Picture of the Day 137

May 17th: Acts 24:10-27; Judges 21; Psalm 46

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony."
-Thomas Merton

A Work Birthday

This is what I found when I got to work Thursday morning...
And a birthday treat. Is there a better day to start the morning then with a donut?Don't forget the paper towel dispenser!
And 2 wonderful gifts from two great co-workers, Devon and Charmaine.
Is the pig not the cutest thing ever!?! He's from the Visitor Center. I pet 'em every time we go up front. And the gummy turtles. I love gummy things.

But what should I name him? Or her?

Picture of the Day 136

Gone tomorrow.May 16th: Acts 23:23-24:9; Judges 20; Psalm 45

"Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of witnesses."
-Margaret Millar

Picture of the Day 135

May 15th: Acts 22:30-23:22; Judges 19; Psalm 44

"How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened."
-Thomas Jefferson

Chris and Colleen love me!

Picture of the Day 134

Here today...May 14th: Acts 21:37-22:29; Judges 17-18; Psalm 4

"You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old."
— George Burns

Happy Birthday to MOI!

Picture of the Day 133

May 13: Acts 21:1-36; Judges 16; Psalm 42

"Money is a horrid thing to follow, but a charming thing to meet."
-Henry James

Cheesecake Factory has the best dessert

I don't get out for dessert often. If I do it's somewhere like Coldstone's, or, well, that's about it. And I generally don't order dessert when I eat out, saves money and calories.

But whenever I eat out at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, I can't not order dessert. Hello, cheesecake. A massive piece of delicious cheesecake and an equally massive dallop of whipped cream. I try to try a different flavor each time I go there, but sometimes I just get stuck on one in particular.

Luckily though, I don't go there very often. If I did my waist line would be much larger. And we just couldn't have that happen now could we?

Picture of the Day 132

May 12th: Acts 20:1-16; Judges 14-15; Job 42

"I know that you can do all things;
no plans of yours can be thwarted..."
-Job 42:2

Get a Flat Belly Without Diet or Exercise

YES PLEASE! That's exactly what I want. A flat belly. Sans the diet or exercise.

Can you make that happen please?

No...? Fine! Here are some tips from MSN Health and Fitness.

• Perfect your posture - stand up straight! it'll help tone your tummy muscles.
  
• Drink up! - the more water you drink the less you retain. doesn't sound right does it? but it's true!
  
• Have a seat! - in regards to the bathroom... hummm...
  
• Masticate mindfully - sounds dirty doesn't it? don't scarf your food, chew it slowly and enjoy it.
  
• Turn to the "pros" - probiotics that is. they help with your digestive system.
  
• Walk it off - 30 minutes a day, that's all you need. a little metabolism boost never hurt anyone.
  
• Give up gum - something about ending up with more air that makes you puffy. but I use gum as a hunger suppressant.
  
• Supplement! - take your vitamins!
  
• Relax already! - stress causes bad hormones to be generated, so take 20 minutes a day to relax and unwind.
  
• A chuckle a day - apparently laughing will target a muscle that most ab workouts won't reach. plus, who doesn't love a good laugh?
  

Ok, now go read all about it for more details and information.

April Results

Updated!

1. Run (not walk) a 5k race.
   01 - So, ah, I've gone walking once or twice. That's a start!
   02 - I've gone walking a few more times than I did in January. That's progress!
   03 - Definitely went walk/jogging more often in March. Oh, and crunches, I've done some crunches!
   04 - HA! Well, I maybe went on a couple walky-jogs. I've yet to sign up to race in anything. Need more training!
   
