Trees

Trees make me happy
Simple statement, truth, fact
Standing steadfast
In ground that’s given

Twisted and broken
Forever reaching for Heaven
No bias, no judgment
Showing love

Many colors
Wrapped in branches bringing
Life

Look up
They stand watch
Firmly rooted
Showing what cannot be seen
Life is given
A Blessing for all

Bucket Seats

Have you ever thought about how comfortable your car is? I have done my fair share of driving around, and I think that the two front seats of my car are the most comfortable seats ever. When I get off work, I walk out to my car; pop the lock and sit down in the car, lean back (way back, as many of you know…) and just let out a huge sigh. In that moment nothing matters but the fact that my back doesn’t hurt and I am completely content, I think it has something to do with the fact that the car seats give you total support. From your head, neck and back to your legs and feet. They hold you up and offer extra padding right where you need it. Have you have traveled for an extended period of time only to realize when you arrive that your booty doesn’t hurt at all; the way it would if you had been sitting in chair at home? I personally think that they are the most amazing thing ever invented! The next time you get in your car, before you starter’ up take a minute and just notice how you feel, relaxed, content, calm. Thanks for the seats!

Aluminum Foil!

Ok, so I am a total slacker! But, I'm back and hopefully will be able to more consistently post to the blog! So without further ado, I give you...foil! Yes, aluminum foil. The thought for this post came during Thanksgiving last year. I was helping my dad in the kitchen get ready to pack everything up to take over to my Brothers where we were having the meal. There was a lot of plastic tupperware and such as well as seran wrap. But, the thing that really caught my attention was the foil. First, dad used the foil while cooking the turkey as a tent to stop the top from getting too done. He took the bird out the of oven (at 400 degress) and put it on the counter and I grabbed the foil off the top, was it hot? NO, how amazing is that? It had been in the oven over 3 hours at this point...but it was completely cool to the touch! It really made me Thankful for the different technologies that we have today and how they assist in our lives. So, after the dinner was ready to go we used that same foil to cover the top of the bird and wrapped it around the pan so that no juice would leak out. No catastrophies on the drive to my brothers...Ok, seriously I could go on and on but Aluminum foil is absolutely fantastic. Next time you fix dinner, just remember what a blessing it is to have such a useful tool! :~)

Christmas Music

Tis the season to be happy about…EVERYTHING! OK I know what your going to say but I just have to say that I am very thankful for Christmas music. I work in a retail store and last Saturday the radio station we use started playing Christmas music. Now, I know there are a lot of people out there who whine about how they are ruining Christmas music because they start playing it so early and it’s the only thing they play during December. But…I love it. It has been a while since I have really felt the Christmas Spirit and I think it has a lot to do with my attitude and that is what I am working on changing. I think it is working because I can’t wait for Thanksgiving and I can’t wait for Christmas! It is almost like I haven’t been hearing the music for years and all of the sudden on Saturday I was like…Wow…Christmas is really coming! Music can have a huge impact on our attitudes and thoughts whether they promote well being or sadness. Christmas music is always happy music with messages of love and hope and that is really what this season is all about. I would invite everyone to take a moment and really listen to some Christmas music; it truly is healing to the soul.

The Mailman

Yeah, you heard me right…the mailman. I think they are one of the most useful and one of the most overlooked public servants. Depending on your circumstances you either love or hate the mailman in part because of the message that he brings. When a package comes we are almost always overjoyed and offer up a huge smile and a “thank you!” However, when he comes bearing bad news, or worse…bills. We have a tendency to think ill thoughts of them. It is generally a classic case of hate for the messenger. The mailman doesn’t know what your mail contains, what bills you have to pay or what super special offers you will receive. He only bears the envelope from the Post Office to you. I am grateful that we have people willing to take on a job where you may be attacked by dogs, yelled at by a patron or antagonized by the long line of people in front of the counter. I wouldn’t want to do that…would you? So, I say “Thanks!” to all the postal workers out there. Keep up the good work!

The Sun

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
-Benjamin Franklin

I know that during this time of year we are usually overcome by cloudy days and rain filled nights. Locked in our houses; curled up by the fire with a cup of cocoa and a good book. But, can I not marvel for a moment, in the glory of the Sun. We move from day to day; through our busy lives not worried about the weather but about other "more important things." There is nothing more important to us than the sun. It grows the food we eat, creates the oxygen we breathe and it lifts our spirits when in sorrow. Scientist’s claim that the sun is a giant ball of gas burning millions of miles away from us; I say the sun is life. We move through and around it, we never really notice it until we are accosted by grief. The sun reminds us that we are not alone here and that no matter what may come, the world is still turning round.

When I was little, whenever I was sick and had the chills, I would come into the living room and curl up on the floor underneath the skylight. The bright warmth of the sun soothed my aching body and allowed me to get the rest I so badly needed. The best cure for depression? A nice long walk on a beautiful sunny day! The sun lifts our spirits and our minds. I am grateful for the sun because it reminds me that I need to stay positive in the face of opposition and enjoy this crazy journey called life.

Hi There...

Welcome to my blog!!... As, I have said I am a 20 something that has Celiacs disease (no wheat or gluten) as well as a candida yeast problem (which means no sugar). I have known about both conditions for about 5 months or so and have had a heck of a time trying to figure out what I can and what I can't eat.

It has been quite a journey and I just seemed to be getting more irritated, aggravated (any other angry words you know you can just fill in the blank) as time when on. This was suppose to make me better...not worse! SO...I went in search of people with similar dietary restrictions and found quite a few interesting blogs out there. They all had something amazing in common, these people were happy! Not, just yeah my life is ok happy but actually no mater what, death, disease or worse I'll be ok HAPPY.

It really made me start to think about how much whining I had done in the past few months, as I looked back and talked with my family and friends I found a disturbing trend...I was becoming more and more depressed as well as getting on every ones nerves (sorry about that guys :-). That's what did it for me, I decided I needed to stop whining and stop dwelling on what I don't have and be thankful for what I do.

Easier said that done right? Well, at first I thought so. How would I keep track of all the things that I am thankful for (think about the paper!) Hence, the blog... no paper and someone else will hold onto it for me. (PERFECT!) My plan is to try and pick out one or two things a day that I am truly thankful for and then actually explain why I am thankful for those things. I am hoping that this will help my overall outlook as well as yours! Enjoy!