Monday, November 30, 2015

Carpe Diem

What needs to be done, today?

How close will I come to finishing Secondhand Samhain?

How much will I add to my Christmas novella?

Will I work on Errant Knight?

Scripture study. The day simply goes better. In fact, I need to remember to do this first.

Reading.

Work out and eat better.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Thank Goodness It's Sunday 287

~ A delicious and delightful Thanksgiving

~ Favorite books who write wonderful books

~ Inspiring music

~ Pumpkin and apricot croissants with hot chocolate

~ Time with my sister

Saturday, November 28, 2015

My Heroes... Ann Remington Ellery and Abigail Carey Ellery

Ann was William Ellery's first wife. She was educated and accomplished. She bore him seven children but passed away fourteen years after their marriage. I wonder if she passed away in childbearing. The brief history doesn't say. She set a tone in their home that undoubtedly influenced the future.

Abigail was William Ellery's second wife and considerably younger, twenty-five when she married him. She bore eight children, but only two made it into adulthood. How tragic. As young as she was, she died twenty-seven years before her husband.

Such difficult lives these women endured. I know enough about human nature they couldn't have been wrapped up in themselves. They never would have put up with being married to such notorious men. I believe many a man has failed to reach his potential because his wife couldn't bear for him to succeed or rise above her expectations. Yes, it's true, too, that many a woman hasn't reach her potential because her husband couldn't bear for her to succeed or rise above his expectations for her.

I don't think most people consider the courage required to support a spouse who excels. I think perhaps too often fear the rewards and success will steal them away. In some cases, sadly, jealousy perhaps plays even a larger roll.

I want to be the kind of person that supports others in reaching their dream and cheers when they make it, even if it takes them out of my realm.


Friday, November 27, 2015

Starting the Christmas Season...

...with some of my favorite songs...

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Manheim Steamroller on their Christmas album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTSkS0Abas4

Believe Again: O Come All Ye Faithful by David Osmond

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF__6qGtwSc

Baby, What You Goin' to Be by Trinity HS Alumni Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsoB7mmdmFg

Mary, did you know? by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN70R-3ao0U

Believe by Josh Grobin on the Polar Express album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ19mW-TMRk

Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I

Josh Groban's O Holy Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU

The Gift by Aselin Debison
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMR_FEBpVy8

The Christmas Shoes by Newsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpkI7GW2V34

A Soldier's Silent Night

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Week 231 of REAL

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:
RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps (SEALp) consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. 

PT ~ Physical therapy using 2-lb and 1-lb weights, alternating days.
UB ~ Upper body exercises
I'm starting low, at 10, to restart my workouts, with no weights yet.

SEALFit shared some good hints I want to learn and remember:

20: 30 minutes. 1/2-mile walk. Short walks. PT. UB. Stretch.

21: 50 minutes. 2-1/2 mile walk. PT. UB. Stretch.

22: Rest.

23: 60 minutes. 2 1-mile walks. PT. UB. PT and UB with 1-lb weights. Stretch. Heat.

24: 30 minutes. 2 1/2-mile walks. Short walks. PT. UB. Stretch.

25: 30 minutes. 1-1/4 mile walk. PT. UB. Stretch.

26: 30 minutes. 1-mile walk. PT. UB. Stretch. Planned to shorten my walks today because I did something to a couple toes. Don't know what exactly, but they're tender; I don't want to make it worse. Ended up taking an easy 1-mile walk.

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:



REAL Mar 11-16

REAL -  R educe stress  E xercise  A dequate sleep  L ower caloric intake This week's bit of extra was a bit of spring cleaning, dusting...