Reflections On Oklahoma IV

The Olkahoma IV National Consultation On Native Ministries is over and I am in the Chattanooga airport sorting it out. There was a lot of pain and frustration in the room. The human lot involves a share of that -- but these folks had more than their share and the form it took for them was a specific brand of oppression called conquest, colonialism, or "the doctrine of discovery."<br /><br />The question was how to move forward. There were a lot of ideas -- including institutional solutions like separation from the Episcopal Church, a non-geographic diocese for indigenous peoples, an indigenous bishop, etc. There was also a major focus on ordination -- not so much on Ministy of All Baptized. I sometimes had the sense that some wanted to be ordained as a way to be healed and validated. Heaven knows we all need healing and validation, but speaking as one who has been ordained 3 times now, I'm pretty sure it doesn't work for those purposes. I am quite open to all of the instutional options that were suggested, but I wish we could look more at the interpersonal dynamics, local ministries, and a spiritual solution. There will be more conferences. There will be time for all these conversations. The Jamestown Covenant is a good framework for a broader discussion.<br /><br />One thing came up appropo of my previous post about apologies. The presenter who advocated separation from the Episcopal Church emphasized that the Church has never apologized to Native Americans for our complicity in colonization. This failure was contrasted to the Anglican Church of Canada's apology. I was pretty sure I rememberd that we had and certainly thought we should if we had not. But then a Native American bishop responded in our small group. She had been deeply involved in Jamestown I when Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning and the President of the House of Deputies extended precisely this apology years before the Candadian apology. So we have at least done this -- and under less pressure than Canda was experiencing in that sad time. The issue is not whether we acknowledge past wrongs and ask forgiveness. The issue is amends. How do we go on to create a new relationship out of the ashes of colonialism and conquest?<br /><br />The ideas for a future all had merit and all had some downsides. My hope is that these different approaches can somehow be integrated into a new way forward for indigenous peoples and that the rest of the Church can make rooom in its structures to honor the unique way of this population. The challenge of being the church -- like the challenge of being human -- is always to live in the creative tension of unity and diversity.

Reflections On Oklahoma IV

The Olkahoma IV National Consultation On Native Ministries is over and I am in the Chattanooga airport sorting it out. There was a lot of pa...

Read more »

Planning de la semaine du 31 mai au 04 juin 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 31 mai de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 1er juin de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 02 juin de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 03 juin de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 04 juin de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a></strong> - mercredi 02 juin de 10h à 12h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 04 juin de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous)</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 1er juin de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 03 juin de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 1er juin de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Préparation à l'entretien</strong> - jeudi 03 juin de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 04 juin de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 04 juin de 14h à 16h</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Information collective</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>Boutique de Gestion</strong> - lundi 31 mai à 14h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 31 mai au 04 juin 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 31 ma...

Read more »

Weekend musings

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Who's counting Points?!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Yes! That would be ME! After two mediocre weigh-ins in a row, I decided it's seriously time to get my game on. Yesterday's weigh-in was a paltry 0.4 pound loss. I can do better than that!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Not counting my Points for two weeks resulted in a total loss of 1.2 pounds. I weigh 163.6. I've been up and down a few pounds from this for years!</strong></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Well, actually my four months of traveling last fall had me with a gain of 25 pounds, and I was up to 180.4 January 9, 2010, so in five months I've lost 17 pounds. I'm happy about that, but still, I really should be at goal. </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Exactly one year ago on May 31, 2009 I weighed in at 155.2. I honestly don't know what I've been doing the past year. Gaining, losing, gaining, losing. Semi-maintenance. Not a terrible thing, but darn it, I'm not at goal! This means I really shouldn't be in maintenance mode yet. </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Big Results Require Big Changes</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>So this keeps popping back in my head. It's something my Weight Watcher leader has said over and over. If you want big results, you have to make big changes. I even read the same thing in a magazine lately (Shape, Women's Health or Weight Watchers - can't remember which). </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>This means I need to change things up. What I'm doing simply isn't working. I haven't been tracking my Points with gusto for months. I start the day, then I give up. Mainly because I'm pretty limited on Points now. I get 20, and even though I eat all of my 35 weeklies, it just doesn't feel like much food. I think I don't track my food because then it makes it easier to cheat.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I usually track my food on-line on line, at work and at home. I also carry the 3-month tracking journal in my purse, and I have the Weight Watchers mobile app on my Blackberry - there is simply no reason not to track. Other than I'm lazy, and I have a secret desire to cheat.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>So I have a new tactic. I'm eating almost all Filling Foods. This is the suggestion of my Weight Watcher leader, Janis (who I totally LOVE!). I'm still tracking, not quite ready to give that up, but when you look at my tracker, it's almost entirely green diamond foods. It's true what they say, they do help with a feeling of fullness.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br /><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;"></span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;">I'm still off added sugar 100%. I almost gave in after hearing about the new pretzel-chocolate-caramel 2-Point bars at Weight Watchers. How they're the best ever bar Weight Watchers has ever made. I was in line with a box in my hand, I glanced at the label. First ingredient, enriched wheat flour (bad, never eat anything with the word "enriched" in front of it), second ingredient, SUGAR. OH MY FREAK! NO! I quickly put the box back on the shelf and left. That stuff would be crack for me. Pure and simple, I'm a sugar addict. I can't have it in my possession.</span> </span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Amp Up Your Activity!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>This week's Weight Watcher topic was Amp Up Your Activity. Anyway who reads my blog knows I'm a gym rat. I hit the gym six days a week, every week unless I'm out out town. </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Lately though, my workouts have been kind of lackluster. My heart (literally) just hasn't been into working out. I go, I do my thing, but sometimes I don't give it my all. Sometimes I do it half-hearted. Sometimes I even leave the gym early, before my minimum required hour is completed.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Last week I made an effort to try swimming. That didn't work out too well for me. I kind of hated it. So that's off my list. </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Yesterday's workout was fabulous. I did an hour of cardio, a new weekend rule for me. An hour of cardio and 40 minutes of strength on the weekends. I have the time, and yesterday I had the desire. It was probably my best workout in weeks.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Preferably I'd like to be outside on my bike, but our weather here in the Northwest sucks lately. As soon as I see some sun, I'll be back on my bike. Right now it looks like it's going to downpour any second. It's been like this for weeks, and the forecast is more of the same. I'm so jealous reading every one's blogs about the great weather they're having. Even Fairbanks, Alaska is having weather in the high 70's with sun. What the heck?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Blogging</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm not sure why or when this happened, but I've kind stopped posting on my blog on a consistent basis. I know it's key and what's helped me keep on track for the past three years. It's essential I post something every day.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong> Not being accountable is my downfall. I can hide a 5-pound gain from my husband, but I can't hide it from you. Weird how that works, but that's just me. I feel the strange need to be 100% honest here about my struggles, my failures, my successes. People who only know me through this blog, know more about my daily struggles with weight than anyone in my non-blog world.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>My goal weight?</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Not sure why I'm wordier than normal today. Maybe because I'm hyped up that I'm determined to get to goal. I'm not even sure what my goal is going to be. It was 135 pounds when I started, but as I get closer and this gets harder, I'll have to see where I land. </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Technically at my height, 5' 6", Weight Watchers high end of the scale for a healthy weight is 155. That's tempting, but it's not where I want to be. My goal has always been a size 8, but truthfully, size 8's are a lot bigger these days than when I started trying to lose weight 30 years ago.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana;"><strong>Truthfully, I love the idea of losing 100 pounds, which would be 139. I guess I'll have to see how it goes.</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: orange; font-family: Verdana;">**********</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Mickey, helping me enter my food into the online tracker. So cute. :)</strong></span><br /><span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana;"></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr-EUup65P78Hf266B9m3GU0tnjwQAgV1eSOCCHJUSn5yl_DQlMpPkOImqJuTcYl-jHspX-Qc945MtHcZQEVxxSkBIrNxbyT6DtnXY5c9nMs1I4DVeaudIkb9PpgtcO69Fkm95fdmNUWX/s1600/Mickey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHr-EUup65P78Hf266B9m3GU0tnjwQAgV1eSOCCHJUSn5yl_DQlMpPkOImqJuTcYl-jHspX-Qc945MtHcZQEVxxSkBIrNxbyT6DtnXY5c9nMs1I4DVeaudIkb9PpgtcO69Fkm95fdmNUWX/s320/Mickey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /></strong></div>

Weekend musings

Who's counting Points?! Yes! That would be ME! After two mediocre weigh-ins in a row, I decided it's seriously time to get my game o...

Read more »

What Was Wes Thinking?

