RESOLUTION TIME

It's that time again...which is great, right? We get a new year, a new month, a new start. I'm giving serious thought to my resolutions for 2011. Of course, that's going to be our commitments too. Let's be specific and realistic. :))

CHRISTMAS WISHES

Do I have to remind us? Christmas is Saturday! Everything is so commercialized these days and the true meaning of the season seems to be lost. Let's be grateful and reflect on the blessings that we have throughout the year. What's your favorite thing about Christmas?

Commitments for week of December 20-26:
Lisa- making workouts a commitment
Lori- enjoy my time off, eat f&v's, stretttccchhh.
Shon- rest when needed.
Pam- 2 runs, slow down and enjoy the season.

KEEPING BALANCE

Pam, I used your "balance" wording for this week...It's so difficult this time of year. I'm just now posting the new blog and it's Tuesday!

Commitments for week of December 13-19:
Lisa- 3 workouts, portion control
Pam- Keeping balance with f&v's daily and 3 workouts

BACK TO BASICS

During the busy holiday season, it's even harder to take care of ourselves. So let's use this week to get back to basics. Eat fruits and vegetables, take our vitamins, keep our body moving and take a few minutes each day for our mind and spirit.

Lisa- 2 workouts and portion control

Lori- 4 f&v's and daily stretching

Pam- healthy food, 3 workouts

Shon- 4 f&v's daily, 2 workouts

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY

As I've shared before I have an awesome book that provides daily inspiration for me. Shon gave it to me and I read and need it everyday. I wanted to share today's story from "The Language of Letting Go" by Melodie Beattie:

November 28:
"Do you see it? Do you see what a special, precious opportunity each day of your life is?
Look more closely. See all the lessons you can learn. See how you can participate in your growth. See how carefully God holds your hand, guides you down the right path, offers just the right words and opportunities at the right moments, sends just the right people your way.
You can feel. You can touch. You can agonize in despair and giggle with glee. You can make jokes. You can cry at movies. You can weep in bed at night. Then get up the next day, refreshed.
You can taste an orange, a lemon, a mango-and describe in detail the difference in each of those tastes. You can smell a forest of pine trees. You can hold your friend's hand and feel how he trembles because he's afraid.
You can stumble and fall and feel abandoned, then get up and suddenly, in one moment, understand that lesson you've been trying to learn. You can jump out of airplanes, feel the smoothness of your lover's back, and hold your child to your breast.
You can wait and thank God later.
But you might as well thank God now.
Maybe the best way to thank God is to live your life fully today."

Commitments for week of November 29-December 5:
Lori- 3 runs
Pam- smaller portions, 3 runs
Shon- take care of me
Lisa- start working out again, portion control.

GIVING THANKS

This is the week to give thanks and show gratefulness:

Pam-my job, my health and most of all my family!

Shon-family, health and having God in my life.

Lori- my health, my family and self-growth with inner peace.

Lisa- my health, family & friends including the Bear and continued growth

Commitments for the week of November 22-28:

Pam-3 workouts and healthy eating 'til Thursday

Shon- lots of f&v's

Lori- tons of f&v's, daily stretching

Lisa- healthy eating and one run

FALL LEAVES

I can't say enough about how beautiful the leaves are in Arkansas. And the weather is cool and crisp. I just love it.

Here's to a new week and our continued strength.

Commitments:

Lisa- Stay on track during my move, lots of water and bed by 10pm

Lori- Healthy eating choices, 2 walk/runs

Rachel- 4 runs, lots of sleep

Pam- 3 workouts, less sweets

WE DID IT!

We had a delicious picnic after the race...

Pam, Molly and Rachel before the race- beautiful!

The "half marathon" line!

Pam, Shon, Lisa, Lori on Saturday in the park.

Commitments for week of November 8-14:

Lori- 3 runs

Lisa- 2 runs, 1 weight train, take vitamins

Shon- 4 f&v's daily and more stretching

Pam- Healthy eating

Rachel- lots of water and no late eating

McAFEE PRAYERS

As we plan to be together this week in Dallas for our "Run For Pam", we must keep the McAfee's in our prayers and in our hearts. We have Don and Norma in the hospital. Beverly is struggling with radiation side effects and still has a few more treatments after taking a week off from it.

