What's the Difference Between...

... going to sleep at 9:30 and going to sleep at 10:30?

- a 5 am wake-up and a 7 am wake-up.

or

OLD AGE.
I'm feeling it...

Monday night I had lights out at 9:37ish. Yesterday morning I woke up just after 5, went downstairs and exercised, then got ready for the day.

Last night I had lights out at 10:30... this morning woke up at 7:10 (after kind of waking up at 5:30, then 6:20, and deciding that I was just too tired) and rushed through getting ready.

Which did I prefer? The first option for sure. It's amazing how much going to bed just one hour later can change how things happen the next morning.

Tonight's goal: 9:00. Wouldn't that be awesome?

Good Things Monday

I feel like Mondays get a bad rap. I kind of like Mondays.

Today, this is why:

:Dingo didn't wake me up in the middle of the night (for the first time in about a week)
:I got an extra hour of sleep (it was because I slept in, but I still got an extra hour - and I got to work on time)
:I had a really good lunch (just a microwaved meal, but it was good)
:I finally got the dogs out on a walk - a two-miler - and it felt awesome (they seemed to really enjoy it too and Dingo only started lagging at the very end - it helped him that we walked to the park for my ward's home evening and had a nice break between the miles)
:I got to play volleyball (well, there was no net, but we made a passing circle - and it was a lot of fun)
:I saw the start of the tons of beautiful sunflowers we get near the trail (I've decided that if I get married in August or September, I'm just going to cut a bunch of the sunflowers and use those as my wedding flowers)
:I got told about this crazy article from this friend who had a cute post today (I'm surprised that I'm still surprised at people's stupidity. And who's the genius lawyer who thought the kids actually had a case?)
:I got to read this post from another friend and I love reading her posts
:I feel tired (like, muscle-tired, which is awesome. it's been way too long...)
:I'm in bed and all ready for bed and it's not even 9 o'clock (lights off by 9:30)

This has been a good day.
Yay for Mondays!

A Memory (Installment 3)

I went back East about... five years ago to visit my sister in Delaware. Part of the trip included a drive to upstate New York. We stopped at Niagara Falls and while we were there we grabbed food at a concessions stand. There were tons of sparrows around picking up dropped crumbs. I had a soft pretzel (I love those things) and started pulling off pieces to feed to them. I figured they were pretty used to people so I put a small piece on the tip of my fingers to see if they'd eat it. They did. I tried it a few times, and always, some brave little sparrow would hop up, grab the piece, and hop back. This picture was taken right after one of those sparrows grabbed the food. I got this picture off my gmail account, but I'm hoping I have a better one (normal-sized) somewhere...

I Like Things Like This

Days Like This

The day started off fine.

- I woke up early enough that I didn't have to rush to get ready.
- I got to work a bit after 7.
- I worked.
- I had lunch with my supervisor and we were able to catch up.
- I got back to work.
- I presented the chocolate mousse I had made for my coworkers.
- It was eaten and loved.
- I kept working.
- I almost fell asleep at my computer.
~ A few times. ~
- I took a quick walking break around the neighboring park with a friend.
- I got back to work.
- I started packing up to leave around 5.30.
~ The earliest I've left work in two weeks. ~
- I took a former schoolmate and current coworker home.
- I almost stopped at the red cross to donate blood since it's been a while.
- I got home and saw that my dad had donated blood at a ward member's eagle scout project.
- I left home and went to donate blood.
- I was the last one to donate so they started packing things up while they were finishing up with me.
- They packed up all the treats.
~ I never eat the treats anyway, but I felt like they could have at least waited until I was done. ~
- I was late to a presidency meeting because I was 'making a difference.'
- I went out to visit some people in the ward.
~ No one was home. ~
- I stopped by the store to pick something up for my dad.
~ They didn't have it. ~
- I went to another store.
- I got home.
- My hoped-for 'short' day turned into a 14+ -hour day.
- I was grumpy when I got home.
- I felt self-righteous in my grumpiness because things hadn't gone like I had planned/hoped they would.
- I realized I hadn't eaten anything since my lunchtime (I had skipped out on the mousse at work)
- I had enough of my mind with me that I wouldn't let myself eat the leftover chocolate mousse that was sitting in the fridge because I knew that the way I felt then I'd probably finish what was left and then feel sick about doing it.
- I realized that it's days like this that it really counts for me to not be grumpy.
~ see Mom, some of the things you taught me really did stick ~
- Anyone can be un-grumpy when things are going well.
- I made the necessary apologies.
- I started crying.
~ I'm not a big crier. ~
- I'm just so blasted tired.

