family laughter

No pics but day filled with blessings! Yesterday as I was running in 12 directions I decided to stop for a bite(spinach/shrimp salad)... when I slowed down chewing low and behold there sat my sister V! She was taking her lunch break and we got to visit for a change... it was nice. Then I got home and there was sister N from Oklahoma and 2 of her kids... there was picture looking and genuine laughter to be had by all.  It is so glad to get to reconnect. To top this day off at bedtime my youngest son called to see if I was ok "since you didn't call me today?" I think this touched me more than anything else all day to know that that this child from Ohio all grown up decided to check on his mom... Such blessings are precious... Did you count your blessings yesterday? Let's count them together today... ok?? :)

Mom's Birthday

My Mom...She made it to 72!!  She is not sure she is so glad about that but it is better than not being here at all.   She got some nice phone calls and gifts and was properly honored for this milestone.  Does this kind of thing seem to solidify goals for you? It seems to make my goals more tangible. 
She is now beginning to see her grandchildren present us with children and it is her pleasure to hear of each new addition on the way!  It does not make my goals of seeing my grandchildren's grandchildren seem so far fetched...
Seeing other people meet goals often helps me keep pressing on toward my own... When teaching I stressed setting goals and meeting them is such a big part of any progress.  Even tiny goals are progress!!  I have to sometimes be my own cheerleader but it does help to meet even the tiny ones...
Every project every goal is made up of many small steps and sometimes I have to celebrate each tiny step on the way to a BIG goal or project...

1. celebrating each 10lbs instead of looking at the 180 or so to go!!!
2. gaining control of the front yard instead of looking at the whole 6 acres!!
3. sewing one new dress instead of the whole summer wardrobe

What are your goals? What are your first tiny steps to reach them?
Remember to count your blessings along the way!! :)

baking yard!

I  the midst of all the daily life challenges I have noticed that my yard seems to be baking... Leaves drooping on trees and grass crunching underfoot... window shades shut tight and  a/c humming along... cats and dogs laying in shade panting... sprinklers making rainbows as they scatter water over tomatoes and peppers that are standing tall trying their best to produce a bite or two... dirt, wall siding, cars, all hot to the touch... such is life in our corner of East Texas... We are so ready for a trip north to see family in Ohio and sit in lake Erie...hahaha!!
So now to count my blessings...

1. yard to bake
2. trees in yard
3. window shades
4. sprinklers (rainbows)
5. cats n dog
6. tomatoes n peppers
7. dirt of my own
8. walls :)
9. cars
10. and family in OHIO!!

Join me and let's keep counting those wonderful blessings together!!!

inspiration...

Where do we find the inspiration we need to become something more than we are at this time? Often mine is found in my family.  I am beginning to embark on a journey to restore my health.  It will take at least the next year and include several surgeries.  I need to concentrate on the results... not the challenges that I face.  Break it into manageable goals that will result in final goals being met.  It has been such a blessing to finally find a med(savella) that is controlling the fibromylagia pain after 20+years! Blessings abound with the addition of water therapy (started in April) and physical therapy (started in June) and the cortisone shots(first in June) as a stop gap until the surgery on my joints can be done.  Now to be stepping into the process for bariatric surgery(http://www.tylerbariatrics.com/ ) is an adventure with mixed emotions...but I am glad that it is available to me.  I crave the support of my family and dear friends... to be surrounded with prayers and positive thoughts and words of encouragement will be part of the secret of my success... I thank all who will join me.