SparkGuy's 10 Minute Fitness Club Group Forum

9-22-2020 Happy Tuesday & Autumn or Spring first!
The wind from the Bobcat fire in CA, brings us unhealthy air today, so I will do my DVD's SP Nicole 12 minute seated core workout, LOVE the back stretches & my Zumba DVD! Our LUCY dog is not happy, plus no swimming. SAD face! But my world is fabulous & I am so blessed to have DH, LUCY & our lovely paradise home! I KNOW the air will clear 1 day soon, because the fire fighters are working SO hard. Donate to them, if you can! I did! I grew this sunflower for this photo, in 2003!







(another early Christmas present to me! Found on eBay, VERY inexpensive!)

thanks for hug. i meant for all of us.
never got ou.t did dvd for streak.day 77

Edited by: MINNIE at: 9/21/2020 (22:51)

tough times.
walked. day 72.

Edited by: MINNIE at: 9/16/2020 (20:59)

9-16-2020 OK, so what do you do when you can only swim when the weather is hot, AND the air quality is bad? Wear your mask! (didn't swim under water) Got in 30 minutes today, after walking Lucy dog , before the heat hit, going up to 103 today! Stay safe everyone, YIKES! Seems like the whole planet needs extra love! Here it comes! From me!

indeed!

no. not interested in more now. too busy.

been walking.

9-10-2020 3,100 days of Sparking EVERYDAY! for me! I'm also following Spark Coach, almost 2 weeks now. I listen to THE SPARK on cd's, almost daily since I started, so pretty much know what is being offered, but nice to see in different format! (Have you checked into it? REALLY great) I love this beautiful Thursday!!! Sky clear enough of smoke from another state, to be outside & Swim for over an hour, walk LUCY dog for 35 minutes, garden 120 minutes, housework & now work! 260 minutes, I try for 200, daily. YEAH! PLEASE keep your prayers coming for all of the west coast. Many of our SP friends live there. This is the ONLY area in the world that the massive Red Woods, live. So many gone. climate change, for sure!

good!
i already had an early walk after a frustrating morning.

Yeah! I get to get outside today!!!!! Clear sky's! Hope you are doing GREAT!

sorryu r stuck home.
many od ius are these days.
i got to walk outside. it's the only time i get out.

Figuring out how to do cardio inside our home! I am such an outside girl these days!



9-8-2020 Hi! Everyone. You are all doing GREAT! I'm just trying to keep our world going. Smoke from CA & UT, now high winds 35 MPH,have to stay inside & I don't like it. At least we have electricity! For that we are blessed! I DID get hair cut yesterday also Photos from Saturday hike,
Please be safe everyone!



(tree roots)



(birds flying south)

day 63. walked.
got new dvd player and did a workout.

day 62. been walking. great pic!

9-3-2020 A VERY busy morning! It was only 75 degrees, when we got up! Going up to 111 again this week end. Opened windows, breathe fresh air INSIDE! Yeah! I saw the 'corn' full moon the other night, did you? Then walked LUCY for 35 minutes , made a HUGE batch of veggie-chicken soup for us & special for Lucy. Froze some. That took about an hour. Had lot's to clean before I added to yummy soup! I also swam for an hour I LOVE our pool, swim almost daily!, then of course had to wash my hair & now to work for DH in my office. I started everything about 5:30 am, it's 1:30, now. Again, WOW!

(big hugs to all who read this! THX to IAMJETTA for this photo)

day 58 did a regular walk. feeling better.

had a cold. walked around the block. day 57

8-27-2020 & now off to work! I am blessed! Stay safe everyone! SP is here for you!

(A gift from our garden, today. Yellow Lantana)

:(
day 56 walked after the rain

8-23-2020 I just learned, our beloved, Santa Cruz, CA, (we use to live there & had planned to retire there, 'one of these days' is on fire) . 2 biggest in history, so sorry for the people, but also the Redwoods.... not many left, as it is! 100,000 people evacuated. 50,000 in San Francisco, just north of Santa Cruz. YIKES! I'm praying for them, too! I think Chris Downie lives north of there. would help!

Stay safe, my dear SP friends!

day 53 walked after the rain today.

