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Easter, Passover & Planting

3/31/2013

Happy springtime everybody. I know the rest of the country is crying foul at Punxetawney Phil because you're all freezing but here in Tucson it's been in the low - mid 80's. Absolutely beautiful so I guess you all need to come for a visit. I've started cleaning up the backyard, getting ready for the annual house party. I've cleared out some parts of the yard, put up the new raised bed and already have some broccoli poking through the soil! It's only been a week! Yum. Not a peep outa the squash, zucchini or tomatoes yet. But I do believe they have a much longer growth period. I can't wait to have at some fresh grown veggies.

I try to pull some weeds outa the front yard everyday. So far, so good. It's lookin' better than it has in the spring in ages. If I manage to keep it up it won't be a ridiculous & daunting task come party time. Once that's all done I'll have to put down some "amaze", a deterrent, & water it down. I try to do that twice a year to prevent new stuff from taking over the yards. Not easy, but I do think it helps. The backyard is the bear though. Ugh! But it's easier doing bit by bit. Should look ok by the party in May. I hope so at least. Don't forget that you can burn quite a few calories doing yard work. I managed to get the lighting back up & running, the sail shades back up and switched out the cording for steel cables which should keep ahold better during rougher, windier weather.

I worked like a dog last week. I was soooooooooo tired. Plus, I took Thursday off 'cuz I got my teeth cleaned. No, my teeth weren't that gross to need a whole day but my pschy & body needed the day off. My sis always laughs at me for taking the entire day off but by the time the day comes I need an extra day to myself. It felt great to not go in. Helps to clear the cobwebs, ya know? My bud D. was not happy with me for not being there. In truth, she understood big time. She's pretty pooped too.

Don't get me wrong, we both love what we do but it can be tack-sing at times. I know, I know, wah-wah-wah!

I fired up the grill the other day and grilled up about 7 pork chops. I added each of the 4 different blends of Buck & Judy's Dang Rub on them. Yummy! No, I didn't eat them all at 1 time. I've actually only eaten 1 chop. But it was so huge that I ate it over 2 dinners. Paired with a nice salad, I was in food heaven.

Buck's getting closer to being ready to sell his rubs on-line and I'll be happy to sell them here at this site. I know you'll love them. He's getting all of the appropriate FDA approval ducks in a row.

Putney got some really long walks this last weekend and he was so happy (and exhausted) about them. He just gets that cute little puppy face on for an 11-13 year old pooch. I do tire of his having to leave a message on each and every bush, shrub, tree and post of some sort.

I've pulled out my ears & tail to wear at work today, being Easter. It's a fun way to remind people of the day. It seems that no matter which of the 2 major religions you are a part of, this time of year is important. Sorry, I don't know about the other religions. But between Passover and Easter there's a hope out there that something can be done for the better. I certainly hope so.

My sis sold her home this last week. It was all kind of a surprise. She's going to move into her daughters condo instead. The condo has been a rental property for about 5 years now since my niece moved to Calif. It's been rough. She couldn't get what she wanted for rent due to the times. Then people were breaking their leases, moving out earlier than expected, no, the place is well kept, then there was a huge legal issue when someone at the management company absconded with the monies from the company and then the company went bankrupt, so now G. will be moving in. She's gonna really make it great. She'll be closer to our Mom (good news or bad we'll have to wait & see) and on my way to work & back.

As I'm sure you can tell, I'm still having a time with this new site, trying to figure this out, so again please be patient and I'll eventually get it all done. In the mean time, enjoy your life be good to yourself and others and stay healthy.

Peace

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Spring is here...and so was eric clapton

3/23/2013

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Last week was pretty packed. I believe it was Monday night when my sis called and asked me who the best sister in the world might be, I just started laughing and then finally uttered, "Why you, G. of course." She agreed with my answer and proceeded to tell me that we (she) got 2 free tickets to see Eric Clapton up in Phoenix on Thurs.. I had tried to use my 2 ticketmaster gift cards to buy us tickets for this exact concert 3 months ago but only had $100.00 worth and it wasn't enough. Ugh! We were both so bummed. But now we got 2 tix for free AND they're on the floor! She called me again Wed. night, again asking who the ever better best sister in the world might be, I replied the same as the first time and she said we got a free hotel room for the night too! AMAZING!

