First Step

Every dream begins with a first step!  Most of the time, I just plunge in, just like diving into a cold pool of water.  Rather than chance getting bored or frightened, just plunge into the project and deal with it!  So it began with the fridge!  Uggggghhhhh what a mess!

Not only was it a mess, but it wasn't user friendly for my husband that reaches in from a wheel chair.  The shelves needed to be rearranged to suit his needs.  For example, the milk needed to be moved from the top shelf (where he had difficulty reaching) to the middle shelf.  

And...I didn't stop here.  Nope!!!!  It felt good and I was on a roll!  Keeping my husband in mind, the pantry needed the same kind of essential change.  As with the fridge, I just pulled everything out and cleaned the shelves, the sides, the doors!  For the wooden pantry, nothing works better than some Murphy's Oil Soap!  I love how it cleans and love the smell!  

I also had to throw out out dated items.  How in the world did we accumulate so many out dated boxes, cans, and bottles.  It felt like I was throwing away money.  This, in turn, made me realize how much I need to pay attention to the contents of the pantry.  I threw out at least one large black trash bag full of pantry items.  Ugggggggghhhhhh

Realizing I need to watch the budget, too, I tried to use containers that I already have to group like items together.   

Weight Watchers items needed baskets.  I love, love, love the blueberry oatmeal, and  smoothies (any flavor), so those breakfast items needed to go together. Generally, I don't have baskets like this on hand, BUT I had this Dollar General Basket.   Snacks and chips also fit well together in a popcorn basket that must have been part of a gift basket given at Christmas.  It came in handy!  

These accomplishments may appear small, but it took most of the day!  I was exhausted!  The reward was the feeling I got each time the fridge or cabinet was opened.  It's just the beginning!!!! :)

New Path To Reach My Goals

In the first post, I published a list of things I want to do...but haven't found a way to do them.   It's a daunting task to simply find time to enjoy some of the little things.  This week, I found a book posted on one of my favorite blogs.  This book, even un-purchased, has opened up my enthusiasm to attempt the unattainable once again.

I looked closely into what the author, Peter Walsh, has to say on the subject.  I am EXCITED!  SUPER EXCITED!  He is talking my language!  This book won't apply to everyone, of course.  People are created uniquely different, each one of us has a distinctly different make-up.  But this guy seems to understand me!  

Listening to an audio sample of his book, (found here), Peter Walsh discusses how many of us work long hours and fall into the trap of fast food and collapsing when we get home.  When we find ourselves in the clutter of the afterglow from work, we aren't comfortable with our surroundings. Finding our comfort zone becomes a quest to settle for less and do so quickly.  Generally, it comes with an ice cream sandwich which is easily pulled from the freezer.  Due to the fact I'm already tired and sitting in a comfortable chair, I will just leave the wrapper, neatly folded, on the table next to the chair, with intentions to throw it away when I get up.  That's me!  Full of good intentions!!!!

Yet, if my surrounding were neatly kept, due to my own organizational skills, I would't want it to stay there and mess up my world.  Furthermore, IF I were organized to the point of having healthy snacks available, I would choose a sliced apple, banana, or yogart!  Oh my gosh...I am really on to something big!  This fits in with the topic of Wednesday nights Weight Watcher tips.  

YIP YIP YIP!  More later...I'm starting my Saturday organizing the kitchen!  

Dreams Have A Way Of Changing

Sometimes, looking back...I've wondered how in the world we made it through some of life's obstacles that were hurled into our path.  Without a doubt, God's grace and love sustained us.  We walked through the valley's and grew stronger.  Consequently, each valley changed our perception of what was beautiful, what was important, and ultimately it re-shaped the desires our of heart.

It didn't make as much of an impact when I saw my sister and her husband traveling similar paths.  How could I have been so naive?  So careless?  So self absorbed that I missed it? My brother-in-law, John, suffered a major stroke.  Their own life perception immediately had to change.  Joyce had to take off work for such a long period of time, she ultimately had to change professions. Yet, she grew into a beautiful person because of the valley.  An interview with John and Joyce can be found here .  

Now, years later, I find myself in a similar situation.  My husband, handicapped with MS, can no longer care for us as he did in the past. He's still my hero, my superman, the man of my dreams.  It's just the dream had to change, my perception and vision had to be adjusted.  It's really all in my perspective.

Meanwhile, my view has cleared so I can now glimpse into the life of one who is handicapped.  The reality is much different on this side of the road!  For example, going out to eat is more than a dining experience.  It's an opportunity for conversation rather than the ringing sounds of silence from the once busy farm house.  It's not a quick run into town for something to eat, but it's a well planned outing that can take every bit of strength he's saved up for a couple of days.  When you see someone in a similar situation, out and about, take the time to talk, seat them around others (not in a back room away from the crowd), and smile.  It's a vacation from the daily routine of silence.  

Dream Big!!!!

There's so much I want to do and so little time to do all of it. 

I love creating new lesson plans to share with my students.

I enjoy peaceful evenings at home. I love dabbling into knitting and crochet (knitting socks is my favorite!). 

Enjoying a glass of diet soda and digging into a new Bible Study is also way cool! 

Sara Jio has become one of my favorite authors!

The BlackList is one of my favorite television series.  I even record them to go back and look for clues.

Downton Abbey is a great way to escape!

Gardening use to be a favorite past time, but a recycled knee and hip make it difficult to melt into pulling weeds.  Hanging plants have taken over!!

Finding new and healthy recipes is wayyyyy fun!  (By the way, I've lost 50 lbs with Weight Watchers!)

I'm also a wife of "the most wonderful man in the world".  He came into my life at a time I needed him the most...although I resisted the thought of a relationship.  He immediately became my best friend and later my mate for life.  Unfortunately, MS entered our life.  My husband is unable to do the things he loves to do.  Often our days are are such a struggle, stress is generally traveling at maximum speed.  

I'm also a mother to four wonderful children.  It's hard to say that...I don't know how to answer the question, "How many children do you have?" I have four living children, two wonderful grandchildren, and a beautiful angel in heaven.

Anyway, I've always enjoyed blogging too.  Mostly, I've followed my favorites on the Blogger App and strolled through what's new on a daily basis.  Yet, on occasion, dabbling into a new blog creation crosses my bucket list. I think I've tried this a few times. :)

This time, ... I just need a place to share my ideas, my dreams, and my reality.  It make resemble a patchwork quilt or a coat of many colors.  Yet, that kind of represents me.  I'm made up of a little of this and that.