hi again,
I want to talk about something that has been on my mind lately. Beauty and what it is and the lengths people go to make themselves look beautiful or what they consider to be beautiful. Recently there was something on the news about a celebrity who went to awful lengths to change her appearance to make herself look more beautiful. I won't get any further into because I don't believe she deserves any more mention than this. Anyways I mention this because it really got me wondering why people go through these procedures to change themselves to be considered more beautiful or attractive. Who is it for? Are they doing it for themselves that they look in the mirror and like what they see or are they doing it to make themselves more attractive to other people? Either way I don't think it is for the right reasons. You may be thinking that I am beautiful and I don't have flaws that I would need fixed and that is why I don't understand why women would do this. I am not actually that pretty I don't think according to standards set by society and I definitely have my flaws but that is what makes me who I am. If people can not accept me the way I look then that is their problem and they are sort of shallow. I wasn't always happy with my looks but then I realized that this is me and being unhappy with myself would just lead to an unhappy life. I wish some days I had the beauty that others have because I am human but I would not go for plastic surgery to change my appearance. I am not against plastic surgery in the case that it is neccessary to repair something but I am against nose jobs and facelifts and what ever else is done. It just seems so absolutely shallow. I also think that people who change their appearance have a low self esteem. When I think about what beauty is, I don't really see the outer appearance so much affecting how beautiful a person is but more what is on the inside and what shows through in terms of how a person acts and their confidence and how they treat others. Also another reason to be against plastic surgery-the cost. When I think about people who are starving and just wanting something to eat and the money that could be used to help them but it is used instead on something so shallow-I don't get it at all and it is really sad. Maybe instead people should look in the mirror and tell themselves they actually are beautiful and look at the features they have that are good and not focus on what they think is bad. Again I am not talking about people who have to get it for medical reasons or if people have had their face disfigured and need it-I am talking about people who really actually do not need it and are just trying to change themselves into someone they are not. I am talking about people like this celeb who was beautiful already and still got stuff done and in my opinion looks worse now than before. I am talking about people who are more focused on their appearance than they are on character and who they are as a person. I am not saying you should not take care of yourself and stuff but just enjoy who you are and the features you have. So in conclusion, what is inside really does count and beauty is not skin deep.
Thanks for listening.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
a long week
I would first like to apologize for the absence of posts this week-it's been a long week. It isn't that I didn't have something to say but I just didn't find time to say it. lol It is odd sometimes how you are busy and yet when you look back at your week, at first glance you are not always completely sure what made it so busy. I suppose I have been more tuned in to the news this week which takes a small chunk of time and I had some appts and I signed up for a gift exchange on smartcanucks.ca which I have been preparing a gift for... a whole bunch of little things I guess. Then there is also the fact that I have an infection and I am taking antibiotics which have made me quite nausiated so I have spent more time than usual laying down. I did make a trip to London Drugs and proudly stacked more coupons and I was once again very excited! I got Nabob coffee for 1.49 which normally retails around 5.00! I also got Morning Crisp for 2.50 which normally is probably around 5.00 at LD and elsewhere like Superstore it is probably between 4.00 and 5.00. I also met with someone from Smart Canucks at Tim Hortons this week and she lives in Central Alberta also. It was alot of fun and interesting meeting someone who I had only known online till this week. We had lots of fun and traded coupons and also talked about coupon experiences and people's aversions to coupons and what not. So I suppose when I start reflecting on my week-I actually start to see why it felt so busy. Anyways, thank you for listening and have a great week!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Haiti Earthquake
hi again.
I just looked at a slideshow of photos of Haiti that was in the Macleans email I recieve. First of all I cried looking at the photos. Second, as I was sitting here in my home eating a snack looking at these photos I really was struck so hard by the contrast of my life and the people's lives in Haiti. For us, we have a comfortable life and clean water and we can look at as much or as little of the devistation as we want to and when we just can't handle any more we can look away. For the people in Haiti, they have litterally nothing left and they are wounded and dying and this mess is their world and they can never escape it when it gets to be too much. These photos are just a tiny glimpse into what these real people are dealing with and the pain they are feeling and the devastation they see every single moment. They are not focused on getting their picture taken because they are too busy just trying to survive and trying to get through the loss of loved ones and it really struck me. The photographers are capturing people in despair and people who are in the midst of getting rescued and people who didn't make it. But what also struck me with one photo, where a photographer was caught to the side taking a picture also, was how in order to get these photos photographers are doing nothing but take photos of people in their worst moments and it makes me wonder how one could just stand there taking photos when they could be helping these people? I feel that the photographers went too far in some ways showing the dead bodies of people who did not make it but that is my opinion. Do we really need to see that? Are we so fascinated with these types of photos and the emotions they evoke that photographers feel the need to take them? I suppose fascinated is not the right word because we surely feel sadness and horror when seeing the devastation but I am unsure what other word to use.Or is it that we need to experience even a small glimpse of what these people are going through to understand a tiny bit of life in Haiti? I don't know. I wish that I could do more for these people. I can't imagine life like that and we are very privilaged to live here in Canada. Please do all you can to help these people during this horrible disaster. That is all. Thanks for listening.
I just looked at a slideshow of photos of Haiti that was in the Macleans email I recieve. First of all I cried looking at the photos. Second, as I was sitting here in my home eating a snack looking at these photos I really was struck so hard by the contrast of my life and the people's lives in Haiti. For us, we have a comfortable life and clean water and we can look at as much or as little of the devistation as we want to and when we just can't handle any more we can look away. For the people in Haiti, they have litterally nothing left and they are wounded and dying and this mess is their world and they can never escape it when it gets to be too much. These photos are just a tiny glimpse into what these real people are dealing with and the pain they are feeling and the devastation they see every single moment. They are not focused on getting their picture taken because they are too busy just trying to survive and trying to get through the loss of loved ones and it really struck me. The photographers are capturing people in despair and people who are in the midst of getting rescued and people who didn't make it. But what also struck me with one photo, where a photographer was caught to the side taking a picture also, was how in order to get these photos photographers are doing nothing but take photos of people in their worst moments and it makes me wonder how one could just stand there taking photos when they could be helping these people? I feel that the photographers went too far in some ways showing the dead bodies of people who did not make it but that is my opinion. Do we really need to see that? Are we so fascinated with these types of photos and the emotions they evoke that photographers feel the need to take them? I suppose fascinated is not the right word because we surely feel sadness and horror when seeing the devastation but I am unsure what other word to use.Or is it that we need to experience even a small glimpse of what these people are going through to understand a tiny bit of life in Haiti? I don't know. I wish that I could do more for these people. I can't imagine life like that and we are very privilaged to live here in Canada. Please do all you can to help these people during this horrible disaster. That is all. Thanks for listening.
What is important to me
Hi again,
I wanted to share what is important to me and I feel is important to many others as well. So often we get caught up in making money and getting higher up the ladder of success that the truly important things in life are missed. I feel the most important thing of all is Family and Friends because when circumstances happen, money will not be much of a comfort. Money comes and goes and is never always there no matter what happens but Family and Friends can be. If you do not make time for friends you will lose them and you end up being alone. In the end I don't think it matters how much money you made or how important you were in the workplace, what will matter to people is who you were as a person and the happiness you gained through the relationships with others. What will also matter wil be the lives of people you touched by being their friend and being there for them when they needed it. I guess this is somewhat about who you choose to be as a person as well. Sure some people get famous and are remembered for their fame but it seems they are also picked apart after they die over what kind of person they were. Sure money will bring you stuff and things you want but when you lay in bed at night and you are all alone because you have no time for friends, will you be happy? Money does not bring happiness-relationships with others do. This is of course my opinion and I know that not everyone will agree with this but I wanted to share it. Thanks for listening.
I wanted to share what is important to me and I feel is important to many others as well. So often we get caught up in making money and getting higher up the ladder of success that the truly important things in life are missed. I feel the most important thing of all is Family and Friends because when circumstances happen, money will not be much of a comfort. Money comes and goes and is never always there no matter what happens but Family and Friends can be. If you do not make time for friends you will lose them and you end up being alone. In the end I don't think it matters how much money you made or how important you were in the workplace, what will matter to people is who you were as a person and the happiness you gained through the relationships with others. What will also matter wil be the lives of people you touched by being their friend and being there for them when they needed it. I guess this is somewhat about who you choose to be as a person as well. Sure some people get famous and are remembered for their fame but it seems they are also picked apart after they die over what kind of person they were. Sure money will bring you stuff and things you want but when you lay in bed at night and you are all alone because you have no time for friends, will you be happy? Money does not bring happiness-relationships with others do. This is of course my opinion and I know that not everyone will agree with this but I wanted to share it. Thanks for listening.
Olympic Torch Passes through
Hi again,
Well yesterday (Friday) the Olympic Torch finally passed through Central Alberta and I of course would not have missed it for the world!!! I remember months ago when they announced the torch run and it would be going through Central Alberta I was like I am going! I have been waiting ever since! It has been a long wait and I was not dissapointed! It is so neat to see and probably a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was privilaged to be able to see it! I have found that people seem either interested or they are not and that is ok-everyone has their reasons. What is sad though is when people start putting down other people who are excited about it because that is not right. To these people I would ask if they go to New Year's Eve celebrations to see fireworks or Canada Day Fireworks and then I would ask how is it different really? With each one of these, we are celebrating something. The Olympic torch has so much significance and it also brings us together as a country and a world. Also the Olympics are something amazing too. For the most part, the Olympics is a place where we can all go and celebrate sport as well as get along. I say for the most part because sadly people don't always get along and stuff happens. But for the rest of the time, different countries compete against one another who normally may not have the best relationship. Anyways back to the flame-it was amazing to see and I loved the opportunity and will always remember it! Now I would like to share some photos with you from last night. Thanks for listening.
Red Deer Royals coming in ahead of the Olympic Flame
Torch Bearer coming in on Horse and Wagon
I love this photo because the torch and a Canada Flag happened to be together in the same shot!
