Coffee, God and Me

Friday, February 12, 2010

Look What Hubs Did...

Yes, I know people don't like Valentine's Day.

But today, Hubs did really good and I wanted to give him some public praise.

It's not just the flowers, but the 9 Valentine's Day's we've shared together.

He's a great guy.

Love you babe!!!

Sad news from Vancouver as tragedy stakes claim. Olympic hopeful, 21 year old Nodar Kumaritashvili, a luger from the Democratic Republic of Georgia, died in a crash today after his sled lost control. Please join CGM in sending up prayers to Kumaritashvili's family.

What Olympians are saying:

ApoloOhno via Twitter

"Final prep is complete. So sad to hear about the Georgian Olmpic Luger. My heart goes out to them. :-("

Read more at:

NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123635348

FOX: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/02/12/georgian-luger-seriously-injured-luge-crash/

YAHOO: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100212/ap_on_sp_ol/oly_lug_luger_dies

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Fabulous Friday Foto with Schwarzie-Babie

Photos courtesy of followtheflame via twitpic

Well...this isn't my photo, but a photo from a cool new Olympic blog I just stumbled across called Vancity Buzz. Check it out. Click HERE to read more about Schwarzie-babie and the torch.

Team USA News

As for Coffee, God and Me, we are cheering on Team World. I know, it sounds a little fluffy and hippie-ish, but, I'm watching the Olympics not to see my USA team cream any other team. I just want to watch the most amazing atheletes in the world do incredible things. That being said, if I WERE to root for a team, I would choose my country just from pure logistics...that, and I love my country. So...let's go Team USA!!! Bring home the Gold.

In that spirit, I want to tell you about Team USA News. Anyone who registers at www.teamusa.org (the official web page of Team USA) will have be up to date with the most current and exclusive Team USA info.

Sign up to experience the insider’s view of the

2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver!

Be part of Team USA for 18 incredible days of competition!

Receive exclusive updates during the Winter Gameshttp://teamusanews.org/
Get the inside scoop, event by event
Hear directly from our Olympic athletes as they chase their dream
Photo and video highlights, right to your desktop

Go visit Team USA and grab this widget for your blog.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Benefits of High Levels of Confidence

Guest Contributor: Keri Gaddis of Yoga Fitness

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Rock-CO/Yoga-Fitness/306783177344?ref=ts

Benefits of High Levels of Confidence:

(1) Positive Emotions, (2) better concentration, (3) setting more challenging goals and pushing to reach them, (4) increasing effort to reach goals.

Think of people that you feel possess great confidence in themselves, what makes them stand out from the rest of the people that surround them?

Most obvious would perhaps be their (1) positive emotions. They are naturally happy, easy and fun to be around. With high levels of confidence you send out positive energies and are able to ward off the negative quickly because you don't possess the kind of energies that negativity feeds off of. Since much of your time is not spent on dwelling in unpleasantness, (2) Better concentration is cultivated. You can grow to be a more focused person on the aspects of life that will get you somewhere instead of those that would hold you back from what you really want. A connection is then made between concentration and (3) Setting more challenging goals and pushing to reach them. You now possess the concentration to set specific goals and discover a variety of ways to acquire them in any way you can. Make the goals realistic, though. If you set goals that are not physically possible in the time line you set for yourself, then confidence might go astray due to frustration. (4) Increasing effort to reach goals ties all the previous beliefs together. It is a necessity to put forth effort in achieving that which you have set out to accomplish. Unfortunately, things don't just materialize on their own. All can be put into motion with the power of the mind yet effort is needed to aim in the correct direction you want events to proceed.

Since fitness is my line of work, I deeply have faith that achieving these benefits will assist you in meeting goals of weight lose or bettering your overall health. They are definitely something to aim for and keep in mind if a bit of frustration creeps into the mind when you don't see immediate results. Stick with it and accept other benefits that will arise before physical results like increased energy, a better mind set and high spirits due to the release of the "Happy" hormone in the brain that is released with exercise.

