If every weekend was like this, it wouldn't be special. This weekend stands out because it is different from the ones that have preceded it ... and the committed weekends ahead.
This weekend ...
I had time to stop and do our family's income taxes. I'm happy to announce that all of us have won the tax lottery. We are getting a portion of our own money back. A small amount of our hard earned cash is finding its way back home!
I puttered. I haven't puttered for years (or so it feels). Any time that I have had things to do around the house of late, it has been with a mission, dead-line and a reason. Or else I have done nothing at all. There has been no happy medium. I have worked or I haven't. This weekend? I puttered. I accomplished more than I set out to do. And it feels marvelous!!
I started my '29 Day Shred'. I am ready to get back on the exercise treadmill the very moment that I finish this post. I have taken my measurements and I'm ready to see if a regular exercise routine (plus a little saner eating habits) will shed a portion of an inch here and there. It simply feels good to move. And if I am brutally honest with myself, my body is pretty happy to be ridding itself of the junk-food toxins that had taken over the past few months. I'm going to do my best to make healthy-living a lifestyle, not a passing fancy.
This morning, we are going to be heading out on a short road trip and meeting a friend for lunch. This would be a little bit more fun if the weather was bright and springy. But who cares? We are hitting the highway. Going on an adventure. Visiting with a good friend. It is a most excellent way to pass (yet another) wintry day! I'm looking forward to it.
This weekend, I've had time to breathe. Time to putter. Time to relish in my home and family. Time to win the Income Tax Lottery!
It's been great. And I would not appreciate the splendor in such small things, if every weekend was like this. This weekend stands out from the rest, because it is different.
It is the contrasts in life that help us appreciate the small stuff. If we had no challenges to overcome, weekends like this would simply be the norm. There would be nothing outstanding about it.
Weekends like 'these' ... make weeks like 'those' worth the effort!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Safety Nets
S.M.A.R.T. - Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology
This amazing computer technology saved the day. I had no idea that this safety net was working quietly behind the scenes within our computer to keep our files safe before the hard drive 'crashed and burned'.
I don't understand computers enough to write about the topic. What I do appreciate is that all of our files were not lost. While that is not a catastrophic event unto itself, it's an inconvenience that I'm grateful we didn't have to endure.
I cannot begin to fathom the technology that makes a computer work. It is beyond my realm of comprehension. We turn on the computer from the comfort of our homes (or cars or pretty much anywhere these days) and we have fingertip access to 'the world'. Yet, when we have to wait more than a few seconds for the information to appear magically before us, we are frustrated.
This instantaneous and convenient access is something that we take for granted ... when it works. When systems fail and we lose everything on our hard drive, it is then that we tend to realize that we should have taken precautions ahead of time.
As it is with our health.
When we are hale and hearty, we take our bodies for granted. We jump out of bed each and every morning, go through the paces of our day and there is much that we don't even have to think about.
Our brain fires messages to our muscles and we walk, talk, breath and have a heart beat without a conscious thought. We are equipped with a structure of bones, muscles and an internal 'hard drive' that runs automatically. As a general rule, all we must do is provide our 'system' with adequate nourishment and rest, take some precautions and safety measures ... and if we are very, very lucky we will continue to wake up each and every day to life-as-we-know-it.
As I studied the intricacies of how our bodies function, I was in awe of the miracle of life. When you break down the processes that are required to sustain life and provide us with mobility, the multitude of unconscious processes that our body takes care of for us, plus our ability to make conscious decisions and the gift that we have to enhance what we have all been 'given' ... it is astounding.
Certainly, there are 'viruses' that sneak by our antivirus protection and create havoc. Some bugs are easier to cure than others.
The human body is equipped with a free immunity protection. Sometimes this system fails and attacks healthy organs. When our immune system works as it was meant to do, it is a blessing that we tend to take for granted. We are fortunate to live in a world where extra 'virus protection' is available. It helps to prevent viruses from spreading.
S.M.A.R.T. This is not only a tool that our computers can utilize to help prevent an all out failure. It is something that each and every one of us has available to utilize.
Self monitoring analysis - being watchful for any changes to the norm. When our bodies aren't running efficiently, do we have the ability to change any variables to stabilize any negative changes? If not, we have our medical system and a wide variety of information and professionals to assist us.
