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All Good Things Come to an End…Or Do They?

You know the saying, “All good things come to an end?” That phrase probably couldn’t be more true than right now with my oldest son graduating high school this week!

His high school years were a bit different than what we expected them to be given half of his years were overshadowed by the world pandemic that began in 2020. As a freshman, it was an exciting time and my son was ready to take on high school sports. He did play in the freshman basketball team during the winter season and seemed he liked it. He had been playing recreational basketball since he was in 3rd or 4th grade. His favorite sport was baseball. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to play on the freshman team because of Covid.

Fast forward to 2023. My son decided not to play on the high school basketball team, and chose not to play on the varsity baseball team, either. It seems the excitement of playing sports in high school dissipated for him and he wanted to pursue different things.

Little by little, I’ve noticed that all the things he did as a youth, he was letting go, or saying goodbye to them. Of course, he may have been completely fine with it, but for me, I was sad. I spent so many nights and weekends in all kinds of weather watching as my kid played baseball and basketball. I loved watching him and his teammates do something they enjoyed. I liked seeing the comradery among his friends on the team. I enjoyed the social time with the families.

Was this time I spent for my son or was it for me? If I must be honest, I have to say probably both. He entered high school and then the pandemic put a halt to practically everything. For his senior year he chose not do anything extracurricular; I not only was disappointed for him, but for myself. At first I would say, “…but you’re missing out! don’t you want to be part of a team? don’t you want to participate in activities with friends?” The answer was no. He was fine with his choices and I needed to be fine with it too.

My son has grown up. He’s making his own decisions and establishing his own path, at his own pace. In all practical purposes, he should! He is 18 and ready to move on to the next stage of life. Goodbye high school…hello world! He has decided to go to college after high school graduation, so that is a big step! Luckily, he won’t be far…but far enough that he won’t be coming home to eat dinner and play video games to his heart’s content.

This is not only a big change for my son, but it is certainly a big change for me. I’m used to how things are and I am happy to know both my children live home and, for the most part, I know where they are, what they may be doing and most importantly, are sleeping in their bed here at home. There is a comfort in knowing your children are near by and safe.

I’ve spent the last 19 years of my life nurturing and caring for my boy… teaching him, guiding him, and encouraging him to try new things. If you’re a mom reading this, you know how much we put in…not only our physical time and effort, but our emotional selves, too. And that’s the part that is most challenging.

Our hearts and souls are poured into our children with the hopes they grow up to be happy and healthy individuals. And right now, all that work will be tested as my son embarks onto the new adventure of his life. All I can do is pray and hope I did what I could and that all those lessons over the years will resonate with him.

When move-in day happens in about 2 1/2 months from now, I think the reality will hit me that my kid, my first-born son, will not be home that night, but living with a roommate at college. Until then, I will relish the time this summer to enjoy the little moments, which tend to be fewer than before. He is older, has a social life and doesn’t necessarily want to hang out with his mother. That’s ok. Even if he sits down with me to talk about the latest workout regime he’s doing, I will listen intently as if he is giving a lecture in front of an audience. It will be those small moments that I will remember later…that will make me feel satisfied that I did my best and that it’s ok to say goodbye to my little boy and welcome the young man he is today.

Yes, good things do end, but good things also begin, too. Life is cyclical. Life is ever changing and evolving. New adventures await us all. Even though some of the best years of my life are ending with my son grown up, there is something else to look forward to, as well. The future isn’t set! It is actually an exciting time for my son and all his friends right now. I need to put aside my emotions for a moment and see the future in his eyes. And when I do that, I am astonished beyond words of how proud I feel to see what’s in store for him next. And that certainly brings some comfort and makes me smile.

My son, Luke, and me, holding on tight. Photo credit: Victoria Lee Photography
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Road Blocks, Rocks and Rivers

They say when faced with many challenges, the ones that prevail come out stronger. I am not so sure how much stronger I can be. At this point, I should be Ms. Universe of Strength, if that’s a thing!

Back in February, I mentioned about changes in my job situation and that I should embrace those changes with a positive attitude. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out. The new owners of the practice made drastic changes that left me feeling frustrated and upset most of the time. After careful thought, I decided to leave the job in early April. I gave a 2-week notice, but was asked to leave a mere 2 days later. It wasn’t the parting I wanted and I left feeling a bit humiliated, disheartened, yet relieved. Without getting into details, it was the right decision.

It has been only about a month and a half, but it feels like a very long time since I’ve been out of work. At first, I figured I’d give myself the time to grieve, re-evaluate, and decide what my next steps would be career-wise. In addition, I was preparing to have surgery for my hip the end of April, so the timing was actually ok.

Then I encountered another road block – my surgery was canceled. The reason? I had gained 30 pounds since my consultation (less than a year prior) and the doctor would not perform the surgery.

Needless to say I was devastated. I knew I had gained some weight, but the amount I gained was astonishing. I was so angry at myself for allowing this to happen. I walked out of the office building and hurled my handbag towards the car in a rage. WTF??? How could this be?? How could I allow myself to get to this point? I have been in a lot of pain and it has only gotten worse. I am unable to sustain long periods of standing and walking is difficult. The arthritis that has caused the deterioration in my hip is pretty bad. I need the surgery!!!

Did anyone say WAKE UP CALL? I won’t say I’m completely depressed because I keep trying every day to make good choices. Yet, I am not super happy with how things are progressing, either. Ever since I received the news about the surgery, I have changed my eating habits. There are so many combination of things I have to think about to ensure I make right choices each time. I’ve spent hours looking online looking for healthy recipes that I think will work for me. So far, I’ve been doing this on my own, with no outside support from sources like professional weight loss programs.

The weight is not coming off fast enough for me. It’s a slow progress. I have probably lost about 4 pounds total in a month. Some would say that’s great. But for me, it’s not good enough. The physical limitations are affecting me even more. Now that the weather is nice, I could go outside and walk, but right now, it’s nearly impossible without pain. The most I can do is probably just do an upper body workout, which I have just come to realize will be my only way out of this dread of feeling physically useless.

And if not to add more salt to my open wounds, I am also managing my parental duties to my kids, especially my younger son, who has struggled with anxiety and depression most of his adolescent life. I spend a lot of time taking care of his needs. I don’t want to disclose too much here, but he is battling things I am not familiar with and so I leave it to the professionals to help him. I’m just there for him to love and support him as much as possible. It’s not easy because as a parent, I feel helpless. Thank goodness, though, I have found good providers.

My older son is a junior in high school and I’ve been trying to guide him, along with a tutor, to prepare for life after high school. He wants to go to college and study physical therapy or something in the health sciences. However, he has his own challenges with grades and extracurricular activities that colleges look for when considering a student for admission. As a mom, I worry about his future and that brings a whole different set of frustrations to the mix. Additionally, there are other things like elderly parents to worry about, my 20+ year marriage to maintain and just working on keeping my mind sane! HA!!

All of these road blocks/obstacles, are certainly difficult and could potentially be paralyzing. Every day I wake up hoping for something to change. But change doesn’t just happen on its own. We have to pave our pathways around those road blocks to find a new road to travel. Sure, what is ahead of us is unknown and can be very scary. But if we don’t make our own way, we’re stuck behind that obstacle holding us back.

My therapist told me of this metaphor in nature about a rock in a river…the water makes its way around it to continue moving forward. The water doesn’t stop flowing just because it ran into a rock. And it certainly doesn’t go backwards, either.

