A New Prespective on MLK Day

As I sit here and am able to watch the Inauguration of the President due to being off for Martin Luther King Day I think back to a month ago and my trip to Memphis where I was able to take in the sights of the Lorriane Motel and National Civil Rights Museum. 

Part of the reason we are afforded the freedoms we are today are because of Martin Luther King, a vital character who tirelessly lead the fight for civil rights for all.  I was very intrigued by some of the words Martin Luther spoke and which were displayed at the museum.  It was hard to get pictures of the words, while I tried, you just have to go there and see for yourself.  They sum up a setting in history that was not open the least bit to civil rights for all and Martin Luther stood trying to change that.  Not only was his act an act towards those of different color but I feel his act of fighting for civil rights later lead to more open thinking for those with disabilities and how they should be accepted.

When I left the National Civil Rights Museum I couldn't help but think, the people today who speak outwardly against gay marriage are going to look like fools 50 years from today just how white people who wanted blacks to ride on the back of the bus looked in 1960.  Something to think about.....

Before you judge somebody's color, race, sexual orientation, religion think about what makes yours right and theirs wrong?  The world is a melting pot full of many different colors, races, sexual lifestyles, and religion.  Differences are what makes the world go round.  We've got to be open to accepting all and equal rights for all and today I thank God that Martin Luther King lead this fight!  "Let no man pull you so low as to hate them." - Martin Luther King, Jr

Sunday Sound Off

I'm not entirely sure where I stand on gun control. I have a lot of thoughts about it and something needs to be done for sure but I keep thinking back to Mental Health services. States needs to quit taking away or limiting Mental Health services. I work in the field. It's frightening and it's scary the services one can and cannot get.  And after you leave office Mr. Brownbeck I'm afraid we'll all need Mental Health services in the state of Kansas. 

Be thankful for the bad things in life for they open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before.
 
I've had a weekend of home projects and will blog about them soon! Change is exciting!

60 degrees in January motivates me.

The truth is you know the right thing to do. The hardest thing is to do it.

This weekend I've also made some new fun Pinterest recipes. More on that later!

Before my trip to Memphis last month I wouldn't have put the thought into Martin Luther King Day as I do this year.  I'm going to blog about my experience there tomorrow. But the next time you are compelled to judge one on their difference think of what Dr. King did for this nation.

My second wine bottle tree is put together and we just need 3 more colorful bottles to complete the tree!

The Heartland SPCA sent me a flier about pet adoption this week.  They must know how much I want a dog. I pondered it one night. Everybody else comes home to a husband or kids. I just want a doggie to come home too! Ok, one that isn't going to poop seriously big poops that I have to clean up or eat any of my furniture or stink up this joint but just a little doggie.  Someday.

We've had a productive week with the 3rd Annual MGA Walk, Run and Roll. Thanks to our newest sponsors, Lindsay & Alan Holt, Swartz Plus and Ham's Pool Service. We've also gotten some fun raffle items! You won't want to miss out!  The generosity of those in the community, family and friends always blows me away.

Sorry for the offensive language in advance but I pinned this on Pinterest because it cracked me up, "Life is too damn short. For fuck sake, just do what makes you happy!" :)

I saw this online this week. Republicans don't want their guns or healthcare regulated but they want to regulate your marriage and your vagina. Some food for thought friends and also a little bit funny.......

Blessings Abound

Yesterday I volunteered at Blessings Abound, it's the Overland Park thrift store that partners with my church as well as many other Lutheran Churches to benefit the Metro Lutheran Ministries.  I live very close to the store and its next to my favorite, Nuts and Bolts. I looked at it as an opportunity to get to network and do service with some others from church. Plus I kind of like thrift stores!