Reporting technology - in Canada, we are blessed with a health care system where we can quickly report any 'technological' changes. The doctors have checks and balances to alert them to any critical system failures. If we present a full report of what went wrong, how, when and any additional information ... it helps our experts narrow down the field so that they can (hopefully) zero in on the origin of what is going awry.
Just as I neglected to back up our computer, I have also skipped an annual physical medical exam on more than one occasion. If I want my body's S.M.A.R.T. hard drive feature to work efficiently, it is best to take a few precautions. Sometimes the safety nets in life will prevent an all out failure. But we can't rely on them to save us from everything.
Stay safe ... don't rely on the safety features at our disposal. They are a back up system. Our best defense is to stay proactive.
Take time to 'back up your system'.
This amazing computer technology saved the day. I had no idea that this safety net was working quietly behind the scenes within our computer to keep our files safe before the hard drive 'crashed and burned'.
I don't understand computers enough to write about the topic. What I do appreciate is that all of our files were not lost. While that is not a catastrophic event unto itself, it's an inconvenience that I'm grateful we didn't have to endure.
I cannot begin to fathom the technology that makes a computer work. It is beyond my realm of comprehension. We turn on the computer from the comfort of our homes (or cars or pretty much anywhere these days) and we have fingertip access to 'the world'. Yet, when we have to wait more than a few seconds for the information to appear magically before us, we are frustrated.
This instantaneous and convenient access is something that we take for granted ... when it works. When systems fail and we lose everything on our hard drive, it is then that we tend to realize that we should have taken precautions ahead of time.
As it is with our health.
When we are hale and hearty, we take our bodies for granted. We jump out of bed each and every morning, go through the paces of our day and there is much that we don't even have to think about.
Our brain fires messages to our muscles and we walk, talk, breath and have a heart beat without a conscious thought. We are equipped with a structure of bones, muscles and an internal 'hard drive' that runs automatically. As a general rule, all we must do is provide our 'system' with adequate nourishment and rest, take some precautions and safety measures ... and if we are very, very lucky we will continue to wake up each and every day to life-as-we-know-it.
As I studied the intricacies of how our bodies function, I was in awe of the miracle of life. When you break down the processes that are required to sustain life and provide us with mobility, the multitude of unconscious processes that our body takes care of for us, plus our ability to make conscious decisions and the gift that we have to enhance what we have all been 'given' ... it is astounding.
Certainly, there are 'viruses' that sneak by our antivirus protection and create havoc. Some bugs are easier to cure than others.
The human body is equipped with a free immunity protection. Sometimes this system fails and attacks healthy organs. When our immune system works as it was meant to do, it is a blessing that we tend to take for granted. We are fortunate to live in a world where extra 'virus protection' is available. It helps to prevent viruses from spreading.
S.M.A.R.T. This is not only a tool that our computers can utilize to help prevent an all out failure. It is something that each and every one of us has available to utilize.
Self monitoring analysis - being watchful for any changes to the norm. When our bodies aren't running efficiently, do we have the ability to change any variables to stabilize any negative changes? If not, we have our medical system and a wide variety of information and professionals to assist us.
Reporting technology - in Canada, we are blessed with a health care system where we can quickly report any 'technological' changes. The doctors have checks and balances to alert them to any critical system failures. If we present a full report of what went wrong, how, when and any additional information ... it helps our experts narrow down the field so that they can (hopefully) zero in on the origin of what is going awry.
Just as I neglected to back up our computer, I have also skipped an annual physical medical exam on more than one occasion. If I want my body's S.M.A.R.T. hard drive feature to work efficiently, it is best to take a few precautions. Sometimes the safety nets in life will prevent an all out failure. But we can't rely on them to save us from everything.
Stay safe ... don't rely on the safety features at our disposal. They are a back up system. Our best defense is to stay proactive.
Take time to 'back up your system'.
Friday, March 4, 2011
I'm Ready For a Weekend
Ahhh! Let the weekend begin ...
I have put in a productive week and I'm ready for the weekend. And the best part about the upcoming two days? I don't have any responsibilities.
No course to read, assignment to complete or studying to be done.
