LJCANNON's SparkPeople Blog

Welcome To Spark People, Maxynne!!

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:57:45 EST

Many of you have heard me talk about my sister Maxynne -- or "Ine" as we call her sometimes. I have 'Hexed' her into Walking 5K's and now FINALLY!! talked her into joining Spark People. It was hard to convince her that it would be as much fun as Farmville, but I think seeing the Spark Recipes won her over. She is a FABULOUS Cook, and she even has won me over to Vegetable Smoothies.
106 After we walked a 5K in her neighborhood this morning, she made me a "Green Gorilla" that...

Visiting Uluru or Ayer's Rock

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:21:04 EST

A Major Highlight this week was visiting Uluru, also known as Ayer's Rock. It is part od the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. By Modern Scientific Terms it is a large, Sandstone Rock Formation. It is the outward protrusion of a Much Larger underground formation. Almost NO Vegetation grows on it's sides which are marked by Rain Grooves, Caves, and Pools. One of it's Strangest Features is that it seems to almost Magically change colours and Glow as Light hits it from different angles.
...

WEIRD NSV This Afternoon!!

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:40:27 EST

Quite possibly my Most Weird NSV so far!! I had to take some papers to be copied for Mom this afternoon. I parked about a half block from the Copy Place, and just as I shut the car door, I realized that my Keys were still in it. 46

20 I was only about a mile and a half from Home, so in Ordinary Circumstances I could walk home and get the Spare Key, No Problem. However, there were several Circumstances that made walking home Not A Great Idea.

...

Noodling For Opals & More Stories

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 00:09:17 EST

The highlight of last week was meeting Ann's friend Opal, and noodling for Opals. I don't think I have ever been so dirty, dry, and exhilarated in my Life!!
But it was all worth it, because we found lots of Bits and Pieces of Genuine Oz Opals, met some Wonderful people, and even did a little shopping for Opal Jewellery!!

Black Opals like ...

Dot Painting

Sat, 8 Jun 2013 13:28:41 EST

It is So Hard to pick out my Favorite Highlight of the past Two Weeks. Meeting Ann's Friend and noodling for Opals (Virtually, of course 211 ) was full of adventures and Life Changing Memories. The one thing that I will take away from this Virtual Trek is a Wealth of New Knowledge about Australia, it's History, People, the Flowers and the Wild Life. Not to mention the Art!!
The ceiling at the Tiwi Art Gallery was stunning!! It reminded me a little of the way they painted the c...

Wayamba The Turtle ~ Aboriginal Folktale

Sat, 1 Jun 2013 23:17:44 EST

When we visited the Tiwi Art Studio the other day, our Tour Guide was telling us some of the Legends and Stories connected with Aboriginal Art. My favorite one, of course was about the Turtle.

WAYAMBA THE TURTLE ~ Wagarra (Australian aborigine) folktale

Oola the Lizard was out getting yams on a mirria flat. She had three of her children with her. Suddenly she thought that she heard someone behind h...

The Argyle Diamond Mine & The Legends of Barramundi Gap

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:27:55 EST

Today we visited the Argyle Diamond Mine. Watching them mine the Diamonds was fascinating and Gail had to practically DRAG me out of there!! The Diamonds echo the rich colours of Australia from Cognacs, Corals and Browns to Light Champagne and Precious Pink. The darker and more intense the colour, the more rare and expensive the diamond. The colours are completely Natural, not created by any chemical or man-made process.
I was captivated by the Tour Guide's Story of the Aborigina...

OKLAHOMA PRIDE!!

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:09:05 EST

Praying for all those in Oklahoma Recovering, or Assisting in the Recovery after the F5 Tornado that hit Moore on Monday, and the Tornado that went through Shawnee the day before that.

Many Lives were Changed FOREVER in a few Violent Moments, but with our Friends ~ and with Strangers who have Become New Friends ~ We will Rebuild a...

Feeding Sharks, A Horizontal Waterfall, and PEARLS, Oh My!!

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:08:25 EST

I am not sure when or why "Swimming With Sharks" became a Dream of mine. But somehow it did, and when Ann told me that there would be Shark Feeding and Swimming on this Trek, she couldn't have kept me away with a whole Army!! I have enjoyed so many Adventures in the past few weeks that it is hard to find the Words to do justice to all of it. Putting it all together had to have been an ENORMOUS Undertaking, No Mat...

Me & My Sister -- Color Me Rad 2013

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:05:47 EST

Just in case you wanted to see what the "After" looks like at a Color Run, I thought I'd show you this. I did not get a Before picture, but Trust Me -- We were both as Clean and White as Fresh Snow!

If you haven't ever done a Color Run, you should definitely Do It!! Sign up early while the Price is Low, wear clothes that it is OK to get stained -- Sometimes the Color comes out, sometimes it doesn't!...

It's A Good Thing This Is Virtual!!

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:32:17 EST

Just had to get a quick Blog here to let you all know that I finally caught up with the Group and I am at the Campsite with everyone. Joan, Thanks for the Coffee!! It really DID hit the spot!! AND, thanks for rescuing my Towel that I left at Conspicuous Beach!! With all of the 'Side Trips' that I made, I got nearly 20,000 Steps today.
I got up early thinking that I would be able to keep up with the Group for once and then I had to make a "Quick" run to the Store for Sunscreen. On the wa...

Oklahoma City Memorial 5K ~ 2013 Edition

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:22:24 EST

I have been looking forward to the Oklahoma City Marathon for months, and in some ways even more so since the bombings at the Boston Marathon. I am Happy and Proud that the Oklahoma City Marathon people reached out to the Boston Marathoners who didn't get to finish Their Race. They were invited to Run in Oklahoma City for Free. Typical behaviour for Runners, I think.
One of the Meteorologists from our local NBC Chan...

The Bearded Orchid by Douglas Stewart

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:14:44 EST

Well, as to Gnomes and Elves, I can see clumps of heath,
Dwarf Apple and Needlebush Thicket,
And nothing behind or beneath
Except the Wild Irises flying
like Lilac Butterflies;
But who are these 7 small gentlemen,
So Bearded and Wise and Wicked
With their Black Pinhead Eyes,
Malignantly sunning themselves
Against that wall of leaves
on a stem from the hot red earth?

184 Well as to Trolls and Such
They exist...

(Virtual) Butterflys On The Bibbulmun Trek

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:54:18 EST

100 I am so happy to have caught up to you all!! I was trying to catch Pictures of Butterflys and I got SSSOOOO LOST!! There is just so much out here to See and Learn about!! Every time I try to look at One Flower, I find another One that I Just Have To See and Experience!!
88 I had No Idea that Australian Butterflies are So Elusive and FAST!! Even when I would see one, by the time I raised my camera he was L-O-N-G GONE!!
Even when I DID catch one of the lit...

Successful Shopping Trip, Now On To A Virtual Train Ride

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:38:54 EST

198 Whew!! I am glad that we will be mostly sitting on the Train -- I HOPE!! For me I have been practically running all day!! But I had a Shopping List that I REALLY wanted to get before we leave on the next leg of our Trek.
24 No one seemed to know where I could pick up any Camo Tents of ANY Color, but I did find the Other thing on my List! Since I am just getting to know you all, I just picked out several different Styles so you can Pick your Favorite and Wea...

Don't Read If You Are Prone To Virtual Nightmares!!

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:23:21 EST

We did have a slightly easier Trek today, as Our Fearless Leader promised us. There was a lot of Rest Stops, and plenty of opportunity for Photos.
I am just AMAZED at all of the colors and Fragrances we are surrounded by! I had absolutely No Idea that Australia was such a Beautiful Place!!
As much as I hate BUGS, I have to admit that I saw some Beautiful ones today. I have not learned much about them, and I hope that I don't have nightmares tonight since I got up close & personal to...

Big Difference In Weather Here In Australia & Back Home In Oklahoma

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:23:05 EST

I have an Extra Reason to be REALLY glad that I am with Ann and The Girls facing the Wilderness and Critters in Southwest Australia. We are all getting tired, and a bit sore from carrying these Back Packs -- Did you notice that My Backpack and my Tent are matching Pink Camo?

It has been a Great day weather wise here. A little overcast, and it looks like it might rain. But that is a far cry from what my Friends i...

Nothing Like The Peal Thing!!

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 15:49:52 EST

Yesterday in Perth was so exciting that I hardly know where to start. The highlight of the day was visiting the Swan Bell Tower. Ann told us a lot about them in the Brochure she put together, but words -- And even Pictures!! -- cannot do them justice!! You just have to see them to believe them!! And the SOUND!! I may be partially Deaf, at least temporarily!! But -- It Was Worth It!!
As Ann mentioned in the Brochure, 12 of the Bells were a Gift from the Church of England when it was trad...

BONUS!! I FOUND THE PICTURE I WAS LOOKING FOR!!

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 16:59:46 EST

I finally found the Picture of Claudine feeding the Lorikeets at the Oklahoma City Zoo!!
It was taken in June of 2010.

