Fruit Tart Flag Recipe
06 July 2010
24 June 2010
Fitness Plan: Week Four
What fitness?
Sadly to say, I did not exercise a single time this week. My sleep schedule was off, so I was more tired than usual. Lack of consistent sleep highly effects my motivation levels for doing other things throughout the week. I have a Business Law 711 presentation due next week, so I have been meeting with my partner to work on that after work/class this week. I've been giving work and school all of my energy this week, and in turn I've let everything else slide. I haven't even kept up with house work. This weekend I need to get back on track! One week off isn't the end of the world. I do have other responsibilities after all. I'm not perfect. These excuses help just a little bit, but I still feel somewhat defeated for not being on top of it.
On the up side of things, I have been plowing through my One Year Chronological Bible for the past several weeks (if not months...I haven't really been keeping up with the timing). After waking in the morning, I walk downstairs, make myself a bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble, and read the Bible for 15-30 minutes. I've been reading about David's rule in Israel, his death and now his son Solomon's rule over the kingdom. It's so interesting to read the Bible in chronological order. It's refreshing and more in depth somehow. I look forward to starting my day with God's Word. For years I've tried to create this particular habit and desire. Why is it that bad habits seem so difficult to break while good habits are incredibly difficult to develop? It's a daily process!
Sadly to say, I did not exercise a single time this week. My sleep schedule was off, so I was more tired than usual. Lack of consistent sleep highly effects my motivation levels for doing other things throughout the week. I have a Business Law 711 presentation due next week, so I have been meeting with my partner to work on that after work/class this week. I've been giving work and school all of my energy this week, and in turn I've let everything else slide. I haven't even kept up with house work. This weekend I need to get back on track! One week off isn't the end of the world. I do have other responsibilities after all. I'm not perfect. These excuses help just a little bit, but I still feel somewhat defeated for not being on top of it.
On the up side of things, I have been plowing through my One Year Chronological Bible for the past several weeks (if not months...I haven't really been keeping up with the timing). After waking in the morning, I walk downstairs, make myself a bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble, and read the Bible for 15-30 minutes. I've been reading about David's rule in Israel, his death and now his son Solomon's rule over the kingdom. It's so interesting to read the Bible in chronological order. It's refreshing and more in depth somehow. I look forward to starting my day with God's Word. For years I've tried to create this particular habit and desire. Why is it that bad habits seem so difficult to break while good habits are incredibly difficult to develop? It's a daily process!
23 June 2010
Yard Sale Recap
The yard sale went great! James and I made a little over $200 and Tina a little over $100! We enjoyed the day though it was very hot and very sunny. At first we thought it was going to rain. Before 7am, the wind was blowing our things over and clouds covered the sky. Within a matter of minutes though, the sky was bright blue and sunny. God was definitely good to us.
Tina and I enjoyed getting to know one another more. My friends Sarah Beth and Peter and their sweet son James, came for a surprise visit as did James' mom and dad. It was a great day filled with friends, family, and customers! Saturday night, we were all sun-burned and exhausted. Sunday made for the perfect day of rest.
Tina and I enjoyed getting to know one another more. My friends Sarah Beth and Peter and their sweet son James, came for a surprise visit as did James' mom and dad. It was a great day filled with friends, family, and customers! Saturday night, we were all sun-burned and exhausted. Sunday made for the perfect day of rest.
21 June 2010
Fitness Plan: Week Three
Three weeks down, three to go. I'm halfway there! James told me that after I finish this six week plan, he wants to create a three week plan for me to follow. Hopefully, his Marine mentality won't be too difficult for me. He should know by now that I'm a bit of a wimp. hehe. It'll be nice though to deviate from the current plan and have another one on hand. Otherwise, after this six weeks, I might have lost motivation and became lazy again as I do so often.
Does anyone else struggle like that? You get it in your mind to do something. You start out strong, but then after a short time, you somehow lose the motivation to finish. That is my typical exercise routine. Go a week or two, quit for three, go a week, quit for several months, then pick it back up again. See the roller-coaster cycle? That exactly what I'm trying to break with these fitness plans. It's about maintaining a lifelong dedication to fitness by taking it one week at a time.
