Running With Scissors

Building A House

Until ten weeks ago, I had never set foot in any type of gym and the last time I tried any type of sport, I was in the tenth grade and it went horribly. So, it has been a very long journey for me to build up the courage to box with the men, and the decision has changed everything for me. I'm in love.

For the first few weeks of boxing I was wearing cut off pajama pants, my brother's T-shirts and bare feet. I went to a few different stores hoping to find something better, but in the world of women's active wear, you can find skin tight yoga pants or teeny tiny running shorts. I couldn't feel comfortable in either style, so I decided to make my own clothes for boxing. I got some heavyweight black sports knit at my local fabric store and I was able to make 3 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of pants, and I'm currently working on a jacket.

Since I was taking the time to make all of it, I decided to add some personalized fighters' details. A lot of fighters have some type of symbol on their clothing. For example, Jim Braddock wore a clover in honor of his Irish blood. Dmitriy Salita is a Jewish fighter and proudly wears the Star of David.

For my symbol I've chosen the sickle and hammer because my greatest inspiration to become a strong person are the female Russian fighters from WWII. They were as strong as the men, they fought with the men, and some day I hope I have as much mental and physical strength as they did.

I like having the sickle and hammer in shimmering gold because when my body is approaching the breaking point and my head starts to fall, it is the first thing I see and it reminds me of my goals and it ignites my determination to keep hitting. It reminds me that there have been women who have survived wars, raised families, and become truly strong and I believe I can do it too.

So, here are the shorts and pants. There isn't anything particularly special about them, they're just the exact fit that I like: high waisted, semi-slim leg, and the length a little above the knee. I'm going to start sparring any day now and if I make it to a real fight I have a beautiful idea in mind for a robe. Wish me luck!

Building A House

House Update: Foundation

12:10 AM

The biggest project I've ever taken on, is building the home we plan to live in until we die.

Luckily, Rhett and I have done everything together, so this house has kind of become another member of our family.

"We're building our own home" can mean a lot of things.

On one end, there are those who literally build everything themselves, nail every 2x4, and in the end they're home is completely constructed from their themselves, friends and family.

We are not that talented.

On the other end are those who hire a general contractor, designer, and supervise and make all the decisions on their home build.

We are cheap and trying to save money.

We are in the middle.

We are hiring all the structural subs and plan to do a lot of the finish work ourselves once it has sheetrock.

I've learned a lot about construction so far and have been grateful for a lot of verbal abuse as a teenager dancing intense ballet that gave me thick skin. Construction is a stressful business and I've found each sub wants to do his individual part his way, not thinking ahead for the other subs who will follow behind. But I have the whole house in mind, down to every inch and so there were some arguments and I felt really manly disagreeing about how to cure concrete on the job site.

But so far most things are how we wanted/ designed/ envisioned.

And I realize we are a horrible client to build for.

We designed the house and have been planning every inch for almost 2 years, so we notice when a wall is 4" out of place, or I have a plan for this space so no you can't frame it flush with the other wall for your convenience.

I guess that is why we decided to be our own General Contractor.

We're too invested and care too much about lots of details I guess.

Footings and Stained Glass part 1

Going To Build

Things are moving along, faster than I expected.

Our goal was to dry in or have it waterproof before snow, and move in before Christmas.

Not sure if moving in will be reality, but I guess it's a nice goal.

SO...the concrete work.

Rhett really wanted to pour 9' basement walls.

I thought it would be nice to have a taller basement, but it wasn't a deal breaker for me.

It wasn't that much more to pour the extra foot of wall, so we went with it.