Tuesday, June 12, 2012
thought for the day...
Are you prepared for the unknown, the unexpected, and the challenges just around the corner? Do you hear God's comfort, or is it overpowered by your concerns?
-Ron's Faith Notes
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Do you ever feel this way?
Do you ever feel like you wish you could understand why? Understand the reason? The true cause?
I do.
I am 35. I continue to fight Endometriosis. I continue to face the hormone difficulties that that causes. In the midst of all this, I am trying to figure out and manage my Adrenal Fatigue that I have had since 2009. If that wasn't enough, I am dealing with potentially Premenopausal symptoms that may or may not be legit since I have been on synthetic hormones for most of my life [since the age of 13 except for a 3 year time span in my teens and a 6 month time span in the last year]. I deal with pain. Ongoing bleeding beyond what is considered the norm. Night sweats. Insomnia. Extreme hair loss. Nausea. I do this as much as I can without complaining. I am not perfect. I get sick of it. I get crabby. I get discouraged. I want whatever normal is. I am frustrated and wish I wasn't up against a brick wall facing a disease that there is no cure for. Wondering what decision to make next. Wavering at knowing how much more money to spend on alternative medicine. Contemplating what other alternative medicine forms to try. Disbelieving in all the products and people that state they are your "one cure" and will absolutely fix you and heal you. Facing challenges that medical doctors really can't control even though they wish they could. Imagining the short term relief from a 4th surgery to laser off the adhesion's since it has been nearly 5.5 years since my last. Never knowing when a hysterectomy is the answer, if the answer at all.
Yes, I wish I could understand the reason behind Endometriosis. I wish I could create a cure. Wish I could have been the lady that touched the Lord's robe in the bible and been done with the years of hassles, pain, tears, and frustration. Heaven is sounding more and more like my only answer for bliss! I must work at accepting my situation more because God knows the why's, even when I don't.
I do.
I am 35. I continue to fight Endometriosis. I continue to face the hormone difficulties that that causes. In the midst of all this, I am trying to figure out and manage my Adrenal Fatigue that I have had since 2009. If that wasn't enough, I am dealing with potentially Premenopausal symptoms that may or may not be legit since I have been on synthetic hormones for most of my life [since the age of 13 except for a 3 year time span in my teens and a 6 month time span in the last year]. I deal with pain. Ongoing bleeding beyond what is considered the norm. Night sweats. Insomnia. Extreme hair loss. Nausea. I do this as much as I can without complaining. I am not perfect. I get sick of it. I get crabby. I get discouraged. I want whatever normal is. I am frustrated and wish I wasn't up against a brick wall facing a disease that there is no cure for. Wondering what decision to make next. Wavering at knowing how much more money to spend on alternative medicine. Contemplating what other alternative medicine forms to try. Disbelieving in all the products and people that state they are your "one cure" and will absolutely fix you and heal you. Facing challenges that medical doctors really can't control even though they wish they could. Imagining the short term relief from a 4th surgery to laser off the adhesion's since it has been nearly 5.5 years since my last. Never knowing when a hysterectomy is the answer, if the answer at all.
Yes, I wish I could understand the reason behind Endometriosis. I wish I could create a cure. Wish I could have been the lady that touched the Lord's robe in the bible and been done with the years of hassles, pain, tears, and frustration. Heaven is sounding more and more like my only answer for bliss! I must work at accepting my situation more because God knows the why's, even when I don't.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Quotes
"Christians don't impact America because their lives don't reflect their beliefs...and they aren't sufficiently different from the people around them to make a difference in the lives of non-believers."
-George Barna, in an article entitled U.S. Christians' Influence Invisible
-George Barna, in an article entitled U.S. Christians' Influence Invisible
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Quotes
I want to make someone else’s life better because I’m here. If you have that attitude it will change your day and change your life.
- Tim Tebow
- Tim Tebow
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
a Holiday wknd enjoyed 100%
I did something I normally don't do.
It was Memorial Day Weekend. I took the whole weekend off work, yes, all of it! Both Saturday & Monday. It was LOVELY in every sense of the word.
