Thankful Thursday!

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 06:23:40 EST

Day 6 38 Do you need some motivation or advice? Ask for it!

A challenge isn't a challenge if it isn't challenging.

I have been so blessed and inspired this week with kind comments and great suggestions for drinking the water.

I also have enough information to write a book about “Getting rid of Hiccups.”

I’m shopping for tomato juice today and looking forward to adding it to my vinegar cocktail.

I appreciate Spark Friends

Day 5 Smiling in My Beer

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 07:48:16 EST

What can you improve upon 38

I think the reason I was having the hiccups was because I was inhaling the water instead of drinking it. In my best effort to get it down, I gulped and glugged instead of sipping and enjoying.....

Except, the vinegar cocktail. I like most things pickled, and eat a lot of fermented foods so I guess that is why the vinegar appeals to me.

My Daddy Passed in 2009. Yesterday would have been my parents 58th wedding annivers...

Day 4 HIC~cup

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 07:56:49 EST

Day 4 38 How am I doing day by day?

I’ve had some good progress as I reported yesterday.

The vinegar cocktail is really growing on me.

I’ve developed a strange and puzzling side effect.

It’s Hic ~hic ~hic ~hiccups. More times yesterday than last year combined.

May your day be blessed as you continue to focus on your goals

Water Water Everywhere

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 07:14:37 EST

Day 3 38 What am I doing to encourage myself and keep on track.
91
It's Monday! Work days will make drinking water easier.
91
I have 16 oz. down before 7 AM
274
I’m adding a 16 oz. glass each day.
...

The 4 R's To Getting Your Life Back! or, How will I do it?

Sun, 3 Mar 2013 11:46:15 EST

Day 2 38 How will I do it?

I preached a sermon once using the text from Revelation 2:4-5.
(No I’m not preaching here, but if this reaches your spirit, it’s all good).
296

Verse 4 is the offense. Verse 5 is how to fix it.

4: Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.

5: Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to yo...

Habit! A word study

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 12:22:14 EST

381 381 381 381 381
Noun : an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary: the habit of looking both ways before crossing the street.

Verb: to clothe; array 346

Wouldn’t it be awesome if my healthy lifestyle habits became as much a way of life as wearing clothes?

Psychology: a learned behavioral response that has become associated with a parti...

DOLDRUMS ? Is That Really a Word?

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 06:52:04 EST

OK! I don't know why some of these words just pop into my head at times, but this morning as I was singing in the shower, (a nonsense song from ages and ages ago, maresy doats and doesy doats, etc.), my thoughts turned to Doldrums.

I have an easy shortcut to Dictionary.com on my desktop, so, when I think I know what a word means, but I want to know the deeper meaning and how to apply it, it's only a click away. 17

Doldrums: A depressed or bored state of mi...

Attitude! The A Word Again!

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 08:31:26 EST

I've been thinking about attitudes a lot the past few days, my own, and, those of other people I run into everyday. Having a very public job, I get a lot of Attitude.

Viewing SPARKGUY's video blog this morning, prompted me to recycle, (for the second time), my favorite verse about Attitude.

Attitude

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'I think I'...

A Plane! What plane! Updated FAQ about the 5%

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:31:23 EST

Most questions you have about the 5% challenges will be answered here.

A Plane? What Plane?

235 5% Challenge Community!

We have a large number of members who are new to the 5% challenge. It's exciting to know we have a reputation of fun and success that appeals to others. 252

I hope this FAQ will help everyone understand the challenge better.

38 A Plane! What Plane?

Every 5% Community Member res...

Listen To What You are Thinking!

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:19:04 EST

146 My 35 minute drive to and from work has pleasantly become my Thinking Time. This Morning, I was reflecting on the past 15 months, and my experience with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (that story is best left for another time). I am off anti-depressants as of 12/21/12, and I had my last visit with my therapist yesterday, 1/14/13.

So, my prayer was/is about how thankful I am to be where I am, and be free to count my blessings! Thanks God!

My "thinking t...

WORDS.... My One Word for 2013

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 08:10:51 EST

I have chosen "WORDS" as my one word for 2013!

Words was also my one word in 2012.

2012:
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.... Dickens

A truly paradoxical year....

LOL so many words, so little ti...

A Plane! What Plane? and other common questions about the 5% Challenge. FAQ's

Sat, 9 Jun 2012 20:09:22 EST

Stay tuned for updates!

235 5% Challenge Community!
I'm sorry I've forgotten just where I saw that question as I was interacting with some of the team leaders, so I unfortunately can't give credit, but it made me realize we have a large number of members who are new to the 5% challenge. It's exciting to know we have a reputation of fun and success that appeals to others. 252

I hope this FAQ will help everyone understand the challenge better.