The torch bearer and Olympic Flame
Well yesterday (Friday) the Olympic Torch finally passed through Central Alberta and I of course would not have missed it for the world!!! I remember months ago when they announced the torch run and it would be going through Central Alberta I was like I am going! I have been waiting ever since! It has been a long wait and I was not dissapointed! It is so neat to see and probably a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was privilaged to be able to see it! I have found that people seem either interested or they are not and that is ok-everyone has their reasons. What is sad though is when people start putting down other people who are excited about it because that is not right. To these people I would ask if they go to New Year's Eve celebrations to see fireworks or Canada Day Fireworks and then I would ask how is it different really? With each one of these, we are celebrating something. The Olympic torch has so much significance and it also brings us together as a country and a world. Also the Olympics are something amazing too. For the most part, the Olympics is a place where we can all go and celebrate sport as well as get along. I say for the most part because sadly people don't always get along and stuff happens. But for the rest of the time, different countries compete against one another who normally may not have the best relationship. Anyways back to the flame-it was amazing to see and I loved the opportunity and will always remember it! Now I would like to share some photos with you from last night. Thanks for listening.
Red Deer Royals coming in ahead of the Olympic Flame
Torch Bearer coming in on Horse and Wagon
I love this photo because the torch and a Canada Flag happened to be together in the same shot!
The torch bearer and Olympic Flame
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti Earthquake
Hi again,
I want to talk about the Earthquake in Haiti for a few moments. I was devastated to hear the news of the earthquake when it happened as I am sure many of us were. I am not sure that there is much I can say about it that we don't already know but I want to send out a plea to people to consider making monetary donations because I think at this time that is the best way to help. I feel so bad for the people in Haiti and my thoughts and prayers go out to them and the people trying to help find the missing and the wounded. I also feel for the people here in Canada who have relatives in Haiti and they are unsure whether their relatives are safe or not and the waiting that they have to endure. Please keep the people in Haiti in your thoughts and prayers as well as the people that are helping in the relief effort that they stay safe. I wish there was more I could do and I feel helpless almost but I believe that prayer can be very powerful as are donations however small or big. Thanks for listening.
I want to talk about the Earthquake in Haiti for a few moments. I was devastated to hear the news of the earthquake when it happened as I am sure many of us were. I am not sure that there is much I can say about it that we don't already know but I want to send out a plea to people to consider making monetary donations because I think at this time that is the best way to help. I feel so bad for the people in Haiti and my thoughts and prayers go out to them and the people trying to help find the missing and the wounded. I also feel for the people here in Canada who have relatives in Haiti and they are unsure whether their relatives are safe or not and the waiting that they have to endure. Please keep the people in Haiti in your thoughts and prayers as well as the people that are helping in the relief effort that they stay safe. I wish there was more I could do and I feel helpless almost but I believe that prayer can be very powerful as are donations however small or big. Thanks for listening.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Books
Hello.
As I sit here tonight thinking about what I should write about, I look around my room to see my shelves of books and I feel compelled to write about books. lol Yes Books. Well maybe not books so much but reading books. As someone who loves to read, I find it hard to imagine life without them. I also have a hard time understanding those who don't like to read. But we all have different passions and I get that. There is something so magical about a book and how it whisks you off to this imaginary world where anything is possible. You can travel places with a book that are not possible in the real world where there are dragons or evil witches or mysterious creatures or worlds that are full of magic. A book takes you on a trip. Sometimes a book is a great escape from reality. I should note that a book's magic depends on the author who writes the book full of words that are masterfully strung together to create a masterpiece that sends us on each adventure. I am so thankful for the authors who spend their time writing these books that we can read them. So I encourage you to pick up a good book and let your imagination run wild and enjoy the adventure that it takes you on. Thanks for listening.
As I sit here tonight thinking about what I should write about, I look around my room to see my shelves of books and I feel compelled to write about books. lol Yes Books. Well maybe not books so much but reading books. As someone who loves to read, I find it hard to imagine life without them. I also have a hard time understanding those who don't like to read. But we all have different passions and I get that. There is something so magical about a book and how it whisks you off to this imaginary world where anything is possible. You can travel places with a book that are not possible in the real world where there are dragons or evil witches or mysterious creatures or worlds that are full of magic. A book takes you on a trip. Sometimes a book is a great escape from reality. I should note that a book's magic depends on the author who writes the book full of words that are masterfully strung together to create a masterpiece that sends us on each adventure. I am so thankful for the authors who spend their time writing these books that we can read them. So I encourage you to pick up a good book and let your imagination run wild and enjoy the adventure that it takes you on. Thanks for listening.
Alberta Gov't to possibly shuffle cabinet
Hi again,
Well it is about time and while I feel that Liepert (Healthcare) should be fired completely, a shuffle is better than nothing. I just feel sorry for the place he ends up next because he is likely to screw it up. He has done so much damage to the Healthcare system that it may take alot to fix it again and may not be fixed for a long time to come. I hope whoever gets the job next is good at undoing damage because there is alot of it. I just can not believe it took so long for Stelmach to do something about it. I think most of the province seems to be against Liepert and has been for some time. Yet he is still there. In some ways I think looking back that Stelmach should not have become Premier and he got in way over his head and he is not completely to blame so much for the damage. But he should have had some idea that he would not be the man for the job. There is alot of people in the party that are behind the scenes that are doing alot of the damage. But that does not let Stelmach off the hook. He is being pushed around maybe but he should be standing up and be a leader for once. I think he is too nice and honest to be in politics and the party members are manipulative and know they can push Stelmach around. I may be making enemies by posting this and people may dissagree with my views but these are my views and I am sharing them. If you feel that you want to add to this, discuss this or try to change my view-feel free to post a comment. I am totally open to discussion. Thanks for listening.
Well it is about time and while I feel that Liepert (Healthcare) should be fired completely, a shuffle is better than nothing. I just feel sorry for the place he ends up next because he is likely to screw it up. He has done so much damage to the Healthcare system that it may take alot to fix it again and may not be fixed for a long time to come. I hope whoever gets the job next is good at undoing damage because there is alot of it. I just can not believe it took so long for Stelmach to do something about it. I think most of the province seems to be against Liepert and has been for some time. Yet he is still there. In some ways I think looking back that Stelmach should not have become Premier and he got in way over his head and he is not completely to blame so much for the damage. But he should have had some idea that he would not be the man for the job. There is alot of people in the party that are behind the scenes that are doing alot of the damage. But that does not let Stelmach off the hook. He is being pushed around maybe but he should be standing up and be a leader for once. I think he is too nice and honest to be in politics and the party members are manipulative and know they can push Stelmach around. I may be making enemies by posting this and people may dissagree with my views but these are my views and I am sharing them. If you feel that you want to add to this, discuss this or try to change my view-feel free to post a comment. I am totally open to discussion. Thanks for listening.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Everyone has a mountain to climb
hi again,
I read a post by a friend of mine on her blog and she posted an amazing post which got me thinking. The title of this post is something that I say all the time and I would like to explain it. Quite often when I describe stuff I have been through, people start saying sorry you had to go through that and some are basically short of saying poor you. Funny because I don't feel that way! lol So my response to people is that everyone has a mountain or mountains to climb and overcome and this is mine. I also say that I don't like people feeling sorry for me because I am perfectly capable myself if I wanted to and I don't need anyone else doing it for me. I don't feel sorry for myself...most of the time. lol I am not perfect and sometimes I look at my life and wish it were different but then I remember all of the strength I have gained by going through the obstacles in my life. I wear my obstacles that I have overcome in a way as a badge to say that I have gotten through them. I really get annoyed when people say that "I wish I had their life-they have everything and have it all together and life is so easy for them" Please. This is where my saying comes in again. EVERYONE has obstacles and no one is immune to them. Just because a person looks together doesn't mean they have it together. Their life may be falling apart and they may be going through huge stuff but they choose to look together to everyone else. The person who complains their life is not as easy as others may look like they have it together too. Something I have noticed is how we seem to like to hide our problems and appear to have it together to the rest of the world and it seems to be a natural thing to do. I have done it. I spent 1.5yrs having terrible stomach spasms when ever I ate and I was on up to like 7 different meds to control the pain just so I could appear to have it together and not worry other people. Some of my closest friends never even knew. My reasons were because I see how other people have stuff going on and I didn't want them to worry about me on top of their stuff too. One had just has MS, another was going through marital issues, another was going through cancer and another was dealing with other stuff and so on. I have something that people call a gift and I can feel emotions from other people that are not always visible to others and almost everyone is going through something. I think alot of times people get so caught up in everything they are going through that they are unable to see the obstacles that others are facing also. Sometimes the obstacle is visible and other times it isn't. If we sit down and give up because we think our lives are awful, what kind of life is that? I tell those people sometimes to look at someone else or watch the news and it doesn't take long to find a person that has worse problems than that person. I do it myself when I get down. I look at someone else and realize my life isn't so bad and I can totally keep going and perservering. Then I look back and see the mountain I have climbed and overcome and it gives me a sense of pride. I also see that through the obstacle that I didn't just lay down and give up and that I kept living my life the best I could. I am not perfect and sometimes I need encouragement from my friends because sometimes I lose sight of things but then I get back on track and keep pushing on. I am writing this as encouragement and I hope it comes across as such also. One last thought. Years ago I got to a low point and I realized I had two choices, I could lay down and give up and just live that way or I could get up and not let my obstacles win and take my life away and cause regret later in life. I of course chose the second because I can't imagine missing out on all life has to offer because of an obstacle I am facing. I may be limited in what I can enjoy but it doesn't mean that I can't enjoy anything at all. Life always has struggles and is never easy and we can't stop living each time one comes up. We need to re evaluate our plans and keep living. Thanks for listening.
