75 STRONG - Day 3

 I slept much better last night even though I stayed up an hour past my goal bedtime.

I did the physical therapy exercises twice today. I set an alarm for 3:30 PM and answered the call!

I drank all of the quart of water, plus tea. I made oatmeal for breakfast, with added nuts, sunflower seeds and blueberries. Maple syrup and a little cream made a delicious meal. Lunch was zucchini and onions and brown rice with 2 eggs scrambled in, plus some colby jack cheese and a roma tomato. For dinner I ate a piece of cod and a bowl of zucchini soup. Snacks included half an apple and a slice of cheese, and some of the Keto Clusters.  

I got an hour's worth of fresh air tending my plants and clipping some weeds and dead plants. I trimmed the kudzu vines that were reaching halfway across the gate. It was relatively cool today and I stayed in the shade as much as possible. I talked to Darla on the phone for half an hour while I worked - it's so convenient to be able to put it on speaker, lay the phone down, and have hands free to get stuff done while I'm yakking away.

I tried calling Rihna today but got a message that the phone wasn't available. I should have gone to her house, but I talked myself out of it. (Old habits of procrastination) I did a tiny bit of family history, tried to figure out how to get pictures off of texts and into Google photos. And now I'm having trouble getting them on to this blog! I posted one on yesterday's entry, but can't post one on today's.

Reading included 2 more chapters in Alma. One describing Amalickiah, who wanted power and control over everybody, and the next chapter describing Moroni, a man who was "firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn to defend his people, his rights, his country, and his religion."  The Isaiah chapter I read reiterated Israel's slacking, and the Lord's eventual gathering of them.   The library book I'm reading (rather, listening to) is The Adventures of Charlie, about the life of a black man who lived to be 109. Today's chapter was about Charlie and 2 friends driving across the US in a Model T right after they graduated high school. There were not even paved roads at the time! What a different time it was!

 I learned on Youtube that the temple endowment has been changed somewhat (shortened by 20 min). I'll be doing initiatories and sealings tomorrow. Will schedule an endowment for next time.

75 STRONG - Day 2

 I don't have trouble doing the PT exercises in the morning, but haven't disciplined myself to do the  second round I'm supposed to do each day. Must work towards that! Things happen, you know, and there's not a natural starting place like first thing in the morning. Maybe setting an alarm?

I drank a whole quart of water today! Plus a cup of herb tea. Ate 2 eggs for breakfast, my good lentil soup with meatballs added for lunch, and cabbage salad with 4 or 5 oz of chicken breast for dinner. My snack was some Keto Clusters, dark chocolate with nuts and seeds stirred in.

Chapter 43 - 45 of the B of M, the beginning of the War Chapters, plus listened to Unshaken, talking about the causes, negative and positive, of the two opposing sides of the wars. Lamanites cause was to gain power and control over the Nephites, whose cause was faith, freedom, and family.                                       Section 109, verses 46 - 50, prayed for deliverance for the Missouri saints as well as mercy on the "wicked mob" that they may "cease to spoil" and repent of their sins!                                                             Marlene and I listened to a conference talk during FHE tonight, President Nelson's "Embrace the Future with Faith." He speaks often of the second coming of Christ - the time is short!

I visited Darla this afternoon. She had to stay in bed today because a repairman had to work on her wheelchair. Besides she had a migraine. She seemed in pretty good spirits though and we had a good visit. I also talked with my brother Jason. HE called ME so I guess he was doing the service. I appreciate his help in staying connected with family! He calls me every week on his way home from work.  I also got a text with pictures from Amy Banks thanking me for Harley's birthday card. I love my friends and family!

I didn't sleep well last night, even though I got in bed only 15 minutes past my goal time.  Now it's already 15 min past and I haven't finished my post. I can't figure out how to post the pictures Amy sent so that will have to wait till tomorrow.

I'm mostly happy with my progress today. Being intentional should help me be more productive. And of course I did more things than what are on this list, such as enjoying a wonderful summer thunderstorm and 20 to 30 minutes of rain! I also checked in at the Senior Center and was able to use the recumbent bike for about 10 minutes. I got a name for a Personal Trainer too, that I will check out soon.

75 STRONG - Day 1

 

I recently heard about a challenge called 75 Hard (or Medium or Soft), which is a commitment to do daily tasks for self improvement for 75 days in a row. It caught my interest because in about 75 days I will be 75 years old. I usually can't seem to do any goal for more than 3 or 4 days in a row, let alone 75! But the numbers have tempted me to start. What better time? After all, next year I would have to do 76 days in a row! It only gets harder! 

Even though I will be holding myself to more of a "Soft" standard, I'm naming my challenge 75 STRONG mostly because that's what I want to become: strong. As in building some muscle strength. As in strength of character from finishing something even when I'm bored of it, tired, or just plain lazy. As in strengthening my relationships with my Savior and my children. As in increasing my stamina or at least keeping what I've got.

So I drew a grid of 75 days, counting back from my October 31 birthday, and come to find out I have an extra week, but that will allow some days of mess up. (Strong, not Perfect!) I hope to post a photo here regularly of something I did or saw or thought. Also, a quote or scripture that seems meaningful.

Here is my list of Things To Improve Upon:

Exercise - PT List, working into strength training towards getting my right leg back to full strength.

Food & Water - clean, low sugar, high protein, 24 - 32 oz water (I already struggle to drink that much!)

Breathe - 1/2 hr outside each day (walking, gardening, etc.)

Mind - read/study B of M current CFM lesson

             1 chapter in Isaiah w/Giliadi or other helps

             D&C 109 w/ Pres Nelson's lessons

             Conference talk each day

             1 or 2 other books per month.

Serve - Contact ministering sisters at least once/ month.

             Family - children, brothers, keep up on birthdays

             Friends - Marlene, Darla, Louise, Sue

             Others/ Church - clean the church, cannery assignments, etc. as needed.

             Temple/Family History - End., Init., or Seal. each week. Research names I'm given

Write/Photo - Post here something I did, saw, or thought. 

             Write answer to one personal history question each week.

Sleep - 10:30 PM to 6:30 AM

I might be running faster than I have strength, but some of these things I have already been doing or at least attempting. I should also add here a list of things to STOP doing, which if I stop, I'll have plenty of time to do all the things on the good list!

Things to Stop Doing:

                Mindless Scrolling on YouTube

                Staying up late scrolling on YouTube

Woohoo! I'm 1/75 of the way there!

YELLOW + BLUE

When I saw this prompt I immediately thought of  this illustration in the book I had just read, "The Crossroads of Should and Must" by Elle Luna.
"While a redwood tree can grow 360 feet tall, the roots are only, on average, about ten feet deep. This is because they spread their roots outward searching for other redwood trees. Their roots intertwine under the ground. and they hold each other up. A redwood tree cannot stand on its own, and neither can we. The source of must connects us all."
As we seek to find our own Must, our Calling, our Essence, we discover that:

 "Must is both the journey and the destination, the upward journey of our lives that guides us toward that higher place, the oneness of all things, the ultimate source of Must."

Maybe a little ethereal?? :) But anyway, it's YELLOW + BLUE!

MY HAPPY PLACE

Although I haven't been there in many months, Red Butte Gardens is MY HAPPY PLACE. In the warmer months, even when I'm exhausted or down hearted, if I make the effort to drive up there, I ALWAYS feel rejuvenated, cooler, more relaxed, and HAPPY. And I often get to enjoy a wonderful sunset view on the way home. The flowers and trees are amazing, and I fill my camera with many of its beauties.This magnet on my frig is a reminder of that HAPPY PLACE.

A PET

My grand-dog, Nena (Nay-na) is A PET well loved by her master, Aaron. She's so gentle and well behaved. I love to pet her soft white coat. Aaron points out a spot where she won't be underfoot - here it's a blanket at the edge of a room close to Aaron's work zone. At any given time he can say to her "Go find your spot!" And she usually stays there till he invites her to join him. They are inseparable and give each other much comfort. I haven't been so attached to A PET, but many of my children are, as well as many of my elderly clients.

PAPER

The PAPER label around this colorful yarn had instructions on the back to crochet a dishcloth. Kay, at the Community Center, helped me translate them into the actual item and reminded me of skills I'd learned many years ago.