Fitness Challenge 1

On the 1st of January till today the 31st Of March I have been taking part in this fitness challenge.

click to link

In January I walked a staggering 72 miles, February 44 miles and as of today the last day of this challenge 43 miles.

Tomorrow marks the start of my 2nd time round (!st April till June the 30th) This will be our winter months so it will be interesting to see if I can walk just as far I as I have this time :)

This time I plan to do progress reports ever Friday (NZ time). Didnt do any for the first round - who knows I may even make some more bloggy friends this time.

NB

There are A few "workout" stipulations:“Workouts” only include activities specifically done for the purpose of exercise.

The majority of my walks (the only way I exercise) are done either doing my 14 year olds paper run on Saturday mornings or when delivering and picking up my Home Care Catalogues. While this is my part time job and I get paid for the work I do. Its not much - pocket money really and I wouldnt be exercising if it werent for that. I have been "working" for just over a year now and if it werent for the job I wouldnt have kept up the regular exercise. If you have a problem with my view of the rules you dont have to read my blog :) Peace always

My Home Schooler Copying Our Rough Draft For English Into His Work Book Nicely :)

Simple Womans Daybook

FOR TODAY... 29 March

Outside my window. . . Its a bit overcast

I am listening to... the birds singing outside

I am thinking... about yesterday and Im on guard. Yesterday I had a downer of a day :( The devil is having a go at me. Probably to be expected considering the great Saturday I had. Its all tied up with the lies the ex is accusing me of. Im confident re court. It just hurts and Im sick of the trail the ex and the devil are putting me through. I however do have a great wonderful supportive church family and God of course. I will get through this :)

I am thankful for... God, my church family and YOU :)

I am wearing... my dressing gown its just 730 am. Soon I will get dressed, have breakfast and devotional for the day :)

I am going... to my boss' this morning, then Ill be home schooling for the morning :)

I am currently reading...I Kissed Goodbye to Dating by Joshua Harris (Im a slower reader its a goodie though)

I am hoping... today will be a better day :)

Around the house...everything needs doing, B14 and I usually spend a couple of hours on a Saturday cleaning the house. I as you know was away this Saturday so now somehow I have to fit in cleaning uo the house. Bless B14 he did clean the toilet on Saturday and put one of thesein the loo. I am trying them out for the first time :)

One of my favorite things . . .singing :) I spend a couple of hours yesterday afternoon by myself (B14 went ot the movies :)) singing along with UTube and lyrics either on the site itself or off the internet. I chose Christian songs :)

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week . . . As you tell its gonna be another busy week, however its a short week :) Friday is Easter :) and the start of a 2 week holiday for school children here In New Zealand

From my picture journal..

And to think the ex thinks he just sleeps with a sleeping bag :(

Isnt he adorable

Cant wait to see him later today

he spends the weekends with his dad

Way2Go Conference 2010

I started my day at 3am yes 3am!!! I wanted to email my cousin about my appearence in court. Custody stuff in case you arent in the know :)

I really should have done this before I went o bed on Friday night however B14 was the computer and I was tired.

Once awake I couldnt go back to sleep

At 430am I had breakfast, then went over to one of the other Sunday School teachers house.

K was driving us to Wellington. We picked up the last teacher (G) in our team and off we went.

Finally we arrived in Wellington. A little late not that it mattered, other people were still arriving and it appeared that we travelled the furtherest. After getting a much needed pit stop (visit to the toilet) we collected our name tags and sat in the auditorium with everyone else.

We were welcomed and heard a speaker about the theme of the day. I learnt how important it is to include prayer in our program both with the children and for them. To be a living testimony for God. Modeling to the children how God is working within my own life. I also learnt how important it is for me to step up to the mark more and welcome our kids :)

Then after morning tea we went off to our nominated and elected classes. My first one was was called Sign Spotting and it was designed to find out out how to help primary aged children see God through object lessons using nature. In this class I picked up some great lesson ideas using natural objects around me - roses, leaves, seeds and the great world we live in :) Also the fact that can backup what we are teaching using science. The lady leading this workshop also talked about a favorite chemical of mine Laminin.