Neither should we. No matter how many obstructions get in our way, we have to keep moving or else we are stuck in our own misery. I don’t want to be stuck. I want to keep moving. I want to find my clear path of success…even if it will take longer than I hope.

As a famous musician once wrote and sang,

We all end in the ocean
We all start in the streams
We’re all carried along
By the river of dreams

-Billy Joel

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Keep Smiling and Shining

Happy February! We made it to another year and I’m so glad it is 2022! Honestly, I’m happy to be alive any day, but knowing a new year is ahead is enough to make me smile.

Living the last couple years in a pandemic has been quite the ride, hasn’t it? We have learned how to navigate this new world of living with Covid unlike anything else we knew before. From wearing masks in public to being top online communicators, we have certainly taken this way of living to benefit us so we can continue to thrive.

I’ve also learned a lot about myself, too:

  • Lots of self-reflection
  • Discovering who in my life is truly in my circle
  • Finding new hobbies or interests
  • Learning more about my ADHD
  • Meeting new people through social media
  • Appreciating nature more
  • Knowing what matters most

Despite my mental health status constantly going through ups and downs, I can see that the last couple years have not been horrible, but really a blessing! How can I not smile?

Typically during the beginning of a new year, we decide to make resolutions or goals to live a better life. This usually entails losing weight, eating healthier or maybe giving up on bad habits. All these are admirable objectives and not to downplay them, but I think there are even better intentions in order to have a positive effect:

  1. GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO BE KIND to others and not pass judgment. I know…that’s a biggie, but so important! Plus, kindness is FREE!
  2. ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES and try not to let change in circumstances bring on stress. We all can be little creatures of habit and not deal with change well. However, change can be a good thing and if we focus on the pros, we can see all the possibilities as a result of those changes!
  3. MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE despite our circumstances. Not only is it helpful to keeping ourselves calm, but having a positive attitude can also be an example for others to follow suit.


Through all this self discovery, I recognize that I have gifts I can share with others. I have always had many interests and been a good communicator, which is what I used as the inspiration to start this blog back in 2020. I have always possessed an artistic side and spending more time with art and photography has enabled me to share some of my passions with others. Additionally, being with people, sharing experiences, making new friends is something I’ve always enjoyed.

I have also discovered there are many people that think just like me, too! I know that may sound silly, but when you surround yourself with the same circle all the time, you miss out on so much. I’ve mentioned this a few times, but the community I met through Tik Tok has been unbelievably amazing. Not only are there people who are inspirational, but are also funny, caring, and honest. I have made some special friendships that I wouldn’t change for anything.

Let’s circle back to change for a moment. recently, I have been confronted with some changes that will make a significant impact on me. At first, upon learning of the changes, I absorbed the information and went through a bit of an assimilation process… first came shock/surprise, second was a feeling of sadness/disappointment and then finally came apprehension/anxiety. Now I’m pretty much at the acceptance stage. I cannot change what is not in my control, so once I went through these emotions, I can now feel more at peace of accepting this news.

My logical part of my brain has been outlining all the pros to this change, but my emotional side has been a bit more “vocal” and has made me wonder more about future. I know I can’t predict how things will turn out. I can, however, take a different approach and embrace the unknown. Instead of a bunch of what ifs, how about more WHAT IF???

There’s a quote from Erin Hanson that I have seen with a Winnie the Pooh drawing of him in the air holding onto a balloon that says, “What if I fall? Oh my darling, but what if you fly?” I love this quote because it says so much in a simple way. It addresses our fear of the unknown, but then quickly assures us there are grand possibilities of success if we only allow ourselves to give it a try.

I suppose my goal in life encompasses many things. I need to keep in the forefront of my thinking that with change comes opportunity. And with opportunity, we can learn and grow. That never ends, unless we stop trying. And that isn’t an option for me. I might fall or fail, but at least I am experiencing life with some wonderful rewards.

Doesn’t that just make you want to smile? GOOD! Now pass it on!

Smiling and shining on a sunny day
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Achieving Balance with an ADHD brain

It’s been awhile since I have written. In fact it has been awhile since I have done anything significant on a creative level. It’s been a very different summer than in 2020. For one, I had a lot more free time to enjoy and explore my creative outlets. I also slept less and woke practically every morning to watch the sunrise. This summer, my sleep has seemed to have fallen in a more “normal” pattern. Last year I joined Tik Tok and met some amazing people online and embraced a community of positive folks, as well as all kinds of artists. I even made videos that were fun and also videos that I shared diferent thoughts. I enjoyed interacting with so many people and even gained some friendships along the way.

This past Spring, I experienced some life events which made a big impact with practically everything I had done and felt before. My client I worked for as a caregiver for four years died and then a mere four days later, my uncle, whom I was close to, also passed away from complications due to Covid.

A month later, I took on a new job with more hours and a completely different environment. Luckily, I enjoy what I do. With that, my leisurely life sort of came to a halt this summer; a time when I should have been enjoying time taking day trips with the family or hang out with friends. Instead, I jumped into the “real” work world and am learning to adjust.

I attribute my new schedule the reason I stopped being creative. I barely draw, paint or even take photographs like I used to. I miss it but I am also somewhat drained at the end of the day. I need to find a new balance in order to go back to finding time and enjoying the things that made me feel good. Not only has the creative side of me taken a back burner, but so has my health and wellness journey, which also sort of stopped being a main focus since Spring.

With summer coming to an end and my kids going back to school, the reality of that hasn’t quite hit me. It means I won’t see my kids when I get home from work because they will be involved in after school activities. By the time they get home, they’ll be busy with homework and studying and finding their own balance from their carefree summer.

Balance. Such a simple word. Yet, it is very challenging for so many people. Balancing our schedules so as to not leave things out, yet not be overwhelmed either. Balancing the work/life thing is important. When one part of our life takes over and the other part dissipates, it causes a tip on the scales that to some, can bring on a lot of anxiety and stress. Thinking of all of this makes my ADHD brain spin.

Time management and planning will be key even more than ever. I get nervous wondering if I can do it. Time management and being organized are not my strong suits. As much as I strive to be an organized individual, I usually come up short bc it becomes extremely overwhelming and frustrating. I realize I need to take things slower and more methodically so as to not panic and stress out.

Up until recently have I really understood how my brain works. I didn’t realize, for instance that I can’t think on the fly. I have to talk out loud to get my thoughts out. Sometimes it may not make sense, but it’s my way of brainstorming and organizing the thoughts. Another thing is that it takes me a few seconds to actually understand when someone is asking me a question. I need the time to process it. Since there is somewhat of a delay, people may get impatient with me or wonder why I don’t respond immediately.

The most frustrating aspect of my condition is that I have numerous thoughts swirling in my head and most are important, but I have difficulty putting them in order to make sense so I can tackle my ongoing “list”. And because of that, I get extremely overwhelmed and emotional that it literally drains me on a physical level, too. I suppose that is why I have a history of avoiding things.

Tasks that seem so simple to others are exponentially more difficult for a person who lives with ADHD. Add mental health issues into the mix, like anxiety and depression, certainly does not help. I have to be very intenional in everything I do now because there is a lot more happening in my life that I never had to concern myself with as much as when I was younger.

I have also noticed more that I do not want to know every detail of something. Bullet points, highlights, etc. are more effective for me. For example, my husband is extremely detail oriented and a big planner/forward thinker. When there is a project in the home that has to be done and he wants to share it with me or ask for my opinions, he will give me so much info that I tune it out or I will get very upset because I just want to make a decision and not go over every detailed scenario. Once I make my mind up, I go with it and try not to look back because it already took effort for me to come up with my decision.

