A bit of knitting and a bit of what I have learned from Heavenly Father and my family. Purls or Pearls
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Blessings of HOT water
After 3 weeks of sometimes sort of tepid water, but mostly cold water, today was the day. We have endured, ok and enjoyed, showers at the local YMCA. But today was the day. We have heated water on the stove to wash dishes. But today WE GOT A NEW HOT WATER HEATER!!!!!!!!! I took a long HOT soak in the tub to celebrate.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Yarn Therapy
I woke up today and felt as though I had been hit by a freight train. About 5 years ago, my doctor at that time told me that I had fiber myalgia. I looked it up on the internet and found out that basically it meant that I had muscle pain that they couldn't find a reason for. Most days I can ignore it, but today it took me down and made me grumpy. On grumpy days I find that a good dose of yarn therapy helps my outlook and that makes the pain seem less. So I got out several skeins of my yarn and, I guess for lack of a better discription, well played. My stomach really hurts today as well. Stress--I haven't been knitting as much so the stress gets to me more. I need to remember to take time for me each day. This is a small yarn pile. I believe that if I piled all of my yarn together, it would be about the size of a large dresser. I worked a whole bunch of it down into projects and was worried about the possiblility of running out in the next couple of years as I haven't been buying much yarn lately, I am working on my yarn addiction, but then a dear friend saved me--she sent me 40 lbs of yarn for Christmas. By the way that fills 1 uhaul dishpack size box. It is a very great blessing. I believe that I will work on Jessica's scarf.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Family
Family means everything to me. This is my husband Bill and myself. We have been married for 25 years. There has never been a time in my life when Bill wasn't there. I have known him since I was 6 months old. So far our life together has been a tremendous adventure. We have lived in 7 states, and have learned so much about people. We have gained many friends, some who have become almost like family. We have had many trials but the Lord has blessed us with great joy as well. I can't wait to see what the next 50 years will teach us.
We have 6 unique and wonderous children. They have added craziness to our everyday lives. Most of all they have added joy. They are Rachel, Mandy, Matthew, Jessica, Joshua, and Daniel. When they were little, I wondered if they would ever grow up. Then I blinked and now they are mostly all grown up. Each child is so different from the others, unique with their trials and talents. The most constant thing in our everyday lives is change. Each time we moved we not only had to make new friends, but learn new cultures as well. One thing that hasn't changed is their ability to have fun. We have been very blessed in that they are very good friends and love each other.
The best part of being a family is the love that we share. We know that we can be together forever. That being an eternal family is part of our Heavenly Father's plan. What a blessing it is to be sealed in the temple for all time and eternity. Be are a very blessed family.
We have 6 unique and wonderous children. They have added craziness to our everyday lives. Most of all they have added joy. They are Rachel, Mandy, Matthew, Jessica, Joshua, and Daniel. When they were little, I wondered if they would ever grow up. Then I blinked and now they are mostly all grown up. Each child is so different from the others, unique with their trials and talents. The most constant thing in our everyday lives is change. Each time we moved we not only had to make new friends, but learn new cultures as well. One thing that hasn't changed is their ability to have fun. We have been very blessed in that they are very good friends and love each other.On December 2, 2007 our Rachel added Marcus to our family and made Bill and I the dreaded in-laws. We spent several months wondering if that meant that we needed to or got to be wicked, but then decided that it just meant that we were blessed with another son to love. They are working hard going to school in Idaho (which seems so far away.) Last June we had the entire family together for the first time in 2 years so we had pictures taken.
The best part of being a family is the love that we share. We know that we can be together forever. That being an eternal family is part of our Heavenly Father's plan. What a blessing it is to be sealed in the temple for all time and eternity. Be are a very blessed family.
My Dear Sisters---February
My Dear Sisters
Each year as February approaches, I begin to think about the topic of Love. The love of a parent for a child, the kind of love between sisters and brothers in a family, the love that is shared with our husbands, are just a few types of love that exist in this world. In John 13: 34-35 it states: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, it ye have love one to another.” We are meant to love and care for each other while we are here on earth.
Loving those around us is not always easy. “When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else. (Elder David A. Bednar Nov 2006 Ensign, pp. 89-92)
By showing Christ like love, and forgiving those who have offended us, we can have great peace in our hearts. I know that by loving each other like Christ loves us, we can have greater joy as we live and work together.
Sister Cheryl Helm
Each year as February approaches, I begin to think about the topic of Love. The love of a parent for a child, the kind of love between sisters and brothers in a family, the love that is shared with our husbands, are just a few types of love that exist in this world. In John 13: 34-35 it states: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, it ye have love one to another.” We are meant to love and care for each other while we are here on earth.
Loving those around us is not always easy. “When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else. (Elder David A. Bednar Nov 2006 Ensign, pp. 89-92)
By showing Christ like love, and forgiving those who have offended us, we can have great peace in our hearts. I know that by loving each other like Christ loves us, we can have greater joy as we live and work together.
