Commute Epiphany

My mind tends to wonder on my commute to work. Usually during this time, I turn to the local Christian station and listen to the Word on my way to and from work. However, today's ride to work just plagued me with guilty feelings and uneasiness.

See my son's day care was closed down by the state and since Tuesday of this week, my SIL agreed to watch him. Well at least until his Grandma comes back from vacation. I figured it was a blessing in disguise since he could go to my SIL and play with his cousins all day. Well today (just2 days into things), he didn't want to go. On the way there in the car, he pouted and pouted and when we got to her house, he stood in the door and watched me leave. Oh, it just broke my heart. But please tell me, what's a Mom (who has to work) supposed to do?

Well it became clear to me on my ride into work that Moms were meant to be home with their children. I felt it so strong in my spirit that I've become determined to figure out a way that I can be there for my son on a daily basis. Don't really know how I will do it since my husband just started his business and I carry the health insurance & majority of the finances right now, but in the Lord's will - there is a way.

I know my first step will be to organize all my writings and books because I'm sure between the two of them I can bring in a small income. I figure with the cost of commuting, gas prices and having to pay someone else to watch my child - by the time I get my check it's half gone anyway.

Organization was part of my August goals. Well now more than ever, I need it. Currently, I have so many planners, notebooks and binders every where that I'm running out of space. Not to mention that there are more in boxes that I have yet to unpack.

I found two daily planner systems that may work for me. Some how I need to put them both together so that I can organize myself & get things together. Then I need to get busy researching stay at home options. If it's in the Lord's will, I know I'll be at home with my son.

Be Blessed.

10 Things I Hate About You

Or so that's the title I thought about after reading the latest blog post on Melissa Taylor's blog http://beautifulp31.blogspot.com/.

Her topic was "10 Things" and in it she challenged her readers to list 10 things that we like about ourselves and then to thank God for each of them. Well, here are my 10...

Tameka said...
10 things... Wow, I had to walk away and think about that one...

1. I like that I'm persistent in becoming the best person that I can be.

2. I like that I have a good sense of humor.

3. I like that I get along well with others.

4. I like that if given the opportunity, I can make the best out of bad situation.

5. I like that I love reading & it has rubbed off on my son.

6. I like that I love to learn new things (I'm a secret knowledge junkie).

7. I like that I'm continuing to grow in the Lord & leading by example for my family.

8. I like that I'm learning how to be comfortable with who I am as a woman.

9. I like that I am very close to my family & friends.

10. I like that I love health & fitness and taking better care of myself.

Wow. I felt like I was stretching for some & it was hard to come up with 10, but I did it! Yay me!! Be Blessed!!

And who can forget the poem from the movie??

10 Things I Hate About You

I hate the way you talk to me

And the way you cut your hair.

I hate the way you drive my car.

I hate it when you stare.

I hate your big dumb combat boots

And the way you read my mind.

I hate you so much it makes me sick -

It even makes me rhyme.

I hate the way you're always right.

I hate it when you lie.

I hate it when you make me laugh -

Even worse when you make me cry.

I hate it that you're not around

And the fact that you didn't call.

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you --

Not even close, not even a little bit, not any at all.

actually written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith

So what are your 10 Things???

Playing with goal ideas

August will be here in less than 1 day and I have yet to come up with my goals for the month. I've been toying with the idea of establishing a theme of "Finishing What I Started". I tend to be one of those people who begin a lot of projects with gusto, only to not complete them within the time frame that I set out for myself. Really doesn't look too great when it comes to my 105 goals in 105 days now does it?

So I'm still in prayer over my theme, but so far it's the only one that's been speaking to me over the past few days. Probably because (like I said) I have several projects/goals staring me right in the face that I started & never finished. Case in point - The "One Month to Live" book that began this blog in the first place. lol... HA! Maybe it is time to finish up a few things. At least this way at the end of August I can look back and actually see that I accomplished something.

A few ideas that were on my "to finish" list were:
One Month to Live - finish reading the book & following it

C25k (Couch to 5K) training - I think I started that in June & got through maybe the first week.

Unpack boxes in living room in full - I've been in my house since April. It's been 4 months now and I'm still in boxes & the clutter is really annoying.

Get Organized - Well this one goes with the unpacking one above.

Finish at least 1 room in the house (in full) - Again this goes with the first two. My husband and I have been gung-ho about finishing the house, but we start one room (never finish) and move on to the next! lol...