I have heard and read about things people with ADHD can do to minimize the anxiety and accomplish what needs to be done while still enjoying things that bring joy. That is my ultimate goal. To go back to being creative more often. It not only is fun, but it is therapeutic.

Below is a list of 7 ideas/strategies I have found most helpful for me to incorporate into my life. I hope this list can help you if you’re overwhelmed, overworked, stressed, anxious or just lost. You don’t necessarily need to have ADHD to incorporate these into your life, either.

1. MAKE A LIST. I have had a strange aversion to lists most of my life. I really can’t tell you why. However, I realize I need to make lists and write things down, especially because I am more forgetful as I’ve gotten older. I won’t say I am a master list maker (or follower), but I am working on it!

2. PLAN AHEAD. Don’t wait for the last minute . Boy is this how I have lived most of my life. Perhaps in my youth it worked out ok. As I have gotten older and now have a family, doing things last minute just causes so much stress that I try very hard to do things more in advance.

3. PREPARE FOR THE WEEK. Again, this goes in the same lines as planning ahead. This one is more about meal planning. I have always been one to fly by the seat of my pants kind of person and find many times I never know what we’re having for dinner. Forget about packing lunches or even making breakfast! It’s just not good for any of us. We have been ordering out more or just not eating decent meals. And if I have to fight tooth and nail to prep the meals for the week on Sundays, I really believe I will be happier by the end of the week.

4. GET ENOUGH SLEEP. Over the last year, my sleep has been sporadic. Insomnia is not healthy and can cause havoc on your body, mind, and emotional well being. We need our sleep!

5. SCHEDULE TIME FOR FUN. Sounds silly, right? Remember what I said earlier? My schedule has changed to the point where everything I enjoyed before has taken a back burner to work and tasks that need to get done. We need to make it a point to have a little fun. If you have to block out time on your calendar and treat it as an appointment, then more than likely you will do it. And try not to talk yourself out of it either!!!

6. BE INTENTIONAL. None of this will work unless we set our minds to doing it. Say it out loud. Write it down. Post stickies on your mirror. Whatever it takes to remind yourself that these things are important for your well-being, the more you will stick to it.

7. FIND YOUR SUPPORT CIRCLE. I cannot ephasize how important this is for true success. We all need that support, love and understanding. If those around us don’t get it, then tell them how you feel and explain just like I did here how your operate and what is important to you and what you need from them.

I’d love to hear your observations or suggestions on how you achieve balance and/or how you are living with ADHD. Leave your comments below. I am sure there are other things I forgot.

“My wish is that I can achieve balance without frustration and those around me have the patience to understand me.” – Elisa Uhrynowski

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Memorial Day Memory 2020

Found on Pinterest. Bonnie is a quilter and blogger and can be found on Quiltville.com

The following post popped up in my Facebook memories. I suppose this was the beginning of my writings for my blog, which I originally published in August 2020. The sentiments I share still hold strong.

I will add that as a society, if we are not intentional in our actions and words, we are doomed to succeed in humanity. As we take time this weekend to honor those who fought for our country, I pray we will stand united and not just use this time for barbecues.

I have a lot on my mind lately, as I am sure many of you do. This world pandemic has affected all of us in ways that we cannot fathom in modern day history. Humankind has been through many trials and tribulations since we came into this earth, but this, being my lifetime, my world now, with my family, is something I believe is so unprecedented.

In a world full of instant communication and sharing of information, we can take what we see or learn and make choices. We have seen many positive actions taken, like thanking our healthcare workers, our educators and all the other “do-gooders” out there just trying to get through another day of social isolation and/distancing.

As humans, we are social in nature. Being cooped long can take a toll on anyone, especially for those with mental illness or other struggles they live with everyday. Technology has been our best friend throughout this, because we have been able to “see each other” via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or any other video/audio program. It has enabled us to remain connected, even if we cannot be there for one another in person.

However, it is not in our nature to remain isolated too long and we can see that everyone around the country and world are trying to get back to a new “normal”. But how can we really do so without the constant fear in the back of our minds of a resurgence? It’s all so confusing and frustrating because we yearn for companionship, socializing and just being with others. It’s Human Nature. I also strongly believe that those with mental illness are extremely vulnerable and we need to take care of them the best we can.

What baffles me the most that the events that have taken place in the last week are completely atrocious and makes me sad for our society. I feel angry, but I mostly feel disappointed that despite all the good cheer we have been sharing with everyone, we are falling apart or going backwards with violence, riots, downright rudeness and disregard for one another.

One of my teens is pretty insightful and the tragedy of George Floyd’s death and now Operation Pridefall (it’s an anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda campaign) coming up in June is making him question what is wrong with our world? I try to offer words of wisdom, support and an open ear. How do I tell my kid that “this too, shall pass” when our history shows when one tragedy ends, another comes along at some point and that we need to remain steadfast and strong and hold our heads up high and ignore the haters?

All that comes to mind is that we can voice ourselves against the wrong in a peaceful way and not choose violent or threatening acts to get our points across. We must remember those who fought for Civil Rights and did it in an inspirational way, not buy killing or spitting or looting, but by prayer, positive and powerful words and peaceful actions.

Who were some of those that fought against the hatred and prevailed or at least inspired a movement? Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa to name a few. But there are several others who sacrificed themselves to the point of imprisonment and even death to spread the words of Love and Peace. Even if you don’t believe, we can look at our biblical history and see how followers of Jesus stood up for what they believed and died for it, too.

Personally, I am not that strong of a person. But I do have a voice that I can express here because of our forefathers of the United States without being persecuted. And for that, I am grateful.

I told a group I belong to that I had an urge to get out on a soapbox and speak my mind about how we need to continue doing good for others and to let go of our old ways of violent protests. Would anyone listen? I pray for the families who have suffered and died due to this pandemic. I pray for those with mental illness. I pray for all those have lost their lives unduly or unjustly. I pray for our leaders, our educators, and law enforcement. I pray our children. Most of all, I pray for humanity. If anything this pandemic has taught us is that WE ARE HUMAN and WE ARE GOOD. We can choose the path of Light or live in the dark side. I will always choose LOVE and EMPATHY for people because what are we without that?

But I will not only pray, but take action in a way I know I can make an impact. Perhaps it’s by helping others? Maybe sending a care package to someone who needs their spirits lifted? All I know is that I will never stop caring for people and will speak out against those who place judgement on others in a peaceful and thoughtful way. I leave you a couple quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Strength to Love, 1963

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Love, Love, Love

There’s a song from the 90’s that was in the movie, Night at the Roxbury, entitled “What is Love?”, the theme of the movie. The characters are brothers who are very close, have a falling out, eventually reconcile and everyone lives happily ever after.

The movie was a flop and there wasn’t much depth. Probably the only thing that became a success was the popularity of the song, “What is Love?”

So, what is love??? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

love is “an intense feeling of deep affection for a person.”

If we look at the Bible and see what Paul wrote about love, it encompasses many things like patience, kindness, hope and trust.

There a numerous references to love. It seems this has been the most discussed and researched topic since the beginning of time. From philosophers to poets, love has been a subject of intangible curiosity.

Recently we said our final goodbyes to my beloved uncle, who not only was loved very much, but was also the pillar of the family. He was an intelligent and kind person who was passionate about his family. He wrote and reflected on life and would share those thoughts with us. During the services, his spirit was strong and we felt a power of love so fierce that we couldn’t help but feel deeply connected to one another.

