Simplicity In Itself

                                                   Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                    everyday is a journey.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting up with my mentor friend from Texas. I have such a beautiful history with her as she was the one who Baptized me back in 2008. We have come a long way since those first few years of our spiritual journey. We hung out together, exercised together, went to bible study and sat side by side in Church as two single mothers. She was my buddy and my date for many of Church functions where couples reigned.

You have no idea how devastated I was when she upped and left for Texas in one gigantic and bold swoop! That's Anna, never afraid to step out and take a chance. It took a long time to accept her move. I was so happy for her, because her life changed forever for the better with that one risky decision. Life is very good for her in Texas.  Yet, I still missed her and the relationship we shared.

So every year, Anna comes out to visit her family and we get together for breakfast. This year another friend of ours joined our breakfast and we shared a wonderful morning together reconnecting. 

There was a moment, a mere millisecond of a moment, when she pulled up in her brand new vehicle where I felt a tinge of envy. I'm not sure what brought that on. It could have been because of all the struggles I have had financially with my fmla which ended up holding my money for almost six weeks. Or it could have been because of my vehicle constantly breaking down during my treatment. I'm not exactly sure, but that tinge of envy surfaced for a minute. 

Just as suddenly as it came, it disappeared. You see, even if I had all the money in the world, I cannot see myself buying a car such as hers. I cannot see living in a huge home with all the state of the art technology or luxury furniture. I cannot see myself coiffured from my head down to my toes. It's just not who I am. I'm a wash and wear person. I love simplicity in all things. I know this, yet the devil is always working overtime to steal our JOY.

I've realized that Anna is living the life she was meant to live and I'm living the life I'm suppose to live. We're both happy in our skins, no matter how different those skins can be. I'm very grateful who I am in Christ and I wouldn't change much. Maybe just a little bit about my life. I definitely would have a Tiny House, plenty of yarn, surrounded by the country life, developing my writing skills.

Have a Blessed day everyone.
 

The Purpose

                                                       Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                       everyday is a journey.

Weary of myself and sick of asking
 What I am, and what I ought to be,
At the vessel's prow I stand, which bears me
 Forward, forward, o'er the starlit sea

O air-born voice! long since severely clear,
 A cry like thine in my own heart I hear.
Resolve to be thyself: and know that he
Who finds himself, loses his misery.

--Matthew Arnold.

The last few weeks were the very first where I actually felt bored and restlessness. Nothing held my interest for very long. I wandered from one activity to the next looking for something, but what was that something? Even with food, nothing satisfied me and yet I wanted it all. 

I knew this day would come where the existence of an idle life would reign and boredom would set in. I love being active, the idle life is not for me! There is nothing worse than wandering from room to room searching for that one thing to occupy our minds. A day can seem like forever.

I need to feel useful. Productive. When one part of our life ends, another quickly takes it's place. The question remains, what is that new purpose? As I moped around the apartment, I began praying to God to show me the way onto that new path. I know my purpose here on Earth is to serve others in Christ-like fashion. I just need Him to push me onto that serving road. 

You know, the moment one realizes what needs to happen, we sort of spring into action, don't we? First, an idea appears and we mull on it. Then that idea turns into a plan with multiple steps.  From those steps comes realization of your purpose. 

Well, the idea did come and a plan was made. We are in the first step of that plan. I cannot say anything else at this point. I will say that I am very excited on this new path and cannot wait to see the fruit from it's labor. I do know it will be a few months until it is finished. Until then my friends check out a story I wrote for Thought Collection Notebook #5. This week you can purchase free a kindle version until Friday just leave a review. Here is the link:
 http://amzn.to/29EBAt6

Have a blessed day everyone.

Throwback Thursday

 

                                    Everyday is a brand new day, 

                                    everyday is a journey.

  Here we are at yet another Throwback Thursday where we take a peek into the year 2013 and provide an update on where we are now.

There are so many "firsts" in life and sometimes, these firsts are repeated over and over again. Yet, each time I've experienced that particular first, it held a different emotion, thus becoming another first.

Even though, I don't have a chemo partner any longer, I would suggest others to have one especially if it's your first experience with chemo. That chemo partner serves a tremendous purpose. Not only do you not worry about transportation, but they provide help with appointments, picking up medications and refreshments. 

Another word of advice if anyone is interested in becoming a chemo partner. Be ready to stay the majority of your day there, bring along some food or drinks and something to keep you preoccupied. I think that people just don't realize how time consuming that chemo treatment can be. Chemo is an all day project. Be prepared for that. 

That First Time

I remember the very first time I ever walked into the infusion area for chemotherapy patients. Everyone looked so frail and thin . . . . so ill. It was a huge room, filled with people. I was astounded to see so many going through chemo. That was the first time, my eyes were opened to the reality of cancer. What you don't see can't hurt you, right?   Cancer is everywhere, affecting everyone, whether it's your friend, co-worker or relative.

