Refocus

FOCUS FOR 2014

• WORSHIP
• HOMEMAKING
• FRIENDSHIPS
• TRAVEL
• WORK
• EXERCISE
• READING

This is how my New Year's post probably looked.  These are the seven areas that I chose to spend my time on this year.  Didn't set resolutions - just thought about the important things in my life and set out to focus on making improvements and growing in each area.

More than midway through the year and here is where I stand:

Worship - attending church less and attempting to read and study my Bible alone.  There is much to be said about Hebrews 10:25:  Let us not give up on meeting together as some are in the habit of doing . . . My kids heard this multiple times.

Homemaking - no change here.  I enjoy an organized and clean house.  

Friendships - this has been a very sad focus for me.  I have been able to say for the last decade that I have a best friend.  And I believe that we have friends for seasons of our life.  I have not kept a friend FOR life.  People change and situations change and although I love my dear friend still - we don't find the time to spend on our friendship like we did at one time.  We both know it.  We discuss it.  No change here.

Travel - This has been one of the biggest surprises of my life actually.  I had never understood why people loved to travel and why anyone would want to retire and travel the countryside.  I became a traveler in 2002 and actually I became pretty mobile in 1998 when my son went to college and I had to check in with him from time to time . . . Then we have traveled to see our granddaughter, who is nearly 12 now.  Precious memories made on every single trip to either  South Dakota, Texas, Great Bend, Junction City, and now Garden City. Ballgames for our daughter.   Many trips now to Texas and Topeka to see our kids.  Throw in a few trips for business and or business-related and I have seen some territory and love it!  I wanted to focus this year on making travel easier.  I have done one thing to impove travel.   I have given up taking a "carry-on" bag that Southwest so nicely lets us have - I used to stuff it full of everything I might possibly want or need for the flight and trip - and found out that lugging that plus my purse (not a small item either) was too much for my broken down back.    So I travel lighter.  Just my purse.  And of course my luggage that I checked.  

Work - Much thought, worry, prayer, stress and anxiety here.

Exercise - Have done almost none.

Reading - Have done almost none.

So . . . I still like my plan for focusing on these areas, but as you can see, I didn't get a very "clear picture" in several of these areas.  But I'm a work in progress.  To finish out 2014, and please disregard any other post recently where I have said differently, I will focus on taking action and improving my life in these areas:  Worship, Work, Exercise, Reading.

I plan to take action and write about it as I do - - - stay tuned - - - I promise to be back on track before it's time to sing "aulde lange syne" my friends.

                                     

If at first you don't succeed . . .

Half of 2014 is officially over and I have a few of my "focus areas" that need some work.  To refresh your memory - check this post and then continue reading as I enlist the hubs to once again get back to movin' and getting stronger and more fit!   There are sooooo many reasons that all of us need to be serious about staying active and being strong.  It's not just for the young who want to build muscle and look great on the beach or in the gym or who want to win competitions . . . it's critical for optimal health in the 30's 40's and as we are finding out . . . the 50's.    Use Google - check it out for yourself . . . I'll leave that to each individual and their own physician to recommend a program.  Here is what Clay and I have decided we will do:

     1.  No food eaten after 8 p.m. 

     2.  Healthy portions.  Healthy food.

     2.  Limit eating out at restaurants to once a week.

     3.  Exercise 5 days out of 7.

     4.  Bible reading daily.

     5.  Once a week do something fun together - not including the meal we can eat out.

Nothing earth shattering or surprising in that plan.   We each have a weight that we are wanting to achieve - I will lose 40 pounds and hubs will lose 25.  

The exercise will vary - I love to bike ride - I love to swim - I like to walk, play catch, clean house, and water flowers.   Those are my activities of choice.  I also like Bocce ball and working out on the fitness machines.  I have a treadmill and a gym membership.  Beloit offers many walking paths - awesome swim pool with lazy river - and plenty of places to hike.  

Clay does mega-walking in his job - - - He loves to golf - - - He will use the treadmill - - - and he has a gym membership.  

