Entrecard Top Droppers Day

I want to say a big 'Thank You' to my January Entrecard Top Droppers.  These are some great sites.  Please stop by and check them out!

1. Positive Real Estate Professionals
2. Comedy Plus
3. Symphony of Love
4. Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice
5. Wonderful Things in LIfe
6. sound of a soft breath
7. Pinoy Web Surfer
8. Subjective Soup
9. Diet Recipes Blog
10. BeadedTail
    

Quest For Greatness - 100 Pushups

Well, the winter blahs are trying hard to drag me down, but I'm still moving forward on my quest to complete 100 knee pushups by Feb 28, 2009.  I completed Week 4, Column 3, Day 3 on Tuesday.  Today I did my next endurance test and was able to complete 41 pushups.  So Monday I will start Week 5 of 6.  If I thought this was hard, I'm looking at much higher numbers as well as more sets per workout. 

The slope is definitely getting steeper, but I am going to make it to the top!

Want to see how others are doing on their training for their chosen event?  Head over to Baby Tea Leaves.  To see what the workouts are like, go to 100 pushups.

Technorati Tags: Quest for Greatness,100 Pushups

Praise God Together - Live Longer

I heard this amazing fact on the radio this morning and rushed to my favorite research tool, Google.   What I found surprised me.  According to a study published in the American Journal of Gerontology, people who go to church regularly live longer. 

The study said that people who attend church once a week increase their odds of living longer by 23%.  If you attend twice a week, it's even higher!

There are many factors that contribute to this longer life.  People who regularly gather with friends tend to be less depressed.  They also are less likely to participate in activity that can shorten their life such as drinking or smoking.  When you are part of a community, you have have a support system.  Researchers believe that all these things may translate into stronger immune systems and better defenses against disease.

But why just have a 23% chance of living longer here on earth when you can live forever?  Life that lasts forever is not related to the length of time we spend here on earth nor the the number of times per week we attend religious services.  ...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23 (NIV)

I hope you are living the life that only God can give.  If you haven't yet accepted that gift from God, or you're struggling with life's issues, why not stop in at your local church this weekend.  God is yearning to meet with you.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested And Written By Cynthia

Sgt James E. Craig
27 years old from Hollywood, South Carolina
1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
January 28, 2008


James, 27, was killed on January 28, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq, along with four other soldiers when the unit encountered an IED, followed by an ambush from a nearby Mosque. It has been a year since James was killed. I miss him each day.

James was on his third deployment to Iraq. There are so many things about James that I admired. He was 'loud' and funny and articulate and sweet - even calling himself 'Sweet Soldier' - and brave and tough. He was a devout Christian and more comfortable with telling people he was than anyone I ever knew - he had a enviable, easy comfort with this faith. It would be so easy to write and write about James, but let me share some portions of his letters - his long and articulate letters.

"...I am very much looking forward to this war being over. However, I fully support everything that is going on over here ever since I saw first hand what the real situation was. Our media doesn't portray the truth of this operation or the necessity to the people here. They need freedom and desperately cry out for someone to help them. ... I know one thing, God wants me here."

"The war here is stating to come to an end. It will be a slow transition period where the responsibility of the battle space is handed over to the growing Iraqi Army. It all depends on the Iraqis if we are able to leave them with it safely."

"...it is a tale of my wonderful journey where I made memories I will never forget and stood up for something that I believe in...that sweet taste of freedom when the day is done and the knowledge that I have done something to ensure the positive future of my loved ones. And, you should know that it comforts me the most that what I do protects wonderful people like you."

To read more about Sgt James Craig, go here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Five Times Five - I've Been Tagged!

Sexynan as tagged me for this fun meme.

 

Five things in my purse

1. Reading glasses
2. Choir book for Easter - what can I say, it's a big purse
3. Hand sanitizer
4. Emergency stash - Trail mix bar in case my blood sugar starts dropping
5. Small notebook and pen

Five things in my work room - den/computer room

1. Computers (3)
2. Atomic clock
3. Window seat so the cats can hang out with me

4.  Books, magazines, and lots of clutter

5.  My all time favorite wall art

 

Five things I've always wanted to do

1. Go on a cruise
2. Ride in a hot air balloon
3. Live to be 100 years old
4. Live in a ranch home with a first floor laundry - doing this now and loving it!
5. See the cathedrals in Europe

Five things I'm currently into

1. Blogging
2. Pushups
3. Getting healthier
4. Singing in the church choir - it's just not living without this one!
5. Listening to audio books

Five people I'm tagging

1. You!  If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged!

One Weigh at a Time - Weekly Weigh-In #4

 

The good news is that I didn't gain anything.  The bad news is that I didn't lose anything. 

