Friday, March 21, 2014
Sunshine makes me happy!
Today I am grateful for sunshine. Beautiful, bright, glowing, glorious, warm, wonderful sunshine! I love the way it feels on my very sunshine needy body. Almost makes we want to take all my clothes off to soak up all the rays! I said ALMOST! I will spare my neighbors that experience. However if I lived out in the country with no-one around...
Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy - very happy!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The movie "Son of God" and CeeLo Green - Mary Did You Know (The Bible)
)
We went to see the movie "Son of God" tonight! I thought it was very well done, but if you go take lots of tissues!
I am so grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - for His example and teachings, for His sacrifice, and for His resurrection. I just wish I were a better follower. Sadly, I have too many traits that keep me from following Him the way I should. As I watched the movie tonight - I realized some of His disciples had the same traits - fear, doubts, lack of understanding, questions, and even fearful denial. Yet - He kept teaching them, and helping them to grow in faith, line upon line, precept upon precept - and He does the same with me and all of us - ever so patiently and lovingly.
Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) - and He is "the light of the world" (John 8:12). What a blessing His light is too us - as we try to find the right path in this very dark world!
We went to see the movie "Son of God" tonight! I thought it was very well done, but if you go take lots of tissues!
I am so grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - for His example and teachings, for His sacrifice, and for His resurrection. I just wish I were a better follower. Sadly, I have too many traits that keep me from following Him the way I should. As I watched the movie tonight - I realized some of His disciples had the same traits - fear, doubts, lack of understanding, questions, and even fearful denial. Yet - He kept teaching them, and helping them to grow in faith, line upon line, precept upon precept - and He does the same with me and all of us - ever so patiently and lovingly.
Jesus Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) - and He is "the light of the world" (John 8:12). What a blessing His light is too us - as we try to find the right path in this very dark world!
Friday, January 17, 2014
CM - Where are you???
Oh where Oh where has the blogger gone,
Oh where Oh where can she be?
She sets up a blog, and says we'll have fun
Oh where Oh where can she be?
Bet you are wondering what happened to me - aren't you?
Yeah? - well me too!!
But I survived it all - wasn't sure I was going to, but I did!
What is "it all" - you ask?
How long do you have to read? Not long you say?
Well then - I will give you the shortened version of the highlights!
Here "it all" is - the good and the bad!
Good - Got to be labor coach for the birth of grandchild # 18.
Bad - Missed the actual birth of grandchild #18 - cause the doctor said it would be another hour so we went to the cafeteria to grab a quick bite - and not even 5 minutes after we left - the impatient little grandson literally flew into the world before we could rush back after getting the text he was on his way!!!
Bad - My almost brand new (3 months, 3000 miles) Subaru Outback that I had fallen in love with - tangled with a semi and lost! (I have decided this was a message from God to not fall in love with material things!!!) - No one was hurt - but it took almost 2 months for them to fix the damage - and we all know the Subaru will never be the same. :(
Good - Hubby changed jobs - which gave him a raise - solved all of our health care and retirement concerns (see this post - http://cmfalling.blogspot.com/2013/09/money-or-time-qestions-decisions-and.html ) - reduced his stress level, and blessed him with the extra time needed to deal with a bunch of stuff (like car repairs, baby births, and mortgage refinance screw ups!)
Bad - Hubby had to leave a job he absolutely loved, but the new job miraculously dropped into his lap and they made him an offer he could not refuse! (see above). Hopefully he will come to love this job too!!
Good - We were able to refinance our mortgage and got an amazing rate saving us a bunch of money.
Bad - We had to navigate through a horrible mortgage refinance screw up (caused by a loan officer's incompetency) which caused us weeks of hassles, and numerous phone calls to get the mess fixed and transferred to a competent loan officer who helped us finally get back on track - and accomplish what should have been a very short and simple process to begin with - all during the Christmas holiday!!
Good - I got another chance to be the birth coach for the birth of grandchild #19. Unlike the previous grandchild who was in a big hurry - this one came into the world slowly and reluctantly. And she was not happy about it either!! But I got to witness the amazing miracle of birth and she is adorable and adjusting to the cold harsh reality of this world! As are her brothers!
So all in all - I am still here and alive and kicking (and sometimes shaking)! And most importantly, I can say I survived! (Barely)
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
I am thankful!
Some of the things I am
for:
My husband
My children
My children-in-laws
My grandchildren - all 18 (soon to be 19) of them
My siblings and their families
My extended family
My Daily Strength Friends
All my Friends
My doctors
Their hardworking nurses
Health Insurance
My job and my husband's job
Good health
Sinemet
The ability to walk and run
The ability to smile and laugh
My walking path
Sunshine
Beaches
My nice toasty warm house
My Subaru Outback
Books
Hot Chocolate
Any kind of chocolate
Movie Theaters
Facebook
Computers
Blankets
Beds
Sleep
Vacations
Warm coats, gloves, & boots
Washing machines and dryers
Bath tubs
Hot water heaters
Restaurants
Grocery stores
My son-in-law who is willing to cook the turkey this year
My daughter who is making a chocolate pie
Costco pumpkin pie
Holidays
And...I am thankful
I am not a turkey!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Remembering to look up!
The path I walk on and surrounding ground was thickly covered with leaves all this week. Near the end of my walk yesterday I glanced up and scanned the scenery around me and was immediately struck by the beauty of all the colors spread throughout the surrounding forest ... and surprised by the fact that many of the trees were almost all bare now. When did that happen?, I wondered. It seemed like the trees were just starting to turn colors! The day before, I didn't notice that the leaves were almost all off the trees, even though I was keenly aware that the path was covered with them as they crunched under my feet. Then it hit me. I have not been looking up much while walking lately, instead I have been focusing my eyes down on what is right in front of me, for a good reason, to make sure I did not stumble on sticks or cracks. Furthermore, my mind tends to wander and do some processing while I walk. It's actually quite therapeutic! Apparently I was so occupied with other thoughts this week during my walks, that I missed out on seeing what was going on around me, I missed seeing some of the beauty of the Fall season.
I think in some small ways, I have been doing that with life too. I have been taking things day by day, staying focused on what is right in front of me, so that I don't get overwhelmed and so that I don't do too much projecting about the future. I often find myself focusing inward a lot, processing emotions and feelings. For me this is a necessary and unavoidable part of dealing with health issues, and this coping method is not a bad thing in and of itself. It allows me to deal with the immediate concerns at hand while trying to stay positive and upbeat.
After my walk yesterday, I started thinking and wondering - if I might be missing out on other things going on around me because of my day to day functioning method, if my life might be out of balance a little. As I think about it a little more, I can see that in some ways the task by task thinking pattern helps me to escape thinking about this disease and perhaps is my way of staying in denial land a bit. But, at the same time, in a way it is also keeping me extremely focused on this disease, perhaps at the expense of other things - if that makes any sense. Because of this day to day focus, I wonder if I am keeping myself from experiencing my life more fully...from seeing things all around me because I am pre-occupied or have limited my scope of thinking to the immediate future and am staying away as much as possible about thinking about the long term future.
Don't get me wrong, my life is fulfilling and for the most part I am happy and satisfied. But because of my experience yesterday while walking, I realize that if I am not careful, I may look up some day and notice I missed out on some parts of the beautiful seasons of my life. I just need to make sure to keep my focus and my life balanced, and remember to look up regularly to also see all around me, to make sure I am participating in my life the way I really want too!
I think in some small ways, I have been doing that with life too. I have been taking things day by day, staying focused on what is right in front of me, so that I don't get overwhelmed and so that I don't do too much projecting about the future. I often find myself focusing inward a lot, processing emotions and feelings. For me this is a necessary and unavoidable part of dealing with health issues, and this coping method is not a bad thing in and of itself. It allows me to deal with the immediate concerns at hand while trying to stay positive and upbeat.
After my walk yesterday, I started thinking and wondering - if I might be missing out on other things going on around me because of my day to day functioning method, if my life might be out of balance a little. As I think about it a little more, I can see that in some ways the task by task thinking pattern helps me to escape thinking about this disease and perhaps is my way of staying in denial land a bit. But, at the same time, in a way it is also keeping me extremely focused on this disease, perhaps at the expense of other things - if that makes any sense. Because of this day to day focus, I wonder if I am keeping myself from experiencing my life more fully...from seeing things all around me because I am pre-occupied or have limited my scope of thinking to the immediate future and am staying away as much as possible about thinking about the long term future.