I read a post by a friend of mine on her blog and she posted an amazing post which got me thinking. The title of this post is something that I say all the time and I would like to explain it. Quite often when I describe stuff I have been through, people start saying sorry you had to go through that and some are basically short of saying poor you. Funny because I don't feel that way! lol So my response to people is that everyone has a mountain or mountains to climb and overcome and this is mine. I also say that I don't like people feeling sorry for me because I am perfectly capable myself if I wanted to and I don't need anyone else doing it for me. I don't feel sorry for myself...most of the time. lol I am not perfect and sometimes I look at my life and wish it were different but then I remember all of the strength I have gained by going through the obstacles in my life. I wear my obstacles that I have overcome in a way as a badge to say that I have gotten through them. I really get annoyed when people say that "I wish I had their life-they have everything and have it all together and life is so easy for them" Please. This is where my saying comes in again. EVERYONE has obstacles and no one is immune to them. Just because a person looks together doesn't mean they have it together. Their life may be falling apart and they may be going through huge stuff but they choose to look together to everyone else. The person who complains their life is not as easy as others may look like they have it together too. Something I have noticed is how we seem to like to hide our problems and appear to have it together to the rest of the world and it seems to be a natural thing to do. I have done it. I spent 1.5yrs having terrible stomach spasms when ever I ate and I was on up to like 7 different meds to control the pain just so I could appear to have it together and not worry other people. Some of my closest friends never even knew. My reasons were because I see how other people have stuff going on and I didn't want them to worry about me on top of their stuff too. One had just has MS, another was going through marital issues, another was going through cancer and another was dealing with other stuff and so on. I have something that people call a gift and I can feel emotions from other people that are not always visible to others and almost everyone is going through something. I think alot of times people get so caught up in everything they are going through that they are unable to see the obstacles that others are facing also. Sometimes the obstacle is visible and other times it isn't. If we sit down and give up because we think our lives are awful, what kind of life is that? I tell those people sometimes to look at someone else or watch the news and it doesn't take long to find a person that has worse problems than that person. I do it myself when I get down. I look at someone else and realize my life isn't so bad and I can totally keep going and perservering. Then I look back and see the mountain I have climbed and overcome and it gives me a sense of pride. I also see that through the obstacle that I didn't just lay down and give up and that I kept living my life the best I could. I am not perfect and sometimes I need encouragement from my friends because sometimes I lose sight of things but then I get back on track and keep pushing on. I am writing this as encouragement and I hope it comes across as such also. One last thought. Years ago I got to a low point and I realized I had two choices, I could lay down and give up and just live that way or I could get up and not let my obstacles win and take my life away and cause regret later in life. I of course chose the second because I can't imagine missing out on all life has to offer because of an obstacle I am facing. I may be limited in what I can enjoy but it doesn't mean that I can't enjoy anything at all. Life always has struggles and is never easy and we can't stop living each time one comes up. We need to re evaluate our plans and keep living. Thanks for listening.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The day after. lol
Hi again,
Well I woke up extremely sore like I expected but not near as stiff. In terms of where it hurt-well where didn't it hurt! lol My legs, back, arms (still don't know how my arms are sore) hips-pretty much everything. I think I may have pulled something in my back also but I am not sure. I am really out of shape, but for good reason I think. The good part in all of this is that the pain is good I think because I am using muscles I haven't been in so long. My hips though were the joint and not muscle but that is another issue. Yet with all the pain, I do not regret it because I enjoyed myself and actually didn't mind the pain because it is from me using my muscles and not from surgery or something else. It is a reminder also that I am improving because there is no way I would have been able to attempt this even a few months ago. I would like to share something else quite interesting. Because of my back problems and the curve in my back, I was always hunched forward and found it complicated skating somewhat. I would tend to put one arm behind me to sort of even out the balance issue I suppose. Yesterday I found that I really realized how much straighter I am and I no longer need to place my arm behind my back for balance. I did however feel the need to lean forward to balance the way I had learned to skate. This is my assumption however on why I was leaning forward and I am unsure if this is for sure the reason. I realized when I stood up straight that I was unsteady and I had to sort of get used to this new position while skating. It felt so odd just like when I was first laying in bed with a straight back and my head no longer curved back funny and I could lay flat. It may take some getting used to but I really don't mind. lol It reminds me of how far I have come. Thanks for listening.
Well I woke up extremely sore like I expected but not near as stiff. In terms of where it hurt-well where didn't it hurt! lol My legs, back, arms (still don't know how my arms are sore) hips-pretty much everything. I think I may have pulled something in my back also but I am not sure. I am really out of shape, but for good reason I think. The good part in all of this is that the pain is good I think because I am using muscles I haven't been in so long. My hips though were the joint and not muscle but that is another issue. Yet with all the pain, I do not regret it because I enjoyed myself and actually didn't mind the pain because it is from me using my muscles and not from surgery or something else. It is a reminder also that I am improving because there is no way I would have been able to attempt this even a few months ago. I would like to share something else quite interesting. Because of my back problems and the curve in my back, I was always hunched forward and found it complicated skating somewhat. I would tend to put one arm behind me to sort of even out the balance issue I suppose. Yesterday I found that I really realized how much straighter I am and I no longer need to place my arm behind my back for balance. I did however feel the need to lean forward to balance the way I had learned to skate. This is my assumption however on why I was leaning forward and I am unsure if this is for sure the reason. I realized when I stood up straight that I was unsteady and I had to sort of get used to this new position while skating. It felt so odd just like when I was first laying in bed with a straight back and my head no longer curved back funny and I could lay flat. It may take some getting used to but I really don't mind. lol It reminds me of how far I have come. Thanks for listening.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Skating!!
