buttercup

Guess that topic just about covers what’s on my mind this morning. LOL

 www.focusonthefamily.com

Scroll down and click on today’s broadcast.  I listened to this on the way to work this morning.  It’s about breaking free from chronic dieting.  VERY good broadcast.  Now I know this is not a religious site, and I’m not trying to push my views on anyone else.  Let’s just get that straight right off the bat.  I’ve seen some battles and ugliness going on here lately that I choose not to get involved in, and frankly, makes me not want to visit much any more.  I don’t like overkill…  Anyway, this broadcast IS a christian broadcast, but I’m sharing it because it has some GREAT stuff in there about focusing TOO much on dieting and how that can be just as detrimental.  And since my spirituality and my addictions go hand in hand with me, I really got a TON of stuff out of listening to it.  Not only did this broadcast help me with my eating problems, but it also helped me with my struggle against nicotine addiction (yes, even after all this time I still struggle with it… prolly always will… it IS addiction after all and I must never become complacent with it).  This broadcast helped to answer a question that I’ve been struggling with for quite some time… is smoking a sin?  Granted they were talking about dieting, overeating, gluttony, but I think ANY addiction would fit here.  What it all boils down to… that “balance” in life that I constantly strive for but fall so short so much of the time.  Ahhhh, but to never give up, right? 

Okay, off to get some work done… Play NICE today peeps, purleeeeeeeeeeeeez.  

Hugggggggggs,
Shan
Love grows from the rich loam of forgiveness; mongrels make good dogs; and the evidence of God can be found in the roundness of things.
~Wally Lamb~ from the novel “This Much I Know Is True” 

This was a very profound statement that I had to write down in my journal.  I will probably never forget it or what it means.  If you want further explanation of the meaning of this statement, you will have to read the 900+ page novel just like I did. MWAHAHA  Very deep book, but so worth getting to this last written sentence. 

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING BUDDIES!!!!

Huggggggggggggggggggggggs,
Shan

1. When you wake up in the morning, always start your day with a prayer/vision.
2. And then, complete the following statement,
   My purpose is to__________ today.
3. Take a 10 to 30-minute walk every day. And while you walk,smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
4. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
5. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
6. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices. Eat blueberries,salad, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, etc.
7. Make at least three people smile each day.
8. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present.
9. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone, so give the best of your kindness.
11. Take yourself seriously.
12. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
14. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don’t compare your partner with others either.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.  So, be happy.
16. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
17. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
19. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:
In five years, will it matter?
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
20. Forgive everyone for everything.
21. Read more books and watch less TV than you did last year.
22. What other people think of you is none of your business.
23. God has everything you’ll every need in life so hook up with Him.
24. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
25. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation; don’t bring up the past.
26. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
27. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
28. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
29. Keep believing that the best is yet to come.
30. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
31. Each day give something good to others.
32. Don’t over do. Keep your limits.
33. Sleep for 7 hours every day or whatever your body needs.
34. Don’t trust someone who doesn’t close their eyes when you kiss them.
35. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
36. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
37. Do the right thing!
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
    I am thankful for__________
    Today I accomplished_________
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Trust in God, but lock your car.
41. Realize that as you get older, you are not approaching death,but heaven.
42. Know that GOD heals everything.

Yes!  We are getting some rain today.  Very very much needed here in Northeast Texas.  The cloud cover yesterday evening and breeze blowing through the woods (rare in August at my house) gave me THE perfect conditions for walking.  It’s been so sweltering hot that I’ve not done any evening walking lately.  So off I went.  I think the deer are getting used to me.  Saw a buck last night and his velvet antlers were beautiful.  Of course Rosie, my little wombat heina lookin dog, decided she wanted a game of chase, so the beautiful view of this strong amazing animal didn’t last long.  I walked for 50 minutes.  This morning, my derriere and thighs feel it.  Feels good…

The eating is going well.  I have not had any sweets for 2 weeks now.  None… nada… was tempted to get some cherry sherbert at Braum’s yesterday on my way home, but looked at the calories and decided not to.  I’m on a roll so why tempt a good thang?  Wanted to share my supper with you guys.  It was kind of just a throw together do it yourself dish in the crockpot.  Can’t believe I didn’t lose a finger chopping all these vegetables at 5:30 in the morning…

Celery
Parsnips
Okra
Zucchini
Bell Pepper
Onion
Can crushed tomatoes
1/2 tiny can of tomato paste
3 chicken boullion cubes
chopped chicken breast
enough water added in to cover everything

