Week Thirty-Nine of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:
500 yard swim using breast and/or sidestroke 12.5 minutes 10 minute rest
Perform a minimum of 42 push-ups 2 minutes 2 minute rest
Perform a minimum of 50 sit-ups 2 minutes 2 minute rest
Perform a minimum of 6 pull-ups No time limit 10 minute rest
Run 1.5 miles wearing boots and long pants 11.5 minutes

Here's the link if you're interested in the whole thing: http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

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 consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. This week, I try to increase by 10%. I've worked up to 17.

The 16th: weigh in: 229.6 lb. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk, in 38 minutes. SEAL puppy rep. Homemade hamburger, potato, yogurt with blueberries, bagel, hot chocolate.

The 17th: weigh in: 229.2 lb. One-mile walk. Physical therapy, with 1-lb weights. Carnation Instant Breakfast, potato and chicken, apple and cheese, bagel, yogurt with blueberries, and hot chocolate. Even if I don't strictly follow what I plan to eat, I do much better than if there is no plan at all. I know, funny how that works. Yes, that was snarky, because I've often read about the importance of menus, but when I followed the common plan, I always failed. This time, I'm doing it my way, and it seems to be working. As I've mentioned on several occasions, food is a huge issue for me, on so many levels.

The 18th: weigh in: 228.6 lb. Crackers, potatoes and beef, yogurt and blueberries, hot chocolate, with an apple and cheese as my extra option if I want it.

The 19th: weigh in: 228 lb. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk, in 40 minutes. SEAL puppy rep. Crackers, hamburger, cookies, yogurt with blueberries, hot chocolate. Tired, but not an unusual state for me to be in this time of the month.

The 20th: weigh in 226.4 lb. One-mile walk. Physical therapy, with 1-lb weights. Carnation Instant Breakfast, bread, peach pie, potatoes, yogurt and blueberries, crackers, hot chocolate. Simply trying to stay on top of things.

The 21st: weigh in: 227 lb. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep. Ham and cheese sandwich, peach pie, yogurt and blueberries, crackers, hot chocolate. Took a look in the mirror, today. I'm definitely losing weight. Funnily enough, I don't like how I look. Before, I was a few round balls smoothly squished all together. Now, I'm a bunch of smaller round balls squished together. Having created that delightful picture in your mind, I'm thrilled to be able to bend over and tie my shoes without my tummy getting in the way! Whoohoo!

The 22nd: weigh in: 228.2 lb. Waist circumference: 29". One-mile walk. Physical therapy, with 1-lb weights. Ham sandwich, hot chocolate and chocolate croissant, crackers, yogurt and blueberries, and apple. We'll see how the day goes. I'm pleased with the progress.

Inspiration, at least to me:

Desert Rose Writer's Conference 2012...

Hurry! The registration deadline for the Desert Dreams Writer's Conference has changed to March 31st. You have 10 more days, and counting.

http://www.desertroserwa.org/conferences/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Conferences.php

Friday-Saturday, April 27-29, 2012

Chaparral Suites
Scottsdale, Arizona

Keynote Speakers:
* NY Times Best Selling Author Allison Brennan
* Martha Alderson, AKA The Plot Whisperer
* NY Times Best Selling Author Bob Mayer

Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference provides authors of all skill levels – from beginner to multi-published – with the tools necessary to take their writing to the next level. Sessions will include general writing, career development, genre-specific, agent/publisher spotlights, as well as an agent/editor panel. There will also be one-on-one appointments with editors or agents, a book signing, and keynote addresses. Check out our roster of acquiring editors and agents along with our keynote speakers and workshops. Did you miss the 2010, 2008, or 2006 conferences? Order workshop conference CDs and MP3s.

Conference registration includes:

Workshops Friday afternoon and all day Saturday
Two-hour workshop Sunday morning
One-on-one appointment with editor/agent (based on time of registration and availability)
Friday evening mixer
Dinner and keynote address on Friday
Editor/Agent panel
Saturday luncheon
Participation in Saturday book signing
Saturday evening dinner and brainstorming session

And so much more.

For Our Son and For This Cause blog....

