Let's Celebrate Memorial Day with More than BBQ!!!

Some ways to celebrate:

1.  Did you know that...Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.

2.  Let's hear it for Rolling Thunder and Sarah Palin!!!

3.  Give thanks for all that you have...thank your creator & then thank a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Reservist and National Guardsmen! If I missed a service - I apologize, thank them too!

4.  Let's sing the National Anthem today...if you don't know the words - google them!

5.  Fly your American Flags! (at half mast until noon)
 
History of Memorial Day:
This article is from:  http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history

Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the American military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer. In 2011, Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 30.

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:


The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.

In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)

Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

Several Southern states continue to set aside a special day for honoring the Confederate dead, which is usually called Confederate Memorial Day.



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Non Sugical Ways to Look & Feel Younger!

1.  Get your teeth whitened...cost about $400, but soooo worth it.  My dentist does it for free for his patients - yay!!!
2.  Go get yourself some sparkly powder.  It is called bronzer and it looks dark, but it brightens up your complexion even for white girls like me!
3.  Get yourself some gold eyeshadow...even when my little man gets me up at 4am...this helps me look well rested.  (I got this from a Mommy magazine - really works!)
4.  Make sure you have a good moisturizer...I like Philosophy, but if you are over 40 and still using Clinique...you need to think about getting a better one.  (Also, make sure you put it on your neck 2x a day!!)
5.  Gain 10lbs of fat!  I quit smoking and inadvertently gained 10lbs.  It wasn't a BIG deal, because I only weighed 125 before, but my boobs went from a small B to a C - whoo hoo instant boob job!
6.  If you are overweight, walk 20min. everyday and you will loose weight and feel younger - can't promis you will look younger, becasue I think bigger people tend to look younger than super skinny people.
7.  Go get yourself a skirt bathing suit!!!  I LOVE mine!  Really, who said that our booties need to be hanging out when we go swimming...I am not in the Olympics, so I am gonna cover mine up!!! 
8.  Get a hobby.  I feel like a kid again when I am downstairs in my studio quilting up a storm!  This will fulfill you in ways you can't imagine!  Try to find a hobby that is not destructive...drinking and going to bars, not a good hobby ; D
9.  Try some beginning yoga and meditation.  I don't sit indian style and put my hands on my knees, I meditate at night before I go to sleep.  It clears my mind and calms my spirit.

Sorry ya'll that it all I got - wanted to have 10, but I would just be makin' stuff up...if I think of anything else - I'll let ya know!

Whoo hoo! I failed!!!

I failed my PT test, but at least I took it - so I am proud of myself. 

I needed to do 13 (boy) push ups - but was only able to do 10 girl push ups (VERY happy with that because I haven't worked out in 3 yrs and 10 girl push ups is all I have EVER been able to do!)

I needed to do 30 something sit ups and I was able to do 24...I am thrilled with this, because I haven't done real sit ups since High School.  (I do crunches and now I know why...strained my neck - ugh!)

I needed to run 2 miles in 22min and some change.  I ran 1.34 miles in 22min...however, like I said - I can run for 22min Yay!!!  I also figured out that my son can hang out with me while I run - so I can put my eliptical back into my day - double Yay!!!

I could be disappointed, but I am NOT!  I am glad I did it nad when I see our US troops around I will have even MORE respect for them...they can't fail and they don't!!

Thank-you military for all that you do!!!  We couldn't do it without you and need to remember that more often!

PT Test Today!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, My hubby almost maxed his PT test!!!!!!!!!  Whooo hooo - you go lean mean fighting machine!  He ran his 2 miles in 15min!!!  He had 19min!  He did tons of push ups and sit ups...I can't remember the numbers.  He maxed the sit ups and was within 4 push ups of maxing the push ups - he ROCKs!!!

My sister has been training hard!!!  She can do al the sit ups and passed the run several days ago.  Like me she is still owrking on the push ups (although she can do LOTS more than me).  I am gonna check in with her in a little while to see how she did (or when she is gonna take the PT test. 

I am going to take mine during my son's nap.  It figures that today is a SUPER busy day!  I actually have 3 appts today.  Isn't that just the way - either feast or famine!

Low Cal Yummy Dinner!!! Turkey Enchiladas

I have to share this recipe...

1/2 med onion chopped
2 oz cream cheese
1/2 tbs water
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
6 flour tortillas (I like the whole grain wheat ones)
1/2 can condensed cream chicken soup (undiluted)
4 oz sour cream
1/2 cup skim milk
1 tbsp canned green chilies (optional)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp dried cilantro (or 1 tbsp minced fresh cilantro)

.5  Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1.  In a small nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook onions over a medium heat until tender; set aside
2.  In a large bowl stir the cream cheese, water, cumin, pepper and salt until smooth. Add the onion and turkey
3.  Spoon 1/3 cup of turnkey mixture down the center of the tortillas, roll and place seam side down in a cooking spray coated 8x8 casserole dish
4.  Combine sour cream, soup, milk and chilies in a bowl and stir; pour mixture over enchiladas; sprinkle with dried cilantro (if using fresh add cilantro just before serving)
5.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40min. 
6.  Uncover and sprinkle with cheddar cheese; cook for 5 more min or until cheese is melted - sprinkle with cilantro

Nutrition Facts:  1 enchilada equals 300 calories, 14 g fat (you can reduce this to 10g if you use all low fat or fat free dairy products), 20g carbs, 1g fiber, 22g protein

It comes out cheesy and delicious!!!  Enjoy!

Sorry KJ - this has too much dairy for your family - but maybe they won't notice???

Support Our Troops!

OK everyone...the PT test is on May 19...(there is NO way I am gonna make that, but I am going to give it the old college try). 

My sister, her husband and their son have expressed an interest in doing this with me - yay!!!  (Misery LOVES company : D

I tried yesterday and I can do 0 (zero) push-ups (I can do 4 girl style push ups on my kneew), 10 sit ups and I can run a mile in 14min...ugh.  My total score is 31 - It needs to be 180 to pass.  : /

Today...still 0 push ups, 10 sit ups and I'll get back to you on my run...this is gonna take some time - I'll keep ya posted!

Lets Support Our Troops and Take a Physical Training (PT) Test...

Yeah, I am serious...lets support out troops and take an Army PT test. 

I am a 38yr old female, my screening weight is 163lbs - good there I weigh about 135lbs.  It looks like I can have up to 34% body fat  - good there too...I think (according to my scale), I am about 30% body fat.

In order to pass a PT test I have to do 13 push ups, 38 sit ups and run 2miles in 22min and 42sec.  This will be a problem!

I can't even do one push up, I can only do 10 sit ups and I have NO idea how long it would take me to run 2miles, but I am thinking probably at least 30min...ugh!!!  Guess I am gonna have to train!  I want to try to take this PT test in 2 weeks - right?  Don't think it is possible...let's see how long it takes to get in shape for an Army PT test!

Who's with me?