I made it! Boy, did I make it!

Are you ready for a Pinterest recipe?  Today's pin is found here with the original post here.

Oh my word.  I think I melted when I tasted these.  They are SO good.

Just look at all those gorgeous layers.

Doesn't that look yummy?  I have news.  It is.

I did make one small change.  I did not put the sea salt on top of the chocolate.  That didn't make sense to me, since it's supposed to be "salted caramel."  I put the sea salt on top of the caramel underneath the chocolate.

The richness, the deliciousness of this treat just can not be described adequately.  I did cut my squares into little miniature one bite bars.  They look SO good.

I made it! and I'm glad I did!

Hugs,
Melinda

I made it!

I have another Pinterest post for you today.  Really, all it is, is a picture.  Here's my pin.  Here's the picture.

And ta-da!  Here's my version.

I found my baskets in the dollar section of Target.  About the only thing I would do differently, and I still may, is to take a drill to the bottom of the baskets and put a couple of draining holes in them.  Anyway... simple, and easy.  

Hugs,

Melinda

A change

FYI -- Sweet Pea has requested her nickname be changed to "Boo."  Those who know our family well, will still know who this is, this post is for you.

Mardel and Math

We use Mardel Christian Book Stores a lot for our homeschool resources. The last time we were there, I picked up a dry erase hundreds chart. It has been the best 99¢ investment I've ever made. Little Bit sees patterns so much easier now. I highly recommend the education side of Mardel if you are starting your homeschool adventure.

Hugs,
Melinda

How I fell in love... with my bike.

I just had a thought.  I probably should tell the story of why I ever started biking in the first place.

Well, my favorite oldest cousin Michal was visiting and tried to teach me how to ride when I was about 8 or 9.  All I remember is that I fell off into my grandma's bushes and scraped my knee and did NOT want to get back on.  Grandma had a STEEP driveway (at least to an 8 year old), and I was scared I wouldn't be able to stop and would get squished by a car.  I was kind of a cry baby and a scaredy cat back then.

Then when I was 12, I was at my grandma's house.  I was talking with a different cousin who was sitting outside.  I decided to sit on Grandma's bike, a 3 speed she got from Wal-Mart.  I didn't want to ride it, just sit on it.  I sat and balanced and balanced and sat.  And I thought, "I think I can do this!"

So then I asked my best friend Serena if she could teach me how to do more.  We went to the parking lot of the church building (cause she lived across the street.  #711 - remember that?).  She said, this is what you do, and I did it.  I rode all the time after that.  Mainly to my grandma's house and back, which was just about a mile away.

I even rode in a bike race in college.  It was the first one they ever had.  Everyone else had all these fancy bikes, and I had a 3 speed.  From Wal-Mart.  And I was so slow.  I was so slow, that by the time I finished my last lap around the subdivision that we were racing around, everyone from the race had already left.  The only person who was waiting on me back at campus was my boyfriend (Dale).

I put my biking days behind me then.

UNTIL....  this past year.  Dale and I had decided to attend Weight Watchers meetings together.  We were going along, doing our thing.  They were having some sort of contest, I think with Dr. Oz.  Our leader started telling us about this one guy who was from our area who was a finalist.  She said, "and he bikes to the meetings from B____ S_____, which is 20 miles away!"  Dale looks at me and says, "I could do that."

Then he says, "why don't we go get us all a bike?"  We went to Wal-Mart and got a kid's bike for Little Bit, a girl's bike for Sweet Pea, and a ladies' bike for me.  We went out three or four times, but it was really hard, because Little Bit didn't know how to ride a bike well, so we ended up being separated with a parent and Sweet Pea in front, and a parent and Little Bit in back.

I said, "honey, why don't we look into something like a trailer for Little Bit?"  We found what we call the tag along at our local Trek store, which is called a bike "trailer," but it is effectively a tandem bike attachment, for Little Bit to ride on.  While we were in the Trek store, we started talking to the sales lady (Hi Jackie!), and she said, "why don't you try this?"

So I did.  And I fell in love.

I like to put it this way.  The Tuesday before we bought my "Navi," we went riding.  2 miles out, 2 miles in.  The Saturday we bought her... 4 miles out, 4 miles in.

Then I went and crashed her on Monday, but that's a whole different story.

