Sunday Inspiration: Add Your Own

Thankful Thursday: May 28

I Am Thankful For:

Listening to the rain

Being able to rearrange the living room

Grapes

Gray days

Silly little poems

Soft, well-moisturized hair

My daughter

The Man of the House picking up my prescription

The puppy burrowing under his blanket

Sunlight hitting the mountain

An unexpected day tot myself

A little DIY shirt for the puppy

Another beautiful morning

The puppy didn't need an Xray

The grand kid's laughter

Wake up kisses

An evening walk

The puppy passed the button

Benedryl

A new little storage table for the porch

A beautiful sunset

Created For A Purpose

When I start a new crochet project, I don't just grab a yarn and hook and start making something only to figure out what to do with it when the item is completed.  No.  I decide what exactly I'm going to make.  I select the pattern I want to use, or I start working out a design in my head and/or my pattern notebook.  What yarn I use will depend on the purpose.  It is something that will be used often and need to be machine washable?  Does it need to be especially soft for a baby, or sturdier like a cotton for dishcloths?  I create everything with a specific purpose in mind.

I believe that the same thing is true about us.  We aren't just created willy-nilly and then placed on earth to fill up space and time. I believe that God creates each of us with a plan in mind.  We are each designed on purpose - for a purpose.   He gives us strengths, skills, talents and yes - even weaknesses - that will help us to fulfill that purpose.  

As I have been thinking more about intentional living (remember my One Word for 2020 is "Intentional") over the past few months, I've come to the idea that being intentional is about being a good steward of the time and talents which I have been given.  To live out the dreams - the very purpose - that God has placed in my heart. To be who I was created to be and do what I was created to do.

Sunday Inspiration: Time Enough

Thankful Thursday: May 21

I Am Thankful For:

Grosbeaks at the feeder

Going to sleep earlier than usual

Cool "blackberry winter" days

Quiet time to write

Learning something new

Strawberries

The biggest cardinal I may have ever seen

The Grand Kid reading to me

Morning coffee

Beautiful weather

Virtual field trips

Being silly

Watching movies

Getting work done

Spotting cowbirds at the feeder

Freshly painted chairs

Homemade gumbo

The smell of eucalyptus

Why I'm Still In Quarantine

While my home state has not seen the recommended decrease in Covid-19 cases for at least 14 days ( in fact, as I write this - there has been an increase in new cases per day over the last few days), the reopening process has begun.  And while many people are eager to "return to normal" -  having family gatherings, going out to eat, shopping at the mall, getting a haircut, etc - I won't be among them.  In fact, I'm upping my quarantine game. At least for now.

You see, I have asthma.  Which puts me at higher risk from this respiratory illness.  The idea of being in a hospital, potentially on a ventilator, while completely isolated from the comfort of my loved ones is terrifying to me.  So, I want to do everything I can to protect myself.  I am surrounded by a household of essential workers, which means that I am already in harm's way everyday they have to leave and come home again. I don't want to increase the chance of coming into contact with the virus any more than that.

As much as I miss my extended family and want to spend time with them - I'm hitting the pause button on that for a while longer.  Both of my parents are in their 70s. And my father had heart surgery only six months ago.  So, as much as I want to have lunch with my mom or go hang out at my dad's house for a cookout  - maintaining social distancing and isolation may still be the best way to keep them safe.  At least until a few more weeks have passed and we see if there is a second wave coming as people get out and about.  

For a couple of weeks before reopening began I was making a quick trip for groceries once a week while wearing my mask.  That's stopping for now.  You see, as the shutdown is lifted, that means people are getting out more and coming into contact with people they may have been avoiding before.  People are now getting out more and going to more places. This means that everyone out and about in public is now potentially coming into contact with more people that might be carrying the virus.  If I also expose myself to more people, this increases my chances of becoming infected.  It's not a chance I'm willing to take. 

