This Is Us

Let me introduce you to Grandmas Getting Healthy.  Yet another blog along my journey.

But for today I give you this update.

I could write a book, and I still want to, but blog posts seem to be my journal of choice these days.

These days! Is it really March 1, 2017?

As you may or may not know, I love stories. Especially love stories.

So even though we're almost a month out past Valentine's day, and I still had a Merry Christmas header, Mark and I just finished up a spur of the moment trip to Disney World, hence the new header and 2017 title.

I think I fell in love all over again, with him and the mouse.

For a few winter months,we are blessed to be able to spend time in Florida. {Changing from "I" to "we" here for a bit}.

It's easy to lose focus on "we." The expectations run high and lofty at the beginning of marriage. We remember seeing our kids finding their soulmates and always wanting to spend time together. We prayed they would learn to make the choices involved in staying together.

Time happens. It's inevitable. The careers and children come along. Most of the time, "young married" life is spent in divide and conquer. Then the children begin to leave, the careers end, and roles get reversed. The business of parenting, making money, grandparenting, making and taking care of homes and relationships, makes it easy to land in the status quo of a marriage. Or worse, the living of separate lives. Together yet apart.

Sad to say, we landed there a time or two. Time to rethink, restore, and renew.. Of course, there are other people and relationships involved and their input is always welcome, but at the end of the day ... it's just us, working at making decisions for team Mark and Julee. We're basically, in the 3rd quarter of the game and it's time to start leaving it all out on the floor. Sometimes you just gotta shut up, dance, and lead by example.

We recently finished up a 4 day team convention at the Melia Hotel Celebration and Walt Disney World.  And speaking of, if one doesn't take their chill pills before entering, the happiest-place-on-earth can be just another day-at-the-office stress on everyone.

We  literally wanted to offer a parenting class on the monorail, an eating healthy seminar at Pecos Bills Cafe, and practical schooling of some college spring breakers on smiling and making good fashion choices.

All in all, we enjoyed every minute from the architecture to the animals, the resorts to the resting benches, and watching it all thru our rose colored bifocals. We can't wait to go back, but with kids and grandkids! 2019 or bust.  Do or do not, there is no try ~ Yoda


See you real soon.

Stuff

I'm embarrassed to say that this is mostly my "stuff" in the above picture, so I'm not judging anyone here. "Stuff" can kill ya. At the very least, it can strangle and leave you gasping for breath.

I've started following a blog called "Becoming Minimalist" and that is what I'm fixin' to do.

I am not a fan of clutter, never have been.  But my minimalist friend said something that will be my new motto for 2017; "don't just declutter, deown."

Listen to me when I say, "stuff" costs way more than what you paid for it.

I've already taken down one household, so I am qualified to take down some more.

After all, you can't take it with you.

Stay tuned, and keep an eye out for eBay, Craig's, and Airbnb listings, a household auction bill, a barn sale sign, trailer for sale or rent, and a rustic venue realtor may or may not be involved. 

It's time.  

We're movin' on up.

God Bless America

This will be all I say about the 2016 Election:

And I will say it here because I've already blocked/restricted/defriended the disrespectful and blatant babbling off my newsfeed. Both Trump and Clinton friends and even family.

1. The popular vote is just over 1/2 a million difference. Gary Johnson received over 4 million votes... MY VOTE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

2. A 2 party system... 2 choices ... really America? Get your shit together.

3. Here I am above, in front of the white house and the capitol building.  I chose red on purpose. I'm thinking about going green.

Here's the kind of Republican I was/am even tho I didn't vote R for president.

