Month: January 2022

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Today I am thankful for our very warm little home on wheels. It is cold here in Florida this weekend and I am thankful we have a warm place to hangout and be safe. Thankful for propane to keep the furnace burning!

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Yesterday and today I have been focusing on looking at balance. Balance is so important. One of the tools I have been using for my weight loss journey is NOOM and the last few lessons have been on balance….the definition of balance is a condition in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. This is one of the hardest things for me…to keep a balance, to not only see the black and white but also the grey in things, to not have an all or nothing attitude or focus.

Psalm 127: 2 reminds me that REST is a good thing.

Ecclesiastes 4:6 tells us

Matthew 6:33-34 states

3 John 1:2 tells us

And I now have my word for 2022!!!

I woke up just after 7 this morning and tried to go back to sleep but no such luck so I started my morning routine…weighed…UGH…the scale is going in the wrong direction…but maybe that was my wake up call for today….I really need to get back to walking every day…how hard is it to get out and walk????

So after taking my meds, doing the dishes, getting two loads of clothes in the washer and the dryer I went for a walk…it was only 5 minutes and 16 seconds but hey, it’s more than yesterday!!! I always have the same chat with myself…only I can get out there and walk…

I came back to the trailer, turned on some worship music…today it is Alan Jackson ~ Hymns and that answers the blog prompt for today…it was “what is on your playlist right now?” Whoo hoo…can mark another thing as done for today 😂 I know…no more To Do Lists…this one’s only in my head!!!

I then opened by Bible to Proverbs 28…vs 20 is what jumped out at me:

This verse speaks volumes to me this morning…FAITH…I need to keep my faith in the Lord, not man or woman. Someone said something to me yesterday that sent me spinning. I was perplexed, tried to wrap my head around it but nothing I could think of made sense. I got into my ALL or NOTHING thinking about relationships for about two hours but guess it lingered longer because I woke up this morning still thinking about “what did I say?” “I didn’t mean to say anything to offend or hurt”. I still don’t know what I said but today I am going to focus on keeping my FAITH in Christ and TRUSTING Him in and with my life. And I’m asking the Lord to just give me peace about friendships and relationships. And I know He will as after the chaos of my thinking yesterday I had two women who I have just met through Facebook who live here in Florida set coffee dates with me….now that’s an answer to one of my many prayers…so tomorrow I have a coffee date with a gal who lives right here in our campground (we met on a NO Buy Site for Wesley Chapel). She sounded excited in her texts to me to get to know me and I am excited to hopefully make a new friend here in our campground.

The second coffee date is for next Friday…a gal I met in another Facebook group, not even sure which one…but she is a crocheter and cross~stitcher just like me!!! So next Friday we are going to meet for a visit!!! Thank you Lord for answering prayer for connections to local women…help me to be the friend they need and the friend who You want me to be!!! Amen!!!

Thank you Lord for the reminder to keep the faith!!! And he continued in James 1:12

and

Both of these verses continue to remind me…keep my focus on the Lord, He is faithful and it is through Him I am blessed!

After getting back to the trailer after folding the two loads of clothes that had been in the dryer I made myself a cup of scripture tea that I had received from J & S for Christmas…today the verse was Psalm 46:10

I know what I know and I know that God is always
FAITHFUL!

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Day 3 of Thankfulness ~
I am thankful for friendship!
New friends and old!

😂😂I have to laugh when I say old, because I don’t mean old as in the elderly, I think of all my friends who have been a part of my life for long, long time….two friends from high school, cousins and an aunt who have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember! and for friends who have been a part of my life during different seasons. I am truly blessed and loved by friends, friends who I consider family!! 😂😂

Reflecting back on my reading from a couple of days ago…Proverbs 25

….I read….speak wisely in words and timing. Just because I have a thought doesn’t mean I need to speak it outloud!!!! The old saying: think before you speak…very wise words that I need to heed!!!

vs 16

God provides for me…he gives me plenty to eat…I don’t need to over indulge. I need to eat just what I need…no need to be a glutton!!!

vs 21 & 22

Be kind, don’t be mean especially to those who have hurt me…remember God is the judge….it is not my job to be judge and jury!!!

vs 25

A great reminder to keep in touch with those who are not nearby. With our lifestyle that is many…Lord help me to remember to keep in touch with those You have brought into my life as we have traveled, lived and worked ~ thank you for friends who love us from a far!

vs 28

Self-control…keep calm in times of uncertainty, don’t lash out in frustration!

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Day 2 ~ Ali’s Lenten Season
Today I am thankful for the many reminders that God provides and has provided for us in so many ways over the past 46 years and He will never stop!!! As Ron has often said, He has never failed us why would He start now?!
I am thankful for the job Ron has at Amazon and how Ron is encouraging me to use this time where I am not working to get healthy: not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. To be content where the Lord has placed us!

I will begin with how I’m feeling….

Another rough night…woke up at 4a sweating like a dog…I know, dog’s don’t sweat…but boy was I hot and sweaty. Made my way to the living room and checked my blood sugar…63! Drank a pineapple juice and ate a couple of Reese’s miniature peanut butter cups along with a banana…checked my blood sugar 15 minutes later….only 67! Not going up very fast…drank some red grapefruit juice…it was close to 5:00a when I finally felt the shakes go away and made my way back to bed.

Woke up at 8:03a feeling panicked…coming out of a dream, feeling abandoned and ignored and mad that no one would listen to me…everyone just kept having fun in the play they were performing!!! Began my morning routine…weighed…the dang scale just keeps going up!!! Up to 259.6!!! Dang I was down to 248!!! Couldn’t seem to shake my feeling of uneasiness from waking up….opened my Bible…

Today was Proverbs 27
vs 1

And immediately thought about the year Jamie was in Iraq and how I was filled with worry for that year, just knowing something bad was going to happen to him…and yet nothing did…he came back to us all grown up!!! All that worry for nothing!!!

vs 9

and the guilt feelings from feeling jealous yesterday when I saw my Bestie was communicating with others and I was feeling ignored (don’t worry I will tell her all about it in my email later this morning…and thankfully I know she loves me unconditionally and we always love one another extending grace and mercy knowing we can weather anything and everything!) Prayed…Lord forgive me for being jealous…I know she is dealing with some heavy stuff…

vs 10

Oh Lord…I won’t leave her and I am so thankful that she won’t leave me or quit loving me because of some of my crappy and jealous thoughts!!!

vs 19

Oh Lord….I’m tired of feeling lousy, feeling like I continually try and fail and that’s when Jealousy and Pity overtake my thoughts!!! Forgive me for not being thankful that my Bestie has relationships with her sisters…that it’s my own jealousy of that lack of relationship with my own sister…that feeds my feelings. Lord help me to love my Bestie as the sister you gave me!!! And I am truly thankful for friendship and love!!!

And then I read the devotional that went along with Proverbs 27:9

And God reminded me that I am so blessed to have my Bestie in my life, that we extend grace to each other especially when ourselves get in the way! As well I am reminded that God has brought many women friends into my life…some I call sister, mom, and friend…and I am thankful for each one….especially on the days that satan rears his ugly head and tries to destroy me!!!

Then I opened an email devotional From God Pause and this was the statement that jumped out at me: Lent is coming, when once again we will embark on our Lenten journey of repentance and new life. 

Lent…a time to give up something and keep my focus on the Lord, to seek healing and peace in my life. I usually give up sugar, candy, chocolate or ????? But I think the Lord is telling me to give up the negativity that has gotten too comfortable in my life!!! Lent starts on March 2 this year…only 34 days from today…then 40 days of Lent…maybe, just maybe the Lord is encouraging me to start my Lenten journey today…to turn the negativity off and focus on the many blessings in my life. And immediately I think of being grateful and thankful

And so this morning I start my own Lenten season of 74 days!!! of Being Grateful. Finding JOY in the many blessings of my life!!!

Day 1 of Ali’s Lenten season!
Thank you Lord for blessing me with a hubby who loves me more than I could ever deserve. Who works hard to provide for us each and every day!
Who gets up in the middle of the night to open candy wrappers and hand me juice when I can’t see straight and stays up with me till I stop shaking!!!

As I thought about writing this blog post from a feeling of starting over again…two things went through my mind…first was this verse from Lamentations:

which is something I (we, Ron and I) have said many times in many different situations and if God tells me His mercies are new every morning why am I so hard on myself when I feel like I am starting over, starting over again and again? Because if God is good with new beginnings every day, shouldn’t I be good with wherever I am happen to be in my walk on this journey we call life?

I then looked for a picture about starting over and this one was one of the first to pop up…

And I was reminded that the reality is I am not starting totally over again, I am starting the day with the information and previous experiences have given me.

So even though I feel like I have failed, have stumbled, have gotten stuck ~ the reality is that I am not the same as I was yesterday, a month ago or even years ago. I may be dealing with some, if not many of the same issues from who knows when I am still not where I was…so today as I give myself the grace and mercy that our loving God gives to me I move forward. And that is a good thing!!!

And just like always, God always meets me right where I am. Today my reading was in Proverbs 24…

No Matter What, GET BACK UP!

Stop reacting to what others say and do…DO what I know I need to do and what I know to be truth!

And so today I continue on my journey of becoming healthier. In my devotion from Grace Filled Food Freedom I am reminded that I walk a different path today then I did yesterday or the day before. My goals are ever changing and that’s okay as long as I keep my eye on the prize!

Yesterday during the sermon Pastor Fred asked the question “What is your motive?” He was talking about how we are to be as mentioned in James 3: 13-18…Pure, Peaceful, Gentle,, Obedient, Merciful, participate in Good actions, fair and genuine.

So the question…what is my motive? also comes out as what is my why? why do I want to get healthy? the simple answer is because I don’t like how I look or how I feel. I feel fat and I have no energy and I want to be able to do things with my sweet hubby (who by the way puts up with a lot from me…my grumpiness and my weird ideas 😳) and my kids and grands! and friends!!!

The other thought that went through my mind about my motive is that I want to be an example to others…to share that it doesn’t matter if you came from a crappy home life as a child or had abusive parents or alcoholic parents you don’t have to be like them. I want to be an encourager even when I’m struggling with stuff because, well who doesn’t struggle with things in life? Don’t we all have struggles and trials – they are just different from one another.

I want to show others that you don’t have to have a million dollars in your bank account to have a good life. Not to say I wouldn’t want to try to see what it would be like to have a million dollars to spend … isn’t that why we play the lottery every once in awhile…to allow ourselves to dream. One thing I have shared over the years is that we may not have a lot of money but we have never gone without what we needed…we have never gone without a meal though there have been times we have wondered where the next meal would come from BUT God has always provided. Once while living/working in Cedarcreek, MO we went quite a while without a paycheck through no fault of our own. Ron and I were bickering at each other and finally Ron said “let’s go for a drive.” My thought, that would be fun but we don’t have money for gas, we always want to stop to get something to drink while out for a drive but there is no money for that BUT better to go for a drive then to continue bickering.

