tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119931698948661052024-03-13T04:28:07.295-07:00ARGONAUTA FOR A DAY"My life has been the poem I would have writ, But I could not both live and utter it." Henry David Thoreau 1817-1862Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-83523240231325641342014-01-08T21:23:00.000-08:002014-01-09T16:27:02.301-08:00Live Your Bumper Sticker<div class="MsoNormal">
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What a wonderful time of year! What a blessing to celebrate the gift of the
birth of our Savior Jesus Christ who is called- Wonderful, Counselor , the
Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now we settle down for another season, a New Year of
resolutions and solutions, of commitments to recommit, to renew, and refocus,
from good to better to best.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All of us are at the starting line somewhere in our
lives. The opportunities for change are
endless. For some of us, change can be
difficult, for others, it is a way of life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last fall I had an opportunity to observe this change in
action. I was parked waiting for my son to finish play practice and noticed a vehicle
a distance off in the parking lot with this bumper sticker: “Love God, Love Others, No Regrets.” I
thought about those words, contemplating the nature of the owner of the
vehicle. Sisters,<i> do we live our bumper
stickers</i>? I imagined sisters I know
that are in constant motion of putting their Father in Heaven in first position
in their lives and automatically loving others with no strings attached-no
regrets. Shortly thereafter, I saw the
owner of the vehicle. As she was getting
into her car, a stranger approached her in need of help to jump start his
vehicle. Without a second thought, the
woman got out of her car, rummaged in her trunk, retrieved the cables and moved
her vehicle to align it with the troubled vehicle. I love how this woman was immediately present
in her actions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love God, Love Others, No Regrets. No looking back. No lost time. Love is the
answer. That scene was love in action.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A gift we can ‘give-back’ to our Savior, showing our great
appreciation for Him as this New Year ensues is the gift of <b>being present</b>. When we are “present”, we
are accountable; it is as if we are among one of the Lord’s ninety nine. I find comfort in that! <o:p></o:p></div>
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How can we be more present as sisters, daughters, wives,
mothers and friends? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Here are a few ideas and areas where we can be present-<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In our Prayers- </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">by truly showing gratitude, asking
specifically for our needs and then patiently and faithfully waiting for
answers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Our Family-by really seeking for quality (not
always quantity) one on one time- a phone call, face to face time, weekly date
nights. Being fully present in our relationships blesses the relationship.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Our Church responsibilities-</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">attending meetings, partaking each week of
the holy sacrament, attending the temple, visiting teaching our sisters in the
gospel, and magnifying our callings with pure intent.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></li>
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While I know that for the most part <i>our lives do have meaning, purpose and direction</i>, sometimes we can
get lackadaisical in our intent. All I
know is when I personally put this principle to practice, I know that I am accomplishing
more and feeling the Holy Ghost more present in return. I know that the concept of being more present
will place us in a holier place. It will
help us receive more spiritual promptings, and help us feel closer to our
Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Former LDS church President, Gordon B Hinckley stated in the October 1997 LDS General
Conference: “I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will
build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we
will simply live the gospel, we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful
way. We will be looked upon as a
peculiar people who have found the key to a peculiar happiness. Great has been our past, wonderful is our
present, glorious can be our future.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now a charge: Go live your Bumper Sticker!</div>
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Best to all of you in 2014~</div>
Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-66958307712453170162012-10-10T17:11:00.000-07:002014-01-13T20:42:34.168-08:00I'M ALIVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pi1zMP7paIo/UHYMSkBSscI/AAAAAAAAAEo/GOmy4YUX0Kw/s1600/willow+tree+courage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pi1zMP7paIo/UHYMSkBSscI/AAAAAAAAAEo/GOmy4YUX0Kw/s320/willow+tree+courage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This will be a long post. I have felt impressed for a while now to give an update and assure all of you readers that my absence has been because<u> I AM ALIVE</u>. That means I am BACK! I love being back. <br />
I can finally be a complete mom, wife, friend and functioning part of society.<br />
<br />
Since that day 2 1/2 years ago when I did the "happy-dance" in my kitchen, shouting, "I feel good-na na na na na na naa", I have only had 2 minor setbacks requiring treatment.<br />
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I've been in "remission" from <u>Late Stage Disseminated Lyme Disease</u> now and various co-infections and disorders for about a year and a half. What that means is <i>symptom free</i> for 1 1/2 years...<br />
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Don't be fooled by the face of Lyme Disease! If you'll recall, the picture I first posted of me when I had full-on Lyme symptoms is for all intense purposes the picture of health (from the outside). Lyme disease victims often look well, but are dying on the inside.<br />
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The last symptom to leave me was eye pain. You might be thinking- okay.. I could deal with that. Eye pain with Lyme is the feeling of having your thumbs pushed firmly on your eye balls. Try it for 10 seconds and then live it 24/7. Not fun.<br />
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<u>Symptoms I still get now and again: </u><br />
Fleeting numbness on my face and pelvic floor, occasional numbness in my legs, arms and hands and headaches. My diagnosis of Lyme was Neurological- so even though I know the bugs are still around, I expect them to show up where they left off.<br />
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Consider that since the end of 2006 I was chasing daily infections like a wildfire throughout my body- UTI's, ear infections, headaches, severe exhaustion (after a full nights sleep and 3 hour nap), stuttering, unable to sustain my weight, unable to walk without holding on, confusion, dizziness, no appetite, numbness. With no diagnosis, I was left to continuing chasing and chasing bugs.<br />
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<u>How do I know I have turned a corner?</u><br />
While there are no guarantees with a disease like Lyme, last weekend, I was on my feet for 8 hours making and serving 20 batches of homemade soup for a large function of 200! No nap. No rest time. No symptoms. I did this two weeks in a row for 2 separate functions! Although I had wonderful helpers at the functions, two years ago, I couldn't have made even a small meal for my family of 6. I couldn't walk to the edge of my driveway to get the mail. I was just too tired and weak to do it. I have also been walking again. I am up to about 15 miles a week or 3-4 miles every other day. <br />
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<u>What have I done now that works? </u><br />
My regimen now consists of a "small" pile of supplements in the morning including:<br />
Thyroid-prescription<br />
2000mg Vitamin C<br />
5000mg Vitamin D<br />
probiotic<br />
Max Gxl-product I distribute: www.max.com/255092<br />