Tonight, on the luxuriantly arboreal and Anglophiliac campus of the University of the South, here in the Rebel’s Rest guesthouse, I iron my clerical shirt, cassock, rochet, and chimere. Such garments wrinkle when packed for travel. So I iron and as I iron I think of the string theorists who aspire to formulate a single comprehensive theory to explain the entire physical universe – and I know that I can never come anywhere near understanding just this day. It has been complex.<br /><br /> I suspect that these two things are important parts of the context: Before I arrived (while I was stranded in airports by Carolina thunderstorms) the people gathered here for the 2010 Native Ministries Consultation were dealing with the “doctrine of discovery,” acknowledging the grievances of First Nations Peoples, what native singer Bill Miller referred to tonight as “historic trauma.” The other part of the context is that we have a really tight agenda which strikes one as a cultural oddity but then that could be stereotyping. I’m just saying that it’s part of the context of the day. Here is one mysterious story from the day.<br /><br /> This morning I talked with a Maori man who told me with some pride about the time he had told off Wes Frensdorff. Since Wes is so highly regarded in Nevada, I was surprised and curious. He told the story of a Roland Allen Conference (Roland Allen was a missionary to China who invented the ministry model on which Total Ministry was based) in Hawaii. The Maori people in attendance felt deeply alienated and excluded at the conference. I am not sure I understand why – but I think that following agendas and sitting around tables for structured discussions is just not what they do in New Zealand. So they boycotted part of the meeting, and then showed up for a session Wes was leading.<br /><br /> The Maori man stood up and interrupted the session, saying he had some things to express. Wes said there would be a time for that later but right now they were going to do what the agenda said. The man was not having it. An argument ensued. I don’t know how it ended, but it included the Maori man saying to Wes. “You’ve told us what to do long enough. Bishop, sit down and shut up.”<br /><br /> About a year later, Wes visited New Zealand. He telephoned the man several times, leaving messages saying he’d like to have a conversation. The calls were not returned. So Wes found someone who knew where the man lived and got them to drive him to his house. Wes met him there and apologized. Just a few months later, he died in the plane crash.<br /><br /> Why did Wes apologize? I feel sure I would have done the same thing at the conference, tried to keep the meeting going according to plan rather than let a heckler take it over with no authority other than the intensity of his feelings. But would I have been right? In one of our meetings today, a First Nations person said we “disguise oppression as order.” Did Wes realize that sticking to the agenda was wrong? Or was it a case like Matthew 5 of being on your way to the altar and remembering that your brother has a grievance against you?<br /><br /> I don’t understand the other man’s anger either. There was clearly some sense of insult in the act of regulating a meeting with an agenda. Was it part of an old grievance, a historic trauma? Was it part of the “doctrine of discovery?” As I listened to the story, I identified with Wes and felt an anxiety as if I were the one being challenged, having the meeting wrested from my control. And when I heard of Wes’s apology, I thought that I would like to apologize like that – even though I don’t know what he was thinking.<br /><br /> Tonight we attended a remarkable concert by the Grammy Award winning Mohican musician Bill Miller. Bill talked as much as he sang because he had a message for the audience. It was that living in historic trauma is a dead end. The historic trauma is real, but the way to life is to claim victory over it. Needless to say, one cannot tell anyone else that about their historic trauma. It’s something we have to come to for ourselves, but Bill Miller was able to say it. He told the story of his hatred of his father, a violent, abusive, drunken man. He looked forward to his father’s death, but when it happened, he discovered that his father had been forgiven by God and found happiness for the first time in his life at the end of his life. Bill was able to forgive his father and found freedom from his historic trauma. He was able to live anew instead of living in his old grievance. It was one of the most moving testimonies I’ve ever heard.<br /><br /> I wonder something about apology. I wonder if anything we ever do is so unambiguously right that there isn’t something to regret in it. Philosophers call it a “moral remainder” – the bad part of even the best things we do. So maybe sometimes the question isn’t whether we have been wrong enough that we are obliged to apologize – asking that just puts us on the defensive – maybe the question is: would an apology help the other person move on beyond their sense of grievance? Would it set someone free?

What Was Wes Thinking?

Tonight, on the luxuriantly arboreal and Anglophiliac campus of the University of the South, here in the Rebel’s Rest guesthouse, I iron my ...

Read more »

Kyle’s Birthday

<p>Wednesday was Kyle’s “golden birthday”! I took the day off work and we spent the day together! We started out our day together with a run! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-G0tm6eaMojSn_2-CgO43jW-MJW6XcUWB90jxTlq1eoB3YDZPnV4Qiowej3umkAiav5_PomcZXTT2vp5a3ID2TsVwkQqoyIBDvWT3cqSycJAid3U3wByEB2CjD3pt81ATJmeUvzK4bve/s1600-h/DSC07396%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07396" border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P7FGKzyL1YxU3Z5xI6ijNNWeHvOjQJ01tTksoNPVXqokLbrVxJgE6i5HsJx0ljK-H89iiJz5QETBGLvV9EMc7nrYICyGlmn1SmWhVgbaZFzdBEB5w9oM5hrVj1Zdd09jFI5bOqmjzUSc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07396" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We ran 2.6 miles for Kyle’ s 26th birthday! Kyle said it would have been much cooler if we could have ran 26 miles!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpTpWBCL_b0gfshjNXiY53rGtTp3gB3VyOXj69Ko5HjLjOnfij_DJBeQpbkUVY9s512rPvCNc3CdNVFb7YBiP7qx2kBtz1wWZN-dXGPJ5xJ_r4obrVaulT7M6t86F0S37VBfwQkut3Sl0/s1600-h/DSC07401%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07401" border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzPCgDtS4O-Pqg9v1PiZz1wDGF7s3egtOUFQUqmJ4fYd3MsVZ9anNNXylvbntj4zzcvkEKGbUShEy7VtTN3NlnzGo6p2A42DXiTsY-CAOqImGAg7nKFVqpcf8U_Bus4VpwmZOBmU98Gzu/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07401" width="404" /></a></p> <p>After our run I made breakfast for me and the birthday boy! He loves chocolate chip pancakes! Good stuff!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq6Qrm_zuSPg9szBt7uiDxPEIGVkSHksf9NBZI8gcJK40UhHbZA5mCM-N2rID6txE7iOAqU_UlJen93qJx8tRJMsdkx94VDyvq2IcOh69HIxz8osaiif-rPMJQJz-I9CajKwc3TUi-8Pv/s1600-h/DSC07403%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07403" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86tBJLh8x8SAVfLLxinOWJ7dWgS8JakNGS3OyCPgIMO2pKaaQ1MglpTJQoBShWcrvE7BI1ixFiuiAnRDUhkYrmGwOIH_LfwUaMFvSm-cUqNMZsZwL-fPXj_llQZ4S3IFKDErkI242C1Bl/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07403" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We spent our day running a few errands. Kyle got a new cell phone and we had to get a few things ready on Kyle’s car. It was an overall easygoing, relaxing day!</p> <p>We couldn’t wait for our early supper. We had purchased some “Chicago style” pizza from <a href="http://www.giordanos.com/">Giordanos</a> and had them shipped here on dry ice. We tried this when we were in Chicago in February and Kyle LOVED them. It was perfect to have on his birthday!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvBaqFRfN1PfoIIRTKWmOu9wfFzURd2gwKia92VGLLPHHfR41CM7XirA0g_OO4dCUf3iJS6ONNUdq4f4TqnmHI9vmstPwYZo8DHES22EFW01cm22Xw4DgJTZQ_EzqCd5PBb2flzo740Xs/s1600-h/DSC07404%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07404" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7yTXt4D8ScUCn8HA8-Iu-tXqeLj6GXPDhfYiy9O4-UFScRqRg-mhFSiB_PCvQdFdjnkzrv8K3U9DxZqELs-xq_BCn6tRp9hk9NwXS4kWcvzDMcKEr0tXf9BRz5BHQap5zErKUPF_r_A1/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07404" width="404" /></a></p> <p>MMMMmmm good!! I had 1 piece and 2 bites of another one and was STUFFED!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8qN_GYZFUObaEIH3Ty7FO4L1VQKkcoSZrsW3RBi6tZA_nOXw32dWL7HFPaJyTZ8Z1IV6OnjnJsN3vJZwyqtkwiVH-zUvn1ptz5L6fkuY7sdQsKnCZx-8_R7NJ6h1P2aPxOUq2pm69qy7/s1600-h/DSC07405%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07405" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUzim4-dO_7Hs7CHcDggEZJegVt3Cwb7SOoXtyQB5TyDeaIQh1UCc2vDRmiU56_I-zFgfKhykOucquizZftkBnyHhP442Oh-t3C3fzMjOuBUOWNbIfnUDQw6TaV1LXOW1Shaq-nAzzYDD/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07405" width="404" /></a></p> <p>And Kyle’s birthday would not be complete without a trip to the Dariette!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGWNEgK10lr8xBJtKf5hGohI-Nk9S-O2wb8T_cdOI9Aiky77uCjpAbjeRM29PA7yEEUNH5TQd19XnMLrXw2awmMAONmuXBPz2Dp2M4NtxJrrbrZGFXdxfg50paBdzo9gFIsDaEwtUUaMO/s1600-h/DSC07406%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07406" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOOyYRIEM4Reu-hGhQSIFve76lSxVYIEWKTjnztSeS22er0Oigb1vp2rOmkJaCxJ-RAT6zt7PMMac8cn90SyhA3cY0MXIqx31MJflsdQnsB8nob8aUztTxmE45VoE2twtLAUdBC_Gy_-N/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07406" width="404" /></a></p> <p>We each got our classic favorites, Kyle got a peanut butter cup whip and I got a lemon ice cream cone!</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><img alt="DSC07407" border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT-nkdIdDYzHxeKE8TgMeaMrn-cP1Ei19adTEqt7uRKAcjlczsGBV-hhVdjSTTAeJtDeqpQNTAjPQNcbkkDevvmyrrNiadh3Dg593ofQ6J2JDgxl1o70leE0ScvKarS4XC5hV-feylWak/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07407" width="204" /></td> <td align="center" width="200"><img alt="DSC07409" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYr85n_h_D1eKq-wMFXSAsV5tzZBgTe9t0jbh7Z-ayREipbVjzLJpyEyDTozGLkpyDp_QoYnqfMUAbMhc_Y3V1q_OjCc-FyJGCOOVeFm_0l1yutJjauv6BdeUYkriTaJc2LYkt8VFgT5P/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07409" width="204" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>If you missed my post earlier today you should check our what I did for Kyle on Saturday! <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2010/05/surprise.html">Click here</a>! I think Kyle had a great birthday, he very much deserved it! </p> <p>Lots going on for me right now!</p> <ul> <li>Tomorrow I work.</li> <li>I need to pack tomorrow night.</li> <li>Bright & early Saturday morning I am headed out on a work trip to Austin, TX for 5 days.</li> <li>I get home late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning.</li> <li>Friday night Kyle and I leave for our race! </li> </ul> <p>Hope everyone has had a great week and is looking forward to their long weekend! Tomorrow’s Friday!</p>

Kyle’s Birthday

Wednesday was Kyle’s “golden birthday”! I took the day off work and we spent the day together! We started out our day together with a run! ...

Read more »

Episcopal Leadership

News flash from College for Bishops: The good news is that my scores as a "transfomational leader" are much improved from the marks I got when I'd only been in Nevada for 6 weeks. (Grading was done each time by some of the staff and a few clergy). I'm glad it didn't go the other way.<br /><br />But the big footnote on that "improved" score is that I don't believe in the transformatoinal leadership model anyway. It's too individual, too heroic, too hiearchical, too top down. We have a program this afternoon on "complexity leadership" which strikes me as far more appropriate for the church, especially a church committed to Ministry of All Baptized. It's about groups working together as equals instead of working under the same boss. Leadership is not top down. It is leading out to each other as equals and, when the administrative structure is hiearrachical, it's leading up, speaking up, offering our insights. Complexity leadership is about the interactions among group members that affect the whole group for good or for ill. This is much more the kind of leadership I believe in -- and most of my worst mistakes have come from having gotten hoodwinked into trying to lead the old fashioned transformational way.<br /><br />My main job needs to be enabling groups of people to come together for creative, innovative interaction. The Ministry Development Commission has been especially creative and proactive recently. I feel good about my small part in midwifing the birth of that group -- but the creative leadership is being done by them.<br /><br />Often people think the bishop is a ruler, the one who calls the shots. But that's not what our vows say, and it is rarely what the canons allow. We are more often facilitators and spiritual guides. The whole point of the English Reformation was to shift authority away form purple shirted individuals barking orders into the hands of groups of Christians, working through issues in fellowship.<br /><br />The Church is a context for people to grow into the full stature of Christ. People don't grow through cow towing to domination. People grow thourgh convesation and fellowship, learning to speak thier own minds then work togther, especially when we don't all agree.<br /><br />Tyranny is far more efficient than democracy. But democracy is more human. The Church needs to be human, deeply human -- that is better than efficient.

