tremendous MOXIE

This was copied from a FB post. Not sure who the author is, and although I’ve heard it before, it bears repeating.

The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous “yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things–your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions–and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else–the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

“Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first–the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Had a super fun experience competing in a PL meet. If you don’t know, Powerlifting includes Back Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift.

A couple other girls from WCSC drove to the OC to participate. There were only 7 girls registered and we were by far the smallest.

Each left has three attempts. My plans were 135, 155, 175. The first two were easy. On my last attempt, I hit my head when setting up and lost my focus. I got down and never came up.

This video is of the 155, which I have done before but whatever…it was still fun. I refuse to post the head buster video. It’s just too embarrassing.

I had no expectations for the Bench Press. I rarely press and had no idea what my 1 rep was. I planned for 95, 105 and 110. The Press is a whole new animal at a meet because you have to pause at the bottom and wait for the judge to say “press”. The first two were ok, but 110 wasn’t going anywhere. Fail.

The deadlift was last and I was hopeful. I’m usually pretty strong at it. I opened at 235 and planned 250, 265. 235 was easy, then 250 felt heavy. I took too long to set up and got scared. I went for 260 which is my previous 1 rep max. I approached the bar more aggressively and lifted quicker. It was WAY easier. I should have done 265 after all. Live and learn.

Over all it was fun and I learned a lot. I may do another one in October. We shall see.

I’ve been listening to the audio version of “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest”, book 3 in the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” series. It’s pretty amazing but not for the faint of heart. In this particular book it mentions cold spaghetti with tuna (and bacon). I was immediately intrigued because that was a dish my mother would make when I was a kid, minus the bacon. I don’t really remember having bacon as a child. I’m not really sure where my love of the stuff originated. So, suffice it to say, when I heard it I immediately put water on to boil to have it after church.

I added the bacon because now I keep plenty on hand for such a time as this.

It was so delicious. It brought back all kind of memories, mostly of food. My mom would put huge chunks of onion in it. Gag. I left those OUT! I’m sure this meal was made because of the low cost. We were not rich by any means. I was also reminded of ‘leftover’ night. Whatever was saved from the week in the fridge came out and was revisited. This is probably why to this day, I despise leftovers.

I had another food memory this week, as well. I bought cinnamon graham crackers and when I opened them promptly spread butter on one. My kids almost fled the premises. They were mortified. I guess I grew up putting butter on graham crackers. It’s quite delicious, you know. Don’t believe it? Come over sometime for tea and buttered grahams. Divine.

PLUS

equals joy. The end.

Do you have any different or odd food combinations or food memories from your childhood? Please share. Don’t leave me hanging here with butter on my face!

You may soon call me kettle bell master. Lol. Just kidding. This is a pretty decent book.

Last year when I turned 40 I was all in a panic and seriously afret (is that a word?) about leaving my 30′s. This year is so um…bleh. There is really nothing THAT exciting about the number 41. After all, age really is a number. I feel the same as I always have. I love life. Sometimes it’s a bit stressful but I am SO blessed. That’s why I decided to do this series of posts as spotty as it became. I’m so grateful for everything…people, and places and things. I love laughter and new phones and watching my kids grow up…oops change the subject…I’m gonna tear up. So as I delve into my forty second year, I just want to say how much I love that you read this little space I put my thoughts and feelings and workouts(oh so many workouts) and day to day drivel that seems Oh SO important at the time. Thanks for allowing me to have an outlet for the pent up writer in my heart. Someday maybe you will see my name on a cover of something you could buy at Barnes & Nobles…oh wait…I mean Amazon.com.

I love you, internets…you are awesome. The only thing that would make you awesomer (that’s a word-because I say it is) is if you would comment more.

See you on Wednesday! I’m excited to take on a specially crafted workout for my bday. Let’s see what this Forty ONEDERFUL chic can do!!

So I skipped a few days. Life is busy and good.
7 days until the big one.   I’m ready.

The beauty of running water makes me happy every day. Imagining pumping or dragging a bucket out of a well, or having to boil every drop before use makes me sad.

A long hot shower is pretty amazing, as is a soak in the hot tub.

Props to modern plumbing…which according to Wiki, a form of flushable toilets was found dating back to 1500 BC.