STRENGTH AND EMPOWERMENT

I liked this. It applies to so many situations in my life. When I finally found the backbone to standup to my mom's abuse, as an adult, I started to find I had so many more capabilites than disabilites!! There are consequences to becoming that adult but as in all things you can either accept or reject those actions and get on with life!


BONES, STRENGTH AND EMPOWERMENT
"Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them or one that can literally save their lives."
-- Anthony Robbins
Hi everyone,
Recently, my doctor advised me that a bone density scan shows that I now have osteoporosis in my spine. Bad news, right? Well, maybe so, maybe not.
It was certainly good news that I left her office knowing that I had to do something about my bone health. I finally reached a point where I was inspired to act.
It's also good news that because of all I've learned over my life, I have a number of perspectives from which to view this information.
I can listen to the medical community's position, advising me to take pharmaceuticals that they believe will increase my bone density.
I can also consider the alternative health viewpoint that diet and exercise will support my body in repairing its weakened bone structure.
I can look to my spiritual beliefs: that as a spiritual being in a human body, the ultimate cause of all physical symptoms lies in a spiritual issue.
And finally, I can look at the whole subject of belief itself. I have come to believe deeply in the power of belief. I believe biologist Bruce Lipton when he says, "It is not our genes but our beliefs that control our lives."
So what might be a spiritual cause of a weakened spine? It was perfectly clear in my case: I need to show more backbone! I need to stand up for myself, to stand tall, strong and grounded in my relationships with others.
It's also time to get fit. I've hired a personal trainer to coach me in resistance exercises. Already my body is gaining strength to support my mental resolution to stand up for myself.
Personally, I am convinced that changing my mindset and my fitness will strengthen my bones. I believe deeply in my body’s ability to heal itself if I bring my physical, emotional and mental conditions into alignment with my inner power. I am doing that now. So really, the diagnosis was incredibly empowering and I’m grateful for that. Good news, indeed!
~ Patrice
"Life is a rush into the unknown. You can duck down and hope that nothing hits you, or stand as tall as you can, show it your teeth and say, 'Dish it up baby, and don't be stingy with the jalapenos!'"
-- Grey Owl
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Jayme the Popsicle Prince - short version

This is my first attempt at making a video from still pictures. The longer version I made first is better but I will have to decide how to post it since it is too large a file for this blog.

Hangin' with Jo and her family

Jo, Juan, Jordyn, Kaylee, Jayme and I have been able to hang out at various times over the last couple of weeks! It's been great!

Kaylee is tired out! And that doesn't happen easily!

I don't know what it is about the cat toys that the g'kids love but even the bigger ones still try and squeeze into the cube!

»-(¯`v´¯)-» Jordyn »-(¯`v´¯)-»

Look at Me! I'm silly as can be!

Which is better?

My serious side?

Or silly me?

G'pa and me

Sorbet Soiree with Samantha

Samantha and I went to the Sorbet Soiree on July 9, 2009 at The Summer Kitchen in Helena. We had a blast!! The function was a class on how to make and create cool summer desserts with fresh herbs.

http://dianasrecipebox.blogspot.com/2009/07/cran-raspberry-lemon-thyme-granita.html

Catherine Reiter demo'd the soiree.

If you go to the summer kitchen interiors blog listed below and check out the July 10th post you will find more pics of our good time! If you look really closely you will find me in there also. Sam, you seem to have lucked out and were hiding in the pic. :)
http://healthybakesbycatherine.blogspot.com/
http://summerkitcheninteriors.blogspot.com/

I hung out at Katrina's last night while Chip subbed for Ken's golf league. Alyssa and I made two new recipes from the paper. Wow! They both were great!


We made chicken cob salad with romaine lettuce, avacado, red grapes, bacon, and lots more with homemade green goddess dressing (minus the anchovies of course!)

Dessert was Blueberry Crostata. MMMMMM Good! Alyssa thinks it would be good with blackberries. Katrina thought mulberries. Both sound delicious!

When I get a chance I'll scan the recipies into my recipe files.

Beating the "I'm B_O_R_E_D" Blues Ideas

Here are some ideas to use when the summer "I'm B_O_R_E_D" Blues hit. Some of these ideas are ones that can be done solo, others require your help depending on the age of the child(ren). Remeber that the time you spend together is time well spent.

