Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

July 31, 2009

Golden Silence

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 6:03 am

Is it horrible of me to be happy that my husband is off fishing at the moment, and that I have complete silence in the house? I do love my husband and his company, but as you may or may not know, the doctor advised him to stop with the Zyban after he woke up the other morning with heart palpitations, which he swears are from the medication. Rather than take any chances, I’m glad the doctor asked him to stop them.

He’s made an appointment for next week to see about finding another alternative to stop with the smoking. In the meantime, for whatever reason, he’s struggling. He isn’t smoking any less, so I can’t say that it’s any type of nicotine withdrawl, but he’s been a bear to live with, and it is giving me a headache.

I’m biting my tongue, and often smiling through gritted teeth- but sometimes I just can’t do that and I react. I’m only human, after all.

I know he’ll feel much better if he can get that poison out of his system, but what am I in store for when he actually stops, before he does get it out of his system and stops having withdrawls? Lord help us both, is all I can say….

If he can get past the cigarettes, I can get past his moodiness. It’s for a good cause, I keep telling myself. 🙂

July 29, 2009

A Picture’s Worth…

Filed under: Inspiration,Life,photography — gardener @ 11:02 am

There are times when words cease to be necessary, when a moment, an object, or even a photograph tells the story-

Dare to be different- Dare to stand out in a croud and be yourself, even if standing up for yourself and what you believe it may not be the most popular thing. ANYONE can go along with the crowd and do what everyone else is doing.

Staring Back

Filed under: Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 10:58 am

This morning I was looking at myself in the mirror as I was getting dressed, and I couldn’t help but notice that I really need to get back to my strength training and be consistent.  It has been a while, and I notice that the flab is still there, and obviously it isn’t going to go away on it’s own.  I’m not taking fat burners, and haven’t been strength training, so I don’t know what I expected when I looked in the mirror.

Obviously it wasn’t what I saw staring back at me. Just another reason that I’m happy that I’ve recommited myself to this journey, to my health, to my life.

July 28, 2009

On Understanding Happiness….

Filed under: Inspiration,Life — gardener @ 4:57 am

I remember there being a time when I was just like so many others in the world who felt that happiness hinged upon ‘something’. The perfect job, the perfect guy, the perfect home, the perfect (insert anything here)- but it seemed that that type of ‘happiness’ always seemed to be fleeting, leaving a feeling of longing, of disappointment, of wanting ‘more’ of the brass ring that always seemed just out of reach, and sometimes I’d grasp it for a moment, only for it to slip through my fingers.

I’d love to say that I remember the exact moment when I realized that happiness is none of those things- it’s not about a ‘destination’, but about the journey, and depending on someone else to create that happiness for you is nothing more than setting yourself up for hurt and disappointment. Happiness is a Do It YOURSELF Project.

This morning, when I opened my ‘inbox’, I found this great email from Sparkpeople on happiness. I loved it, and when I find little things along the road of life that reach out and grab me, I can’t help but want to share them with others. You never know when it’s ‘just what the doctor ordered’ so-to-speak.

“A great obstacle to happiness is expecting too much happiness.” – Bernard de Fontanelle

Happiness is a state of mind, not a way of life or a destination that you’ll reach one day. Bumps in the road of life are to be expected, and we cannot let them ruin our days. We often think that if a combination of factors would just fall into place THEN we would finally be happy. Satisfaction can only come from within, through truly accepting yourself, your life, and your circumstances. During this life you’ll have many hard days–long work days, sleepless nights, worrying about the future, etc. This week, think about the joys of your life. Find creative ways to enjoy the little bumps in the road.

We All Need

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Life — gardener @ 4:47 am

Do you remember that song in the 80’s by Rick Springfield that said, “We all need, the human touch?“. I loved that song back in the day and now every time I see Human Touch Massage Chairs, I can’t help but think of that song.

Have you ever actually sat in one? Let me be the first to tell you, it’s the next best things to a real massage, and it seems to melt all my troubles away, not to mention the stresses of everyday life, or even the tense muscles that I often find myself having from working out.

For a long time, I spent so much time taking care of everyone else, that ‘me’ time fell to the wayside. That showed in many aspects of my life, and sadly I’m not the only one who falls into this category. About a year and a half ago, I decided to start thinking about ‘me’, which included becoming healthier, both mentally and physically, and NOT feeling guilty about it. During this journey, I’ve found that massage chairs are not only a delicious way to relax, but it also increases blood and oxygen circulation, which benefits vital organs. It’s not just an indulgence, but an indulgence with benefits.

Have you ever tried one? What has your experience been? I always feel so rejuvinated afterwards, and ready to take on the world.

July 27, 2009

Handy Dandy

Filed under: Life,Things I Love — gardener @ 11:58 am

Lately, I’ve found myself wanting to be more organized, or shall I say, more organized than I already am.  There are many things in my life that are extremely organized, and others which are really lacking. 

One of those areas that is definitely in the ‘lacking’ department is making grocery lists and meal planning.   I try, then I get busy with other things, days pass, and Monday rolls around and guess who hasn’t created a grocery list OR a meal plan for the week?   You guessed it, MOI. 

I really admire those people who seem to create menu plans and grocery lists with ease,  since I can make lists for everything else, but I can’t seem to remain consistent with those two.

SO- In an effort to actually try to create a habit and become more organized in the grocery shopping/ meal planning department I decided to use this iPhone application for ‘lists’.

At first, I was only making lists for letters I needed to write, and those type of things, and even created a ‘grocery list’ catgory, which is great because you can color-code items for their importance on your ‘to buy’ list.    I added items, but then forgot about the list.

I finally decided that a generalized grocery list was not the way to go for me, since I usually visit several stores, so what I decided to do instead was create a ‘list’ for every supermarket that I shop in, and as I go through the weekly sale papers, I add the items that I’d like to purchase along with the price, plus the items from each store that I’d like to purchase that are on my everyday shopping list.

From there, I created another list- and added each day of the week.  Within each day of the week, I can add ‘notes’ , which is where I”m adding the menu ideas for that particular day.   That way, not only do I have my shopping list, but also my menu ideas all in one space-  VERY HANDY!!

I put the new idea to the test this morning when I went shopping, and I LOVE it.   As I pick up the items in my cart, all I have to do is touch the square to the left of each item and the program adds a check-mark.  When I finish, I can select “Delete all checked items” and voila’  they’re deleted and my list is updated.

Hopefully, this new idea will allow me to remain organized.   Have I ever mentioned how much I ‘heart’ my iPhone?

July 26, 2009

Here We Go-

Filed under: Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 11:51 am

This morning, after eating my steel-cut oatmeal, Marcel and I took advantage of the great weather and headed out for the first time in weeks on our bikes.   With Samantha’s visit and then me getting sick afterwards, there hasn’t been much in way of cardio around this house for me and it was time that I recommited myself to the program.  I’ve managed to drop 10 or a little more pounds this year, but on the whole, I should have lost more- truth is- I haven’t been giving it my all.

Maybe I was just tired of always being so aware of the goal to get these pounds off that I think my body and maybe my mind, both needed a rest.   Now we’re ready to go again and get to the finish line, and that’s when I have to make sure that I don’t get too comfy in my new skin that I get lazy and allow the weight to come back.

First things first-  We rode for 50 minutes today, around 13 miles, so we weren’t messing around.  Usually Marcel wants to stop half way and drink coffee or something, but today he was ready to get back and go fishing, so we continued on until we’d made our way back home.   Because I haven’t biked in a while, I had serious ‘rubber legs’ when I stepped off the bike.

We put the bikes away, and as soon as Marcel headed out the door to go fishing, Desere messaged and invited us for coffee-  Since Marcel was gone fishing, I went alone, grabbing the bike and off I went.   With that 10 minutes (5 there and 5 back), that gave me a complete hour today on the bike, and I’ve felt great the entire day.

I’ve missed the exercise.   Tomorrow Bobbi is coming over, so I’m planning to get to the supermarket semi-early so that I can hopefully get back home in time to work out before she arrives.  I know the elliptical thinks I’ve abandoned it, but it’s time to show it who’s boss. haha

July 25, 2009

Saturday Gratitude

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 12:43 pm

Since I don’t have alot of time, and I haven’t shared a gratitude list in a while, I thought I would do that, and also encourage you to share a few things with me that YOU are grateful for today, or any day for that matter.

There is SO much to be grateful for in life- and I do try to pause each day and recognize just how much blessed I am- with great health, great friends, and family just to name a few.

My Gratitude List for July 25, 2009.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • A productive day, in spite of all my goofing off and having fun.  
  • Up to the moment updates of my nephews baseball All-Star tournament from my favorite (and only) brother.
  • Recommitting myself to my heatlh and wellness plan, and intending to not only be the best I can be, but also get those last pounds off for good!
  • Steel- Cut oats, which I eat every morning.   I’ve got to find a local supplier.
  • Those who REALLY care, by walking the walk, and not just talking the talk.

July 24, 2009

Friday “Food For Thought”

Filed under: Inspiration,Quotes- Soul Food — gardener @ 8:28 am

We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves. ~Henri Frederic Amiel

My friend Sally posted this on Facebook earlier, and being one that loves quotations, I swiped it from her. I also happen to like things that cause me to pause, and consider the words carefully and how they apply to my own life.

I took some time to think back on moments in my own life when I’ve been discontent with others in my surroundings, and true as this quotation, during those moments it was not others that I was ‘truely’ discontent with, but indeed myself.

There are often times that I find myself ‘prickly’ with Marcel, and later I find myself wondering what that was all about. I usually dismiss it, but thinking back, I realize that those are the times when I’m not satisfied with something in my life- either results of choices I’ve made, or feeling frustrated about various things- all of which have nothing at all to do with him or anyone else, but Me, Myself, and I.

After reading this, I’ve decided that I want to be more aware of WHY I’m reacting to certain things in regards to other people. Is it that I’m REALLY discontent with them, or is it ME?

I’m going to make a conscious effort for one week (I can do anything for a week), and see what happens. It can’t hurt- and I challenge you to do the same, and report your findings here.

July 23, 2009

It’s Official- Well Kinda’

Filed under: Life — gardener @ 12:38 pm

Marcel and I have been in contact with a Cairn Terrier breeder and have been emailing back and forth about a possible puppy in the future. We’ve been on the fence for a while as whether to get a new dog or not, mostly because the truth of the matter is- it’s easier without one. We don’t have to think about walking one, we don’t have to think about having it groomed, potty training, vet bills etc. On the other hand, we both love animals and think about how great it would be to have another in house, plus also a companion for Mister M. who I know is bored from time to time with all the ‘adult’ interaction.

We decided today to put ourselves on a waiting list with this breeder for a puppy which should be born in December sometime IF the breeding process goes well. That means if we decide to say yes, that we’ll have a puppy sometime in February. It’s still alot to think about, with our two month vacations home every other year, but I think we’re going to go for it.

Oh, and Marcel doesn’t know it yet- but I’ll probably call him “ToTo”. After all, what else is more fitting? I’ll probably give it a more original name, and just call him ToTo…

I’ll keep y’all posted on what we decide.

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