Pick vegetables from garden - Okay, so this is a new one, but hubby and I did realize over the weekend that we need to pull the new vegetables in our garden - like now! lol...

I'm sure I can go on and on, but I have yet another day to go through my lengthy "finish goals" list and decide exactly which ones I want to tackle and then make a detail action plan of how I will accomplish each one. I'm ready!!! Bring it on!!! LOL!

***On a side note, hubby and I made a pact for the month of August as well. We said that we're not going to eat out for the entire month, just to see how much money we can save. Wish us luck!!!

Eye Opener: A Good Reminder

I read on a blog post from a fellow sparker. It touched me and I just had to share it myself. It's a very good reminder. I pray that it sinks in for you...

DON'T LEAVE IT ON THE DESK

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going on to seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he as an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class. One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.

"How many push-ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night"

"200? That's pretty good, Steve, "Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.

Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."

Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kind of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"

Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"

"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten.

Then Steve again sat in his desk.

Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"

Joe said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"

Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.

Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Dr. Christianson said,"Look! This is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "No"!

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push ups to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it. Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.

Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

Dr. Christianson said, 'You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?'

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said,"give me a donut."

"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort.

Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down. Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift him against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?"

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."

Dr. Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

Back to Reality

We're back! We're back! From Mystic to New London and back again. The above shot is of Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT. I won't take the credit for the photo, especially since mine aren't developed yet!! Yes, I'm still in the age of disposable cameras. lol... But who would have thought, we had a beautiful beach/theme park right in our own back yard!!!

A fun time was had by all!! But now it's back to reality and work. Time to get back on track with my weight loss goals - especially since I gained 4 pounds while on staycation. UGH!!! I've been trying to figure out ways to get back on track all afternoon long. Plus I've been mentally preparing myself for my son's first day of kindergarten. I even thought about "school shopping" today!! WOW!!! Time seems to be moving WAY to fast!!!

So seeing that I have at least another 10 hours or so before real reality hits - I think I'll enjoy the rest of my staycation until the very end.

Be Blessed!!!

Staycation

What an entire new concept for me. STAYCATION... I'm so used to just getting up and going, but it's been a while. Actually, I can't remember the last vacation I had - honeymoon really doesn't count for me - that was re coop from the wedding!! lol...

So the family and I have decided to do the "staycation" thing this week. I planned and planned and planned some more. I had the perfect vacation spots picked out - locally of course. I even stayed up, online, all night trying to find the best deal on a 1 night stay (away) at a hotel (this was my treat - to be away from home). This morning we wake up to RAIN!!! And not just rain that will pass, but by several different meteorologists accounts, this rain will be hanging out with us for the ENTIRE week and weekend!!!

After much huffing and puffing - I caved to something that I have no control over and realized that it's in the Lord's hands. Can't cry over something like the weather - just have to pick up and keep moving on. And that's just what we plan to do. Sure, I'm hurt that my plans have to be altered (everything I planned to do was outdoors, amusement park... beach...), but in the long run I realize it's about creating a fun atmosphere for the kids. We will have ALL of them except for the oldest (that's 4 kids)! I promised them a fun time & I won't allow even the RAIN to change those plans!!

We're off for a rainy and FUN staycation!!

BE BLESSED!!!

Life List Re-Visited

So I was reading through some other blogs and I came across another concept of the idea of the Life List. At simple dollar blog, the concept is called 101 goals in 1001 days. Wow... here is an actual deadline on the goals that you want to achieve in your life time. This got me to revisiting my own Life List/101 goals - although my goals are about 105. Hmm... wonder if I can tweak the days to 1005. lol... Hey, I don't see a problem with it.



If any are interested - here is the article on simple dollar: http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/04/101-goals-in-1001-days/



My 105 goals in 1005 days - April 24, 2011. Wow... can that be right??

