Clean, Shiny, & Ready to Unwind

A couple of weekends ago when we had an unseasonably warm Saturday, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work cleaning my back porch – my oasis.  I tossed the clutter that had accumulated over the winter months, then removed the furniture to the back lawn –-one.heavy.piece.at.a.time.  

Built-in strength training! 

I swept the debris, sprayed it down with a hose, mopped and waited for it to dry.  After a couple hours I returned to see that the floor still looked rather dull.  I wanted shine, and I began to think:  What product can I use to get the look I want.  My paint job from last spring had been washed, but it needed to be protected and enhanced.  I wanted clean, shine, pop.

And then it dawned on me.  ArmorAll!

I figured if it could add shine and protection to tires, upholstery and leather, why not try it on a painted concrete porch?

Voila!

Little by little, I sprayed it onto the surface and then buffed with an old T-shirt, one section at a time.  Loving the results, I continued until the entire bottle was empty.  I then replaced the furniture and added some flowers and personal touches here and there.  I carried all the green plants that I’d babysat inside all winter back out to the porch.  Stepping back to evaluate, I smiled with satisfaction. 

ArmorAll, I love you!

I couldn’t WAIT till nighttime to turn on the white lights, light a candle, pour a glass of wine, and dream of "uncorked" spring and summer days ahead on my clean, relaxing back porch retreat.  

All set to unwind!

Care for a glass of wine?

Organized Wannabe

I just learned (too late) that January was National Get Organized Month.

Must not have, uh, gotten that memo.

Organizational skills are a character trait of which I am woefully lacking.  I have good intentions.  I really do.  I aspire to live an organized life.  Actually, I think I do all right most of the time.  But admittedly, I fall short way too often, leaving me annoyed and frustrated from wasting so much time looking for things, trying to remember this, that and the other, and keeping my mind (and life) debris-free.

My youngest son apparently did not inherit this shortcoming from me.

He must have gotten that memo in January -- every January.  It has stuck.  No review necessary.  Lesson   learned.  Mission accomplished.

Somethin's wrong with this picture.  I'm a court reporter.  I write things down for a living.  I preserve history.  The Record Never Forgets.  Yep.  That's what I do.  And I'm good at THAT.

If only I could apply this skill to my personal life.

Hmmm.  I may have to let him teach this old dog a few new tricks.

(Made the night before his Ski Club trip)

(Atta boy.  You do me proud.)

Evil Strikes Again

365promises.com

Father God,

Our hearts are once again broken, our fears increased, our courage shaken.

We lift up to You those who are hurting from this horrible act of terrorism in Boston.  Be near to those who are hurting, who are injured, who are grieving.  Replace their brokenness and sadness and fear with Your perfect love and strength.  Restore our courage and hope.  As our leaders and investigators seek to find the answers, may Your all-powerful and unceasing Light shine brilliantly and purposefully onto the Darkness of Evil and their depraved, senseless acts, uncovering them from their hiding places into the full light of Your Justice.

When darkness comes to our lives, Father, we can remember the darkest night in history, and the love that You showed to us through Your own pain and suffering, when You were never more human than at that hour, and never nearer to us than when you hurt, suffered and died FOR US.  You well know our pain and suffering.

Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, in adoration we thank you for the love that made you willing to suffer and die on the cross for us.  Your cross and your love for us brings us to our knees in humble gratitude. 

Be our Comforter and Healer at this hour.  Be our light of love and hope, restoring our trust and faith in You, whatever our circumstances.

In Jesus Name I give you praise –

Amen

loveofjesusministry.org

Power Up Pizza

So I began the week, Monday morning, with an early morning run.  Spring is finally here, and I must say, early morning runs in the spring are absolutely cathartic.  It is a form of cardio that is not just necessary for maintaining an eye on my fitness goals, but elevates my spirit and soul and mood like none other.  Having gotten out of my routine over the winter, my endurance levels had suffered a bit.  I've been gradually working back up, and Monday's run was my best so far in terms of time and endurance.  Had I not needed to get back and showered and ready for work, I would have run longer.  Running is key to leaning out my legs, balanced with targeted leg & glute days at the gym.


One of my higher carb days of the week is Saturday because that's my leg/ham/glute day.  I figure it's one day I both need and can afford the extra carbs and fuel.  After finishing up my training Saturday morning, I stopped by our gym's new grill just outside the cardio loft to order my post-workout lunch:  Power Pizza.  It's a whole-wheat crust pizza, prepared with the freshest veggies -- peppers, mushrooms, onions, lowfat mozz cheese and grilled chicken breast, with just a "bit" of olive oil.  Wholesome, non-greasy, and beyond satisfying.  Oh.My.Goodness.  WHAT a treat.  It was sooooo delicious.

After having my post-workout whey protein, I followed up a bit later with two slices of Power Pizza for lunch, and another slice around 6 pm for dinner, along with some veggies.

Our gym's new grill, Power Up Grill, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items.  Many members will order their dinners for the week, and pick them up each evening after their workout.  This is great for those who are too busy to cook a healthy balanced meal, or for newbies to fitness who are unsure about what foods to choose while dieting or building.  The grill does the work for them and it teaches them about healthy eating habits and food choices.  Among the items offered:

Fruit Bowl

Oatmeal

Egg Whites

Omelettes

“Get Big Breakfast” ~ (8 oz Egg Whites, 4 oz Flank Steak & 3 Pancakes)

Smoothies

Salads (Greek, Caesar and House)

Whole Grain Pizza

Wraps

Grilled Veggies

Grass-Fed Burgers

Flank Steak

Grilled Chicken

I'm really proud of our gym's new facilities and all the hard work that the staff has put into making this place a first-rate fitness facility.  I'm both honored and proud to be a member, and I'm looking forward to trying more menu items in the near future.

I found it interesting that after eating the Power Pizza on Saturday I felt full and satisfied, but not bloated, and no after effects of insulin spikes or cravings that I usually experience when eating processed pizza or pizzas ordered from local eating establishments.  It was a "clean eating" indulgence, and one I DEFINITELY intend on trying again in the future.

But I think I'll save pizza for those intense leg & glute days.  I wanna know that I've EARNED IT!  

(HARD-EARNED INSPIRATION!)

“The quest for fitness is an ongoing journey, one of extreme discipline, requiring patience, acceptance, discernment, commitment, and perseverance.

There are no shortcuts.

No push-button, overnight makeovers.

There are valleys and there are mountaintops. 

And although there is no finish line, the gratification for the effort is guaranteed.”

~T

Got Milk?

Living with three guys who chug milk like it's going out of style,

I find myself making constant trips to the grocery store to restock the milk inventory at our house.

I've tried buying two or three gallons at a time, more if all three sons are home.  And that plan works.

But I’m thinking of upping that to standard of 3 to-4 gallons per grocery store run.  It would help to save gas, if nothing else.

At the top of my grocery list on practically every visit:  milk & bananas

My two sons care not if we're on our last gallon with only a couple of servings left, which would imply that one is to share what's left rather than hog it all, right?  Nah.  Never enters their minds.  They just expect another jug of milk magically appear when that one is empty.

In fact, the only way to insure that the milk gets rationed

when we’re on low supply is to leave notes – of sorts.

 Time to head to the store.

And maybe I'll snag some potting plants

while there...

would be nice to see some spring color on the patio.

Forsythia!

Eau Yeah!

Spring is finally here!

A Time to Chill

I've discovered an awesome chillout mix on youtube.

Chillout Mix 2012 Volume 2

I stumbled upon it three or four weeks ago,

and I've listened to it all the way through at least five times.

It is by far THE.BEST. chillout mix I've found.

To try choosing a favorite song among this mix is impossible.

They're all so beautiful, so electrifying,

complementing each other seamlessly as they transcend 

one into the next.

To date, ONLY 5,300,000+ views for this mix.

That would suggest it's definitely worth a listen.

Background

Music

I've had it playing in the background all afternoon (and evening)

as I've busied about my afternoon and evening.

Yes.  I'm afraid I'm helplessly addicted.

Sexy

Relaxing

Subtle

Addictive

Soul-stirring

Romantic

seductive

Contemplative

Wistful

Calming

Blissful

Exonerating

Provocative

enchanting

emotional

intoxicating

ambient
mystical

 "Invisible,"
would be one favorite, 

which I've since downloaded from Amazon.

How is it that I remain invisible in your eyes?

I’ve lit a thousand candles,

wished on every star in the sky…

Your burden is heavy…

Now there’s no one to hold you at night

when you cry yourself to sleep,

How fiercely blow the winds of change when two souls drift apart,

Let the warmth of the sun kiss your face, heal your broken heart…

Another day

Another night

Another tear

Another fight

Another dream torn apart

A lonely path in the dark…

Chillout Mix 2012 Vol. 2

Thank you for sharing this lovely gift, Raido Ojamets.

FNL - I Want to Know What Love Is

Foreigner.

Another great sound of yesterday.

Classic music that never

goes out of style.

I want to know what love is!

That's right.

Sing it,

brothers and sisters!

Happy Friday!