I know the bond I have with my sister and don't know what's it's like having more than one sibling, much less having them in pain. Let's pray for all of our McAfee family. We are all McAfee's, huh? xo

Commitments for week of Nov 1-7:

Lisa- 3 runs, extra water and complex carbs.

Lori- 2 runs.

Pam- lots of water and quiet time for family prayers.

Shon- 4 f&vs

HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEEN!

Can you believe it's Halloween time already?! Scary! Our run is only two weeks away. I'm ready for the hugs.
Commitments for week of October 25-31:
Lori- 4 f&v's daily, stretching 3 times
Pam- 2 hour run this weekend
Shon- 4 f&v's daily
Lisa- 4 runs, 2 hr run on weekend

RACE FOR THE CURE

Wow! What a croud! I ran in the Race for the Cure Saturday in Little Rock. Our race is 3rd in the nation for participation...45,000 people! It makes me feel good to be faster than 30,000 people! lol. Great cause though.

Commitments for week of October 18-24:

Lori- 3 run/walks, 4 f&v's daily

Lisa- 4 runs

Rachel- 3 short runs, lots of water

Pam- more stretching and lots of water

Shon- 4 f&v's daily

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL....

Let's just simply use this week to appreciate what our bodies are telling us and responding with self love. I need this more than anyone, so I thought I would share the challenge.

Commitments for week of October 11-17:
Lori- 3 walk/runs, appreciate what I have.

Pam- healthy eating and add time to long run.

Lisa- 4 runs.

Shon- 4 f&vs.

10-10-10

10-10-10

Looks like a lucky day...

Happy Birthday, Gina!

COME TOGETHER, RIGHT NOW....

Just a reminder that we should all think of Beverly and each other at 2:00pm each day. This is a great 'midday' time, too, to get us through the second half of our challenging day.

Commitments for week of October 4-10:

Lisa 4 runs with one long run.

Lori- 2 walk/runs.

Shon- 4 f&v's daily

WE SUPPORT YOU, BEVERLY!

Let's all support Beverly during these next few weeks of radiation. She starts treatment on Tuesday for five weeks straight. I know with our thoughts, love and prayers she will pull through it all and stay strong! Ironically, she starts on her birthday this year. This will be a new meaning for the word...birth, day. This will be the first day to the beginning of your healing and life without cancer! We love you so much!

Pam had the idea of sacrificing something during Bev's treatment and I think it's a great idea. Please consider what you will do without to support Bev and be a healthier YOU.

Lori- no alcohol.

Rachel- no diet cokes.

Lisa- no junk sugar.

Pam and family- no junk sugar.

Shon- no junk sugar.

This is a great picture of Lisa and Pam at their 5k last Saturday! What beauties! Pam you look great!! You, too, Sister!

I tried to enlarge the pic but the pixels got fuzzy....

Commitments for week of September 20-26:

Pam- thank God for 3 things daily, up long run by 5 min

Lisa- 4 runs

Shon- up long run by 10 min

Lori-Daily stretching

ENERGY!

Selfishly, this week is for me...I seem to only have energy to do the things I HAVE to do. When I get off from work, I don't do anything I want to do at home. I know the more you do...the more you do. So I'm concentrating this week on positive energy to "snowball" into more energy!

Commitments for week of September 13-19:
Lisa- 3 Runs
Pam- 3 Runs, one long run and 5 minutes of daily prayer
Lori- 3 walk/runs, take care of myself like I take care of others

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

Attitude: a state of mind or a feeling; disposition.

Pam, you gave me the word for the week! I love that you have an attitude commitment. I want to use that for us each week, too.

Commitments for week of September 6-12:

Pam-2 bootcamps, 3 runs, one long run.

Shon-4 f&v's daily.

Lisa-listen to my body.

Lori-4 f&v's daily. Daily stretching.

HAPPY LABOR DAY

JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS

"Oh, I see it's going to be one of those days,"

"Not unless you make it that way."

As Pam commented, it's not about the small stuff. We choose how to handle the things that are thrown our way. Pam, you and Keith probably had fun working together to fix the water line. And, that project may have prevented you from doing something else that may not have been so fulfilling. The other day when I had to pick up my car from the shop, I was so greatful that I had a car, it was only a minor repair, and I had the money to fix it. That way it was not about the inconvenience, but rather the appreciation of what I have. So, if you have "one of those days", choose to use the power we have to turn any day around.

