Friday, July 29, 2011

Friday Funny - Ice Cream Truck

Spotted in the Midwest at 1:00 PM yesterday afternoon

"OKLAHOMA CITY -- A website has ranked Oklahoma City as one of the five hottest cities in the nation this summer.

Thedailybeast.com compiled a list using data from the National Weather Service. Oklahoma City ranked number two, while Tulsa came in at number four.

The ranking is not surprising considering Oklahoma City has reached 100 degrees or above 33 days this summer. The record was set back in 1980 with 50 days of 100-degree or above temperatures.
The top five hottest cities in the country this summer are:
  1. Lubbock, Texas
  2. Oklahoma City
  3. Raleigh, NC
  4. Tulsa
  5. Austin, Texas"
Are you in one of these cities? How are you staying cool this summer?

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Have a fabulous weekend.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 31:1 (NKJV) 1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Don't Stop! Don't Ever Give Up!!!

Let me preface this post with this statement: I am not a runner. I have never been a runner. Even in high school I was not a runner. I was on the basketball team. If you were on the basketball team, you were required to be in track too. UGH!!! It was grueling. But today, This Day! I am a runner. Ok....maybe I'm not a track star. But I finally achieved a goal I have been working towards for a full year.

Last summer, I started the Couch to 5K running program. Running in the heat and humidity is brutal. Wouldn't you agree? Then the weather turned colder. If you don't know....I'm not a fan of cold weather. Running in the cold was not very motivating to me.

Enter Miss K. She and I ran/walked a couple times a week as the weather permitted last winter. Then in January, we began working with a personal trainer. She really inspired me to keep up with the workouts. Miss K dropped weight. A lot of weight. Forty pounds. Anywhoo, after each workout, we would spend at least 20 minutes on the treadmill. For me....it was the longest 20 minutes ever. Every time! Ugh.

But I kept at it. We both kept at it. The goal? Run 20 minutes with out stopping. This was so hard for me. I could not seem to get enough air to make it five minutes let alone 20. No matter what I did in my running routine. Then....it happened. The first time it happened was Monday. I ran for 18 minutes straight. Without stopping. But I was determined to make it the whole 20 minutes. So yesterday, I pushed it. And guess what! I ran for 28 minutes straight. TWENTY EIGHT MINUTES!!! Without stopping. It was a turtle pace but not a walk. Y-A-Y!!!!

Some goals are harder to reach than others. There is no doubt about that. But you can achieve your goals. Even if you do it at a turtle pace. What goal has been just out of reach for you?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Philosophical HodgePodge

 

1. July is National Ice Cream month...your favorite flavor? Soft served, hand dipped, or frozen yogurt...which do you prefer? And technically yogurt is not ice cream but its hot outside so I'll let that slide for today. Old Fashion Peppermint. But at this time of year, Mint Chocolate Chip is a good alternative.


2. When you travel do you tend to pack too much or too little? My philosophy on packing used to be: throw in everything you think you might need then start taking out just enough to get the suitcase closed. My new philosophy is: pack just enough to get by to save plenty of room to buy things while traveling. This new philosophy worked fabulously while I was on my bike trip. 


I was able to buy five new shirts, a killer black dress that was on super sale, a skinny belt, and a souvenir bottle from the Jack Daniel's Distillery.  

It's a souvenir people!! I don't drink whiskey!!!

3. What's your favorite cleaning product? My hubby! ahaha! No really. He's a super anal clean freak. If he's in the kitchen while I'm doing food prep, cooking, or baking.....he's cleaning up after me as I step away to get an ingredient. Tho this can be annoying at times, I love him for it. He saves me so much time and work. Plus, (yes, there's more) he keeps the house clean. Oh I help with dusting and vacuuming...but he does the majority of the cleaning. And....NO! You may not borrow him. I've been asked that question several times. I won't loan him out. I'm afraid someone will break him.  

4. Which is the greater tragedy-an innocent person imprisoned or a guilty person set free? Explain. The person who is guilty and set free. This person will commit another crime.

5. What's the longest trip you've taken by car? Which is farther.....Iowa to Florida or Illinois to Arizona? Hmmm. Let's "google" that. The answer is......Iowa to Florida: 1,743 miles. Illinois to Arizona: 1,606. The Iowa trip probably took longer too. There were two adults and five children traveling together. I was 12. Longest trip ever!!! 

6. tennis-golf-canoeing-biking...pick one. Exactly what are you asking here, Joyce? What I want to try? What I like doing best? What I'm not interested in trying? I choose biking. It's something I'm able to do and I enjoy it.

7. What sound drives you crazy? Someone who crunches food with their mouth open. Ugh. Please eat quietly.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I need to evaluate my schedule. My days are flying by yet I don't feel like I'm getting anything accomplished. Anybody else encountering this?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.


Peace and Joy,
Susan 

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Forty Pounds at Five Months!!!

You read that right. Chummly now weighs 40 pounds. Probably a little more than that actually. That was his weight on July 8.


Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Psalm 119:60 (NKJV)  I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Eagle Has Landed HodgePodge



1. July 20th marks the anniversary of the first time man stood on the moon. Flash forward 42 years to July 8, 2011 which marked the start of the final Space Shuttle mission. Should we continue to explore space? Should nations devote more or fewer of their resources to exploring space? Would you want to go into space if the opportunity arose? Many of today's innovations are a direct result of our space program. At this point in time, I think our resources could be better spent reducing our current deficit.

On the other hand, a quick trip to the moon would be exciting, just ask Alice:


2. What are three things in your freezer? Meat, Veggies, Fruit. Yep. That about covers it. ahaha

3. If you could see any band/artist perform live tonite who would it be? It has to be someone living...no Beatles, Elvis, etc. Josh Turner. Oh my...have you heard his voice? FYI, the gal in the video is his wife.


4. Ice-cubed or crushed? Or are you one of those people who don't like ice? Ice cube. Even Chummly likes cubes.

5. The owner of a small restaurant outside of Pittsburgh recently announced he was banning children under six, saying they regularly disrupted other customer's meals. You can read the story in more detail here but isn't this a perfect topic to discuss in our Wednesday Hodgepodge? Have at it friends...what are your thoughts? 
 
Recently, while dining with a friend, a 6-8 year old boy walked up to our table, grabbed some peanuts from our bucket and snickered as he walked away. His parents watched the whole incident. They did nothing to deter his behavior. In fact, they laughed at his shenanigans. When did it become acceptable behavior to allow your child to eat food from another person's table at a restaurant? 

6. What was your first car? How did it come to be yours? A 1971 Ford Torino. It was the first car owned by me and the bank. Not the prettiest, but it ran.


7. If I had a nickle for every time I _________________ I'd be rich.......saw something I wanted to take a picture of and didn't have my camera with me

8. Insert your own random thought here. My creative juices met a beaver. They are backed up in his dam. Anyone have some dynamite?

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

Peace and Joy,
Susan  

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’