And to top it all off, I have one pint less blood than I did when I woke up this morning.

~ Good night. ~

Learning to Balance

via
I love this picture

So, I've been losing weight recently. Hallelujah. It hasn't melted off, but it's been fairly steady, and that's healthy and longer-lasting, right? It's all been through the way I'm eating* since I haven't taken time to throw exercise into the mix. I'm hoping I can make that change soon since I just feel better when I'm exercising. I was telling a friend the other day that the minute I exercise, I feel like I'm thinner. Exercise is like magic in that way.

Anyway, back to how I'm eating, and balance...

I've been eating mostly raw and/or whole foods. Lots of salads, fruit, beans, etc. I feel a lot better when I'm eating better things (go figure) but what I'm trying to figure out is amounts. Based on my weight watchers training, there's a certain amount of 'points food' we should eat a day. When I tried that equation it worked great for me. So I'm still keeping that in my mind as I'm working to lose weight. But, most the foods I'm eating are zero points. All vegetables - with the exception of corn, potatoes, etc. (really starchy veggies) are zero points, and all fruits - with the exception of avocados (I think that's the only exception) are zero points too. My daily points target right now - according to weight watchers - is 32. So... if I'm eating mostly zero point foods, I'm having a hard time meeting that target. Beans are not zero points - a can of black beans is 8, and a can of kidney beans is 9, etc. - so when I eat those, I'm getting something. I also will eat 9-grain bread from bountiful baskets that is amazing - and also not zero points.

Here's the problem. I'm eating so well, but I don't know that I'm eating enough. I've noticed that on days where I've eaten more non-zero point food than I thought I should I've actually dropped more weight than on days where I'm restricting so much what I eat and sticking to almost all zero-point food.

Obviously there's a balance in there somewhere that I need to find. Since I've started this internship I've had to bring food to work with me. The first month+ it was because they didn't have any kind of cafeteria or vending machines to eat from. Which was probably a good thing. Now, I'm in a building with a cafeteria but I'm still bringing my food since it's so much better.

I try to space out my meals so I'm not eating everything at once, but I'll have my salad or fruit sometime between 11:30 and noon, and then another part of meal around 1 or so... but I've noticed that when I feel hungry and I haven't 'scheduled' my eating, I ignore it until I want to eat. I'm not sure that this is the best approach. Especially when I'm eating all good things**, then it probably really doesn't matter if I'm eating when I think I should as opposed to eating when my body needs to.

I hope this makes sense. I'm still trying to work it out in my head, but I think I'm on the right track.

*I've focused on 'Eating to Live' before and had amazing results. Good things happen when you eat good foods!
**I don't want to deceive anyone into thinking that I'm eating 100% healthy, all the time, because that's not true. But I must say I'm eating pretty blasted well these days.

An Invitation

This was part of the previous post, but this morning I felt like it warranted it's own post... so I just copied and pasted - then made a few changes. (:


I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea that consistent, sustained effort is better than flash-in-the-pan moments of greatness. I mentioned this idea to my parents tonight asking if there was a quote or something that I was thinking of but just couldn't remember that described this idea and my mom sent me this -

If a man has any greatness in him, it comes to light, not in one flamboyant hour, but in the ledger of his daily work.

~ Beryl Markham ~

I had a fireside this evening that focused on a Book of Mormon reading challenge. They handed out a schedule that shows you what you need to read in order to be done by Christmas (starting 1 September). I think it's mostly 4-5 pages a day. Easily doable. When I first looked at it I thought, 'I can get a huge jump start on that.' Then I realized that, once again, it's not about these bursts of enthusiasm, but consistent, daily effort. Since I haven't been reading the BoM with any regularity lately it'll be best for me to start with consistent, simple efforts.

