Back at it Day 2 - Hopeful

Almost did not go again today using the excuse, "I went yesterday, today Pup and I should rest." But I recognized the excuse and went anyway.

Beautiful day!

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." ~Japanese Proverb

I will keep starting over until I get it right. Love and light my friends! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Back at it - Day 1 with some action

I suppose I should start this blog up again. It kept me accountable for doing my daily walk.

I almost did not go today, again. Though this time it was not for the usual excuses I tell myself but because I did not have a good feeling about it.

Pup and I were off, I noticed a car with no body in it so I knew that someone was out and about the many trails by my house.

Nice day to take a walk in the woods...and get into a dog fight ;)

I decided to follow pups lead today. We went to the usual spot, the place where she knows I will take her off the leash if I feel all is well. But I decided to not take her off the leash this time and I am glad I followed my instincts.

We got to the point where we usually turn around and out of nowhere two dogs ran full speed up to us. One was friendly and just wanted to say hello, the other immediately jumped on Pup. My dog being the protective being that she is, started to fight based upon the mixed signals the second dog was projecting. That is how it began; a two on one full blown dog fight. The owner was not in sight. I screamed for them to get their dogs. Finally, a woman came running and called to them. Never did she come up to where the fight was. I however was standing in the middle of it. The friendly dog listened immediately but the other dog did not. Still she just stood 20 feet away and called to her dog. Finally it all stopped and the stupid woman put her dogs on a leash. I thanked her (because I was taught to be polite) and turned around to walk the way we were coming. The woman started to follow us. Of course my dog was distracted with this and it made it hard for us to leave.

The only one who got hurt was me, by the leash that my dog was on. I understand, she was taking them to a secluded area to unleash them, I do that with Pup. But geeezzz, it still pissed me off!

Love and light, my friends!

A converstaion with self...in all honesty.

Higher Self: Where have you been?
Ego: Here, there and everywhere is the most honest answer.
Higher Self: Have you been walking?
Ego: No. Well, here and there but not anything consistent.
Higher Self: Why?
Ego: Good question, which I cannot answer without spewing off a hundred different excuses. Bottom line is that something "more important" came up each day and I could not do it.
Higher Self: What is more important than oneself?
Ego: Family and work obligations...doooe, what am I saying?

This is a conversation that I have with myself almost daily AND I know that some of you do to. I am not the only one who struggles with motivation in the area of health and exercise. Truth is, the very things that motivate me (family and work) are the very things that stand in the way of my own motivation. Yeah, it is nuts BUT again I know that some of you understand this concept. It is not until I started to listen to myself that I began realizing just how ridiculous this cycle is.

The top three lessons that I have learned in the past few years is...

1. Happiness is in the eye of the beholder.
2. It is important to take care of your self on all levels; mentally, physically and spiritually. You cannot care for anyone else unless you are up to par. Especially true for us mothers.
3. The first two are very much easier said than done.

Acknowledging the cycle is the first step to breaking it. Realizing how ridiculous the cycle is and the outcome it has on yourself and your family is the next step. What comes next is the decision to change and to act on that change. Finally, the change sets in and it becomes your new life.

With my weight struggle I am somewhere between realizing the cycle and deciding to change. Again. I will start over as many times as needed, because that is how important it is to me. For me, and for my family. What is that proverb?

"'Tis a lesson you should heed:

Try, try, try again.

If at first you don't succeed,

Try, try, try again."

~William Edward Hickson

Another good reason to walk, my pup!

Nice trail.

Yep, still seeing hearts. Not nearly as much as I once was but they are still there.

And at the end of the day, the Universe always delivers!

 Love and light my friends! Thank you for reading :)

10 Things I Would Like to Learn in the Next 35 Years of my life

Just for fun...10 things I would like to learn in the next 35 years of my life.

1. More about quantum physics, how this world really works and our connection to it.

2. How to grow big potatoes. My crop is always filled with little ones.

3. To think before reacting.

4. Which mushrooms and plants are edible in Nevada County along with their medicinal uses.

5. How to publish a book.

6. How to use the pressure canner for meats, potatoes and beans. I have mastered the art of tomato sauce, getting a grip on jams and almost comfortable with pickling everything.

7. How to hunt, clean and store meat. Ya know, deer and such.

8. Patience. True, honest to goodness patience. You know the kind that comes naturally, peacefully.

9.  To be a life coach (much later on in life).

10. How and where to find quartz crystals in California. Everyone who knows, keeps it a secret ;)

✯ Homemade Mocha or Mexi-Mocha ✯

Mochas are my weakness, decaf of course. Because I do not always have the time nor the cash to stop in the coffee shop to get one I started doing this. I am sure I am not the only one who does this but thought I would share.

Ingredients
Brewed Coffee
Instant Hot Chocolate Mix
Milk
Pumpkin Spice

All you have to do is make the Hot Chocolate as it suggests on the package and instead of using water or milk, use the brewed coffee. I usually do this in the afternoon and use the coffee that is left over from the morning.

Add a splash of milk and there you have a mocha. If you desire a Mexi-Mocha, which is usually made with a spiced chocolate just add some pumpkin spice or cinnamon. Yummy!

Back at it...and it feels good!

Hello friends! Pup and I took a quick walk today and it was so good to be back at it.

I think Pup was happy to be walking again too!

 I really did not hold back with the eating this holiday and based upon my check up at the doctor it shows. I will not tell you what # I am at but I will tell you that since late September I gained 9 pounds!! Eek!

Been wondering how many "start overs" I will be doing when it comes to loosing weight. I guess as many as it takes, eh? I know what I need to do, I just need to do it. It is so easy to spout out and believe the excuses you put out for yourself.

