Simply just do what you can do!

Well, it's a new year and a new chance to start over in so many areas of my life. Like with LynnMade, we have had some challenges and we have had to rearrange how we are working the whole business. At first I was really upset but realize now that I was going about it all wrong. I really tried to make my business become something that it isn't. I am still not sure exactly what I want LynnMade to be ...but I do know what I don't want it to be.
So for now I will just try to focus on what is most important and then trust that I will make the right direction choices in my life. I love LynnMade, and some day I pray that it will become something known for helping and inspiring others to create something beautiful fro the ones they love!
I am going to try to do more teaching so that people will know who LynnMade is and what we stand for.
I have neglected this blog since I started LynnMade a year ago, it just seemed too much to do 2 blogs and get all the things ready that we needed to start LynnMade. I loved writing this blog, I love sharing what is on my heart. I love sharing the lessons of life that I am learning. I feel like even though I am having fun with LynnMade and making it happen, still I realize that I let some of the important things go.
I haven't been paying enough attention to my health or my personal goals...so I am going to regroup and start this year over...trying hard to keep my priorities in order.
Life teaches you over and over. Sometimes I wonder why I can't learn something the first time...why I have to relearn things over and over?  I guess that is just life... or just me!
So thanks for your patience and for being such a great friends and a great support to me. Thanks for believing in me, that means alot!
Good Night dear friends!
PS I think this quote was written for me!

Grateful!

I have had a GRATEFUL day and don't want to skip over that without acknowledging how blessed I feel. As I told you that I have been down with a cold this week but... not down like I usually am. Yes, I got some chills, I had heaviness in my chest and other cold symptoms but it stayed just at that...a plain old ordinary cold, not bronchitis or pneumonia! That is a first in many years. 
About 6 months ago I felt impressed to call a lady that I knew ( but not well ), but who I knew was a strong and healthy person and one who definitely into healthy choices. She is also one of the happiest and most positive people I have ever met too. Just a wealth of knowledge and happiness all wrapped up in one.
I asked her about some healthy choices that I could look into before this Fall and Winter came, to strengthen my immune system. Since that is the flu season and personally I didn't want to go through another year of being sooooo sick. One of the things that she and her family use are doTerra Oils , I didn't know alot about them but was very curious so I went HERE: to learn more about them.
But since she sells them, it was great personally to get her knowledge and advice for what me and my body needed.  I have had other women help me with them, but I guess it just wasn't the right time, but I appreciate what they taught me. But 6 months ago I knew that I needed to get back into really paying attention to my body, and so I  started using the oils. I really do love them! My family and close friends are amazed at the results. I even took on 2 more jobs this fall and still stayed healthy through it all.
Now I am still a work in progress, but I was just tremendously grateful that this stayed at JUST A COLD!
I also went to a new Doctor today about my back. I will let you know more about that as I go along but it did remind me today that I need to stop and listen to my body more often, I need to do more positive affirmations,and I need to be more Grateful for the amazing life, family, friends and connections that I have!

Plus, my dear friend actually took me today to that new Doctor appointment, fun to be with her and not to have to do that alone. She is a PT herself, and so together we were able to share information that the DR wanted to know about me, my body and my life. So grateful that she went with me and we got to spend some time together!

After the DR appointment I was able to make a connection with a lady by phone that I found online through a you tube... she was so amazing that I emailed to thank her for her talent and for sharing it so freely with others. She is an artist, a scrapbooker, a stamper... and what a treat it was to just come upon her blog! You can check her blog out for yourself if you are into any kind of paper crafting ...look her up HERE: watch one of her you tubes and you will be amazed and her sweet personality comes through on her you tubes. I know... I should take some personal classes from her! :)

Then the dear friend who I mentioned earlier, came over tonight to help me with something I was having trouble with. I am alway amazed at how selfless she is, she has a young family, she is very busy and she is also a Massage Therapist and a great one at that ... see for yourself HERE:
but she just came and took time out of her busy life to help me...her friend.

I just feel so grateful to these people who are in my life now, helping me, or setting an example for me, who are teaching me how to make my life...even better!
 I am teaching a lesson at church tomorrow so I had better get studying!

Good Night dear friends!

Angels!

Since Sunday I have come down with a cold. I was so disappointed, why? Well, because I have been trying soooo hard these past 8-9 months to learn more and more about my body. To take better care of it and to learn more about more natuaral things that I can do eat and take to make my body stay healthy.
 I think my last DR appt was about 6-8 months ago...that's a big deal for me. Now I know it was silly to think I would never be sick but... I was on a roll! Still I did push my body ( over the holidays ) more than I should have. But still so far, I haven't been as sick as usual, would love to keep it that way!
I just realized the last time that I went to my doctor, that she seemed puzzle on how to help me. We had been doing a lot of things but it didn't seem to be working lately. I also realized that I was relying on her too heavily, to know what was wrong with my body.
Now... ever since our kids were very young, we started doing Homeopathy and learning how to heal ourselves through food, fresh air, positive thinking and other supplements. I worked hard to know and do what was best for my kids, plus I was hopefully teaching them how important it is to learn how to take care and listen to their bodies. I was juicing for them each day, making their natural fruit roll ups, granola, bread and etc. Plus, trying to stay on top of what each one of them needed individually to help make their bodies strong. I think back on all those years as a good time where I was so involved with helping my kids be healthy and sometimes can't believe I did everything I did, plus still run my painting business, cut their hair and sew their clothes. ( I know that doesn't sound like I was taking care of myself much ...well, let's just say I didn't understand the importance of taking care of MOM too..I was too busy)! I know...it caught up with me later... big time!

But when you ask my kids about their "Natural" childhood, you will hear the funniest stories. They tell you of how they felt left out from TRICK OR TREATING, even though I did sew their cute costumes, they didn't think going to PCC to pick out some healthy treats was as fun.:) They still tell crazy stories about what all I fed them, oh well...I was really trying my best. Why is it always the Mother's fault? :)

But a few months ago ... I had the distinct impression to call a lady that I knew ( but not well ) who was brilliant in knowing how to take care of the body and she seemed to doing all the things now in her life...with her family.. what I was doing, some 15 - 20 years ago.
 Wow, what an answer to prayers she has been to me! She has taught me so many things, I have been doing and learning so much and...I have been healthy for quite a few months now ( even with my crazy schedule )!
 I have felt so blessed. I am still learning more, I am trying hard to listen to what my body needs and I am trying to be more accepting of the Stages of Life that I am going through! But it made me realize that through others that  this quote is so true!

" I testify of angels, both of heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face....Always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal." ~ Jeffrey R. Holland

So I am not going to complain about this little cold I have, I am just going to pay more attention to how I am treating my body, keep learning about more about things I can do and take... to keep me healthy ( because "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER "). I am working on being more positive and trying to find the courage to get this business off and running. I'm also going tomorrow to a new DR about my back. It's January right? Need to start doing more!
Good Night my ANGEL friends!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Well dear friends, this has been a wonderful, busy, a bit crazy, a little sad but non the less, the most wonderful time of the year!
I have still been struggling with my health some and so by the evening some nights, I haven't even had the energy to blog.... I have missed that.
I had my computer get another virus, and so for 5 days that has been down and unable for me to use. I think it get's sick as much as I do:)
We have had a Christmas visitor, a young person who needed to get out of a bad situation and needed a safe environment to be in. So we opened our home to her a week and a half ago. We are all learning from this experience but trying hard to provide a safe and healthy place and yet encourage her to make different choices and take advantage of this opportunity. Lots of late night talks and that is probably a bit of why my health is struggling a bit. Sleep is vital to me and vital to my healing.
My heart is missing my kids this time of the year, I realized as I put up Christmas decorations by myself, that this was the first year that I haven't had Lauren and Lee here to help me with that. I am sure Lee probably isn't missing that a lot, but Lauren has always loved the holiday decorations and I have been missing her enthusiasm and love for the holidays!
The girls came over for the weekend, and we were able to do some wonderful Christmas things. I will update you all on that later.
Still this video that I watched today, reminded me of what Christmas is all about. May we be able to slow down and truly think about that...these upcoming days. 
I have missed you dear friends....thanks for being a part of our lives!


Special collaboration results in largest live nativity in the world!

What happens when you gather world-class musicians, YouTube celebrities, a donkey, two sheep, a camel, and 1,000+ people dressed as angels? The Guinness World Record for the Largest Live Nativity Scene, plus an epic YouTube music video. Watch The Piano Guys, David Archuleta and a host of others in this newly released video sure to bring the spirit of the holidays into your home.
You can watch the video HERE:

smallest things

This a very true quote, it is the small and simple things that I am missing the most right now ...fresh air, my grandkids, my family, my friends, my work, my calling at church and a healthy body.
Another tough day, need to remember my blessings!
Good night dear friends!

 ,

Gossip or True Concern?

Loved this article by Jason Wright. A lot of good healthy advice for body and soul!

 Wright Words: I’m not dying — I’m just skinny!

The questions started a year ago. “Are you sick? Are you dying? Are you well? Are you losing weight?”

The answers were no, no, no and yes. I explained with building frustration that I was simply losing some of the pounds I’d found over the years in fast-food bags, ice cream cartons and by visiting the Milky Way with my friends, The 3 Musketeers.
By the time I hit my wedding-day weight of 160 pounds — a loss of 46 pounds from my all-time high — hardly a day passed without someone asking about my health.                           

Because my father died of cancer at a relatively young age, my well-meaning mother launched a full-scale campaign to get me into the doctor to make sure nothing was seriously wrong. I gave in just before she started running television commercials.

The questions started a year ago. “Are you sick? Are you dying? Are you well? Are you losing weight?”
The answers were no, no, no and yes. I explained with building frustration that I was simply losing some of the pounds I’d found over the years in fast-food bags, ice cream cartons and by visiting the Milky Way with my friends, The 3 Musketeers.
By the time I hit my wedding-day weight of 160 pounds — a loss of 46 pounds from my all-time high — hardly a day passed without someone asking about my health.
Because my father died of cancer at a relatively young age of 50, my well-meaning mother launched a full-scale campaign to get me into the doctor to make sure nothing was seriously wrong. I gave in just before she started running costly television commercials and online banner ads.
I made an appointment with the wonderful Dr. Regina Bray of Fairfax Family Practice in Fairfax, Va. Over the course of our visits, she checked me for everything imaginable. She tested my blood, kidneys and bones. We discussed exercise, family history, career, stress and diet.
She introduced me to a new term: sleep hygiene. It’s the promotion of better sleep habits by going to bed and rising at a consistent time, avoiding the use of phones, laptops and television in bed, and even resisting the urge to read a good book while you drift off. I pledged to do better with all of the above.
Dr. Bray also asked me to keep a food diary and record everything I ate. Because I wanted to be a good patient, and because my mother couldn’t fly the airplane banner over my home forever, I agreed to keep studious logs of every single thing I ate or drank on seven random, non-consecutive days. Meanwhile, my weight remained steady between 158 and 165 pounds.
What was the doctor’s first reaction on my next visit? “Mr. Wright, are you aware that gummy bears are not on the food pyramid?”
After all the tests and questionnaires, I was finally given a clean bill of health last week on my final visit with Dr. Bray before she takes a new job in the Midwest. With a smile and the kind concern of a good doctor, she looked at me and said, “I feel pretty confident I can give you my blessing. You’re not dying.” She paused and laughed, “Not today, anyway.”
We shook hands, I wished her well on her new adventure and we said goodbye. Then, as soon as I stepped off the elevator, I called my mother. “Hey Mom, guess who’s not dying? This guy!”
As I made the 70-mile journey home, I thought about all the people who’d wondered both privately and aloud about my health. I considered their bold assumptions and how I’d lost patience with the constant queries.
Friends, neighbors and church pals had all assumed the very worst. Or was I the one making assumptions?
I'd chosen to imagine that every comment, question and furrowed brow must have come from Gossipy Curiosityville. I didn't permit myself to ponder, "What if they're all just concerned? What if everyone who stops me on the street or at the mall is genuinely worried? What a blessing!"
All these months passed with me assuming that everyone else was assuming the very worst. Whew, that's a lot of assumption! Isn't there an easier way to live?
What if I'd accepted that folks were asking out of sincere concern? What if I gave them the benefit of the doubt and chose to believe they had the best of intentions?
After all, they didn't create my frustration through action; I caused it from reaction.
With my mother satisfied and my doctor ordering me to avoid all doctor's offices for 12 months, I'll make a new pledge. I'll try harder to always assume the best.
So next time you ask if I’m all right, I’ll thank you for checking on me and answer with a patient smile. “I’m not dying — I'm just skinny.”
You can read more of Jason's articles here:

Being Happy!

I found a book the other day that I forgot that I had, I love the illustrations and the common sense information in there. The book is called BEING HAPPY! A handbook to greater confidence and security
by Andrew Matthews
One chapter was on HEALTH...
"Scientific experiments have demonstrated incredible ways to kill guinea pigs. ( at first I thought I might not like this book by that first sentence, because we had a few guinea pigs as family pets, but I am glad I kept reading ) Emotional upsets generate powerful and lethal toxins. Blood samples taken from persons experiencing intense fear or anger when injected into a guinea pigs have killed them in less than two minutes. Imagine what these toxins can do to your own body.
Every thought that you have affects your body chemistry within a split second. Remember how you feel when you are barreling down the highway and a big truck suddenly brakes twenty meters in front of  you. A shock wave shoots through your whole system. Your mind produces instant reactions in your body.
The toxins that fear, anger, frustration and stress produce not only kill guinea pigs but kill us off in a similar manner. it is impossible to be fearful, anxious, irritated and healthy at the same time. It is not just difficult, it is impossible. Simply put, your body's health is a reflection of unresolved inner conflicts which in time show up in the body.
It is also fascinating how our subconscious mind shapes our health. Do you recall falling sick on the day when you didn't want to go to school? Or have headaches brought on by fear?  The mind body connection is such that if, for example , we want to avoid something, very often our subconscious mind will arrange it. Once we recognize that these things happen to us, we are half way to doing something about them. 
Repressed feelings and emotions affect our health. If we are not doing the job or leading the life we enjoy, our mind is constantly holding the thought,  " I wish I wasn't here." As our body is a slave to the mind, our body will then start getting us out of whatever we want to get out of . The first step is illness. I don't suggest that our health can be totally explained by the preceding paragraphs. 
Good health is your birthright; and by good health I mean energy and vitality. It is your right to wake each morning with the confidence that your body can more than just " struggle through". Too many people have the notion that good health means a mere absence of disease.  If we look at the mind -body connection, it is easy to see how much our body is affected by our mental state. 
Your mind is the architect of your body and your body is a reflection of your thoughts. If  you are consumed by fear and anger and unexpressed emotion, your body will reflect it. The "disease" of the mind becomes the "disease" in the body."


"Think healthy, happy thoughts. Imagine yourself as healthy. Decide that good health is your birthright and that you deserve to be healthy. Above all, be gentle on yourself. Accept, and love yourself where you are right now and acknowledge that even up until now you have been living life the best way you know how." 
 ~ Andrew Matthews

Hospital Day

 Today I was at the hospital all day with a very good friend! I thought a lot about our bodies and how vital it is to take care of them. And also remembered what a privilege it is to have a healthy one.I think it is good every now and then to really take a good look at our bodies and learn how to understand it and take care of it. Good night ( or day ) dear friends!
 
 "Just as the body cannot exist without blood, so the soul needs the matchless and pure strength of faith." ~Mahatma Gandhi

" Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live"~Jim Rohn

 "Our bodies are apt to be our autobiographies." ~Frank Gillette Burgess

" Our bodies communicate to us clearly and specifically, if we are willing to listen". ~Shakti Gawain

I finally reached my GOAL!

 Today I received my life time membership at Weight Watchers! I got a gold little key to put on my key chain and a congratulations on staying at my goal for 6 weeks. Plus, I no longer have to pay as I continue to keep my goal weight I know that isn't huge mile marker but....in my mind it really was. I felt empowered to do some things I haven't done in a while. I felt good that I stayed committed to it, I liked the feeling when someone notices it and tells me how nice I look. I like the way my clothes fit and I like probably the most, the good thoughts about myself that comes from it, especially since they seem to push out the bad thoughts more and more each day. I feel healthier and as a cancer survivor, that is huge to me, to make healthy choices. I actually have always been a pretty healthy eater but...now I am more conscience about the amounts and value of the food. So for me to receive my lifer status was big today, and I feel happy and very grateful that I was able to reach my goal.

So thank you Shirley and everyone else who has inspired me, encouraged me along the way! I couldn't have done it without you!

"Success is not a race, be patient.
Success leads to success.
Success is always a work in progress.
Success doesn't come to you--you go to it.
Success is a journey, not a destination. Focus on the process.
Some people dream about success... while others wake up and work hard at it.
Success is achieved and maintained by those who try-and keep trying.
Everyday is a good day to SUCCEED!
If at first you don't succeed-try, try again"

" I wake up every day with the realization that this is it, that there's only one shot at this life and I can either enjoy the ride and live it to its fullest and to my highest potential or I can stay the way I am."

Quality control!

Today at work, I was helping a lady purchase some fabric for her grandchildren. She was having so much fun picking out what she thought each one would like. She also had a new granddaughter on the way, and was purchasing stuff to make her a quilt too! At one point, we didn't have one of the types of fabrics that she wanted ( because as a quilt shop, cotton is usually what we carry ), I suggested that she maybe try one of the chain fabric stores. You should have seen her face," I am not going to go through that much work only to have cheap material" she said and then finished with "I want the these quilts and things I make for my grandchildren to last forever, for their kids and their kids". I just smiled and that is exactly what I thought.
When I was a new quilter, I thought it wouldn't hurt to use cheaper fabric, after all that would keep the cost down. But after I did and spent all that work on it, I was sad that I didn't use a much better fabric. Quality is important! And after working at the quilt shop, I can definitely see and feel the difference in a better quality of fabric. Only the best for my grand babies too!

I remember when I was battling cancer for the first time, when all the decisions were having to be made and I was so scared. It dawned on me that I had to decide if I wanted quality of life, verses some of the other choices. NONE which were guaranteed, but it was something I really had to study out and pray about. Now I am not saying one is right or wrong, but I do think there is a right or wrong for each of us. Not every treatment is right for everyone. You need to know your body well enough, to understand what it needs, that is important. Many women have said to me " well, this is just what I had to do because my Oncologist didn't give me a choice". I am not trying to start trouble, but please remember EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE! Don't get so scared that you can't think or make a decision. Try to at least get to the place where you can study, get second opinions, more information so....you can make the right choice for you, the one that will give you the right Quality of life that you want. Remember it is your body!
Nothing has a guarantee! But, we are suppose to try and figure out what is best for us. Remember YOU are an individual, statistics are scary things when it comes to talking about your health. I believe that our bodies are a gift from God, and it is our responsibility to take care of the them the best way that we can.
So no matter how busy and crazy life gets... remember Quality is important, in your health care choices, with your family, type of friends you have and the life that you want to live,  plus in fabric! :).
 We need to be grateful for each day we wake up and get to keep living, so make sure you have a good quality life and then you will have chosen wisely!
Good night dear friend, it is early to say that but..I am heading out on a date with my husband!

Gratitude!

My oldest granddaughter and I have been collecting and wrapping things to take to Sleep Country to donate to less fortunate children. Now I don’t mention this to toot my own horn, but to tell you what  a great feeling it is to do that with my granddaughter each year. As we were wrapping a few pair of gloves, she said “Oh Nana, I worry about those kid’s hands being so cold” I said yes, that is why we are giving these to them. Then the conversation went about the same on each item we wrapped. It does my heart good to see the natural love and concern that children have for others.  It reminds me that we all should have that type of love, concern and compassion for others. I hope Angie ( and Jenny and my grandson to be ) will remember doing traditions like these with their  Nana. I hope they keep that giving heart all year long, and that they will grow up and make the world a better place by being in it!

As the girls and I were in the kitchen cooking and coloring this afternoon, the Christmas lights were on , the Christmas music was on the radio and I looked around and realized how very grateful I am that I am healthy enough to be here another year with my family and enjoy all this. Three years ago, I wasn’t sure what my future would be, I wasn’t sure if I would even want people to see me, I felt scared, I hurt, I was discouraged.  I thought I looked like a freak (after my mastectomy ) and I couldn’t imagine how I was going to go to my son’s wedding right after Christmas?  Yes, that was 3 years ago, and I can honestly say life has truly changed or maybe I have changed….my perspective has changed and tonight I sit here and realize how very very grateful I am for all that I have been blessed with….which is a lot!

I just received an email from a dear friend and his wife. He was sharing with us the report of his wife’s health, she battled cancer recently. He told us that her numbers were good and normal and her next blood draw won’t be until March, he said they are now going to take a deep breath and be grateful for her health returning. I know exactly what he was talking about. Those exams are the most nerve racking. You worry about them for weeks before they happen, and you hang on everything the DR says. When you hear everything looks fine or good or normal for now…you feel like jumping for joy! Gratitude is definitely what you feel. All of a sudden the lights of Christmas seem brighter, the music sounds sweeter and life and everything about it….seems more special.

So tonight I express my own gratitude for my health, my family ( but still missing the one’s that aren’t with us ) my friends, our jobs, my home, and all the many other things that I have been blessed with. I do believe that being grateful has helped me in my life, to see what really matters!

I am grateful for this blog, for the chance to daily think of something positive and motivational to share with you. It makes me look deeper at all that I see each day. Thanks for your love and support over these three years, it has been an incredible journey to say the least. Good night dear friends!

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”  ~Melody Beattie

“Be in an "attitude of gratitude" and you will feel yourself blessed beyond counting.”

True Beauty

I read this article the other day called Beauty Redefined, here are some of the points that the article mentions…

True beauty, would we recognize it if we saw it? The truth is what the media puts out as popular and real beauty isn’t what very many of us look like. One of the problems is the images of women in the media have usually been digitally manipulated so  why do we compare ourselves to that?

Where’s the ME in Media?…The average American spends 4.5  hours every day watching television and another 3.5 hours online, viewing  hundreds of advertisements in the process. With so much exposure to the positively portrayed  “normal” woman, it’s no wonder real people are feeling painful effects.  This kind of exposure of such a narrow image of women that it has shown to contribute to painfully low self-esteem, a preoccupation with appearance, and full-fledged eating disorders.

According to recent studies, half of all 9-12 year old girls wish they were thinner, and 35 percent of 6-12 year old girls have been on a least one diet.

More than half of adult women surveyed claim their bodies “disgust” them and 90 percent of women are dissatisfied with their appearance.

It is important to train ourselves to ask and answer pivotal questions, such as the following, about the media we’re exposed to on a regular basis”

1…Who is the advertising in this these pages or on this screen? ( Look for ads, commercials, and product placement that may affect the media content.)

2…Do I feel better or worse about myself after viewing this media?

3…Is the media I consume promoting real health or unattainable ideals that focus solely  on appearance?

4…How are women presented in our media choices? Are they valued for their talents and personality? Do they look like me or the women in my life?

5…Are my health and weight-loss goals based on concrete measures of fitness or wellness, or are they motivated by a desire to look a certain way or fit into a certain size?

By acknowledging that very few girls and women feel comfortable in their bodies, we can begin to realize it is the standard that needs changing –not us!  ~ Lexie Kite and Lindsay Kite 2011

I thought this article was excellent! We really do need to recognize and reject  the negative ideas that the media is putting out there about our bodies.

I for one, have to work on this daily and it is something that I struggle with. I don’t really think mine is because of the media as much as some, but still the struggle to not appreciate what I have is there and so I need to make sure that negativity stops. I need to remember… to just take the best care I can of my body.
  I hope it made you stop and think as it did me? Good night dear friends!
(P.S. the young woman in this post is a dear friend of ours. It’s her birthday today too! She is a great example of what we are talking about tonight…she has TRUE BEAUTY actually- inside and out! )

 

“The way we think about our bodies has a strong correlation to how we treat our bodies”

“When we see that the unrealistic body types  throughout the media don’t exist in real life. We can start to recognize and redefine real beauty and health for ourselves!” 

True Happiness

Last night we had a SLEEP OVER with the girls, so that Mommy and Daddy could go to a concert and have some time by themselves.Their 7th wedding anniversary is this year. The girls were so excited to come over. We took their Lady Bug Picnic Quilt out to the park and had a picnic dinner. Then we spent some time on the play toys, then home for baths and stories. As I was putting Angie to bed, right before I closed the door she said..."Nana, I love coming over to  your house for Sleep Overs" and you are the best Nana ever" I could hardly answer because I was choked up. How truly happy I am, to be where I am today, with my family and friends.

Each day when I wake up, I look around and think...I am so grateful for my health and that I get to have another day here on earth. I am so thankful for this home that we have to live in and share with family and friends. I can't believe how lucky I am to have so many Best Friends. And last but not least, I am so glad that I know my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Knowing that I don't have to go through anything alone is a huge blessing.

This morning Jenny woke up, (after sleeping all night) and she said with a big smile on her face " Happy... Day...Party...Puppy...Two"  She knew today we were going to do her Puppy Birthday Party today and she was excited about that. Yes, we have a lot of TRUE HAPPINESS in our lives... how thankful I am for that!
Good night dear friends!

"True happiness is to rest satisfied with what we have, which is abundantly sufficient."  ~ Seneca

"Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into." ~ Wayne Dyer

“Abundance is about being rich, with or without money.”   ~ Suze Orman

"Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life."  ~ Wayne Dyer

Importance of WATER!

I read an article the other day that really made me realize the importance of water, one of the simple pleasures in life that I take for granted too often. The article was great and made me think of our dependence on water and especially clean water. I also love the reminder of our dependence on the Savior.  Hope you enjoy it! Good night!

"My employment takes me to communities all over the world where people do not have access to clean water. Our group works with local governments and residents to provide maintainable sources of pure, life-sustaining water such as wells and spring or rain captures.
These water projects offer a significant improvement in the quality of life. Health drastically improves because of clean water stops the contraction of typhoid, cholera, and other water-borne diseases. The economy also improves because parents and children who previously spent their time carrying water can now pursue employment and education. Even in communities with numerous and wide-ranging problems, people always say that clean water is what they would like most.
The Savior spent His earthly ministry in a time and place where people relied on well for water. As He taught the woman at the well by saying that "whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst" ( John 4:14) was He also teaching us that His gospel quenches--permanently--our most basic needs? I believe so."
I will always be grateful to a woman in Kenya, Africa, who taught me about the willingness to work to obtain water. I met her at a celebration following the installation of a well in her community. With gratitude she told me that the new well would cut her daily nine-mile trip to get water to a one -mile trip. She was overjoyed at the opportunity that would now be hers."
I couldn't help but think  how I would feel if I had to walk a mile to get water. I was impressed that she put everything--from  housework to gardening--aside while she made her journey to fetch water. She knew she couldn't complete the other tasks without that water. I thought about how heavy her burden was. Carrying water takes strength and endurance. Yet, for the sake of her family, she was willing to walk nine-miles every day to get it.
I wonder if we who get clean water from taps in our homes sometimes expect to come unto Christ with the same ease as turning a knob to get a glass of water. Or are we willing to put aside other tasks, even important ones, to seek to know Jesus Christ and His Father?
I know that the well of living water the Savior offers us never runs dry and is pure and life sustaining. When we come to Him with an empty cup, He will fill it, often beyond our capacity to receive. He is truly living water, a manifestation of the love of God.  ~ Matthew Heaps http://lds.org/ensign/2011/07/drink-deeply-of-the-living-water?lang=eng

 

"We turn with hope...to Him who walked the dusty paths of villages we now reverently call the Holy Land, to Him who caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and the dead to live. To Him who tenderly and lovingly assured us, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life'(John 14:6)."  --The New Era, April 1991

"Even though the tasks of life become heavy, and although sorrow thrusts a drooping burden upon us, the light that emanates from our Savior beckons us on, undismayed."  ~Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Self Reliance

Today and church we talked about Self Reliance and why that is so important. Not too many people would argue with that, especially after all the natural catastrophes we have been seeing all around the world. I thought it was a great reminder.The teacher then challenged us to pick at least one of these areas that we were going to set a goal about, and strive to really achieve in the near future. Here they are, see for yourself what things you are doing great at and other areas where you ( just like me ) could us a little goal setting at.

***************************************************************************************************************************
The six areas of self-reliance that can help us prepare to meet challenges in the future:
            Health...we need to take care of their minds and bodies.  We should eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, control their weight, and get adequate sleep. We should shun substances or practices that abuse their bodies or minds and that could lead to addiction. We should practice good sanitation and hygiene and obtain adequate medical and dental care. We should also strive to cultivate good relationships with family members and others.
            Education – Education provides understanding and skills that can help people develop self-reliance.  We should study the scriptures and other good books. We should improve our ability to read, write and do basic mathematics. We should obtain as much education as we can, including formal or technical schooling where possible.  This will help us develop our talents, find suitable employment, and make a valuable contribution to our families, Church and the community.

           Employment – Work is the foundation upon which self-reliance and temporal well-being rest.  We should prepare for and carefully select a suitable occupation or self-employment that will provide for our own and our families’ needs.  We should become skilled at their work, be diligent and trustworthy, and give honest work for the pay and benefits we receive.
            Home Storage – To help care for ourselves and our family, we should build a three-month supply of food that is part of our normal diet. We should also store drinking water in case the water supply becomes polluted or disrupted.
            Finances – To become financially self-reliant, we should avoid, unnecessary debt, use a budget and live within a plan.  We should gradually build a financial reserve by regularly saving a portion of our income.
            Spiritual Strength – Spiritual strength is essential to a person’s temporal and eternal well-being.  We can grow in spiritual strength as we develop our testimonies, exercise faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, obey God’s commandments, pray daily, study the scriptures .

Doing “all we can do” is the essence of self-reliance.  But we cannot do everything all at once.  We need to set some goals to help us on the path of self-reliance. 
***********************************************************************************************************************************

" Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one's own person is its ultimate reward."  ~ Patricia Sampson

"Depend not on another, but lean instead on thyself. True happiness is born of self-reliance'

"There's no one to stop you but yourself"  ~ David Thomas

Motivational?

I have to admit, for the past couple of days, I have worked hard to find something motivational to write in my blog, because I have felt anything OTHER THAN motivational.  Weds. I realized that I was beginning to catch a cold, by evening...I had bad body aches, chills, and just wanted to lay down and get warm. I went to bed early hoping that I could catch it, before it caught me. Woke up this morning feeling about the same...yuck. By this afternoon I realized that I wouldn't even be able to attend a Baby Shower for a dear friend of mine, I was so upset. But what even made it worse, was that the shower was at my house!  Yes, I stayed in my room, in bed the whole time. I slept some and cried some (feeling very sorry for myself) and also sorry, that I missed seeing the excitement on my dear friend's face as she opened all her gifts and had so many people around her that loved her. I pray that she at least felt at home and loved!

Lucky for me, my daughter Amy can host any type of a party. She came early and decorated, and Jeff and Lee cleaned the house for me. I didn't really do anything but feel sorry for myself tonight. I pray that this cold won't go any deeper. I want to go back to my healthy life again! Why do I get so sick, so easily?  You don't really have to answer that... I am just sad tonight. Hope I can sleep after sleeping this evening?

For all of you dear friends that came to the Baby Shower, I am sorry I didn't get to see you. I hope you had a great time, thanks for coming and supporting a dear friend. And I hope you know I would have participated, if I could have!
Good night dear friends!

P.S. Thought this was a good story for me to remember that even though I am sick, there are many reasons and people that I have ...to make it the best time of my life, and for that I am grateful!

 

The Best Time Of My Life 

It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was insecure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me.
My daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going to work. Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I asked him, "What was the best time of your life?"
Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, "Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question:
"When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life.
"When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life.
"When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, that was the best time of my life.
"When I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life.
"The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, that was the best time of my life.
"When we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time of my life.
"When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life.
"And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life."

Author Unknown
But Greatly Appreciated!

http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=63

"When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears."  ~ Anthony Robbins

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation."  ~ Brian Tracy

Life is just hard sometimes!

I got some bad news today...from myself!  Remember, how I said that I had almost been completely healthy for one year? Well, that wasn't true. ( I didn't mean I lied on purpose ) I happened to be going through some of my posts on my blog from last year, and realized that I got pneumonia (once again) in August and it wasn't until Sept 20th that I was back to health. So that means, I was only healthy for 7 months straight! Far cry from a year, I know...I was so disappointed.

But still, I need to remind myself that it has been ages since I have been healthy for even 3 months at a time, so...I guess I am not doing too bad ( I think this is another half empty/half full test here? ). And I was doing too much, pushed my body too far, let my schedule get to full and I was worried about my son ....plus, I didn't honor THE WALL. Shoot when you say it like that, it almost seems like I deserved to be sick or that I was asking to get sick.
Some how all those things don't make me feel better but, I have repented and have committed to try once again to be a bit smarter and simplify my life a bit more. But can I at least be honest with you and say...that it felt great to be out and about, busy, serving, teaching, giving, active, helping and participating in life! When you have had so many down days,months and years as I have, it is hard not to want to be out and about in the world. It is a lonely place to be at home by yourself and only taking care of yourself. Service, makes life sooooooooooooo much more enjoyable!

So with that confession, I am going to bed. I was about 5 % better today, and I can think of a hundred things I am behind on (from being sick for 6 days now) but...I am just going to turn off the lights and go to bed. I hope someone out there is learning something from this blog?  Because I am trying to be very honest, not matter how bad it makes me look. :)

Good night dear friends!

 

“What do you first do when you learn to swim? You make mistakes, do you not? And what happens? You make other mistakes, and when you have made all the mistakes you possibly can without drowning - and some of them many times over - what do you find? That you can swim? Well - life is just the same as learning to swim! Do not be afraid of making mistakes, for there is no other way of learning how to live!”  ~ Alfred Adler

"A man's errors are his portals of discovery."  ~ James Joyce

“The only normal people are the one's you don't know very well.”  ~ Alfred Adler

Just missed my goal!

Can you believe it, I just missed my goal of being healthy for one year straight...by only 13 days!!! I can't say that I am surprised, since I have been so stressed out this week, worrying about Lee. I knew I should go to bed early, but couldn't get my head to stop thinking and wondering. I knew that I should have honored THE WALL, but I just felt if I kept going, I could get a few things I was behind on. I guess no one ever plans for all the doctor appointments and all the things that come up, when someone is sick or hurting. So it is my own fault that I didn't take better care of my body better. I have been trying sooooooooooooo hard to make that goal. :(

I guess the I need to look at it, more on the positive side. I have been well ...COMPLETELY WELL for 352 days! That is great news! Especially considering that I had pneumonia four times, year before last!

I knew very early this morning that I was coming down with something, so the first thing I did when I got up...was put on a big pot of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. For those of us that don't have Mothers here anymore with us...that is what we have to do, make it ourselves!

So even though I am freezing, aching all over, and I am cooking a fever, plus I have a sore throat and an already DEEP cough...life is good and I am thankful for all my blessings!

Good night dear friends!

"If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."  ~ Frank A. Clark

" I can't change the directions of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."  ~ Jimmy Dean

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."  ~ C.S. Lewis

 

Hitting the WALL!

Have you ever heard the statement made by many marathon runners, when they say "Around the 22nd mile, I hit the wall"?

Energy Dynamics 101

( Here's the scientific explanation )

“Hitting The Wall is basically about running out of energy,” says Dave Martin, Ph.D., Emeritus Regent’s Professor of Health Sciences at Georgia State University in Atlanta—chemical energy, that is, stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and obtained from the breakdown, or metabolism, of energy-containing fuel. The runner’s primary fuel sources are carbohydrates (in the form of blood glucose and glycogen, a polymer of glucose stored in the muscles and liver) and fats (free fatty acids in the bloodstream and muscle triglycerides, molecules containing three fatty acids).

I actually heard about it when I was on the track team, and our coach was explaining it and what to do to keep going AFTER you hit the wall. That mentality stayed with me for years, even though I wasn't running on the track, I was running or working or not sleeping so much ...that I continually hit the Wall, but remembered well, how to keep pushing and keep going. I actually thought that was a good thing?

Then I began to get so sick, and I was always trying to learn new ways to be healthy. One of the first things that I learned was how important it is not to push so hard, or so fast that you hit the Wall, that means your energy is gone and it seems like your shoes are filled with concrete. In healing your Mind and Body, you are taught to honor that Wall, recognize you are too tired, too sleepy, too worn out and to stop everything and let your body rejuvenate. What an odd concept that was to me, what a hard time I had learning that. But now I have to admit that more often than not, I do stop and rest.

Today however and actually for the past 3 days, I have Hit the Wall at some point and despite what I know, I kept pushing and totally ignored the wall. I realized tonight that I need to go back to honoring my body. Listen to what it is trying to tell me. The hard part for me is when it happens and I am doing things that I LOVE TO DO! I got to teach my Quilt Class today, which I love! Then I drove my son to an appointment, stopped and did some errands and then got ready and went and taught a class at church tonight. What a HIGH I am on, but oh...my body is paying for it. So I am telling you that ...I do know better, and I can't keep doing that or my body will get sick. So I am going to try to pace myself more. Why is it, even at my age...I am still learning so many lessons, and some of them OVER and OVER again?  Actually, you don't have to answer that... I know the answer! I will try to do better tomorrow.
Good night dear friends!

 

"Respect your efforts, respect yourself.  Self-respect leads to self-discipline.  When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power."  ~Clint Eastwood

"Take care of your body.  It's the only place you have to live."  ~Jim Rohn

"The body never lies."  ~Martha Graham

"Sometimes your body is smarter than you are."  ~Author Unknown

 

 

"

Luck of the Irish to you!

What a fun and busy day it was. First I was able to go out with a friend for her appointment and then we went to lunch. It was great catching up with this dear friend, we are definitely going to have to do that more often. Next Amy and I got things ready for our St. Patrick's Day dinner. She got the Corn Beef, I made Cabbage Soup, we had green salad (that was the easy part) then we decorated the table with Shamrocks. We even had cute dessert plates that were for St. Patrick's Day and green utensils, yes... it was a fun and family filled night. Just wished that Brad, Krystal and Lauren could have been with us. At least they were all together celebrating on their own, in Idaho!.
It is funny that we never really celebrated St. Patrick's Day very much in years past. I might have put some food coloring in a couple of things, but that was about it. Then Krystal ( my daughter-in -law) was here last year on March 17th and she really showed us how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! It was so much fun, that we made a lot more preparations for it this year. I made pillows, table runners, and a wall quilt out of green materials, Amy made Shamrock banners, I made green wreaths for the front doors and last but not least... I was able to design and make these St. Patrick Day shirts for my granddaughters.

I have my health (which is huge), my family and so many dear friends that I can't hardly count them all.

Yes, I feel like I am one of the Luckiest girls in the world!

I will leave you with an Irish Blessing, and say Good Night dear friends!

  

Irish Blessings
Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day,
May the luck of the Irish
shine bright on your way.
May your pockets be heavy-
Your heart be light
And may good luck pursue you
Each morning and night.
May the good saints protect you
And bless you today
And may troubles ignore you
Each step of the way.
May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore.
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus too,
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.
May good luck be your friend
In whatever you do
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you.
May the roads rise to meet you.
May the wind be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rain fall soft upon your fields
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."  ~ Thomas Jefferson

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love,  you have to find the courage to live it."  ~ Unknown