Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

We are doing a 12 week challenge for weight loss at the OWOA site so I am posting this here for quick reference.

Leann’s 12 Week Weight Loss Challenge

Reasons I MUST change:
1. To lower my cholesterol
2. To be able to play with my family (hiking, walking, running, etc…)
3. To lower my risk of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension (all run in my family)
4. To help me as I go through Perimenopause and menopause
5. To be healthy and strong and live a long time to raise my children and enjoy my husband later in life.

By December 25, 2006 I will:
1. Lose 10 more pounds
2. Be able to run at least 2 miles at one time
3. Continue to lose inches (not sure how many but just consistently be shedding them) – would love to fit back into a size 10 by Christmas but if I am closer to that goal than I am now by then but not quite there that is fine, too.
4. Be free from the bondage of sugar!!!
5. Take my daily vitamins and get the nutrition I need to be strong and healthy and not just lose weight.

List 5 accomplishments needed to reach my Goal(s):
1. Drink 80 ounces of water per day
2. Run three days a week and walk 3 days a week
3. Lift weights at least one day a week
4. Continue to cut sugar (we are down to one dessert a week at our house)
5. Find healthier snacks and lunches to make and make a plan for lunch each day (that is my weakest eating link - lunch and getting in those snacks)

Got a test today so I am offline studying as of 5 minutes from this posting.  See you guys tomorrow, most likely. 

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

Being the beginning of a new month I need to make a few reports for my own records.  So, if you will bear with me I am going to do some summaries of August and the summer...

Summer Reading Challenge

My goal for the summer reading challenge was to read one book a week.  Most of the books I read were for reviews that I had to finish and I did not come close to getting 12 books read.  Here is the list

*   He Talk Like a White Boy - Joseph C. Phillips
*   Confessions of a Supermom - Melanie Lynn Hauser
*   How to Be Your Own Publicist - Jessica Hatchigan
*   Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room - Barbara Curtis
*   What Christianity is All About - Alan Kent Scholes

I read in the Bible
*   The books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians

I finished
*   The Prayer of Jesus by Ken Hemphill and
*   Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore

The Fall Reading List



I am planning to try to get to all of these books by the end of December.  I may  not make it but I will be trying.  I have three fiction books that I need to get read and have been putting them off.  I have to make myself read fiction because I have trouble just sitting and reading for the sake of reading.  I tend to be one that likes to just read to learn.  The fiction will be good for me...




















No Television Month

Nancy DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts sponsored a TV free month for the month of August.  We made our goals for this month and set our own family perimeters and this is how we did...

*   We watched only DVDs and videos from our Netflix account that were family friendly with the children. 
*   We noticed a change in behavior over the time that we had the television off.  The children were more creative and played better together when the TV was off consistently
*   I got more done around the home and now have no desire to watch the television during the day (which was almost never anyway). 
*   We read more books and spent more time in creative endeavors over the past 31 days.
*   We like the television being off and plan to do that much more now.

My Better Off Challenge Plan

I have been reading a book called Better Off:  Flipping the Switch on Technology

In doing so I have made a decision for the month of September to shut my computer off all but about 1 hour a day.  I am on it much too much and it stays on almost all day.  I will take my router card out and only use it, after checking e-mail and posting here, to work on typing school stuff such as homework and study guide information.  I am also going to bed earlier and getting up earlier to work and study before the children are up.  My hours have become a bit off over the past few weeks and I need to reign that in and get back to early rising.  We will also continue to have the television off except for planned movie watching as a family one or two nights a week (Fridays and Saturdays).  There are more goals I will probably make as I get closer to finishing the book but this is a start...

I won't be turning off my kitchen appliances or my laundry room equipment.  I will also not be turning off the sewing machine even though I do have a treadle sewing machine.  I will stick to my plug and sew mode.  I am of the opinion that they are our househelp of the 21st century and I won't be firing the help.  They help me do my job better and more efficiently and they are also an important part of my schooling right now.  The computer, television and radio are not as essential to my everyday work so they can go. 

Weight Loss Program

The plan I am on is basically a portion control plan and I have been eating mostly vegetarian and cutting sugar out of my diet.  I have lost 8 pounds in the last 31 days.  I feel better and my clothes fit better.  I will continue with this plan and step up my exercising from three days a week to five and jog on three of those days.  I will also be adding weight-lifting at least one day a week.  I also realize that my weight loss rate will probably slow down this next month because I have lost the initial water weight that I had.  I am following recipes from the Sonoma Diet and several cookbooks I have including some Rachael Ray recipes that are very healthy and loaded with nutritional value.

