Destiny

The choices we make, not the chances we take, determine our destiny.

Rain, Rain, and More Rain

Tonight I was partnered up with two other students who had knee issues. I called us the Gimpy Knee Group. My instructor called us tough, because we were on the mat while everyone else would be at home. I had to laugh. I am the eldest, the youngest is a senior in high school. The middle student is in her 30's. We still kicked butt though. LOL.

Better today on the diet. I hate that "monthly" time because there are days I feel I could eat several steaks and mashed potatoes and still need more. Oh well.

Thursday

Well, yesterday was a very busy day. Chiropractor (boy don't I love him), haircuts and dentist for my son, whose need for braces on a scale of 1 - 10 is a 4. Woo hoo! No orthodontics here!

Shoulder exercises and getting back on track with my eating are top of my list. Vacation is fun, but not so regimented as I need to continue to lose weight. So, must smack my hand and put my nose back to the grindstone and remember how much I WANT this. :)

Hope you are all well and not getting tons of snow or rain.

Shoulder Exercises

I did my shoulder exercises three times last week. That makes me very happy. I did them last night and I will do them again tomorrow and Friday. I just need 7 weeks of doing them three times a week and I should have my habit created. That thought makes me happy. I notice that things don't ache as much when I do the exercises, which is funny. Who would have thought that working out means the pain goes away.

An Interesting Talk

My karate instructor and I had a very interesting talk this morning. Basically, in the second degree black belt class, I am 12 years older than him, 17 years older than my nephew, 25 & 26 years older than then next two students and 31 years older than my partner and buddy who I went for black belt and 2nd black belt with.

And he said I should be proud of the fact that I am still on the mat messing it up with all of them. You know what, I am. I am not stopping until I at least get to 3rd degree, when I turn 50. Then maybe (and then again maybe not) I might think about slowing down.

Too many people give up on things too early in life. I wanted to do karate since I was 16 years old. And once I got on the mat and started down that path, there was NOTHING and NO ONE who was going to stop me. When I was running (and dying) all I could think of was that black belt. When things hurt and I wasn't understanding techniques or forms, I thought of that black belt.

Let me tell you that if each and every one of you had that focus, you would achieve whatever it is you want. But you have to WANT it. And not be willing to quit. I wanted it and there was no way in heck I was quitting.

:)

And Now A Word From Your Sponsor

My husband calls me Mrs. Spock, which is why I think this is so funny. And true. :)

Shoulder Exercises

Well, last week I did my shoulder exercises two times. I forgot to do them Saturday and Sunday, I totally spaced them as well. So I made sure to do them Monday. Yesterday I did them before supper, so I wouldn't get caught up in stuff and forget AGAIN. I want to do them three to four times a week. I am getting there. It also helps if I do them at 5:15 pm, what I call my PT (physical therapy) time.

I have also been making my son do them as well, to help his push-ups. They are getting much better, but I want to make certain he passes his tests (for 2nd degree black). The second test is this Saturday. We ran through his forms, techniques and all the other techniques just in case he is thrown a curve ball, like our group was. He is also running three times a week, as well as doing 80 sit-ups and 50 push-ups three times a week. Actually four times a week, because that's what they do in their Saturday morning class.

And I wonder why we both sleep well.

Look Ma, The Door Shuts!

So, I told you I need a right hand door knob guts? Guess what I found upstairs? (waiting to be installed in my son's closet door) Yup, that's right, a right hand door guts. His closet door will take the left hand one that didn't work in the bathroom. Didn't that work out well?

As you can see, the one on the left (the new one) is bigger than the one on the right (the old one). So I had my work cut out for me making the hole bigger. But, we're talking about me here, so of course I got it done.

The new door knob guts and new face plates. And voila, the door shuts and stays shut. No more pulling out the sink drawer to keep the door closed.

Another To Do item DONE!

The Box Part Two

My husband wanted to make some ice cubes, but he couldn't find the ice cube trays. So I went hunting for them. And found all NINE of them. Yes, nine of them. A quick inquiry to said husband and then seven of the ice cube trays went into the box. As well as all sorts of cookie cutters (dinosaurs, reindeer, rabbits, etc) a small cookie jar that was a gift, but it's brown (dark brown) and I hate brown (especially in a blue kitchen) and now I can say I have one kitchen cabinet that has been cleaned out of STUFF! I am very happy about that.

I have already filled the box with all sorts of books that I do not want and am looking forward to the cabinet over the closet in the bathroom. My attempt to fix the door knob didn't work because, believe it or not, it's for a left hand opening door, not a right hand. Since I can't just flip it upside down, I will have to see if I can get one for a right hand opening door. What a drag!

Oh well, gotta go do my shoulder exercises and then clean up my notes for my form. I ran it (slowly) with my nephew (Mr. Karate) and I have all the angles and directions CORRECT. I don't know if I can explain how happy that makes me. I really want to do this form well on my next step exam in 9 weeks and having the angles and directions down makes it SO much easier to practice.

Keep the faith!

The Box

My mother informed me a couple of weeks ago that she was having a yard sale this spring. Either at my house or my sister's house. Since my house is just as well traveled as hers, but a little yard sale safe, the yard sale will be here. That actually made me very happy, because then all the stuff I was collecting to get rid of now has another purpose. To be sold in a yard sale.

So, here is the box that I plan on putting yard sale items in. I realize it may only be the first of many, but the fact that I now have something to collect all the miscellaneous stuff I do not want makes me very happy.

Here are some of the books that will be going in the box. I have decided that while I may like the book, or may have liked it while I read it, if I am not going to read it again, then it can go away.

I cleared out one or two shelves with this bunch. And if you know how many shelves of books I have, you would know that I may have more to clean out. I also have some VCR tapes to get rid of and maybe even some old Christmas ornaments. Anything that I haven't touched in several years will be going in this yard sale. And it will not be until the really nice weather so I can clean out the cellar and garage. (Though my garage is pretty clean for a garage.)

I also have to fix the bathroom door knob and the door knob to my son's bedroom closet. Those will be a little messy, as the "guts" of the door knob (there is a lock in it) is a different shape than the ones I originally put in. So I will have to do some drilling and scraping and generally make a mess.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Anyone else have some boxes they need to fill?

Valentine's Day

Hey everyone, remember to wish yourself a Happy Valentine's Day, because you love yourself. Or rather, you should love yourself. If you don't, then change yourself. Because to ever achieve anything of what you want in life, you have to be happy with yourself.

:)
Have a good one, everyone!

We're All In This Together

So, I am not the only one who has hit a rough patch, and I think we can all agree that the hardest thing is to get back on the horse. But I did, today, I got back on the horse. Got back to my food routine and I do feel so much better about it. I also did my shoulder exercises, with my son, and I feel happy about that.It's funny how when you are used to eating good foods and you take a break from it how different you feel. Like your body is trying to tell you something!

So, your bodies are trying to tell you something. Get back on the horse. I did and if I can, so can you.
:)

A Rough Patch

So, I've hit a sort of rough patch, ever since my fantastic dinner Sunday, with all the really good food. And leftovers. I've been tired and cold so I've eaten more than I should of things I shouldn't be eating (Wheatables). It wouldn't be so bad if I had my snacks of broccoli or green beans, but I haven't cooked them either (lazy). So I have to get off my little doofus and get back on track. NOW!

I will be doing my shoulder exercises today, for the second time this week, so that at least is good. (Notice how I did NOT say I plan on doing them but that I will be doing them.)

And the only other thing to note is that I am working hard on my form, writing all the stance changes and transitions so I can run it more smoothly. I notice, from doing this, that I have some questions to ask my instructor. I think that might be what's hanging me up from running it the way I want.

That's my bump in the road. Anyone else hit one?

One Down

Okay, I did my shoulder exercises tonight. I was pleased with myself. I do have to manage to do them on my off karate day, though, as doing them and then push-ups is a little much. But one down, twenty more times to go.
:)

Another Goal

I have not been doing very well with my shoulder exercises. I am supposed to do them three times a week, but somehow I just can't manage it. YET. I have decided that my next goal (starting tomorrow) is to do my exercises three times a week. I figure if I can lose weight and get my 2nd degree black belt, I can do these exercises like I am supposed to.

So, here goes.

How are you doing on your goals?

I Did It

I got my tax stuff done by 2:00pm yesterday, so I can send it to the accountant today. I am very happy with that.
I had a wonderful dinner of lamb souvlaki and lemon meringue pie (home made and so delicious it was sinful). I don't think I am still down 10 pounds after that meal, but it was worth it!

Weight Loss & Wii Fit

I am down 10 pounds, and am really happy. I am going to have to try on my other jeans and see if they are more comfortable now that I have shed some excess weight. I want 5 more, then 10 more then maybe another 5 more. But I am concentrating on the next 5 first.

A friend (a really, really good friend) invited the family over for lamb souvlaki and lemon meringue pie and a workout on the Wii Fit, which she says is awesome. My husband is going to a superbowl party, as is my nephew, so that just leaves my son and I. My son is looking forward to a Nerf fight and lamb. I am not quite sure if my friend understands the nature of bottomless pit growing boys. Oh well, she will tomorrow. Here's hoping I survive the Wii!

Perseverance

"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to." George E. Allen


"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins- not through strength but by perseverance." H. Jackson Brown

"Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little." Plutarch

 

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." Walter Elliott

 

Life Got In The Way

I wanted to send out my tax info to my accountant today. I figured I had last night off, and I could do it and send it out. I forgot that we had a Karate Teacher's Meeting, so I didn't get it done. Then, to top it off, they fed us at the meeting. At EIGHT o'clock at night. I can't eat that late and expect to lose weight. I am down 9.5 pounds and am really happy about that. Needless to say, I had  more salad than anything else. I did have a little tiny but of the pasta and one bread stick. Oh well, I get back on the horse. And then, of course, I need to get my tax info out to the accountant. I know I can get it out by Monday, and since that is more realistic than Saturday, (class tonight, class tomorrow night and class and cello on Saturday) I am going to go for that.

So that's how life got in the way for me. Has it happened to anyone else?

Master Your Emotions!

All of us are 100% emotional beings. The better you are able to control and direct
your emotions, the healthier and happier you’ll be, and the better you will perform
in life.

MASTER your EMOTIONS, or your EMOTIONS will become your MASTER.

Daily training is absolutely the best way to destroy harmful stress and eliminate negative thinking patterns that can lead your emotions into a slump.

Negative emotions...such as anger, fear, depression and sadness are often magnified if
you allow tension to build up inside. Training eliminates stress!

Training forces the negatives out of your mind, body and spirit…and allows you to breathe in the positives.

Another great way to influence your best emotions is to purposely feed your mind and body the best information you can. Listen, read and watch things that motivate and inspire you. This helps to bring out your best emotions.

If you allow yourself to constantly absorb negatives, it's like junk food for the brain. It can and will cause long term damage to your emotional well being, your mood and your overall state of mind.

Strive to master your emotions by purposely programming themselves for success and achievement.

Everything you think, see, say, hear and do, influences your thoughts and emotions. Once you understand this, you may decide to be more aggressive on programming your thoughts everyday, by watching, listening and doing things that influence your emotions in a positive and empowering direction.

Positive programming leads you toward positive thoughts and emotions.

Positive emotions and energy will bring you greater health, happiness and optimism toward life and better prepare you to face your challenges head on.

Developing positive emotional control is similar to developing your confidence, it requires daily attention and regular conditioning.

Train Hard...Work Hard...Enjoy the Rewards!

Just An FYI

Don't put the eye drops in BEFORE you try and read the scale. It will turn out all blurry.But I think I may be down another pound or two.
:)

Walking The Walk

And talking the talk. Cleaned off my desk today, paid a few bills and pulled all sorts of info for my accountant. I will make copies of it tomorrow. I am in good shape to send it out by Thursday. I also went to Home Depot and picked up a few household things I needed to finish little projects around the house (a new shower curtain, new door handle guts so the downstairs bathroom door will shut properly and a new lamp for by the ironing board.)

It feels good to get that little stuff done. I have cleaned mushrooms for lunch for the next three days and have all the laundry done and put away except for one load still in the dryer. It's towels, so that's not too bad. My husband's car is PAID so that means I can put that money to something else. Woo Hoo.

A new month and another goal. I want 6 - 8 pounds off this month. I am noticing a difference in my jeans, so that makes me really happy.

How are we all doing after finishing our first month?