Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Going Natural...

...or at least trying!

A few years ago I was introduced to the idea of what it would be like to totally replace all my cleaning supplies in my home with ones that were non-toxic and "all natural". That's when it all began.  I was a bit skeptical at first, but thought that I would take the advice and see where it went.   So, I slowly (emphasis on slowly) started to try these new products (new to me anyways).  I was raised on the basics of the everyday grocery store cleaners, so before I could purchase anything to try I had to open the mental envelope and start to dump out what had been stored for many years and make room for some new ways of doing things.  Old habits and learned behaviors are hard to break.  So, once that was done, one of the first things that I replaced was my everyday basic cleaner (the basic 409 stuff, you know).  Along with that was my laundry soap and dishwasher soap.  It took a little while to get the ball rolling, so to speak, and convert over to my new products.  Once I did I knew that I would never go back. So, after I was (pretty much) convinced I did some more research and started to find many other things that I needed to replace (at least try to). After spending many hours on the internet I was amazed at how much bad "stuff" is in so many things that we willingly bring into our homes.

So, one thing lead to another and before I knew it I was thinking, "change it all". I started with the cleaning supplies. Then I turned to body products, stuff that goes on our bodies, such as lotions, shampoos and conditions (etc).  And now I am trying to change what goes in our bodies.  I have to say that cleaning supplies and external body products were a whole lot easier to research and change then all the "stuff" that we eat and put "in" our bodies.

I have only begun to scratch the surface with reading, learning and changing these foods and products.   There are so many food options and choices out there, not to mention all the manufactured and synthetic stuff that is used in all of today's manufactured foods, too. For now, I am just taking it a day at a time and trying to make wise and  logical choices. I will share that the one rule I made for myself and have come to adopt is the "ingredient" rule. That is, if the list of ingredients is too long to keep my attention or if the list of ingredients are ones that I can not even pronounce then it is probably not good and it should probably not enter my body. Now, I obviously can not say that my rule I made up is accurate or fool proof but rather just a guide that I personally use to help me learn and keep track with what I am eating.  I am not a nutritionist, by any means. In fact, now I realize why that is a 4 year degree plan. Ha! 

After a few years of working to make these changes there are a good selection of products that I have grown to love.  I will share some of those in future posts, so check  back to find out more.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

W & P Sunday - "The House of God, Forever" by Jon Foreman

I have chosen this song today for W&P Sunday for a few reasons.  The first is simply because it is one of my new favorites. Also, I started a Bible Study this week where I will be walking through Psalm 23 verse by verse. This song is just that, Psalm 23 to music. Very Cool! I am excited about my study over the next 6 weeks and when I can tie a song to something that I learn about or experience it makes it that much more memorable and significant.  Another reason I like this song and wanted to share is because I love the beat and the music.   The beginning of the song brings visions to my mind that transports me to the early 1900's where I am sitting in a small church house, in the middle of an open prairie, somewhere. Ahhh...I love going places like that in my mind.

Enjoy!




 The House of God, Forever
by Jon Foreman

God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
With quite streams
Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
'Cause you are with me
You are with me

Your shepherd staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemy
Surely goodness
Follow me
Follow me
In the house of God, forever

God is my shepherd
I won't be wanting
I won't be wanting
He makes me rest
In fields of green
Like quiet streams
Even while I'm walking
Through the valley
Of death and dying
I will not fear
'Cause you are with me
You're always with me

Your shepherd staff
Comforts me
You are my feast
In the presence of enemy
Surely goodness
Follow me
Follow me
In the house of God, forever
In the house of God, forever
In the house of God, forever 




Friday, March 19, 2010

So Happy and Sad all at the same time!

Okay, I know that I just posted about not really knowing what direction I will be taking with my blog.  Guess you could say I have the Blogging Blues". Well, wouldn't you know, as soon as I post about having these blogging blues, I am suddenly finding things to share here.