Hi again,
Today I finally went skating for the first time since winter 2006! I have been unable to skate since then due to my back. If you would like to know more of what happened with my back you can visit my other blog My Journey With Kyphosis where I explain it in more detail. I love skating and it was really hard to miss out on it for the past few years! But today I finally made it onto the ice again at Bower Ponds. My back is still weak so I only was able to skate for about 15minutes I think but it was the funnest 15minutes I have had in a long time! It is also another amazing step forward in my recovery! There is something amazing about skating, there is a kind of speed and freedom you just don't get from running or walking. There is also an element of fun with skating as well. Well I had a huge grin on my face the entire time! There is also something fun about skating outside on frozen lakes and ponds. It was very busy today since the temperature actually got above freezing! Watching the families skating today brought back fond memories of when I was young and my family and I would go to Bower Ponds and go skating. It also brought back the memory of the one outing where we went to Bower Ponds but didn't make it past the parking lot. lol I sort of broke my head open by sticking my head in the trunk to look at something as my dad was closing the trunk! It is interesting how I remember the moments leading up to the incident but nothing past seeing the trunk lid coming down on my face. Anyways enough about that. lol Bower Ponds definitely holds many memories for me and it is always nice to go there. Now to just get over being so sore! lol
Friday, January 8, 2010
LOLcats
Ok for anyone that has never visited this website it is an ABSOLUTE must! The site is icanhascheezburger and is absolutely hilarious! I laugh so hard sometimes it hurts! Here is a couple of reasons why you should visit it in case you are still having reservations! lol
Hair!
I am so soooo excited today because I realized my hair is FINALLY growing back! Let me explain. I have had a couple of back surgeries that were really long (the one was 9hrs long and the other about 5 I think?) and apparently that caused me to lose a bunch of my hair or it might have been because I was under for so long. Anyways it was horrible because I lost like a third of my hair I think. My hair got incredibly thin from me losing hair. The last surgery happened in August 08. I was told that it would grow back and I have always been waiting for some sign that it was. Lately I have been starting to wonder about if it would ever come back and I had started to resign to the thought of not ever having the hair I once had. Well thank goodness for static because when my hair is staticky all the new little hairs that have started to recently grow stand straight up! lol it is quite interesting to see but I have all kinds of short hairs growing all over my head. They are between 1-2inches long I think. Just to think I will get the hair back that I used to have and love is absolutely amazing! I have noticed little hairs along the part in my hair for awhile now but I assumed that was normal. Anyways this may seem so small to other people but to me this is quite wonderful because it means that I am one step closer to being normal again. Now if I can just gain back that weight I lost... lol
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Breathtaking Morning Sky
This morning I was up earlier than usual and I watched the sunrise and it was simply breathtaking. The kind of sight that you just can not find words for to accurately describe the beauty that you see. I tried to capture it on camera and I would like to think that I did an ok job but there is still nothing like seeing it first hand! I have seen sunrises like this before and I love them how the sun reflects on the clouds but I haven't had a blog to share it on before now! lol Please enjoy!
My first Blog award!!!
First I would love to thank Laura who's blog is Tidbits from my Mind for this amazing award!!! It is really pretty!
Here is a link to her blog which is amazing by the way!
Tidbits From My Mind
Ok now to write 7 interesting things about myself? Here it goes.
1.I suppose the thing that stands out to me as most interesting is that I can't smell. I was born without the ability. It can be both a blessing and a curse I suppose. I feel it is a blessing when it comes to stinky stuff and a curse when I really wish I could smell the smell that people talk about just after it rains. Or a rose and what it smells like. I have learned that a sense of smell can come in handy with baking but it can also be so wonderful to not smell the yucky smells that are out there such as a freshly manured field. Yes I live in the country and it is funny to watch everyone's noses scrunch when the wind blows in just the right direction after a farmer has spread manure on his field! I don't smell a thing! lol
2.I love sunsets and how absolutely amazing they are and I love to photograph them.
3.I love helping people. There is something amazing about helping a person and seeing their condition improve whether it be physical, emotional or financial and knowing you have made a difference in someone's life.
4.I love peanut butter to a point that it is almost an obsession possibly! I can not go without peanut butter or it would not be pretty! lol
5. I have a green thumb apparently and the one thing I still can not do sadly though is bring plants back from the dead. lol Dead is dead. Almost dead and apparently dead (but not) I can help but all dead plants I can not help. lol
6.I have overcome alot of obsctacles in my life and I am proud to say that through these obstacles I have learned to live life to the fullest I can. I am still working on taking life as it comes and to have patience but I am working on that one! I am human and sometimes lose sight of this but I always get back on track again. :)
7.I teach my cat tricks and it can totally be done and is quite fun. My kitty Felix knows high five, sit, down, around and I am currently teaching him to crawl!!
7 bloggers to nominate? Well I do not know 7 yet so I will post the ones I do follow and love and maybe I can search down a few more to follow and suggest. I hope that is ok.
Tidbits From My Mind
Woofy's Musings
I Will Run
Lost In Thought
Here is a link to her blog which is amazing by the way!
Tidbits From My Mind
Ok now to write 7 interesting things about myself? Here it goes.
1.I suppose the thing that stands out to me as most interesting is that I can't smell. I was born without the ability. It can be both a blessing and a curse I suppose. I feel it is a blessing when it comes to stinky stuff and a curse when I really wish I could smell the smell that people talk about just after it rains. Or a rose and what it smells like. I have learned that a sense of smell can come in handy with baking but it can also be so wonderful to not smell the yucky smells that are out there such as a freshly manured field. Yes I live in the country and it is funny to watch everyone's noses scrunch when the wind blows in just the right direction after a farmer has spread manure on his field! I don't smell a thing! lol
2.I love sunsets and how absolutely amazing they are and I love to photograph them.
3.I love helping people. There is something amazing about helping a person and seeing their condition improve whether it be physical, emotional or financial and knowing you have made a difference in someone's life.
4.I love peanut butter to a point that it is almost an obsession possibly! I can not go without peanut butter or it would not be pretty! lol
5. I have a green thumb apparently and the one thing I still can not do sadly though is bring plants back from the dead. lol Dead is dead. Almost dead and apparently dead (but not) I can help but all dead plants I can not help. lol
6.I have overcome alot of obsctacles in my life and I am proud to say that through these obstacles I have learned to live life to the fullest I can. I am still working on taking life as it comes and to have patience but I am working on that one! I am human and sometimes lose sight of this but I always get back on track again. :)
7.I teach my cat tricks and it can totally be done and is quite fun. My kitty Felix knows high five, sit, down, around and I am currently teaching him to crawl!!
7 bloggers to nominate? Well I do not know 7 yet so I will post the ones I do follow and love and maybe I can search down a few more to follow and suggest. I hope that is ok.
Tidbits From My Mind
Woofy's Musings
I Will Run
Lost In Thought
something on my mind
Hi-I am sure alot of people know about the whole Eric Tillman case and it has me rather upset that he got off so easy. There is a link to an article at the bottom about it if you are unfamiliar. Personally I really don't care if he is remorseful or not-he should suffer the consequences of his actions. I also felt from the clips that were shown that he is more remorseful that he got caught and not for what he did. The clip shows him saying sorry to his wife and parents for embarrassing them but where is the apology for the girl he assualted? Maybe he apologized and it just wasn't part of the clip but when I watch that, I see a man who is simply remorseful for getting caught. It isn't right that he should get away with what he did and he is. It is funny how he feels he has to live with what he did when he had a choice of whether or not to act in that matter. What about the girl who he assualted who has to live with those memories for the rest of her life? Where is the justice in this case? There is none and I feel bad for the girl he assualted. This whole thing is just wrong. He may not even lose his job! I sincerely hope that he feels true remorse and he will learn from it and never assualt another individual again and that the remorse is truly punishment for him.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100105/tillman_verdict_100105/20100105?hub=TopStoriesV2
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100105/tillman_verdict_100105/20100105?hub=TopStoriesV2
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Winter can be so pretty!
here are a few photos of what it has been looking like in my corner of the world! it is quite beautiful!
Candles
I was playing around with my camera the other day and got this shot of our one candle and thought I would share it. I hope you enjoy it! I love photography and playing with my camera to get neat shots.
Skating rink update
Well this year the skating rink building has proved more difficult that first thought! First was the shoveling and I will not get into the issues with that. Now I discovered the hydrant is frozen... not good if I want to make a skating rink. My dad helped with the shoveling thankfully so I didn't have to do it all myself. So we have to somehow see this through because of the work already put into it. I will post an image soon of what it looks like so far! Stay tuned!
appointments
Hello again-I just realized I have to make another appointment to see my specialist because it is that time again. I also have to make a doctor's appt and a dentist appt... I hate making appts and put them off usually as long as possible and I really don't know why. The appt with my specialist is one I especially don't want to make because in my opinion I have not improved much since the last appt in September and I worry he will be dissapointed in my progress or lack of it. After my last appt in Sept. I vowed to myself I would improve by the next one and it is one promise I don't think I have kept. I tried desperately to be at a point by now that I would be able to at least be doing some volunteer work again but something just seems to be holding me back. I realize my muscles are the problem and that it takes time but should it be taking this long? Is it wrong to be getting frustrated with myself for not being further ahead? Am I doing something that is slowing my progress? Am I expecting too much of myself? Should I be happy to be just where I am? Maybe it is just my lack of patience that I am setting unrealistic goals for myself that I am setting myself up for failure. Or maybe I really should be doing better than I am. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
False Advertising
Well we have all seen it and experienced it-several times each and every day. We hate it but we just seem to put up with it. Why? Lately it is really getting to me just how far it goes sometimes. Take fast food for example. I think fast food is one of the worst offenders. I don't think anyone actually expects to get what is in the picture but it would be nice if it looked even half way as good right? I think there is making it look good for the camera and the picture and then there is the blatent misrepresentation of a product. I find myself telling people to take the picture of a burger and then divide the meat size by 3 and you can expect that and hopefully not be dissapointed. Should I have to say that? Should we have to expect that the product looks nothing like the advertised photo? No I don't think so but what can we really do about it? Stand at the front of the counter and demand a burger like what is advertised in the photo? lol That would probably just cause a scene and we would be considered nuts and be unable to show our face in public again. lol Is there something we can do? maybe but does it matter enough in the grand scheme of things. Is it just one of those little annoyances that we have to put up with? It would be really nice if you could look at a photo and actually get an idea of the product you are buying. Maybe then they would lose business but if every business did it-maybe people would appreciate that the company is being honest. I am not talking a burger with cold limp lettuce here but just a little closer to actual size and not so photoshopped and stretched. Just a thought. Thanks for reading.
Diets and January
Well as we start off a brand new year, we are once again bombarded with weight loss products and workout gear to help us with that goal of getting into shape that so many seem to make. People start out with great intentions but something seems to happen before we reach February-life possibly? It is funny because I actually started this entry planning to talk about something completely different but this topic sort of happened. I guess I am sort of putting the question out there of what happens with these resolutions and goals that are made and why is it that diet resolutions are so common? It seems like a silly question maybe yet I am asking it anyways. Is there something with society and advertising that makes it so difficult to eat healthy? I feel as though there is. I feel like I am constantly bombarded with images of hamburgers and other fast food and when I am driving it seems there is unhealthy options around every corner. It can be hard to make good healthy choices in a place where there seems to be more unhealthy options than healthy. But back to the topic! lol Maybe we should make goals and resolutions on the first day of every month so that when we fall off that we have a specific date to start fresh and we don't have to wait till next January to roll around again. I know that if I don't do this, then when I screw up on a goal then I am like ok I will get back on track again but I don't if I don't set a date to start again. Just a thought. Things happen and I think even with the best intentions we don't always stay on track. Let's make this the year that if we fall off that we continue to get back on track! Not just in January but every month of the year! thanks for reading!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Building a Skating rink
Well today is the first time in awhile where I have had energy and the feeling of wanting to do something! Yay! It is fairly warm today and was about -20 this afternoon and it did feel warm! lol So because it is warmer and I wanted to do something, I decided to get started on the skating rink despite it being late to start one. The only downside is I have to shovel through knee deep snow before I can even get started on it! My back still is not back to normal yet so I didn't get very far....yet. I think this will be slow going but I started it and I don't back down once I have started something unless I absolutely can not in any way continue. So back outside tomorrow to shovel some more I think. I wonder how big it will end up being?
Friday, January 1, 2010
How open should one be in their blog
This is a question that I have been running through my head since I started this blog. How open should I be in my blog. On the one hand, I tend to be private about some aspects of my life and I don't like to share but on the other hand if I share my battles and triumphs it may help someone else who is reading it. So with some hesitation I have decided to share what is appropriate and to be open. So here it goes.
I am a fairly positive person but I have suffered with depression as well. It seems odd maybe how a positive person could go through depression but it happens I suppose. I think the times I go into depression are the times when stuff is happening and I sort of get beat down and beat down and it gets harder to stay positive until I sink down really low. I have had stuff happen that I do not feel able to share at this time that really beat me down. Other times it seems that nothing really bad has happened and yet I get into this slump that I have to fight to get out of. I have had a few major bouts of depression where I hit absolute rock bottom and there seemed to be no way out and the world seemed awful and I had no will to do anything-I didn't even want to get out of bed. It is a horrible place to be and it is not so uncommon though I felt like I was all alone and I was always paranoid that people secretly hated me. Another thing is that there seemed to be absolutely no way out and I had pretty much lost all hope. But the amazing part is that I had family that truly cared about me and supported me and did not give up on me and I did get through it.
Recently about a month ago a few seperate incidents happened that combined together brought me down pretty low. One of them was learning that an old friend had passed away who I have been wanting to reconnect with but I was too late. I will not get into the others but I have been in a slump again and I have been having difficulty getting out of it. Perhaps one of the reasons I have not gone deeper into depression is that I realize what is happening and I have worked to keep reminding myself of the blessings that I have. This is not an easy task when you are in a slump or going through depression. When I was going through depression before, well meaning people would tell me to count my blessings and how lucky I was and that would make me feel even worse because I should be happy and wasn't. But it is important to work hard to see something positive and hang on to it hard. I believe this is what has kept me from completely sinking into depression. I do not know if sharing this is going to help someone realize something or not but I felt the need to share. My positive for today was having a home that is warm and I do not have to be outside in the cold. Also that a brand new year has started with endless possibilities and that is quite amazing! Thanks for reading!
I am a fairly positive person but I have suffered with depression as well. It seems odd maybe how a positive person could go through depression but it happens I suppose. I think the times I go into depression are the times when stuff is happening and I sort of get beat down and beat down and it gets harder to stay positive until I sink down really low. I have had stuff happen that I do not feel able to share at this time that really beat me down. Other times it seems that nothing really bad has happened and yet I get into this slump that I have to fight to get out of. I have had a few major bouts of depression where I hit absolute rock bottom and there seemed to be no way out and the world seemed awful and I had no will to do anything-I didn't even want to get out of bed. It is a horrible place to be and it is not so uncommon though I felt like I was all alone and I was always paranoid that people secretly hated me. Another thing is that there seemed to be absolutely no way out and I had pretty much lost all hope. But the amazing part is that I had family that truly cared about me and supported me and did not give up on me and I did get through it.
Recently about a month ago a few seperate incidents happened that combined together brought me down pretty low. One of them was learning that an old friend had passed away who I have been wanting to reconnect with but I was too late. I will not get into the others but I have been in a slump again and I have been having difficulty getting out of it. Perhaps one of the reasons I have not gone deeper into depression is that I realize what is happening and I have worked to keep reminding myself of the blessings that I have. This is not an easy task when you are in a slump or going through depression. When I was going through depression before, well meaning people would tell me to count my blessings and how lucky I was and that would make me feel even worse because I should be happy and wasn't. But it is important to work hard to see something positive and hang on to it hard. I believe this is what has kept me from completely sinking into depression. I do not know if sharing this is going to help someone realize something or not but I felt the need to share. My positive for today was having a home that is warm and I do not have to be outside in the cold. Also that a brand new year has started with endless possibilities and that is quite amazing! Thanks for reading!
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