Cellgevity-product I distribute<br />
ADR- Pure Encapsulations<br />
Eating healthier<br />
Sleeping better<br />
Taking a personal inventory daily<br />
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At bedtime I take an even smaller "pile" of supplements:<br />
Calcium<br />
1000mg Vitamin C<br />
HRT<br />
primrose oil<br />
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<u>What I wish I had done and sooner: </u><br />
I have an amazing doctor! Dr. Dee is patient and listens to her patients. So much so that stubborn me got away with "doing it my way" until symptoms I had spun almost out of control. The number one thing I wish I would have done: <u>start Lyme treatment sooner.</u> I could have been better sooner and avoided a lot of cost and time.<br />
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<u>What has contributed to my wellness:</u><br />
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<ul>
<li><u>Sleep</u>: I finally allowed myself adequate rest- daily. I slept in as long as my body needed it and took an afternoon nap for as long as my body needed it. Sleep is key to wellness from Chronic Fatigue, EBV, Adrenal issues and of course Lyme.</li>
<li><u>Daily Hydro-therapy:</u> Hot showers followed by cold compresses, hydrogen peroxide baths, Epsom salt baths, saunas. CAUTION: DO NOT USE THIS THERAPY unless you have consulted with your physician. Hydrotherapy is a fantastic detoxification method- so much so that you may not be prepared for the "die-off".</li>
<li><u>Supplements:</u> take what your body needs, but be reminded that Lyme is a tricky and will suddenly and without warning disregard what "has always worked". Be flexible. the 2 supplements that I continue to take that WORK are Max Gxl and ADR.</li>
<li><u>IV Therapy: </u> Had I not started IV therapy at the aggressive rate, when I did, I can't say that I would be alive today. My body was just not responding to the supplements that I was taking. I wasn't getting better. IV therapy- 4 days a week worked. I did this for 6 months. I was also taking 6 oral antibiotics at the same time.You really have to flood those bugs! AGAIN- YOU MUST CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR before trying any of these therapy methods. </li>
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While in IV therapy, 2 of my dear IV- friends passed away. Lyme disease is destructive. It kills a person from the inside out. Cells have no power because Lyme takes them over in populations that flood the body.</div>
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I am alive! I love my Life! I love my family for believing in my ability to recover when I had lost all faith. </div>
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I love them for supporting me when I didn't "look" sick, but couldn't get dressed for the day or brush my hair because it took too much energy. ( I used to sit on the edge of the bathtub to dry my hair because standing took the breath out of me!)</div>
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<u>When your body and mind are sick, my advice to you:</u></div>
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<ol>
<li><u>Get a doctor:</u> One you can trust. One that will listen to you. Do what they say. Don't be stubborn. Be patient and get on the path to wellness.</li>
<li><u>Patient means</u>: willing to drop everything from your plate of "to-do" to get well. I mean everything! YOU are your first priority. (Ya- try telling that to a type A person!) That's why I didn't get better sooner!</li>
<li><u>Find a support group</u>- if you have the strength to attend. </li>
<li><u>Keep up with friends and family</u>. You will be well again, my friend. You will need them again, and they will need you.</li>
<li><u>Accept help</u>- housecleaning, meals, running errands, taking care of kids. This is no time to be a martyr.</li>
<li><u>Be True to yourself and recognize your limitations. </u> That's all I need to say about that.</li>
<li><u>Pray</u>- Keep up your faith. God will help you . Trust in Him.</li>
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I have my life back. Not sure how long it will last, but I am back. I am full of gratitude. I can honestly say, I did not anticipate ever recovering to the extent that I have. It is a miracle to me.</div>
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Lyme Disease is mysterious. It affects people differently and there is no 100% guarantee that any methods will cure you. I know that I still have residual Lyme Disease, but I am so on it. </div>
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Bye bye Lyme. I hope I never see you again.</div>
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<br />Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-49610364283024520522012-01-11T16:59:00.000-08:002012-01-11T17:01:23.618-08:00Rants, Raves and Things of Import<ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">On Rants...........</span></li>
</ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6oYqi4nF8g/Tw4oxo_PQrI/AAAAAAAAAEM/RuuLp8VemyY/s1600/republican_elephant_0515-0912-0710-4257_SMU%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 202px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 301px;"><img border="0" height="200" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6oYqi4nF8g/Tw4oxo_PQrI/AAAAAAAAAEM/RuuLp8VemyY/s200/republican_elephant_0515-0912-0710-4257_SMU%255B1%255D.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am a Conservative Republican. Now, don't be too quick to press the delete button or 'unfriend' me. I happen to like that label. A lot. I am a news junkie and a political follower... on BOTH sides of the line. Strictly speaking of the Conservative side, however, my rant today is with my fellow Conservative Republican party. Sheesh. It's like this folks... Remember 9-11? Remember Todd Beamer? What an incredible man he was! We didn't know much about him until after he died, but when push came to shove in that airplane, well, he did the right thing. Well, we have a Todd Beamer right now running for the office of the president that is in the cabin of the plane trying to do his best to keep the plane from plowing into the ground. He's a nice guy. Honorable and integral as much as we know. Lives a clean life. Married for 40 some years. Raised a great family. And He LOVES America! He is leading in the polls. He has won primaries in 2 states, so why not rally behind him and stop this nonsense of nit-picking, and raise him to the top! We need a candidate that will stand up to our president and defeat him. Romney will.</span></div><ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIJ4flSfBRw/Tw4oac3FkUI/AAAAAAAAAEE/e0Oatjs6bLE/s1600/184b2b1070631a38c2632a697408_grande%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIJ4flSfBRw/Tw4oac3FkUI/AAAAAAAAAEE/e0Oatjs6bLE/s320/184b2b1070631a38c2632a697408_grande%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">On Raves.......</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Last weekend my hubby and I dropped our oldest daughter off to college. Okay, that was <em>the HARDEST thing I have ever done</em>. BUT she is in the best hands ever! She is studying at BYU<a href="http://byui.edu/">-Idaho</a>. The feeling there is purely celestial. While listening to the President of the University the spirit was penetrable. The campus is smallish, but sits up on the hillside with an amazing view of the valley. My favorite building is the Spori building! When I hugged my daughter goodbye, the lump in my throat got tighter and the tears wet my cheeks. Bye bye my sweet girl until Spring.</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">On Things of Import.....