I attempted to sleep in Saturday Morning. I turned off the alarm clock the night before, but the body alarm clock went off and didn't care what my brain had in mind...however, I decided to ignore it and be lazy in bed, even if I couldn't sleep. I did until 9am! I went for my walk and then went to the Burleson Farmers Market. I hadn't been since it opened a few weeks ago. I then met Michelle for breakfast at Fuzzy's Tacos. Their breakfast is soooooooooooooo yummy!!! I had Chilaquiles with the potatoes and refried beans. My original plans were to come home and work, but it was then when I changed gears and decided to not do that. From there I ran errands...the bank, Cutting Corners to search for drapery fabric for my bedroom [I need to get some dark stuff so I can sleep...white whispy voile curtains are very cute, but do not block any light], Ann Taylor Loft to use a $20 gift card, World Market to search for patio furniture, and Central Market to get a few items since I was on that side of town. The day flew...and I was thoroughly exhausted by the time I got home, largely because I don't do that kind of shopping...or for that length of time out...haven't in a very long time. I came home and unloaded things, went out by the pool for 30minutes and then was off to pickup Maggie [Brent & Jennifer's dog as they are out of town]. I came home and browsed patio furniture online and bought some on clearance at Target.com.
Sunday was meeting and afterwards Debbie invited me over to join their company, Bill & Belinda and Mark & Naomi, along with Victoria and Winter. We had homemade hamburgers, topped with cheese and mushrooms...they were delicious [even if I didn't have the bun]. We lazed around on the couches and visited. I then headed to get a prescription at Target and get a few items since I had a 5% off one day shopping excursion. I then went to Home Depot to browse Hardie Plank styles and paint colors. I have a contractor doing some work in a few weeks for me and I needed to start the steps to this. Choosing paint is a difficult task. The lighting and atmosphere of hardware stores is nothing like your home and no matter what ones in the store you think are your favorites, they usually vary by the time you check them out at home. That whole process took 3 hours, but I made some headway, I narrowed it down to 5 colors.
Today, I slept in again and got up to look at paint colors outside in the morning light. I narrowed it down to 3 colors. I then spent some time sipping Kefir and knitting in my living room club chair in my pjs! What fun!!! From there, I decided it was time to walk. I texted Autie Con to see if I could walk over and join them for couch potato time and tea. I spent 5 hours with them, sitting on the couch chatting and knitting. They dropped me off on their way to their plans for the rest of the day. I then made me a steak with seared okra, caprice salad and a glass of kombucha. I then spent some time in the sun and in the pool! The day was hot and the wind was breezy, a perfect day to get a little brown! I then headed out to Half Price books as they were having a 20% off sale all weekend and I wanted to try to find a book that was referenced in my Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership podcast I listened to on the road last week. Unfortunately, I didn't find it, but I found another I have wanted to read for some time, it is an older book, The Purpose Driven Life. Can't wait to start it! Came home and did some laundry and packed for my sitting job this week. I have several things going on this week which means the week is going to fly!!!
What did you do this 2012 Memorial Holiday Weekend?
It was Memorial Day Weekend. I took the whole weekend off work, yes, all of it! Both Saturday & Monday. It was LOVELY in every sense of the word.
I attempted to sleep in Saturday Morning. I turned off the alarm clock the night before, but the body alarm clock went off and didn't care what my brain had in mind...however, I decided to ignore it and be lazy in bed, even if I couldn't sleep. I did until 9am! I went for my walk and then went to the Burleson Farmers Market. I hadn't been since it opened a few weeks ago. I then met Michelle for breakfast at Fuzzy's Tacos. Their breakfast is soooooooooooooo yummy!!! I had Chilaquiles with the potatoes and refried beans. My original plans were to come home and work, but it was then when I changed gears and decided to not do that. From there I ran errands...the bank, Cutting Corners to search for drapery fabric for my bedroom [I need to get some dark stuff so I can sleep...white whispy voile curtains are very cute, but do not block any light], Ann Taylor Loft to use a $20 gift card, World Market to search for patio furniture, and Central Market to get a few items since I was on that side of town. The day flew...and I was thoroughly exhausted by the time I got home, largely because I don't do that kind of shopping...or for that length of time out...haven't in a very long time. I came home and unloaded things, went out by the pool for 30minutes and then was off to pickup Maggie [Brent & Jennifer's dog as they are out of town]. I came home and browsed patio furniture online and bought some on clearance at Target.com.