I know that I will need to start slow and I challenged my sister, Tami to a week of fun activities to get us moving.  Tami has been a success story in losing and keeping off a significant amount of weight.  She is active around their farm with gardening, and yard work, walking, jogging, and man-handling a large dog on a walk . . . known as the BDW (big dog walk).  

So here we go . . . and if you would like to join in the fun this week . . . please follow along  - - - here is our exercise routine for Week #1:

Choose five activiies from these seven and do any day you choose!

Activity #1 - Take a hike in the countryside - at least one mile of walking.  Take 3 pictures to share via your blog.  (Clay's will be shared on my blog)

Activity #2 - Swim or Bike Ride or Golf (If you chose to ride along with hubs - take your hand weights and you are required to do hand/arm exercises at every other hole!   Yes I've done this before!

Activity #3 - Walk 1.5 miles and do strength training for arms of your choice.  

Activity #4 - Play catch with baseball.  Keep it going for 20 minutes.  

Activity #5 - Walk 1.5 miles on a walking path - or country road - or around your farm!  Do the BDW!!

Activity #6 - It's all about the tummy today:  

                               Put on your favorite music - make it loud

                               15 jumping jacks

                               15 sit ups

                               15 bicycles

                               15 leg lifts

                               Repeat once!

Activity #7 - You choose!!!  Anything you'd like to get your exercise for the day!

Unfortunately for those of you who are more advanced in your ability to move . . . I have made this a beginners pace as Clay and I need to not get discouraged.  My hope is that we can all have fun with it - and that's the key!!  

Side note:  I am going to have my blood work done for a cholesterol panel and I am going to see my chiropractor.  These are two areas that I have been negligent with for quite a long time now.  

Hubs will be monitoring blood pressure as he had a few readings that were too high when last at the drs. office. 

How about you?  Please feel free to share in your blog the choices for exercise you picked here and what other things you may be trying in order to live a healthier and happier life!

Let's get moving!

Getting a plan . . .

The following blog post was nearly "deleted" today as I started on a new post - - - as you will see below I was feeling stressed out - - - and once the post was written - - - I didn't have any intention to print it - - - but today as I re-read - - - it doesn't sound so bad.  It's all very true.  Life isn't always picture perfect.  So - read on . . . and then follow along with me to see my " plan" in action,

It's nearly 2 a.m. and I have been home from work for one hour.  Why?  Trying to catch up with work that cannot seem to find an ending.  Two steps forward and then three steps back.   I'm going on a long weekend trip to see our son this weekend so extra hours are required.

Poor management? (that would be on me)  Busy establishment? (that's a good thing) Short on help?  (I think maybe yes).  A person can't move from one position to a supervisory position and take all of your present work with you to the new position . . . then become even busier on top of it all . . . it makes for a tired lady.    And yes sitting up at 2 a.m. blogging may bring certain people down on me . . . but I'm not suffering from physical tired.  I'm tired in my heart and in my soul.  

Every aspect of my little life - which is blessed in many, many ways - is not going the way I think I want it to go.    I want to work hard at my job and meet deadlines easily - I want to lead with grace and wisdom and kindness and forgiveness.  I want a more healthy body at a smaller size but I refuse to do what it takes to get it.  I want to relax in my home with my family and pets and read and clean house and keep up with laundry and watch favorite TV shows.  

I want a good nights sleep.

I want to pray and read God's word.

I want to simplify.

I have been dejected at not finding things to blog about as I did in the past.    

So sounds like I need a vacation??  Well we are off tomorrow to the great state of Texas.  Our son Todd and his family live there, and the five day weekend promises to bring some fun in the sun and much more . . .

Assignment:

Relax   Enjoy family  Rest my soul   Come home with a plan . . . stay tuned.

“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself.” - - Robert F. Bennett

Problems are always made better at the beach :)

The search is over . . .

