TOO MANY BUTTONS

I looked down this morning and thought "I've got to take a photo of this!".

Every day I walk on my treadmill armed with my iPhone and my iPad. AND... I'm serious...sometimes I hit the wrong button! I forget what I'm doing and I hit a button on the treadmill instead of the iPad or iPhone. LOL I've lowered my speed or incline a few times instead of trying to get back to the main screen on my iPad. Duh!
Some of you have asked about my treadmill, so I thought I would show a few photos. Mine is a NordicTrack and it is one that can be "stood on end" to reserve space. Love it! It's pretty heavy, but I'm able to do it by myself. (I have BIG muscles. HA)

Our master closet is a pretty big walk-in, so I keep mine in there. We have two windows so there is plenty of light, plus I leave the door open. As you can see, I also keep my ball and hand weights close by.
Here's a side view when the treadmill is closed up. It doesn't use much space.

And...did you notice mine has fans on each side? (lst photo) What a blessing! When I start getting warm, I can turn those babies on either low or high.
Once it is closed up and locked in place, I can roll it towards the back wall. Honestly, I keep it up most of the time unless we're having guests that might ask for a tour of the house. :-)

It also makes a great place to hang clothes when I decide what I'm going to wear for the day! LOL

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Many of you have expressed an interest in getting a treadmill. I can definitely suggest the type I have. I bought mine about 5 or 6 years ago from a friend who was working out at the gym with me. She had just had a baby and decided she wouldn't have the time to use it as planned, plus she needed the space for baby equipment. I got it for a good price. The hard part was transporting the darn thing, but I'm so glad I bought it. You might keep an eye out in your local newspaper want ads OR post a notice at your gym asking if anyone has a treadmill for sale. I think LOTS of people buy them in January (New Year's resolutions!), but never actually use them.

I'm using mine! Every day :-)


Hugs from the beach,
Kat



"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

AN HOUR A DAY IS PERFECT

"An hour of basketball feels like 15 minutes. An hour on a treadmill feels like a weekend in traffic school."

~David Walters

Funny quote and cartoon, but a little true too. I can run around on the tennis court for 2+ hours and not even think about it, but 1 hour on the treadmill is plenty, thank you very much!

Actually, I love my treadmill. I'm so glad I have one at home. I truly look forward to my workout every day. It's MY time. Without the convenience of having it here, I'm not sure I would have enough discipline to go to the gym every day. Honestly, I KNOW I wouldn't.

Another big help is using my iPad while I'm on the treadmill. LOVE it! I can check emails and facebook, but I especially love reading my book while I walk. Time really does go by nicely and I feel like I get some things accomplished during that time too. A real win/win!

How's YOUR fitness program going? I'm happy (and a bit surprised) to say that I'm sticking with mine. I'm trying to stay away from the damn scale, but my body feels better and my pants are fitting better...so I feel better :-)


Just wanted to say thanks again for all of your sweet comments, emails and cards. It's been a rough week, but YOU really helped.

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What a nice surprise I got this morning. Candace at Mi Chiamo Candace awarded me not one, not two, but three awards. Wow! I am truly touched. Thank you so much!
















Hugs from the beach,
Kat


"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

CELEBRATING LIFE

Yesterday was a whirlwind of emotions, to say the least. It was really hard to attend the memorial service for our sweet friend Carl. Sitting there watching the video presentation was tough, real tough. So many wonderful times together. It's unreal to think he's really gone.

Late yesterday afternoon we all gathered at their home for food and fellowship. I know Carl was smiling too to know his home was filled with friends and neighbors all there to support Jackie (on the far right).
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And although I wasn't sure if I felt like it, I went to a birthday party for our minister's wife Cindy (in the animal print jacket) later last night. I'm so glad I did. I needed some fun girl time.


Life goes on. It really does. Thank you God for reminding me of this.


Hugs from the beach,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

YOU HAVE HELPED

Even when it "rains" in our lives, friends can make a big difference. Thank YOU!


Thank you Lord for always being there right beside us...in the good times, but especially in the hard times. And thank you for placing those in our paths who know just when we need a kind word, a hug, or a prayer. I know how much it means to me, so please Lord use me to help others too.
Amen


Hugs from the beach,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

Luke 23:43
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Rest in peace sweet friend.


Hugs from the beach,
Kat
"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

"NOT GOODS"

Thank you sweet friends for your comments, emails, and prayers. I'm usually an upbeat see-the-glass-mostly-full kind of girl, but lately I feel like I'm standing under a big black HEAVY cloud and there's a BIG DARK SCARY storm "a-brewing". Some times there are so many "not goods" all bunched together and it's almost hard to breathe.

George and I are literally waiting for the phone to ring about our friend Carl. His family is all here gathered around him and we are told it won't be long.

We feel "sucker punched" after learning on Sunday that our minister (and true friend) will be moving away. There is no way to sufficiently express what a difference he has made in our lives. And in our walk with God. I can truthfully say he has made the greatest impact in my Christian life. Bar none. I keep remembering three questions he asked us on Sunday when he made the announcement. Do you love each other? Do you believe in God? Do you trust God? The answer is YES to all three. Some how some way we will get through this.

We are still struggling with the senseless murder of George's great niece a few months ago and these two latest "not goods" are bringing that to the forefront again.

All that being said, I want you to know that I do feel the love you are sending our way and wanted to let you know.

THANK YOU!



Hugs from the beach,
Kat


"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

NUMB

Today has been hard. Very emotional.

As we were getting dressed for church this morning we received the phone call we have been dreading. Our good friend Carl is at the end of his fight against cancer. His wife has been told 24-48 hours.

Our minister and good friend announced this morning that he and his family will be movings in June.

Dear Lord, surround us with your comfort.