My work is complete. I didn't take work home with me; nor is any forthcoming on the weekend.
So my slate is clear to begin my '30 Day Shred'. It finally arrived in the mail today.
Bright and early tomorrow morning, I shall begin. I have 29 days before I must squeeze into my ballgown so we'll see what a '29 Day Shred' will accomplish.
Not much to ramble on about today. After working out of the house for three, full, consecutive days ... I'm just ready to settle in and enjoy being home.
Let the weekend begin!
I have put in a productive week and I'm ready for the weekend. And the best part about the upcoming two days? I don't have any responsibilities.
No course to read, assignment to complete or studying to be done.
My work is complete. I didn't take work home with me; nor is any forthcoming on the weekend.
So my slate is clear to begin my '30 Day Shred'. It finally arrived in the mail today.
Bright and early tomorrow morning, I shall begin. I have 29 days before I must squeeze into my ballgown so we'll see what a '29 Day Shred' will accomplish.
Not much to ramble on about today. After working out of the house for three, full, consecutive days ... I'm just ready to settle in and enjoy being home.
Let the weekend begin!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
No Stress = No Cravings
It has been very ironic that while I have been busily crossing off the things-to-do to get my Group Fitness Certification ... that I have been sitting more than ever. And my eating habits? Down right embarrassing.
I did whatever it took to get through the course I was taking. Self induced bribery (chips and chocolate bars) kept me awake ... got me through ... they were my reward and my basic meal plan.
I was studying about becoming physically fit. And I was sitting idle as I learned all of the benefits of fitness.
I was studying about proper nourishment, as I wolfed down Pringles, popcorn, candy, chocolate and coffee.
I started craving sugar over 'real' food. I was becoming everything that I was learning not to be.
Then I wrote the exam.
I was in the grocery section of WalMart last night and I was not even tempted to wander down the sugar and chip aisles. The cravings have passed!!
All that I learned has finally seeped through the sugar rush and salt cravings!
For a mere $47.00, I could have downloaded a diet plan 'to beat belly fat'. In their brief intro, they stated two facts for free: (1) Sugar is your enemy; (2) Processed foods are also your enemy.
I saved $47.00 and decided that taking fact #1 and #2 alone, would propel me in the direction that I wanted to go. That, plus exercise. Maybe a few extra vegetables and protein too.
The lack of stress has created a healthier mind set for me. I no longer feel the need to treat myself, just to endure what I feel that I must do. My life is my own once again.
Sugar, you are my enemy! I do not crave you any more ...
I did whatever it took to get through the course I was taking. Self induced bribery (chips and chocolate bars) kept me awake ... got me through ... they were my reward and my basic meal plan.
I was studying about becoming physically fit. And I was sitting idle as I learned all of the benefits of fitness.
I was studying about proper nourishment, as I wolfed down Pringles, popcorn, candy, chocolate and coffee.
I started craving sugar over 'real' food. I was becoming everything that I was learning not to be.
Then I wrote the exam.
I was in the grocery section of WalMart last night and I was not even tempted to wander down the sugar and chip aisles. The cravings have passed!!
All that I learned has finally seeped through the sugar rush and salt cravings!
For a mere $47.00, I could have downloaded a diet plan 'to beat belly fat'. In their brief intro, they stated two facts for free: (1) Sugar is your enemy; (2) Processed foods are also your enemy.
I saved $47.00 and decided that taking fact #1 and #2 alone, would propel me in the direction that I wanted to go. That, plus exercise. Maybe a few extra vegetables and protein too.
The lack of stress has created a healthier mind set for me. I no longer feel the need to treat myself, just to endure what I feel that I must do. My life is my own once again.
Sugar, you are my enemy! I do not crave you any more ...
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Funny How Things Work Out
It was a mere three days ago that I was dreading the very thought of the week before me. I can't remember the last time that I felt like that. It was a very, very long time ago.
So far, the week has been good. Better than good. I leapt over a few hurdles (okay ... not leapt, I struggled). None the less, those hurdles are history. Onward!
I knew that I had a full day of work to face at the end of my exam yesterday. It is done. Complete. I did that too!
