Friday, May 17, 2013
Taking A Break Because Of A Break
I'm going to be taking a break from all my favorite activities because on Mother's Day I fell down the basement steps at my daughter's house and broke my left arm in two places and sprained my left ankle. Because the break is near the end of the bone that goes into the shoulder socket, they can't put a cast on. I will be in a sling 4-6 weeks and then therapy. You don't realize how much you use both arms until you can't use one of them. All I can say is I am trusting God for healing, counting my blessings it wasn't worse, and thanking God for the wonderful husband that is taking really good care of me.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Eating for Health
Hubby and I have been trying to eat healthier since I started Weight Watchers again. To date we've both lost 15 lbs since the beginning of January. I bought Weight Watchers new cookbook, "Simply Solo." Most of the recipes are one serving except for a few, where you are making deliberate left overs. I really like the book because it is so much easier to double the recipe for two instead of trying to cut down a recipe for 6-8 people. Tonight I made Chicken and Bow Ties with Arugula. It's a keeper recipe.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Quilting 101
I have been a "quilter" for about seven years now. In that amount of time, I've done lots and lots of blocks, started quilt projects, stopped quilt projects and managed to finish one quilt. The quilt I finished had wavy borders and after sending it out to be quilted, I was very unhappy with the results. My daughter loved the quilt so I gave it to her, but the thought of finishing another quilt kind of left me horrified. When I moved up here to Colorado, my daughter Kim, got me to go to her quilt shop and piqued my interest in quilting again. Kim is absolutely fearless when it comes to quilting and she's helping me see that I can create something beautiful without (pardon the pun) coming apart at the seams. I had never taken a class on basic quilting skills before so I decided to bite the bullet and take Quilting 101. It has really restored my confidence. I may not use everything that the teachers have taught us but the things I will use are invaluable to me. I just finished my quilt top and our next step is to layer it and use the stitch in the ditch technique to quilt it ourselves. The binding on my quilt will be the same fabric as the sashing. Here's some pictures:
The top half of the quilt.
The bottom half of the quilt.
The whole quilt top minus the binding. No wavy borders! This quilt makes me very happy. I love looking at it and it reminds me of jumping in piles of autumn leaves on a cold fall day. It will be perfect to snuggle under in my recliner. I've learned so much from this class that I may even take Quilting 201. Stay tuned.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
BELIEVING GOD CAN DO WHAT HE SAYS HE CAN DO
I've been doing Beth Moore's Bible study, "Believing God" for the past six weeks and one of the things we've studied has been, "Does God still do miracles in this day and age." I believe God performed a miracle for me last night.
Ten days ago, I lost the diamond out of my engagement ring. I was very upset because I had been everywhere that day and when I noticed it missing I had just gotten out of the hot tub at the senior center and gotten into the pool. I had a good cry and prayed for God's help to find it, but I didn't hold out much hope that it would be found. As the days wore on, I started to take the attitude that it was okay, it was just stuff and even though my husband took me to a jewelry store to check on replacing it, I just didn't want to do it. I missed a couple of my water aerobic classes for one reason or another, but I went last night. While I was in the pool, our instructor, Karen, pointed out a lady that was swimming laps in the lane behind our class. She told us that Andrea had been the water aerobics instructor and had actually been Karen's instructor. Karen hadn't seen her in years because Andrea gave up the job to become a flight attendant and had busy traveling all over the world. As I was exercising, I kept seeing Andrea pass me out of the corner of my eye. She had her snorkeling gear on and was having a good time. I saw her suddenly stop and then she called the life guard over and he handed her a net. "Could it be that she found my diamond," I thought. Before I realized what I was doing, I had left the class and was by her side. I asked her if she had found a diamond and she said, "Well it's either a diamond or a piece of glass." She kept diving for it, but every time she tried to pick it up it moved. Finally, she was able to grab it and when she put it in my hand, there it was, my heart shaped diamond. I was so overwhelmed that I started crying and hugging her and thanking her. The class erupted in cheers and everyone was hugging me, hugging her and it was complete chaos. My next thought was to get out of the pool before I dropped it again.
When I got home with my husband, I had to sit and think about what had just happened. When I asked God to help me find that diamond, did I really believe he would do it? My answer, to my shame, is no. Not that he couldn't help me but that it was to small a thing to "bother" him with. Where did I get that idea? God loves us and wants to give us all good things. Nothing is too big or too small for God. We may not get the answer to prayer that we want but God always answers and uses it for our good. Sometimes it just takes a while for us to see his hand. Beth Moore says, "Sometimes God may prioritize the faith required to continue trusting Him when we don't get what we ask over the faith required to receive it."
Last night I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about the miracles that God has performed in my life. The miracle of having godly grandparents, that took us to church every Sunday and wanted to help us know God. Hearing my grandmother pray, at the age of 90, for every member of her family including me, for safety and protection, for guidance and love and that we would always follow Jesus. The miracle of my first child being safely delivered and for me being healed of pre-eclampsia. The miracle of having my second child with no complications. The miracle of being provided a job when God knew I would need to support myself and my children. The miracle of meeting my second husband, just when the time was right, and being privileged to raise two more lovely daughters.