Hugs from the beach,
Kat
"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

PEEK A BOO

Miss Daisy (whispering)

Miss Daisy (quietly while stroking her sweet head)

Miss Daisy (a bit louder)

Peek A Boo

Come on sweet girl, look up at Mommy
What?
Where's Daddy? And why did you wake me?

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I think every state has had snow recently except us. This is what our "snow" looks like. Yep, our sugar white sand has been known to look like snow.
Our beaches are empty right now. It's been cool...maybe even cold...but still perfect for a walk on the beach.

Enjoy your weekend.

Hugs from the beach,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

FAIL NOT

"If you fail to plan, then you're planning to fail."

I bet you've heard that quote a thousand times or more. I know I have.

But, you know what? It's a great thing to keep in mind.

I haven't mentioned it lately, but I'm doing good with my diet and fitness. I'm still really enjoying using myfitnesspal.com. I'm keeping that quote in mind when I do my food journaling. It's kinda fun. Every morning it's like a big puzzle that I need to make fit...

so I can be fit :-)

I'm in control...and girls I love being in control.

I sit down every morning and toss around some ideas and plan out my day. My "wants" for breakfast and lunch often sometimes have to be deleted or adjusted. That way I won't get a surprise at dinner. I don't want to find out that I have no calories left. And, of course, I make sure there is some chocolate budgeted in every.single.day. Sometimes twice.

If I know we're going out to dinner, I google the restaurant and get the nutritional info so I know what I'll order. Even the drink. Tonight we went to Bonefish Grill with friends. I had fun this morning making my decision so I wouldn't be tempted once I arrived...and it worked like a charm.

I'm finding (for me) that planning ahead can make the difference between success and failure.

Hugs from the beach!
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

FAITH

Give this beautiful song a listen. You won't regret it. Trust me.



If you're like me, it's hard not to question God sometimes, even though we know we shouldn't. Know what I mean?

Right now, I'm praying for so many people who are really hurting for one reason or another. There are some really hard things to understand and I find myself wondering WHY. Why these people especially. Good people. Christian people. Young people. I know it's not right to feel this way, but sometimes I can't help myself.

I've been doing a lot of praying.

And trusting.

And clinging to my faith.

Because, although I am weak, my God is NOT.


Hugs from the beach!
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

I HEART YOU

Your response to my last post made my heart happy. I think we all like comments if we're honest about it. I don't write my blog specifically to receive comments, but it's a perk of blogging. Blogging has been a fun way to meet others and through comments and visits to blogs, I get to know people across the country. Heck even in other countries which is so cool. I know not everyone that reads blogs has a blog, but that doesn't mean that I don't care to know you too.

Lots of readers posted a comment so I was able to go visit them. AND...it was very nice to have several of my anonymous readers write me an email today to introduce themselves and tell me a little about their lives. I LOVED it.

So thanks everyone...for your visits, your comments/emails and especially your friendship.

You make my heart happy.



Hugs,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

ANYBODY THERE?

Who's there?

I can tell from my Live Traffic Feeder that lots of people visit me, but few take the time to leave a comment. I almost always leave a comment when I visit blogs, but I know not every one does. And that's okay.

It's just that I'd really like to meet YOU. I'd like to know if you enjoyed your visit. I'd like to visit YOU too.

So leave a comment if you have time...pretty please.

No worries though...the duck is safe.



Hugs,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

SIZE REALLY DOES MATTER

If I've learned anything these last two weeks of watching what I eat, it's this:

Size matters!


It really does.

Luckily for me, I've never really had a big weight problem. Maybe it's because I have good genes. Or maybe it's because I stay so active.

Until....

$@%&%# Menopause decided to visit.

Uninvited, I might add.

But, I'm not going to roll over and play dead. No way. Hear that menopause?

But don't think I'm suffering. I'm not living on salads, either. As a matter of fact I haven't eaten many salads these last two weeks. And I love salads. I been eating pretty much what I want, when I want. The biggest difference is HOW much. I've reduced portions and counted calories and upped my exercise a bit.

And, by George, I think it's working!

Slow and easy wins the race.



Hugs,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

LEARNING AS I GO

I'm sticking with my plan of cutting back on calories and doing more exercise. It's actually going easier than ever before...not sure why, but it is. Thank you Lord. I really do think using myfitnesspal.com is the answer for me. What I eat and what exercise I do is right there in black and white. I'm making better choices and when I have a craving, I make it work in my plan by cutting back on something else. Even "cheating" I usually have calories left over at the end of each day.

I can't believe I'm measuring mayonnaise... but I am. Did you know Hellman's Real Mayonnaise has 90 calories in one tablespoon? It does.
And it's worth it to me, so don't even try to tell me about all those other kinds. LOL


And did you know a single homemade campfire style smores has 175 calories. Well, it does. How do I know? Because I was craving one last night and I checked and it fit in my daily calorie allowance. So...I did a happy little dance and made myself one. Oh my word! Heaven on a stick! I even had enough calories left for another one, but one did the trick. So I stopped. Imagine that.

Even when you're trying to lose a few pounds, you still have to say yes to your cravings, right?

Happy weekend everyone!




Hugs,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

OKAY THEN...I SMELL SUCCESSFUL

"Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment."
~Heywood Hale Broun

(I'm seeing results! Yea ME!)


Hugs,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."

FUN IS GOOD

"If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good." ~Dr. Seuss

Things don't have to be planned way in advance. Sometimes it's fun to just send out a few emails or make a few phone calls and gather up some girls to get together for an afternoon movie and dinner.

We saw THE TOURIST (wonderful!) and then went to Fleming's Steakhouse (YUM!) for dinner and drinks.

Fun is good!



Hugs,
Kat

"Father, please let me be a blessing to someone today."