The energy of grief, though prevalent, was overshadowed by the fortitude of love our entire family expressed towards each other. The priest highlighted the fact that the only thing that is of ultimate value is LOVE. In his Italian accent and jovial expressions, he emphasized love threes each time he spoke about it.

This had me thinking more about the power of love, particularly when families unite during circumstances like a funeral. We rejoice in reuniting with one another and reminisce on our past. It’s a strange thing if you think about it. Why is it that it takes something like death to bring family together??

Since the pandemic, we have become creative in connecting with our loved ones. There really isn’t much excuse to be in touch, even for a few moments. Technology enables us to speak or see each other across the world. Staying in touch has never been easier. Yet, we fall into a trap of our own busyness and forget about those that mean the most to us…those whose roots are our life force.

We get caught up in our own lives and don’t take the time to plan get togethers with our families. Life happens. The key is to purposely set time to keep connected with our family. It isn’t always that easy, which is why we need to be intentional in putting our families and loved ones a priority. Annual family reunions is certainly one way to stay connected.

What else defines love?

Love means feeling compassion and empathy towards others. No judgement. When we judge, we set up a barrier and separate ourselves from others. When we are separated, how can we truly love?

Even after much time that passes, families can find themselves back to a place of love, despite all the heartaches from the past.

Love means acceptance and understanding.

Love has a partner that can’t be forgotten. Forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we are trapped in our own pain. We cannot move on and we hold hardness against others. When we forgive, we become free.

And who doesn’t want to feel free from our negative feelings? I don’t want to be weighed down with hatred or ill will. I realize that even if we all share different philosophies about life, we still share a common bond. After experiencing this loss in my family, it is more obvious how short and precious life truly is and we must not take our families, our friends or ourselves for granted.

All we need is to Love, Love, Love.

My family, May 2021

‘The beautiful things in life are not just things. They’re the people and places, memories and pictures. They’re feelings and moments and smiles and laughter.” -author unknown

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Wellness Progress – Week 3

If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.

Author unknown

I did it! I finally broke the 10 pound loss mark! It seemed like I was hovering for a couple weeks. I was getting a bit frustrated because I have been working hard to lose and get stronger. I have been consistent in my exercise routine and eating habits. So, when the scale wasn’t moving, I started to feel like I would never get past a certain stage.

I know about muscle weighing more and losing inches is just as important, but the almighty scale seems to have presedence over everything else. But, It’s all good because I know I continue to make progress.

I began a 21 day challenge along with some fellow Fit Campers and it’s a great way to keep focused and motivated. Before I started this 21 day challenge, I had a goal to hold the plank position for more than a minute at a time. Someone posted a plank challenge in our group and turns out with this challenge, I should be able to hold plank for 3 minutes by the end of the 21 days!

This past Saturday was another successful Fit Camp at the nutrition club where I also get my protein shakes. I noticed how I was able to handle the repetitions quicker and I could do the modified pushups easier than the week before. My stamina has definitely improved.

I felt so good after my Fit Camp workout, I decided to go for a walk on the boardwalk by the beach. It was a beautiful day, too. As I was walking, I saw that the small island off shore was accessible by a walkable sandbar due to the very low tide that day. I had never walked out that far and decided to take on the adventure! It was so fun to explore and get my exercise in as well.

Beginning of the 1.5 mile round trip walk to and from the island

I should have listened to myself when I knew I needed to stop at some point so I could turn around and go back to my car. I had already walked a good mile or so. But, like they say, curiosity killed the cat and for me, I was very curious! It was so fun to explore and observe this quaint little island that is home to some local birds.

On my way back, my body wasn’t happy with me and I knew I’d be paying for it. By the time I got home, I was completely wiped out and my back hurt. I had to take it easy the rest of the day. I had no idea I would be in a lot of pain from walking more than usual. I did a double workout and my body did not like it!

Despite overdoing it, I love the fact that I push myself to my best ability. I find myself wanting to move more. Being part of the 21 day challenge and support group is making me hyper focused on my goals.

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Are We Over Consumers of Social Media?

Image from internet

There is no doubt our use of the internet and social media has increased over the last few years, especially in 2020 since the pandemic hit the globe. Our dependency on the internet has become paramount to how we learn, communicate and market our businesses. It’s almost as if we don’t know how life would be without the internet, let alone social media. Some statistics compiled by Datareportal published in January 2021:

  • More than half of the world now uses social media
  • 4.66 billion people around the world now use the internet, of those users, 316 million new users have come online within the last 12 months
  • 5.22 billion unique mobile users

I was interested in finding out some of the statistics because personally, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different platforms out there. The main ones like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter are steady in usage. I discovered Tik Tok last year when we were on lockdown. From there, I have been introduced to Twitch, Clubhouse and Clapper. Normally, I wouldn’t bother using all these social media sites, but my habits seemed to have changed. I am curious as to what these apps are all about and find myself drawn to them.

The average social media user may use 8-10 applications. I named already 6 I use; SnapChat, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Meetup round out my main 10 social media applications I personally use. Looking at this kind of blows my mind! Not only am a registered user, but I am a fairly active user of most of these apps! No wonder my mind is filled with information it’s trying to process!

Which leads me to my main point: Are we over-consuming social media?

Just analyzing my own usage, I’d say it is very probable. Just as we can over-consume food or drinks, we certainly can over-consume the use of social media. Some say it doesn’t impact their daily lives much and that it is just part of the norm. If we keep our use in check, then it doesn’t seem to be much of an issue. However, if we spend several hours on various apps, there could be an issue.

Another thing to consider is that we do not have much downtime. We spend our time on some sort of device an average of 11-12 hours a day! The rest of that day is spent eating, running errands, etc. Where do our minds wander if we aren’t allowing them the space and time to think and imagine? Social media has become our source for fulfilling so many needs, including busting the boredom.

Don’t get me wrong. Social media is part of our culture and is necessary for many aspects of our lives. However, we shouldn’t allow it to become the sole way of creating and communicating. Think of it as a gateway to further connect with others and learn new things and try not to get lost in the scrolling habit.

I am grateful for all the social media platforms. I have made friends and connections that are invaluable. However, I will not forget what’s most important, either “in real life.” Balance is the key.

It may do us all some good to to take a self-inventory once in awhile to make sure we aren’t over-consuming and are living a more balanced life. Allow our minds to have free time to just “be” and maybe do nothing at all! If we do that, I would guess we will feel less stress and have a positive approach to our day.

How much time do you spend on all the social media apps?

If you decide to cut back your consumption, what will you do with your free time?

Leave a comment here or message me! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic!

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Retrain Your Brain, Part 2

Your body achieves what the mind believes.

author unknown

As February comes to a close and March begins, there is the promise of spring arriving soon. Spring has been known to many as new beginnings or a fresh start. And that is where I am at right now…a fresh start.

If you have been following me or read my blog posts, you may have come across my post entitled ReTrain Your Brain. That post focused on changing our mindset into a more positive way and not focus on things out of our control, but on all the good things we can be grateful for each day.

Usually people set goals beginning of the new year. I did not because I don’t like to set myself up for failure. However, I’ve gotten over that pity party, so to speak. I am ready to make some changes and set goals that will benefit me not only mentally, but physically, too! I decided yesterday that I would begin my new health regimen by exercising and eating better…again.