Food for Thought:  Do we really NEED to shop at Walmart and Sam's Club?

You can read more about Walmart's decision to become a "Rainbow" organization here...




That's all I've got...

Have an awesome weekend and I will see you Monday - maybe... Have a Happy Labor Day if I don't make it on and don't work too hard!!!  ;)

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

    Let's see, I have shared that I am going to be getting back to Bible study and exercise and I am shutting the television off for a month.  The next thing on my list is to eat better and lose those 25 excess pounds that have been haunting me since I had my last baby.  My friend Blestwithsons is ready to help us with that for anyone interested.  We are forming a "weight loss group" of sorts online.  It is a blog for women just like us that are ready to take that plunge and encourage one another along the way.  So, you can read our journeys over at OneWeighorAnother and you can join us if you like, too.  So, if you are doing anything to lose weight and want some group support then just pop over and let Blest or me know you are interested so we can add you to the group...  See ya there...

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

I have a few book reviews that must be done during the remainder of the week.  I do have some thoughts on being a pastor's/ministry wife that I want to share and have wanted to share for some time now.  That will be my next project along with more Tackle-it-Tuesday and Carnival of Beauty posts.  I am still planning a few Carnival of Homeschool posts, too.  I appreciate all that read and hope you will stay tuned for more...

Speaking of the Carnival of Homeschooling  #26 looks fabulous!!!  Hop on over and take a look...

Blessings!!!

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

I have been contemplating what it is that I should be focusing on here at my blog.  I was hopping around and reading some various blogs yesterday when I came upon a post that Heather at Mom 2 Mom Connection wrote about passions.  That spurred me to think about what I love most. 

I will have you know that I wrote an absolutely splendid diatribe on the SBC, Pinckney and Homeschooling this afternoon that would have probably bored you to tears and with the mere press of one little button it was gone - never to be read by anyone.  In my frustration I just shut it down and went about my business.  I have been thinking about writing more things that would expose the fundamentalist, Southern Baptist conservative that I am with a few twists and changed beliefs along the way.  That really is not my forte' but I might delve into a few of those posts as I go for fun. 

I could also write about parenting or homeschooling but even though they are a huge part of my life they are not the thing that is resoundingly consuming my day.  I feel I have some things to offer in those areas as I become more experienced but as I was told recently by a friend, I am not really a Titus 2 Mommy, yet.  At least not to most of you who are of the same age and position as me although I have had the privilege of bringing new homeschoolers in and helping them on occasion.  That has been a real thrill for me.  Most of you already homeschool or have made other arrangements and are happy with that choice so you are not looking here for that information for the most part. 

My passion has been building over the past 10 years or so.  It all started when I began training to teach aerobics and taking classes in personal training.  I began to get the fitness and health bug.  We also went through a round of testing for allergies and had to make some serious changes in our diet as a family.  I have a serious soy allergy that causes some recurring symptoms when I am exposed to large amounts.  The worst being a rash that lasts for days at a time all over my body and itches uncontrollably.  Almost every prepackaged food in the local grocery store has some form of soy in it.  That meant that I had to find a way to start making many things myself.  I was a collector of cookbooks up to that point but the need for cookbooks became more necessary so that I could teach myself to prepare good, healthy food for myself and my family. 

As I began to cook more and learn skills I found that I really enjoyed working in the kitchen and preparing food.  The need for health has been increased in recent years with the onset of serious hypertension in my husband, some health issues with my daughter and the onset of perimenopause with me.  I am constantly in search of more healthy ways of living and eating.  God opened the door this year for me to use my skills in breadmaking to begin a small cottage industry.  I now have about 6 regular customers and requests for other things besides bread coming in.  The door has been opened for me to attend culinary school, too. 

My history with food has been preparing me for this my whole life.  My cooking is more natural  and holistic all the time.  I recently found that I had a food sensitivity to nitrites/nitrates and we have made even more changes.  The learning never ends for me but that is exciting.  I love learning.  I love making these changes and seeing how God is using what I am learning - what He is teaching me.  I have been able to minister through this love for food and service as the kitchen team leader at my church.  I have been able to supply meals to people who are in need - new babies, sick wives or husbands, family emergencies, etc...  I have been able to teach some to make some fun foods.  I have been able to feed my children.  They are strong and healthy children.  I have been able to minister to my husband in preparing foods that make him feel better and live longer. 

Food is so much more than just food for me - it is family, ministry, love, memories and health and life.  Food, healthy food is my passion.  I cannot wait to see what is in store...