Believe it or not, I'm very happy with this week's result.  I had some setbacks during the last week that had me gaining, but an attitude adjustment has put me back down to a net change of zero!

The question of the week is: How do slim people think?  That's the dilemma.  I only know how to think fat.  Thus I'm fat.  If I learn to think slim, will I become slim?  I sure hope so!  My guess is that slim people only think about eating when they're hungry.  They recognize that sometimes they're really thirsty, not hungry.  And finally, they focus on other things to the exclusion of thinking about food.

So when I find myself thinking I need to eat and I'm not really hungry, I'll have a cup of green tea or a glass of water and focus on doing something else.  I'll let you know next week how that works out.

Check out the group's progress at One Weigh at a Time.

Technorati Tags: Weekly Weigh-in

Entrecard and Six Degrees

I stumbled across Dropaholics.com a few days ago.  I decided to add my blog to those being monitored only to find I was already on the list!  This site currently monitors 771 blogs and lists the top 100 dropaholics.  This means that these blogs are top droppers on the most blogs.

Greg Mathews, who developed the site has now added a program  at http://dropaholics.com/sixdegree.php to test the Six Degrees of Separation theory.  If your blog is not monitored, you must first add your blog to the list.  Then you can check your six degrees.  Here's what I found:

 

Six degrees from

Coming Back to Life

You are top dropper on 6 blogs
Those blogs are top droppers on a further 47 unique blogs
Those blogs are top droppers on a further 306 unique blogs
Those blogs are top droppers on a further 357 unique blogs
Those blogs are top droppers on a further 30 unique blogs
Those blogs are top droppers on a further 2 unique blogs

In total you are linked to 748 other blogs through six degrees of separation

There are a total of 771 blogs being monitored, meaning you are indirectly linked via dropping to 97% of the monitored blogs

 

Are you being monitored?  What's your percentage?

Technorati Tags: Entrecard

Fitness Goals Monday - Attitude Adjustment

 

Last Friday, I was unable to complete my workout for 100 knee pushups by Feb 28, 09.  It consisted of 5 sets of pushups with 90 second rests between: 25, 29, 25, 25, min of 36.  I couldn't even do the second set.  I was feeling pretty discouraged, but refused to let it stop my quest to reach this very important goal.  I waited a couple days and tried again on Sunday.

I made it thru the first four sets with no problem, but my arms were starting to get pretty tired.  I was apprehensive about making 36 at once.  I've learned that my attitude makes a huge difference in how easy it is to do knee pushups. 

Here's where you're going to think I'm crazy.  Or smart?  I had a little talk with my arms.  Not just a quiet little one, either.  Think Knute Rockne. 

Me to right arm:  I know you're a little sore.  I really use you hard because I'm so right handed.  but you don't have to do it alone.

Me to left arm:  You have more reserves, so you'll have to work harder and help the right arm to support me.

Me to both:  I'll do my part, too.  I'll provide the determination, the drive, the motivation to do this.  The three of us can get this done.

I actually went on like that for almost a full minute.  I told my arms and my brain that we were going to do at least 37 pushups so we could say we had done more than the minimum.

So we dropped to the floor and I counted while my arms did all the work. 

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! 

two, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, twenty! 

three, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, thirty! 

four, two, three, four, five, six, thirty-seven!

I did 37 pushups in a row - after doing 104 in sets!  You can believe that I properly thanked my arms for their part in the procedure.  And you can also believe that I'll be doing an attitude check again before every workout.  What a difference!

 

I can't claim such lofty victories in my other two goals usually tracked here.  I only made an average of 2.5 servings of fruits and veggies this week.  I started out with 5 servings one day and 6 the next.  But when the attitude slump set in, I had 0 servings two days in a row.  I'm planning for better this week.  I've purchased a great variety of salad veggies, Clementines, Cara Cara oranges, navel oranges, apples and bananas. 

