Working out. Is it?

💕Dear Fat, I am used to you being with me all the time. But could you, just for a while, go away and leave me trim and thin like when I was 5? I know, not gonna happen. But don't we just wish this sometimes?📝

💬I have some little residual fat pockets on my self, a few more than I'd like to have, and no matter the cause, I am still not happy with them. As I age, they aren't cute or accepted like when I was having cute little babies. Now that I'm headed toward grandmother world, I am more  concerned about these little residual fat pockets on my self. Hmmm, what to do? Maybe I should include a workout idea here along with my other mentoring ideas. I won't today but it's a thought turning into reality some time in the near future. I will be working out, the idea and my self to see if I can minimize my little residual fat pockets I am not longing to keep.

🍒Meal Tip: Since I am getting more conscious of my little residual fat pockets on my self, I am trying to eat more "clean." Clean eating means less process foods, less white sugar, bread, rice, and more natural foods like raw veggies or blanched/roasted with little spices, low salt, no sugar and MOST of all, a healthy amount of carbs, not "no carbs" diet. So try this yummy lusciousness of a dinner/lunch/breakfast idea: Chicken Tostadas

https://ifoodreal.com/chicken-tostadas/

🏠Household Tip: Take a room, move the furniture around. You'd be surprised how much you'll like it, or realize you like it where you had it. Leave it that way for a month, if you can. Put it back if you really dislike it. You never know, you may see the world differently with the new arrangement. And of course, there comes some extra dust bunnies and pockets of dirt; you may even find that missing sock or earring!

🌼Parenting Tip: Screen time. Well, we all do it, just do we limit for ourselves like we limit it for our children? They do mimic us, remember that from parenting classes or from Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil? So maybe the screen time adjustment needs to happen for us more than for our kids. I am getting back to reading a book, a paper one. Try it. The library is still there and still smells great, quiet and welcoming for you. I sometimes like to spend all my spare time there, not wanting to leave. Nothing bad happens in the library (or the gym, where I am right now).

Bye Warm, Lovely Summer. I miss you already.

two thoughts into one, accusation and forgiveness

💕You have never been accused of wrongdoing until you understand your intentions are so misunderstood that someone close to you thinks the worst. Intentions are what drive us but what is viewed by another, the truth that is twisted so far from the truth, is what gets noticed. It is terrible and many times irreparable. It's when others, not involved, who believe the misconception. It's hurtful and forgivable. The takeaway? Believe the best about others even when it appears they meant harm because they didn't. 📝

💬Things that are forgivable leave scars on the person who was hurt. It's inevitable. They move on but there is always that scar that is numb, tingly, tough, and can be painful at times. Forgiveness is the only option to move on though. It helps with learning to trust again, and again, and again. We all try and go forward with life, but that accuser who was so very wrong, still has an effect on us. Maturity has a way of including these scars. How we get along and move forward is what makes or breaks us.

🍒Meal tip: It's the end of summer, enjoy the fresh food in this recipe:

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/garden-fresh-grilled-veggie-pizza/



🏠Household tip: Clean a flat surface, one that is by the front door, in a bedroom, or even the garage. Put everything away, not just in the room where it goes but completely put away. If there are some things to donate, put them in your car! Trash things you can and don't pull them back out later, :^0 hehehehehe

🌼Parenting tip: Discover something funny about yourself. If it's an expression, do it often and make those around you laugh. Your kids will think it's so funny, at junior high age they'll roll their eyes but still smile, and when they are adults, they will laugh even though it's not that funny anymore! Use it when you are separated  from your kids in public but they can still see you-and when you do it, they just shake their head and smile. It's your little secret to make them laugh and smiles are awesome.

vacations

💕Have you taken a vacation this summer yet? If you haven't, you've missed out on a great time to unplug, relax, do something adventurous, spend time with special loved ones, or just opportunity to leave the routine for a time.📝

💬I know it's hard to leave responsibilities, believe me, I know. It's expensive, that I also know. But this year, I took a vacation with my oldest child and her husband. Delightful young adults who are so amazing, they exemplify that the future is bright for our country. I am so proud of and had so much fun with them. It was a vacation I will always remember with a smile. Start planning now for next summer and by that, I mean start saving, deciding on a destination, and inviting someone to go along with you. You will always remember it, with a smile.

🍒Meal tip: Tonight, I'm going to post the meal we ate. It is called stuffed shells. Some of you might be familiar with it. My daughter serves it often so we ate with her and her husband. The only thing we changed was that we used marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce, and it's meatless. Enjoy!

https://www.savvysavingcouple.net/perfect-fall-meal-idea-healthy-stuffed-shells-recipe-pastafits-mc/



🏠Household tip: It's summer...it's hot...it's women's winter (freezing in air conditioning)...and it's fun! So get out of the house, go to your back or front yard and change something. Add a plant, a succulent, or a tree. Move things around, sweep well, and maybe even power hose the areas. New look! Yay you!

🌼Parenting tip: On my vacation, I noticed many kids. They were all wonderful and had such awesome age appropriate responses to the world around them. Sorry, that was my sociologist coming out, but it is true. Kids are kids, they don't manipulate as much as they just act their age. So think of that before you buy tickets to the opera, or make a day of it at Great great grandma's house. Boring. Go yourself, but PLEASE leave them home or at a friend's house where they'll be happier and you will enjoy your event more. Also the other people at the event will be glad your kids aren't there talking, squirming, or complaining; they are trying to enjoy it and perhaps paid big bucks to see it. I tell you 'thank you' in advance for all of us who love your kids but know they're happier elsewhere.

Is it really how it appears?

💕Sometimes people see something that appears to be something it isn't. Has that happened to you ever? Recently? My church's pastor once did a sermon on believing the best about someone or a situation.📝

💬It is difficult to believe the best about others, but with our hearts in the right place, we can do it. When you walk into a room and notice the conversation ends just as you enter, don't assume the conversation was about you. Also, when you see someone whispering, assume they are just being discreet about a personal matter, not telling a secret about you. To believe the best is a continuing struggle because we tend to do the opposite due to our own insecurities. Even if all the evidence points to believing the worst about someone, try to see what is really there and draw no conclusions that would be a detriment to you if you announced it and it was revealed you were wrong.



🍒Meal tip: Summer Clean Food...don't you just love it and feel so good after eating it? Here is a terrific meal idea:

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/red-wine-marinated-steaks-grilled-vegetables

 

🏠Household tip: You know, it's summer. What house cleaning do we like to do in summer? I like to clean out closets. I know, it's so time consuming but it really does a body good to see the finished product. So choose your worst closet (or your best closet to ease into this task) and let's get started.
(we will do another closet next time until all of them are done, so don't avoid it 😇)
1. Look at what is in closet.
2. Determine if that is what you still want the closet to store. Or change it to be a functioning one.
3. Pull out what doesn't fit into your plan of the space.
4. Refold or reset what you leave in there. If you're especially ambitious, remove everything and put back only what you want to keep.
5. Sweep, dust, wipe whatever is dirty or needs refreshing. Don't forget the ceiling and corners.
6. Put in an air freshener that has a clean scent like linen or cotton.

Does it look like this?!! Help!

🌼Parenting tip: I have a tendency to support a child rather than punish them. See what in the child's life that needs tweaking or determine what season this child is about to face. Since it is summer, there will be a change in the child come fall. Freedom of time and space makes a child's imagination and personality develop. Summer provides this if the parents haven't scheduled too much time doing commitments. Camping in the backyard, sleepovers, craft projects, random fun and summer excursions broaden a child's development and encourages confidence. Choose a day, close to the end of summer to have a private, sit down talk about the summer and discuss what to expect for the coming school year. Make sure they know you have their back no matter what they do and how good or bad they behave. Enjoy the summer with your child. Know you are blessed.

Rain, Rain, go away

💕It's raining, again. Weird because where I live, there is usually a drought. So for the last 7 months or so, it has been gloomy, rainy, very cool, and just not fun weather. We like to live outdoors and have most of our activities, work, play, parties, meetings, meals, and even sleep in our great outdoors is normal, but for some reason our Sunny Days have not found their way here, yet. 📝

💬We moved our family to this city because of the weather. Sunny, mild, low humidity, dependable outdoor activities. Not lately though. I love warm weather, sunshine, and the ability to plan outdoor things with little worry of precipitation ruining the event. There are joggers, walkers, dog walkers, dreamers, readers, students who study outside, vacationers, strollers, runners, bikers, motorcyclists, open convertible top cars, and sun-setters (those who watch the sunset). I really love the climate here and enjoy the outdoors so much. We can eat our meals outside, have coffee outside, and relax outside. But when it rains, the whole thing changes. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, but too much of a good thing is no longer good, my opinion. And on so many days, it is not normal here. I believe it is normal in Hawaii for it to rain almost every morning, and the there's Oregon. Lots of rain there. Just not here. So instead, I am mopping, ducking in and out of my car when I go places, and I constantly am wearing a jacket or coat/sweatshirt to make myself not shiver in the chilly weather. It's now a habit. I miss my summer dresses, shorts, and cute tops, not to mention my array of summer sandals. Do you like the weather where you are? Tell us why or why not!

🍒Meal tip: CHILI time! So for cool weather, clouds and rain included, let's do a meal that is something we can heat up for the next day or two. I have this great chili recipe for those of you (and me) who do like the spice but NOT the heat. It is my mom's recipe. She had made this for decades and never wrote it down until I asked her to do it so then I could make it. I'm not a chef, only a cook that can follow a recipe.
1Lb ground beef, lean like 7% fat, put it in a pan and break it up by adding water and stirring it to make tiny pieces. Immediately add 2T chili powder, 1T onion powder, 1 whole green pepper, cut up small or pureed, 1 large can of crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp cumin, 1T salt, 1 tsp black pepper, stir well and cook on medium heat until meat is browned. Add 1 cup broth, vegetable or chicken, boil for about 10 minutes. Add 1 large can of chili beans. Stir well, taste. If it needs salt, add some. Same goes for any other ingredient. If you like the heat, add a jalapeno pepper chopped up small. It is better the next day, so make it a day early.



 My mom's Chili recipe, enjoy!








🏠Household tip: Find a messy drawer, Dump it out, Wipe it out. Put back only what you want, use, and need. Throw away the rest, or donate it if you think it's something from which someone could benefit.

🌼Parenting Tip: If you have something you need to talk to your teenager about, please do it with maturity. If they notice you are treating them with respect and trust their judgement, they are more likely to converse with you regarding the something you need to address. Hear them out, ask important questions, and try to come to the table with an objective point of view. Don't have a hurt mom or dad mentality because they made a decision you don't think your little boy or girl should've made. Mentor them, don't whine and plead or make it an issue about you. Listen, encourage, list what you see they did right.

Believe the Best

💕I start my blog with this symbol, two hearts, every time for a reason. Life is better when we share and do it together. It helps when we are feeling down, even when we are feeling up. We can share in our down times when life throws garbage our way and we can help others, too, while we ourselves are having an up moment. 📝

💬If you haven't heard the saying, Life is Better when we do it Together, you have missed out. This is an idea people have played with for centuries but it has never been put into words until lately. Having community, another cliche we use today, keeps one happy, grounded, and accountable. When we are connected to something or part of something, studies have shown  that we are more likely to be honest, giving, and supportive of others. I specifically remember a speaker I heard last year who focused on Believe the Best: of others, yourself, and even strangers. To live in fear or hate, or even indifference, to those who are in our community is not a good thing. For example, when you see someone whisper and then stop when they notice you noticed, do you think the worst? Or perhaps you have "proof" of someone's wrong doing and then you think, hmm, I wonder what they're up to? Maybe they are planning a secret party, maybe they are just speaking to another person about a problem in their own life and want it kept confidential-having nothing to do with you. But when you notice these little things, why do we often think the worst and not the best? I think it is because people lose faith and trust in their community. But if we don't have faith and trust in those who are supposed to support us, then we have no one. Can we change and trust, Believe the Best? I decide to, how about you?

🍒Meal tip: For healing the soul, try some comfort food. Mine? Well, it's chicken noodle soup. Here's the recipe I used the other day. Pretty yummy! "Grandma's Chicken Soup with homemade noodles" (or you can find these noodles in the freezer section of your favorite grocer)

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231666/grandmas-chicken-soup-with-homemade-noodles/?lnkid=usspnt

🏠Household tip: This is a more backyard patio tip...move all the furniture and rugs, hose off with a power washing setting on your garden hose. Also hose off the patio. Let it all dry over night and then put it all back, maybe rearrange it? Now it'll be all ready for any summer get-to-together ⛱.

🌼Parenting tip: Boundaries, create them and then stand up for them. Have certain consequences for different offenses. Also, think about intent, what you thought when you were that age, and then offer grace, understanding, and compassion. Don't rule out the consequence but do it with maturity and not emotionally. Be calm, be the adult, be kind.

Fear?

💕Some Questions...Ever have a fear of something you can't shake? Do you fear a situation? Maybe fear making a mistake or fear rejection, loss, and heartache? Have others in your life, or in your past, done something  to make you fear them or a situation you had with them? It's not a matter of forgiveness, but just a memory tough to re-live or face. Perhaps you fear fear? 📝
 
💬 I believe fear can be called many different things, apprehension, frustration, mistrust, loneliness, walls up mentality, and even sadness. I have felt all of those things at one point in my life. Many times it was after something bad happened but sometimes it was just a misunderstanding on my part. Either way, fear crept in without my permission! I think my biggest trigger to fear is when someone I trust doesn't come through, doesn't have my back when there's a conflict, and mostly when the unknown takes me by surprise, you know, those good ole expectations.

🍒Meal Tip: I have been eating chicken grilled or baked with steamed broccoli and brown rice. How many ways to make those three things is a challenge. I've done barbecue sauce on the chicken and butter on the rice, teriyaki sauce on the chicken and added steamed cabbage and carrots to the broccoli, even done the rice bowl with gravy. All are fabulous. Anyone have any other ideas, please post your recipe!

https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/quick-easy-chicken-broccoli-brown-rice/

🏠Household Tip: I moved the pictures around on my walls in the house. It was fun rearranging the pictures, the memories and people to places where I'd see them in a fresh new way. Be daring, explore new possibilities, make new focus points in your rooms. You'll be happy you did!

🌼Parenting Tip: Kids tend to fear many things, or some kids fear nothing. It is our job, as parents to address both attitudes. My mom-in-law warned me that her son (my husband) was so fearless, he almost drown in a pool, chased a ball into the street, and jumped off high places. I had 5 kids and none of them were like that, until my last one. He walked off a pool deck and sunk to the bottom of a 5 foot deep swimming pool. My oldest child was afraid of the rain because when it did rain, we ducked down and made a dash for it. Eventually, we got our kids some umbrellas and we went out in to the rain and sang, strolled, and sometimes splashed. It eventually helped our oldest child get over her fear. Boundaries, bring them in when needed and roll them out when needed.