Soul Runnings

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: ~Timothy 4:7 King James Bible I love this scripture.  I need to write it on a card and put it in my purse for when I am feeling weak.  Physically, emotionally, spiritually.  It is a good scripture to ponder. In My "Office" Another warm, drizzly day in Portland. I love it! Especially when I am all warm and cozy in the neighborhood library! I stopped by to blog a bit before I teach a piano student. After which I am headed to a bass sectional.   Last night I rehearsed with the soloists and the other pianist for the Mozart Requiem. This Requiem will be the death of me! After rehearsal last night, I was very tired and in need of  some R&R, so I watched a few episodes of "The Sopranos". I had rented the entire first season at my last library visit. I have never ever seen an episode of The Sopranos.  I remember when James Gandolfini passed away a few y...

Yesterday hit at least 90°Fahrenheit. I woke bathed in sweat about 4:00 a.m. and opened my window. Ah, what a relief to feel the cool air gently weaving through the window. It smells fresh and damp. The birds are chirping merrily from the big tree in the backyard. I looked looked up the weather forecast just now: High of 64,cloudy with a 64% chance of Rain! Yay! Happy dance!! I have a busy teaching day, beginning with early morning Mass and ending with a rehearsal for the Mozart requiem. So I had best get vertical! But first, a few lines from my psalm of the day. Psalm 40.  This psalm is fitting for me. I have felt like I have been in the "pit" before. It has only been by the grace of God that He extended his loving hand and pulled my sorry self out.  And then when the storm passes and I am comfortable, I usually go back to my self involved ways. I think I am learning, slowly to trust in God and be humble. This life is so short, as Psalm 39 pointed out, my psalm of th...

I did it! I ended my day yesterday with a workout at the gym!  The hot tub was awfully crowded, so I opted for a steam room session. Which seemed to help my allergy clogged sinuses. I did about 20 minutes on the treadmill and some lat pull downs and stretches. I was worried that a workout that late would interfere with sleep. Not! Slept like a baby, did I! Even better, I fought the urge to eat when I got home. Instead I had a tall glass of water and headed to bed at 10:30. Interestingly, I am no more ravenous this morning than usual. And it has been over 12 hours since I last ate! I am hopeful that I can apply some of what I learned in year one to year two. It seems to me I had more control over my eating when I had a cut off time of 7:00 in the evening. I think the reason I backslid is that I broke the rule and gave up. I am guilty of all or nothing thinking. Perhaps there is hope for me yet. Speaking of hope, my psalm of the day is Psalm 39. I am typing the text of th...

In my "office", at the library.  :) Back in my "office". I do love the library. So much!  I am on my usual computer.  It is a lovely, hot day.  And the A/C here is so refreshing on my sore feet! Speaking of sore feet, I am doing something very brave today. I plan on going to the gym at the end of my teaching tonight. This is a risky adventure.  I might be too tired, hungry or cranky at the end of the day, but I am packing my gym bag with me. To instill a big dose of guilt, should I start making excuses not to make it to the gym. Plus, hey, I can do a bit of cardio whilst watching the reality show that is Election 2016. Should be entertaining. It will at least make the time fly. Then I can go soak my tired toes in a hot tub! I can do this! I had a busy morning, mostly piano practice and setting up my summer teaching schedule.  Still quite sore. And battling allergies. I drank a bunch of water, tea and chewed some vitamin C tablets.  Felt ...

At the Library. My favorite place to be! I am sitting here at the Belmont Library. One of my favorite places in the whole world. I am printing some music for one of my piano students.  "Demons" by Imagine Dragons. A very cool piece of music! Today was food prep day in our household. But my daughter only participated in the shopping and putting away of the grocery. It is a lovely 80 degree + day in Portland, Oregon. She, hubby and Honey Dog went off to trek in the woods. I am perfectly fine with that. I opened up the sliding glass door, got a nice breeze going. And I cooked like a mad woman! I have cabbage rolls in the crockpot for dinner. I got the recipe from my favorite blog: http://www.ayearofslowcooking.com/2008/06/cabbage-rolls-crockpot-recipe.html I have to admit, they look scrumptious, but cooked cabbage does make the house smell a bit funky! I also food prepped for the next week.  I didn't have all day or an assistant this time, so I only prepped a...

I am going to focus on fruits and vegetables today. I ate entirely too much yesterday. I started out well. Almost finished well. Was actually telling myself on the bus ride home, that I needed to resurrect the no food after 7:00 p.m. rule again from last year. It was a good rule. I think I will bring it back, with the understanding that with my schedule, sometimes a small, late night dinner without guilt is allowed! But last night I was blindsided. I opened the door to my son with his best friend and girlfriend. Really sweet kids. They were watching the Blazers, who at that moment had a ten point lead on the Warriors. I had planned on grabbing a large glass of water and heading to my room for a bit of piano practice and bedtime with book. But instead watched the game. My son's friends brought the fixings for tacos and rice. I had a bowl of rice, topped with taco meat and guacamole.  It was an intense, close game. It was a blast to hoot and holler and yell at Curry when he l...

May 9, 2016:  Year 2/Day 1 Back to the ol' drawing board I am! I have spent some time reviewing my posts from the past year. And reflecting. But now I am ready to move forward. And kick some booty! My new goal is to lose 40 pounds by this time next year. My strategy is to continue eating healthy, focusing on vegetables, lean protein, fruit and nuts.  Still avoiding gluten. Still pounding mega quantaties of water. I intend to continue with daily exercise, but raise the bar. I know. I have said this before! But I will keep saying it until I do it! I also really want to work on confronting my food as recreation, entertainment and celebration mindset.  And just eat when hungry.  I know. I have said this before. But, see above... I also want to really work on getting up earlier in the morning so I have time for all of this living. I know. I have said it before. SAYING IT ALL AGAIN!   Repetition is the key to ...