I have been searching far and wide for the perfect patio lounge chair.  Thought I wanted to go vintage like this:

Or cheap like this above:

You see I have four really nice chairs on my patio - but they are only comfortable for about l5 minutes - then I start to squirm and get restless and go back to the house for a better chair.  

Everyone raves about the new anti-gravity chair - I don't care for the look - but last night even gave into that as hubs and I tried to open one up in the middle of Alco - couldn't figure out the locks - fought with it to get it to fold up - or NOT fold up when I tried to sit in it - - - we gave up - - - I gave up - and just felt like after two years of searching - I was done.

This morning was Saturday and I woke up at 7:30 - fixed some coffee and headed in my nightgown to the patio.  Patio looked very inviting - It's Flag Day - June 14, and so I had my flag flying in the wind . . . the wind . . . yes . . . I sat in my "sorta comfy chair" balancing my Bible, journal, phone, devotional, and oh yes a cup of coffee on my lap . . . 

Psalm 34:  The eyes of The Lord watch over those who do right.  His ears are open to their cries for help.  The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles.   The Lord is close to the broken hearted and he protects the bones of the righteous.  He takes care of all of our needs.    

Knowing that,  as the devotional material says,  can allow us to live simply and not in want . . . "Simplicity is not about going WITHOUT - but going WITH GOD through the beautiful journey of a life lived in the simple abundance of grace.

I loved the message - I thought of my terrible shortcomings in the area of acting like God would act - I reflected on all of my blessings, and the desires of my heart, the desire to have the perfect patio - or the perfect home - or the cleanest vehicle - - - and then it came to me . . . 

I don't NEED the perfect loung chair for my patio - - - AFTERALL - - - and I had been thinking this - but ignoring it - - -I live in KANSAS for heaven's sake - - - today the wind is blowing at tornado like strengths just for kicks - - - I had some early morning cool weather with some awesome shade - but very soon - it was 91 degrees and sunny in my little corner - - - it rains - it hails - the chairs need to be stored inside or they blow around - get weathered - or chewed on by a dog . . . the amount of time that I really have to lounge on the patio and take naps out there - - - is very small - - - and right then I knew  - - - my search for lawn furniture was over.  I have what I need . . . stop searching . . . stop wanting . . . I have always wanted a patio - - - now I have it - and the search is over.    At least for the moment . . . I found peace.

A Masterpiece! That's you!

As promised in the New Year I would focus on Worship.  I didn't have ideas of what I would blog about at the time I chose worship as one of my seven focuses for 2014, all I knew was I intend to spend more time being thankful and in prayer and conversation with God.

Healthy living is what brought me to my recent purchase of a small book called "The New Bible Cure for Weight Loss"  It caught my eye - - - two of my focuses in one book - - - worship/Bible study along with weight loss ideas!  

So to share with you I start today with my notable point from the Introduction of this book . . .

Have you been to see the movie "Noah"?  I want to go and I heard the director interviewed on CBS this morning.  He called it the most "nonbiblical biblical production".  The movie is taking a hit for not being completely factual.  I say that I know the real story and can go to the movie and discern the differences . . . but this isn't a movie critique column . . . so let me try to make a point :).

You are God's Masterpiece . . . if you think about our Creator and what power it took to create this world and everything in it - every creature in air, land and sea, animals, flowers, plants, solar systems, and people . . . the determination God felt when he sent the flood to destroy evil . . . guess what?  He has the power and desire to help me overcome my lifelong battle with overeating!     We humans in all of our messed up glory are his best work!  He created us because he wanted someone who could love him back.

That statement alone - the introduction to the book - I Am God's Masterpiece - was the reminder that I needed to spur me onward.  I felt renewed and inspired to eat basically the right things in the right portion and celebrated with a 3 pound weight loss as of this morning!

Your exercise for today:  Close your eyes and see yourself for one moment with no imperfections, no bondage to anything, no shortcomings . . . Imagine your body as lean and healthy as it could possibly be.  What do you look like?  How do you feel?   God imagines us that way, sees us that way, and designed us to be that way . . . He wants what is best for us.

