A bit better today!

Well, I still just don't feel very good but... I am a bit better than yesterday so...I am trying to keep everything in perspective. Always amazed at how TIME slows down when you are in such terrible pain. I thought Sunday and Sunday Night would last forever! Then the 2 hours in the ER waiting room with hurting so bad with Kidney Stones, I thought I would never get help! I'm not a screamer or yeller but oh I absolutely couldn't sit still the pain in my back and the nausea was soooo bad. Once they finally got the pain medicine the right dosage then I started getting some relief!

 My family always teases me that every where I go...I make new friends! I had to laugh today because after I finally drug myself to the store, as I was checking out I was talking to the cashier and the man who was bagging my groceries. They all know me there and they knew that I hadn't been in for a few days ( that's how often I go ). As I told them that I had been sick with Kidney Stones, we then talked about everyone they knew who had had kidney stones. As I left they told me that they hoped I felt better. When I got to the car the cashier came running out with a bouquet of flowers and said " we sure hope you start feeling good and come back soon!" 

Yes, life is hard but it makes it sooooo much better when you have wonderful friends!

Always be nicer than you feel!

Today was a BIGGER THAN ME DAY TODAY!  I started out getting a few things done before I headed off to Physical Therapy. It felt so good to get adjusted and things on my back and neck lined up. I missed one day last week, and so it was a pretty painful weekend.  I was grateful to be there today.
 After that appointment, I had to go to a appointment for the Insurance company. I forgot what the appointment was called... but basically you have to see two Doctors that my Insurance Company picks out and they have to exam me and see if I am being honest on my PIP Claims that I have had from my car accidents. I realize that there are many people who try to cheat the system but... I am not one of them! Of course they have no way of knowing that.  But I tried to go in with an open mind. Both Doctors were nice, there wasn't any connection making at all. Just sorta ... " just answer the question" type things. Frustrated me that they didn't look over the notes from the people who are treating me since the accidents.
The last part was physical exams, some things I just couldn't do but when it came time for the Chiropractor to check me, then he was much rougher than I expected and especially with my neck. I mentioned at one point that I should have gotten my adjustment after this appointment. The Chiropractor just said " Oh, we aren't going to do anything that would cause you any problems"
 How wrong he was, because he messed with my neck so much ... I was hurting and light headed when I got out of there. I know to many people that I look strong and that you would never know I had back or neck issues, but you would have thought that they after having read the Doctor's notes that they would have been a bit easier on me. How I wish things like this didn't hurt my neck and back but... they do and they did!
When I came home, I got ice on my neck, took some Advil and headed to bed for an hour....Jeff's ORDER...to do that. I was discouraged that I had just been adjusted and then felt like everything was undone after the 2nd appointment. I was frustrated that I am not as tough as most people, but I am not...or at least not right now. As Jeff and I was talking, I realized that almost everything I said was negative in some way, Jeff recognized that I was really hurting,, and that is when he sent me to bed. I am so glad he did...that helped a lot. Still sore tonight, and so I think I will do the same ICE and heat on it.
So the old saying " Always be nicer than you feel " directly applied to me today.
Sorta wished I would have seen this sign (BELOW) this morning, and I could have just gone right back to bed!  But there is always something to be grateful for and so I am grateful for the chance to have a great PT and a Massage Therapist who truly help me overcome my pain. I am grateful to have insurance ( even though it can be a pain at times ), I know there are many out there who don't have it or can't afford it...so I am grateful for that...not for the crazy system that comes with it, but for the chance to have it. Grateful that I have a wonderful family who supports me on my BIGGER THAN ME DAYS. So there is a lot to be grateful for. But it is time to go to bed. Yes, I hope tomorrow is a  better day! Good night dear friends!

My to-do list for today!

A dear friend of mine posted this today, and since I had a tough day physically (because of pain), I am going to read this over and over again and ....just breathe and then just head to bed! :)
I am grateful for the inspiration she shared.
 Good night dear friends!

Funny day!

Today was a day full of mishaps and errors. There was at one point where I thought I should just sit down and have a good cry or go to bed, but then for some reason...when I thought of what happened...I just laughed. So many times people have told me to write a book, but honestly some times I don't think people would really believe what happens to me. I would actually like to tell you some of them today, but they are alittle to ackward and I am not sure we know each other that well ....or that you want to know that me that well?  Let's just say that I am grateful that have a good sense of humor...it truly has been what saved me on many days ...like today!
I felt this quote said it all... and now before something else crazy can happen... I am going to bed. Good night dear friends!


"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road".   ~Henry Ward Beecher

"A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles."   ~Mignon McLaughlin

Enjoy the Journey!