Lessons from your Dog

Sun, 27 May 2012 10:25:08 EST

I came across this just a few minutes ago. I've never read it before but today it touched my soul, so I want to share it here.

A Dog’s Purpose? (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa , and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I exam...

This Will Either Break Your Heart or Make Your Day!

Sat, 12 May 2012 10:03:56 EST

How blessed we are that we get to choose our attitude! We get to choose the action we take, or the reaction we make.

If you haven't seen this video on yahoo yet, please take a minute to watch.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihGCj5mfCk8&
feature=player_detailpage

Word of the Week! ATTITUDE!

Mon, 7 May 2012 19:38:27 EST

213 The Spring 5% Challenge is in the last week. As I reflect over the last 7 weeks, and evaluate my success, (or disappointment about weight loss), I realize I need look back further in order to clearly understand how much I've progressed since joining Spark People.

I left this comment on a friends Face Book page today: If we don't take care of ourselves first, we get in our own way and slow up the process.

I've spent most of the past 7 months taking care o...

I Know I Can Walk 10 Miles! My Word of the Day! Quest!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:07:38 EST

2011 was a really difficult year for me. I was physically ill most of the year, then in September I had an incident happen that led me to a therapist and treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have come a long way since that day last September, but sometimes still need to be reminded I am safe and even though I am not as physically healthy as I want to be, I need to remind myself of what I know I can do in order to accomplish both scale and non scale victories.

On Octobe...

A Plane! What Plane? and other common questions about the 5% Challenge

Thu, 8 Mar 2012 22:01:48 EST

235 5% Challenge Community!
I'm sorry I've forgotten just where I saw that question as I was interacting with some of the team leaders, so I unfortunately can't give credit, but it made me realize we have a large number of members who are new to the 5% challenge. It's exciting to know we have a reputation of fun and success that appeals to others. 252

I hope this FAQ will help everyone understand the challenge better.

38 A Plane! What...

AWE! A Small Word with a Huge Meaning

Sat, 3 Mar 2012 09:08:12 EST

A friend shared this you tube video on Face Book this morning.

Breath taking beauty, AWE inspiring in spirit.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTrb6i7gJAk&
feature=related

May your day be blessed, and your obstacles few.

Word of the Week; A Lesson from Abby

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:56:31 EST

213 Those of you who know me well know I am in therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is sometimes literally a paralyzing experience and always a time consuming process to wellness.

I'm often confronted with new memories and visions that I really don't want to see, but at other times, like last week I am blessed with reminders that cause me to look beyond the conflict to the end result of moving on.

Abby is my beautiful Granddaughter. Isn't it amazi...

Repost From Last Year but; get your Valentine smile here

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:10:47 EST

129 This isn’t my story, but it’s so funny and sweet, I had to share it! My friend Lori and her husband Jake have been happily married for 31 years. On their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, Lori spent a long time searching for just the right Valentine Card for Jake. She purchased the perfect card, signed it I’ll love you forever and put it in the envelope. When she was about to seal it, she realized that breaking the seal would tear the pretty edging of the envelope so sh...

Relationships! A word for Thought

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:52:48 EST

224 I’m so pleased to see teams and individual 5% challenge members continuing to make February all it can be. I needed this brief break between challenges to concentrate on my own emotional and spiritual health. I'm thankful for the NSV''s I've had in the last couple of challenges, and I'm really looking forward to the next challenge.

Although I’ve been busy with personal issues I continue to ponder words that correspond to my journey at this time. Some things are still ...

Speculate! My Word of last week :)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:17:29 EST

I guess I’ve been speculating about conjecturing an opinion about the word speculate, but have surmised I don’t have enough information to project my theory on other people.

246 What in the world does that mean?

Speculate Synonyms; conjecture, guess, surmise, suppose, theorize.

Conjecture; surmise, suppose, presume, guess.

Surmise; to conjecture or guess.
198 198 198

Last week I overheard bit...

My Word of the Day! Faith

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:15:37 EST

437 437 437 FAITH 437 437 437
Firm
Assurance
In
The
Heart!

What else is there to say?

More About Time

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:19:19 EST

More about time
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven
Ecclesiastes 3:1
I’ve always believed this verse means a reason for everything, and everything for a reason.
Recently I’ve been considering other interpretations. I would appreciate if anyone has a thought to share.
304

My Wordof the Day! Influence

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:38:44 EST

Influence; the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others

It’s interesting how our thought process moves from one thing to the next. As I was praying for the Paterno family this morning I was thinking about how Joe’s influence not only affected the young men he coached, but would be passed on to their children and grandchildren and beyond.

Those thoughts led to a sweet memory t...