I say “again” because this isn’t the first, second or even tenth time I’ve tried to be physically healthier, lose weight and get into shape. I have struggled most of my adult life going up and down the scale. I have changed my wardrobe several times, pledging to myself that I will never wear THAT size again! Yet, for whatever reason, I fall short of my ultimate goal. Then I just lose all interest or motivation to pick myself up and try again.

I am reminded of a song called “Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. The lyrics are simple and catchy, but the chorus is the part that I can relate: “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” To me, it means that even if I get knocked down, I will always get up again. No matter what, I will never give up. I may fall, but I pick myself up eventually, despite my frustrations, despite the obstacles in front of me.

Another song is “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. In the beginning of the song, Eminem says “ Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it, or just let it slip?” What a question! It really makes me think if I truly treated my health as if I only have ONE SHOT to improve, then of course I wouldn’t waste that opportunity, right?

Easier said than done. There are so many of us who struggle with maintaining a healthy weight and eating the right foods on a daily basis. What keeps us on track? I had brought this topic up in a recent chat on Tik Tok and I received some input about how restarting again is ok. Some people say to Keep the WHY nearby; Why are you doing it? That’s a great point! Why am I working towards a better, healthy me? At this stage in my life, it has a lot to do with my actual health and not be in pain every time I move.

Other people said to start small, don’t take on more than you can chew. Set goals that motivate you to keep going to reach them. Someone said they make certain rules for themselves where they are allowed a cheat day, but only after a successful week. It’s setting boundaries. It’s building a structure to follow. All of this seems so simple when you put it on paper, but yet, I am fighting my inner voice that is saying, go ahead, you can have that piece of cake…you only live once! And that is my point. We Only Live ONCE. So we need to treat our bodies as the most precious possession we own. If it were to break, we’d never get another one.

image from Pinterest

Yes, there are temptations. There are times we just don’t feel like it. We start convincing ourselves this is too much work. Too much to think about and it is overwhelming. I’d rather just live my life, do what I want and not worry about any consequences. Wow. That seems a bit immature, doesn’t it? Time to put on my big girl pants and start making the changes NOW.

I have listed out a few things to help me (and you) stay focused and keep on course. I hope these help you if you are feeling like me and are ready to make changes this year.

  • DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. Preferably, 1/2 of your body weight in ounces is the minimum.
  • REDUCE or better yet, ELIMINATE SUGAR. Sugar is a culprit of many ailments, including inflammation. It is addicting and there is no nutritional value to it all.
  • SET GOALS, but keep them small and achievable. Once you have accomplished those goals, you can work on making bigger or different ones.
  • JOURNAL. Keeping a food journal has been proven to keep people accountable. If you “lie” on what you ate, you’re only hurting yourself. Be honest, and keep track of your intake of food and beverages.
  • FIND A BUDDY. Speaking of accountability, having a person be your weight loss buddy can help you remain motivated, especially when you start losing interest or feel helpless.
  • GET PLENTY OF REST/SLEEP. The body needs to be able to rejuvenate, especially after a workout. Take the time to allow your body to rest and recover. Try to get enough sleep so you are well rested for the next day.
  • BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF. We aren’t perfect and we may slip once in awhile. The key is to acknowledge that and then move on and not beat yourself up over your mistakes.
  • SWITCH THINGS UP once in awhile. Routines are great, but for some, you can become bored and eventually stop. If you walk, maybe try bike riding or even choose different locations to walk. Explore your local surroundings. Even changing the time you exercise can be helpful if you feel like things are getting stale.
  • HAVE FUN WITH IT! Make it a game. Listen to music that gets your feet moving. Music is powerful and it can help make the time pass by quicker than you thought.
  • BE PROUD OF YOURSELF! Reward your good behaviors! This doesn’t mean eating an ice cream Sunday. But, maybe do something you wouldn’t normally do as a reward. Also, you’re on this journey for a reason and taking the first step is a great start!

My hope is you can relate and want to follow me during this new venture of mine. I plan to have weekly updates and share my experiences along the way. I’d welcome your support!!!

Image from Pinterest

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Sometimes it isn’t Rainbows and Cupcakes

If you’ve been following my blog, you may have noticed most of my posts are uplifting and hopefully inspiring to you. I try hard not to discuss negative topics or draw out unpleasant things without some message of hope.

Unfortunately today, I let all that negativity consume me. In fact, I thought I would stay in that place of hopelessness longer than it did. I was gently reminded by many people in my life that no matter what, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, that what I do is directing me in the right path and most importantly, I have God at my side. It’s really strange that all my overwhelming feelings also were showered by an abundance of love and compassion. I suppose the universe is telling me something and I need to pay attention and listen.

Photo by Harvey Reed on Pexels.com

The morning started out pretty positive and I was enjoying the sunshine and observing the birds that were feeding on my deck. I happen to take a picture of a single cardinal and shared with a friend. He told me the meaning behind when we see a cardinal and the symbolism of that. At first, I may have come off dismissive, but as my morning progressed and it got more and more out of my control, I kept going back to that image and statement. I kept it tucked in the back of my mind, at least.

Another friend reminded me not to be so hard on myself over things that really aren’t in my direct control and to give myself, in essence, grace to feel my feels and be gentle with myself.

As my emotions continued to pour out in the morning, I kept receiving various messages that now I believe is God or the universe telling me something. A friend from church just so happened to email me an excerpt and prayer from an online site and when I read it, it completely spoke to me and everything I was feeling at that particular moment.

I spoke to my dad, who is always a source of compassion, especially when I feel hopeless.

I may have cried and felt frustrated, but one thing remained and that was my desire to let it be and allow my mind to calm down. I spent time taking deep breaths, I prayed, I watched the birds outside and I also fed my body the healthy nourishment it probably was lacking for awhile.

I share this so that others can understand that we all have bad moments, times when we feel like the world is crashing down on us. Even the most positive, uplifting people you know have their bad times. The point to remember is that it is completely okay and as long as we can get back on our feet, we can take on the day with even more strength.

I wrote something in my journal that I would like to share. This may seem like I am exposing myself to the world, but I strongly believe we not only show our strong, positive side, but share how even the best of us are vulnerable human beings.

Quicksand

I feel overwhelmed. I feel sad. I feel frustrated and angry. I feel like all the work I’ve been doing to have a better mindset has been in vain. It’s as if I am defeated and can’t get out of the corner of a boxing ring. I am disappointed I don’t follow my own advice at times like this. I try so hard to look at the good things and be grateful for what I have in my life. Yet, I can’t seem to sustain that feeling. I lose patience. I lose my composure. I fall apart. I almost feel like I am stuck in quicksand which is trying to bring me down. Yet, I am grasping onto a branch so that I don’t perish. I start to remember that I do have a lot to live for and that I am worthy of happiness and love. I CAN prevail and shove these negative feelings aside and say to them, NOT TODAY! And then, like that, I am back on my feet.

my own poetic piece, if you will, written 1/25/21

So, there you have it. life may not be filled with rainbows and cupcakes, but life is definitely sweet if we learn to overcome our thoughts and take in the moments that calm us and brings us a smile.

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Hindsight is 2020

Before saying goodbye to 2020, let’s look back at the good things it brought us. Image from web Jan_Blog_2020

There are a lot of negative things that occurred, but this post is not about that because that sentiment has been exhausted. I want to focus on the GOOD, the POSITIVE, and the small HOPES that 2020 brought to our world.

I know everyone cannot wait to kick 2020 to the curb and get on with 2021, but we need to remember that even though 2020 may have been one of the worst years in our contemporary lives, it wasn’t completely awful.