Speaking of food, my Italian class is tomorrow night and we will be making pasta for the next few weeks.  I got a new pasta machine in the mail today and cannot wait to use it!  I also have some "new" cookbooks coming.  I got some great deals on used books and the pasta maker was 50% off!!!  Dan has also started on new shelving and we will be slowly remodeling my kitchen over the next year.  SO.MUCH.FUN!!!!!

Coming up...

*   More food blogging and some recipes
*   Some Amish philosophy and what we can learn from them
*   Photoblogging...

Blessings!!!

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

    I actually started this last Monday.  I am officially in training for fall 5K races.  There are three that I want to do for sure. 

*   Start with walking 5 days a week
*   the FIRM weight training 2 days a week
*   Work up to running three days, walking 2 days and lifting 2 days (the days I walk)

Still working on food plans...

I am writing this down so I will feel more accountable.  :)

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

    Between June 1, 2006 and August 15, 2006 there are approximately 10 weeks. 

I will be reading:

How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren - 2 Chapters per week and taking lots of notes as I go.  Dan read this and is willing to do a two person "Book Club" with me so we can talk about it as we go. 

I will also be reading 10 other books, one per week.  I am not sure what those will be yet but I will start with book review books that I need to finish.  If I can read more than that then great but I will make my goal 10 to start and see how that goes.  The good thing about goals is that you can evaluate and rewrite them as you go to meet your needs and situation.  Self evaluation is a good thing.  ;)   I will try to include at least three fiction books (one per month).  Most of you know that I do not read tons of fiction but I do enjoy it when I do.  I will try at least one new author over the summer (probably Jodi Picoult) and a classic (maybe Pride and Prejudice - for you Blest...)  I will be posting on what I am reading throughout the summer.

I am also finishing up our LBY study in the next few weeks.  I am officially behind (still working on lesson 8) but hope to catch up and finish only a week late with the study.  I will be posting more on each of the sections as our Women at Home group is going through it.  There is so much in this study that I need to continue to contemplate and apply so it will do me a world of good to go back (a third time) and read. 

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

    Dan is officially out of school TODAY!!!  We are making our lists and plans for a summer full of projects and challenges.  I thought I would share a few that I am doing online and then later I will post our project list for our Better Home Better Life challenge...  not a formal challenge just a motto around here for the summer.  I will explain more later...

On with the summer stuff...

You might note in my sidebar that I have added a few things.  There is a

Summer Reading Challenge and the deadline to sign up is May 31, 2006 so hurry if you are interested in joining.  Click on the link for more info...

There is a new blog for encouraging Moms of Boys to step up and raise them as Godly men.  You can check it out here:  Like Joshua

I am also challenging myself to post some articles to the Carnival of Homeschooling and to the Like Joshua site. 

There are lots of crochet and knit-along groups out there but I am doing my own thing and challenging myself to a SOCK AND SHAWL CHALLENGE.  I thought I would work on those two things all summer.  If ya wanta join me, feel free!!!  As a new crocheter this will greatly improve my skills and produce some items to share in the process.  Let me know if you join me and I will link to you...  Thanks!!!

That gets me started here... Now, on to the home improvement list.  See ya later...

ADDED:  I will also be trying to finish the quilt that I am currently working on.  If you are interested, I put up some pics of quilts from around my home at MY FLICKR.  I am working on square #7 (the July square) right now and hope to put up some more in-progress pics this weekend...  :)

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

    If you are interested in joining the Clean Heart, Clean Home Challenge you are not too late.  You can go to Dandelion Seeds and get started today...  You can sign up for e-mail reminders but they are not overwhelming.  She is merely sending them as she makes a daily post challenge - one e-mail not a bazillion a day.  I will keep a link in the right hand column for the remainder of the challenge.

Well, my challenge needs to get underway so this will be short.  I am making my challenge a Clean Heart, Clean Home, Fit Body Challenge. 

Clean Heart - I started Living Beyond Yourself this week for my Bible study time.  I am also finishing up with 1 Samuel this weekend and moving into 2 Samuel next week.  I am also finishing up with the Prayer of Jesus in the next week or so, too.  With the time change it will be difficult but I will be committing to rising early for exercise and study time.  This requires that I MUST COMMIT to an earlier bedtime. 

Clean Home - Following Amy's challenge pages...

Fit Body - A daily walk five times a week.  Work up to jogging three days and walking two days per week.  Start lifting weights at least one day a week but shoot for two days.  Starting with the low sugar, low salt, low fat plan this week - using Body For Life criteria for the eating part of this and a modified version for the cardio and strength parts.

Let the Spring Cleaning Begin!!!

