Life

Raising a Future Adult

/ Tracy / Leave a comment

Parenting Is...Parenting is tough. When we realize that while they are kids, we’re not actually raising kids, we’re raising future adults, it’s downright daunting. Usually, the right thing to do (in parenting and in life), is not the easy thing to do. Children are not usually others-centered, hard workers, responsible, or respectful naturally. These are traits that must be taught. And typically, the teaching process is not easy. They aren’t going to want to do the things that will teach them character, so if we don’t force them to, it’s not going to happen.

Raising future adults means parenting our children in such a way that we are mindful of the adult they will become. If we want our children to be persons of character, morally sound, hard workers, kind and compassionate, and others-centered, then that’s how we need to raise them. We cannot assume they will just magically become that way when they cross the threshold to adulthood.

Proudly Not an Expert

Now, I won’t pretend to have all the answers or solutions, nor do I claim to be an expert at parenting (or anything else for that matter), this is just an observation. It’s something that is at the forefront of my mind, as I go through this parenting journey. And it’s something that’s been validated by an event I witnessed recently.

Several months ago, I went camping with my daughter, and I caught a glimpse of the person she is turning into. And I was incredibly proud of my girl. The morning was spent making crafts, and in the afternoon, they engaged in field play. At the end of the session, another little girl became distraught because she lost the craft necklace she had made earlier. It was to be a gift for her mom. Within moments, there were dozens of people scouring that field in search of this missing craft necklace, made with love, by a little girl, for her mother. Sadly, it was not found.

The search was forsaken after a time, and the little girl was inconsolable. At that moment, I saw my daughter approach this little girl. I was near enough to hear her, and I figured she was going to offer the girl her sympathies, and she did… but she did so much more. She told her how sorry she was that she (the little girl) lost the necklace and that they couldn’t find it. Then she said, “I know you worked hard to make it for your mom and it was a special present.” Taking off her own necklace, she offered it to the little(er) girl, saying, “You can have mine to give to your mom. I know it’s not yours, but I don’t mind.”

I May Not Be Perfect

Wow, talk about a proud Mama! In that brief moment, I witnessed my daughter extend to another hurting person, the virtues of compassion, validation, love, and kindness. It was completely unprompted by me (in the same way that she goes out of her way to thank heroes ~ military, police, and firemen ~  for their service). With tears clouding my eyes I saw her clearly as the person she is becoming… a world changer. Yes, I have worked hard to influence her to be a young lady of character, I have taught her right from wrong and shown her how to think of and care for others. But it’s more than that…

It’s her… it’s who she is. She is called and purposed, as a daughter of the King,  to reflect His light, show His love, and fulfill His calling in her life. In her own innocent and loving way, she tried to live out the saying, “Find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it.” She saw a situation that was hurtful to another person and had the confidence in herself, to believe there was something she could do to make it better.

Be Who God Meant You to Be

That’s what a world changer does. They see, and then they do something about it. World changers don’t just pay lip service ~ they walk the talk. They walk in integrity. They offer encouragement, compassion, and kindness freely and without hesitation. They realize it doesn’t cost to be kind, but that kindness offered spreads far and wide. Like a pebble thrown into a lake, it doesn’t just affect the one spot it lands, but rather it ripples out, touching and changing even what is much further away. Kindness matters.

Throw Kindness Around

For Such a Time as This

/ Tracy / Leave a comment

Dark Times

Tough times and dark days. That’s what we’re living in… the times are tough, the days are dark, and everywhere, evil abounds. Yes, this present age is trying, turbulent, and troubled for sure. I’ve heard people use the term “uncertain” too, but I think that’s wrong… There are many passages in the Bible that foretell what is to come. And those days are now. Just a quick glance at Matthew 24:4-14 confirms that:

 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Recently, as I was hearing of yet another sad, tragic story, I felt the familiar pang of righteous anger rising up in me (yes, it’s okay to be angry about the evil that is running rampant in the world), but it was followed by a Bible verse that surprised me. It was from the book of Esther. 