TAMEKA'S LIFE LIST
"To be nobody but yourself--in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else-- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." ee cummings

1 Attend a baseball game
2 Attend a Retreat at Omega Institute
3 Attend Bible Study regularly
4 Attend Church on a regular basis
5 Attend Sunday School regularly
6 Be a positive example for Nicolas
7 Be Comfortable in my own skin
8 Be sexy, fit and in perfect health at 50, 60, 70++
9 Be totally and completely in love with my husband
10 Become Self - Employed
11 Bowl a Perfect Game
12 Build a library of my own
13 Buy a house in the south on a lake
14 Buy a new wardrobe in my CORRECT size
15 Buy a Saturn Vue - IN CASH
16 Complete a 10K (run, bike, swim)
17 Create a Back Yard Retreat
18 Dance before the Lord (Mt Aery Spiritual Dancers)
19 Discover God's Will for my life
20 Do 100 regular push-ups nonstop
21 Do 5 one arm push-ups (G.I Jane style) nonstop
22 Do 50 chin-ups
23 Either loose the Baby Pooch or come to terms with it
24 Finish Nicolas' Baby Book
25 Get a full makeover (hair, clothes etc)
26 Get another tattoo - preferable a Butterfly
27 Get Body Fat % down to healthy level
28 Get out of & Stay out of debt
29 Get out of Corporate America
30 Give back to my Alma Mater
31 Give Up Pretending for good!!
32 Go away to B&B on the beach, by MYSELF (3 nights minimum)
33 Go Camping
34 Go Dancing
35 Go Hiking
36 Go horse back riding
37 Go on a Romantic Picnic
38 Go on an All Christian Women's Retreat (Joyce Meyers, TD Jakes)
39 Go on Vacation By Myself
40 Go Skiing
41 Go to a Broadway Play or Musical
42 Go to Proverb's 31, She Speaks Conference
43 Graduate with Master's degree with Honors
44 Grow out my relaxer & wear hair naturally
45 Have a career that I'm passionate about
46 Have a successful, loving and Christ-Centered marriage
47 Have an 80's theme party
48 Have an At Home Gym complete with Treadmill, Elliptical & TV/DVD for videos (purchased the treadmill)
49 Join a Woman's Bible Study Group
50 Learn Capoeira
51 Learn how to Step - Chicago Style
52 Learn to ENJOY my son now
53 Learn to Forgive and Move on
54 Learn to swim
55 Live Authentically
56 Live in a Neighborhood like the one I grew up in
57 Maintain a healthy weight (preferable goal weight of 130)
58 Memorize Bible Verses important to me
59 Mentor young girls
60 Obtain my Teaching Certificate
61 Own a Bookstore
62 Own my OWN home
63 Participate in an American Diabetes Assoc. Event
64 Participate in at least ONE Written Word
65 Pet a dolphin
66 Raise Nicolas to become a true man of God
67 Read a minimum of 10 books on the New York Times Best Seller List
68 Read ALL of my books in full
69 Read all of the literature classics
70 Read the Entire Bible in 1 Year
71 Reinvent Myself at least once a year
72 Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
73 Run a 5K in under 30 minutes
74 Run a mile in 10 minutes or less - personal best: 16min 00 sec
75 Save enough money to retire comfortably
76 See Nicolas graduate from College!!
77 Show Nicolas the world
78 Start & Keep a running Blog Page of my journey - started 7/1/08
79 Stay at a 5 Star Resort
80 Stick around to watch my grandchildren grow up
81 Study & Learn all the Women of the Bible
82 Take a Belly Dance class
83 Take a Bikram Yoga Class
84 Take a class at Physique 57 in New York
85 Take a karate class
86 Take a Photography Class
87 Take a Pole Dance class
88 Take a positive stand for something I believe in
89 Take a summer vacation - EVERY summer - 2 week minimum!!
90 Take a Tap or Jazz Class
91 Take a walk on a moonlit night, hand in hand, with someone I love
92 Take Morning Prayer Walks
93 Take Mother/Son Get-away
94 Take my Mom & Sister on a Mother/Daughter Cruise
95 Take Nicolas to visit FAMU
96 Take piano lessons (again)
97 Teach a College Course
98 Travel - (Cross country; Italy; Africa; Australia; Islands (any of them)
99 Treat myself to an ALL DAY Spa Retreat
100 Turn a Cart Wheel
101 Visit a nice Jazz Club
102 Visit the top of the Empire State Building
103 Write a Hallmark Card
104 Write and Publish a Children's Book
105 Write and Publish a Novel

Returning to Self

Quote from Good Morning Messages from Brook Noel:

