Only 36 Left

2 more goals down: push-ups and poems. These last few weeks I have been so close to the 50 continuous push-ups that I started to think it was all in my head. I could easily do 75 with a small break between sets of 25. When I would try to do them without stopping, all I could manage was 35, then 42, then 44 twice. I just knew it had to be in my head. Last week I had M count as I pushed - on Monday I got to 49 and my arms locked up and my body started shaking so bad I could not finish that last one. So I took a break on Tuesday, did 100 Wednesday (with breaks) and on Thursday I once again recruited M to be the counter. First half was easy now, 35 came and went before I knew it, by 45 I was quivering, after 48 I was shaking again but determined to make it, and I finally did (I actually did 51 just to make myself feel better). This goal was one that was on my original list several years ago so it felt really good to beat it. I'm not stopping my push-ups because it is part of my overall plan, but I am no longer concerned with how many I can do at one time. Thank God.
I have my poems memorized: "If" by Rudyard Kipling and "My Hands" by CJ. Oh yeah, you read it right, I wrote my own poem. I'm not a poet and I know it, but I figured what the hell. Obviously the first poem is much better. "If" is about a father giving advice to his son about what it takes to be a man. Unfortunately Kipling's only son was killed during WWI, just 5 years after he wrote it.
I have joked with M on many occasions that the only part of my body that I would not change is my hands. They have yet to let me down, so I thought they deserved a little credit. Now I am going to share my artistic expression right here in front of God and everybody, but if you laugh you better chuckle to yourself - I will hunt you down.

My Hands

Blessed with two just close to perfect
Not too big but neither too small
Calloused from work and wrinkling with age
My hands have served me through it all

Opened and closed the doors of time
Ripped and torn when called upon
Wiped away both sweat and tears
Blocked the rain and shielded the sun

Strong when needed to fulfill a goal
Soft when needing a lover's touch
Hard when discipline must be delivered
Sometimes too little, but never too much

Held the hands of both young and old
Used to help those most in need
Selflessly served me well in times
But humanly prone to desire and greed

Whether out to shake the hand of a friend
Or strained under pressure to offer a lift
I now clasp my hands under my chin
And thank my Lord for this precious gift.

Another Goal Bites the Dust

Yep, that's me getting my tat. Did it hurt, you ask? Yes it hurts a little, but not like you would think, it really is hard to explain. Will I regret it? I knew you were going to ask that one too. This is a tattoo that I picked out/designed very carefully and it has alot of meaning to it that is special to me - it's not a secret, but it wouldn't make sense to most people so why bother?
M got her tat too, but you would have to ask her about it. I took a picture of her in action, but she was shaking her head and giving me that look - oooh that look can kill!
I am real, real close on a couple of my other goals, but I refuse to check them off until I am 100% certain they have been accomplished. Hopefully in the next few days I will have new update. Only 38 more to go...