Friday, March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014 Friday!

Get Started  weight watchers workout.  Segments of 2 minute aerobics and then 1 minute weights.  I have started using 5 lb weights, which makes a big difference.  I can feel my shoulder muscles when I am done, when the 3 lb weights weren't noticeable anymore.  Once you get started, challenge yourself to do a little more.  Don't forget the water!!!


Romans chapter 8 - This talks about the Holy Spirit being a mediator or translator for us to God.  "the Spirit helps us in our weakness".  Like on the TV game show - when you need help, call a friend.


On this day:
1875 - Maurice Ravel was born.  WHO?  He wrote one of my favorite pieces "Bolero"  you might remember it from the movie "10" 
           I guess I didn't take my own advice.  This day in history is mostly, non memorable.  It is that time of year here in Michigan that can be 60 degrees or 3 feet of snow, it is usually Lent and everyone has a cold or something.  Maybe I should do something outstanding so that next year I will have something to talk about. 


Parenting - I like having breakfast together with Mom and Nicole.  We most often have dinner together, sitting at the table, but breakfast is a little more rare.  It is nice family time.  Is it important to your family to have meals together?  Times are different, people are busy.


Book club - The Nine - have moved into the discussion on the death penalty.  VERY interesting.


New Orleans -
French explorers, fur trappers and traders arrived in the area by the 1690s, some making settlements amid the Native American village of thatched huts along the bayou. By the end of the decade, the French made an encampment called "Port Bayou St. Jean" near the head of the bayou. They built a small fort "St. Jean" at the mouth of the bayou in 1701, using as a base a large Native American shell midden dating back to the Marksville culture.[3] These early European settlements are now within the limits of the city of New Orleans, though predating its official date of founding.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Lisa!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

March 6, 2014 Thursday

Well after ballroom dancing last night I got up and did Country line dancing this morning.  I'm trying to distract myself from this awful horrible snow I think.  But really concentrate on drinking that water.  The first 8 oz glass in the morning is so important, before coffee.


Isaiah chapter 30 - This was a warning to the Israelites to return to God.  It is Lent, there will be a lot of this.  It's the time of year we get called home.  vs 18 "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you: therefore he will rise up to show you compassion."


On this day:
1876 - the telephone was patented.  Think about that and your now cell phone!  Amazing.
1987 - it was in the 60's can you believe it? I took my two year old out to play.  I'm becoming morose about this weather. 


Parenting - I can't imagine.  A couple on TV this morning had adopted triplets and shortly after she became pregnant and within a year delivered twins.  Now that's parenting.  How would you be able to give each of those children all the attention that as individuals they would need.  They said they do have a lot of help from family and their church.


Book Club - The Nine.  Only half way through the book and need to finish up before Monday.  oh oh


New Orleans -  I love this place!  Let check out some more history:
The city is named after the Duke of Orleans, who reigned as Regent for Louis XV from 1715 to 1723, as it was established by French colonists and strongly influenced by their and African cultures. It is well known for its distinct French and Spanish Creole architecture, as well as its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage.[5] New Orleans is also famous for its cuisine, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz),[6][7] and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras, dating to French colonial times. The city is often referred to as the "most unique"[8] in the United States.[9][10][11][12][13]
New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River. The city and Orleans Parish (French: paroisse d'Orléans) are coterminous.[14] The city and parish are bounded by the parishes of St. Tammany to the north, St. Bernard to the east, Plaquemines to the south, and Jefferson to the south and west.[14][15][16] Lake Pontchartrain, part of which is included in the city limits, lies to the north and Lake Borgne lies to the east.[16]


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014 Wednesday Ash Wednesday

Excuse of the day is, I didn't sleep last night, even after reading that book for hours.


Matthew - chapters 6 and 16 - regarding fasting, charitable works and prayers and tithing (giving to church).  My question is, is there a line between acting like you are totally angelic for doing any of the above or sharing that doing the above are the right things to do.  I have in the past given up a food or drink item for lent, and we usually say "I gave up chocolate for lent".  Lately, it was brought to my attention that changing a bad behavior or adopting a new good one, might be a better way to go.  I think a lot of us use lent to get ready by loosing weight for summer.  That might be self serving (just saying).  Whatever, it is between you and God, just don't go around looking like you are suffering.  Pretty sure that's not good.


On this day:
1943 - the movie Dracula vs Wolfman was released.  you needed to know that right?
1957 - My brother Mark was born
1986 - This was my brothers last birthday, he was 29.  We had dinner at my house for him, his favorite Scottish meat pies and of course birthday cake.  It is strictly coincidental that my friend Don is picking up meat pies for our dinner tonight.  Happy Birthday Mark!


Parenting - Mark, my brother received no breaks in  life.  I was 10 when he was born.  He was 3 when our father died.  He was diagnosed with type 1 Juvenile diabetes at 7 years old.  He had to take a shot if not more, every day of his life after that, and watch his diet.  It is a horrible thing to happen to a child, and I must say, we didn't handle it well with him.  Mom was too soft about making his stick to his diet and checking his blood sugar.   They told us from the beginning that his life expectancy was 30.  That played into how he was treated, and not in a good way.  Despite all that he was a funny, loveable and deeply religious person, thank God.  Still in touch with him.


