I Second That Emotion

Wow - I know I am no "Poof" and I just don't have time to blog everyday, like Poof does, so you'll just have to anticpate my next pearls of wisdom...absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all!

I tend not to talk or write about things when I have a lot of worries on my mind. I've laughed and I've cried almost every day. I know, I know - you're not suppose to worry. You're suppose to turn it all over to God...yes, I keep reminding myself of that every other second, but I guess I'm more stubborn (or human) than most! I keep wandering back into worryland, then I feel guilty for THAT, the I worry some more... I'm just a mess sometimes. There have been a lot of stresses in my life lately, all things that in the long run don't amount to a "hill of beans"as we say in Hoosierville. All I can say is, hey - I'm alive by the grace of God! And that usually does it. I just have to stop whining dead in my tracks.

I have learned a lot this year, through my illness, and I continue to learn every day of my extended life.
1. Friends are worth more than gold.
2. God is still in the miracle business.
3. Time heals all wounds.
4. You can't hold on to your children; you have to let them go.
5. Encourage one another.
6. The best cure for worry is to get busy! Do something for someone else.
7. Get enough rest - it's does wonders for the mind.
8. Look for the good in everyone.
9. Be content.
10. Thank God daily.

So, now that I'm out of my rut, I think I spend the rest of the week feeling good, not worrying, praising God.

What will you be doing?

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. ~Proverbs 12:25

Here We Go! 1st Annual Walk The Walk

Okay ladies, let's gear up for our 1st annual Walk The Walk hike. Yes, I named it myself! As the fearless leader of the "Sole Sisters" walkers, I felt it my duty!

I hope all/some of you have kept this date on your calendar to walk with us; if you have not, you are a slug! Not really, I'll love you the same. But puleeaasse, if you can make it, do come!

WHEN: Satuday, June 14, 2008
TIME: Leave Wagener at 7:00 a.m.
WHERE: Lynch's Woods Passage of the Palmetto Trail
MEET: At Debra's - I'll drive!

Lynch’s Woods Passage of the Palmetto Trail (Newberry County)

Although this moderately difficult section of the Palmetto Trail is short, the beauty of the park makes it a worthwhile hike or ride. Mountain bikers may find some surprise challenges, in the form of short steep hills. You will pass through a forest of old growth trees and trickling creeks. Ground flowers in the spring and summer add to the beauty of the area. Other trails within the park are available to extend your hike or ride, but be aware that some of the trails are shared with equestrians. Length: 3 miles. So, we'll walk the trail and back to the car. Total hike: 6 miles

I hope you can come! I'm looking forward to seeing you there!

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. ~Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)

Reliable Person Wanted

I was talking with some friends tonight about one of my favorite subjects - reliability. No, not the kind the Maytag repairman anguishes over. I mean as in people who are reliable - do what they say they are going to do. Someone you can count on, 99 9/10% of the time. Of course, we humans foul things up once in a while and just plain forget to do something. But, what I see is a very short supply of people who really take it upon themselves to DO something they have committed to doing. Just plain flaky...why do they say "yes"? Has it just become lip service to say, "yea, I'll do that" and then make no effort to do it, nor feel the least bit bad about it later? I really have a problem with that. Are people afraid to say "no"? YES! They are! But I'd rather them say no, so I can ask someone else if I need a hand. Puleeeeaaasse!

It's one of the things I really strive for personally. To be reliable. To be where I say I'm going to be, do what I say I'm going to do. Am I perfect? I think not. But I strive for it, and don't take it lightly. I don't make excuses, and I don't blame others. I do it, unless I'm dying in bed, which I have actually been before!

It's odd; if you look in the want ads for job openings, almost all of them say "looking for a reliable...". It's important. But then, why do so many people not recognize that? Or are only reliable when it suits them? Such a good question, no good answer.

If I teach my daughter one thing in this life, and it may only be this one, it's to be reliable.

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Amplified Bible)

Rainy Days and Mondays

I really don't think a person should have to go to work on Mondays. Nothing good can come of it. I mean, when have you ever had an easy, smooth running day on a Monday? Me neither. Usually, it's like 3 regular working days rolled into one.

It started with my leaving for work this morning, even before that. Remember a couple of days ago, I said I like most dogs? True enough, but I didn't mean I like most dogs all in the SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME! I guess I should have been more specific, because God missed that little point! For the last couple of weeks, the gazillion dogs in my neighborhood have decided to have these "howl-a-thons" several times each night. And you know what I mean....and there are at least 20 of them. Different colors, different families. But running around loose all the same. So, at specific intervals during the night, they get together and howl /growl /fight/ bark/whatever! For about 10 minutes each time! And guess where they do it? That's right, in MY FRONT YARD! Right in front of my bedroom, where we (my dog included) sleeps. So naturally, he doesn't want to be left out, so he barks/cries right in my ear! Each time! It's not funny anymore, but what do you do when you live in the country? Animal Control doesn't really want to hear about your problems, "you're not in the city limits". And I'm not the violent type, or you know what would happen!

Now, back to leaving this morning...as I was getting in my car, I stepped in "it". Yes, "IT"! What a way to start my week...and it went down hill from there.

But hey, what's new with you? =)

A Stroke Of Bad Luck

I'm doing much better with my walking this week, and much worse with my blaaaaaaaaging! I'd say I'm better off, and so are you!

Let's talk about something important to women...

STROKE

If you are not aware, then you can't fight! Here is a good acronym to remember:

Remember the "3" steps: S.T.R. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke:Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently) i.e. It is sunny out today.

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ------- Stick out Your Tongue
Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

Read here for some interesting statistics about women in South Carolina, the buckle of the "Stroke Belt".

Now put down that fried chicken, chitlins' or Edy's ice cream and start WALKING!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Cor. 6:19-20).