Wednesday, March 30, 2011

It is nice to be home today!  There really is no place like home!

Sorry for such a lame post tonight.

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 bowl of Oatmeal Crisp cereal.

Lunch
no lunch.  :((
I was out and about running errands.  Before I realized I was hungry, I was making dinner!

Dinner
stir fry with rice with BBQ chicken and veggies

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate
2 km walk!

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank or V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-10:42 am-plank
2-10:53 pm-v-sit

Toodles!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

I'm Baaack!!

Did you miss me??  :)

I had a great time with my friend, Cindy, in Ottawa!

I arrived on Thursday afternoon.  I left my house at 8 am and got to her place at about 5 pm.  Why is traveling so tiring when you are sitting for most of the time?

On Friday, I don't think we did much except go to a great Steven Curtis Chapman concert.  (The lights were not too much of an issue for me).

On Saturday, we prayed together in a beautiful park, met up with my Dad's cousin for brunch, went on a short walk and then went to a lovely wedding shower in the evening.

Susan and I outside the restaurant we went to-Never Too Latte. 


On Sunday we worshiped at church together.

Both of us grabbed an afternoon nap most days and generally had a great time together!

I am so grateful to God for the friendship I have with her!!  He has nourished and protected our relationship over the course of 23 years!  We have both had some incredible highs and lows during that time and it is as if God made this friendship bloom especially for those times.  When things are going really well, or very challenging, we both turn to each other either to share the joy or ask for advice and prayers.

Cindy and I in the Ottawa train station


As far as my daily goals, I don't think I missed a meal!  Although the traveling days were a bit off, but I did eat.  I don't think I drank as much coffee.  BUT I did not do my exercises for those 5 days.

Can you believe that was my first overnight trip since Gerry and I have been married?  No trips by myself since 1989!!!   That is crazy!

The walker made it SO much easier than the cane!  Now when I think of going on holidays, walking anywhere, going out, I am not anxious or anything.  Just amazing.


What I have eaten today:
Breakfast
1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg, bananas and strawberries
1 bowl of Fibre Plus cereal (free sample).

Lunch
no lunch :(

Dinner

fish sticks, mashed potatoes, corn

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank or V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-10:48 am-V-sit
2-10:25 pm-plank

Toodles!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

MAJOR Slippage!!

Gerry and Trina and I got brand new phones last night.  Our first smartphones!  I will move all my Palm functions to it.  My Palm is dying.  Trina got a new-er Blackberry and loves it.  Traci wishes she could have one just like it.  Traci's is an older model Blackberry.  Gerry and I both got a Motorola Android Astrix.  It is brand new...only on the market for a few days.  We all love them.

God worked things out for me today in that Gerry commented last night
that the day I had planned for today was too much, seeing as I was going to
be traveling all  day tomorrow.  There was a snowstorm today!  No school for Trina ,
no lunch with A, no midweek even because the building in which we meet  is a school board building and was closed.  So I had a very restful day.

BUT, I squandered most of it playing with my new toy.  I love electronic toys!  I could have done spent my time much more productively!  I didn't exercise, I didn't eat until dinner.  But I got household chores done too. Bed got made, laundry got put away, dinner got made, dishwasher got emptied.  A meal is cooking in the crock pot and Gerry is going to deliver it to a family that needs it.  The house is relatively clean for when I leave in the morning.  (I hope it looks decent when I get home!) My smoothie is ready for the morning.  And I am pretty well packed.

It is 9:15 pm now on Wed.  I leave the house at 8 am Thursday.  I said
good night to Gerry tonight and realized he would be gone to work before I get up and go tomorrow.  So I told him I would see him on  Monday night!!

 I am so excited for this trip to see my friend!

What I have eaten today:
Breakfast
Lunch

Dinner
tuna casserole

PLUS
2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank or V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-9:30 pm
2-
3-

Toodles!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

My walker is fixed! It was a loose screw.

Kind of like what goes on in my head sometimes! :)  Sorry, couldn't resist.

