(Written 1-29-2018)

Through Christ, I can be what I need to be, who I need to be.

Through Christ, I can be strong during difficult times.

Through Christ, I can be silent when my words might hurt rather than heal.

Through Christ, I can be gentle, meek and humble. But that doesn’t mean that I’m weak.

Through Christ, I can be a help and not a hinderance.

Through Christ, I can speak words of healing and not of hurting.

Through Christ, I am powerful. In myself, I am weak.

Through Christ, I am gentle not hard.

Through Christ, I am charitable, loving and kind.

Through Christ, I am not afraid.

Through Christ, I can release.

Through Christ, I can forgive.

Through Christ, I can give.

I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me!

5-17-2018

Basically, we only have one body. Sure, there are ways to enhance or replace some of the worn out or no functioning parts. But that can only go so far…then it’s adios.

So it behooves me…I am obligated to…God expects and demands that I take care of myself.

That means eating healthy foods. Drinking enough water. Getting enough sleep. Doing enough exercise. Those four things when done routinely, will go a long way in promoting a healthier life. And if I can, I’d throw in one more caveat, learning something new everyday or exercising your brain.

Those things sound simple enough. Too easy. So why can’t we do them? Why do we have so many cases of obesity? Cancer? Diabetes? There are some things that we may be predestined for. But then there are some things that we bring upon ourselves.

No one and I repeat NO ONE is ever going to take care of you the way you can and should take care of you. So I urge you now, implement those four (or five) things into your daily way of life.

You’ll feel better.

4-23-2018

Yesterday, I got to spend time with my mother’s side of the family, the Lewises. We went to church together at my grandmother’s church. There were 12 of us.

Even though we did not have a lot of time to socialize afterwards, it was still GREAT! It was a start. Maybe we can at least make this an annual event.

I am going to try and do my best and my part to help keep the family together. Of course, we have different personalities and there may be some things that happened in the past…but that was then and this is now. We will never heal, mend or go forward if we are constantly looking backwards. And maybe this, this type of bonding and relationship is not for everyone. But to those who want it, I will embrace them with open arms!

We Are Family!

3-3-2018

Here’s time for an update on my weight loss.

Measuring from my heaviest point this year until now, I’ve lost 27 pounds or almost 2 stones! Ive been able to consistently keep my weight down since Christmas. WooHoo!! One of the items on my Bucket List is to weigh 145lbs or 10.4 stones for at least six months.

I am well on my way!

I’ve altered as many of my slacks and skirts as I possibly can. And even though I did not cut away the extra material, now in the seams….I AM DETERMINED that I will NOT have to open the seams to accommodate any regained weight!

Now I know the main reason for me losing this weight and that still stands as the MAIN reason, was to reduce or eliminate my risk of diabetes by making sustained lifestyle changes.

And I’ve done that!

But, I am sooo proud of my effects that I like showing my results. I am now wearing more skinny jeans, jeggings, and leggings.

I know that it is easy to regain lost weight. Sometimes those lifestyle changes get boring, not as important or feeling that new weight can be maintained without any efforts.

This is why I weigh myself every morning and I still track my food and activity. It helps, of course, that I’m still in the Diabetes Prevention Plan with Beaumont Hospital. And this plan continues until July of this year. I have to learn that this is now what I need to do to stay focused.

So, instead of taking insulin medications every day, my meds are my journal, scales and measuring tape. I also use the calendar on my phone to track my weight on a biweekly and monthly basis. I know that may sound like overkill, but remember I have a persnickety personality.

I can’t wait to see what weight I’ll be at in June!

I am on the lookout for ONE missing sock.

Last seen Monday, February 19, 2018, when placed in washing machine.

Distinguishing features: navy blue polka dots (polka…that’s such an odd word, I’ll have to look up its origin another time).

This is crazy!

I wore two socks.

Removed two socks.

I believe I put two socks in the hamper, the washer and dryer.

So, why is it now a week later, I only have one lone sock?

I thought that it might show up. Stuck inside of my jeans. Mixed in with my unmentionables. Or even mixed in with Jackie’s socks…

But alas, I am still missing it.

It always amazes me, how articles of clothing or jewelry can go missing.

I’ve lost a Mickey Mouse watch. A pair of denim overalls. One winter glove. And now my sock.

Baffling.

Maybe I need to create a laundry checklist?

2-21-2018

Today’s is Hubby’s 66th birthday! OMG!! And my oldest sister will be 70 on her birthday. I’ll be 65 on mine! But old age is a blessing. It is so much better than its alternative.

When I was young, I used to think that Mama and Daddy were old. Now, it’s almost laughable and sad, since Daddy was only 66 when he died. Wow…he was just getting into the prime of his life!

That’s why it’s so important to live each☀️day to its fullest. With gusto! No 🚫regrets!

Doing what pleases the Lord while enjoying life.

Stopping to smell the roses🌹 and the coffee☕️.

And like my title from the other day, smiling🙂more and frowning☹️less.

Wearing bright colors and laughing out loud🤣!

Being spontaneous and flexible.

Being adventurous and somewhat daring.

Being unpredictable and a bit quirky.

Dying my hair lilac!!

Loving😍and being loved😘.

Looking at each day with the wide-eyed👀amazement and abandonment of a child.

Each day is a blessing and a gift🎁.

Precious, not to be taken for granted.

2-20-2018

This was my motivational tip yesterday. This is also something very hard for me to do. HARD! Ha! That’s exactly what my face looks like.

Hard.

Stony.

Set.

Serious.

But, on the inside, that’s not what or who I want to me. I want to be:

Soft.

Flexible.

