It's Almost Christmas!!!

Does time fly for you as much as it does for me??? Holy cow! Christmas is literally just around the corner. Its weird because all my Christmas shopping is basically done but I don't feel ready for the holiday. We have Thanksgiving and all the sudden Christmas is looking at us right in the eyes.

The past week has been one of the most interestingly bad experiences I've had in my life. I've had to give up control on a lot of aspects of my life. I've had to lean on family and doctors and trust them with........well trust them with my life. So in this season of giving I feel like I'm only taking.

As my meds have been taken away, pushed back on, and started all over in some cases, you may say I've been somewhat of a basket case. I've missed one whole week of work, it was what needed to happen because there's no telling what would have happened had I been at work. People would have been scared, very, very scared! However, I look at the support network around me: my family, my friends, and even my doctors. At least they are pulling for me, even if I won't pull for myself. I can see that now, as my mind has been able to come out of that fog a little, maybe the alternative isn't a better option.

The spirit of Christmas, the gift of Christmas, it's a gift that keeps on giving. And you know what? It's a gift I can keep taking from and it doesn't make me selfish. It's the time of year for good cheer, for forgetting our imperfections, for remembering why we are here on this Earth. There has only been one perfect person, and He's there for me, and He's been there for me through my family, through my friends, and through my doctors. I can see Him in the goodness of those around me, in strangers' smiles when I walk by, and hear Him in the songs of the season. All I need to remember is to take a minute, even a second to remember what this season is about and how I can carry it with me for the entire year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

R Is For Argyle

Well not really it's not, but if you've ever heard the BNL alphabet song, you'd get why I said that. Anyway, I have become a huge fan of argyle! I wanted to pay a little tribute to it in my blog.

Of course argyle has mostly been seen in Scotland, after all that's where it was originated, but it made its way over to the USA in the early 1900's as golf apparel. It is a pattern of overlapping diamonds, adding a sense of three-demensionality, movement, and texture. To me, argyle seems studious, classy, and just down right awesome! As a fat lady buying fat clothes, there was never any clothing containing the argyle pattern. As I've lost weight and have been able to shop in 'regular' clothing stores, argyle has been ever present. So naturally, I'm drawn to it. Argyle is a different pattern, much different than plain old pinstripe or polka dots. However, to me, it's not just a pattern. It's a symbol of success and acceptance!

Back To the Grind

Disneyland was so much fun! It was so nice to go somewhere and not have any commitments, except for a dining reservation at The Blue Bayou. And even that didn't have to be honored! I've been back to work for 3 days and the vacation seems like it was just a dream! Crazy how the real life just sucks you back in!

We decided that Disneyland is going to be an annual trip every November. I'm really excited because my sister and bro in law are coming with us next year. Along with my nephews, Jordan and Andrew. They are so stoked too!

Family vacations rock!

I Can't Wait!

I'M SO EXCITED!

I leave tomorrow at 10:00 AM, drive down to Vegas, spend the night, drive to Anaheim, play in Disneyland for 3 whole days, drive to St. George, spend the night, then drive home! How's that for a run-on sentence?

WOO HOO! DISNEYLAND ROCKS!

Looking Forward

So things have been at a stale mate lately. Not just my weight but it seems like with everything in life. It's easy to give up and let life consume and control you, wouldn't you agree? Its easy to go through the motions of life and just....well....be. How does one get out of these funks? For me, I need to voice it. That's half my battle! With the admitting that life is at a halt comes acceptance and reflection. What can I do to change that? What can I look forward to?

Disneyland! A week and a half away, and I'm in a funk why? Well there are lots of reasons why, but I guarantee those will all fly out of the window the moment I step foot on Disney soil. There is no anti-depressant strong enough to stand up to it!

I want to thank my sister, for coming with me along my life and stopping right by me when my life stops. For waiting patiently as I try to figure myself out. I want to thank her for rooting for me on the side lines and for taking the time to pray for me even when I don't. Because of her I am saner now then I was this morning. She is a rock, a rock that not only I hold on to but that my family does as well. She is the link to the real world and the sane world to me. To her I say I appreciate your love and will forever be in your debt for as long as I live. I love you so very much.

I also want to thank my mentor. The one that gives me advice even when I may not be looking for it, but it always leaves an imprint on my mind and heart. He knows what I need and when I need it, and he is truly an inspiration. He is the example of living life to its fullest and recognizes every single beautiful day. He is the epitomy of stepping outside of oneself and serving all around him. He knows the pains of life, the struggles, and the joys. He is my mentor with life and with work. To him I say thank you. Thank you for your most powerful gift to bestow blessings to those in need. At a time I needed it the most, you were there.

So when life is stale, when life is stopped, what do you have to look forward to. Is it something as simple as a mini-vacation? Is it the holidays with your family? Or maybe just reading a book when it's raining outside?

'Tis the month of gratitude. I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel, to be able to "get away". But I am also so grateful to be home near a family that is so close and rises together through trials and misfortunes. Who is there for each other no matter what. I am also grateful for a family, a mentor and friends that love me for who I am, and believe in me more than I do. Thank you to all who have made such a difference in my life.