Random Meme

I was tagged by my sister for this "random meme."

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. After seeing a ventriloquist special, I taught myself to sing two parts of Row Row Row Your Boat in a round by myself.
2. From Halloween until Christmas as a little kid, I used to make sure that I slept with every toy that I had received from the previous Christmas so that Santa would know that I was a grateful kid and would love all of the new things I wanted for the next Christmas.
3. If I could do/be anything in the world, I think I would most like to be a songwriter. (I sort of am, but I would love to do it professionally - and actually get some things out there).
4. On a college trip to the basketball championship playoffs in Cleveland, Ohio, I drove a car with no defrost through a snowstorm.
5. If I could live anywhere in the continental US, I would like to live in the Ozark Mountains (either in Arkansas or Missouri).
6. My most cherished possession is my violin.
7. Every day I make a new origami creation from a day-to-day origami calendar.

Update of Sorts

It's been awhile since I've posted anything or felt like I had anything to post about. Exercising keeps me busy and TIRED, but I'm actually enjoying it. Isn't it funny though how you can skip one day and suddenly not want to go ever again, no matter how much you know it will benefit you to go, no matter how much better you feel when you do it.
I haven't really been keeping up with my posts or anything, but tomorrow I'm going to go to my first Body Pump class, where you lift weights and do cardio at the same time. I'll post on how it goes at some point.
In other news, my computer hard drive crashed last night, so I'm using Geoff's to type this post. Also, I've been told by my sister that I've been tagged by a meme, but I haven't a clue what to do, so G when you read this, let me know what I need to do?!?
Mom and I are going to ANOTHER Cirque du Soleil show in June. My 6th, her 5th. At the end of this one, we will have seen all of the shows that are touring and we'll have to start saving money for trips to Las Vegas and Orlando to see the shows that are stationary.
I've been asked to play an original song two weeks from now in a church service, so I'm looking forward to that. And most importantly, a week from tomorrow I'm having company - my sister and niece! (I was hoping for my nephew as well, but beggars can't be choosers). I'm so excited! No one has visited me in awhile, so this is going to be fun.
Anyway, by way of an update, I think I covered the basics. I'll try to post something again sooner rather than later, but my life needs to get a bit more interesting (in a good way please) before I have anything worthwhile to post about...

Exercise Update

So I ended week one of my new routine today, and since I said I would post about it, I thought I'd better stick with that. So, no weight loss yet, but I didn't really expect any. I did exercise every day this week, including today (Saturday morning)! I worked with the personal trainer, Catherine, one day on arms and the next on legs and developed my first routine which I will continue for the next six weeks.
I learned to do my strength training before my cardio every day. I thought I would share my routine in case anyone else wants to try what I do. So first is legs -
I start with squats. I use a pilates ball against the wall, which helps to keep the form and helps me balance. I also hold 8 lb free weights as I do my squats. I do three sets of ten, breaking between each set for a short 20-30 seconds.
Next I use a machine - but I don't know what it's called. It's for your quads - there are four different muscles in the upper leg and it works well for all of them. Again that's three sets of 10 (this is the same for all my exercises, so I won't repeat that again). After the machine I do something that is a substitute for the lunge. Holding 8 lb weights again, I go to a bench and I put one foot up. I pull myself up onto the bench on that leg and touch my other toe on the bench and then go back down. After sets with one leg, I do sets with the other, so this exercise takes a little while.
Last I get on the floor with a pilates ball. I make a T shape with my arms and lay flat on my back. I dig my heels into the ball and lift my butt off the ground. I roll the ball towards me with my feet, and then roll it back out, so each time my legs go from straight to making a 90 degree angle with my knees. This is the hardest and best part of my workout on legs!
So I do those four things on legs day, and then I spend 30 minutes on a cardio machine. I tried the treadmill, but got horrible shin splints, so I switched to a cross-country trek kind of machine, or a ski machine or a stair master and all of those are fine on my legs (and I think more involved because a bunch of them have arms as well). I do 30 minutes of cardio on one of the machines every day, so I won't go over that again.
For arms/abs day, my routine takes somewhat longer. I use two different machines, one that does my lateral muscles (upper back) and one that does my triceps (hangy down part of the arm). Triceps are hardest for me. On free weights I get on an inverted bench (where my head is lower than my butt and I use a bench press bar and bench over my chest. This strengthens the part of the pecs that support your boobs, which is great for someone who is large-chested. Makes you perkier :). I also do another tricep excercise where you make a T with your arms at your sides and raise and lower 8 lb weights. I do this while balanced on a half pilates ball. (Those balls have a specific name but I don't remember what it is).
For abs I do a bunch of hard things. One is like making snow angels, except you lift your legs and your upper back/shoulders off the floor. If you can get that visual, you can probably figure out how to do this. Another is called the plank. This is the hardest for me. You lay on your stomach, then lift yourself up on your arms and toes. Your arms should rest on the ground to your elbow (make an L with your arm on the floor. Flatten out your body (tuck your tummy and butt) and hold for 30 seconds. Do it again, lifting one leg. Again, lift the other leg. And one last time with both feet on the floor. That is the hardest thing I've had to do so far! The last ab exercise is to lay on your back with legs and shoulders off the ground (like in the first exercise) and grab one knee to your chest. Switch legs back and forth letting one kick straight out and up and the other come in to your chest. Do some slow and some fast like this.
Anyway, pretty organized workout system. I feel great doing it, and I really like my gym and the trainer. Sorry the blog was so long, but I thought it would give you an idea of what all I'm doing...

