On Big News!

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I feel like I can finally announce that I'll be opening my Etsy shop, Ginger Goddess Designs, this Friday, October 25th!! I'm super excited (and nervous, and anxious) to start this new chapter for my crafting. I've wanted to do an Etsy shop now for years, but never felt like what I was making was marketable enough to sell. Sure, I have friends that ask me to make and do stuff all the time, but I've not been the best about time management so it would take me forever to get anything done and I would end up disappointed in myself. No more. I've got a couple of embroidered items to sell, a screen printed shirt or two, and some items that I'm making specifically for Orlando Psycho City Derby Girls as merchandise. I'm sticking with things that I like to make and I know someone like me would be interested in (younger, female, slightly nerdy and very crafty).

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The idea of having an Etsy shop has been a dream of mine and I'm looking forward to showing everyone the things I've been working on. If you have any ideas or suggestions of things that you'd like to see in my shop, feel free to contact me! I read all of my comments and emails and will consider suggestions that are within my realm of ability.

The OCPDG Straight Jackettes vs Dub City

I went to my first game Sunday after going on a LOA. I wanted to say what a hard-fought game our girls had against Dub City. Im so proud of my girls and the work they've put in. It always amazes me how much they've progressed in one short season. Heres to another awesome game vs Palm Coast on Oct 6th!

Final Score:Straight Jackettes: 96
Dub City: 309

Heres a mashup of the game that I think is fantastic!

Congrats to all the MVPs too!!

Straight Jackettes:

• MVP Pivot: Ruby Ruff ‘N’ Tumble
• MVP Blocker: B-lo the Belt
• MVP Jammer: Amina Acid

Dub City:

• MVP Pivot: Elastic Ass
• MVP Blocker: Bling it On
• MVP Jammer: Dee Klairs War

On my Prayer quilt from my grandma

I went to visit my grandma yesterday after running around for most of the morning. I'd just dropped Mike off at Luna practice (hes learning to skate so he can ref for us!) and was feeling a bit down because I wasn't able to stay and skate (the original plan was that I'd run home with the kids and work on some homework. I realize on my way to drop him off that I wouldn't have time to get home and do anything worthwhile before having to go back and get him). The kids were also driving me insane and my grandma had been asking me to come by because she had something for me.

Not sure why this picture turned but I couldn't figure out how to rotate it back. Blogger fail.

What she had waiting for me was this beautiful prayer quilt that she and my mom had made for me. I'm assuming it was a belated birthday present although she didn't say it was. She's made a bunch of these quilts with the ladies from the church, but this one was just for me, made all by herself with some help from my mom.

Little knots.

The meaning behind the prayer quilt is that its made with love, and covered with a bunch of little pieces of string. Each person takes a piece of string, says a prayer for the person receiving the quilt, and ties a knot. Effectively tying their prayers to the quilt and covering the person receiving it. While I am agnostic at best, it really means a lot to me that she and my mom sat and thought good things for me as they tied the knots. They also left three strings untied, one for each of the boys and one for Mike.

Owls! and one of the knots that were left untied.

I always treasure the things that my grandma makes for me. Shes always been my crafty inspiration (and also my go-to when I'm stuck on a project!) and I know how much time and effort she put into this (the woman is 82 years old for gods sake). I also love the fact that she found really cute owl fabric (I adore little retro owls) and that its obnoxiously bright colors.

My grandma= The coolest lady ever

Thanks grandma and mom!!

On turning 30

Yep, you totally read that right. I've hit the big 3-0 and started a new decade of my life.

Yes, that is a birthday cake with bacon letters

On my birthday, I found myself waking up in a lovely little condo that we rented from AirBnB (if you haven't used their service before, I highly recommend it. We got to stay in said amazing condo for less than a Days Inn) in Austin, Tx. My wonderful man had planned a trip to the San Antonio Seaworld to do a penguin experience with two of our good friends. After Seaworld we drove to River Walk and saw the Alamo. Overall a pretty amazing experience and one that I'm hoping sets the tone for the next 10 years.

Yes, I look a little scary and I'm wearing a fanny pack.
 Sleep deprivation will do that to you. Also, the penguins name is Jordan.

