Carpe Diem... Talladega

NASCAR ~ Truex 26th in an early crash. McDowell 32nd and A. Dillon 35th out in the same crash with less than 15 laps to go.

What needs to be done, today?

Physical therapy

Walk

The Blessing Basket

Eat healthy

Read

Give the battle to God

Praise God in the storm

Thank Goodness It's Sunday 412

~ Blooming star jasmine

~ Learning new things

~ Lunch with friends

~ Books music food

~ God's everlasting mercy

Where did April go?

I watched my friends on social media deal with snow, a lot of snow. It hit 100 here. Pity we can't figure out a way to share. Balance us both a bit.

My writing progressed in spurts. Not near enough.

House was kept clean. New recipes tried. People visited.

Busy. Tired.

Keep moving forward.

Maybe a nap first.

TBR

36. Dangerous Games (Book 2) by Justine Dare (Davis) contemporary suspense romance. A little steamy and a little language but mostly page-turning suspense. And I cried for the happy ending. It's a romance; there is always a happy ending. I truly am enjoying the progression of the author's talent.

37. I Can Only Imagine by Bart Millard of MercyMe with Robert Noland nonfiction. What an inspiring story. I heard the song a number of years ago, and it launched me into my love of Christian music. I own several CDs and listen to K-LOVE, my radio station of choice. A keeper. I'll be buying the DVD when it comes out. I saw so much of myself in his story. I wish things could have been different in mine, but that doesn't keep me from rejoicing in his.

38. Night Fires by Justine Davis contemporary suspense romance. This is a jump in a few years from the earlier books I've been reading. I'm able to see her future suspense writing taking shape.

39. Everybody Always by Bob Goff non-fiction. I skimmed quite a bit. I wish I'd gone in with more of an idea of reading a memoir than reading a guide. The way he presents his material it sounds like he assumes his way will work for everyone. Or maybe I was distracted from his message by his methods.

I've struggled to figure out why I was edgy reading his book. Not because of the call to "Be not afraid." I work hard at that one. Sometimes I'm successful. Sometimes I'm not. I don't like it when people take every phone call; the message they send is that the person on the other end of the phone is more important than the person they are with. I was appalled by many of his actions that ignored the consequences others would pay; it was all good because he didn't pay a price. He blithely violates people's boundaries, advises others to do the same, and thinks it'll work out wonderful. And there isn't something wrong with me for not liking my boundaries violated.

The author says that Jesus had no boundaries and neither should we. I beg to differ. When people portray Jesus as all sweetness and nice I wonder if we've read the same Bible. Jesus didn't hang out with hypocrites, and He had no trouble calling a sin a sin and sinners to repentance. He often arranged to be alone. He never allowed anyone to manipulate Him. He promised to divide father against son and mother against daughter.

I would have enjoyed his book more if he'd kept it as an autobiography. He's had some amazing and entertaining experiences, but to be honest I wish I hadn't read the book. I didn't feel the lighter or more inspired for having read it. I wish him well on his journey and hope he continues to influence others for good. His methods work for him. I wish I'd spent my money on something else. I would recommend a book like Same Kind of Different as Me instead.

And now you know why I usually only write about books I love.

40. Whiskey River Rockstar (Whiskey River Book 3) by Justine Davis contemporary romance. This is her most recent release and has steamy scenes. Whiskey River reminds me a bit of Holiday. It's uncanny how her characters struggle with similar problems to my own.

REAL Week 456

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.  Since my accident I haven't done these, but I'm working to add them back into my routine. Currently, I can't sit on the floor and hope to get up again, so crunches and flutter kicks are on hold, and my pushups are against the wall.

Using 1-lb weights:

PT ~ Physical therapy

UBP ~ Upper body exercises and pushups

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

http://sealfit.com/sealfit-blog-how-to-build-durability/

20: 1-mile walk. PT. UBP. x1. Stretch.

21: 2-mile walk. PT. UBP. x4. Stretch. Yard work.

22: Rest.

23: 2-mile walk. PT. UBP. x4. Stretch.

24: 1-mile walk. PT. UBP. x2. Stretch.

25: 2-mile walk. PT. UBP. x4. Stretch.

26: 1-mile walk. PT. UBP. x2. Stretch.

Jimmy Thomas is a business man, running a popular romance book cover site, a cover model, personal fitness trainer, and health advisor. Pictures: February 2012 and June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

Growing older...

Follow Up 24 April

How'd I do?

Walk ~ Done

Physical therapy ~ Done

Eat healthy ~ Done

Read ~ Done

The Blessing Basket ~ Done ~ Not much but progress is progress

Give the battle to God

Praise God in the storm

I wish the constant tiredness would go away.

Busy day ahead.

Carpe Diem... Richmond

NASCAR ~ Truex 14th A. Dillon 15th McDowell 31st

What needs to be done, today?

Walk

Physical therapy

Eat healthy

Read

The Blessing Basket

Give the battle to God

Praise God in the storm

Thank Goodness It's Sunday 411

~ Good friends

~ Lunches with good friends

~ Air conditioning

~ Sister time

~ Writing time

Frustration...

Yes, I've been battling it. Some "altercations" on social media where others twisted what I said and took offense at their version of the truth. It's insane.

A prologue in which the author had me smacking my head at their... what's the word? They left their van in a disreputable neighborhood and, within thirty minutes, it broken into and all their valuables stolen. They were shocked. Why? Really? How did they not see that coming? I'm not sure I want to read the book. It's not a good sign when you start by questioning the intelligence of the author.

I discovered that the soy-free protein powder Quest uses Stevia, an artificial sweetener. Yes, I think soy is better for me than artificial sweeteners, and soy isn't good for me.

The weather is warming up. I want more cold weather. I live in the wrong part of the country.

Teachers here are striking for more pay. The taxpayers voted to sell land, sell bonds, and raise taxes to give raises. When I asked where the money went I was told it went to buildings and administration. Now the teachers are going to punish students and taxpayers because the upper echelon appears to be lining their own pockets, figuratively speaking. Whatever the excuse, the money didn't go to teachers like the taxpayers were told it would. I asked why wasn't the union bargaining for better pay and holding the upper echelon accountable and was told that the union was pouring money and effort into organizing the strike. Wait... what? That doesn't even make sense. Without accountability, nothing will change.

Don't even start me on unions. I worked for a great company that treated its people well, and then the union insisted on horning in. They stole money out of my pocket, calling them dues, with no return value. "I do not like them, Sam I am." ~ Dr. Seuss

A bit of good news: The social media account breach of millions of users? Yeah, I missed it. I don't use APPs. Go me. Taking the good news where I can find it.

I'm experimenting with milk that is processed so that it can be kept on the shelf for a few months. I used it in a Betty Crocker S'mores mix. I can't tell the difference. A good idea for food storage, though careful rotation will need to be observed.

My brain is empty now. Blessedly.

Where does the time go?

April is swiftly passing. Blessedly, I'm continuing to add to "The Blessing Basket." However, it's still nowhere near finished. The days are packed but not with writing. I'm grateful for what writing I do accomplish.

REAL Week 455

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.  Since my accident I haven't done these, but I'm working to add them back into my routine. Currently, I can't sit on the floor and hope to get up again, so crunches and flutter kicks are on hold, and my pushups are against the wall.

Using 1-lb weights:

PT ~ Physical therapy

UBP ~ Upper body exercises and pushups

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

http://sealfit.com/sealfit-blog-how-to-build-durability/

13: PT. UBP. x1. Stretch.

14: 2+ mile walk. PT. UBP. x4. Stretch.

15: Rest.

16: 2-mile walk. PT. UBP. x4. Stretch.

17: 1-mile walk. PT. UBP. x2. Stretch.

18: 2-mile walk. PT. UBP. x4. Stretch. Yard work.

19: 1-mile walk. PT. UBP. x1. Stretch.

Jimmy Thomas is a business man, running a popular romance book cover site, a cover model, personal fitness trainer, and health advisor. Pictures: February 2012 and June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me: