Fitness: Staying Motivated When Your Hurt

So I am always been pretty good at working out. I work out pretty consistently 3-5 days a week doing something. This year, I have noticed there seem to be certain times of the year when I get burnt out. I am sure that happens for everyone. My times seems to be when I'm overwhelmed with work or if I have something hurt/ sprained. Recently my knee has started hurting down the outside of my leg me when I run. After reading some articles and talking to a friend, I think I have strained my IT band. That's your isolateral band that runs down the  outside of your legs from the hip to ankle. So today is dedicated to stretches and excersices to keep me motivated and working out some while it heals. Here is what I've found and tried that seem to be helping 

The Hundred Dollar Green House

Finally I am getting around to blogging about the greenhouse I built, last weekend,with a tiny bit of help from my husband Jason. First off I made a supply list and took a trip to Lowes for gear.  Jason, just happened to be at work, so I was pretty proud of myself once I got the trailer hooked up and ready to go. All supplies costed about $100. The most expensive piece was the plastic. I have a huge roll left. You could probably get by with buying a 50' by 50' instead of 100'.

Supplies I used:
3- 20 foot thin wall pvc pipe
4-2x2's 8ft long
3-8 ft 2x4's
1- roll of dog fencing
6-24 inch pieces 3/8" rebar
300- 8 inch zip ties
1- 50'x100' roll of 6 mil greenhouse plastic
2- rolls of white duck tape

The trailer was necessary to pick up the 3 pieces of 20 foot pvc pipe. If you have a pick-up available a trailer may not be necessary. Either way be prepared to have some sticking off and tie it all down really well before you leave.

Here is what it looked like when I got it all to the backyard. The first thing I did was to measure out an 8x8 space where I found a good sunny spot. I marker the corners of this 8x8 space with spray paint. Next I placed the 4-8ft 2x2's in a square on the marks. I attached them together with screws. Then with a hammer drive rebar pieces 1 foot into the ground on each corner. These will be anchors and hold the pvc pipe up. Go ahead and measure 4 feet to the middle and do the same with the other two pieces of rebar. My pics don't show this because I did this step at the end (mine needed more support)

Next I unrolled the dog fence wire and started attaching it to the frames with zip ties. This step took a while but was well worth it when the metal frame was attached to the pvc pipe. Note mine didn't have the third pav brace. I added it at the end for more support. I recommend it you are spanning 8ft you have 3 braces. 

Up to this point I was working solo. I discovered it would be helpful while putting the plastic on and taping the seems to have an extra set of hands. Luckily Jason came him and helped me layer on and tape the 6 mil. greenhouse plastic. I opted for 6 mil over the 3 mil so that it would hold in more heat. Creating a better greenhouse. 

Then we built a frame for the door with the 3-8 ft 2x4's. Measurements depend on how your curves on your pac are. Make sure you measure twice, so you only have to cut once. I bought no materials in building the door. I used scraps left over from when we built our fence to built a simple rectangle door frame. I had to go junkin' to find repurpose some door hedges. I attached them to the door and the green house was ready. This project took about 8 hours. I have my seeds inside and we are getting ready for spring planting!

First Party and Spring Planting

I had a big weekend. This weekend my mom Sara, had the first Dusty Cowgirl Designs party for me and it was a huge success! So many of our friends and family came to support me, see my designs and get some yummy snacks thanks to Mama Ginny and my mom, Sara. The party gave me the confidence necessary to host more parties and has already opened doors to other related projects. I am attaching a photo from the party... I know it isn't very clear but I took it with my iPhone. I will have to start carrying my dslr around with me now!

Also today it started out pretty warm here in OIB so I started some seeds. Fingers crosses that they will grow. This is my third time doing this. First time with my grandpa went great, second time in high school went well, so I used the same process which is pictured below. Lets hope my coleus and lavender germinate!

This is what kind of seeding mix I used. Bought from Lowe's for about  $5 a bag. 

Then I mixed it with water in my wheelbarrow.

Then added the mix to small Jiffy planters, I choose these because the were cheap and decomposable. You can plant them right in the ground if you want. 

Now the baby seeds are in my garage waiting out the cold and Jason and I to get the green house built for their home until after the last frost.

First Post!

Dear Readers,
Well this is my attempt and running a blog... I am not sure I can keep this up. Creativity I've got, computers skills, ok, check. Time.... err... That may be where I am running short. You see if you are just getting to know me, as most people will be. I am a jill of all trades. I am currently a first grade teacher in a small beach town in North Carolina. I love to sew, paint, photography,diy, decorate and nest in my first home. I am also an avid snowboarder and oh yeah I like to paddle board. I have a love of yellow labs and palomino ponies! See why I am short on time? I am starting this blog to show off everything from my craftiness to my adventures in life. Thats why the blog is going to be called Dusty Cowgirl adventures. Keep reading for the latest posts and photos of my life!

-The Dusty Cowgirl