I got off early cuz I was working so much I was going overtime, drove to her job and off we went. The Wallflowers opened the concert and they were great as well. When "Slow Hand" himself came on it was electric. He played blues from the Blues Breaker days, acoustic, Cream, Derek & the Dominos, amoung his hits on his own. I cried during "My Fathers Eyes," G. & I both cried during "Tears In Heaven," We sang, danced and had such a great time together. The only problem was the guy sitting next to me. He was rather high-strung and very intense. We got to our seats, which he & his companion were sitting in, to begin with. G. had bought the worlds most expensive Bud and had set it down as most folks tend to do when this guy just barrels through and yup, you guessed it, he knocked the entire 24 oz. beer over. Now he's pissed because he has to buy her another one. He comes back and yells at his companion that he can't get back in without his ticket. I'm serious here people. He was yelling. Now this next part I admit he had a point but he was way over the top and never tried to calmly, respectfully rectify the problem. A woman 2 rows in front of ours felt the impulse to stand and wave the entire concert. Now, there was 1 chair between me & this guy (very grateful for small gifts) and told him that I could see just fine if he wanted to move over but he must've been happier to scream and fester in his anger. We even offered to switch seats with them but no, "I wanna go home!" was his response. I was fine with that frankly, GO! They finally did leave early but not until almost getting, starting, a fight along with the couple next to them against the couple in front of them. Good grief! These folks were older than me. Oh well, some people never grow up. G. & I had a wonderful time in spite of the drama. If Clapton comes to your area, go, go, GO! By the way, his guitarist is one tall drink of water too. Just sayin'.

It was so much fun just gettin' outa town, listening to an amazing artist, dancing & singing, laughing etc. It's also an important thing to do for yourself. Just a quick get-away. It helps clear things out of your head. Breaking the the normal pattern of life, work, home, eat, sleep can give you just the right amount of fresh energy to re-kick start your self. We get so caught up in the work pace and taking a little mini vacation can utilize different neural pathways in the brain allowing you to disengage from work. We all need that don't we. Here's a bit from a site I found titled YourWorkPlace, and written by Karen Richardson. www.yourworkplace.ca

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Here’s why you should book that extra day off for your mini vacation

A mini break can allow you to rethink and prioritize work and life goals and commitments.
Vacation is just as important as sleep. “Just as lack of sleep impedes your ability to think clearly and act decisively, lack of play time keeps you from taking in information effectively and seeing the totality of a situation,” says Monster contributing writer/blogger Barbara Reinhold. “Every time I have clients who tell me their direct reports are slacking off, I respond with the question, ‘When did you have your last vacation?’”
By taking part in an activity that uses different pathways of the brain — an activity that “disengages” you from work and reignites that spark in your life, you will return to work with new ideas and a more balanced perspective, according to authors Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz of the book The Power of Full Engagement. Just as athletes need rest to allow for recovery, so do workers need rest from their daily work.
Manage your energy, not your time. You will be happier and more productive when you disengage periodically and seek renewal.
Your work performance (and those who have been putting up with your grumpy moods) will thank you.

I did find that I was much happier going back into work after getting out for a night. Even though I had to go to work for a couple hours on both of my days off for a client, I felt refreshed and much more able to cope with the craziness that is work.

Now this last week, I got pretty busy again and was way too tired to make it to dance class last night so I'll have to go tomorrow. I've got alot of cleaning and yard work to do this weekend and thankfully, I don't have to go in to work on my days off. Time for what I need to do at home. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I did discover that I finally broke my weight loss plateau. Yipppeee! I lost another 1/2 # this week too. So, another 21/2 #'s down. Lets keep the momentum going, right? I managed to get in a couple of workouts along with the teaching classes and need to get to class myself. It does feel so good to let go of the reins from time to time and just focus on myself and my own technique.

Sometimes trainers/instructors forget to go back to the drawing board, so to speak, and take lessons themselves. Or, they just wait to go a fitness conference and take a bunch of different things at one time, which is fine but I like to use those to get more info and see where I can try something new and really begin to train in it. Much like I did with kettlebells a year ago. Yes, that's kettlebells not kettleballs, people. It just cracks me up when people call it kettleballs. Goofy, but true. Anyways, I went to a conference in town, took a 11/2 hour workshop on kettlebells and liked it. I then signed up for a 5 hour workshop for trainers at a studio in town a month later. I thought it would be a good way to pre-hab my knee. I do still use them today and try to help folks use them correctly. As usual I see alot of interesting variations on the theme as I like to call it. If you don't get my drift, I see horrible form, dangerous form and I feel as a professional, it's my duty to help inform and correct it. I am a little more subtle than it sounds here.

