Holiday Squeeze

Not that I haven’t been doing anything but this is the busiest time of the year for me. In the past I have tried to make November – December easier on myself but there’s just no way of getting out of it. And no, it’s not a season filled with endless shopping but for me volunteering to help worthy causes for this season is what I do.

When I decided to do a blog I decided I would really like to just help someone and not hoard all of the good information I have researched or someone has shared with me. I see moms out there who need help. I see moms out there and their feelings and what they experience are just supposed to be swept under the rug and quiet lest they be accused of some crazy mother who doesn’t know how to parent.

My Gift Matters

On Sunday I was happy to teach children’s church. The topic was, My Gift Matters. The main scripture for the lesson was 2 Corinthians 8:12 as follows:

Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. New Living Translation Bible

Because I have read the bible over and over again, I will just say it, I can get a little arrogant and not see the message in it. Sometimes I think the children’s church lessons are just that, for the kids. As I have prayed for a more watchful spirit I am learning to see a lesson for myself in everything. I felt the topic of giving would be easy to teach. I read the lesson many times. I kept meditating on 2 Corinthians 8:12 and my own personal situation.

Happy Thanksgiving

I love to reflect on what I am thankful for. I have so much to be grateful for. There was a time in my life where I looked forward to Thanksgiving so I could eat. I used to more-so love eating than spending time with my family. This year, I would like to approach the holiday with more self-control and discipline. I will make wise food choices and besides GERD is no joke for me. I am not trying to feel the pain of over-eating. As I think about this I know I will want to eat a whole sweet potato pie like it’s nobody’s business but my own. Some people will think, “Go ahead and treat yourself for one day.” I am going to stay true to my own convictions. Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. I will not be mastered by anything and I desire to eat to live not live to eat.

I guess I am putting it out there so that the world can hold me accountable.

Today I had the pleasure of making a very small Thanksgiving Lunch. We had Rotisserie chicken, green beans, whole wheat rolls, and mashed potatoes. Later on we plan on having dinner at my mother's house.  That's where the real battle will begin. I believe I am prepared more than ever before. Pray for me!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS!!!!!

Get Paid $20 to Go to the Gym

We received a postcard in the mail from United Healthcare.

“Get $20 a month for going to a gym.

Just visit a participating gym 12 or more times in a month.”

For a penny pincher like me $20 sounds good. My last gym membership cost me $20 per month. If you go just 3 days a week for a month you can get your money back, I think that’s reasonable. Honestly, I don’t think this is a very good incentive to get anyone to go to the gym but I am glad to see that a health care management company is taking some initiative to try to motivate people to go to the gym.

I guess when I saw this postcard I just wondered if this was to motivate people to go to the gym. I thought about what would motivate me to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

Bookcase Makeover

Saturday past, I gave my bookcases a makeover. With no plans for my Saturday I began throwing books off the shelves and onto the floor including junk I was hoarding for years. My husband thought I was creating work for myself but he liked the end result. I invited the kids to help but I guess it involved too much cleaning for them to join in and Lord knows how I have them helping out in the home Monday through Friday.

Mothers Are the Heart of a Home

If I would have released the negativity of my own heart the heart of my home would have been a very sour place.

This week has been extra busy for me. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6 I felt overwhelmed. School was out for Joshua and Alyssa and them being home breaks up the routine. On top of that I had to take three kids with me to vote. I was unsure if I could bring them all since one of the rules said you can only bring two children to the polls per adult. I was expecting someone to remind me of this rule in a rude and nasty way.

Part 1: A Painful Secret, GERD

Last year I was diagnosed with GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). A year and a half prior no one knew I was this unhealthy “skinny” person with high LDL and low HDL cholesterol. My treats of choice included donuts, cheese danishes, coconut custard pie, cupcakes, cakes, butter pecan ice cream, super sweet cereal before bedtime, and any pastry good enough to try. I loved spicy food and had a very high tolerance for spicy foods. I ate so much spicy foods my taste buds seemed to be immune to it. Because I love all food, that is--clean eating and processed junk foods, no one ever knew how much I could really put down. In public I loved healthy foods but at home I enjoyed my pastries too--almost daily. I have never been a big soda or juice drinker. My preferred drink is water, maybe that gave me a little grace. What I am saying is that I was addicted. I would over-eat all of these things and given my emotional state at times it's possible that I can do it again.

One evening, last year, I went to pick up my husband from work and as I drove the car I felt this persistent upper chest pain, it was like a dull ache that wouldn’t go away. I felt so bad I didn't even want to drive. It hurt for me to inhale and exhale. This pain was occurring every day all day long. If I didn’t eat I still had pain. I was taking every over-the-counter antacid drug on the market yet I was still in pain.