Welcome to My Blog

Time to get serious!

1. I need to lose the last 30 pounds to get to my goal weight.

2. I need to grow as an Independent Close To My Heart Consultant.

3. I need to start writing - prolifically

You are cordially invited to join me as I share my successes and obstacles, my thoughts and feelings, and my love of card making, scrapbooking and other crafty things.

I welcome your opinions, advice and inspiration.

Come ON! Let's GO!!


Saturday, March 31, 2012

Because I Care



One of my favorite Stamp Sets from Stampin Up is the one that has the phrase Because I Care...useful for so many cards and so many circumstances. Just these three little words next to I Love You and I'm Sorry are probably the most meaningful, inspirational and motivational words that somebody may need to hear...Imagine getting a thoughtful, homemade card from somebody on one of your deepest, darkest days that says...Because I Care. I know my day has just then become a whole lot brighter knowing that somebody cares...I am not alone in my struggles...whate'er they be.


Charlotte Mason, whom I think of as the mother of homeschooling, who started a parent institute to teach parents how to teach and train their children, (imagine how well that would go over today), once said, and I am paraphrasing,

                The question is not how much does the student know...but how much does the student care?

How much does the student care about their education? How much does the student care about learning to read? How much does the student care about graduating from high school, going on to college? How much will the student care about being responsible in order to become the best person, parent, provider, proclaimer, etc. that he or she can be? How much does the person care about giving their very best?

Teaching the student to care should be the priority of every instructor and every coach (even fitness trainers)

I think back to just before Christmas when I was in TEAM weight loss class at the gym and there were only three of us on the Octane machines. My fitness trainer (extraordinaire) was skimming through my journal again and noticed that I had been eating out a lot....12 times in one week... I could see the look  of disappointment in his eyes.
I remember him sitting across from us... and asking us students what he could do to help us...to really help us in this weight loss journey. I don't remember the words he said but I remember the look on his face. And for the first time since I had started exercising and taking this class, I realized that this is someone who cares, who really cares, and from that moment my outlook on fitness and nutrition changed.

If you show the student that you care...you teach the student to care

 Its not so much the words Because I Care but the actions behind it...the taking time out to go the extra mile, to make the card, to ask what can I do to help that really matters. The work is still mine to do - but knowing that someone cares - how can I not do my best? My best may fluctuate with health and circumstances and the excuses I can think of... but because someone cares my work seems easier...

I like the saying....Sure life may give you lemons. but if somebody doesn't give you water and sugar your lemonade is going to suck (pucker up...who likes sour lemonade?)

I care about my fitness training a lot more now... I don't take it lightly...and its because of fitness trainers and nutritionists that show they care that I am able to do my best... I can do no other.

I can also teach and show my SPED students that they can do no other also...

Thanks for the life lesson Alex...  

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Thinking About Dad

Almost a year has gone by since Dad left earth to go to his eternal home. Happy 1st eternal birthday Dad. They say that time heals all things...and in some cases it may...although, I am beginning to wonder if I will ever feel less sad or less weepy when I think about Dad passing away. Him not being here on earth has sure left a great big empty spot in my heart. But it is also making me look even more forward to continuing on this journey and doing my best cuz someday, I know I will see him again.

On March 27th 2011... after a battle with congestive heart failure, Dad made a right turn and took the exit ramp from the Kings Highway. His destination was heaven and the direction he had been given for the Journey was Jesus saying, "I AM THE WAY."

 Dad had traveled many miles before he made it to this destination. Sometimes his journey was slow, sometimes he was tempted by the many billboards and rest stops that enticed him to pull off for awhile. But always, Dad got back on the highway, never taking his foot from the accelerator, continuing to move forward, never looking back.

Dad also had the privilege, while driving on this highway, to be a driving instructor. He taught his five students to stay between the lines, when to shift gears, how to manage the clutch, the gas pedal and the brake, how to make minor repairs, change the oil, and change a flat tire. He taught us when to go, when to slow down, when to speed up and to never, never give up even when it seems to tough to go on.

Dad taught me well, because I too am now driving on this journey with my GPS set for the Kings Highway. Sometimes, I wish I was back in in the passenger seat with Dad in the drivers seat, especially, when this vehicle of mine needs repair. I know what Dad would say though, the same thing he always said when his vehicle was in need of repair.

"Needs a tune-up, check the oil, change the spark plugs and don't worry daughter the Master Mechanic will keep your engine runing smoothly if you submit to His vehicle inspection."

It's a highway to heaven, none can go up there but the pure in heart. It's a highway to heaven...driving up the Kings Highway...

"And an Highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness..." Isaiah 35:8

I'm on my way Dad...Thanks for the lessons
See ya later alligator...
After while crocodile









Love you and miss you Dad...