Sunday was meeting and afterwards Debbie invited me over to join their company, Bill & Belinda and Mark & Naomi, along with Victoria and Winter. We had homemade hamburgers, topped with cheese and mushrooms...they were delicious [even if I didn't have the bun]. We lazed around on the couches and visited. I then headed to get a prescription at Target and get a few items since I had a 5% off one day shopping excursion. I then went to Home Depot to browse Hardie Plank styles and paint colors. I have a contractor doing some work in a few weeks for me and I needed to start the steps to this. Choosing paint is a difficult task. The lighting and atmosphere of hardware stores is nothing like your home and no matter what ones in the store you think are your favorites, they usually vary by the time you check them out at home. That whole process took 3 hours, but I made some headway, I narrowed it down to 5 colors.
Today, I slept in again and got up to look at paint colors outside in the morning light. I narrowed it down to 3 colors. I then spent some time sipping Kefir and knitting in my living room club chair in my pjs! What fun!!! From there, I decided it was time to walk. I texted Autie Con to see if I could walk over and join them for couch potato time and tea. I spent 5 hours with them, sitting on the couch chatting and knitting. They dropped me off on their way to their plans for the rest of the day. I then made me a steak with seared okra, caprice salad and a glass of kombucha. I then spent some time in the sun and in the pool! The day was hot and the wind was breezy, a perfect day to get a little brown! I then headed out to Half Price books as they were having a 20% off sale all weekend and I wanted to try to find a book that was referenced in my Dave Ramsey EntreLeadership podcast I listened to on the road last week. Unfortunately, I didn't find it, but I found another I have wanted to read for some time, it is an older book, The Purpose Driven Life. Can't wait to start it! Came home and did some laundry and packed for my sitting job this week. I have several things going on this week which means the week is going to fly!!!
What did you do this 2012 Memorial Holiday Weekend?
Friday, May 25, 2012
Love People!
You can do 8 things to improve your relationships by loving people more:
1. Contribute - be part of the solution
2. Be Kind - have concern & respect for others
3. Be Patient - give others the time you'd like to be given
4. Be Honest - have truthful conversations
5. Encourage other People - give confidence & support freely
6. Apologize - say you're sorry, because we all make mistakes
7. Forgive People - accept "I'm sorry"
8. Thank People - enjoy the work of others and show your gratitude
2. Be Kind - have concern & respect for others
3. Be Patient - give others the time you'd like to be given
4. Be Honest - have truthful conversations
5. Encourage other People - give confidence & support freely
6. Apologize - say you're sorry, because we all make mistakes
7. Forgive People - accept "I'm sorry"
8. Thank People - enjoy the work of others and show your gratitude
Love your people!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Quotes
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.
- Ghandi
- Ghandi
Friday, May 18, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
trying to get excited about my trip
I am trying to get excited about my 5days to California. I hate to tell you, but I am not one bit excited. In fact, I am dreading it.
The airline ticket was bought over a month ago. The Hotel and Rental Car reserved this last weekend. It is all in motion, but I wish it wasn't.
Why do you ask?
Because I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired. I mean it. You think I am kidding, I am not. Don't get me wrong, I am not backing out. It is just not fun to think of being around a bunch of people when you feel like this. Do you have any strength you can send me? I am in desperate need of it.
The only part I am looking forward to, is the opportunity to sleep in...but with a 2hour time zone difference, I bet there won't be much of that happening.
Ready or not...here we go!
The airline ticket was bought over a month ago. The Hotel and Rental Car reserved this last weekend. It is all in motion, but I wish it wasn't.
Why do you ask?
Because I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired. I mean it. You think I am kidding, I am not. Don't get me wrong, I am not backing out. It is just not fun to think of being around a bunch of people when you feel like this. Do you have any strength you can send me? I am in desperate need of it.
The only part I am looking forward to, is the opportunity to sleep in...but with a 2hour time zone difference, I bet there won't be much of that happening.