Psalm 77:13-14 says, "Your ways, O God, are holy. What God is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."
The biggest miracle and more precious than diamonds or gold is when God brought me to my knees to confess my sins and be washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. God cares for us all.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believes in him, will not perish, but have everlasting life. Take the time today, to ponder the miracles God has done in your life and ask yourself if you've taken him up on the miracle of His Son and the forgiveness we all can find there.
Ten days ago, I lost the diamond out of my engagement ring. I was very upset because I had been everywhere that day and when I noticed it missing I had just gotten out of the hot tub at the senior center and gotten into the pool. I had a good cry and prayed for God's help to find it, but I didn't hold out much hope that it would be found. As the days wore on, I started to take the attitude that it was okay, it was just stuff and even though my husband took me to a jewelry store to check on replacing it, I just didn't want to do it. I missed a couple of my water aerobic classes for one reason or another, but I went last night. While I was in the pool, our instructor, Karen, pointed out a lady that was swimming laps in the lane behind our class. She told us that Andrea had been the water aerobics instructor and had actually been Karen's instructor. Karen hadn't seen her in years because Andrea gave up the job to become a flight attendant and had busy traveling all over the world. As I was exercising, I kept seeing Andrea pass me out of the corner of my eye. She had her snorkeling gear on and was having a good time. I saw her suddenly stop and then she called the life guard over and he handed her a net. "Could it be that she found my diamond," I thought. Before I realized what I was doing, I had left the class and was by her side. I asked her if she had found a diamond and she said, "Well it's either a diamond or a piece of glass." She kept diving for it, but every time she tried to pick it up it moved. Finally, she was able to grab it and when she put it in my hand, there it was, my heart shaped diamond. I was so overwhelmed that I started crying and hugging her and thanking her. The class erupted in cheers and everyone was hugging me, hugging her and it was complete chaos. My next thought was to get out of the pool before I dropped it again.
When I got home with my husband, I had to sit and think about what had just happened. When I asked God to help me find that diamond, did I really believe he would do it? My answer, to my shame, is no. Not that he couldn't help me but that it was to small a thing to "bother" him with. Where did I get that idea? God loves us and wants to give us all good things. Nothing is too big or too small for God. We may not get the answer to prayer that we want but God always answers and uses it for our good. Sometimes it just takes a while for us to see his hand. Beth Moore says, "Sometimes God may prioritize the faith required to continue trusting Him when we don't get what we ask over the faith required to receive it."
Last night I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about the miracles that God has performed in my life. The miracle of having godly grandparents, that took us to church every Sunday and wanted to help us know God. Hearing my grandmother pray, at the age of 90, for every member of her family including me, for safety and protection, for guidance and love and that we would always follow Jesus. The miracle of my first child being safely delivered and for me being healed of pre-eclampsia. The miracle of having my second child with no complications. The miracle of being provided a job when God knew I would need to support myself and my children. The miracle of meeting my second husband, just when the time was right, and being privileged to raise two more lovely daughters.
Psalm 77:13-14 says, "Your ways, O God, are holy. What God is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples."
The biggest miracle and more precious than diamonds or gold is when God brought me to my knees to confess my sins and be washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. God cares for us all.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believes in him, will not perish, but have everlasting life. Take the time today, to ponder the miracles God has done in your life and ask yourself if you've taken him up on the miracle of His Son and the forgiveness we all can find there.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Back Pain and My Remedy
If you've been reading my blog, you know I am trying to lose weight. I lost 2 lbs this week for a total of 12.4 since the beginning of January. I've been trying to get more exercise by going to water aerobics three times a week and taking square dancing lessons, twice a week for two hours at a time.
The main draw back to my exercise plans is the fact that I have not had a pain free day in 18 months. My back has hurt me every single day and I finally realized that I needed to do something about it. I don't know why I let it go so long other than the fact that I thought it would get better on it's own.
I finally found a great chiropractor in my area and I've had three treatments this week. I'm still having some pain, but now it's more of the soreness that comes from being adjusted. When the doctor examined me, he said,"Know wonder you're in pain, your spine is like a C." My hips were out of alignment and my husband said that when he straightened my legs, one was shorter by almost an inch. After three treatments I feel like I've grown two inches, I'm standing up straighter, my balance is better and believe it or not, I haven't had any acid reflex. I believe in chiropractic and this chiropractor. I will be going to him as long as I need to and then at least once a month for maintenance. I feel like I'm living again.
The main draw back to my exercise plans is the fact that I have not had a pain free day in 18 months. My back has hurt me every single day and I finally realized that I needed to do something about it. I don't know why I let it go so long other than the fact that I thought it would get better on it's own.