Yes, there were natural disasters, a global pandemic, racial turmoil and political unrest. Yet, here we are, about to ring in the new year and say goodbye to the old one. We prevailed! We didn’t allow the negatives to take over our lives 100%. We ARE SURVIVORS!!!

Despite everything, it was one of the best years, too. You may say to yourself, how is that? The world came together to help out our friends and speak our minds openly and loudly. First it was the wildfires in Australia. Then it was the unity when racial tensions increased. When the pandemic hit us, we did our best to be safe and keep our loved ones healthy. Despite the unknown, many communities pulled together to help one another. The outpour of charitable work was prevalent. Strangers helping other strangers. A true test of our humanity.

In 2020, families got closer. We connected with people online and made new friends. We were forced to slow down. Our busyness practically came to a halt. In the beginning of the pandemic, it seems many relished the reprieve. We were happy to stay home for a change…to not have to run from one place to the next. For some, the stress of our daily lives reduced.

Other things to highlight:

  • Many of us reconnected with nature, taking more walks or hikes with their families.
  • Several of us finally got projects completed in our homes that were otherwise put off.
  • A lot of us picked up new hobbies or interests were rekindled.
  • Others explored alternative ways of keeping their small businesses afloat.
  • Virtual learning became a status quo not only for school systems, but for other instructional opportunities.
  • Churches took advantage of Zoom, Facebook and YouTube to hold their services and continue the fellowship each week. Our spirits were lifted by everyone praying for each other or giving back in simple, yet meaningful ways.

Our definition of normal changed. We started to embrace the “new normal” so that we could live our lives in a positive light. We became resilient. We appreciated life more. We started to recognize what was truly important.

If we reflect on this past year, the best part of 2020 was that we did not give up and we did all we could to remain optimistic. Sure, people look at the negatives first, but the greatest part of our human nature is that we also seek positivity and hope.

As we enter 2021, we must not forget all we conquered. We need to carry those things forward and keep them as reminders that even in the worst of times, we can enjoy the little things in life.

Please take a look at this short video from Time. It summarizes the essence of our humanity among the chaos. https://time.com/5919837/2020-year-in-review/

There is a Season for Everything

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

It has been not the best of years so far for our family. We said goodbye to my mother-in-law in April after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. When we found out October 2024 that my mother-in-law had pancreatic cancer and her time was limited, we were devastated. She was a rock to our family. She was always there for us, especially when we started our own family. I couldn’t have gotten through much of it without her love and support. There is definitely a hole in our family that will never be completely filled.

The month of August wasn’t much better. My mother was hospitalized for dehydration and low potassium, among other things. She’s been home and has made a miraculous turnaround, thank the Lord. That same weekend my mom went to the hospital, my husband’s good friend was in a freak accident. The whole thing could have gone very badly. Thankfully, he has been recovering and healing well. Despite that, the incident was extremely stressful for my husband.

Just the other day, my father was hospitalized for a head injury after a fall. He seems ok, though he did sustain a concussion and needs to rest and recover. And if all this bad news isn’t enough, our cat has gone missing and most likely is gone for good.

How much emotional stress can a person handle? It seems I’ve been on a perpetual road race with no pit stops. We didn’t take a vacation this year. In fact it’s been 3 years since our last week-long vacation. It’s just been go, go, go. Even Lightning McQueen learned that it was ok to refuel. (I hope you all can remember the famous racing car from Disney/Pixar’s Cars movie.)

I am reminded this is a perfect time to lean into my faith and God more than ever. We are not capable of handling all this stress alone. Just as Lightning McQueen had his pit crew to help him, I have my own pit crew with God. With prayer, I can ask for what I need. I can listen to what I need to hear. But how do I start?

I need to go back to basics: Breathe. Meditate. Be. That sounds nice, doesn’t it? To purposely take slow and deep breaths. To sit in silence and just be. With summer coming to an end, it seems to be the perfect time to embrace a slower, quieter time. It is during those quiet moments that God is present. We are more apt to hear His whispers. We can feel His comfort and trust in Him. It is during this quiet time, the healing can begin.

Solar-Powered Spirit: The Connection Between the Sun and My Faith

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” –Psalm 84:11

For thousands of years, many cultures have seen the sun as a god or a higher power. It’s not surprising because the sun was mysterious. It would appear and reappear each day, providing light and warmth. Across the world, people honored and worshipped the sun because it represented life and power. Some would even go so far as to make sacrifices to ensure the sun would rise each day.

Sounds a little out there, doesn’t it? Imagine living without the sun, where the days are consistently dark and cold. Picture when the ancients experienced a solar eclipse for the first time. They probably were frightened. Their sole source of energy and life just disappeared. It only makes sense how cultures defined their beliefs in the sun and its power.

Time to Observe

Back in the Covid days, I tapped into my artistic side and started drawing, painting and even dabbled in some photography. For some reason, I would wake up super early each day before the sun rose. I’m not quite sure how I came to the decision to start watching sunrises, but that’s what I did, almost every day. At first I drove to a neighborhood where I thought would be the best view to take pictures of the sunrise. Later, I decided to drive to the beach. I would take walks on the boardwalk and watch as the sun peeked above the horizon. I was so taken by the beauty of the sun rising in the early morning hours. It became a standard routine to wake up early, grab my camera and then drive the 25 minutes to the beach for my sunrise walk.

I loved watching and listening to the birds sing. I observed how the water moved along the shore. I appreciated all the little things that most of us probably overlooked on a regular basis. It was a time for me to admire, reflect and be present.

taken May 2021, Milford CT

S.A.D

I was talking to friends at church about how I believe I have S.A.D., otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. In a somewhat jest full way, one of my friends pointed out that we are solar-powered. I never realized how much the sun affected me. It’s not just the fact that it makes the day bright and warm, but it energizes me like nothing else. My mood changes immediately when the sun comes out and shows its happy face. On the other hand, if it’s hidden, and clouds are taking over, I am grumpy and irritable. The other day, it was a really cold, windy, and rainy day…not to mention it was Monday. When I arrived at work to start my day, I found that my mood was pretty lousy and it only got worse as the day progressed. I couldn’t shake it. At the end of the day, I went home and put on my pjs and crashed on my bed. I wanted the day to be over! Funny thing is that the following day, the sun was out in its glory, and so was my happy-go-lucky self!

The sun has the ability to bring out the best in me. I smile more and I feel lighter in my spirit. It has occurred to me there is a correlation to the sun and God. When He isn’t present, our days are dreary and our moods are gloomy. But when He is front and center, we feel lifted and energized. We know we can accomplish anything because He is by our side. Like the sun gives us warmth and nurturing, God provides us with the truth of His word to get us through the day.

Nature’s Alarm Clock

On my many walks on the beach, I noticed how nature would stir and wake up as the sun would rise. From the gentle songs the birds sing, to the rolling waves of water kissing the sand on the shore, the sun is nature’s alarm clock to say it’s time to start the new day! Life cannot exist without the sun. And so it is with God. He is our life force…our alarm clock. He reminds us each day, if we pay attention, we are loved. He helps us by providing comfort and stability. And just as the sun provides light to our world, so does God, who gives us light and steers us away from darkness.

Yes. I am solar-powered, but by the son, the father and the holy spirit. My positive energy comes from my faith and love of nature, the precious gifts that God has provided me.

These are just a few pictures I took during my time watching sunrises during the Covid pandemic. Each time I visited, I found something new to appreciate.

Tell me in the comments how the sun energizes you and how your faith plays a role in your day.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

“Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.”