Gerry and Trina and I all got new phones tonight.  Trina got a BB Torch.  Gerry and I got the brand new Motorola Atrix.  Fun times learning all about them and seeing what they can do.  Traci is a little envious of Trina's new phone!

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 bowl of Oatmeal Crisp

Lunch
green pepper and bread with butter

Dinner
turkey bacon club sandwich at Tim Horton's

PLUS
2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Exercises

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank or V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1- 11:08-plank
2-
3-

Toodles!

Monday, March 21, 2011

I miss the walker!!!!

I went on short 500 m, then almost 300 m walks today.  This walking was with the cane.  I was quite nervous and unsteady. Those were not easy walks! I am now back home and I am shaky and weak but I have had no falls! 

As a matter of fact, I have had but one fall since I got the walker on Feb 24th.  And that was in my bedroom where there is not enough room for the walker to get all the way around to my side of the bed.  So I park the walker and walk around.  A few days ago, I caught my foot on one of the wheels and went down.  No major damage.  I just need to be very careful if and when I have to step away from the walker!

My back and hips are really bad today.  :(  Because of walking with the cane?  Because I am exercising more?  Or will it get better eventually with the exercise?  Arthritis?  Something else entirely?

I will be glad when the walker is fixed tomorrow. I am very much expecting it to be fixed when the technician comes to the house tomorrow. Actually, Trina (with her mechanical engineering mind) looked at it and said "oh yeah, the brake pad thing is not attached to the cable. It can probably be fixed. if you take this shield piece off.")  I hope the fact that the walker needs technical service after only a month is not an indication of how it is going to hold up!!  :(

I just got back from seeing the movie "Limitless" with my friend, R.  It was a good movie.  It was so nice to do something different every now and then.

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg, and strawberries

Lunch
sliced cucumber, yogurt

Dinner
chicken strips, potatoes, veggies

PLUS
2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
1 Snickers chocolate bar
some BBQ corn chips at the movie  (Is that any better than theatre popcorn?)

Exercises

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank or V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps

1-8:23 am-plank
2-10:28 pm-V-sit

Toodles!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

New memory verse for the week!

Ephesians 2:8,9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.



I got home from church and I noticed that my back right wheel felt like the brake was on it even when it wasn't.  We checked, there is nothing in the mechanism of the wheel.  It seems that the brake is dropping onto the tire when the walker is upright.  :(  So I am not using it now.  I am being very careful!  The store is closed on Sundays.  I will go in the morning to see about getting it fixed.  I DO NOT want that brake rubbing on the tire.  Not now, just as I go; not when I go to Ottawa; AND not to mention it is not safe!

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg and strawberries

very late Lunch
peanut butter and crackers. 
I went to bed for a nap when I got home from church. I didn't bother to eat first.

Dinner
2 pancakes with butter and syrup

PLUS

3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank or V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps

1-8:43 am-V-sit
2-11:03 pm-plank

Toodles!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

This gal is NOT a shopper!

Well, true to form, I did not buy much across the border.  I am SO not a shopper!  I did buy 3 new tops, though. (Thanks honey!) I don't buy new clothes very often at all. But I did not find a wallet, purse or bathroom accessories set that caught my eye.



This sweater is actually a bit darker than it looks.  I really like it and it has 3/4 sleeves!  I don't like long sleeves because often I push sleeves up and then they get misshapen because my arm is bigger than my wrist.



Would you believe that this short sleeve t shirt is actually navy blue?






 This 3/4 sleeve scoop neck t shirt actually is more red than it looks here.  Clearly I have to work on my photography!










Which one should I wear tomorrow??

I bought all these tops at Eddie Bauer.  I am quite proud of myself that I didn't just buy 3 colours of the first style find that I found and liked!  Ask Traci or Trina or any of my friends and they will tell you that I have done that MANY times!

I am the type of shopper who doesn't really know what I want until I see it.  And I just don't have the patience to keep looking until I see what I want.  Because it's possible that  I don't know what I want even if I see it!  And maybe what I want is not out there!!  No, I am not a shopper!

