Sunday, July 29, 2012
Lemonade Statement Sundays
Friday, July 27, 2012
Happy Olympics Day!!
While the logo is far from my favorite, I am excited that the Olympics is finally here! Now my only hope is that we actually get to see some action... I have a feeling if a royal walks in, it will be like Jack Nicholson at a Lakers game, very little game and a ton of Jack. Either way I can't wait to get a chance to watch the opening ceremonies and see some swimming and gymnastics! Oh and can't forget the crazy random sports like archery! Anyways happy world unification day! 
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Where Have I Been?... Changing Into Lemonade
Changes are all around. I used to be afraid of changes, but am learning they occur for the better. It is amazing what can still be learned even when you supposedly can not learn more. This past week I have been involved in an intense soul searching type exploration and have learned a ton about myself. It's scary to see yourself flawed when your a perfectionist like myself, but also good because it means you are human.
I have had horrible things happen to me and have always been thankful they have happened to me instead of the people I love. Unfortunately though I hid them away and never dealt with them. Well as you can guess, they have come back haunt me. The last two years brought not so amazing times and why I fought so hard to claim me back, I continued to find myself three steps back. Insert first important note: even though they may have a license it does not make the therapist counselor, etc an expert. Please take the time to interview and question professionals in the field. Half my battle came from confusing and bad advice.
I found that I was hurting all my friends because I would try open up and could not express myself and would end up closing up and being standoffish. Also extremely selfish and unyielding. I was not me. I used to pride myself on my flexibility and capability of handling problems. I highlight this because I have come to realize people like myself push away and if someone is reading this is and is like me, do not do it. If you need,take time to be with yourself. Your friends are only human and can not take on your stress. It is hard because you need hugs and support, but you will only succeed if you put the work in. So my new action item is ask a friend for a hug or some time to do something fun, but leave it as a fun memorable thing, not a daunting always sad thing. They know and care, but life is all consuming sometimes. If you really need that support then find one friend. My biggest mistake was having multiple people. It just added to confusion and I could never really open up anyways.
More importantly is finding the right help. I was lucky enough to have a recommendation and it has been amazing. If you are lost, look at non traditional ways. My program was a mix of traditional group/individual and bible. It worked for me because I also wanted to gain more insight into my faith. Overall my point is that change can not always just be you. Help is an important aspect too, but it is finding the right help.
So yes, changes are happening. Both big and small and I am nervous about disappointing, but have the faith I may have finally figured it out. I will never forget my pain and what happened, but I also can not let it rule the rest of my life. My only hope is to find full healing and renewal at some point. Rushing gets you no where that is for sure. I think I am on the right path and ready to tackle what's next, one step at a time!
I have had horrible things happen to me and have always been thankful they have happened to me instead of the people I love. Unfortunately though I hid them away and never dealt with them. Well as you can guess, they have come back haunt me. The last two years brought not so amazing times and why I fought so hard to claim me back, I continued to find myself three steps back. Insert first important note: even though they may have a license it does not make the therapist counselor, etc an expert. Please take the time to interview and question professionals in the field. Half my battle came from confusing and bad advice.
I found that I was hurting all my friends because I would try open up and could not express myself and would end up closing up and being standoffish. Also extremely selfish and unyielding. I was not me. I used to pride myself on my flexibility and capability of handling problems. I highlight this because I have come to realize people like myself push away and if someone is reading this is and is like me, do not do it. If you need,take time to be with yourself. Your friends are only human and can not take on your stress. It is hard because you need hugs and support, but you will only succeed if you put the work in. So my new action item is ask a friend for a hug or some time to do something fun, but leave it as a fun memorable thing, not a daunting always sad thing. They know and care, but life is all consuming sometimes. If you really need that support then find one friend. My biggest mistake was having multiple people. It just added to confusion and I could never really open up anyways.
More importantly is finding the right help. I was lucky enough to have a recommendation and it has been amazing. If you are lost, look at non traditional ways. My program was a mix of traditional group/individual and bible. It worked for me because I also wanted to gain more insight into my faith. Overall my point is that change can not always just be you. Help is an important aspect too, but it is finding the right help.
So yes, changes are happening. Both big and small and I am nervous about disappointing, but have the faith I may have finally figured it out. I will never forget my pain and what happened, but I also can not let it rule the rest of my life. My only hope is to find full healing and renewal at some point. Rushing gets you no where that is for sure. I think I am on the right path and ready to tackle what's next, one step at a time!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Lemonade Sunday Statements
So many things can be said, but for now I am trusting in the sanctuary of my heart.