I think doing scripture study - in this way - shows a 'ledger of daily work' that will lead to positive (and lasting) things.

ps - in the fireside, the speaker - Elder Warren G. Tate - asked us to invite family members, friends, co-workers, etc. to participate in this challenge with us, promising that doing it will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father, and bring us answers to questions we've had. So, if you're reading this, consider this my invitation. Member of the Church, or not, I invite you all to read the Book of Mormon.

One thing Elder Tate mentioned was having a personal daily devotional. I like that idea, and have never really done that. I think that sounds like a great break from the daily grind and a wonderful way to either start or finish (or both?) the day.

A Few Things, and Then to Bed

I've been thinking a lot lately about the idea that consistent, sustained effort is better than flash-in-the-pan moments of greatness. I mentioned this idea to my parents tonight asking if there was a quote or something that I was thinking of but just couldn't remember that described this idea and my mom sent me this -

If a man has any greatness in him, it comes to light, not in one flamboyant hour, but in the ledger of his daily work.

~ Beryl Markham ~

That's definitely the idea I've been thinking of, but not the quote or the source I was necessarily thinking of. If I come up with that, I'll let you know, but until then, I think that quote fits very nicely.

I've been thinking of this idea with my plans (hopes) for weight loss. I realized it doesn't matter how many days I can keep to extreme (healthy) eating habits if I break down and shove every unhealthy thing I can into my mouth. Which happens.

If, on the other hand, I'm consistently eating what's good for me and allowing myself an occasional treat and not beating myself up about it, I'm doing all right. Better than all right, I'm doing what will lead to permanent weight loss. Which is awesome.

I've been thinking about this idea more today because I had a fireside this evening that focused on a Book of Mormon reading challenge. They handed out a schedule that shows you what you need to read in order to be done by Christmas (starting 1 September). I think it's mostly 4-5 pages a day. Easily doable. When I first looked at it I thought, 'I can get a huge jump start on that.' Then I realized that, once again, it's not about these bursts of enthusiasm, but consistent, daily effort. Since I haven't been reading the BoM with any regularity lately it'll be best for me to start with consistent, simple efforts.

I think doing these two things - in this way - show a 'ledger of daily work' that will lead to positive (and lasting) things.

ps - in the fireside, the speaker - Elder Warren G. Tate - asked us to invite family members, friends, co-workers, etc. to participate in this challenge with us, promising that doing it will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father, and bring us answers to questions we've had. So, if you're reading this, consider this my invitation. Member of the Church, or not, I invite you all to read the Book of Mormon.

One thing Elder Tate mentioned was having a personal daily devotional. I like that idea, and have never really done that. I think that sounds like a great break from the daily grind and a wonderful way to either start or finish (or both?) the day.

And now... because it's almost midnight... I'm to bed.

Finally!

If you've visited my blog lately (instead of viewing it through google reader), you may have noticed this super-attractive widget I have at the top under the title.

If you've been paying attention, you may have noticed that today's number is different from yesterday's.

It's about time.

I'm tracking the weight that I want to lose in August. All too soon, I'll be adding to it the weight I'm hoping to lose in September. Yeah... I don't know that that's how it will all pan out, but hopefully it'll average out to 30 LBS. GONE BY 10 NOVEMBER.

Wouldn't that be awesome?

It would.


84 days left.

No, I"m not counting.

My phone is.

Thank you 'days left' widget. (:

READ IT

I'm only partway through the second person's story, but ho. ly. cow.

Amazing.

One guy whose story is told was 19 (NINETEEN) for one more week when the war ended and was 'a decorated veteran air combat officer and a proven navigator' at that time. He had also earned the title 'lucky bastard*.'

NINETEEN!!!

I don't know if they make men like that anymore.

Find it here.
and 'click to look inside' for a preview.

Wow.

*i'm not swearing. it's a thing. and an incredible thing at that.

Guess Who

this man -

- was drafted

- said, 'The only lottery I ever came close to winning was the drawing for the first draft before Pearl Harbor.'

- was 10 lbs. underweight for his height-weight ratio and was denied after being drafted

- appealed the army's decision when denied

- said (with a slight grin) he had a friend operating the scales for the second weigh-in

- defied his boss and took every step possible to get into uniform

- was a movie star, academy award-winning actor, American folk hero, Princeton graduate, aviator, bachelor, and prime favorite with the Hollywood ladies - who entered the army as a private

- when giving his reason to enlist said, 'It may sound corny, but what's wrong with wanting to fight for your country. Why are people reluctant to use the word patriotism?'

