Positive Attitudes

I got this out of a free magazine called Southern Humor.

Bill had won a toy at a raffle.He called his kids together to ask which one should have the present. Who is the most obedient? he asked. Who never talks back to mother? Who does everything she says?
Five small voices answered in unison: Okay Dad, you get the toy.

When I was in college, I took a class on marriage and family counseling. This was our first assignment.
Make 3 lists. The first list is a list of all the things you like about yourself. Spend a lot of time on this, and write ddown every thing you can possibly come up with. They can be outside looks, inner character, abilities and talents, etc.
Next, make a list of the things you don't like about yourself that you can change.
The third list is the things you don't like about yourself that you can't change.
The object of the lesson was to focus more on the things you like about yourself and the things that can be changed.
For example, I don't like that I don't initiate conversations with people. This is a goal I have. I an going to be more open with people.
My suggestion is this: Take the list of things you can't change and burn it. Put those things behind you and don't think about them again. Work on the things you can change one at a time. Don't try to do them all at once. Set realistic goals for accomplishing them.
Most importantly, try not to browbeat yourself all the time, focus on the good things rather than bad. Go over your first list as often as possible. Learn to like yourself.

Winter Depression Help

I got this stuff out of Women's World.
If you get depressed during the winter time take Vitamin D. Having too little D in your system inhibits your body from producing seratonin, which makes you feel tired and depressed. The doctor reccomendation is 1000 of IU of vitamin D daily.
Lack of sunlight can make blood sugar levels fluctuate, which makes you crave sweets and other carbs that keep your body from using insulin correctly. Cinnamon slows the rate at which carbs are absorbed. The reccomendation is to sprinkle 1/2 tsp. of ground cinnamon on oatmeal, coffee, etc.
If you have arthritis,or other problems that cause aches and pains, make sure you get a full eight hours of sleep each night.According to research, sleep boosts production of growth hormones, which reduce inflammation and speed healing of damaged tissues.
If I get tired it makes me feel worse; here's some pick-me-ups that were suggested.
Eat fiber rich cereal and foods. Being constipated can make you feel sluggish.
A study showed that participants who listened to music that had progressive tempos had more energy than those who only listened to fast music.
Rubbing each fingertip for 15 seconds boosts your blood flow, which releases extra oxygen to your brain.
A study from Wheeling Jesuit University showed that the aroma of peppermint activates the ares of the brain that governs alertness.Athletes who inhaled the scent apparently worked harder without realizing it.
Look at something green. Apparently there receptors in the eyes that are sensitive to green, stimulating the brain and relaxing the strain that causes tiredness.
All of these things are in the February 1, 2010 issue of Women's World.

What did the pen say to the pencil?
So, what,s your point?LOL

Teaching at Church

Well, I went to church yesterday prepared to teach, but I didn't havr to. I teach every other week, I trade off with a sister who is a nurse and has to work every other Sunday. I sat in the class, met the children, and watched her give the lesson. I will teach next week. This was good because I was worried about wether I had prepared the lesson for their age level. Now I know I have a couple 6 years, and a couple of 7 years. Now I can prepare the lessons with those specific children in mind. And when one of the children was giving the opening prayer, he thanked the Lord for the new teacher.
I do not feel very well today. This is one of those days when I do not have very much energy.

What did the scotch tape say to the duct tape?
I was hopin' you'd stick around.LOL

