A to Z Blog Challenge - E

Letter E

Easter

Well, of course with Easter right around the corner... Easter is on my mind! If you saw in my previous post, I pulled my little bunnies down from the attic and I am working on finding them a temporary home until they go back up in the attic for another year! Of course, bunnies are not the real reason for Easter. The real meaning of Easter is to celebrate the fact that 2,000 years ago Christ, our Lord & Savior, was crucified (put to death by being nailed to a cross). He was then laid to rest in a tomb, but after three days he rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. He died to save all people of the world, from their sins. I think that it's wonderful that Easter arrives in the Spring, because both are about "new life".

England

I love Geneology and tracing my family heritage. I recently traced my Father's surname to England. I traced it all the way back to the year 1225! I used what little information that I knew about my family and by way of http://www.ancestry.com/, found out even more! Through blogging, I have a new and dear friend (and fellow blogger!) that lives near the same area of England that my ancestors were from! I would love for you to check out her blog at Southhamsdarling. She would love it if you stopped by! My dream is to someday (hopefully soon!) be able to visit this part of England and walk where my ancestors walked, and maybe even meet up with my "blogging buddy" over there, as well!

Egypt

Do you have a favorite word?? Would you believe that one of my favorites is.. Egypt?? Hahaa. I'm sure you are curious to know why in the world would I pick this as my favorite word! No. It is not a word that I "say" often. It is just such a fun word to write in cursive!!! -- Go ahead! Try it out!! -- I love the way that the letters flow as you write the word! I know. Not many of us even write in cursive anymore. My cursive is kind of a blend between cursive and print! Are teachers still teaching cursive in school?? I don't even know. Makes me wonder!

Ears

Yes. You are probably wondering why I would pick this word of all words that start with E. I am not sure why either, but "pierced ears" came to my mind. When I was a young teenage girl, I wanted so badly to get my ears pierced like all of my friends. But, my daddy would always say... "No. If God wanted you to have holes in your ears, then he would have put them there in the first place!" I'm pretty sure that he used a stern voice when he said this because I think I asked him begged quite frequently! He wouldn't budge on it, tho! I hope you don't think badly of me when I tell you this... but, after he died (I was 18)... I went and got them pierced!

Exercise

Ahhhh..... the thing that most of us dread in this world! Why can't we all just have perfect bodies and be able to eat whatever it is that we wanted and not gain a single pound or inch??? It sure seems like there ARE people in this world that are lucky enough to be able to do this, but I am (unfortunately) not one of them! Exercise and I have a long history. When I was a teenager, I guess I had a high metabolism because I ate JUNK and was a STICK! But... adulthood came along and... BAM! Goodbye high metabolism! Hello unwanted, overweight, pounds! UGH! For the past 26 years, my weight and I have battled! Unfortunately, I rarely win any of the battles! Right now... I am doing "ok" with exercise. I am trying, but the pounds are not going anywhere! They seem to like where they are and they aren't moving out!

I Want to Get Physical

Last week, I did really good. I made it to the gym 4 days in a row!! And yes... I DID exercise! Two of those days, I even went BEFORE work!! I thought it would be tough, but I did it and I liked it!

I am actually ANXIOUS to get there today and I am actually looking forward to working out! YAY! I am excited to be back in this mode of thinking! I have been here before (several times!), but somehow... the excited-ness wears off, and I go back to hating exercise.

Olivia Newton John's song.... "Let's Get Physical" is playing in my mind at the moment (even though... I don't think that was what she was singing about! LOL!)

But, that is what I want to do! I want to "get physical" so that I can "be fit"!

Excercise really isn't the hardest part for me. It's the "eating" part that is hard! I KNOW what I am supposed to be eating and what I shouldn't eat. But, I have a hard time following the rules. Temptation ALWAYS gets the best of me!

So, off I go.... to eat a HEALTHY breakfast, do some chores, and then head to the gym.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 18

Today, I am thankful to be able to work out at the gym again!

I used to go to the gym 3 times a week, but when I lost my job a little over a year ago, it was something that I had to give up because of the cost. It was $34 a month, which may not sound like a lot... but, to someone without a salary.... it IS a lot!

I kept up with my exercising at home for a while. After Christmas, we bought a Wii game system and also the "Wii Fit" program for it.

I started a new job in January, and there for a while, I had a really good routine down and was working out frequently with the Wii. I also rode my bike a couple times a week for several miles. I was doing good until Summer arrived and I lost my routine and... with the heat.... I also lost my motivation!

This Fall, I have tried and tried to get my routine back, but have failed for whatever reason.

Recently, I noticed a billboard for a different gym in town that promised a "month-to-month", no contract membership for $19.95. I have kept that in my brain for several weeks now and finally decided to go "inquire" about it, yesterday.

Of course, they tried to sell me the $30.00 a month / 2 yr contract membership.... but, I stuck to my guns and walked out with the membership that I came for! **Smile**

No. I don't get to go to the "classes" or visit their "other" gyms.. but, that's not what I'm interested in anyway. I just want a place that... #1 - I can afford! ... and #2 - I can go in, do my workout, and leave.

Yes. I did debate whether or not I could really afford the $19.95 a month, but I figured that I could cut back on my spending some (because we ALL know how quickly $20 gets spent!! Right??), then I shouldn't have any problem affording it.

I also started panicking this past weekend about the holidays coming up and how much food I will be surrounded with!!! YIKES!! I already know of TWO parties that I will be attending! They're fun, but.... where there's a party... there's also FOOD!!

So, I am hoping that going to the gym as often as I can during these "food-filled-holidays", then it will help! It's got to!! It sure can't hurt!!

A to Z Blog Challenge ~ X

The word for today is EXAMINE. Yes. I know that this word does not begin with the letter X, but there aren't many that do! This word fits me today because I have realized that I have GOT to re-examine my daily routine!

I used to have a morning routine that started with having coffee with God. I would pray, read my devotions, and write in my journal. Then... I would check my email, read Facebook, and write in my blog.

Lately... for whatever reason... I have lost my routine. Yes, I could sit here and think of every excuse in the world as to how I lost it, but there really is no excuse.

I also need to re-examine my exericise routine! I can't seem to find a good time to fit it in. I enjoy my Wii Fit very much, but I like to be home alone when I do it. For me, it is very distracting when my family is around.... which is almost ALL THE TIME! I've been able to ride my bike at least once a week, but would like to ride it more often, too.

I want to eat better and more healthy, too. So, I plan to re-examine my meals that I cook. Yesterday, I found a wonderful Betty Crocker "Heart Healthy" cookbook at the book store. I am excited about finding new, healthy recipes to cook for my family!

Bucket List #79-81

WOW!! We're coming into the last 20, folks!!

#79 --- Delete old files in my computer --- I don't know about you... but, these build up in my computer, and every now and then.... I MUST delete them. As I told you before, this list was first made a couple of years ago. I must have needed to do it then, and I STILL need to do this! In fact... I think I DID do this since I first made this list, but I really do need to do it again!

#80 --- Lose 30lbs and keep it off! --- This may sound EASY to some of you, but let me tell you.... It is NOT EASY at all for some of us!! According to all the nutrition books that I read -- (Yes, I read about being healthy ALL the time!) -- for my height and body structure.... a "healthy" weight for me is between 107 and 135. Well, I think if I weighed 107... I would look sick and UNhealthy!! My first goal is to get to 135. Then, if I can get there.... I would like to keep going and try to make it to 125, even tho I think I will look just FINE at 135!! But, getting to 130 or 125, would give me a little "room" in case I "over indulge" on occasions - *smile*. I would like to mention that when I first wrote this list... I DID need to lose 30lbs, but..... drum roll please.... I have already lost close to 10lbs of that 30!! WAHOOO!!!!

#81 --- Get in better physical shape --- I used to HATE LOATHE to exercise, but now... I really do enjoy it. This is because I have finally (just in the past couple of years) found things that I "enjoy" doing. I LOVE to ride my bike! But, I only enjoy this when the weather is cool. I can not... I repeat..... CAN NOT... do this in the Summer heat & humidity that we have here in Georgia! Nope. Can't do it.

Recently, we bought a Wii and a Wii Fit Plus, for me - *Smile*. I LOVE my Wii Fit Plus!!! It makes exercising FUN! Yes... I said, FUN!! I also bought another game for the Wii that is a DANCING game. I LOVE it, too!! It is great fun and quite a cardio work out!! So, that is what I've been doing this Summer. I am anxious for the weather to cool down tho, so I can get back to bike riding. I really miss it.

But, back to my original thought here.... I want to continue to exercise, so that I can continue to be in good physical health!

The ULTIMATE place to ride... THE BEACH!!!