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
2 egg breakfast with home fries, 2 pcs toast, 2 sausages.
(Gerry finished about half of my toast and home fries)

Lunch

no lunch :(

Dinner

2 pieces of pizza.

PLUS
2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank OR V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-9:14 pm-V sits
2-9:55 pm-planks
3-

Toodles!

Friday, March 18, 2011

(In)accessibility (grrr) and mudslides

|I went for a 1.2 km walk to the LCBO for 2 mudslides.  Gerry always gets or brings a beer or 2 when we go away. I always get something too. For years it was coolers, but ever since the cruises when I discovered mudslides that look like this:

( copyright eatnabout,wordpress.com)

Mudslides are now my drink of choice.  Yummy!  But I have to buy bottled "Mudshakes".  Certainly the mudslides served by a bartender are much better than a bottled one.  I'm not complaining though.  :)  Only 1 per evening.  So I have one for tomorrow too.

Gerry and I are not doing anything together tonight. We got back to the hotel after dinner and he CRASHED!  We are going shopping tomorrow for some food, clothes, household things, maybe a new purse for me too if I find one I love.


So I went for a stroll in Niagara Falls tonight in the Clifton Hill area.  Google Maps and I are not seeing eye to eye, but I would guess it was 1-1.5 kms.


The hotel we are at is a 3-storey hotel and has no elevators or rams or anything!  Good thing we are on the ground floor!  I can't even get to the office/front desk.  There are many stairs from outside to the front desk inside.  First time I have really experienced a lack of accessibility.  What if I was a person in a wheelchair who could absolutely not do stairs and travelling alone???  If I have to, I can.  But Gerry is with me and I didn't have to do the stairs.  But some people, like my friend, B, just can't!  I am mad!!

What I have eaten today:
late Breakfast
1 bowl Oatmeal Crisp

late Lunch
1 toasted ham and cheese sandwich with mayo
plus 1 of the smallest bag of chips you have ever seen!   I put the bag beside a credit card on my walker seat so you could see how small it is.


late Dinner out
half a salad with dressing on the side, salmon, mashed , potato

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
1 bottled mudshake

NO chocolate
well...


except for the fudge sundae that I bought at Applebee's take-out on my stroll in Niagara Falls' Clifton Hill area.


Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each legBridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Plank or V-sit-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-10:18 am-plank
2-
3-

Toodles!

Scripture memory accountability

Typing from memory:

Isaiah 9.6
For to us a child is a born, a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Mighty Counselor, Wonderful God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

John 14.6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."


Copied from Bible Gateway:

Isa 9.6 For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 




John 14.6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.


Pretty good so far!  It really does help to recite and practice frequently!  I am excited about learning and memorizing God's Word.
2 verses came to mind (I had to look them up):

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.



1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,



Gerry and I are off to Niagara Falls for a night and day. :)  We found a great deal and jumped at it.

I will post about the short trip (probably) and how I did with my Friday eating on Saturday night, I think.


Toodles!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

It's a good day for baking cupcakes!!

Going for another bike ride today.  It is (or will be) 12C today and sunny!  Same route as the other day (1.2 km).

Trina and I are baking cupcakes tonight.  We are even decorating them!  For those who know us well, can you tell which ones Trina decorated and which ones I decorated?  LOL

1st dozen cupcakes


‎2nd batch.  I decided to venture out into the food colouring world :)
Can you see the one I decorated with a "G" for Gerry? 

PS Remind me please never to use my cell phone camera for blog pictures unless it is an emergency.  What a difference between the 1st and 2nd picture!

Special time with Trina!!




What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg, bananas and strawberries

Lunch
1 toasted ham and cheese sandwich with mayo

Dinner
mashed potatoes, Oktoberfest sausage, mixed veggies

PLUS
2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
1 Coffee Crisp chocolate bar

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-
2-
3-
Toodles!

Taking a Break Today!