“After being bombarded with images and ideas of what a woman should be, a strong woman is one who can look at herself in the mirror and say, “I prefer this.’” Doctoral student Erin Clair, as quoted in What Makes a Strong Woman?101 Insights from Some Remarkable Women by Helene Lerner
Tammy, one of my readers, sent in this quote with a very powerful note. Tammy wrote:
I have been working on your programs and reading your Good Morning messages. Word cannot express my gratitude for the positive changes they are making in my life. I feel as if I am on the quest to remembering who I wanted to be when I grew up and who I want to be daily. At 36 I would have thought I would have a clue but, as with many women in our culture, life as mother and wife took over and consumed all that I had hoped to be. Thanks for the prompts that are assisting me along this journey. I truly appreciate it.
This was a powerful quote for me as I struggle daily to love the person I am right now instead of waiting to love myself when I morph into the incredible woman that lurks beneath the layers of life. As the mother of daughters it was also a powerful insight to a gift I hope to give them - that deep sense of self worth and self acceptance.
Tammy’s kind note summarizes a challenge many women can relate with. While devoting time to mothering children and the daily demands of life, women may lose sight of mothering their own dreams, desires and self-growth.
Through my work, I strive to help women meet the many commitments of life today without neglecting “self.” Learning to balance caring for others while still caring for our-selves will, in time, lead us to the place where like the quote, we can say: “I prefer this.”
Your Turn:Take a moment to look in the mirror and affirm where you are today and the positive steps you have taken in your life. This weekend carve out a half-hour to focus on “you” and self-care.
Your Affirmation:I am proud of who I am and who I am becoming.

I am in the process of this... Trying to come back to self. I find that over the past month I have travelled far from where I thought I'd be right now. Everything feels like it has taken the back burner--my devotional time in the mornings, my lunch hour workouts and my just overall "me" routine. Those little things that kept me sane and my family happy.

I guess with the summer months, I've been spending the time with the family and focusing less on those little things. I stay up late chatting or enjoying family and morning time comes & that morning quiet hour I feel can wait until tomorrow. So I sleep in late and feel guilty later on, but the trend continues. My lunch hour workout takes a back burner to laziness (I'm being honest here) or a quick walk outside to take in the sunshine.

SO, over the next month or so I plan on returning back to me. To those little things that created in me joy & peace. I do love the summer months, with the longer days and time spent with family, but I also feel like I loose such a piece of myself in the mist of things. It deprives me and my family of the woman that I can be. And they deserve to have all of me and the best of me.

What is Your Vision?

Greetings!!

I'm actually carrying this over from my spark page from www.sparkpeople.com. I can not say enough about that website. If you have pounds to release, I say check it out!!

Back to the vision... as I stated, I placed on my spark page, but it helps to have your vision statement in many places. This way it stays within view at all times!!!

What is my vision?
~~ I will to continue to grow in the Lord by pursuing an ongoing, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

~~ I will strive to be the best wife I can be by loving, honoring, and greatly enriching the life of my husband, encouraging and supporting his leadership within our family and our church.

~~ I will strive to be the best mother I can be by nurturing the next generation, shaping and molding my children who will one day define who we are as a community and as a nation.

~~ I will strive to be the best woman I can be by creating a warm and loving environment for family and friends, being a faithful steward of the time and money God entrusts to me, speaking with wisdom and faithful instruction as I encourage others and develop godly friendships and by sharing the love of Christ by extending my hands to help others who are in need.

Action Steps:
-- Spiritual: Spend daily quiet time with the Lord, studying His word and DOING what His word says. “Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.” James 1:22-24 (The Message Bible)

-- Mental: Maintain a positive attitude. Reading for knowledge, leisure & growth. Set weekly challenges for myself to accomplish. Speak positive language.

-- Physical: Eat Healthy. Drinking 75 oz water per day. Exercise minimum 30 minutes per day.

-- Emotional: Show love to myself and my family & friends (even on the days I don't feel loving). Say I love you to family every day & show those words in actions that I do. Take steps each day to cross off one Life List item.

July Action Steps:
**S - Quiet time, Read & study 1 chp in Proverbs each morning & follow reading from 30 Days to Live.

**M - Pleasure reading, Francine Rivers (stories about women in the bible).

**P - Cardio at least 30 mins or more per day; drink minimum 64 oz water per day; 30 day shred 3x's per week; sodium under 2300mg per day; Eat more fruit, veggies & whole grain every day (less processed foods); Stay within SP calorie range.

**E - Spend one on one time w/ kids every day; Plan date nights w/ hubby (Simply Romantic Nights); Girls night out at least once this month.

** Keepin' it simple!! Just MOVE MORE and EAT LESS!!

** July Goal: ~~ Release 8lbs!

Health Nut Addiction

Yes, I do admit I'm a health nut & when people send me anything on health, fitness or nutrition - I just have to save & share it!!!



