tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30237812738876113362024-03-14T00:19:40.713-04:00My Journey Through LifeMy Journey Through Life:
Updates on My Journey to a Healthy
Body, Spirit, and MindMissp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.comBlogger176125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-60613682448453464052019-12-07T16:25:00.000-05:002019-12-07T16:25:04.082-05:00Feeling blessedI was thinking about my perception of my past. When I go to <a href="https://www.celebraterecovery.com/">Celebrate Recovery</a> and listen to other people's stories, I am sometimes reminded of things that I have been through in my life. It is strange because sometimes it seems that they are things that I have forgotten about. Memories come back and I realize how much God has been caring for me my whole life. Even when I wasn't walking as closely with Him as I am now, He was still there. It makes me think of the Footprints poem - I didn't know it, but He was carrying me!<br />
<br />
My first husband was not a very good person. He had some good qualities. He could be very generous, but only with certain people and only if he made the decision to be generous. He expected me to put up with many inconveniences - even though we could have afforded better. We lived for years in a mobile home that was in pretty rough shape. We talked about buying a nice double-wide, but he didn't want to spend the money on the land or the house. At the time, I was so let down that we couldn't have a nice home - but I know that was just another way that the Lord protected me. Things would have been so much more complicated at the time of our divorce if we had owned a home together! Toward the end of the time that we lived in the trailer - we had rats. Yes - I actually tolerated living in a place that had rats running around in it! I can't understand it. Why did I think so little of myself that I tolerated living in those conditions? I was too embarrassed to tell anyone. When his grand-daughter came to visit - she usually slept on the floor, but there was no way I would allow that - I made her sleep in the bed with us - and I don't even remember what excuse I gave her. I could just picture her waking up with a rat crawling across her! The really sad thing was that he didn't even think enough of his own grand-daughter to get us moved out of that awful place. I found a dead rat under the stove - I almost touched one when I reached into the cabinet under the sink - the disease ridden monster was sitting there - perched on a box of rat poison! Later, I think it was that day, I saw one run back the hall. I grabbed a baseball bat and was ready to take a swing. I was fed up! I prayed that we could move out and get into a decent home. I remember standing on the porch with the bat in my hand when he came home from work and I clearly remember him acting as if I was being unreasonable when I proclaimed that I would no longer live in a rat infested house. We had to find a place to move to. I don't remember how long it was before we moved - but we finally did. <br />
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The place we moved to was only better because it was a house - it had more room and wasn't falling apart - and it didn't have rats! The water had high concentration of sulfur and so it was yellow. I wouldn't drink it, and of course, I was ridiculous for that. The inside of the dishwasher was stained yellow and I had to go to the laundromat to wash white clothes, because they would get permanently stained white if I washed them in that water. The landlord wasn't willing to put in the equipment needed to correct the water and of course, my husband wasn't going to spend any money on it. At least we had water there - the source of water at the trailer was a spring - so any time that we didn't have enough rain - I had to be very careful with water usage - which meant - going to the laundromat because there wasn't enough water to run the machine at home. <br />
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Well - this depresses me...thinking about what I lived through - and wondering why I put up with it. But - I know that God saved me from all of that because he has a plan for me! I am now blessed to live in a nice house (although I am a terrible housekeeper so it's very cluttered!) with my wonderful - kind, thoughtful husband who will do anything he can to protect me and make sure I am safe and cared for!<br />
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God is good - all the time!<br />
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Be blessed,<br />
MissyMissp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-88873559371316750152019-12-03T16:26:00.000-05:002019-12-03T16:26:25.121-05:00Happy December!Happy first Tuesday in December! Colder here today, but thankfully we didn't get any snow. Traveled with one sister to Connecticut for my one other sister's surprise birthday party. Trip on Saturday was great - traffic wasn't bad until we got to Danbury...per the usual. Beautiful sunshine the whole way and a wonderful opportunity for lots of sister talk! Party was awesome! She was very surprised! It came in stages...first the surprise of the party - then the surprise of all the out of town guests! Sunday morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed for home. The trip back was not so good. Snow, ice, rain...treacherous going about half the trip, but the Lord looked over us and we all made it home safely.<br />
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I was very glad that I took off work on Monday - I was tired out from the trip on Sunday, I needed the extra rest. Today was sunny and pretty, but this afternoon it has turned cold and winter like. I'm counting down the days to spring!<br />
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Be blessed,<br />
<br />
MissyMissp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-47226525117650151882019-11-28T11:31:00.001-05:002019-11-28T11:31:02.781-05:00Thanksgiving Day 2019Good Thanksgiving Day Morning!<br />
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Settling in to watch the end of the Parade after making breakfast for DH and preparing a salad to take to my sister-in-law's for turkey day dinner. I like to take a healthy alternative since no one else in the family except us seem to have any interest in that. We count our calories, exercise regularly and try to eat a healthy balance. If the only veggie at dinner is green beans drenched in ham fat/sodium, at least we'll have a healthy choice!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5acY9ZF3GE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">My contribution to Thanksgiving dinner.... can't go completely off the rails with eating habits!!</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/missyp1410/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> MissyP1410</a> (@missyp1410) on <time datetime="2019-11-28T14:54:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 28, 2019 at 6:54am PST</time></div>
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So - watching the parade - wow... I realize that I really don't have too much interest in it anymore. The balloons are cool, but I don't like marching bands and the other singers just don't do anything for me. The 12 year old rapper - wow...that could only appeal to other 12 year-olds!<br />
<br />