Commitments for week of August 30-September 5:

Pam- 3 runs and 1 long run. No sweets.

Lori- 3 walks

Lisa- 3 runs, including one long run.

Shon- 4 f&v's daily.

FRESH FLOWERS FOR US

Okay, I didn't take this picture, but am just sharing these flowers with all of us. This will be our bouquet. Rather than being on the kitchen table and wilting...we have fresh flowers every day while we visit our blog.

Commitments for week of August 23-29:

Pam- 4 cardios, no sweets and continual prayers

Lori- 4 f&v's and daily stretching

PRAYERS FOR BEVERLY

Here's our sweet Aunt Beverly. This picture is from our reunion last June. I just love her new hair!! Bev goes to the doctor today, Monday, to discuss the plan for the tumor found last week. Please keep Beverly and her family in your prayers. She's a strong lady and made it through the first round, so she can do this again! We love you, Beverly!

Also, Norma had some more surgery last Friday on her never-healing leg. She had an infection that started months ago and just won't heal. She has a new doctor that says he really "patched" it up this time. Keep her in your prayers, as well. xo

Commitments for week of August 16-22:
Pam- Enjoy family and do daily exercise
Lisa- 4 workouts
Lori- 4 f&v's and daily stretching

Stop Second-Guessing Yourself

I'm sharing another exerpt from my daily read "Language of Letting Go" by Melody Beattie.

"Often in life, when an incident arises, we know what we want and need to do. It's clear. We've already got that life lesson under our belt. Our hearts and inner guides are clearly speaking to us about what we want or don't want to do.

But I should be open to change and new ideas, we think. Maybe what I want is wrong. Could it really be that what I want is right? Probably not. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.

We're creating this bother and angst ourselves.

Be open to new ideas. We're not always right in what we believe. Stay open to examining and changing your beliefs and ideals. But don't spend all your time second- and third-guessing yourself. Your life will whiz by. You won't get anything done. And chances are, those second, third, and fourth guesses will lead you back to the place you started from.

God, help me stop wasting my time and energy second-guessing myself. Help me learn to trust you and to trust myself. "

Commitments for week of August 9-15:

Lisa- Eat only when hungry, follow training schedule

Pam- 2 boot camps, 3 runs-1 long run

Lori- Daily stretching, 4 f&v's daily.

Rachel- 4 cardios, no sweets

Shon- Yoga 3 times and less sugar

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH

Beautiful Lisa is in Aspen Colorado! This is Sparky and Sugar Bear, too! I just talked to her on the phone and it's so awesome. They had a fire in the fireplace yesterday morning.

Commitments for week of Aug 2-8, 2010:
Kristin- workout everyday
Pam- 3 bootcamps, 3 runs
Lori- 15 minute stretches everyday, 2 runs
Lisa- 4 runs, upper body workouts
Rachel- 3 cardios, 2 pilates, no sweets or bread
Shon- more yoga

S T R E T C H

The man in this picture is one of my "clients", Bill. He's 83 and has started a Tai Chi class for seniors! I aspire to be as fit as he is at his age...

Commitments for week of July 26- August 1:
Pam: 2 boot camps, 3 runs, no sweets.
Lisa: 4 workouts. Listen to my body for "hunger".
Lori: 15 minutes of stretching each morning. 3 arm workouts.
Rachel: A variety of cardios and more water.
Kristin: 3 one-mile walks.
Shon: Less sugar, more yoga.

WORTH THE WAIT

Jim and Carolyn visiting Dallas over the weekend. Lisa-the photographer :)

Good food (food that's good for you) is worth the wait! This is a photo of the dinner Lisa made for Mom and Jim this weekend...Yummy! The longer it takes to prepare food, the better it should be for you. Of course, the setting makes a big difference too. You should never eat while doing something else. No watching TV, no phone, no food in the car, etc. I want to concentrate this week on appreciating food for what it is meant to be-NUTRITION. Not a drug or bad habit.

Commitments for week of July 19-25:

Lisa- 4 workouts.

Pam- 3 runs & stretching, no sweets.

Lori- No eating in front of TV. 2 workouts.

Rachel- 4 cardios

Gina- 3 workouts

Shon- more yoga, less sugar.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Here we go! Registration is open. (has been, I've been in denial) They are limiting the entries of the "half" to 4000 this year. Sign up when you get a minute...

http://www.drchalf.com/registration.php

Commitments for week of July 12-18:

Pam- 2 jogs, 2 swims, stretching and no sweets

Shon- 2 bikes

Gina- 3 cardios

Lori- 2 jogs

Rachel- 3 cardios, 2 pilates, no eating past 7

Lisa- 4 workouts

JUST ONE MORE!!

Thought this would be a good picture for you, Pam. Please know that we all surround you tomorrow during your last treatment! Stay strong and recover fast! Check in when you can.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Commitments for week of July 5-11:
Gina- 3 runs
Lisa- 4 runs, no eating past 8pm M-Th
Lori- Tons of water, heatlthy eating
Shon- 3 yogas

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Stay safe!

SUMMERTIME APPRECIATION

I was so "blocked" on what to post this week. Everyone wrote last week on how good they were doing and showed such gratitude! Thank you! It's just amazing how hot it is this year. Seems worse than ever...Summer is in full swing and I am going to try to appreciate every day.

Commitments for week of June 28-July 4:

Pam- 2 cardios and healthy eating

Lisa- 4 workouts

Rachel- 3 cardios and 2 pilates

Gina- run and stretch 3 times

Lori- no eating past 8 pm M-Th, 8 glasses of water

MC AFEE REUNION 2010

Pam...YOU LOOK GREAT!!!

Lori, Inge,Gina,Shon,Pam,Rachel,Ellen...on top of the Mountain. We walked up :)

Gina, Pam, Melissa. Three beauties!

Molly and Rachel. Pam's precious daughters.

Buddy, Bobbye, Norma, Carolyn, Don, Beverly. McAfee sibs at the picnic on Saturday.

Lori.

Jeff and Rachel, the newlyweds with Dutchess, the pug and Baby Georgia.

Lovely, Gina.

Commitments for week of June 21-27:

Lisa- 4 workouts, ease into some runs

Rachel- no chips or sweets, more water

Shon- 4 f&v's daily

Lori- healthy breakfast daily, plenty of water

SELF FIRST

Well, this week is selfishly for me...I simply want to take care of myself as willing as I am to take care of everyone else. Even the flight attendants tell us to put on our mask first before assisting anyone, otherwise we couldn't do it, right? So, this week, let's put ourselves first. Stay true to our commitments to ourself, feed ourselves right, excercise ourselves, etc. "To Thine Own Self Be True."

Commitments for week of June 14-20:

Pam- Only healthy foods, no sweets 'til Friday, 2 cardios

Lisa- 3 workouts, portion control, no eating past 8pm 'til Friday

Lori- 3 run/walks, portion control (copy cat)

Rachel- 3 cardios and more water.

Shon- take care of "me"

WE'RE WITH PAM ON THE MOUNTAIN

I found this picture of Pinnacle Mountain with Lori, Pam and Lisa. Since it's chemo week, let's be on top of that mountain with Pam! Love and Strength to you, Pam, we hope you have a quick recovery this week.

Commitments for week of June 7-13:

Lisa: 3 workouts, 3 f&v's and more water

Pam: continue to journal

Shon: take time out for "me"

Lori: 8 glasses of water daily, 4 f&v's

A NEW DAY, A NEW WEEK, A NEW MONTH

Sweet Sugar Bear is at home and doing great after her knee surgery. When I come back in my next life, I want to be Lisa's dog. LOL

This was sent to me from Shon. It's a new addition to her neighborhood! Precious!!

So, we have a new day, a new week and a new month. Let's enjoy every minute of it!

Commitments:

Lisa- 3 workouts, 3 f&v's, only healthy snacks

Lori- only healthy food in the house, 2 run/walks
Shon- 4 f&v's daily

Pam- 2 cardios and only healthy foods

Rachel- Smaller portions, more sleep

HAVE A SAFE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

As we remember the ones who fought (and fight) to keep our country free, let's use this weekend to celebrate what we have and make our own memories with friends and family. I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday weekend! Here comes summer!!

WE RUN FOR PAM

I love this picture of Pam. And it has the blue ribbon in the background...
Tuesday is another chemo treatment, let's all pray for Pam's comfort and recovery.

Commitments for week of May 24-30:
Lori- 4 f&v's and 8 glasses of water daily
Pam- lots of water, love and strength!!
Rachel- Push myself during workouts.
Shon- Take it easy on myself.