Takin' the Wife for a Workout.......

After working for the last few months on convincing wifey (all you ladies refer to your husbands as "Hubby", so I'm following your lead.  Ha.) that she should join me in regular workouts at my new-found facility, I finally prevailed.  We got her signed up yesterday, and today was her first scheduled workout.

This was to be a joyous occasion.  Next to our spiritual growth, our physical condition is most important.

So, when we arrived this morning at 6:30, we were both excited.  Yes, my friends, today was the first day of the rest of her life.  And, although she is not really overweight or otherwise in ill health, it is always really a good thing when someone makes a commitment to exercise regularly.

But, as usual, God had a surprise for yours truly.  What I thought would be a simple teaching/learning experience turned out to be something else.

After a short warm-up, we went to the upper body circuit.  I showed her how to use the Lat pulldown machine.  Oh boy.  I had not considered that she had never been to a workout facility in her entire life---most of her exercise has always consisted of walking through our neighborhood. 

We finally got her working the lats, but she was not breathing properly.  I gently instructed her to breathe out on the power stroke and inhale on the negative stroke.  Well, this was a problem because she couldn't seem to coordinate her breathing with her lifting.

Same thing on the next machine, the rowing exercise; and the next one, the pec fly; and the next one, the chest press, etc, etc.

She was frustrated.  I was frustrated.  This was gonna be harder than I thought.

But, when we got to the treadmill and I showed her how to use the controls, it got worse---she had a bad experience one time 20 years ago on a treadmill and she was gun-shy.  She was afraid of the machine.  This, too, was frustrating for us.  But as the minutes
ticked away, she seemed to become more comfortable.  YES!  She was mastering the art of treadmill walking!

She had a good first workout.  Much was learned---especially by me.  Wifey came a long way in her learning to workout, and I learned that I assume too much and I am STILL too impatient.  I gotta work on that!

The Cutting Crew, The Beauties, and The Beast.......

 

I Am Happy With My New Look

My "Before" Picture----HELP!!!

The Beautiful Tiffany Styled My Hair

Shall We Begin With A Shampoo?

I Look Like An Arab Prince

Since it has been eons since I had my beautiful, flowing locks trimmed, it was decided that I would look a heckuva lot better if I visited a professional hair dresser.   It was suggested that I was beginning to look like a charity case.




Tiffany Works Hard!

So, Cindy took me up to the Powell location of The Cutting Crew, a friendly little beauty shop staffed by two beautiful and charming ladies, Tiffany and Cindy.

Beauty And The Beast


Tiffany shampooed and cut my hair and then styled it.  I enjoyed talking with her very much.  She is a Tennessean by birth and loves living here.  She got her cosmetology license when she graduated from high school and has been in the profession ever since.

Cindy is The Other Beautiful Hairdresser at The Cutting Crew

Thanks, Tiffany!  I feel (and look) so much better!  See ya again in about 6 weeks!

I'm An Idiot (but a nice idiot)

Short and sweet---In my earlier post today about the differences  between Texas and Tennessee, I gave credit for the idea for the blog to Texwisgirl at http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/

I should have given credit to Jane at http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/

Hey, I'm old and sometimes the ole wires get crossed.  Ha.  Sorry  'bout that.  And THANK YOU, JANE, FOR THE SUGGESTION!

I hope everyone will visit both these excellent blogs.

Differences Between Texas and Tennessee

Texwisgirl at http://run-a-roundranch.blogspot.com/ asked me the other day what I have seen in the way of differences between Texas and Tennessee.  I thought that was a good question, and I have given it some thought the past few days.

Here is a partial list of observations:

---Texas is 90% flat.  Tennessee is 90% hilly. 

---Texas roads are generally straight.  On some of them you can just drive and drive all day long and seldom even move the steering wheel.  Tennessee roads are winding and hilly and DANGEROUS.  Many roads here in east Tennessee don't even have shoulders.  If you are not payin' attention---or if you are multi-tasking---you can go off the road and die just like that.  This is particularly troubling because we've got these good ole boys who drink to excess who like to get out in their pick-up trucks and drive recklessly.  I try to stay off the roads after 5:00 PM if possible.

---Food costs more here in Tennessee.  I have been shocked at some of the prices.  Shrimp (which we love) cost two and a half times more here in Tennessee.  I couldn't believe it.

We also love sushi.  In Texas, all the supermarkets had a sushi counter.  Here in Tennessee, we finally found one market that offers sushi.

---In north Texas, it seems all the churches were mega-churches, with thousands of members each.  Here in Tennessee, it seems there is a small church on every corner. 

---In north Texas, zoning laws are enforced.  In Tennessee, if there are zoning laws, they are not enforced.  You see expensive homes next to single-wide trailers next to body shops next to apartments next to gas stations next to car dealerships. 

---Neither Texas nor Tennessee have state income taxes, but the property taxes in Texas were FOUR TIMES what they are in Tennessee. 

---My auto insurance and homeowner's insurance are Half what they were in Texas.

---If you join a workout facility in Texas, it'll cost you a minimum of $25 a month (usually more), a start-up fee of at least $75, and an agreement that has a penalty if you try to terminate it.  Most Spas in Texas keep regular office hours---you can only work out when they are open.

I joined one here in Knoxville three weeks ago that is $15 a month, no contract, and allows me towork out anytime, 24/7.  Each member has a card key that is programmed with his/her code.  Wanna work out at 11:00 PM?  No problem.  3:00 AM? No problem.

---In Texas, a big orange "T" stands for the University of Texas.  In Tennessee, that orange T stands for the University of Tennessee.  "This is Big Orange Country!!!" the locals loudly proclaim.

---Here in east Tennessee, the accents are slightly country and slightly hillbilly and slightly twangy.  In Texas, the accents were a drawl.

---There are a whole lot more trees  in Tennessee than in Texas.

These are a few of the things I have noticed in my short time here so far.

Wired.......

Large Screen HD TV

One of the notions that seems to stick in my brain is how really stupid and backward electric wires are.  I guarantee you that in 50 years we will look back and just shake our collective heads at the idea of wires.

Soundbar

I mean, the inventor who finally discovers a method of powering our homes and appliances without wiring will be incredibly wealthy and famous.  I mean, wires are such a terrible hassle and eyesore.  I mean, you take this morning, for example.

Internet Router

The little lady and yours truly were going to complete the hookup of wiring for our TV set.  Sounds simple, no?  Well, there was a time that it WAS simple---take the wire from the TV set and plug it into the wall outlet and voila!......turn on the set and enjoy!

A Few Hundred Choices In The Rear Of The TV

But in today's highly advanced society, things have improved! pardon my sarcasm

No, today we have Blu-Ray DVD players, sound systems, internet connections, and High Definition television sets that must all be electronically integrated.  I suppose if you have an electronic engineering degree from Cal Tech, you can figure it all out in a week or two.

What A Headache!!!

But a sad sack like myself is gonna have a problem.  And we did.  I want to thank my wife for not killing me during our four-hour ordeal.  I also want to thank God for finally allowing us to successfully complete the wiring.  How we did it I do not know, but that is beside the point.

You Gotta Be Kiddin' Me!  This is Where We Are At In The 21st Century?

Anybody else have a serious challenge when it comes to wiring stuff up?  Anybody else think it'd be just a wonderful idea to find a way to power stuff up without wires?

Stylish Blogger Awards.......

I am awarding the Stylish Blogger Award to 15 fellow bloggers.  This award is being passed on because I admire these bloggers and their work. 

Please understand that I admire ALL the bloggers I follow.  If you were not selected, it absolutely does not mean I don't love your blog.

The tradition is this:  When one is awarded the Stylish Blogger Award, they are asked to post 7 things about themselves that are not generally known.  This can be fun!  And, it offers everyone the opportunity to learn more about each other. 

Another important consideration is this:  Your acceptance of this award in no way obligates you to do anything!  You do not have to list 7 things about yourself, or anything else if you do not want to.  Also, if you would like to pass this award on to other bloggers you admire, please do so.

I urge everyone to check out these outstanding blogs!

(Drumroll, please)..........

http://islandmusings-shuni.blogspot.com/

http://mla-crownofglory.blogspot.com/

http://fourleafcloverdairy.blogspot.com/

http://survivablelife.blogspot.com/

http://angemomma.blogspot.com/

http://carmichaelchronicles.blogspot.com/

http://thenewsixty.blogspot.com/

http://www.swampbillyranch.com/

http://ravenhush.blogspot.com/  ------- Buttons Thoughts

http://danitag-danitag.blogspot.com/

http://hopefaithlife.blogspot.com/

http://momentswithmeowlissa.blogspot.com/

http://crystalmarylindsey.blogspot.com/

http://lonely101.blogspot.com/

http://animalfriendlyeating.blogspot.com/


Congrats to all!

My Morning.......

A Little Blurry, Just Like the Focus of My Eyes In the Early Morning

I usually wake up a few times during the night, but last night I slept like a baby.  Second stop:  coffee pot.  I like it dark and strong.  Fortunately, so does Cindy.

The Living Room is Still a Mess

So is the Dining Room

In the early morning twilight I stumbled through the mess that is our home.   We are still moving in, but boxes remain.  I figure it'll take about another month to have the place looking decent.  Whew.

Looking North From Our Rear Deck

Our Back Yard With Thick Hedges

I go out to the rear deck and sip the strong brew.  It warms my being.  I gaze at the summer greenery flourishing before me.  Two powerful mugs of java have my energy level elevated.  Time for my morning workout!

Looking Northwest From Our Front Porch---Note the Ridge Line in the Background

Looking East---More Ridges

Out the front door I go---the morning is glorious.  The ubiquitous Tennessee ridges that surround our home loom in the distance.  The air is cool and fresh.  Off I go to my spa, down Callahan Road to Clinton Highway to the community of Powell---about a ten minute spin.

My workout awaits---usually there are only a few people there this early in the morning, and today was no exception.  I stretch in the parking lot, then go inside.   Today I work on arms, shoulders, upper back, chest, abs and cardio.  I feel good---and fatigued---when I finish.  My day has begun.  This is a day the Lord has made---let us rejoice and be glad in it.