Book club - The Nine - read a lot of this last night thinking I would fall asleep, but no.  I am at the very interesting situation with the Gore vs Bush debacle in Florida and how the Federal Supreme Court wrongly go involved.  You might want to read this, for political reasons.  But not as a sleep aid.


New Orleans - The party is over. 
The land mass that was to become the city of New Orleans was formed around 2200 BC when the Mississippi River deposited silt creating the delta which would be New Orleans. Before Europeans founded what would become known as the city of New Orleans, the area was inhabited by Native Americans for about 1300 years. [1] The Mississippian culture peoples built mounds and earthworks in the area. Later Native Americans created a portage between the headwaters of Bayou St. John (known to the natives as Bayouk Choupique) and the Mississippi River. The bayou flowed into Lake Pontchartrain. This became an important trade route. Archaeological evidence has shown settlement here dated back to at least 400 A.D.[2 


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Mark!  xxoo

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

March 4, 2014 Tuesday

Pilates with resistant band.  Legs, arms, abs etc and balance.  Not a killer


James chapter 2 - This James may or may not have been Jesus' real brother, Anybody know?  This is titled Favoritism Forbidden.  As Christians we are not to favor rich or good looking, smart vs simple, black vs white etc.  But it doesn't go along with the world today.  I just read an article about the favoritism in hiring - good looking out favors capability, youth out favors age, and of course the ugly head of racisn factors in as well.  All we can do is try to be better Christians ourselves and remember that Jesus showed favoritism to the poor.  Just kidding, he tried to reach out to everyone, not as many rich got on board.


On this day:
1789 - The Constitution went into effect as the first congress met in New York City.


1984 - I received a phone call that my BFF Linda was shot down in Dallas.  Linda and I were going to travel the country until she got a good job in Dallas and moved there.  This was a random shooting by a young black boy who was trying to escape another crime he had just committed.  When Linda wouldn't get back in her car and ran for her apt., he shot her 3 times in the back.  She survived the ordeal after many surgeries and a long recuperation.  I flew down and spent a week with her the following day.  Was it a racial incident?


Parenting - I'm thinking a parental incident.  A perfect family - mom and dad, reasonable income, decent neighborhood.  Take any of those factions away and it gets harder to raise a good kid.  It can happen in any cultural background, income level or neighborhood.  There are a lot of solutions, but it isn't getting any better is it?


Book club - The Nine - moved on to the topic and times of wanting smaller federal government.  It really covers a lot of good info, if you are so inclined.


New Orleans!  However you chose to say it!
New Orleans (/n ˈɔrliənz/ or /ˈn ɔrˈlnz/, locally /n ˈɔrlənz/ or /ˈnɔrlənz/; French: La Nouvelle-Orléans [la nuvɛlɔʁleɑ̃] ( )) is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The population of the city was 343,829 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.[2] The New Orleans metropolitan area (New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner Metropolitan Statistical Area) had a population of 1,167,764 in 2010 and was the 46th largest in the United States.[3] The New Orleans–Metairie–Bogalusa Combined Statistical Area, a larger trading area, had a 2010 population of 1,214,932.[4]
The city is named after the Duke of Orleans, who reigned as Regent for Louis XV from 1715 to 1723, as it was established by French colonists and strongly influenced by their and African cultures. It is well known for its distinct French and Spanish Creole architecture, as well as its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage.[5] New Orleans is also famous for its cuisine, music (particularly as the birthplace of jazz),[6][7] and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras, dating to French colonial times. The city is often referred to as the "most unique"[8] in the United States.[9][10][11][12][13]
New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River. The city and Orleans Parish (French: paroisse d'Orléans) are coterminous.[14] The city and parish are bounded by the parishes of St. Tammany to the north, St. Bernard to the east, Plaquemines to the south, and Jefferson to the south and west.[14][15][16] Lake Pontchartrain, part of which is included in the city limits, lies to the north and Lake Borgne lies to the east.[16]


Enjoy the Day!  Make it memorable!

Monday, March 3, 2014

March 3, 2014 Monday

Worked out with Jillian today.  Made it through the warm up and two full sets.  Progress.  Don't kill yourself, just do what you can and some days are better then others!


Psalm 27 - About "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."  We are not very patient these days.  We are mostly into instant gratification.  The study writer mentioned the Polaroid camera as possibly being the catalyst.  Now, not only do you have your picture immediately, but you can share it with EVERYONE immediately.  I thought I would be more patient as I got older, but no.  I'm working on it.


On this day:
1861 - Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated on this day.  I read killing Lincoln, did you?  Good book.  I do believe that Abe was a patient person, taking time to figure things out.
2010 - I have worked at a  lot of part time jobs, in 2010 I did a short stint selling Jockey line clothes for women.  They were great quality, nice looking workout and casual clothes, but pricy for my group.  If you are looking to socialize (and gain a few pounds) go into a business doing home parties.