THX, it is a great place to walk!
Looks like Mom will get a new caregiver! Still working on it. But help is truly on the way!


8-20-2020 I've decided to make the song,GOOD ((((((((VIBRATIONS)))))))), by the Beach Boys, my new mantra! I sing it & it helps me when I'm not being balanced with myself! I AM a good vibration! LOL!

nature preserve sounds gr8. good luck with caregiver
day 50. walking at least 3 miles most days.

8-14-2020 Yesterday I went hiking in the nature preserve (usually on Saturday) . We have a heat wave coming, lasting till NEXT Friday! 112-115 degrees. Trust me, if they say it's going to be hot, it will be! So I will be up extra early to walk LUCY pup. If it only goes down to 90, she can't walk. I also played in my back yard. St. Nicolas arrived. I'm using what I have. Lot's of Christmas art sculptures. Oh, Well, at least they won't melt in the heat!!!! Tonight is date night. We are watching the original, WILLY WONKA. (Gene Wilder was a client of ours, great man!) Happy, healthy thoughts, ok? Still praying for new care giver for mom. 2 more weeks to go,

day 45. walked and did dvd.

very nice. nice you have a garden and a pool.

yes i plant the pits of the fruit i eat and grow things indoors. ala "after dinner gardener". alas it is not a physical workout, but good for stress.

did 2 dvd's for my workout today.

because you ARE!

8-12-2020 I find GREAT joy going out in the morning & seeing what has transpired in our yards, over night. I spread wild flower seeds in my 'fairy' garden section, water 2 times a day, keeping moist. I've mulched around with top soil. The temps here are going up to 112, Saturday. So keeping them moist is a challenge. I've also been putting things from my home, into the yard. Things that can handle it. Crystals, angels, fairies, marble eggs & basket, etc. Still waiting to see sprouts.... but I feel like they are my little babies, tending to them is big fun. I use to be an organic gardener for a company. But with all the travel I was doing, I didn't have time. NOW, we social distancing, I do! I love to see my efforts for my garden 'art'! Plus helps me with stress. I am blessed to have this time to 'play'! Do you create gardens in your home, areas? After I sweat in the garden working, I swim. By the time I go in, the birds come & 'talk' to me. Lot's of humming birds, instead of feeders, I grow flowers & pomegranates for them! This is indeed a VERY precious time for me!

(Fairy wildflower section)

( marble eggs, funny, but pretty as I wait for wildflowers to sprout!)

(Angel candelabra)

(a BDay gift from friend)

day 42 of my streak. walked and did toning.

8-11-2020 Today I have sparked for 3,070 days, EVERYDAY! Helps me stay true to myself, how about you?

yes, thanks.
been walking. today did strength, too.

Hope you are ok!

8-4-2020 & now working! have a fabulous day!

(photo I took of Sleeping Beauty castle, Disneyland, CA 2011, just for your fun!)

pretty food pictures.
walked and saw much damage.day 35

Edited by: MINNIE at: 8/4/2020 (23:14)

So glad to hear from Chris!!!!!!!!!!!

day 34 got drenched in unexpected rain.

7-23-2020 I buy rotisserie chicken at Costco. $4.99. I can not beat the price! IF I cook 1 it is more costly, cleanup (water waster) & time consuming.. They can be high in sodium. I don't eat the skin. We use in 'taco salads', on sandwiches, chicken salad, plus when almost done I make soup from all the bones & skin, etc. After I cook it, de-bone it & put into refrigerator. I can then, skim of the fat. I make us & our dog, soup, she gets her own, with out any spices. I add SO many veggies & a little whole brown rice, it lasts for many meals. I freeze some too. I can & do live on this stuff!

did some yoga and some dancing. now i am off for a walk.

7-17-2020 Yep! Gardened today, swam & walked Lucy dog all before 9 am & 110 degrees today! Hope to hike the nature preserve, tomorrow! Protected, of course! Happy Friday! Hope you are doing GREAT! You deserve all the good coming to you!

(my forever friend gave me this pretty mask. Nice surprise in the mail!)

