Oh the amazing rebirth the earth and all her inhabitants go through when the sunshine comes with a little warmth. I love the spring for many reasons. One of the biggest is, when the warmth comes with the sunshine it means I get to be outdoors!!!!
I am so excited that tomorrow will be my first day in my greenhouse in 2012. I have had all my seeds for two weeks already and haven't been able to get outside because of the cold. I know I have gone into Cold Urticaria (allergy to cold tempurature) before so I won't bore you with the details. If you havent' been here before I dont' know what this is click on the word "Cold Urticaria" and it will take you to a site that will give some good information.
What am I going to plant? It will have to be a surprise. I am going to blog about the progress of my greenhouse this year and post pictures as they happen. I will take my first set of pictures tomorrow.
My greenhouse is a gift of love from four men whom I love dearly and who love me in turn.
Darwin.... my one and only love and hero. He knows how much I love to be in the greenhouse and how because of the extra heat that is there that it allows me to get outside a little sooner than would other wise happen. Darwin designed it and worked with me on the details of the benches and where I wanted electricity and water and light. And he constructed it.
Dustin... my dear son. He knows how much I love to be in my greenhouse. Since he was a little kid he loved to be in the dirt and grow things. He didn't even mind picking weeds sometimes. He just has a common sense in the greenhouse and helps me work through things to try. Dustin helped in the construction of it.
Dad... well Dad has worked in the garden many years when I was growing up. He would set things up for Mom to have a nice garden and would help with some of the things that she needed help with. He says he helped in the garden as a little guy too. He painted the wood for the greenhouse.
Corey.... my dear son in law. He is always so encouraging with what is going on in the greenhouse. He didn't build anything on the greenhouse but he continues to be a big encourager and always takes interest in what I have going on in there.
Bethany and Audrey... my adorable granddaughters, are a huge help in the greenhouse. It is one of my favorite things to do with the girls. Being a Grammy allows me the extra time to take to explain and show the girls things that I didn't have when my kids were small. The girls love to be in there and love to see things grow. They love getting cucumbers and tomatoes out of there to take home to have for their salads. It is a true joy to give them some.
Ashley.... my beautiful daughter, is very encouraging with the greenhouse as well. She is multi talented and takes on a lot of tasks but gardening hasn't been one of her passions. She encourages me through her desire to eat healthy and appreciates that I dont' use sprays etc so she knows it is good healthy wholesome food that comes out of there. She loves to feed her family with healthy foods.
Kaie... my beautiful daughter in law...she was so excited when I gave her and Dustin a pot last year with tomatoes, and herbs etc in there. One day they are wanting to have a greenhouse together. She loves to eat healthy wholesome foods and loves to be able to pick tomatoes off the vine for herself.
Mom... my beautiful Mom. Mom helped me learn to love to garden. When I was a kid she used to spend a lot of time in her garden and little greenhouse. She grew many things. I learned so much from her and the things she would put on our table. One of the things Mom used to grow up against the house was her Gladiolas. They were amazing! I remember as a little girl thinking that when I grew up I wanted a garden too. And well... my greenhouse is my garden along with my roses around the yard. Thanks Mom!
I have a garden in my greenhouse, but I have a garden in my heart of people who are such a huge part of my life. They are what make me smile and fill my heart with joy. What more can I want than the love of a Heavenly Father and the love of a dear little family. the sunshine she reminds me of some of the many blessings I have in my life.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Menus- Friend or Fo
There are all kinds of menus. Walk into any restaurant and see what is placed before you... a menu. Some menus are basic and to the point while others have pages and pages of choices that make your mouth water and your tummy grumble. It isn't the menu that is bad for us... it is the choice we make off of it.