Mr. Vaughn said much of what I'm thinking, but with a whole lot more information that I have.

http://forourson.us/blog.html

May God bless our troops, and their families.

Carpe diem... Bristol...

Sigh... Carl's car was taken out on lap 24. He ended up finishing #39 out of 43. Sad. Sad. Sad.

Laundry.

Work.

Reading.

I want to create a Blessing Basket for Easter, so part of the day will be spent with pen and paper in hand, making plans.

This was found in my Funny Cat photos widget:

Thank Goodness It's Sunday #95

~Casting Crowns Until the Whole World Hears http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xzr9VUfExI&feature=related

~Spring is in the air. It's still deliciously cool at night, and pleasant during the day.

~Books that lift and inspire.

~Friends that lift and inspire.

~I really enjoyed this article by Lorraine Murray about how the adversary sabotages Lent: http://www.georgiabulletin.org/local/2012/03/15/murray/ Or any effort on our part to do good, for that matter.

My Heroes... Go Getters...

Nikon Sniper shared this story several weeks ago.

http://www.pulaskicountydaily.com/news.php?viewStory=3236

Wow! Never in a million years would I think of doing what this woman has done. God bless her, and all those like her. There are days when I wish I had this kind of courage, but I don't. Then again, I don't have the health to do this kind of thing, so perhaps I've simply tailored my interests to what meets my physical capabilities.

If you're interested in the movie "Act of Valor," but haven't decided whether or not you want to see it yet, Kim's SOS Aloha has a great review.

http://sosaloha.blogspot.com/2012/03/veterans-movie-review-act-of-valor.html

Kim's blog reviews books, including interviewing authors. It's fun.

More on clutter....

w posted this link under the comments section regarding my frustration with Google and FaceBook. http://paulgraham.com/ambitious.html

I found it fascinating. Although I didn't understand all of it, because I'm not into computereze, except what I need to get by, but most of it was an interesting exploration of possibilities.

It was brought up how the Google search engine has become not only cluttered but too encumbered by a desire to please the current user.

I quit "googling" anything a few years ago because I didn't like the extra "help," and you're right about it not having the clean, sparse feel anymore. I actually found it was hampering my research, giving me what it "thought" I wanted. A bit narcissistic, now I think about it. I mean, Google treats me as if I'm narcissistic. Everything must be related to me.

I started using Yahoo search exclusively, and then it started being "helpful," too, though not quite as bad. A friend introduced me to http://www.goodsearch.com/. On the rare occasion I want "help," I'll use Yahoo. Otherwise, I use Good Search, which is actually powered by Yahoo, but it doesn't "help" me.

Confession, I like the new Google look if I'm using a theme tailored for it. However, I'm about to lose all those cute themes I've been switching around. I suppose the tailored themes will increase with use, but will my favorites be adapted? I know the most popular ones will be, but many of my favorites are ones I had to hunt down.

I realize change is inevitable, but it isn't always for the better, and it's ridiculous to change for the sake of changing.

Week Thirty-Eight of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:
500 yard swim using breast and/or sidestroke 12.5 minutes 10 minute rest
Perform a minimum of 42 push-ups 2 minutes 2 minute rest
Perform a minimum of 50 sit-ups 2 minutes 2 minute rest
Perform a minimum of 6 pull-ups No time limit 10 minute rest
Run 1.5 miles wearing boots and long pants 11.5 minutes

Here's the link if you're interested in the whole thing: http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

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 consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. This week, I try to increase by 10%. I've worked up to 16. My physical therapy (exercises given to me by my physical therapist for my back problems) reps are up to 44.

The 9th: weigh in: 231.8 lb. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk, in 39 minutes. SEAL puppy rep. Note to self: Remember to share food. For example: Potatoes were on sale. Great deal. Not if I end up throwing some away because I can't eat through them fast enough. Instant potatoes are so much better when you're cooking for only one.

The 10th: weigh in: 232.6 lb. But I ate better, yesterday! Oh, wait. I stressed a bit, yesterday. Stress creates cortisol. Cortisol is a weight adder. I enjoyed an easy one-mile walk, this morning, breaking in my new L.A. Gear shoes. Physical therapy.