I began thinking of the story of Esther, and how God used her, an unlikely Jewish orphan girl, raising her up to be a queen, to save His people. Esther was young and beautiful, and must have had a pleasing personality, as she found favor from those around her. But she was also unassuming, a regular girl, seemingly filled with self-doubts and uncertainty. Yet she was obedient to the direction of her uncle and spiritual mentor, and God used her in a mighty way. Despite her doubts, fears, and insecurities.

“Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

When I thought about this verse, I realized how true it is today. Consider this: We are here, now, for a reason. God placed us in this challenging, intense, and terror-filled time, specifically because He has a plan and a purpose for us, right now. And He created us with the gifts, talents, and passions that we need to fulfill His purpose in our life.

So what is the purpose God has for us? Simply put, we are to point the way to Jesus to a lost and dying world. We are to be a light shining in the darkness. I believe that in today’s world, the light of God inside us will shine brighter, because the world has grown darker.

Let Your Light Shine

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ~ Matthew 5:15-15

While there are many nice, or easy, ways to shine His light (loving people, being a good friend, visiting shut-ins, working at a food pantry, etc), the time has come to step it up, and move to another level.

Now is the time to speak the truth, to be a witness… We need to be bold with our words, because the time for subtlety and ambiguity has passed. No more just showing the character of Jesus with our Christian friends, but with the world too. This is the information age, and we have the ability to influence others in a way never before in history. Social media has enabled us to expand our circle of influence, to be missionaries even <GASP!>, without leaving our homes. (Of course this must be done in a non-Pharisaical way.)

God Chose the Foolish Things

Today, I think many of us are like Esther… unlikely for being a world changer. But that is precisely what we are, and why God chose us. He doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called. We too, may be insecure and doubtful, but if we trust God, and are willing, He will embolden us to stand up, stand out, and speak out, proclaiming His goodness, mercy, grace, love, and righteousness. Yes, righteousness. It’s not all about the warm & fuzzy stuff… it’s the hard stuff too. And it’s being willing to proclaim the state of the world because we’ve taken God out of it, it’s not being afraid to call evil what it is…evil! It’s accepting the possibility of being mocked, marginalized, mistreated, or even martyred for doing so.

We don’t have to be polished and eloquent to speak up for God, just willing. We don’t need to have a theology degree, but we better know the Word if we are to speak His Word. We don’t have to look like we just stepped out of a fashion magazine to be a voice in the wilderness. We don’t have to be perfect, or sinless either… in fact, we won’t be. But we do have to be on God’s side, and have him living inside of us.

Yes, the days are certain,  but so is the outcome… God wins. That means we (those who choose to follow Jesus) win too. Yes, we might experience tribulation, torment, ridicule, and even unfathomable evil, but in the end, we win. That is the comfort, that is the hope. That is what we need to share to this lost and dying world. And for that purpose, we have been placed here, for such a time as this.

For Such a Time as This 1

 

We’re Growing Up

/ Tracy / Leave a comment

Last week was a big week for us… meaning for my daughter and I. She is almost 9 years old, and growing way too fast for me, and way too slowly for herself. Last week though was one to remember. It was the week she left.

Time For Change

All of her life, she has spent most of her time with us. There’s been no daycare, little babysitting (with trusted friends), and a small number of sleepovers (with the same trusted friends). And we homeschool. She did go on a trip with her dad last year (I had to stay home to care for the dogs ~ our pet sitter canceled at the last minute), but that’s just it… she was still with her dad.

This week though, she got to do something she’s never before done ~ she went to Kid’s Camp with our church. It was a wonderful opportunity for her, and of course, she had an amazing time. Truth be told, I knew she would. I signed her up, and I talked her into going. She was a bit reluctant at first, but the excitement quickly grew as she learned more about it. And of course, many of her friends were going.

Summer Camp

When it came time to leave for camp, she did great! Much better than I did. I had such a hard time letting her go. I knew she would love it, I knew she would have fun, and I knew she would have an awesome God experience, but still… it was hard to let her go… and I was a wreck.