This year I am thankful for so many things. Over the past year I have grown in my spiritual relationship with the Lord and in my relationship with my husband and friends. Having a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Jesus has enabled me to have better, more meaningful relationships with family and friends!<br />
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My prayer for this Thanksgiving - for everyone is that we move forward to turn this nation around spiritually, and morally. We need to stop expecting everyone to accept everything - no matter how warped or sinful it is. I pray for our nation - for our president and all of our citizens. Take time today to put your phone away and actually talk to the people who are in the room or around the table with you!<br />
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</a><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5YdUjfAQ8A/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by The Offical Instagram Of CR (@celebraterecoveryofficial)</a> on <time datetime="2019-11-27T20:23:42+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Nov 27, 2019 at 12:23pm PST</time></div>
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Have a safe, happy and blessed day!<br />
<br />
MissyMissp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-3130248409239456662019-11-27T16:17:00.001-05:002019-11-27T16:17:28.863-05:00Where I've been Part 3Hope you are enjoying this day before Thanksgiving! Don't have much time, so it's a good time to post the third installment from my...well...I don't know what it is..kind of a life story...but with off shoots into my thoughts on various subjects that come up.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy your holiday, and today's post!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My second stretch under the orange roof lasted for 6
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout that time, along with
gaining knowledge and experience in the industry, I got divorced, met my current
husband, and gained and lost the same twenty pounds about three times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the summer of 1997, I realized I had to
make a change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New, modern restaurants
were popping up everywhere and the regulars who came in every day or a couple
times a week were not enough to sustain the business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ownership changed and they completely
remodeled the building, ending the approximately 30-year tradition of the World
of 28 Flavors in Chambersburg, PA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
then fiancé encouraged me to look for a management position, which I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a book called <u>Do What You Are</u><a href="file:///C:/Users/Missy/Desktop/The%20Watershed.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t read the whole book, but I did the
activities that led me to the ridiculous conclusion that the perfect job for me
was teacher. It didn’t occur to me that I had been a teacher at several different
jobs, but because it was ‘training’, I didn’t think of it as teaching. I
decided the book was wrong and started scanning the want ads for a job. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After a positive
three-hour interview with the Director of Human resources, (I will call him
Pete) and a disappointing 1-hour interview with a District Manager, I was hired
as an entry level Assistant Manager for the quick service franchisee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One note about interviewing: the reason the
interview was disappointing was that after less than an hour, the DM got a
phone call and cut the interview short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He did call later to apologize, but at the time, it made me feel like
the interview was not very important to him. Fast food was very different from
full serve, but I was happy for the opportunity and excited about gaining the
new experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After my initial
6-week training period, the opportunity arose to transfer to a new location
that was under construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jumped at
the opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one of the new
managers, I worked alongside an experienced General Manager to help train the
cashiers who they hired for the new restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I sat in the unfinished dining room listening to the Training Manager
(We will refer to him as Robert) explain policies and procedures to the group,
the light came on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been waiting
for this moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the moment
that I made that conscious decision!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
want to do that!” I said to myself mentally pointing to the man leading the
orientation. “I want to be a trainer!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, as I said, I had conducted training at two different jobs, but it
was so informal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I knew this was for
me – what do you know; the book was right after all!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Several things
fell into place for me at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was in the right place at the right time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When I said this to my dad he said, “And you were the right person.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was always supportive and encouraging. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The company I was working for was heading into a big growth
spurt</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had a very supportive Fiancé who encouraged me to progress
in my career</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Robert and Pete were each spending a lot of time at the new
store so I got to know them both and worked with them a great deal</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since the company
was growing, they recreated a position that they had done away with years
before. This position was Assistant Training Manager. They sent out an internal
memo letting current employees know the training position was opening up and
anyone could apply for the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The memo
wasn't posted in the restaurant I was working in. The reason for this was that
the General Manager for whom I was working wanted the job. She believed that
she should get it and she didn’t want anyone else to know about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pete spoke to me
at one point about goal setting. He told me that I should set some long and
short-term goals for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day he
came to see me at work to discuss my goal setting. As he read my notes, he
asked why my goal for joining the training department was so far out – 5
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that I thought that
was realistic since I had only been with the company for five months.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Have you seen
this?” he asked as he slid the memo across the table to me.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, I
haven’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stated as I read the
posting.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s probably
because your RGM wants the job for herself. She didn’t post it as she had been
instructed to do. The problem with that is that it is an entry-level position.
We only have a certain amount of money budgeted for the salary. It would be a
decrease in pay for her, but for you, it would be an increase. Isn’t this what
you want to do?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes,” I said.
“This is exactly what I want to do.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I interviewed
with he and Robert and I got the promotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Needless to say, it wasn’t a very good situation between the RGM and me
when she found out that I was under consideration for the job and she
wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Missy/Desktop/The%20Watershed.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do
What You Are</i> (Little, Brown and Company, 1992)<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-46383198799588625942019-11-25T16:53:00.002-05:002019-11-25T16:55:47.143-05:00Happy Monday! Not quite as cold today - but still fall-like.<br />
<br />
Left work early today to go to a Dr. appointment - now I have a little extra time to relax before heading to Celebrate Recovery tonight. I will tell you more about this wonderful ministry some other time, but feel free to Google the name to learn more.<br />
<br />
My husband looked back at some pictures he took this summer when my sister and her husband were visiting. My brother-in-law passed away a couple of week ago, after a battle with cancer. DH cropped down this pic for me - I love it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWx5BBXQZWU/XdxNK4zGYQI/AAAAAAAA70M/6s6PyTm3L_c1cvrH4koQ1SPs6C-orQQPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_1112%2B%25282%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWx5BBXQZWU/XdxNK4zGYQI/AAAAAAAA70M/6s6PyTm3L_c1cvrH4koQ1SPs6C-orQQPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSC_1112%2B%25282%2529%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Have a blessed night!<br />
Missy<br />
<br />Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-52507246369081145722019-11-24T07:56:00.000-05:002019-11-24T16:17:56.448-05:00<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Where I've Been...Part 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Good Sunday morning! Had a good night's sleep last night - the aches from the thyroid biopsy are almost gone! Praise God! Below is the second installment that I promised. Enjoy and have a Blessed Day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After being unemployed for about 3 weeks, I secured a job as
a cashier in a full-service gas station. We had a full-serve island and a
self-serve island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attendant still
pumped gas, washed windshields and checked oil levels. This job gave me some
great opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned about
cars and scheduling appointments for service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bookkeeper taught me some basic functions of the accounting system
so that I could run payroll at the end of the week if I had to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had visions of a promotion to Assistant
Manager at the station. The owner had two stations, his son managed one, and he
(the owner) managed the other where I worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He gave me responsibilities and taught me some things about the business
and I really thought there was a chance of moving up the ladder. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a good job that I enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, the owner called on me to train
other cashiers to fill-in for me on weekends and vacation days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked there for three years before the pay
stopped being commensurate with the work I felt I was being expected to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked for a raise, he told me
that he couldn’t pay a cashier any more than what I already was making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There went my dreams of promotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left the office after giving my three-week
notice.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I walked
across the lot from the office to the station, I saw that the new Howard
Johnson’s manager, who I met while I was visiting my friends, was standing at
our self-serve island pumping gas. It was not that surprising that he would be
there since the restaurant was kitty-corner across the street from the service
station, but, as you will quickly learn, I do not believe in coincidences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked up to him and said, “Hi, are you
hiring any waitresses?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, we are,
come over and fill out an application just as a formality. When can you start?”
One of the shortest interviews I ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The other short
interview was when I called the manager at the Holiday Inn to ask her if I
could come back there part-time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
worked there the previous year to make extra money for my first wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also brought me back without any
question.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So now, I was
working part-time at two restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think both managers wanted my full loyalty, but I couldn’t afford to work one
part-time job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HoJo’s won out when they
offered me a full time position. It felt like I had come home. I loved working
there. The change in management made the job much more enjoyable and I got the
opportunity not only to train servers, but also to work banquets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant more money, and experience in a
different aspect of food service.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Stay tuned!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-11964952995876541152019-11-23T09:31:00.000-05:002019-11-23T09:31:00.202-05:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good Saturday Morning! It's a brisk 35 degrees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Working through my usual Saturday morning routine of late:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coffee</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make-up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go for blood work</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breakfast</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make breakfast for DH 😘</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Head to local thrift store</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe some explanation is in order.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love coffee. I love wearing make-up. I love breakfast. I LOVE my wonderful husband!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So that may not have been what warranted an explanation. I had some routine blood work done a couple months ago that showed some abnormality - so now I have to get it rechecked every couple of weeks to make sure it is decreasing (which it is) and not increasing. Given the results of the last couple tests, I am hopeful that it will be normal today. I have not worried about this - I gave it to God and he has brought healing! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a thrift store near by that is run by a local non-profit. Last year I started volunteering to work there a couple Saturdays a month. I had to cut it back due to other commitments - but now I work from 10 - noon 1 or 2 Saturdays a month. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will post the continuing story that I started in my last post, today, I just wanted to catch up with my daily life and tell you a little about myself. I looked at my profile and realized that I started blogging...although I was never very prolific at it...11 years ago! I am such a different person now then I was then! In a good way! I want to explore those changes, what brought them on, and how I worked through them. It is my goal to do the work that Jesus calls us to in Matthew 28:19<br />
<h1 class="passage-display" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 20px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NIV-24215" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">19 </sup>Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,<sup class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24215A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24215A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.62em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></sup> baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.</span></span></h1>
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On that Biblical note - I will sign off - time to go to 'work'.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Have a blessed day!</div>
<div>
Missy</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><b></b><b></b><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-70000350605789498172019-11-21T17:55:00.000-05:002019-11-21T17:55:17.522-05:00Where I've BeenHello! Welcome to my life!<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> For years I have been trying to do two things:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><ol>
<li>Write a book</li>
<li>Start and keep up with a blog</li>
</ol>
<div>
Recently the thing that I have been trying to do is grow in my walk with the Lord - build on my prayer life and be a disciple! I've been praying about how I can do that, and God kept pushing me toward the two things listed above. I started writing the book several years ago - so I decided to combine the two. I will post the book in blog form. So, here is the beginning. It will deal with life, love, weight loss, hardship, work, happiness, Christianity and oh so much more. Enjoy!</div>
</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: xx-small;"></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><div>
<br /></div>
</span><div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I will
instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee
with mine eye” -<b> </b></span></i><a href="http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-32-8/" title="Psalms 32:8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Psalms 32:8</span></b></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don't remember
making a conscious decision about what to do as a career until I was in my
thirties. When I was growing up, I wanted to be an actress. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These days, they now call performers of both
genders “Actors” but when I was in school, we still said “Actress” if you were
a female. I also spent time wishing to be a cop, an FBI agent, and a Secret
Service Agent – anything that would have enabled me to carry a gun and act
cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what the current phase –
when it passed – it was acting to which I returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem was that I didn’t like school -
so I did not want to go to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone was talking about what they were going to major in and I had no
plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at college brochures and
thought about where the best place was to study acting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did what several people told me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> to do - I decided to take a year off
and then think about going back to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wanted to have a full year that I did not have to sit through one
single class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For thirteen years, I
spent September through June controlled by the educational establishment. I was
sick of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted freedom. Therefore,
I made my decision - work for year and a half or so, then go to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone said that I would end up never going
to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were right. That year
turned into two and I never again gave college much thought until I was in my 40's.
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I started
working as a server at a Pizza Hut in 1985 - I had no idea that it was the
start of a twenty-eight plus year career in the food service industry. Although
