Love deeply. Laugh. Cry. Talk to God. Be realistic about the to-do list. Stay in touch. Hug. Dream. Smile. Break Bread often with Family. Spend Time with your Girlfriends. Shop til you Drop! Extend Grace. Be Quick to Forgive and Slow to Anger. Walk. Breathe. Sing. Dance. Read. Eat Chocolate. Savor a Good Glass of Wine. Wiggle your Toes. Sleep well. Life is Good!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Reflective Blessings . . .

"Breathe in God.
Breathe out everything else."
- Ardith Goodwin

I've heard my friend, Ardith, say this many times.  This morning I actually tried to do it.  It happened quite unexpectedly.  I'm grateful for the Lamaze classes my husband and I took before the birth of our youngest daughter.  Those breathing exercises have gotten me thru quite a bit of physical pain the last few months, especially the last couple of weeks.  But this morning was different.  While focusing on breathing deeply, the phrase crossed my mind.  I found myself  breathing in gratitude for my blessings, for strength, for healing, and breathing out the pain, the fatigue, the weakness.  I found myself more determined to walk the path of discipline it will take to recover.  I found myself in tears.  There are few I share this struggle with.  To those, I say, thank you for your patience, your encouragement and your shoulder  when I occasionally reach pity party phases.  And, thank God for those little things.  Especially the positive, kind things others say that come back to the surface of your mind when you need them most.  I thank God for that still small voice of grace.  Life is good.  Giving it my all ... and then some ... one day at a time.  Be Blessed!


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Terri! Terri! Quite Contrary!
How does your garden grow?


Well, It's a start!  Most of my gardening
will be containerized this year.  So many weeds
have germinated in my raised bed, I've decided
to sterilize it this season and hopefully plant
and harvest a fall crop of greens and peppers. We'll see!

So far, on the patio, we have three kinds of tomatoes:
Big Boy, Better Boy and Romas. 
Alongside are Sweet Banana Peppers,
A Bowl of Mesculan greens,
Basil, Rosemary and Blueberries.

Next week, I will get the others potted and growing:
Zucchini and Yellow Squash,
Red, Yellow and Green Bell Peppers.
and, if I can get my hands on some chives,
they will join the party!



Little Keller watering the Coreopsis and her feet!

In the side yard, we have another pot
of blueberries and a fig tree!

. . . and a gazillion little tiny fruits
on the Blood Orange Tree!!!

Happy Gardening!!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

I Have a New Personal Challenge!
I'm gonna do it in increments because I've tried
the "all or none" approach in the past and failed. 
The White Powder has to go!
Uhm, No!  It's Sugar. 


Why?  Do you really have to ask?

1. It suppresses the immune system.
2.  It causes an inflammatory response.
3. It depletes energy.
4. It causes agitation.
5. It makes me restless.
6. My last glucose test was borderline.

For 146 more reasons, check out http://www.rheumatic.org/sugar.htm


But! White flour is another culprit
that causes the same issues.
This, indeed will be a challenge!
I am setting a goal!
Three days/no sugar or carbs
and one day (one meal only) allowance
(within reason, of course!).

I'm hoping if I don't do the cold-turkey thing
I won't have withdrawals as bad.
Gotta check those labels!!!