by Sarah | May 8, 2013 | All About Family, All About Indiana, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Indy Geek Girls, Random, The Reluctant Hoosier
I make no secret of my geek status.
I wear it proudly.
What makes me even more proud is when my kids show their geek.
Begging for movies that only proud geeks would watch instead of yet another re-watching of an animated story.
So when I got wind of the Indiana State Museum’s Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit? I knew we had to go.
And thanks to this awesome job I have…I got to go to a special preview of the Millennium Falcon ride with the great group of local bloggers I’ve been privileged to be a part of.
And?
It. Was. Awesome!!
The 4-D effect of the ride, sitting in he cockpit and feeling the ship jump into lightspeed and rock and bump, the shock of space objects crossing close by. was amazing.
On top of that, we had storm troopers and sand people to help take the experience to the next level.
In just a few weeks this incredible exhibit is going to open for real, and I cannot wait to take my kids! It’s just one of those rare activities that is great for both adults and kids. There are definitely not enough of those around, we tend to try to soak them all up.
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by Sarah | May 5, 2013 | All About Indiana, All of Us, Blogging Life, Indy Geek Girls, Photography, Scavenger Hunt Sunday, The Reluctant Hoosier
It has been far too long since I participated in SHS. I’ve missed it, and I’ve missed using my camera. I’m feeling a little rusty, but overall, I’m glad to be back and loving the photos I captured in the chaos of my week. I have so many more to share in coming days, but I limited myself for SHS. No quotes this week because it’s 2AM and I should be sleeping.
All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.
1. Background
Trying to be goofy, being photo-bombed by the camera-hog-wanna-be-model
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She refused to pose WITH the stormtrooper, but let me get her hovering in the background
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2. Spotted/Dots
Gorgeous dress on display at the museum.
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A spotted hedgehog in the wall art at the children’s hospital
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3. Weather
Sun vs….
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Rain
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4. Motion
Pendulum
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Twirl
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5. Sweet
A rare sight, a picture of my fam (ignore the teen sticking his tongue out…the one great pic of them all and he pulls that ~sigh~)
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‘Nuff Said
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You can find more pictures over at my flickr account.
Scavenger Hunt Sunday is run by the beautiful Ashley. Head on over to see more Hunters.
by Sarah | Feb 18, 2013 | All About Molly, Blogging Life, Indy Geek Girls
[flickr id=”8475700237″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]A few weeks ago I posted about Molly’s dream of being a “fashion girl”. Never did I imagine that making that simple post would allow me the honor of being able to help one of my children achieve their dream so quick.
One of the Indy Geek Girls, Katy, contacted me that same day and said that she might have an opportunity for Molly to be a model on the local morning news. She needed to check details, but it was a good chance she could be a model within the month. By last week it was a done deal & I just had to keep the tremendous news from Molly so she wouldn’t freak out too early. By Wednesday I caved and the next day was chaos.
Friday morning, bright and early we got up, we fixed our hair and makeup and hopped in the truck. Not before a few rounds of “are we there yet?” we managed to arrive about 40 minutes later.
[flickr id=”8476791438″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]By this point Molly was practically bouncing out of the truck, and my tummy was twisting in knots. How would she react in this place with all the excitement and new people and strange situations and cameras everywhere?
After a short time we were able to get her dressed and camera ready. She was bouncing out of her skin as we waited for the commercial break so we could head into the (surprisingly tiny) studio.
Finally the time came and Molly Cass was called on camera. At first, she later told me, she was afraid of messing up. It showed in her ‘deer in the headlights’ expression and the shuffle of her feet. Then…then she saw herself on the monitor and it all changed. She smiled and shone…and life was amazing.
For the rest of the day she was on Cloud 9 and even today she’s still talking about it and asking when we can “go back to Fox 59”. 🙂
I thought living my dream was amazing…
It’s nothing compared to watching your child live theirs.
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*~*~*
Molly’s outfit was provided by Blue Eyes & Barefeet.
by Sarah | Nov 10, 2012 | All About Erik, All About Family, All About Me, All of Us, Blogging Life, Indy Geek Girls
When you’re younger, making friends is so simple.
You meet at the playground and an instant friendship forms. You sit next to someone at your desk in class and in no time you’re best buds asking to sleep-over.
When you’re an adult it’s harder.
You have a lifetime of experiences, traumas, joys, and broken hearts to muddle through. Walking up to a random stranger in a grocery store and creating a friendship seems – well weird to our grown up brains.
A few weeks ago my friend Heather was talking about a book she’d read – [amazon_link id=”0345524942″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]MWF seeking BFF[/amazon_link] – about a woman that set out to find a new BFF by going on one ‘friend date’ a week for a year. Something I would never have the courage to do.
After I stopped working to take care of my girls – my ‘friend’ world sort of disappeared. I’m terminally shy when I’m not in a theater situation. Even meeting my own neighbors gave me a case of the nerves. Erik is similar for different reasons and in different ways. For a long time I felt a isolated. I loved being home, but I missed having friends to chat with. While I’d gone to high school in Indiana – I didn’t know anyone in the town we live in now. I also didn’t like going out with two very young children, one of whom gets over-stimulated in crowd situations.
Through the past six years of blogging, and most especially the past three years of becoming more involved in the local blogging community, not to mention it being easier to get out with older children than with two babies – life has managed to help me find those elusive adult friends. Somehow life has even managed to do the same for my husband.
We’ve met intentionally, accidentally, incidentally, and yet somehow all of the friendships were destined-to-be. From neighbors that I finally got out to meet, to bloggers that totally used to intimidate me & now make me laugh harder than I’ve laughed in years, to people life threw into my (or Erik’s) path at just the right time.
I’d forgotten what it felt like to have a circle.
It’s a really good feeling.
by Sarah | Oct 22, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Me, Blogging Life, Indy Geek Girls, The Reluctant Hoosier
Of all the things I thought I’d do in my life – scaling a pseudo-mountain wasn’t one of them.
This Friday I did just that.
Thanks to The Crag in Brownsburg I got to scale rock walls, challenge my pitiful out-of-shape body – and laugh at some of the best innuendos I’ve heard in years with my friends.
The Crag is a great indoor climbing facility tucked away in Brownsburg that has walls from “easy” to extremely challenging.
[flickr id=”8104337222″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]A group of us went, within about five minutes we were trained on tying ourselves to the ropes and belaying. The staff was super friendly and helpful, and even clued us in on where to start for the easier climbs (although it wasn’t long until the dares for the harder climbs began).
I was a total newbie to the climbing thing, and sadly mistaken at how much I’d be able to do. It was super difficult, and I’m still feeling the aches in my shoulders and upper arms days later. Much as they tell you to use your legs, your arms get killed.
[flickr id=”8104322567″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Thing was, much as it hurt and tough as it was, every accomplished climb was a rush of adrenaline and pride. Every single one of us set forth to climb onto a platform, and we all did, making our strong pose – even those that were afraid of heights.
I’m ready to go back. I just need someone to go with me. Best part is that it’s not that expensive. A day pass for those over 8 is $20 – and for those under 8 it’s only $12. But there are weekly specials that are super worth it. Wednesdays are their canned food drive. If you bring in 2 cans of food, you get your pass for $12.
[flickr id=”8104333850″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]Friday nights are Family night. It’s $30 for the first 2 members (a $10 savings) and then only $5 for each additional family member. That’s only $40 for a family of four. You can’t go to the movies for that folks – and rock climbing takes teamwork and communication.
The best night, of course, is date night. $15 for the two of you. You’ll be challenged, you’ll laugh, you’ll have to be there to support each other going up and coming down. Again, cheaper than a night at the movies and better for your marriage then sitting the dark for an hour and a half.
So if you’re in Indy…get thee to The Crag. Some tips – don’t wear heavy sneakers. Wear shoes cut closer to your feet so it’s easier to plant your feet against the wall. Wear pants – you need to have those harnesses nice and tight. And be prepared for sore muscles and possible blisters.
View all the pictures from our night HERE in my flickr acct
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*The Crag treated me and some of my fellow IndyGeekGirls to a night of climbing free. All opinions and achingly sore muscles are my own.
by Sarah | Jul 20, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Erik, All About Indiana, All About Me, Blogging Life, Bucket List, Indy Geek Girls, The Reluctant Hoosier
[flickr id=”7604254726″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Ever since the Super Bowl back in January all anyone in Indiana can talk about is the zip line. I never stepped one foot in Super Bowl Village – but I wished I had just for the zip line.
About two months ago I found out about Go Ape! Right in my own backyard here on the West Side, inside Eagle Creek Park, is a place where you can zip line, do Tarzan Swings, and just climb through the trees like a monkey. You can really Go Ape!
So I rounded up some friends, my husband, a few of their husbands, and we swallowed our fears, strapped on a harness, and climbed.
Did I say fear? Yeah, fear.
After the “bunny hill” courses that are only a few feet off the ground – you climb and climb. High up off the ground you make your way through 5 courses of increasing difficulty – and as a bonus every course ends with the zip line.
I admittedly screamed at every one.
Out of pure joy.
[flickr id=”7604174320″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”] The last three courses have options for your routes. You can do “moderate” or “difficult” on course 3 – and on courses 4 & 5 you have your option of “Difficult” or “Extreme”.
I chose the difficult routes because I wanted to challenge myself. After all, I am wiping this sucker off my 45X45 list (“Do something daring”) – because it scared me. Holy cow am I glad I did. Knowing that I challenged myself, conquered my fear, and took the leap (literally on the Tarzan Swing) makes me feel strong and empowered.
[flickr id=”7604240872″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] The whole course left us feeling strong and empowered. Even my husband – who is terrified of heights, bridges, and couldn’t do the last Tarzan Swing (seriously, frightening stuff there) made his way through the course and felt so proud of himself for it – not that he’d do it again. ;).
It was a great ‘day date’ activity for us. It is an amazing team building activity too. Spending our time encouraging each other and cheering each other on (or is that daring each other?) to get through these courses cementing our bond of friendship.
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We all left swearing to do it again.
After all, it’s in our own backyard and a combination of fun, adrenaline pumping, and an intense workout. Best of all? It’s $55 a person – and it takes you at least three hours to get through the full course. For teens it’s only $35, but you are responsible for them and limited to how many you can chaperone (Age limit of 10, height limit of 55″).
*~*
*Disclaimer: Me & 10 of my friends were given free tickets for the day by Go Ape. All the fun I had and my opinions are all my own.
I make no secret of my geek status.
