A Blog a Day

Amish Apple Fritters

2011-01-09T21:56:00.002-06:00

What we love to cook when it's cold outside ...

Amish Apple Fritters

2 Tbsp sugar
2 eggs
1/4 c milk
1 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp lemon juice
2-3 c sliced apples

*You can substitute can apples in place
of the lemon juice and sliced apples.

Cream together sugar and eggs, add flour and baking powder, then milk. Mix and add lemon juice and apples. Drop by teaspoonfuls into hot shortening or make into little cakes and fry in a pan like pancakes. Sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon over them when finished frying.

Two decades ago ...

2010-12-13T12:41:00.001-06:00

What was happening 20 years ago today?

Here are a few things ...

13 Die in Sicily Quake
3 Agencies Honored for Aiding the Poor
THEATER REVIEW 'RECKLESS' : Cruel Yule : If Alice fell down the rabbit hole, Rachel is a cat being dragged through a knothole.
Puppet Shows, Storytelling at Ritz-Carlton
Santa Monica Food Bank Gets $15,000
ANC President Tambo Returns to South Africa
4 Houses Sinking Near Ill. Mine

AND ...

The birth of Amberlyn Morgan R.

Happy Birthday baby girl!

You have amazed me, challenged me, intrigued me, frustrated me, and fascinated me. You have made me happy, confused, proud, mad, and overjoyed. We have shared tears, tantrums and fits of laughter. All for 20 years. Here's to 20 more fantabulous years of growing up with my beautiful, talented, sweet and funny oldest daughter. I love you with my entire soul.

Mom

Windshield vs. Bug

2010-11-17T06:21:00.004-06:00

Some days you're the windshield. Some days you're the bug ...

There you are, flying along through life ... minding your own business. You've had a really crappy day and are enjoying the peace and quiet. All of a sudden, out of nowhere - BLAM! Bug meet windshield.

It probably wouldn't be so bad if it stopped at that. I mean, the initial impact hurts like hell but we've all been there. Right? It may take a bit of time but we manage to pick up and fly on. That is unless you find the windshield of one of those "kick 'em while their down" types. You know the ones I'm talking about. You hit the glass and they immediately douse you with glass cleaner shooting out full force from a hose hidden near the wipers. Still clinging to the windshield? Big mistake. Your perseverance and strong will warrant another shot of toxic cleaner along with a whack from the wipers. If you're not a smear on the windshield by now you're life has flashed before your eyes (depressing you even more) and you find yourself being thrown to the ground. Lying on the side of the road you keep hearing a mantra in your cracked head, "What does not kill us makes us stronger".

After a perfectly executed middle finger to the world, a much needed temper tantrum and several hours of crying you pick yourself up, dust your wings off and walk on home.

Today you may be a bug with a grouchy husband who is a victim of our failing economy, a teen son who has gotten way too big for his britches, an ex-husband who's a total ass with a wife who is his perfect match, bills in the mailbox and no money in the bank, not to mention the fact that the dog has just peed on your only address book ... while it was laying on your laptop.

BUT

Tomorrow you may be the windshield.

formspring.me

2010-11-15T13:54:00.005-06:00

I just ran across a rather interesting website. It's called Formspring. It's an ask me anything, tell me something type of site. Curious to see who stops by. So go ahead ... ask me anything http://formspring.me/Crystal072

Wordless Wednesday ... Happy Halloween

2010-10-27T21:44:00.001-05:00

Scrivener for Windows

2010-10-25T17:29:00.003-05:00

Finally!It's here and right in time for NaNoWriMo. Scrivener for Windows beta download is available at Literature and Latte. Download now and watch the introductory video. Go through the tutorial and get good and comfy with the software before November 1st. Remember, this is only the beta version so be prepared to deal with possible bugs and make sure to back up your work regularly. Now, go forth and write!

Blueberries in the Snow

2010-10-24T20:01:00.001-05:00

One of my husbands favorite desserts is Blueberries in the Snow. Tonight I taught Ash how to make it. She is absolutely wonderful in the kitchen.