(Picture was found via Oprah.com's Happiness Project)
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Not Sure Title Blog
This title is still in flux, but with this newest section of my blog I hope to record the things I want to embrace more. I spend a lot of time being overwhelmed and insecure. Its hard to say I will instantly snap out and be normal, but one thing I can do is create a list of the things I want to embrace more of. The first is....
I want to embrace simple quiet time. When you are constantly questioning yourself it is hard to quiet the brain, BUT the only way to stop the constant babble is to just be quiet and focus on the positive of the day. Tonight for example I am sitting on my front porch reflecting on a question given to me through a pastoral thing I have been doing. It does not always have to be religious and really never has to be. But taking that break has helped me breathe so much more. So I am hoping to make it a nightly thing before bed. Go outside and breathe.
I want to embrace simple quiet time. When you are constantly questioning yourself it is hard to quiet the brain, BUT the only way to stop the constant babble is to just be quiet and focus on the positive of the day. Tonight for example I am sitting on my front porch reflecting on a question given to me through a pastoral thing I have been doing. It does not always have to be religious and really never has to be. But taking that break has helped me breathe so much more. So I am hoping to make it a nightly thing before bed. Go outside and breathe.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Lemonade Moment: DJ's Birthday
When was the last time you were actually excited about your birthday? You know that can't sleep the night before giddy with excitement type. For me it's been ages, but for individuals like DJ it happens every year. DJ has CP and because of it is unable to verbally communicate, but trust me that does not stop him from speaking volumes. I had the privilege of getting to celebrate his 17th birthday. To say the least I was instantly humbled.
Tearing through paper, ropes and bouncing balls were found. These simple items were accepted as if a lottery had been hit! Each card was also instantly analyzed and quick hugs given. Next came the cake with as many candles that could fit per the bday boys request. I am not going to lie, I shed a tear when he first saw the cake I had made and the clapping and huge grin that followed. He instantly pointed to his Oregon hat and then to the football themed cake. He could see my vision. My heart was touched. I wish words could describe the amazing birthday party better but I am at loss for them. It's a reminder of the simple things once again! Below are a few pictures from the party.
Tearing through paper, ropes and bouncing balls were found. These simple items were accepted as if a lottery had been hit! Each card was also instantly analyzed and quick hugs given. Next came the cake with as many candles that could fit per the bday boys request. I am not going to lie, I shed a tear when he first saw the cake I had made and the clapping and huge grin that followed. He instantly pointed to his Oregon hat and then to the football themed cake. He could see my vision. My heart was touched. I wish words could describe the amazing birthday party better but I am at loss for them. It's a reminder of the simple things once again! Below are a few pictures from the party.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Game Review: Intro and PictionaryMan
I love games especially Game Nights! So why not try some new ones and see if they are winners!
PictionaryMan
Imagine pictionary plus a dry erase marker and a dry erase man and you have PictionaryMan. It is pretty simple. You form two teams, hit a button to get your topic, announce the topic, click the button to get your word, and draw as fast as you can, and repeat till a team gets 14 points. What is awesome about this game is that you have props!!! This game is amazing for any game night with friends. I would recommend playing with no more then six people though so you can draw more then once. Warning: Loud noises will erupt! Below are a few pics of the game. Sorry no action shots, things just moved way too fast!
PictionaryMan
Imagine pictionary plus a dry erase marker and a dry erase man and you have PictionaryMan. It is pretty simple. You form two teams, hit a button to get your topic, announce the topic, click the button to get your word, and draw as fast as you can, and repeat till a team gets 14 points. What is awesome about this game is that you have props!!! This game is amazing for any game night with friends. I would recommend playing with no more then six people though so you can draw more then once. Warning: Loud noises will erupt! Below are a few pics of the game. Sorry no action shots, things just moved way too fast!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Lemonade Picture: Sunsets on Lake Almanor
You know you are on an amazing trip when you get sunsets and views like below. Nothing but lemonade here... And I can't stop loving the sun! 
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Lemonade Break
I know it's bad not to consistently blog, but in the mountains with bad connections so sorry if little action happens here for the next two weeks. I have a slew of blog posts to come including my first crafty post and a book review! Until then, Happy Summer!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
It's The 4th of July!
The 4th of July used to be one of my least favorite holidays, becuase, well, I was afraid of fireworks. Luckily I have grown out of it and have loved the past few years getting to do something different every year (totally did a pie eating contest one year and sadly...I won). This year I look forward to listening to some Jazz music in the sun, BBQing with friends, and celebrating my American culture (yes, I do believe we have some). I hope everyone has an amazing and safe day!
