Well first of all thanks for the cranberry sauce help. I did find a recipe online with Splenda I will try. I have some cranberries in the freezer, and will use mom’s crystal dish.

Ok back to my title:

As most of you know, I lost my parents last year, and my life was a whirlwind for many months.

Now it is slowing down a little. So I find myself doing alot of thinking, contemplating. Looking at their momentos and remembering. Trying to see what they saw in me and striving to be that person.

I came dangerously close to giving up my fight, my mojo, if you will. But last nite, I saw a pic of my dad sitting on top of my tv. His big smile and that sparkle in his eye told me how proud he was and is. I made the choice to keep going and to be the woman he knows me to be.

I miss them terribly, but I havethe comfort of knowing how proud they are of me. I will keep going, and try to honor them by giving back to others what I have been given.

Needed to get that out. Love you guys.

And still pray for Anj, she has a real good job lead she is waiting on!!!

Shoug out to Nancy, too. you keep calling me you hear!!

Love all my buddies!

And thanks for listening, Nicole!

Anyone have a sugar free recipe for cranberry sauce? My mom used to make it and I am craving it, but her recipe is loaded with sugar.

I am in such a good mood, that Nicole asked me if I took a happy pill, lol!

But I feel I passed a milestone with our hike!! I am so pumped and I want to do it again!

Any how, how are you all today?

I am doing good, my shoulder is still sore, but it seems not as stiff, still doing the exercises.

Going for a good walk tonite, overslept this morning.

I am determined to show a loss this week.

Oh and update on Anj, the last I heard, she has some real good job leads so please pray for her!! Love you all!

Wow, I faced a challenge yesterday that I could NEVER have done before! Nicole and I went on a mountain hike!! Took us about an hour to go up and then back down. Granted, we had to stop for breath, but we did it! Made it to the top!

I was telling Nicole how I was always the slowest one, and always hated hikes. But I loved this, and want to do it again! I am sore, but happy.

We saw these 2 ladies one of which must have been in her 60’s and she passed us 3 times!

The other one looked more in her 80’s, and she was really moving!! So never let anyone tell you that you are too old!! I am so pumped about it!

Well, just to let you all know, I have heard from Anj, and she is doing great, and will check in as much as she can, so let’s keep that walking challenge for her going!

I was really upset over her leaving, but I realize she will always be  with us, I took it like another loss, but it really isn’t, she is still pulling for us!

Anyhow, feeling great today, you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Never have been good with changes. Well as you know a dear buddy of ours has to not be here as much. I have been trying to deal with it. My heart goes out to her and alot of y0u who I know are suffering, Anj, Shan, Joy, and others I know. My heart is heavy too. Buyt as Tracey reminded us this morning it is like flowers in winter, we have to go thru the hard times for new growth.

So I pray for all of us, this will not get us down. We are strong.

Mom always said “what won’t kill us makes us strong”

Love you guys!

Oh I am up a pound, ugh, But did my shoulder exercises, ouch! have a good day!

March 26
You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to honor and glory.
—Psalm 73:24

We believe that God is inherently good and that He is also in control of our lives. Therefore, when tragedy strikes or loss occurs, we don’t understand why God does not prevent such things from happening to us and hurting us so badly.

Faced with tragic loss, often we become angry and ask, “If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?” This question becomes a major issue when it is we, God’s own children, who are the ones suffering.

At such times, reasoning wants to scream out, “This makes no sense at all!” Over and over the question, “Why, God, why?” torments those who are grieving over losses in their life, just as it also tortures the lonely and the dejected. Excessive reasoning, trying to figure out things for which we will not be able to find an answer, torments and brings much confusion; but Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that trust in the Lord brings assurance and direction: “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”
 
When we face a time of crisis in life, we need direction. These scriptures tell us that trusting God is the way to find that direction. Trust requires allowing some unanswered questions to be in your life!

No matter how badly you may be hurting from a loss or tragedy, the Holy Spirit can give you a deep peace that somehow everything will be all right. Being angry at God is useless because He is the only One Who can help.  

 
From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

How is everyone?

Ok, I saw the dr yesterday, I have a rotator cuff sprain in my right shoulder. He prescribed celebrex for the inflammation, and a series of shoulder exercises. He also said I could continue my regular workouts, with the exception of using 5 pound weights( for now) and only doing modified pushups, and nothing where I have to raise that arm over my head. He wants that muscle to heal and get stronger from the extra exercises he gave me.

He wasn’t too concerned about it, and no I won’t need any surgery. I am gonna follow his instructions to the T.

So I did my level one Jillian, and I will do my shoulder stuff tonite.

Did get alot of walking in last nite, so much I had leg cramps at bed, yikes!

Will try and read more blogs today, too.

Ok, off to check emails, love you all!

Not much today about weight loss. I found an article I hope may help someone:

When Job Loss Leads to Depression

Learn strategies to cope with being unemployed, plus steps to avoid or treat depression.

By Linda Parent

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Print Email

Losing your job can be a traumatic and unsettling event, especially in tough economic times when the prospect of finding new work seems slim. With unemployment rates rising and stories about layoffs, downsizing, and cutbacks in the news every day, the stress from losing a job may build to the point where your mental health suffers and you experience depression.