If you don't believe in yourself who will?

Composed by: Keri Gaddis- Personal Trainer/Yoga Instructor.

visit me on Facebook at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Castle-Rock-CO/Yoga-Fitness/306783177344?ref=nf

~ ~ I hope you enjoyed reading this article by Keri Gaddis. Keri is not only an amazing and long time friend of mine, but she's also an amazing woman. She has inspired me with her personal journey and following her passion on health to go out into the world and help others to achieve their optimal wellness. Please stop by Keri's Facebook page and thank her for contributing this great information on confidence. Also be sure to comment and give her love here. For every comment left here and on her Facebook page, you'll receive a point towards your Olympic Commentator Medal. ~ ~

Grab the Button and Link Back to CGM for 5 Olympic Points towards your metal.

Click HERE for more details.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Olympics & Your Kids

Children hold a very special place in the heart of the Kingdom of Heaven. It's important that we remember to cherish our children as Christ did. Part of cherishing them is seeing them not just as these little helpless and needy people, but as creations of God with their own gifts and talents...and callings by God. A great way to do this is to welcome them in to as much as we as responsible parents. So, I'm suggesting you incorporate family time into Olympic time. A great way to start is to begin by watching Cool Runnings with them. See yesterday's post. Bridge the divide between children and adults with fun and creativity.

Here are two super creative craft ideas that come from Kaboose - http://holidays.kaboose.com/olympics.html

Ceremonial Olympic Torch

By: Amanda Formaro

Difficulty: Very Easy

Age: 4 and up

Celebrate the Winter Olympic Games 2010 by making this super simple ceremonial Olympic torch craft. Create your own games in the backyard with the help of neighborhood friends and some grown ups!
For more winning crafts, games, and throwing an Olympic party, visit our section devoted to the Olympics. Take our quiz to find out what your winter Olympics IQ is!

What you'll need:

1 sheet of white construction paper
Clear tape
Red, yellow, and orange tissue paper, 12" x 12" square of each color
White craft glue

How to make it:

Roll the construction paper into a cone shape, tape closed.
Layer the tissue paper squares, red on the bottom, then orange, and yellow on top.
Gather from the center of the squares and hold in your hand like a bouquet of flowers.
Put some white craft glue into the sides of the opening of the cone.
Place the tissue paper into the cone and let the glue dry completely.

Tips:

If you want a really tall torch like the real Olympic torch, use a piece of white poster board instead of the construction paper.
Instead of tissue paper you can use construction paper in the same colors. Simply cut them into flame shapes and glue inside the cone opening.
Have a piece of tape ready before rolling the cone, this way you won't be struggling with the tape while trying to hold the cone's shape.

***NOTE*** Ham goes to a music class on Tuesday's and our project for this week was to make a homemade noise maker. So...I combined the Olympic torch idea with a musical shaker. I took wax paper, Basmati rice and a toilet paper role to make the shaker. Then I used the poster board to make a bigger torch and placed the shaker on the inside of the torch. I then put the fire/tissue paper on top. The bottom is open and you can hear the sound of the shaker better at the bottom and the fiery sound of the paper on the top. It turned into two themed music makers in one...and Ham loves it.

Chenille Snowboarder

By: Amanda Formaro

Difficulty: Easy

Age: 6 and up

Snowboarding is all the rage and so fun to watch during the Olympics! Kids will love testing their creativity while bending this chenille snowboarder into shape.
Celebrate the upcoming Olympics with these gold-medal crafts. Learn more about the athletes, try out sports printables or take an Olympic quiz!