I totally disagree with trainers that don't feel any responsibility to correct people that don't pay for their services. Most of the time people are grateful to get the help. Yes, occasionally, I run into someone who doesn't think they need my help, big deal, as I've said before, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. All you can do is try and be genuine about it. I will always try to help if I can. Thats why I got into this business, to help people. And...sometimes people tell how much they appreciate the help and advice on form so to those that don't, a raspberry to you. Just kidding, I'll probably bug ya again, just try to remember it comes from a good place.

Well, as you all know Spring has arrived and I will be trying to hula hoe my backyard bit by bit each weekend so that it looks decent (like dirt) for the annual house party/Bar-B-Que in May. I'm also going to put my raised bed garden up this weekend. I'm going to plant some tomatoes, green & yellow squash and I can't remember what other organic seeds I picked up are. My asparagus, thyme and garlic chives have returned from the arctic freeze and seem to be doing well again. I'm sad to say that the dill, basil and tomato from last year didn't make it. They put up a grand fight but alas it just wasn't enough. Sleep well my dears, sleep well.

I'm pretty much death to anything that flowers or cactus but I keep trying. House plants I'm great with. Who knows, one day I might finally get lucky. I did plant broccoli at my old apt. before moving to my house. It was quite yummy but I woke one morning to find my then cat C.C. blowing a gasket at the bedroom window along with another sound I just couldn't make out. Turned out the javelina family liked my broccoli too. They got 5 crowns to my 1. Oh well, at least I did get 1. I do love the taste of fresh foods. So much more flavor than from the store. I was trying to go to the farmers market about 7 miles away but it was all so beedin' expensive. I finally stopped going. So I just keep trying to find a way to not kill my plants and grow some of my own veggies. Wish me luck.

A friend at work has chickens and right now they're laying eggs like crazy. I've bought a few dozen and he's given me a few. Problem is, I just can't eat that many eggs! I took 1/2 dz. to my mom today. She should enjoy them. They are delish.

The temps are getting high but should stick around the mid-70's through most of next week. Hard to believe that only a few short weeks ago we had a blizzard in Tucson. Hmmmm, global warming? Yikes!

Things are starting to look pretty good for Buck and Judy's Dang Rubs. Hopefully we'll be able to get them on-line soon. I'll probably begin my own on-line store with them so I will keep you posted. You'll love them, I promise.

On a whole other topic, my friend Babara Applebaum's new wellness book, Live In Wellness Now, is about to be released in a couple of weeks. I'm so excited for her. Please look her up if you haven't done so already. www.applebaumwellness.com Best of luck to ya Barb, I'm so happy for you, congrats.

I'm kinda excited about Dr. Igor Burdenko being at work this next week. He's here to train a couple more staff on his work. They'll be learning Part 1 of his land and aqua work. He wants to meet with me to give me updates on the work. His new book just came out and he sent all of us Master Trainers a copy. I must admit I haven't had a chance to do anything more than skim through it quickly but I'll get to it eventually. It always makes me smile to hear my name called out in that heavy Russian accent.

I am having a bit of trouble trying to add a page onto the nutrition page with the High water content foods. I will figure this out and get it on there but I'm going to put this to bed for now before I throw this thing out the window.

Have a fantastic week people. What do ya think of the new site?

Peace out

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renewals in Life and Websites!

3/3/2013

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Hello everyone, as you can see I've totally re-vamped my website. I sure hope you like the changes I've made. basically, it's still the same just updated. I look forward to your comments on the new look. Hopfully it'll be as good as my changes. Physically, I mean. This site change will allow me to add more to my site & blogs that I just wasn't able to do before so hopefully videos and more can be seen.

Last night, Thurs., I took a Master dance class in West/Central African dance at The Movement Shala. I don't know why I wait until a heavy-duty Master class to take a class. It was crowded, hot and fan-tabulous! My knee did take quite a beating and I could only go for the first hour. After that I just had to stop and I & my bud D. left to our respectives abodes. She's also got a knee issue, but not quite as bad as mine. Anyways, it felt so good to give the reins to someone else and just be a participant again. D. & I have both been talking about going back to class and I believe last night will be the impetious to do so. It's hard when you do this work for a living 5 days a week, hour after hour, to go to a class after work. You're both physically and mentally pooped. But, if we keep on each other it'll help. If the energy is like it was last night in the class, it'll help.