Blueberries in the Snow

16 oz cream cheese
1 cup milk
1½ cups conf. sugar
1 large cool whip (store bought or homemade)
1 tsp vanilla
2 cans blueberry pie filling (I use blueberries that we picked fresh & froze. I cook them with sugar & water.)
1 angel food cake (you can use store bought, but we prefer to make our own.)

Leave cream cheese out to soften. Beat until creamy and add milk, sugar, cool whip and vanilla. Beat until smooth, set aside.

Slice or tear the angel food cake in ½ inch slices. Pour enough of the cream mixture in the bottom of a large bowl to cover bottom. Then a layer of cake slices, more cream and more cake until it is half done.

Add a layer of canned blueberries, continue to layer the cake and cream ending with the 2nd can of blueberries on top.

Set in refrigerator for 3-4 hours before serving. Enjoy!

Class of 2011 - Homecoming

2010-10-23T03:45:00.001-05:00

I graduated from high school in 1990. Even though that was over two decades ago I still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember the senior pictures, our homecoming and building a float for the parade, along with all the laughter and tears spread out over an entire school year. Remember when your parents told you to cherish those times because they were supposed to be the best years of your life and how one day you would long to be back at high school? It seems that now I'm saying those exact same things to my middle child. My son, Zac, is part of the proud class of 2011.

I was able to escort Zac out onto the field for senior recognition on Homecoming night. I know that I grinned like a Cheshire cat the entire time.


His senior shirt. I love it!


Senior class float in the Homecoming Parade. It was a tribute to the Beatles and the song Yellow Submarine and said "Sink the Warriors". Too cool.

My sax player (third from right) in the Homecoming Parade.

Wordless Wednesday ...

2010-10-20T01:38:00.002-05:00

A Bird's Eye View

2010-10-19T23:25:00.000-05:00

~ A Bird's Eye View ~

Quick Note

2010-10-09T23:18:00.002-05:00

Quick note:

Yes, I'm still working on my 365 Days to Improve My Life. Learning new things, working towards a healthier lifestyle, and thinking more positive makes life easier and more fun.

Blogging ... well, I love it but don't do it near as much as I should. My most recent excuses are that I have been quilting, painting, being creative and doctoring my computer (it's getting on in age). Soon I will be consumed with NaNoWriMo. Following this writing insanity come the holidays so I my days as a blogger (snicker, snicker ... if that's what I can call it) will resume in a more regular fashion eventually.

So, all in all, life is good and the family is great and blogging suffers another busy day.

NaNoWriMo Sponsorship

2010-10-03T12:21:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends, Family, and Righteous Supporters,

As many of you know, the only thing I love more than reading is writing. Last year I participated in NaNoWriMo '09 and was spurred on by the encouragement of my family and friends. Well, this November I am doing it again and need your help more than ever.

For those of you who didn't have the pleasure of sharing in my road to writing insanity last year, let me explain what NaNoWriMo is. National Novel Writing Month (lovingly dubbed NaNoWriMo) is a global writing challenge sponsored by in the nonprofit Office of Letters and Light. Participants spend November writing a 50,000-word book in just 30 days.

I will proudly be among the participating authors this year. In addition to my writerly duties, I'm raising money to help the Office of Letters and Light continue to put on free creative writing programs for kids and adults in classrooms, communities, and libraries around the world.

Every dollar I raise will keep my spirits high as I write my way towards the realization of my creative goals. More importantly, your contribution will help National Novel Writing Month and its Young Writers Program create a more engaged and inspiring world.

Click HERE to sponsor me in November for NaNoWriMo.

Thank you so much for your support of my writing!

What I Love About Fall

2010-10-01T10:34:00.004-05:00

Screw the Whales, Save the Ta-Tas.

2010-10-01T06:05:00.001-05:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In October 2003, I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Although considered noninvasive, it is still a form of breast cancer. Breast cancer. Two little words that are scary beyond belief. Scary and something that at the age of 31 I was not even considering as a possibility in my life. I don’t think that many of us do.

