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1BEARWIFE's Recent Blog Entries
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Monday, December 28, 2009
I have not been doing my Spark program well at all these past couple weeks.
I had all kinds of excuses, but they all fell rather flat when I thought them. None were valid.
Not walking was excused by saying "It's too cold". That is baloney, because I have warm jackets, gloves and furry earmuffs. The truth? I didn't FEEL like it.
Not eating correctly was excused by "It's the holiday season." The truth? I wanted to eat all the yummies of the Season with impunity. And I did, knowing all the while what I was doing, but just didn't FEEL like stopping.
Not tracking my food. "I'll do it later" or "I've already spent too much time on the computer." Truth time: I don't WANT to know or SHOW my Spark buddies how much I am pigging out.
No Strength Training. Again, I didn't FEEL like it. Truth? I didn't FEEL like taking the time.
The past few days I have begun FEELING little jiggles that used to be there, but had been Sparked off. My butt began to look like it was ready to grow again. I can feel jiggles coming in. My stomach doesn't look as trim as it had. I can see little jiggles there. My arms seem like they have more to flap about.
If I don't get out of bed, pee and then immediately into my walking shoes, I put it off and don't get around to it at all, other than walk over to my neighbor's for coffee and to the mailbox.
The past two weeks I have even had DH walking to get the mail.
Winsten has been wondering when he and I are going to hit the road. I ignored his messages that it is time. It is really pretty ridiculous when you start ignoring your DOG so you don't have to walk!
Today I turned away from all that nonsense. I got up, peed and put on the walking shoes. Grabbed the pedometer and timer, and out the door we go.
Yes, it is briskly cold out, but it felt good. We charged to the road, noticing that there are icey patches on it, and noting to stay on the side where the gravel is a little crunchy. Don't want to fall, you know!
We are cruising right along, and I notice that my breathing is more labored than it was when I was walking daily.
I keep pumping my arms to maximize my cardio workout, and notice the arms don't swing QUITE as freely as they did before. harumph!
Mile Two: Brain begins to kick in that "perhaps two miles is enough to begin again" when Smarmy Bitch kicks in for her comment. "Two miles?? TWO miles??? What are you THINKING? We will do no less that THREE miles, Chicky Babe!"
I haven't heard much from her lately, but today I actually smiled when she challenged the distance. Yes, we would do three miles.
Mile Three: My butt is really jiggling along. Now I can really feel it. I feel the muscles trying to push the fat away. My legs are straining a little more than usual, too.
But again, I feel the muscles trying to force the jiggles off my body.
Then I reflect on when I first started walking in September, 2009.
It was a true strain to get in one mile in about 35 minutes. EVERYTHING hurt and BOUNCED, not jiggle.
But I had committed to accepting a mile a day challenge for September with my Spark buddies. I doubted I could do it, but I was sure going to give it a try.
To my utter amazement, I learned to look forward to those walks. Then, even MORE astonishing, I INCREASED the distance, while cutting down the time!
Walking was becoming a wonderful thing for me.
And today, I learned that it still IS a wonderful thing for me! From experience, I know the jiggles won't take long to go away. But more importantly, I now know how easily they slip back.
Thanks Sparkies! You are changing my life..............for the better!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Believe in the goodness of life. Believe in the power of time to heal and to renew. Believe in the power of forgiveness and gratitude. Believe in the gift of rainbows and butterflies. Believe in the laughter of children.
I found this when I was reading my emails. Isn't it wonderful?
Sometimes life gets going at such a rapid speed that I forget to believe. I get so focused on my little ant-sized world and don't remember to lift my head and look at all the wonders that surround me.
I hold a one person Pity Pot Party. It goes like this:
I have all these things to do, and no help
My knees hurt
My back hurts
DH is driving me nuts
It's raining
I don't like the music on the radio
My desk is getting cluttered, and I don't want to clean it.
AH! THAT's what is going on! I am ignoring the fact that I am ignoring something I am procrastinating about getting done.
Procrastination is an evil force, and it lives inside me.
It says "eat, and you will be comforted."
"Stay too long on the internet until it is time to make lunch."
"Avoid anything that requires substantive thought".
"We don't FEEL like it".
On and on it goes, until it is the end of the day, and nothing but making the bed, getting dressed and eating has been accomplished. Facts of some of my days!
Today is a brand new package. It has never been here before, and will never come again. I must remember to open the package entirely, and not let it sit beside my on the floor while I burn daylight at this computer.
That being said, I am signing off now so I can see what is in the box.
I believe I will see some wonders I have ignored for a while, and surely, there will be new ones added!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Today I am sad. John, one of my "Ally Kids", passed away Dec. 17 at the age of 16. The photo above is the one I made for him, and it's name is "Let Your Light Shine". I received mail from John, and surely, His light was shining through this young lad.
It is very interesting that on December 17, I started another Ally Cat Quilts by Krackers. I was a bit "low" emotionally, so I pulled John's photo off the wall and sat it next to my sewing machine for inspiration.
John and I quilted together for many hours that day, and I could feel God's presence with us as we prayed to the recipient of this quilt.
I know John is with the Lord God now, and was while we were quilting. I just wasn't "awake" enough to realize it at the time. John and the Lord came to inspire me to keep on with my Mission.
Yes, we do lose some of our Ally Kids, but we also are given the gift of seeing some of these kids be restored to health and happiness.
I love the photos of my kids, and we talk every day while I quilt. Some are in Heaven, and some are still Earth bound. They bring me inspiration, peace and comfort, along with a re-newed sense of urgency to make the quilts for them.
So my Christmas gift this year has been delivered in two ways.
One is the news about John, that he has gone to the Heavenly Choir to sing with the Angels, as John loved classical music.
The other is from Colton. Colton is doing very well, and is preparing himself for a bone marrow transplant. I received this photo of him this week.
And so it goes in my life today. Thanks so much for being there and listening to me! It is wonderful to have friends like you who truly care, and are such strong supporters.
Today I can be found in the quilt room. I have two teenage girls to quilt for, ages 14 and 16. I think I will do some crazy quilting for at least one of them, using lots of LIME and ORANGE. The kids love those colors, and they are a real "pick me up" to work with!
Love and appreciation to all of you out there, and remember: If you find any kids between 8-18 who are battling cancer, PLEASE let me know so I can get a quilt made for them.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Letter from Jesus about Christmas --
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :
I LOVE YOU,
JESUS
 
Friday, December 11, 2009
Here's a little insight to my old Pre-Spark way of facing "this food thing" as I call it. My reasoning is "I will eat this now so I don't have to cook it at home and eat too much of it".
Seriously, that is how I look at a buffet table. My mind actually delivers this and other memos to me before I even finish dressing for a party.
"Eat it THERE rather than cook it at home, because then I will stuff myself with it."
"There has been so much work put in to making this food, and I would be rude if I didn't eat it".
"I am only going here ONCE, so it doesn't really matter how much I eat."
"Once in a while, pigging out is okay."
"I'll just take a little of everything so I don't over do it."
All sound familiar? If you read my blog from yesterday, you will see that this kind of thinking still lives within me.
So here goes. See how many you identify with, and no cheatsies!
Holiday Eating Tips
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed
potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
Thank Goodness we have SparkPeople! We get so much support and encouragement that, who knows? Maybe SOME day, all this kind of thinking will leave us........permanently!
In the meantime, I will stay with Spark! Ho Ho Ho.
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