 Over the past couple years I've been going to the gym, paying my monthly membership, and enjoying it. I didn't use it much when the weather was nice because I'd rather walk outside and putter in the garden. This past Fall I couldn't seem to "get my groove" back and make it to the gym at least 5 times a week but at least I was trying. After Thanksgiving, I didn't even try. If I even went three times between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it would shock me. As my husband and I look at our debt, our budget, and where we want to be at retirement (on a far far far away date), we are making changes. The gym was the first thing I offered to give up. I wasn't going anyway but the gym still pulled my membership each month. They didn't email or call to say, "Where have you been? We miss you." Worse yet, we had become complacent with paying for a membership we weren't using.This is both sad and a waste of money. In agreement, I went to the gym and cancelled my membership BUT this doesn't mean I'm giving up on my fitness goals or throwing in the towel of good health. Like most people, I have my favorite exercises and then the ones I don't like but need at the gym. I prioritized and found a way to achieve these at home, or should I say, outside a public gym. Over the next few Friday's I'll share a few of the ways I've taken what I learned through my gym membership and personal trainer sessions and am making it work at home. Do you have a gym membership? If so, how often do you go? Are you getting your money's worth?
|
 |  Frozen |
Here we go, another one of my blogs when some of you shake your head but trust me, you'll want to read this one. I took this picture last year and thought, "this has a blog in it, I just know it." I saved the photo in a draft blog with no title, just the pics.
This past weekend I went through my drafts to see if there was a photo ready to be transformed from a moment in time, to a blog with a lesson. Guess what, the ice cube tray won.
This past weekend I went through my drafts to see if there was a photo ready to be transformed from a moment in time, to a blog with a lesson. Guess what, the ice cube tray won.
I am losing all hope;
I am paralyzed with fear."
Psalm 143: NLT
There was a time in my life when I felt hopeless and paralyzed by fear. I didn't go anywhere alone. I wouldn't let my daughter leave my sight. If my husband worked late, I wouldn't open the front door or turn on the lights because I didn't want others to know I was home alone. Fear paralyzed me.
But then something happened, a student told me what I needed, I needed Jesus. Many adults tried to tell me this but it was a child who looked beyond the facade I put forth outside the security of my home...he saw fear and hopelessness within.
His honesty and willingness and courage to be honest started the melting process. Although my heart was still frozen with fear, it slowly started to melt. As I read my Bible, went to church, and listened to how the Bible related to my life today...I was able to come out a little more.
But then something happened, a student told me what I needed, I needed Jesus. Many adults tried to tell me this but it was a child who looked beyond the facade I put forth outside the security of my home...he saw fear and hopelessness within.
His honesty and willingness and courage to be honest started the melting process. Although my heart was still frozen with fear, it slowly started to melt. As I read my Bible, went to church, and listened to how the Bible related to my life today...I was able to come out a little more.
I wasn't frozen by fear anymore. I was like this tray of ice cubes.
I couldn't let go 100% yet but I was outside and trying new things. I slowly let our daughter be a kid. I could sit in the house with lights on. I held on to God tight for strength but wasn't frozen by fear any longer. Eventually, I let go.
There are still days when I'm like the ice cubes in the first pictures but most of the time, I enjoy letting go and swimming in God's protection.
I couldn't let go 100% yet but I was outside and trying new things. I slowly let our daughter be a kid. I could sit in the house with lights on. I held on to God tight for strength but wasn't frozen by fear any longer. Eventually, I let go.
There are still days when I'm like the ice cubes in the first pictures but most of the time, I enjoy letting go and swimming in God's protection.
Are you hanging on for swimming?
If you follow me on Facebook then you know I enjoy baking, especially when it's cold outside. As a New Yorker (Upstate NY) for my entire life, it's a good thing. It's cold out, a lot.
Baking is relaxing...
When our daughter started school I started a tradition, if it was a "snow day" (a day when schools are closed due to weather), I made homemade cinnamon rolls. Even in high school, she looked forward to her "Snow Day Cinnamon Rolls". When she went to college and I had my first snow day without her here, it was odd.
Baking is a family tradition...
Not only did I overeat but it wasn't the same. This past Friday was a snow day and I didn't make cinnamon rolls. Instead, I slept in. This was quite nice and might be a new tradition. I might opt to catch up on sleep versus cleaning the house and crossing things off the list.
Baking warms the house and fills it with a delicious aroma....
Baking is relaxing...
When our daughter started school I started a tradition, if it was a "snow day" (a day when schools are closed due to weather), I made homemade cinnamon rolls. Even in high school, she looked forward to her "Snow Day Cinnamon Rolls". When she went to college and I had my first snow day without her here, it was odd.
Baking is a family tradition...
Not only did I overeat but it wasn't the same. This past Friday was a snow day and I didn't make cinnamon rolls. Instead, I slept in. This was quite nice and might be a new tradition. I might opt to catch up on sleep versus cleaning the house and crossing things off the list.
Baking warms the house and fills it with a delicious aroma....
Do you like to bake?
Do you have a favorite time or reason?
If you are like me then you probably have a few spots at your house that are more comfortable, or your "favorite" places.
When I'm home, if it's not raining and it's nice out, then my favorite place to land is on our back deck. It's a piece of paradise and quiet.
Since I live in Upstate New York the days and hours I can spend on the deck are limited so I have a couple spots inside I find relaxing. The picture in today's blog is where I like to start my day. Coffee, quiet, reading, journaling, and often writing a note to some special peeps.
Most people have salt, pepper, napkins, and eating essentials on their lazy susan but not me. My lazy susan consists of pens, pencils, highlighters, a ruler, note cards, stamps, dry eraise markers, scissors, white out, and an address book.
When I'm home, if it's not raining and it's nice out, then my favorite place to land is on our back deck. It's a piece of paradise and quiet.
Since I live in Upstate New York the days and hours I can spend on the deck are limited so I have a couple spots inside I find relaxing. The picture in today's blog is where I like to start my day. Coffee, quiet, reading, journaling, and often writing a note to some special peeps.
Most people have salt, pepper, napkins, and eating essentials on their lazy susan but not me. My lazy susan consists of pens, pencils, highlighters, a ruler, note cards, stamps, dry eraise markers, scissors, white out, and an address book.
I used to have this shelf in my bedroom next to my reading chair but found myself bringing out my devotional, Bible, and journal each morning.
Instead of spending my minimal minutes in the morning getting things out, I measured and realized I could house all my morning items on this shelf, under the kitchen table.
I love it. No one knows it's there unless they sit at my spot at the table. I don't think my family even noticed yet, lol. This is where I start most mornings and relax when I get home. It's my comfy place.
I think it's because so many memories of my parents are sitting at the kitchen table having coffee, visiting, and talking with us kids. As an adult, it's my happy place and I hope our daughter will have a similar spot to start her day when she is married one day.
Instead of spending my minimal minutes in the morning getting things out, I measured and realized I could house all my morning items on this shelf, under the kitchen table.
I love it. No one knows it's there unless they sit at my spot at the table. I don't think my family even noticed yet, lol. This is where I start most mornings and relax when I get home. It's my comfy place.
I think it's because so many memories of my parents are sitting at the kitchen table having coffee, visiting, and talking with us kids. As an adult, it's my happy place and I hope our daughter will have a similar spot to start her day when she is married one day.
Where do you start your day?
Why is this place "your spot"?
As December winded down and the new year fast approached I thought about something I could do this year that would be different than years past. Then it came to me, last year our pastor shared the "Temperature Afghan" with us.
I never heard of this, thought it was a neat idea, but didn't think about it again until after Christmas, a year later. I went to Google. and Pinterest to learn more. Not only was I surprised to learn more about the temperature quilt but was shocked at the variations. Once I saw the option and daily commitment involved, I decided this was my 2018 project.
It requires:
*Discipline - 1st to check the weather daily
- To log the temperature
*Dedication - To crochet 2 rows (1 over and 1 back) daily
*Creativity - I had to pick my "thermometer" of colors and temp
Although it's only day 6 of 2018, I've done well so far. I'm keeping a notebook to log the day's high. This way, if I don't have the time or it's 90 Degrees out in July, I can catch up the next day.
This is the one I'm using - I modified it so that below 9 degrees is white. Click here to see the pattern I'm using this year.
I never heard of this, thought it was a neat idea, but didn't think about it again until after Christmas, a year later. I went to Google. and Pinterest to learn more. Not only was I surprised to learn more about the temperature quilt but was shocked at the variations. Once I saw the option and daily commitment involved, I decided this was my 2018 project.
It requires:
*Discipline - 1st to check the weather daily
- To log the temperature
*Dedication - To crochet 2 rows (1 over and 1 back) daily
*Creativity - I had to pick my "thermometer" of colors and temp
Although it's only day 6 of 2018, I've done well so far. I'm keeping a notebook to log the day's high. This way, if I don't have the time or it's 90 Degrees out in July, I can catch up the next day.
This is the one I'm using - I modified it so that below 9 degrees is white. Click here to see the pattern I'm using this year.
Have you heard of the temperature afghan before?
If so, have you made one?
If you are on Facebook,
share a picture of your
finished product for others to see?
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