Hoopin'!

It is with great honor, and affection for the curbside, that I introduce my exciting new pastime:

Hula hooping!

Would you believe that two stunning hoops were being heartlessly abandoned by the roadside? I certainly can not!As fate would have it, the glorious scavengers of Webb were driving past these poor deserted specimens - picked them up, and made a late-night drop off by my mailbox.  Imagine my surprise, when I came back from rehearsal to find two hula hoops awaiting me at 9:30PM!This is even more exciting than one might imagine, because for I have been trying to secure a good hula hoop for some time to no avail.  I even went to the hardware store to try and buy all the parts to make one myself, only to be foiled at every understocked turn!I also got a new shirt for 25¢ which I am very much in love with:

 Also I really love moccasins...a lot

How to begin hooping:

1.) Get a crazy look on your face as you flail about trying to keep the hoop going.

2.) Realize, hey wait - this isn't that bad!

3.) Panic again, as your false hope has made you loose your rhythm and your hoop is escaping once more!

4.) Repeat until the hoop falls down - repeat whole process to your heart's content!

Now Wrap Like This

While summer seems universally loved for all, there are times when the heat and humidity make me feel like I'm literally living in the Amazon rain forest.  Some times you've simply got to combat the heat with a little hot weather vibe of your own!  In this instance, I turned to those most wonderful fabric rectangles: the sarong!

Just slip a swimsuit, tank top or whatever your comfortable (and cool) in and you're ready to go.

 

If you were wondering how you might achieve this same excellent outcome with a simple fabric rectangle, allow me to introduce my method of sarong tying.  While there are literally hundreds of ways to tie them, this is one of my favorites.

Contrary to popular belief, this tutorial was not done in badly photoshopped clouds...

1.) Fold the fabric in half around your body. Take the corner of the front part and bring over your shoulder

2.) While you hold the corner over your shoulder, bring the fabric that was behind you around your waist.

3.) Hold the fabric you just wrapped around your middle behind your back.  Then twist the edge that was over your shoulder for a less bulky look.

4.) Take the two ends and tie them together behind your back.  This might take some audience assistance depending on your fabric length.

5.) If you feel like being snappy, pin up one of the front fabric layers for another nice little drape like I've done on my right side.

YOU'RE DONE!

The Great Outdoors

Behold...

The Great Outdoors!

Home to all sorts of exterior adventures and fun waiting expectantly on the other side of your front (or back) door!

Here's a quote to tickle your thinker:

A study conducted by Gentile, Lynch, Linder & Walsh (2004, p.6) "adolescent girls played video games for an average of 5 hours a week, whereas boys averaged 13 hours a week".

Here's what I think:

Tactile, oxygen-pumped experiences are way too fun to pass up for virtual substitutions.

Can't remember what to do when you go outside for fun?  Fear not! Here are some brain jump-

starts to get you headed in the right direction:

Outdoor adventure #1:

Bubbles:

Bonus: unexpectedly cleans your face in the process!

Outdoor adventure #2:

Critters:

Need some more ideas? Check out an older post on recycled boat-making!

So whether you're 5, twenty, 50, eighty-two, or 100+ there's something for you right outside your door.  You've got a life, and you've got a whole planet to romp about on!  

Welcome to:

The Great Outdoors!

What do you like to do in the great outdoors? Leave a comment below if you fancy.