Friday, January 16, 2009

2009 Goals

At the end of 2008, I made some goals (most of us do). But this year I wanted to let all of you hold me accountable. On Jan 1, I weighed a record 223 pounds (Actually it was not a record. When I looked at my 2008 goals, my starting weight was also 223, but look where that goal got me!) My first goal is to lose about 20 pounds by the end of May. Here is a graph of my progress so far:

The red line is the goal, the jagged blue line is my progress. About 16 to go. Have started using Wii Fit and started some jogging. I'm up to about 10 minutes of jogging. Goal there is to be able to run a 5K run at the end of February.

Fringe benefit, my resting pulse seems to have dropped to just over 60. That's good for me. But my balance in the Wii Fit exercises still needs a lot of work. It gives you your age. Depending on the day, my Wii Fit fitness age has varied from 67 to 45. I'm 61.

If you would like to share your goals, feel free. If you have any good ideas, please share.

Love, Steve

Paralysis by Analysis

Farmer Boy's (he's actually a teen!) story reminded me of what I go through when I buy a new car. When the time is getting close, maybe out there a year or so, I analyze, investigate, discuss and other wise exhaust the topic especially for those around me (Dr. Watson). When the day comes, I usually get the first car I see. What is that? Holmes? At least I am at the right dealer (most of the time) .

My analysis paralysis is partially due to being an engineer. We are taught to check and double check every calculation (which is especially important for me since I nearly failed 4th grade arithmatic - I got better when we finally got to algebra, trigonometry and calculus, not sure why).

What is the moral of the story? There is a verse somewhere in Proverbs that says something like a man plans his ways, but the outcome is of the Lord. So I guess planning and analysis are okay but know that an action is what the Lord desires and what He guides.

Love, Steve

Astronomy Joke

Hello,

I got this Joke from my Science book.

Sherlock Holmes and his faithful companion Dr. Watson go on a camping trip. They find a beautiful spot and set up their tent. After a full day of enjoying nature, they go into their tent and fall asleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes Dr. Watson and says, "Look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson was awestruck. After a moment, he says, "I see countless stars." Mr. Holmes replies, "What does that tell you?" Watson considers for a moment and says, "It tells me that the universe is vast, and it will probably take us several lifetimes to gain even a small amount of understanding as to how is functions and what our place is in it." Mr. Holmes asks, "Anything else?" Mr. Watson thinks for a moment and says, "Based on the position of the stars, I would say it is approximately two o'clock in the morning." Once again, Mr. Holmes asks, Anything else?" Desperate now, Watson replies, "Because the sky is so clear, we will probably have a beautiful day tomorrow." Once again, Mr. Holmes asks, "Anything else?" Frustrated, Mr. Watson says, "I can't think of anything else. What does it tell you?" Holmes is silent for a moment and then says, "Elementary, my dear Watson. Someone has stolen our tent."


Isn't that weird?

Farmer Boy

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Family Picture - January 2008

Picture includes four generations of Bahlers and their spouses ranging from 80 to a few weeks old who were gathered at Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma's 80th birthday at the Tacoma Yacht Club.


An Engineer

Thought you might be enjoy this.

Steve

Attention Family Farmers and Cooks!!!

Dear Family Farmers and Cooks on a Budget,

Please see Barbara's response to the "So Why This Blog, Why Now" Posting. She has a great opportunity for you to consider!!!! We can make a difference in the next generation.

"Find a Need and Fill It!"

New Posts to Blog

Blog Authors!

If you received an e-mail from the Blog inviting you to be an "author," you will be able to add messages like this, rather than "just" providing comments to what I wrote. Once you are logged in, look in the upper right hand corner of the blog page, you should see a link called "New Post". Click on that and it will let you add a post. Type your message in the window provided. Be sure to use the font and background tools, add pictures, etc. When you are done, click on "Publish Post" at the bottom. If there are any problems with them, I can fix them up from here.

Please send me e-mail address of any other family members who may want to be "authors."

Love, Steve

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

So Why This Blog, Why Now

What are we going to Blog aobut? Here are some ideas, you may have more... Family news and history; family recipes; words to live by/life lessons; prayers/answers; practical information on parenting, home schooling, farming; creative works - stories, poems, music; links to personal Blogs. If you received an e-mail inviting you to be an author, please feel free to be one! Also if you have other family members who want to be authors, let me know their e-mail address and I can add them.

We have all been trying to communicate by e-mail, phone, U-Tube, Face Book, and other ways. This will give us an tool to communicate that we can all access and use.

Love, Steve

Find a Need and Fill It

The maternal grandfather of the Bahler family, Laurence, was ofter heard to say: "Find a need and fill it." This was for him a life creed. He used that creed to flourish during the Great Depression and ultimately founded the first Nursing Home in the City of Tacoma, Washington. What needs is this generation of the Bahler family filling? - Steve

Thus It Begins

Thus begins the Bahler Family Blog. A small start, but a start indeed. It is my plan for all who are interested to be able to add content, stories, messages for all to read. - Steve