The only thing that has really stopped me from riding is the cold.  My hands hurt pretty badly in the cold weather, and the wind chill on a bike is something I'm going to have to figure out before I can ride in the winter.

Anyway, that's the story of my love affair with my bike.  I really have enjoyed it, and I hope I can ride for many years to come.

Next down the line...  racing???

Hugs,
Melinda

P.S.  I forgot to write about something sort of important.  Remember that bike I learned to ride on, and the bike from college?  The 3 speed bike?  When I got my Trek Navigator, I had no clue how I was supposed to use all those gears and speeds.  I had no idea what they even were!  Thankfully, Google and I had a good little search, and now....  Now Dale likes to call me the bike nerd, because I can tell you what they are, which ones you are supposed to use, how to shift, and I can explain it all to a couple of 10 year olds.  :D  One who thought he had a "10 speed," because it was "7+3."  Really, you can teach an old dog new tricks.  Or ... at least how to use Google.  lol

Bike information

Back in ... let's say June, I was researching stretches appropriate for bike riders.  I came across this website called Loving the Bike.  This website is LOADED with good information for bikers.  One of the recent posts was about Brite Buds from Far End Gear.  They are simply earbuds that are reflective.  Why is this important?  1) Because I ride in the mornings, and I feel I need the safety of the reflective gear.  2) Because I love my music, and I love riding to music.

So, I signed up and left my comment, just like everyone else, not expecting anything.  Imagine my surprise when I signed into Twitter this morning and Darryl says, "go look and see if you won," and when I hop over there, I've actually won!?  It's so exciting, and cool.

The other cool part of Loving the Bike is #bikeschool.  It's a chat on Twitter every Thursday night, where we get together, and talk bikes.  It's fun to talk with other cyclists and to get all sorts of input.  I've really enjoyed it.

If you are interested in riding, this is a good blog to be involved with.  I've learned a lot.

Thanks Darryl and thanks Far End Gear for my new earbuds.  I'm sure I'll LOVE them.

Hugs,
Melinda

Learning Styles

Wednesdays are our library day. We have a wonderful library system that actually has a program for home schoolers! Yesterday was the first program of the school year.

Now before, Sweet Pea and Little Bit would go, and I would sit and listen. Not yesterday. Sweet Pea has decided she's too old for the programs. So she got to look at books and talk to a friend. I decided to go look for my own books, something I don't do very often. I don't have time to read anymore!

(There is a point to all that. Stick with me now.) Yesterday, I picked up a book called Talkers, Watchers, & Doers by Cheri Fuller. I have been struggling with Little Bit. I have been trying not to say it's ADHD, because I don't think that's it. And it occurred to me that she might have a different learning style than Sweet Pea.

Do you know about learning styles? There are three basic styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Or: talkers, watchers, and doers. I have always known that I was visual. I just knew I was visual, because I have always loved to read. And I'm almost certain that Little Bit is auditory because she loves to talk. (lol)

So one of the first things that this book suggests is to not impose your learning style on your child and oh, here's a checklist of learning styles so you can check what yours is. Imagine my surprise in reading this checklist and seeing that I'm not only visual, but also auditory, and possibly even kinesthetic.

I'm not very far into this book yet, so I'll let you know what else I discover. I think it's going to be very interesting.

Hugs,
Melinda

School Days

So the overwhelming response to my little informal poll, was yes please.  Or in other words, a little bit of everything.  Specifically, more about homeschooling, more about Pinterest, and more about my bike riding.

Let me start with school first, cause we just finished for the day, and it's fresh in my mind (more or less).

Sweet Pea is using a curriculum called Sonlight.  It's a reading based program, and if you know Sweet Pea, you know she loves books.  It's been a perfect fit for her.  She also uses something called Teaching Textbooks for math, and I really like the program.  It explains the problem, has her do a problem, and if she gets it incorrect, explains the problem again.  It's really neat.

Little Bit has been using Horizons for math, reading, and phonics.  I don't know what I should say about it.  It's both easier than I anticipated, and yet harder.  I'm having trouble liking this curriculum, but we're in the middle of it, so I guess we'll finish it.  I have estimated that by the time she is through with the "Kindergarten" level of books, she will be ready for 2nd grade.

The really interesting thing that we've been doing this year, is Expedition Earth from Confessions from a Homeschooler.  It's basically a geography overview of several of the major countries on Earth.  It's not real in-depth.  I don't recommend it for Sweet Pea's age (13), but it has been a lot of fun for Little Bit and me to complete together.  She gets a "stamp" in her "passport" every time we start learning about a different country.  We do some reading, some history, some geography, some arts and crafts.  It's all over fun.

This week has been Russia.  Today, we made a matryoshka doll card, and we have a pirog (Russian apple pie) in the oven.  It really has been a very fun study.

Homeschooling is like everything else.  We have our good days and our bad days.  Today... today has been a good day.

Hugs,

Melinda

Options

I know it seems like I say this every other month or two, but ... I'm thinking about what I need to do and say on my little blog here.  It seems like I've been so incredibly busy that I don't know where I should focus.

So I propose a poll.  I'm going to list the things that have my attention right now, and you guys let me know what you want to hear about.  Okay?  Okay.

So, we are involved in homeschooling.  I can talk about our day to day activities.  I have been bike riding on almost a daily basis.  I could share bike and trail photos.  We've been doing a really good Bible study at church.  I could share how it's changed me.  I'm working on weight loss.  I could share about the struggles and trials I've been dealing with.  I could continue with the Pinterest testing if you want.  I'm just not exactly sure who my audience is anymore, so I need to know what you want me to talk about.  Oh, and I could talk about how I tried to have a garden this summer but we didn't get nearly enough rain, but I'm still harvesting tomatoes, and I may have a broccoli at some point.

And I could also talk about how I read a book called the Twitter Diet and how I'm now on Twitter and have been increasing my followers on a weekly basis.  But as a result, that I'm also feeling a need for what I would call a "social media fast," where I would cut back my use of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, possibly Blogger or the blog reader I use. I haven't decided yet.  I don't think I'm letting it interfere with my parenting, but I do wonder if I need to cut back quite a bit.

Anyway...  Let me know what you want me to talk about, and I'll try to make it happen.  :D

Hugs,
Melinda

Popcorn - I Made It!

I think I'm going to name my Pinterest posts, "I Made It!"  That way, I shouldn't be infringing on anyone else's already established Pinterest testing posts.  Today's post is inspired by this pin.  Here's the original source.  By the way, one of the things that bugs me the most, is when people don't post the original source.  Come on, people!  Give credit where credit is due.

Okay, off my soapbox.  On to pictures.  This is really really easy.

First, you need a brown paper bag and 1/4 cup of plain popcorn kernels.  NO MORE THAN 1/4 CUP!  Ask me how I know.

Put the kernels in the brown paper bag and fold the top of the bag down twice.

Put it in the microwave.

Here's the "technical" part.  Set the timer for 3:00 minutes.  But don't walk off.  You need to listen to the kernels popping.  You want to stop the microwave when they are taking 1-2 seconds between pops.  If you go much longer, you'll burn the popcorn.  If you go much shorter, you'll have a lot of unpopped kernels.  For this microwave, it usually takes about 1:45 seconds.  You need to listen to your own microwave to know your time.

Gather any toppings you want while it's popping.  I have here, my oil pump by Weight Watchers, with my butter flavored olive oil in the pump, kettle corn seasoning, and regular popcorn salt.  I didn't know this before, but did you know popcorn salt is finer than regular salt?  And drizzling your popcorn with oil (or butter) helps the salt to stick?

Ah!  It's done!  Take a fairly largish bowl and your brown bag.

Empty the bag into the bowl.  Add your toppings.  Stir.

See?  Simple.  Easy.  YUMMY!

Hugs,
Melinda

Trash Can for the Car

This is another Pinterest post.  Here is the pin, and here is the original source for it.  We tried the cereal box, and it didn't work.  We had a leftover basket from a shredder that was burned out done shredding.  This works much better.  (Please excuse the messy car.  I need to vacuum.  Everything.)

I made it.

So many times on Pinterest, I come across something and say, "I can make that."  Today, I did.

The pin is this one for personalized clamps for school use.  When you follow the link, it goes to this page.  The first thing I noticed was, "18 clamps for $15?"  I can make it for less than that.  And I don't need all of the ones that they have listed there.

So running errands today, I picked up a box of 24 clamps for $5. Half an hour later.....

Ta-Da!  I'm done!

