Center Stage Store

See what is new and selling at Center Stage Designs
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Urban Hiking

Been urban hiking on weekends but haven't been training for any runs, haven't run even since the 5k. Just turned 50 last week, thank you to all who sent birthday cards and wishes it is really encouraging. Joined AARP, why fight it, right, might as well get the discounts. Enjoy the pictures. The large cross is at the top of a hill overlooking San Francisco, in memory of the Armenian war in 1903, where 1 million Armenians were killed by the Turks. I did sign up for the Team In Training for Lymphoma and hope to be training with them next month, so will keep you posted. Thanks for all the support. God bless, http://www.MargieWongMusic.com

We Did It

Our first run under the belt. Thanks Genie! Thanks to all of you who supported me financially meeting the goal of $300 and raised $350. Was not as hard as I thought it would be to run and a lot of fun, with people running and walking, no pressure just out there having fun raising money for a good cause. I wasn't even tired at the end, so am really confident for the next run. Met some new friends, Yvonne and Sara, and saw old ones too, Maria, Laurie and Kathy. But most important, got a free tee shirt, the first of many I hope.
As much as this was for fund raising and personal fitness for me it was about fear. The older I get the more challenged I am to over come fear in my life. Granted in this world there is a lot to fear, but much of it is in our own personalities, mind and spirit and can be overcome. In this case I am trying to overcome my fear of people and groups, or gatherings. The challenge wasn't in the running it was in the being there. I was an alcoholic for 18 years, until God completely delivered me from it, and am still challenged on how do I life this new life without fear or crutches or even excuses or complaints. To me this is the challenge. Last year I took a class at the gym that also challenged this fear and was confident and successful. This run is furthering this growth process. I like new places and seeing and meeting new people and find it rewarding and to me really being alive, but it is always easier to say to do something than to do it so this was fun and successful to me personally. I volunteer at the hospital for the chaplain, to visit, pray and encourage people and even in this there is that element of fear, what do I say, how will they treat me etc. In this I am still trying to be consistent and successful. My fears inevitably get the best of me on it weekly, with excuses not to go, but when I over come these fears I am so blessed and meet the nicest people. Great people who are not forgettable, like the man in intensive care all hooked up and in pain wanting to know how to volunteer himself, or the many people I prayed with that God touched, people of all faiths and backgrounds, that were so glad I came. Fear, I will overcome you completely someday and not be moved or beaten by your negative spirit. Thank you again for all your support, and will keep you posted on my progress for the next run. My ultimate goal is to run the Bridge to Bridge in San Francisco, a half marathon! God bless.

Spring Training

Still training with Genie. Today hiked 2 1/2 hours in the Santa Teresa county park hills. Hot and sunny, was overall dry on the trails just here and there mud along the creek path runoffs. We hiked to the top and the farther up the more wildlife. Saw wild turkey and as we were starting down a coyote crossed the path ahead of us. We stopped and turned around hoping it wouldn't see us, but it looked at us as it went up the hill. We walked briskly then ran a little ways as fear sat in imagining Genie as lunch. On the way I picked up a stick because there are mountain lions and wild boar up there as well and wasn't sure how I would fight it all off. But we made it back unscathed. I told a couple hiking that I saw a coyote and they said their friend was hiking on the other side of this part of the park with her dog and two coyotes attacked her dog. They said she is a tall woman and fought them off and ran away with the dog. Am considering carrying mace and an air horn for defense. Yesterday walked an hour in Los Gatos with everyone petting Genie and her socializing with all the dogs. Saturday took a 90 minute walk around the neighborhood with Dave and Genie. The walks and hikes I consider training because anything is better than nothing. Saturday is the big run, the first of many to come I hope. Come out in support or participate as well. Lake Almaden Park in San Jose at 8:30. Thanks for the support and contributions for CPC

http://www.gifttool.com/athon/myfundraisingpage

Sunny California

What a beautiful few days. Sunny and hot. Today we went to the beach, great hot sunny weather. Walked for two hours on beach, yesterday about 5 miles in neighborhood and Monday ran 7 miles around neighborhood. Enjoy the pictures and thanks for donating to CPC
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/myfundraisingpage

Spring Break Portland

Last week was spring break so went to see my daughter in Portland. We walked everyday since Dave doesn't run we still walked at least 6-10 miles everyday to places like Voodoo doughnuts, Pearl Bakery, Waffle Window and Stumptown coffee. Admittedly did get out of the running routine especially since I also got a calcium deposit on my left shoulder causing severe pain and got an mri and a cortisone shot for it. Have been on Vicadin and anti inflammatory meds for more than a week. But have kept up the walking daily. Enjoy the pictures and if nothing else will walk the 5k if cannot run. Please contribute to such a worthwhile cause for Community Pregnancy Centers
gifttool.com/athon/myfundraisingpage

Day Nine

Went for a short run yesterday and a long walk today. Again two gorgeous days, warm and sunny though they say rain to come. Pictures of the hills and wild flowers, the camera phone doesn't do the color justice, the bright greens and yellows.
Thanks for all the support, God bless
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/myfundraisingpage

Crocheting

Sometimes I think I have add because I get bored so easily. Have been crocheting hats for the oncology ward at the hospital, they work up quick in an hour or so, and since visiting the NICU ward am now making baby blankets. They take much longer however in several hours. Here my personal trainer is modeling one. Crocheting is so addicting and I love doing it, so much so that in the eighties I made a living at it. I had my own booth at craft shows from San Francisco to Monterey and sold in antique stores or linen stores. Handmade crocheted afghans, my specialty being an original pattern fisherman knit. Aunt Margie's Afghans and I made them during the week while I watched my kids and daycare kids, then sold them on the weekends at art and wine shows. They were very popular and unique and one store owner I sold them too was an interior designer and told me what colors were hot and I sold even more with her advice. But alas my arms wore out and I got tendinitis in my shoulders from the repetition of movement. I could make a full size afghan in a day, was really fast. So now can only make so many and have to stop. Getting ready to run now, God bless and please support the CPC and my 5k at
http://www.gifttool.com/athon/myfundraisingpage

Day Eight

Went for a short run in the neighborhood. Another pretty trail through the houses. This one is more necessary than the other trail, it divides the streets into cul de sacs and increases the property value. At the end of the trail is a huge park and power lines. When the kids were little there was a real estate agent named Rick Funk who used to put on Easter egg hunts in this huge piece of grass. It is all grass and bushes no playground or anything and you can hear the buzz of the power lines set right in the middle of it. The whole neighborhood turned up in the eighties for it. For Christmas he used to go on a horse drawn carriage around the neighborhood dressed as Santa. He hasn't done this in years but was really memorable and fun, was totally free to everyone, like his way of thanking the neighborhood for his business. Only ran 2.9mile today, was hot and in the middle of the day, tire easily when hot.
Thanks for your support http://gifttool.com/athon/myfundraiser

Day Seven

This was a colorful route that I had only taken walking in the dark hours of the morning or riding a bike through years ago. Went 5.78k today through the neighborhood and a park trail that goes through the neighborhood. This trail has been there over 30 years and was just dirt up until a few years ago when they beautified it spending of coarse millions of tax dollars for what I believe to be completely unnecessary. The trail was accessible and fine the way it was now it is paved and fancy with landscaping and trees. Anyway another beautiful day, hot and sunny, ran the whole way in 55 min. Still working on time to go faster, but confident of ability at this point. Was going to ride my husband's free American Express points bike which I rode the other day no problem but now the breaks are honking like a duck. My bike needed the tires pumped up and the valve broke off so need to get that fixed. I fixed up the bike last year after at least 10 years sitting outside in the rain and weather. Put on new tires, got off all the rust, new tape and seat and for $60 it rides like new, thanks to the help of my husband and daughter's boyfriend. I bought the bike in 1979, Raleigh Record Ace. Bought it for $200 then and it is $200 now, expensive then, cheap now. My other bike from 1981 is a Peugeot made in France that I gave to my daughter for college. Bought that for $400 then and is $400 now, wild. Thanks for your support,God Bless
http://gifttool.com/athon/myfundraisingpage