My hips are killing me today!  Is it because of all the walking/riding recently?  Or not?  (sigh)

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg, bananas and strawberries

very late Lunch
1 toasted ham and cheese sandwich with mayo

Dinner
toasted Turkey Bacon Clubs sandwich at Tim Horton's

PLUS

3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer

What I have noticed about my coffees, though, is that I make more coffee than I drink.  I usually make a coffee, drink some of it and then some time later, I go to get a hot coffee.  But my Contigo travel mug that I use all the time is not empty.  ((I LOVE my Contigo!  It has a valve so that it doesn't spill even if it is turned upside down.  So you can throw it in your bag or walker basket without worrying! ))  Usually it is still half full or more!  I am one of those people who doesn't mind nuking black coffee from the coffeemaker.  I don't like the taste of coffee with cream when it has been nuked, though.  So I dump the rest of the coffee and make a new cup.  What a waste!  So I definitely need to pour much smaller cups of coffee for myself.

NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
No exercises today.  I took a break!

Toodles!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

What a great day for a bike ride!!

Trina woke me up on her way out this morning and told me that it was a beautiful day today and that I should go for a bike ride.  I have been thinking and talking about it and excited about the prospect so I promised her I would today.  It is gorgeous outside!!  Bright blue skies, clear sidewalks and roads, maaaybe a hint of a breeze, and at least 0°C.

My training wheels needed air.  I am so glad there is a bike shop right across Main St from us!  I called and they said sure they would pump them up for me.  So I walked my bike over and they pumped up all 4 tires.  Back outside, helmet on, and seat in the saddle.

I went down the next street over for 3 blocks, 1 block back over to my street and 3 blocks back home.  I tell you, after 1 minute of pedaling, my thighs were not happy!  And by the middle of the ride my butt was sore, my hips were sore (that is ongoing, maybe the riding will help), my back was sore (also ongoing), my lungs were not on fire, (but you know that dry feeling when it is cold?) and I was sweating. I mapped how far I rode.  It was 1.2 km!!!  :)  It's a start.  Google Maps says this route should take 3 minutes to bike.  I'm sure it took me longer.

BUT it was awesome!  The wind was in my face, the sun was shining, I was out enjoying God's creation.  I wasn't just out because I had somewhere to go.

On my travels today I also walked quite a bit. First a 600 m walk then a 1 km walk.

I wonder if a bike ride should replace my exercises for the day, or maybe 1 set?  I don't want to overdo it. What do you guys think?  Today the bike ride plus the walking has replaced my exercises!  Maybe I will do a set later tonight.

Gerry and I saw The Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon tonight.  It was good.  I had a large popcorn and pop.  I feel gross right now.  I am going to another movie with my friend, R, on Monday night.  No popcorn for me!

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg, bananas and strawberries

Lunch
Toasted turkey bacon club sandwich (I gave the croissant to Trina when I got home)

Dinner

chicken and rice

PLUS

3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
large popcorn at the movie
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-
2-
3-

Toodles!

Monday, March 14, 2011

New memory verse today and a new exercise to add to my regimen!

From memory:

Isaiah 9.6

For to us a child is born.  To us a son is given and he will have the government on his shoulders.  He will be called Wonderful Counselor, ........

:)  Not very good after a week.  The whole verse is:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This week's verse:

John 14:6 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” 


What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
3 small pancakes with butter and syrup

Lunch
1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg, bananas and strawberries

Dinner
1 grilled cheese sandwich

PLUS
2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
Today I decided to add another exercise. 

Trina's friend, J (a hard core dancer), suggested V-sits.  Arms out in front, lean back and raise legs to form a "V" and balance yourself.  :)  I think my legs are maybe 3" off the ground!  Hold for 5 seconds.  I wanted to do 5 reps, but could barely manage 4.

Traci suggested the "plank".  Wikipedia reads: The plank (also called a front hold, hover, or abdominal bridge) is an isometric core strength exercise that involves maintaining a difficult position for extended periods of time The most common plank is the front plank which is held in a push-up position on one's forearms.

I will try a set of planks tomorrow and then add planks or V-sits to my daily exercises and then add the next one a bit after that.

1-10:11 am
2-12:42 pm
3-9:15 pm leg extensions, bridges and 4 V-sits

Toodles!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

What happened to me the last couple of days??

