Carpe Diem... Dover...

NASCAR ~ Carl came in 35th. Eep. Broken rear hub did him in. He's now 11th in the Chase. Alas.

Writing needs to be done.

I've some work I've been putting off. I'll do it today.

Reading is always on the list. It's part of my job, like doctors going to conferences or teachers taking classes. I learn the most from reading: What I like and what I don't like. What works and what doesn't. Sadly, I've read several authors lately who showed promise, and then their heroines go and do something incredibly stupid, too stupid to live kind of stupid. I wonder what the writer was thinking to dumb down their heroine so severely. There are other ways to create conflict without making the heroine dumb as a box of rocks. Hmmm... bit of rant there. I was disappointed. There was such potential, and it was thrown away for a forced plot twist. I sincerely hope I don't make the same mistake.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #174...

~ Sweet spirited souls who lighten my world simply by being in it.

~ Another editing job done.

~ Cooling weather.

~ Successfully taking my first digital pictures and downloading them.

~ Successfully posting the fist one. Tada!

My Heroes... The Definition of Sacrifice...

The Definition of Sacrifice is a new blog I discovered on FB. I began following early on.

http://thedefinitionofsacrifice.com/

They are sharing the stories of those who have served, one person at a time.

May God bless them.

Rice treats...

I love Rice Crispy Treats. They are almost a perfect food. Butter, marshmallows, and puffed white rice. Nothing in there upsets my tummy. Always remember that much in life depends on your point of view.

When I went grocery shopping the other day, I was so disappointed. I couldn't find the single serving Rice Crispy Treats. I'll explain in a minute why I don't make my own. I checked the cereal aisle and the cookie aisle. No luck.

Back in the cereal aisle, I discovered Chocolate and Vanilla Rice Chex! Woohoo!!

I need to do an ingredient and price crosscheck, but I've found a good trade.

I used to make Rice Crispy Treats. They're easy, though sticky. I always made it on the stovetop. I decided to experiment with the microwave. NOTE: Marshmallow is HOT even if the bowl is cool. Yes, you know where this is going. I stirred and wanted to clean off the spoon, so I used my figure like I usually do. The only way to remove the melted marshmallow was to wash it off. It isn't particularly fast. By the time I finished, a blister ran along the inside of my finger, from top to bottom, and the from the tip to the second knuckle. Amazingly enough, there's no scar. No, I don't make Rice Crispy Treats anymore. I buy them or gobble what others make. :-) Now you know more than you ever wanted to know.

Week 118 of REAL...

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:

http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

http://military-fitness.military.com/2013/01/the-spartan-300-workout-and-new-variations.html?ESRC=sm_fit.nl

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. 

Hip lifts

PT ~ Physical therapy using 2-lb and 1-lb weights, alternating days.

UB ~ Upper body exercises

I've worked up to 50 and then 10 more.

BD ~ Belly dancing (my version of it, anyway)

The 20th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 21st: 2-mile walk. PT. BD. Moved 20 gallons of water. Trust me; I was sweating and breathing hard by the time I finished. 

The 22nd: Rest. 

The 23rd: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 24th: PT. BD.

The 25th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 26th: PT. BD.

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

Food tray is working... so far...

I think I've figured out how to make my eating habits work for me. I've created a food tray. It's actually a food storage container. I lost the lid. Don't need it. I fill it with crackers and cheese or crackers and peanut butter, an individual fruit container (right now I have applesauce), a fun-size bar (Halloween candy is cheap), a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast, and a 100-calorie snack bag. It really does all fit, barely, without a lid. I am allowed to eat everything in the tray or nothing. It will be restocked for the next day.

Every day, I am able to make at least one meal without anyone looking over my shoulder. I endeavor to make it my main meal of the day. The other day, I cooked up pulled pork (Schwan's thaw and nuke). I served it over mashed potatoes (instant), along with a can of V-8 veggie drink (sadly, I don't think V-8 agreed with my tummy), and two freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies and milk (coconut and lactose free). I mix up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, scoop and freeze, then bake a couple in the toaster oven when I want cookies. Yummy.

A sandwich is usually a possibility for one of my meals.

I believe I mentioned this little habit last week. So far, so good.

I've yet to eat everything in the tray on any given day.

The adventure continues.

Follow up on yesterday's plans...

I received final edits, so plans were put on hold. It looks pretty easy. All I really need to do is double check the manuscript. This means reading it from beginning to end. It's simply a matter of time. I'll be back tomorrow. :-)

Carpe Diem... New Hampshire...

NASCAR ~ Carl in in 9th. Top 10. Woohoo! Go Carl!

What needs to be done, today?

Writing.

Reading.

I've some pork I need to cook up, and I'd like to make some pancakes.

Enough to keep me busy.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #173...

~ Bad things happen; Good people rise above.

~ Less than pleasant feelings aren't bad. They are a part of life. It's okay to have them.

~ Amazing people who share their insights in life.

~ The gift of writing.

~ Learning to face my weaknesses and not run away.

Happy Birthday Frodo and Bilbo. :-)

My Heroes... George Taylor...

He was born in Ireland and came to America when he was twenty. He was well educated and worked as a clerk in an iron establishment. The gentleman died, and he married the widow. Wow... there's a romance novel I'd like to write.

He worked in the public service, including writing rules of conduct for the delegates, and returned to his private life only to be called back. He returned in time to sign the Declaration of Independence, though he was not there for the original vote. He served another year and returned to his personal life. He served his country, gave what was needed, and did not ask for more.

Eating better... so far...

...maybe not.

I'm endeavoring to be more aware.

Herbal tea is a lovely way to start the day.

I have very little control when it comes to chocolate Halloween candy. However, I do pretty well with Dove Dark Chocolate, which I love. Is it possible for me to learn to control the Halloween candy intake? Or is it something I need to remove from my diet, permanently?

Including protein regularly throughout the day does make a difference.

I made a new batch of my hot chocolate mix: 5 cups of dutch cocoa and 6 cups of sugar. Blend and store in airtight container. Heat 1/4 cup of milk in cup in microwave. Add two heaping teaspoons of cocoa mix and blend. I have a cute little frother. Add milk. I usually add some regular milk and some coconut milk. Do not overfill or it bubbles over. Heat in microwave. Yummy. I also add a few marshmallows before the final heating. If I add too many, it bubbles over. Marshmallows do expand, even the minis. I also like to dip biscotti in it. Biscotti was made for cocoa dunking.

Hmmm... I actually seem to have more control when I know I'll be enjoying hot cocoa after dinner... coincidence?

Week 117 of REAL...

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:

http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

http://military-fitness.military.com/2013/01/the-spartan-300-workout-and-new-variations.html?ESRC=sm_fit.nl

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. 

Hip lifts

PT ~ Physical therapy using 2-lb and 1-lb weights, alternating days.

UB ~ Upper body exercises

I've worked up to 50 and then 10 more.

BD ~ Belly dancing (my version of it, anyway)

The 13th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 14th: 3-mile walk. PT. BD. 1/2 hour of yard work. 

The 15th: Rest. 

The 16th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 17th: PT. BD.

The 18th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 19th: PT. BD.

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