What you'll need:

1 jumbo craft stick
White and light blue paint
Paint brush
Toothpick
Chenille stems, 1 each in blue, yellow and brown
White craft glue
Scissors
Gold paint pen or black marker
Pattern

How to make it:

Paint jumbo craft stick white. Let dry. (See photo.)
Use toothpick dipped in light blue paint to decorate craft stick. Set aside to dry. (See photo.)
To make the chenille man, use the pattern as a guide. First cut the yellow chenille stem in half. Cross them like a lower case letter "t" and twist together at the crossing point. Bend one arm up like it's waving, point the other one downward.
Cut about 2 inches off of the blue chenille stem and set aside. Bend the remaining blue chenille stem in half to find the center. Starting at the center, bend each side up, then back down to form an upper case letter "M" to make the legs.
Twist the bottom of the yellow body around the center of the leg section. Take 2" piece of blue chenille and wrap it around the intersection you just created.
Bend the brown chenille into a circle and twist it around the "neck" of the yellow chenille. Trim off the excess brown and wrap any remaining around the neck.
Write the word "SNOW" across the snowboard with marker or paint pen.
Lay the chenille man on the table and add some white glue to the feet then place the snowboard on top of the feet. (See photo.)

Tips:

Use your favorite snowboarder's colors!
Chenille stems are sold by individual color and in large variety packs.
Use construction paper to create a fun snow scene to which you can add your chenille snowboarder.

Grab the Button and Link Back to CGM for 5 Olympic Points towards your metal. Click HERE for more details.

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Monday, February 8, 2010

Must See Movies to Tone You Up for the Olympics

A Movie Marathon of Olympic Proportions Just For You!

Suggested Viewing Schedule:

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Monday Night: Cool Runnings

Tuesday Night: The Cutting Edge

Wednesday Night: Blades of Glory (Suggested for Adults Only)

Thursday Night: Miracle

Friday Night: Olympic Opening Ceremonies @ 7:30pm EST.

I have long enjoyed these movies which boast fabulous winter Olympic flare. Each one is filled with tremendous amounts of laughter and each one with fluffy warm endings...even that weird selection, Blades of Glory. ;-p Read below for brief reviews. I have checked Netflix and each film is currently available through them so be sure to request them quickly for the marathon (none are available for instant watching on Netflix however). Click on the movie cover to go straight to Amazon to purchase. There is also the original movie trailers for your viewing pleasure.

1993 / Rated PG

This is a great movie for the WHOLE family. I remember watching this movie with my parents as a kid and just having a ball with it. To this day, my brother and I still quote Cool Runnings on a consistent basis. I should say, we quote Shanka on a consistent basis. Cool Runnings has everything you want in an Olympic movie: great characters, great story of adversity and perseverance and its paired with the heart of Disney. This movie is packaged with an unexpected ending, but one that is good for children of all ages, even adult children, to experience. It's got Jamaicans. It's got Ice. It's got AWESOME WINTER OLYMPIC MOVIE written all over it. Did I mention this movie has the late, great John Candy? At his best!

1992 / Rated PG

Just in time for Valentines Day and the Olympics this is a double whamming of romantic comedy meets winter Olympic radicalness! (Shhh...I know I made that up but I'm trying to bring back the word Rad). Anyway, anyone who has ever seen this movie totally understands the double and triple meanings of "Toe-pick". There is passion, love, tension, commitment, anger, betrayal, heat...and that's just off the ice. The skating is fun, the competition is funner! There are a couple of could-be questionable scenes for the "family" but just keep your eye out for it if this is something that concerns you. Otherwise, kids of ALL ages are in for a good time with this movie. Note: Others may disagree, but I do not recommend the sequels to this movie. They make my nostrils flare...and that is not some righteous flarage!

2007 / PG-13

Oh Will Ferrell in glittery multi-colored spandex...whatever WILL we do with you?

This movie is inappropriate, crude and often absolutely hilarious. Ferrell plays Chaz Michael Michaels who, along with Heder go from being men's individual skaters to a men's pair (through a very interesting set of circumstances). I do not recommend this movie for kiddos and some adults, so view this movie responsibly. :-) It's a good laugh though and it helps us laugh at some of the quirkiness that is human beings in competition.