I love Pinterest.  It makes me more creative.  :D

Hugs,
Melinda

Collections

So, I'm watching a show on Netflix called Clean House.  It has different families who have "clutter" issues, who need some help getting a handle on their "collections" and cleaning their houses up.  In return for cleaning their house and offering up their different items for a garage sale, they get a redecorated home.

I'm watching this one episode where the dad has a collection of Beanie Babies and baseball cards and toys, and his reasoning is that it was for his children's future.  I feel like I need to make a statement about that.

No, it's not.  It's for you.  It's because you like them.  One of the actors that is on the show made a very good point.  He asked if the dad knew the difference between a collection and a fad.  Beanie Babies are a fad.  Barbie Dolls have been a collectors item, but are closer to a fad now.  Baseball cards can be a collection.  There is a time and a place that those things might be worth saving and hanging on to, but when they take up space, when you can't sell them for what you think they are worth, when you think it is more important to save them for the money that isn't there instead of letting them be enjoyed, then let me state this plainly....   IT. IS. NOT. WORTH. IT!  And... it's a fad.

Let go of the stuff.  Let go of the junk.  Make memories with your kids.  If you really want to help your children's future, then teach them.  Teach them about God's word, teach them about finances, teach them about values.  Don't teach them to be hoarders.  Teach them that the stuff is not what means love.

From a hoarder's daughter,
Melinda

Frozen Herbs

First up in my testing of popular Pinterest pins is this one,(The Gardener's Eden) where you freeze fresh herbs in either water or oil. I can attest that these are the very freshest herbs, as I picked them from my garden this morning.

They should be frozen sometime tomorrow. I'll post another picture then.

So, I've frozen my herbs, and I wanted to come back and share the results with you. I think it was a success. I'm loading 2 pictures. One is of the frozen tray of herbs, and the second is showing I divided them out for storage in the freezer. It was incredibly easy to grab a cube or two to throw in the jambalaya we had the other night and actually added a fantastic flavor. Over all, this pin was a success!

Hugs,
Melinda

Pinterest

Do you know about Pinterest yet?  I don't know anyone who really doesn't know about it.  It's a really cool website, where you look at all the pictures and get awesome ideas and "pin" them to your virtual bulletin board.  (Just so you get an idea, here is a link to all of my boards.  If you need an invitation to join, then contact me.)

To me, it's really interesting to get a whole bunch of ideas.  I had quite a few for Dale's birthday party, and I had quite a few for Little Bit's birthday party.  To me, half of the fun is in trying new ideas.  But I don't seem to see a lot of other people trying them out.

Imagine my excitement to stumble across The Craft Patch.  She actually has a series of posts called Pinterest Tested where she takes some of the most popular pins and... well... tests them to see if they work.  It's a whole lot of fun to read.

I'm going to try to do something similar so you can see what works, and what doesn't.  I'll start with some of the things I've already tried, but if you have a specific pin that you want me to try, then please let me know.

And in honor of this new adventure, I leave you with this link to proper Pin etiquette, and one for finding an original source.

Until later, Happy Pinning!
Hugs,
Melinda

My bicycle

I have a new bicycle.  She's so pretty.  She's a little pinkish purple Trek Navigator 2.0.   She's the most expensive bike I've ever owned, but she's a sweet ride.  I can go 4 miles on her without feeling a thing.  She makes riding fun.  I've started calling her "Navi."  Dale says that owning this bike makes me a "Trekkie."

I fell off my bike.  So when I say that, there are probably several questions that pop into your head.  (I know, cause they popped into mine.)  1) Are you okay? 2) Where? When? How? 3) What where you doing on a bicycle in the first place?

Yes, I'm okay, other than a very large ugly purple bruise right in my stomach.  I must have caught the handlebar in my stomach when I fell.  I also have some other bruises, but they are hardly worth mentioning.  I did not, however, break anything, and for that, I have thanked God over and over.  Dale did make me go to the doctor on Tuesday and get checked out.  They sent me for an ultrasound on Wednesday to make sure that the bruise was just a bruise and not internal bleeding.  It's just a bruise.