It is the last three days of the week which brought the sickening yucky feeling to the pit of my stomach. I must work. That is good. All day. Even better. For the rest of the week. Bring it on! At the shop. Awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I worked at the shop on Friday. It was not a good day. I felt like a fish, laying on the beach ... waiting, waiting, waiting for the tide to come in and return me to the water. After an endless day, the tide finally came in and I got to go home. And I haven't wanted to leave it since.
Then life happened.
My 'work' computer (at home) has been acting funny for a long, long time. I called in my computer guy quite some time ago. He cleaned up many, many files and was certain it should be okay. It wasn't. But I could still do what I wanted to do (it just took forever to do it), and apparently (I thought) he didn't know what the problem was.
I finally called my friendly computer guy again this week. He came over yesterday afternoon. He left with the computer.
It is sick. Very sick. Not a bug ... but something to do with the hard drive. Something that meant that I was 'this close' to losing everything. Everything!
He safely escorted 'my baby' to the computer hospital (his home) by ambulance (his car) and has promised to do his best for the least amount of money. He is very certain that the hard drive will be covered by warranty and I will simply owe him his 'time'.
Okay, back to my story about the week I've been dreading ....
As I heard the diagnosis for the computer and was told that he would do his best to get it back to me by Friday, a wave of gratitude washed over me. I couldn't have worked from home for the rest of the week, without the computer. I was given a solution before I even knew there was a problem!! I could not be more grateful.
Yes, I must work in a place where I feel like a fish out of water. But it will get better, the more I adapt to 'life on the beach'. I still get to 'swim with the fishes' at the end of the day when the tide rushes in and takes me back to life-as-I-know-it.
I've been complaining about the lack of work in my world. A lot. I have been given an opportunity. I have three days left in this week. Three days to turn my attitude around and show my employers just how valuable I am.
This week was a gift in disguise. Who knew??
So far, the week has been good. Better than good. I leapt over a few hurdles (okay ... not leapt, I struggled). None the less, those hurdles are history. Onward!
I knew that I had a full day of work to face at the end of my exam yesterday. It is done. Complete. I did that too!
It is the last three days of the week which brought the sickening yucky feeling to the pit of my stomach. I must work. That is good. All day. Even better. For the rest of the week. Bring it on! At the shop. Awful feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I worked at the shop on Friday. It was not a good day. I felt like a fish, laying on the beach ... waiting, waiting, waiting for the tide to come in and return me to the water. After an endless day, the tide finally came in and I got to go home. And I haven't wanted to leave it since.
Then life happened.
My 'work' computer (at home) has been acting funny for a long, long time. I called in my computer guy quite some time ago. He cleaned up many, many files and was certain it should be okay. It wasn't. But I could still do what I wanted to do (it just took forever to do it), and apparently (I thought) he didn't know what the problem was.
I finally called my friendly computer guy again this week. He came over yesterday afternoon. He left with the computer.
It is sick. Very sick. Not a bug ... but something to do with the hard drive. Something that meant that I was 'this close' to losing everything. Everything!
He safely escorted 'my baby' to the computer hospital (his home) by ambulance (his car) and has promised to do his best for the least amount of money. He is very certain that the hard drive will be covered by warranty and I will simply owe him his 'time'.
Okay, back to my story about the week I've been dreading ....
As I heard the diagnosis for the computer and was told that he would do his best to get it back to me by Friday, a wave of gratitude washed over me. I couldn't have worked from home for the rest of the week, without the computer. I was given a solution before I even knew there was a problem!! I could not be more grateful.
Yes, I must work in a place where I feel like a fish out of water. But it will get better, the more I adapt to 'life on the beach'. I still get to 'swim with the fishes' at the end of the day when the tide rushes in and takes me back to life-as-I-know-it.
I've been complaining about the lack of work in my world. A lot. I have been given an opportunity. I have three days left in this week. Three days to turn my attitude around and show my employers just how valuable I am.
This week was a gift in disguise. Who knew??
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Pressure is Off!
It's Tuesday. The week's scorecard is tallying up nicely. I'm 2 for 2.
Yessiree!! I earned a passing grade on my closed book exam.
I can close those books and tuck them away in a closet. That has always been cause for celebration in my world. The clearing off of the kitchen table after an intense study period (just in time to work on the statements which I need/want to complete before the day is through).
The pressure is easing. All of a sudden the rest of the week doesn't seem as daunting as it did at the onset.
Time will tell. But I'm aiming for at least a 4 out of 5 day success rate. I'll leave room for error ... but strive for perfection. It's been working for me so far...
Yessiree!! I earned a passing grade on my closed book exam.
I can close those books and tuck them away in a closet. That has always been cause for celebration in my world. The clearing off of the kitchen table after an intense study period (just in time to work on the statements which I need/want to complete before the day is through).
The pressure is easing. All of a sudden the rest of the week doesn't seem as daunting as it did at the onset.
Time will tell. But I'm aiming for at least a 4 out of 5 day success rate. I'll leave room for error ... but strive for perfection. It's been working for me so far...
I'm Doing It!
My 'Zumba Family' experiences continue to grow ...
Monday night is my two hour Zumba-fest of the week. Our instructor is second to none in every regard - she has it 'all'. She inspires, she 'does', she is young, vital and fun. She has many loyal students, but I am new to the fold.
I'm getting to know a few of the other ladies a little bit. It's easy to talk to people when you share the Zumba-passion. Bit by bit, you get to know a tiny little bit about the people that share the energy in the room.
After I mentioned that I had been studying, I was asked what course I was taking. And we were off and running. Talking about my aspiration to become a certified Group Fitness Instructor has been the catalyst of many conversations of late. I am always a tad apprehensive to tell people what I'm doing. I'm 50 years old. I have not been a fitness guru my whole life. Who do I think I am??? ... is the question that keeps coming to mind when I admit my goals to someone new.
These ladies that I talked to last night were beyond supportive. "I have wanted to do that for the last 10 years, but I never did" .... "It's inspirational to others to see someone who is 'not 25' (years old) leading a class"...
I continue to qualify my hopes, dreams and goals with the statement that "no matter where things go from here ... this is all good information to learn" and "I just keep taking one step at a time and I will see where this takes me". I continue to receive support and encouragement from those I talk to.
What has pushed me into this place that I have found myself? My son, whose words continue to resonate in my mind to this day. "Don't just say you are going to do something. Do it!!"
I'm doing it. Today's exam will take me to the 3/5 portion of things-to-do-to-become-certified. All I have to do is pass.
Zumba has propelled me in a brand new direction. I keep taking forward steps. I have a feeling that I am forging a brand new path that will take me places that I had never dreamed.
If the end result is simply that I have a healthier heart and body ... I will have succeeded.
Monday night is my two hour Zumba-fest of the week. Our instructor is second to none in every regard - she has it 'all'. She inspires, she 'does', she is young, vital and fun. She has many loyal students, but I am new to the fold.
I'm getting to know a few of the other ladies a little bit. It's easy to talk to people when you share the Zumba-passion. Bit by bit, you get to know a tiny little bit about the people that share the energy in the room.
After I mentioned that I had been studying, I was asked what course I was taking. And we were off and running. Talking about my aspiration to become a certified Group Fitness Instructor has been the catalyst of many conversations of late. I am always a tad apprehensive to tell people what I'm doing. I'm 50 years old. I have not been a fitness guru my whole life. Who do I think I am??? ... is the question that keeps coming to mind when I admit my goals to someone new.
These ladies that I talked to last night were beyond supportive. "I have wanted to do that for the last 10 years, but I never did" .... "It's inspirational to others to see someone who is 'not 25' (years old) leading a class"...
I continue to qualify my hopes, dreams and goals with the statement that "no matter where things go from here ... this is all good information to learn" and "I just keep taking one step at a time and I will see where this takes me". I continue to receive support and encouragement from those I talk to.
What has pushed me into this place that I have found myself? My son, whose words continue to resonate in my mind to this day. "Don't just say you are going to do something. Do it!!"
I'm doing it. Today's exam will take me to the 3/5 portion of things-to-do-to-become-certified. All I have to do is pass.
Zumba has propelled me in a brand new direction. I keep taking forward steps. I have a feeling that I am forging a brand new path that will take me places that I had never dreamed.
If the end result is simply that I have a healthier heart and body ... I will have succeeded.
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