If you haven't heard of Cara Cara navel oranges yet, you need to check them out.  I tried one last week.  It's called a pink orange.  It appears to have all the good qualities of a navel orange - easy to peel, no seeds - but has the taste of a pink grapefruit.  Delish!

 

I've left the early rising goal for last as it's still the one I struggle with the most.  Here again, I think some attitude adjustment will make a difference for me this week.  My latest rising time this week was 10:18 which is an improvement over last week.  And I did have one morning of getting up at 7:30.  I ended up falling asleep in the recliner that afternoon.

 

Overall, I've had a week of highs and lows, but also a week of learning a little about myself.  That's the most important thing.  I've learned that I can control my attitude and that a positive attitude really makes a difference in how I deal with everything in my life. 

How's your attitude these days?

Technorati Tags: Fitness Goals Monday,100 Pushups

How Addicted To Blogging Are You?

72%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Oh, My Darlin' Clementine

We visited Trinidad and Tobago a few years ago.  It was a wonderful friendly place.  One of the things that impressed us so much was the fruit.  We saw, growing on trees, mango, papaya, almonds, chocolate, lemons, cashews, stoddards (Chinese grapefruit - we call them pumello), and of course bananas.  We actually had bananas and stoddards fresh from the tree!  But my favorite of all were the mandarines - small oranges. 

I ate mandarines whenever I could get my hands on them.  They're a little smaller than a tangerine and peel just as easily.  I never made the connection between the fruit in the can and the wonderful little mandarines.

I've often longed for them without realizing they were readily available.  This week I read somewhere that Clementines are mandarines.  I felt really dumb that I 'd never realized it before. 

Well, I have to tell you that on my trip to the grocery store today, I bought a little crate of Clementines.  One bite and I was back in Trinidad.  You can see from the picture that MWH and I have already had more than one.  Yummy!

Technorati Tags: Trinidad and Tobago,mandarines

Quest For Greatness - 100 Pushups

At the risk of sounding whiny, this quest to do 100 pushups by Feb 28, 09, is getting really hard!  When I started Week 3 over using Column 3, it was like hitting a wall.  The number of pushups per workout has increased quickly.  I think most of my problems are related to not doing enough other exercise.  I will try today's workout again tomorrow and I'm confident that I'll be able to complete it.  I will also add some cardio to my routine.  I need to be doing that anyway.  Hopefully, I'll have better results to offer next week. 

You can check on the progress of others' Quests For Greatness at Baby Tea Leaves.

Technorati Tags: Quest For Greatness,100 Pushups

I've Been Tagged!

My friend Patricia at Subjective Soup has tagged me for this 9 question meme.  So here goes1

 1. Have you ever been on TV?  - Yes.  I was interviewed by a local news reporter on a feature about weight loss programs.

2. Have you ever sung in public? - Yes, every week.  I sing tenor in my church choir.  I've even sung a mini-solo that was all of 4 bars.

3. Have you ever dyed your hair blonde? - No.  I did go thru a stage in my thirties where I died my hair as close as possible to my natural color to cover the gray.  Obviously, I stopped doing that.  I decided I didn't want gray roots.  And it was a lot of hassle. 

4. Have you ever eaten frogs' legs? - I think I may have tasted them when I was in junior high.  My uncle and his boys used to hunt some unusual animals.  I've tasted some amazing things at their house.  Turtle and porcupine to name just two.  I'm thinking we had frog legs, too.  Another uncle prepared squirrel for us once.  

5. Have you ever received a present you really hated? - Yes and after it sat unused in my cupboard for 10 or 12 years, it accidentally slipped out of my hand and broke.  Amazingly, right in the trash can.

6. Have you ever walked into a lamp post? - I don't think so.  I've run into just about everything else, though, so it's possible.

7. Have you ever cooked a meal by yourself for more than 15 people? - No.  I've cooked for that many before, but not alone.  I had help from my husband and mother-in-law.

8. Have you ever fallen or stumbled in front of others? - Oh, yeah.  I've stumbled many times.  But just recently I was in someone else's home and wasn't watching my feet.  I was going from a wood floor to a carpeted one and there was a fluffy throw rug between them.  Well, I stepped on the rug with one foot and then caught the toe of my other foot just under the edge of the rug.  I did a full face plant into the dog bed.  Fortunately, the dog wasn't there.  I was SO embarrassed and they were so kind.  I didn't hurt myself at all except for a slightly bruised knee.  My main concern was getting my face out of the dog's bed before I had an asthma attack.  It's funny now, but it sure wasn't then!

