I was recently talking to a local store owner who is going out of business (I'm sure her winning personality has a great deal to do with it) When I asked if she was "Retiring" she said she was too YOUNG to retire..I suppressed my laughter as not to embarrass her until I left the store.
First of all...is there an AGE to retire? I have a friend who retired at 35 so he could enjoy the millions of dollars he had made as a young entrepreneur. I have several other friends who retired way before 65, pretty much to start enjoying the fruits of their labors. So perhaps what she meant to say was "I haven't made enough money yet, in order to retire"...
I was left with the impression that she fears growing old. I've seen a lot of that recently. Women (not girls) in their 40's and 50's who refuse to believe they are growing older...who want others to believe they still look like they are 25...They may act immature but thats where their lack of maturity ends...They not only LOOK their age, there are times they look older...So , do they have a trick mirror? Or are they just in denial...I have seen older woman...totally expressionless, frozen by Botox...do they really think they look younger? Most of us think they look plastic, because that's what an old face looks like when it has no wrinkles and is void of character.
Ladies you need to wake up..You aren't young anymore, the beauty of youth has been replaced with the beauty that age and wisdom brings. Wear your wrinkles proudly, they define your face and add to your expression. To deny you are getting older, only makes you look foolish because we see what obviously you are missing when you look in the mirror. You can change to a youthful hair style, wear the clothes of a teenager and use a ton of makeup to hide the flaws that come with age....The only one your kidding is yourself.
When I was younger I saw so many older woman grow old gracefully and I remember how "stunning" I thought they were. I admired woman who dressed and acted their age. I'm not talking frumpy, these were professional woman who dressed appropriately and met their age with dignity and poise as opposed to denial.
There is no age of retirement (only an age to collect SS) Bless your heart if you can retire at 40 and do something worth while with the rest of your time here on earth.
You have to age...so grow up and deal with it...but you don't have to get old. Many of us "Oldies" remain pretty darned active....and I for one am enjoying the hell out of early retirement..
chew on this:
You are young as your faith, as old as your doubt;
as young as your self confidence, as old as your fear;
as young as your hope, as old as your despair.
Douglas MacArthur
My Hidden Treasure
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Changing Minds
It seems that there has been a great deal of talk lately about changing our minds on surgery or which surgery to have. I'm not really sure why people feel that once something crosses their lips, it is cast in stone. Especially when it comes to surgery...
Anything that involves anesthesia is risky...bottom line...even though with RNY there is a bit more cutting...with the Band they are still invading your body. They are making the same cuts with both surgeries. In one they reconnect your own body part to a different area and in the other they leave a piece of plastic behind for your system to deal with. If you don't adhere to the "program" neither tool will work. Looking back on notes I've kept on each surgery within our group that people have been willing to talk about. I find that there were more complaints after Band surgery, then from those having the more invasive procedure of RNY...Those are FACTS, true facts accumulated within our own group. There was more complaining of pain, more talk about NOT losing weight or losing at a much slower pace and seemingly more frustration...mostly over not being able to find the "sweet spot"...That being said..there are several who had the Band, who not only didn't complain, went on to lose a great deal of weight (equal to that of a RNY) While certainly not in the majority, they obviously decided on the Band for all the right reasons and with a firm commitment. In all fairness, over time (I've not been in the program for years and years) perhaps the data will change considerably...but for now...people who have had RNY over the past 2 years, that speak openly and honestly are doing better then Bandsters fitting the same criteria and thems the facts folks. FYI I do not use names in my Journaling only "Subject #". I wouldn't want anyone to think their life is an open book...I don't even know who you are LOL It is something I decided to do, simply because it is in my nature to be a fact finder. I don't just find them, I research where they come from (most of the time negating their validity)
So why is changing ones mind such a trauma, such a dilemma ?How many times a day do we, in fact, change our minds? I wake up thinking I'm having cornflakes and have grits instead. I was going shopping and decide to clean stalls instead...I was going to finish a quilt project and started a new one instead. Life is full of change and certainly when contemplating something as important as a life altering surgery, one should be entitled to change their mind often, until they get it right.