What started out for me as an average Fall day with above average allergies ended in horror. I was having allergy issues and went to my primary doctor for some much needed allergy meds. Of course I waited until I was stopped up, congested and totally consumed by the ragweed demon before I even ventured to the doctor’s office. My doc promptly scolded me, took chest x-rays and stuck a needle in my behind. While I was waiting to be released, she was waiting for a colleague to verify the dark spot on my films. After physical exams, mammograms and an ultrasound I was sent home with the knowledge that I had something in my breast that didn’t belong there. A follow-up visit was scheduled for a few weeks later. The game plan was to monitor the “thing” and decide what type of biopsy would be best. So, I went home. I told my husband. And then I cried. I cried until I ran out of tears.

I was terrified. The word cancer just sent shivers down my spine and my first thought was about my children. In my mind people with cancer got sick, went bald and then died. What would happen to my kids if I died? My husband would survive, but would my babies? I was a mother. Mother’s my age didn’t have these types of problems. I mean, the doctor made a mistake. She had to have made a big, horrible mistake.

After monitoring, measuring, and way to many breast exams to count, the team of doctors that were now staring me down decided on a surgical biopsy. I cried some more. Surgery day arrived and I was assured that everything would be fine. That is until I was presented with paperwork that stated “in the case that I needed a mastectomy, the surgeon had my full permission”. Needless to say I signed it and cried again. The thoughts racing around inside my brain while they wheeled me into the operating room were; cancer=death, real women have two breasts, men love women who have two breasts, I don’t want to die but I really don’t want to lose a boob.

When I awoke the surgeon informed me that I was lucky. I had a precancerous mass in my duct (DCIS) that was treated by a lumpectomy. Since it was caught early and the affected area was relatively small I wouldn’t need radiation. He removed a large portion of my breast tissue to assure that all of the cells were removed. I still had two breasts. Granted, one was significantly smaller than its partner … but they were still a pair.

I must agree with my surgeon. I was lucky. Lucky that it was found in the early stages. Lucky that it was contained and I was able to retain both breasts. Lucky that I am still cancer free today.

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year. An estimated 40,170 women are expected to die from the disease in 2009 alone. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.¹

Breast cancer is a killer, but with proper breast self awareness, early detection and screenings, it can be manageable. Arm yourself and the ones you love with all the information you can get. Be proactive and support the research for a cure.

¹Resources:
American Cancer Society
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Cancer Institute
Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

2010-09-29T09:53:00.002-05:00

The heart is

the only broken instrument

that works.

~T.E. Kalem

The heart is a very tricky thing. It is muscle that begins to beat about 21 days after conception, pumping blood throughout our bodies. If it stopped beating our bodies would wither up and die. If it were to become “broken” our emotional being would feel like it was dying and hurt tremendously. I guess it is safe to say that without it we could neither live nor love.

Recently I took a trip to the E.R. My heart was racing; beating so hard inside my chest that it hurt. Occasionally it would pause, tense up and then punch me as hard as it could. Let me tell you, being punched from the inside out is no picnic. So a few volunteer fire fighters/EMTs, some flashing lights and one semi-fast ambulance ride soon found me laid out in a cold E.R. room attached to an I.V. and an E.K.G. machine. After being poked, prodded, x-rayed and tested I was diagnosed with Atrial Tachycardia and PVCs. A fancy way of saying that I had an elevated heart rate and occasional heart contractions. Thanks in part to a lifestyle that could be healthier and brought on by stress. Needless to say … I’m going to live.

However, my heart trouble was nothing compared to what my daughter was going through. Amby was suffering from her first true broken heart. Through tears she explained what had happened and how deeply she was hurting. I listened as she told me how hard it was to breathe and that her heart literally hurt from the break-up. Days after it had happened she was still physically shaken. She couldn’t eat, was sick to her stomach, and cried because of the pain she was feeling. We have all been there and lived through it. Even though at the time it seemed like we wouldn’t survive one more day.

I thought that if I could keep Amby’s spirits up until the pain went away everything would be fine. I hopped on the internet in search of a few quotes or some other inspirational words. Have you ever Googled “mending a broken heart” ? I actually found a site called Heal My Broken Heart. Interestingly enough, it offers a 15-step program (complete with book and workbook) to assist you in healing from a broken heart. If you act now the program is only $47 as opposed to its normal price of $67. Seriously??? It is just as efficient if you take 1/4 of that money and buy yourself some ice cream, rent a sappy movie and hang with your gal pals.