Not sure why but the last couple of days have not been good at all when it comes to my eating and exercise. (I never miss a coffee, though. I almost always have 2-3/day) As a matter of fact, the last 2 days were awful!

Yesterday, if I recall correctly, I didn't eat until I had a sandwich late in the afternoon. And I did but one set of exercises.

Today was even worse! I ate a small piece of cake at church and then did not eat again until dinner. And I have not done any exercises yet today and it is 8 pm. You know what, I am going to stop typing to do a set right now!

OK. 1 set done at 8:04 pm.

I'm not sure why I did this. I am feeling pretty good, happy that Traci is home. Maybe it's the blah weather. There is one thing bothering me this weekend that I am not going to share publicly. I need to have a conversation with someone and let my feelings be known. :)

But I also need to not let someone else's behaviour affect how I treat myself! God commands us to take care of our bodies.

1 Cor 6.19-20

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

So.....


My smoothie ingredients are prepared for the morning. And I am going to do another set of exercises tonight.

I obviously need some help. I would really appreciate anyone reading this to ask me how I am doing with my eating and exercise....anytime. Please hold me accountable. Email, Comments on my posts, Facebook messages or posts to my Wall are all good. Thanks!!


What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
 :(
Lunch
:(
Dinner
spaghetti with homemade sauce

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
1 regular chocolate bar
1 tiny piece of carrot cake

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-8:04 pm
2-9:31 pm
3-

Toodles!

50 is a big number!

We are going to a friend's surprise 50th birthday party tonight.  I hope he is encouraged.  There are quite a few men and women in our church who are turning 50 this year.  Gerry's 50th is in 2 years and mine is in 4 years.  I usually don't concern myself with age but 50 seems like such a big number!

Traci is on her way home for the weekend!  She posted this on Facebook about an hour ago:

"can't wait to be home!"  That makes this mom's heart happy!



What I have eaten today:

Brunch
1 smoothie with apple sauce, yogurt, milk,, bananas
I slept in, so breakfast and lunch became lunch.
The smoothie I made was so big, I thought for sure it would be enough for today and tomorrow.  I guess I was very hungry/thirsty.  I had it all!

4:30 pm-
1 toasted ham and cheese sandwich with mayo

Dinner

munched on various veggies and treats at the party

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-11:48 am
2-
3-

Toodles!

Friday, March 11, 2011

My heart goes out to Japan and the Japanese people!

What a massive earthquake and tsunami!


That wall of water roaring across the farmers' fields was surreal to see. (is that the correct use of the apostrophe?) My heart breaks as I pray for everyone affected by them.  Please consider donating to assist your charity of choice as they assist the Japanese people.


What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 smoothie with yogurt, milk and strawberries

Lunch
chili and a croissant
(the rest of my combo from yesterday)

Dinner
homemade cheese pizza

PLUS
2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate
1 bowl of heavenly hash ice cream.  (I really wanted cookies 'n' cream but Trina loves that flavour and doesn't like heavenly hash.  I'm so thoughtful)  :)

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-6:32 pm
2-8:56 pm

Toodles!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

James St is quite hilly!!!

I did a fair amount of walking today.  I mapped 1 km but that does not count quite a bit of walking from buses to stores and stores to buses and walking in the mall too.  And that 1 km was quite hilly (James St in Hamilton).  I am loving getting all this exercise!  It might not see much to you all but I have spent most of the winter inside and not getting much exercise at all.  This is great progress!

What I have eaten today:

Breakfast
1 bowl of steel cut oats with cinnamon, milk, and raisins.

Lunch
chili and a whole wheat bun at Tim Hoerton's  Yummy!!  And only half of the chili fills me up so guess what I am having for lunch tomorrow??!!

Dinner
tuna casserole

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
1 small wrapped chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-8:08 am
2-9:53 pm

Toodles!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

What Time Is It?

Tonight at midweek, W taught a message about Chronos time versus Chiros time. These are Greek words, by the way, and the concept is theological.  Chronos is human time, counted in minutes and seconds, while Chiros is "God's time," counted (or not) in value and quality.

Mark 1.15
15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The world would never be the same.  Jesus was starting His ministry.