Pliable.

Light.

Hubby will oftentimes look at me and say, “why so serious?” And when I used to work downtown, and would be walking at lunchtime, it would not be uncommon for some guy to tell me to “smile.”

I don’t intentionally put on a scowling face. In fact, I can’t even feel it. I feel like my face is blank, expressionless. But obviously, it is not.

So, I am keeping this tip as a reminder for the next couple of days. Because, while we were out at breakfast TODAY, Hubby did say that I was looking so serious!

Yes, life IS serious. These are not the times for foolishness and flippancy. BUT, these are also the times for gaiety, lightness and humor!

I need to sorely practice this! And it’s sad that I even have to address this!!!

It is so important for my new lifestyle to do consistently do those things that are beneficial for me.

One of those things, is to regularly exercise.

I am not trying to enter a senior citizen competition. I just want to be healthier. I want to replace some of this jiggly fat on my body with more muscle mass.

Every since I had my bilateral hip replacement surgeries, I’ve noticed that my one-legged balance is not what it used to be.

Also, in my plan to reverse the risk of diabetes, lifestyle changes including at least 150 minutes of activity.

So many ailments can be reduced, eliminated or maintained by our food choices and exercise.

I have determined that I WILL exercise.

I may not end up with a totally buff body, well defined arms or sculpted abs. BUT! I will be more toned than if i didn’t do anything.

So don’t judge me, you may be much younger, more agile, more motivated than me…but I am trying to get in at least ninety minutes of activity a day. And a lot of times, that is all from walking.

Periodically, I will use my hand weights, resistance bands, do some water aerobics. But, I can always count on walking, stretching or doing chair aerobics. Those things are readily available and easier for me.

I am trying to push myself, though. To make the time spent more beneficial, more worthwhile. But sometimes life happens and I get too busy.

Since I am a morning person, I can get up and do 60-75 minutes of something, while Jackie is still asleep. Or go to the rec center.

One thing that pushes me, is the desire to be a more active senior. While I was caregiving for my mother, I was well aware of how she sat in her recliner about 95% of her waking time. The other 5% was her slow, laborious trek to the bathroom.

I know she had preexisting health issues that limited her mobility, but sitting all day like that only made things more pronounced. And I know that something could happen to change my status in life, but while I have breath in my body and the activity of my limbs, I will get up and move!

Thrive, to prosper; be fortunate or successful, to grow or develop vigorously; flourish.

I don’t want to just live. I want to thrive.

I want to live life to its fullest.

Laughing.

Dancing.

Singing.

Loving.

Giving.

Thanking.

Thinking.

Learning.

Helping.

Crying.

Smiling.

Teaching.

Writing.

Traveling.

Worshipping.

Praising.

Walking.

Cooking.

I want to eat chocolate, candies, broccoli, fish, escargot, grilled sardines, popcorn, warm breads with butter, hot tea, baked sweet potatoes, anything made with black beans, piping hot soups or stews, soft peanut butter cookies, double chocolate cake, yeast or cake doughnuts, spinach, corn.

I want to complete my Bucket List of items long before I kick the bucket. I want to travel near and far. I want to be surrounded by people I love and people who love me. I want to watch corny movies while wrapped in my cozy blanket. I want to read novels that move me to laugh or cry.

I want to wear bright vibrant colors. Purple. Orange. Fuchsia. Golden Yellow. Neon Green. Sky Blue. Stripes. Polka dots. Geometric Shapes. Solids.

I want to stay up late and get up late. I want to go to bed early and get up early. I want to see the sun rise and the moon set.

I want to have crowds of people around me, and I want to relax in the solitude of my own companionship.

…and I will…

OK…I have 185 days until I turn 65! WooHoo!!

I am already collecting my social security benefits. But on my birthday, I will qualify for Medicare.

There’s is no going back. No mistakes. No denying it. I am old!

But is being old, older, such a bad thing?

In our society, youth is glorified and adored. But, because so many Baby Boomers are influencing media and the arts, things are changing.

There are more silver, white and no hair models.

There are more movies by our aging actors on aging lifestyles.

More businesses are catering to us because we have more (at least a little bit more) discretionary income.

I love and totally use Senior Discounts when out shopping.

I have no problem admitting my age! I love being 64!

And I love being retired! And that can only happen after you have put in at least 25 years of employment somewhere. So when the weather is inclement. Or I feel too lazy to get out of bed. Or when I want to do what I want to do… then I don’t have to be worried or concerned about going to work!!!

Freedom!!

Some people think, well, you’re at home. You don’t have anything to do. Here do this errand for me. Or you must be bored because you don’t have a job to keep you occupied. CRAZY!! Or some even foolishly think, that they’ll never retired because they need something to do! My self worth is not tied to a job! I love being who I am! Old!

I used to think being 40 was the best time of my life….no, being 60 is better! Here it is 11:30am and I am still in my pajamas! If I were at work, it would be lunchtime. But I will eat my breakfast after I post this!

Of course, getting to this state takes planning and work.

For me, it was staying at one job long enough to build my pension/401K, which meant getting up everyday going to work and going to school to qualify for better positions.

It also meant, being a good steward of my money. Giving my tithes and offerings to my local church. After all, it was God’s goodness and mercies that allowed me to be where I was and doing the things that I needed to do, to plan for my future.

True, I have some aches and pains. I’ve had bilateral hip replacement surgeries. I’ve had LASIK for old people, also known as cataract surgery. My hair is mostly white (as soon as it is all white, I’m putting a lilac-colored tint in it!!!). My boobs are saggy. My arms have wings….but….I would not trade this age for anything!