Episcopal Leadership

News flash from College for Bishops: The good news is that my scores as a "transfomational leader" are much improved from the mark...

Read more »

Just so ya know!

Happy Thursday everyone!! I hope everyone is have a GREAT week!! I sure am! Yesterday Kyle [my husband] celebrated his 26th birthday! I took the day off and we had a nice time. I will be doing a lunch post on my day for Wednesday. <br /><br />But I didn't want you guys to think I "fell off the wagon" again and so I wanted to "check in"! <br /><br />Check out <a href="http://bangertfam.blogspot.com/2010/05/surprise.html">this link</a> to see a recap of Kyle's surprise party from Saturday!!

Just so ya know!

Happy Thursday everyone!! I hope everyone is have a GREAT week!! I sure am! Yesterday Kyle [my husband] celebrated his 26th birthday! I took...

Read more »

Maybe swimming isn't for me

I tried something different this morning. I did my normal cardio workout (intervals), today it was the elliptical for thirty five minutes, then a few lower body weights for about twenty minutes, then swimming again, for only twenty minutes.<br /><br />The reason for only twenty minutes of swimming:  I almost drowned in five foot of water. I'm serious.<br /><br />While I was in the middle of my fifth lap of doing the backstroke, I somehow flung a bunch of water up my nose as I was inhaling. I panicked, started coughing, choking, and gasping for air. I tried to stand up but couldn't touch the bottom of the pool. My mind couldn't register this because I was sure the pool was four foot, even in the deepest area. I'm 5' 6", I should have been able to stand up and touch bottom.<br /><br />There were only two other people in the pool with me, swimming the lanes on each side of me. As I coughed and choked, they kept swimming. I grabbed onto the plastic rope that separates the lanes and gathered my composure. I was mainly embarrassed, and a little bit afraid. Then I saw the sign on the edge of the pool next to me. It said "5 Ft.". Okay. I can touch the bottom. I stood up, on my toes, with my head tilted back and quietly walked a few feet until I was in the four foot area. I swam a few more laps but I'd lost my momentum.<br /><br />After the pool I went into the dry sauna for six minutes (thermometer said it was 205F degrees...I think it must have been broken). Then I went into the steam room for six minutes.<br /><br />All day I was absolutely physically exhausted. It wasn't a hard workout so I'm not sure why I was (and still am) so wiped out.<br /><br />Someone recently told something that's making me rethink this whole swimming thing. They said recent research has shown older people are happier people. The reason is because older people have figured out what they like to do and what they don't like. Now that they're older they focus on just the stuff they like, and forget the stuff they don't like.<br /><br />I've never liked swimming. I don't like water in my face in up my nose, or the taste of chlorine. I don't like wearing a swimsuit. I don't like the fear I get that I could drown in five feet of water. I don't like that I can't wear my heart rate monitor or my iPod. I don't like the silence. I don't like other people in the water with me. I don't like that it's so hard for me and that it hurts. I don't like it that I don't like. Everyone loves swimming, right?<br /><br />What do you think? Should I just forget about the swimming? Maybe I should try an aerobics class or something else? My gym has spinning classes, but only at noon, so that's not an option. In my twenties aerobics was all the rage, high impact aerobics. Remember "no pain, no gain"? I must have heard that a hundred times in all those stupid step aerobic classes I took in the 80's. <br /><br />I really need to do something different. The gym with it's daily grind is losing it's charm. I go, but I don't go enthusiastically. At least not lately. Maybe when and if it ever stops raining around here in this hell hole called the Pacific Northwest, I can get back to riding my bike. I just need something new, but maybe not swimming.

Maybe swimming isn't for me

I tried something different this morning. I did my normal cardio workout (intervals), today it was the elliptical for thirty five minutes, t...

Read more »

Un site d'offres d'emploi dédié au secteur des cafés, hôtels et restaurants

<BR><br />Un site <a href="http://www.emploi-cafe-resto.fr" "target=_blank">www.emploi-cafe-resto.fr</a> a été mis en place par Pôle Emploi en partenariat avec les plus grandes fédérations et syndicats professionnels de l'univers des cafés, hôtels et restaurants.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf07KGh53t-cOoZIBJxyYKXPeImaGvvJjbYlsGFBzqLB4mL7rjaYcC9qkfCN-QkMjEZm0EBJTIr6IlbMwljqR8XRjQLd5el3uZWNpzUvUR1ZigSqJ5QpN3ZS1ipo2ByR720GuL9LmCnlOn/s1600/emploi-cafes-hotels-restaurants.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475620698229802434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf07KGh53t-cOoZIBJxyYKXPeImaGvvJjbYlsGFBzqLB4mL7rjaYcC9qkfCN-QkMjEZm0EBJTIr6IlbMwljqR8XRjQLd5el3uZWNpzUvUR1ZigSqJ5QpN3ZS1ipo2ByR720GuL9LmCnlOn/s200/emploi-cafes-hotels-restaurants.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 200px;" /></a><br /><br />Les demandeurs d'emploi peuvent consulter les offres d'emploi du secteur et postuler en ligne, mais aussi s'informer sur les métiers.<br /><br />Les employeurs peuvent déposer gratuitement leurs annonces, consulter les candidatures ...<br /><BR>

Un site d'offres d'emploi dédié au secteur des cafés, hôtels et restaurants

Un site www.emploi-cafe-resto.fr a été mis en place par Pôle Emploi en partenariat avec les plus grandes fédérations et syndicats professio...

Read more »

Facing the Scale

<p>I have to start my post out today by saying <strong><u>THANK YOU</u></strong> guys <strong><u>SO</u></strong> much for all the encouraging comments from my post <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/05/confessions.html">yesterday</a>. You guys are the <strong><u>best</u></strong>!!</p> <p>My breakfast this morning was more like desert! I mixed up my <strong>oatmeal</strong> with a <strong>sliced banana</strong>, <strong>1 T peanut butter</strong>, and <strong>1 t</strong> of <strong>mini chocolate chips</strong> for a total of <strong>6 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2g4aj672GzglEbyhUsX2wZW0brLoIZGEXMOp0gtHAoX0-4VD5My2szc8C6oFybzKVZLdmsgkcIrS1yPkGbaV0KEbKKeGCabCKJXAYeqDSaOC261cSYOjUoqCde3-nY8-yIlCelKt5JEa7/s1600-h/DSC07388%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07388" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85oVbdJAKlz4eWAHx-Ya4bJbyyKemHfNhNdBwh4fOy7JmglHJ6ZlMG0puPppFKU9p678V6l0MNQslP_8KrXTmo7FmEgFS3I0Ff4cdxYnPH7CdyvfWwUesgtGhXv1Bem32MjOznJNbEh3n/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07388" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I couldn't believe that my oatmeal held me over till lunch! I might have to have this breakfast more often!</p> <p>Lunch today was a <strong>smart ones</strong> for <strong>5 points</strong> and <strong>1 cup</strong> of <strong>fruit salad</strong> for <strong>1 point</strong>. Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/05/confessions.html">here</a> to get the recipe. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL1NAbFn6ZSK0NpL_qCkUtNZG_48VRchoDi6buH0ajAn6o54XrsVtPqvlDT4r070oH4um5zTkmk5cxpoMNwomvXkphBtGSFFt3znNjGB-do4CF8vWTlMVvtZ_KRF73D5qGek84bU8yK91/s1600-h/DSC07389%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07389" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ByCEBuIQRIbUwrvx9RFv31GlPXFuCdUOZ89-rkgt3ScR4GBb4wlAoPbwq5wqZGJdSr-Hyp1R_aQpdXRGR9q6YvE1G2t9gsz5VyHzFyRJAmLDrFTxKTtL1vqTwoYABbuByjFpkcBexeFG/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07389" width="404" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC3A3xg0PdmX3Zq5LFJPEvFLAIhIa8aDVzpqRZ77lU31zsn5T88fJSQJ_NNyAgk8MQKsdqCPUc_madLvn4Kta6m0rcybmEYNFM58WnKnk-gq_i4VAEO7c-1kCIMT7rugxxHBn08zAR9Z6/s1600-h/DSC07390%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07390" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYexBXSvHx8dL-c55c8n1WW6vO9ayDv5hjS8_fUNMWtnOoNOTn2RMlF4DAFxrerISCPA78vXZwLRKQOCkpAQVstqdP5hLPrsVXLJ4uvSa3ELLkZnvrF6IcQaJ__2ZlIPKDZgdqPsRQkf7/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07390" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I had a great afternoon at work! Oh and how could I forget….my sister started a new job today [she moved home from Florida last week]…at the same place I work!! So not only are we <strong><u>sisters</u></strong>, but now we’re<strong><u> co-workers</u></strong>!</p> <p>When we got off work we came home and made supper right away so we could get settled in to watch the Biggest Loser finale!!</p> <p>My supper was a <strong><u>great mix</u></strong>, <strong>2oz whole wheat pasta</strong>, <strong>3oz chicken</strong>, <strong>1/4 ff mozzarella shredded cheese</strong>, and <strong>zucchini squash</strong> for a total of <strong>7 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX14l-5aOi1D-NFA1ibLKrLJpOZvGf4st0foBNTi3IA5SA5V-OP-rJkDf65KdSndrnDbjJwwqDWATFzC2TdXLQcpRYhXvPO09qoAUPVzEYf2IqPUXTfRMzIvVpwgC_8ff_-kxiodVzxwyw/s1600-h/DSC07391%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07391" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57uN85hJWQ3uKGdsYkWePx71f0zyF_4yUQOekE9RaKQ_FK85QSe23WZ5El4PrhhBZ7IYaUwY3b4cy_344geFYDYBnpfQisEtsI-xkVVQ1ijFR62Xv00SYiZaGOXObN2TPJ5VNCkeBt41K/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07391" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Tuesday’s are my WI day. I stepped on the scale this morning and was SO scared at what it was going to say. It wasn’t pretty, but I need to be accountable so I’m going to tell you guys! The scale said 173. Yuck! But not for long….it’s going to go down, down, down!!</p> <p>Wish me luck guys!!</p> <p><strong>TUESDAY’S STATS</strong></p> <p>POINTS = 19/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED =    0 today/0 week <br />WATER =  120 oz <br />EXERCISE = none</p> <p>One more thing…I’ve been catching up in blog land and it seems like a lot of people have also had a rough few weeks! Well I don’t think <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/">Bobbi’s</a> post yesterday could have come at a better time! <a href="http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?p=7706">Check it out!</a></p>

Facing the Scale

I have to start my post out today by saying THANK YOU guys SO much for all the encouraging comments from my post yesterday . You guys are ...