Mark 1.16-20
 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

It was a  life changing moment for the men whom Jesus called to be His apostles. They dropped their nets, left their jobs, and followed Him to become fishers of men.

Luke 19.1-10 
 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zaccheus' life was changed in a moment. He was a grown man, a rich man, and he climbed a tree to see Jesus because he was so short. (side note: what will you do to see/spend time with Jesus?)

Mark 10.46-52
 46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
   So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
   51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
   The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
   52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. 
 
Bartimaeus' faith and action led to his healing.

Mark 2.-1-12
 1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

When was my last chiros moment in a chronos world? When was your last chiros moment in a chronos world?

Opportunities for chiros moments are all around us. We just need to put our faith into action and God will bless us with chronos moments and experiences.

Chiros moments come from decisive acts of faith, getting out of your comfort zone.

How can I overcome my limitations so that I can put my faith into action? How can you overcome your limitations so that you can put your faith into action?

Faith + action = chiros

And the really exciting thing is that, your chiros moments are likely to change not just your life but someone else's life too!! That is how God operates!!

Getting my walker...is that a chronos event for me?  I think so!  It allows me to get out, go places, and meet people! Safely and securely, without the fear of falling!  Only God knows who He has in store for me to affect with my life or who might affect my life in a life-changing way.

James 2.14-24 
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
   Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

WHAT TIME IS IT???


I had a brutal day today when it comes to what I ate. No breakfast and no lunch. I'm not sure why I skipped those meals. I was aware of it, but I was not motivated to eat. :(

What I have eaten today:
Breakfast
Lunch

Dinner

Poppy seed chicken casserole and 1 piece choc cake with vanilla icing
(that cake is hubby's favourite and it is his birthday today)

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-11:28 am
2-3:11 pm
3-9:35 pm

Toodles!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Slow day today.

I am tired and it is late.  Not much went on today.  We had a delish dinner at my Mom 's tonight.  She cooked a nice birthday dinner for Gerry's birthday tomorrow.

I am still working on memorizing Isaiah 9:6.

What I have eaten today:
Breakfast
1 smoothie with apple sauce, yogurt, milk, 1 egg,  and strawberries

Lunch
1 toasted ham and cheese sandwich with mayo
1 banana

Dinner
Mom cooked a fabulous birthday dinner for Gerry:
scalloped potatoes, ham, corn, carrots, plus apple crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert
There is nothing like Mom's cooking!

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

Leg extensions-At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg
Bridges-At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
1-9:36 am
2-3:52 pm

Toodles!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Renewing Your Mind Pt 3

  • Read the Bible, saturate my mind with the words of God through song and his Word
I started off better today.  I read a blog post recently that I starred to go back to.  It was written by Sheila at To Love Honour and Vacuum.

I am going to print out these 50 verses and start memorizing them.  I'm sure that more than a few of them will be verses I memorized long ago and kind of know them now, but not really.  But only enough to know they are in the Bible, but not where.  That is lukewarm.  God hates lukewarm!


15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  
16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Even to paste those verses, I had to search on www.biblegateway.com. I knew of the verse, I knew it was in Revelation but that is all I knew.  Lukewarm!! UGH!

This week's verse is:


Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Small walk today of 600 m-but I felt it and it was invigorating!  It was glorious! Bright sun, gorgeous blue sky and walking outside!  I love it!

What I have eaten today:
Breakfast
1 bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats with milk

Lunch
smoothie with strawberries, yogurt, egg, milk

Dinner
meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn (OOPS, no corn..I nuked just the water!!)  LOL

PLUS
3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
NO chocolate

At least 2 sets per day:
10 reps each leg of hip extensions
5 reps bridge exercise
1-7:41 am
2-2:35 pm

Toodles!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Renewing Your Mind Pt. 2

  • Read the Bible, saturate my mind with the words of God through song and his Word
    Well, I did a dismal job today in saturating my mind with God's Word.  I did go to church this am and heard an awesome message, but I have not sat down and read my Bible today.  I am going to bed soon and will have Christian music playing in my ears as I go to sleep.  So things of God will be my last waking thoughts.  But that is not enough!  No way is listening to Christian music as I go to sleep going to be enough for God to renew my mind.