Ready or not...here we go!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
song ~ begins and ends in you
Begins and Ends in You
by Aaron Spiro
[“In your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9]
in your light we see the light
in your touch we learn to touch
in your life we are alive
in your love we learn to love
Chorus:
all that I know of true
begins and ends in you
let everything I do
begin and end in you
in your peace we find our peace
in your strength we learn to stand
in your arms we find release
in your hands we are your hands
by Aaron Spiro
[“In your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9]
in your light we see the light
in your touch we learn to touch
in your life we are alive
in your love we learn to love
Chorus:
all that I know of true
begins and ends in you
let everything I do
begin and end in you
in your peace we find our peace
in your strength we learn to stand
in your arms we find release
in your hands we are your hands
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Quotes
If you allow negative people to surround you, then you are sabotaging your ability to think, act & speak in a positive way.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom's
to Mema and Auntie Con: you have been more than anyone could ask for in a Mom, a better replacement (yes, I said that), one that is real and true...you mean the world to me! Neither of you know all you have done since I moved to Texas in 1997 to inspire, encourage, support, promote the good in me, help me work through my ongoing faults, and I love you both with all my heart!!!
[my post on Facebook this morning]
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
song ~ your love is life to me
Your Love is Life to Me
by FFH
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
Breath for my body
light for my eyes
all that I need
you daily provide
deep in my being
more than my blood
my very exsistence
depends on your love
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need yeah
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
Moment by moment I am aware
of your tender mercies
and your constant care
my hope and my strength
thru all of my days
I see so clearly in so many ways
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need yeah
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
Your love is a river
flowing to the sea
and the river runs forever
and washes over me
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need yeah
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
(repeat)
by FFH
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
Breath for my body
light for my eyes
all that I need
you daily provide
deep in my being
more than my blood
my very exsistence
depends on your love
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need yeah
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
Moment by moment I am aware
of your tender mercies
and your constant care
my hope and my strength
thru all of my days
I see so clearly in so many ways
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need yeah
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
Your love is a river
flowing to the sea
and the river runs forever
and washes over me
Your love is life to me
my truest longing my deepest need yeah
without it one moment
I don't know where I'ld be
your love is life to me
(repeat)
believe. belong. become.
Believe...Belong...Become
If you Believe in Christ, then you Belong to Christ, and you can Become the person God created you to Be.
If you Believe in Christ, then you Belong to Christ, and you can Become the person God created you to Be.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Quotes
The beginning of wisdom is found in doubting. By doubting we come to the question, and by seeking we may come to the truth.
– Pierre Abelard
– Pierre Abelard
Sunday, May 6, 2012
a diet or a lifestyle?
May 2011, I saw my doctor and though I had made previous changes to my diet, we discussed and I learned that it truly was not enough to improve my health to the degree that I needed and wanted to. I decided to be very disciplined and make those changes. I have gotten lots of questions about "What are you doing?" since loosing 26+ pounds since that time frame. Consequently, I have decided to blog about it.
What is my secret? It isn't one.
What one thing am I doing? It is a combination of things.
What do I believe contributes to my success at this? Honestly, the discipline and determination to make it happen.
1. Drink water. As soon as I wake up, I drink a full glass of water.
2. Walk every morning. I started with 1 mile and have increased it and how walk 2-4 miles every day. On average it is 2-2.5miles or 25 minutes. I drink another glass of water upon my return.
3. Eat within 1 hour of waking up.
4. Remove all forms of caffeine. I currently have one cup of Hot Tea (typically Green Tea) in the morning. This means that yes, though I absolutely LOVE coffee, I have removed it from my diet.
5. Continue to not eat Wheat and Sugar. I started this 2-3 years ago and have felt better. Does that mean I never eat it? No, if somewhere I can't pick my own food, then yes, I eat wheat, but outside of that, yes, I avoid it. Does that mean I am crazy and avoid all dressings and sauces? No, but be reasonable and avoid them if you can and if you do use them, use them at a very minimum amount. If I have any sweet stuff in my tea or oatmeal, it is honey or Raw/Natural sugar, but very, very, very limited amounts. I have not had a dessert in I can't tell you how long!
6. Drink as much water as possible. More than the recommended 8-8oz glasses a day. I strive for 12.
7. Eat snacks between meals. This doesn't happen too much for me, but I aim to make it as much as I can.
8. Add another form of exercise. I currently am doing Yoga 1-3 times a week. I sometimes go for a short jog or run, at my own pace, sometimes in a stop and start kinda way (jog to the corner, walk to the next, jog to the next), around the track near my house.