'I AM POOPED BUT IT IS A GOOD POOP

Wed, 3 Apr 2013 16:49:38 EST

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE going to the Zoo? One of my Fondest memories is kidnapping my friend Claudine from the Nursing Home and taking her to the Oklahoma City Zoo. The highlight of that day was getting to see the New, Baby Asian Elephant -- Malee, which is a Thai word for Flower or Jasmine.

Today's highlight was the Zoo in Perth. It was an AWESOME Day!! I had expected to see - Maybe! -- Ga...

Touring Fremantle Prison At Night

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 17:54:04 EST

I am so enjoying my Virtual Trek with EMMAB1 and her Friends on the Chair Exercise Team! They are already becoming my Friends too.

After reading TORTILLAFLAT'S Blog yesterday about her visit to Fremantle Prison I just had to make a Side Trip there. It was just my Luck --Thanks to Virtual Time Traveling!! -- I was able to go on a Night Time Tour of the Prison which is reputed to be HAUNTED!!
32 The...

WEDNESDAY WORKOUT

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:19:43 EST

It WILL Hurt.
It WILL Require Dedication.
It Will Require Willpower.

You WILL need to make Healthy Choices.
It WILL Require Sacrifice.
You WILL Need To Push Your Body To The Max.
There WILL Be Temptation.

But ...

Be Beautiful

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 22:21:48 EST

I believe that this article was written by Jon Gilson, the Owner of a Company called Again Faster which sells Fitness Equipment. I really don't know much about him or his company, but I do LIKE what he wrote in this article. I came across it on the Face Book Page of a Friend of mine. It is Too Good not to share it. And keep in mind that it was written By A Man.

203 "If I were feeling a little more lawless I would gather up all the copies of Cosmo and Seventeen, ...

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Friends

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:03:19 EST

Green Spark Blessings, Friends!!

Don't settle for Green Beer. You KNOW You'd rather have Green Tea!!

Enjoy your Green Celebration and Spread Green Blessings w...

Day 695 ~ New Walking Partners

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:19:55 EST

My Oldest Son has decided that he needs to get in some Exercise so if we walk a Little Earlier than we have been doing, he will walk with Hubby and I when we go to 7-11 every night. We have been walking Every Evening for 695 Evenings.

This is a Picture of Oldest Son (Geoff) on the Colorado River several years ago. He has not changed much.
We also have another Walking Companion - Smoky, one of the Stray Cats t...

Talking Shoes Top Ten List From David Letterman

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:20:56 EST

Evidently Skechers has come out with a TALKING TENNIS SHOE" of some sort. On his Late Night TV Show last Night, David Letterman released his Top Ten List of things you DON"T want to hear YOUR Tennis Shoe saying. Thought I would share them with those of you who went to bed at a decent hour and missed The List!!

10. Left, Right, Left, Right, Le...

YOU. ARE. AMAZING.

Fri, 8 Mar 2013 13:24:29 EST

from the Australia Curves FaceBook Page

34 You. Are. Amazing.
As. You. Are.
More Beautiful Than You Believe
More Loved Than You Can Ever Imagine

34 Passionate About Making A Difference
Fiery When Protecting Those You Love
Learning. Growing. Not Alone.
Warm. Giving. Generous.

Before I Turn 60 (That Gives Me 4.5 Years!)

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 22:59:00 EST

I have NO Idea how long it will take, but some day I want to be able to do THIS at least 10 Times!!

I know it won't be Easy, and I know that I CAN NOT do even ONE Right Now. But I believe that I CAN Do it by the time I am 60 years old!!

Tips From FaceBook On Having A Fun Treadmill Workout

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:41:21 EST

I came across these tips on FaceBook and knew I HAD to share them with my Spark Friends!! If you have been using the Treadmill to get your work outs in since the Weather is so bad, these Tips will help make those Minutes on the Treadmill More Fun!!

Run laps around the Treadmill until someone asks Why you are doing it. Explain that Running on the Treadmill is Too Boring.

This interpretation addresses several 'Issues' in the Original Painting:

1) Davinci's Painting shows Daylight outside the window. The actual event occurred at night.
2) The figures in th...

Teach Them Early That FITNESS is FUN

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:15:58 EST

VALENTINE'S BLESSINGS TO ALL MY SPARK FRIENDS!!!

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 01:25:15 EST

I am Blessed to have all of you in my Life!!

My Sister's Blog ~ Lesson On Facing Storms

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:01:28 EST

These pictures are from outside My Sister's house in the Panhandle of Oklahoma. As some of you might know she is a Grade School Teacher. I am posting Her FaceBook Status here because we can ALL learn a Lesson from the Little Girl that she calls "My Teacher".