2. Read the Bible in a year.
   01 - So far, so good!
   02 - I'm doing just dandy with this. I've completely read through Genesis, Exodus, and Hebrews. I'm almost done with Leviticus and Proverbs.
   03 - On track! In March I've finished reading though Leviticus, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
   04 - Still goin'! Finished Matthew, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
   
3. Lose 10 pounds.
   01 - So what if I told you that I was down 9 pounds by my own scale in just January alone? Yep, it's true. Wanna see my chart? Of course you do!
   02 - 5.5 pounds down...from returning cruise weight...
   03 -Down 1 pound. Hey, it's a loss! See chart below...
   04 - I warn you, I wasn't down. I kinda slipped. See chart below... (Shown is March and April)
4. Post a picture a day...taken on that day... instead of a quote a day.
   01 - Ok, so I've slacked a few days. But I get caught up!
   02 - After the cruise I slacked on taking a picture a day. But I was still posting a picture a day. I'll work on that...
   03 - Still not doing the best on the picture being from that day, but whatever, I'm posting a picture a day.
   04 - Still not a picture from that day, but posting pictures from within the time frame of the date. Flowers are in bloom and beautiful, plus they're easy subjects, so I've taken a lot of flower pictures.
   
5. Have monthly dinner party, or at least invite some friends over for dinner.
   01 - I failed for January. February isn't over yet though...
   02 - The last couple weeks I've had my family over for dinner on Friday nights. And I've volunteered to have TND at my house the 5th Tuesday of March. I'll let you know how that goes.
   03 - Woot woot! Hosted TND on the 5th Tuesday. Total about 15 people came. I made this for dinner. It was good! Making a vow to have people over more often.
   04 - Well, I had people over, wait no that was May 1st. Ah! Yes, I had a lunch buffet sandwich building business thing for those giving souls that helped work on my path. (I still need to share my path don't I?)
   
6. Down size possessions...aka clutter
   01 - I've gone through my closet and through my pile of purses.
   02 - I rearranged the living/dining room and went though some more of my closet.
   03 - Sure...? I actually physically removed the bags of stuff to get rid of. So I guess that counts since it was cluttering up my room.
   04 - Decided that my back room needs to be cleaned out and rearranged, especially the closet. So that is going to be my project for May.
   
7. Try new recipes from the cookbooks I have. (see #5, they will be guinea pigs...)
   01 - Boo me! How does cereal sound? Mac & Cheese...?
   02 - Ummmm... I haven't tried anything new. But I've tried new things that my mom has made. Does that count...?
   03 - Family = guinea pigs. Poor family...
   04 - Sure I've made stuff. What have I made...? Cake pops, I made cake pops!
   
8. Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week (walk/jog, Wii Fit, DVD, etc., see #1 which will lead to #3)
   01 - I've averaging about once a week of exercising on purpose. But I do activities that include activity.
   02 - Boo! I'm still on the once a week average. Time to kick it into gear!
   03 - Need to make a REAL commitment to do this on a regular basis. Once the habit is made I'll be in good shape. The time change has really kicked my butt though, I get home and I just want to be lazy.
   04 - See #1. I really need to start doing something, anything.
   
9. Daily make time for God.
   01 - Doing well. Spending lots of time in prayer. I'm not even kidding.
   02 - There is always room for improvement here. But I'm human and I'm trying. I pray more regularly and I'm in the Word daily. That's definitely moving in the right direction.
   03 - If you count my daily readings as time spent with God then I'm doing well. Although it's not always necessarily quality time though...
   04 - Prayer, reading, bible study, church, worship, etc. I do it all, but I'm still lacking. I'm by no means perfect.
   
10. Travel somewhere new.
    01 - Just got back from a cruise to Cabo about a week and a half ago.
    02 - Um, did I go anywhere in February? I don't think so. But that's ok!
    03 - Currently there are no travel plans and I don't like that! I need to plan something asap to make me feel human again!
    04 - I went to my favoritest place in California, back to where I went to college, San Luis Obispo. Although it was a quick day trip, it was well worth it. I saw family, I drank wine, I ate at Firestone's and walked around downtown, and went to Pismo. I need to go back again, but next time for a little longer.
    

Oh Happy Days

I'm one of those people, I'm sure just like many others, that believe that Mother's Day shouldn't be celebrated just one day a year. There are things that my mom does on a daily, weekly, monthly basis that I appreciate in her.

I'm sure as an infant I was thankful on a regular basis when my diaper was changed. I really don't remember if I was one of those kids that didn't like squishy in my diapers. Or every time I skinned my knee, my mommy was there to kiss it and make it better. Mom, I thank you that you let me play in the dirt, and get dirty. I'm extremely grateful that you didn't chase me around with handy wipes and antibacterial junk. I thank you for all of the family dinners that we ate together, as a family at a table, with a homemade meal; not separately in a rush after going through the drive-thru. I thank you for giving up so much to gain much more by being a stay at home mom. And supporting me though gymnastics, and 4-H, and attempts at playing sports (unsuccessfully I might add).
You're support and love helped formed me into the woman that I am today. Fully in awe of all that you've done for me throughout the course of my life. I pray that one day I'm half the mother that you are.

So Happy (belated) Mother's Day yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Now, as for you Dad. You only get one day to celebrate who you are, aside from Father's Day.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Picture of the Day 131

May 11th: Acts 20:1-16; Judges 13; Job 41

"Never trust the man who tells you all his troubles but keeps from you all his joys."
-Jewish Proverb

Star Trek

Let me start off with this, I've never been a huge Star Trek fan. I'm not a trekky. In fact, I left the room when my dad was watching the show. But my curiosity was peaked a little with the movie. And when I was invited to go see it with friends Friday night I decided not to pass up the opportunity.

So what did I think? It was really well done! It was entertaining, especially Captain Kirk (yum!) and the doctor...Bones...? I say go see it!

4 out of 5 stars
(just like Wolverine)

Picture of the Day 130

May 10th: Acts 19:21-41; Judges 11:34-12:15; Job 40

"My mother is a poem I'll never be able to write, though everything I write is a poem to my mother."
-Sharon Doubiago

10 Creative Ways to Earn Extra Money

Yes please! Who wouldn't like a little extra cash these days? I know I would, and I'm secure in my job.

I see some things that I just may have to look into.

So here are some ideas for you...

1. Do freelance work - If you enjoy writing or editing, this is for you!
   
2. Sell your books - I've been selling DVDs and CDs that I never listen to or watch. I'm about ready to go through my bookshelf too. I use amazon.com, but there are tons of places you can sell through.
   
3. Search circulating coinage - All you have to do is buy rolls from the bank, sort through them for older coins, then resell them. So if you don't mind your hands smelling like coins, do it!
   
4. Start a "business" - Do you have a hobby, skill, or are experienced in something? Why not use it to your advantage. I've actually been thinking of this lately. Not totally sure what I'd do though... I'll keep thinking.
5. Enter local and online sweepstakes - Are you a lucky person? I sure am not. But hey, it doesn't cost anything to enter these sweepstakes. So what's the harm?
   
6. Give your opinion-and get paid - May have to look into this one... Sounds easy enough.
   
7. Sell your junk - This to me would take too much time. I'd rather donate my junk and let a non-profit sell it.
   
8. Join a direct selling company - I'm not a sales person, so I'll skip thanks.
   
9. Be a secret shopper - I like shopping. I can keep a secret. Hummm....
   
10. Sell your photos to stock agencies - I'm going to have to do this one for sure! Y'all know I take a lot of pictures.
    

Hey, every little bit helps!

Check out this article for more information and links!

Picture of the Day 129

May 9th: Acts 19:1-20; Judges 10:1-11:33; Job 39

"It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to be kind to another, without helping himself."
-Bailey

Single? How to Work a Wedding

Wedding season is here ladies! Me, well, for once in the past umpteen years I only have one wedding to attend so far this year. Which means that I have only have one opportunity to check out my options!

So here's some advice from a MSN Article...

1. Plan Ahead - Yes, apparently there is homework to do before going to a wedding, especially if you're single and on the prowl.
   
2. Work the Crowd - Time to break out of your shell little "Miss Non-Social, Outgoing Butterfly." I'm talking to myself here. Even if "he's" not there, his friend may be...
   
3. Don't Wallow - 'Nuff said!
4. Amuse Yourself - How many opportunities do you really have to get all gussied up? Now's your chance. Spend the extra time on yourself, go to the spa. Or just spend your evening at the kid's table entertaining them.
5. Have a Little Perspective - Go. Enjoy yourself. Regardless.

So there you have it. Check out the article for more information.

Happy hunting!

Picture of the Day 128

May 8th: Acts 18; Judges 9; Job 38

"I'm not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know I'm not blonde."
-Dolly Parton