I was/am the kind of republican:

• who doesn't believe in abortion, but I would never in a million years believe that there are "abortion lovers" out there. 
• who would never vote on one issue
• who does not live in fear
• who believes that black lives matter and who has a staunch respect for police officers
• who would invite refugees from any country into my home
• who loves this planet and does my part to take care of it
• who would photograph anyone's wedding
• who thinks it is wonderful that a girl wearing a hijab is now a "cover girl" girl
• who will still and always has used the bathrooms at Target
• who believes our veterans deserve more
• who thinks there is way too much government in our lives
• who has some ideas and thoughts on social security overhauls and a flat tax
• who has always referred to the current president as President Obama
• who is extremely patriotic and stands up (sometimes even in my living room) when the National Anthem or the Hallelujah Chorus is played)
• who cried when George and Barbara Bush walked down the stairs to leave the building
• who has always had a great respect for President Bush W and, still to this day, believes that maybe there WERE WMD's but they somehow got moved before inspections
• who strongly believes in government fiscal and social responsibility
• who will always vote policy over personality
• will call Mr. Trump ... President Trump ... and will NOT listen to anyone's disrespect of the office of president or first lady
• will keep praying for the Obama family and will start praying for the Trump family

What does it mean when it says;

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." Romans 13:1

What Are You Waiting For?

So we wait...

While waiting on baby Lucy to arrive, I'm chasing, building, playing, reading, and entertaining her brother.

Once in a while, when Grandpa takes over, I sneak off to read, veg, copy and paste. I'm combining all the places I've been on the Internet into one final attempt to keep this blog alive. It's a major undertaking, but I'm up for it, because I'm sick to death of facebook. Sick of it I say.

It is actually therapeutic and sickening at the same time to see how many good intentions I have and how many times I fail. So today: 2.20.16, I wait on Lucy and the Lord.

Psalms 27:13-14   I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Acts 1:4   And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father   {The promise was the Holy Spirit}

Colossians 1:11  God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient. 

Waiting Room Material ~

Waiting on Wynonna ~

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory ~ Dr. Suess

24/7

every damn new year i vow to keep this blog updated

words do not come as easy anymore

committments can creep in and overwhelm

but i'm gonna give it another shot

before i stick a fork in it

the 'ole college try

what does that even mean

first rule of writing

don't use cliches

i could write a book

time marches on

The pic above was to be the T-shirt 

for a family reunion that wasn't. 

 It's now become my prayer list. 

Life has definitely taken it's 

twists and turns (more cliches) 

for this family 

and we all continue to struggle in a myriad of ways.  

Lucy and Moses are not quite here yet. 

 In the spring and summer 

Derek & Chels and Joel & Ang 

will intorduce two more.  

In the fall, we'll add Katie next to Austin. 

We said good-bye to Brandon, gone way too early, 

leaving a gaping hole we'll try to fill with memories. 

I'm sure it seems more like a bottemless pit to Megan and Emme

As with this blog, once again, I vow to renew and rekindle the relationship with my Heavenly Father. 

My verse of the year will be Jeremiah 24:7 ~  "I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart."

How will you know? 

How will I know?
At the end of the day/month/year it will be obvious

I commit to walking in the spirit.

24/7

 Next up: Letters to Lilly, Max, Calvin, Moses, & Lucy

Fruit of the Spirit Wall Chart by Rose Publishing
Dance in the Rain Poster sold by Antique Farm House

Senior Trip Day 3

Miss Shirley

While walking today, I met Shirley.  She peered out from below her straw hat and removed her gardening gloves to say hello.

I don't really remember if I pursued her or she pursued me, but I ended up with a wonderful short story of her life.

She's a born and raised Floridian.  Oh, now I remember, we had just arrived and she asked me about the weather on our way down.  Told her it didn't reach 50 degrees until the Florida/Georgia line.

Her Georgia husband (not quite sure if he was the original) found his "Miss Shirley" while vacationing in the panhandle.  They moved here in 2001. He passed away in 2007. She loves it here, but is kinda lonely. Thinks about returning to the top of Florida, but probably won't.

She weeded her whole garden (maybe a 4' x 4' space) while telling her story, and then asked mine. She couldn't place mom and dad, but welcomed me. She called me Miss Julee.

Later in the day, while we visited with mom and dad, Miss Shirley walked up to us. She had her headscarf tied securly and her handbag hugged tightly.

