Home Improvement 101

Here's where we've been spending our "spare" time ... or shall I say ... where Walt has been spending his "spare" time -- the downstairs bathroom.
Our house was built in 1978 and all three bathrooms are in need of repair/updating. We really haven't done much to them except to paint and put down vinyl, etc. This will be much more labor intensive. We are starting by replacing the shower, the walls need to be re-textured/painted, install a new vanity/sink and toilet, and tile the floor.
Once this room is finished we will move to the bedroom downstairs and then start tearing out our bedroom/master bath. Following that ... the main bathroom upstairs. This is our year for interior home improvements. We spent 3 years on the exterior and now it's time to move indoors for some major projects. There's always something to do in maintaining an older home!
If you're bored and have nothing to do, stop by some Saturday. Walt might just hand you a paintbrush or tool : ) Or if you have great ideas for decor or design, please do share. We are still in the planning stage. I'll keep you posted on the progress!

Seventh Week Summary

It has now been seven weeks since we started our fitness regime for the new year. We have made the effort to go to Club Sport at least 5 or 6 times a week. We both can feel the difference health-wise and by how our clothes are fitting. We just feel better!
The first week of our workout my iPod decided to have issues so it was another "investment" in our workout plan. This new updated version has many new features. I can plug it into the equipment and download the data from my workout. This info is sent to Nike Plus where it graphs my workout, calories burned etc. What a great tool and incentive to stay on task.
My last serious adventure in getting fit was in 1987. My Dr. suggested I read Covert Bailey's "Fit or Fat" and it was very motivational. I remember only missing one fitness workout (due to illness) between April-August. I also followed Nathan Pritikin's Diet for Runners where I made meals from seven survival staples. I think that was the last time I truly felt fit and healthy.
I have been so pumped this year working on my Word of Year -- VITALITY. It's huge for me to do this. It has been a long journey in my return to health. Six years ago I was so anemic the Drs. couldn't figure out how I got out of bed to go to work each day. A hemotologist gave me shots of Aranesp (a man-made form of a protein that helps your body produce red blood cells) every other week for 5 months ... an amazing treatment with huge price tag! I also had to have several sessions of iron by IV therapy. So you can only imagine what a victory it is to stay on the elliptical for an hour and "run" 20 laps. In an age where we want "instant" results in our lives, this has been a lesson in persistence and patience. I am so very thankful to those who have been praying for me on this long journey to restored health. For me ... this is my "miracle."
In this second month of the new year I hope you also have found times of victory and renewed determination in your goals and Words of the Year!

Prayer

Our Tuesdays@5 group has been studying Philip Yancey's book, "Prayer ... Does It Make Any Difference?" This is the second Yancey book we've studied and I am enjoying this author and his insight / honesty.
A few weeks ago we shared our favorite Psalm or prayer from the Bible and I immediately thought of Psalm 16. My favorite version is from The Good News for Modern Man translation ... from the 70's : )

Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.
I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord;
all the good things I have come from you."
How excellent are the Lord's faithful people!
My greatest pleasure is to be with them.
Those who rush to other gods
bring many troubles on themselves.
I will not take part in their sacrifices;
I will not worship their gods.
You, Lord, are all I have,
and you give me all I need;
my future is in your hands.
How wonderful are your gifts to me;
how good they are!
I praise the Lord, because he guides me,
and in the night my conscience warns me.
I am always aware of the Lord's presence;
he is near, and nothing can shake me.
And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure,
because you protect me from the power of death,
and the one you love you will not abandon to the world of the dead.
You will show me the path that leads to life;
your presence fills me with JOY and brings me pleasure forever.

I have recently discovered Club Sport's steam room and decided it was a great prayer "closet." The room is filled with warm, moist air ... it's a quiet place and great for spending 15 minutes of prayer. The perfect finish to a great workout!
I would love to hear about your favorite Psalms/prayers from the Bible ...

Merry Christmas Matt ... Finally!

Super Bowl Sunday I knit the last few rows on Matt's 2009 Christmas gift. It was a 13-month project so I missed the holiday deadline. No worries ... I just wrapped it up with the needles attached and promised to finish it soon. Has anyone else had to do that?!?!?
Well, Matte ... your afghan is here waiting for you. I think you'll get a few month's use out of it before the warmer temperatures arrive.
It was a fun project to work on. Merry Christmas (again), Matte : )