Read more »

What's the Big Deal About Being Overqualified?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/hs/ar5m3x9763ydx0vhd9hs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/hs/ar5m3x9763ydx0vhd9hs.gif" /></a></div>Scouting through job listings, you spot a position in your field. The prospective employer is looking for somebody with a bachelor's degree and four years of relevant experience. Having a master's degree and seven years under your belt, you hurry to apply, figuring that your higher credentials will at least score an interview.<br /><br />But your phone never rings.<br /><br />Instead of working to your advantage, being overqualified for a job can be a red flag that keeps employers from wanting to know you better. While it may be difficult to overcome their objectives, knowing the basis for their concerns can help make your job search more fruitful (and perhaps make rejection more palatable).<br /><br />The money issue<br /><br />When Charlotte Tomic moved to Florida about three years ago, she applied for various junior public-relations positions because of the lack of openings for senior professionals in her field. Due to the experience shown on her résumé, she found employers weren't interested.<br /><br />"There's never even been a discussion except for one job where I was actually offered the position," Tomic says. "They said they knew I was overqualified, but they needed help. I was willing to take the job, but it made no sense because of the salary. It wasn't paying enough to leave my freelance solo practice."<br /><br />Money is a key reason people work. Even if you are willing to settle for a lower salary because of the tough economy, employers worry that you will jump ship as soon as you find another position offering compensation more in line with what you are used to earning.<br /><br />Other strikes against the overqualified<br /><br />According to Duncan Mathison, co-author of "Unlock the Hidden Job Market: Six Steps to a Successful Search When Times Are Tough," hiring managers ask themselves three questions:<br /><br />1. Does the person have the ability and skills to do the job? <br /><br />2. Is the applicant motivated to do the job in that it meets her needs, interests and values? <br /><br />3. How will this candidate fit into the group, the organizational structure and culture? <br /><br />While you clearly may have the skills, a lower job means that the number of competitors who are also qualified is greater than if you were applying for a higher position. The sheer number in the applicant pool can work against you.<br /><br />Likewise, Mathison says, "Questions two and three could work against you because the hiring manager will assume on the long term the lower-level job will not meet your needs or you won't fit into the structure. The manager might also feel threatened if you are qualified to do his job."<br /><br />Easing fears -- and getting hired<br /><br />Ford Kanzler of El Granada, Calif., has been told that he was overqualified many times during his 30-plus years in technology public-relations management. In one instance, though, he was able to turn that potential negative to his advantage.<br /><br />"I told the hiring manager, 'I agree. I'm more than qualified for the job, but that means I'll be able to come in, hit the ground running, create desired results in a short time and require virtually zero management. I can operate as your wing man, and together we can really get the job done fast and well.'" Kanzler landed the job and worked for the company for several years.<br /><br />Mathison agrees that sometimes it pays to get the issue on the table and ask the prospective employers if they see any pluses to your candidacy based on your higher qualifications. "Tell them that you too had concerns that the job might not be a fit but applied because factors beyond the title were important to you. Promise that if at any point you feel the job appears too low or not one where you will bring the full engagement needed to excel in the position, you will withdraw your candidacy. Your willingness to walk away tells them you are motivated if you stay in the game."<br /><br />Tailor your résumé<br /><br />Finally, remember that a good application for any position should be created to match the employer's needs as closely as possible. While experts generally don't recommend lying or "dumbing down" a résumé, simple (yet truthful) changes can make you a more desirable candidate.<br /><br />A few edits to consider:<br /><br /><ul><li>Changing terminology, if appropriate (for example, "manager" can become "project team leader" to match the language of the job description).</li><li>Shortening years of service by dropping early jobs if the years sound too long.</li><li>Toning down executive-sounding titles, especially if inflated (for example, calling yourself by a managerial title rather than showcasing that you were vice president in a company with only five employees).</li><li>Dropping a degree in favor of an "Additional Professional Training" statement describing topics on which you have advanced knowledge.</li></ul>Hopefully, the result will be the greatest change of all -- a foot in the door.<br /><br />Get the latest job search news and advice on CareerBuilder.com's job blog, "The Work Buzz," and follow us on Twitter @CBforJobSeekers.<br /><br />By Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

What's the Big Deal About Being Overqualified?

Scouting through job listings, you spot a position in your field. The prospective employer is looking for somebody with a bachelor's deg...

Read more »

Developing Your Selling Points

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/my/ar5m388745lps4nnp3my.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/my/ar5m388745lps4nnp3my.gif" /></a></div>Imagine you are an advertising executive assigned the task of getting people to try a new soft drink. Before you pitched the product to consumers, chances are you'd examine the item carefully. How does it taste? Is it lower in calories than other beverages? What features distinguish it from other drinks?<br /><br />The process is much the same for job seekers -- only this time you are both the marketer and the product being peddled. Before trying to "sell" yourself to prospective employers, it is worth taking time to evaluate your attributes and the best ways they can be presented.<br /><br />Pinpointing strengths<br />Experts agree that honest self-assessment is paramount when seeking to identify your selling points. Enlisting the help of a few trusted friends and colleagues who know you well also can be helpful, but ask them to give specific examples to back up the strengths they list. (Evidence will help keep the comments truthful rather than just supportive or nice.)<br /><br />Paul Klein, director of the career services center at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, suggests making a list of all the job responsibilities that you've had, no matter how many or few times you've done them. "For example, if you work at a fast food restaurant and spend 99 percent of your time flipping burgers, it's still very important to include the other 1 percent of your job, which might entail opening or closing the store or taking money from the cash register to the bank. Although this only counts for 1 percent of your job, it's extremely important, as it indicates a level of management skills, trust and responsibility."<br /><br />Presenting your information<br />While you might be an excellent typist, an employer looking for an experienced cook is probably not going to care. Worse yet, skills that would have made a hiring manager take notice may be lost within a sea of information.<br /><br />Instead of a cover letter that could be used for 25 different jobs or a résumé detailing every experience you've ever had, focus on the skills that pertain to the job in question. Take cues from the job ad as to what might be important, and show with positive language and concrete examples how your strengths match the employer's needs. To say you have great writing skills is one thing. To state that you helped your last employer achieve greater communication between departments by creating a monthly newsletter is another.<br /><br />Klein offers these tips to further help job seekers trying to decide what to include:<br /><br /><br /><br />If you work for a name brand employer (IBM, Microsoft) that should get highlighted on your résumé. <br /><br />If you work for a solid employer with a great reputation in the field that you're going into, that should be highlighted. <br /><br />If you're working for an organization that no one's heard of, emphasize the position, its responsibilities and your accomplishments. <br /><br /><br /><br />Selling yourself at the interview<br />Sara LaForest, co-founder of Kubica LaForest Consulting (a management consulting and performance improvement company serving clients nationwide), notes that when your application leads to an interview, consistency across your verbal and written presentation is essential. She recommends seeking a trusted friend or coach to help with a practice interview in which you "articulate your strengths as aligned to the prospective role and use specific evidence (behaviorally-based examples) that demonstrate the outcomes of your skill strengths."<br /><br />"Practice responding to questions that focus on your strengths, why you would be good for this job and 'why should we select you'- type questions," LaForest says. "Practice responding in a conversational tone -- even if the question surprises you. Exuding a calm confidence, discussing your strengths and reinforcing them in a matter-of-fact way with evidence to support your statements is powerful."<br /><br />Making the sale<br />A last thought to consider: Just as you would be leery about a product making too many claims, so might a person making hiring decisions.<br /><br />"Sell yourself responsibly," LaForest cautions. "Nobody likes a pusher. Specific to selling yourself to prospective employers, ensure you clearly understand their needs and priorities. Do this by listening sincerely and asking clarifying questions. Listen first -- and more than you talk."<br /><br />By Beth Braccio Hering, CareerBuilder Writer <br /><br />Get the latest job search news and advice on CareerBuilder.com's job seeker blog http://www.theworkbuzz.com/ and follow us on Twitter @CBforJobSeekers.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Developing Your Selling Points

Imagine you are an advertising executive assigned the task of getting people to try a new soft drink. Before you pitched the product to cons...