Where am I going with this? Well one of the things I really took to heart while being part of the Transformation.com community was making out a menu. I thought before hand that all it was going to do was ramp up the cost of my groceries and while there are deals out there in general food is expensive. One of the biggest surprises I got was how much money I saved by having a menu. When I wrote out the menu I made up a grocery list right from the recipes and choices I had made. Well that stops impulse shopping and ohhhh that is a good deal shopping. You know you aren't going to eat it
So yes, I have become fond of menus. Healthy spaces was one of the assignments in the transformation process and doing that and shopping off a menu has left my cupboards and fridge a lot healthier. Do I still blow it from time to time. oh yea sure do... But by not setting myself up for failure I succeed in the days that are the tough ones.
I designed a spreadsheet in Excel that on one worksheet I put my weekly menu in it and then I have 7 other worksheets for each day of the week. I track my food, my work outs and my devotions as well as things that are tugging my heart to pray for and things I am grateful for. I may not have come out of Transformation.com a champ (I didn't go in thinking I would), but I came out with some tools that I believe are good. Not just to get healthy and get into a size 4 pants, but because it helps my days have focus. Spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I was posting them here in my blog but decided not to do that any more as it takes so much time and really some of those things are private things. Each of us does what we need for ourselves. If you want to use my excel template send me a private email to jackies1heart@hotmail.com and I will email it to you for your use.
Menus are either my enemy (in a restaurant) or my friend... in my Home. My menu is filled with yummy foods too...but not a million choices... rather choices I made with my health in mind days before it got here.
I am still learning and growing in the process of getting to my goal weight and size. I am not a guru, nor am I a perfect example of a great body... but I, like millions of others are trying and learning and growing (shrinking) one lesson at a time... today my reflection is on.... a planned weekly menu... it help ME-N-U get healthier and make daily wiser choices.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Marathons are NOT only for those who Run.
I was part of a great community at Transformation.com. During my time there I learned a lot about myself, my health and about believing in the abilities that God has given to all of us. We are given a body. We are only issued one and we are given free choice with that body. We can either really take care of it, sort of take care of it or completely ignore it. We are given a free will choice in our physical health, mental health and spiritual health. Those choices are only in the areas we have control over sometimes we dont' get a choice as to what happens to our body and mind, but we always have a choice spiritually. That is another post for another day.
Learning about myself was a new journey. I had learned that I am worth taking care. I bet you are thinking "well that isn't rocket science", but for me it was a new journey. It isn't about being selfish, it is about taking care of myself so that I not only have energy for me,but to be my best to provide my family with a healthy wife, mom and grandmother.. I was so scared. My dear, dear friends Shane and Georgeann Anderson encouraged me and shadowed me as I learned to find the reasons to say YES I can do this, and not repeat to myself over and over again "no you can't do it". Well... I did it. and oh boy was that amazing. I did it with Darwin. We both accomplished something that we never ever thought we would be able to do. It was amazing. :-)
Then last year in April we both did the Vancouver Sun Run 10k and then in June I did the Seattle 1/2 marathon. If you would have told me 4 years ago I would have done any of that I would have told you that you were crazy. Really nuts! Because I never believed I could do it. I never knew you were allowed to walk these things. Some run, some run really fast, some jog, some wog (walk and jog) some walk and some walk really slow. It doesn't matter. So long as you complete it...it doesn't matter.
Well, Darwin and I are again signed up for the Vancouver Sun Run and the Seattle 1/2 Marathon. We are going to make a weekend of both weekends as our vacation time this year. It is not only time to get away but time to re-energize again. It does that you know?
You leave the race worn out.. almost exhausted but totally energized. To be in the place where everyone there is of like mind. All are trying to accomplish the same thing. Some with a time goal in mind, others it is there first time to run it, and others just to walk it...like us. Walking it gives the same energy, the same excitement and the same joy to know ... " I CAN do it!!!!!"
If you are wanting to come up with something that will challenge you to challenge yourself then why not join us. We will gladly walk with who ever...or start out with who ever and each one goes at their own pace and meets up at the end. I am stoked...nervous... but stoked.