I finally found a great chiropractor in my area and I've had three treatments this week. I'm still having some pain, but now it's more of the soreness that comes from being adjusted. When the doctor examined me, he said,"Know wonder you're in pain, your spine is like a C." My hips were out of alignment and my husband said that when he straightened my legs, one was shorter by almost an inch. After three treatments I feel like I've grown two inches, I'm standing up straighter, my balance is better and believe it or not, I haven't had any acid reflex. I believe in chiropractic and this chiropractor. I will be going to him as long as I need to and then at least once a month for maintenance. I feel like I'm living again.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Activity Points and Tired Bodies
I am mind numbingly, bone tired tonight. Mike and I got up at 5am this morning to be at the senior center by 6am. Our local parks department comes out with The Recreator once every three months with all kinds of classes and trips. Fort Collins has several recreation centers around the city which includes the senior center. If you're a member of the senior center you can sign up for said classes and trips two days before open enrollment. When I went to my water aerobics class last night, I stopped by the front desk and asked if people were at the senior center by 6:30 am when they could start enrolling in classes. I was assured that it would be very busy and that people would be in line at 6 am.
We actually got to the senior center at 5:45 am. Guess what we were the only nut jobs in the parking lot! The senior center did open at 6:00 am and I guess we had someone else amble in about 6:45. They wouldn't let us sign up for anything until 7am. I was the first one in line and got us signed up for a little anniversary trip to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Moab, Utah and Arches National Park. Our anniversary is in March. The trip is the last week in August. I also got two tickets to the Giants/Rockies game at Coors field in Denver for May 19. I gave those to Mike for his birthday.
Next stop was Bible Study at church at 8:30. That lasted until 12:00pm, and then we came home. I fixed lunch and we sat around like zombies until 4pm when we both finally gave in and took naps until 5:30. Then we beat it out the door to square dancing class. We were so tired at the class that we kept messing up and I was very frustrated. We just kept trying though and everything came out right by the last dance.
I ended up with 3 exercise points on my pedometer and 4466 steps taken today. My active link gave me one exercise point. I have to go to bed now cause I can't typeeeeeee anymoreeee.
We actually got to the senior center at 5:45 am. Guess what we were the only nut jobs in the parking lot! The senior center did open at 6:00 am and I guess we had someone else amble in about 6:45. They wouldn't let us sign up for anything until 7am. I was the first one in line and got us signed up for a little anniversary trip to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Moab, Utah and Arches National Park. Our anniversary is in March. The trip is the last week in August. I also got two tickets to the Giants/Rockies game at Coors field in Denver for May 19. I gave those to Mike for his birthday.
Next stop was Bible Study at church at 8:30. That lasted until 12:00pm, and then we came home. I fixed lunch and we sat around like zombies until 4pm when we both finally gave in and took naps until 5:30. Then we beat it out the door to square dancing class. We were so tired at the class that we kept messing up and I was very frustrated. We just kept trying though and everything came out right by the last dance.
I ended up with 3 exercise points on my pedometer and 4466 steps taken today. My active link gave me one exercise point. I have to go to bed now cause I can't typeeeeeee anymoreeee.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Bible Study, Square Dancing, and Water Aerobics
I started Bible study today at Faith Evangelical Church. We are doing the Beth Moore study, "Believing God." I love Beth Moore. She is such a dynamic teacher and I know I'm going to be a changed Christian when I finish this study. The ladies I met today were all warm and welcoming and I'm sure I'm going to have fun getting to know all of them.
Mike and I had our Square Dancing class tonight. It's a really big class. We have around 20 to 30 students every lesson plus angels (seasoned dancers that come to help teach the new students). We are having so much fun in this class and our daughter and two grand kids are dancing with us. We are going to join the club at the end of the class and can't wait to go to all the dances around here. Square Dancing is big in Colorado and you can find a dance almost every week if you are willing to travel.
I've been having trouble with back spasms again, so tomorrow I'm going to the Senior Center here in Fort Collins to sign up for water aerobics. My schedule is getting full. Water aerobics is Mon, Wed, Fri. Bible Study on Tues., Square Dancing on Sunday and Tuesday nights. Quilting on the first Thursday of the month and in February I'm taking a quilting class on Monday afternoons. Now this is what I call retirement!
We also have to fit in time with the grand kids. I love it!
Mike and I had our Square Dancing class tonight. It's a really big class. We have around 20 to 30 students every lesson plus angels (seasoned dancers that come to help teach the new students). We are having so much fun in this class and our daughter and two grand kids are dancing with us. We are going to join the club at the end of the class and can't wait to go to all the dances around here. Square Dancing is big in Colorado and you can find a dance almost every week if you are willing to travel.
I've been having trouble with back spasms again, so tomorrow I'm going to the Senior Center here in Fort Collins to sign up for water aerobics. My schedule is getting full. Water aerobics is Mon, Wed, Fri. Bible Study on Tues., Square Dancing on Sunday and Tuesday nights. Quilting on the first Thursday of the month and in February I'm taking a quilting class on Monday afternoons. Now this is what I call retirement!
We also have to fit in time with the grand kids. I love it!
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