There are a ton of sites, free ones I might add, that offer advice on how to overcome heart issues (both figuratively and literally). While WebMD helped me out I found a few for Amby to look over. They cover everything from meditation, and “step” programs, to daily/weekly/monthly to-do instructions.

Mending a heart is very challenging and takes love and tenderness. It also takes a lot of patience and a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of whether it is physical or emotional it also takes time.

Here’s to a healthy heart …

Will Work for School Fees …

2010-09-09T14:06:00.002-05:00

There are those days that I just want to sit down and pound out a semi-nasty letter to the people who keep sending me little notes home, via my teens, regarding the new school fees that I have to pay.

To Whom It May Concern:

Are. You. Serious? I mean really, truly serious? Since when did public school become more expensive than private school? Forget the fact that we are currently in an economic crisis or that we (my household personally) are searching for every penny in the couch just to make ends meet. But step back and take an honest look at the amount of money you, whoever you may be, request on a regular basis ... for high school. Not college or trade school, but high school. Now keep in mind that the education that you are providing for these children, that is based on the amount of funds that you purge from my purse, is what our future will be built on. In other words, if I don't pay then my children will suffer. But are you forgetting that these kids and their education or a lack there of will cause you to suffer later. Come on people, these are the same kids that will be running our nation, working in our hospitals, and running nuclear power plants. Do you really want to hinge your future on a $30.00 tech fee, or a $25.00 DECA fee?

I understand that my oldest son's senior year is going to cost a bit more than the junior and sophomore that I have. However, you money hungry, blood suckers have gone above and beyond. I swear that you must prey on the love of a mother for her child. I mean, who else would pay $352.00 for invitations, several hundred for senior pictures, money for cap and gown, tassels etc. etc. etc. That of course, is on top of everything else that is considered regular school fees.

I have bought school supplies, including copy paper and dry erase markers for the teachers (among other things). The "suggested" class donations have been paid and the not-so-cheap graphing calculators and jump drives have been purchased. Checks have been sent to cover parking permits, $3.00 a day lunches and planners that will never be used. Now you hit up for more money. It seems that there are fees to use school computers, club fees (chess, Spanish, HOSA, DECA), band fees (Texas trips, uniforms, majorette batons AIN'T cheap), lab fees and such. Not to mention the snack money I dish out every day for the school's vending machines or the money I hand over every Friday night so that I can have the pleasure of seeing my kid in the band.

I know it is asking a lot of you ... but could you please cut me some slack? I would appreciate it if you would focus on educating my children instead of draining my bank account.

Sincerely,
Peeved Parent

No News is Good News

2010-09-06T22:35:00.001-05:00

Usually, no news is good news ... or so they say. I tend to disagree with that statement. No news is the same as no posts. No posts normally means that:

I am sick and can't post.
I have no Internet and again can't post.
I am so busy with life that I haven't the time to post.
There is nothing blog worthy to post about.
I have struck it rich or won the lotto and haven't had a chance to hire someone to post for me.

Out of these five things all but one of them can be considered bad news. The last is simply the type of things that dreams are made of - pure fiction, and therefore doesn't even count. So, I would like to meet these people who are labeled "they" and inform them that "they" are wrong. No news doesn't always mean good news. Sometimes it is bad; others times it just doesn't mean a dang thing.

354/365

Still here ...

2010-09-04T01:31:00.002-05:00

The 365 Project is going good. The blogging about it ... not so much. I must admit that doing things specifically for the mind, body and soul bring about positive energy. I find myself wanting to repel the negativity around me and instead look for the good that's there. My outlook on life is beginning to change, for the better I'm sure. I know this post is short, but so is life. Have a great day!

356/365

What day am I on?

2010-09-02T00:13:00.001-05:00

Day 6 & 7 ...

Am I still doing my 365 project? Yes I am. Why did I miss a blog day? Um, well do you want the truth or some really cool story? Am I losing interest already? No. Is the sky blue? I don't know I haven't really seen it today.

Well, you see I was doing spending time with my loving family and we got into a very deep conversation about the meaning of life and I simply lost track of time. I was going to get caught up on my blogging today but I was distracted by a very upset neighbor. I spent most of the day cleaning her home and consoling her and ... and who am I kidding? I didn't even buy that lame excuse. Truth is I fell asleep on the couch. I was going to blog and I just flippin' fell asleep. The bad part was that no one bothered to wake me up, cover me up or move me even a hair. I woke up ... in the clothes I had on yesterday, cold and scrunched up in a little ball on a piece of the couch.

So why didn't I blog this morning? Well, honestly I was a bit shook up. My oldest son's school was let out early today due to a power outage. Zac called and asked if he could drive to his friend's house to play W.O.W. to which I gladly said "yes". Not 15 minutes later I receive a call saying that he had been in an accident. He was fine, thank the Lord, but in an accident none the less. Apparently, an F150 truck was in the right hand lane and came over on him (in his small Honda Prelude) pushing him into another car in the median/turn lane. Of course any mother would have been concerned, but I was beyond concerned. I was an emotional wreck. It could have been because the night before, my son shared a *video with me that rocked me to my core. So much so that I had horrible visions flash before me when I got the news of his wreck.

Needless to say, I got very little accomplished today but I have not tossed my project to the wayside. I will no doubt be back on track tomorrow.

Tasks for 09/02/10 :

Mind - Read, read, read.

Body - Paint my toes and take a peaceful walk.

Spirit - Study a passage from my new Bible.

*This video is of a graphic nature. Viewer discretion is advised.

Unsafe Driving Video - Watch the top videos of the week here

358/365

5 of 3six5

2010-08-30T21:19:00.000-05:00

Day Five! The number five reminds me of a cute little song that the kids and I used to sing together. Hearing it makes me smile. :)

Today was a simple day. I researched sales papers and cut coupons so that I would be ready for grocery day. Grocery day is the day that I choose to go shopping for, what else ... groceries. This of course is no easy task. With food being so high priced these days I do as much as I can to get the most for my money. I compare sales ads, compute the prices of the items minus the coupons I have and then create a list of who has what and where. From there I plan out what to buy from whom. Then I create a dinner menu out of the items that I plan on purchasing. It sounds like a lot of work, but it is well worth it when it comes time to eat.

Aside from organizing for grocery and attempting to meditate and pray ... I made sure to get some much needed rest. I love Fall and the weather it brings, but my sinuses don't like the change. I took some sinus headache medicine and slept. You can't have rainbows without rain.

Tasks for 08/31/10 :

Mind - Make note of 25 positive things in my life.

Body - Take a walk and collect 10 beautiful things.

Spirit - Take time to sit and be quiet.

360/365

Day Four

2010-08-29T19:26:00.001-05:00

Four days down ... three hundred sixty-one more to go.

The tasks for today were easy. I started out searching for inspirational saying and songs. Once I was upbeat and feeling good I started rereading my novel. Actually, it's not complete - just a work in progress. Since one of my three goals for today was creative writing I began editing and adding to my story. I really need to get a word counter so I can set goals regarding my writing.

All that was left to work on was my spirit. I was determined to learn meditation. I had heard so many good things about it that I was positive it would help reduce my stress level. Apparently I was doing something wrong. I followed all of the directions that I was given, focused on my breathing, listened to the soothing sounds coming from my computer and promptly fell asleep. Yep ... not exactly what is supposed to happen.

Once I woke up I headed out of the house for a walk. Making my way through the woods beside our house I ran across a few birdhouses that were abandoned. I lugged them home, pulled out my paints and prettied them up. I have to admit that since I began my 365 Project it has been easier for me to get more active. I believe this is a great habit to have started.

Tasks for 08/30/10 :

Mind - Get organized for grocery day.

Body - Get some much needed rest.

Spirit - Relax and pray.

361/365

Common Ground

2010-08-28T23:13:00.001-05:00

“Why cannot we work at cooperative schemes and search for the common ground binding all mankind together?”