that job only lasted about eight months, it led me to go up the street and
apply for a job at Howard Johnson's restaurant. Many of you are probably taking
a break to do a search for Howard Johnson's to find out what it was. It’s okay,
I’ll wait – you go ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Howard Johnson
hotels still exist, but the famous orange-roofed dining establishments are gone
the way of the T-Rex and the Commodore 64. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great working there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still friends with people I started
working with there over 30 years ago.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I will forever
remember the woman who trained me that first day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bonnie was a great server, and one of the
nicest people you ever want to meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
had a structured plan for training new servers - even though there wasn't
anything in writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
handbook - and it had some details in it that make me laugh when I think about
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember the picture showing the
smiling "Johnson Girl" (laugh all you want, they actually called us
that) with her perfectly pressed uniform, holding her tray with her side towel
neatly folded in her hand. The most memorable part of the training was Bonnie's
direction about carrying your tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was the HoJo policy that you always carried your tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to drive this point home she told me
"Your tray is like your underwear, you always have it with you."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I see a server struggling to balance
a stack of plates without a tray, I think about that quote from Bonnie.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was only a
short time before I was called on to train new servers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My attention to detail combined with a touch
of OCD (although we did not call it that in those days) aided in my success as
a trainer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After three years, I had
enough of the 20-year HoJo veteran who acted as dictator under our orange
roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary’s (not her real name)
Jekyll-Hyde personality was more than I could deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so out-spoken that she once told one
of my co-workers that she didn’t understand why she was dating the man she was
currently living with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She just didn’t
think he was good enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that
he looked like he had flies coming out of his beard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine? If a manager said something
like that, about an employee's significant other in today’s workplace – they
would be facing a lawsuit.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I went to work at
a factory for about a month – but it felt like an eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was extremely unsuccessful at the task they
assigned to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The factory produced
paper party items like foldout honeycomb bells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My job was to put the bell in a machine and use a foot pedal to apply a
staple to hold the bell together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
so much harder than it sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
that if I had been doing something that required just my hands I would have
been fine, but coordinating my hands to move the bell and my foot to push the
pedal just didn’t work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They let me
go because I couldn’t keep up with the piece rate that was required to be
productive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter – I couldn’t talk
to anyone while working anyway and that was not the job for me, besides, I
never really wanted to work there – I only applied to satisfy my controlling,
money-hungry first husband.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I continued my
friendship with the people I worked with at HoJo’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still went there to eat and I knew almost
everyone who worked there, but I wasn’t ready to go back to that job.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: .25in right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goodbye for now! Stay tuned for more!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-81947063391402188092018-04-29T10:42:00.002-04:002018-04-29T10:42:44.523-04:00Prayer Journaling and weekly updateGood Sunday morning!<br />
<br />
This has been a good week. I have been giving a lot of thought to me, my issues and how God is helping me overcome them.<br />
<br />
Last fall, I started using a prayer journal to improve my communication with the Lord. It has worked wonderfully! I take the time each morning to sit with my journal and a cup of coffee and talk to God. I realized that my prayer life wasn't what it could, or should be since I wasn't really giving all my attention to God. It was like sitting talking to a friend and trying to multi-task three other things. You don't really connect with that person and they probably feel like you aren't paying attention. God deserves more attention from me - and I deserve to take that time to connect with Him.<br />
<br />
I started by reading a bunch of different suggestions on Pinterest - they were very helpful in getting me started. I bought a spiral bound journal and started writing. I spent lots of time sitting and thinking about what I wanted to do and how I wanted to arrange my journal. <br />
<br />
When I started doing this, I also started taking time to be quiet and listen. Anyone who knows me, knows how difficult that is for me! As I was thinking about/praying about the drug epidemic in our state and nation today, I felt a very strong call toward taking action to do so.<br />
<br />
It was February 25th when I finally got my sign. That day, I found out that the church was starting a restoration and recovery program. The following day I called and left a message for the director of the program. There is a lot more to be told about that story, but the point I want to make today is that I started out thinking this was just about me helping others and I now realize that my issues are real and I need help, too. This is not only about helping others, but about allowing God to help me to overcome my compulsive behaviors.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to see where God takes me on this journey.<br />
<br />
Have a blessed day!<br />
Missy<br />
<br />Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-1186905366967981442018-04-21T22:00:00.000-04:002018-04-21T22:00:12.569-04:00Good Saturday evening! <br />
<br />
I
think I finally figured out why people like to write Blogs...the reason
I want to write now is that I have found there are things that I would
like to talk about but I don't know other people who want to talk about
the same thing.<br />
<br />
Let me give you an example:<br />
<br />
Over
the course of the past 5 years, I have lost 73 pounds. From January
2013 till about August, I lost around 60 pounds. I kept that off until
early 2015. I started working an office job, which I never did before,
and I gained about 20 pounds back. In the summer of 2017, I got partly
back on track and lost 5 pounds, but just couldn't get the rest off. My
goal weight at that time was 160...and I was hovering around 175 - 178.