Read more »

Why Your Job Search Is Not All About You

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/mq/ar5f2sf6s55tjtdfd6mq.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/mq/ar5f2sf6s55tjtdfd6mq.gif" /></a></div>We all get calls from telemarketers. Their generic, impersonal sales pitches typically yield responses like: "Really? Why would I let you spend 10 minutes telling me about your vacuuming services? I have a vacuum cleaner in the closet." Click. <br /><br />Chances are you have received this type of call. And chances are you have hung up before you even know what the caller has to offer. <br /><br />Were the vacuum company to peek in your window for a few hours (creepy -- but go with me here) they'd find out you were a single parent with three kids, two shedding cats and a bad case of seasonal allergies. With this new background information, the call might go something like: <br /><br />"Hello Ms. Murphy! Since you're so busy you barely have time to vacuum these days, I'll send my professional cleaning service to your home. In addition to saving you time, our filter-equipped vacuums will get rid of the pet hair on your furniture and decrease the amount of airborne allergens in your home!" Since the telemarketer just solved three of your most pestering problems, you're probably more inclined to listen to his or her sales pitch. <br /><br />Vacuum cleaners and allergies aside, applying to a company without targeting your application to its needs is a lot like making a random courtesy call. Employers aren't going to pay attention to you unless they know what you can do for them. <br /><br />Solve a problem, land a job<br /><br />"You have a job for one reason: to solve a company's problem," says Debra Benton, author of "Lions Don't Need To Roar" and "The $100,000 Club." "You do not have a job because you need or want one; that is irrelevant to the marketplace." That means you need to stop focusing on what your strengths are and start focusing on how your strengths can help the company you'd like to work for, Benton suggests. <br /><br />Putting it all out there -- strategically <br /><br />Rich Dukas, president and CEO of Dukas Public Relations, says that targeting your cover letter to address the needs of each company you apply to is the only way to get noticed. "Specificity rules," he says. "I am impressed when a candidate spends the time to learn about our firm and tells me in a cover letter and interview how they would directly contribute to our business. Generic cover letters don't cut it." <br /><br />Using employer-centric language when applying to a position can also help, Benton advises. "Every part of your communication should be them-oriented instead of you-oriented, from the first word in your cover letter," she says. "Instead of writing, 'Dear Mr. Smith, I'm interested in a job at XYZ ...' your letter should start with 'Dear Mr. Smith, You have an exciting position at XYZ that I'm interested in ...'. Just making the first word 'you' versus 'I' is the start of a myriad of ways to be company-oriented." <br /><br />Tina Chen, director of operations at Carlisle Staffing in Illinois, says today's tough job competition makes it especially necessary to focus your job search on the needs of employers and how you can make their organization a better one. "Employers are no longer just looking for 'qualified candidates' but rather those who will go above and beyond to justify their seat, so job seekers really need to stay ahead of the curve and lay their best assets on the table," Chen says. <br /><br />The bottom line: Employment is a relationship<br /><br />Although it is important for your communication with a prospective employer to stress how your skills can meet its needs; employment is ultimately a relationship, and you still need to keep your own interests in mind. <br /><br />"Take a step back, assess the potential employers that you would like to work for, do your homework and decide if there could be a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship. Look at it as 'job dating.' In order for the relationship to work, both parties have to bring something to the table," Chen advises. <br /><br />Kurt Weyerhauser, managing partner at Kensington Stone, an international search firm in California, also compares employment to a long-term relationship. "It's like a marriage of sorts," he says. "Most of us who are married realize that we wouldn't be married if leading up to the wedding it had been all about –'me' or, for that matter, all about my spouse's interests. The key is to understand that while your primary interest is you, it's not your sole interest." <br /><br />By Kaitlin Madden writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, "The Work Buzz." She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Why Your Job Search Is Not All About You

We all get calls from telemarketers. Their generic, impersonal sales pitches typically yield responses like: "Really? Why would I let y...

Read more »

Should You Leave Your Cell at Home During an Interview?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/bg/ar5f8h05zm2pchsthhbg.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/bg/ar5f8h05zm2pchsthhbg.gif" /></a></div>True story: <br /><br />After a move to a new city, I finally land a job interview after weeks of sending out résumés. The company offers good pay and great benefits -- not to mention that the job is right up my alley and right down the street from my apartment. <br /><br />The interview is humming along nicely, when "BLEEP BLEEP BLEEEEP! ... BLEEP BLEEP BLEEEEP!" My interviewer is mid-question when she jumps out of her skin at the sound of my cell phone loudly ringing from my purse. I could have sworn I'd shut it off. <br /><br />I spend the next 20 seconds rifling through my bag to find the offending device and another 10 seconds powering it off. As I apologize and refocus my attention on the interviewer, I can tell our whole vibe is off balance. She is clearly annoyed and I feel like a fool (both of which are total confidence killers). In case I left any doubt in your mind, I was not called back for a second interview. <br /><br />Lesson learned: Don't let your cell phone get the best of you. <br /><br />"In many cases, attitude trumps aptitude when it comes to candidate selection. Bringing a cell phone with you says a lot about your attitude," says Laurent Duperval, president of Duperval Consulting in Montreal. "It sends the message that your focus will not be on your job. If I, as an interviewer, can't get your full attention for a few minutes, what will it be like once you have the job? "<br /><br />Chris Laggini, vice president of human resources for information-technology service provider DLT Solutions, echoes Duperval's sentiment, saying, "Bringing or using a cell phone or BlackBerry during an interview would only indicate to the interviewer a general lack of respect and good judgment, and would indicate that they would exhibit the same behavior during working hours if they were to be hired." <br /><br />Laggini adds that the only acceptable reason for bringing a cell phone to an interview is if you need to be connected to receive an emergency call of some kind. In that case, he suggests that you discuss the matter with the interviewer beforehand. <br /><br />So what's the best way to make sure your phone doesn't interrupt your interview? Leave it at home or in your car. That way, you'll be assured that your phone won't disrupt your interview. <br /><br />If you have other obligations that day and can't leave your phone at home, or if you take public transportation and can't leave it in the car, at least make sure you turn your phone off before going into the interview. Sue Thompson, a career consultant and founder of Set Life Free Seminars, provides the following advice to her clients: "Become proficient with your phone's voice mail setup so you are able to quickly record a new voice mail [greeting] as you go into a meeting or interview, something along the lines of, 'I'm about to go into a meeting. I will return your call by 4 p.m.' Then turn it off."<br /><br />Despite our best intentions, though, sometimes -- like in my own interview -- plans go awry. Should your cell phone unexpectedly ring in the middle of your conversation, Duperval advises that you apologize and quickly silence the phone or turn it off. "Most phones have a button that allows you to send the caller to voice mail or to silence the phone immediately. As long as you don't answer the phone or say, 'Oh! I have to take this,' the interviewer should understand," he says.<br /><br />By Kaitlin Madden writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, "The Work Buzz." She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Should You Leave Your Cell at Home During an Interview?

True story: After a move to a new city, I finally land a job interview after weeks of sending out résumés. The company offers good pay and g...

Read more »

Putting Yourself in the Interviewer's Seat Can Give You an Advantage

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/wb/ar5l4kt6k5061j39ygwb.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/wb/ar5l4kt6k5061j39ygwb.gif" /></a></div>By Alison Craig, author of "Hello, Job!" <br /><br />What did you think of your last interviewer? Did you feel as if you were mortal enemies? Or were you on the same team? I know that can sound extreme, but many people view a job interview as a fight or a competition -- a duel of wits. Actually, it's just a conversation and collaboration to find the best candidate for the job. <br /><br />So have you ever thought about the job interview process from the interviewer's perspective? As a job seeker, you are more concerned about yourself and your personal needs. That is natural, but this selfish attitude could stop you from getting what you need and want: a job. <br /><br />A job interview is like a graceful dance in which two people come together and find out whether they are in sync. There are three main components to all job interviews at any level: <br /><br />1. Your personal agenda.<br /><br />2. The company's agenda.<br /><br />3. The common ground you both stand on. <br /><br />Now here is the thing: The interviewer already sees and understands all sides. And if you as the job seeker can see the different sides as well, you could have an edge on your competition. You'll be able to communicate more effectively about how you can help the company and how you are the perfect fit for the position.<br /><br />First think about that common ground. What do you and the interviewer have in common? To begin with, you both want to fill the position. You both want to be working rather than looking for that right fit. See yourself as being on the same side as the interviewer. The more you can find out in your research about the company (and the specific interviewer when possible), the more common ground you are likely to find.<br /><br />Next, think about the motives: yours and the company's. Have a clear idea about what you are looking for and why you're well-suited for the job. That sounds obvious, but if you're coming from a desperate any-job-will-do place, you won't be convincing. <br /><br />What is the company's agenda? There will be specifics for each job, and remember that all companies are looking for two things: flexibility and loyalty.<br /><br />How flexible are you? Are you willing to take on new tasks to help the company or are you only going to do what is strictly written in your job description? The more you're willing to grow and stretch as the company grows, the more valuable you will be.<br /><br />Loyalty also matters. As much as you don't want to keep looking for a job, a company doesn't want to keep training new employees. It's costly to keep replacing and retraining. So if you are loyal by nature, and you want to grow with a company and be there through thick and thin, then you are an ideal candidate. <br /><br />So is that the end of it? Know what the company wants and mirror it, right? Not so fast! If you don't have qualifications, or you don't believe in the mission of the company, be honest and upfront. That will make you memorable, you both will know where everyone stands, and you won't waste each other's time. You're helping the employer find the right person for the job, and if you aren't it, simply say so. <br /><br />It might be tempting to say whatever will land you any job, but by lying, you could you get stuck in a job that isn't right for you and end up looking for a job all over again. What's even more likely is that you won't land the job anyway. Your body language, that nonverbal communication, will rat on you. There's even a TV show on the Fox Network about this very thing, "Lie to Me." You may lie with your words, but you cannot lie with your body. <br /><br />So what is your personal agenda? Do you want the job or just the money? When you apply for a job, are you thinking about how you can help the company and whether you're just what they are looking for? Companies want people who want to work, want to grow, want to help and want to be proactive. If you are such a person, it will show. <br /><br />So as you prepare and polish for your interview, practice seeing yourself from the other side of the desk, and go in knowing that you and the interviewer are on the same team, simply finding the right match for the job.<br /><br /><a class="addthis_button" href="http://addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=rockfordlink"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/v2/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#username=rockfordlink" type="text/javascript"></script>

Putting Yourself in the Interviewer's Seat Can Give You an Advantage

By Alison Craig, author of "Hello, Job!" What did you think of your last interviewer? Did you feel as if you were mortal enemies? ...

