Gratitude Sunday – September 13, 2014

Saturday Morning Date

I express gratitude for all that enters my space — whether it brings me:

happiness or sadness;
order or turmoil;
panic or serenity.

Because, I believe everything is in accordance with God’s Plan.

Today, I am grateful for yesterday; and, the early Saturday morning outing with Hubby.

Our Saturday Morning Date begins with a stop at Panera’s Bread:

Our order is the same week-after-week — decaf coffee and a cheese bagel. The bagel (33 carbs/330 calories) is our weekly treat. While, it violates the healthy eating low-carb, low-cal diet plan that we follow during the week; we, make this choice without guilt. After all, we could have had:

When we finish breakfast, it’s off to the Neighborhood Y to fulfill the last of our four-day per week exercise program commitment:

We arrived when the doors opened at 8:00 a.m.; and, surprise our Friendly Greeter, who normally welcomes us with a beautiful smile at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, was staffing the Front Desk.

All checked in and ready to workout. My first stop is 20 minutes on the Pre-Cor, followed by circuit weights, and ending with 20 minutes on the stationary bike.

Hubby deviated a bit from his normal workout, which includes 20 minutes on the bike. Instead, he did 20 minutes on the treadmill; and, then allowed the extra time for weights — circuit and free.

After our workout, we chose to relax and rest for the rest of the day. He watched football; and, I wrote the first draft of my weekly Monday morning post.

I am grateful for my wonderful Saturday Morning Date with Hubby. Though some may see this as an ordinary Saturday morning; for me, it was an extra-ordinary morning. Even after almost fifty-five years of marriage to my teenage sweetheart, I treasure every moment spent with him.

Thankful Thursday – September 11, 2014

I Am Thankful Today for:

The beautiful flowers and plants in my Healing Garden.

A wonderful Hubby who assembled my new potting table this week. It definitely will make what I love to do, potting plants, a little easier.

The imanikingblog for inspiring me to take part in Thankful Thursday, which I plan to continue weekly.

Thankful for the OLOGISTS in My Life

Before Breast Cancer Diagnoses

For more than fifty years, the only OLOGIST in my life was the GynecOLOGIST.

Annually, I scheduled appointments for three health care examinations. One with the GynecOlogist; and, the other two were for a yearly physical examination and mammogram.

For years, I chose to ignore the potential health hazards of being:

a smoker;
overweight;
overworked;
an exercise abstainer;
stressed out;
sleep deprived; and
spiritually undernourished.

In 1993, I was diagnosed with two chronic conditions — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. Now, I needed a second “OLOGIST,” the RheumatOLOGIST.

With these two diagnoses, the frequency of visits for health care treatment increased from three followup exams per year to monthly followup visits, bi-monthly lab testing, and a host of prescribed medications.

After being diagnosed, with two chronic health conditions, I made some healthy lifestyle choices. I —

no longer smoked,
found outlets for spiritual nourishment, and
committed to a formalized exercise program.

But, I failed to address some of the other health hazards —

Stress;
Overworking;
Weight Fluctuations; and
Sleep Deprivation.

Despite the continued health hazards in my life, for more than fifteen years, my two chronic health conditions were adequately managed and controlled with —

Medications;
Self-Management Tools;
RheumatOLOGIST Medical Management; and
Lifestyle Changes.

Then, the Breast Cancer diagnosis came in 2008.

After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Medication Side Effects

Between 2008 and 2013, I was diagnosed with five different health care conditions.

Each diagnosis, including breast cancer, was attributed to a side effects from a different medication; and, all were prescribed to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis.

To treat these conditions, I had to add five more OLOGISTS to my healthcare team:

OncOLOGIST;
PulmonolOLOGIST;
CardiOLOGIST;
PsychOLOGIST; and
OphthamOLOGIST.

There may even be a sixth OLOGIST, after my consultation visit in two weeks with a DermatOLOGIST. A cluster of bumps appeared on the right side of my face several weeks ago. This may be a side effect of a new Rheumatoid Arthritis medication; which, was added to replace one that was discontinued because of a side-effect that affected my lungs. I will share the results of this visit in an upcoming post.

Despite the side effects and added health care conditions, I AM Thankful for the OLOGISTS in My Life

And, when, I Grow Tired of the OLOGISTS, I

STOP
BREATHE
EXPRESS GRATITUDE

And, quietly say, “I LIVE Because of the OCOLOGISTS in My Life.

What I Want for Everyone

I WISH that every underinsured or uninsured person, in this country, one day will have access, like me, to OLOGISTS and other health care providers.

Gratitude Sunday – September 7, 2014

For almost five years, I have lived 2000 miles away from my children and grandchildren. While I love spending this season of my life in Florida with Hubby, I miss the times our family came together to support one another.

Yesterday was one of those times. It was the first soccer game of the season for our youngest granddaughter, Cupcake.

I am grateful to her cousin, CJ, our family’s “soccer superstar,” and the other family members who came out to support Cupcake.

Also, I am grateful to my son (Cupcake’s father) and youngest daughter (CJs mother) for the photos and their blow-by-blow report on the game. Cupcake scored a goal, WHOOPEE!!

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 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

Wordless Wednesday – August 13

Traveling By Air

Writing 101, Day Nineteen: Don’t Stop The Rockin

“Today is a free writing day. Write at least four-hundred words, and once you start typing, don’t stop No self-editing, no trash-talking and no second guessing: just go.”

Fond Memories: Chicago’s South Side

Following the July 4th weekend, the news out of Chicago reported over 60 shootings, leaving sixteen dead, including a 60-year-old woman walking up the stairs to enter her home.

Most of this gun violence is coming out of the South Side of Chicago. I grew up on the South Side in the 1950s. There were gangs but they fought with their fist, with a rare, rare shooting or knifing targeted at a rival gang member.

Unlike today, where the gun violence in Chicago is rampant, the neighborhood I grew up in was a safe haven for the people who lived there.

Summer Memories

I have fond memories of my childhood on the South Side of Chicago.

In the summer months, days were filled with outdoor games that kept us children involved in some type of activity from morning til night. Some of my favorites were:

Hopscotch
Double Dutch Rope
Red Light/Green Light
Hide and Seek
Little Sally Walker
Lightning Bug Searches

We slowed down around 8:00 pm and would sit talking on one of our front porches until our parents called us in.

Best Girlfriend

I was three years older than my best girlfriend, Jackie. For some reason, the difference in our age was never a reason. We were in and out of each other’s homes daily. I was an only child. But, Jackie had seven sisters and two brothers.

On Fridays I always managed to end up at Jackie’s house for dinner. Each week, the menu was either Spaghetti and Meatballs, Hamburger and French Fries, or Chili-Mac.

In retrospect, the last thing this large family of eleven needed was another mouth to feed.

Jackie and I remained close until I left the neighborhood to enter a new phase of life as an army wife.

63rd & Halsted

I lived about three blocks from 63rd and Halsted — the major shopping area for the South Side of Chicago. There were large retail stores like Sears, Goldblatt’s and Wieboldt’s. Smaller clothing and shoe stores — both high-end and budget. The two places, I liked to browse were Kreske’s Five and Dime and Grants where I could always find something to buy with my small weekly allowance.

My Last Visit

Under the Chicago Urban Renewal Program, my old neighborhood was demolished back in the late 1960s. My last visit was probably around 1975. Driving through, I felt disconnected because what I remembered was no longer there.

My Wish

I wish the families now living in my old neighborhood are blessed with a new Chicago Urban Renewal Program that will address the issues they face on a daily basis — poverty, inadequate housing, inferior education, crime, and gun violence.

A Grateful Breast Cancer Survivor – Part IV

Celebrated MY 71^st birthday on Monday, November 11; and, I declared this as MY Sabbath Day.

“Sabbath as that uncluttered time

and space in which we can

distance ourselves from our own activities

to see what God is doing.” (Eugene Peterson)

This day of solitude was “to see what God is doing” in my life. Did He hear my prayers for happiness, peace, love, and tranquility?

In celebration of MY 71^st Birthday, I selected 71 Statements from MY 2013 Daily Journal to confirm why I believe MY prayers were heard.

And, I AM GRATEFUL to God for…..

Waking me up this morning after a restful night.
The beautiful day. Sunshine and nice weather.
The daily calls from each of my children.
The love of my husband.
Manicure and pedicure today. So grateful to have this biweekly outing with my Hubby. It’s a time for both of us to relax.
Lunch with Hubby, tasty broccoli cheddar soup from Panera’s for only 300 calories.
Peaceful and enjoyable day.
This day of acknowledgement and recognition of the President, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders.
Living this season of my life in our Florida home. Today it was 75 degrees in Florida; and, 4 degrees in Wisconsin.
Identifying MY Purpose during this Season of MY life.
Meditating, listening to music, so relaxing.
Love my hour daily respite. It rejuvenates and revitalizes ME for the remainder of the day.
Completed weekly wash – devote remainder of weekend for self-development
Audio books when I am lazy and need somebody to read to me.
Beautiful and relaxing Sunday.
Two-dozen red and white roses for Valentine Day from Hubby and bouquet of flowers from children.
Five-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor.
God answered my prayer and returned ME to a good place.
Giving a ride home from the hospital to our next-door neighbor who is battling Stage IV breast cancer.
Avoiding conflict and not letting anyone steal my joy.
Abundant love of my children.
Enjoyable outing at the Holy Land Experience with friend and sister breast cancer survivor from Milwaukee who is visiting her son in Orlando. Great Day.
Beautiful sunny day spent at my desk putting the final touches on this week’s post while at the same time taking peeks through the window at the green trees in the conservation area. Patio door open and a cool breeze flowing through.
Venti, skinny decaf hazelnut latte from Starbucks.
Showering and going to the YMCA. Really felt terrible this morning – up good part of night with excruciating shoulder pain. Followed Hubby’s expert advice to do something to distract and not to focus on pain. Worked.
Hot oatmeal, fruit and turkey bacon prepared by Hubby.
Re-starting my monthly breast exams.
Controlled pain levels most days. This makes today’s excruciating pain easier to manage knowing pain-free days are ahead through the grace of God.
Beautiful Friday. Enjoyed outing to Home Depot to check out plants for the lanai and house.
Staying calm in the face of negativity.
Loving and forgiving God who guides and watches over me.
Opening the door to my creative side. A little scared but I will not be swayed by the FEAR of criticism.
Starting second week of Oprah’s and Depak’s 21-day meditation challenge.
Enjoyable telephone conversation with older daughter.
Stretching before going to exercise this morning eased joint pain.
Cleaning laundry room and hall closet.
God’s unconditional love.
Granddaughter, 21-years-old, place a hold on her life to love and be in the presence of her paternal grandmother throughout her stay in home/hospice care.
Words flowing while writing this week’s post. Hope the re-read makes sense tomorrow.
Moving toward living peaceful and productive life.
Dinner out with Hubby celebrating 53^rd Wedding Anniversary.
Restarting morning gratitude project and this journal.
The beautiful flowers and plants that surround and comfort me daily.
My home it is my haven and brings ME peace, joy and serenity.
Beautiful “Be Still Day” following morning yoga class and grocery shopping.
Sunshine after days of clouds and rain.
Beginning MY de-cluttering project by unsubscribing to the outrageous number of emails I have to plough through daily.
Living, learning and loving today.
Taking the time to write in this journal. This is a stress reliever.
Living and enjoying this season of MY life in Florida.
Spending time to focus on inner peace.
Restarting healthier eating habits.
Pacing my activities today.
Getting up at 5:00 a.m., sitting on lanai, enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to audio book, Simple Abundance:
Following the path to find joy, peace and serenity.
Joining on-line early morning service at Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois. Enjoyed sermon..
Serenity and tranquility in my warm home environment.
Sixty minute massage – so restful and relaxing.
DVD from Arthritis on water aerobics.
Aqua Zumba class.
Embracing the present moment and eliminating the fear.
Opportunity to express MY views and voice MY opinions through MY blog.
Spending time with Hubby today. Enjoyed the movie.
Outing at Home Goods my favorite place to buy things for the home.
Exercising one hour at the YMCA.
Honoring God and expressing appreciation to Him for watching over and protecting ME.
First yoga class.
Stretching before starting my day.
Cortisone shot and knee pain relief.
Celebrating MY 71^st Birthday in fairly good health striving to improve the quality of my life.

Listed under one Gratitude Statement, the 71^st thing that I am Grateful for on this 71^st birthday is that I am . . .

Walking – but, it is sometimes painful;
Breathing – sometimes allergies make it difficult;
Seeing – while eyeglasses needed for distance, they are removed for reading;
Hearing – though my left ear bothers me, the right ear is fine;
Feeling – loved by God, Husband, Children and Grandchildren, extended family, friends;
Learning – to live in accordance with God’s plan;
Journaling – expressing gratitude at the end of each day; and
Blogging – I am not a writer, but I have a lot to say and a desire to connect with like-minded people.

Closing this post with MY favorite quotes for the week:

Gratitude – “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer and let faith be the one bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” (Maya Angelou)
Happiness – “… is not something ready-made it comes from your own actions.” (Dalai Lama)
Peace – “If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten that we belong to others.” (Mother Theresa)
Love – “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, but only love.” (Mother Theresa)
Tranquility – “Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.” (Dalai Lama)