Finally sometime late last Fall, with some encouragement from my DH, I
started losing again and since then have reached my 160 pound
goal...reset my goal to 155, reached that goal...reset my goal to
150...and I reached that goal last week! Now my goal is what ultimate
goal is.. 147 pounds! I don't know if I will ever get there, but if I
can stay at 150, I will be thrilled...I was thinking I wouldn't even
make it to 160...and here I am...10 pounds less than that! <br />
<br />
This
is the problem with talking about this. The only people I know, with
the exception of my DH, either don't have and never have had as serious a
weight problem as I have, or they still have a weight problem and they
really don't seem to like to hear about my success. Perhaps it is the
way that I approach it, but at least I finally remembered that I have a
place to come and share my thoughts.<br />
<br />
Have a blessed evening!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-68210828599830313062018-04-21T21:40:00.000-04:002018-04-21T21:40:00.741-04:00April 21, 2018<br />
<br />
Today I was fortunate enough to attend a training event for Celebrate Recovery. What a blessing this was. I have so much to be thankful for! My journey through life has improved over the course of the past 10 months! <br />
<br />
I used to think that the only way I could have time to pray in the morning was to multi-task by praying while I was exercising or getting ready for work, or driving to work. I now equate this to trying to talk to someone while doing something else that is taking your attention. I wasn't giving God the attention that He deserved. I started using a prayer journal and what a difference it has made in my prayer life!<br />
<br />
I will go into more detail on this as I progress through the coming weeks, but for now, I just wanted to reintroduce myself to the blogger community.<br />
<br />
Happy Spring...I think it may be here to stay at last!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-32445187895301073682013-10-02T10:26:00.003-04:002013-10-02T10:27:56.144-04:00Finding Strength in God<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have a family member who is in a dark place. I have been praying for strength to reach out to this person and help to pull them out of the darkness. I know that God will give me the words. I find joy in the fact that when we have concerns and don't, in our human frailty, know how to deal with them, the Lord leads us in the right direction. I was reading a book that mentioned "mind binding spirits". I never heard this term before, in fact, I am finding that many terms that I am not familiar with are coming to my attention. They all have great meaning for me. I have been reading about strongholds that Satan builds in our minds. The Mind Binding Spirits go right along with the strongholds to hurt us and hold us back from so many things. I was drawn to research more about these spirits, or demons and I came across a prayer. As I read it, I realized that it could apply to my loved one. I took that prayer and adapted it to the situation that we are facing, the situation that my loved one faces on a daily basis. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">It was with some fear and trepidation that I turned in this direction. Some of the information that came up in my searches sounded like witchcraft - so that scared me. I got the feeling that I wasn't supposed to do this, that I wasn't prepared, that I wasn't...I don't know...Holy enough? Then I found this verse: Mark 16:17 -</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>"These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in My name, and they will speak in new languages"</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realized what was happening. Satan was trying to get us to back off...he doesn't want us to reach out and help this person. I know that I, that <i>we</i> do not have the power to cast out the demons of self-doubt and addiction, but that in Jesus' name it will be done. God led me to read the book that brought me to this knowledge - He led me to read more - He would not have led me here if I wasn't supposed to know this, or pray this prayer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, as my spiritual life takes a very different turn, I will go forward with the Lord's blessing and stand up to the demons who surround my loved one!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God Bless you all!</span><br />
<br />Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-57674244987150253532013-08-26T21:24:00.001-04:002013-08-26T21:24:28.900-04:00Staying ProductiveAs I search the internet for jobs and try to decide what is next for me in the work world - I am trying to get some things done around the house. I have been keeping up with dishes and have even cooked a few meals! Lots of other things I need to get to. A guy that my husband works with gave us a cabbage. A huge cabbage! Today I was adventurous and decided to make sauerkraut. I am not a big fan, but what the heck - you can only eat so much cabbage. I found a recipe online - one that is done by canning the sauerkraut, not letting it sit in a crock for weeks. I don't think I cut it thin enough. It didn't say to shred it...just to slice it very thin. You can see by my picture that I didn't do very well at that. So 10 days from now, we are supposed to have sauerkraut. It was really simple and if it turns out well, I will post the recipe and give credit to the person who supplied it. I don't want to give them a bad name if I just didn't do it right!<br />
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<br />Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-70676159800652683832013-08-18T11:49:00.001-04:002013-08-18T11:49:31.143-04:00Big Changes...I think I am finally ready to 'talk' about what happened this past week. I was invited to a meeting with my boss on Tuesday. The meeting was actually a sit down to tell me that my position with the company had been eliminated. It was upsetting and shocking to a small degree, but in some ways I was expecting it. A few things happened in the past few months that caused me to:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Not be as happy in my job as I once was</li>
<li>Feel that I wasn't living up to the expectations of the company</li>
</ul>
<div>
It was disappointing to the extent that I really did want to make a difference! I really did want to be one of those people who got called up on the stage to be recognized at the end of the year meeting. This has caused me to take a look at myself, and the company that I worked for, to figure out why I didn't succeed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My conclusion is that there are two main reasons:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>I didn't push hard enough. I should have stood up and said "Look, this is my responsibility and if you are going to hold me accountable for these results, then we are going to implement this plan that I have. People are going to respect my decision and do what I ask of them in order to get the results". I didn't do that.</li>
<li>The people above me didn't have confidence in me, possibly because <i>I </i>didn't have confidence in me. They are a good company, with a lot of good people. I believe that we just weren't the right match. We had different ideas and they didn't jive. </li>
</ol>
<div>
I know this is the best thing for me and for the company. Hopefully, they can find a person who is the right match and who can help them achieve their goals. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will find the right work match for myself. I don't know what that is yet, but I will. By the Grace of God, I will. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the meantime, I need to keep taking care of myself physically and emotionally. I must continue to exercise and eat right and lose the rest of my weight, then keep it off. All while hunting a new job.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I will keep you posted...keep me in your prayers!</div>
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Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-57597045127139410012013-08-07T12:43:00.001-04:002013-08-07T12:43:09.609-04:00Flower updateI have been so busy with work and planning the family reunion! The reunion was a great success again! Not as many people as I would like to see attending, but I understand - life, work and distance prevents many family members from getting there.<br />
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Our little corner flower garden has done so well! It has really filled in and I think most of the plants are perennials so next year should bring beautiful color with little work!<br />
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<br />Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-15070278162207904122013-06-23T13:41:00.001-04:002013-06-23T13:41:23.761-04:00Successful week!Weight loss has been slow the last month so I was thrilled to look down at the scale today and see that I lost 2 pounds since last Sunday! My Stepson got married yesterday. It was a beautiful day with a lovely ceremony outside. They are having their reception in two weeks, so they just had snacks at the house after the ceremony yesterday. I ate some things that I didn't count in my calorie log - but I took a long walk yesterday morning so it worked out. I love it when I have success like that, it proves that I can enjoy myself and still lose weight. I don't have to deprive myself all of the time.<br />
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34 pounds down and 29 to go...I am more than halfway to my goal!!!<br />
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It is funny how our perspectives change - yesterday I was mad cause some of the pants that I wanted to wear were too big for me!!!<br />
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Have a great and healthy week!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-54832354513462725302013-06-17T20:02:00.001-04:002013-06-17T20:02:48.600-04:00Lost another pound!Another pound lost this week! Glad to see that <a href="http://myfitnesspal.com/">myfitnesspal.com</a> tracker updated to my total pounds lost! It seems that the longer I go, the harder it is to lose weight. I don't feel that I can cut my calories back any more. I plan to increase my exercise in order to continue to lose weight. When I try to restrict my calories too much, I end up falling off the healthy eating wagon and gaining all the weight back. I won't do that again! I can't do that again! I naturally don't need as many calories, but if I try to cut back to less than 1300 calories a day, I know I will fail. <br />
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It is so great to have so many pants that won't fit me anymore...for the right reason...they are too big!! <br />
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Have a great night!!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-6165827527073074682013-06-02T13:21:00.002-04:002013-06-02T13:21:22.239-04:00Flower Garden UpdateWe had a wonderful day yesterday. Loaded a bunch of brush into the truck and took it to the dump. On the way home we stopped at a greenhouse and bought some hanging baskets and other flowers. Today, when we were transplanting the plants and flowers, I put some of them (I think they are perennials) in the ground in our new little flower garden. The bulbs I planted a couple of weeks ago are not growing, but I am not giving up on them until next year. The flower bed doesn't look very full now, but I also want to add some wildflowers that are supposed to attract butterflies. Keeping up with the weeds will be the biggest challenge.<br />
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<br />Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-53396910589077283402013-06-02T11:41:00.002-04:002013-06-02T11:41:42.380-04:00One more pound lost!I was especially happy to see the scale show a one pound loss this week. I have been right at the top of my calorie goals for the last two days. I have balanced that with some extra exercise - so I guess it worked!<br />
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We have had such a nice time on this little 'staycation'. Today I am concentrating on cleaning, and hanging new curtains. This morning, I hoped to avoid the heat of the day by transplanting flowers at 8 am. That didn't work - we got it done, but I think I sweated off an extra pound! It was already very hot! <br />
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Time to go back to some house cleaning!<br />
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Have a beautiful, peaceful day!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-19759028122578960542013-05-30T17:59:00.002-04:002013-05-30T17:59:30.305-04:00Taking some time offToday is the first day of my five day vacation. I really need this...to just unplug and relax. My goal is to not stress out - or make demands on myself or my husband. I sometimes get so caught up in plans that I end up not truly enjoying my time off. I am going to do some gardening, cleaning, relaxing, reading, writing, resting and of course, spending time with my beloved husband!<br />
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Have a great week!!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-22414195453152283402013-05-27T12:04:00.000-04:002013-05-27T12:04:15.864-04:00Photo of the week!I was looking for a new profile picture and I came across this pic from last year. My sister, niece and I were attending <a href="http://www.womenoffaith.com/">Women of Faith</a> in Hartford, CT. This was in November of 2012. It was good to look at this picture - it really let me see how much weight I have lost!! It is good to look back and know that I look better now - helps to put it into perspective. It is tough to think that I have another 30 plus pounds to lose. This picture helped me to appreciate what a difference the 30 pounds I have lost have made!<br />
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Happy Memorial Day!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-90524588086524768342013-05-26T10:48:00.001-04:002013-05-26T14:09:04.951-04:00No loss this week, but that's better than gaining!!! I don't know why I didn't lose any weight this week. It is kind of depressing, but I am going to keep doing what I have been doing...working out...watching what I eat...next week will be productive!!<br />
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As I think back, I wonder how different my life would be if I had made different decisions. As I reflected on my life-changing choices, I wrote the following article to sum up how I feel as I approach my 50s. This article was published on the Yahoo! Contributor Network...I hope you enjoy it!<br />
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<b><span style="color: purple;">"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;">When I graduated from high school and ventured into my twenties, I wish I had known that everything would be okay. It would have made life so much more bearable if I had known that, no matter what, I would end up happy. I used to think that if I could go back in time, I would visit myself when I was about 24, before I accepted an engagement ring from my first husband. I thought that it would be marvelous to go back and tell that young woman not to marry him. I could have avoided all the pain and anguish that he caused me." <a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/article/9879243/i-found-true-happiness-12134835.html?cat=43">Read the rest of the article</a></span></span></b><br />
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Have a great Sunday...Stay Healthy!Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-5593115041053801242013-05-25T20:24:00.004-04:002013-05-26T14:10:12.061-04:00Weigh-in tomorrow!Tomorrow is weigh in day again! I feel pretty good about jumping on the scale. This week was a challenge - having my calories cut back due to my weight loss was...interesting. I had one evening that I just needed more to eat - I think that was mainly due to having a sub for dinner. I didn't go over my calorie goal, but I think having a sub that has most of its calories coming from the roll was a mistake. In order to succeed, I need to eat lower calorie meals. The rest of the week was good. I took a walk today - it was quite chilly, but I was happy to be out walking! I ended up walking 2 miles in 41 minutes - so I got an extra 11 minutes of exercise - plus I am going to do my strength training tonight. <br />
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You might enjoy reading this article I wrote about the ups and downs of weight loss that I have experienced, including some advice on how to succeed.</div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;">"It is invigorating to lose weight! I feel successful, happy, and thin! However, something always happens to push me off the wagon. I wish I could understand why I do not stop before gaining all the weight back. It happens repeatedly. I lose 20 or 40 pounds and a year later, I have gained it all back.</span></b><br />
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<b>These are some reasons why I fail:</b></div>
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<li style="list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Diets</b></li>
<li style="list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Laziness = Lack of exercise</b></li>
<li style="list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Habits</b></li>
<li style="list-style: disc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>Stress... <a href="http://voices.yahoo.com/how-quit-dieting-lost-weight-12134457.html?cat=51">read the rest of the article</a></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;">I'll see you tomorrow for weight loss results!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.09375px;">Have a great night and stay healthy!!</span></span></div>
Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-90523478952600011272013-05-19T10:14:00.000-04:002013-05-19T10:14:29.089-04:00Thirty Pounds Lost!!!I did it! I lost two pounds this week which brings me to a grand total of 30 pounds. I am so happy and proud of myself. <br />
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I am going to stick with my regular exercise plan - 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. My calorie tracker has adjusted my daily calorie goal due to my loss. I went from 1450 a day to 1330 a day. At first that was daunting...some days I am hungry after I have eaten my 1450...how will I eat less? Here is what I have planned:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November 2012</td></tr>
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<li>Replace mid-morning snack bar with an apple or fat free yogurt - this will cut from 20-30 calories</li>
<li>Replace afternoon snack bar with carrots - this will cut about 70 calories</li>
<li>Eat more veggies with my evening meal - cut back on starch - I can probably cut another 50 calories there</li>
<li>Replace evening snacks with an apple, carrots, or yogurt - that is about another 50 fewer calories</li>
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Over all, as long as I replace what I am snacking on now with more fruits and veggies, I can easily cut those 120 calories out without feeling deprived!</div>
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I know these aren't great pictures, but they show the difference in my size since last year.</div>
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Stay Healthy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 2013</td></tr>
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Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3023781273887611336.post-88695409827249443052013-05-18T10:13:00.004-04:002013-05-18T10:13:41.812-04:00Flowers...springtime...sunshine!!!I got up this morning and took a walk. We went out for a light breakfast before heading home. I have been doing my flower gardening in stages. I love having flowers, but I am too lazy to do a lot of gardening so I did it in steps:<br />
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<li>Cut back dead growth from last year</li>
<li>Attacked the weed-vine that invades everything in our small back yard.</li>
<li>Attacked the weed - vine again...and again...finally found some of its roots and dug them out...that was no small task</li>
<li>Put down some bags of garden soil...more exercise...they were heavy</li>
<li>Put up a wooden border to keep the dirt away from the grass</li>
<li>Today I finally planted my Iris', lilies, and <a href="http://aquilegia/">Aquilegia</a></li>
<li>Took a break to write my blog</li>
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I want my flower garden to be all Perennials so each year I will have a beautiful display without much work. The hardest part will be keeping the invading weeds out!!</div>
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Time for a shower!!</div>
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Stay healthy and enjoy the weather!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Missp1410http://www.blogger.com/profile/15937748987374554588noreply@blogger.com0