Sunday Thoughts to Ponder...A Journey...

I recently reconnected with a high school buddy through Facebook.  In our conversations I said that I didn't post too many personal things on FB as I questioned whether anyone would really want to read what I had to say...was I smart enough, witty enough, informed enough...etc.  Her response was, "Helen, at our age we should be able to say whatever we want and not worry what others think."  That one little sentence has been replaying and replaying in my mind ever since...

As I wrote in an earlier blog, I have struggled with exactly what I want this blog to be.  I know if I am not true to myself,  readers will see through the BS and pretense and not care to follow.  I also know I run the risk of alienating folks if I keep changing but....if the shoe doesn't fit.....

Sometime in my mid-30's my mother's DNA kicked in and I started gaining weight.  And after being diagnosed and treated for Graves Disease, I gained even more weight and have struggled ever since to get it under control.  My family watched my mother deteriorate as she aged, as she gained more and more weight...the diabetes, heart trouble, back surgery and eventual Dementia.  It was painful to watch and left an indelible scar in my brain and on my soul and I do not want to be that person.

So here I am, overweight, high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, filled with arthritis, high cholesterol and in my opinion spinning out of control.  I KNOW what I need to do, no question, I am smart enough to realize the consequences of not making my health my number one priority.

I've done Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins and even went to a weight clinic.  They all work, but you have to keep following the plan and that is where I run into trouble.  It's someone's birthday at the office, or somebody brought in left over goodies from the weekend, samples at the grocery store, not having the healthy stuff on hand, being bored, being sad, being happy....being out of control.

So it's time to begin a journey and I think the best way for me to succeed is to share it with others.  I cannot be a successful business owner/blogger if I am not a successfully healthy human being.  The two do not mesh....it may work for awhile, but one or the other will break.

I am not a particularly athletic person, but I do enjoy being outside walking and working on my container garden; I have practiced a bit of yoga and Tai Chi.  I think these are excellent places to start my journey: with small steps, adding/expanding a bit each week or so until I feel comfortable again in my own skin, and not ashamed at what I have let myself become.

Sun Salutation is a great way to start the day.  I did 4 sequences this morning.

Well, I don't know if I'm at this point yet; BUT, a I had very similar advice before my double knee replacement surgery and it was so appropriate and made a HUGE impact on my recovery.  I need to adopt this attitude right now and apply it to my whole life.

Now, for the eating part of this equation.  I felt most comfortable and had the most lasting success with South Beach.  Getting through the first 3-4 days of no simple carbs and no sugar is quite difficult, but I did it and felt increasing better each day I followed the plan.  The biggest element to being successful is having the right food on hand at all times and never letting myself get so hungry that I would eat the table if I could fit it in my mouth-believe me I have felt this way at times!

Adopting a healthy eating plan and sticking to it may seem simple to many people.  Trust me, it is not.  Like any other addiction, food/eating incorrectly does not have an easy "fix" (pardon the pun).  It takes planning, small steps and a positive attitude....and it can't be done cold turkey.  We do need food to survive, damn, it would be much easier if we didn't.

So, how does all of this tie together, you may ask...when I started this blog I  had every intention of making it all about "physical creativity"...crochet, knitting, sewing, gardening, journaling with snippets of items that I sell sprinkled in along the way.  But ALL of life involves creativity and I feel I must also share how I create a healthier life, and in turn continue to grow my "hands-on" creative life.  And my high school friend?  I'm going to tell it like I see it, the good, the bad, the ugly and most importantly, the successful, the positive, the healthy...creating on the wings on serendipity, one day, one step at a time.

From My Favorite Blogs - Container Gardening

Dawn at Joyful Scribblings has another post I would like to share.  I think this is marvelous, and since the majority of my gardening is container gardening it's perfect for me.  Thanks, Dawn!

Container Gardening Part 1

2013 MAY 15

5 COMMENTS

by dawn

One of Miki’s pots by her beautiful pool

Now that we are hopefully out of the woods in terms of snow and freezing temperatures it’s time to start thinking about planting flowers. Container gardening is a lot like decorating your home.  There are several things you need to consider:

• What are your needs?  Are you trying to screen out an undesirable view?
• What type of pot do you want to use?
• What colors do you like?
• What color and style is your house?
• Consider mixing in different types of textures.
• Plant in odd numbers.  Use three, five or seven types of plants per pot.
• Mix heights of plants.
• Just as you would have a focal point in your home, use the same approach in your yard.  Have one large pot or group pots in arrangements to add more interest.  You could even add other accessories to your grouping such as a stone sculpture.

I consulted my friend and Master Gardener, Miki who has spent many hours learning about horticulture through the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension program.  They only accept 30 people per year and require  students to perform 40 hours of community service every year .  Miki volunteers at theArboretum which has container gardens on display from various groups until this Sunday, May 19.  The tips in this post come from information she learned through the extension program.

Arboretum Container Garden

According to Miki, a common mistake people make is using too small of a pot.  The soil drys up quickly from the sun and wind and requires more watering. All pots need drainage holes.  You can use a coffee filter or newspaper to prevent potting mix from falling out.  Use a professional potting mix which can be found at places like Lowe’s, Home Depot or a gardening center.  Also be sure to fertilize your soil 1 to 3 times per summer with Miracle Grow or some other type of fertilizer.  This is a step I normally skip, but I mainly plant succulents because they require less watering. You can read about my love for succulentshere.   When selecting a pot there are pros and cons for different styles of pots.

• Terra-cotta pros- classic, attractive, affordable, beautiful patina with age
  cons- heavy, fragile, porous (needs extra watering), cracks in winter
• Plastic pros- lightweight, durable, affordable
  cons- less attractive, blows over in wind
• Ceramic pros- attractive, many colors
  cons- fragile, costly, often no drainage
• Wood pros- affordable, can build yourself
  cons- decays, not as attractive
• Fiberglass pros- lightweight, mimics natural materials
  cons- costly
• Hypertufa pros- popular look, can make yourself
  cons- heavy, cracks in winter

When you are choosing colors of flowers take into consideration the colors in your home.  If you can see the flowers from inside your home, you may want to choose similar tones so that it flows.  Generally, choose two main colors and one accent for your pot.

• Harmonious- different shades of one color or hues next to each other on the color wheel
• Contrasting- colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel
• Warm- colors such as red, orange and yellow which add drama. (these are the colors I mainly use) Orange is a popular color this year.
• Cool- colors such as blue and purple and pastels which are more relaxing
• Silver- foliage harmonizes with all colors and tones down hot colors while enhancing cool ones
• White – white flowers show up better at night

Miki had so much great information to share that I thought it would be best to do so in two separate posts.  Tomorrow I will cover the process of selecting and planting your flowers and plants.

How Can I Give Back?

When I started thinking about blogging my focus was on needle crafts, art journaling, scrapbooking, gardening and a few thoughts on life in general tossed in every now and then.  It seems as though the thoughts on life are presently taking all of my energy...  

Our family is going through a difficult time with the extreme illness of my sister, Jerrette.  She was diagnosed five years ago at the University of Michigan with a rare tumor, a pancreatic endocrine neoplasm.  Her first treatments were radiation therapy at the University of Michigan.  And she did pretty good for about 3 years; then the disease reared its ugly head and began its slow, unceasing destruction of Jerrette's body.  The past 6 months have been nothing short of a night mare for her and her devoted husband Dan, their daughter Kelly and son Dan Jr.  Loosing a sibling is no easy feat.  My other sister, Onna and I are constantly trying to figure out what we can do to help and possibly ease the burden for the immediate family, knowing full well there is nothing we can do.  As in so many, many cases, cancer is going to win this battle.  We grieve for them and we grieve for ourselves...our loss is devastating.

Jerrette, Onna & Me (Helen) many, many years ago at Kelly's wedding

When I found out that Jacquie Fisher of BlogKC was putting together a group to "give back Kansas City" I knew immediately I wanted to be a part and I knew exactly how I wanted to give back.  With so many lives touched by cancer as well as other catastrophic illnesses; we as caregivers are always searching for outside help and comfort.  Turning Point, in Kansas City is one organization devoted entirely to the support, education, and comfort of those faced with debilitating and often times life ending diseases.  When she was able, my sister attended the Monday morning support group, restorative yoga (I was able to attend with her) and we also took part in many of the educational workshops.  I had an earlier connection to Turning Point when my husband, who is a cancer survivor, was part of one of the very early support groups lead by Moira Mulhern, Phd.  We have never forgotten her kindness, generosity of spirit and her gentle ways.  When Jerrette was diagnosed we encouraged her to seek out the support available at Turning Point.  She did and has made several, good friends and found comfort in their camaraderie.

One of the ways I am giving back is by knitting and crocheting adult & child chemo hats and prayer shawls for Turning Point to give to those in need.  It doesn't seem like enough to me; but, I don't know how to cure cancer, I can only do the little things that might help ease someone else's pain and suffering even in the smallest way.

If you would like to help out, please click the link for Turning Point.

This post is part of a blog hop of Kansas City bloggers looking to give back to the residents of the Greater Kansas City area.  We all hope that you will share the information contained in these blogs and help out in any way you can.  The kindness of strangers goes much further than any of us can ever measure.  Your loving thoughts and well wishes do make a difference.   Thank you from all of us and Happy Holidays.

To learn about other Kansas City charities and how you can make the season brighter for others, visit these great blogs:

Everyday Truth --- Bear Hugs

it's me, debcb! --- Safehome

Back to Allen --- The Children's Place

Whatcha Makin Now --- Wayside Waifs

Soleful Suitcases --- KC Rescue Mission

Wayward Dogs --- Midwest Adopt-a-Bull

Sarah Scoop --- Toys for Tots

Laughing Cat Creations --- Turning Point

Blogchickabowow --- Jewish Family Services

Healthnut Foodie --- Veronica's Voice

Raising the Barrs --- Hillcrest Transitional Housing

KC Edventures --- Salvation Army

The Happy Family Movement --- Rose Brooks Women's Center