My Infatuation with Henry VIII

"I'm Henry VIII, I am! Henry VII I am, I am!....."

I believe that I have an addictive personality. When I find something that interests me, I obsess. I want to know anything and everything I can about that particular subject and do whatever I can to find out that information.

One of my latest obsessions is with Henry VIII.

High school was so long ago, and I didn't really remember that much about the ole chap with the exception that he had 6 wives and had 2 of them killed. I guess I should start off with how this obsession all started. I began watching Showtime's The Tudor's. Let me clarify this by stating that the show, itself, is excellent, however, it is a representation of what actually happened and is not at all historically correct. The names are mostly the same, along with some of the historical events, but it is simply a show that was created for entertainment purposes - in which I was fully entertained! Let's face it, it's easier to watch a King who is handsome and young, rather than someone who we all know was quite large and rotund!

Getting back to the obsession....as the first season progressed, I started doing my research. The power that man had, and the changes he made in religious history are mind blowing! He was King, and could do whatever he wanted. Apparently enough to change the religious beliefs and convictions of his kingdom with the signing of a mere document!? If it wasn't for him and his strong will and stubbornness, religion as we know it, would not be the same. Maybe someone else would have come along and changed things, but not with such an impact as Henry VIII.

Let me give you a little synopsis of why this has affected me. I was raised a devout Catholic. I was baptised, made my first Holy Communion, confirmed and went to Catholic school. It's what I knew. When I moved from NJ to Florida, I must have tried out 3 different churches. None of them felt "right." I started to resent the fact that every time I left mass I felt guilty. For what? Being human? Making mistakes and having human error? WHY? I still went to church as it was my obligation and that was what I grew up knowing.

After I moved from Florida to NJ, my husband and I decided to make a compromise and went both to the Catholic church I grew up in, and the Methodist church he knew and had many friends from. After trying to juggle both, it became increasingly harder for me to go to Catholic church. Let me preface this by stating that the Methodist church, called Hope, is not like any Methodist church I've ever been to. It's a relaxed atmosphere where you can celebrate and become connected with God in your own way. I'm not trying to preach here, just merely state what has been going on and why I enjoy going to Hope so much. I started feeling that my church was not so good. It's not bad or evil, I just didn't feel as though, as a Christian, that I was getting the spiritual fulfillment that I desired. Craig and I talked about it and we decided that Hope is where we want to be. We even started taking classes to become members. Naturally I started questioning, how did the Methodists come about. It all started with the breakdown of the Catholic church by Henry VIII! See it does tie in somehow!

Henry VIII fought tirelessly with the Pope and was excommunicated from the Catholic religion. He wanted a divorce from his wife, Katharine and the Pope would not allow it. He started the Church of England (Protestantism) and divorced Queen Katharine of Aragon. He then married Anne Boleyn who had their daughter and future Queen of England, Elizabeth I, and the rest is history. Let's not forget to point out that his scandalous marriages were to produce an heir. He blamed the fact that he never had a son on his wives. Funny, how that all happened when science today shows us that the male sperm is what determines the sex of a baby. Of course I've skipped over tons of important items such as Henry VIII making the decision to condemn his dear friend, Sir Thomas Moore, to death. But that's another story for another day.

I'm currently reading The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. It is, again, a fictitious novel regarding both Mary and Anne Boleyn's trysts with the King, but again, for entertainment purposes only! I just find it amazing that still, after all these years, how prominent King Henry VIII was and is. He changed the world. He may not have been the nicest King. I'll give you that. He was down right mean and moody at times. He wanted his name to live forever. I think he got what he wanted!

"I got married to the widow next door. She's been married seven time before!"

Ballroom Blitz!!

Back in March - before the "Big Move" I had embarked on a lifestyle change called the 6 Week Body Makeover. Well, it was quite difficult to prepare foods ahead of time while preparing to move. Unfortunately, the lifestyle change went on the back burner until last week. I started again! Finally, after we settled down in the new place and got into a routine, I was able to get back on the saddle. It's been tough. My results:

I'm down 3 lbs.
Lost 2 1/2" on my shoulders
Lost 1" on my waist
Lost 1/2" on my hips
Lost 2" on my thighs

I'm ok with these results. I know they can be better and alot has to do with "that time of the month." Sorry, it's just a fact of life. I'm ok with that and am looking forward to stellar results next week!!

If you recall in my March 08 Blog about this lifestyle change - 70% of this is due to a regimented eating plan. I have to eat 6 times a day! It's weird at first, and I often feel that I am forcing myself to eat, but I know that it's maintaining my metabolism and keeping it going throughout the day. Allowing my body to burn fat! I even set an alarm on my cell phone to remind me to eat my mid-morning snack, lunch, and mid-afternoon snack.

The other 30% of this lifestyle change is exercise and toning. I have a customized plan, based on my metabolism and the current structure of my body. It's not excruciating exercise like 5 hours on a treadmill. It's basically maintaining a higher heart rate for a sustained period of time - like walking. Craig and I walked 5 miles last week around beautiful Cooper River Park. It was TOUGH! Rewarding, but tough!

The most exciting part of this all is something new that I was introduced to last week. Ballroom Dancing! Now, I'm sorry, but I'm not a fan of "Dancing With The Stars." It's not my thing. However, my friend Jodi invited me as her guest to her ballroom dancing class last Thursday evening. I reluctantly went. I didn't know what to expect. Well, I had a BLAST! I sweat for a good hour and a half and it was so much fun! I even bought a session for $25 that includes a private session with an instructor, a group class, and another group session. I go again on Tuesday and I cannot wait! I talked to one of the instructors and she said that ballroom helps to lengthen your muscles. Well, I felt it the next day! What an awesome experience!

I hope to keep it up and get skinnier and skinnier by the week! I'll keep ya posted!
Blog Ya Later!

Gas Prices - Are You Kidding Me??!!

I was watching the news this morning, as I always do, and a story came up about off shore drilling for oil and how President Bush and Mr. McCain are endorsing off shore drilling while others are not. Apparently off shore drilling will reduce the ridiculous cost of gas.

Allow me to preface this entire rant with the fact that I am NOT a scientist and I am NOT at all educated enough to know the in-depth pros & cons of this increasingly important issue.

I live in New Jersey. We have The Shore. It's ok. Nothing like Florida or the Caribbean, but it's ok. I don't usually go "down the shore" during the summer because the traffic is a mess and it's not really my cup of tea. If I want to be on a beach - let it be the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean or even Hawaii! I like to see my own feet in crystal clear water that is warm and inviting and not worry about what may be swimming or floating by me in the dark murky salty mess that surrounds the eastern shore of this lovely state.

Governor Corzine, along with a bunch of environmentalists, do not want this off shore drilling to happen - at all. They fear that a catastrophic mess, such as an oil spill, will cost us more money and pollute our.....er.....lovely beaches? Like I said, I'm not an expert, but who the hell cares at this point? When you're searching for gas stations that are selling regular unleaded gas at $3.89 instead of going to one that is selling the same gas, and just so happens to be the same company (Lukoil) that is right around the corner for $4.09 - there's a SERIOUS problem!

I don't wish harm on our beaches. They've come a long way since the days of the hypodermic needle scare. I do not wish for an oil spill that will endanger the creatures from the devil that most people refer to as seagulls. Really, my hatred for birds has nothing to do with this. I'm just confused as to why this country cannot work together and see that the solution is right in front of them.

I give President Bush and Mr. McCain some credit for at least TRYING to come up with a solution. All I hear is words from Mr. Obama - no set plan of action. Of course he is busy with his Presidential Campaign. Seriously!!?? This is also not an endorsement for either candidate, because obviously none of them are good enough in my book.

Look - I love animals. I think they are great, I really do! But why don't we look right in our own backyard??? ALASKA!!! It has been scientifically proven that there is PLENTY of oil up in those thar hills that will enable us to reduce the price of gas for the next 14 years!!!!!! HELLO? (I did look that information up, btw!)

Environmentalists are worried about the natural habitat of the wildlife in Alaska. That's great and all, but have they done their research? Research shows that those animals that adapted to the Alaskan Pipeline have grown in numbers due to the heat omitted from the line allowing growth and....wait for it....FOOD! Will wonders never cease?

Bottom line is this - accidents happen. We don't wish for it and we don't want bad things to happen to natural wildlife. But can we come out from hiding under the bed and grow a pair of balls, please? Is it really ok to suffer financially due to the insane price of gas? Our economy is weak already. The solution is simple in my eyes.

Ok, ranting is over. Get back to work!!

Goodbye

I got a phone call from my mom this morning that my Grandfather, John Benjamin Cole, passed away this morning at 2:45 am at the age of 88. He apparently waited for my parents to leave, which was at 1:30 am. I wish I could say that I knew my Grandfather well, but I don't. He and my Grandmother (who died years ago of cervical cancer) lived in New Mexico for the majority of my life. They would visit us every so often, but I didn't know him like I knew my mom's parents.

I do remember some great things about him. He was a scientist for the National Labs in New Mexico. He was also incredibly smart. Technology was his forte' and he wa an amazing photographer. There are pictures of us in New Mexico when I was maybe 4 or 5. I was wearing a blue Care Bears sweatshirt and my hair was in braided pig tails. These pictures consisted of various shots of rocks, caves, caverns and animals found in the wild of New Mexico. He enjoyed showing us new things that were interesting. I even remember learning what a CB radio was and we talked to "truckers" while driving.

He was a also a very stubborn man, set in his ways and always right. It's a "Cole" thing! Almost a year ago to the day, my father moved my grandfather to Florida. He was all alone in New Mexico, and at the age of 87, not such a good idea. They finally convinced him to move and, I believe, had a great last year of his life. However, he lived a very long life and was a very honorable man. He served in the US Air Force as a Command Pilot and fought in the war. Which one, well I'm just not sure. My father gave him a personal flight for his 88th birthday in which a pilot took him up in a place out of Ocala Airport and even let my grandfather fly the plane. He also had the opportunity to go to Kennedy Space Center and watch a Space Shuttle Launch up close and personal. As my Dad says, my grandfather was part of the team who developed some of the technology on board the shuttle.
He even adopted a Siamese cat, named Neo, who is now adjusting to life with my parents and their crazy black lab, Belle.

My Grandfather also went through a lot in his life - loosing his wife, loosing his youngest son to suicide, living as a war veteran, etc. He always had pride, and was a good man. Luckily, he went in his sleep, and with no pain, assured to us by the Hospice nurses. I believe in my heart that my Grandfather made his amends with God and is now happy and "Home" with his true love, my Grandmother, Eva Dale Cole.

Grandpop, you were a fascinating man, and I appreciate all that you taught me. You loved your Nascar races, the Raven that lived in your canyon in New Mexico, a great glass of scotch, and chocolate! You had a long, full life and I'm happy that you're Home with Grandmom. Goodbye, you will be missed!