Cook on low for 4-5 hours.  Serve over hot whole grain brown rice.  By dingies, there IS a way to get some nutrition down my dad with no teeth. HA!  Colton liked it too, but picked out anything he saw that looked green. LOL  He ate the parsnips though (thought they were chopped up potatoes). MWAHAHA   

Okay peeps, something else I’ve discovered.  Yes, you know I like lentils for breakfast every now and then.  Welpers, today I threw in a wedge of laughing cow cheese, and chopped up 3 rounds pieces of canadian bacon.  Trying my BEST to get in more protein.  How else am I going to keep my muscles toned as I grow older?  BUT…. what I have discovered is Kashi stoneground 7 grain crackers!  OH… MY… GOSH… sooooooooo tasty.  Now granted, 4 crackers is 130 calories. YIKES!  But, it only takes 4 crackers to satisfy the tastebuds and help round out the meal.  Better than  eating half a box of regular crackers.  Quality vs. Quantity.  I’m on a quest… hehe…

Today, I’m going to ENJOY this much needed rain, and I’m going to get in a little bit of overtime at work.  The money will come in handy for our short vacation we are taking in a couple weeks.  Traveling to Fredericksburg, TX and have front row center tickets for Rockbox Theater.  You guys check it out!  www.rockboxtheater.com.  I’m so excited!  Will spend the night and travel an hour the next day to San Antonio… see the Alamo and lunch on the beautiful riverwalk.  I haven’t been to San Antonio since the 70’s.  Dad will also get a chance to see his mother’s grave in Llano one last time before he dies (his words not mine… I think he’ll live forever LOL)

I’m loving this chilling out and not trying so hard.  For some reason, I seem to stay MORE focused on healthy eating and I’m getting in MORE exercise.  Reverse psychology?  Maybe.  Hey, whatever works, right?

Huggggggggggggs buddies… have a delightful weekend,
Shan
One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.
Maya Angelou

Can I get a WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO?
Somebody quick!  HIGH FIVE ME!!!!!

Now that I have the most important stuff outta the way (attitude is everything), I want to share something.  My last blog I said I was just going to chill out for a bit and not let every single moment of my day be consumed with what I ate and which way to eat it, etc.  This is WORKING for me.  I feel more relaxed and I’m loving it.  Yes, still keeping portions and calories in check, and I started doing that on FitDay.com (THANKS CATRINA for mentioning Fitday).  It’s absolutely the best and easiest way to track not only my calories, but my nutrients and exercise as well.  EASY PEASY to log so I’m in there and outta there in a flash and done with it.  YEAH BABY!  The last few days I’ve been able to stay well within 1200 calories per day and I’m seeing that my nutrition is great and that my fat/carbs/protein ratio is really good.  Could stand to get in some more protein I think though.  That’s hard for me to do and stay within 1200 calories, but I’m workin on it, so all is good.  My energy is starting to sore again and I’ve upped my exercise to twice a day.  30-40 minutes in the a.m., and since it’s too dark in the morning to walk now (getting lighter later) I’m back to the circuit training dvd and the step aerobics dvd.  Then after supper and kitchen clean-up, I’m out for a walk about 7:45 or 8:00 p.m. for at least 2.5 miles of quick step walking.  None of that strolling along stuff for me. HA!  Still sweltering hot, but not in the 100’s, so I can stand it.  Then I treat myself to an ice COLD shower.  So WOWZA… this twice a day exercising IS doable for this busy mom with a career.  Who woulda thunk it? LOL  Have to admit that it is taking some DISCIPLINE to get my butt out there to walk in the evenings, but 5 minutes after I’m into, I’m glad I did. 

So LOOKOUT Madonna!  You’re not going to be the only 50 year old woman out there that is IN SHAPE.  hehe…

I get to go see my friend Sam this weekend.  She is getting baptised Sunday and wants me there.  I’M SOOOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR HER!!!!  Saturday evening I plan to treat us to dinner and a movie.  Since its a small town, the only decent place to eat that isn’t a hamburger joint or greasy mexican food is Applebees.  I can make smart choices there.  The movie is gonna be Mamma Mia.  When else am I gonna get a chance to see a good chick flick at the theaters with a wonderful friend? 
K, outta here to get some work done.

Feel good today people.  It’s a CHOICE.  I repeat… IT’S A CHOICE.

