He is risen, indeed.
Alleluia!!!!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
37-40 and other updates
37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful
for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. May nothing but happiness come through your door!
Well, there we go...40 ways to improve 2009. I hope you found one or two things that will be helpful to you. I wish you happiness, always.
and other updates -
I saw Dr. Cohen last week and we agreed that this is where we will stay. We are not going to try any new drug combinations. We are going to stick with the drug cocktail that I am taking right now. My disease is still simmering but that is better than boiling. I will still have to balance my activities and for now, I am going to love being active with my family and leave the races and finish lines for others. It is time to start teaching myself to measure success in ways that don't include a finish line or the right number on the scale. If I am only going to be satisfied when I get there, I am going to miss out on an amazing number of experiences and the joy, laughter and smiles that come with that.
One of my favorite quotes is "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."- Marcel Proust
On Saturday afternoon I met a woman who has been diagnosed with polymyositis. It's been almost three years now and it finally felt OK to do this. Ginny and I met at the Cheesecake Factory and spent nearly three hours getting to know each other. I've had more experiences with doctors and prescriptions than Ginny has had so far and it was really nice to be able to share what I've learned and support her at this time. We met knowing that we had something in common (myositis) however, after just a few minutes I found out that Ginny knows my mother-in-law as their paths crossed while Pat was working for St. Johns in the activities area. Later in our conversation I found out that Ginny is good friends with Pastor Odden (the pastor that married Bill and I) and then I found out that Ginny goes to church with one of the men I work for. What a small, small world.
Here's how I got to know Ginny....
The Myositis Asscociation has support groups set up across the country called KIT groups. KIT stands for Keeping In Touch. Wisconsin did not have a KIT group and Ginny and I were both interested in attending a meeting so together we are going to get a group up and running in the state of Wisconsin. I have also signed up to be an ambassador for the Myositis Association. My responsibility will be to help/support someone who was recently diagnosed. It's a scary disease, and it's still scary for me but I certainly feel better about it now than I did three years ago.
New topic:
I have to tell you how my "gentle cleanse" turned out. I cheated on day 1 and nibbled on some ham while I was making dinner for the family and I ate a piece of Pizza Hut Pan Pizza that was in the refrigerator that day too. The rest of the week (until Saturday) I was doing great and feeling good. I was not feeling deprived. I didn't feel like I was missing anything and then came Saturday night. I ate movie theatre popcorn, took a bite of Jake's ice cream sandwich and from there I went downhill. And then came Sunday....OUT OF CONTROL. Once I admitted I was out of control I gave myself permission to stay there and enjoy the whole day that way. Guess what happened!!!! I got a giant zit on my chin. I ached more than I have ached in weeks and I did not feel good.
Monday I decided to start over again. Just like last time around, I cheated. I ate ice cream from the carton (it was Kopps Turtle Custard). Today, I feel stronger. It's 3:11 in the afternoon and I haven't cheated.
YIKES... I have to go and pick Emma up from school and take her to piano.
I'll write more later.
Thanks for checking in on me...
klb
for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. May nothing but happiness come through your door!
Well, there we go...40 ways to improve 2009. I hope you found one or two things that will be helpful to you. I wish you happiness, always.
and other updates -
I saw Dr. Cohen last week and we agreed that this is where we will stay. We are not going to try any new drug combinations. We are going to stick with the drug cocktail that I am taking right now. My disease is still simmering but that is better than boiling. I will still have to balance my activities and for now, I am going to love being active with my family and leave the races and finish lines for others. It is time to start teaching myself to measure success in ways that don't include a finish line or the right number on the scale. If I am only going to be satisfied when I get there, I am going to miss out on an amazing number of experiences and the joy, laughter and smiles that come with that.
One of my favorite quotes is "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."- Marcel Proust
On Saturday afternoon I met a woman who has been diagnosed with polymyositis. It's been almost three years now and it finally felt OK to do this. Ginny and I met at the Cheesecake Factory and spent nearly three hours getting to know each other. I've had more experiences with doctors and prescriptions than Ginny has had so far and it was really nice to be able to share what I've learned and support her at this time. We met knowing that we had something in common (myositis) however, after just a few minutes I found out that Ginny knows my mother-in-law as their paths crossed while Pat was working for St. Johns in the activities area. Later in our conversation I found out that Ginny is good friends with Pastor Odden (the pastor that married Bill and I) and then I found out that Ginny goes to church with one of the men I work for. What a small, small world.
Here's how I got to know Ginny....
The Myositis Asscociation has support groups set up across the country called KIT groups. KIT stands for Keeping In Touch. Wisconsin did not have a KIT group and Ginny and I were both interested in attending a meeting so together we are going to get a group up and running in the state of Wisconsin. I have also signed up to be an ambassador for the Myositis Association. My responsibility will be to help/support someone who was recently diagnosed. It's a scary disease, and it's still scary for me but I certainly feel better about it now than I did three years ago.
New topic:
I have to tell you how my "gentle cleanse" turned out. I cheated on day 1 and nibbled on some ham while I was making dinner for the family and I ate a piece of Pizza Hut Pan Pizza that was in the refrigerator that day too. The rest of the week (until Saturday) I was doing great and feeling good. I was not feeling deprived. I didn't feel like I was missing anything and then came Saturday night. I ate movie theatre popcorn, took a bite of Jake's ice cream sandwich and from there I went downhill. And then came Sunday....OUT OF CONTROL. Once I admitted I was out of control I gave myself permission to stay there and enjoy the whole day that way. Guess what happened!!!! I got a giant zit on my chin. I ached more than I have ached in weeks and I did not feel good.
Monday I decided to start over again. Just like last time around, I cheated. I ate ice cream from the carton (it was Kopps Turtle Custard). Today, I feel stronger. It's 3:11 in the afternoon and I haven't cheated.
YIKES... I have to go and pick Emma up from school and take her to piano.
I'll write more later.
Thanks for checking in on me...
klb
Monday, March 30, 2009
32-36 and a few other things
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)
and here are a few other things...
Last night I decided that I wanted to really focus on only putting healthy, wonderful, whole foods into my body. My food coach refers to this as a "Gentle Cleanse" For the next 10 days or so I will do my best to avoid processed foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners, wheat, alcohol, processed meats, dairy products, coffee and caffeine and soy products.
YIKES...what's left?
Whole grains - including brown rice, millet and quinoa.
Vegetables and fruits
Nuts and seeds (without added salt)
Beans
Fish/Chicken
Eggs
Water and herbal teas.
I started this morning and I don't know if it's the "gentle cleanse" or what but I have a KICKING headache this afternoon. You know what I almost went for immediately to feel better...Food and not the choices I listed above.
I don't remember if I wrote about this the last time I did it but it was tough and in the end I felt so good, so empowered and in control that I believed I would do it at least once a month or so. If memory serves me correctly, that was last fall. How quickly I turned to what I was used to and what was comfortable and easy. It's OK to be out of your comfort zone, but it definitely takes some self motivation and pushing to do it. I hope to blog the "gentle cleanse" process over the next 10 days or so and document how I am feeling each day...the good, the bad and the ugly.
Today I had a mixture of raw walnuts and raisins, baby carrots and an avocado. For dinner, the carrots will be cooked and I am going to make some quinoa or brown rice add in some yummy spices and drink alot more water.
Well, I am off to check my cupboards, freezer and refrigerator so that I can make a list of what is missing to ensure that I have no excuses standing in the way of this goal.
A goal without a plan is just a dream.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)
and here are a few other things...
Last night I decided that I wanted to really focus on only putting healthy, wonderful, whole foods into my body. My food coach refers to this as a "Gentle Cleanse" For the next 10 days or so I will do my best to avoid processed foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners, wheat, alcohol, processed meats, dairy products, coffee and caffeine and soy products.
YIKES...what's left?
Whole grains - including brown rice, millet and quinoa.
Vegetables and fruits
Nuts and seeds (without added salt)
Beans
Fish/Chicken
Eggs
Water and herbal teas.
I started this morning and I don't know if it's the "gentle cleanse" or what but I have a KICKING headache this afternoon. You know what I almost went for immediately to feel better...Food and not the choices I listed above.
I don't remember if I wrote about this the last time I did it but it was tough and in the end I felt so good, so empowered and in control that I believed I would do it at least once a month or so. If memory serves me correctly, that was last fall. How quickly I turned to what I was used to and what was comfortable and easy. It's OK to be out of your comfort zone, but it definitely takes some self motivation and pushing to do it. I hope to blog the "gentle cleanse" process over the next 10 days or so and document how I am feeling each day...the good, the bad and the ugly.
Today I had a mixture of raw walnuts and raisins, baby carrots and an avocado. For dinner, the carrots will be cooked and I am going to make some quinoa or brown rice add in some yummy spices and drink alot more water.
Well, I am off to check my cupboards, freezer and refrigerator so that I can make a list of what is missing to ensure that I have no excuses standing in the way of this goal.
A goal without a plan is just a dream.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
40 is wonderful, flamingos and all...
Hello friends and family,
Here are five more things to contemplate.
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
Now, let me take just a few moments to tell you what a wonderful week I have had. As many of you know, I do my best to have a positive outlook, to take my days in stride and look at the glass half full. Turning 40 was something I was concerned about. If I could have turned forty a couple years ago when I was feeling my best, that would have been nice. However, that is not how it works and Thank God for that.
As many of you know, I did not want to have a party. I just wanted to turn forty in the quiet of my own home and process it in my own time. My wonderful husband respected that wish but also surprised me. My mailbox has been overflowing with notecards from family and friends and friends of family for a couple of days now. Thank goodness I was at home when I was reading all of them. I was in tears. Happy tears, joyful tears, laughing tears and tears of thanks for all of the wonderful people who have been and still are part of my life.
40 is wonderful.
Thank you to all of you who made it a wonderful day.
Love you all.
Kris
Here are five more things to contemplate.
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
Now, let me take just a few moments to tell you what a wonderful week I have had. As many of you know, I do my best to have a positive outlook, to take my days in stride and look at the glass half full. Turning 40 was something I was concerned about. If I could have turned forty a couple years ago when I was feeling my best, that would have been nice. However, that is not how it works and Thank God for that.
As many of you know, I did not want to have a party. I just wanted to turn forty in the quiet of my own home and process it in my own time. My wonderful husband respected that wish but also surprised me. My mailbox has been overflowing with notecards from family and friends and friends of family for a couple of days now. Thank goodness I was at home when I was reading all of them. I was in tears. Happy tears, joyful tears, laughing tears and tears of thanks for all of the wonderful people who have been and still are part of my life.
40 is wonderful.
Thank you to all of you who made it a wonderful day.
Love you all.
Kris
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, March 8th
I received a wonderful call from my friend Emily last night. It's been a very long time since we talked and it was so nice to talk to her. She was checking in and mentioned she was enjoying the top 40 things to make 2009 better. I promised her last night that I would get back to the computer and start typing.
Here are five more things to consider...
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
I had to smile when I saw number 21.
This morning Emma and I were getting ready for church. Jake's throwing up and has a fever and Bill is staying home with him because I teach Sunday school. Believe me, he is better with throw up than he would be with seven four year olds.
Anyway, every day I would love to see Emma's beautiful long hair pulled back (out of her face) but on Sunday's I expect it. We were on a roll, weeks have gone by and I haven't even had to ask. Then came this morning...she did not want to pull her hair back. I wasn't going to give in.
I gave in. She got in the car with her hair hanging in her face and I grumbled quietly to myself..."is it really worth it...should something so unimportant be so important to me, should I really have small tears of frustration on a Sunday morning?" Then I prayed that God would always give me the strength and patience to be a good mom. I asked him to guide my way and more importantly to be with Emma guiding her.
Shortly after getting in the car I had the pleasure of asking Emma what her memory work for Sunday School was. Lucky me, it was Colossians 3:20 "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord"
No words were exchanged on that silent ride to church. When I parked the car and opened the door for her, there was a beautiful braid holding her hair away from her face. It's hard to explain how important that moment was for me.
Now, back to my call from Emily. I don't know about you but I think of my friends alot. I wonder how they are doing. I spend time feeling terrible that I missed their birthday or that I have allowed so much time to pass without calling or writing. Instead of using that to propel myself forward and make the call or write the note, I allow myself to get busy with the everyday things and then again, another day passes and I have not connected.
Another friend of mine mentioned that during the season of Lent she doesn't give something up, but instead choses to give. She made a commitment to write a note to at least one person she has been meaning to get in touch with every week during lent. I imagine that the people Beth gets in touch with this Lenten season will feel like I did yesterday when Emily called. It really meant a lot.