    What I have eaten today:
    Breakfast
    no breakfast  :(

    late Lunch
    3 or 4 chicken strips

    late Dinner
    ham and cheese with mayo on a toasted bagel

    PLUS
    3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
    NO chocolate

    At least 2 sets per day, 10 reps each leg of hip extensions
    1-9:34 am
    2-5:44 pm

    I am going add a bridge exercise to my exercises.
    At least 2 sets per day, 5 reps
    1-5:52 pm-by the 3rd one, I am shaking!

    Toodles!

    Saturday, March 5, 2011

    Renewing Your Mind Pt. 1

    I went to a conference today that my good friend B invited me to.  It was entitled Renewing The Mind and the speaker was Dr James Rennie.   His key Scripture was Romans 12:1-2

     1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

    (emphasis mine)

    It was a great conference!  I am still processing what I heard and what impacted me the most.  I was most impressed with Dr Rennie's Bible knowledge!  He barely consulted his Bible as he recited dozens of verses and actually apologized for having to read his Bible when he did not have the occasional verse memorized!

    Our evangelist at my church did a whole series of messages on this verse last year and it was great to hear it again.  I needed to hear it again.   The first point that stuck out to me today was:
    • The first characteristic of a renewed mind is humility before God.
    Confession time. I have always been weak in my Bible study. I saw again today that not making my Bible study a priority is arrogant and prideful.  It's like saying to God that I don't need your wisdom and guidance.  Why do I not change when that is pointed out to me by God or other people???  Why??  Is it just a matter of opening my Bible and reading?  I never know what to read.  And when I read the Bible, often it is like reading a kid's storybook.  It doesn't affect me. It is not real to me.  I marvel at how preachers can read and flesh out a verse or few and make it real and applicable to our lives now.

    I think I will do a series of posts on this topic of renewing your mind.   I am going to go back to Ron's message too and take things from them and this conference and hopefully and prayerfully, I can finally change this in my life!

    I would appreciate it if you could help me in this. I will need all the help I can get! Do you have any comments, suggestions, rebukes, or encouragements that might help me?

    Thanks!!

    What I have eaten today:

    Breakfast
    They had continental breakfast at the conference.
    I had yogurt, a banana, some strawberries, and a banana muffin.

    VERY LATE Lunch (4:30 pm)
    1 bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats

    Dinner
    1 plate of scrambled eggs with 1 piece of toast.

    PLUS
    3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
    NO chocolate

    At least 2 sets, 10 reps each leg of hip extensions
    1-7:48 am
    2-10:09 pm

    Toodles!

    Friday, March 4, 2011

    It's different now...

    Gerry and I have (and the girls) done some traveling in the US over the years and we love watching pro sports. If we can swing it, we try to catch the local MLB baseball team and/or their stadiums.  Boston, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cincinnati and others.  It was a great way to see the Toronto Blue Jays at the height of their popularity in '92 and '93.  Tickets were hard to come by in Toronto in those days.

    Gerry and the girls in the Boston Fenway dugout!-2003 (not sure what that mark is on Gerry' face)

    Gerry and I on the Fenway mound-2003

    Trina was very comfortable and walked ahead with the tour guide. I asked her and she remembers this but doesn't remember what they were talking about.


    I realized last night that I am going to need to sit in disabled seating now.  Or will I?  I don't need a wheelchair to sit in.  I can sit in and get in and out of regular stadium seats.  But I can't do steps with my walker. So maybe I do need to be in disabled seating that is level with the concourse.  But what about the Gerry and whoever else is with me?  Will we be able to sit together somehow?  I have never really paid much attention to disabled seating sections in stadiums.  Maybe I should have!!  :)  I sent an email today to the customer service folks at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA. We'll see what they say.

    Meanwhile, what I have eaten today:

    Breakfast
    no breakfast :(  did not get up until 10:30 am and did not eat until noon

    Lunch
    1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg

    Dinner
    homemade pepperoni pizza

    PLUS
    3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
    NO chocolate

    At least 2 sets, 10 reps each leg of hip extensions
    1-11:45 am
    2-5:09 pm
    3-8:30 pm  (I promise!)