Join me in the next few weeks as I read about the Bible Cure for weight loss and share my lessons from scripture on the importance of nutrition and how God intended us to eat and be healthy . . . how to live an abundant life.

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" John 10:10

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." -Prov. 31:30

Readathon Wrap-Up

It will be known as the Sisters Readathon and it was great!   Anyone making it til 5 p.m. earned a special I Did It Award - and so Tami Erwin you may pick one from this picture:

All purple - - - your almost favorite color

Avon's Lilac Candle

Eye shadow - Orchid and Burgundy Berry

The new lavendar tote - with adjustable compartments - that hold all of your personal items for the bathroom!

Avon's Magnolia Pear Blossom Bubble Bath

Thanks for joining in the fun with me!

Welcome to my readathon . . .

Good early morning!  There are two things I dearly love to do on a Saturday . . . sleep in . . . and join a readathon!    This time the readathon wins - but I admit I may have to take a short nap later in the day.

If you are joining me for a day of reading fun - leave me a comment and check back every two hours for an update, challenging question, or maybe even a prize now and then!!  See my choice of these below!!

7 a.m. - coffee is done - - - let's do a little reading . . .

Question for you:  What did you choose to read today and why?  Do you have a reading goal for today?

Reading benefits a person in so many ways . . . and today you could add the benefit of winning one of these!!

    ITUNES Gift Card

or

 

    Avon Gift Certificate

Is a Readathon of 1 truly a readathon?

What do you think?  Maybe that would just be a day spent reading at home . . . But I think I shall try it anyway . . . I am inviting all of my readers to join me this Saturday, March 15 in a Spring Day of Reading.  Okay - so she's crazy you say - - - having a Spring Readathon and it will still be six days from official Spring.  I have Spring Fever!!

One of my focuses for 2014 is reading.   My sister Tami and I sponsored a mini-readathon earlier in the year for just the two of us and have moved forward with three books so far in the T & T Book Club.    If you will remember we each picked our own book to read in January and I still have not completed the book sorry to say  . . . the next month Tami chose for us both to read a Sarah Addison Allen book - - - I have yet to find one - but I did get a free bookbub choice this last week by her and plan to read it this weekend!  The March book was chosen by me and was a book given to me by a dear friend as a bon voyage gift on our recent trip to the Caribbean.  It is a feel good, pick it up and read-it-any time, beach side or patio, fun read!  It's called Life is Short, Wear Your Party Pants!!  I intend to finish it soon - but it is just one of those books that are really great to carry with you or stop and rest and read a chapter or two - - - I'm in no hurry to finish it . . . it is great!!

So as you can see - I NEED a planned day of reading so that I can catch up!

Another plan that I have to enrich my reading this year is to be part of a reading challenge sponsored by a friend on her blog called The Worm Hole - check it out here.  Her challenge includes reading a book from different categories and it sounds very interesting - for instance - read a book that includes a reference to time in the title . . .

So - - - here is the plan - - - I will be up at the crack of dawn for coffee and devotions and I hope you can join me!!   Please leave a comment below if you can participate and I will be thrilled!!  I will put up a short let's get started post Sat. at 7 a.m. and I will check in every two hours with a fun challenge or discussion question for you!  Since I'm not real good with all the technicalities of a real readathon I will just have you leave comments and answers to the challenges on my post throughout the day.  We will keep it easy and informal.    I will draw for a prize at the end of the day  . . 7 p.m.

Happy Reading!

  

Travel Wrap-Up

In 2014 I decided to focus on 7 areas of my life - instead of making particular "resolutions".

Travel was on the list . . .

We have always traveled to see our kids - our son in Texas and our daughter in Topeka.  Those are the places we visit most, with a few trips to see my sister in Nebraska.

I knew that we had our Caribbean trip coming up and that was when I decided to put traveling on my list of things to improve on . . . 

I would give the trip 5 stars but I would give my packing skills 2 stars.  As I mentioned in earlier posts the lines at the Punta Cana airport were long long long.  I wore myself and hubs out with our carry-on bags!  I had a fear of my luggage not making it clear to the Dominican Republic with me.  So I thought it very clever to load my overnight bag with clothes, swim suit, shoes, etc. just in case!   I had a beautiful new purse given to me by my son and his wife for Christmas - with the trip in mind - - - but it was loaded down also!  

So - when traveling my Lesson #1 learned is to travel light - take the least amount of items you can.

For instance - - - here is what I would take if packing again for the same trip:

One suitcase to check at airport with:

1.  2 pair of casual/sports shorts with tanks/tops to match.

2.  One nightgown.

3.  One swimming suit and cover up.

4.  Two pairs of capris/shirts to match.

5.  One sundress.

6.  One pair each - tennis shoes, flip flops.

7.  Curling iron.

8.  Make-up bag with toiletries - including deodorant, face soap, face lotion, body lotion. 

     Toothbrush/paste.

9.  Sunscreen, hat or visor.

10. One light fragrance.

 

In a small SMALL back pack to carry with me at all times and on the plane:

1.  Billfold/drivers license

2.  Chapstick and gum.

3.  One book.

4.  Pen and paper.

5.  Cell phone with charger.

6.  Sun glasses.

Also - Hubs will do the same - check one suitcase and carry-on his back pack.  

He brings the flight plans, passports and ipads/chargers.

That my dear friends is all you need to spend 5 days/4 nights at a resort on the beach.  

You may laugh that I have spent the time to tell you how to pack your suitcase - - - I just wish I had thought it through for myself this time.  Although it didn't ruin a wonderfully fun trip, I can just imagine how much easier life could have been on traveling days!  

That is it for my first lesson learned about travel . . . but oh wait . . . since I am already planning our next bon voyage . . . I found out today from a seasoned traveler that Triple A can handle all of the details for you - - - and since the next time we take a trip we will be on our own - - - I was thrilled to learn about this option!  Call them up - - - give them your list of specs on your trip - - - and they find just what you want!

Hubs says we are going to New York City to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary on June 11, 2017.    I plan to get a little help from these folks for that trip! 

Travel often, travel smart, travel light . . . 

Exercise

A focus I have chosen for 2014 is to work exercise into my day - each day - working out most days or just being active the rest of the days.

Don't you just love this commercial . . .

 

I saw it this morning and it struck me funny - oh yes - I can improve my health as easy as brushing my teeth with Colgate Advanced Toothpaste.  I know I know - there is more to the commercial than just that. And dental health is very important to overall body health.   But with the frame of mind I'm in about exercise and eating right - reducing stress in my life - etc., it just made me smile that Kelly makes it alllllll sound simple with this toothpaste!

The dreadmill is my plan this week - yes dreadmill - that's what I call our treadmill.  

Once again, my sister Tami sends out a challenge - I am tempted to ignore the text - I could always say that  my phone was dead or on the charger - but no - I can't hide from her.  Challenge for tonight was to do 1.67 miles in 30 minutes.  After arguing that I was comfy in my chair with the dog on my lap, the phone rings, it's my dad, I think it was planned, and so I was out of my chair and headed to the basement.   My results:  1 mile in 21:42 minutes.  I was tired and I felt so out of shape.  But I did it!  I moved!!

This is where I begin again to continue on - - -

Stay tuned for more focus on Exercise as I have been challenged to an even bigger goal!  Details to follow!!

Work

A huge thanks to BFF sister and fellow blogger, Tami Erwin from Just One More Thing for my updated blog face!!  It's wonderful!!

Recently I shared that I plan to have some fun at work this year!  I say that because all of us at my job would agree the last two years of going through a computer conversion - also known as our trip to hell and back . . . was not fun.

Early last Fall I ran across a promotion by the Arthritis Foundation.  It struck me as something fun we could promote at the first of the new year.   I signed us up.  Stipulations are:  Walk 30 minutes a day for at least 3 days each week.  We all received a very nice book with facts about arthritis, walking, nutrition, etc.  It included a walking journal and a free pedometer and back pack!