Day One: Cardio/Strength Training
Jogged/12 minutes/1 mile
Walked/24/1.50 miles
Day Two:Cardio
Walked with Brandi/approx. 40 minutes
I wrote the above comments in the middle of the week. I find that humorous considering I didn't complete this week's work out plan. 2 days out of 4-5 will just have to do for week 3.
Does anyone else struggle like that? You get it in your mind to do something. You start out strong, but then after a short time, you somehow lose the motivation to finish. That is my typical exercise routine. Go a week or two, quit for three, go a week, quit for several months, then pick it back up again. See the roller-coaster cycle? That exactly what I'm trying to break with these fitness plans. It's about maintaining a lifelong dedication to fitness by taking it one week at a time.
Day One: Cardio/Strength Training
Jogged/12 minutes/1 mile
Walked/24/1.50 miles
Day Two:Cardio
Walked with Brandi/approx. 40 minutes
I wrote the above comments in the middle of the week. I find that humorous considering I didn't complete this week's work out plan. 2 days out of 4-5 will just have to do for week 3.
17 June 2010
Six Degrees of Separation
This elongated post documents how connected we truly are in the world (or at least in Tennessee).
If you don't have time (or care) to read the entire post, the last few sentences contain the short version.
James and I met within the first couple weeks of the Fall 2004 semester at UTM. We were in the same biology class. The professor gave a girl with my same name access to the Blackboard Learning system by mistake, so until the mistake was corrected, I was unable to access the course material. I overheard one of my classmates asking another student if he could help her print the notes for class. I asked if I could accompany them to the computer lab to get help with printing the notes as well. James, being the helpful guy that he is, consented, and from that day on, he and I developed a friendship that was unlike any other we had ever encountered. He noticed me before the day I had asked for his help. When we started dating nearly three years later, he shared with me that the first time he saw me, he knew he wanted to marry me.
One day while walking on campus together during the Fall 2004 semester, a friendly girl approached James and chatted with him for a bit. He introduced us to one another, and as he and I walked away from her, I teasingly asked in that was his girlfriend. He said she was just some nice girl he had met at a Baptist Collegiate Ministry event.
During that fall semester, I had been living off campus about an hour away in a town called Puryear. To my surprise, James lived in the neighboring city of Paris. This became one of the many seemingly coincidental connections between us, but I'll save that story for another post.
In Spring 2005, my family helped me move into the dorms at UTM. A McCord resident assistant named Heidi gave us access to the dorm elevators that day. This same RA became one of my closest friends during my time in Martin. She even joined my wedding party on March 1, 2008. To this day, she remains one of my dearest friends. (The connection between me and my roommate during the Spring 2005 semester will make for another story another day.)
I needed a roommate for the Fall 2005 semester, and Jenn, the friendly girl that James introduced me to almost a year prior, needed one as well. We decided it would be best to become roommates. After one semester, I moved out of the dorms and lived in a rental house with a friend named Sarah Beth who not long after got married and moved out. (The story of my friendship with Sarah Beth and of how I had a hand in introducing her and her husband to each another remains a story for another day. I'm accumulating a lot of those.) Once again I needed a roommate and once again so did Jenn. Jenn and I lived together in the rental house for a year and a half. The first time we lived together, that's basically all we were: roommates. The second time, we became dear friends. In fact, she too became part of my wedding party and still remains one of my dearest friends.
During my senior year at Martin, I met a girl named Emily in one of my English classes. Emily and Jenn also shared classes, and they became close friends. When I graduated, Jenn moved back into the dorms and Emily became her roommate. Emily and I both were part of Jenn's wedding party and Jenn was Emily's matron of honor.