My friend, Jan, became my chemo partner. She would pick me up and stay with me for all six treatments. Sometimes, I would sleep or work on my puzzles or crochet, but each time Jan would get us lunch while there.

My emotions toward chemo were great. Compared to all I've been through physically, chemo was a piece of cake . . . . at least  that first bout with cancer. I did seem to be so extremely tired while there. Maybe my body was  so worn out from all those surgeries.

And now? Well, now the room has become smaller, much more private consisting of no more than three people at a time. I don't have a chemo partner by choice. I find I can face it alone now. The symptoms vary from one type of chemo to the next. With each re-occurrence, I have adjusted a little bit more to that acceptance part. My hope is that it will be years before my "next" bout.

Have a Blessed Day everyone.

Simply A Linen Closet

                                         Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


To keep young, every day read a poem, hear a choice piece of music, view a fine painting, and, if possible, do a good action. Man's highest merit always is, as much as possible, to rule external circumstances, and as little as possible to let himself be ruled by them.
--Goethe.

It has been quite a few months since I have continued on with my simplification project. My energy levels hit an all time low and all I wanted was to sleep. Cleaning out and de-cluttering the last thing on my mind. Not to mention all these doctor appointments. 

So this time around I wanted to tackle the linen closet. As you can see it isn't utilized properly and very disorganized. 

 

 

I believe one of the problems happens to be that we buy in bulk majority of our products. This is something that is very economical and I would love to continue in doing, so we have to make this work.

Just looking at it makes one want to close the door and walk away.

Which I have on numerous occasions. One of the first things I needed to do is to make a plan for each of the shelves. What exactly did I want each shelf to hold. As expected, I found some treasures, discarded quite a bit and donated what I didn't need. 

In all honesty, organizing this closet took me a lot longer than anyone can imagine. Months longer. I just didn't have any desire to dig in there.The most surprising factor being that I put everything back in the exact shelf as before. So basically, all I did was clean it out and stack it a little neater. 

What does this say about me? Well, I guess I'm a creature of habit!

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Throwback Thursday

 

                                    Everyday is a brand new day, 

                                    everyday is a journey.

Here we are at another Throwback Thursday taking a look at the year 2013and providing an update on where we are now. 

I laugh to myself every time I re-read a post  concerning reducing the cancer list. I have spent these past nine years keeping my body as healthy as possible, following all the politically correct cancer "to do" list. I have given up so many things and I still get "helpful suggestions" from other people. But, this post isn't about my gripes! This blog exists to help others with the cancer process. Even I STILL learn from this journey. I do wish I posted where the article came from.

 

10 Ways

The article read:
10 Ways To Reduce Your Cancer Risk

   Over the years, I have been given many suggestions on how to prevent my cancer from coming back. People have bought me teas, made certain vegetable dishes, ordered special oils to anoint my body with and of course, vitamins. It all comes from the heart and I certainly appreciate the sentiment. I feel if people have gone so out of their way for me, the least I can do is try them.

  The article came from a health magazine. Of course, I couldn't help myself but read on. I really wanted to see if I'm following any of the 10 ways.
1. eat right, with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains, cut down on red meat.
2. maintain a healthy weight. Overweight and obesity have been linked to cancers of the breast, uterus, colon, and rectum.
3. stop smoking. Tobacco use accounts for lung, cervix, bladder, kidney, pancreas, esophagus, mouth and throat.
4. avoid secondhand smoke.
5. drink alcohol only in moderation. Have no more than one drink per day for women and two per men.
6. keep physically active. Engage in at least 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity on five or more days a week.
7. stay sun safe. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 year round even on cloudy days.
8. have cancer detention screenings and vaccines.
9. take care with X-rays and hazardous materials. Follow proper directions when handling chemicals, metals, dust and loose fibers.
10 . If you are a woman, decide carefully about HRT. Discuss risks versus benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with your doctor before using it.

  So, how did you do? I can honestly tell you, I'm 50/50. I eat healthy, hardly any meat, but I'm overweight. I don't smoke, hate to exercise, but walk a lot. I stay out of the sun and have screenings every three months in between re-occurrences. Oh, I do like to have a glass of red wine occasionally. I stay away from any medication unless I need to take them and that includes Tylenol, Advil etc.

  I think these 10 ways can describe any health issue. The point here is to eat right, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. Go to the doctor if you have any symptoms or ailments. Nothing is just nothing. One thing I have learned is to listen to my body. If I'm tired, I take a nap. If your head hurts, do something about it.Take care of any issues,  no matter how small. You are not being a baby. Let's take care of our bodies and our hearts!
Have a Blessed Week everyone.

Life Without A Car

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

what is rightly done stays with us, 
to support another right beyond,
or higher up;
whatever is wrongly done vanishes;
 and by the blank,
 betrays what we would have built above.
--John Ruskin

 I sat at my desk, eating my toast and drinking a cup of coffee watching the perpetual drizzle of rain. Off in the distance a roar of thunder could be heard with an occasional flash of lightening. Well, that's it for my plans for this morning. 

Not having a vehicle really puts a damper on things. One becomes a slave to the weather, to other people, to the schedule and happenings of other things. It's called dependency. Suddenly, I'm no longer free to do what I want, when I want it and for how long I want it.  

The more I stared at that rain, the bigger my situation appeared. Feeling overwhelmed by everything, a small cloud of fear enveloped me as I thought in dread of all the appointments I have coming up. And none of them within walking distance. 

When I drove, it didn't matter what the weather was like, I drove in every type. I wasn't dependent on anyone else's schedule. I arrived when I wanted to and I left when I felt like it. I was my own person and I always encouraged people to learn how to drive. I, myself, was a late starter (age 35) before I learned how, so I understood what fear was like. When the GPS came out, even the expressway became my friend. Independence is a great accomplishment and many of us don't understand the value of it until we lose it. 

As the morning went on, so did the rain and sunshine appeared. It looked almost as if nothing occurred here, but peace and serenity. I was able to do my errands minus a car . . . . amazing! 

I learned a minor lesson here. There are many people out there without any transportation and somehow, they make it. It requires a little more planning, a little more flexibility and some good friends, but I think I'll be okay until further notice. Life is difficult and a bit overwhelming, but that doesn't mean we should fold and give up. All the more reason to be chugging along. It may be slow and steady, but isn't that what won the race?

Have a Blessed day everyone.

Up The Creek With No Paddle

                                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


Just to let thy Father do
    What He will;
  Just to know that He is true,
    And be still;
  Just to trust Him, this is all!
    Then the day will surely be
  Peaceful, whatsoe'er befall,
    Bright and blessed, calm and free.

F. R. HAVERGAL.

  The above poem couldn't be more truer than these past couple of weeks and above all, today. It was a typical morning, nothing special. For a long time, I've been looking for a purpose feeling a little out of sorts with more time on my hands than I wanted. 

This morning, we've decided to go explore an idea for a new purpose in our lives. I cannot tell you more than that for now. It being right after a holiday, we figured it was a perfect opportunity for our secret adventure as many people returned to work. 

Well, we didn't get very far, maybe a full fifteen minutes into the ride. All of a sudden, I felt like I ran over something, even though I didn't really see anything on the road. I glanced into my side mirror and could see that my tire was looking a little low. And it kept getting lower. At that same time, the car next to me, pointed to my tire and then I knew I had a flat. 

If you know me personally, you know how much I dread breaking down. That is one of my biggest fears. You have no idea how lucky you married ladies are to have a husband that takes care of these things. 

So here we are, with a flat tire and I'm praying feverishly for a gas station to appear. And it did. I never knew that 7 Eleven had their own gas stations now. We're calling everyone and of course, my faithful nephew-in-law rescues us as always. 

To cut to the chase, the lugs on my tire are so twisted and rusted, he could barely remove them. A patron of the gas station even stopped to help out since he has a similar problem with his lugs, too. So what is the solution? Well, we'll have to tow it to the tire shoppe. Then they'll have to break that lug and install new ones. Then either they'll fix the tire or we'll purchase another one. 

All I saw was a mountain of cost. The tow truck, a new tire and labor. Plus, my tires are huge. Not a cheap tire. Just last week, my hose burst and all my antifreeze came pouring out like a dam that broke loose. Another cost. Is it worth it to keep fixing this 1998 Dodge Durango? I'm not so sure anymore. Besides, The rent is due and so are the bills. Even though we have some money saved up, it's not enough to cover everything. What is more important at this time? A car or everything else? I think we have the answer.

I must have had the look of the whole world's weight upon me, because suddenly, Emily looks me straight in the eye. 

"You have that look, mom."

"Well, tomorrow I have to go by my mom. Thursday is the dentist. Friday is Kathy's. Saturday is the Crocheting Ministry Meeting and Sunday is refreshments at Church."

"Stop worrying about Thursday and worry about today, mom."

And she's right. What's done is done. We are truly blessed that Tom came by to rescue us. We are blessed that suddenly he came up with an idea to at least get us home. He had a compressor with him so he pulled out the big razor, yes razor out of the tire, filled it up with air. We hopped in the car, with him driving behind us in case the tire went flat again. You could hear the air hissing out of that tire. We sped home in traffic as fast as we could with Tom and his compressor right behind us. If the air goes out, we pull over, fill it up again and go! That was the plan and that's what we did. 

We're home now and the tire is flat, but at least, parked in my parking spot for now.  I have no idea how we're going to fill the schedule for the week, but I know that God is good, all the time. We had our adventure. I have a purpose. God Bless Tom for rescuing us, the man in the car next to me for pointing out the flat, and the patron at the gas station for all their help. 

Have a Blessed day everyone.