Sister Cheryl Helm
So Far
So this is week 4 of the Pound Plunge. The first 2 weeks were disappointing, in that I worked really hard, however there were no changes. Week 1 of South Beach had just too much meat, and well I couldn't stomach it, quite literaly, I couldn't keep anything down for 4 days. So I moved onto phase 2, which adds other protien alternatives as well as some complex carbs and have been doing pretty well. In week 3 I finally lost 1 lb and 1/2 inch from each thigh and upper arm for a total of 2 inches lost. I was very excited about the 2 inches gone, however after talking to my my swim instructer (I am now calling her Atilla the Ann) we were a bit down about not losing anything from my considerable stomach. So we upped the ab work. When you are the only one in the class, you basically have everything catered to you personally, so basically for now I have a personal trainer. Wow, Ann went to the weight machines and then came back into the pool, finding exercises that worked the muscles in a spacific way. We started out with 10 ab exercises at 1 minute each. As of yesterday(the pool gets a bolus of chemicals on Thurday mornings so no class) we had dropped 2 of the exercises and I am now up to 4 minutes on each of the other 8. Well it paid off!! This week I lost 1.6 pounds, and 1/2 inch from my waist and my hips, along with another 1/4 inch off of each arm and thigh for a total of another 2 inches. Pretty much I am having fun, however along around 6pm each night, the achy muscles kick in. I am reminded of signs in our basement that my dad put up when I was growing up--NO PAIN, NO GAIN. Well I am feeling the pain, so there had better be gain!! No, this is working far better than I thought. Being part of a team helps tons. This is the fist time in 5 years that I have stepped on a scale and had the number go down. I don't care that it is tiny and I am not losing as fast as my other team mates, all that matters is that it is going down instead of up.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Plunge
After being so sick for the last quarter of the year, I finally found a doctor who was taking new patients (this is a problem here in St Joseph as we have too many people and not enough family doctors, need a specialist--no problem, need a regular family doctor, well they are scarce.) In addition to finding a doctor who is taking patients, there are my own requirements.
1. Must believe in God--I never thought about this one too much until I had a doctor in Alamagordo NM who was a self proclaimed athiest. He said that I could believe in anything I wanted, he believed that he would go and get another drink--I fired him, and drinking doctor I did NOT need.
2. Need to be open to natural remedies and not just a pill prescriber. There is a time for meds, but there are many natural ways to accomplish good health.
3. Must NOT talk to me as if I don't have a brain--I might not be the smartest person in the world, but I don't need a doctor to talk down to me to prove it.
So after calling and interviewing several I now have a doctor. He ran several tests, most of which came back normal. With the exception of having a blood pressure problem, I am pretty healthy, especially for my wieght. So we had a long talk about my wieght and I agreed to go on the South Beach diet. (I hate that 4 letter word) I also agreed to gather a team for the KJO Pound Plunge.
The KJO Pound Plunge is a partnership between the hospital and our local radio station. It is a 12 week program that has a few rules.
1. Visit with your doctor for dietary and exercise instructions. The doctor signs the form that you have been to see him or her.
2. Gather a team of 4 and create a team name--we are the Size 9's, turns out we all wear size 9 shoes, and well size 9 would be a vast improvement for all of us.
3. Weekly weigh in. OK so I really liked their scales, as I weighed 10 pounds less than at the doctors and 7 pounds less than the one we have here at home.
4. There are weekly short (15 minute) classes as well as weekly walking activities. These are not mandatory, but can greatly enrich our experience.
The results are based on percentages lost and there are prizes and other activities for the next 12 weeks.
I am worried about a few things though. The South Beach diet has so much meat. Try explaining the word of wisdom to a Baptist!! We finally agreed that I would eat the meat for the first 2 weeks and then I could use beans, eggs, low fat cheeses and nuts for my protein after that. Do you know I will have to eat more meat in the next 2 weeks than I usually eat in 2 or 3 months??? The other thing that has been amazing to me is that I don't eat enough. After 1 month food journal where I wrote down everything that went in my mouth--yes including chocolate, it seems that I average 900 to 1000 calories each day. Doctor Turner says that since this isn't a new thing for me in that I ate normally, that my body is in a permanent state of starvation and so is holding on to everything I eat. So I have to eat 1400 calories each day. I am stuffed!! Actually I haven't been able to eat the full 1400 calories yet, but yesterday I ate foods every 2 hours and made it up to 1300 calories. I am getting there. The exercise isn't bad--water walking and deep water muscle building exercises at the YMCA pool, and my stairs every day. Then Tai Chi 3 days a week and Ball yoga the other 3 days a week. I have been doing this routine for the past 6 months. Haven't lost a pound. I am told that when I eat more, I will lose the weight. I hope so
Truthfully, I am tired of not feeling well. I am tired of gaining weight when I don't eat that much. I am tired of the looks that people give you when you are big and not being able to wear cute clothes. I am committed to this.
1. Must believe in God--I never thought about this one too much until I had a doctor in Alamagordo NM who was a self proclaimed athiest. He said that I could believe in anything I wanted, he believed that he would go and get another drink--I fired him, and drinking doctor I did NOT need.
2. Need to be open to natural remedies and not just a pill prescriber. There is a time for meds, but there are many natural ways to accomplish good health.
3. Must NOT talk to me as if I don't have a brain--I might not be the smartest person in the world, but I don't need a doctor to talk down to me to prove it.
So after calling and interviewing several I now have a doctor. He ran several tests, most of which came back normal. With the exception of having a blood pressure problem, I am pretty healthy, especially for my wieght. So we had a long talk about my wieght and I agreed to go on the South Beach diet. (I hate that 4 letter word) I also agreed to gather a team for the KJO Pound Plunge.
The KJO Pound Plunge is a partnership between the hospital and our local radio station. It is a 12 week program that has a few rules.
1. Visit with your doctor for dietary and exercise instructions. The doctor signs the form that you have been to see him or her.
2. Gather a team of 4 and create a team name--we are the Size 9's, turns out we all wear size 9 shoes, and well size 9 would be a vast improvement for all of us.
3. Weekly weigh in. OK so I really liked their scales, as I weighed 10 pounds less than at the doctors and 7 pounds less than the one we have here at home.
4. There are weekly short (15 minute) classes as well as weekly walking activities. These are not mandatory, but can greatly enrich our experience.
The results are based on percentages lost and there are prizes and other activities for the next 12 weeks.
I am worried about a few things though. The South Beach diet has so much meat. Try explaining the word of wisdom to a Baptist!! We finally agreed that I would eat the meat for the first 2 weeks and then I could use beans, eggs, low fat cheeses and nuts for my protein after that. Do you know I will have to eat more meat in the next 2 weeks than I usually eat in 2 or 3 months??? The other thing that has been amazing to me is that I don't eat enough. After 1 month food journal where I wrote down everything that went in my mouth--yes including chocolate, it seems that I average 900 to 1000 calories each day. Doctor Turner says that since this isn't a new thing for me in that I ate normally, that my body is in a permanent state of starvation and so is holding on to everything I eat. So I have to eat 1400 calories each day. I am stuffed!! Actually I haven't been able to eat the full 1400 calories yet, but yesterday I ate foods every 2 hours and made it up to 1300 calories. I am getting there. The exercise isn't bad--water walking and deep water muscle building exercises at the YMCA pool, and my stairs every day. Then Tai Chi 3 days a week and Ball yoga the other 3 days a week. I have been doing this routine for the past 6 months. Haven't lost a pound. I am told that when I eat more, I will lose the weight. I hope so
Truthfully, I am tired of not feeling well. I am tired of gaining weight when I don't eat that much. I am tired of the looks that people give you when you are big and not being able to wear cute clothes. I am committed to this.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
My Dear Sisters--January
Each month, as part of being Relief Society President, I write an article for our newsletter. So I thought I would post it here. During the past two years, I have learned so much. It has been a joyful journey that I look forward to each day. For the first time in my life I feel like I am doing something that makes a difference.
My Dear Sisters,
At the beginning of each year everyone is talking of what their New Years Resolutions will be. Some years I give these careful thought, others I just write down EVERYTHING I know I am doing wrong. Most years my list is about a foot long and by the end of January I have decided that it is just too hard and so I give up.
Recently I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants 82: 10 where it says “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” As I sat pondering this scripture, I was impressed that this was a huge commitment from our Heavenly Father. If we do as He has commanded, Heavenly Father is bound to bless us. He won’t be changing his mind.
This led to further study of Resulotion vs. Commitment. When I am resolved to do something, I am going to make a great effort, however when I make a commitment to do something I am honor bound to finish what I have started.
As I look towards this New Year, I do not believe that I will make New Years Resolutions. Instead I will pick only 2 or 3 things, and then make the COMMITMENT to make these things happen. I encourage you to do the same. Make it simple, and achievable, but with firm commitment. It is my testimony that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants what is best for us. If we follow his commandments, He WILL bless us.
Sister Helm
My Dear Sisters,
At the beginning of each year everyone is talking of what their New Years Resolutions will be. Some years I give these careful thought, others I just write down EVERYTHING I know I am doing wrong. Most years my list is about a foot long and by the end of January I have decided that it is just too hard and so I give up.
Recently I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants 82: 10 where it says “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” As I sat pondering this scripture, I was impressed that this was a huge commitment from our Heavenly Father. If we do as He has commanded, Heavenly Father is bound to bless us. He won’t be changing his mind.
This led to further study of Resulotion vs. Commitment. When I am resolved to do something, I am going to make a great effort, however when I make a commitment to do something I am honor bound to finish what I have started.
As I look towards this New Year, I do not believe that I will make New Years Resolutions. Instead I will pick only 2 or 3 things, and then make the COMMITMENT to make these things happen. I encourage you to do the same. Make it simple, and achievable, but with firm commitment. It is my testimony that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants what is best for us. If we follow his commandments, He WILL bless us.
Sister Helm
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