Am I nervous? Oh yea for sure! It is time to start working towards that goal and it is work. But really anything worth having is worth working for. You can use either of the races to raise money for something. Whatever your reasons... it is something that if you haven't done... try it at least once in your life... you CAN do it. I have included below the links for the two... come and join us. Let us know..we can encourage each other as we prepare to do this. We CAN do this!!!!
Here is are the links to register:
Vancouver Sun Run April 15, 2012 / Sunday
Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon June 25, 2012 / Saturday
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Ever wonder "what have we done"?
The other night I was busy working in the office and all of a sudden I was cut off the internet. 
This is apparently a picture of an internet graph.
That isn't a good thing when that is such a huge part of my job is off. So, in my estimation it must have meant that there was something wrong in the communcation between the modem and the router. Nope... that was all good. So I restarted the computer. Nope that that didn't do it. I tried a few things MANY times and finally had to leave to go to my granddaughters birthday party. When I arrived at our daughter and son in laws home they said not to worry something was wrong with the cellular lines in general. We evenutally found out that some how a fire at one of the pallet places had cause the problem. Ok, so then that would mean there would be hours without it so... enjoy the party. And we did!
Well on the way home I stopped in at Future Shop, it was dead. One other customer and myself. I talked to them about the internet and they told me the same thing. They said it basically meant for a horribly quiet night.
People, what have we done. We have taken the freedom we had to go anywhere with out the bondage of someone else controlling what we do. Our lives (and I am someone who loves to play with technology) .. have been taken over in a way. Our cell phones, our telephones, our computers, our jobs and in some ways our kids are all controlled by this technology. Could we have stopped it? Not likely. Could we have protested? No, it is bigger and faster than we even have time to stop and even understand it.
Now, don't get me wrong I am not saying that all of technology is bad. Our dependance can become bad. what if the internet had not come back on. Would that have held things up? Yes of course. And as for cell phones, we use them daily. I remember going to get groceries 45 mins away from home long before we had cell phones and did it without trepadation. Now.. well it is hard to even go to town without it because of being concerned we might miss something.
Where amd I going? Ok, well our dependance needs to be on God. Plain and simple. He is the only one that has not changed. He doesn't need technology to be with us.
He is with us where ever we go. (Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”)
He is there to communicate with, no internet needed (Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.)
I have to admitt that I was pretty shaken when my cell phone and my internet was down. I do a lot on both. All of it constructive, communication or entertainment. I had to face the fact that I need to make sure that I am putting more of my confidence in Jesus my Lord, Saviour and Heavenly Dad. It is there that my heart truly lays and is renewed daily. He is my hope, my life and my confidence not only in this day and the days here on this old technology filled earth, but in my heavenly home.
Meals doing good today. Decided to not work out today... a quiet sleepy day. Needed this.
This is apparently a picture of an internet graph. That isn't a good thing when that is such a huge part of my job is off. So, in my estimation it must have meant that there was something wrong in the communcation between the modem and the router. Nope... that was all good. So I restarted the computer. Nope that that didn't do it. I tried a few things MANY times and finally had to leave to go to my granddaughters birthday party. When I arrived at our daughter and son in laws home they said not to worry something was wrong with the cellular lines in general. We evenutally found out that some how a fire at one of the pallet places had cause the problem. Ok, so then that would mean there would be hours without it so... enjoy the party. And we did!
Well on the way home I stopped in at Future Shop, it was dead. One other customer and myself. I talked to them about the internet and they told me the same thing. They said it basically meant for a horribly quiet night.
People, what have we done. We have taken the freedom we had to go anywhere with out the bondage of someone else controlling what we do. Our lives (and I am someone who loves to play with technology) .. have been taken over in a way. Our cell phones, our telephones, our computers, our jobs and in some ways our kids are all controlled by this technology. Could we have stopped it? Not likely. Could we have protested? No, it is bigger and faster than we even have time to stop and even understand it.