In the next workshop I learnt more about Boys will be Boys :) While Im sure the stuff I learnt in this workshop will help me teach our Sunday School boys better. I plan to one day teach one of the characters in the bible dressed up in period costume :) at little to cost to me but hopefully getting that character stuck in the minds of our Sunday School children. It also gave me some great ideas about how to teach my own son B14 better :)

Next term Im going to be mixing our home schooling program up a bit more :) Next term (its after only a few days of school and a couple of weeks holiday) I plan to read B14s Correspondence Workbooks as soon as I get them and think of how I can teach B14 from them in a more hands on way. Still using them but jazzing them up a bit to suit us :)

This speaker was very knowledgeable and a joy to listen too. I was sitting there thinking I wonder if hed ever consider coming to talk to the home schoolers about teaching our boys?? I never asked him - I know where to find him though :)

Lunchtime was enjoyed by all :) There was time to look at the resources on sale and time for me to reflect on how I want to incorporate God more into our home schooling studies. I have been thinking about this for sometime now :) B14 doesnt go to church:( Hes of an age where I cant force him to. I dont think this would be beneficially either. In a bag of goodies we were presented to as we arrived we received this book. I am going to start by studying this with B14.

Then it was off to the last workshop of the day - Learning how to talk to children about becoming a Christian. I now have a plan for this when and if it occurs again. Backtracking a little one of the boys in our Sunday School asked how he could become a Christian and I dont think it was handled very well by our team.

When the Conference was finished K, G and I went up Mt Victoria. I hadnt been in Wellington in 15 years and even then it was very briefly. G wanted to show me Wellington. Bless him :)

I have re-decided that one day my family and I will be going to Wellington to see Te Papa etc.

On the way back to Napier we had dinner here. It was paid for my church :)

Children and Cooking

I read this article a while ago (Also check out the young ladies site next to this article, she also has a blog:)) and think its a shame and a disservice to our children

dont parents know that all too soon our youngests are going to be out there flatting and fending for themselves

I believe they need to make time to teach their children how to cook

maybe in the weekends if they work

I am proud to say that both my boys show a keen interest in cooking

I believe we need to follow their interests and nurture them, more so when it comes to this important life skill

we all need to eat dont we???

and its so much cheaper if one cooks at home rather than buying takeout

the article said and I quote

She said: "Many young parents have busy lives, working full time or part time. I think they find it easier to stop on the way home and buy ready prepared foods which can be reheated and served at home.

One of the best things I did when I went to uni as a younger (than I am now :)) mother was buy a crock pot. I still use it these days. Its easy to whack the meat and a few veges into the pot and set it going in the morning and forget about it until dinner time. Quick, easy and nutritious. It also gives my chief B14 a night off which he appreciates:)

It actually pays off teaching our children to cook. As they get older they can give mum a night off :) I really appreciate it, especially on a Monday, the busiest work afternoon of my week., when B14 has cooked dinner. Its a life saver when I get in the door after working all afternoon.

What do you think????????

Windows

On Saturday I was inspired to make some art. I was inspired by my own daughter who has started uni this year. Taking Art amongest other things she has planned.

This first picture is hers the rest are mine. I didnt have any white paint so I used paper instead - same concept.

I was also inspired from this shot out my lounge window

What we've been doing lately :)

Chatting to my daughter on Skype :)

The 3 of us talking :)

Simple Womans Daybook

OR TODAY... 22 March

Outside my window. . . Its still dark

I am listening to... Silence

I am thinking... about a special friend at church whom got cancer last year and came through it, I heard yesterday that she has it again :( :( :( and its serious again

I am thankful for... Friends who think of me

I am wearing... My pink dressing gown its only 645am

I am going... to have a shower soon and have breakie

I am currently reading...I Kissed Goodbye to Dating by Joshua Harris (my dear cousin sent it to me :))

I am hoping... dthat it will be another fine day so much easier to pick up my catologues when it is

Around the house...the dishwasher needs loading up again

One of my favorite things . . .this time of the morning - no else is awake - its my time :)

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week . . . don Wednesday we are going to be visited by a lady whom did correspondence with her children for many years :)

From my picture journal.. last night I went to see this great show with some friends from church. I was touched that I was invited by one of my friends because I didnt know anything about it. The night started with a sing along to some music that made me miss another worship concert I go to about monthly (however what with Christmas etc I havent been last year and this weekend when its on again Im going to Wellington for the day).