</span></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGF_EJ8SfXM/Tw4tpVYmA4I/AAAAAAAAAEU/A05YeJ1UZeI/s1600/227532_10150185587538710_649973709_7080027_6093293_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGF_EJ8SfXM/Tw4tpVYmA4I/AAAAAAAAAEU/A05YeJ1UZeI/s320/227532_10150185587538710_649973709_7080027_6093293_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><u>Raves </u>and <u>things of import</u> kind of flow into each other. When I was a young woman a hundred years ago it seems, on the night before having my first baby, I sat on the bed and cried. I was ending an era in my life. My life with my husband all to myself. It was super painful and selfish and I remember it feeling like standing behind a page in a chapter book not knowing what the rest of the story would look like. In some ways, it was the hardest thing I had ever done! Fast forward 18 1/2 chapter years, and saying goodbye to the baby that became is now the <em>hardest thing I've ever done</em>. I started thinking about difficult passages and realized that there will be a time that my baby girl that is all grown up will be a momma someday. She will have the same semi-selfish thing happen to her, and I will tell her it's okay-- "Someday you will have to do something even harder, and that is to let your baby go." Before my daughter left for school, I wrote her a letter. In the letter I told her: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><em>No one ever told me when you were born how it would feel to say goodbye when it was time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one told me that no matter what, you have to hold your head up high with grace and let it happen, because it’s the right thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one told me how it would feel like being socked in the stomach, that your heart would break in half and that your eyes would sting for hours from crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one told me. I should’ve known it would feel this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been psyching myself out the past couple months thinking that I would be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, really, it is- okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what it’s supposed to be like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it didn’t feel painful and miserable and sad, there would be something wrong for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s the right thing, and it feels good, even though it feels awful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So for now, these are things of import: Love your babies, because soon they will grow up and leave you, and it's okay. That's the way it's suppose to be.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The end.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kIJ4flSfBRw/Tw4oac3FkUI/AAAAAAAAAEE/e0Oatjs6bLE/s1600/184b2b1070631a38c2632a697408_grande%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 176px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 219px;"></a></div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-45793065032517074832011-12-28T14:45:00.000-08:002011-12-28T14:45:27.483-08:0012 More Reasons to Love My Husband<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySWRXUYlORw/TvuaxuRqZsI/AAAAAAAAAD8/NMgdAOtvA2g/s1600/11597164305gXXFf%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySWRXUYlORw/TvuaxuRqZsI/AAAAAAAAAD8/NMgdAOtvA2g/s320/11597164305gXXFf%255B1%255D.jpg" width="289" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Over the Christmas break I watched one of my all time favorite movies: <u>You've Got Mail</u>. I love the scene when Kathleen Kelly (Shopgirl) and Joe Fox (NY152) are at the outdoor market shooting off ideas for the meaning of the NY152 email handle... </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>He comes up with, " ..He's a hundred and fifty-two years old. He's had one hundred and fifty-two moles removed, so now he's got one hundred fifty-two pock marks on his... on his face... Mr. 152 Felony indictments. "</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Her thoughts are, " ...The number of people who think he looks like Clark Gable. Mr. 152 insights into my soul." </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I especially love the ending scene after the two have spent the afternoon together as Joe and Kathleen and she is preparing to meet NY152 for the 'first' time. It is a struggle because Shopgirl can't imagine wanting to meet anyone other than Joe Fox, with whom she has spent the last week with as a result of NY152's 'Tweeking'.</strong> <span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Anyway, there are at least 152 more reasons that I think it is a lovely story.</strong></span></span><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>And thus it brings me to the Sweet ending to the 12-Days of Christmas treasure trove of 2011. 12 Drummers Drumming turned out to be a CD with 12 handpicked songs with the titles beginning with You're the Inspiration, Crazy, Best Was Yet to Come, Somewhere Down the Road, The Cello's song, Will You Still Love Me, Faithfully, Somewhere Somehow, Madrona, Who Needs to Dream, After All these Years, and One More Day. All meaningful to my journey with my husband over the last 25 years. </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>All in all, for me, it was just 12 more reasons to love my husband. What an amazing Christmas it has been!</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
</div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-48010893826434761852011-12-24T16:49:00.000-08:002011-12-24T16:49:04.242-08:00Christmas Baking, Lords of Leaping and Piping Hot Tea....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btnDDqibCH0/TvZywmeFxJI/AAAAAAAAADw/Xq4mKACvzP4/s1600/squirrel.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btnDDqibCH0/TvZywmeFxJI/AAAAAAAAADw/Xq4mKACvzP4/s320/squirrel.PNG" width="230" /></a></div>Every year I set aside a whole day with my best college girlfriend, Deanna, and we bake our heads off. We start at the crack of dawn and by the end of the day we manage to have pumped out about 10 different delectable naughties. Most of the concoctions consist of sinful ingredients such as: chocolate chips, butter, brown sugar, coconut and peanut butter. This year, I thought I would store my sealed containers on my back deck. It's about 35 degrees outside and thankfully the raccoon family that used to live in our backyard has vacated for good, so I didn't see any harm. Last night I slept restless wondering if any critters would bother the treats and woke to find all well on deck. Just this afternoon however, I heard munching outside the window and sure enough, a mama squirrel had bitten a whole in the side of the Tupperware box! Talk about invasion of privacy! Shees!<br />
<br />
That got me thinking about the 12 Days of Christmas Surprise that I have been the recipient of. My husbands incredible goodwill. Some of these gifts are so tender, so personal. I am humbled by his kindness and the detail and thought he has put to each days treasure. Last nights treasure epitomized the whole essence of the activity for me. His twist on the Lords of Leaping was certainly different than mine. In fact, I hadn't the foggiest idea of what he would come up with. So, as I opened up my computer last night, out came the index card and then a packet of papers stapled at the corner. For the next hour, I read through my watery eyes, my husband's thoughts on how his testimony of our Lord "Leaps" in his heart, through 10 of his favorite scriptures. WOW. Truly amazing. I am blessed. <br />
<br />
Now I think I will steep me some Piping Hot Tea from my 11 Pipers Piping treasure of today..... (it was a stretch, but it works.) <br />
Cheers and Merry Christmas~!Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-59691712841022427062011-12-23T11:05:00.000-08:002011-12-23T11:05:41.937-08:00With these Treats comes a Price....<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lse9fgeDGZo/TvTPddT5ivI/AAAAAAAAADk/xiEw9AHtwis/s1600/pastry_and_measuring_tape%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lse9fgeDGZo/TvTPddT5ivI/AAAAAAAAADk/xiEw9AHtwis/s320/pastry_and_measuring_tape%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's the price everyone pays during the holidays... a little more heft around the waistline. So, needless to say I have gained 5 pounds this week! Number eight just added to it. Number 9- helped take it away.... </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><strong><u>Eight Maids a Milking: </u>I had to wait all day for this one, but it was worth it. There is a milkshake that I love from Burgerville that comes around in January/February. Chocolate Hazelnut. It's the BEST! Our family has come up with a close rendition of the milkshake using hazelnut syrup, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, chocolate sauce and ice cream. (Think:... a billion calories). So for this surprise, I was treated with a Wallis Hazelnut chocolate shake surrounded by 8 Ferrero Rocher chocolates with toothpicks sticking out the center with little princess head stickers. They looked like little maids with big skirts! So clever. So fattening! So delicious!</strong></span></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong><u>Nine Ladies Dancing:</u> I have to say that this has been one of my favorites so far. I have been so impressed with these surprises, that I am really speechless when they are presented. Last night I received the traditional index card that states: On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me.... 9 ladies dancing. There was a card underneath the index card and on the front of the card were miniature pictures of nine ladies dancing. Above each picture there is a small hole punch circle with a number- so 9 numbers... right? Inside the card it says: This is no ordinary card; it is a special "Nine Ladies Dancing" card. It is good for 9 special dances with your True Love. Only one dance is redeemable each month, so you can enjoy the dancing throughout the coming months. After each dance, I will hole punch your dance card until you my lovely lady, have had nine dances. Awwwww. </strong></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I redeemed the first one right then. We danced to Michael Buble's- 'Everything'. The End.</span>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-39041362468609275492011-12-20T19:07:00.000-08:002011-12-20T19:07:18.655-08:00Seven Swans a Swimming in My Bathtub<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ5tlLFD2wo/TvFMp-FvCHI/AAAAAAAAADY/Apq3HTm2CTI/s1600/P_Swan_Kasahara_Cool%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ5tlLFD2wo/TvFMp-FvCHI/AAAAAAAAADY/Apq3HTm2CTI/s320/P_Swan_Kasahara_Cool%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>You might think what I thought seeing 7 paper oragami swans floating on cardboard pedestals in my bathtub. Ooooh, how absoluted beautiful and sweet. There are<em> </em>7 Swans of Swimming<em> in my Bathtub</em>. My husband leaned over my shoulder and asked me to pick one up. As I reached down to grab the paper swan, I noticed that not just one swan, but all of the swans were made out of gift certificates! There were 7 gift certificates for Lovely Nails nail salon floating on cardboard pedestals in my bathtub! Now that takes thought. And Love. Thank you honey for making my day! <em>grin</em>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-41818169815846430792011-12-20T00:03:00.000-08:002011-12-20T00:03:15.339-08:00Christmas Surprises<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDtl6j89QyE/TvA_y8AJ4VI/AAAAAAAAADQ/HkckxcIpeHs/s1600/12-days%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDtl6j89QyE/TvA_y8AJ4VI/AAAAAAAAADQ/HkckxcIpeHs/s320/12-days%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love surprises. I love them so much that once on my 30th birthday, my husband surprised me with a weekend Get away. I was told what to pack, but not where we were going. I thought we might be heading out the Gorge or to the San Juan Islands, afterall, I knew it wouldn't be too far from home as I had a 6 month old nursing baby at home! When we turned into the Portland Airport parking garage, my heart skipped a dozen beats and I began panicking all at the same time at the thought of leaving my baby a 2 hour flight behind and praying I'd packed the breast pump! </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine my thrill at receiving a 'love-letter' upon waking on the 14th of December. Not just any old love letter, but rather an old fashioned love letter with a homemade rendition of the 12-days of Christmas. This week has been one surprise after another.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 1: I received a glass blown partridge with a white flowing feather tail, perched in a miniature white wire tree with paper pears dangling from each branch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 2: A yummy box of Carmel pecan Turtles and a bottle of Dove body wash</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 3: 3 French Crullers with paper hens poking out of the tops</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 4: A phone call from my hubby and a Christmas bouquet with 4 Birds of Paradise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 5: Five Gold Presidential $1 coins</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 6: A 6 egg quiche delivered while laying in bed.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is Day 7. Any guesses what 7 Swans of swimming will be??</span></div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-74337717274368397832011-11-16T17:17:00.000-08:002011-11-16T17:17:12.669-08:00Priceless Pieces and other Valuable Nuggets...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq6Kt0mo3mI/TsRbPu_GCAI/AAAAAAAAADI/ccqjehtuq-M/s1600/pillin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq6Kt0mo3mI/TsRbPu_GCAI/AAAAAAAAADI/ccqjehtuq-M/s1600/pillin.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found an exquisite vase at a garage sale recently. It was marked $1 and I thought- what the heck? If I get sick of it, I could always sell it and perhaps make a little profit. Upon returning home, curiousity got the best of me. I looked at the artists signature at the bottom of the vase. Was it Tillin or Rillin or Nillin? I couldn't be sure.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Imagine my surprise when my little vase with the lovely dancing ladies popped up on a search. Turns out it was created by artist Polia Pillin (1909-1992). Born in Poland, Pillin immigrated to the US and made a successful career as an artist. Her art today fetches a great deal and the value of my vase neighbors in the market of $1200-1800. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What a find!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Isn't it interesting the values we place on our stuff? Moreover, I marvel at how much stuff we actually acquire! There are some things in life that you just can't put a price on however. I've listed my top 3. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My priceless stuff:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">1. My faith</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">2. My family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">3. My Health</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>...(and down the list somewhere, in some silly way, I might add my little Pillin vase</em></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em>)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><em> </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">May you and yours have a joyous Thanksgiving holiday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">To Wellness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Maryalice</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As the holidays sneak upon us, let us all take 5 seconds (or more) to think upon the things we place values on... even the stuff that we value priceless...</span>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-50459258210874832732011-05-16T18:11:00.000-07:002014-01-13T20:41:48.599-08:00Lyme Bites and other Sad Tales and Farewells<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I walked into my doctor's clinic today only to receive the bad news. Johnny died. No <u>Not</u> Johnny, I thought. So unfair. I recently wrote about him in my <a href="http://argonautaliveson.blogspot.com/search/label/friends">blog</a>- We were IV roommates. Lyme really bites. When I left the clinic the words that came to my mind were- "Johnny goes marching home." I know that without a shadow of a doubt that Johnny will be welcomed home and will talk and walk again. Bless you Johnny. You will be missed. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Other sad news- my sweet friend Sarah passed away on Friday. A more amazing woman would be hard to find. She suffered for the last 2 years with Multiple Myeloma. Her wonderful husband and 6 beautiful children will be most at a loss not seeing her smiling face and feeling her daily courage. I will miss my dear friend and I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes just thinking about her. Good bye sweet Sarah. The Heaven's welcome you and you are now in our Father's arms.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Even though I am in treatment again, I know it will only be a short time. I have been blessed. I thank my Father in Heaven daily for my life, for my family and friends. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">One of the things I am most thankful for is <a href="http://argonautaliveson.blogspot.com/2010/04/rejoice.html">Max</a>. It has given me a chance to live again. Please have the courage to try it for yourself. <a href="http://www.max.com/255092">www.max.com/255092</a> </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Blessings to you for a marvelous day. It's a great day to be alive!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">To Wellness,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Maryalice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-21498008387326887992011-04-05T01:32:00.000-07:002014-01-13T20:42:57.342-08:00Lyme Protocols and Other Daring Adventures.....<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> I recently returned from the "happiest place on earth" where smiles are plentiful and high adventure reigns, especially for those of the roller-coaster variety. My own children thrill in multiple turns on a ride entitled "California Screamin". The name says it all, and this ride is definitely not made for the weak in stomach. My high adventure in Disneyland usually begins somewhere between the Carmel apple shop and the ice cream parlor- often twice in the same hour. Whoohoo. </strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> My experience as a Lyme patient over the last 4 years might well qualify me as a high adventure type. Those of you in Lyme treatment know what I am talking about. And for those that experience considerable die-off, that might be a weekly, daily event or hourly event. Outlined below are some treatment protocols for Lyme disease. I have starred the ones that have worked for me. I would love to hear what works for you. Please comment on my post.</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong> Lyme Protocols- some I have used, currently use, tried or discarded.</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>1. <u>Salt and C</u>- flooding the body with high doses of vitamin C and sea salt has proven to be one of the most natural and least expensive protocols around, with perhaps the greatest amount of die-off. I have a friend that swears by this method and claims it cured him. He says the die-off was considerable.</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>2. <u>Rife machine (device</u>)- many lymies use this device as more of a gage at how they are doing than an actual treatment, although it can both detect supplements which are effective or not for your body as well as send off high frequencies that apparently kill off Lyme spirochete. I have many Lyme friends that use this device religiously. Hey, we do what works.</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>3.<u> IV and oral antibiotics-</u> Proven to be effective in killing large populations of Lyme over time. Best to be aggressive with treatment but not allowing die-off too rapidly. I have had great success with this form of treatment. It is expensive and destructive on the body. but hey what is worse- having Lyme, or treating for it? I guess that is a trick question.**</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>4. <u>Bicillin shots</u>- generally speaking, these work quite well for some. Personally speaking and by experience, I would rather hook up to IV daily than be stuck in the butt daily. Just saying. IV tends to be quicker in getting higher doses of antibiotic in and working. I have several friends that use shots eeffectively. Again $$$.**</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>5.<u> Naet method muscle testing</u> and elimination of Lyme by stimulating the body with a vibration while holding a vial containing spirochetes. Seems a little hokey, but we all have to start somewhere. Have tried this method, similar concept to Rife machine.**</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>6. <u>Acupuncture</u>- needles and pins. Dare I say more? Tried but wouldn't bet my life savings on it.</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>7. <u>Hydrotherapy</u>- super effective for toxin release. We all have toxins, but in Lyme treatment this process can be extremely helpful in elimination of large spirochetal toxins during die-off.**</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>8. <u>Sauna</u>- see above.**</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>9. <u>Supplements</u>- yeah, we all take them, and some are better than others, but as stand alone treatment. no way. You've got to kill the bugs.**</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>10. <u>Hydrogen peroxide</u>- super effective detoxifier. Pour in bath, or take in IV. Inexpensive with great results added to any protocol- but not a stand alone.**</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>11.<u> Epsom salts</u>- pour a couple cups in a hot bath. Follow with hydrotherapy. Effective, inexpensive detoxifier. Not a stand alone.**</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>12. <u>Essential oils-</u> Much to consider here. Oregano and Frankincense- must look into this.*</strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;">13. <u>Max Gxl- Glutathione Accelerator</u>-This has perhaps been the best product overall for helping in a natural way by enhancing my wellbeing, energy, brain fog, focusing, pain, and deliverance from the evils of LYME. Please check it out here and order it wholesale from my site: <a href="http://www.max.com/255092">www.max.com/255092</a> (and a special nod to Annie for telling me all about it.)</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Do you have other ideas?? Let me know!</strong></span></span>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-90649104184477300422011-03-05T04:30:00.000-08:002014-01-13T20:43:35.624-08:00The Tick Wins<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So, I am going back into treatment. I had a feeling it was coming, after the last episode of swallowing,tongue and speech issues. Part of me wants to treat it like taking out the trash, or giving someone a ride to school, you know, no biggee, but deep inside, I know it means <span style="font-size: large;">so</span> <span style="font-size: large;">much</span> more, and that's what I am grappling with.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Why do I have to analyze every aspect of my life? </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">You know, it is what it is. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Treatment to me means:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My life is not my own- I will have to go along with the whimsies of the meds</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My children and husband will have a new mommy for a while- which incidentally means a messier house, with less home-cooked meals</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Some people won't GET it- I mean I will hear.. "I thought your were <em>over</em> that thingy- what did you call it...Lyme?"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">Die-off</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">Probiotics and stomach aches</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">Bloating</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">Lots of PJ days- hmm...that might be kinda nice for a change....</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">$$$</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">Defeat- hmph... defeated by a minuscule little tick</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">Can you think of anything else? The list goes on....</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">That's it for now. I will fill you in when the fun times begin.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">To wellness,</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Courier New;">Maryalice</span><br />