Vincent van Gogh

For as long as I remember, I’ve had many friends in my life. One of the earliest friendships I remember was from when I was 4 or 5 and my best friend lived across the street. When I moved out of state a few years later, we stayed pen pal friends for quite a long time and today, we are still friends on Facebook. We may not chat much now, but it’s pretty cool to know we have that life long connection.

I honestly can’t recall a time when I wasn’t without a friend or two. I don’t think I can even determine if I ever felt lonely, especially being an only child, because my friends have been there for me in one way or another. From childhood friends and throughout college and work, I have made some great friendships along the way, each one providing me with a gift I treasure always.

Some of my closest friends have been those that have been a part of my life since having my own family. As a parent with kids in activities, it’s almost inevitable that you are going to make some friends. If you’re lucky, you become close and you get to share in each other’s milestones, the heartaches, the accomplishments and challenges of life, all of it with immense love, laughter and compassion. I can proudly attest that I have those kinds of friends.

A place I wasn’t necessarily expecting to build such close friendships has been at church. When my kids were attending Susanna Wesley School, the pastor was hosting a meet and greet coffee time at drop off and I decided to join. I learned he was a dad with two kids, one who was also attending the preschool like mine! To connect with a pastor who not only was my contemporary, but could relate to all the things a parent with young children experience was fantastic. He approached me at the right moment because it was at a time in my life that I was seeking a spiritual connection. Pastor Tim had a great way of telling a story at the pulpit. I thoroughly enjoyed his sermons. I attended regularly and became a member about year later. During his time at HUMC, I met other families and people who became my friends. The relationships from church have been some of the most important ones in my life. There is a tremendous amount of trust and love.

They say it takes a village to raise a family. I’ll take it a step further and say it takes a village to survive life. Without the support of friends and family, how do we cope with all the things that we experience in life without being able to share and lean on others? I certainly wouldn’t be able to get through life without my friends. They are my family.

In one of my favorite movies, “It’s A Wonderful Life”, a character named Clarence wrote to Jimmy Stewart’s character at the end of the movie the following:

Clarence wrote this to George in “It’s a Wonderful Life”

I love this so much. It always makes me cry because I realize that despite the pitfalls of life, one thing has always remained constant…my friends. In all stages and seasons of my life, I am so grateful to have those I can lean on their shoulders or share a good laugh because we all get by with a little help from our friends.

YouTube video of Joe Cocker, “I Get By with a Little Help From My Friends”

John 15:13

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13

Who Needs an Emotional Support Chicken?

Emotional Support What???

If you’re on Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook or YouTube, you most likely have come across the latest craze in the fiber arts/crafting world…the emotional support chicken! What?? When I first saw this, it was actually through a Local Yarn Shop (LYS) I follow and saw they had a class on how to make your own Emotional Support Chicken.

I was curious as to the connection of “emotional support” and a chicken. Maybe I’ve been living under a rock or something. I read somewhere that people started keeping real chickens as emotional support animals 1during the pandemic. I can see that. In fact, my husband and I have had backyard chickens for about a decade. I see the benefits. But do people really want to make their very own stuffed toy chicken? Certainly there are other cuddly creatures that could lend their emotional support? I’ve seen “positive potatoes” and other similar cutesy things. I suppose if you can’t have real pets or animals, a stuffed toy can be the next best thing!

About a year ago, I started to learn how to knit. I had tried crocheting years ago when my mother-in-law tried to teach me, but back then, it seems my patience and understanding of that craft wasn’t there and so I gave up. I carried on my way doing other crafty and artsy things like drawing, painting, needle felting, sewing…the list goes on (IYKYK.) The one yarn craft I hadn’t tried was knitting. It always seemed complicated and if I couldn’t crochet, how could I knit? Fast forward to 2023. I went on Facebook Marketplace to look for used knitting needles and yarn and started going on YouTube to learn the basics. I also took a couple classes with someone I knew to help me get the technique down.

I explored different projects to make, like scarves, hats, blankets, coasters, etc. As I kept trying different projects and immersing myself into the plethora of videos and tutorials out there, I discovered I really enjoyed this new hobby. A new world of creativity opened up for me and I was excited to learn and try all I could get my hands on to become an expert (ok, maybe not exactly an expert.)

During my knitting discovery, I also started a new job. It was the first one in over a year and I was excited, but also nervous because I had not been in the workforce in awhile. It took some time for me to adjust and there were days where I thought I made a mistake or I felt completely lost. It was tiring and also somewhat stressful. I needed time to adjust and be in work mode. Thankfully, I began as a part-time employee for a few months and transitioned to full-time later in the fall.

I noticed the creative part of me was waning. I was still making little projects, but I felt unbalanced. It made me sad and kind of grumpy, too. Work was the priority and any spare time I had was spent basically plopping in front of the TV and then I’d fall asleep. There wasn’t much time to create and play. Welcome to the real world, Elisa!!!

As I settled and got into more of a routine, I started exploring more in the knitting world. I have become quite a YouTube fanatic and follow many creators who have been inspirational and helpful with my knitting journey. If I had the confidence several months ago, I would have tried making one of those chickens earlier for obvious reasons. We spend a majority of our time at work earning a living to support our families, only to come home to chores before we can get a chance to relax and maybe watch re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond or day dream of a vacation home you see others buying on HGTV.

Luckily, knitting and crocheting is a craft I can do while I’m relaxing. It’s portable, too! I bring my project bag with me everyday, with the hopes I can grab a few moments during lunch to knit or crochet. I have brought my knitting on road trips, breweries and even when I know there will be a long wait at an appointment. This particular hobby suits me just fine!

Toys seem to be my favorite type of project. Perhaps because they are cute, soft, or whimsical. Or maybe because they remind me of my childhood and my favorite stuffed animal dog, Pappy, who currently resides in my son’s room. Little loveys, softies, stuffed toys, amigurumi, whatever you want to call them, seem to bring out the best of us, too. They comfort us. They make us feel secure or safe. They remind of us of happier times when life wasn’t so chaotic…when we didn’t have to “adult”. I found a blog post by www.bunniesbythebay.com that describes all about the benefits of having a stuffed animal for emotional support. They aren’t just for kids!

Life is challenging. Managing our emotions can be difficult. Sometimes we need a little help from someone (or some thing.) The fact I can make my own now taps into my creative side, too. At the end of making that little softie, I will have my very own emotional support buddy made by me! I can just look at it, smile and feel all those good feelings a stuffed animal can bring out in all of us. Why not make it a chicken?

A few of the softies I’ve made

Knitted bunny I made for Easter
Knitted dinosaur for my 3 year old niece
Emotional Support Pickle I crocheted for a friend
Pappy, my childhood buddy
Sammy Squirrel, my husband’s lovey, hanging out with Pappy
Cuddly stuffed dog my mother gave me that I keep with me at night
  • Pattern for knitted beginner bunny by Claire Garland
  • Bronty dinosaur pattern by fluffandfuzz found on Etsy
  • Pickle Buddy pattern by Spikey Mermaid on Ravelry

Local Yarn Shops to check out in CT

A couple of our hens going for a stroll in the yard

Did You Know?

Chickens are social animals.

They have good memories.

Chickens cluck “lullabies” to their chicks.

Find out more fascinating facts of chickens here below.

The Fact Site
  1. What are Emotional Support Animals ↩︎

Check out The Knitting Tree, L.A. to get your own Emotional Support Chicken Kit

Fishes, Loaves and Pierogi

Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love.

Giada De Laurentiis

When I was approached by my friend at church about wanting to make pierogi, I was totally on board. Food? Check. Getting together with friends? Double check. My creative brain started thinking of how we can get others involved at our church, too. We originally thought let’s open this to the congregation and whoever is interested will come. Remember the movie with Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams? Build it and they will come. Well, that was our thought as well. We will open the opportunity to get together after church services and make something with our own hands. We can turn it into a prayerful fellowship! Or perhaps we can serve them during our Palm Sunday celebration to everyone! The ideas just kept flowing. The question was, can a handful of willing people make this a success?

The answer is, of course we can! In fact, the ironic part of this whole endeavor is that none of us are of Polish descent, where pierogi are a staple food. In fact, some of us are German, Italian, Swedish and Colombian. What do you end up with all those backgrounds coming together to make a dish most of us have enjoyed in one way or another? The results are quite amazing, frankly. We all brought our talents and gifts together and made some fantastic little pockets of yumminess! We worked as a team. We laughed and joked around. We experimented with different methods that worked for us and we really had a wonderful time in the process.

Food. Fellowship. Faith. We started out with the the focus to make a bunch of pierogi and share them, but our end results are so much more than a delicious little treat. We continue to build our personal bonds with one another and we learned some new skills along the way. The biggest reward is knowing that God has played an important part in orchestrating our fellowship.

During one of the church services this month, one of our lay leaders spoke about the Fishes and Loaves and shared an interesting take on how artists have depicted this most popular story and sign of Jesus during his ministry. As I was listening to him speak, it occurred to me that our little pierogi venture started out small, just like the five loaves and fishes, and blossomed into so much more. We kept setting goals, changing our direction and determining what we could do with our new found gift of pierogi making.

We decided not only to sell them to the congregation, but to utilize the money we made to purchase something for our bell choir. This small idea from a friend who said, “Elisa, do you want to get together and make pierogi?” grew into an actual fundraiser! Who would have thought a simple idea could become a tremendous blessing!

By the way, that lay leader I mentioned really is the pivotal force behind this whole thing, whether he realizes it or not. He had shared a picture of a dish of pierogi when he was traveling to Poland earlier in the year to my friend and that’s when she decided she wanted to try making them.

We are still in the midst of making and selling, so I can’t share what our final outcome has been just yet. But, if I may speculate, I have a good feeling that we will reach our goal and be able to purchase what we need in order to make our bell choir space even better. And not only that, our little pierogi making crew has also grown together even more and we have all come out of this with happier hearts as a result.

After being part of this experience, I can see why food can be the one thing that brings many together, but it is our willingness to open our hearts and minds to receive a greater gift…love, fellowship and faith. And maybe add some pierogi, too. 😉

Do you have a story to share how food and fellowship brings you closer to your faith and family? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

Taking it in Stride

This is the week for all us last-minute shoppers who are braving the stores and coming to grips with the “leftovers” and gift cards we will have to give to our loved ones.

For the most part, I have been taking this holiday season in stride, despite being busy with life. It’s been a nice change for me in some ways…just accepting what I can and cannot do, both on the physical and mental levels. I’m not stressing over some things like I used to…do I want to do it all? Kind of. But I also understand it’s just not necessary. I believe setting realistic expectations of myself has been helpful. I don’t have those anxious feelings and I hope the energy I exude is a combination of happiness and calming peace.

I am not saying that things have not been challenging or emotional. Ask anyone…I can get pretty emotional and easily cry. Yet, the last couple weeks, I actually feel okay. I am taking things as they come and if I do more than I planned for the day, then it’s a bonus.

Last week, I hosted a Christmas party with good friends of ours. I planned a simple menu of a couple different chilies and ordered some stuffed breads. My friends brought over some appetizers and desserts. It was perfect, in my opinion. And the whole time, I didn’t get upset or stressed as I was making the food or setting up the spaces to eat. I did what I could and it was enough.

Which leads me to this thought: it is completely acceptable to be imperfect and know when to say “it is fine. It is enough.” Don’t get me wrong. I do put expectations upon myself to have things “just so”…especially when I create. But if I spent my energy always concerned with all aspects of my day as needing to be perfect and “just so”, then I would be exhausted. My mind would be overwhelmed and I would probably be pretty irritable, too. I don’t think my family would want that! Neither do I.

I am grateful I have been more in control of my emotions and overall mental well-being this month. It’s a nice change of pace. It actually feels natural…more normal. And what better way to end the old year and start the new by simply taking things in stride?

How have you spent this holiday season? Have you enjoyed the little moments? Share your thoughts here. I’d love to hear from you.

I love simplicity

Progress, Not Perfection

Progress, not Perfection. I just heard this phrase after listening to a workshop on Zoom held by my local library on nutrition. Although I knew most of the information that was shared, I think it’s helpful to remind myself of the basics of nutrition and healthy eating. Since beginning this new journey, I find myself more interested in how I can be healthier, not only with my weight, but the actual nutrition I consume.

Habits are certainly challenging. I honestly had some doubts whether I could kick some of my poor eating habits. I believe I have gotten over the first 21 days of establishing new habits I can incorporate into my life and not feel deprived or sad, or whatever negative feeling I thought I would.

Progress, Not Perfection.

It’s all about moderation, balance and consistency. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Without over analyzing this, it actually is. No need to over complicate this. Perhaps being home and not working at the moment has helped, too. I have the time now to plan and prepare. I don’t feel the need to eat out as much. Or when I do, I am mindful of the choices I make. The small modifications I have made so far in my eating habits have made a difference. I am currently down 10.2 pounds total and that’s in a seven week time frame. And even though I have a long road ahead to reaching my ultimate goal, I am more confident then ever that I will achieve it.

Again, it’s Progress, Not Perfection.

A positive mindset and attitude are really important. As with any life altering change, believing in yourself and being confident you can achieve success helps maintain the momentum. Sure, you’ll feel down and out at times, but that’s when you have to remain steadfast and not stay in that space too long. You may not realize the small changes are the building blocks to the end goal. Keeping those positive thoughts a constant will help you navigate the days when you feel discouraged.

Remember….Progress, Not Perfection.

I enjoy researching topics and since my health has become my number one priority, I like finding new websites and resources that educate me in the world of health; specifically how nutrition plays a vital role in a successful journey of weight loss. In addition, I have become more interested in my direct relationship with the environment and how I can incorporate my health goals and the environment. My son has been taking an AP Environmental Science class in high school and he brought home the book, “Cool Cuisine. Taking the Bite Out of Global Warming” by Laura Stec. It has sparked an interest in learning more how I can make a difference while eating healthy.

Progress, Not Perfection.

Slowly I am establishing a set of tools to help me continue on my trek to lose weight and be healthy. These tools and resources are now in my back pocket and I can turn to them when I might feel stuck or in a rut. Websites, blogs, YouTube videos, Instagram and the library are a few ways I can keep learning and growing.

It’s all about Progress, Not Perfection.

Before I end this post, I’d like to share a recipe I enjoyed that I got from The Girl on Bloor from Toronto, Canada. Her blog and YouTube channel have been very helpful and I think you’ll like her easy and manageable approach to eating healthy. I love portobello mushrooms and pizza. This recipe combines both into a healthier and still satisfying alternative to the carb heavy pizza most of us adore!

Easy Pizza Portobello Stuffed Mushrooms {Low-Carb}

What have you done that has been a success for you in your journey to a better you? Please share your comments here. Let’s get the conversation started!