Parenting - After spending a lot of time with your children, as they get older and start going places without you, it is a mixed emotion time of missing them and enjoying the time to yourself.  Nicole had gone to a basketball game with her friend Jamie and his parents.  While they were gone, I went to the grocery store, the library the mall and called about 10 people.  ?  So much for down time. 


Book Club - The Nine, Behind the Supreme Court, reading about Clarence Thomas.  I had only one thought of this man when he was nominated, no I have many thoughts.  It also is covering the Bill Clinton trials. 


New Orleans -   The Big Easy!

New Orleans, Louisiana

 
Locals say that the South ends fifty miles north of New Orleans. In many ways, this is true. This city is home to a diverse music culture, world-renowned cuisine, voodoo, and Mardi Gras , one of the world's largest parties. New Orleans is a relatively small city which had little concern for what went on outside of it until Hurricane Katrina devastated the city 2005. Parts of New Orleans are still recovering from this disaster but the city's vibrant culture is back in full swing.

French Quarter

The French Quarter, or Vieux Carre in French, is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It lies in the crescent of the Mississippi River and consists of fairly narrow streets, reminiscent of European city planning, that reveal hidden courtyards and look up to wrought iron balconies. The architecture in the Quarter typically dates to the late 18th- and early 19th-centuries, and draws on French and Spanish influences. In the daytime, the French Quarter, especially the area around Jackson Square, is filled with tourists, street performers, and the occasional conman. At night, the French Quarter transforms into the stereotypical party scene. Barhopping college students, adventurous suburbanites, tourists, and others all populate the area until the wee hours.

New Orleans Walking Tour
  
                   
 
 
 
 New Orleans Walking Tour
Oak Alley Plantation
St. Louis Cathederal and horse statue
Swamp Shack 3 dicDG
Jazz statues, New Orleans
New Orleans
The back of St. Louis Cathedral
Paddle Boat on the Mississippi
Saint Louis Cemetery #1 dic
100_2310
Royal Street
Pirate's Alley
One of many courtyards - NOLA
NOLA in the snow - 2008
Frenchies,Bar and Gas, down river LA.
Bourbon Street
Ninth_Ward - NOLA
Cemetry, New Orleans
New Orleans
cemetary large
 
Enjoy the Day!  Make it memorable!
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, March 2, 2014

March 2, 2014 Sunday

A day of rest.  Yeah right, I'll be shoveling snow today.


It is Transfiguration Sunday.  This is where Jesus took Peter and John up on the mountain and Moses and Elijah appeared and the disciples wanted to build three shelters for them.  Then Jesus was bathed in bright light and God spoke to them and said what he said at Jesus' baptism. "This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!"  While we still think that this earth is the great place to be, God reminds us that there is a better place for us to come.


On this day -
1955 - you may not remember him but James Dean died in a car crash on this day.  He was the teenage idol in those days. 
1976 -  My friend Chris, my mom and I were taking a belly dance class at the YMCA.  That was fun and funny.  You can find a lot of ways to entertain yourself.  At the end there was a recital, use your imagination.


Parenting - Last night I was listening to a lady that had joined our table talk about how she was German and it was quite common for children to go out unattended for long periods when she was a child, and thought it was what they called wonderlust.  She was my age and our mothers are the same age, 92, and I was on my own quite often as a child, for most of the day.  I actually found this reassuring, I just thought my mother didn't care where I was, now I know.....wonderlust. 


Book Club - The Nine, Supreme Court, OK after I shovel I am reading as much of this book as possible.


New Orleans Louisiana -  The Ponchatrain has 4 rooms left!  Don't forget its Mardi Gras!  The party is on.  Go get your costume!


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

March 1, 2014 Saturday

Pilates - floor workout that strengthens your core, abs, back and works out a lot of muscles.


John chapter 4 the finish of the story with the Samaritan women.  She was not a Jew, she was living with a man that was not her husband and Jesus knew everything about her.  He chose her for his own.  She said she knew the Messiah was coming and that he would explain everything to them.  Jesus declared "I, the one speaking to you - I am he."


On this day:
1904 - Dr Suess was born!  All those great books!
2009- Nicole and I went to Ligget to see Jessie in Godspell.  It is amazing to me that people can remember all those lines and sing that well.  I can't do either, but I love seeing others.  My friend Judy was over the other day.  Judy has done a lot of theater, with my favorite being the Earth Mother in Menopause the Musical.  This is a good time to take in a play, forget the messy weather and be entertained!  See what you can find.  Community shows are inexpensive and wonderful.


Parenting - They have acting classes at the schools as extracurricular activities.  Or they did, Nicole took one, and they performed Cinderella.  It is a great way to find out if that is something your child would like to explore.


Book Club - The Nine


X marks the spot!  New Orleans, Louisiana!  We move here, fly or drive south east to get there.  In time for Mardi Gras!  Enjoy


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Roxann!