2004 / PG

Miracle is one of my all time favorite movies. I can watch this movie over and over and never get tired of it. Triumph over adversity is the very essence of this movie and what makes it sweeter is that it is based on the real story of the "Miracle on Ice", the 1980 USA Hockey Team at the Olympics in Lake Placid. Do I love hockey? Yes. Do I love hockey players with hypnotizing Bostonian accents? Yes, Yes. Do I love hockey players with adorable Minnesotan accents? Well...Yes. Do I love Kurt Russell? Ugh...sure...especially in this movie! Heart and Hockey. I can't watch this film without crying and I sat in a theater filled with men who were also balling, so I know its not JUST me. This is truly a moving movie. Often used in sermon illustrations, Miracle highlights the very championship nature that exists within each of us. I give this movie Five Hockey Pucks for recapturing the greatest moment in sports history. Do you believe in Miracles???

Have you seen one or all of these movies?

Do you have a favorite?

Which one do you plan on watching before the winter games?

Come back tomorrow for some great Olympic ideas for the kids. Happy Monday y'all!

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Grab the Button and Link Back to CGM for 5 Olympic Points towards your metal. Click HERE for more details.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

On Fire - Preparing for the 2010 Olympics

2010 Winter Olympics: February 12th - February 28th

There are few things I enjoy watching on TV more than I enjoy the Olympics. As a kid I would pretend I was in the Olympics. As an adult I pretend I have enough money to actually watch the Olympics in person or hop on my Wii and pretend I'm in the Olympics. As a humanitarian I enjoy the short time we have as a world every two years where we actually realize we are all a part of one whole and unified creation...under God (whether some choose to acknowledge that part or not). And yes, I tend to cry during the Olympics because I love watching people conquer adversity with heart and perseverance.

Since October 30th, the torch has been making its way to Vancouver where the 2010 Winter Olympics cauldron will be lit this Friday, February 12th. NBC will be covering the games and will broadcast opening ceremonies beginning at 7:30pm EST. Go to http://www.nbcolympics.com/ to find out more about local scheduling and TV times. This site allows you to put in your zip code and your TV provider in order to give you the most accurate schedule. For a broad schedule of the games, go to the main website of the 2010 Winter Olympics, http://www.vancouver2010.com/ and/or http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule-results/.

I'm going to be blogging and yes, even "vlogging" (video blogs) about the Olympics, so be sure to make CGM a daily stop for Olympic commentary and read what others have to say too. In honor of the Olympic games, I will be awarding (in image form) a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal to the three top commentators on CGM during the games. Each day you comment, you get a CGM Olympic Point. The three with the most points will receive medals during a very special closing ceremony. Fun, fun, fun!!!

So let's get ready for the games! Tell me what you look forward to watching the most: Shaun White shred some serious slope during snowboarding competition, couples figure skating that DOES NOT include Will Ferrell in tights, hockey at its finest (one word: Miracle)? Something else?

Coming This Week:

Monday - Must See Movies to Tone You Up for the Olympics

Tuesday - The Olympics and Your Kids (A Must Read)

Wednesday - A Special "Guest" Article on Maximizing Your Health w/ Confidence

Thursday - Finding God in Competitive Sports

Friday - Opening Ceremonies

Grab the CGM Olympic Button

(Let me know you put this on your blog or FB and you'll automatically get 5 CGM Olympic Points to go towards your medal).

Be sure to stay tuned to my Olympic coverage via CGM and my Twitter (click here to follow). Also, follow the official Olympic Twitter at http://twitter.com/2010Tweets.

Artist: Ben Hulse

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

My Awards Show

I'm so humbled and overjoyed! While I've been in Kansas City chaos over the last several weeks, I've been honored to receive several outstanding recognitions from my bloggie peers. I'd like to give a huge shout out to my most fabulous of fabulous ladies, the ones who have given me the awards. You LOVE me, you really LOVE me! Many huge thanks to: