Just saying Good Morning

Monday, March 21, 2011

“In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.” (St. John of the Cross)

How consoling to know that we will be judged not so much for our sins and failings, as for the love we have shown towards others, the unselfish service we have given, the reaching out to support and encourage, the giving of ourselves in whatever way we can.

Well, here I am again, trying to be faithful to my commitment to blog.

I t was a nice weekend. On Saturday, the youngest child of my second godchild was baptized. Due to the shortage of priests here in Honduras, at times services are led by a deacon. The Celebration of the Word and the Baptism was led by a recently ordained deacon, and the service was very meaningful and personal. Afterward the whole extended family - about 50 people, including children, shared a wonderful supper. (I admit - I ate too much!!)

I'm not happy with the scale today - (why do I blame the scale and not my own lack of discipline!! LOL). I ate some things I shouldn't have last night, too!

So this week I resolve to really stick to my plan!! I really want to lose at least 6 pounds before my trip. I started off with 30 " on the treadmill this morning and some strength training.

I have a really special trip coming up - a dream I've had for years. We will be making a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and then on to Rome for the beatification of Juan Pablo II. My only traveling to date has been to the States to visit my family, and a trip to Panama for a conference and Costa Rica for a retreat. So this is really something special! We plan to leave on April 21.

I'm very happy I joined the SP Community Team - I've enjoyed hearing from so many people, and I find being a member motivates me to reach out more to others. I've met some great people!

Well, time to huddle and check out a few message boards, and then I need to start work!!! I have to prepare a PPT for this week's Rosary with the students (we pray the Rosary every day after school with a different group of volunteer students) and also get out some Thank You letters.

Love and blessings on you, if you have read this!!

Continue to walk with God!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NATNOEL 3/21/2011 9:48PM

I want to go to Medjugorje some day. How wonderful for you, you must be so excited. Report Inappropriate Comment

NELLIEC 3/21/2011 4:06PM

The Community Team idea is great. I have enjoyed it myself. Report Inappropriate Comment

SMIDGON 3/21/2011 2:06PM

I always wanted to visit Isreal. I had a chance and didn't go. Now I have a chance to go to West Africia next year. But, with health issues, I wonder if I should. Report Inappropriate Comment

HEALTHYMEEMS 3/21/2011 1:42PM

The baptism sounds wonderful. And your trip/pilgrimage is a dream. I know you will do whatever you can to get yourself healthy for it! Have a blessed day. Report Inappropriate Comment

WINFIELD28 3/21/2011 1:37PM

Beautiful verse by St. John of the Cross. Nice work on the treadmill this morning, good for you! What a dream trip you have coming up - a pilgrimage to Medjugorje & then to Rome. Will enjoy hearing all about it when you get back. I heard one of the visionaries speak back in the early 1990's and it was so interesting. He came to a church in our diocese here in MN. Have a wonderful day! Thanks for the blessing. You be blessed also, Marge! Report Inappropriate Comment

Making a new commitment...

Sunday, March 20, 2011

"God of Mercy, let today be a day rich in good works, a day of generosity to all we meet."


Well, here I am! I've made a commitment to blog at least once a week, and oftener if I can. Not an easy thing for me.... mainly because of time, but as I have on my Status today: All things are possible.... so here goes.

I'm happy about me and my life.... I feel I am very blessed. I have a family that loves me (actually two - my blood family in the States, and my adopted family here in Honduras), many good friends, a job I love, and of course, first and foremost, my God who is always with me!

I am healthy, and getting stronger and healthier every day. I credit Spark People with a lot of that. I feel that SP has not only motivated me, but helps me to discipline myself and be accountable. Of course, I slip sometimes, slack off, and backtrack, but being committed to SP helps me to quickly get back to my healthy routines.

I just joined the SP community Team, and am looking forward to reaching out to others to encourage them on their journeys.

So that's where I am now. As I continue to blog, I'll try to share a little of what I do in my work, as well as my progress on my way to better health and a happier and stronger body.

This morning I did 35 minutes of calisthenics and about 40 minutes of strength exercises.

Since continuing to grow spiritually and to share the love of our marvelous God with others is my top priority, I will try to include in my blogs a line from Scripture or other inspirational thought that spoke to me in my morning prayer time.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

COMFYGLAMDIVA 3/21/2011 1:05AM

Great blog. Good luck with your journey. You can do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

JUNEBUG1944 3/20/2011 7:39PM

You are a wonderful person and so blessed. Thank you for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

SMIDGON 3/20/2011 5:55PM

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Report Inappropriate Comment

LILLYPILLY24 3/20/2011 5:05PM

Oh, this is a beautiful blog. Thanks for sharing - I read such contentment in your blog. You are a blessing! Report Inappropriate Comment

WINFIELD28 3/20/2011 3:00PM

Beautiful Blog post Marge. I look forward to reading more additions. "God of Mercy..." ~ Such good "food" for spiritual nourishment. Thank you! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANETELIZABETH1 3/20/2011 2:56PM

Marge, many congrats for given of your time to be part the Community Team! I know you are going to be a wonderful blessing to so many members, as you are to me. Wishing you all success as you continue on this journey to better health. Report Inappropriate Comment

With all my heart and soul...

Sunday, March 13, 2011

"And if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul, you shall find Him" (Dt. 4:29)

As we start Lent, an ideal time to deepen our relationship with the Lord, this scripture speaks powerfully to me.

We can't just want to know the Lord, we can't even half-heartedly seek Him, praying if we have time, going to church if the weather's good, or if nothing else interferes, continuing with our selfish or hurtful behavior... we have to seek Him with all our heart and all our soul. That means sacrificing other things. Making time for Him means less time on the computer, less time for games, less time for TV, less time for so many things that fill our lives. But the reward is more than worth it.... and amazingly, we do find we still have time for the important things in our lives, and even for the "just fun" things.

And best of all, as our relationship with the Lord deepens, we find our relationships with our family, friends, coworkers and others with whom we share our lives improve also - probably because as we grow with the Lord, we become more patient, more loving, more willing to put ourselves out for others.

And I find myself applying this quote to my journey with SP as well. If I really commit myself - heart and soul - to seeking to having a healthier, more flexible, slimmer body - in other words, a healthier and happier me, I will find it! Sure, I have to sacrifice. I have to get up a little earlier to have time to exercise and pray. I have to give up those unhealthy foods and snacks and learn to like healthier choices. I have to spend a little less time with my Big Fish computer games, so that I have more time to spend on SP, reading, learning, sharing and supporting others.

But again, it's all worth it as I notice that I feel so much better, am stronger and more flexible, my blood tests are good, and people compliment me on how good I look.

So as Lent progresses, I plan to keep on seeking the Lord and seeking a healthy me!!

Thanks, all my SP friends, for walking with me on this journey!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WINFIELD28 3/13/2011 8:31PM

This was beautiful to read, Marge! You inspire me, too. Thank You for sharing this with me today! Report Inappropriate Comment

TACOTA 3/13/2011 5:43PM

Thank you for sharing. This was an inspiring piece! Report Inappropriate Comment

I reached a new milestone!

Sunday, November 07, 2010

I am very happy today! I reached a new milestone. For the first time in 13 years, I weigh under 170 pounds!

When I got on the scale this morning and saw 168.8, I wanted to jump for joy! I didn't exactly do that (my legs and knees don't agree with jumping!), but I was energized to do my 60 minutes of exercise!

This is my second milestone reached - in August when I went to buy new pants, I discovered that I was down to a size 16, instead of 18. I've now given away all my size 18 pants, as a sign to myself that after years of yo-yo dieting, this time it's a real life-style change, and I will not backslide.

It's really hard for me to control night-time snacking, (which is how I got so overweight to begin with), but now, motivated by reaching these milestones, it's getting easier to make the necessary changes - getting to bed earlier, and not giving in to those night-time cravings!!

I'm so glad I found Spark-People, with all it's wonderful members, to help me on my journey to a stronger and healthier me!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FUTUREHOPE49 11/9/2010 2:35AM

Congratulations on your weight loss! You are really doing well! Keep up the good work and you will soon be able to jump.! Ellen Report Inappropriate Comment

NELLIEC 11/7/2010 11:06PM

About the jumping -- when I was heavier, I couldn't jump worth anything. Now that I am hovering around 140, I can jump a little bit! Except to be safe, I have something nearby to grab onto. Slowly I am getting better. Maybe next year, you might be able to do teeny jumps! Report Inappropriate Comment

VICIOUS421 11/7/2010 5:21PM

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RONSIMPSONJR 11/7/2010 4:55PM

Great job .. keep those milestone tucked in your belt .. they make great stepping stone to overcome the next hurdle ! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRESSAGRACE 11/7/2010 4:35PM

Great job! Keep up the good work! My late night snacking trick--a glass of water and I log on to Spark---after the water and reading a few blogs, or spark pages...I don't feel like a snack anymore! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZZYYGGY 11/7/2010 4:25PM

Great job. Report Inappropriate Comment

ANNE1123 11/7/2010 4:24PM

Congrats on your continued success!! I'm sure you'll snack less and less as your body changes, and if not, carrot sticks sure beat potato chips!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Help for leg cramps

Thursday, November 04, 2010

I just read on a message board about a fellow Sparker who is having problems with leg cramps at night, and that has motivated me to share this suggestion. Many of you may have tried this already, but others may not have heard of it.

Place a bar of soap under the bottom sheet of your bed, near the foot of the bed, about where your legs or feet are. I know this sounds almost ridiculous, but it really works! I first read about it in a column in the newspaper about 6 or 7 years ago. It was a letter to Dr. Phil, if I remember correctly. He answered that there was no known medical reason why this should work, but that there were thousands of testimonies from people who had been helped by this simple remedy.

I had been suffering with night leg cramps for years, but I just laughed when I read it, and didn't believe it. Nevertheless, that night I was awakened by terrible leg cramps, I remembered the article, so I made my way to the bathroom, found a new bar of soap, put in under the bottom sheet, and lo and behold, no more cramps that night..... or the next... or the next!!

The next day, I began to search the net for information. As Dr. Phil had said, there was no medical explanation, but I did find many, many testimonies. People say that any soap will work, except Dove and Dial. Again, no one knows why, but that's what experience has shown.

Needless to say, I have continued to keep a bar of soap under the sheet ever since. (Any size bar works. ) And I can honestly say that leg cramps, which I used to have almost nightly, have disappeared in about 98%. I maybe get cramps (usually mild) about once every three or four months. And usually all I have to do is move my leg closer to the bar of soap, and the cramps almost always stop immediately. It is rare that I need to stand up or massage the leg.

I have shared this with family members and friends, and all of them have found relief. So it's worth a try, at least. I can't guarantee that it will work for everyone, but I'm sure that many will be helped!

If even one person finds relief, I figure it's more than worth the time it took me to write this blog!

So here's to better sleep at night!!

P.S. You have to take the soap out of the wrapper. Also, I forgot to mention that you need to change the bar of soap about every three months. The old bar is still good for bathing!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DIANE1253 1/28/2011 5:46PM

I have been using soap for about 6 months and I swear by it. My husband thinks I am nuts. I have a 2nd bar of soap up by my tummy as I get tummy cramps and YES that does work too. I use Ivory Report Inappropriate Comment

FUTUREHOPE49 11/9/2010 2:30AM

Thank you for the tip. My husband gets leg cramps at night sometimes, so I will get him to try it. Ellen Report Inappropriate Comment

1BEACHWALKER 11/9/2010 1:26AM

That is really weird...worth a try though. Thanks for the information. Report Inappropriate Comment

CMORSE03 11/5/2010 6:35AM

Thanks Marge for the suggestion. I will defenitely try it. I also have a vitamin D deficiency so I will also try the vitamine D and calcium as NellieC suggested. Report Inappropriate Comment

LILAC_LOVER 11/5/2010 12:55AM

I will try this next time I get a leg cramp which is usually once a week especially around TOM. I will however have to pick up a different brand of soap other than Dove I wonder what ingredient it doesn't have that other brands have one question...do you leave the bar in it's wrapper or unwrap it?? Thanks for the tip!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DARLENEK04 11/4/2010 10:09PM

Whoa Marge, You may have saved my life....when I get these cramps they are not just in my calves, but go up the inside of my thigh and I have scared David yelling from the pain and they go on and on. Do you take the soap out of the package??? I had cramps in my toes and feet when I was young, like 19/20. My toes would draw back under my feet. Thanks, Darlene Report Inappropriate Comment

JANETELIZABETH1 11/4/2010 5:47PM

Thanks Marge for that tip...I do suffer sometimes, and have always thought it was a salt deficiency? Report Inappropriate Comment

JANETELIZABETH1 11/4/2010 5:47PM

Thanks Marge for that tip...I do suffer sometimes, and have always thought it was a salt deficiency? Report Inappropriate Comment

NELLIEC 11/4/2010 5:42PM

I have heard about this but never tried it. However, my doc gave me a great suggestion. She already had prescribed a calcium and vitamin D supplement for me, so she told me to put the evening tablet into hot water, let it dissolve and drink it down to get the Ca into my blood faster. It works! Report Inappropriate Comment

GLL3335 11/4/2010 2:27PM

that's crazy! I had never heard any of this before. Wish I would have known that last night :) Hope Irish Spring works! Thanks for putting this on your blog. Report Inappropriate Comment

SISTAGIRL86 11/4/2010 2:20PM

I've heard about this too. I didn't know that Dove and Dial were the exceptions, GOOD TO KNOW! Report Inappropriate Comment