Just Me...

A month ago I lost my father.  He battled a long time with a terrible disease called Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).  The loss has been hard even though I know that he is in Heaven and is no longer in pain.  Somehow, even knowing that he is no longer in pain and is with our Jesus in heaven, there is nothing that can prepare anyone for the individual experience of being left behind. The other day I was having one of the down moments of the ups and downs I experience daily now as I work through the grieving process.  All I could think of was the part in Top Gun where Maverick is distraught after Goose dies.  All I can remember thinking is that I am desperate to get to the point in the movie where "Maverick is re-engaging...". I am praying to re-engage....I have had some moments where I am firing on all cylinders, and then I hit a backfire.  I run out of energy.  I lose focus.  Nothing is important. I guess even at the point where Maverick re-en...

I recently read a blog post.  I think it was by Laura Vanderkam but I am not sure.  In it she was suggesting a book called Playing Big (I am reading now and am fascinated by it).  In addition to the book she talked about an exercise of doing a list of 100 Dreams.  I took her up on the challenge. I was hard. Harder than I thought. I mean really, 100 things doesn't seem that much, but when you are trying to think of things you haven't done that you want to do, it can get a bit tougher.  I got through about 30 before I really had to think, but I re-read this list today.  A month later, a crazy month at that, and I just marveled about the things that I put in there.  Things that are fun and totally achievable.  Things that make me smile. I suggest to anyone to make a list of 100 Dreams.  Write it out, refer to it when you need a smile or motivation and work to cross those babies off! (I am working on one just now...Write at least one bl...

How do you control that feeling when you feel like you want to control something that is not in your control? Wow.  That is a loaded question when I read it written out like that.  I think that the key differentiation lies in the action around the word "control". I know I can't control everything.  Primarily because that is not my God given purpose, but also because I shouldn't.  I have lived 38 years of experiences that are my own only.  I have expertise in some areas, I know enough to be dangerous in others and I am flat our ignorant on all the rest.  Me controlling everything would create too many problems and I would probably explode with anxiety resulting over what actions I did or did not take attempting to control things. Controlling everything is not an option. What can I control?  Well, really the only thing I can control when it comes down to it is myself.  My actions and emotions are mine alone.  My actions and emotions are...

We all need a creative outlet.  Something, or in some cases a few things, that allow us to separate from the day to day of our job and even parenting or connect with our own creative nature.  Even if you are tasked to be creative for work or if you are creative as a homeschooling parent, there is still a need for a creative outlet. Creative outlets can come in many forms.  They may be quickly accessed and only take a few minutes to tap into, or they may be planned longer term and take time away to fully experience.  I think that there is a need for both.  Some examples of my creative outlets are: When I have 5 minutes - I keep a coloring book and colored pencils at my desk at work and take it out sometimes when I have hit a block and need a quick escape into something totally unrelated to anything. When I need an hour - Every 2 weeks, a group of co-workers and I meet in a conference room to knit or crochet for charity or personal projects.  Sometimes...

I have read a lot of great books recently.  Bittersweet Surrender by Diann Hunt was good, but not great.  I was looking for a light plot and that is just what I got.  The story is of a woman who owns a Chocolate Spa and her struggle to get healthy and find love after a previous failed romance and a battle with breast cancer. It was a quick read with a basic romance plot line.  I enjoy books that look into the lives of multiple characters.  I enjoyed this book, but I felt that I read through it just to read through it, not so much like I couldn't put it down.  I found myself from the beginning predicting what would happen next and not being very surprised when that very thing happened. There were also a few references to a few different places that seemed inconsistent so perhaps there was some additional edits that needed to be done.  I was not unhappy with this book, it was the perfect medicine to feed my need for a light, quick read.  If you...

Update time! 60 Days ago I posted that I hadn't had coffee in 3 days.  I was excited to be alive.  Fast forward, still no coffee and I feel wonderful.  I completed the 24 day challenge feeling awesome.  I have so much more energy, my emotions are more under control and I am focused.  For the past 2 weeks I have been using an energy focused vitamin pack instead of just the general wellness pack and that has improved things even more.  I am down 2% body fat and the weight is ticking off.   I am fitting in clothes I haven't fit into (comfortably) for ages and I just feel more confident.  I smile more and believe I am generally a happier person to be around.  I have noticed that my family and my co-workers are appreciating these changes in focus.  At home, our house is becoming more orderly, we are having fun family game nights and I don't feel so guilty when I take a minute to relax.  At work I have been selected to apply fo...

As you know, I have started a track to a healthy life with Nuvita a few months back and now I am working through the 24 Day Challenge with Advocare.  My husband just finished the first part of the challenge, the cleanse phase, and lost 9lbs. Now I am on day 3.  I haven't had coffee in 3 days...I am alive! I am not planning to cover all of the details of everything I eat/take during this time, but I will say that it is pretty basic nutritional stuff.  The Cleanse focuses on detoxifying your body so that it can absorb and efficiently use the vitamins and minerals in our multivitamins and in the healthy foods we eat.  The only real restrictions in this phase are no dairy, wheat, alcohol and fried foods (duh!).  The phase promotes eating and I am enjoying all of the fruits and veggies that I am having daily plus the nuts and craisins that I have in the afternoon.  I have started working out daily.  My schedule isn't too complicated.  I have a ...