<br />Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-63064509356518854332011-02-25T21:43:00.000-08:002014-01-13T20:43:55.719-08:00MY LYME FRIENDS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zwotm2xdEIg/TWiR2fvCsXI/AAAAAAAAAC8/SBMIFXvp654/s1600/ist2_697582_we_all_need_friendship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" l6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Zwotm2xdEIg/TWiR2fvCsXI/AAAAAAAAAC8/SBMIFXvp654/s200/ist2_697582_we_all_need_friendship.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Four years ago I didn't know what Lyme disease was, let alone that I would have Lyme friends, or lymies. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">In the world of Lyme disease, I suppose it is much the same as the world of any disease. Those that you meet within your circle of recovery become your friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">On any typical treatment day, I might sit in the IV room with C, S or J one day, or K and E the next. We all had a story. We all had been bit at one time in our lives and some of us didn't even know it. Most of us had nothing really in common except being bit. Some of us had IV's with 2 grams of rocephin, some were just getting started with 1 gram. Some had DMSO mixed in and smelled of tomato juice or garlic. Others came for a bit of energy and got a Myers Cocktail. We all knew what we needed and we all wanted out of there and done with Lyme as soon as humanly possible. None of us had anywhere to go. All of us had been robbed of our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Some had IV's wrapped in foil to preserve the ingredient. Others had chelation drips, Vit B or C drips, or Hydrogen Peroxide drips. Some got stuck 2 or 3 times, if they couldn't find an unused vein, or if they just needed 2 different drips. Some brought home-movies for the 2-3 hour wait- others music. Many came and hooked up for a much needed nap. There were lavender and flax seed hot packs, camouflage band aids, rubber tourniquets and plastic surgical tape. Some lymies had babies at home that in turn were infected with borrelia. Others were business owners, husbands, wives or parents that used to have a life. Some couldn't be understood because their speech was affected. Others had rashes or couldn't walk. Some were 16, others 50 but looked 80. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">One of my favorites was J. He shuffled in, slumped down in a rocker-ankles the size of tree trunks. His knees and hands rattled away. He chatted to me in garbled phonemes. Turns out that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's originally, but his treatment for Parkinson's by another doctor only exaccerbated the Parkinson's. Five years ago he was a regular guy working in a mill. A simple lab test discovered Lyme Disease, and now it may be too late to turn the ship around. Progress is slow. One IV at a time. ((update... Johnny passed away from Lyme...)) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">One day I met the mirror of my new life. I sat there, hooked up, staring at my Lyme friend that had Lyme induced ALS. His speech was limited, due to dysphasia- impairment of speech due to neurological brain damage. His gait was slow and shuffled. He looked at me with his tender eyes, unable to speak and I just wept. ((update... Ernie passed away from Lyme...))</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">There are lots of Kleenex's in the treatment room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I love my Lyme friends. I know they will always be there if I ever need them again. </span></div>
Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-18644988966081078302011-01-23T15:36:00.000-08:002011-02-12T22:50:21.485-08:00AWWW, TO BE A MOM, NOW THAT IS SOMETHING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><blockquote><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TTy6_SHn6gI/AAAAAAAAAC0/rSM7SUjCltE/s320/DSC02332.JPG" width="320" /></blockquote></blockquote><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>" I love my children sir, and the thought of living without them is like living without air." </em><br />
<em>Mrs. Doubtfire</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When i was a little girl, i knew exactly what i wanted to do when i grew up. i would travel to far away places, go to college to be smarter, and find a way to be successful. well, i have traveled here and there, gone to college, and been successful in many things. the thing that makes most sense to me though is something that i never really put much thought into. being a mom. being a mom to me is the most amazing gift. it is like Christmas every day. it is better than fame, fortune and even ice cream! i am so humbled that God would grant me, little ol' me, the blessing to be the Wallis kids' mom. who knew? in all of the details that our Father in Heaven orchestrated, how truly humbled i am that he found favor in me, and gave unto me the most incredible children under Heaven. Amen.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-59782367987444061732010-11-08T16:21:00.000-08:002010-11-08T16:21:53.937-08:00PONDER THE PATH OF THY FEET<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TNiSihlPA7I/AAAAAAAAACs/CzFkvlkdOOA/s1600/desert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TNiSihlPA7I/AAAAAAAAACs/CzFkvlkdOOA/s1600/desert.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yesterday during church I participated in an excellent discussion about <span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><strong>Priorities. </strong><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The talk, originally from Julie Beck Women's Conference 2010 states that "When priorities are out of order, we lose power".</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Consider our <strong><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">Daily Choices... <span style="font-size: small;">Now, humor me and make a list with 3 columns:</span></span></strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;"><strong>Essentials:</strong> <span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Put things here of Eternal nature- prayer, church, scriptures, love, callings, etc.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Necessities:</strong><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Put things here that are "have to's to live", eating, sleeping, hygiene, shopping, laundry ( I suspect this is where most of us live, most of the time)</span></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Nice to do:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Put things here that you enjoy doing ie. hobbies, pleasures, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">One young lady commented that when she was stressed out, she found herself filling her time with "Nice-to-do's", but later while on a mission, her life was filled with "Essentials" and she found so much joy in serving others, it naturally became her "Nice to do's". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Another comment I found insightful: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Self Worth does not depend on the length of your to-do list! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">How many of us find ourselves busy beyond belief and accomplishing little? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Take a moment today to <span style="color: #660000;">Ponder on the Path of thy Feet</span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Blessings!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wallpaper-s.org/42__Footprints,_Namib_Desert,_Namibia,_Africa.htm" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-83913745047498994962010-10-25T15:29:00.000-07:002014-01-13T20:44:14.044-08:00Shutting the Door to Lyme--- Forever?<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I stand behind a heavy door that reaches to the top of the universe, ready and more than willing to slam shut the illness that has racked my body for the past several years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Questions come to mind:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What do the little twitches and random numbness in my cheek mean? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What about the bouts of fatigue?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Is there really such thing as remission with Lyme?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What if I get bit again?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Will I ever be 100%?</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Knowing most of the answers, I resolve to do what I have been taught to do:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Keep my chin up and continue to pray.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Count my many blessings.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Keep my covenants and remain faithful.