Drives for us are very healing and healthy. We have some of our best talks. So we filled the car with $25 of the $40 we had to our name and we set off on a drive. I don’t remember where we went, just drove around the area. We were gone for about three hours. I remember the day was filled with sunshine, we listened to quite a few of our CD’s…probably from New South or Barbara Fairchild & Roy Morris and by the time we got back to the motorhome we were both in a much better mood. We checked the mail as we pulled into the driveway. In the mail was an envelope with our names on it. I remember Ali was spelled Allie ~ which surprised me. We made our way into the motorhome and started going through the mail. I opened the envelope addressed to Allie & Ron…inside was a card with a note that said “this is for you guys, not GUMI camp” along with 5 $100 bills!!! Wow!!! We had only told a few people what was going on at the time…my bestie in Washington state and a couple of friends in Branson…but none of them were in a position to be able to send us that kind of money PLUS the money and card was hand delivered…there was no stamp on the envelope…a plain envelope with Allie & Ron printed on it so it hadn’t come through the regular mail. I remember we both just sat and stared at the money and tried to figure out who would have given it to us. You know we never did find out but you can bet we have never forgotten the wonderful gift that came at the right time. We were able to fill the car with gas, go grocery shopping and get some much needed fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. God provided for a way we could not imagine.

There have been many other times where God provided for us in ways we could never imagine. And we are so thankful. I want to be an example for others, to show them that even when life seems crazy, that when the tunnel doesn’t seem to have a light at the end that we just continue to trust in our Lord to take care of us.

And so today I am choosing to start the day by making healthy food choices, drinking my water, tackling some much needed chores and spending time in the Word and with my Lord before relaxing and vegging on some TV shows with my hubby!!!

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Do you feel like you have started over so many times you can’t count?
How do you stay encouraged to keep to the course?

Someone, after reading my blog from yesterday, asked me why I am so open about my life…a few of the reasons are:

• being true and authentic is important to me
• writing helps me to think and process things
• as I told a friend many years ago “I am my own worst enemy” why? because I always tell on myself
• I lived with secrets for most of my early life and I don’t like secrets, well unless it’s about a surprise party😁
• also, not having close friends in proximity, writing is a tool I can use to get feedback from others

Yesterday I was not in a real good space, I even alluded to it that I was whining about how I was feeling and not being around friends, not having face-to-face fellowship and specifically how I had hinted that I wanted someone to come and pick me up for the potluck at our local church…a couple of friends responded “people are not mind readers, ask for what you need.” After reading their responses I knew they were right, I KNOW people are not mind readers…just ask Ron 😳…even after 46 years of marriage and lots of counseling I still expect him to read my mind, LOL! As well, an email from someone saying they hoped they didn’t offend me or hurt my feelings. Of course not!!! If having someone make a comment or reply to a blog post was going to offend me I wouldn’t write…I love it when people comment PLUS how can I learn and grow if people didn’t share their thoughts or comments.

I’m also trying to be open to what the Lord has to say to me through my devotions and Bible readings and today He did not disappoint me. It was like He is a mind reader 😂

My devotional reading today was in Proverbs 14…below are the verses that really spoke to me: red italics are my thoughts

³ A rebel’s foolish talk should prick his own pride! But the wise man’s speech is respected. Even fools need discipline

⁶ A mocker never finds the wisdom he claims he is looking for, yet it comes easily to the man with common sense. knowledge & perceptive

¹⁰ Only the person involved can know his own bitterness or joy—no one else can really share it. I think this is one of the reasons I write, I want to share the good, the bad, the beautiful and ugly, the joys and sorrows to hopefully be an encouragement to others

¹³ Laughter cannot mask a heavy heart. When the laughter ends, the grief remains. I think about my older sister, Kathy. She told me one time that she would hide behind her laughter and I feel sad thinking she too struggled with so much in her life.

¹⁷ A short-tempered man is a fool. He hates the man who is patient. This one really hit home…thinking about how quick I was to get so angry on Tuesday dealing with the fiasco of the insurance and my medication…

²³ Work brings profit; talk brings poverty! Action speaks louder than words!

²⁹ A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes. Similar thoughts & response as verse 17: This one really hit home…thinking about how quick I was to get so angry on Tuesday dealing with the fiasco of the insurance and my medication…understanding instead of foolishness.

³⁰ A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life; jealousy rots it away. When I am looking at the positive, being thankful, expressing gratitude life and keeping my focus on the Lord keeps my anxiety at bay.