Pretty Winter day here in Northern California

So consider this start over, reset, moving on #3. Three is a number that has popped up many times in my life, may this be the bout that keeps me focused and accountable. While many are struggling to start their New Year resolution, I have not made this one of mine. New Years resolutions are too easy to let go of and feel alright about it. This is my new life resolution (number 3, lol).

Here is to 2014, may it be a year of implementing changes, staying focused,  being accountable and acknowledging excuse from reality.

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 *·~-.¸-(★ ♥ Love and Light ♥ ★)-,.-~*

Good bye 2013...Hello 2014! Happy New Year!

2013 has been a roller coaster of a ride! Many ups in our business/creative lives, many downs in the health category and lessons all in between!

Overall I would say that 2013 was informative and by no means a wash. Looking forward to moving on ward and up ward in 2014, implementing the lessons of the past year.

I am grateful for every twist and turn but mostly for the family and friends that were with me the entire way! I am also thankful for the faith in which I have found and hung on to which made even the darkest moments bright.

Love and light my friends, more progress is to be made in 2014 ♥

Happy New Year!

I am not having fun anymore, I should have listened to my parents!

The road to dental health has proven to be quiet a journey. It has not been easy (I am a Crandall and things do not come easy for us). It has, however, been full of lessons, which in my book is better than easy.

The first dentist I went to was a waste of time in the sense that he did not listen to my complaints seriously. I did learn that I have cavities that need to be dealt with a mild to moderate case of gingivitis that I need to handle. OK. This said office wanted me to get my teeth cleaned BEFORE taking care of the painful cavity, but could not do it for three weeks. OK.

Tuesday afternoon I had an episode of pain that messed with my vision and ability to think. Considering I was driving with my daughter at the time, I made the decision to find a doctor that would handle it NOW. So, I did.

Wednesday, Doctor #2 found out that the cavity is so badly infected it is messing with my sinuses, which I thought was just seasonal allergies. He also gave me two options, do a root canal or take the tooth out. Take the damn thing out! But before doing that I have to be on antibiotics to clear the infection. OK.

Went to the pharmacist and they do not have the order. OK. Since it was about 10 minutes after my appointment I decided to wait to call Dr. #2's office to make sure they sent it. Forty five minutes later the pharmacy still had not gotten it. Called Dr. #2, they were backed up and had not called it in yet. OK.

Called pharmacy and they asked all the same questions they asked me the first two times I called them, what's your last name, your date of birth, have you filled here before? You are not in our system! Ugg! I just wanted to scream, did you get the order or not!! I refrained, but could not hold back the discomfort.

Thursday the pain was so bad I called and they prescribed me some Norco...these seem to take the edge off. Today, Friday, the pain is still bad. The Norco's do not see to be working any more and the anti's have not seemed to kick in. I can feel the pressure of the infection in my sinuses. The only thing that seems to work temporarily is cold water. Eating involves a lot of cold water. This sucks, I should have listened to my parents and continued dental care after flying the coupe. But like my dad says, "You always have to learn things the hard way." My response, "That is my nature, you become wiser that way."

Keeping the faith!

Thanks for reading, friends. Love and light!

Home and OTC remedies for infected tooth

While the only sure thing to getting rid of tooth pain is to go to the dentist and have the problem dealt with, here is a list of things I have tried and know to work for tooth pain on a temporary basis for a badly infected tooth.

• Salt water rinses - I have used both table salt and sea salt. Both will help draw the infection out and help with the pain.
• Brush teeth with a sensitive toothpaste.
• Rinse with a mouth wash like Listerine (I use the store brands).
• Ibuprofen, Tylenol - I usually just buy the store brands.
• Hydrogen Peroxide rinse - I know there has been much debate on whether this is safe. My mother has been telling me to try this so I did. Do a 50/50 ratio with water and hydrogen peroxide, or if you are worried about it use less hydrogen peroxide. Swish it in your mouth, spit it out, leave your mouth open so the oxygen can help activate the hydrogen peroxide. You will feel the tingle :) Keep doing that and be sure not to swallow.  Once you are done, rinse your mouth with just plain water a few times. Sounds crazy, (especially if you have ever encountered HydroMan the GV looney) but it does work. Just do not swallow!
• Anbesol - You can find this at any grocery store or pharmacy. It takes the pain away for a little while and numbs your mouth. 

Now I have never tried this but wanted to and just never got around to making it. Theives Oil, a blend of different oils is said to help with cavities.  If you try this, let me know what you think! I am still interested to trying for other purposes as it is suppose to be anti everything and good for flu/cold season as well as cleaning your house.

Keeping the faith!

Thanks for reading friends! I hope this blog post helps somebody out!

The next step to ultimate health...

THE DENTIST! As a kid it did not seem to phase me, I do remember asking a lot of questions and being very concerned about what they docs were doing but do not remember the anxiety that I feel now.

Uggg, in my adult life I guess I allow myself to get inside my own head when it comes to the dentist. I have a hard time taking my daughter, who is also quiet scared of the venture. While on the outside I am calm and telling her it is going to be alright, I am freaking out on the inside.

It is those lights, machines and the drills that bother me. The noise is NO FUN! That is why I have left this aspect of my health for last. In two weeks I will be going to the dentist for the first time in 18 years, yes, 18 years! Since it has been so long I will be undergoing a full assessment with X-rays and all. I know I have a couple of cavities because I can see them and feel them, but thought an assessment would be a good start. I must also add that I have scheduled and canceled this said appointment twice partially because of funds but mostly due to fear. I have no choice at this point as the cavities are starting to hurt and must be dealt with before they become a bigger problem.

So until the 21st my life will consist of salt water rinses and Ibuprofen. That is what I get for not being responsible and going to the dentist!

I am silently freaking out! But I know that if my daughter can do it then so can I!