This post is about something that I witnessed today with my youngest child.  Now really, all you  moms (and dads, if you are really reading here) don't you just love talking about your kids.  Yea, well I am not any different.

Okay on with the story...The other day Kyle got a phone call from one of his best friends that he met in school last year.  This friend ended up suddenly moving with his family to Texas during the middle of the school year, last year.  He left but said that he would be back to visit on occasion as his Dad (he moved with his mom and step-dad) lives near us in the same area.

The purpose of this phone call was to let Kyle know that he would be in town for spring break and was looking forward to getting to see him again. Well, yesterday (and today) was the day they got to spend some time together.  In fact his mom extended their trip by one day so that he could spend the night with Kyle and have a sleep over at our house. They get along so well and truly enjoy being with each other. 

This Morning, when it was time for his friend to leave, I chatted a bit with his father while they said their goodbyes.  You could tell that neither one really wanted to depart from one another but had to. As they drove away and we turned to walk inside, I looked down at Kyle and noticed that he had a flushed face and was working really hard to fight back the tears.  I almost started to cry just watching him.  Oh my! I know goodbyes are hard but this totally caught me off guard.  Most males have that non-emotional side to them when it comes to stuff like this. It is good to know that my son really does have a sensitive side to him, although it hurts to see him so sad.  He was so happy to be able to spend time with his friend but so sad to see him leave.  Their next time together will be in a few months when he is back for another visit in the summer.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Question...Running?

For any runners out there...How do you get started and then once you do how do you know that your body can handle it?

I have been wanting to start training my body to be a runner however, it just seems so overwhelming. I have started by forcing myself to walk (a fast aerobic type of walk). I will admit that I am having a hard time being consistent though. The thing that is hard about being consistent is the getting into a routine and doing it at the same time everyday.  I am really not a morning person and it is painful crawling out of bed to do it before "Starting my day".  Evening is hard because I am always fretting over what to do or make for dinner (for those that REALLY know me, they know that dinner time is my LEAST favorite time of the day) and I forget about getting out to exercise  (plus in a couple more weeks it will not be possible to get out in the afternoon due to the extreme heat). I guess I am going to have to pull myself out of bed and do mornings.  Ok now that I have that taken care of....

How do you know if running is something that your body can handle?  I have been walking for a while now and the other day I found myself walking so fast that I thought "I might as well run", so I did. Well, it didn't last long as I found myself huffing and puffing like a panting dog. I also started having really heavy chest pains.  I don't know about you, but this didn't seem right or normal. I have yet to try again. Maybe I need a little more time and conditioning, or maybe it is time to find something new...hummm?

Anyone out there?

After a long evening of reading through other peoples blogs I find myself here, at mine...wondering...Is anyone out there...reading mine? Is my blog really worth the time and effort like other people put into theirs? 

Yes, I know, to all of my whole 8 followers, you are thinking, I'm here. And yea, I know you are and I am thankful for you.  However...really? I mean, what is my blog writing for anyways?  As you can see I have not posted much at ALL (starting back from when I first began). I guess I feel like it is a little bit of wasted effort for me.  I mean really, my blog is not the only way I communicate with my family so I can't really say it is for them.  And my personal friends out there, well I see and talk with them on a often enough occation for us to "keep up" with each other.  So that leaves everyone else...do people really care about what I have to say, my family, my thoughts, yadda yadda yadda?

Sharing is really hard for me becasue I am a really private person.  I am so private that I don't even like keeping a journal or diary for me to share with myself later in life.  I have so many thoughts that run through my head all the time but they are never spoken or written down.  I am not sure way I am like this.  Just am. I still have to consciously make an effort to communicate and share with my hubby on a daily basis, after almost 17 years of marriage.

Maybe it is time to attach a purpose and a vision to my blog.  Maybe that is what it (I) needs. Instead of making it all about me, my family, yadda yadda yadda....I will make it about some vision and purpose.  You know, like others have on theirs...from sharing recipes, Bible studies, book reviews, movie reviews, I don't know...need time to think about this one.
Any ideas...?    

Sunday, March 14, 2010

W & P Sunday - Live Life Loud by Hawk Nelson

Ok, this would not typically be "my" kind of song, however after many years of living with all males things are starting to change in our house and with me, specially as our boys are getting older.  The more upbeat and "heavier" songs are really starting to grow on me. This is a new "hit" on Air1 and one that always gets the "turn it up" request.  :)

Live Life Loud
by Hawk Nelson



Someone throw your hands up
If you wanna take a chance, then
You gotta sing a little louder
Let’s wake this crowd up

Someone throw your hands up
If you wanna take a chance, then
You gotta sing a little louder
Let’s wake this crowd up

I got a hankerin’ for something special
Tonight’s the night it becomes official
Don’t stop the rock, hold both your hands up
S-show these people how to shake things up

I’m not sittin’ down ’til I’m older
And I’m not shuttin’ up ’til it’s over
Raise your hands and shout if you’re with me
Then once we start it won’t make a difference

If you wanna live life loud, throw your hands up
If you wanna scream and shout, lemme hear you
Takin’ all the fakers out if you’re with me
Everybody work it, just keep living

Wow oh oh, wow oh oh, wow oh oh

I started figurin’ with good intentions
Listen up now, give me your attention
Don’t make a sound if you don’t believe me
You won’t wake up, you’ll just keep living

I’m not sittin’ down ’til I’m older
And I’m not shuttin’ up ’til it’s over
Raise your hands and shout if you’re with me
Then once we start it won’t make a difference

If you wanna live life loud, throw your hands up
If you wanna scream and shout, lemme hear you
Takin’ all the fakers out if you’re with me
Everybody work it, just keep living

Wow oh oh, wow oh oh, wow oh oh
Every time that I close my eyes,
I catch a glimpse of the west coast sunrise
And I can tell you you’re just as beautiful

Someone throw your hands up
If you wanna take a chance, then
You gotta sing a little louder
Let’s wake this crowd up

Someone throw your hands up
If you wanna take a chance, then
You gotta sing a little louder
Let’s wake this crowd up

If you wanna live life loud, throw your hands up
If you wanna scream and shout, lemme hear you
Takin’ all the fakers out if you’re with me
Everybody work it, just keep living
Wow oh oh,
Wow oh oh (Just keep living)
Wow oh oh


Sunday, March 7, 2010

Worship and Praise Sunday - "Rise" by Robbie Seay Band

This is a song that I first heard at our church that we sang for worship.  Again, as I always say, I really like the beat and feel of the music and the lyrics are great. The song is a reminder to us that we need to give of ourselves. The words at the end are powerful...  "We're not safe, but we will rise."




Slow down, be still
Let go, we will
Be here, be now
Slow down, be still
Breathe in, refill
Be here, be now

If you choose to love
To know that the call
Is to give all you are
To give love away, away
Rise, rise, people of love rise
People of love rise, give yourself away
Rise, rise, people of love rise
People of love rise, give yourself away
Give yourself away, give yourself away

Slow down, just breathe
Be still, believe
Be here, be now
Slow down and see
It’s all you need
Be loved and free

And to hear the call, is to give your love away
And to hear the call, is to give your love away
And to hear the call, is to give your life away
Is to give your life away

We’re not safe, we’re not safe
But we will rise
Ringtones Send "Rise" Ringtone to your Cell Ringtones

Friday, March 5, 2010

Commercial From Our Church

Our Church, Mission Community, created this commercial to share with everyone what we are doing in celebration of moving into our new expanded facility.  Instead of spending the money on someone who is "famous" to come talk, give a message or lead in worship through music, our church is giving the money to help others in need.  That is just so awesome and classy.  I can not think of a better way and use of money.