Something for Me

I thought I would share my excitement here on my blog - I'm doing something for me! Monday I am starting a program with a personal trainer for the next six months. My goal is to go from a size 12 to a size 8. I figured this was a better goal than worrying about weight because I'm sure I will lose some, but I will probably gain some too.
I am doing a class at AC Fitness called "Body Pump" where you do both cardio and strength training at the same time. I am soooo excited about getting started with the class and the personal trainer. I know I'm going to wear out really quickly for the next few weeks, but I can't wait to see some results. When I start losing the weight and getting toned up, I'll be sure to post some here. I want to take some before and after pics each month too!
I have been wanting to start an exercise program, but the real wake up call came with the first time on the doctor's scale in a long time. Years ago I swore I would never let myself get past 150 (that was high school). I passed it and kept going, so I'm ready to work my way back. My target weight is between 124 and 135. That's based on appropriate goals for my build/bone mass, etc. I haven't weighed that little in years and years, and I am looking forward to being that healthy.
I also figure this is the time for me to establish this kind of routine for myself, before children! And we don't want to put off children for too much longer, so I'm going to get myself ready. I am sooo excited about Monday. I'll do a post after my first week or something to let you know how it goes.

Hold Thou My Hand

At my great-grandmother's funeral this week, my sister sang one of Ahda's old favorite hymns. It was one I wasn't familiar with, but I found the words to it and thought I'd post them here.

Hold Thou my hand; so weak I am, and helpless,
I dare not take one step wtihout Thy aid;
Hold Thou my hand; for then, O loving Savior,
No dread of ill shall make my soul afraid.

Hold Thou my hand, and closer, closer draw me
To Thy deal self - my hope, my joy, my all;
Hold Thou my hand, lest haply I should wander,
And, missing Thee, my trembling feet should fall.

Hold Thou my hand; the way is dark before me
Without the sunlight of Thy face divine;
But when by faith I catch its radiant glory,
What heights of joy, what rapturous songs are mine!

Hold Thou my hand, that when I reach the margin
Of that lone river Thou didst cross for me,
A heavenly light may flash along its waters,
And every wave like crystal bright shall be.

The hymn was written by Fanny Crosby. Blind from 6 weeks old, Fanny wrote over 8,000 hymns in her lifetime, including many familiar ones, but her personal favorite was "Blessed Assurance." It is interesting to go back and read this hymn she wrote (Hold Thou my Hand) realizing that she was blind.

I think that the version of this song that Gini sang was a bit different, because I remember some words from the one Gini sang that I didn't find in this hymn text, but I'm pretty sure they are related works. If not, oh well, it's a beautiful old hymn anyway.

For my part, I am only hoping that I do not have to attend any more funerals for a good while. Although it was not hard to see Ahda leave this world at 103, I am rather content to have the rest of my family remain here on earth for a good while longer.

An Elegy for Uncle Jimmy

The Throne Room

Meredith L. Peel

I traveled to the Throne of God
bearing a burden of fiercest love,
and having loved and lost, I asked:
“What, my God, do you desire?”

Coupled with a fiery breath,
swift and loud came the reply:
“RIGHTEOUSNESS,” my God said.
My face burned; my heart fell.

Before a judge holy as He,
none could stand to plead his case.
Turning homeward, burden heavy,
His voice followed: “Ask again.”

Again to the Throne I turned,
with heavy heart, and trembling voice.
But once again I made my plea:
“What, my King, do you desire?”

“Faithfulness” - a gentler breath -
yet strong enough to carry off
those faithful ones I’d stowed away
within my burden of fierce love.

Once more I turned toward my home,
a lighter burden on my back.
To my surprise, pursuing me,
He called, “Ask once again, My child.”

And turning to the Throne I asked:
“What, my Lord, do you desire?”
A gentle whisper, His reply:
“Reconciliation.”

And at this word all who remained
in the great burden of my love
compelled me forward to His throne
to be released upon His feet.

And when at last I turned to go,
beneath my feet I saw a fire.
I cried out, fearing, for those souls
I had entrusted to His care.

Before my question, His reply:
“I desire that ALL of Mine
be reconciled, and be refined.
For holiness awaits all who
withstand My holy fire.”

My heart now still, His message clear,
my burden now at home with Him,
I wept with joy and sang my thanks,
ready now to be refined.

And passing over that great fire,
His spirit spoke these words to me:
“The heat is great,
My love still greater,”
and heart at peace, I returned home.