Where was on the Little Blue Trace Trail. It's a good trail to ride on.  Except this one spot that crosses a railroad track and is at a weird angle and fairly steep.  We were riding as a family on Memorial Day.  And how?  Well, I'm still a little unsure as to how, but I know that I took the turn too sharp.   (If you follow this link, I think I fell by #1.  We started the day at #5)

As far as to the what I was doing in the first place, we've been riding as a family.  It's a lot of fun.  We get out, we spend time together, we're getting exercise, we're having fun.  Bicycling has surprised me as being an exercise I really enjoy, which always means you're going to do it more.

The odd part has been all the lessons I've learned in the process of being "injured."  One, falling when you are 36 hurts a whole heck of a lot more than when you're 15.  And surprisingly, more people seem to be worried about you when you are 36.  Two, even "bruises" can hurt bad enough to slow you down.  Three, I feel the need to be stronger in case this happens again.  Four, the "jiggle" in my belly is what hurts worse than anything.  Five, if you are hurt, you need to slow down and allow yourself to heal.  Six, you will still need to hop up and get back on if you can.

And that's what it really comes down to.  When you fall down, you have to hop back up and get back on.

Thank you God, for protecting me and my family.  Help us to enjoy the beauty of your world from our bicycles.

Hugs,
Melinda

The Star-Spangled Banner

So, my Sweet Pea has been learning all about American History this year.  One of the things that came with the Sonlight curriculum was a CD and book labeled Wee Sing America.  For lack of a better description, it's the songs of America that all Americans should know.  And while typically Sweet Pea has been doing her school work by herself while I work with Little Bit, this is one of the things we've been listening to together.

One of today's songs was The Star-Spangled Banner.

Did you know that there are more than the one verse that we typically sing?  Verses two and three seem to be a bit of a jibe at the British.  But it's verse four that sort of gets me.  It's the principles I believe that the United States of America was founded upon, and what I see us drifting so dangerously away from.  Here are the words of our national anthem:

The Star Spangled Banner
1814
Words by Francis Scott Key, Music by John Stafford Smith

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say does that star spangled banner yet waveO’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep.
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the Star-Spangled Banner! O long may it waveO’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the Star-Spangled Banner, in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: “In God is our Trust.”
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And just so you know how much this means, here is a video of a former marine singing the fourth verse.  (He incorrectly calls it the second verse.)  I am moved to tears every time I watch this, not only by his singing, but by the crowds standing for our flag.  I agree with him.  This verse should be taught to our young children, and it should be sung often and loudly.

God bless America.
Hugs,
Melinda

Changes

Wow... You turn your back for a day month or two, and Blogger changes EVERYTHING.  This is an interesting turn of events.

So, I'm working on a couple of things that I'm hoping will let me learn what I'm doing.  Just hang in there with me, while I figure this out.

 Well, maybe I won't get it worked out tonight.  But for purposes of identification, this is me at 34 pounds lost.

Hugs,
Melinda

Family day

We have a grand day today. Dale and I decided to take the girls to the Kansas City Home & Garden Show this morning. We love walking around and dreaming.

We had so much fun that we didn't want it to end. So we ended up at Zona Rosa to go to Maze Craze. We've had a lot of fun being together.

We're headed home now. I think we're going to watch Mr. Smith goes to Washington. But we also have to figure out supper. Until then.

Hugs,
Melinda

Herbs

I decided to try growing herbs this year. Using fresh herbs as opposed to dried makes your dish so much more flavorful, so much more colorful, so much ... More!

I am happy to report that I have baby oregano, and my basil, cilantro, and carrots are starting to send up shoots as well.

Hugs,
Melinda

Cake batter muddy buddies

This stuff should be illegal. I found the initial picture on Pinterest, which led me to the post here. Little Bit and I made this "for math practice" this morning. This is so good, I had to share. The only difference is that we used Wilton candy melts instead of almond bark. Yummy!

And don't you love the picture of my "help" taste testing the finished product?

Hugs,
Melinda

Busy Day

Today was a busy, but really good day. In case you didn't know, today is our 15th wedding anniversary. 15 years married to this guy, this wonderful, quirky guy who loves to make me laugh, and just overall loves me.

But I digress from the point of my post. (If I have one. I'm not really sure.)

We had Science Class this morning with our friends, and then we went to the business expo offered by our local chamber of commerce. Last year, I was a bit naive as to what to do. This year, I made Sweet Pea actually talk to and ask questions of the businesses that were represented. I feel like we both learned a lot.

For example, I now want LED light bulbs, and we may be researching certain credit unions for refinancing options. I also bought a jar of jam and apple butter, and the best coffee cake I've ever had.

