Whose idea was this anyway?!?!

There are several things that I have seen in my lifetime that makes me ask the question, whose idea was this anyway? For instance, Bull Riding. I want to know what cowboy was sitting around a camp fire one night and “bing,” like a light bulb, he decided to tie a Bull’s balls to one end of the rope, hold the other end of the rope in his hand and see how long he can stay on the Bull’s back. How does that happen? No, I mean really, someone please explain that to me. Then out of nowhere the sport takes off like wild fire and you are considered “brave” for doing it. Now I won’t talk bad about the cowboys that partake in this sport, but there has to be a little bit of crazy in their brain….well, maybe more than a little bit.

With that said I, too, am a victim of a crazy idea that has taken off like wild fire. I have a new addiction that I love and hate at the same time. It’s the best thing in the world, and yet, somehow, it’s the worst thing in the world. I have no idea who thought this would be a good idea, but man oh man, do I love it! What is this strange event that I partake in, you ask? Well, it’s Hot Yoga.

For those of you who have not experienced Hot Yoga, it is essentially Yoga done in a room that is heated, typically to a temperature between 106 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit with about 95% humidity. It’s freaking Hot! I know what you skeptics are thinking, how bad can it be… its just yoga? Ummm, no! This is by far, one of the most difficult workouts I have ever done. Not only are you forced to hold positions that your body just wants to fight, but you are quite literally dripping sweat. I move into my down dog (let me give a minute for those of you whose mind is now in the gutter) and all of the sudden my vision is blurred from the salty sweat that has run from my chin into my eye socket. As I move through to my warrior II there is a steady stream of sweat dripping from my elbow.

Down Dog


Warrior II

For those of you who are still skeptical, let me tell you about the macho man who thought the same thing (and no, I am not referring to Andrew, he did quite well in his first hot yoga experience).

As I was sitting in the hell room, as I will refer to it, I was trying to center myself and adjust to the room to get a better workout. About 10 minute before class a young lad walks in wearing sweat pants, a sweat shirt, and a toboggan (aka stocking cap, hat, etc.). Several of the ladies in the class just looked at him and smirked to themselves because we all knew what was about to happen….homie was about to get schooled by a bunch of ladies.

He had a very cocky attitude and several times made comments to his companion about what a joke this would be and how he couldn’t believe he was there. Ha….. my friend….. Ha!

It didn’t take long for his innocence to be taken by the yoga Gods. Within 10 minutes the hat was off. Five after that, there goes the sweatshirt. His was absolutely drenched by the time we started to crocodile, or chaturanga for the yogis (lower a push up to about 2 inches off the ground and hold), which he was unable to hold for longer than 2 seconds. The ladies of the class kept looking at him as he would fall and sigh because he just couldn’t quite get it. I think he lasted a total of 45 minutes and he left. Yes, he left! Just couldn’t hang in there with the big dogs.

Crocodile/Chaturanga


The best feeling in the world is all of us looking at each other and knowing exactly what the other thought “serves him right for thinking this was easy!” Let this serve as a lesson to all you who think Hot Yoga is for the weak! There is one thing that yoga doesn’t tolerate…..and that is an ego!

Feed the LIZARD!!!!

For all of you blog readers that have met my papa bear aka Terry, you know that the White house is where the party is at. Growing up, there was never a short supply of cook outs, hang outs, parties, and cocktails.

My dad likes to throw parties. In my opinion, this is because he can drink a lot more when all he has to do is go upstairs and go to bed (even that can become a challenge after a good old fashion party at the White house).

For a quick clarification, my last name is White therefore all references to “White” are due to that fact. I made this mistake once in middle school assuming that everyone knew my last name was White and created the “White party” for my Government class. Let’s just say going to a ghetto school…..I got some looks (oh to be innocent and naïve again)! OK, that’s out of the way…moving on…

On a typical weekend growing up, there would be cars lined up all the way down Huntington Run Lane and our neighbors would just walk on over saying, “Well, the Whites are at it again, might as well join them.” My dad makes enough food that even the Royal Wedding wouldn’t be able to finish it. From pulled pork, smoked salmon, beer can chicken, steak, brats…you name it….papa bear is cooking it. But it doesn’t stop at the grilling, nooooo, there is macaroni salad, salsa, dips, desserts, anything and everything you would ever want at a party, we have it.

Recently, Andrew and I went back home for my parents 30th wedding anniversary. They decided to renew their vows and, of course, have a party to celebrate. Being in the construction business, my dad just doesn’t know when to stop adding to our back yard “deck.” It has become a massive piece of art. The picture below doesn’t even show half of the magnitude of this bad boy!!

This has to be some sort of World record...this thing is huge!

For this one such event, my Uncle Phil was in town and when the White brothers get together….there is no telling what the outcome will be.

Upon waking up the morning of the party, Uncle Phil and my dad had something they just HAD to show us. We walked out to the $10,000 “tiki hut” that my dad built around a $500 dollar pool (yes, those numbers are right….cripes) and with much excitement and jubilation, they showed us the “beer chute.”

Here is the "Tiki Hut" in the background....Papa Bear will sit out and smoke his cigar admiring all his work!

Beer Chute is the white pipe on top of the bar on the right.....there is a beer can hanging from it and a Lizard on top.....

Every time someone would finish a beer you would hear yelling from all areas of the party “feed the lizard!!” Feed the lizard they would say, apparently Lizards eat aluminum cans. When a party patron would put a can into the chute it would move its way down the pipe and into the recycle bin.

This is my family, good, bad and ugly….what can I say? Something is never lacking at the White house and that is fun and laughter. Sometimes I wonder why I am just a little bit crazy, but one trip back home brings it all into perspective. How fun can life be if there isn’t a little crazy in there somewhere?

The Whole family after the renewing of the vows!