A friend sent this to me. It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... All before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners...

God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
God's Pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them.

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

SUBJECT: Psalm 46:19
'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD'

A New Way to Pray

I was listening to Revive Our Hearts morning radio the other day and the ladies were speaking on the topic of bitterness. Actually they began by speaking on the trials and tribulations of being a Mom and balancing family life. So this really caught my attention. The guest (whose name escapes me now) spoke on how she got through years of depression by becoming both physically and spiritually fit.

The devotional that I outlined below is the method that she used to become connected to the Lord. It seemed so simple and easy, that I think I'll add it to my own morning devotional time.

Devotional for___________ (date)

Praise God

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Confession to God

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Thankfulness to God

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Intercession for Others

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Supplication

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Attributes of God (from the Psalms)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

3 Days in One

That's usually how it goes doesn't it? Weekend hits and you try to get as much done in 2 short days. Well in my case... Here are 3 Days of the 30 Day Challenge in one...

DAY ELEVEN

Everest: Scaling the Obstacles to Unity

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that he didn't trust me so much."

~Mother Teresa

Make It Last for Life

1. Diagnose and write down what you think each important relationship in your life needs in order to be healthier. It may be as simple as spending more time together, discussing a glaring but as yet unspoken issue, or spending someone a note or email to say you're thinking of them.

2. How do you communicate your commitment to those you love? Do you tend to tell more than you show or show more than you tell. Determine which style you favor, and practice the other today with those you love most.

3. Spend time in prayer today for each person you consider essential to your life. Ask God to reveal how you can improve your relationships with these vitally important people.

DAY TWELVE

BOXING RING: Resolving Conflicts by Fighting Fair

"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

~Carl W. Buechner

1. Describe in writing the last major conflict you faced with a loved one. Imagine that you're a spectator, even a commentator, and analyze the fight. Was it a fair fight? Were ground rules maintained? How would you describe the fighting styles of the contenders? Who won the match? Was it clean win?

So although I love this 30 Day challenge, I find that it's not exactly what I had in mind for this blog... Yes, I wanted to be able to journal my day to day life and that definitely includes my daily bible reading & bible study. But the more detail these questions get, I find the less authentic I get - well in this blog anyway. SO... So... So... SO... SO... What does that mean for me? First off it means that I won't be so much into copying and answering questions all day. Personally, I am getting kind of bored with it & if anyone else who reads this will probably get bored as well. lol...

I think I'll just blog what comes to mind. Hopefully some days things will be good & I know there will be some days where things will not be so good! But all in all... I'll be writing, which is why I started this in the first place. And I know I'll find that I grow more authentic with each post.

Baby Daddy Drama

Not really the topic of this particular entry, but it fit in all the same. Today's chapter focused on forgiveness and he's the first person that comes to mind.... You'll see why...



DAY TEN



OCEAN

Exploring the Depths of Forgiveness

"He who cannot forgive others destroys the bridge over which he himself must past."

~George Herbert

Make It Count Moment

If you only had one month to live, what would you ask forgiveness for? From whom? Whom would you need to forgive?

I would ask forgiveness from my husband –for not being the kind of wife that he needs and deserve.I would need to forgive and truly forgive my son’s father.

How have you experienced the results of bitterness in your life? What were the physical consequences? What's the present impact of bitterness in your life? How is it related to your ability to forgive and be forgiven?

Yes, I have experienced the results of bitterness. Bitterness has resulted in stomach and intestinal issues within my life and my neglecting my current emotional responsibilities. I believe I still harbor unforgiveness within my heart, which is why bitterness still rears its ugly head.

Make It Last for Life

1. Make a list of the people you need to forgive. Write down the offense -what they did to hurt you- next to each name. Now make a list of all the people from whom you need to ask forgiveness. Next to their names briefly describe how you hurt them. Finally spend time in confession to God. Ask for the power of Christ to wash over you, bathing you in His forgiveness that will enable you to forgive others.

Need to forgive: John – not stepping up and taking responsibility for being a father to our son. For feeling like he lied to me when we met because he said that he was a man of honor & everything he did proved to be different. Myself – For feeling like I wasn’t smart enough to not get caught up in being a single parent; For not making better judgments with the decisions within my life; For feeling like a failure as a mother because I didn’t provide the “stable” or what I thought to be “stable” home from my child.

Need to ask forgiveness from: The Lord – He knows all of my transgressions, but I don’t believe I ever came to him fully “naked” and asked for His forgiveness. Don – He is only trying to be a wonderful husband and father in our family& because of my inner issues, he’s the main brunt of my bitterness &resentment. It hasn’t been fair to him, but he’s still sticking by our side.Dad – For not being there for him like I could have during the last months of his life. I didn’t know they would be the last months. I thought he would bounce back like he always did. I could have been there for him more. I could have done more things for him and now he’s gone.

2. Write God a letter and unload on Him. Tell Him all the things you're angry about, all the things you're harboring against Him and wondering about. Be honest, and trust that He can handle anything - everything- you throw at Him, no matter how dark, desperate, or doubtful you may be. Then ask Him to heal your heart as you tear up the letter.

Will definitely take the opportunity to complete this exercise in private. I will write later on the effects of it within my life.

3. Choose a beautiful photograph, seashell, or other memento that represents the ocean. Place it in a prominent place as a reminder to ask God for His forgiveness and to forgive those around you daily.

Unconditional Love

So I was reading Day Nine last night and some parts of it actually brought tears to my eyes. I was a huge reminder of: "For God so loved the world that He have His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16
There truly is no greater love!!

PRINCIPLE TWO ~ Love Completely

"The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration but its donation."

~ Corrie Ten Boom

Heart of the Matter

** "Our investment in the people we care about is the only legacy that has the power to endure beyond our lifetime."

Make it Count Moment

If you only had a month to live, whom would you want to spend that time with? Whom would you need to apologize to? Who needs to be assured to today that you love them? What keeps you from spending the time and saying these words now?

-- family, family, family & family. I have no excuses or no real reason. Just need to do better.

**"And I pray that you, firmly fixed in love yourselves, maybe be able to grasp... how wide and deep and long and high is the love of Christ--and to know for yourselves that love so far beyond comprehension." Ephesians 3:17-19, Phillips

**"If you could cut through the busyness and blurred priorities and absorb the fact that your remaining time on earth is limited, you can experience more intimacy in your life than ever before."

Make If Last For Life

1. Make a list of the people you would want to see and to share your heart with if you knew your time on earth was limited to one more month. What specific steps could you take to connect with one of them and share your heart? It could be as simple as making a date with your spouse or planning a reunion with a close friend.

I'd want to spend that time with close friends and family. I already spend each day with them, but need to find ways to make more moments count! Take in each moment and stop going through the motions of each day.

2. Choose someone you know you have hurt by your words, actions, or silence. Write a letter asking this person's forgiveness and explaining everything you'd like to say before it's too late. Set the letter aside for a few days, and then reread it and decide if you should send it.

Wow... I'd have to think on this one. I pray that I haven't hurt anyone!!

3. Think through your schedule for the next day or two. No matter how busy you may be, find a time to surprise someone yo love. Take a friend to a favorite restaurant. Pick up the kids early from school and go to the park. Kidnap your spouse from the office and go out for coffee. Find a way to add quality connections to your life on a daily basis.

Excellent ideas. Will post later to let you know exactly what and who I surprised!!

BE BLESSED!!

How Are You Living Life??

Day Eight

Living Life Full Throttle

"It is never too late to be what you might have been"

~George Eliot

**Stop struggling, rely on His strength and discover the real power to live the rest of your life to the fullest...

** "I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe in Him. It is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19-20, TLB).

**You have the power to begin again! "It's not just the power for a fresh start; it's also the power to get back on the track and go faster than ever before."

**Learn from your losses! "The key to not only knowing this lesson but owning and activating it is to humbly admit our failures."

Make It Last for Life:

1. Make a list of all the things you can think of that prevent you from fully trusting God with your life: past disappointments and hurts, losses, doubts, and so on. After you finish, ask yourself what it would take for you to trust that somehow God can use each of them to fulfill His purpose in who He made you to be? Spend a minute in prayer for each item, and ask for help in releasing it.

Fear of failure. If I could just hand over to the Lord my fear of failure, I believe that I would venture out to do many things. But I always second guess myself, even with the little things. Nothing is ever good enough.

2. What's your greatest fear about trusting God completely with your life? What's the basis for this fear. Journal about how you would face this fear if you only had one month to live.

I have problems relinquishing control. I'm a control freak for lack of better words. I don't think that there is any one specific thing. I know enough to know better. But it's still difficult to let go of the control of my life. I know enough to know that I'm supposed to surrender everything to the Lord - finances, family, career - everything. How would I face this if I had one month to live. I guess with one month to live, I would figure what's the point of trying to control everything, especially since I won't be here in a month. I may have an easier time letting go of my control issues & just enjoying the moment more. I can't seem to do that now because I'm always focusing on the future. Again, worrying about something that I really don't have any full control over - if any at all.

3. When we've failed and are trying to get back on track, it's often helpful to talk it out with a person we trust. Call someone today and make a plan to get together over coffee to share where you are on your faith track.

Well the people that I trust are following this journal/journey. I pray that the leave some much needed advice and share their opinions.

God's Dream For Me...

Boy will my son be happy! I'm all caught up and ready to play the Wii with him...

DAY SEVEN

Dreamsicle
Thawing Out Your Frozen Dreams

"Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake."

~Henry David Thoreau

Make It Count Moment

Currently how connected do you feel to your dreams? Does your day to day life reflect an active pursuit of your dreams? What prevents you from such a pursuit?

I do not feel connected to my dreams at all. Actually I spend my entire work day thinking about the things I'd love to be doing. My day to day routine, currently does not reflect the pursuit of my dreams. But I'm well on my way to work towards them.

How to tell if your dreams are from God:

- His dreams rise to the top, first, because it requires faith. It will be so big in your life that you can't do it on your own.

- His dream will make a difference in the lives of others.

- His dream will come from your heart, from the core of your being.

Make It Last for Life

1. Pull out your "dream box". What's in there? What are your frozen dreams? In other words, what would you attempt for God if you knew you couldn't fail?

Lol... I'd attempt pretty much everything that I have listed on my Life List and then write all about it and give ALL the glory to God.

2. Write out description of one dream you have that you believe is from God. How has it "floated to the top" in your life? How does it require faith on your part for it to be realized? How does it serve others?

I'll have to go into prayer on this one. Pray long and hard and see which dream within my heart floats up to the top. That's the one that I will dedicate my day to day priorities too.

3. Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal one thing you can do today to further your pursuit of His dream for your life?

This is the same as above. As I get my prayer life back on track, I'm sure this will soon follow.

30 Day Catch Up...

Whew... And here I thought this would be easy! For whatever reason, July has turned out to be a really busy month. I guess that tends to happen when you start something new that you're excited about. You get wrapped up in everything and life decides that it has everything for you to do, but what you really would like to do!



One Month to Live - Day Five
(if you're interest, check out the website http://www.onemonthtolive.com/)

"This is your life. Are you who you want to be?"

~Switchfoot

Oxygen Mask

Breathing First

**Get Physical**
"If you knew you only had one month to live, how would you treat your body?"

Make It Count Moment
What's the biggest physical challenge you face? Weight? Body image? Injury or disease? What would it look like for you to take better care of your temple? What one step can you take today toward improving your physical health?

My biggest challenge is following through. I start exercising and eating right & always end up back with the same ol' habits. I'm on sparkpeople.com everyday logging my food & exercise and so far this has held me accountable for my physical health. My goal is to drop 8 pounds by the end of this month!

**How Do You Feel?**
"A huge part of maturing, of growing up, is learning to acknowledge and experience our emotions without being controlled by them."

--"For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control" 2 Timothy 1:7.

Make It Count Moment
How do you usually handle powerful emotions? Do you tend to boil over or slowly simmer? Think of the last time a feeling overwhelmed you--fear, joy, disappointment, excitement, jealousy, or anger. How did you express it? What do you wish you'd done differently?

I'm an introvert to my heart & tend to hold in all emotions. So I would say that I'm a slow simmer. Not really a good thing because I allow things to pile & pile until I can't take it any longer & then I explode on everyone. I can get a very nasty attitude when I'm angry.


Make it Last for Life



1. How would you rate your health in each of these four areas - spiritual, physical, emotional, relational - from one (terrible) to ten (fantastic)? What's the greatest challenge to improving your health in these areas? What can you do to work through this challenge?

spiritual (6); physical (6); emotional (5); relational (5). My greatest challenge right now is balance.

2. Spend time journaling about a specific goal for each of these four areas that you can pursue during the rest of this month. Make sure the goals are practical and measurable.
I did this already - see side bar

3. Connect daily to www.OneMonthToLive.com and spend fifteen to thirty minutes working on your spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational health.

I went on the website & they seem to be gearing up for a big global one month to live challenge. Very interesting with tons of information.

