.
Thoughts bending flexible,
allowing for any possibility,
like supple palm trees
bowing in abeyance to forceful winds,
elastically swaying,
shifting from rigidity to fluidity,
while rooted in humility,
Small thinking
anchored in well-being,
a liquid state of mind
detached from outcome,
flowing within a living oneness,
a soft resilient patience,
a natural harmony,
strong and free,
Accomplishing great deeds,
conquering without striving,
like running water eroding rock,
Dying
inside the moment of being alive,
trusting the usefulness of uselessness,
Ending conflict
by showing love,
Curious, rather than afraid,
Finding happiness within
the space of not doing anything,
just the space of being done.
.
Gordon Neumann
8/6/2007
.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess
.
Theodor Geisel was born today in the year 1904. Check it out here.
.
What was your favorite Dr. Seuss book? Mine was "The Lorax", although, "Oh, The Places You'll Go" is a close second!
.
Theodor Geisel was born today in the year 1904. Check it out here.
.
What was your favorite Dr. Seuss book? Mine was "The Lorax", although, "Oh, The Places You'll Go" is a close second!
.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Quote of the Day
.
Where the spirit does not work with the hand,
there is no art.
-- Leonardo da Vinci.
Where the spirit does not work with the hand,
there is no art.
-- Leonardo da Vinci
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Gates of Prayer from the Reform Judaism Prayerbook
.
In the rising of the sun and in it's going down,
We remember them;
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of the winter,
We remember them;
In the opening of the buds and in the warmth of the summer,
We remember them;
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them;
When we have joys to we yearn to share,
We remember them;
So long as we live, they too shall live,
For they are now a part of us,
As we remember them.
.
Did you know...
.
98% of the weight of water is made up of oxygen
.
A single ounce of gold can be beaten flat into a thin film covering 100 sq. ft.
.
Bats will always turn left when exiting a cave
.
"Mickey Mouse" was the password that the allied forces used during the D-Day invasion
.
Woodrow Wilson's picture is on the $100,000 bill
.
The San Francisco cable cars are the only mobile national monuments
.
98% of the weight of water is made up of oxygen
.
A single ounce of gold can be beaten flat into a thin film covering 100 sq. ft.
.
Bats will always turn left when exiting a cave
.
"Mickey Mouse" was the password that the allied forces used during the D-Day invasion
.
Woodrow Wilson's picture is on the $100,000 bill
.
The San Francisco cable cars are the only mobile national monuments
.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Join me in the Relay for Life
.
I will be participating in the Relay For Life on March 14-15, 2008. It is an 18 hour walk around the track of our local high school. I have set a goal of walking the entire 18 hours except for one 5-10 minute break each hour. I look forward to contributing in a some way to motivate others to walk and hope to continue this as a yearly goal.
.
My personal page is here.
.
I will be participating in the Relay For Life on March 14-15, 2008. It is an 18 hour walk around the track of our local high school. I have set a goal of walking the entire 18 hours except for one 5-10 minute break each hour. I look forward to contributing in a some way to motivate others to walk and hope to continue this as a yearly goal.
.
My personal page is here.
.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Benefits of Walking - How Walking Reduces Health Risks
.
Exercise Slows Aging Process
.
Research shows adults who are physically active in their 50s and early 60s are about 35 percent less likely to die in the next eight years than those who are sedentary. For those who have a high heart risk because of diabetes, high blood pressure or smoking, the reduction is 45 percent. Click here for more.
.
Exercise Slows Aging Process
.
Research shows adults who are physically active in their 50s and early 60s are about 35 percent less likely to die in the next eight years than those who are sedentary. For those who have a high heart risk because of diabetes, high blood pressure or smoking, the reduction is 45 percent. Click here for more.
.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Resolutions
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Go RED tomorrow...
.
Tomorrow is National Wear RED Day! Big day for women and heart health. It's an awareness day and you wearing red, just might help another woman start some changes in her lifestyle and getting a healthier heart!!!
Also, take the heart health check-up. It's free. You should know your blood pressure and have bloodwork results handy but it helps you figure out how to get with your doctor for results if you don't know them. If you haven't been to the doctor in over a year, you should go and get checked. Take care of yourself. Your family and friends will be happy that you did! Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men but most of it can be prevented. Go see how you can be a better, healthier you.
.
Tomorrow is National Wear RED Day! Big day for women and heart health. It's an awareness day and you wearing red, just might help another woman start some changes in her lifestyle and getting a healthier heart!!!
Also, take the heart health check-up. It's free. You should know your blood pressure and have bloodwork results handy but it helps you figure out how to get with your doctor for results if you don't know them. If you haven't been to the doctor in over a year, you should go and get checked. Take care of yourself. Your family and friends will be happy that you did! Heart disease is the number one killer of women and men but most of it can be prevented. Go see how you can be a better, healthier you.
.
"New Every Morning"
.
This was taken from www.aplacetobark.blogspot.com
.
Every day is a fresh beginning,
Every morn is the world made new.
You who are weary of sorrow and sinning,
Here is a beautiful hope for you,-
A hope for me and a hope for you.
All the past things are past and over;
The tasks are done and the tears are shed.
Yesterday's errors let yesterday cover;
Yesterday's wounds, which smarted and bled,
Are healed with the healing which night has shed.
Yesterday now is a part of forever,
Bound up in a sheaf, which God holds tight,
With glad days, and sad days, and bad days, which never
Shall visit us more with their bloom and their blight,
Their fullness of sunshine or sorrowful night.
Let them go, since we cannot relive them,
Cannot undo and cannot atone;
God in his mercy receive, forgive them!
Only the new days are our own;
To-day is ours, and to-day alone.
Here are the skies all burnished brightly,
Here is the spent Earth all reborn,
Here are the tired limbs springing lightly
To face the sun and to share with the morn.
In the chrism of dew and the cool of the dawn.
Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul, to the glad refrain,
And, spite of old sorrowand older sinning,
The puzzles forecasted and possible pain,
Take heart with the day, and begin again.
Susan Coolidge 1848 - 1894
.
This was taken from www.aplacetobark.blogspot.com
.
Every day is a fresh beginning,
Every morn is the world made new.
You who are weary of sorrow and sinning,
Here is a beautiful hope for you,-
A hope for me and a hope for you.
All the past things are past and over;
The tasks are done and the tears are shed.
Yesterday's errors let yesterday cover;
Yesterday's wounds, which smarted and bled,
Are healed with the healing which night has shed.