But after hugging her about 7,240 times, I sent her off. I knew I could trust the people she was with. And I had a friend who would be keeping a special eye on her for me, who would also be sending me update texts and pictures, for my peace of mind. Still, I cried.

After an eternity 26 hours, she returned to me. She was safe and sound, energized, though exhausted, and most importantly,  she was touched by God. Also, she seemed a little older to me, a little wiser. And she was more connected to friends. I was relieved to have her home, thrilled to hear her stories, and proud that she did so well. (I was even excited to hear about the copious amounts of ice cream she ate ~ even for breakfast!)

Ice Cream Cones

She’s growing up and needing me less. She’s still a little girl, but she is changing into an amazing young lady. She is maturing and growing in her independence, and I marvel at the gift God has given me in entrusting her to me. I know that as much as she is mine, she is His even more. And I know that my greatest achievement will be in raising her to love Jesus and serve Him. And I’m grateful when I see glimpses of that in our everyday life, and when she goes away to camp.

Yesterday, in church, a video was played, showing all the kids and activities going on at Kid’s Camp. Of course, I eagerly looked for her… would I see her in the crowd? Yes, I did. Three times. And all three times that I saw her, I saw her doing the same thing… arms raised, worshiping Him. I felt comforted, proud, touched, and blessed. Seeing that did my Mama heart good. Seeing your child worshiping God is a pretty amazing thing.

Kids in Worship.jpg

What this experience has shown me is this… time moves forward, everything changes, children become more independent, and letting go is hard, though necessary. It’s also shown me that maybe she’s not the only one growing up (and having growing pains)… that maybe I am too.

 

Pest-Away Spray

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It’s summertime! And who doesn’t love outside summer fun?! Yes, there can be some drawbacks, but basically, it’s fun! Fresh air, sunshine, no school, playing in the sprinklers, swimming in the pool (or a lake if you’re so inclined), hanging out with friends, campfires, S’mores… the list could go on, but it boils down to this ~ it’s fun!

Sprinkler Fun

So what can ruin that fabulous fun? Outside summer pests. Creepy, crawly, flying, biting pests (no, not ladybugs, they’re an exception, as my daughter would tell me). Bug spray is helpful for those who enjoy the great outdoors. What is not great is about bug spray, however, is that all the harmful chemicals that are used to kill those pests are also harmful to us. Basically, we’re spraying poison on our skin ~ our biggest organ. And yes, what we put on us, we put in us. No thank you!

Bugged by Bugs

Safely Protected

There is a safe alternative to commercial bug spray… make your own! There are numerous ways that nature offers protection from pests ~ typically in the form of specific plants, and in this case, the essential oil obtained from plants. Plants that are natural pest repellents include Basil, Catnip, Cedarwood, Citronella, Chamomile, Garlic, Geranium, Lavender, Lemongrass, Marigold, Peppermint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and more.

Bug Deterrent Plants

There are many different recipes available for making your own comfort spray. Typically, a base of vodka, witch hazel, or apple cider vinegar is used with distilled water. Then you add whatever extras you prefer. I have found that using vodka (cheap, don’t spend money on the “good stuff”) is my preference. Also, most of the recipes I’ve found are for small amounts, but I prefer to make up a large bottle and transfer to a smaller bottle as needed (less work that way). Here is my favorite recipe:

DIY Outdoor Comfort Spray

~ 2 Cups Vodka (or Witch Hazel)
~ 2 Cups Distilled Water
~ 25 Drops Purification EO
~ 15 Drops Peppermint EO
~ 15 Drops Cedarwood EO
~ 15 Drops Citronella EO

Add to amber or dark blue spray bottle and you’re done! Shake and use as needed. Easy-peasy! 🙂

Natural Outdoor Comfort Spray

What Every Woman Should Know

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First off, I didn’t write this list. But I wish I had. Second, I wish every woman in America (heck, in the world) would get this. I mean really get this. Third, I wish I would get this. Always.

10 Facts

10 Facts Every Woman Should Know:

1. Everyone has rolls when they bend over.
2. When someone tells you that you’re beautiful, believe them. They aren’t lying.
3. Sometimes we all wake up with breath that could kill a goat.
4. For every woman unhappy with her stretch marks is another woman who wishes she had them.
5. You should definitely have more confidence. And if you saw yourself the way others see you, you would.
6. Don’t look for a man to save you. Be able to save yourself.
7. It’s okay to not love every part of your body….but you should.
8. We all have that one friend who seems to have it all together. That woman with the seemingly perfect life. Well, you might be that woman to someone else.
9. You should be a priority. Not an option, the last resort, or a backup plan.
10. You’re a woman. That alone makes you pretty damn remarkable.

~ Austin Blood

 

Oh, how I wish I had known these things when I was younger. Looking back, I see how utterly insecure I used to be. It is astonishing how critical I was about myself, how much I compared myself to others… and came up short. I was so freaking critical of myself, and now, I don’t really know why. Other than that I was just young and had next to zero self-esteem.

It happens. The zero self-esteem thing… it happens. To far too many of us, I’m afraid. When you grow up not being built up, but rather, torn down, it’s hard to break that off. It’s hard to see yourself with value if as a child, you weren’t valued. Sometimes, it’s hard to see yourself with value, even if you were valued.

Insecurities

The thing is, society the media puts ridiculously impossible standards on women. Standards that, quite frankly, are a lie. The media photoshop, perfect lighting, and stage makeup to erase flaws and create the illusion of perfection. Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect eyebrows, perfect body, perfectly thin, perfectly smooth, perfectly bronzed (without fear of skin cancer), perfectly wrinkle-free… and it’s all… perfectly… crap.

Today, I look at pictures of me when I was young, and I see something I wish I could have seen then. I see a young woman who was beautiful, who had a smile that could light up a room, who was thin and fit. I see someone who was funny, witty, and charming. I see someone intelligent and fun, who was vivacious and loved life. I laughed often and often made others laugh. I wish I could have seen that then.

Beauty Opposite Perfection

Now I see that while I wasn’t perfect (and who of us is, really?), I was pretty dang awesome. I truly enjoyed making other people feel good, and I had a kind, caring heart. Unfortunately, I used to be too hard on myself. I used to think of myself as plain, fat (though I was size 8-10) mediocre, and simply less-than. I just never felt pretty enough, smart enough, popular enough… I never felt good enough. What a waste! Those kinds of thoughts are a waste of time, a waste of energy, and a waste of spirit.

Now, with the advantage of age, maturity, and perspective, I see myself much differently. I know I’m not perfect. But I also know that I’m pretty freaking awesome. I have a lot to offer, and well, if someone doesn’t like me, I’m okay with that. I hope that doesn’t seem arrogant, it’s just that I’ve finally grown to love me ~ imperfections and all. It’s how I know that I’m flawesome!

Flawesome 2

More importantly, I know that God loves me, he approves of me, and he designed me the way he wanted me to be. I know that my imperfections, my flaws, and my idiosyncrasies, are what makes me special. They make me, me.  I now know I am a masterpiece, created by the God of the Universe, and he made me unique, the way he wanted me to be. And who am I to argue with that?

To See Myself the Way You Do

To see myself the way he does. Not for how skinny or flawless I am, how put together I am, how popular I am, or how pedigreed I am.

God sees us as beautiful, precious, unique, loved, and passionate. He sees us as daughters of the King. He chose us. He desires us.

Imagine that. The God of all creation, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and Omega… He desires us. He pursues us. He values us. And He wants a relationship with us. And that is enough.