9. Have you ever done volunteer work? - I'm ashamed to say that I have not.  I have thought about it and now that my health has improved I should look into it.  I think I'd have the stamina to do some kinds of volunteer work.

So now you know a lot more about me than you did before.  Now I get to tag 5 other people. 

1. Leigh at Eternal Flux
2. Chuck at Secondary Roads
3. Ida at Losing Myself 
4. Tammy at CrazyMomW4Boys
5. Mikki at Here's What Let's Do

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor
29 years old from Garden Grove, California
September 29, 2006


In April 2008, Michael Monsoor (who had already been posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in a May 9, 2006 incident, when he and another SEAL pulled a wounded team member to safety amidst gunfire) was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His funeral, attended, in the words of President Bush, by "nearly every SEAL on the West Coast," was held on October 12, 2006 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. During Monsoor's funeral service, as the casket was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, fellow SEALs lined up in two columns to slap and embed the gold Tridents (a pin awarded for successful completion of SEAL Qualification Training) from their uniforms onto the top of Monsoor's coffin.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike A. Monsoor's Summary Of Action.


"The procession went on nearly half an hour, and when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten." - President George W. Bush

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

One Weigh at a Time - Weekly Weigh-in Week #3

I'm so excited!  It's been quite awhile since I've lost weight 2 weeks in a row.  This week I lost 1.2 pounds bring my total for 2009 to 2 pounds. 

Here are my stats:

 

Beginning Weight	223.0	Jan 05, 2009
Last Week Weigh-In	222.2	Jan 12, 2009
This Week Weigh-in	221.0	Jan 19, 2009
Change since last weigh-in	-1.2
Goal weight	213.0	by Feb 14, 2009
Pounds to go	8.0

We'd love to have you join us!  Head on over to One Weigh at a Time and join the fun!

Technorati Tags: One Weigh at a Time,Weight loss

Fitness Goals Monday - Week 3

Here I am again to discuss the 3 goals I'm currently tracking.  I want precise, measurable goals to make tracking and achieving them easier.  As you'll see below, I have had to refine one of my goals because it was way too vague.

Here's how this week has gone.

1.  Do 100 knee pushups by Feb 28, 09.

I'm struggling more as I'm  moving higher up in the training program.  Friday I was short 3 pushups in the 'as many as you can do with a minimum of' category.  So today I repeated that day.  So I have now completed Week 3 Column 3.  You can see actual totals for all my workouts on my Quest For Greatness post.  It's mind boggling to see the total number of pushups I do in a single workout.  I know that I will achieve this goal and I can hardly wait!

2.  Orient my days and nights to a more normal schedule.

Does this sound precise and measurable to you?  No?  Not to me either.  I'm going to reword this to:  Get up every morning (at least 6 of 7 days) by 8:00 AM by Feb 28, 09.  BTW, I didn't do very well on this one at all this week.  I hope the refinement of my goal will help.  This has long been the hardest thing for me to do.

3.  Consistently eat 5 servings or more of fruits and veggies daily by Feb 28, 09.

Last week I reported an average of 3.333... servings per day.  This week I have a small increase (hooray!) with an average of 3.642 servings per day.  Even though this is a very small increase, I'm quite happy about it.  I'm moving in the right direction and I'm much more conscious of what I eat and what I plan ahead for.

I can really tell the difference in all of my goals when I envision success and set my mind to think positively.  It isn't something that comes naturally to me yet, but it will someday!

What are your goals?   Do you find your thinking influences how quickly you move toward them?

Technorati Tags: Fitness Goals Monday,100 Pushups

Sunday Stealing

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger called Woozie at Tome of Communism. He explains that he's 18, not a communist and obviously he uses a rather unusual avatar. We aren't doing anything but stealing the meme. Woozie admits he stole this meme, but doesn't say from where. But, it was probably stolen at that blog as well. But that is as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!
Cheers to all us thieves!

 

Sunday Stealing: The Cannon Fodder Meme

1. Is there someone you'd like to be kissing right now? - Yes!  MWH! (Most Wonderful Husband for those who aren't regular readers.)

