Friday, October 24, 2008

No Rest for the Weary

I have not been able to post as things have been soooo busy here - and that's an understatement! But, alas, I will get that break....I will be going to our quarterly crop for a weekend of scrapping fun (okay, half a weekend)- starting tomorrow.....I can't wait! I am SO not ready, I still have supplies to gather and photos to organize - but just to have a day and a half with friends and fun - I'm okay that it is 2am and I am not organized! And our girls are looking forward to having Daddy all to themselves!

I know I bragged about her before, but I just have to share our friend Andrea's latest creation. I asked her to make an initial plaque for my niece's 2nd birthday and how great is this?

You can see her other creations on her Etsy Shop - Sassy Signs by Andrea. I love it....Thanks Andrea!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

No More Excuses-Let Yourself be Sharpened!

So, it seems that even I can run out of excuses. I'm not going to share my long list of them - but I have quite a few when it comes to exercising. The odd thing is, I like to exercise, but can find every excuse imaginable to not lift a finger, much less a weight....But, I like how I feel while I am exercising - I love how it feels when I'm done exercising, I like the energy I have when I'm active, I like to eat freely, I like fitting into my clothes, and I am quite frankly, a lot nicer when I've spent a few hours at the gym....and the list of positives goes on and on. I don't know why every few months I convince myself I don't need to do it.

I won't bore you with the many reasons why I have "exercise droughts" and how I justify them - but my most recent excuse has just been kicked out the window. Exercise Excuse #18: I like to stay up late. Oh, I enjoy a good sleep, but given the choice between going to bed early and staying up for hours after everyone has gone to bed, I will choose the latter more often than not. I've always been that way. I have even found friends that both have and support my habit.

Here's how Excuse #18 works: In order for me to workout, I would need to hit the gym very early in the morning before my husband goes to work. Why? you ask? It's too expensive to take all three kids during the day, I don't have the energy at night, the housework is looming, and so on. BUT, I can't go early in the morning because of my late night habit that I am not willing to give up.

Well, one of my friends has successfully ruined the excuse for me. Although she has been VERY supportive of my habit (I can usually find her awake way past the nightly news), she also gets up at 5 (yes that is A.M.) to go to the gym. I would like to say she is able to do this because she leads a life of leisure, but that would be lying as she homeschools 7 children and that is just one of her many daily achievements.

And so, this morning my alarm went off at 5, I got up at 6 (I'm not that swayed by peer pressure!), laced up my shoes and dragged myself to the gym. I couldn't stay long because my husband had to leave for work (good one, huh?) but I put in my two miles and headed home.....and I have felt better all day because of it.

Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another." (NASB) I know this verse is often used when speaking of how we encourage one another spiritually, yet I think it also applies to setting an example with our lives as a whole. I believe God would have us live a life of discipline in all areas, caring for what He has entrusted us with (including our bodies). Yet, all for the purpose of serving Him and others...and I am better equipped to do so when I take care of my health. I believe when we are putting the Lord first, spending time with Him, He orders our schedules and helps us make time for things we should be doing. And without knowing it, God can even use us as iron to sharpen another.

Just so there is no confusion - my friend did not tell me I should exercise, or get up early or contemplate my lifestyle, etc. She just set a good example - as she does in so many other areas too. So, let us be reminded that even in the mundane events of daily life, there may be a lesson waiting for those around us, an opportunity for God to speak to others. I needed motivation, to be pushed past my excuses toward something I know is good for me. Through someone else's example, I was encouraged to take inventory of where I am, what things I am doing (or not doing) that benefit me and consequently my health and family... And take a step toward getting some much needed discipline back into my life. Yes, I am on day one - but you have to start (or re-start) somewhere! You never know....maybe I'll even try going to bed early too! (although it's not likely)

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

An Honor from Joey!

My friend and SBS sister Joey has given me an award! This is one I have not seen before and I am sure pleased to receive it - especially to know I am thought of in this way!


The award is called the Wylde Women Award and its purpose is to send love to and acknowledge women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between
2. Make sure you link to their site
3. Link back to Tammy at http://www.tammyvitale.com/ so she can visit all these great women
4. Remember the purpose of the award

And so, although there are so many blogging friends I consider 'worthy' (lol!) of this award, I would like to pass it on to Melanie, who in the midst of this very busy season of life still manages to brighten the day(s) of so many!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I've Been Tagged!

Did you think I forgot I have a blog?
I have been so busy - but.....I think I can do this quickly and still feed my family dinner!
My lovely friend Roxy (who just happened to walk 60 miles (yes, 6-0) in DC in The 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer Research!) tagged me a little while ago and I never got around to posting!

The rules are:
1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share at least 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag someone at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
(okay so I changed the rules a little!)

Disclaimer: Some things are 'givens' - these are 'random facts'.....so the fact that I left out I love my children does not mean I don't love them :)...
Here goes:

1. I have a thing for Tabasco. Avery Island, LA is in my top 10 list of places I want to visit.

2. I‘m crazy about my coffee cups. I don’t like to share them. I have a set that I make available to guests and keep mine to myself. I am selfish that way.

3. I love the beach…..any beach…and I’ve been to many. Last summer I fell in love with a mountain beach in Yosemite next to a river – complete with white sand and a view of the waterfall. Absolutely one of our best family days.

4. My husband is my best friend – really.

5. When my husband and I started dating I had two iguanas and a cat and he did not like my hair. He still went out with me – I guess he saw potential.

6. I have a hot sauce collection with bottles from around the world. It began with a bottle of sauce I got in Israel during the 80’s (because it was pretty) I now have 26 bottles from various countries and 24 from different states in the USA.

7. I’ve moved 19 times – 15 of those times have been within this fabulous city of ours.

8. I used to thrive on a good adrenaline rush. We love to dive, I used to rock climb, I’ve been bungy jumping at least a dozen times and we have our motorcycle licenses...But these days you won’t find me jumping off of anything or doing half the things I used to. Age and kids will do that to you.

9. I have an aversion to cold water. We once spent a month at the beach and I didn’t enter the water past my calves. I seriously don’t like cold water.

10. I worked in a Mexican restaurant for nine years and ate Mexican food virtually every day. Never tired of it and it is still in my top 3 foods of choice. (of course it tastes best on the beach in Mexico)

11. If I could use my crockpot every day I would. It can be done – check out this site!

And now, I would like to tag:

Joey (and while you are here, you should check out her amazing blog-she's so talented!)