Just received this on an email and really liked it, very thought provoking.
May we find serenity in sun and shadow,
May we bend with the winds of adversity yet never break.
May we grow through the seasons of life with dignity and grace.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Article from sparkpeople
This is yet another article from sparkpeople. I found it interesting and thought to share it here. It's funny considering I got up an hour and a half before my alarm this morning and am going downstairs to work out this morning before showering for work. I find though that I sleep so much less than what I used to. Is that just that I am getting older and require less? Is it the fact that they have me on meds for an underactive thyroid or is it truly that the exercise gives me that much more energy. I used to wish that I was one of those people who had so much energy and now it seems that I do. I remember naps, vaguely, and I loved naps. Now? I'm lucky if I get one a month. May put that into my plans for tomorrow though. I have got tomorrow off and home alone! Truly off, no working at the Y tomorrow.
Top 5 Reasons to Love A.M. Exercise
Exercising early in the morning "jump starts" your metabolism, keeping it elevated for hours, sometimes for up to 24 hours! As a result, you'll be burning more calories all day long--just because you exercised in the morning.
Exercising in the morning energizes you for the day--not to mention that gratifying feeling of virtue you have knowing you've done something disciplined and good for you. (Much better than a worm!)
Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental acuity--a benefit that lasts four to ten hours after your workout ends. Exercising in the a.m. means you get to harness that brainpower, instead of wasting it while you're snoozing.
Assuming you make exercise a true priority, it shouldn't be a major problem to get up 30 to 60 minutes earlier--especially since regular exercise generally means a higher quality of sleep, which in turn means you'll probably require less sleep. (If getting up 30 to 60 minutes earlier each day seems too daunting, you can ease into it with 10 to 20 minutes at first.)
When you exercise at about the same time every morning--especially if you wake up regularly at about the same time--you're regulating your body's endocrine system and circadian rhythms. Your body learns that you do the same thing just about every day, and it begins to prepare for waking and exercise several hours before you actually open your eyes. Exercise Extra: More than 90% of those who exercise consistently have a morning fitness routine. If you want to exercise on a regular basis, the odds are in your favor if you squeeze your workout into the a.m.
Exercising early in the morning "jump starts" your metabolism, keeping it elevated for hours, sometimes for up to 24 hours! As a result, you'll be burning more calories all day long--just because you exercised in the morning.
Exercising in the morning energizes you for the day--not to mention that gratifying feeling of virtue you have knowing you've done something disciplined and good for you. (Much better than a worm!)
Studies have shown that exercise significantly increases mental acuity--a benefit that lasts four to ten hours after your workout ends. Exercising in the a.m. means you get to harness that brainpower, instead of wasting it while you're snoozing.
Assuming you make exercise a true priority, it shouldn't be a major problem to get up 30 to 60 minutes earlier--especially since regular exercise generally means a higher quality of sleep, which in turn means you'll probably require less sleep. (If getting up 30 to 60 minutes earlier each day seems too daunting, you can ease into it with 10 to 20 minutes at first.)
When you exercise at about the same time every morning--especially if you wake up regularly at about the same time--you're regulating your body's endocrine system and circadian rhythms. Your body learns that you do the same thing just about every day, and it begins to prepare for waking and exercise several hours before you actually open your eyes. Exercise Extra: More than 90% of those who exercise consistently have a morning fitness routine. If you want to exercise on a regular basis, the odds are in your favor if you squeeze your workout into the a.m.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Little Known Facts About Reindeer
REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag an overweight man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost !!!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Christmas music
Can tell its Christmas time here. Brought the cd player up from the basement and it is blasting out Christmas music from Elvis, "The Tractors, Toby Keith, Dwight Yoakum etc. Even put some of it on the ipod. Can enjoy it while I am downstairs working out. A day off today, except for working at the Y tonight. Really wonder how much longer I am going to do that. One minute I am quitting, the next I am working there till spring. keep thinking that come January and February there won't be much to do. Right now I would enjoy not much to do. going down to walk the tread.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
I DID IT, DID IT, DID IT
Check out the map of the US below on this page. It took me a bit over a year but I finally did it. completed my walk across the US. I started it 11-16-06. Not real sure when it was acuatually completed but think within the last day or so. I just now entered my steps there and saw it. Am 58 miles over what I needed, I walk an average of about 14,000 a day. Probablyachieved this about 4 days ago and never knew it! Woo Hoo! going to leave it up for a day or so and start all over again. Maybe I can do it quicker next time.
Unknown author
I don't know who wrote this poem, I copied it from a post on Sparkpeople. thought it worth sharing here.
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light. Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,' And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?" It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.
A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, a lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light. Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam,' And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
"I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?" It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.
Shopping
I've been Christmas shopping after work the past two nights, trying to get some of it done. We exchange names in my family and I have decided its dangerous for me to get my sister. I have had fun shopping for her this year. You know how sometimes you buy something for someone and your just so excited about it?? Well, thats how this is. I can already here her laughing! I think I gotcha good sis!
This is stupid but I am excited about new socks for me! We have all been talking at work lately and most of us have decided they are making socks out of different material and we are all getting holes in the toes after one or two wearings. Mine have always been from walmart and I can tell the difference in the material. I bought some at Penny's last night and am so excited about trying them out. Also bought some wool ones from walmart to try also! Yeah!
Off today and big plans on getting some exercise in. Totally out of control yesterday and had a shmuffin from Sheetz. Loads of calories and fat and wasn't even good! then Long John silvers last night on the way home! that was good but sure expanded the belly a bit! Working it off today!
Thursday, December 06, 2007
SPARKPEOPLE AGAIN
I'm not sure where this story originated, I read it this morning and am posting it here.
A Story of Priorities and a Jar
Tips for Squeezing More into Your Life
-- By Julie Isphording, former Olympian
SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!
The following story is one that’s been circulating for awhile. I believe it holds a very important message regarding appropriately setting priorities in our lives. A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was full. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full. They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life. The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.
If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important. Pay attention to the things in life that are critical to your happiness and well-being. Take time to get medical check-ups, play with your children, go for a run, write your grandmother a letter. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, or fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand. Finding time in the day for fitness or participating in other athletic endeavors should be considered a “rock” for us all. Physiologically, working out releases endorphins in the body. These endorphins are natural pain-relievers produced by the body. This is what gives us the natural high experienced after a workout. This natural high has the potential to positively influence our daily interactions by making us feel better about ourselves. Make fitness a rock solid priority in your life and reap the benefits.
Enjoy the day everyone!
A Story of Priorities and a Jar
Tips for Squeezing More into Your Life
-- By Julie Isphording, former Olympian
SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!
The following story is one that’s been circulating for awhile. I believe it holds a very important message regarding appropriately setting priorities in our lives. A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was full. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full. They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life. The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions.
If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important. Pay attention to the things in life that are critical to your happiness and well-being. Take time to get medical check-ups, play with your children, go for a run, write your grandmother a letter. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, or fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first – things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just pebbles and sand. Finding time in the day for fitness or participating in other athletic endeavors should be considered a “rock” for us all. Physiologically, working out releases endorphins in the body. These endorphins are natural pain-relievers produced by the body. This is what gives us the natural high experienced after a workout. This natural high has the potential to positively influence our daily interactions by making us feel better about ourselves. Make fitness a rock solid priority in your life and reap the benefits.
Enjoy the day everyone!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
A Day off
Came home from work early yesterday with a cold. Already called off for tonight from the Y, which gives me the entire day off and home today. YIPPEE! Just wish I felt better. Am going to take it a bit easy and do some dusting, cleaning, laundry, etc. Am already thinking NAP later too. Didn't sleep worth a darn last night. Had a nice relaxing evening though and finally took some time to read through some of the magazines I have laying around here. Subscribed to both Health and Fitness and really enjoy them. It is such a shame that it took me over 50 years to learn that I love to learn about being healthy. This information could all have been put to such good use when I was younger and raising a family.
For example researchers are now learning that 30 minutes of exercise can help fight and prevent alzheimers. Research shows that moderate exercise seems to protect the brain in people with a genetic susceptibility to alzheimers. They are talking about moderate walking a few times a week. See, we're helping our bodies and our brains!http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/scitech/rel … cleID=1532 This was taken from a post on a message board on walkertracker.com I found it very interesting.
I guess we are never to old to learn new things. I'm going down on the treadmill and walk for 30 minutes. I need all the help I can get.
For example researchers are now learning that 30 minutes of exercise can help fight and prevent alzheimers. Research shows that moderate exercise seems to protect the brain in people with a genetic susceptibility to alzheimers. They are talking about moderate walking a few times a week. See, we're helping our bodies and our brains!http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/scitech/rel … cleID=1532 This was taken from a post on a message board on walkertracker.com I found it very interesting.
I guess we are never to old to learn new things. I'm going down on the treadmill and walk for 30 minutes. I need all the help I can get.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
1 tree, 2 trees
Okay, I may be taking this further than I have in the past. Bought new decorations for the tree, did it, then took them off, bought other ones and redid it. Like it great now, the pic doesn't do it justice. For some odd reason I decided we needed a tree for downstairs, and Walmart had cute little four foot ones for a great price, so there is now one downstairs too. I'm sure to enjoy that when I am exercising..it has all my little Santas on it, and is actually quite cute...it is a favorite! Again, the pic doesn't do it justice, however I have now added to my Christmas wish list..we have that nice digital camera, but its quite large..I am adding a small one to my wish list..just for stuff like this. Couldn't sleep, have way to much I want done today. Went to bed about 12:30, up at 6 am and awake at least 3 times last night. Work at the Y today 10 to 2, and then home to maybe finish the decorating, housecleaning and maybe time to sit and read a magazine. I have enough of them here right now. We bought two health magazines and they come fairly often. They are piling up.