We sorted merchandise, priced items and hung them on the racks. It was kind of neat the see the process, see the items, (HOLY SMOKES) and interact with people from church.  Most of the people who were volunteering were much older than me so their definition of a sellable clothing item or wearable item is much different than mine, for example Ugly Christmas Sweaters aren't beautiful- they are the definition of a party mocking their  generation.  What takes the cake and why oh why I didn't take a picture is beyond me. I might go back to the store and purchase it just as a white elephant gift or a joke. It was a squirrel fur wrap around scarf deal with EYE BALLS. It had about 10 fur squirrels with EYE BALLS. I  kept saying it has eyes. I was laughing so hard and some of the ladies thought it was funny but one was very serious about how popular these once were. Really? Seriously? Since I don't have a picture, picture something like this below (found on the internet, times 10 to wrap around your neck)



Anyway, in all seriousness it was a great experience and I'd definitely go back to volunteer or SHOP! They give volunteers 20% plus on Saturdays all furniture is 25% off! And they have tons of furniture. I came away with this cute wooden end table. I did not take a picture of it before. Probably because I was too stinking excited to get some PINK spray paint on it.  But here is the finished product!

As this weekend wraps up, I wanted to share something I saw today.  Sitting in church in front of me was a father and his adult son. Pastor Mike's sermon was about navigating Deep Waters. He said, "fear not, do not be afraid," referencing whatever deep waters are in your path or deep waters you are thinking about going through.  I was thinking about a lot of things in my life but I noticed that both the father and son were crying and comforting each other.  I couldn't help but think what deep waters were currently in their journey. Obviously something very fresh and emotional.  As you start your week take a second to be reminded to greet everybody you meet with a smile. You never know what battle they are facing or what deep waters they are trudging.  Count your blessings!

Under the Weather

There has been a lot of the crud going around and it appears I got some form of it. YUCK.  And just another time when I get that oh so unfriendly reminder that I am not like just everybody else. Weakened immune system and slower recovery time, too weak to actually throw up or cough it up gets so frustrating. I came across this today on Facebook in a group for those with Chronic Illness. Great reminders whether dealing with Chronic illness or not.  Now back to bed.

Little Things You Can Do To Help Brighten Your Day When Living With A Chronic Illness:

1. You can surround yourself with pictures of people you love.

2. Keep a good supply of funny movies & some of your favorite movies.

3. Put funny jokes and/or life quotes up on your wall or on your bathroom mirror.

4. Keep a “feel good” box full of things that remind you of good memories you have. Different scents, pictures, old cards or letters, different textures that bring back good memories. Whenever you are feeling down you can get this box out to remind yourself that things aren’t so bad.

5. Adopt a pet if you are able to do so or don’t already have a pet.

6. Take the time to make sure that you are grounded, living in the here and now. Not could be, would be or was. A way to do this is to wear a bracelet that you can snap against your wrist, a spinner ring or anything else that you think will help you come back to the here and now.

7. Don’t isolate yourself. Make sure that you talk to someone everyday. It could be anyone. It helps many people to talk to someone that is going through the same things they are, although you don’t necessarily have to do that. Anyone will do.

8. Read a good book, listen to music, writes or works on your artwork. Stay in touch with your passion in life.

9. Help others. Helping someone else through a hard time or donating or anything else you are able to do for someone else will end up helping you as well.

10. Do light Yoga or get any type of exercise that you are able to get when you are able to get it. This will help to raise the good chemicals in your body which will make you feel a little better. Meditation has the same effect. Meditation can be as simple as doing four square breathing. You breathe in for a count of four and breathe out for a count of four. Repeat this four times. Count each breath in your mind as your breathing in and out. That’s all there is to it. This also helps when you are feeling any anxiety or stressed out and can be done anywhere.

11. Take time for yourself. Take a nice warm bath, light some candles, do your nails etc.

12. Create your own affirmations that you make a habit of reciting everyday. “I am ok.” “I can make it through this.” “I am beautiful.” “I am worthy of good things.” etc. You can put them on note cards and get a ring to attach them to like a key chain ring that way you will remember to do it everyday and you will have them everywhere you go.

13. Buy a new painting or some fresh flowers. Pretty eye pleasing things will help to raise your mood as well.

14. Take a class. You could take a class either online or anywhere for that matter. Classes don’t always mean college courses. This will help you stay busy. Over thinking, especially about the same things everyday aren’t good for anyone.

15. Live life one day at a time. Know that there isn’t anything you can do about your chronic illness but try to manage it the best that you know how. Know that you will have good days and you will have bad days but to try to make the best out of both. Even if you are in pain everyday know that it all could be a lot worse even though it doesn’t always feel that way. Everyone is entitled o complain, especially going through something like this, just don’t make an everyday habit of it or your overall health will just get worse.

Black Bean Soup

My mom has a great recipe for Black Bean Soup. A few weeks ago when I was home she made it and I wasn't quite feeling it, sorry Mom! But yesterday it sounded so good so I made a batch.

Black Bean Soup
2 15oz cans of black beans
1/4 c. diced red onions
2 teas chopped pickled jalapeno slices
1 teas sugar
1 teas cider vinegar or wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teas salt
1/4 teas cayenne pepper
1/2 teas chilli powder

Mix in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for an hour and add water as necessary. You can top with avocado or sour cream to spice it up! So easy and tasty on a cold winter day!

Friday Food for Thought

Can I just say I can't stand Kit Kat commercials?  Nobody wants to hear another person crunch on food. Seriously.

Another thing that annoys me and then I'll get off the annoying kick- radio djs. Do they think they are really funny? Good grief!

I noticed I have been hoarding food containers. You  know like sour cream containers and butter, etc. I opened my drawers the other day and was appalled. More appalling to me is when they don't have a lid that matches.  Time to clean out the drawer!

God's plan is bigger than your mistakes.

I cleaned and organized my office this week. It feels SO good to have it so organized. I wonder how long it will last!  I did throw away my college term papers on computer disks. I figured since I don't even own a computer with a disk drive that was ok.

Stop water the weeds and start watering the flowers.

I saw 2 of my clients who are former roommates be reunited this week. They hadn't seen each other in months. And they both squealed and cried. It melted my heart. If only everything in life could be felt through their eyes.

We've got 2 more sponsors for the run. Thanks to Dr. Barohn and People's Bank! We are moving forward and rocking and rolling! Got an idea for us- give me a shout! Hope to see you on April 6, 2013 at Heritage Park!

I know this warmer weather is not so good in the dead of winter but I love it.

I read this statistic this week, "96% of chronic illness is invisible."

And the flu statistics, a little scary this year. I am hibernating as much as I can but lets face it I like to be out and about! I did not get the flu shot this year because with Plasmaphersis treatments the flu shot would just be wiped out at an exchange!

Stay well! Have a great weekend and Cheers!

Black Friday

Black Friday = the Friday before you return to work after being gone for 2 weeks. Ugh.  It has been a glorious 2 weeks of vacay. Lots of family time, friend time, chill time and work on the MGA Run time.  I can't say I'm looking forward to returning to work Monday. I truly love my job but this has been an exceptionally stressful couple of months. Hopefully it dies down soon.

I'll end out my vacation time by sharing with you a funny from today! I have 2 little old lady neighbors. They've gotta be pushing 85-90. I am not as neighborly as I should be but today I was making pulled pork so I took them both a container of it for dinner.  Just to preface this, I have showered today but I have on no make up and did not even dry my hair hence it is a ratty mess. I put back on comfy clothes and pretty much look like a trainwreck. I threw on my winter coat and walked over to Thelma's house. I handed her the pulled pork and she was so excited and proceeded to tell me how pretty I looked. I cracked up inside but thanked her.  I then crossed the street to Theola's house. You see they are the best of friends so they talk on the phone several times a day so I am fairly certain in the 1 minute it took me to cross the street Thelma called Theola to tell her I was coming and what I was bringing. I reached Theola's door and handed her the pulled pork.  She proceeded to ask me if I had a boyfriend yet. I laughed and said "oh Theola, I have no time for that!"  Theola responded that she and Thelma have been looking for me and they watched a nice guy move in behind her and scoped it out but found out he had a live in girlfriend. She told me they'd keep looking. Oh yes, ladies, keep looking. I can't wait to see what they come up with! TGIF!

I'll leave you with some pictures from the Memphis roadtrip....