A job loss means a major change in your daily routine, losing contact with people from work, and perhaps a change in how you see yourself. For some people, losing a job may be as devastating as losing a loved one or going through a divorce, and you might even experience the same type of feelings, including anger, denial, and depression. Depression can be the result of many contributing factors that can sometimes be difficult to distinguish, but if you are unemployed and living with financial insecurity, your situation may be serious enough to bring about depression.

Research has shown that job loss may be related to depression not only because of the financial burden it brings, but also because it affects your social status, self-esteem, mental and physical activity, and the ability to use your skills. According to Luc Chabot, MEd, a psychotherapist in Montreal and founder of Relais Expert-Conseil, a firm specializing in workplace issues, how well a job loss is handled depends on many factors: age, financial situation, your ability to deal with stress, and any emotional disorders you might already have. Here are ways to help you cope, as well as what to do if you can no longer cope on your own.

8 Ideas for Coping With Job Loss and Avoiding Depression

• Be realistic. Come to terms with why you lost your job. If you need to improve your skills to find a better job, now’s the perfect time to get that training.
• Manage your money. If you have the right to certain benefits, claim them as soon as you can to avoid getting behind financially. Make a plan for you and your family to reduce daily expenses.
• Create a daily routine. Make a schedule of what you hope to accomplish each day, so that you maintain a regular routine. Include time for your job search, as well as exercise and leisure. Plan for the next day before you go to bed at night.
• Get emotional support. Family, friends, and support groups can help you deal with the job loss. Speaking to people — networking — may help you find a new job.
• Learn how to manage stress. Read a book or take a workshop. Meditate, visualize, and be patient by taking one step at a time.
• Set everyday goals for yourself. Just going to the library or having lunch with a friend can help you build your confidence, maintain relationships, and stay healthy.
• Don’t isolate yourself. Make sure to stay busy outside of your home to avoid added emotional stress.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Limit your smoking and your alcohol and caffeine intake. A regular schedule, eating well, and exercise will keep you fit for the next job.

Getting Professional Help for Depression

If the above strategies don’t help and your problems feel overwhelming, speak to your doctor about depression treatment. He or she may suggest management strategies, such as taking medication and/or talking to a mental health specialist (a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker). Here are some issues you may want to bring up at a meeting with a mental health professional:

• What do you think causes stress in your life? Include long-term and short-term stressors.
• How are your family and yourself affected by this stress?
• Do you have support available to help get through your situation, or make a positive impact on your life?
• Are there obstacles preventing you from reducing the stress?
• Are you willing to make major changes to reduce the stressful situation?
• Have you tried without success to resolve your situation?
• Can you accept this current situation and get on with your life?

Finding a new job can be a roller-coaster ride. But remember that success doesn’t happen overnight and that you are not alone in feeling blue or scared.

Chabot recommends that “you first help yourself before anyone else. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and discuss your personal issues. If you [still have a job and] know that major changes are going to occur in your workplace, get ahead of the situation by meeting with a counselor or an expert as soon as you feel overwhelmed.”

Last Updated: 01/28/2009

This section created and produced exclusively by the editorial staff of EverydayHealth.com. © 2009 EverydayHealth.com; all rights reserved.

I sure pray for you all.

I’m doing good, have a dr appt today, to check my shoulder.

So, I will try and read more blogs tomorrow and Friday, sorry I have missed you! Love you guys, have a good day!

Kinda in a hurry today, but please check out the new Wildcat blog! VERY important!

As for me, well I finally inflated my fitness ball, and wow, are my abs feeling it!

I love it!

Got ALL the banking details done for mom and dad. Now I can put that to rest.

Anyhoo, gotta run, but you all have an awesome day!

Hi all. Thanks for all the support on my last blog. Well I picked up the Christmas pics last nite, I put it off. My mom is in there, and that was the last day I saw her. this weekend was an off one, first the credit card news( I think she had forgotten about that debt) and then the pics. Needless to say, my eating was off. If I drank, I prob would have. the best thing was that I kept up with my workouts.

Anyways back on track today.

I got this sent to me, more info on Diet supplements, check it out:

- March 23

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Well, as alot of you know, I gained 4 pounds this week.

I can tell my motivation has been lower. So, with that said, I need to reclaim it. I am not gonna quit now.

Have been having to kinda baby my shoulder, and I hate it.  I miss my pushups. so I do what I can, and modify it. Am going to the dr on Wednesday.

My therapist says I am doing good with dealing with the grief and all, too.

I did have a down time on Friday evening. I had to take the death certs to the bank, found out there is some debt, thankfully I am not liable for, but I hate that is makes mom and dad’s name look bad. If I had the money I would pay for it, but I don’t.

So yeah, that caused a fall out, I did the sugar thing, I had been good all day, and I was so upset when I got home, I caved.

Anyways, I am doing better now, kinda took yesterday to regroup, went with my friend to get her tattoo inked, was fun and interestesting.

So that is what is up with me, did 1 hour of yoga today, felt good. Love you all, Happy Sunday!