Every Thursday night there is a Five Minute Friday chat on Twitter (#fmfparty). During the chat Kate Motaung reveals the word prompt everyone is to write on for five minutes and then publish. I usually check what the word is on Friday and see if I can come up with a post. This year my brain has struggled to come up with posts so my participation in the group has not been what I want.
Last week’s word for the final Five Minute Friday of Write31Days was BACON (click to read all the Bacon posts from different bloggers).
It was my intention to work that prompt into my 31 Days of Tricks to Scare Away the Grief Monster, however my brain was so fried from all the writing I was unable to see, through all the grease, how to work it into my series.
So I skipped the word prompt again.
Then this past week I was given a new Christmas decoration and I now have someone to pet.
Here is a picture, which is worth a thousand words er laughs.
So without further adieu, I give you Santa Bacon.
Here is Eartha Kitt’s original version of Santa Baby.
It is the final week of the Faithful Finish Lines challenge and that means it is race week.
This Week’s Verse
Sara’s choice of scripture for the week was interesting and it caused me to change my way of thinking.
It is from the Parable of the Talents or as the NIV calls it The Parable of the Gold Bags. (Link to entire parable.)
A servant who received 5 bags of gold from his master, turned them into 10 bags of gold.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Matthew 25:21
Now I always thought this applied to money and only money. But we were faithful with a few weeks (7) of challenges to our eating, exercise, faith and mission.
This verse and the parable has a whole new meaning to me. Wow! I guess God did recreate me during this program.
So to make sure I was self-accountable, I set 2 alarms. It took me awhile to get out of bed after the second alarm but I did it.
I was self-accountable.
Holiday Obstacle Course
A lot of group members were doing 5k’s, a 5k was out of the question due to my knee. Instead I opted to walk the local mall. My “obstacles” would be the people I have to weave in and out of during my walk, plus I might have to jump over a few elves along the way.
When I put “boots on the ground” at 8:40 this morning (alright it was tennis shoes on the pavement), the parking lot was no where near full.
“Tennis Shoes On The Pavement.”
The only stores not open were the hair salons. There were people shopping but numerous couples and girlfriends were walking. I could tell they were mall walking pro’s and I was their “obstacle” they had to walk around.
Yap, Yap
There are several aisles off the main concourse on both levels. I walked all but one. The aisle I skipped was the one with the pet store. It just breaks my heart to see the doggies and kitties in the store wanting a nice warm home with a loving family for Christmas. I know some of them will get it and some will end up in shelters in January because they were too much work for their owners.
When I started down the aisle anchored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, I heard yap, yap. Oh no! There’s another pet store in the mall? I saw doggies in their crates and kitties in the window as I walked by.
Bling, Bling
I stopped at the Swarovski Crystal Boutique (I am attracted to bright shiny objects) and window shopped. Santa Baby, it would be wonderful to find the the Topazy looking necklace and earrings, the golden retriever, and the leopard statue under my tree Christmas morning. 😉
Knee
As most of you know I pulled a muscle behind my left knee a couple months ago. Getting rest has been tough because I am the only one who does the housework and I was working full time in a call center. It is possible to get more rest now that the seasonal job ended.
I let Sara know about this when I started the program and it was not an issue. Just start from where you are at and do what the knee will allow – stretch yourself but don’t push it.
The knee held up well today for 3/4 of my walk. I did rest a few minutes before proceeding down the food court aisle and made it the rest of the way through the mall.
Selfie
One of the requirements on race day was to take a “selfie” of me doing my event. Well, here is my selfie.
Faithful Finish Lines Race Day Selfie
This was taken as I walked down the big aisle off the lower concourse. That is my dress for New Year’s Eve. Now all I need is the figure, the man and the event to attend. I will work on the figure first as once I get it, I am sure I will have no problem getting a man. 😉
Then it is off to the opera or symphony.
Finish Line
Here is a picture of my finish line – the locker where I stored my parka.
Finish Line
I used the app “Map My Walk” and it stated I walked 5.55 miles in 34.41 minutes. Now I found that questionable until I spoke with my friend who said she heard when the mall was built walking each level was 1.6 miles. So walking 2 levels is 3.2 miles, plus the new aisles added on during the remodeling. I guess 5.55 is possible. I will walk it again and double check.
Oh by the way a 5k is 3.10685596 miles – and I did not think a 5k was possible. All things are possible with God.
Well Done!
Now I can say:
Well done being self-accountable!
Well done stopping the daily Pepsi!
Well done cutting back on the sugar!
Well done increasing fruits and vegetables!
Well done walking the Holiday Obstacle Course!
Well done on monitoring and increasing protein!
Well done eating more clean and less processed foods!
Well done sticking with the Faithful Finish Lines program!
Now I am off to go enjoy and share my master’s happiness!
Hopefully a steak is included! (medium, not well done.)
*Disclaimer: I was given free access to the Faithful Finish Lines program with the promise of blogging about my experience. I am not receiving payment of any other form and the opinions are mine alone.
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JoyReturns 
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