Some of life’s most rewarding experiences make you sweat and persevere through hard times, only to emerge on the other side victorious and wiser for having worked so hard. (read that this morning on Sparkspeople)

Huggggggggggggggggggggggggggs,
Shan
feeling groovy today…

Let’s see.  Not much to say, but it’s Friday, my goof off day even though I have tons of work, so I feel like blogging a little.  What to say?  Hmmmmmm…. had whole oats this morning with fresh blueberries, and 2 slices of canadian bacon with one wedge of laughing cow cheese smashed in the middle, sandwich style.  Tasty….  My laziness won out on my exercising this morning.  I skipped.  Well, let me be completely honest.  I’m reaching the end of my novel “This Much I Know Is True” by Wally Lamb and decided to read this morning instead of walk.  Wanna finish it.  Got another novel I’m dying to get started on. LOL

I’ve noticed lately a lot of people blogging about not paying attention to the numbers and focusing more on measurements.  I think that’s a GREAT IDEA.  I never really tracked my measurements, but it did get me to thinking.  So got dressed this morning and looked in the full length mirror (I have a love/hate relationship with that mirror).  I look more balanced.  Not so much like a snow cone any longer.  Like my thighs and hips/butt have gained some muscle.  Prolly from the walking.  I know my muscles FEEL it when I’m done walking.  Has my weight changed.  NOPE.  Do I think I LOOK better in my clothes.  YEP.  I’ll take it…

It seems I’ve been flip flopping all over the place with my eating/dieting.  What to cut out, which route to take, and instead of a steady forward progression, I’m just floundering around.  Phase I of SouthBeach and I start to feel deprived.  Cut out all sugar/high fructose corn syrup and I start to feel deprived.  Cut out meats and dairy and man oh man, do I start to feel deprived.  Mayyyyyyyybe I should just chill out for awhile.  Quit TRYING so dang hard and letting this number 144 poundage consume my every waking moment.  Mayyyyyyyybe I should just be happy that I’m healthy, look decent in my clothes, have energy… Maybe just keeping my portions in tact, stay at 1200-1500 cals a day and keep the fat to a minimum would be a happy medium for me.  Forget the nonfat stuff and the no starches, low glycemic crappola.  Mayyyyyyybe I should think about quality vs. quantity.  I know that 1/2 cup of good brand regular cottage cheese with sugar free jello is sooooo much tastier than if I had a full cup of nonfat cottage cheese.  Something to ponder there.  Yes, potatoes are high in starch, but by dingy, God put em in the earth for us to eat, they are full of nutrition.  Having one every now and then ain’t gonna kill me.  Corn is good for me.  And guess what?  You know how when you eat corn and the kernals and excreted from your body whole.  Welp, that doesn’t happen when you eat it raw.  Something to ponder.  I’m still very very much into the whole foods idea, and that raw is better than cooked.  South Beach Phase II is still my diet of choice if I was going to recommend a “diet”.  But forget not eating a carrot because of the natural sugar it has in it.  Sheesh.   Okay, rambling done on THAT subject. HA!

Hmmmmmmmm, what else.  Colton wants to quit karate.  The boy is THISSSSSS close to getting his black belt… reaching his goal.  And it’s FEAR OF FAILURE that is making him want to quit.  He has one test to go and it’s the big one.  He has to perform all 12 of his forms… that’s what? 103 moves to memorize? Something like that.  All of his self-defenses.  All of his philosphies. And 3 board breaks in one fluid motion.  Now granted.  This will be hard, but he can do it.  It’s a matter of brushing up and remembering what he has learned over the past 2 1/2 years.  It’s a matter of having self confidence, perseverance, and attitude.  I told him NO, he is not quitting.  And when he takes that test, and passes, he will understand why I’m not letting him quit.  He said “what if I fail?”  Then you will have TRIED my child, and that right there is what’s important.  So we sant down and made a practice plan, one day at a time, one bit at a time, so it wouldn’t seem so overwhelming.  He still balked at the whole thing.  I asked him if he wanted me to give up on quitting smoking.  NO!  I told him then he’s not giving up on reaching his black belt goal, and walked away.  hehe…… evil mom MWAHAHA

Okay, I suppose that’s all that on my mind this fine Friday morn.  Hmmmmm, should I pass along something inspiring?  OF COURSE!  Lessee… how about some Christmas in July?

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” (Bobby - age 7)

Hugggggggggggggs EVERYBUDDY… big HUGGGGGGGS (cause Jane said and I want to and you can’t stop me… *sticks out tongue*), WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Shan

Breakfast can be so much more than just the usual eggs, don’t you think?

Today I chopped up a cup of green leaf lettuce, tossed with a snack pack of low cal vanilla yogurt, threw in a celery stalk, chopped, an apple with the peel, chopped, a handful of raisens, and a tablespoon of chopped walnuts.  Wow!  My tastebuds have come ALIVE!

Being stuck in a rut… the same old foods… It can do a number on our dieting motivation. 

So let’s put on our creative thinking caps today peeps!  Let’s spice it up a little, change it around, feel the excitement of a new creation. 

V stands for Variety… not just Victory

As I walked this morning, it was very uneventful… eerie even.  I did not see any hogs, deer, squirrels.  No birds were chirping.  I saw no owls or hawks.  Not even the sound of neighboring dogs were barking or roosters crowing.  So my imagination starts running wild.  A bear in the woods… a wolf… maybe a cougar… the woods are TOO quiet.  Let me tell you, I stepped it up and was sweating bullets and breathing HARD when I got to my front porch.  Talk about a workout. HA!

Today is going to be a good day.  I can just feel it in my bones…  *raises hands forward and wiggles fingers… spreads good feeling to all buddies out there in blogland*

Hugggggggggggggggggggggggggggs and lotsa LOVE peeps,
Shan

I’m being FORCED to learn this one.  Impossible deadlines at work, blah blah blah.  I’ve had to take a backseat to my life and have a good look in and make some adjustments.  What is truly important to me?  How hard am I willing to work to get to what will ultimately lead me to inner peace and joy and happiness?  Not “work” at work, but “work” as in EFFORT.  These last few weeks/months, I’ve let my employment pretty much dictate my life.  What has this gotten me?  More money?  Not really.  A sense of satisfaction.  Not really.  More stress? Definately.  Less time with my family?  Definately.  Less time to plan my meals and exercise and grocery shop?  Definately.  Less time to really STUDY my Bible and talk to Jesus?  Definately *big sigh*  Something’s gotta give.  So I got in the backseat and thought about it.  This is what I came up with.  If I don’t have my daily meditation, prayer, and spiritual study, I am pretty much lost for the rest of the day.  That ones gotta stay.  If I don’t exercise at least 30 minutes every morning, I’m pretty much tired and going downhill by the time I get to work.  That ones gotta stay.  If I don’t plan my meals, take the time to prepare them, and grocery shop BEFORE I run out of healthy foods, then I WILL end up shoving junk in my mouth, which pretty much DEPLETES my energy instead of reviving my energy.  So that ones gotta stay.  If I don’t spend TIME with my family, enjoy the love that surrounds me and that I have been blessed with, then I become sad, despondent, and lonely.  So THAT ones gotta stay.  What DOESN’T have to stay is skipping breaks and lunches at work just to get a piece of paper finished that MIGHT please some developer who’s got a million dollars on the line with his hotel and he doesn’t even know I exist.  Time might be money for HIM, but not for me.  Nuff said.  What DOESN’T have to stay is scrambling to see that those engineers get their butts not chewed on for their designs being late by the time I get the specs to put them out for bids.  How will they ever learn time management and see that hours spent getting jobs out for bid is quality time needed just as much as designs are if I keep working like a madwoman to meet the impossible deadlines they are inflicting on me?  I’m learning to say “no, that can’t be done in 2 hours.  I need 10 if you want it done right the first time.”  There’s a certain freedom in that by the way.  I’m learning to say to my secretary ”No, put them through to my voice mail”, instead of scrambling to answer ANOTHER phone call and end up working on 2 or 3 things at once instead of putting my focus and undivided attention to whatever task is at hand.  My work is my work.  I like it but I’m not in love with it.  It makes me a living to care for my family.  I’m not married to it.  I AM in love with my God, my family, my friends, and myself.  So that is where I am reshifting my focus, and I will start with my creative procrastination endeavors.  

Ever read EAT THAT FROG by Brian Tracey?  Here’s an excerpt.  Makes a lot of sense.

Huggggggggggggggggggs EveryBUDDY,
Shan
RRRRRRRBBBBTTTT
RRRRBBBBBBBTTTT
 

Creative procrastination is one of the most effective of all personal performance techniques. It can change your life.

The fact is that you can’t do everything that you have to do. You have to procrastinate on something. Therefore, procrastinate on small tasks. Put off eating smaller or less ugly frogs. Eat the biggest and ugliest frogs before anything else. Do the worst first!

Everyone procrastinates. The difference between high performers and low performers is largely determined by what they choose to procrastinate on.

Since you must procrastinate anyway, decide today to procrastinate on low-value activities. Decide to procrastinate on, outsource, delegate, and eliminate those activities that don’t make much of a contribution to your life in any case. Get rid of the tadpoles and focus on the frogs.

Learn To Say…No!

One of the most powerful of all words in time management is the word no! Say it politely. Say it clearly so that there are no misunderstandings. Say it regularly as a normal part of your time management vocabulary.

Say no to anything that is not a high-value use of your time and your life. Say no graciously but firmly to avoid agreeing to something against your will. Say it early and say it often. Remember that you have no spare time. As we say, “Your dance card is full.”

For you to do something new, you must complete or stop doing something old. Getting in requires getting out. Picking up means putting down. (*I found this one paragraph VERY profound*)

Creative procrastination is the act of thoughtfully and deliberately deciding upon the exact things you are not going to do right now, if ever.

Hugggggggggggggggggggggs,
Shan

He put me in a different frame of mind than the one I had when I got up.

Even though I feel like quitting my quit, I’ll keep going… just for today… one day at a time.

Even though I seem to be spinning my threadbare tires on wet pavement with my weight loss, I’ll keep on trying… just for today… one day at a time.

Even though I keep getting piles upon piles upon FLIPPEN PILES of impossible deadlines from impossible engineers, and even one engineer quitting with months and MONTHS of mess to sift through and her clients to console and get taken care of, and even though I don’t have TIME for Jury Duty that I’ve been called to today, I’ll go gladly and serve this wonderful justice system that’s better than any other country I know of, even though it has it’s fault.  I’ll keep plugging away at work and checking things off… just for today… one task at a time… one day at a time…

Even though I feel like screaming to God “ENOUGH! I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”, I’ll keep going to Him in prayer… just for today… one day at a time… because I know that He is getting me through all this, and I’m becoming stronger because of it.

He sent me Ralph today.  He knew I needed him.  Maybe you do too.

Hugggggggggggggs EveryBUDDY,
Shan

Even though your morning may not have been productive, there is still much you can accomplish in the afternoon. Even though you’ve suffered some setbacks, there are still plenty of options for moving forward.

Even though you may disagree with what someone has to say, you can benefit greatly from understanding that person’s point of view. Even though you find yourself in difficult and challenging circumstances, there is much value for you to create.

Even though you may feel like quitting, you have what it takes to keep going. Even though the goal seems far away, every step brings you closer.

Even though there are plenty of reasons for you to feel sorry for yourself, you can choose instead to renew your determination and enthusiasm. Even though your path is filled with obstacles, you can truly enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from successfully moving beyond each one.

Even though darkness may at times surround you, your light can shine more brightly than ever. Even though you may occasionally grow weary, there’s always a way to renew and re-energize yourself.

Even though the road has its twists and turns, the journey is worth the effort. Keep going, keep growing, keep learning and loving and living with all the richness your precious life deserves.

– Ralph Marston

I ready my buddy Lou’s blog this morning.  I just love her to death.  She never ever gives up and has such a wonderful attitude toward making her goals.  Although her patience, as with me and so many others, still needs work.  Seems we all want it so bad and want to reach our goals right NOW, that it’s hard for us to see what progress we HAVE made.  That’s one of the first things I do before I read a buddy’s blog… I look at their weight graph.  It is such a wonderful visual to see what progress you are making, although at times, such as now LOL, I don’t like mine because it shows an climb up *sighs*.  But a climb up does NOT mean to give up!  Anyway, Lou got me to thinking and then I started digging in my archive of “stuff” and I found what I was looking for, so wanted to share.  I love Ralph Marston.  If ever there was a man who could put into words how I feel on so many different days and so many different issues, he’s it.

Huggggggggggggggs buddies,
Shan

Quick success is nice when it comes. However, slow and steady success is even better, because it is repeatable, robust and sustainable.

Overnight success almost never happens. And in the rare event when it does happen, there’s a dreadful fear that it will disappear as quickly as it appeared.

Slow success is confident, lasting success. Success earned over time is success that you can genuinely enjoy, appreciate and continue to build upon.

Instant success depends upon being at exactly the right place at precisely the right time. Slow success, on the other hand, makes a small yet significant opportunity out of each moment and every situation.

Instead of wishing for immediate results, work patiently for the more realistic, reliable and valuable results that can only come with time and commitment. Steadily spread your success over time, and it will always be yours.

Every minute of every day there is a way to be slowly and steadily successful. Gather the small opportunities as they come, and the rewards will be great indeed.

– Ralph Marston

Now HERE is a kid with patience.  We can learn a LOT from children: