A Short Drive | Rain, Ice & Finally SNOW! | Allen TX March 4, 2015

Surely, I'm not alone in thinking Texas weather can be a little wacky at times.  These past two weeks are no exception to the wackiness.



We'd all been coasting along, finally enjoying some near-80 degree temps, when suddenly a blast of cold and ice happened, with a little dusting of snow.  Then, a week after that, a repeat.  Warm weather, rain, ice, snow.  All of this just a couple of weeks before spring break (that should probably be capitalized. . . all of it!. . .SPRING BREAK!!).  It's sort of like winter was pretending to happen, right up until spring was due to arrive.  Surprise!  And welcome to Texas. haha!



This short video gives an example of a day of weather transitions.

Enjoy~~ (^.^)v

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Video captured with GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5.

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Some Chat & A Saturday Morning Drive | Allen, Texas

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Saturdays are made special, now.

Instead of sleeping in, us big peeps go out before sunrise to get a cup of coffee and orange juice.  And sometimes, we drive around a bit.  It's a nice little break from the week's goings on.

This last Saturday was no exception, as seen in the vid.  Well, at least you'll see it after the complaining I do at the front of the vid.  haha!

Anyway...
We drove around Allen a little, just a small part of it, and captured fast moving clouds on camera.  Another beautiful day, it was.

Aside from enjoying the weekend, I've been thinking about what videos I should make soon.  For some reason, though, my motivation is lacking.  I know what I want to do, just can't seem to get started.  I'll be working on it!

In the meantime, enjoy the vid.  There's more to come soon!  (^.^)v  

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Video captured with GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5.

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Winter Break & Lost Voice

At last we are on Winter Break!

I like to capitalize the "holiday" because it's quite welcome right about now.  Winter Break is comprised of the couple of weeks in the year during which Christmas and New Year's occur.  Oh, and school is out!

But before all this happened, there were school parties.  And that is where we all caught our latest illness.  Sore throats, aches and chills.  Yep.  And now, nearly a week later, my voice (gruff from chatting and coughing) has given out on me.  So the vids, if I get many  made this week, aren't going to have much talking going on.  Unless, of course, the voice makes a decent comeback.  

In the meantime, I'll be thinking of what's coming next.  You know, for the new year.  I've some plans already.  Here's hoping 2015 is gonna be a good one!

Enjoy!  (^.^)v

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Video captured with Samsung Galaxy S5

Updates: I'm Still Here! (The Excuses for Lack of FitVlogs)

Here they are!  My lame, and not so lame, excuses for falling off the fitness wagon (yet again).

Actually, I just finished a monstrous amount of, well, paperwork of sorts.  And I've researched a subject to near exhaustion.  I hope I filled out the forms right!

More on all of that later.  There's a process that needs to take place before I discuss it at all.

For now, enjoy these vids and whatever vids that follow.

Take care out there! (^.^)v

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Video captured with Samsung Galaxy S5

FitVlog #41 Getting Back to Fit & Nature!

Yeah, I get a little blue during the holiday season.  It's starting to show up in my vids.  Just keeping it real.  haha!

There's hope, yet, though.  I show how a nice walk lifted my spirits a bit.  It's the little things.  Oh, and there's some nature!  Bob Woodruff Park in Plano, Texas.  Nice place, that is.  My favorite part of the vid!

Enjoy! (^.^)v

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Video and stills captured using Samsung Galaxy S5.

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FitVlog #40 Updates & Fighting the Blues

This was the last FitVlog I posted to YouTube before Thanksgiving holiday.  In it, I'm clearly fighting the blues and general burnout. Ha!

Not much has changed, but I'll be resuming the INSANITY workout soon!  I'm determined to finish the program and move on to the next.  I'm not sure I'll record as much video of the next program I do.  I kind of think not many find the videos useful, though they do seem to help me see what progress I'm making or not making.  I'll be thinking on it.

In the meantime, enjoy the video, it may be the last of its kind!  (^.^)v

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Interested in Insanity or any other Beachbody product? Please, see my website for more details: http://beachbodycoach.com/sdchan

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Video captured on GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5

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FitVlogs #37-39!

Yep, I've been slacking off.  And not just here!

For some reason, probably just laziness  I've not moved on to the next Insanity workout.  It could be that it's over an hour long.  Something like 90 minutes long, I believe.  And I've just not had a lot of time these past few days.  I plan to get back to it tomorrow.  I really do.  There isn't quite as much going on the rest of the week, so there isn't much excuse!

In the meantime, here are the other FitVlogs I forgot to post!  You may notice I started to slack off on the last two.  The weather was supreme.  I just had to get out there and use it!  In the last vid, we played a bit of radio tag/hide 'n' seek.  In this game, we're all outfitted with a walkie talkie.  Some hiding happens with a little chatter on the radios, then a chase to the base.  Normally, we play before it gets as dark as it was in the vid.  Also, normally, we'd be in a much larger area, for optimal hiding to occur.  Still, a good time was had.  And, of course, I'm calling it a workout for that day!

Enjoy!  (^.^)v
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Interested in INSANITY! or other Beachbody products?  Check out my website for more details:
http://beachbodycoach.com/sdchan
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Video captured on GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5.
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FitVlogs #33-36! INSANITY Stuff!

The beat goes on~~
Enjoy! (^.^)v

Interested in INSANITY?  Find out more details on my website:
http://beachbodycoach.com/sdchan

Video captured with GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5.
Video edited with Movie Studio Platinum 13.0.

FitVlog #32--Max Cardio Conditioning~INSANITY!

More intense working out has been happening around here.  This is Thursday's workout!  It was actually a bit of fun.

Enjoy! (^.^)v

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Interested in Insanity?  Check out my website for more details!
http://beachbodycoach.com/sdchan

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Video capture with GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5

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FitVlog #31 The FUN Never Ends! Max Interval Plyo--INSANITY!

There might be a thing or two to say about this workout.  I'll just keep it simple, though.  Enjoy the vid! (^.^)v
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Interested in the Insanity workout program?  Check out my site for the details and more!
http://beachbodycoach.com/sdchan
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Video captured with GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5.
Video edited with Movie Studio Platinum 13.
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FitVlog #30--Max Interval Circuit--INSANITY!--OUCH!!

Well, this happened...

Now, I'm off to bed to prepare for tomorrow's workout!  (^.^)v
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Interested in INSANITY?  Check out my site for the details and more!  http://beachbodycoach.com/sdchan
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Video captured with GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5.
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FitVlog #29 INSANITY, The FitTest & Feeling Discouraged

Well, here we are again.  Plugging away at the Insanity program!

Yes, Recovery Week is over.  I enjoyed it!  But, I've missed the routine of the more intense workouts.  No doubt, this second month of Insanity will not disappoint.  In fact, I hope I make it through!

I've heard stories.  They aren't pretty.

And so, here's the video of the FitTest that I'm to do every couple of weeks.  I think I must have missed one!  In any case, in the video are the stats of one of the FitTests I did early on with today's stats.  Not much improvement was seen.  Perhaps, it's because I was in fairly decent shape to begin with.  Or maybe I'd better get a move on!

Today was an emotional one.  Doubts were filling my head that I'll ever finish this program.  And even if I do finish, will I be in good shape?  Somehow I pushed through the excuses and exhaustion.  It's difficult to give yourself a pep talk, sometimes, when you're working out alone.  I recommend finding a group to workout with.  Seriously.  Or talk to me.  :)  We can help each other!  I mean that.  Just some words of encouragement are great.

Enjoy the video!  (^.^)v
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If you are interested in the INSANITY program, or any other Beachbody program, please check out my website:  http://beachbodycoach.com/sdchan
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Video captured with GoPro Hero3 Black and Samsung Galaxy S5  

A Little Storm

Okay.  Yes, I know.  I'm supposed to be posting daily FitVlogs until Insanity is fini!

I had full intention of doing that yesterday, but a storm rolled in.  And me being me, I had to capture it on video.  One never knows what the weather may do.  What if I missed some big happening up there in the sky?  We wouldn't want that.

And so, I bolted down the GoPro Hero3 and commenced to filming the churning green, gray and pink clouds as they blew into town.  I also caught a little of the action on the Samsung Galaxy S5.  It was fun.  I just love the rain!

Enjoy the vid!  (^.^)v

P.S.  There will be a slew of FitVlogs to follow this post.  Just not yet.  I need a nap.  (e.o)
 

A Morning Drive to Irving Texas: On the Road to Freedom

It seems I've been doing a lot of driving videos.  The reason for that is, we've been doing a lot of driving!

The latest adventure was perhaps the most important one so far.  It'll lead to even more adventures in the future.  This because new doors have been opened since Fargo became a U.S. citizen.