The instructor is a Master dancer & drummer from Guinea, Fara Tolno and is here teaching both dance & drumming for the weekend. He was amazing, engaging, encouraging and, frankly beautiful to watch dance. I wish I could go again but I really need to be smart here. I haven't done that in awhile and I don't want to knock myself out of the picture again. Trying desparetly to remember that I'm not 17 anymore. Bummer!

I have to decide what class each week I'm going to take now. West African, Afro-Brazilian, Belly....what to do, what to do? heck, I wish I could find an adult Ballet class or Jazz but I'll just keep it to the ethnic persuassions for now. Maybe, eventually, I'll be able to take more than 1 a week. That'll depend on my knee, endurance and finances, of course. These things aren't cheap! Decisions, decisions. The good news is my knee was just a bit stiff this morning but it feels great now. I even took the beast for a long walk this afternoon.

I'm trying to bring my older blogs into the archives here. I'm not so sure I can but I'm tryin'. So, please be patient with me here. If you know me at all you know I always say "I hate paperwork!" and boy does this relate to that line. I'm still relatively new to the computer and though I'm getting better everyday, I'm such a toddler with it. I'm waiting for support to contact me as to being able to bring them over. I have a bad feeling I can't.

I've used Buck & Judy's (not me!) newest spice rub as a seasoning again in my Roasted Butternut Squash this last week. OMG! Delicious people. I used his newest creation woth the star ingredient being espresso. That's right folks, coffee. This is my new favorite. This is no.39. I have some of my squash to some of my friends at work and they were gushing over it. I'm hoping, soon, to be able to offer the rubs on my site. They're so distinct and different. Each one having it's own identity. Uh, amazing. When he gets licensened, it'll be available.

Well, I hate talking politics but the sequester is on. I truely believe the, (what is it 86 billion, trillion? ) should come from the *&^@#$ politicians themselves. Cut their paychecks to 1/4 of what they've been getting. They aren't serving us, their serving themselves. Oh, and their big supporters who get all loopholes and the benefits of being in this country, all the while putting all of the burden on the middle & lower classes. They aren't doing their jobs. And, yes, I'm severely angry at the top Republicans. Somehow Mr. Boehner got to thinking he's the President. You're not sir. You are not doing your best for this country and you are not helping those of the majority who elected you (not me), shame on you all.

When it appears that the only agenda is to thwart any attempt to help this country, and it's President from the financial, medical mess the majority of the people are in because of "the party" is so shameful. At least it is to me. Now I'm sure the Democrats have to share some of the blame. Noone is without some blame here but I really think this is awful. Stop throwing sand at each other and do what you were all elected to do. Protect this country and it's people.

Is there anyone out there who hasn't had their lives touched by cancer? I can't imagine there is. I've lived with it in my life since I was born. My father had been a cancer survivor about 4 years before I was born. He had a stoma, hole in his throat, through which he took in oxygen. It's been rearing itself up in my life ever since. My maternal grandmother had been a breast cancer survivor. My brother-in-law, so many of my friends. I've lost 1 friend to it a couple of years ago and my brother-in-law about 6years ago. Now with the passing of Natalia, though I'm still not sure why she passed on, other friends battling for their lives some winning, some struggling, I'm going crazy. I want to be there for all of my friends but can't be and, frankly, it hurts. I hope you all know, and you know who you are, that my thoughts, prayers and best wishes are for you. My arms are wrapping around you and I'm here for you if you want and/or need me. To scream, cry, talk, listen, whatever. I love you and think of you often.

For those of you not dealing with this horrible disease personally, I think of you too. I hope you are well, your family is well and if you know someone who is fighting for their life, reach out to them. Let them know you care.

Wow, I got a little deep there. I don't mean to end on a sad note so I'm trying to think of something lite. Oh...here you go, I've decided that for the month of March as part of the 2013 fitness challenge I'm part of, I'm going to take at least 1 dance class a week. Now, lets see if I can't bust this darn plateau I'm on. Wish me luck!

So I'll just say ta-ta for now. It's been nuts trying to re-do my entire site in one day.

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Easter, Passover & Planting

Spring is here...and so was eric clapton

renewals in Life and Websites!

Judi Edelen

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