Read more »

Reflections on Rwanda 1994

I just finished Left To Tell, a compelling memoir by a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Imaculee Ilibigaza spent nearly 3 months cramped shoulder to shoulder in strict silence with a group of women in a tiny bathroom, while murdering mobs made periodic searches of the house where she was sheltered by a Hutu pastor. <br /><br />During that awful time she had a profound encounter with God through her desperate prayers for deliverance. Her book is not a theodicy but it is a testimony to the presence of God in the midst of evil and a tribute to the the human capacity to find grace even in the context of horror. Her relationship with God enabled her to survive and to move through grief to to a life of joy. It even set her free to forive the murderers of her family and friends.<br /><br />Not long ago I read a biography of the German theologian, Paul Tillich, including his escape from Germany just as the Nazi reich was beginning its campaign of violence against those who did not support their hatred. Reading such books in these times compels serious reflection.<br /><br />The Church has a theology and a spirituality, not a political philosophy. But politics is always susceptible to spirits that are larger and more powerful than ideologies -- sometimes, spirits of mercy, justice, and reconciliation; sometimes spirits of hatred, fear, and blame (Rene Girard). Whatever our political convictions may be, Christians have a duty to infuse politics with a godly spirit and to resist the spiritualy of malice.<br /><br />The Ugandan legislation imposing death for homosexuality is an example of a spirituality of malice. The Arizona immigration legislation is not as bad as that, but it is plenty bad enough. However, my concern is broader than specific legislation. I would not equate the extremist rhetoric of today's American politics with the Rwandan madness -- but it is deeply troubling -- not in its content, not in its political positions -- it is troubling in its malice, its dehumanizing of those who differ.<br /><br />Christian may hold any variety of political and economic theories. But we cannot forget each other's humanity, which means we cannot forget when we speak of each other that we are speaking of God's children. Our calling is always to bless and not to curse.<br /><br />The habit of blessing grows. The habit of cursing grows. They grow in opposite dirctions. Our basic freedom is to choose which direction we as individuals and as a society choose to follow.

Reflections on Rwanda 1994

I just finished Left To Tell, a compelling memoir by a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Imaculee Ilibigaza spent nearly 3 months cramped sh...

Read more »

Like a fish out of water

That's how my swimming went today. You know, when a poor fish is on dry land, flopping and flipping around, gasping for air. Well, that was me, but I was in the water. <br /><br />Talk about being out of my comfort zone. Now I totally remember why I quit swimming at the gym a couple years ago, it was because I'm not good at it. I tend to avoid things I'm not good at doing. I swallowed a lot of pool water the first twenty minutes as I attempted to keep my face in the water, then turn to side for air. Turns out I can't hold my breath for more than ten seconds without the fear of drowning overcoming me. <br /><br />Then Mr. Olympian swimmer had to join me in the pool. I mean, it was 5:15 a.m. for heaven's sake, why wasn't he home sleeping? He was a really good swimmer and got in the lane right next to me, and he was a show off. For every lap I did, he did two. It was slightly embarrassing.<br /><br />After about six laps of the pool, I finally gave in and did the backstroke. I'm pretty good at it and had read some tips in the Women's Health Magazine on form for the backstroke. I really got into it, tightening my abs, reaching straight up at a 45 degree angle and back as far as I could, twisting my core  slightly with each stroke. It felt like a good workout, but I had to rest after every four laps because I could barely breathe. It was like I was completely out of shape.<br /><br />I managed a total of 25 laps and I think the pool is 25 meters long. That's not great, but my goal was only twenty. I was in the pool 50 minutes, so although that's not a very long workout, it felt like hours with all that of huffing and puffing and inhaling water. Seriously, it was like my first time on the StairMaster or on the elliptical, except I had the added bonus of drowning. <br /><br />I think Roxie is right and I need a lesson or two on how to swim. At this point I can't say I loved it because it was really difficult. Especially with all that water in my nose and mouth. Also my right ear was plugged with water most of the day.<br /><br />I'm not sure this is the right exercise for me, but I'll probably do it a couple times a week, but in conjunction with some strength training. My back and shoulders are sore in places they're usually not sore so I know I worked a few new muscles that I don't normally use. <br /><br />Today was a major hungry day for me, and I went way over my Points. All healthy food, a ton of fresh vegetables and fruits, fresh halibut and a handful of those delicious, calorie/fat laden hazelnuts my husband bought last week. I asked him to get a few at the bulk foods. By a few I meant maybe 1/4 cup. I want to make a really delicious salad we had in Denver at the Spicy Pickle. It's called the Forest and had hazelnuts, along with sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, onions and Portabella mushrooms, and chunks of roasted chicken on a bed of fresh spinach. Sprinkled with...roasted hazlenuts and served with a Balsamic vinaigrette. Really yummy.<br /><br />He came  home with three freaking pounds of hazelnuts. Why?

Like a fish out of water

That's how my swimming went today. You know, when a poor fish is on dry land, flopping and flipping around, gasping for air. Well, that ...

Read more »

Confessions

<p>Hello everyone! I'm still around!! Life has been CRAZY, to say the least. There are so many things going on right now and in the midst of it all I let my running & eating go by the way-side. Bad, I know! Here are a few confessions, I need to get this off my chest! </p> <p>1. I've worked 60+ hours these past 2 weeks. <br />2. I've eaten whatever was most convenient, not the most healthy. <br />3. I haven't ran since May 9th. <br />4. I haven't been tracking my food. <br />5. I haven't stepped on the scale since May 12th when I had the 4lb loss. <br />6. I'm scared I've gained those 4lbs back & more. <br />7. I am scheduled to run a 20K in less than 2 weeks and I'm SO scared. <br />8. I leave on a 5 day work trip this Saturday. <br />9. I threw my husband a surprise birthday party and it was a huge success, he was totally surprised. <br />10. The bad thing about his party is that I ate TOO much! <br />11. My clothes are too tight. <br />12. I don't feel comfortable in my own skin. </p> <p>So that is my last 2 weeks in a nutshell! </p> <p>I wish there was a way to bottle up that determination I have at times to save for days where I have the "I just don't care" attitude". </p> <p>I have to find a happy medium. I don't not want my weight & health to be a roller coaster for the rest of my life. The only thing I can do right now is start again! And that is exactly my plan. So here is a recap of my day. </p> <p>I had left over <strong>fruit sala</strong>d for breakfast. Usually this is only 1 point for 1 cup, but I had a fairly large serving so I'm counting it for<strong> 2 points</strong>. You need to try this, it's SO good! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGbVxj6pTEuq8lerXg0k9N2WuXb2JxtumCB8UPzNgI0Ig4Bt1EDtcyBKDAJDY6pAnw4lBpZ3mn6VhA-4pJUcfo30ZeOorhpf4cV5WZSrnARacXecCf5X7raNKGHvpEJ2r9R0SXVs1ylS9/s1600-h/DSC07382%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07382" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1nng00788-xEhbihw2pjsiYERNcbjL97jDKkyQjJWl80LHZ0Ej0aZ2GkDeARz2PwoOkeSOrjezfmmEVf8_KrdrS0qCHlsuKwVDH9qpeMu7G9FXfBVRJzG2Kj9J9I_7m9Hy0XW17Or4JC/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07382" width="404" /></a></p> <p>    *3 c sliced fresh strawberries <br />    *1 c grapes (i sliced mine in half) <br />    *1 container of ff cool whip <br />    *1 sf instant vanilla pudding <br />    *1 can crushed pineapple <br />    *1 c marshmallows </p> <p>Later on in the morning I had my favorite snack of<strong> strawberry yogurt, 1/4c </strong><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/02/few-updates.html"><strong>homemade granola</strong></a>, and <strong>1 1/2c strawberries</strong> for <strong>3 points</strong>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7e13TVO4Gjz9dqxRtppZN-2ZzajC5H7Dc0YUgaGzkVJnJHSur3mozbMcdj0SVrHuvzWu5QHjsJvqkz_bdvpp3RtQhNYIfzYtYZEWZ02HLA3PtBdrrKPVL780q6fvBcQ0dJlwMsEiroZb/s1600-h/DSC07383%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07383" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYCrLeJ_PG7kFtmAr0qLjHWgiXT_mzMsswgcVT4ae_Sxjg4Cd_Tq-3dp4K_GRZf35eG9Kjh_dNnzSYdHAo6W6mdsu-UVh91USxc5g9Gbs_M3f3VRqiNB9aDtNzbW1kNInxz-2TCHI0Ob-a/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07383" width="404" /></a></p> <p>I ran home for lunch today and had a <strong>turkey sandwich, 1/2c cottage cheese, steamed carrots</strong>, and <strong>1c fruit salad</strong> for a total of <strong>5 points</strong>. We had the fruit salad left over from Kyle's surprise birthday party on Saturday. I don't want it to go bad, so expect to see lots of it!! ;) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpPnL69daN-L_ZtirzXwn3zOPwgzX35eW7lI9Q7DDt82fqe4tfREzZ_5Kvgn4GkA4Y0MK5OxjjVAB-7jnfYBsKXZKKGnTlyhV_StLxkSMibMx7cDfQKv0CM5Z-BGCfCx86U9JqpLdA_AD/s1600-h/DSC07385%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07385" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisq5jW9WzjU-Nz83ROolyytXfZoW1akhwIyweMCMUhnjAQQ4gW-dfCDYLqphyrfouqtp20Io_-GVZbpEJ4X735u0Wj9GpezSR9GW0VRm-k1Q_uiyTTbz1FkDQAf0KzFD5TbVAE60T9H0gj/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07385" width="404" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ2KaIhQ6G9ubkNCHhWIUIm0Ya350p_KL-BRCHsVS2cLYhnIPGzt6KrXC1fnmcju8Wgki2X2R4dArTlv-ritm52HN1Z8MCQKBa9sAx1DUOKPUjcpHuenL0bq6P7PW6fk8x9A61oF82z9O/s1600-h/DSC07384%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07384" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qg38famk0P_OzgTmnJdrG7SOVwMN5ZmQ3oyfCLwCnVuPnShAFSDvGN54jiyyZEHLxu3qrsX9FduebMhyVRKVHnKGay2luLxAP3iFMkYT2cCeaUXKqNqR5G94IIwrMvfOuO2GsJXwcmXG/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07384" width="404" /></a> </p> <p>My afternoon at work flew by and I rushed out of my office at 6pm to get a short run in before my 7 o’clock meeting at church. The run was hard & slow, but I did it! Taking 2 weeks off is NOT worth it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbLkNmIzjVgj4WgBg96vMU9CPqSEAcCCOGECLtkoq7nEBXY6nSwlLU26Fh1LoJSOXCMjAtq8zObEPkF7EKsBTR9SrqolPnc59kmyiindWGjkVT0gvSWw5iKRzO2VA6PIlVQCWA4x9-LzI/s1600-h/DSC07386%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07386" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIQoGG2v9yqfRswHhfLVFjMsnAxX9agEqyC4MUgbJtS8aSxsNsy5bZMXgZl7eaxGOwnRUhD3ypNsLlcmrOvsPyJgs_UmmgBZZcHXXyrKhUXQwgSHXqmlc9MjU42eDGH7K1XBom8msLJP5/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07386" width="404" /></a></p> <p>When I got home from my meeting I had a summery veggie-ful supper, sweet corn & asparagus! I am estimating my supper at <strong>4 points</strong>. [i used olive oil on my asparagus and butter on my corn]<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy61Q_dVqvbscUk-eddtrGpRTNNMPw7IWkUHjM61YbpnFu-M6OFMtW6gpateydhxqKVI-Jyh7iArvfAFEk8hV5C9_1GuTwBqIQGfC-llvLRXgYCpnvgpLyItukaKPAEYzsl8gtpO4Z8yjm/s1600-h/DSC07387%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC07387" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasCY4735MA9r0Rm5iSVsVM1ElAPG4Nj_LkClH_i30SJyNuBANXyXQeqm7PgZYmwVFKmF9WhYarBRwLukhU5n7_-Puo67xguRYwkmISbt1fUFsiyMJ5j4QAKq9EsswIGU49_AbbYQRtWsi/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC07387" width="404" /></a></p> <p>Well guys, that’s all for me tonight! Thanks for listening!</p> <p><strong>MONDAY’S STATS</strong> </p> <p>POINTS = 14/23 <br />WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 35 used/0 remaining <br />ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED =    3 today/3 week <br />WATER =  144 oz <br />EXERCISE = 22 min run</p>

Confessions

Hello everyone! I'm still around!! Life has been CRAZY, to say the least. There are so many things going on right now and in the midst o...

