Through The Tulips Words of 'Wiz'dom

April 27, 2010

On Women, Food and God (the Book)

Filed under: Food,Food for Thought,Health/ Fitness,Shop til ya Drop,Things I Love — gardener @ 1:31 pm

It is no secret that I’ve been on a journey to a better, healthier lifestyle for the past year and a half, and the result of that journey so far has resulted in a weight loss of around 100 pounds. I still have a little way to go, but I can’t tell you how many people ask what ‘diet’ I’m on. I’m not-

I ordered the book On Women, Food and God after I read an excerpt on the Oprah website and I knew this was something I had to read for myself. I wasn’t expecting this book to be some magical key to weight loss, but what I was hoping for, was a different perspective to add to what I’ve learned during this process (which I imagine will be a learning experience from now on) and the book did not disappoint.

I haven’t read much lately and I admit to having a pretty huge pile of books in my ‘to read’ pile, but when I had this one in my hands, I wanted to read it immediately and soak up every little morsel of information. I’ll read it again and again, I’m sure.

The gift of the book helped teach me a few things about myself that I hadn’t thought of before, and that alone will help me along on this journey. I’m grateful I invested in myself buy purchasing the book. It was well worth the 25.00 price tag.

Accentuate the Positive

Filed under: Food for Thought — gardener @ 1:24 pm

Today has been one of those truly great days when it seems like everything good happens and you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Does it mean that my day has been perfect? Of course it doesn’t, but I refuse to give the negative any power and take way the joy of the good things, so I’m not focusing on that. Besides, I can’t do anything about it, so what’s the point?

I know, that sounds easier said than done, and truth be told- it is at times. I’m learning though, the more that I practice it, the easier it becomes. There are times when I think project management software would help me work my way through the maze of emotions, but it’s amazing what a little positive thinking and readjusting things can do to the soul.

Everyone doesn’t live by the same set of standards as I do. It doesn’t make mine any better than anyone elses, but they are different. There is something to be said though about focusing on the positive, and I guess that holds true to the ‘Accentuate the positive- eliminate the negative’. It realy does work. Don’t believe me? Give it a try.

It will take practice, but it works.

I love days like this!

Nothin’ But Blue Skies

Filed under: Uncategorized — gardener @ 3:11 am

Today is a day that I will spend mostly in the company of friends. This morning I was up early and out the door for Bible Study that I share with an amazing group of ladies.

I travel to and from via the train, and I noticed this older gentleman sitting on the bench with his phone, enjoying the gorgeous weather.

The skies are a beautiful blue and the clouds are few. It is truely a gorgeous day.

I’ll arrive home shortly, in time for my friend Carol to visit with her adorable pup Piper. Hopefully JJ and Mister M. will enjoy meeting a new friend. I know JJ will enjoy the walk and showing off his new tricks.

April 25, 2010

Tip Toe ‘Through The Tulips’

Filed under: Life,photography — gardener @ 9:51 am

   Marcel and I went out last week in search of the ‘tulips’ but they were barely blooming at the time.   With all the sunshine and fabulous weather we’ve had this week, I knew it wouldn’t be long before they were in full bloom so we decided to head out for a little while today to see what we could find.

Even though they aren’t in full bloom yet and we saw a couple of fields that weren’t quite in bloom, given a few more days (and a little rain), and they’ll be at their peak.  I’d venture to say that by the middle to end of next week, they’ll be at full peak.   

This morning I just took along my small camera since the skies weren’t great and the time of day wasn’ t the best for lighting, but I’ll be going out again sometime this week to see what I can come up with.     I’ll be sure to share- and in the meantime-  take some time this week to smell the flowers- tulips or not.

April 22, 2010

Gratitude April 22, 2010

Filed under: Gratitude — gardener @ 1:10 pm

Today is one of those days when I can’t seem to focus on any one thought because there are so many different things running through my head about so many different people. It seems that many people are struggling right now, and I hate to see people that I love struggle. I know they will overcome, though as these things are only temporary.

I’m still reading Women, Food and God and I’m really enjoying it. There’s so much I’ve been thinking lately, and so many things I am learning about myself for the first time.

My Gratitude List for April 22, 2010.

Today I’m Grateful For:

  • Desere making it through her surgery ok, and possibly coming home tomorrow.
  • A bowl of French Onion Soup on a cool Spring day.
  • Pecan Pie Larabars
  • Those who get it
  • People who love you for who you are, not for what they think you should be.

Read My Lips

Filed under: Shop til ya Drop — gardener @ 9:43 am

Marcel was cleaning out the shed when he came across a huge trunk filled with books. They are books that I’ve read and I highly doubt that I’ll read them again, because the ones I refer to from time to time, I have stuffed in my night stand. Marcel suggested that maybe I sell used books and make a little cash, because right now they are collecting dust and taking up space in the shed. I guess he’s right, but something about me hates to part with them. At least this way someone else could enjoy them.

Desere and Olive Sized Stones

Filed under: Health/ Fitness,Life — gardener @ 9:40 am

Marcel and I are headed back to the hospital to see Desere for what I hope will be the last time at the hospital. She had her surgery today and is doing well. When they removed her gall bladder they also found 6 olive size stones. Can you imagine? That’s huge, and I can’t even begin to fathom the pain she’s been in. Oddly, hearing that they were the size of olives suddenly made me look at olives in a different light. They don’t seem so appealing, at least not at the moment.

So much going on here- and I have a lot to talk about, but that will come. Right now, time to get to the hospital.

April 20, 2010

Don’t Assume

Filed under: Health/ Fitness — gardener @ 8:55 am

You know, there is a funny thing about losing a significant amount of weight that I’ve observed over the past year and a half, people tend to assume that you’ve either taken pills or had surgery. I often wonder if there will come a day when people stop asking me about weight loss pills that work, and actually ask me how I lost the amount of weight that I have. Granted, there have been some who actually asked, but most people assume and start asking questions based on their assumptions. One person even went as far as to tell several people that I had gastric bypass surgery. The funny thing is, if that person knew me, then they would have known that I would have had to be on my death bed for that to happen.

I am not a fan of the knife and being put to sleep under ANY circumstances that are non-emergency and I will avoid them like the plague. Don’t assume, just ask- I’ll be happy to tell you- really.

Waiting

Filed under: Uncategorized — gardener @ 3:22 am

This time if the year is one that I always look forward to because it’s when the tulips begin to bloom. I usually go out and look for tulip fields, stand in front of them, admire their beauty and even photograph them.

Marcel and I went out on Saturday in search of the tulips, but I found that they weren’t quite ready. I think we’ll try again this weekend. I’m ready to tiptoe through the tulips, but for now I wait.

April 19, 2010

Makes You Wonder

Filed under: Food for Thought,Health/ Fitness,Public Service Announcement — gardener @ 11:48 pm

Have you ever thought about how some of the ‘great’ advances in medicine have turned out to be more of a problem than something good? I was thinking about that the other day and about how some of the weight loss medications over the years have ended up causing heart problems and weren’t quite the ‘magic solution’ that some people thought they were.

I was even reading an article about human growth hormone side effects. It seems that nothing is without a side effect these days. My friend Desere was given some medication last night at the hospital to stop the pain that she was having from gall stones. When she got home, she read the paper with the side effects and it said- This medication does not help with pain associated with kidney or gall stones. When she called the hospital about it, they said they’ve been giving that medication for years. Makes you wonder doesn’t it?

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