A Tribute to a Legend

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:46:20 EST

Tribute - a gift or statement made in acknowledgment, gratitude, or admiration

I never met Joe Paterno personally, but still, he made an impact on my life. I’m not a football fan but during my marriage if PSU was playing football, the TV in our house was tuned to the game. During my Dad’s adult lifetime I could wager he never missed a PSU game. No matter where we were watching, shouts of “Oh Joe!” or “Way to...

My Word of the Day! Obstruction

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:33:03 EST

I ask myself, “Why am I not moving forward?”

I remind myself, “Just because I’m standing still doesn’t mean I’m not growing.”

But! Something is obstructing my path. Though I can’t see it, clearly there is an obstacle there!

Do I go around it, over it or through it? If I go around it, or over it, do I really leave it behind, or does it roll on behind me, snowballing into something bigger?

I don’t like to give misunderstandings time to fester so I usu...

My Word of the Day! Brave

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:05:27 EST

Recently I was sharing with a dear friend that I am facing a particularly difficult personal situation.

The next day I received an e card from her with the following note; "Dear Ceri, Thank you for sharing your personal trial with me. You said you feel confused and weak but I think you are a brave and courageous lady!"

Indeed I did feel confused, weak, and anything but brave or courageous. Mostly I felt helpless.

BRAVE????? Not me!

Our service ...

My Word of the Day! Butter

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:57:14 EST

Betchur wonderin what I could possibly have to say about butter? YUM!! 4 I like it!

I'd rather have real butter with saturated fat than that fake stuff with trans fat. I'd also rather have an ounce of real cheese that 2 or 3 of fake cheese with no fat. I'm also an advocate of raw milk. the real cream in the raw milk can be used to make real butter. 334

This is a great project for children. The youth groups I work with love it.

Instructions...

My Word of the Day! Friendship

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:21:20 EST

I find it a bit frustrating when I go to a dictionary and find the meaning of a word expressed by simply using a different form of the same word. Such was the case with my word today.

Friendship.
1. The state of being a friend; association as friends:
2. A friendly relation or intimacy.
3. Friendly feeling or disposition.

Sooooo, I looked up the word Friendly 24
1. Characteristic of or befitting a friend; showing friendship: a friendly gr...

My Word of the Day! R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:49:20 EST

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care ... TCB 339

What does Respect mean to you?

"I don't get no respect!," "No respect, no respect at all... that's the story of my life" The story of Rodney Dangerfield’s life became the foundation of his career. Was he really disrespected?

My Definition for respect is the way we regard ourselves and our surroundings. The self we allow to interact with...

My Word of the Day! Habit

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:31:17 EST

Habit - an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary. It seems simple enough. If I JUST DO IT enough times for it to become a pattern I’ve formed a new habit.
Ohhh wait! I have to do it for at least 21 days in a row. 249
If I do it 21 days in a row and form a habit does that make me an addict? 24

If I ride a horse or become a Nun I would be clothed in a habit.

In a habit = Inhabit

Inhabi...

The Mystery Word! Time

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:33:29 EST

Time! Everyone has it. You can share it but you can’t give it away. Money can't buy it because it's a gift given to us at birth.

Hopefully by the time we reach adulthood we've come to understand the value of time and how to use it wisely.

Time.... If time is on my side why do I never seem to have enough of it.

Where does the time go?

Can one really make up for lost time?

I always seem to be trying to find time I've lost.

If ...

Words for Today! Holding On

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:56:31 EST

Wonderful comments are being expressed on my Words blog from yesterday! "Letting Go” I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts and insight!

I don’t spend a lot of time on Face Book, but I do subscribe to an app which particularly blesses me. It’s a message from God, and even though I enjoy it, I don’t look at it often. Today I decided to check in there. My heart smiled as I read the words and considered God’s Providence.

On this day, God wants you to know ... that Go...

Words for Today! Letting Go

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:04:52 EST

"A wound you've embraced is a wound that cannot heal." - John Eldredge

Physical wounds heal, but often leave painful scars. I’ve had personal experience with this. I had a long, thick, unsightly, scar on my neck which impaired my ability to move my head and to swallow. Corrective surgery did remarkable things for the physical pain. The surgery even altered the appearance of the scar. What the surgery couldn’t do was totally erase the scar and the cause of the injury.

Wha...

My Word of the Day? Can you Guess What it is?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:55:22 EST

My word today is hidden in the following list of clues. If you want to play, please don’t post your answer here rather send me a SM.
304
Everyone has it.
Keeper
You can share it but you can’t give it away
220
Bean
Money can’t buy it
Party
107
It’s a gift
Good
It can be long or short
207
This is a really easy riddle so I expect a lot of correct guesses. First one to guess will re...

Thanksgiving! My Word of the Day

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:06:22 EST

304 304 304 304 304 304 304 304
To everyone who sent prayers, positive thoughts, well wishes and hopes for my Mom's health.