2. When you're being extremely quiet, what does it mean? - Usually that I'm tired or don't agree with what's being said but want to keep out of the discussion.

3. What are you listening to right now? - Cell by Stephen King

4. Are you a big fan of thunderstorms? - Yes!  I wish I lived where I had a better sky view so I could see the lightning.

5. Do you believe in perfect? - Yes, but I've given up hope of achieving it in this life.

6. Are you a jealous person? - Maybe a little, but not much.  MWH doesn't give me any cause to be jealous.

7. What was the first thing you thought this morning? - "I have to get right up because my in-laws are leaving about 9:00."

8. What do you think about when you are falling asleep? - Usually, I'm reviewing my day and thanking God for his mercy and grace.

9. Are you satisfied with what you have in life? - Yes.

10. Do people ever think that you're either older or younger than you actually are? - Occasionally.  I have more gray hair than most women my age.

11. Do you think men truly understand women? - Not a chance.

12. How about women understanding men? - Hardly.

13. Did anybody ever call you handsome or beautiful? - Only MWH.

14. What is one fact about the last person that called you? - She's my baby sister.

15. Other than your current one, what’s the longest relationship you have had? - My first marriage lasted a number of years, but not nearly as long as my current marriage.  This one will last forever.

You can join in the fun at Sunday Stealing.

Technorati Tags: Sunday Stealing

Photo Hunt - Hats

 

 

 

So many different hats.  From my older siblings in the upper left to my mom at age 17 in the lower right to the lighthouse keeper, my uncle at age 11, manikins wearing military hats from 1814, my dad and the guys he painted with, MWH with what he's always wanted (hair halfway down his back), my friend in his tam.  There were just too many hats to choose from so here is a nice selection.  Enjoy!

You can see more hats here. 

Technorati Tags: PhotoHunt

QFG - 100 Pushups

My quest is 100 knee pushups without stopping by Feb 28, 2009.  

Here are my workouts to date:

2008-12-08	Starting test	10
2008-12-10	6+6+4+4+10	30
2008-12-12	6+8+6+6+9	35
2008-12-15	8+10+7+7+10	42
2008-12-17	9+11+8+8+12	46
2008-12-19	10+12+9+9+14	44
2008-12-22	12+13+10+10+15	60
2008-12-24	Progress Test	19
2008-12-26	10+12+7+7+15	51
2008-12-29	10+12+8+8+18	56
2008-12-31	11+13+9+9+16	58
2009-01-03	12+14+11+10+16	63
2009-01-05	14+16+12+12+19	73
2009-01-07	16+18+13+13+20	80
2009-01-09	Progress Test	30
2009-01-12	14+18+14+14+22	82
2009-01-14	20+25+15+15+25	100
2009-01-16	22+30+20+20+25	117 - 3 short repeat day

 

Wow.  When I look at the workouts all laid out like that it just blows me away.  No wonder I'm getting muscles in my arms!  I have never in my life been able to do pushups in such large amounts.  Even as a freshman in high school when we had to do knee pushups for the President's Council on Physical Fitness I wasn't quite able to do the minimum amount.

The first 4 sets of pushups for each workout is given in the program.  The final set is as many as you can do with a stated minimum.  Today, I missed that minimum by 3 pushups.  So I'll repeat today's workout on Monday.

There are 6 weeks remaining until Feb 28.  That gives me 18 workout days.  I have a minimum of 13 workouts remaining.  I see no reason I shouldn't make my goal.

If you want to see how others are doing on their Quest For Greatness head over to Baby Tea Leaves.

Technorati Tags: Quest For Greatness,100 Pushups

Thursday Thunks

I discovered this meme as I was wandering around the blogosphere and thought it looked like fun.  So I decided to give it a try.

 

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Berleen, the color green and the number 1256.

 

 

 

 

 

1. What's the coldest temps you've experienced?  - I think the actual temp was pretty close to -40F here in central Michigan.  It might have been -20F with a windchill of -40F.  Whichever one it was it was COLD!  We could barely keep the house warm.

2. Whats for dinner tonight? - Probably BBQ country ribs, potatoes, and veggies or salad.

3. Would you consider this job in Australia? - I would LOVE that job, but sadly I'm not qualified.  I don't scuba dive, I'm not a very strong swimmer, and I've only been snorkeling once.

