FTR (For The Record)

Went swimming at lunchtime. Did 33 laps, which should be a mile.

.56, 1:01, 1:09, 1:16, 1:02, 1:10, 1:02, 1:08, 1:01, .58, 1:06, 1:06, 1:09, 1:10, 1:12, 1:13, 1:09, 1:08, 1:13, 1:06, 1:09, 1:15, 1:08, 1:03, 1:06, 1:07, 1:10, 1:15, 1:13, 1:14: 1:13. 1:12, 1:15

Thoughts on The Boy Who Changed the World

Some children's books inspire and inform not only the child, but also the adult reading it to them. This book by Andy Andrews, The Boy Who Changed the World is one of those rare books that accomplish both. I knew who George Washington Carver was and what he did, but I had never known "the butterfly effect" his life had on so many other influential people. This book was short, yet informative and the message of "you can make a difference!" is unmistakable in these pages.

".... every choice you make, good or bad, can make a difference."

The illustrations in this book are stunning. As soon as my copy arrived my children looked through the book, captivated by the colorful pictures. Later we read the book and they all seemed to enjoy it and understand the simple yet important message that we all need to hear and believe..... that you can make a difference in the world.

A delightful book.


DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Silliness

I have a startling confession to make: I eat McDonald's Happy Meals. Well, not all the time. It depends on what toy is in them. Right now it is my favorite toy: little cheap Madame Alexander dolls. I don't know why I like them so much, but I do. Or maybe its just my nature to be obsessed and collect things? Not sure.

I do believe I've been collecting these things for over 5 years now. This year there are eight dolls in the series: Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf dressed up as Grandma, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter. They are really cute, though I know they are worthless junk toys. Still, Katie loves to play with them and I was obsessed to gather the whole collection! It has taken me two weeks and I've finally accomplished it.

During those two weeks I noticed a change. Happy Meals now contain "mini fries"...a very petite serving of french fries along with apple dippers and the usual hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken mcnuggets. I've discovered that I really don't miss the larger order of fries, but had they be in my happy meal box, I'd eat the whole thing. All I really need though, is a taste, so I'm quite happy with the meal. Before the "mini fries" I had plotted out that the fries were about 230 calories and if I ate the patty only it was 90 calories. Now with the mini fries, I'm guessing the calories from french fries are half that amount, if not more!

Doesn't really matter; in another couple of days the next toy promotion will begin and I won't feel like I need to buy a happy meal!

PS. Photo taken with my iPhone.... I was lazy!

For the Record....

.57, 1:08, 1:10, 1:09, 1:10, 1:09, 1:10, 1:10, 1:10, 1:11, 1:09, 1:10, 1:07, 1:13, 1:13, 1:13, 1:12, 1:14, 1:09, 1:12

(I had to stop, the gym was closing!)

Ready, Set....

I know this is not what you want to read but if I don't write it down I won't remember it and then I'll not realize that I'm improving.

If you've been reading my blog you know that I started swimming in preparation for a sprint triathlon. (come join me!) The first two times I went swimming I was slow, sore and had to stop and rest every lap.

But then something clicked and now I like swimming and have been getting steadily better, with fewer rests, more laps and now even faster!

Thursday night I swam my longest: 70 laps! I was sore, so very sore, because not only was it the most laps I've ever done, I also was pretty consistently around 1:15.

The really odd thing is: even when I relax I tend to go about this pace.

Today I went to the pool and tried to really swim fast. My first lap was 56 seconds! But I suffered for it. I inhaled water, was coughing and sputtering.... I was so tired already! And here I was feeling smug that I did 70 laps just the other day and now I was struggling with just a few! But as usual, I finally settled down to my own pace, a "rhythm", and relaxed and enjoyed swimming. Again, I was surprised to see my numbers pretty consistent, except this time I started getting a more consistent lower numbers: 1:10, 1:08, 1:12. I did a total of 22 laps (44) and felt I had to get out if I wanted to take a quick shower before the gym closed.

Here's my times: 56, 1:12, .58, 1:14, 1:12, 1:08, 1:10, 1:19, 1:15, 1:14, 1:15, 1:11, 1:20, 1:11, 1:15, 1:12,
1:12, 1:11, 1:10, 1:13, 1:16, 1:14.

I was so disappointed that the gym closes early on Saturday nights! I really think I could have done another 20 laps.

I'm really amazed I am enjoying this as much as I am.

A Month Away

What can I say? I'm a planner, and an impatient one at that! I get excited about things and want them to happen NOW! Tomorrow my church is having an all-church picnic. I've been waiting for this since it was announced back in May or June! Likewise, it both bugs and excites me to know of upcoming events or a message series; I just want it all to happen or know all the information immediately; I hate waiting until the end of the month or months later!

I suppose anticipation makes it sweeter, but it also fuels and elevates my expectations. Not sure that is a good thing.

Now that it is Autumn, (I know; technically it is not but if you have kids, then the day they return to school marks Autumn, AKA the "New Year." I'm looking forward to all those Fall things: Back to school night (well, maybe not that one), Halloween, my kid's school walk-a-thon, going to the Apple Farm with K8's class and taking lots of pumpkin patch photos! (this is one of my favorite seasons for taking photos).

October is a busy month for us. 2 of my children have birthdays, my father-in-law has a birthday as well as my brother-in-law. All the things I noted in the above paragraph happen in October. (except Back to School night) October is busy, but there's one more thing that happens in October that I look forward to:

Pastor Appreciation Month.

Last year I facebooked about 20 church friends, inviting them to join me in showering our pastoral staff and their wives, with notes or gifts. Anonymously or signed, simple or elaborate, inexpensive or pricey.... none of that mattered as much as inundating them with kindness. I started it with a box of socks and a card saying we were going to "bless their socks off" and right now I'm trying to figure out another fun, creative way of announcing the intent to bestow upon them our love and appreciation. (if you've any ideas, let me know!)

This year, I'm hoping that everyone will recall from last year that October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I think it often gets overlooked because most pastors don't announce it and most people don't know that Pastor Appreciation Month even exists! I think if people knew, they'd respond.

I've been collecting books and other little things in anticipation of Pastor Appreciation Month, things I find on sale or for a good price. It is mostly books because I love books. I guess I figure if it is something I like, they'll like it too! Not sure it truly works our that way. I'l probably end up giving them a gift card to itunes or a restaurant as well.

As I said, last year I had a lot of fun! So much that I don't know how I'll be able to compete this year. I tried to send a note or put a note or a gift in the senior pastor's box daily. The others were weekly.

Whatever church you attend, I encourage you to join in the fun of participating in Pastor Appreciation Month. Even if it is just a handwritten note of 3 sentences encouraging or thanking your pastor, I know it will be appreciated.

I'm looking forward to October! Hope my pastors have a great month!

Hunt

I've always enjoyed shopping for bargains. Perhaps it is just that I'm cheap and loathe paying full price. Or perhaps I just enjoy the excitement and fun of finding a bargain. In a way it is a bit like a treasure hunt, and who doesn't love a good treasure hunt?

The drawback to this hobby is that I find and buy things that I really don't need. I'm beginning to realize that a couple dozen cute outfits hanging in a closet really is of no good if she has so many clothes she can't wear them all, no matter how cute or how cheap I purchased them.

Plus, the excitement fades so quickly. It feels so amazing in the store, but once home, it fails to satisfy. I really haven't been out shopping in a very long time, but this week I've had a taste of freedom since the kids were in school and David back to work, so I ventured on Monday to the mall. Nothing at Target. Nothing at Gap. Got a few things at The Children's Place but the place with the best deals for me was one of my favorites: Gymboree. They were having a storewide sale of 30% off PLUS I had a 20% coupon.

I love a good sale! I bought Katie a Halloween costume but will probably return it since I couldn't find the tights and because she has a ladybug and butterfly costume from last year.

Today I went to the Pearl Izumi outlet since they sent me an email advertising an additional 20% off all previously marked down items. Lately I've been having so much luck with their women's clearance. Now that I'm "in training" with my friend for a sprint triathlon, I decided it was a good time to get some clothes. The women's stuff seems to be marked down a lot more than the men's. I bought a few pairs of running shorts normally priced 30 for about 8 dollars, some for only 6. I purchased a running shirt for myself and a friend for 5.99 and a pair of cycling gloves, normally 30 down to 12.

Then I bought a jacket for 30 that normally is 160, cycling shorts for 20 and a really nicer pair for 40. (normally is is 120
....they are really nice!), cycling jerseys for 11, and a few pairs of socks for 5. I also bought a few men's cycling shorts for David because he rides so often his tend to begin to wear out.

I was quite happy with my "treasure hunt" today, but hopefully I'm done "hunting"..... I really cant' afford to do this all the time!