From Maxynne Marr's FaceBook Page:
"This morning I was on Door Duty, gree...

1st Oklahoma Snow 2013

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:00:44 EST

OK, that is NOT an accurate depiction of our Snow today -- At least not yet!! But we ARE getting Snow!!
This is from my Sister's Front Door - in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

I am not sure how it will be late this evening for Our Walk, but I got in a 30 Minute Walk this morning at Work, and a short walk to 7-11 to buy some Oranges and ...

Betty & "Me" At The Gym

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 21:29:47 EST

THE SWEAT!!

THE TIME!!!

THE DEVOTION!!!

Yes, It Is WORTH IT!!

In My Imagination, This Is ME, At The Gym.

See Missteps As Detours,
Not Stop Signs.
Reach For The Best, Not Less.
247 YOU DESERVE IT!!!
(from the February 11, 2011 Woman's World Magazine)

Happy Groundhog Day, Spark Friends!!!

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 05:15:31 EST

"Ground Hogs" 'Wood Chucks' and "Whistle Pigs" are all actually the Same Critter. The name "Whistle Pigs" comes from the fact that they Whistle when alarmed ~ Or, when they are looking to Catch a Lady!!

The term "Woodchuck" has Nothing to do with Chucking Wood, but stems from the Algonquin name of the Animal "Wuchak". Their diet includes mostly Plants, Fruits, and Tree Bark.

The lead character - 9 year old Quvenzhane Wallis ( i hope I spelled that right!!) was the Youngest EVER Nominee for Best Actress this year at the Oscars. Her father is played by another newcomer, Dwight Henry. He owned a Bakery across the street where they were doing auditions for the ...

Monday Again? ALREADY?!

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:49:43 EST

MONDAYS were made for Coffee!!

COLOR ME RAD, Oklahoma City, May 11

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:23:19 EST

Although this is called a "Run" or a "Race" it is NOT Timed, and EVERYONE is Welcome to participate whether you Walk, Run, Jog, or Stroll. Many Familys with small children participate and are able to just enjoy the day!!

I didn't find any Pictures, but a lot of people "Dress Up" for this Race. There were a Lot of Men In Tutu...

Guaranteed Formula For Success

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:59:40 EST

Shut Up

Work Hard

Be Patient

Repeat These Steps Over And Over And Over Again!!

Gotta Have One NOW!!!

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 14:00:06 EST

I was watching the TODAY Show on NBC this morning and saw the "Must Have Accessory" for all of us Sparkers who are out Walking, Running, Jogging and Biking in Cold Weather. It is the "Beard Mask" also known as "Beard ski" It is kind of a cross between a Ski Mask and a Beard. You can Google Beard Mask on the Today Show and watch a Video of the Anchors actually modeling them.

Until then, here are a few Images that I found of Crocheted and Knitted Beard Masks.

195 Revisit Your Food Journal. Repeat A Good Week.
380 Remind Yourself How Far You Have Come.
362 MOVE! ...

Pre Flight Instructions (found on Facebook)

Tue, 1 Jan 2013 23:06:24 EST

Good Morning and Welcome to Flight 2013.
We are prepared for Take Off.
Please be sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and in an Upright Position. All Self Destructive Devices should be turned off at this time. All Negativity, Hurt, and Discouragement should be put away.
458 Should we lose Attitude under Pressure during this Flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will be Au...

TO ALL MY FRIENDS & FAMILY!!!

Tue, 1 Jan 2013 01:08:49 EST

Praying that You ALL have a Happy, Healthy, BLESSED 2013.

R.I.P. Miss Eloise

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 23:03:42 EST

I had a LOT More Last Minute Stuff to do today than I expected to. So I have been on the Run all day!! Did manage to eat well, and I got over 12,000 Steps in even without going to the Gym!! I walked 2.91 Miles at work this morning. Thank Goodness for insulated Lunch Bags and Fresh Fruit & Veggies that travel well!!
220 Attended a Beautiful Funeral Service for one of the Matriarchs of our Church Family this morning. The Christmas Season was her FAVORITE time of year. She taugh...

Non Scale Motivation For Exercise

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:01:43 EST

192 My initial motivation when I joined Curves was just to Keep Walking and remain Independent. The Weight Loss was a Very Happy Surprise!
But there are times ~ Like NOW, for Me ~ when the Scale is not cooperative. 225 .
Either it is not going Down as fast as we'd like, Or it isn't moving at all, Or it has gone UP!!
This is the time that it is Most Important that we keep reminding ourselves of Why We NEED To Exercise.

100 It boosts ...