I am a work in progress, disclaimers out the wazoo, and few that I can truly call ones who love me for me. Don't know why and I am done trying to figure it out or care...I am flawed, loud, a force of nature, but underneath there is a soul...I hope you take the time to see her.
Fall is fast approaching, bringing with it many of our favorite holidays, savory homecooked meals, sweaters, and nostalgic old movies, right?!
Fall also marks the anniversaries of several wonderful beginnings, for me personally. I believe that Tilly’s journey began during Christmas time nearly three years ago, and I began the story of my journey with Brutus in the early fall almost two years ago, as well.
With the holidays come new adventures in all the Barnyard Babes’ stories, so it’s especially exciting! There are some really wonderful events in store, new cookies to bake, and scads of holiday music to be shared. The lobby is going to be alight with activity, laughter and celebration… so buckle up!
Again, I will put out the request for participation, virtual Christmas lists, and the sharing of holiday joys with one another. Let’s turn our WordPress Street into a Holiday Wonderland!
As you may already know, I’m going to be doing it with or without you… so don’t make me do it all by me onesies, savvy! Yes, I made a Jack Sparrow reference… I can’t help it!
I simply cannot pick a specific profession to admire above others, without alienating so many others that are just as vital, and just as admirable!
I’d like to pick my favorite professional characteristic to admire, rather than just one job type. And, what might that be? Well, just like the title says… The Art of Love!
It’s not just your typical type of love, no no! I’m talking about ALL those that give of themselves for others, through selfless service! This covers Healthcare workers, First Responders, all branches of our military, all branches of Law Enforcement, Educational workers, Childcare workers, and basically any profession that seeks to put others before themselves! If I’ve forgotten to mention any specific profession, it is merely my lack of memory to call it out.
But, I’ve no doubt that you understand where my heart is, regarding my admiration of so many well deserving professions. So, in honor of every giver of their time, energy, heart, and effort…
House full of hungry kids, laundry’s not done, and two kids are still missing! A meal plan? Are you kidding! Most mom’s are just trying to feed the troops, without losing a finger!
When it comes to spending money on a meal… for all mom’s around the world, I salute you!
As a retired mother, I can attest that a McDonalds Happy Meal was priceless! And that was back in the day when they were $1.99. Plus, there was a toy inside the box! Kids are happy licking the cheesy wrapper that their burger came wrapped in! Ok, maybe that’s just me… don’t judge! My point is, every mom has one of those days. You know, the days where any kind of food without the cleanup is considered to be a miracle!
So, my answer for today’s prompt is this: Often, the best things in life come without a price tag attached, including food!
Also, I’d like to mention that my homemade stuff is fairly decent!
Take my cookies, for instance…
They’re calorie free, dollar free, and far better for your tummy than food cooked by a complete stranger! How do we know if they washed their hands?
Well, I’m still not settled on how I want the placard to appear on our ship, nor have I been terribly impressed with the sign itself… not in the least! I mean, the ship is absolutely stunning, but so far, the images all look like they were crafted by a child! (No offense meant towards all you little budding Picasso’s)
While I attempt to sort through a boatload of images (notice the nautical reference), I’ve something new that I’ve been working on…
Uninteresting story? Scour? Connecting it to myself? Did WordPress wake up this morning, smoke something funny, and then come up with this ridiculous idea?
First of all, I don’t scour anything for at least a couple of hours… especially now that I don’t drink any caffeinated beverages! Ewww!
Secondly, I do not partake in the reading of most media stories, as I don’t really trust any to be true or reliable any longer. In fact, I think most people do more watching of tickity talk, spacebook, and skewedtube for their current affairs, these days… just sayin! It’s hard to trust what comes from the media, when they freely throw stuff out there without fact checking, first! It’s all jaded, in my humble opinion.
Thirdly, I’m sort of put out that WP wants me to relate my life to the most uninteresting story I can find… how rude, WordPress! That has to be such a depressing assignment for today’s prompt. Just for that, everybody gets unlimited cookies this morning, just for having to read through this… but not you, WordPress! You’re in the corner for time out!
Phone a friend for no other reason than to say you were thinking about them.
Pat yourself on the back when someone cuts you off and you didn’t use a bad word.
If you want to do good, just do it.
If you know it’s wrong, just walk away.
Take a long hard look at “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” (Jesus)
If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all! (Thumper said this)
In respect to the above list of messages, these are mostly what I’m telling myself. I just figured that if I needed to hear them, maybe somebody else does too.
Now, I’m certain that you were expecting wax poetic over my prayer life, studying the word of God, and/or the incredible love of Jesus Christ… but, I think I do that already. This morning, I opted for something different!
So, in all seriousness, when IBS decided to have a field day with me nearly two months ago… oatmeal has been my life’s blood!
After things were said and done, they kind of just sent me home with a sack of medications. Apparently, I would be on my own from that point, as they didn’t seem bothered by the results from my two procedures. That’s the beauty of IBS… it won’t kill me, but it will never go away.
I had to start at the bottom of my health pile, sifting through every single detail of my own body’s struggle with foods, stress, trauma, poverty, and circumstantial solitude. I shall have to walk this path alone, as far as doctors are concerned. I’ve come to peace with the 4 medications I’ll be taking from now on, as none of them effect the brain. My spirit and emotional health belong to God, and him alone.
This is where my joy of oatmeal arrives… it’s the single thing to eat each day that doesn’t hurt! Even with the removal of caffeine, gluten, and lactose products, I’m still far from home on the IBS Safari Tours!
I’ve adopted an intermittent fasting lifestyle, somewhat. Though the schedule allows for me to consume calories for up to an 8 hour stretch, my body only seems to be happy with eating between noon and 5 o’clock. Part of the issue comes from all the medications I use throughout the day to coat my stomach and intestines. I have to take them 4 times a day in order to eat, and there’s time restrictions for before and after each dose. 5 hours is easier to work with, truth be told.
Why is 5 hours easier, you ask? Because, my roommate IBS tends to lose all trust in my ability to feed myself when she gets upset… always has and always will! No matter how my mind copes with stress and trauma, IBS will always have her day in court, so to speak.
Thankfully, she readily accepts the oatmeal with a tablespoon of brown sugar and a bit of Oat Milk. Work with what you got… and I got oatmeal, baby!
Journey With Me! 