This is something we do for OURSELVES so women have a hard time with it. We are so used to doing everything for our families or with them in mind. We tend to worry about all the ramifications of this surgery involving them...We do not seem to consider the fact that in losing weight, we not only become healthier, we can do more with our families, for our families and chances are we will be around longer to enjoy our families. So having the surgery is an easy choice...which to have is a harder choice and only the person making that choice knows in their heart which is best for them. Lets face it, both are a radical way to lose weight...However, if you've tried everything else and failed, chances are you suffer from a disease of Obesity and you're not just over weight...There is a difference..recognize it and deal with which one you are. I don't think anyone should rush into this surgery. The time allowed to us is for a reason, it should be used wisely and with a great deal of thought and research.
I am extremely happy with my choice...it changed my life in so many ways I've lost count. I can honestly say I am happier then I've been in a very long time and much healthier.
It wasn't a cure all, but it certainly made life more enjoyable just to be thinner....Now I contemplate yet another surgery to remove excess skin....Does it ever end?
Anything that involves anesthesia is risky...bottom line...even though with RNY there is a bit more cutting...with the Band they are still invading your body. They are making the same cuts with both surgeries. In one they reconnect your own body part to a different area and in the other they leave a piece of plastic behind for your system to deal with. If you don't adhere to the "program" neither tool will work. Looking back on notes I've kept on each surgery within our group that people have been willing to talk about. I find that there were more complaints after Band surgery, then from those having the more invasive procedure of RNY...Those are FACTS, true facts accumulated within our own group. There was more complaining of pain, more talk about NOT losing weight or losing at a much slower pace and seemingly more frustration...mostly over not being able to find the "sweet spot"...That being said..there are several who had the Band, who not only didn't complain, went on to lose a great deal of weight (equal to that of a RNY) While certainly not in the majority, they obviously decided on the Band for all the right reasons and with a firm commitment. In all fairness, over time (I've not been in the program for years and years) perhaps the data will change considerably...but for now...people who have had RNY over the past 2 years, that speak openly and honestly are doing better then Bandsters fitting the same criteria and thems the facts folks. FYI I do not use names in my Journaling only "Subject #". I wouldn't want anyone to think their life is an open book...I don't even know who you are LOL It is something I decided to do, simply because it is in my nature to be a fact finder. I don't just find them, I research where they come from (most of the time negating their validity)
So why is changing ones mind such a trauma, such a dilemma ?How many times a day do we, in fact, change our minds? I wake up thinking I'm having cornflakes and have grits instead. I was going shopping and decide to clean stalls instead...I was going to finish a quilt project and started a new one instead. Life is full of change and certainly when contemplating something as important as a life altering surgery, one should be entitled to change their mind often, until they get it right.
This is something we do for OURSELVES so women have a hard time with it. We are so used to doing everything for our families or with them in mind. We tend to worry about all the ramifications of this surgery involving them...We do not seem to consider the fact that in losing weight, we not only become healthier, we can do more with our families, for our families and chances are we will be around longer to enjoy our families. So having the surgery is an easy choice...which to have is a harder choice and only the person making that choice knows in their heart which is best for them. Lets face it, both are a radical way to lose weight...However, if you've tried everything else and failed, chances are you suffer from a disease of Obesity and you're not just over weight...There is a difference..recognize it and deal with which one you are. I don't think anyone should rush into this surgery. The time allowed to us is for a reason, it should be used wisely and with a great deal of thought and research.
I am extremely happy with my choice...it changed my life in so many ways I've lost count. I can honestly say I am happier then I've been in a very long time and much healthier.
It wasn't a cure all, but it certainly made life more enjoyable just to be thinner....Now I contemplate yet another surgery to remove excess skin....Does it ever end?
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Time Just keep s Passing
Days get so busy and never seem to end the way we plan...Hell mine don't even begin how they're planned...
I can have a day all planned out and one phone call can change everything...Like last week, I had planned out my day (I very productive one I might add) but then a call came that Matt missed dialysis, which lead to sending a friend of mine to his apt. which lead to Police and Hospitals and....the day did NOT go as planned, neither did the next one or the one after that.
I think if I was as smart as people seem to think I am...I'd stop planning my days and just go with the flow. Much easier, much less stress and frustration.
I still haven't started my visits for the Graston Technique or for therapy...Next Tuesday is the day....Did I mention when Rich questioned the doctor as to why he keeps stressing the painful procedure...the doc said he had an athlete bite a towel in half? So stay tuned for this one...my life is quite an adventure when I stand on the outside looking in LOL
My public speak adventure went well last Tuesday...I received a lot of compliments...One man came up and told me how impressed he was that I did not use a "Cheat sheet" he said every Motivational Speaker he ever saw needed noted...WOW is that what I am? A motivational Speaker...I like that handle. Several people remarked about my lack of notes...like it was something real special, who watches stuff like that? I'd never notice....I didn't have notes simply because I hadn't had the time to write any. I thought about writing some cue's on my hand and then figured what the hell...why not just let it come from the heart...It seemed to work just fine.
In between running for Butterfly supplies I'm trying to get ready for a show we are doing...Tried making up some Fairy babies and when they cooked they darkened to little Spanish fairies...I broke off the head of a big fairy I was working on and an ear fell off another. I decided it wasn't a good day for fairies to be born and put all the clay away.
I'm sure there are people who know me (or think they do) that believe I have a very charmed existence...While that may be true in some respects (heaven knows I DO have an angel on my shoulder) ,my days are no different than anyone elses. Some are better then others and some just suck all together....but each one is a gift .
My visit with Bob was good...allow me to brag a bit by saying I weigh exactly what I did last year...woohooo I figure once this *&^%$ foot is fixed and I can walk without wanting to scream...I can get back to exercise and knock off another few pounds...but I'm very contented where I am...Have a great day everyone.....
I can have a day all planned out and one phone call can change everything...Like last week, I had planned out my day (I very productive one I might add) but then a call came that Matt missed dialysis, which lead to sending a friend of mine to his apt. which lead to Police and Hospitals and....the day did NOT go as planned, neither did the next one or the one after that.
I think if I was as smart as people seem to think I am...I'd stop planning my days and just go with the flow. Much easier, much less stress and frustration.
I still haven't started my visits for the Graston Technique or for therapy...Next Tuesday is the day....Did I mention when Rich questioned the doctor as to why he keeps stressing the painful procedure...the doc said he had an athlete bite a towel in half? So stay tuned for this one...my life is quite an adventure when I stand on the outside looking in LOL
My public speak adventure went well last Tuesday...I received a lot of compliments...One man came up and told me how impressed he was that I did not use a "Cheat sheet" he said every Motivational Speaker he ever saw needed noted...WOW is that what I am? A motivational Speaker...I like that handle. Several people remarked about my lack of notes...like it was something real special, who watches stuff like that? I'd never notice....I didn't have notes simply because I hadn't had the time to write any. I thought about writing some cue's on my hand and then figured what the hell...why not just let it come from the heart...It seemed to work just fine.
In between running for Butterfly supplies I'm trying to get ready for a show we are doing...Tried making up some Fairy babies and when they cooked they darkened to little Spanish fairies...I broke off the head of a big fairy I was working on and an ear fell off another. I decided it wasn't a good day for fairies to be born and put all the clay away.
I'm sure there are people who know me (or think they do) that believe I have a very charmed existence...While that may be true in some respects (heaven knows I DO have an angel on my shoulder) ,my days are no different than anyone elses. Some are better then others and some just suck all together....but each one is a gift .
My visit with Bob was good...allow me to brag a bit by saying I weigh exactly what I did last year...woohooo I figure once this *&^%$ foot is fixed and I can walk without wanting to scream...I can get back to exercise and knock off another few pounds...but I'm very contented where I am...Have a great day everyone.....
Inner Peace
If you can start the day without caffine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
if you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If tyou can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time or attention,
If you can take criticism and balme without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
.............Then you are probably the family dog.
Sent to me by a friend...It made me smile...How about you?
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
if you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If tyou can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time or attention,
If you can take criticism and balme without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
.............Then you are probably the family dog.
Sent to me by a friend...It made me smile...How about you?
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Things I learn from Animals
The morning was quiet, there was the sound of light drizzle through the tree's and the goats were doing what they do best...eating.
As I sat watching them, I noticed how one would use the other to boost himself up to reach a higher branch. They would take turns like that, both feeling that the top just had to be better,
Isn't it odd, I thought, that humans do the exact opposite, when one is trying to reach a higher goal he seldom helps the one beneath him, when a runner wants to win a race, he isn't about to stop and pick up the guy who fell..oh I probably would as would others that had no intention of finishing first anyway...there is a difference.
I heard foot falls in the woods, wondering is it the deer, perhaps the wolf...oh crap what if it's the Bear? How would I protect the goats? I do not carry a gun nor any other weapon...how would I fend off a wolf from making dinner of my goats. I had to giggle at my vivid imagination, but I realized: As human we consider ourselves so far above other critters who dwell with us on this planet...we place ourselves at the top of the food chain...there is nothing we can't kill and eat...But wait....With no man made weapon, I am as vulnerable as the goats. I am not higher on the food chain then they are and there are many animals above me...the lion, tiger and bear to name a few. Suddenly I do not feel all that superior to creatures around me. I am told that what makes us human is our ability to "reason". I think perhaps the person that decided that, didn't spend enough time with other living things...you can see reason in the eyes of animals, I have seen the ability to "figure it out" in a great many animals. I think as humans we consider ourselves far more GRAND then we really are. If some catastrophic event happen tomorrow we, as humans, would cease to exist...can't say the same for the animals. They would survive, not by their ability to reason but by their instinct of knowing what to do.
Each day I make a point of spending time with my animals, they are my greatest teachers. What I have learned from them I could never have learned in a classroom. I often feel sorry for people who haven't experienced the joy I get from each minute spent with another living creature..To observe them is to see the hand of God at work. I even learned something about weight problems through my animals...but that's for another day...I have some critters to go play with.
As I sat watching them, I noticed how one would use the other to boost himself up to reach a higher branch. They would take turns like that, both feeling that the top just had to be better,
Isn't it odd, I thought, that humans do the exact opposite, when one is trying to reach a higher goal he seldom helps the one beneath him, when a runner wants to win a race, he isn't about to stop and pick up the guy who fell..oh I probably would as would others that had no intention of finishing first anyway...there is a difference.
I heard foot falls in the woods, wondering is it the deer, perhaps the wolf...oh crap what if it's the Bear? How would I protect the goats? I do not carry a gun nor any other weapon...how would I fend off a wolf from making dinner of my goats. I had to giggle at my vivid imagination, but I realized: As human we consider ourselves so far above other critters who dwell with us on this planet...we place ourselves at the top of the food chain...there is nothing we can't kill and eat...But wait....With no man made weapon, I am as vulnerable as the goats. I am not higher on the food chain then they are and there are many animals above me...the lion, tiger and bear to name a few. Suddenly I do not feel all that superior to creatures around me. I am told that what makes us human is our ability to "reason". I think perhaps the person that decided that, didn't spend enough time with other living things...you can see reason in the eyes of animals, I have seen the ability to "figure it out" in a great many animals. I think as humans we consider ourselves far more GRAND then we really are. If some catastrophic event happen tomorrow we, as humans, would cease to exist...can't say the same for the animals. They would survive, not by their ability to reason but by their instinct of knowing what to do.
Each day I make a point of spending time with my animals, they are my greatest teachers. What I have learned from them I could never have learned in a classroom. I often feel sorry for people who haven't experienced the joy I get from each minute spent with another living creature..To observe them is to see the hand of God at work. I even learned something about weight problems through my animals...but that's for another day...I have some critters to go play with.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Goodbye to Company
Well it has been a busy week, in spite of how my foot is feeling I was able to do shopping with Karen and Krista for some school clothes. Gosh the outfits they have for girls these days are frightening...
Karen and Krista both helped me with my studio. I've got some new cubies and that one thing people can do for me...refold fabric so it fits into the cubies. It is starting to look like it once did and that makes me very happy. I've got a long way to go and promised myself instead of facing it for 8 to 10 hours...I will get as much done in an hour as I can and then move on to things that are more fun. I will also dedicate 2 hours a day to Christmas gifts..I have plenty of time, so hopefully that plan will work.
The kids left early thins morning in the pouring rain...Rain always makes me tired but I had so much to catch up on I didn't get to go back to bed...However, it is still raining and I think a nap is in order...I now understand why God doesn't want "older women" to have babies...It's fine when they are baby babies...but when they grow older, you need a great deal of extra energy and stamina...Perhaps I just have a much quieter existence now...What ever the case...It NAP TIME!!!
Karen and Krista both helped me with my studio. I've got some new cubies and that one thing people can do for me...refold fabric so it fits into the cubies. It is starting to look like it once did and that makes me very happy. I've got a long way to go and promised myself instead of facing it for 8 to 10 hours...I will get as much done in an hour as I can and then move on to things that are more fun. I will also dedicate 2 hours a day to Christmas gifts..I have plenty of time, so hopefully that plan will work.
The kids left early thins morning in the pouring rain...Rain always makes me tired but I had so much to catch up on I didn't get to go back to bed...However, it is still raining and I think a nap is in order...I now understand why God doesn't want "older women" to have babies...It's fine when they are baby babies...but when they grow older, you need a great deal of extra energy and stamina...Perhaps I just have a much quieter existence now...What ever the case...It NAP TIME!!!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Rough Road
That it has been for the past few weeks. It is tough trying to do all I usually do with ease, limping along and doing it much slower.
As I have said many times. The reason I did not get the band , is because I have no patience with myself. This carries over in other aspects of my life. I want everything done yesterday and everything PERFECT...LOL I laugh when I write that because my students tell me if there is one word they associate with me it's "Perfect", not that I am...but every time they make a block or sew a row that looks the way it should, I say "Perfect!!", when they feel it is far from it...
I have always been a perfectionist when it comes to things I do. Yet I don't expect people around me to be perfect...and I'm very accepting of the fact that "No one is perfect"...Yet I put a great demand on myself to exceed my limits, thus causing myself stress where there shouldn't be.
I've been working on that. People around me are a great help. I see those who are so far from perfect it is pathetic (although they think they are), yet everything is just "fine", they see perfection in everything they do and it amazes me...It's like "Hellooooo" but then I realize it is all part of their happiness within themselves...Say you are perfect and you are...that kind of rationalization....
I'm cranky with myself...not sure why..The pain I am in is bound to cease. Most pain does. The fact that I can' take anything that will calm it was my own choice back in Oct of 2008. So what the hell am I complaining about?
See that's why I write everything down. I look at what I've written and realize just how well off I am. If life did not have pain, how would we know when we weren't in pain? It is an acceptable fact of life to me...So why am I bitching? I guess because it slows me up and I don't like being slow. I also have a great deal ahead of me...making Christmas gifts, a few Fairs Marilyn and I would like to participate in, classes to schedule..Perhaps I should concentrate on one thing, instead of the whole picture....Then it won't be so overwhelming...
Today I will work some more on my studio with Krista's help.She has been very good about packing up fabric for me so I can reorganize. It's quite a chore...
WOW!! Writing things down really does make a body feel better, even lighter....aaaaaaahhhh
As I have said many times. The reason I did not get the band , is because I have no patience with myself. This carries over in other aspects of my life. I want everything done yesterday and everything PERFECT...LOL I laugh when I write that because my students tell me if there is one word they associate with me it's "Perfect", not that I am...but every time they make a block or sew a row that looks the way it should, I say "Perfect!!", when they feel it is far from it...
I have always been a perfectionist when it comes to things I do. Yet I don't expect people around me to be perfect...and I'm very accepting of the fact that "No one is perfect"...Yet I put a great demand on myself to exceed my limits, thus causing myself stress where there shouldn't be.
I've been working on that. People around me are a great help. I see those who are so far from perfect it is pathetic (although they think they are), yet everything is just "fine", they see perfection in everything they do and it amazes me...It's like "Hellooooo" but then I realize it is all part of their happiness within themselves...Say you are perfect and you are...that kind of rationalization....
I'm cranky with myself...not sure why..The pain I am in is bound to cease. Most pain does. The fact that I can' take anything that will calm it was my own choice back in Oct of 2008. So what the hell am I complaining about?
See that's why I write everything down. I look at what I've written and realize just how well off I am. If life did not have pain, how would we know when we weren't in pain? It is an acceptable fact of life to me...So why am I bitching? I guess because it slows me up and I don't like being slow. I also have a great deal ahead of me...making Christmas gifts, a few Fairs Marilyn and I would like to participate in, classes to schedule..Perhaps I should concentrate on one thing, instead of the whole picture....Then it won't be so overwhelming...
Today I will work some more on my studio with Krista's help.She has been very good about packing up fabric for me so I can reorganize. It's quite a chore...
WOW!! Writing things down really does make a body feel better, even lighter....aaaaaaahhhh
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