We FINALLY got the biopsy results yesterday! This is one time in life we can be thankful for negativity!

The relief I felt when I heard the words, "no cancer", was a manifestation of just how much stress I had been feeling.

Thanksgiving, gratitude.......

Self! My Word of the Day

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:14:17 EST

Self-esteem, self-confidence, self-help, self-assured……. How many self -words can we come up with?

My favorite definition of self; the total, essential, or particular being of a person, brings to mind Dr. Phil’s tagline; the authentic self.

Who are you? Really? Are you your best friend or your worst enemy?

Can you laugh at your silly little blunders, or do you beat yourself up?

Do you recognize the “Total Essential Being” that is you? OR, are you s...

Plan! My word of the Day

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 06:28:38 EST

I need to make a plan to have a plan to plan a plan so I know what to do when my plan changes. That’s my paraphrase of something I heard once.

Making plans and setting goals is difficult for me. If I have plans, more often than not, something happens to cause the plan to change.

When I chose “Words” as My One Word for 2012, I didn’t have a plan other than writing the first blog, and concentrating on doing my best to make the power of my spoken words a source of blessin...

Serendipity! My word of the Day

Sun, 8 Jan 2012 11:48:53 EST

Serendipity making fortunate discoveries by accident?

One day last week, I was standing in line at my favorite coffee shop, when the person behind said my name. I turned and looked into the lovely eyes of one of my SHEroes, Maureen. After the hug, her first words to me answered a question I have been pondering for a couple of weeks.

It was a silly question, concerning my hair color. Do I stay red or go natural? Not a big deal in the grand plan for my life maybe, but my ...

Hero! My word of the day

Sat, 7 Jan 2012 10:49:08 EST

The e mail arrived in my inbox again yesterday. I’ve received it many times throughout the past several years, and I read it every time. Perhaps you’ve seen it too. It starts out like this.

“You're a 19 year old kid.
You're critically wounded and dying in
The jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam ..
It's November 11, 1967.
LZ (landing zone) X-ray."

The letter proceeds to tell the story of Captain Ed Freeman and how “he flew his unarmed...

"Wishin' and Hopin'!" My Word of the Day

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 08:05:06 EST

You know how sometimes a song will pop into your head and you just can’t stop singing it? That happened to me yesterday.

Lately I’ve been thinking about my teen years a lot, (very long story). As I was dancing around my living room I got to remembering American Bandstand, Hulabaloo and Shindig. (Yep I’m that old).

So, I’m in my living room, (dancing like no one is watching), doing the moves and making my own music when into my head pops the late great Dusty Springfield...

Love! My Word of the Day

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 06:54:32 EST

Love? Noun or verb? What does it mean to you? (the word “you” is all inclusive, including me. I don’t mean to point a finger at you specifically).

Is Love an emotional feeling or an act of giving?

If you truly love someone, can you stop? If anyone can, please let me know how. I have people in my life I will love forever, but for some reason they have stopped loving me. How does that happen?

At one time in my life, I thought I wanted to learn Greek so I could u...

Fear! My Word of the Day

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 14:58:20 EST

Fear- "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." FDR

Many years ago I read a book titled “Love is Letting Go of Fear” by Gerald Jablonsky. The message of the book was simple. Basically there are only two true emotions;
Love 129 and Fear 40

All other emotional feelings can be placed...

Truth! My Word of the Day

Tue, 3 Jan 2012 08:01:58 EST

As we celebrated our long held Christmas tradition of a birthday party for Jesus, complete with cake and candles on Christmas Eve, I was blessed to hear a conversation between my Son and my 3 year old Granddaughter that went something like this.

Abby: I’d like more cake please 44
Daddy: I think you’ve had enough cake Abby
Abby: But I want more cake 44
Daddy: You’ve had lots of go...

Laughter! My word of the day

Mon, 2 Jan 2012 19:47:04 EST

My word for New Years Day was a brand new word I had never heard before.

Anamnesis 38 I'm still researching it, believing it will teach me something about myself, and influence my journey in a positive way.

Today my day began with Laughter. I grabbed my glass of water, (that in itself caused me to smile...no coffee this morning), and toast and proceeded to read Spark Mail.

The water challege is one of the most difficult for me to keep up with simpl...

WORDS My One Word for 2012

Sun, 1 Jan 2012 02:42:19 EST

I have chosen "WORDS" as my one word for 2012!

I've known this for several weeks, but needed time to ponder what it really means, not only to me, but anyone my words might influence.

Follows are my random ponderings....

What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. Proverbs 18:21

But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. James 3:8
...

CERIUSLY's SparkPeople Blog

Wrap Up of the Winter Into Spring 5% Challenge

A few

Of Vinegar and Rejoicing