I also won't be going for a hair cut when the salons first open.  Do I need a haircut?  If the dominance of ponytails and messy buns in my life is any indication, the answer is a resounding "Yes!!"  But if it comes to a choice between cute hair and my health - guess which one is going to win?  Vanity should never come before personal safety.   

Let me say clearly that I understand that many, many individuals and families are hurting financially because of the shutdown.  And I know that there are people who are not just eager to get back to work, but actually need their workplace to reopen because they are having to make tough choices about daily expenses. Many are desperate to feed their children or purchase needed medications.  Others are facing the loss of a self-owned business they have put heart, soul, and lots of hard work into building.  My heart breaks over this every day.  

However, I also feel that there has to be some balance in order to save lives.  Every life lost to an infectious disease is preventable.  There is no acceptable number of deaths to this virus. Just because you CAN go out, doesn't mean you SHOULD.  

If you can, stay home or work from home.  If you must go out - keep social distancing.  It won't kill you to wear a mask (but it might help save someone else's life if you have the virus and don't know it), wash your hands and keep them to yourself. 

Stay safe out there.  I'll join you... eventually. 

Sunday Inspiration: Priceless

Thankful Thursday: May 14

I Am Thankful For:

Knowing when to bite my tongue

Banana muffins

Puppy "hugs"

My nephew's birthday

Leftover pulled pork

Walking the puppy in the rain

Sun rise

A project completed

Watermelon

When God's Word speaks deep into my heart

Laughing with the grand kid

The puppy stopped vomiting

Pet wellness plan

Ice cream treats with the grand kid

The falling tree didn't damage anything other than the gutter

The Male Offspring helping me out

Take out dinner

Quiet time

Mother's Day texts

Big set of colored pencils

New oil diffuser

Why Complaining is Bad For Your Health

I do it. You probably do it, too.  Most of us love to complain about life's frustrations, challenges, annoyances and complications .  Research says that in a typical conversation, we complain about something about once every minute.  It's a common thing.  Just a harmless way to let off a little steam.

Wrong!!  

According to science - all that complaining can actually be harmful to our health.  Here's how:

Negative talk is a slippery slope.  You see, the brain can rewire itself.  Whenever we have repeated thoughts, they create neural connections.  The more these thoughts are repeated, the stronger those connections become and other neural connection cells decrease.  As the connections become stronger the brain focuses more on the negativity.  This makes it easier and easier to focus on negative thoughts while pushing out more enjoyable, positive thought processes. This can lead to an increase in stress, anxiety and even worsen depression.  A 2014 study by the University of California found that chronic stress may cause changes in the brain that makes people more susceptible to anxiety and other mood disorders.  Frequent complaining may also shrink the hippocampus, the area of the brain related to memory and problem solving. 


All those negative thought processes have an affect on your physical health also.  

Whenever you complain, your body releases higher levels of Cortisol (aka - the stress hormone).  High cortisol levels can be harmful to the heart, cause an increase in blood pressure, and lead to a higher body weight. One study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 2004 found that pessimistic people had a higher risk of death from heart failure than those who are more optimistic.  

It's not just your own complaining either!  Listening to others moan and groan causes damage also.  That's right - secondhand complaining is bad for your health.  So, if you want to kick the complaining habit and improve your mental and physical health - surround yourself with positive people!

This post is in no way intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and nd never disregard medical advice or delay seeing help because of something you read on this website

Happy Mother's Day!

Thankful Thursday: May 7

I Am Thankful For:

Coloring with the grand kid
The puppy napping on his new bed
Going for a walk
Puppy barks
Less sinus congestion
Kisses in the kitchen
Puppy hiccups
Shipping Etsy orders
Writing blog posts
Delicious fish dinner
The Man of the House coming home early
Cute buttons
Cuddling on the couch
Rocky's fried chicken
Going for a drive
Taking a nap
Playing games with the Female Offspring and family
Sunday morning
Margaritas
Chips and queso

Halfway Through

Since May marks my halfway point between birthdays, I thought I would give y'all an update on the 15 Before 51 list that I shared back in November.