Now, don't get me wrong I am not saying that all of technology is bad. Our dependance can become bad. what if the internet had not come back on. Would that have held things up? Yes of course. And as for cell phones, we use them daily. I remember going to get groceries 45 mins away from home long before we had cell phones and did it without trepadation. Now.. well it is hard to even go to town without it because of being concerned we might miss something.
Where amd I going? Ok, well our dependance needs to be on God. Plain and simple. He is the only one that has not changed. He doesn't need technology to be with us.
He is with us where ever we go. (Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”)
He is there to communicate with, no internet needed (Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.)
I have to admitt that I was pretty shaken when my cell phone and my internet was down. I do a lot on both. All of it constructive, communication or entertainment. I had to face the fact that I need to make sure that I am putting more of my confidence in Jesus my Lord, Saviour and Heavenly Dad. It is there that my heart truly lays and is renewed daily. He is my hope, my life and my confidence not only in this day and the days here on this old technology filled earth, but in my heavenly home.
Meals doing good today. Decided to not work out today... a quiet sleepy day. Needed this.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Frustration is like riding a YoYo
Well... it seems as if the weekends are going to be my challenge for life. I plan, shop according to my plan, work hard all well and stay the course...thennnn... da ta da... the weekend hits.
It isn't that I make super lousy choices. It is just that my portions are not good. We end up eating out a lot on the weekends and there starts the problem. I go out the door with my plan in my head as to what i will order. Then blow it. Yes, I take full responsiblity for "choices". It is too easy to blame anyone and everyone around you for choices made...ask me... I am a pro.
So... starting this week with a good CLEAR plan and making GOOD choices and a positive attitude to this coming weekend... not going to look back but to look ahead. (Yes I am standing on the soap box in front of my mirror...this "chat" is for me) I am going to make this week a good one. I am not going to get discouraged. I am going to work through this... at the very least I am making myself healthier one day at a time.
Yesterday I listened to a podcast that Ashley sent me. It was very interesting. The three topics were Diabetes, PCOS and Thyroid. All very interesting to me. Why?
I have PCOS... Poly cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Look it up... for more details. There was a lot of the information on it that I already had been told over time by various folks. One thing I didn't know... and have said for years not knowing I was right on.. is this. Someone with PCOS has increased amount of testosterone..(hence the facial hair blah blah)... well with that comes the increase in muscle mass. I have said over the past 3 years that I have a pile of muscle underneath what you see on the outside. Grab my legs or my arms and there is a ton of muscle...strong dense muscle there...I have solid abs under that there muffin top. I have said THAT is one of the most frustrating things for me. My cholesterol down, BP healthy, reduced meds, maintained 50lbs off...those are all good things. The battle to get to my goal weight is definetly affected by the PCOS and now Menopause thrown in there doesnt help. I am not using any of these as excuses as it may appear to some. It is part of my life and my journey. PCOS usually leads to Diabetes and I am working hard to be sure that isn't going to happen.
Right now fighting frustration... but I will work through it. I know I can... I know I can.
Frustration... Yo Yo.... better to be on a Yo Yo than to quit.
It isn't that I make super lousy choices. It is just that my portions are not good. We end up eating out a lot on the weekends and there starts the problem. I go out the door with my plan in my head as to what i will order. Then blow it. Yes, I take full responsiblity for "choices". It is too easy to blame anyone and everyone around you for choices made...ask me... I am a pro.
So... starting this week with a good CLEAR plan and making GOOD choices and a positive attitude to this coming weekend... not going to look back but to look ahead. (Yes I am standing on the soap box in front of my mirror...this "chat" is for me) I am going to make this week a good one. I am not going to get discouraged. I am going to work through this... at the very least I am making myself healthier one day at a time.
Yesterday I listened to a podcast that Ashley sent me. It was very interesting. The three topics were Diabetes, PCOS and Thyroid. All very interesting to me. Why?
I have PCOS... Poly cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Look it up... for more details. There was a lot of the information on it that I already had been told over time by various folks. One thing I didn't know... and have said for years not knowing I was right on.. is this. Someone with PCOS has increased amount of testosterone..(hence the facial hair blah blah)... well with that comes the increase in muscle mass. I have said over the past 3 years that I have a pile of muscle underneath what you see on the outside. Grab my legs or my arms and there is a ton of muscle...strong dense muscle there...I have solid abs under that there muffin top. I have said THAT is one of the most frustrating things for me. My cholesterol down, BP healthy, reduced meds, maintained 50lbs off...those are all good things. The battle to get to my goal weight is definetly affected by the PCOS and now Menopause thrown in there doesnt help. I am not using any of these as excuses as it may appear to some. It is part of my life and my journey. PCOS usually leads to Diabetes and I am working hard to be sure that isn't going to happen.
Right now fighting frustration... but I will work through it. I know I can... I know I can.
Frustration... Yo Yo.... better to be on a Yo Yo than to quit.
| Date | |||
| 24-Jan-12 | |||
| Verse | |||
| "The goal of this command is love, which | |||
| comes from a pure heart & a good | |||
| conscience and a sincdere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 | |||
| Meals | |||
| Breakfast | Oatmeal, Strawberries 1% milk & Red Grapes | ||
| Lunch | Chicken , Green Salad, balsamic Dressing | ||
| Meal 3 | Apple & Cheese | ||
| Supper | Moose Flank Steak, Brown Rice, Asparagus | ||
| Meal 5 | Cottage cheese with an orange | ||
| Gratitude List | |||
| My patient Heavenly Father | |||
| My wonderful husband | |||
| My health | |||
| My family | |||
| My home | |||
| Prayer List | |||
| Dear friends looking for work | |||
| Paul & Ruthanne | |||
| Private prayer list | |||
| Family traveling mercies | |||
| My Mom's legs | |||
| Work Out | |||
| Cardio 2 miles… 30 mins. | |||
Thursday, January 19, 2012
GREAT work out this morning!
The winds continue to blow. It is cold out there! Cabin fever is setting in. Good thing I have lots to do.
I really pushed myself in my work out today and feel good about it. Funny thing is that somedays are amazing and other days it takes every ounce of push I can muster. Today was an energy burst at 6am. I used the total gym for my strength training part. Wow... pushed me!!!! And I did the pyramid for one of the intervals . Pyramid is doing equal amount of push ups to crunches starting at 10 and working down to 1. Each set of crunches I changed and challenged myself that way. Wow...felt great!
Meals will be the biggest challenge today because of Darwin's work schedule meals will be scattered. I need to really be focused. Plan in place... see what happens from here.
I really pushed myself in my work out today and feel good about it. Funny thing is that somedays are amazing and other days it takes every ounce of push I can muster. Today was an energy burst at 6am. I used the total gym for my strength training part. Wow... pushed me!!!! And I did the pyramid for one of the intervals . Pyramid is doing equal amount of push ups to crunches starting at 10 and working down to 1. Each set of crunches I changed and challenged myself that way. Wow...felt great!
Meals will be the biggest challenge today because of Darwin's work schedule meals will be scattered. I need to really be focused. Plan in place... see what happens from here.
| Date | |||
| 19-Jan-12 | |||
| Verse | |||
| 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be | |||
| prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the | |||
| reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness & respect" | |||
| MEALS | |||
| Breakfast | EFL Golden Pancakes | ||
| Lunch | Ham and Salad | ||
| Meal 3 | almonds and cheese | ||
| Supper | Elk burger with quinoa and cauliflower | ||
| Meal 5 | Protein Shake | ||
| Gratitude List | |||
| The house is warm today! | |||
| work out went really well | |||
| That I have Mom's story to write out | |||
| God sees me and knows me and loves me anyways | |||
| That God wants us to talk to Him…so thankful for that. | |||
| Prayer List | |||
| Family of the young woman that passed away | |||
| Lorna | |||
| Paul and Ruthanne | |||
| Safety for my family | |||
| My private prayer list | |||
| Work Out | |||
| Interval strength training and cardio. Used the total | |||
| gym for the strength training portion. Feel strong today!!!! | |||
| For part of my interval I did Pyramid. Equal amounts of push up to crunches. I alternated types of crunches Felt great! | |||
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
His Eye is on the Sparrow and I know He's watching me.