SPARKPEOPLE AGAIN
A quote again from a sparkpeople e letter.
The destructive power of worry. Legend has it that 90% of what we worry about never comes to pass. Whether that is statistically precise or not, there's probably some truth to it in your life. How much of our lives do we miss because we're agonizing over what might happen down the road? How often do we fail to act--even if it's the right thing to do--because we fear any number of possible consequences? Fretting over the future doesn't solve any impending problems. It only paralyzes your actions of the present. It stresses you out, makes you mentally and physically tired, and saps all the fun out of what could have been another great day. Next time you start to worry about what might happen, think of this: You can prepare, but you cannot predict. So do what you can, and forget what you cannot.
Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles.... it empties today of its strength.- Aunt Linda, as quoted by Jennifer Cribbs, SparkPeople community member
The destructive power of worry. Legend has it that 90% of what we worry about never comes to pass. Whether that is statistically precise or not, there's probably some truth to it in your life. How much of our lives do we miss because we're agonizing over what might happen down the road? How often do we fail to act--even if it's the right thing to do--because we fear any number of possible consequences? Fretting over the future doesn't solve any impending problems. It only paralyzes your actions of the present. It stresses you out, makes you mentally and physically tired, and saps all the fun out of what could have been another great day. Next time you start to worry about what might happen, think of this: You can prepare, but you cannot predict. So do what you can, and forget what you cannot.
Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles.... it empties today of its strength.- Aunt Linda, as quoted by Jennifer Cribbs, SparkPeople community member
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving Day Night
Hope you all had a very nice Thanksgiving Day, mine was nice but a bit different. It started out in the high 50's and me outside decorating the house. I wanted new lights up on the fence, part of them had burnt out. It soon started raining, so I grabbed my bucket hat, and kept on going. I remember other holidays when i was putting up lights and freezing cold, my hands so cold I had to keep going in to take a break, today I didn't even need gloves.
Drove to mom's for dinner by myself. That still hits me weird too, hasn't been too many holidays I've done that and it always makes me miss my kids. They called today, so I did get to talk to both of them for a bit. On the way home I drove past the old house, guess I was feeling melancholy. there are still times I wish we would have kept it, but sure wouldn't have made much sense.
Got home tonight and its more decorating, the outside now has plastic candy canes and red bows, the inside flower box on the fireplace is now done. A few pics here for you. Sure to see more in days to come. Hope you all like my decorating outfit.
happy Thanksgiving. need to finish up and get back to it here, have a lot I want done yet and its getting late.
Being grateful
This just came through in an email I receive from Joel Osteen, he is the motivational preacher that I like to read. Wanted to share this today with you.
Being Grateful for the Gift of Today
When you learn how to remain grateful every day you are developing a habit of happiness in your life. There is no such thing as an ordinary day. Every one of your days is a gift from God that is unique and irreplaceable. When you train your mind to see the good and discipline yourself to focus on the positive you'll be happier, rise higher, and live the life of victory that God has in store for you.
Being Grateful for the Gift of Today
When you learn how to remain grateful every day you are developing a habit of happiness in your life. There is no such thing as an ordinary day. Every one of your days is a gift from God that is unique and irreplaceable. When you train your mind to see the good and discipline yourself to focus on the positive you'll be happier, rise higher, and live the life of victory that God has in store for you.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE
Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone! I'm up and moving and thousands of things I want done today. Stopped last night for more lights, the ones outside on the fence burned out. Got out there to put up the new ones and it started pouring, came in and didn't get it done. heading back out there shortly. Then I remembered that one year my nephew, Paul, was here and got roped into helping with that. That may have been our first year here. It's going to be three years next month.That takes me to another thought I've had recently. You know how you develop routines about stuff? I have for some reason never gotten into a routine here with housecleaning...my old house I would start in the kitchen, work into the livingroom, bathroom and up the stairs..Here, I haven't quite figured it out yet. Actually laid awake last night trying to develop a plan and came up with a half assed one anyway. Then, the other thing is that with a living room at least twice the size of my other one and I can never decide where to put the tree. Don't want to move anything because I like it like it is. Think that tree is going back in front of the door, it just seems to work the best there. Have to figure that out by tomorrow. It is going up tomorrow while I am at work, then I can decorate it over the weekend. Oh! Here is one thing though, the tree is going to be blue and silver this year. I am doing it with blue and silver poinsettias. Hopefully it looks great.
Got new silk flowers for the fireplace flowerbox and going to make that a plan for tonight hopefully. You are sure to see pictures here when that is done.
Well, enough here this morning. Need to get moving, want to get the kitchen floor cleaned and out to put up the lights before getting ready for Thanksgiving at mom and dad's.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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