Thursday Therapy -- You better start runnin' cause you much too late to jog.

Exercise. This one word can either make or break your day. Some people love it… can’t get by without it. For others, it’s the nagging thing in the back of their mind that they know they need to do, but either never get around to doing or if they do, they hate every minute of it. I think I’m kind of in between these two. I love it once it’s done, but most days, I dread the thought of sweating so much that I can’t do anything until I’ve had a shower. There’s no doubt that exercising has multiple advantages. We all know it’s good for your heart, and for your waistline, but I think sometimes we forget that it’s good for our mind. Exercise helps us to physically rid of the stress of the daily grind. There’s nothing like boxing or running to get rid of all of the things that weigh you down. Exercise helps you, for the moment, focus on your ability, and what you’re capable of doing instead of all of the things you can’t control. Aaaahhh… there’s that word. Control. A lot of things seem to revolve around that one word. Think about it. Generally, people aren’t as happy when they don’t feel like they’re in control of this or that… being their life. We mentally seem to spiral out of control when we don’t have control of a situation. Say you’re panic stricken about money…. not in control = stress/worry/anxiety. Job problems …not in control = stress/worry/anxiety. Your kids are doing things they shouldn’t… you’re not in control = stress/worry/anxiety. The things we don’t feel in control of are the things that stress us out, and cause us to turn into the kind of women we don’t like. The thing is, we can’t control everything, and truth be told, even when we think we do, we’re wrong because God is in control. The faster we realize and live that out, the better off we’ll be. However, in our own minds… we can control some things. Working out is one of those things. Working out makes us feel stronger, healthier, more confident and releases the endorphins that make us happy. Exercise is free therapy. It doesn’t matter what your circumstance or health problems, most everyone should be able to find at least one exercise that they can do. I get that not everyone has knees and feet that will hold up to running. I’m right there with you. Swim, bike, use and elliptical machine or do Pilates. There are tons and tons of things to do for exercise. Just make sure it’s something you enjoy doing or you’ll give up. Get a work out buddy if that helps keep you accountable. We can all say we don’t have time, but that’s not true and you know it. Even if you have to do two or three 15 minute sessions to get enough in, you can do it. Sacrifice 30 minutes of TV watching or reading. Do whatever it takes to make yourself exercise at least 4 times a week. You can do it. This may be therapy you have to force on yourself, but I promise it will make a difference in your life in more ways than one. Watch this today http://www.hulu.com/watch/4103/saturday-night-live-little-richards-simmons-show. I promise it will make your day.

Wednesday Whatabouts -- Canning

Lately I’ve really been missing my grandmother who I lost last year. I can honestly say that she was my hero. She lived through the depression in complete poverty, and raised eight kids on her own after her husband was killed at a young age. She never went to school after the 8th grade, but she was smart. She taught English to make money for her family to survive on. Through the years, it was a struggle for her to have enough food to go around, but she always took care of her kids. Later on, she had a bi-weekly column in the local news paper where she told about the local happenings and of course told what all of her grandkids were up to. Through it all my grandmother was a rock. You would never know how much inward strife she must have had based on her outer demeanor. She was also the spiritual leader and example for her large family. My grandmother loved to garden, and she loved to cook. Every time I would go for a visit in the country I was always underfoot while she cooked. It always amazed me how she could seem to make a feast out of nothing. In the summers I would go help her with her canning. My grandmother was serious about her canning. She had a whole room outside that was dedicated to all the things she canned. It was always so exciting to see what all she had in there, and what all she would share. There were green beans, sour kraut, bread n’ butter pickles, tomatoes, apple butter, chow chow, pear preserves… you name it, she had it. It was how she and her children survived. While I’m fortunate enough to not have to can for survival, I do love it and I think it’s a great way to save money and the foods can also make good gifts. So in honor of my grandmother, my Nannie, I’m going to start up my canning and freezing this week. And like her, I’ll only use the Ball jars with the wide mouth because she says they’re the best.

Tasty Tuesday -- Lieutenant Dan… Ice-cream!!!

In my book, ice-cream is really one of the best things in the world. For me, it’s one of those things that is nearly impossible to turn down. Chocolate, mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, rocky road, one sweet whirled, strawberry, vanilla bean, turtle, double fudge brownie, cookies n’ cream, coconut, coffee… I could go on forever naming all the delicious flavors. So, if you’re like me and love all things ice-cream, you’ll love today’s treat. Today’s recipe is so, so simple and can easily be adapted to suit your taste buds or dietary needs. This can also be made in any quantity you’d like, so I’ll leave that part up to you and just give the ingredients. I generally use an 8x8 or a 9x13 dish, but it can be made for one if you’ve got a hankerin’ and don’t want to wait for company to make it. This isn't anything prolific, but it's quick, easy and it's ice-cream.

Ice-cream Delight
Ice-cream sandwiches (pick your flavor)
Cool whip
Heath or Butterfinger bars (broken into small pieces)
Chocolate and Caramel ice-cream syrup

Place the ice-cream sandwiches in the desired dish, and spread on thawed Cool Whip. Next put crumbled candy bars on top. Drizzle caramel and chocolate over everything. Cover with plastic wrap, and pop the dish in the freezer so ice-cream won’t melt and Cool Whip can firm up. Keep frozen until ready to serve.

Here are some other ideas for this easy dish.
Use brownies or cake in place of ice-cream sandwiches
Toasted, sweetened coconut
Pecans
Any other type of candy bar
For a healthier version, use No Sugar Added ice-cream sandwiches, Lite Cool Whip, Sugar- free syrups and Sugar-free Toffee Bars

Make a Difference Monday -- Show Some Gratitude

I hope you all had a great weekend and were able to call, spend time, or reflect on time spent with your dad or father figure. I was able to make a quick trip to visit with my Dad for a few hours. One of my favorite things about my Dad is that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. I think I take after him in that way. I hope I do.
So, on to todays make a difference Monday. One of the lost arts of our society is expressing gratitude/thankfulness. I know so many ladies in their late 70’s and 80’s that still have it. You know the ones who have the ability to write poetic thank you notes or who always bake a cake to express their sincere gratitude. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by so many women in my life who have led by their example and I hope that I do half as good a job as they have in showing my gratitude toward them and others. I think we live in such a fast paced society with such a “gimme” mindset that we often take the little things for granted or else we just feel like we’re entitled to everything. It’s very important not only for others, but for ourselves that we take time to give a genuine thanks to those who have had a special impact in our lives even if through just one deed. Maybe it was your parents, maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was a teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor; someone at church… the list could go on and on. Showing your gratitude is such a simple thing to do, and yet is often left undone. Today, pick at least one person who has impacted your life in a wonderful way and tell them how much you appreciate them. Sometimes all it takes to make a difference is to tell someone they’ve made a difference to you.

Forget About it Friday -- Why not?

Forget waking up at dawn. Sleep in tomorrow!!!!!!! Hope you all have a great weekend.

Therapy Thursday -- Dear Diary

First, let me say, I can't imagine ever starting a journal entry with those words. To me, that's more of Martha May Whovier's style. I was never much into journaling when I was a child. I was way too much of a tomboy to ever go for anything so girly. I was the girl who was out playing baseball and fishing with the boys instead of playing with Barbie and hosting tea parties. As I’ve gotten older and learned a whole lot more about life and myself, I’ve found journaling to be very therapeutic. I’m a very train of thought writer, so needless to say, my journal topics are all over the map. Some days my entries are a written prayer. Some days the entries are a venting session. Other times, I write about what I’m loving about life at the moment, and things I’d like to change. If I had any drawing capabilities at all, I know I would sketch. I think I’d even like to start adding photos if I’m journaling about a particularly great day I’ve had or event I’ve gone to. Although my journal entries are always different, there is one thing that I always try to do. I make a point to write down things I’m thankful for. Sometimes when life is hard or even when it’s great, we forget to take the time to be thankful for things we’re able to do or have, lessons we’ve learned, or relationships we share. I’ve recently been in situations where I see spouses/boyfriends and girlfriends putting one another down and being really hard on the other (almost John and Kate plus 8 style). This isn’t healthy. There is always a reason why we like or love someone, and it’s important not to lose sight of it. We all get annoyed with people from time to time, but constant nagging or bashing is only going to push the person further and further away… even if they don’t say anything at the time. I say, if you’re upset with someone, stop and think before you speak. Nine out of ten times, the situation is too petty to be worth harsh words and an argument. Later on that day, once you’re removed from the situation, take time to write down a few things that you appreciate about the person you were ready to lash out at earlier. I guarantee, you’ll be more thankful that they’re in your life than angry about the irritating situation. This works for husbands, boyfriends, good friends, family, kids etc. Even if you’re not upset about anything or anyone, take the time to write down the little things in life you’re thankful for. I think it’s almost human nature to dwell on the bad and turn a blind eye to all the good in our lives. Let journaling turn that around for you.
Journals are things that I never want to get rid of. I think reading them 20 years down the road will give me such a wonderful and personal glance back into my life. I know feelings will change, I’ll mature and my perspectives will be different years from now, but I’d like to remember how things are for me as I see them. It will also be neat for relatives to have once I’m gone. It’s not that I journal for someone to read it… it’s the opposite really, but I would have loved to have had a journal from one of my grandmothers’ younger years. It would be so special to have a closer look into their lives when they were closer to my age. I wish I’d started journaling so much earlier in my life, and maybe you do too, but it’s never too late to start. Never doubt your potential to give self- therapy.

Wednesday Whatabouts -- Calgon take me away!

I’m having one of those weeks where I need an escape. I love my job. I really do, but I get so fed up with the constant gossip and complaining some folks do. It’s exhausting. I need a private beach, sunscreen that smells like coconut, beautiful weather, and great music STAT. Too bad that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. I do, however, have my first ever spa day coming up soon. I’m excited and curious to see if a hot stone massage is really all that magical. I’m thinking it could be. I’m very interested about the whole spa experience. I may or may not have called to see if they could get me in a day early, and they may or may not have returned the call. Should I take my I-pod or would that take away from the new age music they’re sure to have? I wish I had a friend going with me, but this was a gift, and I don’t exactly think it would be a great friend move to ask someone to shell out hundreds of dollars so I’ll have someone to go with… but I digress. Can I make it through two and a half more days?