My devotion closed with

And I am was reminded to rest on God’s solid foundation, serve ALL joyfully and let those in my life know how important they are to me…Ron, our boys, their sweet wives, our grandchildren, friends who have become my family.

I then started down memory lane…Ron and I have been married 46+ years and we have met so many people, had more adventures than we could have ever imagined, traveled to places we could only dream about and the truth is we are so blessed!!! Even in the middle of struggles and trials we are loved and blessed beyond measure.

And then as I continued with the Grace Filled Food Freedom study…the title for today: Perils of Perfectionism ~~ When the bar is too high, we stop trying. This is why you’ve struggled with diets (and so many other areas of my life). At one point you thought you could do it ALL, tomorrow. But time has revealed to you (and 95% of dieters) that change does not happen overnight. And ironically, striving for a perfect diet only makes it harder to eat healthfully, as our cravings grow fangs when our favorite foods are banned from our lives. Take today to meditate on how grace can and will transform your life and your eating. What would happen if you stopped aiming for perfection and set your gaze on God’s goodness instead? How would things change if your food slips “go and reset” as soon as you noticed you’d veered? The answer may surprise you! And I am reminded again…GRACE!!! Extend grace to myself just like I extend grace to others. Be kind to myself and enjoy this season of life that I am in…strive to share the fruits of the Spirit with those I come into contact with.

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I want to end this post with a
BIG THANK YOU!!

to each of you who are a part of my life,
for loving me and encouraging me
and being a part of my life!!!

Can’t believe it has been a week since I last took time to write….I’m trying to extend GRACE to myself for not doing EVERYTHING that I think I need to be doing to be living the perfect life. OH WAIT ~ there is no perfect life. So I will take today as the gift it is and just move however best I can.

I continue to do a lot of self~talk. The last few days have been conversations about using my time wisely…it is so easy for me to sit, have the TV rambling in the background and zone out on Facebook or crochet for hours. Both of those activities are my escapes in this big world.

My days when Ron is working is a lot of quiet time (so he can sleep). I want to do something, I want to meet up with friends…oh that’s right, I don’t really have any here in Florida. Ron and I continue to talk about finding where we belong. We love Pastor Fred and his sermons at New River Church but the connections just don’t seem to be there. Oh the people are friendly each time we attend. People say they care but it feels like everyone is involved in their own little worlds with their own little group of people they do things with. I’m not really sure how to make those connections. Yesterday was The Gathering: an evening potluck, fellowship and a teaching. It was posted on NRC Facebook page and I commented (way early in the day) “Bummer, Ron is working so I won’t have transportation.” I guess I was hoping that someone would offer to pick me up…we only live 2 miles from the church. 9 people 👍🏼 or ❤️ and one person commented “it was a great time.” Yet no one commented to me or sent a message…maybe I am whining and expecting too much. I don’t know.

There is a Bible study on Saturday’s that I attended once and life has happened a lot and I haven’t been back…but I have put it on my calendar for this coming Saturday. I need, I crave, I miss having face-to-face fellowship and friendships. Am I whining? What do I need to do to make those connections.

But…moving on…lots more to share…

My devotional reading today came from Proverbs 13.

As I read this verse my heart races with so many thoughts. Having parents who weren’t the best at giving instructions or showing love I can only imagine what my life would have been like if I had had the caring and loving parents I have seen others have. We have a friend (a dad) and his daughter and each time we see them together Ron and I comment how we love to see their relationship and their interactions ~ they clearly love and respect each other! And I also pray that our own children and grandchildren know that we love and care for them and that we are so thankful when they seek our assistance or to just talk about something going on in their lives.

Oh how verse 3 resonated with me. Tuesday was a hard day! We had a doctor’s appointment, had to run errands to pick up the mail and some prescriptions, get a new blood pressure monitor (why do they sell wrist ones when the medical profession states they do not give accurate information!!!). So went to Walmart to get our prescriptions…a little history…our insurance made the decision to stop covering my Lantus. Sent me a letter with the name of the insulin they would cover. Added a statement in the letter that “it is the equivalent to Lantus and does NOT need a new prescription.” Oh me oh my…nope, needs a new prescription!!! Damn, we were just at the doctor’s and would have gotten a new prescription if we had been told that!!! Paid for the four of the six prescriptions that were ready…had gotten a text from Walmart the day before stating all six prescriptions were ready for pickup ~ um NO!!! Couldn’t get the insulin and one medication had to be ordered and wouldn’t be in till Friday!!! Come on people…at least tell the truth…either in your texts or give us a call!!!

Needless to say

my buttons were pushed!!! I didn’t lose it in Walmart ~ that’s a good thing right? I paid for the four prescriptions and walked out to the truck, Told Ron to not start the truck I needed to call the insurance agent. What a fiasco, frustration levels were rising, yes my voice was rising, asked to speak to a supervisor, didn’t do any good Yes I was yelling, yes I posted on Facebook because I was yelling “I’m so F**ing tired of trying!! and left it at that, yes I hung up the phone on the insurance lady!!! Told Ron matter of factly…just take me home now!! …yes I need a new prescription for the equivalent medication…then why the HE** did the dang letter say I didn’t??? So thankful my hubby loves me…we left Walmart and he started driving home. After about 20 minutes Ron quietly asked me “Are you going to go to B & D’s for dinner?” and I quietly responded “yes.” So he changed directions and we headed towards Land O’ Lakes. After a pretty stilted conversation we stopped at Walgreens to get a new blood pressure machine/arm cuff. Tension was still pretty high and I tossed

and

and

and

all into the cart and Ron didn’t say a word 😃…I think he knew better ☺️. And then we drove to B & D’s. When we walked in, I told Danalyn that I was going to go and take a nap as I needed an attitude adjustment. I took the bag with the goodies into the bedroom, tossing the bag on the dresser, laying down and going to sleep. When I woke up two hours later I walked out and whispered to Ron “honey I didn’t even open any of the bags of candy, I just went to sleep!” He smiled and said he was proud of me! I think my body was proud of me too…oh the havoc eating all that candy would have caused my body!!!!! Thank you Lord for giving me the self-control to just leave the candy on the dresser, go to sleep and wake refreshed and less agitated. We had a great dinner with the kids and grands…Brandon made the best pork chops, using

w/tomatoes & onions along with collard greens w/bacon. So yummy!!! And of course we got lots of Grammy & Grandpa hugs from the grands!!! And once again, the Lord has met me right where I am…reminding me to watch my tongue!!! Screaming and yelling only caused my blood pressure to go up and nothing else get done!!!

By the way, Wednesday I wrote an email to the doctor about the prescription snaffu, called Walmart…guess what they don’t carry the new insulin, found out CVS does so we will be changing all of our medications over to CVS which is just down the road from us! As they say, alls well that ends well!!! Now let’s hope the new insulin works as well if not better than the Lantus!!!

As I finished up reading Proverbs, the following two verses confirmed lots of the self-talk I have been having lately:

and

Remind me that I can want for many things but if I don’t listen to wise counsel and actually do something that my want will only be that…a want and not an outcome! So today I once again am putting the action behind my want…spending time in the Word, going for a walk around the campground (two already this morning after putting a load of laundry in the washer and again after putting them in the dryer) because we all know if we don’t actually do the change or the activity it won’t get done!!!

As I also continue with the Grace Filled Food Freedom study I am reminded that food is not my enemy but just a tool to get myself healthy and that I don’t need to cling to eating unhealthy foods but instead choose food that is full of good nourishment is better for me physically and emotionally and that the holes that I am quick to try to fill with food can actually be filled by clinging to my Lord and Savior and learning to love myself the way God loves me!!!

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What are some ways you deal with the unexpected, being told one thing and finding out that actually it is something different?

I also on the lookout for some good songs/playlists to listen to while I walk…
what do y’all suggest?

My scripture reading this morning comes from Proverbs 8 and is so appropriate as I think about two special friends who share birthdays today…Lynda & Kathy…two wise women I have known for over 30 years!!! So first off

Proverbs 8:5 reminds me of so much…to listen, to understand, don’t speak in haste (like a fool). One of the versions I read talked about being shrewd (having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute). I am thankful for the examples Lynda and Kathy have been in my life: encouraging me to trust again, to think before speaking, to be aware of my surroundings but most of all to keep my focus on the Lord!

Proverbs 8:10 continues with more of the same wisdom

Encouraging me to listen, glean instruction from God’s word but also from the people in my life who love and care about me. I have many friends who love me and I am thankful for all of them but today I give extra thanks for Lynda and Kathy…they have walked many roads with me over the past 30+ years. We have shared laughs and tears, hugs and meals! Having them in my life means more to me than any amount of money!!! And isn’t that what we should focus on…realizing money isn’t everything but it is the friendships and relationships we share in life that bring us the most joy!!

As well life continues and I continue on this journey to get healthy, both physically and emotionally. I’m thankful for the tools that have been shown to me over the years, the encouragement given by so many. Yet sometimes the struggle seems overwhelming! I am reminded in Luke 9:23

Trying to make better and healthier food choices is hard. The struggle is real because that’s the way it’s meant to be. I guess if it was super easy to make healthy food choices or to decide to go for a walk then life would be boring. To struggle without purpose is torture. From the Grace Filled Food Freedom group on Facebook I am reminded “To struggle with purpose is exactly what Christ did and directs us to do. And, I know it seems trivial to compare your desire for an Oreo to the cross, but let’s look at the bigger picture here. The cross was Christ yielding to God’s plan. Choose to proactively struggle for the sake of Christ. Toss the most (or least) amazing bite from your plate, exercise when you’d rather lie comatose on the couch, or swap a pastry for a prayer. Then, celebrate and meditate on the joy that comes after walking in His footsteps.

One of my life struggles has been the “all or nothing thinking” which I am really good at. A typical thought for me has been “heck I had a cookie so I might as well eat the whole dang bag!” or “I can’t walk for 30 minutes so why bother walking at all” but those kinds of thoughts are slowly changing…this morning after I grabbed the clothes from the dryer I walked around the building instead of cutting across the grass back to the trailer. Not much but hey an extra 50 steps!!! And all those little steps will turn into a lot of steps!!!

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What kind of struggles do you face?
Have you come up with some alternate thoughts or activities to change those thoughts/behaviors?

Have you had a special friend who has walked alongside you during a difficult time? If so, remember to tell them thank you and how much you appreciate them!

I hate bugs! Especially fast and creepy crawly ones!
.

Same bug, just a close up picture of it. I found out it is a type of roache/silverfish and I know God made all the creatures but these, these have got to go!!! A friend of mine who has lived just about 20 miles from us here in Florida recommended something…it’s being ordered from Amazon…in the meantime, when I can catch the dang things…they are dead…they are FAST little buggers!!!! And even though I know they won’t actually hurt me I am always startled and jump when I see one!!!

A lot of things I have been trying to do daily didn’t happen yesterday ~ Thursday is always a crazy day as we switch our schedule up a bit to get into the swing of Ron’s work schedule…so up early, run a bunch of errands, come back to the trailer. While Ron napped I cleaned and organized our little home on wheels. We have been talking about getting rid of the double recliner and getting a futon so the grandboys can have a place to sleep…I am so ready for some sleepovers!!! This past week we were able to pick up an RV recliner and a futon off of Facebook marketplace. I think they look great!! And for those who want to know…Ron is keeping his dang big TV (55″) (its to the left of the recliner by the door) until we get a 2nd chair and 40″ ~ 43″ TV…but that’s not a priority right now…

This morning I was able to do my little morning routine…drank a bottle of water, weighed (down 9.8 lbs since 9/29/21 ~ not a lot but hey a girl has to start somewhere!), turned on some worship music and spend some time in the Word. Today’s reading is Proverbs 7.

and

Both of these verses really spoke to me and reminded me that I need to keep my focus on the Lord. Or I just get loud and crazy dumb!!! Just yesterday I was in a pretty selfish mood and Ron and I argued over the dumbest thing…something that happened in 1989/90!!! Now how dumb is that. I started sulking and after about 15 minutes I felt this little tug at my heart…”Ali you are just being stupid and selfish..what does it matter when the big snow storm was???” After a few more minutes I softly started talking with Ron…so thankful he loves me, foibles and all, and helps me to get back into a good place!!!

It’s been nice chatting with y’all..hope some of you chat back 🙂 …time to walk over to the office and see if I can buy some quarters to work on the never ending pile of laundry and go for a walk!!

Good morning on this overcast and grey cloudy day here in Wesley Chapel, Florida. I slept really well last night and after eating my gingerbread cookie for dessert last night I didn’t snack while watching TV…a big step for me. I kept taking sips of my water each time I had the thought “I want something to eat”. I wasn’t really hungry but I just like to snack..old habits are hard to break but being successful at new healthy habits feels wonderful!!!

Reminds me of many of the conversations with my Bestie…we know what we are supposed to do to lower our Blood Glucose, we know what makes us feel good emotionally and physically YET so often we choose the other path.

This morning my reading found me in Proverbs 5…

Ouch! OUCH!!! So much truth…I was diagnosed in 1995 with Type 2 Diabetes: 26 years I have been battling this disease, no putting bandaids on my health and it has’t been working…that’s obvious as I’m definitely overweight and it’s not baby weight!!! as my baby is almost 42!!! My skin is dry and flaky and my joints ache…ache a lot!!! And my headaches are happening two to three times a week now. Not to sound like I am beating myself up…I’m just trying to be honest.

At the same time I do give myself credit for the changes I have been trying no making. Once again I have stopped buying soda pop; yes I was back to drinking one or two Zero Coke’s or Sprites a day…ugh…but the last two times I went grocery shopping I didn’t buy any ~ yeah me!!! I have also quit snacking at bedtime…so hard not to do. As I shared with my Bestie…eating popcorn or cookies laying in bed was a happy memory of doing that with my mom when I was growing up…yes it brought me comfort! And we are making healthier food purchases like I wrote about yesterday…and I am reminded it’s one step at a time, one day at a time and sometimes it’s just one meal at a time!

Vs 14 “and everyone knows it!” is a good thing…it helps me to be accountable to myself and knowing my kids and framily (friends who are my family now) ask and care about me. And I feel special when my framily asks how things are going? or what are we having for dinner? or did you get out for a walk? I know it’s kind of selfish but I am a people person and I need people around me and involved in my life…so don’t hesitate to ask me how things are going…well only if you want to 🙂 !

Proverbs 5:23 also speaks volumes to me…IF I don’t get my act together…i.e. eating healthy, walking every day, taking care of my emotional and spiritual health I will die. Don’t get me wrong…we all are going to die at some point in our lives but IF I get my act together maybe I will be around for a long, long time.

This morning I’m thankful for the encouragement from the Lord as I spent time in His word and also thankful for the notes of encouragement I have received through my blog comments and email…you know who you are and I truly do appreciate you!!!

Today I continue with Daily To Do List ~
…weigh in the morning √
…take my morning medication√
…start my day with a bottle of water√
…spend time in the Word√
….write a blog post√
still to do … go for a walk
… take down the Christmas decorations
… make a healthy breakfast and dinner (guess that’s two things)
… crochet a bit on the project I’m putting together for a friend

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What about you? What’s on your To Do List?
Do you write your list out or is it just running through your head?

I’m using an Excel worksheet that a friend put together plus writing in my daytimer and logging my food in Myfitnesspal (to keep track of my carbs to adjust my insulin accordingly) and doing my daily NOOM lessons.