The 11th: weigh in: 231.8 lb. I took myself for an easy one-mile walk this morning. It wasn't for the fresh air. I live in the city. The weather was pleasant enough. More people are out and about, so I find myself having to interact more, which is a little stressful for me. I'm feeling restless. I'd hoped the walk would help calm me. It didn't. The one benefit I can point to is I talked myself out of preparing eggs for breakfast. I love eggs. I'm also allergic to eggs. I've been known to take an allergy pill first, so I can have the eggs. Wouldn't it be better to simply avoid them? Yes, but I really want the eggs. There is something else going on, and I don't know what it is. A lot of times, for me, it's a sense of something coming. So, buckle up, buttercup.

The 12th: weigh in: 230 lb. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk, in about 40 minutes. SEAL puppy rep. Eating: Didn't do well.

The 13th: weigh in 229.8 lb. Okay, I did horrible on eating, today. Not going there. Having admitted it, I'm only half way through the day at the time of this writing. The rest of the day will be better. I read an article last week about how we wash our hair too much, stripping it of the oil it needs to be healthy. It suggested only washing your hair twice a week. I thought, "Why not give it a try for a month." I've barely made it a week. Going back to washing more often, though not every day. Haven't done that for years. I simply don't feel like I'm properly taking care of myself. I'll be more careful about using less shampoo, but this time, I'm disagreeing with the experts... oh, like I never do that... only all the time. :-) Living and learning what works for me and what doesn't. Physical therapy, with 1-lb weights. Shoot. I'm having trouble adjusting to Daylight Savings Time. We don't actually go on DST, but the weather is only going to grow hotter, so I figure I might as well start shifting my walk time to earlier in the day, along with the rest of the country. Overslept, this morning. Hate that. I end up feeling behind the rest of the day.

The 14th: weigh in: 231 lb. SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk in 38 minutes. SEAL puppy rep. Reflecting on yesterday, I realized why I ate badly. I'm feeling out of control. Some things have been happening that have left me feeling trapped. Eating is my escape. Not a healthy one. I know it. Today, I'm starting over. I've tried the eating every four hours, and it hasn't gone well, but I was still in the "meals" mode. I'm going to try something different, today. I'm going to eat every three hours, one thing. I started the morning with Carnation Instant Breakfast. Bagel. Yogurt with blueberries. Potato with beef. Hot chocolate. With an apple for a snack in there somewhere. We'll see how I do by the end of the day. It went well.

The 15th: weigh in: 231.4 lb. Waist circumference: 29 ". One-mile walk, and physical therapy, with 1-lb weights. I'm going to try eating every three hours again, only one or two things. It will be about the same amount of food, maybe less, than I would have eaten if I'd prepared meals.

Inspiration, at least to me:




And Happy Birthday, Jimmy!! The world is definitely a better place. :-)

Follow up on last Friday's post...

I've done a little more homework.

The original video was released in 2006. Did you know the monster left Uganda? He hasn't been seen in six years. He may even be dead.

Let's say he's still alive, and it is arranged for some government to kill him. Did you know US troops were sent to Uganda? Quite a while ago? The information I've seen coming out of Uganda is that this monster isn't a problem there anymore. In fact, this whole campaign is hurting them because they're trying to heal from it, but this video is ripping off the scab, not to clean the wound but because it serves someone else's agenda.

Let's pretend he's alive, and someone manages to hunt him down and kill him. Then what?

Hitler died, but still the Nazi party lives on.

Stalin and Mao are dead, but Communism lives on.

Binladen was killed. Al quida continues, and has been taken into the fold of the Taliban.

Che is dead, and people wear his face on their tshirt. The same with Mao and Stalin and Hitler. Millions died at their hands.

Do you really want to make a name for one more monster?

There is a call for posters to be plastered everywhere on April 20th. Did you know it's Hitler's birthday? Coincidence? Maybe. But eerily coincidental, as far as I'm concerned. In fact, the idea makes me shiver.

