What's Up

I've been meaning to write, but every time I start to, it seems that something negative is coming out. I don't want to complain or foster further feelings of disappointment, so I'm sticking to what my mother taught me, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

So trying to focus on the positive, here's some news:

The garden is growing. Funny how it seems I'm out there almost daily but somehow still missed that we have already a cucumber growing along with a few baby green sweet peas and grape tomatoes. They must have been camouflaged or I just wasn't looking closely. We're in zone 4/5 so I've had to be patient. The lettuce is doing great, and the baby spinach has already been consumed. The basil is up along with the spring onions, but part of the row of cilantro is missing. Either bad seed or something got into it and ate it already. I still have part of the row, so it won't be a complete loss. One of the heirloom zucchinis is a conjoined twin. I can't wait to see how that veggie grows and what it will end up looking like.

Notes for next year - skip the lettuce and just plant baby spinach. It tastes so good in smoothies! Plant the sugar snap peas EARLIER! I also want to expand the beds to be bigger and plant garlic in the fall. Maybe we'll even try to grow popcorn!

DS15 has been making short films. I wish I could post them for you to enjoy. His latest one was really good, but I don't have permission to share it. It features several of his friends and involves a possessed disc golf frisbee. Hopefully everyone involved will grant permission for it to be posted on Youtube soon and then I can share it.

DS15 also has been working on creating an art studio in the garage. I wish we had a room in the house that we could designate to be our art workshop. The garage doesn't have great lighting and it will be too cold to work in the winter.

DS12 has been working out, getting ready for his first Firecracker walk with G-Ma this coming weekend. He's thinking he may want to start running to take his fitness goals even further.

I'm enjoying my new work schedule. Although I have to start earlier, I get off earlier so I am able to see DH before he goes to bed. Speaking of work, I better get cruising to it. I'll try to check in more regularly, maybe even posting some of the not so nice news once I can process it in a more positive light.

Take care!

Have You Said Something Uplifting Today?

Lately in the Sleepyhouse we've been discussing the power of words. I came across a great article, click here,  that I really believe in.

Several months ago a dear friend pointed out to me how much damage I was doing to myself by labeling what I eat as "evil", "sinful", "bad" etc. I hadn't really thought about the effect I was bringing on until she called me on this.

Words are thoughts set free. Once spoken, no longer hidden, you cannot wrangle them back to your control.

My meditation has taught me thoughts are very powerful. Releasing those thoughts out in the form of words and actions is even more stronger because you've shared it with others.

If I say, "Brownies taste good, but are so bad for me," I am telling my body I am choosing to poison it. That statement damages my self esteem, enabling my body to damage itself. I may even reach for another brownie hoping somehow to find that which I lacked to receive from the first brownie. I could easily open up a binge cycle trying desperately to find satisfaction.

If I say, "Brownies taste good and I really enjoy eating one," I am giving my body permission to enjoy the brownie while staying positive. I'll have a better chance to feel satisfied with one brownie, and there's less of a chance I'll reach for #2.

Moderation is easy when you are in tune with your body and you're in a relaxed, positive state of mind. Think of how carefree children eat. They stop when they are full, and they do not obsess or worry over their food.

The power of a positive word applies to all things, not just eating. I can praise and uplift a person with my words and the motivation for that person to do the same is contagious.

Unfortunately, right now I'm exposed to more people using negativity. I'm trying to focus on the few others who are positive and uplifting. From the wonderful stranger yesterday who completely out of the blue said to me, "Howdy! Howdy! Have a great day," to the kind sandwich maker who always remembers how my son prefers his sandwich. These seemingly little things are really big deals to me.

I keep visualizing positive, supportive people coming into my life. It helps me feel safe. It helps me feel excited about embracing this life I've been given. It motivates me to continue forward. Its my key to becoming a more giving person.