RIP

Carmen

2003-2010

Carmen

2003-2011

Out with the old and in with the new

A few weeks back we had Hubs' cousin replace our old sliding patio doors with new French doors. This man is a master carpenter. I really enjoy seeing how he works so methodically.

Watching him take out the old door he is like a surgeon. He is so careful not to damage any of the old door. He nevers questions what to do next. (unlike the boss's boyfriend that we had before) The old doors are out and resting on the rails of the deck.

Hubs and I stand in awe of this man's talents.

He is such a professional in his work. Always with a smile on his face and a good sense of humor. You don't meet too many men that work as hard as he does. His wife also works hard. They both have full time jobs and work side jobs as well. I am in awe.

He loves his work and it shows. We will wait until he is availble from now on. He did this job on a Sunday afternoon. Just incredible. He is the one that built our deck.

His son is helping him. What a gift to pass on to your son?

Master carpenter.
There aren't many left out there.

The trim is the last thing he has to do.

The finished doors. Aren't they wonderful? They are E glass and that should help keep out the west sun in the summer time. Last summer the heat really did me in. I felt like a prisoner held hostage in my home. I had to keep the curtains closed in the afternoon because of the unbearable heat. It makes me very happy to have such a beautiful view. No curtains. I love it.
Definately worth the wait?

Reminds me of our original carpenter.

Balance

Health

TIME

FAMILY

MONEY ROUTINE

CRAFTS

Weight
LIFE

WORK SCHEDULE
Faith
BODY IMAGE EXERCISE

DIET
Success

CHURCH

LOVE

Feelings

Food

EMOTIONS
Mind
SOUL

Positive ENERGY

SPIRIT


This year I want to learn how to balance my life in a good way so I can be more productive.
I yearn to be more expressive in my life.

More Creative.
More at peace.

My word for the year is balance. I want to have some balance in my life. No more of the twisting and juggling acts I do. I am tired of hanging on the edge in hopes that I will come to my center of gravity.
I am dizzy from this dance without purpose.
I want to savor each bite like my morning oatmeal, to enjoy each taste to the fullest. To taste the sun crystals, to detect the inner flavor of life. To simply be in the moment.

I am here and I am present.

Balance is new for me since you know that I am an all or nothing type of woman. As I enter this season of my life, I want to be healthy in so many areas of my life. Physically, mentally, emotionally fit for the rest of my time here on Earth.

The lack of balance brings so many different feelings to my less than ordinary life. Often it makes me feel insane and at the same time it quinches my thirst for my never ending creativity.

I wonder if will I loose some of that desire to be on the edge, of not complying to the rules of life. Can balance survive without manic moments?

I am not manic yet, though some times I feel like I am on the edge of insaniety. I fight to stay sane, to keep order in my life provides stability.

Yet I have to confess, it is a never ending challenge to keep myself on the path to order.

It does not take much for me to get side tracked and off the path.

What I desire is a balance between the two extremes. Why does daily rountine bore me yet I need it in order to survive?

Do any of you struggle with this?

bal·ance noun \ˈba-lən(t)s\
Definition of BALANCE
1: an instrument for weighing: as a : a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends b : a device that uses the elasticity of a spiral spring for measuring weight or force
2: a means of judging or deciding
3: a counterbalancing weight, force, or influence
4: an oscillating wheel operating with a hairspring to regulate the movement of a timepiece
5a : stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis b : equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements c : equality between the totals of the two sides of an account
6a : an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements b : the juxtaposition in writing of syntactically parallel constructions containing similar or contrasting ideas
7a : physical equilibrium b : the ability to retain one's balance
8a : weight or force of one side in excess of another b : something left over : remainder c : an amount in excess especially on the credit side of an account
9: mental and emotional steadiness
— bal·anced \-lən(t)st\ adjective
— in the balance or in balance
: with the fate or outcome about to be determined
— on balance
: with all things considered
See balance defined for English-language learners »
Examples of BALANCE
She had trouble keeping her balance as the boat rocked back and forth.
The skater suddenly lost his balance and fell.
Another skater bumped into him and knocked him off balance.
Gymnasts need flexibility and balance.
She has a good sense of balance.
To provide balance in her news story, she interviewed members of both political parties.
Temperature changes could upset the delicate balance of life in the forest.
To lose weight you need the proper balance of diet and exercise.
The food had a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
It's important to keep your life in balance.
Origin of BALANCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, from Late Latin bilanc-, bilanx having two scalepans, from Latin bi- + lanc-, lanx plate
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to BALANCE
Synonyms: counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, stasis

This year I think Pam should...

OK, folks...I am giving you a chance to fill in the blanks for me. Are you ready? Here goes...

This year I think Pam should__________________________.

Please take as much space as you need. Please take as much time as you want. Just have fun with what you would like to see me accomplish during this year.

Then I will set my sights on achieving these goals or things you would like to see me do.


It will be fun to see how much I get done in the next year.


Are you ready for some hilarious fun? Go for it. Of course anything too out there I might have to say "I don't think so." Just leave your answer in my comment section. I can't wait to see what you will suggest.

Happy Thirty-ninth Anniversary

To my darling husband. Thank you for always being here for me and loving me. I am so happy that we have made it so many years. Though some were hard and some years we had challenges, we always had one another to depend on for support and friendship. We may not always see eye to eye because you are a foot taller than me, but we have a love like no other. Seems like just yesterday that we met in Spanish class in college. What a life, and what an adventure we have had together, dear. Thank you for loving me.

What a week I have had. I showed up a day early for my class on diabetes. I call it my trial run and I found out that I need at least an extra ten minutes to get there. So today, I showed up for the real class. I learned some really interesting facts in class today.


I don't have to be afraid of carbs. What? You mean I can eat the white foods? I can't believe it! I can eat rice, baked potato, some pasta and even bread. That is not the information I have been getting. Of course, I have to count all of the carbs, but if I want them I can have them. I already feel less deprived.

I count my carbs, proteins and fats. I admit that I am a little lost right now, but I am sure in time I will get the hang of it. It reminds me of Weight Watchers. I will have to study up on the values. I can tell that I probably eat too many carbs, too much fat and not enough protein. We learned about portion control and the correct amounts of food per serving.


Also, I have to test my blood sugar. I was not prepared for that because my doctor did not tell me I would be testing my blood sugar. It sure is a lot to keep up with right now and I am to write everything down. Ouch! my fingers hurt.

Getting Fit Is Harder Than It Looks

I have been busy trying to get myself all organized. One of the most beneficial things I did this New Year was to hire a trainer for my work outs. I can hear the questions in your mind. No,no...she doesn't do the exercise. She makes me do the exercise. Today was my first time with Kristen. She is a very sweet young lady. She is all of twenty-one years young, and she likes a challenge. She loves to get old people that are couch potatoes and work them hard. Like I said she loves a challenge.

She put me through all the torture that she had and luckily I survived. I'm not sure I will be able to walk tomorrow. Actually, I enjoyed it a lot because it reminded me of what it felt like to be fit four years ago. Believe it or not I was very fit just a mere four years ago until my struggle with the RA began. Gradually I was able to do less and less exercise. Exercise is one of the best things for RA, but somehow I became very sore and hurt all the time. I stopped moving. I started falling and tripping. I became a clutz.

My plan is to work out with my trainer and on the other days work by myself. I think that will keep me accountable. I have to take charge of my exercise regime and I am the only one that can do that. I have had a bad case of the "don'ts". You know...I don't want to exercise, I don't want to do this or that, but at any rate I have had it bad. Now I am excited to think of the possibility of getting fit.

Along with exercise comes the life style change and better food choices. It seemed so daunting over the holidays. Even though I lost 16 pounds, I was far from where my eating should really be. Tonight we ate baked fish, sweet potatoes with cinnamon, broccoli and cauliflower. I see a lot of fish and chicken in my future. Eating will no longer be my friend. Healthy food lacks in taste and I don't know how I will get around my love of Mexican food. I am sure there has to be a healthy alternative.

I look forward to this journey of living to get healthy again. I say farewell to fast food of any sort. We rarely eat fast food because we live in such a remote area, but I managed to have it once every now and then. Last April, I gave up Dr.Pepper. This fall I gave up sugar. Yikes! I feel like I have given up the World. I am keeping a food journal and now it is time to get serious and give up the last of my favorites...Sweets! I adore cookies. So adios to any kind of cookies. Hello fruits and vegetables, my new best friends.

I will let you know how I am doing as time goes by. Until next time lots of hugs and love to you all.

Looking throught the eyes of a child

This little doll s Gracie. She is a real sweetie.




I just returned from a road trip to my sister's home to visit her and her family. It was fast and furious with all things kids.



That is Sissy holding her grand daughter, Gracie. We celebrated Gracie's third birthday.



This is her son with his son, Patrick. He is five and full of life. He is very animated. He loves all things musical.

I am so thankful that my sissy has a wonderful family and that I get to enjoy them like they were my own. I love seeing the world through the eyes of a child. Nothing better than that. Wouldn't you agree?