to kids who look up (or in Jackson's case, down) to them.  They make the kids laugh and ask them for their best.  They truly like kids, and it shows."

This post was bitter sweet to write.  Jackson has been an inspiration to me.  He has shown me that even at the "tween" age, it is still cool to be a kid.  It is cool to be polite and respectful.  If given the right amount of encouragement, you really can do anything you put your mind too: Jackson perfected his handstands, cartwheels, backward rolls and even back handsprings (with a spot of course).  Jackson will be missed at TLGC.  I will have to wait at least 3 years until he can come back (as an instructor this time!).  I would hire Jackson in a heartbeat.

It is at this time of year we all get sentimental and reflect on what we are grateful for.  I am grateful for customers like Lisa and Jackson.  Thankful for the kind words and the trust and love that Lisa and Jackson has shown me and my team over the years.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Winter Break Camp - Just What YOU Need!

Join us at the downtown Corvallis Christmas Parade

‘Twas just weeks before Christmas and all through the house, kids were playing and laughing with Mom and her spouse! Their backpacks were hung in their bedrooms with care, and with oh-so much energy Mom thought, “They should have fun somewhere!” But with her children all nestled and snug in her heart, Mom couldn’t send them just anywhere – her choice must be smart! Suddenly, it came to her, all in a whim. “Let’s send them to holiday camp at The Little Gym!”

front supports on the high bar

Winter Holiday Camp at The Little Gym

The Winter Holiday Camp at The Little Gym is the place to be during this year’s winter break!  Each 3-hour camp will incorporate a theme which may focus on our regular Gymnastics, Karate, Sports Skills or Dance program, and will offer creative, non-competitive “winter-related” games, adventures and challenges on the equipment. We guarantee your child’s “winter break” will be a fun-filled “winter workout!” 

For more information, call us at 541-753-0950 or visit The Little Gym website for themes, dates, times and prices.  Reserve your spot before November 18th and get 5 camps for the price of 4.
2camps+lunch with your teacher= a full day of FUN for them and ___?_____for YOU (shop, prepare for guests, get a massage, go for a long walk, paint the house.......you get the idea)