It was a great day today. I still have my sister-in-law here and we went to the Quilt Shop for me to teach my class. We had a full house, it was really fun. I just love meeting all those incredible ladies. Shirley helped...she was like my Vanna White, sure wished she lived closer so we could do that more often. After work, I stopped by to see a dear friend who just had a knee replacement, I was shocked to see how good she looked. She is still in a lot of pain, but she is a trooper.

Then we got a surprise visit, from one of our friends from back in West Virginia. We haven't seen him in almost 20 years, he still looked great and was as fun as ever. It was nice to see photos of his family and catch up on each others family. Like I have said many times, a true friend is one you can pick up right where you started from the last time you saw each other. It had been 20 years, and you never would have known that if you listened to our conversations tonight over dinner. I feel very grateful that he would take time out of his busy schedule to look us up! What a treat.
Well, it is late and I am beyond worn out...busy days do that to me, but I am not complaining. I am so much better than I was this time last year!
So good night dear friends and like the poem below says, life is a journey and we truly are suppose to ENJOY it, I hope we are doing just that?

"Life is not a race-but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say "thank you", "I love you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love you life and what you've been given, it is not accidental-search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you inspire to. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself-plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment."

"The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." ~ Anonymous

"Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us."  ~ Thomas L. Holdcroft

Making a difference...it's a choice!

I don't know if you have ever read any of Max Lucado's children's books? They are amazing! My favorite one is YOU ARE SPECIAL.  If you ever have the chance to read them, do it! So, you can imagine how excited I was when someone sent me one of his quotes! I hope you enjoy it!

"Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble...I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.
Today I will make a difference."

Max Lucado

"Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart."

"Every man dies- Not every man really lives."   ~William Ross Wallace

"The other day a man asked me what I thought was the best time of life.  "Why," I answered without a thought, "now."  ~David Grayson

How to have a better today!

Now that I am home, I realized I need to start getting back into a schedule and start making the most of my days instead of them making the most of me. I know it takes time to do that, and there will be things that come up which will mess up those plans... but at least I am trying once again to do better. I found these tips on having a better day and thought they might be helpful to all of us. I am now going to go to bed at a decent time, and will try to apply these tips...starting tomorrow! :)   Good night dear friends!

10 Ways to Have a Better Day Today

by Geno Stampora

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1. Wake up 30 Minutes Early.

   
   Get up 30 minutes before the alarm goes off and take the first half hour for yourself. Once you get busy and into the day there never seems to be the time for yourself. Take this time to plan getting the most from the day.

2. Read, Listen, or Watch Something Uplifting.

   
   Make this a daily habit. Get out of starting the day with no mental food. A great day does not begin with the news or the paper, it begins with ideas or energy that will propel you through the day. What you first hear will stay with you throughout the day.

3. Eat a Good Breakfast to Start You Off Right.

   
   Get something good into your body to wake it up and get it going. Think about the energy you will need to perform. Everyday we run a marathon. What would you need to eat and drink to win it.

4. Choose Your Winning Attitude.

   
   There is enough to go wrong without sabotaging yourself. Your attitude is a choice you make. Don't let it come between you and your success. Be careful to keep it positive all day long.

5. Be Aware of What They are Telling You.

   
   The people around us have a profound effect on how we get through life. Our closest friends and family are our greatest environmental influences. Make sure you have the best advisors you can find.

6. Make the Most of What You Do.

   
   When you get to your work, make it the best place to be. Most people go to work and never think about work while they are there. Focus on your contribution. What would it be like if you were not around. Strive to give a 100% each and every day.

7. Always Remember that People are Listening.

   
   Make a point of talking well of others. Wish others the best in life. What goes around does come around. Don't talk negative about anyone. Try to understand their circumstances Practice being a support system to your friends and family. They need you.

8. Be Honest and Fair to Others.

   
   It does make a difference. What you give to others is usually what you get from others. Practice integrity that people can see and feel. Be aware of what you say. Learn to walk your talk at all times. The more people trust you, the more of their time they will trust with you.

9. Pace Your Energy to Last All Day.

   
   Be careful of bursts of energy. Pace your energy throughout the day. If you get to crazy early in the day, you will reach a point of exhaustion before the day is over. By planning your entire day before you begin, you will have what you need. You've heard the old saying "look alive."

10. Get in Bed Early and Study for the Future.

    
    I have a friend who keeps a journal at his bedside. Every night he writes what he learned new on that day. The only way to keep one step above the masses is to learn new ways to do things. Develop the habit of reading a work or personal development book before you go to sleep. Reading for 30 minutes a day is like a year of college. You can't succeed if you don't read. Remember throughout your day that life is what we make it, day by day. Practice having the best day ever. It adds up to a great life.

 

"Don't be fooled by the calendar.  There are only as many days in the year as you make use of."  ~Charles Richards