    Toodles!

    Thursday, March 3, 2011

    God is faithful!

    Psalm 33:4
    For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all he does.

    I was just thinking as I prayed today and , honestly, thinking about what I was going to write today, how God is faithful!  Off the top of my head, I thought of a few prayers that were answered today.  B's audition went well as the whole church was praying for him.  My sister-in-law's step-father is home from the hospital  and Trina is more interested in deepening her relationship with God!  She started to study the Bible tonight!

    I really appreciate how God knows best and He is in control.  Amen!

    What I have eaten today:

    Breakfast
    1 smoothie with frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, 1 egg

    Lunch
    1/2 an english cucumber, sliced
    2 pieces of toast with peanut butter

    Dinner
    pancakes with butter and maple syrup
    1 bowl of heavenly hash ice cream

    PLUS
    2 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
    NO chocolate

    At least 2 sets, 10 reps each leg of hip extensions
    1-7:53 am
    2-6:48 pm
    3-11:17 pm

    Toodles!

    Wednesday, March 2, 2011

    Praise God for friends!

    I went out with my friend, Barb today for coffee and chatting.  We had a great time together.  I really enjoy my times with my friends.  I haven't been getting those times this winter because I have been scared to go out.  I explained to Trina that it had nothing to do with snow and ice.  Even without snow and ice, I was scared and unnerved walking outside.  Snow and ice made it just not happen at all!

    But now that I am not afraid to go out, I can get together and spend time with my friends again!!  I am so excited!

    What I have eaten today:

    Breakfast
    banana
    plus sausage breakfast sandwich at Tim Horton's

    Lunch
    no lunch.  :(  All the walking in the last 3 days caught up with me and I was exhausted after I got home from my time with Barb.  I slept for 3 hours solid.

    Dinner
    scrambled eggs with cheese, 2 pieces of toast with butter

    PLUS
    3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer
    NO chocolate

    At least 2 sets, 10 reps each leg of hip extensions
    1-9:07 am
    2-6:32 pm
    3-9:32 pm

    Toodles!

    Tuesday, March 1, 2011

    I got out of bed and can walk today!

    After all the walking I did yesterday, I though my arms and legs would be really sore today.  I joked yesterday about maybe not being able to get out of bed.  I am a little sore but not too bad.  I hope I don't sound irreverent and ungrateful about being able to get out of bed and walk. I am so grateful to God to be able to do those things.   There are people for whom that is not possible.

    OK so I did not exactly take it easy today.  Got on the bus to go to one store, then walked to the next bus stop.  There was no room for me and my walker on the bus!  I didn't see another one coming so I started walking.  A bus passed me less than a minute later.  Grrrr So I walked all the way to the mall.  (I mapped it again, 1 km+ of walking).

    Gerry and I should go out on a date tonight and not waste this nice haircut I got.  I don't know about you, but my hair almost never looks as good as the day it gets cut!

    I went out to the mall again tonight to get Trina's March bus pass.  I forgot to get it for her to have for today.  Before the walker, it would be a big deal to have to go out to the mall again.  As it was, I enjoyed the walking and the (cold) fresh air.


    What I have eaten today:
    Breakfast
    1 smoothie with fruit yogurt and milk.

    Lunch
    More of that amazing salad from Druxy's.  I think I topped the lettuce with, like, 10 different veggies.  Dressing on the side.

    Dinner
    1 sausage, mashed potatoes, corn

    PLUS
    3 cups of coffee with flavoured creamer

    1 chocolate bar.  (Actually maybe you could call it 2. It was 1 pkg with 2 small chocolate bars in it.  And no, it wasn't even dark chocolate that could be called good for me.  It was Coffee Crisp.  Yummy!  I wish I had eaten one and then saved the other one for, like, now)

    At least 2 sets, 10 reps each leg of hip extensions
    1-7:43 am
    2-8:34 pm

    Toodles!