We also met Jacob Turk. He is running for a seat in the US Congress, and I believe that he is the right man for the job. It appears we will be joining his campaign in some form this year, even if it is just to hang flyers on doorknobs.

My brain is refusing to work anymore. Sleep well my friends.

I love you Dale Hollis. 15 down, and only 85 more to go! :D

Hugs,

Melinda

Repost: Study of Cells

I KNEW IT!  I knew we had studied cells before and even made "models" of them.  I even knew I had posted pictures of it!  But I could not find it for the life of me.  Well, guess what?  Here it is!

Hugs, Melinda: Study of Cells:

I wonder if I should try this again before Saturday's microscope lesson?

Hugs,
Melinda

Science class

A college age friend is teaching part 1 of a science class today. We're doing part 2 on Saturday. It's all about cells. Saturday, we're breaking out the microscope. :D

Random thoughts from a Wednesday night Bible study.

Could we sometimes be accused of over thinking parts of the Bible too much? Are there times that we should just accept the "hard" things with the faith of a child?

Heaven time does not move the same as earthly time.

(NLT) 1 Peter 4:7-8 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

I know I'm not doing this and should.

(NASB) Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
Wow. I think we take this verse out of context entirely. How many others are we using for our own benefit? How do we have a whole-istic view to the Bible, and not just a one verse view approach?

Sent from my iPhone

Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

10:15 PM

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.  I've been on a weight loss journey since June 11, 2011.  That's when I really decided to take charge of my life and of my health and to lose weight once and for all. 

 

The benefits have been great.  Fantastic even.  Number one, I'm losing weight.  Then there's my clothes don't fit because they are too large, the better health, more energy, reduction in thyroid meds, feeling better, having more confidence in myself, all of that stuff.

 

There have been some downsides, although some of them are just inconveniences, and mostly to me.  There's the fact that my clothes don't fit, and if I'm not careful, my thyroid levels get out of whack again.  There's the whole, eating healthier costs more issue, which is mostly true if simply because produce can be expensive.

 

Back to why I'm overwhelmed.  My clothes don't fit.  I've spent some money this year getting good clothes that do fit.  And I needed to put them away.  Which led to a whole let's clean out our drawers and closets and reorganize everything, because even though it's the middle of winter, it's time for some spring cleaning, right?

 

Going through my closet meant pulling out my mom's clothes.  Her work jacket with the angel pin.  The black formal dress she wore.  Her club jersey.  Her sweaters.  Her bison jacket that she wore when she was sick.

 

I can't wear them.  They are at least 2 sizes too big for me.  But I can't give them up either.  They mean so much now.  I miss her.  I miss her horribly. 

 

I have a trunk in my room right now ready for me to pack them up, but I don't know that I can.  I don't know that I'm ready.  At least in my closet, I can still look at them daily if I want.  If I put them in that trunk, does that mean I'm packing up the last of my momma?

 

I don't have the answer, and maybe I should just go to bed and deal with it tomorrow.  I don't know.

 

The other reason I am overwhelmed is because I met with a personal trainer tonight.  He worked me hard.  Well, at least harder than I've been worked in a while.  And it's odd, because I actually feel somewhat athletic.  And I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.  When am I going to get fed up with this new healthier me?  When is it going to stop?  When will I go back to eating junk food again and just being lazy in front of the computer? 

 

And while I'm sitting here thinking all these things, I know I don't want to go back.  I can eat salad now (and DO!).  Eating too much junk food, especially anything really sugary or really greasy makes me feel ill for at least 24 hours.  I can't have seconds and thirds anymore, because I'm enjoying my firsts. 

 

So would I want my mom to live through that horrible sickness that is cancer again?  Would I want her to live in a semi-Alzheimer's state of mind, or as a stroke victim?  The obvious answer is no. 

 

My momma, my best friend, my mentor is in Heaven.  She is with God and she is singing with the angels and she is holding my angel baby.  She is playing cards with Maw-Maw Milly, and she is swinging high on that swing set.   Praise God.  She is home.

 

So, I guess I've worked through this.  I'm going to go in my room and pack up that trunk, and I'm going to be loving every precious moment I had with her.  Thank you God for my momma.  Please let her know I love her still.

 

Hugs,

Melinda

 

 

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