- made a promise to himself that he wouldn't use his celebrity for any favors

- went from earning thousands a month to $21 a month
on purpose

- 'won his commission not by pulling a string in Washington nor on the strength of civilian prominence, but by the unspectacular method of meeting the official requirements'

- at the end of WWII was a full commander of a combat bomber wing of the 8th Air Force

- was the highest ranking of Hollywood stars and directors who went off to war

- was among the very few officers in American military history to rise from private to colonel in just over four years

- served in the reserves until the retirement age of 60, during which time he became a general- was in combat situations the whole time he was overseas performing demanding and exposed duties

- lead pilot, squadron operations officer, and at the end - wing commander

- flew 20 combat missions against the Germans

- when not flying with 'his boys' was waiting at the control tower for their return

- flew every mission with his team that he could, when told to limit himself to 1 out of every 5, chose the most dangerous to fly

- had said of him - 'he was a very good B-24 pilot; he had a steady hand and a natural feel for piloting the aircraft. His greatest strength, however, was in his ability as a combat leader. He led many dangerous and difficult missions to such places as Berlin and, in the heat of air battle, he always maintained a calm demeanor. His pilots had absolute faith in him and were willing to follow him wherever he led.'

- won the most respect from his colleagues after one mission on which he missed the target and refused to alibi about it, taking all the blame for the mistake

- said, 'fear is an insidious and deadly thing. it can warp judgment, freeze reflexes, breed mistakes. worse, it's contagious. i knew that my own fear, if not checked, could infect my crew members.'

- was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal

- after his death there was a award created in his name to recognize outstanding pilots

- was remembered as 'shy, intense, not much of a talker, and a very competent pilot'- when he was told, 'I am honored to meet you, but... ah, you are an actor of course. We, ah, do not cater to actors, you see.' by a hotel manager, responded with, 'zat so? Waal, lemme tell ya. For the next four weeks, I'm Brigadier General *name*, United States Air Force.'
(in Madrid, the hotel manager touched a nerve. he was in Spain, not as an actor, but as a ranking American military officer in the service of his country. he expected to be treated with respect and dignity, and he quietly demanded it.)

- served in Vietnam and took part in a bombing mission

- after calling his twin daughters in for a 'talk' before they left for college, as typical, he kept it short and to the point - 'be nice to people and they will be nice to you.'

any guesses?

the final (and giveaway) clue...
*
*
*
scroll down
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
keep scrolling
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
a little more
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
- his first movie after returning home was 'It's a Wonderful Life'
(and he played the lead in case you were wondering)


i've always thought he was good-looking, but the uniform makes him even more so (:

I learned all of this (and more) by reading Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot by Starr Smith. Not the best-written book I've ever read, but interesting. I've always liked him as an actor, but have more respect and admiration for him now. (I loved reading about a Hollywood star who appreciated this country and recognized that it gave him wonderful opportunities he wouldn't have had elsewhere instead of the outspoken ingrates we have now (not all of them are outspoken ingrates, but too many of them are).)

My last endorsement for Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot: If you want an interesting/fun read, about a lovable, worthy-of-admiration-and-respect real (and 'reel' - as the book points out) hero - pick it up.

Did you guess who it was? Did you guess someone else?
Let me know. (:

I'm reading a really good book right now.

I'll tell you about it later.

Be excited!

Wyoming Sunset

We got as far as Laramie last night. This picture was taken from some dead-end freeway exit during our second stop.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Ohio-Bound

In about 3 hours I'm driving away from my home and my bed and my dogs and my... etc... (: and heading to Ohio. I'm driving with my sister and her two boys (ages 2-yrs and 6-mo.) so they can meet my brother-in-law in their new state-of-residence.

24-hours in the car.

At least.

Woo-hoo.

Then I remembered this clip:

Watch from about 1:30 on-

(ignore the whole political-whatever for the video, it's the only clip of this scene that I could find)

And then I thought Ohio might not be all bad if there are Ohio-Amish like Harrison Ford. (:

Plus I'm flying back through Dallas.

I've never seen Texas before.

Here's to hopes for sanity through the next three days.

Guy With the Kitty

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4