Then this great group of Maori performers sang (with English subtitles of what they were signing about on the big screen behind them), danced, did the haka and showed us their great performance which they are going to take Auckland very soon and then over seas as a missionary outreach. At the end of the evening they got a well deserved standing ovation. I pray they bring many people to Christ.

Bewitched

Last night I watched the remake of Bewitched. I use to LOVE this program when I was a girl :)

I adored both Tabitha and Samantha. I even called my cat Tabitha

My daughter told me that Bewitched was on. I thought it must have been a rerun of one of the orginally series. I was pleasantly surprised to find they had made a remake. The bonus for me was that it had one of my favourite actresses in it Nicole Kidman. In it shes plays another adorable witch. Im not really into witches (when B14 was at school I use to refuse to do reading home work if he brought a book home about them) however both of these programs are exception to my rule.

Friday Night Specials

After I had finished my catalogue drop yesterday at about 6pm

I popped into the supermarket to get some Friday Night munchies for B14 and I

Id been craving the chips for a day or two

New Washing Machine & Granddad

As I may have mentioned my washing machine has been causing me problems

First it started leaking water

which I mopped up but it seeped through the floor and made part of the roof downstairs fall in

The landlord fixed that problem at no cost to me - bless him

So I took the washing machine outside and used it running a hose into it

Which worked alright for about a week

then it decided it would pump the water out but not wash the clothes

So I used the laundromat but decided very fairly quickly that it actually is more expensive than I can really afford

I wondered how I was going to fix that problem

I remembered Granddad and his offer to help if I ever needed it

This is B14s Granddad

He has access to a family trust

As well as that he is a wonderfully caring supportive man

He is the closest thing B14 has to a dad

He really cares

B14s dad doesnt give a fig

When B14 was little I walked away from his dad who was abusive

(I always pick the wrong men - never again - God is the only man for me now)

Although B14s dad saw him in the holidays for the first couple of years he hasnt bothered since

Granddad on the other hand has always cared

B14 goes for an annual holiday there at New Years and he has given B14 opportunities he wouldnt have without it

again thanks to the trust that Granddad oversees B14 would never have had without his support

His schooling and private tutor (whom really helps him get helps him with his learning difficulties) , his drama, his annual holiday, his most important male figure in his life

Grandad rings up often to see how we all are and if hes ever up this way stays with us

Hes a real blessing

So anyway I didnt really like to do it but I asked Granddad and today we got this

B14 is more excited about the huge box thats nearly as big as he is

He wants to hide in it and surprise his little bro when he comes home from kindy and his weekly visit to me to see his friend from play group days

Lego

Last night we watched an interesting program on TV.

After the program B14 got on the computer and played at a Lego website till bedtime.

Today I am going to get our Lego out

I keep it in my room this way we dont lose all the pieces

I am reminded of when I was a child

I made lots and lots of houses with roofs (we had roof tiles)

Some of houses were L shaped

Simple Womans Daybook

FOR TODAY... 15 March

Outside my window. . . Its another blue day :)

I am listening to... The boys playing with each other

I am thinking... about how Im feeling better today than I was last week :)

I am thankful for... the Correspondence School - B14 would be in public high school without them and I dont think that would benefit him

I am wearing... my purple, white and black flowery top and jeans

I am going... back to court re D4 t the end of the month arrr and scary - gonna get hold of my special supportive friend whom I have talked to for a month or so and ask her to hold my hand then and try to get B14s boss to do the paper run this afternoon

I am currently reading... Once Upon A Summer Janette Oke

I am hoping... to get another book I like from the church library tomorrow morning when I set up play group

Around the house... everything is mostly ok thanks to B14s help on Saturday

One of my favorite things . . . I consider myself a late bloomer. When I was a teen I wasnt much into jewelry or hair-dos etc. Now I like my necklaces, bracelets and rings and Im being to enjoy playing with my hair - now its getting longer

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week . . . hopefully a bit less busy this week and I must try not to stress out to much

From my picture journal..

Team Family Work - Got the Job Done

Yesterday afternoon B14 and I worked together

He tidied the rooms while I went behind him vacuuming them

He was obedient, tidying as I instructed and going beyond that as well

It wasnt long before the house gleamed again

I was going to tidy the school room office until he said no he would do it

Although I didnt tell him

this is what I wanted to happen a couple of years ago when we were with the ex

At that stage I had wanted the 3 of us to spend an hour or two on a Saturday tidying the place up

The ex was too good at throwing the housework over to someone else to do

which resulted in me doing it as it saved arguments

I firmly believe that as a family its members should help share the load

It gets the chores done in half the time without resentment from anyone

I feel that setting the time and working alongside each other builds unity

Shocked!!!

Late this afternoon after a good cough free afternoon sleep I went out and did B14s paper round and dropped half of my weekly amount of catalogues walking about 3 miles altogether. I had left strict instructions with B14 that I would need dinner when I got back. I said I didnt care what I had as long as it was something.

Upon my arrival home I was stunned as I pulled into our car parking area near the house. All the bits and pieces that were in the backyard where packed into a corner of the section. I wish my camera was working I would have taken photos. Secondly I noticed all my washing that had been hanging up had been taken down. I wondered what the heck was happening. I wondered whether wed been robbed as the boys bikes were no where in sight.

Upon walking into the house I noticed the bikes as well as other bits and pieces including the chairs I have for sitting in the garden in, in the kitchen. Stranger and stranger . . .

I walked through the house - quietly and puzzled

I found B14 in the school room/office on the computer and looked at him

My face have said it all

He explained his motives

He had heard the news on TV to batten things outside down

I cant find where it says to batten things down

however here are some news items I did find in relation to what he heard/saw on TV

1

2

3

This weather is expected to hit the Bay soon

It is raining here as I write/type this and a bit windy

Not only did he do all this

he also made me Nachos with mince for dinner

I praised him

and gave him a hug for a yummy dinner

I am now even more convinced that he is able to pull his weight around here

He reckons his foot isnt hurting tonight so thats good news

I pity the nurses and feeling pressured

Dear friends and family

Yep as I said yesterday

we have reassessed chores

I simply cant do everything

theres parts of me

that want to fall into the pity trap

however I cant afford to

think if I do I may get taken for a ride

B14 is a male and boy do I feel for any nurse that has to do with a male

theres a part of me that wants to believe his foot is sore

theres a part of me that says "Jen youre being as mean as he reckons you are"

theres a part of me thats saying "You dont know how sore it is"

I dont Ive never had a burn like his nor seen a blister like his

However

I am keeping him dosed up with his pain relief

I am taking him to the doctors every day to get it redressed

I am listening to the moaning and groaning

the shouting when he tells me Im expecting too much

I am holding his hand (even when he almost breaks it) when the nurses put the healing cream on it or pop the blister

I am doing his paper run even when I am pushed to my limit

Thinking I may ask the boss to get someone else to do it next week

I am feeling stink about how I am expecting him to pull his weight at the mo

But I cant do everything!!!

I believe as a family we should work together to get what needs done done

he can move around just

Hes not laid up on the couch or bed

What do you think

am i expecting too much?????????

Please be honest

if Im expecting too much at the moment

I can take your word for it

His no

yours yep :)

Our Family Meeting

This afternoon I called a family meeting around the dining room table

Poor D4 wanted to sit right next to me

I suppose I should hold these meetings more often

He wasnt sure what was up

It all began before he got home

I was sick of the dishes piling up the bench

B14 was suppose to be doing them

until he decided he would cook again

in my house one person cooks

the other does the dishes - we do have a dishwasher

I got angry!!!

then I looked at the wall chore list and decided I had let it slip somewhat recently

So I sat down and reassessed the chores

B14 had a problem with the fact that D4 didnt seem to be doing much

I pointed out that he is only 4

Once I had rewritten the house rules, chores and consequences

I picked D4 up from kindy

Then we had our meeting

Since then I have noticed B14 is being a bit behaved and helpful

He seems to like the boundaries

He knows I mean it when I say to do something - if he doesnt - he will lose something from his room

We have decided to get those dishes sorted together

He does after all have a sore foot

He knows Im sick of looking at them

I am willing to help to compensate for his sore foot

D4s chores are to pick up his toys before bed, help unload the groceries on a Thursday, take his dirty clothes to the laundry, make his bed with my help and wipe my messes he makes

B14s chores are help unload the groceries on a Thursday, looking after his cat, take out the rubbish and take down to the road for collection, cook dinner, clean kitchen counters and sink after cooking the dinner, bring the washing in, wipe out the fridge and tidy rooms on a Saturday morning.

I will help unload the groceries on a Thursday and put them away, do the laundry, load dishwasher, empty it and put the dishes away, wash the pots and pans (and hope B14 doesnt create too many when cooking), fold the washing and put clothes away, hang out the washing, clean the bathroom and loo, vacuum the house after B14 has cleaned the rooms on a Saturday morning.

Gods Love - Radical Love

The other morning I read a devotional that made me realize that Im dealing with the ex as God wants me to

In the devotion it said "We are to go out 0f our way to be kind, show good will and pray for those who are against us."

it isnt always easy

Sometimes I am tempt to take revenge for all that I have been though

However, something always holds me back

Maybe its that I know Jesus' will on all this

"the love Jesus speaks of does not retaliate or seek revenge"

I feel better knowing Im dealing with things as God would have deal with them

Its up to God to deal in time with the ex and what hes done

Gods love "does not critically judge, it forgives freely and gives generously"

I am working on the forgiveness

and many people have said I am very generous

I sometimes feel too generous

I sometimes feel almost as if i am saying to myself when seeing the ex youve hurt me however I am extending my other cheek to hurt too

I know whats important in all this

D4 and whats best for him

"Pure love is giving when there is no hope of receiving love, appreciation or thanks"

The ex always feels like Im trying pull the one up on him

this isnt true

I want whats best for D4

I know too well how it feels to give without being treated as I should be nor thanked

I have consistently chosen the wrong men for the last 20 years

not anymore

from now on Im choosing God

"Such love shines"

I want to shine out my light for Jesus

So when I chose not to seek revenge I am in fact "being a powerful witness"

The last time I felt tempted I went to God for help

He loves me

As I receive His love - I am "able to share it with others" in this case namely in the way I choose to respond

Quotes are from Keith Harrington, 2005, 4o Days With Jesus page 37

A rant if you can hear me LOL

I am happy to report that my throat isnt sore anymore however I do sound like this or this

which makes reading aloud with B14 hard

Speaking of B14

He is now on antibiotics for an infection in his foot

He got me really MAD last night and this morning

He said after hed done it that hed never cook again. I worked yesterday afternoon as I usually do. I picked D4 up at 1245 from his dad. Took him to his caregivers (doesnt always feel so good doing this but he LOVES her) then went and picked up my catalogues. As well as picking them up yesterday afternoon I also did the paper run. After I picked D4 up at 5pm I still I had to finish picking up some of the catalogues. Picking them up with D4 is a bit slower although bless his heart, feet and enthusiasm helps. So at about 7pm we finally headed home.

Now B14 knows that after working all that time I expect, value and need dinner to be ready - made by him and waiting for me in my recovery process. Well!!!! He stayed true to his word and there was no dinner!!!

I was A N G R Y!!!!!

I hoped back in the car with D4 and went and got tinned spaghetti and creamed corn(for me) from the supermarket. With strict instructions to at least use the toaster to make some toast.

Now I may have gotten over this had I not seen the oven tray this morning while getting my first coffee of the morning and realized that B14 hadnt used the toaster at all but the oven!!

I did give him a few chores to do last night to make up for it. I am thinking that I may give him back the job of the dishwasher - loading, unloading and putting the dishes away as needed. Im also thinking he could do the vacuum cleaning.

I have enough to do as it is especially without having to do the dinner after an afternoon of extreme business and work.

I cant do everything.

I got out some corn-beef last night and popped it in the crockpot this morning so that will at least deal with dinner tonight and tomorrow night although none of the afternoons are as busy as my my Monday afternoons are.

Simple Womans Daybook

FOR TODAY... 8th March

Outside my window. . . its cloudy

I am listening to... silent its golden

I am thinking... that I should take some pandol my body is aching. Why I need to get sick. I dont have time for it and Im not one to lie down and surrender. Im blaming it on the change of seasons :(

I am thankful for... friends who care :)

I am wearing... my dressing gown it is only 7am


I am going... well its a toss up whether I go back to bed or get stuck into the day

I am currently reading... Revolution in World Missions by K P Yohannan and learning a bit from it :)

I am hoping... to get the washing up to date

Around the house... see above - a week or so ago my washing machine leaked. It didnt seem to bad but made the roof fall in down stairs. The landlord was awesome about it all. I moved the washing machine outside and am using the neighbours hose to fill it up until I can buy a hose. Therefore Im only doing the washing about once a week so really need to do that asap this week

One of my favorite things . . . is being well which Im not at the mo :(

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week . . . shake this cold? flu? work and just the usual.

From my picture journal..

Photo credit: Christiaan Briggs, Wikimedia

Something Ive Learnt

You are never alone

He is always with you

Reach out to Him and He will hold you up

When we are at our lowest thats when He is working in us

God loves us

Rejection is hard Ive had to deal with it lots throughout my life

God will never reject You though

He LOVES LOVES LOVES you

People are people they will let you down

However God will never let you down

Lean on Him

Something I do when I am sad

I grab my bible and read

It never ceases to amaze me how when we reach out to Him He is always there and soothes our hurts like no one else can

Songs From The 1970s

Saw this idea on Stuff recently. I researched more than the Wikipedia people seemed to. Finding the Utube links better than they had :) some are newer than 1970. I dont think this seemed much. Upon to listening to one of them it sounded very much the same.

I was born in 1970

The first three songs are from that year for children :)

1 "ABC-DEF-GHI" is a song sung by Big Bird of Sesame Street.

2 "Bein' Green" is a popular song written by Joe Raposo in 1970 for the first season of the children's television program Sesame Street and it was performed by Kermit the Frog

3 "House at Pooh Corner" Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Top 10 In My Humble Opinion

1 "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" John Fogerty.

2 Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell.

3. "Country Comfort" Elton John

4 "Country Road" James Taylor I have loved James Taylor for years and he reminds me of my lovely bro-in-law (who has a very similar hair style). This song also has an interesting story behind it. Apparently James suffered depression and this is a song is a reflection upon the road that lead up to the hospital where he admitted himself. I admire people who make depression acceptable :) and make something of themselves despite it.

6 "Every Night" Paul McCartney My favourite Beatle :)

7 Moonshadow" by Cat Stevens his best song ever I reckon. It apparently is Cat Stevens favorite of his old songs

8 Moondance" Van Morrison

9 "Help Me Make It Through the Night" Kris Kristofferson

10 L.A. International Airport is a song written by Leanne Scott here is Susan Raye's version I remember singing this. I think we learnt it at school. I enjoyed singing at school. This video is a good watch for people like my friend Amy who likes retro stuff

(clicking on the song titles will take you to their Utube page)