DAY SIX

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure of nothing." ~Helen Keller

Monkey Bars
Risking Greatness

** "Each and every day I have to come to the place where I realize I can't control everything in my life, and I have to let go and surrender to God. He always catches me, and that's when I feel His presence and strength in the stressful moments of life."

Make It Count Moment

What are you clinging to right now that you need to let go of in order to move forward in your life? What keeps you from trusting that God will catch you?

Control. I have an extremely hard time letting go of control of my life. I like to sit in the driver's seat and I end up thinking that my way is best. Of course I know in my heart that God's way is far better than anything that I could possible do, but I still have a hard time just handing over the reigns to Him. Right now the hardest thing for me to let go of is preconceived notions of how I expected things to be.

Make It Count Moment

In which ways are you more likely to take a risk--personal, professional, relational or spiritual? In which areas do you tend to play it safe? Why is it easier to take risks in some areas than others?

I shy away from risk in pretty much everything. I've been trying this year to not live in fear but to live in FAITH! To get out of my head so much - hence the "Don't be Reasonable" title of this blog. In this same book, the authors talked about how David defeated Goliath when everyone else thought that he should be "reasonable", but David went after Goliath with "ridiculous" faith!

Make It Last For Life

1. Make a list of the items, resources, gifts, and opportunities you are presently entrusted with stewarding. Beside each one describe how it came to you ( for instance, you were born with it, someone gave it to you, you worked for it,) and then note how much control you had over how it came to you. Finally, jot down how you think God would like you to invest each item on your list and how you can pursue this investment.

Right now the only gift that I'm concentrating on is (well 2) being a good wife and mother. I would have to think long and hard about how the Lord would like me to invest in each, outside of the norm.

2. When have you been disappointed by God? How did He not come through for you the way you wanted Him to? How did this affect your relationship with Him? How can you exercise trust in Him as your loving Father even when you feel disappointed? Spend some time in prayer today relating your disappointment and asking Him to help you trust Him more fully.

Of course when I didn't get what I asked for when I wanted it. I always felt disappointed, initially, but that never detered me away from the Lord. I always know in my heart and in the forefront of my mind that I can't do ANYTHING without Him.

3. Write down one risk that you believe God is calling you to take presently in your life. Describe your fears about taking this risk. Describe the worst-case scenario if you take this risk and fail. Pray that God will help you face your fears so you can do what He wants.

Tithe... And by tithe, I mean give the full 10% of gross. This has been a constant struggle & one of my control issues. But also something that's been weighing on my heart for me to do. The worse case scenario is that I wouldn't have enough money to cover expenses. But I know I need to step out and have that ridiculous faith that the Lord will provide!!

Some thing to do for fun!!!

A is for age.
32 years young!!

B is for burger of choice.
Duchess Big D cheese!!

C is for what car you drive.
2004 Subaru Outback!

D is for Dog's name.
Zeus the pooch!

E is for essential item you use every day.
Has to be my sweater! I'm always cold!!

F is for favorite TV show at the moment.
"So You Think You Can Dance"... And yes, I think I can!!

G is for Favorite game.
I suppose that would be Monopoly. Although I do enjoy a good spades game.


H is for Hometown.
Bridgeport CT

I is for instruments you play
Played the clarinet from sixth grade up through 12th grade.

J is for favorite juice.
Not much of a juice drinker, but I do enjoy a glass of iced tea!

K is for who you'd like to kiss.
Well I am married, so I suppose that would be my husband.


L is for last restaurant you ate at.
Does McDonald's count??

M is for your favorite Muppet.
Toss up between Rover the dog & Animal... lol...

N is for number of piercings.
4 total, 2 in each ear.

O is for overnight hospital stays.
Outside of giving birth - none...

P is for people you were with today.
Family & Co workers.

Q is for what you do with your quiet time.
Read

R is for biggest regret.
Not going straight no to finish my Master's degree.

S is for status.
Newly married

T is for time you woke up today.
The alarm went off at 5am, I got up at 6:15am

U is for what you consider unique.
The ways in which the Lord makes Himself present in my life.

V is for vegetable you love.
Would have to be corn.

W is for worst habit.
Allowing things to fester in my life - not voicing lots of things.

X is for number of x-rays you've had.
Several

Y is for yummy food you ate today.
Nothing yummy today. I'm on another "eating healthy" kick. Nothing ever seems to be good when you're eating healthy!!

Z is for zodiac sign.
Aquarius.