Don't get me wrong, my life is fulfilling and for the most part I am happy and satisfied. But because of my experience yesterday while walking, I realize that if I am not careful, I may look up some day and notice I missed out on some parts of the beautiful seasons of my life. I just need to make sure to keep my focus and my life balanced, and remember to look up regularly to also see all around me, to make sure I am participating in my life the way I really want too!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Sometimes I just have to run!
I was looking over some of my past posts and saw the one where I ran a full mile. http://cmfalling.blogspot.com/2011/10/mile-i-did-it.html
I was so excited then and at the time I envisioned working up to longer distances. I can't believe that was two years ago. As it turns out, I didn't work up past the one mile run, and in fact, I don't distance run all that much anymore. I came to the conclusion I don't really like distance running, and walking fast seems to work just fine for me. But every couple of days I just have to run - its like my legs desire to go fast and the muscles ache to move and stretch another way. Plus I have this need in my head to prove that I still can do it - that I can still run. I either do fast sprints, 30 seconds fast as I can running, 30 seconds walking - alternating for about 10 minutes, or I do a slower, longer on and off jog for a couple of miles. Whichever way I run - I am always appreciative of the fact that I can still get my body to do it.
While on vacation we went to Arches national park with our son and his kids to do some sightseeing and a little hiking. His kids are ages 1 to 7, so most of our hikes were fairly short. We decided to hike up the trail to the Delicate Arch which the sign said was about a 3 mile moderate difficulty round trip walk. We were not sure about the little ones doing this hike, but they wanted to do it, so off we went. The 7 year old and I led the way. I had not done much walking or exercising during our vacation so was excited to get back out and stretch some of the stiffness out. I kept up a fairly fast pace. Soon I noticed the 7 year old was slowing down and then she dropped back with her parents who I guess were doing a more comfortable stride for her. At this point the path started up a steeper incline and I noticed the rest of the family was getting further and further behind me. I started to wonder if they were going to give it up and not finish the hike.
My first thought was that I should drop back and stay with them. But all of a sudden I got the same feeling that I sometimes get when I walk, I just had to run, or in this case finish the hike. I had to prove to myself that I could do it, plus I wanted to get to the top to see the famous scenery. So I sped up and started walking as fast as I could. I wasn't running as it was a pretty steep incline, but I was walking quickly using long strides, and it felt really good. Glancing back a couple of times, I felt a little guilty that my family was now quite a ways behind me, but I selfishly kept going. Soon they were out of sight. I stopped only long enough to describe my husband to another couple who were headed back down the path and ask them to tell hubby that if they all decided not to finish the hike, it was OK, but I was determined to go the distance and would meet them in the parking lot when I was done. The couple laughed and agreed to watch for him and deliver the message.
Up, Up, I climbed until I came to the part where the path narrowed and continued along a ledge on the side of the rock mountain. I stopped a minute to see how much further I would have to go and how deep the drop was on the side of the ledge. Normally I am pretty scared of heights but it wasn't that bad so my legs started up again, I did not let my mind think, and I continued my fast pace up the ledge concentrating only on getting to my destination. It didn't take too long to reach the top where I climbed onto a flat slab that opened up to an absolutely amazing site. I was a tad bit winded for a minute, but so elated about being there and awed at the fabulous scene before me. It was breathtaking.
I wandered around taking it all in, even getting close (but not too close) to the edges that dropped off, to see what was below. It was so wondrous. After several minutes I sat down, gazing at the natural beauty, and watching the other tourists enjoy it. I thought about my family wishing they were there with me, especially my husband. I wanted to share this moment with him. I don't know how long I sat there, but eventually I began to think that I should head back down, to not make them wait too long. So I walked around a little more to take in the view one last time, and then as I turned to the path, I saw the 7 year old climb up off the ledge, followed by her Dad, and then her siblings and her Mom, and finally another sibling with Hubby. My heart literally leapt. I was so happy to share this moment with them and so glad that they did not turn around, but made it all the way to the top too. I actually teared up a little as my grandkids saw me, smiles breaking out on their faces and one of them yelled "Grandma, we made it". I walked up to Hubby, who was freaking out a bit as one of the kids got a little too close to an edge. "Grandpa, you made it - I didn't think you would!", I said. He just smiled then quickly turned his attention back to keeping the kids safe.
Sometimes I just have to run - sometimes I need to run - so I will continue to run as long as I can, because I can, and to prove that I can! I intend to appreciate every moment of it too!
I was so excited then and at the time I envisioned working up to longer distances. I can't believe that was two years ago. As it turns out, I didn't work up past the one mile run, and in fact, I don't distance run all that much anymore. I came to the conclusion I don't really like distance running, and walking fast seems to work just fine for me. But every couple of days I just have to run - its like my legs desire to go fast and the muscles ache to move and stretch another way. Plus I have this need in my head to prove that I still can do it - that I can still run. I either do fast sprints, 30 seconds fast as I can running, 30 seconds walking - alternating for about 10 minutes, or I do a slower, longer on and off jog for a couple of miles. Whichever way I run - I am always appreciative of the fact that I can still get my body to do it.
While on vacation we went to Arches national park with our son and his kids to do some sightseeing and a little hiking. His kids are ages 1 to 7, so most of our hikes were fairly short. We decided to hike up the trail to the Delicate Arch which the sign said was about a 3 mile moderate difficulty round trip walk. We were not sure about the little ones doing this hike, but they wanted to do it, so off we went. The 7 year old and I led the way. I had not done much walking or exercising during our vacation so was excited to get back out and stretch some of the stiffness out. I kept up a fairly fast pace. Soon I noticed the 7 year old was slowing down and then she dropped back with her parents who I guess were doing a more comfortable stride for her. At this point the path started up a steeper incline and I noticed the rest of the family was getting further and further behind me. I started to wonder if they were going to give it up and not finish the hike.
My first thought was that I should drop back and stay with them. But all of a sudden I got the same feeling that I sometimes get when I walk, I just had to run, or in this case finish the hike. I had to prove to myself that I could do it, plus I wanted to get to the top to see the famous scenery. So I sped up and started walking as fast as I could. I wasn't running as it was a pretty steep incline, but I was walking quickly using long strides, and it felt really good. Glancing back a couple of times, I felt a little guilty that my family was now quite a ways behind me, but I selfishly kept going. Soon they were out of sight. I stopped only long enough to describe my husband to another couple who were headed back down the path and ask them to tell hubby that if they all decided not to finish the hike, it was OK, but I was determined to go the distance and would meet them in the parking lot when I was done. The couple laughed and agreed to watch for him and deliver the message.
Up, Up, I climbed until I came to the part where the path narrowed and continued along a ledge on the side of the rock mountain. I stopped a minute to see how much further I would have to go and how deep the drop was on the side of the ledge. Normally I am pretty scared of heights but it wasn't that bad so my legs started up again, I did not let my mind think, and I continued my fast pace up the ledge concentrating only on getting to my destination. It didn't take too long to reach the top where I climbed onto a flat slab that opened up to an absolutely amazing site. I was a tad bit winded for a minute, but so elated about being there and awed at the fabulous scene before me. It was breathtaking.
I wandered around taking it all in, even getting close (but not too close) to the edges that dropped off, to see what was below. It was so wondrous. After several minutes I sat down, gazing at the natural beauty, and watching the other tourists enjoy it. I thought about my family wishing they were there with me, especially my husband. I wanted to share this moment with him. I don't know how long I sat there, but eventually I began to think that I should head back down, to not make them wait too long. So I walked around a little more to take in the view one last time, and then as I turned to the path, I saw the 7 year old climb up off the ledge, followed by her Dad, and then her siblings and her Mom, and finally another sibling with Hubby. My heart literally leapt. I was so happy to share this moment with them and so glad that they did not turn around, but made it all the way to the top too. I actually teared up a little as my grandkids saw me, smiles breaking out on their faces and one of them yelled "Grandma, we made it". I walked up to Hubby, who was freaking out a bit as one of the kids got a little too close to an edge. "Grandpa, you made it - I didn't think you would!", I said. He just smiled then quickly turned his attention back to keeping the kids safe.
Sometimes I just have to run - sometimes I need to run - so I will continue to run as long as I can, because I can, and to prove that I can! I intend to appreciate every moment of it too!
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Sleepy
I am back from a long family vacation which was awesome. Back to the grind - and to not being able to fall asleep again. I think I need to move to the west coast! Their time zone fits my sleeping cycle so much better. Got to run - tons of work to catch up on now! (sigh)
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