Sweet n Salty Stovetop Popcorn

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I love popcorn. I  really do. Always have. Well, except for air-popped. I just don’t like it that way. It’s too… bland. I mean, why have it if you don’t enjoy it? Isn’t that the purpose? And I know it isn’t particularly good for me (of course), but everything in moderation, right? So these days I don’t have it too often, but oh, once upon a time…

I Love Popcorn

Once upon a time, when I was young and single, footloose and fancy-free, careless and carefree, and before my metabolism betrayed me… Yeah, way back then… Things were different. I was different. I was poorer. Back then I had popcorn a lot. A lot. I would get home from a long, hard day of work, and popcorn was there waiting for me. And wine. Red wine. So that would be my dinner. Popcorn and red wine. Don’t judge me, it’s not like it was Ramen Noodles!

But times have changed, and I have changed, and though I still love popcorn (and have fond memories of my dinners of popcorn and red wine), I don’t eat it as much as I used to. I save those carbs for the wine (can’t have it all). Sigh. Sometimes I still get to enjoy it by myself. Other times, it’s with my family. I believe Charles M. Schulz put it quite nicely:

Love is Sharing Your Popcorn

One of the ways I’ve changed is how I make my popcorn. Back in the day, I would consume it by the bagful. Meaning, yes, it was microwave popcorn. Now though, I can barely tolerate that. Now when I make popcorn, it’s the old fashioned way ~ stove top. It’s so much better that way! And better for you too (not full of the dangerous chemicals that microwave popcorn is)!

So now I enjoy it, on occasion. Sometimes while watching a movie, sometimes while watching a political debate, sometimes while observing another’s drama… The point is, it’s okay to enjoy it! In moderation.

This recipe is so easy to make!

Sweet n Salty Popcorn

Ingredients:

  • ~ ¼ cup coconut oil (or canola)
  • ~ ⅔ cup popcorn kernels
  • ~ 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
  • ~ 2 Tablespoons honey
  • ~ 1½ teaspoons sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Add the coconut oil and 3 popcorn kernels to a large pot. (I use my Dutch oven.)
  2. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until all 3 kernels pop.
  3. Take the three kernels out of the pot.
  4. Add the rest of the popcorn kernels.
  5. Cover and take the pot off of the heat.
  6. Wait 30 seconds.
  7. Put the pot back on the heat. Cook, shaking the pot occasionally until the popping slows down.
  8. After about 2 minutes, and the popping has slowed down, take the lid off of the pot. This lets the steam out and keeps the popcorn crisp.
  9. While the popcorn is popping, melt the butter and add the honey.
  10. Pour over the popcorn and sprinkle with salt. Toss until completely coated. You could also do this in a large paper bag.

Note: If you don’t want the sweet, just eliminate the honey from the recipe. If you want more sweet, just add more honey. How simple is that?!

See? Easy-peasy! Now just grab a bowl, sit down, and enjoy!

 

Get Out of the Box

/ Tracy / 6 Comments

Get out of the box. Get Jesus out of the box. Get the church out of the building, which is a box! Yep, I said it. And I mean it. Though I know this won’t score me any points with the religious types. I’m okay with that.

I’m coming out of a dry spell in my spiritual life. Actually, it was dry, dark, and desperate… like Mordor. And I think I was near a spiritual death, for lack of Living Water. (Mind you, I’m not saying it wasn’t available, I just couldn’t see it.) It was a long, painful journey, with the enemy searching to take me out. I had companions at times (some like Sam, others like Gollum), but the journey was mine.

Mordor

Recently I had an epiphany about why it was so bad for me. Since I’ve been saved (17 years now), I’ve always held to the belief that we are saved to serve, not saved to sit. In the first many years, I served. Tirelessly. I served in the church, but I also went outside the church. Yes, there are many positions within the church building that need to be filled, or there wouldn’t actually be a church (think about it… kids ministry, ushers, greeters, sound, custodial, etc). Serving in that capacity is not a bad thing… in fact, it’s necessary.

But there’s more.

Much more.

What struck me is that yes, Jesus spent time in the church, and he never told anyone to not go to church. But he also never said just go to church. What he actually said was, “Go, and make disciples.”

Go and Make Disciples

Go…

Have you ever been wrecked for God? Have you ever been moved to tears or action by something you see? Have you ever felt righteous anger rising up in response to any of the many forms of evil that victimize others… in your neighborhood… in your city… in your country… in the world? If so, THAT is your calling. If not, well… you may want to figure out why.

The Place God Calls You

There are so many opportunities to bring Jesus to the world. I’ve heard things like, “Serving in a soup kitchen isn’t me,” or “I’m not comfortable around the homeless.” Yeah? So what? There are literally thousands of other ways to serve. What do you have a passion for? Who do you connect with? Who do you understand? Who, when being completely honest with yourself, can you look at and say, “There, but by the grace of God, go I?”

So who needs Jesus?

Bikers. Drug addicts. Prisoners. Sick people. Immigrants. The hungry and the homeless. Women fleeing abusive relationships. People who’ve lost a loved one. Orphans. Athletes. Businessmen and women. Teens. Unwed mothers. First responders. Teachers. Freaks. Government workers (can I get an Amen?!). Women working in the sex industry ~ whether by “choice” or through human trafficking (this includes strippers, prostitutes, sex slaves, and the porn industry). And everyone else.

Serve One Another

That’s where I need to be. I have known for quite some time that I was to offer what I could to women enslaved (don’t kid yourself, that’s what it is) in prostitution ~ especially young girls. I am to show Jesus, love, compassion, humility, and non-judgment to those ladies. But I didn’t. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t in a good place. I had other things to do. I… I… I… the point is, I didn’t do what I know I was called to do. And that may not have put me in a dark place, but it certainly allowed me to stay there.

We are to have an inlet AND an outlet. Look at it this way… the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee are very near to each other. They are both fed by the Jordan river. But that’s where the similarity ends. The Sea of Galilee is lush, beautiful, vibrant, and full of life, because the water flows in, through, and out. On the other hand, the Dead Sea has no outlet, making it too salty, and too full of minerals for any living thing. There is no life at all in the Dead Sea (hence the name). It’s the same way with us. Where there is no outlet, there is no life!

Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea

Think of it this way… In life, it matters not what we get, but what we give. 

Yes, money is always needed. Yes, it’s good to give your treasure. But it’s equally important to give of your time and talent. A war cannot be won (yes, it really is a battlefield out there), by simply throwing money at it ~ without boots on the ground (or Christians in the field), no war would ever be won.

In Life It Matters What We Give

We need to be willing to get dirty. To be messy. Because that’s what life is. And that’s what true ministry is. Ministry isn’t beautiful buildings, church fashion trends, showy worship services, and a pristine church environment. Real ministry is like real life ~ gritty, messy, and complicated, but oh so fulfilling.

If our purpose upon getting saved was solely to worship Jesus, then we’d be taken to him, promptly thereafter. But we’re not. We’re left here to represent Him. We are to be his church, not a building. We are to be his hands and feet. We are to go. It’s been said that God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. All we need to do is find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it. Are you willing?

Be the Church

 

But I FEEL…

/ Tracy / Leave a comment

Stop! Stop right there… Feelings cannot be trusted. Because I feel stupid, fat, and ugly. No, it’s not a self-esteem issue, it’s just how I feel lately. And hot. Oh, and crazy too. Really, there’s a whole list of derogatory words that I can use to describe how I feel these days. I know they’re not true, but still, the feelings creep up on me. Fortunately, with the benefit of therapy age, maturity, and wisdom, I now understand the difference between feeling and knowing.

What has brought about these derogatory feelings in my life? Two words ~ The Change!

7 Dwarves of Menopause

Now, I don’t feel all mopey because I’m going through it ~ in fact, I’m glad it’s finally happening. But I wasn’t prepared for everything I’m going through. Though in reality, how could I have been, as (like with pregnancy) it is different for every woman. There are 34 (or more) symptoms of menopause. YIKES! Here are some of my favorites (if only I could type in sarcasm).

Memory Loss and Brain Fog:

Can't Think

Memory Loss ~ Yeah, this has been fun. I can’t remember things. My short-term and recent memory are pretty much shot. Gone. MIA. I can’t remember if I’m coming or going. I can’t remember info I just learned. I can’t remember dates, appointments, or even plans with friends. I don’t recall recent events, impressions, or conversations! I’m lucky I’m able to find my way home every time I go out (so far!).

Brain Fog ~ Ummm… here’s the thing. I used to be pretty quick at understanding something. But now, if you want me to “get it,” you need to talk to me like I’m a 4-year old. Seriously. Otherwise that blank stare you’re seeing really does mean no comprende. And don’t even think of trying to make me hear, process, or understand something before 10 AM, cuz it’s just not going to happen!

A.D.D. ~ Don’t get me started on the epic level this has reached!

Stupid, Stubborn Weight:

Cat on Scale

Okay, if I’m going to be totally honest, I’ve had to battle my weight for several years now (stupid weight). However, I’ve always known what to do! I’ve also been able to adjust my eating habits and see a difference. This is no longer true. I am fighting harder than I ever have in my life, to not only lose weight, but to stop gaining it too!

So what’s changed? Everything! Everything I’ve learned about working out and being fit, no longer applies to me. What worked before doesn’t work now, and that is backed up by personal experience, as well as research. Now I’m trying to adjust, to forget what used to work, and learn what works now. And it’s frustrating… demoralizing… demotivating. Yes, a  personal trainer would be quite useful right now, but that’s just not in the budget. So I will continue to re-educate myself, push through, and persevere. It’s not about having a skinny body, but I do want to be the healthiest me I can be!

Thin is NOT In:

Eyebrows

Once upon a time, I had beautiful, thick eyebrows, and amazingly long, thick eyelashes. My hair was thick, though fine, and I had a lot of it. Yes, I was blessed.

My eyebrows were full and had a nice, natural arch. Occasional tweezing was all I had to do. My eyelashes were really long and had a lovely natural curl to them. Not only have I never used an eyelash curler, but I actually used to lament that my eyelashes were so long that they would brush on my sunglasses when I blinked (and that was without mascara)! (Yes, I know, I’ll feel no sympathy on this one.)

Oh, how things have changed. My hair isn’t too bad, because while I’ve lost a lot of it, I really did have a lot to begin with, so it doesn’t show too much. My eyebrows are sparse now, no longer thick. And they require a lot of work to look good. My eyelashes? Well, now they’re short and thin, even with mascara!

Feelin’ the Heat:

Hot flashes and night sweats… This pretty much sums up how I feel about that!

Definition of Hot Flash

Yep, that’s pretty much it. Thank God for Peppermint Oil (seriously, a must-have). And yes, I know what the triggers are, but frankly, if I avoid those, is life really worth living? I think not. Well, except for stress and anxiety, which are basically caused by menopause!

Hot Flash Triggers

Oh and, by the way…

Murder Sprees

In Conclusion:

So what’s a girl to do? Well, I guess it boils down to what I tell my daughter all too often ~ Suck it up, Cupcake! To the best of my knowledge, no woman has died from going through it. I’ll continue using my oils and supplements, I will continue to seek out the coolest A/C vents and most powerful fans, I will continue to obsessively write things down, and I will continue plotting murders in my mind. Whatever gets you through, right?

The Year the Music Died

/ Tracy / 2 Comments

 

Music Feelings

News broke yesterday, of the death of Prince. The news hit me. It hit me hard. So far in 2016, we’ve lost (among other great celebrities) three incredible musicians… three music icons… three music legends… David Bowie (Jan. 10), Glenn Frey (Jan. 18), and now Prince (Apr. 21). They were all amazingly talented, though very different, musicians. And each of these deaths has affected me deeply.

Music Bowie

RIP David

I was a child when Elvis died, but I remember how people mourned for him, and I didn’t understand it. I was a teen when John Lennon died, and again, I saw how much that affected people, but still, I didn’t understand. I mean, I understood that it’s natural to be a little sad when someone you know, admire, or respect dies, but people cried… they grieved ~ for people they didn’t even know! And that I didn’t get.

Now it’s my turn. Now I’m older, and with the benefit of maturity and wisdom, I get it. More than anything else from our youth, the music stays with us. It is more powerful than anything else from our youth. And while we may like, or even love, other music from before or after our youthful days, it is the music we loved as teens (scientists say 12-22 years) that means the most. It invokes memories and emotions like nothing else.

Music Frey

RIP Glenn

I’m an 80’s girl, a Gen X girl. Growing up in the ’70s, and being a teen throughout the ’80s, is something I love. It’s something I’m proud of. It was a fun, crazy, and wild time of self-discovery, independence, and big hair. It was a time when I felt safe, was less jaded, less cynical, and less hard. It was a time when I was more innocent, and more hopeful, a time when I had big dreams and an even bigger heart.

What I now know, is that when I hear of the passing of one of the musical legends from my youth, it makes me nostalgic. It reminds me of days gone by… It reminds me of who I was and who I hoped to be… It reminds me of the people I loved, the friends I had, and the good times we shared. It also reminds me of loss… the people I’ve lost, sometimes through death, sometimes through life. And it reminds me that life is short and that tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Music Prince

RIP Prince

So it’s okay to mourn. It’s okay to grieve. It’s natural to feel loss when losing the musical greats of our youth because it’s not just the person that we’re losing. We’re losing a small piece of ourselves as well. We’re mourning losing someone we didn’t actually know, because through them, and their words and music, we came to know ourselves. And that is worth mourning.

Homemade Coffee Creamer

/ Tracy / Leave a comment

Homemade Coffee CreamerMmmmm… coffee! Go-go juice. Liquid energy, in a cup. Sanity saver. Whatever you call it, for many of us, coffee is an addiction a daily necessity. It wakes us up and keeps us going! While there are many who enjoy their coffee black, I simply do not. I have to have a generous amount of creamer.

I love the smooth, creamy, sweet taste of creamer. I love the many flavor options of creamer. What I don’t love about creamer is all the “stuff” that goes into making it ~ GMO’s, additives, preservatives, and artificial chemicals. YUCK!

Awhile back I discovered something ~ I can make my own creamer (thank you Pinterest)! With ingredients I typically already have at home. It’s easy (trust me on this ~ I’ve even made it in the morning, before having coffee, because I forgot to make it when I ran out). And better for you. And YUMMY! What else is there?

MFL Homemade Coffee Creamer 1

Homemade Coffee Creamer:

Ingredients:

~ 14 oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
~ 2 1/2 Cup Milk or Cream (whole, low-fat, skim, almond, soy, heavy cream, half & half, etc – whatever your preference, however the more fat, the more creaminess)
~ Whatever flavor combinations you prefer. I like 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract.

Flavor Options:

Vanilla Extract, Chocolate Syrup, Cocoa Powder, Caramel Syrup, Almond Extract, Cinnamon, Coconut Oil, Maple Syrup, Pumpkin Puree, Pumpkin Spice, Honey, Orange Extract, Hazelnut Extract, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt,  Peppermint, or any other flavor Extract, Syrup, or Spice you like!

Hommade Coffee Creamer 2Instructions:

Add ingredients to a jar or mixing bowl, and stir or shake until well blended. I use a 4 Cup measuring cup. I first measure out the half n half (my preference), then add in the Sweetened Condensed Milk, and finally the ingredients. Mix well and pour into serving container. Mason jars work well, but so do recycled coffee creamer bottles!

Helpful Tips:

~ If adding dry or thick (honey) ingredients, first add it to a little cream and heat on the stove. Whisk continually until the ingredient dissolves completely. That way you won’t have clumpy or grainy creamer.

~ Add the expiration date of the milk or cream you use to the bottom of the jar or bottle, so you will always know what the expiration date is.

~ I’ve seen many recipes that call for Torani Syrup as an ingredient for creamers. They do have great flavors. They also use Sodium Benzoate as a preservative, which is a whole mess of bad news. For more info on that, go here.

Homemade Coffee Creamer 1