Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Birthday present


Russ made me this awesome birdhouse for the yard and John cut down a dead tree and mounted it there. I think it is the perfect place for it, and I love it.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

29 and holding


My God, how many years ago was that? I remember being 29 over and over and over again. Long enough in fact that my son caught up and passed me by over and over again. LOL


had a good birthday. My dear hubby bought me a new waterfall fountain for out by the gazebo, I need to get a picture of that and should have done it today, he also surprised me with a gift certificate to a month at the tanning bed. I went already today once. I didn't do much today, just what I felt like doing when I felt like doing it. I actually sat down and watched the Natalie Holloway movie from Lifetime that I had dvr'd. I followed that closely when she came up missing in Aruba, it was about the time that I was in UPMC for that month. that poor family, my heart goes out to them still.


Anyways, it was a good, lazy birthday. I am now the speed limit, I can't drive 55 but guess I can be 55. LOL

Happy Birthday

Its my birthday and a day off work. A much needed day off work, no sunshine, looks like rain but I'll take it.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Track

I went down to the track at the elementary school this morning to get in one of my favorite workouts. It involves walking quickly around the track 10 times and jogging on two diagonal corners. Sometimes I take time on the benches and do different ab workouts, leaning on the bench works well for plank twists, or sitting on the bench and doing leg raises. This morning was a beautiful morning and I was enjoying the peace and quiet and the music on my ipod. The sun was out and no breeze, quite a calm morning.

A car pulled in and two little kids got out to play at the playground, the track goes around it. Their parents were both quite heavy and they sat on the benches. I couldn't help but think about the choices we make. I kept thinking those parents were so young, and so heavy. I kept wishing they would get up and walk the track or play with the kids, even push them on the swing. Do something! Instead the mom sat and read and the dad was playing video games or texting on a cell phone.

I continued my workout even though I am very self conscious about the jogging, I don't do it well or for long, but it really boosts the calorie burn and I am getting better. I kept thinking about this young family and as I watched, the kids and the parents walked over to the tennis courts carrying a volley ball or beach ball. I kept thinking maybe the parents were going to play, however, they sat back down and watched the kids.

I wanted so badly to go talk to them, to tell them to get up and move about a bit, throw that ball with those kids and enjoy having them there. I didn't, of course. Could you imagine what they would have thought if I had? LOL

I want to be able to help people, I want people to consider me as knowing what I am talking about when it comes to fitness and nutrition. I want to finish this course and want an A in it. I also need to know that not everyone is going to want or appreciate help. I need to know that I cannot help everyone, that it is enough to help ones who ask for it and to not offer my advice where it is not asked for.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

April 10, 2009




Our bosses are all away this week, so we had a bit of a break. A nice break, however, our work is of course still being done. the store has been a bit on the quiet side and on Friday, the 10th, Sharan asked me to run over to Ross's for her and get her this purse she had seen. She pretty much takes charge when the bosses are gone and I think she just wanted to give me a break, her and Marcy had taken off for appts a day or two and I know they stopped for minutes to shop.

Anyways, while we were there I found a purse I loved and a new water bottle at Sheets. The purse is by Mark Echo and is called "The Garden of Eden", the description says In and Out of Love! And yes, it has a snake on it. The water bottle is a stainless one and is blue with a picture with of the beach on it, Says "Paradise Found". There seems to be theme here.

I had thought about taking the purse back, wasn't sure I liked the style of it, however after I thought about it I liked the idea that I bought this on the anniversary of Mikes death. It somehow seems to mark the day. Like a commemorative.


wish the picture would have been more clear, I could probably get a better one, this was taken with the phone.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Stress management

A friend of mine posted this on Spark today. I loved it and thought it would be a good idea to share it here with you.

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals. The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile. 1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream. 2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water. 3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.. 4. No one knows your secret place. 5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world. 6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity. 7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater. There!! See? It really does work. You're smiling already.

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Days gone by..

I remember...

It is so hard to believe that tomorrow will be a year already since Mike has passed.

He is sadly missed.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

My ducks




Here are our ducks, well, I wish they were ours, wish they would stick around. They've been here before but never stayed. I would love to have ducks out here, so am praying and hoping they come back.

Wonderful day

WE had three young bull elk here this morning. Quite unusual for this time of the year, but we sure enjoyed seeing them still around. Usually they leave once the snow is gone.

This afternoon I came upstairs to see two ducks at the big pond. As I watched they came walking down through the yard to the garden pond, actually went in and took a swim. Dried off on the grass and unfortunately then flew off. Sure hope they come back and stick around. I checked, they don't eat fish! Watch for pictures to come, the batteries in the camera died and they are charging now.

Government adjusts weight system

I just read this on Sparkpeople and wanted to share it with all of you. I just couldn't believe this!

Government Adjusts Weight System to Help Country Lose Pounds
A Quick-Fix Solution for the Obesity Epidemic
-- By Mike Kramer, SparkPeople Contributor
SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!

WASHINGTON DC, APRIL 1--Alarmed by a growing obesity rate across the country over the last decade, the United States Government has instituted sweeping changes in its system of measurements and weights.The most significant change involves increasing the value of the pound. One current pound will be valued as 1.1 pounds under the new system. What does this mean? Fewer pounds per person. For example, a person who previously weighed 167 pounds would now weigh just 152 pounds."We think these changes will help the country solve its obesity problem," said April Wahn, Community Director of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). "When eating right and exercising don’t work, these new standards can help people reach a healthier weight. It’s not the only answer, but it’s a start."To underscore this point, Wahn estimates that this change alone would bring the number of overweight Americans down dramatically, from 63% to 49%.To help people adjust, the US Office of Weights and Standards will make available scale calibration kits that can be used to bring any scale in line with the new standards. You can call 1-800-000-2005 to receive your free kit.Consumer groups are responding to this change with enthusiasm. One local news editorial claimed, "It’s about time the government stepped in and did something about the country’s weight problem. It needs to be fixed – and quick." 10,000 scale calibration kits have already been distributed. But the biggest challenges in retail packaging, fishing regulations, and newborn weighing still remain."This isn’t going to be something we can incorporate overnight," continued Wahn. "It could take years and millions and millions of dollars. But in the face of unhealthy weight levels, we’re running out of options."Wahn refused to comment on the growing opinion that numbers on the scale are becoming increasingly unimportant in the creation of a healthy lifestyle.

In related news, Happy April Fool's Day from SparkPeople!