(Lucy & I picked up pine cones in 'our' park & used them for a 'bald spot" in our yard. They are available year long!)

thanks. u 2
day 16

nice.
day 15

Christmas in July: 7-14-2020 This year's Las Vegas Santa 5K Run (the SP team name) is going virtual! Sign up (now) at santarun@opportunityvillage.org You can walk, run or swim from any place on the planet! Hope you will 'join' us! It is for a local charity. $30.00 to enter. Because of SP I am able to do this walk! I've done it 7 times! Great fun!

(2017)

Newspaper photo, 2018

(2013)

(2012 my first time)

(me & 15,000 other Santas!

nice hairdo and pool.
day 13.

7-13-2020 I had my hair trimmed today. Feels great! My hair dresser gave me Troll dolls & DVD, for belated B'Day. (he truly is a kid!) I celebrate all month, so perfect timing! Couldn't walk Lucy dog, TOO hot! Only went down to 97 degrees last night! Down from 120. It IS cooling down to 117 today, 35 MPH winds. Yep, we are inside this afternoon! I did get to swim, before my outing, YEAH! My friend took my Mom out to lunch yesterday, nice she sent me photos. I haven't seen mom since last November, when she turned 91. We are in contact a lot, though. But miss hugging her! She is 5 hours away in a different state. She is such a magical woman, I miss her, terribly. DH & I are SO very happy to be living together in this amazing house with the pool he designed, in 2005.I am VERY blessed! Happy Monday to everyone, stay safe & be thankful for what you do have & I will too!

not that hot here. stay cool, too! day 12. have a great walking partner.

Stay cool, no A/C? We will be 115 tomorrow, couldn't live without it!

7-7-2020 I'm a little tired from all the celebrating at home, yesterday! It was a VERY wonderful day. So much loved shared, from a far! I am truly blessed. doesn't cover it! You are all



(Lucy & her friend!)

day 5 no partner to walk. did a few videos in hot room with broken a/c

7-3-2020 Sunny & hot (104). I swam for almost an hour today. Walked LUCY, before heat hit, park was beautiful. Put away ALLOT of fruit from yesterday's Sam's club adventure. Many organic veggies, too. DH gave me dark chocolate covered strawberries for my B Day. We will be BBQing tomorrow, turkey burgers, asparagus, maybe turkey hot dogs. Already made my 'famous' cold slaw. Low fat, & yummy. DH loves it. Apple pie for the 4th & my B'day.
I have been adding things to our back yard. A silk flower on one of our statues, LOL! Also, our park has tiny pine cones, I picked up several & am using as a ground cover in a spot that is strange shaped. Smells wonderful. Hope you are all staying happy & safe, too!

good luck, jomama.

115!!!!

today is 3rd day of new sstreak.

Edited by: MINNIE at: 7/3/2020 (15:52)

Hope you heal quickly!

Toady I have surgery tomorrow and wont be able to exercise for 6 weeks!

6-23-2020 Went up to 115 in our back yard, yesterday. YIKES! Even for me! I am doing pretty good, keeping my balance with all the changes going on in our lives!


(clouds over Mom's house Sedona for her BDay 2018, she turned 90.)

(more clouds over Mom's house, within an hour of each other! 4 angels!)

good
111!!!!
day 2 walked 3 miles.just 84

I am! Today is 3020 days of Sparking, EVERYDAY!

6-22-2020 Today is 3020 days of Sparking, EVERYDAY! It is going to be 111 degrees today! Did a lot of errands before the heat. The pool temp is 89, YIKES! Talked to my beautiful Mother, today. She may have to move, after 19 years. She is 91 & lives 6 hours away. I can't visit, our states are locked down. Plus I need to be home. Hope it doesn't have to happen, but whatever is best for her & her health. Father's day was simple & sweet. LUCY doggie gave her 'dad' a card. (We were never blessed with children of our own.BUT have many children to love!) I had 3 father's. I loved them all! Here is a photo of 1 of them. he was a minister. A VERY great man!



(water sister, Spirit card stay cool!)

i've been walking for 3 weeks. time to start posting again. day 1 of my streak.
who is with me?

3-20-2020 Hi! Everyone! I'm keeping our world together, hope you are too!

3-19-2020 Happy SPRING- Autumn! We are ALL going through the same things, in different ways. Our blue planet needs our LOVE! I am SO grateful for this amazing website-family. I send all of you BIG hugs & am VERY happy the internet still is on! Please keep joy in your hearts. If you need us, we are here, for each other!

Since many cannot go out, I thought sharing 2 ingredient recipes would be helpful. Items already in our pantry.

I am sharing a recipe I have made twice so far that I found on YouTube.

Mix softened cream cheese with salsa.

Dip whatever you want! Tortilla chips, vegetables, potato chips, crackers, etc.

I even threw in a can of black beans.

I hope you like.

3-14-2020 We ALL will get through this, world crisis. ! Living in Vegas, it is REALLY hard, as more & more theaters, casinos, public places close down more, today. ALL live shows have been canceled. We are an entertainment destination. REALLY weird, staying home! I am such a social lady, hiking with friends &&&&. Our stores are the same as everyone, almost empty. Amazing the world's focus on this, now, rather than the elections & who is running our country. I think this is the terrorist, we don't need outside influences, right? & the 'trauma' hasn't even really started! I AM so very happy we still have internet. I heard some places have closed it down, for emergency personal only! I know I am going on & on, but YOU help me feel like all will be OK! IF we get no internet, just KNOW I am here sending you ALL good ((((((((vibes)))))) of health & happiness!Keep your sunny side up!!!! . Thank you for being 'here'!

3-3-2020 Today is World Wildlife day! Let us all celebrate our world & the beings upon it! Share your love & I will too!

good
day 5 exercised yesterday and walked today

I'm getting out & about, too!

walked 15 min today.

thanks. still not exercising.

Hope you feel better soon!

2-11-2020 Being an artist myself, I love seeing & appreciate everyone's art.
We make the marionettes for my shows, Mom & DH & me & several others over the years. (Starting in 1958) My favorite part is the costuming! (I think of my body as a blank canvas everyday, for what I might wear). It takes us about 9 months to make 1 from scratch. Our 'recipe' = Start with the idea (is it apart of a themed show, Circus, Jungle, Christmas, nature or just performing by it's self as in Barbra Streisand, Carol Burnett or Barry Manilow when we make a STAR, they get a copy, too) ) -sculpt-make cast- pour manikin rubber in cast-pull out & sand & paint & holes for eyes, mouth or anything moving, eyebrows, etc.- same process with hands, legs, feet, anything showing skin- wood bodies- airplane control out of lathed spindles- pad bodies- put 'underwear' over entire body- attach head, hands, legs, feet or make shoes (I have a 1920's Singer leather machine for this) - costume- stringing (I like stringing too, it is like stringing a guitar or other instrument, if a part moves, then it has a string!- It is a long process, but SO worth it! I am more of a performing artist, these days. I have 150 to play with.They are 'camera' ready & get redone about every 2 years depending upon how often they 'work'. Mom & team have made over 5,000 with us. We really don't need to make any more. Her last was JANii, I've shared photos, Joel Osteen and a few others. Mom is teaching about GODDESSES & women's Play shops, now, not performing. Here's a few photos












I'm not sure why I was inspired to share this today. Don't mean to bore you, just I am Slightly Off The Wall! & you all 'feel' like family!

not feeling well. must rest. can't count but will not restart the streak.

day 3 walked an hour, but slowly.

day 2 walked 40 min.

2-3-2020 My performance on Saturday, was SO fun! The audience was amazing, the weather perfect (70 degrees, unusual for us) & I just had a wonderful time volunteering. 300 minutes of moving! Have fun EVERYONE!!!!!

(the audience performs, too!)

(performing JANii)

pretty.
embarrassed i didn't even manage 10 minutes to maintain my streak
day 1 waked 15 min.

1-28-2020 I've been doing a bit of clean up today & found a cd (LOL) of photos I submitted for a camera club, I use to belong to. Fun seeing awards from my past! 2010 Here are a few of them:

ARCHITECTURE, Las Vegas

MACRO

NIGHT

I've been adding walking more, too!

day 308. been doing something every day. today did 1.5 hrs. of walking and elliptical.

1-21-2020 Hope you all are well! I'm making veggie-turkey soup, today. Last night our LUCY dog, had a hard time standing & fell down the carpeted stairs. I'm keeping a VERY close eye on her, today. She seems ok, now! Scary! She has been having hip, things going on, Vet watching her, too! We love her so! I also did SP Nichole's 12 minute seated core workout, ALWAYS feels GREAT!

photo from this morning

Edited by: SPARKLINGME176 at: 1/21/2020 (16:53)

did 2 videos day 301

enjoy your hike.

did 2 videos. day 300 !!

Edited by: MINNIE at: 1/19/2020 (23:35)

1-17-20202 need to rest, today, been at it all day! Hope you are all well! Hike tomorrow. Happy weekend everyone! May it be blessed!

nice.
day 297. walked over an hour

1-11-2020 Yesterdays hike (2 hours) at the Nature Preserve, was so fun! I watched an Egret take flight!!!!

day 292. did a video yesterday and today.

1-10-2020 Today is the first day, in 19 that feels normal. I actually hope it gets boring around here!!!! DH working at computer today, slowly, but surely. I'm still bringing him food & doing all the care-giving things.... but SO happy he is getting stronger, too! His small business needs to go on, it can't with out him. Luckily our clients are just now getting back into their offices. So we didn't miss too many requests. & now I'm able to go shopping & walk Lucy, without feeling like he may pass over, when I walk out the door. SO MUCH STRESS NOT KNOWING!!!!! I'm up 1.5# & ok with it. I KNOW it is stress related! Thank you all again, for your support.......couldn't have done it without you, NO REALLY!

(photo by SP friend, RUTHIEBEAR)

wow sparklingme.2855 days.
flad you figured out your husband's problem. hope he recovers quickly with minimum intervention.

walked over an hour. day 290?

Today is day 2855 of SPARKING everyday!!!!! Great streak!
1-9-2020 We found answer to DH major pain! been VERY intense around here! REALLY helps to know WHY. It has been going on since 12-22-19! (we missed Christmas AND New Years, but happy to understand) After EVERY conceivable test, He pulled/tore a mussel. Rest for him AND me! It will take some more time for him to heal, but he is on his way! YEAH! EVERYONE for your support, Coming to SP land is what helped me get through all the chaos!


1975


2019 (44 years of celebration!)

good for you!, SPARKLINGME176

did minimum today to maintain streak. sometimes i need the push

Walking ALLOT!

day 287 walked 2 hrs

287 walked 38 min and scrubbed.

1-4-20 My DH is a little better today. Moving around a bit. Been intense around here, but I DO see a light coming into view. He goes to VA doctor on MONDAY, can't wait! Other odd situations going on, too. With my Mom. She's getting a new roomy.... YEAH! But not till Feb. Still trying to help where I can. With her being 91, she needs someone around, especially in evenings. The PERFECT long time friend lady is coming. Our pool broke, got fixed yesterday. still to cold to swim. LUCY limping today, not sure why, checking her out, too! All & all things seem calmer today. Still keeping VERY alert to DH. But hope to hike at the nature preserve, today. Sorry I haven't been reading your blogs &&&&, keeping focused on what I NEED to do. YOUR support mean the world to me, Please KNOW I am here for all of you, mainly in prayer, daily!

LUCY January 1-2020 looking for her 'dad' to come downstairs, he can't right now.

thanks pat.

day 284 walked an hour

Edited by: MINNIE at: 1/2/2020 (19:40)

@MINNIE. THOSE LETTERS ARE MY FIRST, MIDDLE, AND LAST NAME (PBVH), and the last ones are my hubby's initials(CCVH). The name I wanted to use was already taken, so I decided to use our initials so I wouldn't ever forget my sign-in name!
Pat

You did GREAT to ride your bike for nearly an hour!!

thank you , PBVHCCVH. what does your name mean?

maintaining my streak. lost count. rode stationary bike for almost an hour today.

@MINNIE You're doing great!

292

thanks,PBVHCCVH.

2 more days done.

Edited by: MINNIE at: 12/14/2019 (20:11)

@MINNIE. You did GREAT!