4. What was your favorite subject in high school? - Chemistry because we did all those fun experiments!  And math because it was fun.  Both seemed like puzzles or games to me.

5. How many hours a day is your TV on? - Probably 5 or 6.

6. Have you ever received an award? - I received the Math Award when I graduated from High School.  I was also Salutatorian of my HS class.  My team won first place the bowling league in 1975.  Oh, and my blog has won a few awards.

7. Whats your mousepad look like? - I don't use a mouse pad since I switched to an opitcal and now a laser mouse.

8. Do you think Bud should do the Thursday Thunk meme? - That's up to Bud.  He and I have agreed it's probably best if I avoid his blog. 

9. How many browser tabs do you have open right now? - ten

10. If you are a parent, have you or did you ever put Vicks VapoRub on your children under the age of 2? - No I didn't use it on my daughter when she was that small.  And only once or twice when she was older.

11. If you had to pick one insect to infest your house for 1 day and after that day they would just suddenly vanish, which insect infestation would you pick? - Since I have an all spring and most of the summer problem with black ants, that's the insect I'd chose.  And I'd also chose to be away from home that day!

12. What color is your underwear that you are wearing right at this moment? - Pink.

13. What was the last think you watched on TV? - Cash Cab

14. What are your plans for the 4th of July this year? - Haven't made plans yet.  Usually we go to my in-laws' home in northern Michigan or just stay home.

15. Tell us about one absolutely wonderful thing that happened to you as a teenager and every time you think of it, it brings a smile to your face. - Between my junior and senior years in HS, my parents, younger sister, and I took an amazing trip to the west coast.  We drove thru 7 states on the way out and 12 states on the way back.  We went thru 4 National Parks, visited family in both Washington and Oregon, and saw a super-cool storm in Nebraska.  We took a boat trip, went clam digging (I tried to eat them but didn't like them AT ALL.), and generally explored as much of the Northwest US as we could in 1 month.

16. What product could you sell someone based on your love for it? - The Rainbow.

 

If you want to join this Thursday meme, click here.

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Deb

Capt. Ed Freeman
Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)


While reading the info on Cpt. Freeman, I found that I couldn't have put it better than this.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

My World Tuesday - Ft McHenry

Over the Christmas holiday, we were able to take a trip to Baltimore, MD, and visit Ft McHenry.  It was following a pivotal battle in the War of 1812 at this site, that Francis Scott Key penned the words to what later became our National Anthem.

Here is a glimpse of what the fort looks like today.

 

 

 

 

 

This is a model of the fort as it existed in 1814.  The outer walls are brick on both sides with several feet of earth between them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approaching the Fort, you can see how thick the walls are.  The flagpole is an exact duplicate of the original from 1814.  The flag, however, is the one usually flown at night or in bad weather.  You can see it was very windy.  They have a replica of the flag flown in 1814, but it was not flying this day.  It is so large that it could bring down the flagpole in this wind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This ammo storage room was down a flight of stairs under the outer walls of the fort.  You can see barrels of gunpowder inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the many cannons positioned around the walls.  Some pretty big cannon balls, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a bombproof.  It is located in and under the inner walls of the fort.  The walls are thicker than this room is wide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the stockade.  There were 3 cells.  Can you tell my grandchildren had a really good time that day?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm standing at the entrance into the inner part of the fort.  You can see how small it is.  There was one small building behind me and one like those pictured to the left of the entryway.  That barn-like structure is another ammo magazine.  It, too has the extremely thick earth walls.  It's quite small inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a painting of the flag that was flown over Ft McHenry during the battle in 1814.  It was 30 feet by 42 feet.  And you can see how much of the flagpole it covered compared the flag in the earlier picture. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On September 14, 1814, after several days of battle, the last few spent on a truce ship, Francis Scott Key was on deck looking toward to fort to try to determine the outcome of the battle.  At dawn, he was able to make out the flag flying in victory.  These are the words he penned.

 

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out of of their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave'
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

 

To see other views visit MyWorld.

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One Weigh at a Time - Weekly Weigh-In #2

One week has passed since my fresh start on the weight loss ticker.  It has move a full 0.8 pounds lower!  I was hoping for a bigger loss, but the mini peanut butter cups I ate on Sunday afternoon probably didn't help.  I also had very little protein that day so I kind of sabotaged myself.  I'm happy with my progress, but I'm ready to move along a little faster.  Hopefully I'll be posting a larger loss next week!