I rolled this idea out to the ladies of my department last week with the incentive that I would bring treats of some kind each week for the six week journey. Everyone quickly hooked on their pedometer to see if they could arrive at 10,000 steps per day! 

First week I focused on our bodies need for H20 - the blue stuff - water!!  Our incentive and reward for week #1 was a bottle of happy water and some granola bars! 

This week I am going to reward with some nutrition facts and a fruit tray to share on Friday.  I only know of one co-worker who reads my blog - so Phyllis - spoiler alert - - -

The next week will focus on our need for "greens" in our diet - and Vegies and dip will be served!

I will turn to the exercise promotion for the next two weeks - one week I think everyone will receive a new pair of walking socks!  Gotta have those right??  The next feet - since I know several Avon reps - INCLUDING me - we will be rewarded with Avon's cooling foot cream!!  Just what we need after the miles and miles we will have tread! 

Then dear readers - - - I'm undecided on my final incentive/reward!  Can you help me with some ideas?

Blessings in health and fitness for 2014!  AND - as one of my 7 focuses for the year - - - having stress free days at work! 

                       WEEK #1 REWARD

For more information about arthritis and healthy living - check out www.arthritis.org

Work

I have a good job.  I like the work that I do and I like working in health care.  I don't normally talk about work on my blog because I don't think it is professional to do that.    Especially not if I were to talk about my stresses at work.

So....I am making an exception this year because "stress free work" is one of my seven focus areas for 2014.  

I work in an office with several other women.  I would rate us rather high on the scale of how we get along.  Recently we have done the unthinkable, the one thing I hope to never do again, and that is a  computer conversion.  Changing our entire life at work.  And nearly two years later, I feel we are now able to take a deep breath and go back to breathing normally.  

We have recently had some staffing changes due to retirement, and have said farewell to some very deserving co-workers.    The new staff seems to be moving forward with ease and it is exciting!

As the supervisor, it's time again for me to have some FUN!  For all of us to have some FUN!  We nearly forgot how during the dark period of the computer conversion . . . 

So for fun in 2014 at work we are going to focus on making each day "amazingly awesome".  I took the idea from my new calendar "Wacky Up Your Life" Ridiculously Simple Ways to Change Your Life.    For instance - who knew that January 8th was National Bubble Bath Day??  We are soooo celebrating that!!  Even though just a few days late - we will all be getting just a little sample of bubble bath for a relaxing soak!  

Each new month will bring to light a little known holiday that we have been missing!  But not in 2014!

Part II of my plan for adding some fun touches to work this year will be announced here on my blog at a later time . . .

Do you like your job?  What would make it better?  When was the last time someone thanked you for the work you do?  Do you feel like a valued part of your team?  I would love to hear from some of you out there in the work force!

But excuse me . . . gotta go . . . I'm taking a bubble bath . . .

Reading

Just coming off of a weekend readathon high . . . If you have ever joined one you know what I mean. Kinda disappointing when it's over.  My sister/reader Tami is trying a Vintage Mystery Bingo Challenge this year and it looked interesting so I did some research and found one I would like to join myself, only on a smaller scale.

Reading being one of my focuses for 2014 I set a goal for myself of 25 books in the year.  Not an astounding goal by a true reader's measure but for me - it is doable and still a challenge.

To add a twist I will be signing up for the What's In a Name reading challenge sponsored by The Worm Hole - check it out here.

The details include:

The challenge runs from January to December. During this time you choose a book to read from each of the following categories (examples of books you could choose are in brackets):

• A reference to time (Eleven Minutes, Before Ever After)
• A position of royalty (The People’s Queen, The Last Empress, The Curse Of The Pharaoh)
• A number written in letters (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, A Tale Of Two Cities)
• A forename or names (Rebecca, Eleanor & Park, The Unfinished Work Of Elizabeth D.)
• A type or element of weather (Gone With The Wind, Red Earth Pouring Rain)

Sounds like fun to me!!

Here's to a good year of reading!!