9. Take vitamins. Don't be concerned with what brand and type, just take them. You are probably like me and have tons of them in your pantry. Use them. Research the ones that are right for you later when you have used what you have! If you don't, keep it simple and to about 5 of them: a multiple Vitamin, VitaminC, Omega3s, VitaminB, and whatever else you might need or have a deficiency in.
10. Get plenty of sleep. Your body needs more sleep then you think it does to be efficiently running. I aim to be in bed at 8.30pm. I have the alarm set for 7.30am, but if I want to get up before that, then fine, if not, I am up then so that I can walk and eat and be ready for work in my home office at 9am.
When I provide a list of these things, I get one of two responses...it is either, is that all? Yup, that is all. Or it is, I could never do that, I love my soda, I love sugar, or I love bread. Yup, most people do...but I don't like how I feel on it and so I have to tell you, I don't!!! The discipline is worth it, but you have to desire to make it happen.
You won't see results for 3-4 months, I didn't and I had been "eating healthy" for some time. It does take time to get used to not eating wheat and sugar and to not crave it. If you want encouragement, I will be here to support you. Start with one of the 10 items and believe me, you will be starting new habits.
Remember, it takes 27 Days to form a new habit!
What is my secret? It isn't one.
What one thing am I doing? It is a combination of things.
What do I believe contributes to my success at this? Honestly, the discipline and determination to make it happen.
1. Drink water. As soon as I wake up, I drink a full glass of water.
2. Walk every morning. I started with 1 mile and have increased it and how walk 2-4 miles every day. On average it is 2-2.5miles or 25 minutes. I drink another glass of water upon my return.
3. Eat within 1 hour of waking up.
4. Remove all forms of caffeine. I currently have one cup of Hot Tea (typically Green Tea) in the morning. This means that yes, though I absolutely LOVE coffee, I have removed it from my diet.
5. Continue to not eat Wheat and Sugar. I started this 2-3 years ago and have felt better. Does that mean I never eat it? No, if somewhere I can't pick my own food, then yes, I eat wheat, but outside of that, yes, I avoid it. Does that mean I am crazy and avoid all dressings and sauces? No, but be reasonable and avoid them if you can and if you do use them, use them at a very minimum amount. If I have any sweet stuff in my tea or oatmeal, it is honey or Raw/Natural sugar, but very, very, very limited amounts. I have not had a dessert in I can't tell you how long!
6. Drink as much water as possible. More than the recommended 8-8oz glasses a day. I strive for 12.
7. Eat snacks between meals. This doesn't happen too much for me, but I aim to make it as much as I can.
8. Add another form of exercise. I currently am doing Yoga 1-3 times a week. I sometimes go for a short jog or run, at my own pace, sometimes in a stop and start kinda way (jog to the corner, walk to the next, jog to the next), around the track near my house.
9. Take vitamins. Don't be concerned with what brand and type, just take them. You are probably like me and have tons of them in your pantry. Use them. Research the ones that are right for you later when you have used what you have! If you don't, keep it simple and to about 5 of them: a multiple Vitamin, VitaminC, Omega3s, VitaminB, and whatever else you might need or have a deficiency in.
10. Get plenty of sleep. Your body needs more sleep then you think it does to be efficiently running. I aim to be in bed at 8.30pm. I have the alarm set for 7.30am, but if I want to get up before that, then fine, if not, I am up then so that I can walk and eat and be ready for work in my home office at 9am.
When I provide a list of these things, I get one of two responses...it is either, is that all? Yup, that is all. Or it is, I could never do that, I love my soda, I love sugar, or I love bread. Yup, most people do...but I don't like how I feel on it and so I have to tell you, I don't!!! The discipline is worth it, but you have to desire to make it happen.
You won't see results for 3-4 months, I didn't and I had been "eating healthy" for some time. It does take time to get used to not eating wheat and sugar and to not crave it. If you want encouragement, I will be here to support you. Start with one of the 10 items and believe me, you will be starting new habits.
Remember, it takes 27 Days to form a new habit!
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