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">What else can one do? As I reflect, I seek for answers in my journal and realize that I am much further along than I expected, and for that alone, I rejoice. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Journal dated December 5, 2009:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">It has been almost 1 1/2 years since my last entry. It has pained me to write, as I really do not want to actualize the words that I must write. As the days and years have gone on and I see the purple edged spine of my lonely journal, my insides groan and I resist. Why do I resist? I am a coward, I suppose. Perhaps by writing, I will reveal things I don't want to believe myself, however, time is of the essence, so to speak and I must write now, before the time may come that I won't be able to anymore. I am scared. For the 1st time in my life, I face the fact that the keys of mortality are jangling in front of me and I am simply not ready emotionally to face that. But, come what may, it is a fact of life, that God gives it, and at some point is taken from us. But thank the Lord for eternal life, and eternal families. How grateful I am for that. My health has taken so many twists and turns but continues to decline, as I see it. In 2005, I was vibrant, active, and healthy and walking 15 miles minimum a week, organizing conferences, writing a book and homeschooling successfully, I was primary president, I had life wrapped around my finger. Today, I am sedentary, my speech is slurred, my tongue is numb, my throat won't swallow, I can't remember things and I say things backward, use the wrong words for simple things, have labored breathing and am unable to participate in activities, exercise or organizations. I can't lead or take charge of most things. My gait is unsteady, I have no appetite, my eyes hurt and sting and I can't see when I get up. I am taking about 25 products to keep my brain healthier and being treated for late stage disseminated Lyme disease, Epstein Barr Virus, chronic fatigue syndrome, a bacterial infection in my lungs and now my symptoms are manifesting ALS. More than anything I want to be well again. I want to raise my family, be a wife to my husband and live. I will try to be positive and happy and keep a good perspective. It is scary. The things I read aren't good and the prognosis is awful. There is no cure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I am turning the knob now............</span>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-27595347619289639742010-10-19T19:02:00.000-07:002014-01-13T20:44:27.389-08:00My Lyme Rollercoaster<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past year has been quite the rollercoaster ride, and I hate rollercoasters. I have been in treatment for <strong>lyme disease</strong> for the past 2 years and many days I felt like I simply wasn't going to make it. I thought people thought I was just faking it. My body was not my own and somedays, if it weren't for my children and husband, I wanted to die. I can remember one night, really late, laying in bed and thinking about my life, and the quality of my life and trying to swallow, and it was so hard to swallow! I started to cry and it was one of those uncontrollable cries. I couldn't stop crying. I wondered if I might not be able to breathe through the night- what if my tongue got stuck in my throat because it was so numb? My sweet husband just held me and stroked my hair. We both had a good cry together in the middle of the night. These are the memories I have from this dreaded disease. The following are some lyme notes that I kept when my symptoms were at their worst and manifesting ALS- Lou Gehrigs Disease.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">11/18/09 through 12/10/09 Dysphasia, tongue numb, balance</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/12- dysphasia, tongue numb, balance, foot falling asleep, fatigue </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/14- 1000mg IV - after IV felt good for a few hours</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/15- Tired, slow, tongue swallowing issues</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/16- good day, IV in afternoon, Tired but energetic; balance improving</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/17-12/23 IV's daily</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/22- swallowing issues coming back, balance poor, fatigue</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/25- nap 2 hours, balance, tongue tingling, swelling, thick, swallowing issues back</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/27-balance, eyes sore, fatigue, nap, yeasty, swallowing issues</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/28-severe headache,right shoulder pain, fatigue</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/29- arm hand stiffness, balance poor, fatigue</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/30-swallowing slow and numbness bottom/back of tongue , balance, fatigue</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">12/31- tongue tingling bottom and back, balance poor, legs sore and stiff</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">This continued until Feb 1 when my balance was restored! No more walking around holding on to things. The following 5 months consisted of IV's 4 days a week along with 5 other oral antibiotics. My last IV was May 19th.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><strong>I <u>Hate Lyme Disease</u></strong>, but dare I utter that I am getting better?</span>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-764716088095364622010-10-16T17:27:00.000-07:002010-10-16T19:41:56.239-07:00Just Down a Couple Flights<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLpfS8DbLiI/AAAAAAAAACk/YTB-ibvsXGM/s1600/DSC00253.JPG"><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><br /><blockquote></a></blockquote><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLpfS8DbLiI/AAAAAAAAACk/YTB-ibvsXGM/s1600/DSC00253.JPG"></a><blockquote><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLpfS8DbLiI/AAAAAAAAACk/YTB-ibvsXGM/s1600/DSC00253.JPG"></blockquote><br /><blockquote></a></blockquote><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLpfS8DbLiI/AAAAAAAAACk/YTB-ibvsXGM/s1600/DSC00253.JPG"></a><blockquote><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLpfS8DbLiI/AAAAAAAAACk/YTB-ibvsXGM/s1600/DSC00253.JPG"></blockquote><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528836271513480738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLpfS8DbLiI/AAAAAAAAACk/YTB-ibvsXGM/s200/DSC00253.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:+0;"></span><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>I' m falling out of Heaven,</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>Just down a couple flights</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>I don't remember this ever happening before.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>Inside of me I want to keep falling,</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>part of me that is.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>The other side doesn't want it all that bad.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>I'd like to clutch my Bible and say to it, </strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>Motivate Me, Read me your stories</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>but I can't right now </strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><strong>because I am falling out of Heaven.</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#006600;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#006600;">I wrote this poem when I was a junior in high school and trying to find my way. Sometimes I find myself still trying to find my way. Don't we all?</span></div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-55044841720767042252010-10-12T08:02:00.000-07:002011-12-20T19:37:26.434-08:00COURSE CORRECTION<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLSB_EqQLuI/AAAAAAAAACc/YoUCd-NNt6s/s1600/path.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527185563273146082" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/TLSB_EqQLuI/AAAAAAAAACc/YoUCd-NNt6s/s200/path.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 132px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #993300;">A</span><span style="color: #993300;">t various times in the travels of our lives comes a time of </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>redirection.