William Orville Douglas

My oldest daughter, Amby, is always a source of inspiration and motivation. She is talented, intelligent, beautiful and persistent. All you have to do is look at what she has become and where she is heading in life and know that your possibilities are limitless. She may be independent, but she still calls me for advice from time to time. In turn, she serves as a good source for feedback and constructive (and at times not so constructive) criticism. Recently Amby sent me some information that I found very useful. I thought I would share what she sent me. Maybe you can use it as well.

I'm reading a book called Jesus in Blue Jeans by Laurie Beth Jones. I'm really enjoying it and it had something that I thought you might like, as well as an exercise you might could use for your project.

One chapter describes how Jesus got people to follow him. It wasn't with power or fear; it was with common ground. He didn't want to be feared - he wanted to be loved. Maybe you can use this with * top secret. Phillippians 2:1, Paul tells his listeners to "remember the Spirit that we have in common. Be united to your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind." Ecclesiastes 31:15 says "Judge your fellow guests' needs by your own. Be thoughtful in every way."

Question
List 16 things you and your current adversary have in common.

Question
How could you use that as a foundation for peacemaking?

Question
Pick a person or a group you are afraid of. Write down all the things you have in common.

Prayer
Dear Lord, please help me see what I have in common with those I consider my adversaries, or those whom I fear. Help me remember that Your sun shines on us all, that each of us are recipients of Your Grace, and each of us have important places in Your Ultimate Design. Help me see You in them, and help me be You to them.
Amen, and Amen.

I like that... "help me be You to them."

Love you,
Amberlyn

I am glad that I have the love and support of my family. We laugh, we cry, we argue and we try ... but most importantly we are family!

* Names hidden to protect the innocent. :)

Uno, Dos, Tres

2010-08-28T21:41:00.002-05:00

Day Three ...

Okay, so Nickelback's no Maya Angelou but this song does inspire and motive me. While surfing the web for inspirational quotes this morning I ran across this video. It really made me stop and think ... what if today was my last day. I realized that I am in no way ready to go on to that great beyond. I have so much to do, so many things left undone and unspoken words that must be said. Not only that, but my world is still to negative to depart. I can't leave here feeling that my life was a waste or was to miserable to be of any importance. I still have much to learn and new heights to grow to. Since none of us really knows when our last day will be I plan on living every day as though it were my ending. I plan on making it a happy one.

Inspiration for the day taken care of, I focused on bettering my body. I had planned on taking a walk and that's exactly what I did. I slipped on my purple rain boots and trekked across the yard toward the woods. My walk wasn't a long one but it was enjoyable. The leaves are starting to change around here and the air has a hint of Fall. I pushed past weeds that have been left untouched, allowing them to grow into bushes. I listened to the sounds of nature and spent a while watching two squirrels chase each other from tree to tree. The walk wasn't strenuous but it was definitely exercise.

With the day turning into night I have settled in with a bowl of homemade beef stew and a good book. I plan to read Red's Hot Honky-Tonk Bar by Pamela Morsi, for the rest of the evening and then get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow comes early.

Tasks for 08/29/10 :

Mind - Write something creative.

Body - Take a walk.

Spirit - Learn meditation.

362/365

Day Two

2010-08-28T01:59:00.000-05:00

Today was just an average day ... NOT! Today was day two in my newest endeavor, the 365 Project.

Today I woke up late, but I still intended to make the best of what was left of the day. I loved the wisdom of Maya Angelou that I found yesterday, so I decided to read some more of her work today. As expected she put a spring in my step and a smile on my face. (Spiritual - check)

Once I was able to steal my attention away from Ms. Angelou, I went to work on my creative side. Tapping into the creative juices of my brain, I came across a project that I had intended to do but never got around to. I have a small table in my living room that I wanted to paint. My kitchen and living room are open so I wanted the small table to match the other furniture. The kitchen table and sideboard are both black. The table and chairs I bought that way, but the sideboard is really an old table that I found outside and painted myself. I thought it would be a good idea to paint the small table the same as I had the sideboard. I gathered up my materials, my paint and the table and went to work.

First, I painted the entire table red. Then, I painted over the red with black. In some areas I allowed the red to still show, sort of like a white wash - but with black. I was pleased with myself and the way everything turned out, despite the issue with patience or my lack thereof. I attempted to checkerboard the top of the table using tape ... BEFORE the paint was completely dry. Chaos ensued but was promptly taken care of. Needless to say the top is not checkerboarded at all. (Mind - check).

While I waited for the paint to dry I realized that it was getting close to time for the football to start. If you know me at all, you know that I am more content at home, in my sweats with my computer on my lap. I have slowly over time become a hermit. This was NOT what you would have described me as five years ago. I'm not sure what has changed, but I could care less about going out or socializing. In fact, I have come to hate it. Determined to "step out of my box", I vowed to attend the local high school football game. My youngest daughter was performing as a feature twirler for the very first time and I knew I couldn't miss it.

I took a shower, blow dried my hair and styled it, put on make up and a squirt of perfume, put on some jeans and a cute top and went to town. Literally! Once at the game I had a great time. I talked with people I know, sat with my hubby and ate nachos, watched the game and couldn't stop grinning while my baby girl performed. Of course, the downpour of rain was a slight bummer and I was totally soaked and cold, but I really enjoyed myself. I think that I owe it to myself to get out and about more often. (Body - check).

Today turned out to be a rather fulfilling day. Here's hoping that tomorrow is just as good.

Tasks for 08/28/10 :

Mind - Enjoy a book.

Body - Take a walk.

Spirit - Read words of inspiration to start off the day.

Day One

2010-08-27T00:09:00.003-05:00

Day One - Well, as the town crier would say, "It's 12 o'clock midnight and all is well."

As with any project, day one went well. I was so excited about starting something new that I jumped right in with both feet and took off running. I made sure to have the house clean so that I wouldn't be distracted. Both Hubby and the kids were amazed at my new found zeal for house cleaning.

Once my daily grind was complete, very early I might add, I started on my mind, body and spirit project. I thought that working on the spirit aspect of the day first would be more beneficial. Reading and pondering inspirational quotes and poems from Maya Angelou is definitely the way to start off your day. I have a few that I am going to work on memorizing. For some reason or other, they seem to stand out and speak to me.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Reading the thoughts and wisdom of Maya Angelou truly lifted my spirit and made me feel a bit taller and I held my head higher than usual. People such as Ms. Angelou are blessings to be treasured.

With Maya Angelou in my head and in my heart I figured it was time to work on my body. I slipped on my bathing suit and headed to our swimming pool. The summer has been hot, hot, hot - making the water in the pool tepid. Today this was NOT the case. I climbed the ladder and somewhat dove in rather than easing in like normal. I was immediately covered in a blanket of icy, clear water and goosebumps. When I surfaced I swam several laps around our little above ground pool. I pushed myself until my muscles burned and my arms felt like limp noodles. I continued to tread water until my legs screamed for mercy and then I laid back to float for a while. As I floated in the cold water, the warm sun was slowing warming the parts of my body not submerged and my mind was spinning story lines, giving birth to new characters and twisting plots. By the time I climbed the ladder to leave my watery bed, I was both shriveled and full of new story ideas.

Back inside I jotted down my notes, ate a little lunch and sat down to read about the mind, body, spirit connection. I did some research and found a few interesting tidbits. I was surprised to see how many people, professionals as well as lay persons, were speaking on behalf of this connection. There are so many things that we do and/or can benefit from a healthy connection of all three things. It enhances your physical and mental health, learning, stress and pain management and your life in general. Exercising all three elements will surely assist in living a much more fulfilling life.

So, according to my goals from yesterday; Mind - learn something new, Body - swim in the pool, and Spirit - read words of inspiration to start off the day ... I successfully completed them all. Day one is down, three hundred sixty-four more to go. I only hope that I feel as good about this project half way in as I do right now.

Tasks for 08/27/10 :

Mind - Be creative.

Body - Physically leave the house & be social.

Spirit - Read words of inspiration to start off the day.

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