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!
 |
| One of my favorite 4th of Julys was spent in the city watching the fireworks from the Pier while eating a Ghirardelli Chocolate Sundae. |
Where did you spend your favorite 4th of July?
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Newsworthy Discussion: Stress
One of my biggest hurdles is handling everything going on in my life without getting stressed out and deciding to just do nothing. I feel it is a topic that many people deal with on a daily basis and are unsure how to fix it so life is again enjoyable. I know half of the worries I have would be eliminated if I stopped stressing, had more fun, gained more confidence, and just go about living my life. Health.com recently released an article called, "Say Goodbye to Stress for Good." (http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/anxiety/articlepage?cp-documentid=250009225) It was written by Jenna McCarthy and outlines several different ways that you can have your busy life, but also be stress free. The article points to three main topics that are Stress Proofing Yourself, Make Bliss the Choice, and Savor the Moment. In order to Stress Proof the article recommends that you focus on exercise, resisting the temptation to be the debbie downer, and actually take time to indulge. While in order to Make Bliss the Choice, you should take control of your emotions and pay it forward (a great movie by the way!). And finally Savor the Moment by slowing yourself down and pretending its about to end.
I found the article to have made several good points that are in fact easy to incorporate into every day life. I know its hard to change a perspective and when your negative its hard to switch to positive, but by not trying you are letting yourself be victim to the stress. To start incorporating some of the ideas into my life, I simply listed the topics and wrote a few goals down. This way I know what I want to accomplish, can visually see it, and will more then likely stay true to it because I wrote it down. You should give it a try because stress runs way to rampant these days.
To make bliss the choice, I will do the following: stop myself before I get angry and look for the positive as well as pay it forward more by giving to others because I was lucky enough to have so many people there for me!
I found the article to have made several good points that are in fact easy to incorporate into every day life. I know its hard to change a perspective and when your negative its hard to switch to positive, but by not trying you are letting yourself be victim to the stress. To start incorporating some of the ideas into my life, I simply listed the topics and wrote a few goals down. This way I know what I want to accomplish, can visually see it, and will more then likely stay true to it because I wrote it down. You should give it a try because stress runs way to rampant these days.
Stress Proofing:
To stress proof myself I will do the following: really begin my half-marathon training, no longer concentrate on the negative of a day but instead the many positives, and be sure that I do one fun thing in a day even if its just 15 minutes of reading a non serious book
Make Bliss the Choice:
To make bliss the choice, I will do the following: stop myself before I get angry and look for the positive as well as pay it forward more by giving to others because I was lucky enough to have so many people there for me!
Savor the Moment:
To savor the moment, I will do the following: take more photos (stealing this idea from the article), be sure to breathe when feeling overwhelmed, and think of each moment as a gift instead of concentrating no how much it sucks at the time.
Do you think stress is a big concern these days? What do you do to eliminate stress in your life?
Monday, July 2, 2012
(Lemonade Health Time) Clever Healthy Substitutions: Greek Yogurt
I was recently introduced to the world of substitutions during a discussion with my roommate while baking one time. I was curious if you really always have to use Vegetable Oil or if you could actually use the healthier Olive Oil. She quickly informed me that it did not matter and there were a lot of subsitutions out there to create healthier less fatty meals or baking masterpieces. Below is a chart I discovered on Pinterest and love becuase Greek yogurt is an awesome healthy subsitution for things like...butter. In a US News Health article done on Greek Yogurt vs. Traditional Yogurt (http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/diet/articles/2011/09/30/greek-yogurt-vs-regular-yogurt-which-is-more-healthful), it was found that Greek yougurt has about the same amount of calories, but sports less sugar and a lot more protein. Here are some of the most interesting facts about Greek yogurt I found from the article:
6 ounce serving has about the same amount of protein as 3 ounces of meat
1/2 the carbs of regular yogurt
1/2 the amount of sodium as regular yogurt
20% of the daily amount of calicium
The article also mentioned, that the best kind of yogurt to stick with is the lowfat ones. This is true for any type of yogurt. While I tend to very much minimize my dairy intake in general, I am excited to try the following substitutions when it is needed:
What is one item in your recipe that you would love to find a healthier option for?
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Lemonade Sunday Statement: Kindness
It is frustrating having yet another medical (nothing major, no worries) step back, but at the same time a tad comforting knowing that I am that much closer to finding a solution. I also have yet to crumble and I owe that to the kindness of friends who have really shown me they care and are willing to listen when I need an ear. (I know complaining gets old, but they have yet to show that) This quote is powerful (I know... Hippie talk) and think it rings true in everyday life.
So what will you do this week to show kindness to another?
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