On the hour drive to San Antonio I found myself looking back at the last 10 years of my life and honestly, I'm amazed that I made it to 30 with some semblance of sanity.

During my 20s I had two kids, got married, got divorced, moved 10 times (no joke), changed jobs 3 times, got my AA degree and started working towards my bachelors, had surgery for staph and had my gallbladder removed (within 3 months of each other), my step-dad died from cancer, reconnected with my first love and bought a house... I could keep going. To say its been an eventful 10 years would be a serious understatement.

One of my favorite pictures. Edward was 4 and I was pregnant with Zach. Circa 2008.

While I hope my 30s are a bit more calm than my 20s were, I've already started making plans to do some awesome things. I want to start my own business and be able to work from home. I want to travel as much as possible (with and without the kids). I want to become an A level skater with derby. I want to lose 30 lbs.

I know lots of people talk about goals, very few achieve them. Thankfully I have an amazing support system that I know will help me through all the rough patches and help me celebrate my achievements (just like they've always done).

So, thank you 20s, its been real, but the 30s and I are ready to party!

On Deliberate Practice: Roller Derby Transitions, Part 1- Off skates

Roller Derby is a fast-paced sport. Being able to maintain your spot in the pack, or catch back up quickly after being hit out or knocked down is incredibly important. Its just as important to be able to dodge those blocks, turn around quickly and head back in the right direction.

Sunnylands own Shod N Froyda
Photo Credit: Canonball

I personally am not very good at turning around. This affects not only my game play (I'm less likely to go for a hit that involves me turning around and skating backwards and its more difficult for me to recover when knocked out of bounds) but it limits what I can do during training. Since I'm taking the next two months off of derby (I'm starting up with school again and I have to pass my next to classes or lose my financial aid. boo.) I've decided to take advantage of my time and work on some of the basics. This will hopefully help when I start back up in November and have to re-take my minimum skills test (a WFTDA requirement and all around good idea).

Serial Thrillers Ludwig Von Slaytoven backwards blocking against a Rolling Valkyrie

Congratulations to the Arkham Assailants!

Wow. Thats all I can say about last nights game. The Arkham Assailants vs the Serial Thrillers.

Until last night the Serial Thrillers were undefeated.

Arkham (and specifically the lovely and amazing Amina Acid) came out and pulled in a win.

In the last 2 minute jam of the game.

 From a 16 point deficit.

It. Was. Amazing.



These ladies. Right here. Amaze-balls.

Congrats ladies. You earned it. (oh, and go like their facebook page. DO IT!)

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Color Me Rad: 5k Benefiting the Ronald McDonald House

I decided to do something stupid over the weekend.



Super awesome swag

I ran a 5K! It was an event I did with some of my derby girls. I'd signed up for it months ago with the idea that I'd do the Couch to 5k training and be all kinds of in shape for it.



I was feeling rad

Needless to say, that didnt happen. I think I ran on my treadmill twice. I was really worried I was going to get out there and die.



Clean and pretty before the race



Our group consisted of me, my hunny, my derby wife Steph, her sister Jen (who is also one of my teammates), Jens husband, one of our refs and one of our new Psychos.



We're hardcore



The wifey wasnt planning on participating but a last minute dropout left a space open for her. The race was sold out.

All in all, I did better than I had expected. I ran most of the race, walked part of it and only really ran out of breath once. It was great to have my hunny right there with me cheering me on.



The best part of the race. You can see how much color was in the air (and on the people)



While Im super proud of myself for finishing, It made me realize how out of shape I really am. I have got to start working on my endurance if Im going to improve in derby.



Me and the hunny. Aint we cute?



After we crossed the finish line, there were people handing out waters, granola bars and color packets. I, of course, grabbed Sunnyland teal and Steph grabbed Arkham green.



Being tainted with each others team colors



Wifey love.



She got more color on me than the race did. 



The aftermath

After a bite to eat and a good long shower, I picked the kids up from their dad and took them to a birthday party. After dropping them back off with their dad, I went home and passed out. 

Not a bad way to spend a saturday.

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