In the video, there is a long drive to Irving, Texas, where the Oath Ceremony is held.  I left most of the long drive in the video for a reason, it's symbolic.  This journey to citizenship has been a very long one.  It has taken nearly two decades to reach this point.  That and lots of paperwork, money and waiting.  Suspense-filled waiting.

I could say more about this event, because it is no simple thing.  For now, I'll let it be and learn how to relax a little.

Take care out there! (^.^)v


*Driving video captured with GoPro Hero 3 Black.  
*Still shots captured with Samsung Galaxy S5.

What IS IT?! A Short and True Mystery

The other evening, Big Daughter sent a series of disturbing texts my way.

I laughed, but nervously.  There was truly a mystery in the trunk of her car.  We may never know what the thing was that she found, or how it came to be there.  It was an oddity, to be sure.

Someone knows.  (^.~)
Just not us.

This short video shows the thing in question.  I captured it on my phone (Galaxy S5), making jokes to lighten the mood.  The whole event was strange.  Join us in suspense!

Take care out there!  (^.^)v  

Road Trip! Wichita Mountains Oklahoma

At last!  We made it to the mountains!

I have to admit, this little road trip was much too short for my liking.  A person needs more than a day to see the Wichita Mountains.  Well, this person, anyway.  haha!  I didn't even get to hike some of my favorite trails.  

In the video, you'll see the back roads most familiar to me, on the way to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.  Somehow, I ran out of space on my GoPro, right when we got to Mt. Scott.  No worries, I came prepared, and captured the rest of the action on my Galaxy S5 phone.

As always, the drive up Mt. Scott makes me a little nervous.  Something about the dizzying height and the edge of the road that appears to drop away suddenly.  It's just a small mountain, but one of my favorites.  The view from the top is lovely.  Turkey vultures, or black vultures, circle the mountaintop all day, it seems.  A person might not think a vulture could be beautiful, but when you see them soar, well, they are quite a sight!

The view was breathtaking.  There were rain shafts off in the distance.  I think I could sit on the rocks all day and watch the world.  It's a peaceful place.

I've only captured a tiny glimpse of the Wichita Mountains.  There is so much more to see!  Next time we hope to bike around the park.  I'm not sure if we'll give Mt. Scott a go, though.  Did you see those cyclists going up that mountain!?  Wow!

I hope you enjoy the vid!  Take care out there! (^.^)v   

Bike Ride to Allen USA Celebration 2014

Allen, Texas likes to celebrate our country's independence in a big way!  

On June 28th, the city of Allen put on one of its biggest events of the year.  The Allen USA Celebration 2014!  The headlining group this year, Pentatonix!  Who is Pentatonix?  Check them out on YouTube here:  PTXofficial  

 

As usual, we loaded up the bike trailer with kiddos, jumped on our bikes, and headed towards the big party.  All in effort to avoid parking issues and traffic.  Well, that, and it's just a fun way to travel.  And even though the air was heavy, humid, and sticky that night, I pretty much always enjoy a bike ride.  

I suppose I wasn't prepared to see so many people.  This year over 90,000 attended.  Quite a sight!

We missed out on most of the activities there.  I saw things for the kiddos to do, including a rock wall to climb.  Of course, there was lots of food!  Yep, we missed out on most of that.  Partly because we showed up a bit late, and partly because it's expensive!  (O.o)

You know what...I'll just show you the movie~~  Enjoy! (^.^)v

  

By the way, the video was captured with a Samsung Galaxy S5 and a GoPro Hero3 Black Edition. (^.~)d

    

1000 Eyes in the Dark & Other Silly Things

Alrighty, let's get to it!

We got new phones.  Finally!  As much as I enjoyed the old iPhone 4 (when I first got it), its temperamental behavior and self-inflicted screen cracks had me a bit concerned.  Not to mention that pesky power button that only worked up until the warranty was out.  (cringe)

Now I'm the proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy S5.  It's screen is much larger than the iPhone 4, to be sure.  Funny thing, now that I've had it a while, it doesn't seem all that big!  haha!  Maybe I should've gone for the Mega!  Hmph...  Maybe next time.

So, what was the first thing I did with the GS5?  Well, make a video of course!
And here it is, the first vid taken with my phone.  Maybe someday I'll figure out all the features the phone has and make something truly grand.  (^.~)d

Enjoy~~