What unsettles me about this whole thing? People are joining a cause they know nothing about, and are unwilling to do their homework to find out what is true and what isn't. They are giving in to emotions that have been expertly plucked by skilled manipulators. The manipulators brag about their credentials. I dated a guy who bragged about being a great manipulator. I foolishly believed he would never manipulate me. I ended the relationship for other reasons, but when I look back I can see how he manipulated me, over and over.

I've learned to be careful. For the most part, I prefer to let people choose their way, whether I agree with it or not, and generally I'll say nothing. Not this time. You're still free to do as you like, but I will not stay silent.

There is something terribly wrong with this propaganda.

May God protect us from wolves in sheep's clothing.

And one more brain dump....

...though probably not the last. I'm trying to spread these out, to keep from inundating anyone with what's driving me crazy in the world, today. If I post it here, I'm less likely to spout off someplace like FaceBook, where I don't give myself a week or two to think about it first.

Regarding the high gas prices:

Our refineries are out of date. The EPA has made it all but impossible to build more. No matter how much oil we have sitting in storage (and the storage tanks are full), it's useless if it can't be refined. Billions of dollars were dumped into "green" energy, which is not turning out as green as was hoped. Any business incapable of surviving without government help should not survive. Coal and oil are still our cheapest and cleanest sources of energy. I know, no one wants to hear it.

The money thrown away by the government (bankrupt solar panel companies are increasing) begs the question: How many refineries could have been built with those same government subsidies? But no, we have to buy into the "oil is bad" rhetoric.

Plastic anyone? Oh, wait... it's an oil product... So, say goodbye to bags, computers, cars, buildings... If there is anyone to blame, it's ourselves for not voting or not paying attention to the agendas of those we voted for, and even worse voting so many of them back in, over and over again. Because we didn't want to worry about it or take responsibility for it, we waved our hands and said, "Let the politicians take care of it." They did, and now we have to put up with the an administration and a congress that behaves, overall, like petty tyrants, wanting their own way.

We allowed the government to take more and more power and more and more of our money, without accountability. We did it. We did it by not doing our homework before voting, for voting strictly party lines instead of for the best person for the job. We voted for charisma instead of capabilities, over and over again. In case you're wondering, I'm reprimanding myself. I did this. I asked other people who they thought was best, because I was too lazy to do my own homework.

I didn't know the United States of America wasn't a democracy but a republic until a few years ago. My fault. No one else's. I didn't accept personal responsibility. Now, I am. I do my homework. I look up the candidates. I decide, and then I vote, and pray we can save us from ourselves.

Finally, I remind myself God is in control. His plans cannot be frustrated, but we can certainly mess things up for ourselves. He will let us shoot ourselves in the foot, if we demand to have our own way. He will cajole, inspire, send help, call to us, but He will not deprive us of our free will. Dear God, I'm really trying to align my will with Yours. Your way isn't the easy way, but it is the sure way. Have mercy on me, a fool.

Carpe diem... LAS...

NASCAR was in Las Vegas this weekend, and Carl came in 5th. Top 5 is great! Go Carl! I'm participating in NASCAR Fantasy this time, and I'm not sure I like it. I'm only allowed to choose my favorite driver nine times. I don't think I'll do it next year. I've been wanting to participate, and now I have and learned it isn't as much fun as I'd hoped. Live and learn.

Laundry will need to be done.

Though Arizona doesn't go on Daylight Savings Time, it does change scheduling all the way around. We are on Mountain Time, but it equals Pacific Daylight Savings Time, so I have to shift everything having to do with my friends in other time zones. It's something I became skilled at when I worked for the airlines, so it isn't really a big deal, though I do forget from time to time.

Exercise and eating healthy are on the list of things to do.

Then there is the work what needs doing. I'm clearer on it, though a bit unsettled by it. It isn't quite what I expected, but I'll settle in.

There is so much to do. One thing at a time.

Am I following God's plan for me? Choosing His way? Or trying to make my own way? Questions I must stop and ask myself from time to time. I'm no longer easily led astray, but when it's done a little at a time, it's hardly noticeable. So, it's time to do a little self-evaluation. Or perhaps what I'm seeking is simply a little peace of mind and heart.