Shaking It Up

Shaking my way to health...

(For those that have ask me how)

peach /cinnamon

Shake for breakfast
(coffee with walnuts added-yum!)

Shake for lunch
(think I'll have chocolate covered cherry)

Eating healthy for dinner

(eating like I care about myself)

I'm losing weight

(< 200 cal/shake)

Saving money on groceries

(<$2.00/shake)

Shopping in my own closet for clothes

(haven't worn that in a while)

Getting my shake for free

(have friends that love them too)

and now I'm helping others have what I have

Check this out...
Come join the Challenge with me!

www.bodybyvi.com/cindyclark

breathing and receiving

C

Do it for me!

I used to walk on a regular basis.

I'm not really sure when that changed but something like that can just slip away during the darkness of life.

Enter the 90 Day Challenge:

OK I'll try this why not?

First week: 5lbs

nice

But something else began to happen by week two:

energy

feels nice

and 3lbs more

Pants loose

sleep better

Then:

Thanksgiving!!! 

Oh No!

that's OK enjoy and know that I have a solution now

New goal within the 90 day goal

15 lbs before Christmas

Done! with one week to spare

My ultimate goal was 20 lbs in 90 days

Final 19 lbs but Christmas and Super Bowl Sunday enjoyed

This second 90 Day Challenge:

Let's get more fit...

Walking

This has been easy peasy
Nice to be back

Glad I'm doing this for me!

Breathe and Receive

C

Keep Moving

Walking each day has become my new commitment to myself.

I think it may rather be a gift to myself.

I have four aging dogs that haven't really discovered that they may be old and/or overweight.

I myself have already discovered both of those facts about myself.

But walking with the dogs each day has proven to be a challenge.

I am as embarrassed about the Great Dane Abby's weight gain as I am about mine. Doesn't seem to bother her in the least. Her biggest concern is that Sophie, the redhead, gets in her bed and then the tattle tail comes out in Abby and she whines and stares until I make Sophie move.

Saffron, on the other hand, lets nothing bother her. She looks like an ewok and by this time in her life has trouble seeing, hearing and walking but none of that seems to rock her world. Wish more people could have that kind of attitude.

My redhead Sophie came into my life because she has a deadbeat mom that moved away and left her for her grandmother to raise. At least there is no baby daddy I have to deal with. Besides, she thinks she is special and we don't want her to know she's just one of the girls. 

Then there is Henry, the Great White Pyrenees, the gentle giant that keeps watch over our property as if he is under contract with the CIA. He loves the walks but takes his own path because he believes he is in charge.

So where does that leave me with my walks?

 Great Dane on my feet,

 redhead leading the way,

ewok so slow I can't get a decent pace going,

 and a flash of white fur seen forging a path through the woods. 

I'll tell you where it really leaves me:

Having the time of my life.

Breathing and Receiving

C

Going My Way

Going my way huh?

So which way is that?

It's this way!

Certainly have done my share of this.

Backwards can get a little confusing too.

Are you coming or are you going?

I have to remember that "I'm enough as is".

Like a good used car with a lot of life left in her bought "as is".

 God makes no mistakes.

I'm pretty sure of that, or at least mostly sure, or kinda sure, no, no I'm sure.

But I have to do my part.

Wish I knew what my part is.

I'd be more than happy to be responsible for my part if someone would please tell me what that is.

I'm sure it can't be that hard,right?

amen

nuf said

Why Blog?

So the question is:

Why are you blogging?

I remember a year or so after Marvin died I wanted so desperately to talk to him about the kids. Sitting at the computer late one night I decided to write to him. I had tried to call him on his cell phone one day but someone actually answered! 

Gave that one up pretty quick.

I wrote about how each child was coping with his death, their trials of being without him, how much and in what ways I missed him, and the void I felt that kept hemorrhaging life's breathes.

Those letters of sorrow slowly begin to transform into prayers. Prayers for help, comfort, guidance and gratitude for what went before.

I'm not sure in hind sight to whom the letters where actually addressed but one thing for sure, Marvin was not going to get a USPS first class letter in his mailbox.

I believe to the depths of my soul that there is an incredible place in heaven that awaits those that know that Jesus is our Savior above all others.  And if I didn't know it before Marvin had a heart attack seven years before he died, I know it now. A near death experience gave him a peace that I wish he could tell each of you about.

He used to say,

 "I don't know where you go when you don't believe in Jesus but I can tell you where you go when you do".

 Looking back, I believe that I was given that experience to give me strength to cope with his death years later.

God's timing is perfect even if it does stink!

So back to the question at hand:

Why blog?

Frankly its cheaper than therapy and I would like to think I have come through these past 10 years having learned a little about not only myself but about surviving grief. Possibly kicking a little grief butt!

Sorrow, true sorrow, is like a wave that suddenly comes from behind to slap you down, pull you under and take your already shallow breath away.  Then when you think that you have your footing again,
 Whoa there's another! 

 That foundation you are standing on is the only thing you've got, so make sure it's a firm one and that you are squarely planted.

The miracles of life are still with us in hard times, only our focus has changed.

Fine tune your focus each day so that you might be able to breathe and receive what this life has to offer.

And most important!!! 
Remember that grief is an expression that you have loved well!

 Love and miss you Mitter
We are well!

Breathe and Receive

C

Intentions with grace?

Today is a very special day perhaps even  a very valuable day!

Why you ask? 

 No particular reason other than I have decided I want to blog.

 Whoa!  What did I say? 

 Yes blog. 

My inspiration is Keely, my daughter, who currently lives in Germany as an Au pair.  She has delighted and informed all of us that love her( and strangers too?! ) for well over a year.  She makes me laugh and cry all at the same time.  She inspires me regularly not only with her blog but with the life she chooses to live. 

 (All my kids inspire me come to think of it)

  So I am inclined to blog.

Why "Intentions with grace" you ask?

Because I am at a place in my life, after almost 10 years of living without the love of my life, yes soul mate, that I know I need to put the train back on the track and roll forward at a quickened pace and stop just creeping forward in this life of mine. 

This is the journal of that journey both past, present and future.

My intentions to make that happen can only be guided by the grace that God so generously gives to me daily.

He has carried me for so long with my feet dragging the ground that even his strong back must ache.

Time to put the second set of footprints in the sand and make them stand for something intentional. 

Welcome to my journey!