About a year and a half ago, Jenn and Emily came to visit me in Munford over Christmas break. Emily mentioned that she knew someone named Jenny that lived on our street. She introduced us to one another over Facebook. Not long after this, Jenny invited me over for dinner. As soon as I walked in, she said, "I kept you in nursery when you were a baby!" She thought I had looked familiar, but when she saw me in person, her suspicions were confirmed. Much to my surprise, my mom taught Jenny in school and Jenny was friends with my aunt Jeana. They also all went to church together, and apparently so did I for a short time before Jenny's family moved to a another church. Jenny became a great friend, neighbor, and Biblical role model during my time in Munford.
James and I began attending Munford Baptist Church in March 2009. When Jenny found out, she told me about her best friend name Lee Anne who also attended the church. Lee Anne and I met and became fast friends. She and I shared many memorable conversations regarding our relationships with God. She hired me to clean and organize her house several times, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her and her two sweet daughters. I count her among my dearest friends as well.
Last year, my aforementioned friend Heidi called me to say that she had a boyfriend named Corey. Not long after, I got the opportunity to meet him. We became friends on Facebook (the ultimate connection finder). Just tonight I received a Facebook message from Lee Anne asking how I know Corey. She said that she had grown up with him and his family in church and that they had known one another for years. The song It's a Small World After All started to play in my head.
In a nutshell, James introduced me to Jenn who made it possible for Emily to introduce me to Jenny who introduced me to Lee Anne who knows Corey who dates Heidi. You have finally arrived at my "six degrees of separation" moment!
If you don't have time (or care) to read the entire post, the last few sentences contain the short version.
James and I met within the first couple weeks of the Fall 2004 semester at UTM. We were in the same biology class. The professor gave a girl with my same name access to the Blackboard Learning system by mistake, so until the mistake was corrected, I was unable to access the course material. I overheard one of my classmates asking another student if he could help her print the notes for class. I asked if I could accompany them to the computer lab to get help with printing the notes as well. James, being the helpful guy that he is, consented, and from that day on, he and I developed a friendship that was unlike any other we had ever encountered. He noticed me before the day I had asked for his help. When we started dating nearly three years later, he shared with me that the first time he saw me, he knew he wanted to marry me.
One day while walking on campus together during the Fall 2004 semester, a friendly girl approached James and chatted with him for a bit. He introduced us to one another, and as he and I walked away from her, I teasingly asked in that was his girlfriend. He said she was just some nice girl he had met at a Baptist Collegiate Ministry event.
During that fall semester, I had been living off campus about an hour away in a town called Puryear. To my surprise, James lived in the neighboring city of Paris. This became one of the many seemingly coincidental connections between us, but I'll save that story for another post.
In Spring 2005, my family helped me move into the dorms at UTM. A McCord resident assistant named Heidi gave us access to the dorm elevators that day. This same RA became one of my closest friends during my time in Martin. She even joined my wedding party on March 1, 2008. To this day, she remains one of my dearest friends. (The connection between me and my roommate during the Spring 2005 semester will make for another story another day.)
I needed a roommate for the Fall 2005 semester, and Jenn, the friendly girl that James introduced me to almost a year prior, needed one as well. We decided it would be best to become roommates. After one semester, I moved out of the dorms and lived in a rental house with a friend named Sarah Beth who not long after got married and moved out. (The story of my friendship with Sarah Beth and of how I had a hand in introducing her and her husband to each another remains a story for another day. I'm accumulating a lot of those.) Once again I needed a roommate and once again so did Jenn. Jenn and I lived together in the rental house for a year and a half. The first time we lived together, that's basically all we were: roommates. The second time, we became dear friends. In fact, she too became part of my wedding party and still remains one of my dearest friends.
During my senior year at Martin, I met a girl named Emily in one of my English classes. Emily and Jenn also shared classes, and they became close friends. When I graduated, Jenn moved back into the dorms and Emily became her roommate. Emily and I both were part of Jenn's wedding party and Jenn was Emily's matron of honor.
About a year and a half ago, Jenn and Emily came to visit me in Munford over Christmas break. Emily mentioned that she knew someone named Jenny that lived on our street. She introduced us to one another over Facebook. Not long after this, Jenny invited me over for dinner. As soon as I walked in, she said, "I kept you in nursery when you were a baby!" She thought I had looked familiar, but when she saw me in person, her suspicions were confirmed. Much to my surprise, my mom taught Jenny in school and Jenny was friends with my aunt Jeana. They also all went to church together, and apparently so did I for a short time before Jenny's family moved to a another church. Jenny became a great friend, neighbor, and Biblical role model during my time in Munford.
James and I began attending Munford Baptist Church in March 2009. When Jenny found out, she told me about her best friend name Lee Anne who also attended the church. Lee Anne and I met and became fast friends. She and I shared many memorable conversations regarding our relationships with God. She hired me to clean and organize her house several times, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her and her two sweet daughters. I count her among my dearest friends as well.
Last year, my aforementioned friend Heidi called me to say that she had a boyfriend named Corey. Not long after, I got the opportunity to meet him. We became friends on Facebook (the ultimate connection finder). Just tonight I received a Facebook message from Lee Anne asking how I know Corey. She said that she had grown up with him and his family in church and that they had known one another for years. The song It's a Small World After All started to play in my head.
In a nutshell, James introduced me to Jenn who made it possible for Emily to introduce me to Jenny who introduced me to Lee Anne who knows Corey who dates Heidi. You have finally arrived at my "six degrees of separation" moment!
12 June 2010
Fitness Plan: Week Two
Day One: Cardio/Strength Training
Jogged around the Rec Center track/31 minutes/didn't keep up with distance
Day Two: Cardio/Strength Training
Stationary Bike/31.30 minutes/ 4.75 miles
Day Three: Cardio
Walked the Brian Brown Greenway/50 minutes/didn't keep up with distance
Day Four: Cardio
walked/jogged the Greenway/41 minutes/didn't keep up with distance
The Brian Brown Memorial Greenway
Jogged around the Rec Center track/31 minutes/didn't keep up with distance
Day Two: Cardio/Strength Training
Stationary Bike/31.30 minutes/ 4.75 miles
Day Three: Cardio
Walked the Brian Brown Greenway/50 minutes/didn't keep up with distance
Day Four: Cardio
walked/jogged the Greenway/41 minutes/didn't keep up with distance
The Brian Brown Memorial Greenway
08 June 2010
Yard Sale!
James, his sister Tina and I are hosting a yard sale on Saturday, June 19 from 7am-3pm. I've filed a permit with City Hall (for free!), and I've been asking around for tables. If you or someone you know is willing to let us borrow a few tables, please let me know! Hopefully, two weeks is plenty of time to make this thing a reality. I've been researching all kinds of websites on how to execute a successful yard sale. Real Simple has a great little article called The Ultimate Tag-Sale Guide. If you are looking to host a garage/yard/tag sale, I highly recommend checking it out.
If you're in town on June 19, stop by and see us! Email me if you need our new address and/or directions.
07 June 2010
A Moving Story
James and I moved into our new apartment this weekend, and needless to say, it was hard work! I took off from work on Friday, so I had three whole days to focus on the move. James worked from 8am-2pm on Friday. I moved our entire kitchen and packed a bunch of other stuff by myself during that time. I thoroughly enjoyed working by myself, but I definitely over-extended myself. By the time James came to help, I was ready to crash.
I forgot to mention that as soon as I walked into the apartment, I was hit with this strong sour smell. I opened the windows and prayed that it would go away while I worked and waited for James to come figure out what we needed to do. We found out that the landlord had shampooed the carpets the night before and neglected to open the windows to let it air dry. Gross. Not a good start at all. He offered us a dehumidifier to help speed up the drying process. We did all we could to air out the place. James says he notices the smell faintly now, but I don't smell it at all anymore. That's even when I'm away for an extended period of time. Crisis averted...sort of.
Friday night, James' sister, brother-in-law and nephews came to help us. Ok, Oliver (1 year old) and Logan (4 months old) did not help us move, but they did keep us entertained! I was so thankful Matt was there to help James move the heavy stuff (couch, recliner, washer and dryer). Tina and I played with the boys and did small things to help out like going on a dinner run. We always enjoy spending time with Tina and her family, so we were very grateful that they came to help.
On Saturday, James was up at like 7:30am eager to get moving (pardon the pun-hehe). I, on the other hand, was ready for a chiropractor and a massage therapist. He was in the zone. At this point, I was internally freaking out because of how "out-of-control" things were getting. I personally like to take things slow so I can get "this" in order before bringing in "that." Not James. It was "let's get everything out of Grove and into the new apartment as fast as possible." Tension started to rise and I wondered if we'd make it to the end of the day. God brought us an angel at just the right moment. My dear Becca Lou dropped by for a surprise visit! She brought us fruit (which was perfect for a hot day), she helped us move, and she made us laugh. Thank you, B, for coming at just the right time and helping us in more ways than you know!
James' "fast and furious" method proved way more effective than my slow and orderly pace. By Saturday evening, we had just about everything in place and were ready to relax for the night. We settled in with pizza and Stargate: the perfect end to a busy day...for us anyway!
Yesterday James and I had every intention of going to church, but we literally struggled to get out of bed. I had to take a pain pill just to make it through the first part of the day. We were so achy and sore. Nothing better than actually feeling your hard work. haha. We rested for the majority of the day and it was nice! In the afternoon, we made a couple trips to storage and took what we could back to the apartment. After realizing how much stuff we do not use/need, I have decided to host a yard sale in a couple weeks. I've helped other people with yard sales, but I've not had one myself before. I'm excited about it. Hopefully, we can make some room and a quick buck in the process.
That, my friends, concludes the recap of our weekend. Now you should all come to visit so you can see how our hard work paid off! The guest room is ready for you!
I forgot to mention that as soon as I walked into the apartment, I was hit with this strong sour smell. I opened the windows and prayed that it would go away while I worked and waited for James to come figure out what we needed to do. We found out that the landlord had shampooed the carpets the night before and neglected to open the windows to let it air dry. Gross. Not a good start at all. He offered us a dehumidifier to help speed up the drying process. We did all we could to air out the place. James says he notices the smell faintly now, but I don't smell it at all anymore. That's even when I'm away for an extended period of time. Crisis averted...sort of.
Friday night, James' sister, brother-in-law and nephews came to help us. Ok, Oliver (1 year old) and Logan (4 months old) did not help us move, but they did keep us entertained! I was so thankful Matt was there to help James move the heavy stuff (couch, recliner, washer and dryer). Tina and I played with the boys and did small things to help out like going on a dinner run. We always enjoy spending time with Tina and her family, so we were very grateful that they came to help.
On Saturday, James was up at like 7:30am eager to get moving (pardon the pun-hehe). I, on the other hand, was ready for a chiropractor and a massage therapist. He was in the zone. At this point, I was internally freaking out because of how "out-of-control" things were getting. I personally like to take things slow so I can get "this" in order before bringing in "that." Not James. It was "let's get everything out of Grove and into the new apartment as fast as possible." Tension started to rise and I wondered if we'd make it to the end of the day. God brought us an angel at just the right moment. My dear Becca Lou dropped by for a surprise visit! She brought us fruit (which was perfect for a hot day), she helped us move, and she made us laugh. Thank you, B, for coming at just the right time and helping us in more ways than you know!
James' "fast and furious" method proved way more effective than my slow and orderly pace. By Saturday evening, we had just about everything in place and were ready to relax for the night. We settled in with pizza and Stargate: the perfect end to a busy day...for us anyway!
Yesterday James and I had every intention of going to church, but we literally struggled to get out of bed. I had to take a pain pill just to make it through the first part of the day. We were so achy and sore. Nothing better than actually feeling your hard work. haha. We rested for the majority of the day and it was nice! In the afternoon, we made a couple trips to storage and took what we could back to the apartment. After realizing how much stuff we do not use/need, I have decided to host a yard sale in a couple weeks. I've helped other people with yard sales, but I've not had one myself before. I'm excited about it. Hopefully, we can make some room and a quick buck in the process.
That, my friends, concludes the recap of our weekend. Now you should all come to visit so you can see how our hard work paid off! The guest room is ready for you!
Fitness Plan: Week One
Day One: Cardio/Strength Training
Stationary Bike/ 32 minutes/5.50 miles
Day Two: Cardio
Elliptical/36 minutes/2.50 miles
Day Three: Cardio/Strength Training
Run/Jog/Walk/34 minutes/2.50 miles
Days Four and Five: Cardio/Strength Training
Hours and hours of moving from one apartment to another...that counts as a work-out, right?!
Stationary Bike/ 32 minutes/5.50 miles
Day Two: Cardio
Elliptical/36 minutes/2.50 miles
Day Three: Cardio/Strength Training
Run/Jog/Walk/34 minutes/2.50 miles
Days Four and Five: Cardio/Strength Training
Hours and hours of moving from one apartment to another...that counts as a work-out, right?!
02 June 2010
My 6 Week Fitness Plan
You are hereby invited to join me on a 6 week fitness journey. I visited a physical trainer on Monday, and she created a 6 week fitness plan for me. God gave me this one body to use for His glory, and I intend on maintaining a healthy lifestyle to keep it strong and fit.
New Goal/Fitness Plan
I had never heard of the super-set system before. Instead of doing three sets of the first exercise in a row, you alternate between the two. For example, I do a set of squats, then a set of push-ups, squats, push-ups, squats, push-ups and rest. Then I go to the next two: lunges, bicep curls, lunges, bicep curls, lunges, biceps curls and rest. The first three groups contain an upper body and a lower body exercise. The final group has one ab exercise and one back exercise. The super-set system gives me a full body work-out.
Erin warned me that if I exercise in the wrong position, I will waste my time or even injure myself. She trained me to know how to breathe and focus on the targeted muscle in each specific exercise. She said that it's important to "get my game face on" when working out so that I make the best use of my time and get the best possible results. Her other guidelines included taking a break two days a week (doesn't have to be consecutive) and skipping at least one day in between strength training. I trust that her advice will help me to reach a new stage in my work out experience.
Last night, I completed both the super-set system and 32 minutes/5.5 miles of cardio on the stationary bike. James helped me to maintain the correct form in each strength training exercise and the correct breathing during each. I can't thank God enough for giving me such a loving and supportive husband!
One day down, six weeks to go!
New Goal/Fitness Plan
- Cardio (biking, elliptical, jogging, and walking): four days a week for a minimum of 30-45 minutes.
- Resistance/Strength Training: two days a week for 30-45 minutes.
Super-set System
1. Squats-3 sets of 10 reps
2. Push-ups-3 sets of 10 reps
----------One Minute Rest----------
3. Lunges-3 sets of 10 reps
4. Bicep Curls-3 sets of 10 reps
----------One Minute Rest----------
5. Calf Raises-3 sets of 10 reps
6. Chair Dips-3 sets of 10 reps
----------One Minute Rest----------
7. Crunches on Ball-3 sets of 10 reps
8. Superman-3 sets of 5 reps
I had never heard of the super-set system before. Instead of doing three sets of the first exercise in a row, you alternate between the two. For example, I do a set of squats, then a set of push-ups, squats, push-ups, squats, push-ups and rest. Then I go to the next two: lunges, bicep curls, lunges, bicep curls, lunges, biceps curls and rest. The first three groups contain an upper body and a lower body exercise. The final group has one ab exercise and one back exercise. The super-set system gives me a full body work-out.
Erin warned me that if I exercise in the wrong position, I will waste my time or even injure myself. She trained me to know how to breathe and focus on the targeted muscle in each specific exercise. She said that it's important to "get my game face on" when working out so that I make the best use of my time and get the best possible results. Her other guidelines included taking a break two days a week (doesn't have to be consecutive) and skipping at least one day in between strength training. I trust that her advice will help me to reach a new stage in my work out experience.
Last night, I completed both the super-set system and 32 minutes/5.5 miles of cardio on the stationary bike. James helped me to maintain the correct form in each strength training exercise and the correct breathing during each. I can't thank God enough for giving me such a loving and supportive husband!
One day down, six weeks to go!
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