Gratitude Sunday – August 31, 2014

My First Rocking Chair

Today, I am grateful for gifting me — my first rocking chair.

I visited my grandparents, as a child, every summer in Mississippi. On their front porch, sat four rocking chairs. One, reserved for my Grandfather; and, the other three were on a first come-first rock basis. I liked to read and listen to the sounds made by the rocker as I rocked on the wooden floor.

Love of the rocking chair resurfaced in my mid-fifties. While I didn’t buy a rocking chair, I couldn’t bypass a rocking chair at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant, furniture store, or an airport without sitting down and enjoying a rock or two.

For the past five years, I enjoyed rocking for seven straight days in rocking chairs on the front porch of the house we rent for our Mother-Daughter Vacations in Martha Vineyards

Eldest Daughter in Rocking Chair at Martha’s Vineyard

There are only two rocking chairs on the front porch in Martha’s Vineyard. Both daughters enjoy the rocking chairs, but when I am present — one rocking chair is for Mama. Like, my grandfather, I appreciate my rocking chair privilege. I view it as one of the many gifts of love from my daughters.

After returning from vacation this year, I didn’t want to wait another year to rock in the chairs at the rental house in Martha’s Vineyard or the rocking chairs at the Boston Airport.

Also, I didn’t want to rely on random rocks in public places for the next year. So, I gifted ME a rocking chair for reading and relaxing throughout the year.

Since I was not able to find a rocking chair locally to coordinate with the furniture on our lanai, I ordered one through the internet. It’s perfect. All I need to find is a seat cushion.

I can’t close this post without expressing gratitude to Hubby for assembling my rocking chair. (Side Note — Maybe, after reading this, he will assemble my new potting table delivered this past week and is still boxed up in the foyer.)

Most of all, I am grateful to God for his unconditional love, which has opened my life up to experiencing self-love.

Wordless Wednesday – August 27, 2014

My Healing Container Garden – Heals My Heart

July Vacation Days: Happiness in the Presence of Children

Today, I sit in the comfort of our home filled with spaces where I go for solitude, stillness, and serenity; and, I am grateful for this restful and peaceful environment.

However, fond memories linger of the time spent this summer with laughing, happy, and active children.

Within two months, I went on three trips:

Wisconsin: Four Days – Grandson’s 8th Grade Graduation
Wisconsin: Five Days – July 4th Family Celebration
Massachusetts: Seven Days – Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard

This placed a heavy burden on our credit card. But, during these visits, I was uplifted in the presence of my family and friends; but most of all the children.

In a little over two months, I will celebrate my 73rd birthday. During this last season of life, I value the time spent with loved ones. To me, it outweighs money. Hubby might disagree. Okay, let’s be honest, he does. In past years, when I go with the girls to Martha’s Vineyard, he visits our son in Milwaukee. This year, after the first two visits to Milwaukee, he stayed at home.

My Cherished Vacation Photos

Throughout the year, I will visit my Vacation 2014 Photo Albums. I will reminisce about the days filled with “Happiness in The Presence of Children.

“When children come together to play and laugh, they are surrounded in clouds of happiness. And, these same clouds will expand to surround those of us who are privileged to be in their presence.” (SeasonedSistah2)

IMG_5623sm — “Children at once accept joy and happiness with quick familiarity, being themselves naturally all happiness and joy. ” (Victor Hugo)

“Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together make this world a beautiful garden.” (Unknown)

IMG_5593sm_3 — “We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body. ” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

IMG_5614sm — “There’s nothing more contagious than the laughter of young children; it doesn’t even have to matter what they’re laughing about.” (Cris Jami)

IMG_5618sm — “Children make you want to start life over.” (Muhammad Ali)

IMG_5600sm — “I just love listening to the laughter.” (Simon Pegg)

IMG_5606csm — “A child’s smile is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.” (Unknown)

“Children are one of the greatest lessons in happiness, constantly challenging us to enjoy the moment as the next one will not be the same.” (Unknown)

IMG_5587sm — “Childhood is the most beautiful of all seasons.” (Unknown)

“When you feel yourself unhappy, look at a smiling child, you will feel happy again. ” (Mehmet Murat Ilday)

Gratitude Sunday, August 24, 2014

Hubby’s Random Act of Kindness

I am grateful to Hubby for the gift of this 24″ computer screen.

I no longer have to squint, lean forward, or move the keyboard closer to proofread and edit. Now, less stress; and, I lean back, relax and let the fingers flow across the keyboard. It’s a good thing.

Grateful to Hubby for his Random Act of Kindness.

Wordless Wednesday – August 20, 2014

Tomorrow, I Will Go To?????

August 2014: Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard

Chronic Pain flare-up

Despite the fact that weeks before this scheduled trip, I was dealing with a pain flare-up in the right knee; I was going on the annual Mother-Daughter Vacation in Martha’s Vineyard.

I have struggled with chronic pain since 1993 related to diagnosed conditions of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyaglia. Over the years, I developed various self-management tools to control the pain levels. However, my bone-on-bone knee pain needed either an injection or surgery. And, neither was available before this vacation.

Since there was nothing I could do to make the “Pain Go Away”, my only option was to “Grin and Bare It”

Wheelchair Transport Through the Airports

Since Hubby was not going, he ordered a wheelchair to transport me through the Orlando Airport. This is a long walk through one terminal, a short train ride, and a longer walk through a second terminal. Trust me the need for a wheelchair was the topic of more than one discussion in the days leading up to my departure. Finally, I gave in.

My son picked me up at the Milwaukee Airport and we were off to meet-up with the daughters. After the traditional hugs and kisses, they said, “Mama, you are limping.” While the limp was noticeable, I am certain Hubby had telephoned with his concerns.

After discussing the pros and my cons of a wheelchair; I lost and they ordered one for the next leg of my trip.

When I arrived in Milwaukee, I was an “Unhappy Wheelchair Traveler”; but, I left as the “Grumpy Wheelchair Traveler” as my 14-year-old grandson pushed me through the Milwaukee and Boston Airports.

Was it not just a few years ago that he depended on me to push him around in his stroller? I was not ready for this.

Having someone push me around in a wheelchair was not a pleasant experience; and, I felt —

Stressed
Powerless
Depressed
Angry
Embarrassed

The Airline Flight

On the airplane and seated comfortably; I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and let go of the negativity.

Through Self-Talk, Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance; I embraced and accepted the gift of wheelchair transports from my hubby, son, two daughters and grandson.

No longer did I feel —

Stressed, I enjoyed Relaxing
Powerless, I gained Power
Depressed, I discovered Peace
Angry, I achieved Happiness
Embarrassed, I reflected Pride

A Few of My Favorite Mother-Daughter Vacation Photos – 2014

The 14-Year-Old Grandson, CJ with His Friend – Lunch on the Ferry

First Night. First Order of Business – Glass of Wine

My Play Daughter from Another Mother, My Youngest Daughter, and Their Two Boys Playing Monopoly on a Rainy Day

Could This Be The Reason The Moms Won At Monopoly? IPhones, IPADS, Laptops, X-Boxes, etc.? I’m Just Saying!!

Love The Old Vintage Homes on Main Street – Downtown Oak Bluff – Facing the Atlantic Ocean

Lunch on The Upper Deck of Nancy’s Seafood with Grandson, Two of His Friends and the Daughters

Surprise from The Daughters – My Favorite Appetizer Before the Crab Leg, Lobster and Shrimp Boil

The Grandson CJ – Adding Crab Legs to the Boil

It’s Crab Boil Night – Because CJ Hates Seafood, He Had A Burrito. His Friend Enjoyed the Crab Let Boil and the Burrito.

Relaxing and Sitting on The Oak Bluff Pier

Look Up In The Sky – Air Force Helicopters Flying Over Prior to The President’s Vacation Visit in The Next Several Days.

Beautiful Sunset View Sitting on The Front Porch

Last Night. Busy Week. Grandson Massaging Mom’s Feet. He Is Special!!!

Goodbye Rental House – See You In August 2015

Garden Art Ideas For Breast Cancer Healing

I plan to incorporate some of these enhancements into my Healing Garden. Grateful to Dawn over at Breast Cancer Yoga Blog for sharing.

Breast Cancer Authority

By Dawn Bradford-Lange, Co-founder of Breast Cancer Yoga.

Garden art should be included in all breast cancer healing outdoor gardens, small and large. Therapeutic healing art should encompass the widest possible amount of color with a variety of styles. Art can reflect many moods with texture, patterns and light. The garden art can range from the most delicate to the large and bold. When looking at spaces that change through the seasons it is important to have art that can also be moved to change the mood of that space.

Changing a space is the greatest challenge to a gardener and we recommend these three basis principles:

Dark to Light
Bare to the Intriguing
Ordinary to the Individual

Garden art can be original, creative, uplifting and bring long lasting delight. We recommend adding these four garden art ideas:

Ornaments
Ornaments can be expensive if you buy them but if…

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Review of “Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History” by Florence Williams

An excellent review that generated enough interest for me to add the book to my reading list.

Quadrupling Breast Cancer Survival

With healthy eating and exercise,; and daily, I feel better physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Sharing with us through Reblog and Facebook. Thank you for this post http://www.breastcanceryogablog.com

Breast Cancer Authority

By: Michael Greger M.D., a physician, author, and internationally recognized professional speaker.

Half a million Americans are expected to die this year from cancer, equal to five jumbo jets crashing every day. The number of Americans who die from cancer each year is more than all those who have died in all U.S. wars combined. And this happens every single year.

After a cancer diagnosis people tend to clean up their diets. About a third to a half of breast cancer patients, for example, make healthy dietary changes following diagnosis, such as increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and decreasing meat, fat, and sugar intakes. Does it actually help that late in the game? Well, the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living Study was undertaken in a few thousand breast cancer survivors to determine if a plant-based, low-fat, high-fiber diet could influence breast cancer recurrence rates and survival.

Previously they famously reported

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