I need to sign off now and get some things done around the house, and write a note to a friend I have been meaning to get in touch with.
Thank you for checking in.
Kris B
Here are five more things to consider...
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
I had to smile when I saw number 21.
This morning Emma and I were getting ready for church. Jake's throwing up and has a fever and Bill is staying home with him because I teach Sunday school. Believe me, he is better with throw up than he would be with seven four year olds.
Anyway, every day I would love to see Emma's beautiful long hair pulled back (out of her face) but on Sunday's I expect it. We were on a roll, weeks have gone by and I haven't even had to ask. Then came this morning...she did not want to pull her hair back. I wasn't going to give in.
I gave in. She got in the car with her hair hanging in her face and I grumbled quietly to myself..."is it really worth it...should something so unimportant be so important to me, should I really have small tears of frustration on a Sunday morning?" Then I prayed that God would always give me the strength and patience to be a good mom. I asked him to guide my way and more importantly to be with Emma guiding her.
Shortly after getting in the car I had the pleasure of asking Emma what her memory work for Sunday School was. Lucky me, it was Colossians 3:20 "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord"
No words were exchanged on that silent ride to church. When I parked the car and opened the door for her, there was a beautiful braid holding her hair away from her face. It's hard to explain how important that moment was for me.
Now, back to my call from Emily. I don't know about you but I think of my friends alot. I wonder how they are doing. I spend time feeling terrible that I missed their birthday or that I have allowed so much time to pass without calling or writing. Instead of using that to propel myself forward and make the call or write the note, I allow myself to get busy with the everyday things and then again, another day passes and I have not connected.
Another friend of mine mentioned that during the season of Lent she doesn't give something up, but instead choses to give. She made a commitment to write a note to at least one person she has been meaning to get in touch with every week during lent. I imagine that the people Beth gets in touch with this Lenten season will feel like I did yesterday when Emily called. It really meant a lot.
I need to sign off now and get some things done around the house, and write a note to a friend I have been meaning to get in touch with.
Thank you for checking in.
Kris B
Monday, February 16, 2009
Here come 10
Poo...I missed a week. I don't know where last week went but here are the five things I missed sharing with you last week plus five from this week. For those of you who need to catch up, I am sharing a message I received from my sister regarding 40 tips for a better 2009.
Here are items 10-20.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon,
broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and
flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons
you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid
with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
A few things about my health. I am stable. The labs haven't changed enough to require any changes in medication. I am still coming along fine without taking any steroid medication. My doctor is comfortable with labs every 6 weeks instead of every 4 and she is scheduling me now to see her every three months instead of every two months.
This can be viewed two ways:
1) This is as good as it gets
2) This is good
Personally, I am going to chose number 2 however, that is sometimes a challenge. What is most difficult right now is the fatigue that greets me at the end of nearly every day. I move fairly well at work and even do OK now in the afternoon, but once late afternoon hits it takes quite a bit to keep me going. More often than not when Jake and Emma say their "good nights" I am saying mine too. This makes me sad mostly because I miss Bill and our time to talk and plan and dream together.
Bill's fine with this and we do have our days/evenings together. They are just fewer and possibly more cherished.
Here are items 10-20.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon,
broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and
flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons
you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid
with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
A few things about my health. I am stable. The labs haven't changed enough to require any changes in medication. I am still coming along fine without taking any steroid medication. My doctor is comfortable with labs every 6 weeks instead of every 4 and she is scheduling me now to see her every three months instead of every two months.
This can be viewed two ways:
1) This is as good as it gets
2) This is good
Personally, I am going to chose number 2 however, that is sometimes a challenge. What is most difficult right now is the fatigue that greets me at the end of nearly every day. I move fairly well at work and even do OK now in the afternoon, but once late afternoon hits it takes quite a bit to keep me going. More often than not when Jake and Emma say their "good nights" I am saying mine too. This makes me sad mostly because I miss Bill and our time to talk and plan and dream together.
Bill's fine with this and we do have our days/evenings together. They are just fewer and possibly more cherished.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The next five...
Here are five more ways to make 2009 one of the best years
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and/or prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.
Consider these things.
I will write more later this week.
klb
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and/or prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.
Consider these things.
I will write more later this week.
klb
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