As you can see - it's been sort of a mixed bag so far.  It has been more of a challenge to do some of the things on the list than I anticipated.  Made even more difficult by the Corona Pandemic Era.  Hopefully, circumstances will allow me to check off more items before I reach my next birthday. 

1. Reach my goal weight I've been doing a whole lot of stress eating over the past two months and I'm afraid my weight has tipped in the wrong direction as a result  Boo!!
   
2. Get into an exercise routine.
3. Attend a crochet group
4. Learn how to make Key Lime pie (one of my favorite desserts) from scratch
5.  Read these 5 classic novels
•  The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
• Watership Down
• The Secret Garden 
• The Count of Monte Cristo
• The Picture of Dorian Gray
6. Attend a play
7. Take a class I've done a few online learning webinar's from the local community colleges Small Business Center.  And I was gifted a year to MasterClass, although I haven't actually taken any of those courses yet.
8. Road trip!   We managed a couple of road trips before Coronamaggedon shut everything down in March.  In November, The Man of the House and I drove to Cleveland for a football game.  And in February we made the trip to Memphis for a weekend.
9. Eat meatless meals one day per week It hasn't been every single week, but most weeks I try to plan at least one meatless meal
10. Start a sketchbook Just started last week! 
11. Go on a spontaneous weekend away with the Man of the House
12. Get a family photo with the kids and grand kid
13. Go to a movie by myself
14. Donate blood at least 3 times this year
15. Crochet something for charity

Sunday Inspiration: Change

Currently... May 2020

Y'all.  … I can't figure out whether April went by very quickly or if it was the longest month ever. I take that back.  It has definitely been the longest.  That is possibly because I had no idea what day it was most of the time.  I'd be rolling along, thinking a day was Thursday - when it was actually a Wednesday or a Friday.  In fact, I am pretty sure it has been about 130 days since April 1st

They announced last week that the schools in our state will continue remote learning for the remainder of the year.  Which means lots more tine with the grand kid for the next several months. I'm also finally working on a couple of projects that I have in mind for quite awhile.  Which goes to proved that there's definitely a silver lining to all of this quarantine/shutdown stuff.

Reading:  I'm just finishing City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert and ready to begin Under Occupation by Alan Furst.  My non-fiction book of the moment is Intentional Living by John C Maxwell.  Later this month I plan to read another one of the five classics that I challenged myself to finish this year. 

Working On:  For a long time now I wanted to find or create some prints to hang over the coffee station in my dining room.  I finally found exactly what I want to do and I have the time to do it.  

Loving:   Delivery and curbside pick up options.  Some are better than others, but the ones that are good are making me very happy, and my life easier, right now.  

Celebrating:  May brings Mother's Day. We usually have our mothers and the Female Offspring over for dinner on the day before to celebrate them.  I guess that will look a little different this year.  We also have my nephew's birthday on Cinco de Mayo and  the Male Offspring's birthday at the end of the month.  I can't believe my "baby" is going to be 22 this year!

Wanting/Needing:  Like most of us, I need a haircut. I actually needed a trim about two months ago, but decided to put it off a little longer.  Now, my layers are shaggy and out of shape and my hair is too long to do much of anything with it.  I did break out the scissors that came with the hair clippers we have to give my bangs a trim and I'm feeling pretty good about how that turned out. But I'm not feeling confident enough to attempt cutting the rest of it by myself.  

Dreaming About:  As I mentioned in my post earlier this week, I am doing a lot of day dreaming about all the things I want to do once this virus is only a memory. 

May Goals:

• Read The Count of Monte Cristo
• Frame new coffee prints and hang over coffee station
• Hang prints in laundry room
• Select 3 Christmas designs to start creating for shop
• Write at least 3 future blog posts for shop
• Write and schedule at least 3 blog posts for June