Working so much is interferring with my life!

I have never given much thought about winning the lottery . . one, I think I would have to play to win and second, anyone who knows me knows I have rotten luck! But working so much lately has me fantasizing about what I would do if I didn't have to work, would I be a happier person?

I just finished an article on "10 Things Scientists Say Can Make you Happy"

1) Savor Everyday Moments . . you know "smell the roses" or smell the chocolate whatever works for you

2) Avoid Comparisons . . . Keeping up with the Joneses . . or the Mike & Kelly's of the world . . . . lol

3) Put Money low on the list . . which I find easy when you don't have it

4) Have meaningful goals . . "happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure & meaning"

5) Take initiative at work . . . take a risk . . (like using the bathroom after a co-worker who's been in there for 15 minutes)

6) Make Friends, Treasure Family . . like to think I do this one . . but always room for improvement.

7) Smile even when you don't feel like it . . mission accomplished . . I do it to irritate people

8) Say thank you like you mean it . . . this is one of my favorite! thank - you, thank all of you!

9) Get out and exercise . . . working on this one daily . . makes you feel so good and who doesn't love to sweat!

10) Give it away, Give it away now . . . money, time, helping a neighbor, donating goods . . also makes you feel good! I really am working on this one . . I have tons that could go.

If I had more free time on my hands I could work on the list of 10 things . . but wait I am happy . . . so could these make me happier? So my goal the next two months is to incorporate these 10 things into my life - I believe that I do most of them anyway. . . but I'm adding a few more of my own.

11) Make sure I thank God each day for all of my blessing . . .especially the little ones that I often overlook

12) Don't get out of bed without stretching . . toes pointed and hands over your head . . not a sight for the weak at heart!

13) Sing out loud in the car . . OK try to look like your talking on your cell phone if it makes you feel better . . . like I've done that one

14) Take a deep breath of fresh air . . . fill up your lungs . . but don't swallow any bugs

15) Try to find time to look up to the heavens at the clouds or stars depending on the time of the day . . make sure you stand still for this one . . you know dog poo and all

You know if I ever do win the lottery I would just give most of it away . . . maybe having lots of money is over rated . . .

The cost of getting healthy!

I have made a commitment to myself that 2009 is the year I will finish the journey I started in January 2006 - have my skin removal surgery and get back to working out at least 30 minutes a day 6 days a week. One of the goals that I set for myself is to find 5k races in Mid-Michigan and walk one each month, March - October 2009.
So I've been walking my dog as often as my work schedule will allow to get some training in and I thought the shoes I had gotten would be great for my new venture . . . I was wrong! So on my sisters advice, thanks Kel, I went to Runners. Don't go there thinking you will get a pair of shoes for 19.95 . . . 150.00 later I had 3 new pair of socks and a great pair of walking shoes.
Saturday morning my friend, Pam and I headed out to walk a 5k in Flushing. Although the sun was shining it was rather chilly but once we got going it warmed up. This is the first time I have walked a race alone (at my own pace) - it was a great opportunity to set a time to base future races on. With my I-Pod ready to roll we headed out, Pam set out on her pace and was off on her own and me at my pace . . . dam short legs! Having my I-Pod with all my favorite songs . . . ZZ Topp . . . Lynard Skinnard (? on spelling) and of course . . . the best of Disco . . a little Cyndi Lauper . . "Girls just Wanta have Fun" I was off! Just when I didn't think I had it in my to go another step farther . . . "We are Family" starts blaring on my I-Pod . . . yes I did have all my sisters with me . . Jessie, Kelly, Lee, Margie, Auntie Kay, Donna, Jenny, Bonnie and Annette were all there in my head telling me I could do it, keep going, don't give up . . and there it was the beautiful line on the payment that said I was in the last mile and than as "Family Tradition with my man Hank" started . . . there was the finish line . . . I was almost there.
I completed in 51.40 . . . I was thinking an hour maybe an hour and 10 minutes . . (you have to remember that I'm just starting out.) I was so very proud of myself (I did however pull a mussel in my upper leg which I'm nursing here at work with a heating pad) . . . but all in all I'm feeling pretty good about my accomplishment. I'm looking forward to next month when I will walk another local race.
In June, Pam and I will be heading to Mackinaw Island for a 10k race . . . the thought of walking 6 miles has me a little freaked out but she says it's just like walking around Cedar Point . . . I forgot to tell her . . . I hate Cedar Point . . lol

Am I ready for cyber life?

I work such crazy hours and thankfully I can access a few things on the Internet here at work like blogs, email, my favorite site "obesityhelp". I can't access "facebook" or "myspace" and lately I have been getting tons of activity . . . OK not tons but more activity than I thought. I heard from Lauria, she is the daughter of the doctor my kids had while they were growing up, she sent a note wanting first to know how old they are and then what they were up to. I heard from a few high school friends who had nice comments to say about my picture. It's where I can find my favorite cousin, Kitty and hear from an old co-worker. At 51 have a "facebook" a "myspace" who'd figure! Kevin set up one and Jessie set up the other. It took me days to figure out how to change the picture and someday I want to add photos of my children and grand angel but haven't had the time . . as it takes me forever.

So I just feel like I'm from the old school where we call each other, run into each other in the store or the gas station. Don't get me wrong it's nice to see all my daughter's adventures in her blog and reconnect with old friends but I don't know how well I am at this cyber life . . .

I guess I am that old dog who does not want to learn new tricks!

Something to Share

For those of you who have never had the privilege of reading Maya Angelou's poem about being a Christian - please take the time to read it and then read it again. It is wonderful! I have been searching for this for the last year and in less than a minute my beautiful daughter had it to me. I wanted to share this because the words ring so true and with Easter Sunday approaching remembering how He gave his life for our sins I just wanted to share her words.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Christians
By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'.
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."


When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.


When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.


When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow.


Christians do not think they are perfect or better than others.
They know they are not.