Another end of the month...

How did this happen? Another month has slipped away. I'm trying to stay on top of things and am mostly successful. Head is mostly empty but of re-writes, so I suppose I'll go back to tackling them.

It's Friday! Enjoy the day!

Yeah, this is pretty much how I'm feeling today. Actually, it's more like one of those months. Saw this posted on FB, and it's from icanhas.cheezburger.com.

Week Seventy-Five of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 33 and working at slowing it down.

The 23rd: Not doing well.

The 24th: 2-1/2 mile walk.

The 25th: Horrible, awful, very bad day. Terrible migraine.

The 26th: SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep.

The 27th: Short walk.

The 28th: SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep.

The 29th: Measurements haven't changed, but considering last week was Thanksgiving I'm simply grateful I didn't seem to gain weight. It's still odd not stepping on the scale. Weirder yet are the moments I catch myself staring at the scale and wanting to step on it. A ball and chain come to mind.

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

Coconut update...

I enjoy using coconut oil in the place of other oils in cooking. Using it to make grilled cheese sandwiches in place of butter makes the sandwich a little "lighter." I've used it in recipes like mac and cheese (instead of the butter) and cake (instead of the vegetable oil) and prefer the coconut oil. I also used it in place of olive oil on my baked potato fries.

Coconut milk is yummy when mixed with milk. I tried it alone, and... ick. Half milk/half coconut milk is perfect. I do not like coconut milk on cake. Cow's milk is still better on cake.

Doing the Impossible...

Joel Runyon shared an interesting post on his blog:

http://joelrunyon.com/two3/how-to-find-out-who-you-really-are

Joel advises cold showers. Thanks, I did that. When I lived in Thailand, my first apartment had no running hot water. No shower either. Dip baths with cold water. Burrrr... Don't miss it.

Right now, I feel like I'm trying to figure out who I am. The past month hasn't been easy. My health has been a struggle. I've had a horrible time concentrating. I'm feeling a little bit better now. I could really use a vacation. I'm playing a lot of catch up. I need to recommit to my writing. It's the one thing I feel completely "right" when I'm doing it.

Carpe Diem... ouch...

I woke yesterday with one of my worst migraines ever. One of my eyes is constantly self-watering. It makes it difficult to read, write, pretty much do anything but sleep.

Today, I need to do laundry, work on some forms for my publishing company, and work on the rewrites I didn't accomplish this weekend. Sigh.

Last night, I watched a couple Golden Christmas movies. Part of the filming was done on Belmont Beach, the beach I love to visit. Even better, the movies have Golden Retrievers as important characters in the story. Yes, watching television didn't bother my eye much.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday...#130...

~ MercyMe's The Hurt and The Healer Official video and one with lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xzaivDbu9c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxqfDs-64I0

~ My niece's lovely wedding touched my heart. Blessing to her and her new family.

~ Good books.

~ Good friends.

~ Thanks God, for never giving up on me, even though I often give up on myself.

My Heroes... Stephen Hopkins...

Stephen Hopkins was a self-educated man. He served in public offices most of his life. He past away in 1785, at age 78, which means he signed the Declaration of Independence at the age of 69. In modern times, he would have been considered past retirement age. I have wondered about his shaky signature on the important document and discovered he suffered from they called "shaking palsy." It did not keep him from serving his country. He hired someone to write for him. His difficulty didn't define him; it was simply a part of him, and he found a way around it.

I loved the movie 1776. It gave me my first impression of Stephen Hopkins. Having read a bit about him, I feel the movie made him more of a caricature, a bit of comic relief rather than true to the man. I would never have guessed he had trouble with palsy. So many of the Founding Fathers overcame so much in order to help birth a free nation.

The Cookie Jar survivors...

Abuse running in families is considered common knowledge. There are always exceptions to the rule. Perhaps to put it more diplomatically: It is not uncommon for abuse to be passed down from one generation to the next. Such an argument is frequently employed in court cases. I remember a PSA (Public Service Announcement) showing a little boy who is aged from small child to adulthood. The sound in the background is his father scream and threatening at his mother. The frames show the boy first horrified, then cringing, then embarrassed, mocking, and then screaming and threatening his own wife. The cycle continues until someone decides to break the chain of abuse. A chain breaker.

A chain breaker understands they need help out of the cookie jar and actively seek it.

Years ago, my sister and I discovered a card at DaySpring. Unfortunately, it was an ecard and, as far as I know, no longer exists, except in our memories. We refer to it often, to this day.

Frame One: A lovely, sunny kitchen, with a cookie jar on the counter.