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

This is the day I am starting my new mission.  I am determined to lose these pounds if it KILLS me.  LOL  For many reasons, none of which I will endeavor to address at this moment, I need to be in a regular exercise and healthy eating regimine.  This day I resolve to...

 

1.   Haul thine rather large tookus out from under thine warm and cozy bedding to walk for 30 minutes a day at least 5 times per week.

 

2.   Fill thine stomach with good and healthy foods making sure to eat a protein and a carbohydrate at each of my small meals 6 times per day.

 

3.   Fill thine ever hungry little mind with lots and lots of scripture each morning before setting to work on anything else and converse with my Father ALL DAY LONG.

 

4.   Use thine hands to bless the socks off others.

 

5.   Stop thine infernal multitasking and focus on the tasks at hand to give them mine full attention

 

6.   Indulge thine mind and the minds of thine children in the pure enjoyment of great literature at least once a day. 

 

7.   Enjoy thine life and stop wishing for what thine does not have.

 

8.   Purge thy bulging rooms from their clutter by throwing out, AT THE VERY LEAST, ten things per day.

 

9.   Fill thine home with the smells of bread baking and beautiful edifying music and words.

 

10.  Sit down to thine own personal quiet and cup of tea each day.

 

That is all...

 

Oh yeah, call my friend Blestwithsons, when I need a friendly word or a day out!!! *big giant wink*

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

This is what I am aiming for to blog on a regular basis.  This is not set in stone and I may do what is on the agenda and then another for the day so that might mean two a day if I have time some days.  I am also planning a few series and ongoing topics to go with the Virtuous Values thing I started and then there is whatever God lays on my heart to write about, too.  So that is what I mean by loose and fast...  Not set in stone and could change at any time.

 

Prattling Pastor’s Wife

 

Monday – Memory Mondays – a memory meme will prompt me to share things from my life – memories of childhood, teen years or anything that I want to write about from my life that is in the category of a memory.  The meme comes from Dana or maybe something I just choose to write about that week.

Tuesday – Daily Life in Our Home – this is anything that is going on at home including things I am reading and writing, schooling, anything that my Mom wants to know… ;)

Wednesday – Word Wednesdays – this is the day to share my study time lessons, scriptures and sermon notes along with spiritual books I am reading and lots of quotes.

Thursday – Thankful Thursdays

Friday – Photo Fridays  

Saturday – Free for all…

Sunday – Computer Fasting

 

Life on the Homestead…

 

Monday – Menu planning, recipes and in the kitchen stuff

Tuesday – Gardening

Wednesday – Handiwork projects

Thursday – Time for a checkup… schedules, chores, goals – how am I doing???

Friday – Photo Fridays on the Homestead

Saturday – Free for all…

Sunday – Computer Fasting

 

 

Posted in 2006 Goals and Plans

I know that Proverbs 31 is not the end all and be all of what a Christian woman should aspire to but God keeps bringing me back time and time again to learn from it.  This year is another Proverbs 31 year for me.  I recently read through it again and wrote down 10 basic Virtuous Values for 2006 and over the next 10 days I will be elaborating on each point. 

 

Here is the passage...

 

In Praise of a Capable Wife

Prov 31:10-31 (HCSB)

 

 

Here is the process by which I came up with the plan...

 

As I went back over the passage I noticed ten basic things that I feel we are called to in this passage.  The way that the passage is written it stresses several of these points twice within the passage.  Here is a list of how they break down. 

 

1.   Relationship with husband v.11-12

      Allow husband time to study and be known in the gates v. 23

 

2.   Sewing and working with hands

      Provides clothing and warmth for family

      Dresses well  v.13, 19, 21-22

 

3.   Providing and preparing food for family v. 14-15

 

4.   Early rising v. 15

 

5.   Financial savy and running a business

      Sells goods and services v. 16, 18 & 24

 

6.   Physically fit and strong v. 17

 

7.   Charitable v. 20

 

8.   Time Management v. 15 & 27

 

9.   Be a woman who fears the Lord

      Not afraid of things to come v. 25-26 & 30

 

10.  Opens mouth with wisdom and loving instruction

       Safety and security for family

      Watches over activities of household and is not idle v. 12 & 25-27

 

This is the list I came up with for my ten catagories...

 

1.  Marriage Relationship

 

2.   Handiwork and clothing provision

 

3.   Food Provision and Preparation

 

4.   Early rising

 

5.   Cottage Industry

 

6.   Physically fit and strong

 

7.   Charitable

 

8.   Time Management

 

9.   Be a woman who fears the Lord - not afraid of things to come

 

10.  Wise and Loving in Instructing Children

 

This is what I will be writing about over the coming week and a half...