Plan a garden, wind break, or container garden.

Teach the kids how to cook from the garden, to the store, to the kitchen table. Teach how to comparison shop.

Build a bird house. Let the kids do the research on the types of birds and houses, food sources etc. the birds in your area need.

Change the oil in the car together. All genders need to know how to do this.

For the driving teen, teach them how to change a tire, the oil, fluids, etc. Teach them how to find a good deal on a car. If this is not your forte the find someone who is great at this skill. (Dealers love me, I'm lousy at wheeling and dealing. They see dollar signs when I walk into a dealership for a new car.)

Build a kite - or more than one; then go flying together.

Go fishing. Please wear your life vests or rings even if you can swim!

Go canoeing.

Camp out in the back yard. Cook over an open pit fire for breakfast. (This is not as easy as it sounds!)

Join 4-H! Visit your Cooperative Extension Office for you county. They have great ideas for projects.

Take photos then create a digital or paper scrapbook.

Visit a nursing home and make someone smile!

Ride your bikes together. Take the local bike trail if you have one!

Catch ladybugs, or lightening bugs, or earthworms, or butterflies. Then let them go please.

Visit the library! They have great summer programs.

Have a family reading contest. Who can read the most pages, or books, or paragraphs?

Write and illistrate a book, or two, or three.

Write a song, or poem.

Learn to play the kazoo, or harp, or drums.

Make homemade instruments.

Help g'ma can!

Start a summer business babysitting or mowing lawns, or something that fits your personality.

Learn to build a computer, a robot, or what fits your interests.

Make something out of "found" objects aka trash.

Recycle. Learn about recycling in your area. What does the company do with the materials it recycles?

Learn how to sew, crochet, knit, wood craft, or other craft project.

Visit a farm and help out with the day's chores.

Visit the zoo at feeding time

Visit the museum - great for beating the heat and humidity

Find a local craftsman who is giving a demo

Have the child(ren) plan a vacation. Parents provide the specifics, number of days, dates of trip, cost, how far to travel or destination, then let the kids plan the trip. You will be surprised what they will come up with for ideas. Step in only if the planning is getting off track.

Organize a closet or drawer - just for fun!

Learn to swim.

Learn CPR.

Teach a younger brother or sister how to do something!

Go hiking...even around your neighborhood. What do you see that is new?

Help your neighbor with a chore.

Help your mom, dad, or siblings with a chore. Work goes faster when everyone pitches it.

Play ghost baseball.

Play freeze tag.

Visit with cousins.

Start a blog, or diary, or journal.

Play S-P-O-O-N-S, crazy eights, scrabble, yatzee, or go fish! Make your own cards!

Play Barbies with your friends or family. Make your own furniture from found objects.

Save cans (rinse and dry and pound down any sharp edges), cereal boxes, other box goods and start a store with your younger brothers or sisters. Make play money.

Finderpaint with jello or pudding.

Build with Legos or Kin'ex. Just PLEASE pick up all the pieces off the floor! They HURT when you step on them!

Offer to walk the neighbor's dog, or your dog. Both the dog and you will enjoy it.

Dance.

Play in the rain - NOT thunderstorms please - too dangerous! (Yes, even the Weather Channel gives this advice so it is not just a "Mom thing".)

Play "Mother may I?" or hopschotch, or marbles. Don't know how? Ask your grandparents.

So there are 53 ideas I had in a short time.

What will you do?

Beating the "I'm B-O-R-E-D" Blues

Every parent has heard the dreaded words "I'm B-O-R-E-D" whined in the most nasaly of voices. Repeat the following words as often as necessary. . .

"I am NOT your entertainment center!"

When the "I'm B-O-R-E-D" whining gets very strong, or the "I can't find anything to do!" pops in the conversation, dig out the ultimate threat...

"If you can't find something constructive to do, I will find something for you."

If you are challenged then pile on the work. Have the child cleaning the bedroom, bathroom, or some very disorganized drawer or closet, weeding the garden, or any other mundan chore that needs to be done. The "I'm Boreds" and child's challenge to involve you in a thirty minute discussion on "there's nothing to do" will quilckly leave and will not return for at least a day or two (longer if the chose was really to the child's dislike!). If they whine about the job, remind them that they are no longer bored and the next time they need to think twice before declaring "I'm bored".