Frame Two: Two gingerbread girls are in the cookie jar gazing up at the opening they can't reach on their own.

Frame Three: One gingerbread girl pushes the other gingerbread girl out of the jar.

Frame Four: The gingerbread girl who is out of the jar reaches down and pulls out the other gingerbread girl.

Frame Five: The two gingerbread girls toddle off into the sunset with big smiles on their faces.

Since I first saw the card, there are times when I believe I haven't escaped the jar, yet. I've slid back in. I worry I may not escape in this life, but I keep trying. The old habits still pop up too easily, but I am doing better.

This isn't true. I have escaped. I've stopped lying. I refuse to carry on the tradition.

The truth will set you free.

I'm free.

I'm not very good at it. There's so much I have to learn now, so many things healthy people learn as they grow up.

The freedom came with a price. I know how crippled I am from living most of my life stuffed in the jar, in the darkness, suffocated by lies.

Darkness does not snuff out light. Ever. Light always banishes darkness. As feeble as the flickering candle appears, it is still better than the total darkness beyond it.

God blesses me with other survivors who aid me in my efforts to nourish and encourage my flame. I also do my best to help as many as possible, no matter how many times someone falls.

Thank you to all the amazing people who share the struggle, without recriminations. I would not be where I am, holding my stub of a lit candle aloft, able to peek over the edge of the jar and offer my hand to others stuck in the jar, without your encouragement, understanding, patience, and love. I thank God every day for you.

Week Seventy-Four of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 33 and working at slowing it down.

The 16th:  SEAL puppy rep.

The 17th: Three-mile walk.

The 18th: Allergies are a bear.

The 19th: SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk.

The 20th: I think I'm losing weight. I'm not stepping on the scale. It's a challenge, but I like it.

The 21st: SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk

The 22nd: Happy Thanksgiving!

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

And we have another one on the shelf...

Available at Desert Breeze Publishing: Luck in Love

TBR...Diane Gaston's latest...

Born to Scandal is Diane Gaston's latest Regency romance novel. Loved it! My one complaint: I wanted more! I know Diane well enough as a writer to know how much research she puts in. As I read her stories, I'm there.

Eve Paludan's short, steamy, faith-filled story Tara Takes Christmas captivated me. I also read Taking Back Tara. I like her short stories.

Hard to believe my next book is coming out, tomorrow. (Cover art by Carol Fiorillo)

Carpe diem... Homestead...

NASCAR ~ Congratulations to Jeff Gordon on his first Homestead win. Congratulations to Brad Keselowski on his first Championship. Carl came in 12th.

Today, what needs to be done?

Writing, writing, writing, writing, writing... yeah, that.

Not feeling particularly well. The weather is bouncing between too warm and nippy. My body doesn't handle it well. My tinnitus is driving me crazy. I try not to think about it.

I feel like I'm fighting my chronic fatigue again, sleeping for 10 hours and waking up tired. No matter what I do, I'm tired, tired, tired... It's better than what I was dealing with almost 20 years ago, when I slept 12-14 hours a night. That was horrendous. So, I've made some improvement. *pfft*

Fun note for me: My football teams, overall, did well this past weekend.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #129...

~ A new book out by Diane Gaston, one of my favorite Regency romance writers.

~ Cooler weather.

~ Warm fuzzy blankets.

~ New yummy chocolate cake recipe.

~ God's everlasting patience.

My Heroes... Nick Vujicic... again...

I pulled up my favorite search engine and entered "Butterfly Circus short film." It's 22 minutes long. I cried through much of it.

I proceed to watch several of his videos on youtube.

He created the website lifewithoutlimbs.org.

His tag line: "No arms. No legs. No worries."

He was on The Blaze tv, yesterday, and he always brings hope into my life.

God bless him.

I needed a smile...

Thank you Funny Cats Widget

Week Seventy-Three of REAL...

Reminders: REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:
http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 33 and working at slowing it down.

The 9th: SEAL puppy rep.

The 10th: Two-mile walk with my sister. The Osprey is back. It flew straight at us, only a foot or two away as it soared over our heads. Awesome.

The 11th: Despite feeling physically out of it, I was able to enjoy a lovely day with writing friends and a couple Vietnam Vets, learning about firearms.

The 12th: Didn't try to do anything today. Let my body rest.

The 13th: I'm trying to keep my head above water right now. There are days like that... and weeks... and months...

The 14th: SEAL puppy rep. Two-mile walk. SEAL puppy rep. First thing this morning, on my walk, I was a falling star. God wink. Thanks, God.

The 15th: I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying not stepping on the scale.

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me: