Uncategorized – SeasonedSistah

Week 1 – August 21-25, 2019

Last week, I began a 10-Week Self Challenge to exercise a minimum of five days per week. “You will never always be motivated so you must learn to be disciplined.”

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY – APRIL 12, 2017

Wordless Wednesday – April 5, 2017

Wordless Wednesday – March 29, 2017

My Gratitude Journal – March 2017

As I write this post, I feel relaxed and at peace.

A 45-minute early morning walk, joined only by a self-shadow, opened up space to reflect on what has been GIFTED in this season of my life.

This is the first in a series of planned monthly posts for 2017, where I express GRATITUDE for the GOOD in my life, which I failed to acknowledge and appreciate for far too many years.

Gratitude Journal – March 2017

Thus far this month, I have been abundantly gifted with the GOOD and I am, especially GRATEFUL for:

FaceTime with my 8-year-old granddaughter. This is our special time to talk, laugh, listen share and bond. Despite being physically separated by more than 2,000 miles for the past seven years, FaceTime keeps us connected face-to-face for the entire year.

Dining Room Table which was an unused piece of furniture in our home for more than seven years. When the youngest daughter relocated to Florida last summer she: (1) purchased the house next door; (2) moved from an on-site business office to an off-site home office; and (3) decided our dining room was the perfect workplace because there were too many distractions in her home. So glad she made this decision for my days are happier and brighter when I walk by the Dining Room Table and know THIS IS WHERE SHE SITS.

Healing Garden and it has been my nurturing place for more than five years. It is now the learning, sharing, healing, working and bonding place that I, happily, share with the eldest granddaughter.

Wordless Wednesday – March 15, 2017

Knee Replacement Surgery and Pecan Resin Figurine Painting

KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Two years ago, I went through the required medical clearances, scheduled a tentative surgery date, and ended up backing out on a total right knee replacement.

Now, the pain levels hampers my ability to function on a day-to-day basis; and, I see the quality of my life diminishing.

If I am really serious about living life to the fullest, I have to get this knee replacement. I refuse to chicken out a second time. As a daily reminder, I posted a reminder on my bulletin board:

My Post-Surgery Distraction

In this season of life (74-years-young), I want to live, thrive and enjoy every moment including the post-surgical moments. So, during the surgery recovery and rehabilitation period, I plan to:

finish painting a pecan resin African American Santa that has been on hold for more than two years: and

start and complete painting a pecan resin African-American Santa that I purchased more 20+ years ago.

Hopefully painting these two figurines will be a distraction from both the pain and stress of surgery. It did just that, when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 20+ years ago.

In this season of life, I want to live, thrive and enjoy every moment including my post-surgical rehabilitation moments.

PAINTING PECAN RESIN FIGURINES

In 1993, shortly after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the eldest daughter gave me my first pecan resin figurine and a set of acrylic paints. She felt a hobby would distract me from the pain.

I have no idea about the number of figurines painted and gifted to friends and family, but the few below are the only ones now in my possession.

Sorority Colors

African-American Church

Wordless Wednesday – March 8, 2017

Nine-Year Cancerversary Comments from Phyllis Holder, Founder Sisters4Cure

The following remarks were prompted by yesterday’s post, “Nine-Year Cancerversary.” It was written by Phyllis Holder, my long-time breast cancer mentor and founder of Sisters4Cure. I so appreciate and love this phenomenal woman who has inspired, uplifted and guided me throughout the journey.

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God bless you Ms. Yvonne. I love you so much. I remember the gift basket I gave you when we first met. It was overflowing with encouragement, prayers for strength and lots of love.
I couldn’t believe that Pam (and the rest of your family) trusted me enough, to turn you over to me. Combining your journey with mine has given me one of life’s best rewards.
The poem I wrote for you. The courage you mounted on wings of prayer. And grace and mercy to stare down the type of breast cancer, triple negative, that 9 years ago we knew damn little about. Just that it killed black women. No need to add the most. In all things breast cancer, black women get the short stick.
God knows I rejoice in the extra time given by our Father who loves us dearly to you, me and every woman {and black man} we have prayed for and shared strategies with. Our Father who loves us dearly said live life to the fullest. The amount of extra time? We wake up gratefully one day at a time.
Happy Canceversary Yvonne Thomas! Salute! Keep smiling. Stay woke. And keep your feet on the path. Amen and amen.