Cold Urticaria... ever heard of that before? It is a condition that makes your skin allergic to cold tempuratures. Yes, it is ok, you can say it.... it is wierd. Let's put a different twist on it. It makes me and the others out there that have this "unique". It creates precarious situations from time to time with cold weather and even cutting cold tomatoes. Here is a link that will help you understand a little more if you are interested. The pictures of the ice cube test... my reaction was so bad in involved my whole forearm and took the feeling out for a day. Not fun. http://www.dermnetnz.org/reactions/cold-urticaria.html
By now you are probably wondering what that has to do with my choice in title of this blog. What does this have to do with a Sparrow? Well, it is like this.
The wind is howling outside enough that the radio said it makes the wind chill at -23c. Not nice...a day that I am forced to stay inside. It could be lethal for me. So.. I was down stairs in our little home "gym". I was on the treadmill walking as fast as my legs could carry me. In my heart I have been struggling with what happens every year we have cold, cold tempuratures...I fight depression. Not the kind that require medication, but the deep sense of panic and helplessness should I have to leave my home. Hard to explain but that is just the way it is. Well... when I was speed walking and fighting those old "evil" panic feelings I looked out my window. The treadmill is beside the window. Guess who landed on the bench beside the window right beside me on the other side of the glass? Yes, you are right... a dear little Sparrow. He looked at me with his sweet little eyes tilting his head from side to side. His little body was puffed up and yet he stood on that bench stable and secure. He watched me for about 5 mins and then flew away. The wind is powerful out there yet this little bird looked strong. Was he there to say thank you for the food that is in the back yard? Or was he there to give me assurance that if God is watching over him in the cold winds of this day that my Heavenly Dad was watching over me? Was it to remind me that panic is a source of confusion and that Jesus is not the author of confusion but of peace. Not the kind that makes any sense...it is a peace that passes all understanding.
Thank you dear Sparrow for reminding me the I truly am in the arms of Jesus.
Here is the lyrics to the old Hymn
His Eye is on the Sparrow
Verse 1:
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for Heav'n and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
A constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches over me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Refrain:
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches (I know he watches)
(I know he watches me)
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me (He watches me)
He watches me (I know he watches me)
Verse 2:
"Let not your heart be troubled,"
His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Verse 3:
Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
From care He sets me free:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He cares for me.
| Date | |||
| Wednesday January 18, 2012 | |||
| Verse | |||
| "Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to | |||
| withstand in the evil day, and | |||
| having done all to stand. Ephesians 6:13 | |||
| Meals | |||
| Breakfast | Grapes and a Protein Shake with home frozen fresh blueberries and strawberries | ||
| Lunch | Chicken with green salad | ||
| Meal 3 | almonds and cheese | ||
| Supper | Chicken with asparagus and brown rice | ||
| Meal 5 | cottage cheese | ||
| Gratitude List | |||
| That I am not having to go anywhere with this horrible wind | |||
| My folks and their life stories | |||
| My wonderful kids and grandkids | |||
| My marriage | |||
| My bible and how having a new one is like gaining a new friend | |||
| Prayer List | |||
| Corey driving on the mountain highways today | |||
| Dustin and the cold | |||
| Audrey healing | |||
| My private prayer list | |||
| Work for a fellow who is in my heart kind of like another kid. | |||
| Work Out | |||
| Cardio today. 2 miles. Interval in speed walking and | |||
| slower walking. Intervals with incline as well | |||
| Feel good about effort and that it is done! :) | |||
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