Update:  I shouldn't blog at 2:30AM, I guess.  I asked everyone to include a tip for weight loss or fitness and then I forgot to do it.  My tip would be to post your goals around the house where you'll see them.  On the bathroom mirror so it's the first and last thing you see each day.  By your computer - this is a biggie for me - so you don't snack while you surf.  In the kitchen to remind you to choose healthy foods for snacks and meals.  And really think about the goals, don't just look past the paper.  Think about why you want to reach that goal and how you can do it.  Do you want to reach that goal more than you want that ice cream?

Head on over to One Weigh at a Time to see how others in the group are doing or to join us!

Technorati Tags: Weekly Weigh-in,Weight Loss

Fitness Goals Monday

I am currently tracking 3 goals.  All are related to fitness and very big life changes for me.  I'm attempting to go from couch potato to reasonable fit for my age.

My current goals and progress:

1.  Do 100 knee pushups by Feb 28, 09.

  I'm right on track.  Last Friday I did the progress test - 30 pushups!  I was ecstatic.  I was one short of moving on to week 5, but I did move from column 1 to column 3 for week 3.  I was able to complete today's training session with no trouble.

2.  Orient days and nights to a more normal schedule.

  Mixed review on this goal this week.  I did better than last week so I feel I'm moving forward.  Still none of my rising times was anywhere near 7:00 AM.  Three were between 8:30 and 9:00, three were between 9:00 and 10:00.  We won't talk about the other one.

3.  Consistently eat 5 servings or more of fruits and veggies daily by Feb 28, 09.

  I've moved from an average of somewhere below 1 to this week's average of 3.333... servings per day.

I'm very happy with this progress and hope to report even better progress next week.

 

What are your fitness goals?  Link up below and let us know how you're doing on your fitness goals.

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Wordless Wednesday - Sunday Edition

An October surprise outside my front door.

 

 

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Do you need a smile?

In my wanderings through the world of Entrecard today I found this wonderful video at Symphony of Love.  I almost didn't play it, but I'm glad I did.  I think you'll like it to.

 

 

Hope it made you smile!

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QFG and 100 Pushups

     

I am doing the happy dance!  My cats are looking at me as if I'm crazy.  And I'm singing "I did 30 pushups!  I did 30 pushups!"

So anyone up for a guess on how I'm doing in my Quest For Greatness?  I did the progress test for the end of Week 4 about 10 minutes ago.  I did how many pushups?  Good, I'm glad you're paying attention.  You passed the test! 

Had I been able to do just 1 more, I could have moved on to Week 5.  I'll be going back to re-do Weeks 3 and 4 using column 3 instead of column 1.  WooHoo!  I did 30 pushups!  OK, I'm done dancing again and I'm back in my seat. 

When I first considered the 100 pushups challenge, I couldn't do even 1 full pushup and I gave up on ever being able to do it.  Thank you, Christie, for this challenge.  It made me re-think what I can and cannot do.  I tried knee pushups and surprised myself by doing 10.  It was a real struggle to get that many.  But it made me see that I could do a physical challenge.  When I started, I saw myself struggling thru the training program.  But now, I see myself doing 100 knee pushups.  And then doing them again - easier.  And again!  Before Feb 28!

Then I see myself going thru the training program doing full pushups.  And I can really see myself doing 100 full pushups.  I'll set a goal date when I've completed my knees.

If you want to see how others are progressing head over to Christie's Quest For Greatness.  What challenge have you set for yourself?

Technorati Tags: Quest For Greatness,100 Pushups

Thursday Thirteen episode 14

 

We've had lots of snow this winter.  December was our 3rd snowiest on record.  It makes watching the bird feeders that much more interesting.  We even added a second set of feeders outside my office window. 

Here are 13 different birds I've seen on the feeders.

1. Gold Finch
2. House Finch
3. Sparrow
4. Chickadee
5. Nuthatch
6. Blue Jay
7. Bluebird
8. Junko
9. Mourning Dove
10. Red Bellied Woodpecker
11. Downy Woodpecker
12. Hairy Woodpecker
13. Flicker

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants  

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Wednesday Hero

Airman Melissa Pyle


Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Melissa Pyle mans a jet blast deflector station on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Gulf Of Oman. Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.