Teaching-No Greater Call

Tomorrow I have to teach in church. A couple of weeks ago I was asked by theBishopric at church to be a teacher in Primary. I got set apart last Sunday after church. Here I am on Saturday night, lesson prepared, and nervous as a canary whose cage was left open by its owner, with the cat sitting there licking its chops. I have been a teacher before. I enjoy it. I was a teacher several years ago in a different ward of the church in Indiana for the 4 year olds. More recently, I taught was a teacher in Relief Society, the Women's organization in the Lord's church. Both presented their own challenges, and rewards.
Now I will be teachinh 8-11 year olds. I am prepared but I can't help being nervous. I have spent the whole week stressing out over something that will only last for about 1/2 of an hour. I have spent a good portion of my life stressing over things needlessly. I worry about how I look and if I'm fat, and how I sound, and what to say. I wish it was over already. But there is no need to do that. When you get a calling in the Church, its the Lord who is asking you to do it. He asks you to do something not because you are perfect at it, but because it is something that will help you become closer to Him, and to those you serve. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
When I was set apart last week, Father promised me in the blessing that if I prepare the lessons, and teach with The Holy Ghost, my creativity will be increased. That's a very great promise for me. I have never been very good at art. Never thought I could be. My brother is an excellent artist. And that's an understatement. If I could even be half as good as him someday, I'll be happy. And I would like to improve that because I would like to be able to illustrate my books eventually. For right now I've asked my brother Rob to illustrate for me. He said he would.
The really important thing about teaching children is that they are our future leaders. They are the future of our nations, and the Lord's church. Especially the Church. It is very important to teach them good morals and values so they can be good leaders in our nations, and good, strong individuals who will stand for what's right. In Church, we need to teach them the Gospel so they will grow up able to accept and face the challenges the Lord gives them, and fight Satan head on and win.
In times like this, I remember a quote from a movie, The Princess Diaries:

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the knowledge that something else is more important than fear."

Teaching the Primary children is more important than my being afraid of how they might see me. And I know I did well with my 4 year olds from several years ago, despite my fears of being inadequite. They are now adults. And I enjoy havin some of them on Facebook. They have all grown into very lovely adults. Its nice knowing I helped with that.

Notice: I am going to start posting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

What did the duck say when she bought lipstick?
Just put it on my bill.LOL

House Helps

An easy cleaning tip from my DAd. In your bathroom, put a squeegee in your shower stall. After you finish showering, squeegee the whole thing then use a towel and dry what water remains. Do this after every shower. You won't get the water and rust stains. The shower looks clean all the time. And you won't have to clean it as often.
Next, keep a wash rag hanging next to your bathroom sink. After every time you wash your hands, you use the rag to dry out the inside of the sink. Same thing as for the shower. It keeps it looking nice and you won't have to clean as often. And it won't take as long to clean when you do. Train your kids to do this. My dad trained me and I'm almost 38!
A tip from my step-mom that seems pretty simple, I don't know why I never thought of it. Except the Lupus sometimes interferes with the way my brain works. When you do laundry, put the measuring cup you use to measure out your liquid laundry detergent in the washer with the laundry. It comes out clean and you don't waste any detergent trying to clean it out in the sink.
There are some things here where my dad lives, out in the boonies, that can be recycled. Some can't. So we use empty jars to put smelly trash in. Like banana peels, orange skins, grease from cooking, etc. Then put the lid on. You can stuff a lot of stuff in one of those things. I also add used tissues, napkins, pieces of paper, etc. in. When it's as full as you can get it, then put it in the trash. It keeps your trash from smelling, keeps the can cleaner, and it doesn't fill up as often. At least not here. We are able to recycle cardboard, plastic, and cans.

Why did the music teacher need a ladder?
To reach the high notes!LOL

Wellness

I was sick for three days. I've had times when I've been sick and just went ahead and proceeded with life as normal. Having Lupus, when I get even a common cold, it takes at least a week, and a lot of times more than that, to get well. Because I don't take the time to let my body rest, it hangs on longer. These last few days, I took the cold medicine that my Dad gave me. And Saturday was a scheduled trip to visit some friends who are elderly. My Dad told me I didn't need to be out in the cold with my cold that I had. So I stayed in. By Sunday, I still felt a tiny bit tired, (well, more than usual), but I was able to go to church. And I didn't think I would be able to do it. And it's a good thing I went because I was asked to work with the primary children. It really makes me feel better when the Lord asks me to serve in His church. I feel so useless sometimes because of the Lupus. It makes me feel better when I can contribute something and help others. No matter what you have to do, when you gat sick, take some time to let your body rest and get better. Call on family and friends to help you do what needs to be done. Then you will get better quicker and get back on your feet.