Yesterday now is a part of forever,
Bound up in a sheaf, which God holds tight,
With glad days, and sad days, and bad days, which never
Shall visit us more with their bloom and their blight,
Their fullness of sunshine or sorrowful night.
Let them go, since we cannot relive them,
Cannot undo and cannot atone;
God in his mercy receive, forgive them!
Only the new days are our own;
To-day is ours, and to-day alone.
Here are the skies all burnished brightly,
Here is the spent Earth all reborn,
Here are the tired limbs springing lightly
To face the sun and to share with the morn.
In the chrism of dew and the cool of the dawn.
Every day is a fresh beginning,
Listen my soul, to the glad refrain,
And, spite of old sorrowand older sinning,
The puzzles forecasted and possible pain,
Take heart with the day, and begin again.
Susan Coolidge 1848 - 1894
.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
We are barking now!!!!!
.
WOW!!! A Place To Bark has increased its donation by $5,000 thanks to many caring individuals who want to see Bernie's pet rescue come to fruition. I have watched her over the past several years care for these animals with a limitless devotion to their needs. She is truly an animal whisperer!!!
.
Here's hoping that all good thoughts will lead to her $50,000 grant which she should know after 3 pm tomorrow.
.
WOW!!! A Place To Bark has increased its donation by $5,000 thanks to many caring individuals who want to see Bernie's pet rescue come to fruition. I have watched her over the past several years care for these animals with a limitless devotion to their needs. She is truly an animal whisperer!!!
.
Here's hoping that all good thoughts will lead to her $50,000 grant which she should know after 3 pm tomorrow.
.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
WOOF= Greetings
.
If you look over to your right, there is a bar to a web site that will tell you about the killing of helpless animals that someone very caring is trying to stop from happening. A Place To Bark is a non-profit organization run by an artist names Bernie Berlin. She is an angel to these beautiful creatures. There is a $50,000 grant up for grabs right now and if Bernie can get this grant, it will do wonders to helping her organization thrive. All the countless hours of work she puts in is all by the grace of her devotion for these creatures. Won't you help the cause and donate $10?
.
Meow, meow!!! = Thank you kindly!
.
If you look over to your right, there is a bar to a web site that will tell you about the killing of helpless animals that someone very caring is trying to stop from happening. A Place To Bark is a non-profit organization run by an artist names Bernie Berlin. She is an angel to these beautiful creatures. There is a $50,000 grant up for grabs right now and if Bernie can get this grant, it will do wonders to helping her organization thrive. All the countless hours of work she puts in is all by the grace of her devotion for these creatures. Won't you help the cause and donate $10?
.
Meow, meow!!! = Thank you kindly!
.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Eddie Van Halen turns 50 today...
.
Music is for people. The word 'pop' is simply short for popular. It means that people like it. I'm just a normal jerk who happens to make music. As long as my brain and fingers work, I'm cool.
Music is for people. The word 'pop' is simply short for popular. It means that people like it. I'm just a normal jerk who happens to make music. As long as my brain and fingers work, I'm cool.
-Eddie Van Halen
.
Coolest site of the day...
.
Okay, this is too cool! Go here for information on what type of foods you should eat for a healthy weight. It gives specific amounts of each of the four food groups. It is personalized to your age, weight and height and whether or not you want to be at a healthier weight (I am above the ideal weight for my height-like I didn't already know that!!!). With my exercising, it told me I need 2,200 calories per day. It also gives tips for each food group. You will be glad you went to this site, I'm telling you!!!
.
Oh, where did I get this info? Well, when I was born my mother bought a term life policy for me which I still have. It was through Lutheran Brotherhood. Because of that policy, I get a magazine called Thrivent which has interesting articles for everyday life. That's where it came from...go figure!!! LOL
.
Okay, this is too cool! Go here for information on what type of foods you should eat for a healthy weight. It gives specific amounts of each of the four food groups. It is personalized to your age, weight and height and whether or not you want to be at a healthier weight (I am above the ideal weight for my height-like I didn't already know that!!!). With my exercising, it told me I need 2,200 calories per day. It also gives tips for each food group. You will be glad you went to this site, I'm telling you!!!
.
Oh, where did I get this info? Well, when I was born my mother bought a term life policy for me which I still have. It was through Lutheran Brotherhood. Because of that policy, I get a magazine called Thrivent which has interesting articles for everyday life. That's where it came from...go figure!!! LOL
.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Today in history
.
January 23, okay it would be my grandmother's 109th birthday as she was born on this date in 1899 but the really big news is:
.
On this day in 1957, machines at the Wham-O toy company roll out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs--now known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees.
.
The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling "Frisbie!" as they let go. In 1948, Walter Frederick Morrison and his partner Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version of the disc called the "Flying Saucer" that could fly further and more accurately than the tin pie plates. After splitting with Franscioni, Morrison made an improved model in 1955 and sold it to the new toy company Wham-O as the "Pluto Platter"--an attempt to cash in on the public craze over space and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).
.
In 1958, a year after the toy's first release, Wham-O--the company behind such top-sellers as the Hula-Hoop, the Super Ball and the Water Wiggle--changed its name to the Frisbee disc, misspelling the name of the historic pie company. A company designer, Ed Headrick, patented the design for the modern Frisbee in December 1967, adding a band of raised ridges on the disc's surface--called the Rings--to stabilize flight. By aggressively marketing Frisbee-playing as a new sport, Wham-O sold over 100 million units of its famous toy by 1977.
.
High school students in Maplewood, New Jersey, invented Ultimate Frisbee, a cross between football, soccer and basketball, in 1967. In the 1970s, Headrick himself invented Frisbee Golf, in which discs are tossed into metal baskets; there are now hundreds of courses in the U.S., with millions of devotees. There is also Freestyle Frisbee, with choreographed routines set to music and multiple discs in play, and various Frisbee competitions for both humans and dogs--the best natural Frisbee players.
.
Today, at least 60 manufacturers produce the flying discs--generally made out of plastic and measuring roughly 20-25 centimeters (8-10 inches) in diameter with a curved lip. The official Frisbee is owned by Mattel Toy Manufacturers, who bought the toy from Wham-O in 1994.
.
January 23, okay it would be my grandmother's 109th birthday as she was born on this date in 1899 but the really big news is:
.
On this day in 1957, machines at the Wham-O toy company roll out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs--now known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees.
.
The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling "Frisbie!" as they let go. In 1948, Walter Frederick Morrison and his partner Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version of the disc called the "Flying Saucer" that could fly further and more accurately than the tin pie plates. After splitting with Franscioni, Morrison made an improved model in 1955 and sold it to the new toy company Wham-O as the "Pluto Platter"--an attempt to cash in on the public craze over space and Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).
.
In 1958, a year after the toy's first release, Wham-O--the company behind such top-sellers as the Hula-Hoop, the Super Ball and the Water Wiggle--changed its name to the Frisbee disc, misspelling the name of the historic pie company. A company designer, Ed Headrick, patented the design for the modern Frisbee in December 1967, adding a band of raised ridges on the disc's surface--called the Rings--to stabilize flight. By aggressively marketing Frisbee-playing as a new sport, Wham-O sold over 100 million units of its famous toy by 1977.
.
High school students in Maplewood, New Jersey, invented Ultimate Frisbee, a cross between football, soccer and basketball, in 1967. In the 1970s, Headrick himself invented Frisbee Golf, in which discs are tossed into metal baskets; there are now hundreds of courses in the U.S., with millions of devotees. There is also Freestyle Frisbee, with choreographed routines set to music and multiple discs in play, and various Frisbee competitions for both humans and dogs--the best natural Frisbee players.
.
Today, at least 60 manufacturers produce the flying discs--generally made out of plastic and measuring roughly 20-25 centimeters (8-10 inches) in diameter with a curved lip. The official Frisbee is owned by Mattel Toy Manufacturers, who bought the toy from Wham-O in 1994.
.
Friday, January 18, 2008
A. A. Milne
.
Today is the anniversary of the birthday of the author of Winnie-The-Pooh. There is a little quiz to see what character you are most like. Click here to see the 100 Acre Personality quiz.
.
Today is the anniversary of the birthday of the author of Winnie-The-Pooh. There is a little quiz to see what character you are most like. Click here to see the 100 Acre Personality quiz.
.
Quote of the Day...
.
“The way to find out about happiness is to keep your mind on those moments when you feel most happy, when you are really happy — not excited, not just thrilled, but deeply happy. This requires a little bit of self-analysis. What is it that makes you happy? Stay with it, no matter what people tell you. This is what is called following your bliss.” ~ Joseph Campbell
.
“The way to find out about happiness is to keep your mind on those moments when you feel most happy, when you are really happy — not excited, not just thrilled, but deeply happy. This requires a little bit of self-analysis. What is it that makes you happy? Stay with it, no matter what people tell you. This is what is called following your bliss.” ~ Joseph Campbell
.
It's National Hot Tea Month!
.
Read all of the info on why it is so good for you...
.
Hot Tea Month was spearheaded by the Tea Association of the USA. Drinking may tea may offer some protection against such diseases as cancer and heart disease and help give your immune system a boost and protect against the flu.
.
Read about tea here.
.
And here.
.
And finally here.
.
Read all of the info on why it is so good for you...
.
Hot Tea Month was spearheaded by the Tea Association of the USA. Drinking may tea may offer some protection against such diseases as cancer and heart disease and help give your immune system a boost and protect against the flu.
.
Read about tea here.
.
And here.
.
And finally here.
.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
What do you do for breakfast?
.
The top three items on an American breakfast menu...ready-to-eat cereal, coffee and fruit juice. I used to eat breakfast most days and usually cereal with banana or strawberries and whole milk plus orange juice. In the winter I had hot oatmeal when the boys were young. Now, with the thought of keeping my blood sugar at a reasonable level, I have a hard boiled egg and 4-6 oz. of orange juice with my vitamins. Mid-morning I will have cottage cheese and peaches (most days). And snacks consist of nuts and carrot sticks. More protein and less carbs is important when you are diabetic. However, it is most important that I eat something since foregoing breakfast usually means higher calories later in the day.
.
What did you eat this morning? Click here.
.
The top three items on an American breakfast menu...ready-to-eat cereal, coffee and fruit juice. I used to eat breakfast most days and usually cereal with banana or strawberries and whole milk plus orange juice. In the winter I had hot oatmeal when the boys were young. Now, with the thought of keeping my blood sugar at a reasonable level, I have a hard boiled egg and 4-6 oz. of orange juice with my vitamins. Mid-morning I will have cottage cheese and peaches (most days). And snacks consist of nuts and carrot sticks. More protein and less carbs is important when you are diabetic. However, it is most important that I eat something since foregoing breakfast usually means higher calories later in the day.
.
What did you eat this morning? Click here.
.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Word of the Day #7
.
(7) accomplish - achieve: to gain with effort; to succeed in doing -
.
I have several goals to accomplish this year and I have already achieved some of them. It is a good habit to assess your goals every so often and see what you have done and what needs to be done. Often times, people give up when they don't achieve their goals. Sometimes because it isn't set with a proper time limit or goals were set too high to begin with. Instead of giving up on the goals, reset the goals to something more do-able and with a different time frame. That might be all it takes to accomplish what you set out to do in the first place. The feeling you get when you accomplish something will set you up for success in the future. Likewise, if you don't complete goals, after a while, you set yourself up for failure and stop trying.
.
Goals are best done with a short statement of what it is that you want to accomplish, a time frame for accomplishing it in and what you hope to achieve by accomplishing it. A goal that is too vague (for example: I will be a better person this year) will probably not last and you may give up trying because you didn't explain how you would do it.
.
After a week you can see how do-able it was to write the first letter. If you are too busy, you may need to rethink the goal or time frame. Likewise, if you are ill for that week, you might need to readjust the goal to 4 letters per month (average is once a week) to allow for more flexibility in how you can achieve your goal. The idea is to not set yourself up for failure but to work with your goals to become successful and accomplished. As you achieve your goals, you can adjust them to take on more or less according to your needs.(7) accomplish - achieve: to gain with effort; to succeed in doing -
.
I have several goals to accomplish this year and I have already achieved some of them. It is a good habit to assess your goals every so often and see what you have done and what needs to be done. Often times, people give up when they don't achieve their goals. Sometimes because it isn't set with a proper time limit or goals were set too high to begin with. Instead of giving up on the goals, reset the goals to something more do-able and with a different time frame. That might be all it takes to accomplish what you set out to do in the first place. The feeling you get when you accomplish something will set you up for success in the future. Likewise, if you don't complete goals, after a while, you set yourself up for failure and stop trying.
.
Goals are best done with a short statement of what it is that you want to accomplish, a time frame for accomplishing it in and what you hope to achieve by accomplishing it. A goal that is too vague (for example: I will be a better person this year) will probably not last and you may give up trying because you didn't explain how you would do it.
.
Goal: I will write one letter a week for the next three months to share with friends that live far away what is happening in my family's lives..
.
Have a journal of some sort to write down your goals and leave room for notes as you go along. To see my on-line blog journal of goals, click here. You can write what worked or didn't work which will help you with future goals. It is also a great source of inspiration to see in writing what you have accomplished.
.
Monday, January 14, 2008
What a glorious day!
.
I wake up to 55 degree temp with a bright sunny sky, beautiful music to listen to while I change the sheets and clean up the bathroom, a perfect cup of coffee I finally made (after several failed attempts!) and ideas abounding in my head as I complete tasks one after the other. No glass could be half-fuller!!!
.
I figured it would be cooler today after the storm we had yesterday but you never know here. I was pleased to wake up to true cool, crispness in the air. The kind that makes you want to open all of the windows and take a deep breath as you open each one. (Any cooler than 55, mind you, and I would be hesitant to have open windows. I have my "cool" limit!)
.
I took a hot salt bath to ease the everyday pains in the joints and of course.....to shave!!! One must shave in the tub of water once in a while because you can see better than when you are standing in the shower, bending over, trying to hold your balance - you know who you are!!! Then, seeing that the tub has been neglected lately, I decided to get out the detergent for tubs and my gloves...uh-oh, only one glove and it is a lefty! Dang it!!! So, I put it on my left hand and proceeded to clean the entire tub bending over with my left hand. That's a lesson in futility (next word of the day). I was actually surprised at how much I was able to do. 75% of the tub was cleaned all with my left hand while my right hand held up the rest of my body!!! I was thinking about those who lose a limb and the half full glass popped in my head (kind of like the lightbulb that goes on for some people - mine is a half full glass!). I am blessed to have all limbs and functioning properly. But, it is still good to change once in a while to give the non-dominant a chance to shine. And my tub is shining now!!!
.
I put on one of my recent favorite CDs and started thinking about my childhood. I can remember not wanting to practice the piano like I was supposed to and then when I did play, I wanted to play Elton John and The Carpenters. My teacher, Mrs. Kravitz would allow me to show her what I learned and then quickly got out the classical music books I was only allowed to play for her. She was classically training and I suspect, very good at her prime. I don't think I appreciated her very much at the time....the 70's weren't about Bach and Beethoven to an 8-14 year old girl!!! Now, I think about her and want to send positive thoughts to her memory that I do appreciate classical music so much now. I owe quite a bit of the early teachings from her and I can play a mean Fur Elise to prove it!
.
Is there ever a time when you think about someone who put a mark on your life but you never had the chance to tell them? I was able to tell my mom and dad before they died and I am glad I did. But, I do think it is never too late. My thoughts to those who have passed are real and I know that they know how I feel. It is rewarding, to say the least.
.
My coffee experience...I have yet to consistently make a great batch. Partly because I don't make the same amount or use the same measuring utensil, but I am learning.
.
I bought some Dunkin Donuts coffee before the holidays (a fav of mine) and it definitely is stronger and doesn't require as much as say Folgers. The first two times I made it, it was so strong that I used at least a quarter of a cup of half n half to just lighten the color from black to chocolate!!! That pot I threw out, needless to say!!! Since then, I am down to less than half the 12 oz. package I bought and wanted to tweek it to get the most enjoyment out of it. Today was the day. I used my smaller scoop and with 2 scoops per cup, it made the perfect batch. Light mocha color, the way I like it, after a touch of cream and ooooh, that DD robust flavor. Mmmmmm...it's a glorious day!
.
I think I might change my blog title from Haven for Relaxation to Half Full Glass.
.
I wake up to 55 degree temp with a bright sunny sky, beautiful music to listen to while I change the sheets and clean up the bathroom, a perfect cup of coffee I finally made (after several failed attempts!) and ideas abounding in my head as I complete tasks one after the other. No glass could be half-fuller!!!
.
I figured it would be cooler today after the storm we had yesterday but you never know here. I was pleased to wake up to true cool, crispness in the air. The kind that makes you want to open all of the windows and take a deep breath as you open each one. (Any cooler than 55, mind you, and I would be hesitant to have open windows. I have my "cool" limit!)
.
I took a hot salt bath to ease the everyday pains in the joints and of course.....to shave!!! One must shave in the tub of water once in a while because you can see better than when you are standing in the shower, bending over, trying to hold your balance - you know who you are!!! Then, seeing that the tub has been neglected lately, I decided to get out the detergent for tubs and my gloves...uh-oh, only one glove and it is a lefty! Dang it!!! So, I put it on my left hand and proceeded to clean the entire tub bending over with my left hand. That's a lesson in futility (next word of the day). I was actually surprised at how much I was able to do. 75% of the tub was cleaned all with my left hand while my right hand held up the rest of my body!!! I was thinking about those who lose a limb and the half full glass popped in my head (kind of like the lightbulb that goes on for some people - mine is a half full glass!). I am blessed to have all limbs and functioning properly. But, it is still good to change once in a while to give the non-dominant a chance to shine. And my tub is shining now!!!
.
I put on one of my recent favorite CDs and started thinking about my childhood. I can remember not wanting to practice the piano like I was supposed to and then when I did play, I wanted to play Elton John and The Carpenters. My teacher, Mrs. Kravitz would allow me to show her what I learned and then quickly got out the classical music books I was only allowed to play for her. She was classically training and I suspect, very good at her prime. I don't think I appreciated her very much at the time....the 70's weren't about Bach and Beethoven to an 8-14 year old girl!!! Now, I think about her and want to send positive thoughts to her memory that I do appreciate classical music so much now. I owe quite a bit of the early teachings from her and I can play a mean Fur Elise to prove it!
.
Is there ever a time when you think about someone who put a mark on your life but you never had the chance to tell them? I was able to tell my mom and dad before they died and I am glad I did. But, I do think it is never too late. My thoughts to those who have passed are real and I know that they know how I feel. It is rewarding, to say the least.
.
My coffee experience...I have yet to consistently make a great batch. Partly because I don't make the same amount or use the same measuring utensil, but I am learning.
.
I bought some Dunkin Donuts coffee before the holidays (a fav of mine) and it definitely is stronger and doesn't require as much as say Folgers. The first two times I made it, it was so strong that I used at least a quarter of a cup of half n half to just lighten the color from black to chocolate!!! That pot I threw out, needless to say!!! Since then, I am down to less than half the 12 oz. package I bought and wanted to tweek it to get the most enjoyment out of it. Today was the day. I used my smaller scoop and with 2 scoops per cup, it made the perfect batch. Light mocha color, the way I like it, after a touch of cream and ooooh, that DD robust flavor. Mmmmmm...it's a glorious day!
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I think I might change my blog title from Haven for Relaxation to Half Full Glass.
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Word of the day #6
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(6) procrastinate - to put off intentionally and habitually the doing of something that should be done -
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I hope to not procrastinate as much this year. Setting goals and having regular check in times with these goals will make me aware of what I am accomplishing or not accomplishing. By "check in times" I mean writing down each goal and journaling about my achievements or what I haven't done that needs to be modified so that I can accomplish it.
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(6) procrastinate - to put off intentionally and habitually the doing of something that should be done -
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I hope to not procrastinate as much this year. Setting goals and having regular check in times with these goals will make me aware of what I am accomplishing or not accomplishing. By "check in times" I mean writing down each goal and journaling about my achievements or what I haven't done that needs to be modified so that I can accomplish it.
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Sunday, January 13, 2008
Comfort food in the winter
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Word of the Day #5
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(5) catharsis - a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension; elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression
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My catharsis is walking. When I go out and walk, I can breathe in deeper and getting fresh air, I relax into a zen-like state. That is why many times I don't hear anyone who beeps at me as they drive past.
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Other cathartics are for another type of elimination which, we nurses, know all too well!!!!! My cathartic is non-tangible and thus, less messy.
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(5) catharsis - a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension; elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression
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My catharsis is walking. When I go out and walk, I can breathe in deeper and getting fresh air, I relax into a zen-like state. That is why many times I don't hear anyone who beeps at me as they drive past.
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Other cathartics are for another type of elimination which, we nurses, know all too well!!!!! My cathartic is non-tangible and thus, less messy.
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What are you listening to?
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I sometimes go all day without any sound in the house (well, except for the noises that the cats make - some just a light meow and others, a very annoying mrahwwwwwwwwowwwwww) but as I was walking around today, I realized that I hadn't heard one of my favorite albums in a while. It is called Winter Song by John Tesh and it is a refreshing, eclectic grouping of songs that instill a mood of post holidays but also a renewal of the present and brand new year.
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Ah, to have hearing to appreciate these songs. I am thankful for that. What are you thankful for? Are you listening to anything? Your heart? What is it telling you? Are you following it? Does music ever fill your heart and soul? It does mine.
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I sometimes go all day without any sound in the house (well, except for the noises that the cats make - some just a light meow and others, a very annoying mrahwwwwwwwwowwwwww) but as I was walking around today, I realized that I hadn't heard one of my favorite albums in a while. It is called Winter Song by John Tesh and it is a refreshing, eclectic grouping of songs that instill a mood of post holidays but also a renewal of the present and brand new year.
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Ah, to have hearing to appreciate these songs. I am thankful for that. What are you thankful for? Are you listening to anything? Your heart? What is it telling you? Are you following it? Does music ever fill your heart and soul? It does mine.
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Word of the Day #4
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(4) commitment - interaction dominated by personal obligations. A personal commitment is a pledge or promise to ones' self for personal growth -
I am making a commitment to change my lifestyle and give back to the community by volunteering my massage therapy at school.
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(4) commitment - interaction dominated by personal obligations. A personal commitment is a pledge or promise to ones' self for personal growth -
I am making a commitment to change my lifestyle and give back to the community by volunteering my massage therapy at school.
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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Word of the Day #3
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(3) diabetes - a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or when cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced, so that glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body. Symptoms include frequent urination, tiredness, excessive thirst, and hunger.
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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that causes serious health complications including renal (kidney) failure, heart disease, stroke, and blindness. Approximately 14 million Americans (about 5% of the population) have diabetes. Unfortunately, as many as one-half of them are unaware that they have it.
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The causes of diabetes mellitus are unclear, however, there seem to be both hereditary (genetic factors passed on in families) and environmental factors involved. Research has shown that some people who develop diabetes have common genetic markers. In Type I diabetes, an autoimmune response is believed to be triggered by a virus or another microorganism that destroys the cells that produce insulin. In Type II diabetes, age, obesity, and family history of diabetes play a role.
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(3) diabetes - a condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or when cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced, so that glucose in the blood cannot be absorbed into the cells of the body. Symptoms include frequent urination, tiredness, excessive thirst, and hunger.
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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that causes serious health complications including renal (kidney) failure, heart disease, stroke, and blindness. Approximately 14 million Americans (about 5% of the population) have diabetes. Unfortunately, as many as one-half of them are unaware that they have it.
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The causes of diabetes mellitus are unclear, however, there seem to be both hereditary (genetic factors passed on in families) and environmental factors involved. Research has shown that some people who develop diabetes have common genetic markers. In Type I diabetes, an autoimmune response is believed to be triggered by a virus or another microorganism that destroys the cells that produce insulin. In Type II diabetes, age, obesity, and family history of diabetes play a role.
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Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Word of the Day #2
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(2) determination - Firmness of purpose; a fixed intention or resolution -
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I am determined to keep my weight below the obese or heavy categories and to keep my FBS below 120.
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(2) determination - Firmness of purpose; a fixed intention or resolution -
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I am determined to keep my weight below the obese or heavy categories and to keep my FBS below 120.
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
A little catching up...
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I have decided that my weight, walks and FBS will be on the other blog I have created called "The Biggest Loser".
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On this web site, along with pictures, I am going to try a word of the day since the one I programmed in to record has decided to bomb out!
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To catch up, I need to double up on words...or even triple up. 365 words. Let's start...
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(1) dedication - commitment; a message that makes a pledge -
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I have dedicated myself to keep up my fitness that I have begun since last year and will continue to strive to maintain a regular schedule of exercise, stretching, massage therapy and meditation.
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I have decided that my weight, walks and FBS will be on the other blog I have created called "The Biggest Loser".
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On this web site, along with pictures, I am going to try a word of the day since the one I programmed in to record has decided to bomb out!
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To catch up, I need to double up on words...or even triple up. 365 words. Let's start...
.
(1) dedication - commitment; a message that makes a pledge -
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I have dedicated myself to keep up my fitness that I have begun since last year and will continue to strive to maintain a regular schedule of exercise, stretching, massage therapy and meditation.
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Wow! Lots of Changes
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Our local DP (Don Pablos) shut down on December 26th, suddenly, so I researched and found that all but 2 closed in FL. We are (maybe) fortunate to have the remaining two in the Orlando area. We will visit the Seminole Towne Center location on Wed. if it is still open.
The Orlando Dixie Stampede shut its doors today saying that they received an offer for the property that was too good to pass up. What about the close to minimum wage job earners that were told not to report for work the next day? I hope Dolly had some kind of compensation/back-up plan for them. It so saddens me.
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My weight for this week is 168...down 2 lbs from 12/24.....yeah!!! I didn't weigh myself on the 31st due to a lack of a scale in TN. FBS...not so good this am...115...but, I sure did enjoy that double serving of the bottom of the chip bag...known as the crumbs....last night with my Subway turkey/cheese wrap! YUM!!!
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I have walked all 3 days since arriving home from vacation. 5 miles each. Today I was really sore so my time was over 1 hour and 20 minutes. Not to worry, it means I had a few more minutes to burn calories at a heart rate of 60% of my max! After a hot bath with salts, I stretched and feel much looser. Actually, pain free at the moment! Life is good!
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Our local DP (Don Pablos) shut down on December 26th, suddenly, so I researched and found that all but 2 closed in FL. We are (maybe) fortunate to have the remaining two in the Orlando area. We will visit the Seminole Towne Center location on Wed. if it is still open.
The Orlando Dixie Stampede shut its doors today saying that they received an offer for the property that was too good to pass up. What about the close to minimum wage job earners that were told not to report for work the next day? I hope Dolly had some kind of compensation/back-up plan for them. It so saddens me.
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My weight for this week is 168...down 2 lbs from 12/24.....yeah!!! I didn't weigh myself on the 31st due to a lack of a scale in TN. FBS...not so good this am...115...but, I sure did enjoy that double serving of the bottom of the chip bag...known as the crumbs....last night with my Subway turkey/cheese wrap! YUM!!!
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I have walked all 3 days since arriving home from vacation. 5 miles each. Today I was really sore so my time was over 1 hour and 20 minutes. Not to worry, it means I had a few more minutes to burn calories at a heart rate of 60% of my max! After a hot bath with salts, I stretched and feel much looser. Actually, pain free at the moment! Life is good!
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Saturday, January 05, 2008
Welcome 2008!
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I did my first walk today. Read about it here .
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My goals for this year have been in place for a while now but they will continue and expand as I am able. I lost 20 lbs last year and hope to lose another 20 lbs this year. That would be a great goal to achieve. My blood sugar was down on average at least 10 points by the end of the year from August testing. I even had 4 readings on vacation under 100. The last one from 3 days ago - 82!!! Yep, you read correctly. Eighty-Two!!!
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Today was 108 but I splurged on 5 pieces of mountain taffy we brought back from TN on the drive home last night. As I begin walking daily, I hope to see the FBS stay below 110 and possibly below 100 most days. My goal is to not have any FBS above 120 until the end of January. At that time, I will re-evaluate as the weight drops and maybe lower the goal to 115 for the next month.
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Other goals, Well, I am really bad at corresponding. I plan to write letters to everyone who is long distance and I didn't see at Christmas. I want to catch up on showing them pictures of the family and let them know what we are doing these days.
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Another goal is to have reduced the size of clutter in the garage...not sure by how much but just make an effort to remove unwanted items will be a goal achievable for me and rewarding, too. Also, reducing, downsizing the amount of crafts I have by USING THEM!!! What a concept. I have plenty to use up so it won't be difficult to achieve this one, too. Plus, it might make some people happy to receive a nice home made item from me.
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I also want to do something with my massage therapy background. Maybe volunteer some time massaging somewhere. Not sure yet. I have to renew my nursing license this April. Will start before April this year! HAH!!!
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And if I can continue to set and achieve goals, I want to keep track of them here. Maybe I will have the most entries this year. If I have a post every other day, that would surpass the 147 from 2006. More goals. More to focus on. I had better get started...
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I did my first walk today. Read about it here .
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My goals for this year have been in place for a while now but they will continue and expand as I am able. I lost 20 lbs last year and hope to lose another 20 lbs this year. That would be a great goal to achieve. My blood sugar was down on average at least 10 points by the end of the year from August testing. I even had 4 readings on vacation under 100. The last one from 3 days ago - 82!!! Yep, you read correctly. Eighty-Two!!!
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Today was 108 but I splurged on 5 pieces of mountain taffy we brought back from TN on the drive home last night. As I begin walking daily, I hope to see the FBS stay below 110 and possibly below 100 most days. My goal is to not have any FBS above 120 until the end of January. At that time, I will re-evaluate as the weight drops and maybe lower the goal to 115 for the next month.
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Other goals, Well, I am really bad at corresponding. I plan to write letters to everyone who is long distance and I didn't see at Christmas. I want to catch up on showing them pictures of the family and let them know what we are doing these days.
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Another goal is to have reduced the size of clutter in the garage...not sure by how much but just make an effort to remove unwanted items will be a goal achievable for me and rewarding, too. Also, reducing, downsizing the amount of crafts I have by USING THEM!!! What a concept. I have plenty to use up so it won't be difficult to achieve this one, too. Plus, it might make some people happy to receive a nice home made item from me.
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I also want to do something with my massage therapy background. Maybe volunteer some time massaging somewhere. Not sure yet. I have to renew my nursing license this April. Will start before April this year! HAH!!!
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And if I can continue to set and achieve goals, I want to keep track of them here. Maybe I will have the most entries this year. If I have a post every other day, that would surpass the 147 from 2006. More goals. More to focus on. I had better get started...
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Monday, December 24, 2007
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
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'Tis the season to be jolly. I may not be jolly all of the time but I am lately. I have lost 20 lbs and feel great! I have health, a wondeful family and many good friends to count on. And my cats love me.
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Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
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'Tis the season to be jolly. I may not be jolly all of the time but I am lately. I have lost 20 lbs and feel great! I have health, a wondeful family and many good friends to count on. And my cats love me.
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Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
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Saturday, November 10, 2007
UHHHH......
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Just for the record, I am NOT older than Kenny Rogers whose birthday is today!!!!! Sheesh! Who does these birthday things?
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Whose birthday is Today?
Today's Birthdays
1977 - Brittany Murphy
1968 - Sammy Sosa
1964 - Kenny Rogers
1935 - Roy Scheider
1889 - Claude Rains
All Birthdays on November 10
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Just for the record, I am NOT older than Kenny Rogers whose birthday is today!!!!! Sheesh! Who does these birthday things?
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Whose birthday is Today?
Today's Birthdays
1977 - Brittany Murphy
1968 - Sammy Sosa
1964 - Kenny Rogers
1935 - Roy Scheider
1889 - Claude Rains
All Birthdays on November 10
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Sunday, November 04, 2007
One more time...
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Today was Oviedo's Homecoming dance. The kids went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner and then to the dance. I wasn't able to be there for pictures but Teagan's mom sent me some pictures so this is hot off the presses!
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Karl and Teagan
Oviedo Homecoming 2007
..
.Today was Oviedo's Homecoming dance. The kids went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner and then to the dance. I wasn't able to be there for pictures but Teagan's mom sent me some pictures so this is hot off the presses!
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Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Famous Halloween... Famous Banks Boys
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Life Is Good...
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KJ always keeps an eye out for the newest Famous Stars & Straps on-line store clothing* and when he saw these tees being offered for a limited time, he showed me the day they came out and had to have it. He also wanted his brother and dad to share in the excitement. They obliged! Karl's tee is called "Fangs", KJ's tee is called "Bandages" and Kent's tee is called "Bolts". How apropos for Halloween.
* Being voted best dressed, you have an image to keep up with!
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Life Is Good...
.KJ always keeps an eye out for the newest Famous Stars & Straps on-line store clothing* and when he saw these tees being offered for a limited time, he showed me the day they came out and had to have it. He also wanted his brother and dad to share in the excitement. They obliged! Karl's tee is called "Fangs", KJ's tee is called "Bandages" and Kent's tee is called "Bolts". How apropos for Halloween.
* Being voted best dressed, you have an image to keep up with!
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Sunday, October 21, 2007
Fall Dance (not to be confused with homecoming...)
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KJ and Emily
KJ and Emily
Hagerty Fall Dance
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KJ went to the Fall Dance at Hagerty High School with Emily. It is called a fall dance because the school is only 3 years old and has up to grade 11 which means that there won't be any "alumni" until this junior class returns after they graduate AKA "homecoming", at that point. KJ enjoyed the dance very much even though they were an hour late due to band competition conflicts.
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Time flies....
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Card that I made for my niece...I "cased" it from Splitcoaststampers.com with a couple of changes.
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Card for my niece's fiance. Also cased from SCS. I'm baaaaaaaad!!!
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Card that I made for my niece...I "cased" it from Splitcoaststampers.com with a couple of changes.
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.Card for my niece's fiance. Also cased from SCS. I'm baaaaaaaad!!!
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Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Look to the Right
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If you look at the birthday's below, I was aghast when I saw that James Gandolfini is younger than me!!! AGH!!! I expect one of these days that I will see some date with the year after mine that says "Dirt"!!! Shees!!!
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If you look at the birthday's below, I was aghast when I saw that James Gandolfini is younger than me!!! AGH!!! I expect one of these days that I will see some date with the year after mine that says "Dirt"!!! Shees!!!
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Blog of the Day
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I haven't had time to upload my stuff so I'm taking you to someone else's stuff. Beautiful glass beads. But, that's not why I was interested in it. Take a look at the kitty monorail down on the lefthand side!!! LOL
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Monorail Cat
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I haven't had time to upload my stuff so I'm taking you to someone else's stuff. Beautiful glass beads. But, that's not why I was interested in it. Take a look at the kitty monorail down on the lefthand side!!! LOL
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Monorail Cat
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Sunday, September 09, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
A WONDERFUL BREAKTHROUGH!!!
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I have just been googling a report I heard yesterday on the local noon news WESH-TV Orlando about an UCF scientist who may have found a CURE, yes, you are reading correctly, a CURE for diabetes. It boggles my mind that this is so close to happening! Read these articles and spread the news. A $2 million was awarded to UCF from the National Institutes of Health to fund this study.
Here are several articles I found when googling this topic...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/78273.php
http://www.uwire.com/content//topnews082407003.html (GO Oviedo, FL!)
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5016
http://www.palmcoast.biz/portal/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13078
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070730111638.htm
Being a skeptic, I am always looking for "the other side of the story" but so far, I haven't found anything negative (except that drug companies may lose lots of $ on insulin and oral anti-diabetic medications).
Here is an excerpt about this professor's partial credentials...
I have just been googling a report I heard yesterday on the local noon news WESH-TV Orlando about an UCF scientist who may have found a CURE, yes, you are reading correctly, a CURE for diabetes. It boggles my mind that this is so close to happening! Read these articles and spread the news. A $2 million was awarded to UCF from the National Institutes of Health to fund this study.
Here are several articles I found when googling this topic...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/78273.php
http://www.uwire.com/content//topnews082407003.html (GO Oviedo, FL!)
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5016
http://www.palmcoast.biz/portal/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13078
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070730111638.htm
Being a skeptic, I am always looking for "the other side of the story" but so far, I haven't found anything negative (except that drug companies may lose lots of $ on insulin and oral anti-diabetic medications).
Here is an excerpt about this professor's partial credentials...
"Daniell, who is the first
UCF Trustee Chair in Life Sciences,
began teaching at UCF in 1998. His
research led to the formation of UCF's first
biotechnology company, called
Chlorogen, for the commercial development of
patented chloroplast genetic
engineering technology. In 2004, he won UCF's
Pegasus Professor Award, the
top honor given to a faculty member who excels in
teaching, research and
service. Daniell also became only the 14th American in
the last 222 years to
be elected to the Italian National Academy of Sciences."
I am psyched!!!
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Let's back up a few days...
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They were at Seaworld all day on Sunday after Teagan spent the day at the beach on Friday and was burned pretty badly. I was worried all day about her shoulders but she seemed to be resilient and had a wonderful time despite it.
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Karl had fun planning the day and had a special surprise for dinner...
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HAPPY 1st Anniversary Karl and Teagan!!!
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It was actually the 19th and they did spend it together at Seaworld (their favorite place to visit in California). I apologize for placing it on the blog post haste.
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.They were at Seaworld all day on Sunday after Teagan spent the day at the beach on Friday and was burned pretty badly. I was worried all day about her shoulders but she seemed to be resilient and had a wonderful time despite it.
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.Karl had fun planning the day and had a special surprise for dinner...
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He made reservations for the Shamu Rocks Dinner Buffet. They sat right at the tank and watched the whales around them as they ate. A special evening to cap off their anniversary! The Shamu Rocks show finished off the night (with priority seating as part of the buffet!)
The picture below has a special story. Karl came home after dropping off Teagan at her house (making sure that her car door was left unlocked) and uploaded his pictures to the computer. Then he picked out two pictures and photoshopped them. He printed both out. One for the frame you see below and the other for the inside of Teagan's anniversary card. Let's just say that it's of Teagan in a "priceless" pose! So, Karl finished making the card around 2 am and drove over to Teagan's house to place the two items in her car before she got up for her first day of school. Forever the romantic!!!
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BTW, the Shamu sticker, punch and cardstock are compliments of mom's scrapbooking stash!!! LOL
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Monday, August 27, 2007
The joy of bringing joy....
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I love a happy ending!
A friend has adopted three little girls and we tried to find a gift for them. Tickets to Wet and Wild sounded good but they went the week they came home to live here in FL! So, I scrambled with ways to make their gift a special, memorable one, while having to hurry before they went and did it first. Somehow, I thought of the Build-A-Bear idea and it became a hit! I ordered them on-line and each girl received her own envelope with gift card attached in a cute "Cub Condo" card. The attached message read, "We come "bear"-ing gift cards!!! Oh Happy Day!!! Congratulations!!! From The Banks". When the parents explained what they had gotten, the girls drove mom and dad nuts to go right away. So, they went on Saturday (received on Friday night) and stayed for 3 hours deciding on everything including accessories! They take them to bed at night and want to carry them all day long, too!!! That makes me smile. So cute!!!
Here are their choices. Mom's is the mouse on the left, dad's is the triceratops in the middle and the girls chose the two kitties and the bear.
How wonderful!!!
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Some new additions...
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I have added a few things to the side bar for your enjoyment.
I may have to add...grab a cuppa joe or a spot of tea and read away...
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Sunday, August 26, 2007
QOTD
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I have added a QOTD on the side bar for your entertainment. I send one out nightly to a group of friends and saw this feed. I like it!
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I have added a QOTD on the side bar for your entertainment. I send one out nightly to a group of friends and saw this feed. I like it!
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Random pictures of interest...
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A picture hanging above the bed in my mother-in-law's bedroom. I love to look at it every time I go there.
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This wine didn't make it to the tast test but I rate it a "5" for original name!!!
(And it would have been tied for the most expensive bottle!!! LOL)
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.A picture hanging above the bed in my mother-in-law's bedroom. I love to look at it every time I go there.
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This was a weed in the backyard rose garden area but I thought it looked so symmetrical! And green!
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Saturday, August 25, 2007
Ambiance for a Wine Tasting...
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I love Yankee Candles. These three pictures just scream wine tasting!!!
.I love Yankee Candles. These three pictures just scream wine tasting!!!
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.As you enter the front door.
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A close-up of the cheeses and fruit tray.
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I had sunflowers decorated around the house to compliment the hors d'oeuvres table and serving ware.
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The Wine Tasting...
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Using my rabbit ears cork opener, I was able to quickly open the first bottle to prepare for the tasting of our first mystery bottle of wine.
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Here, I explained the wine rating cards. We used these simple wine rating cards to describe each wine (total of 6 wines) and rated each one on a scale from 1 to 5.
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Using my rabbit ears cork opener, I was able to quickly open the first bottle to prepare for the tasting of our first mystery bottle of wine.
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.Here, I explained the wine rating cards. We used these simple wine rating cards to describe each wine (total of 6 wines) and rated each one on a scale from 1 to 5.
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After we tasted the first 4 wines, we had some appetizers. There were several kinds of cheeses that go well with the wines and we sampled each one...Brie, Fontina, Butterkase, cheddar (mild, medium, sharp and extra sharp).
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Just friends around the table enjoying each other's company, sipping wine and sampling the hors d'oeuvres.
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Here's to a very successful wine tasting!
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CHEERS!!!
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Friday, August 24, 2007
The White and Blush wines...
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This was the first of our tastings. This Sauvignon Blanc was very dry for my liking but I thought it might go well with seafood, esp crab cakes! At $8.99 a bottle for 750 ml, we thought it to be a good white wine. Most everyone rated this one a "4". *Note: When traveling to Napa Valley, we passed by the Beaulieu Vineyards but didn't have enough time to stop in for a wine tasting!
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I have had about 3 Pinot Grigios and this one by Turning Leaf (a Gallo Family Vineyards owned company) was dryer than the others I have had. It was quite smooth but bland. I gave it a "3". At $6.23 for a 750 ml bottle, this was a good priced wine.
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This was the first of our tastings. This Sauvignon Blanc was very dry for my liking but I thought it might go well with seafood, esp crab cakes! At $8.99 a bottle for 750 ml, we thought it to be a good white wine. Most everyone rated this one a "4". *Note: When traveling to Napa Valley, we passed by the Beaulieu Vineyards but didn't have enough time to stop in for a wine tasting!
.
.I have had about 3 Pinot Grigios and this one by Turning Leaf (a Gallo Family Vineyards owned company) was dryer than the others I have had. It was quite smooth but bland. I gave it a "3". At $6.23 for a 750 ml bottle, this was a good priced wine.
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The third bottle was the most expensive of the six bottles we tasted. $10.99 for a 750 ml bottle. This Robert Mondavi Riesling was again, not as sweet as I have had before (Schmitt and Sohne), but it was fruity and I liked it so much that I gave it a "4 1/2"!
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Bottle #4.....Ahhhh, what can be said about this rosy colored beauty?!!! Kent and I first tried the Sutter Home White Merlot in Napa Valley, CA on the encouragement of the Sommelier in the wine tasting room. I was glad I made the decision to try it. It has become my new favorite!!! And it was also chosen as the favorite of 6 out of seven taste testers at my wine tasting. This one was Beringer (the other winery we visited in Napa Valley) and usually more expensive than Sutter Home when you order a glass of White Zinfandel at restaurants. But, I bought a 750 ml bottle for $4.00!!! The 1.5L bottles were $8.00, as well. Either the Sutter Home or Beringer would make a great selection as your #1 blush wine. And both being reasonably priced under $5.00 per bottle!
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