I introduced her as my new friend and then she rambled on with the biggest smile on her face,

"Miss Julee, thank you for stopping by, where were my manners, I should have invited you in."
"I live in the oldest trailer, but I keep a clean house."
"Nobody much likes me here."
"I'm straight down the road in A-11, it's the oldest, and most rundown trailer in here. (It's a darling 1950ish peach Tropicana, and I love it.)
"Nobody here talks to me much."
"I stay to myself, but it does get pretty lonely."
"Ole Miss Shirley, livin' in the dumpiest trailer, with no friends."
"Nobody much likes me here."

Well, Miss Shirley, you can't say that anymore, because we just met you and we like you already.

And God loves you, my dad reminded her.

I will look to say hello and visit with her from here on out. I could use some of her southern charm and she could use some of my self esteem.

Verse of the day: Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Motto of the day: Smile and say hello to everyone you meet.
Photo of the day:  The shelf, circa 1995ish from Muskegon's own Pier One, was the Mr's "Honey do" project today and a shot of kitchen.  My live-in dishwasher wouldn't like that I posted a pic with dishes in the sink, but I refuse to cook* and clean-up.

Turkey Chili from THM
Homemade Wheat Thins from THM with Asiago Cheese 
1 lb ground turkey (from cage free turkeys)
1 can organic Chili beans or black beans 
1 can organic diced tomatoes
1 can organic tomato sauce
12 oz organic chicken broth
Salt, pepper, garlic and onion salt to taste (I browned my ground turkey with garlic and onion)
2t Cumin
2t Chili powder Brown turkey and simmer all ingredients for 1/2 hr.  Smells like you cooked all day.
Wheat Thins from THM
3/4 C golden flax
3/4 C almond flour
2 egg whites
2 T nutritional yeast
1 T parmesan cheese (I used 2 heaping T)
1 T olive oil
1/2 t baking soda
Mix all together and roll out as thin as you can get it with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min.

Steamed Buttered Broccoli
Applesauce

Senior Trip Day 2

I may have to start retitling these or do daily updates on a once-a-weak post. We'll see if I keep up with the updates, I'm optimistic.

Today, we'll call "The Tin Man"
Does everything run on oil? Even our bodies? I'm beginning to think so.  With all the hub-a-ba-loo on the internet and "essential oil" companies popping up like flies and claiming to heal everything from cold sores to cancer,  you can bet I was skeptical today, as I sat through a "Young Living" presentation.

True Confessions ~ I'm actually a "Young Living" distributor, have been for quite some time.  I also watch "The Bachelor" so do with it what you will.

But today something clicked with me and "oils"  I connected the dots.  Whether it's EVOO {extra virgin olive oil for you newbies} or a drop of peppermint in you tea, our bodies need oil to function.

Fun facts: Well, two fun facts, and one serious fact.

I am related to the gentleman who started, Lehman's Peppermints.  We used to have a tiny jar of peppermint oil, which sat inside our spice cabinet. Every once in a while, we'd dip a toothpick in the jar and then float it in hot water for a peppermint tea treat.

There's a plant/oil called Melissa.

When I worked for Weight Watchers, we had a Dr. come to one of our conventions and beg us not to teach cutting the good "fats" out of our diets.  It was the 90's and EVERYONE was buying and eating {and hating} everything from fat-free sour cream to fat-free cheese and crackers.

Oil for your engine, it makes sense. No worries, I won't go fanatic on you, and I will most definitely never give medical advice, but I'm gonna give it a go, mainly peppermint, lemon, and frankincense.  {It's mentioned over 70 times in the bible} If I update daily here, I'm going to need to store up some post material, so frankincense musings will be another blog post.

While I'm going with true confessions, I also want to let you know, I'm on a healthy eating kick. My daughter's inducted me into a new club called "100 Days Of Real Food"* Ok, so there's that.

Verse of the Day: "Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky." Philippians 4:14 & 15 

Motto of the Day: Still on the "no complaining" kick. Did you listen to yourself yesterday?

Oil of the Day: Just kidding.

*Dinner on Day Two:

Grilled Turkey Burgers
1 lb of ground turkey breast
1 handful of spinach, finely chopped
2 T parsley, minced
 ... sorry no sage or thyme {insert musical notes)

1T rosemary, minced
1 t. sea salt
1 t. pepper
Grill in 1 T EVOO

Lemony Broccoli
Saute Broccoli until soft in 1-2 T EVOO
1 small chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic
Squeeze 1/2 lemon over before serving.

I'm also reading the book Trim Healthy Mama {I can hardly stand to type that title, but it is a brilliant read} so no potatoes for me, the Mr. had some potato salad with his meal, compliments of his mother-in-law.

Photo of the Day: I will try to be more creative with the photos, but for a couple of days, pacify me.


Clickin' my red shoes together and can't even believe I'm calling this home for the time being!

Happy New Year!

Resolution = keep this blog updated a bit more.

God bless you all from our family to yours.

All who are thirsty

All who are weak

Just come to the fountain

Dip your heart in the stream of life

Let the pain and the sorrow

Be washed away

In the waves of His mercy

As deep cries out to deep

Glenn Robertson Brenton Brown

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

Repost below.

11:59pm 12-31-07

She's leaving. There's no stopping her. I don't know if I would, even if I could.

There are two of us here, even when I'm alone. We amble through the rooms and rarely speak to one another. We're alike in many ways; both selfish and sentimental.

She's taking down decorations and  packing everything in sight. I follow behind her, rummaging for my most cherished possessions. I beg her to stop and reconsider. She refuses to even ponder my request and claims there are no options.
She laughs, while things fall out of my grasp and back into the storage tub abyss.

She goes about her business--gathering her trinkets and wadding my emotions into airtight bags. I can hardly breathe. I sit. I stand. I go through the motions. My feelings are ambivalent.

Go. Get outta here. You were a nuisance, anyway.
She zips another bag.
Stay. We've yet to change the world.   Couldn't we try harder?

There's defiance in her eyes, and she speaks in abrupt audacity.

My time here is done and we both know it. You didn't, or wouldn't, learn near what I wanted to teach you. You missed opportunities that may come back to haunt you. You followed no one's rules, not even your own. You hurt feelings and played silly games. You harbored bitterness and held out little hope for your own dreams. Your faith dwindled and you didn't even care. I gave you countless chances to mend and search for answers, but you were too busy being busy.

She loads the last bag and slams the lid. She refuses to look at me anymore, as she heads for the door. Her heels click clock across the floor.  I wait for the stoic gong, but hear my own voice instead.

It's not fair. You didn't grant me an extra hour in my days.  There were times I wanted you to stop so I could linger in my selfishness. You kept moving. Whenever I demanded a slower pace, it seemed as if you picked yours up. I WANTED to be different--to change--but you had your agenda and I had to abide. I'm so fed up with you--you and your stringent timeline. Go. Good riddance. I have something you don't. I've got a new opportunity and I'll not screw up this time. I can change, you'll see. I've committed to a brand spanking new schedule and I've promised to behave. I'll relish every prospect and I'll work hard on my dreams. I'll mend my mistakes and cherish every moment. Most importantly, your leaving has given me the determination to rekindle my Main relationship.

I notice a slump in her shoulders as I finish my rant. She reaches into one of her suitcases and hands me a bag with my name on it. And then she speaks--er--whispers for the last time.
"I hope you're happy now."

For a moment, I just stand there and stare. I can't believe she is gone. Then, with new resolve, I make myself a cup of tea, curl up on the sofa and open the bag to reminisce.

That's The {E} Ticket

So much to say...
     So many pictures to upload ...

After being gone for 15 years, the Mr. and I returned to DisneyWorld.

I'll be back later with tons of photos, and words about kingdoms, memories, shoes, legacy, the happiest place on earth, family, and infinity.

But first, the 1st installment blog post photos brought to you by Buzz Lightyear, and the "E" ticket!