Read more »

Ready, Set, Go Swimming!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aH7XHExKbMm8pX3zvask3ejHhX2a7SFmf1xe-Ge3d8YSf_F8Wul5xJX6iHKaeiX6ejmEMI-aWB0V86aM9jNV6FPhVbHwIhDCZqOWGu9VX6ooXinh7GaH4E63nOqos_oHJjZXYvsZUxKm/s1600/swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aH7XHExKbMm8pX3zvask3ejHhX2a7SFmf1xe-Ge3d8YSf_F8Wul5xJX6iHKaeiX6ejmEMI-aWB0V86aM9jNV6FPhVbHwIhDCZqOWGu9VX6ooXinh7GaH4E63nOqos_oHJjZXYvsZUxKm/s320/swim.jpg" /></a></div><br />Tomorrow morning I'll be swimming to get in my cardio exercise. It's been at least two years since I went swimming in the pool at the gym.<br /><br />In February 2008 when I started Weight Watchers and made a dedication to exercise, I would get in the pool at the gym a couple times a week, but I never felt like I was getting a good workout. After a few months I gave up swimming for the StairMaster and the elliptical for my cardio workout. I'm a nut about my heart rate, and addicted to my heart rate monitor (as well as my music).<br /><br />Lately I've been feeling a little bored and tired of the elliptical, cross-ramp, StairMaster, and the hated treadmill. I'm adding in swimming to make things a little more interesting.<br /><br />I have my swimsuit laid out, along with a pair of sweatpants to throw on in the morning. My swim cap, goggles, swim shoes and towel are all packed in my workout bag.<br /><br />For some bizarre reason I'm a little nervous. It's totally silly, but it's been a while since I actually got in the pool. I know there's never anyone there at 5 a.m., and it's not even the fear of wearing a swimsuit in front of strangers. It's just because it's something different and something I haven't done every day for two and half years. I could do the StairMaster or elliptical blindfolded. Swimming seems like it takes talent. <br /><br />I'm not a strong swimmer, but I don't have a big fear of the water either. Having grown up in Alaska there wasn't a lot of opportunity to go swimming (short summers and ice cold lake water), so I've never been really comfortable being in deep water. <br /><br />My breathing technique is something I really need to work on. I sort of taught myself how to swim over the years, and have never had an actual swim lesson. My husband has taught me a few things too. He's like a fish in the water, he was a scuba instructor when I met him. It was his passion back then and he's still a really strong swimmer.<br /><br />There's a great article in the June 2010 Women's Health, "Swim Your Butt Off". I can't find it online yet, but it has a lot of tips on how swimming can be a really good workout. The line I like best is where they describe the swimmer's body. "Runners have the legs. Yoga chicks have the abs. Swimmers, well, they've got the whole package."<br /><br />Wish me luck!

Ready, Set, Go Swimming!

Tomorrow morning I'll be swimming to get in my cardio exercise. It's been at least two years since I went swimming in the pool at th...

Read more »

Planning de la semaine du 25 au 28 mai 2010

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Permanences<br /></span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le mardi 25 mai de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 26 mai de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le jeudi 27 mai de 13h30 à 17h<br />- le vendredi 28 mai de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 28 mai de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous)</ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 113%;color:#005c9b;" >Ateliers</span></strong><br /></h2><br /><ul><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2008/12/atelier-parcours-emploi.html">Parcours Emploi</a></strong> - mardi 25 mai à 9h30<br /><br /><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 25 mai de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 26 mai de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 25 mai de 13h30 à 17h<br /><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 28 mai de 10h à 11h30<br /><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 28 mai de 14h à 16h</ul>

Planning de la semaine du 25 au 28 mai 2010

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le mardi 25 ma...

Read more »

A bad weighin but I deserved it

I gained 1.4 pounds this past week. My weighin was 164.0. A total loss of 75.2 in twenty-seven months. I've hit the 75-pounds lost milestone so many times, coming and going, that's it's meaningless now.<br /><br />I'm still happy about the 75 pounds lost, but when am I going to lose the last 25 pounds? I should be there by now, at goal. Living my happy life.<br />I'm disappointed in myself. I didn't even try to stay on plan last week. The only thing I did right was exercise six days, an hour to an hour and a half each day. I didn't eat any junk or have any binges this past week, but I basically ate when I was hungry. It was healthy, nutritious food, no sugar, but I ate too much. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I think it's my lot in life to be a little hungry a lot of the time. I can't eat every time I feel hungry, because I'm always a little hungry. It's just a fact of my life, and one I have to accept, hunger is and will be part of my life.<br /><br />This week I'm going to try harder. The main thing I have to do is get back to tracking my Points (which I've done today!). I'm not sure why I quit, other than it's boring, and I sort of don't want to do it anymore. Really  it's not optional for me. I haven't figured out how to not count Points and lose weight. <br /><br />Today at Weight Watchers our leader had each of us set a weight loss goal for five weeks from today. I wanted to make my goal ten pounds, but I know I can't consistently lose two pounds a week. Not at this point in the game. I've set my goal at eight pounds in five weeks, or 1.6 pounds per week. That would put me at 156 pounds by June 26. Sounds doable, right?<br /><br /><strong>Great recipe</strong><br />Tonight's dinner was <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/halibut-with-balsamic-glaze-recipe/index.html">Halibut with Balsamic Glaze.</a> Very simple and easy and absolutely delicious. I love Alaskan halibut (wild caught of course). I didn't use honey in the recipe, but I substituted Agave instead, and only used one tablespoon. Since the marinade and glaze was just Balsamic vinegar and one tablespoon of Agave, I only counted the Points of the halibut (6 ounces cooked is 5 Points and so yummy).<br /><br /><strong>Movie review:  Avatar</strong><br />All I can say is that it wasn't nearly as horrible as I expected. In fact, I kind of enjoyed it. Definitely worth the $1.19 from Redbox. My first Redbox rental and so easy, since I'm horrible at ordering from Netflix (my husband is the Netflix pig) this is a nice alternative.

A bad weighin but I deserved it

I gained 1.4 pounds this past week. My weighin was 164.0. A total loss of 75.2 in twenty-seven months. I've hit the 75-pounds lost miles...

Read more »

Un portail unique pour les concours et le recrutement dans la Fonction publique de l’Etat

<BR><br />Un portail dédié aux concours et au recrutement dans la Fonction publique de l’Etat (FPE) pour permettre de centraliser toutes les informations sur les recrutements et faciliter les recherches des internautes vient d'être créé : <a href="http://www.concours.fonction-publique.gouv.fr">www.concours.fonction-publique.gouv.fr</a><br /><br />Destiné à toute personne qui souhaite intégrer la fonction publique d’Etat, mais aussi aux agents qui recherchent une évolution professionnelle, l’information sur les concours est complète et disponible en un lieu unique. <br />Des renseignements sur les <span style="font-weight:bold;">recrutements sans concours</span> sont de la même façon offertes à l'internaute : <span style="font-weight:bold;">recrutement des travailleurs handicapés</span>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">accès direct au premier grade de tous les corps de catégorie C</span>, <span style="font-weight:bold;">Pacte</span> (Parcours d’accès aux carrières de la Fonction publique territoriale, hospitalière et d’Etat).<br /><br />L’internaute peut également accéder par un lien, à la <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bourse interministérielle de l’emploi public</span> (BIEP), afin de consulter les offres d’emploi correspondantes accessibles par la voie contractuelle ou par mobilité pour les agents.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pour effectuer sa recherche</span>, l'internaute a le choix entre deux options : « Je souhaite devenir agent public » ou « Je suis agent public ». En combinant un ou plusieurs critères, l'internaute pourra effectuer une recherche par administration, catégorie (A, B, C), grande famille professionnelle, métiers ou type de recrutement.<br /><BR>

Un portail unique pour les concours et le recrutement dans la Fonction publique de l’Etat

Un portail dédié aux concours et au recrutement dans la Fonction publique de l’Etat (FPE) pour permettre de centraliser toutes les informati...

Read more »

S’ouvrir les portes des métiers des travaux publics : visite d'entreprise le 26 mai 2010

<BR><br />En partenariat avec le PLIE, la Maison de l'Emploi du Bassin d'Orléans organise une visite d'entreprise pour découvrir les métiers des travaux publics<ul><br /><li>le mercredi 26 mai 2010<br /><li>dans les locaux de l'entreprise <strong><a href="http://www.citeos.com" target="_blank">CITEOS</a></strong>.</ul><br /><br />Le transport est pris en charge par la Maison de l'Emploi avec l'appui du PLIE.<br /><br />Le nombre de places est limité.<br /><br />Pour s'inscrire, contacter la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans : 02 38 24 18 03 ou <a href="mailto:accueil@news-these-days.fr">accueil@news-these-days.fr</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Départ</strong> : <strong>PLIE</strong>, Espace Saint Marc, 5 place du 6 juin 44, 45 000 Orléans (dans l'espace d'accueil), à 14h00 (<a href="http://maps.google.fr/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=fr&geocode=&q=Espace+Saint+Marc,+5+place+du+6+juin+44,+45+000&sll=47.905526,1.937199&sspn=0.040851,0.077162&ie=UTF8&radius=1.79&split=1&filter=0&rq=1&ev=zi&hq=Espace+Saint+Marc,+5+place+du+6+juin+44,+45+000&hnear=&ll=47.906217,1.937199&spn=0.039412,0.077162&z=14" target="_blank">Plan</a>)<br /><BR>

S’ouvrir les portes des métiers des travaux publics : visite d'entreprise le 26 mai 2010

En partenariat avec le PLIE, la Maison de l'Emploi du Bassin d'Orléans organise une visite d'entreprise pour découvrir les métie...

Read more »

Lab results from the thyroid biopsy

No thyroid cancer! Woohoo!<br /><br />I was pretty sure I didn't have thyroid cancer. Everything I read indicated it would be okay, 95% of these nodules are benign (but I had several), and if the thyroid is functioning properly (mine is fine) then there's even less chance of cancer.<br /><br />When my doctor called today to give me the results I was a little nervous. Because I thought the technician that did my ultrasound that is deaf but sweet as can be, told me, or I thought she told me, that they would mail the results if it was good news and call me if it was bad news. So when I got the call I had a mini-panic attack and thought the call meant bad news. <br /><br />It's all good and I guess I shall live a little longer. At least I don't have thyroid cancer which is definitely a good thing.<br /><br />The only thing that concerns me now is seeing the endocrinologist. Since I have so many nodules on my thyroid there's some medication they want to give me to help stop them from growing and possibly shrink them. If they continue to grow they could become cancerous, or I could wind up with a big, ugly goiter on my neck (wouldn't that just suck?). <br /><br />I've worked to hard to be off of any kind of medication, except my asthma meds (Advair), but I rarely even use it anymore. I've been off my blood pressure medicine for over a year. Oh well, I guess it's just part of life, getting older and things start going haywire. Even if I do have to take thyroid medication for the nodules it would be better than cancer or an ugly goiter growing out the side of my neck. Things could be worse.

Lab results from the thyroid biopsy

No thyroid cancer! Woohoo! I was pretty sure I didn't have thyroid cancer. Everything I read indicated it would be okay, 95% of these no...

Read more »

Why I exercise

I'm just about ready to fall into bed. I've been sneezing and sniffling all night, allergies I think so I took a Benadryl. At least I'll be able to sleep. Waking up may be a different matter.<br /><br /><strong>To Anonymous:</strong>  thank you so much for the book review on Insomniac by Gayle Green. I just ordered it from Amazon and can't wait to get it. Maybe it'll change my life too!<br /><br /><strong>To Jenni in Seattle</strong> (<a href="http://fitdorf.blogspot.com/">Jenni's Health Journey</a>):  I love your blog and would love to post a comment but for some reason I can't. When I click on post comments it won't let me. I hope you see this!<br /><br /><strong>Why I exercise</strong><br /><br />I've been thinking about this one for a while, exactly why do I exercise almost every day? If someone asks me I give them the normal reasons, it's good for my health, it helps me lose weight and I can eat more. I feel better, my clothes fit better. All the normal reasons. I never really tell anyone the real reason I feel compelled to climb out of a warm, cozy bed every morning at 4:30am and head for the gym. <br /><br />It's because I have very low self-confidence. It's something I've suffered from my entire life. I've never felt smart enough, pretty enough, talented enough, funny enough. I've just never felt like I was "enough" of anything good. Even when I was in high school and weigh 135 pounds at 5' 6" I never felt skinny enough (or smart enough or pretty enough or...well, you get the picture). <br /><br />It's been a life long battle to try to convince myself that I am good enough, but it's a tough thing to make myself believe. That's why I exercise at least an hour a day, at least six days a week.<br /><br />It's like a little miracle happens to me every day at the gym. I work out hard, I lift fairly heavy weights for a woman. 20 and 25-pound dumbbells, 75 pound lat pulldowns, I go as heavy as I can manage with the weights and do 40 minutes strength, 30-40 minutes cardio. I do three sets of each strength exercise, a minimum of six exercises, upper one day, lower the next. I do crazy cardio workouts, drenching my body in sweat.<br /><br />While I'm working out I feel completely in control, and I feel a little...well...I'll be honest. I feel like the cool girl. I know it's silly and I know it's "just" exercise, but I'm proud of myself for how hard I've worked the past 2 1/2 years, and how hard I exercise every morning.<br /><br />It's gives me self-confidence. Not that I think I'm "all that", but I feel like a normal person. It's like hey, I exercise and I exercise hard. If I can do this then I can accomplish a lot. <br /><br />When I walk into a room full of people now I always stand up straight, shoulders back, head high, eye contact. I use to slunk into meetings at work, barely making eye contact with anyone. When I had to lead a meeting, it was a form of hell. I felt like everyone was looking at me thinking what a fat, lazy slob I was, and that I must be totally stupid to let myself look like I did at 240 pounds. <br /><br />It's so different now. I feel so different. Having some self-confidence is a new thing to me. And I like it. A lot. So that's really why I exercise and why I'll never stop. The other stuff is just icing on the cake.

Why I exercise

I'm just about ready to fall into bed. I've been sneezing and sniffling all night, allergies I think so I took a Benadryl. At least ...

Read more »

Chiffres clés - Année 2010, n 2

<BR><br />Voici le 2ème numéro de l’année 2010 des « chiffres Clés » produit par l’Observatoire de la Maison de l’Emploi du bassin d’Orléans.<br /><br />Dans ce numéro, un éclairage particulier est accordé aux résultats de l'enquête Besoins en Main-d'Œuvre (BMO 2010) dans le bassin d'Orléans.<br /><br /><a title="View Bulletin 4 2 on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/31546906/Bulletin-4-2" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Bulletin 4 2</a> <object data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" height="600" id="doc_178164242493357" name="doc_178164242493357" style="outline:none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=31546906&access_key=key-39t6mj04hsri2jig765&page=1&viewMode=list"> <embed id="doc_178164242493357" name="doc_178164242493357" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=31546906&access_key=key-39t6mj04hsri2jig765&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="600" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object> <br /><BR>

Chiffres clés - Année 2010, n 2

Voici le 2ème numéro de l’année 2010 des « chiffres Clés » produit par l’Observatoire de la Maison de l’Emploi du bassin d’Orléans. Dans ce ...

Read more »

Still dragging but hanging on

It's late, 10:14 p.m. as I write this post. I promised myself I'd post every day this week, like I've done for the past two years. Except for the past month, I've barely posted once a week. It's not like I'm out living a fabulous, fun-filled life, it's more like I'm just trying to stay afloat.<br /><br />I continue to sleep the sleep of the damned, waking up several times during the night. I've tried all kinds of things, Ambien, Simply Sleep, meditation, quiet time before bed with Sleepytime tea, Melatonin, and sleep techniques I used when I worked a graveyard shift thirty years ago that always worked like a charm. NOTHING is working. Now it's to the point where the more I worry about it, the worse it's getting. I really don't want to go back to the doctor for a sleeping aid, but I'm not sure what else to do at this point. I just know it's kind of killing me. Everything is in shades of gray when I'm exhausted.<br /><br />Even my workout this morning wasn't up to par. Usually I can fake my way through it, and I kind of did that this morning, although I seriously contemplated going home after five minutes. I made it through the hour but felt like I was climbing through mud when I was doing the StairMaster. It was as close to torture as I care to get.<br /><br />One bright spot is I have to retire my size 12 slacks. I have several pairs that I bought last fall because I gained twenty pounds when I was doing all that traveling for work. I've almost lost all of it (19), and now my size 10's all fit. This is the first time in many decades that I'll start summer at the weight I was last summer, which is a weight after losing 75 pounds. Usually by now I would have regained all 75 pounds plus an extra 10-20 for good measure. Of course, I still want to lost another 20+ pounds. Will I ever be happy with my weight? Probably not.<br /><br />I don't feel like I've beat this thing by any means, but I'm closer than I've ever been in my entire life on figuring this out. <br /><br />Today a coworker, someone that's thin and at his healthy weight, made a comment when I said "I'm soooo hungry!". He listens to me all the time saying I'm hungry. He's always watching his weight, being very careful what he eats. I complained that some days it feels more out of control than others and today was a really hard day for me food wise. He just looked at me and smiled, he said "I've just accepted that being hungry sometimes is a fact of life." He's right, that's all it is, just a fact of life. Sometimes I'm hungry, and sometimes I'm not. It's just a fact.

Still dragging but hanging on

It's late, 10:14 p.m. as I write this post. I promised myself I'd post every day this week, like I've done for the past two year...

Read more »

Green Buds On The Branch

We baptized three people at St. Christopher's, Boulder City today and received another into the Episcopal Church. Last week, we confirmed three teenagers at Christ Church, Pioche. That may not seem like a big deal to larger congregations. But to me it is something special.<br /><br />Christ Church, Pioche is in a small community that has been bypassed by the economy since its mining hey day now long past. A couple of years ago, their matriarch and priest -- then in her 90's -- suffered a fall and had to move away to assisted living. The congregation went through a difficult time of grief and adjustment.<br /><br />Unlike Pioche, Boulder City is thriving but St. Christopher's was not. They went from being a 3 priest church to a no priest church in a short time, as one moved, one became ill, and the third retired. Their understanding of themselves and how they could go about being church was no longer working, but they had not yet found a way forward. That was just last Fall.<br /><br />But Christ Church, Pioche just had an engaging upbeat home made curriculum confirmation class modeled on Jeopardy -- a class that ushered 3 teens into the Church. The congregation, inspired by the teens who now know so much interesting stuff, has decided to take the course themselves and reaffirm their Baptismal Vows next year. Meanwhile to the South, St. Christopher's, Boulder City, continues its strong tradition of community ministries, and is now growing again. I saw lots of new faces today in a church considerably more full than I've ever seen it. They are continuing a process of discernment about their future with an outside consultant. They have called Fr. Jim Lyons to serve as their priest, at least for now, and they celebrated his ministry with grateful statements interrupted by several outbursts of spontaneous applause at our forum.<br /><br />Since I have been in Nevada, there have not been intitation rites (baptisms, confirmations, receptions) at either Christ Church, Pioche or St. Christopher's, Boulder City. But now on back to back weekends, we have celebrated new life in Christ in these congregations. There are green buds on the branch. It must be Spring.

Green Buds On The Branch

We baptized three people at St. Christopher's, Boulder City today and received another into the Episcopal Church. Last week, we confirme...

Read more »