I'm not going to let it stop me...

These past 3 weekends have been so much fun...  I had hoped after my hip replacement that I would be able to get back to swinging a bat and playing a little ball in the over 60's group...  maybe even get back to coaching and umping...  I was getting so excited at the thought. 

BUT...  that is not what was going to happen.  The hip is GREAT!!!  But, because of the stroke and the lasting effects of it (a bit of vision loss)...  my safety and the safety of others was what I needed to think about.  So no softball or basketball or coaching or umpiring...  so what now???

I love being outdoors, doing things...  I was frustrated at the thought I couldn't do anything.  And then 3 weeks ago David and I decided to do a short hike in Sandwich Notch...  Beede Falls.  What a blast we had...

A week later we decided to try it again and went to Diana's Baths.  I can't tell you how much fun and quite honestly how much confidence I felt after these two hikes.

So this past weekend we decided to do another hike.  Ripley Falls in Crawford Notch.  It wasn't a long hike, but it was challenging with rocks and roots and narrow paths.  And there were times when it seemed a bit too much...  but I didn't want to give up.  I've always been a believer that if you start something, you have got to give it your all and finish.  I'm sure there will be times when that may not happen...  but if I can, I will.

I am having fun...  and my "seeing eye" guy is so much help.  I definitely wouldn't be doing it without him.  He is so patient, and just lets me do what I need to to make it...  he is always there with an outstretched hand to get me up over that boulder or around that tree when I head right for it...  I swear those trees just move themselves right in my path to see what I am going to do... 

So, I am not going to let it stop me...  I have found something that I can do...  and it feels good. 

Feeling good and healthier...

So, March of 2017 I posted these pictures to show myself where I had been to where I had come.  I had been put on a healthier eating regimen in October 2016 by my cardiologist, and I decided along with the healthier eating I needed to start doing some exercising as well.  I was, and still am happy with that result.

Now fast forward a year...  the weight hasn't changed (so no new picture), but I am feeling so much better. 2017 was not an easy year with excruciating hip pain and then a hip replacement in June (Yay!!  no more pain) and the day after the replacement a stroke (vision impaired), so to still be at the place I am, I am extremely happy.  I am still eating healthy, and I am "working out" as much as I can.  I haven't lost any weight this past year, but I have gone down another size in jeans (24 then to an 18 now)...  so the toning continues?  I am hoping that as I continue this lifestyle that the weight will once again start to drop...  that would be a goal of mine to lose more...  but, and yes there is a but...  if this is me for a while longer, and I am healthy...  (I had my physical yesterday and the doctor is very pleased with where I am)...  then I won't focus on the losing as much as I will focus on being healthy.   

Sometimes it's just a struggle...

James 1:2-3  "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."

This is one of those days...  it's a struggle...  but I know where my help comes from as I go through this trial...

Psalm 121:1-2  "I lift my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth."

Thy will be done!

Words I will live by in 2018 and beyond

I've been doing a lot of reflecting these past 6 months...  I guess having a life altering happening occur can do that to a person.  I have always known that life is fragile, but in June of 2017 I realized first hand that that is so.

June 13th a total hip replacement and that went GREAT!!!  June 14th a stroke and no heart rate...  I thank God that that was not the end of my life...  from that day I have realized that each day is a gift... and I cherish that gift more than anyone will know.

I have a small wall hanging at home that has come to mean so very much to me...  Live, Love, Laugh...  so in 2018 and beyond these are the words I will live by with a few added in.

Even if it is a bit more challenging with the vision issues resulting from the stroke I am going to live life to the fullest, love unconditionally, and laugh often.  And for others that already know the whacky me...  I am going to continue to jump in the puddles, sing silly songs and maybe even sing off key, dance even if there isn't any music and "walk like this".  And if you are going to join me in the puddles, dancing or "walking like this", please stay on my right side so I don't hit the wall...  hehe...  but yeah...  that would be very helpful.  :)

So thankful...

It's that time of year that we all have things to be thankful for...  but should it only be this time of year?  Don't we have things to be thankful for every day of the year?  Why do we focus so much attention on the month of November to give thanks?

Scripture says:
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!"
Psalm 118:1

"...be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ..."
Ephesians 18b-20
                      ALWAYS AND FOR EVERYTHING

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:18
                       IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

Oh, I am definitely giving thanks this month...  but not just this month...  it is always.  I have a very long list of things to be thankful for...  the first thing I am thankful for every day of my life, Jesus..   His love, His saving grace, His sacrifice on the cross...  He did that for me...  and He did that for you.  I am forever grateful!!!

There is so so much more that I am thankful for...  oh yes, much more...  every day...  it just overwhelms me how I have been blessed.

David, he is my knight in shining armor.  The love of my life.  He is loving, caring, compassionate.  He is a man of God, honest, hardworking and the list just goes on and on.  God blessed me with this love.

Michelle and Melissa, daughters, true gifts of God.  Both beautiful, smart, loving and compassionate young women, following God's plan for their lives.  My heart overflows with love for them.

Alan, my son by heart...  who came into my life in a big way in 2003.  He is handsome, has a great big heart, makes me smile, he is independent, strong willed, and sees things differently than I do...  but what a joy he is to me, and I love him as if he were my own.

Joel, my son by love...  marrying Michelle in 2008.  A wonderful loving husband and father.  A man of God serving faithfully at their place of worship.  We are blessed to have him a part of our family.

Noah, Isaac, Peter...  3 of the most handsome little men I have ever seen.  Each so different from the other. I didn't think being a Grammie could be so much fun.  Oh how I love them.  3 very precious gifts.  My heart just bubbles up with love for them.

Jimmy...  he came into our lives about 3 years ago.  He is fun loving, witty, thoughtful, a young man who loves God and our Melissa.  He makes my heart smile.

And there are so many others, family and friends.  I am truly thankful for each and every one of you.  My life has been enriched with you in it.

And things?  Our warm cozy home, our jobs, our transportation...  we are so thankful for everything...  God has blessed us with all that we need and so much more.  How can we not be thankful always and for everything?

And in all circumstances?  YES!!!  and in all circumstances.  Life is not always easy.  It can be down right difficult.  I can attest to that...  I think all of us can attest to that...  but I have learned that even in those difficult circumstances God has been there with me.  I may not always think so at the time...  but when I look back on the what if's?  He has brought me through some pretty amazing things, even a brush with death.  It's been a journey of learning for me...  and I know this journey of learning isn't over yet.

So, not just this month but all year long I am thankful.  The blessings, the life gift, the love of Jesus...  I am thankful always and for everything and in all circumstances.  God has been so good to me...  and do I deserve it?  NO!!!  but he loves me that much...

Forever Grateful
You did not wait for me to draw near to You, 
but You clothed Yourself in frail humanity. 
You did not wait for me to cry out to You, 
but You let me hear Your voice calling me.
And I'm forever grateful, Lord, to You. 
And I'm forever grateful for the cross. 
And I'm forever grateful to You, 
that You came to seek and save the lost. 

What a glorious day!

It's been one of those days that I just can't say thank you enough to God.  Maybe it's because it's a five month anniversary of the day I had no heartbeat and had a code blue called and then was literally given another chance at life by my God.  Maybe?

Life has taken on a new meaning for me.  I am so grateful for it.  So thankful for it.   God has a plan for me, and I am ready to do whatever whenever.

WOW!!!!  I just love this life He has given me.  It's beautiful!

Hmmmm.....

I'm trying to figure out what this time of my life is supposed to be about and what God has planned for me. Some days I feel like I’ve lost my purpose, and direction. Yeah, today is one of those days. I know my joy is supposed to be rooted in Christ and not in my circumstances. But today, I am having a hard time handling this time in my life, these circumstances.

Please, I can't do "just one more thing". This is all I've got. So please please, don't ask again.