</strong> </span><span style="color: #993300;">Redirections can come to us in many ways. Perhaps we are seeking a new Job or Relationship. Perhaps it is even more personal- maybe a call to Repentance or Forgiveness-</span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some call this <strong><span style="color: #990000;">Course Correction</span>.</strong> How many of you have used a GPS? If you plug in a destination, the GPS generally gets you where you need to go. But you know that little voice that speaks to us when we go off track and says <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>"re-calculate"?</strong> <span style="color: #993300;">T</span><span style="color: #993300;">hat little voice is similar to the one we hear inside our head when </span></span></span>we receive new information. The opportunity is then ours to either change course, or stay the same path. Occasionally, recalculation is due to a new roadway that a GPS is unaware of- In our personal lives, I would relate that to a new pathway that has been<span style="color: #990000;"><strong> Course Corrected</strong></span>, and replaced with a more improved and positive pathway. </span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Course corrections</strong> are rarely comfortable, but nearly always necessary and healthier in the long run. With redirection, we may find a new friend, a job, repair a relationship, or seek a new destination, that we may never have known was possible. </span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #993300;">Could it be that little word called- </span><span style="color: #990000;"><em><strong>Change</strong></em> </span><span style="color: #993300;">that we are running away from<strong>? </strong></span></span></div><br />
<div><span style="color: #993300;"></span></div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-5253150654326859492010-10-02T22:14:00.000-07:002010-10-02T22:41:51.905-07:005 SIGNS OF A CONSECRATED LIFE and OTHER GREAT IDEAS<div align="left"><span style="color:#003333;"><span style="color:#003333;"><strong>I love to hear talks that are to the point. </strong></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#003333;"><span style="color:#003333;"><strong>Today I listened to our church's semi-annual conference for 4 hours and heard multiple talks just like that! </strong></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#003333;"><span style="color:#003333;"><strong>It was a</strong></span><em> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;"><strong>welcome breath of fresh air</strong>.</span></em> <strong>One favorite talk by </strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#003333;"><strong><span style="color:#330033;">Elder D Todd Christofferson</span></strong> <strong>gave us detailed reasons why</strong> <em><strong>these 5 subjects are signs of a consecrated life</strong></em>-</span> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Is it any wonder to you ???</strong></span></div><div align="center"> </div><ul><li><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;"><strong>PURITY</strong></span></div></li><li><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#333300;"><strong>WORK</strong></span></div></li><li><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330099;"><strong>RESPECT FOR OUR LIVES</strong></span></div></li><li><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><strong>SERVICE</strong></span></div></li><li><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><strong>INTEGRITY</strong></span></div></li></ul><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></strong> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Another favorite -</strong> <span style="color:#330033;"><strong>Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf- said:</strong></span></span></span></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Ask yourself:</span> <em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">what things matter most to me??</span></em></span></strong></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Answer -</span> God, Family, Fellow Man, Ourselves</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"><em>So- Where have we drifted for a 'more excellent' way??</em></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Loved this: " <span style="color:#000000;">Simplicity is the Ultimate Satisfaction"</span> Leonardo deVinci</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;">and finally: </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"><span style="color:#000066;">L-O-V-E</span> <span style="color:#3333ff;">is spelled</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">T-I-M-E</span></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">To wellness- MA</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#663300;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></strong> </div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></strong> </div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-2880475263041794132010-08-11T21:31:00.000-07:002010-08-11T22:02:20.725-07:00Can we talk Grace... again?<a href="http://www.ganondagan.org/images/channeledwhelk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.ganondagan.org/images/channeledwhelk.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>One of my treasured books is- "Gift From the Sea". You might have guessed or even wondered by the title of my blog that my truest desire is to be an Argonauta. HOWEVER- The chapter on the <span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#ff6600;">Channelled Whelk</span> has some great insights and I'd like to share:</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><em></em>Anne Morrow Lindbergh says of the Channelled Whelk<em>... "I want to give and take from my children and husband, to share with friends and community, to carry out my obligations to man and to the world, as a woman, as an artist, as a citizen. But I want first of all- in fact, as an end to these other desires-<span style="font-family:georgia;"><strong> <span style="color:#33cc00;">to be at peace with myself.</span></strong></span> I want <strong>a singleness of eye</strong>, a <strong>purity of intention,</strong> a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. In fact- to borrow from the language of the saints- to live <span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#993399;"><strong>"in grace"</strong></span> as much of the time as possible. I am not using this term in a strictly theological sense. <strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">By </span><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">grace</span> I mean an inner harmony, essentially spiritual, which can be translated into outward harmony.</span></strong> I am seeking perhaps what Socrates asked for in the prayer from the Phaedrus when he said, <span style="color:#000099;">"May the outward and inward man be at one."</span> I would like to achieve a state of inner spiritual grace from which I could function and give as I was meant to in the eye of God."</em></div><br /><br /><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Perhaps there is a little bit of each shell in all of us. </div><br /><div>Just for now, I am ARGONAUTA FOR A DAY.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Which shell are you?</div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-73232693197651348352010-04-23T18:36:00.000-07:002010-10-28T20:05:15.748-07:00REJOICE-- WITH MAX GXL!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/S9JQudfaoFI/AAAAAAAAACE/I5vVhBuVXc8/s1600/flying+high.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463518057074434130" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_khRyxGAuIbk/S9JQudfaoFI/AAAAAAAAACE/I5vVhBuVXc8/s200/flying+high.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 141px;" /></a><br />
<div><span style="color: #336666; font-family: lucida grande;">I want to tell you about the most amazing product I have ever tried with the most rewarding benefits.<br />
Many of you know how ill I have been and have been in treatment for over 3 years for Chronic Fatigue, <strong>Epstein Barr Virus</strong>,<strong> cytomegalovirus</strong>, <strong>herpes complex</strong> syndrome, <strong>endocrine disorders</strong>,<strong> Lyme disease</strong> and <strong>co-infections of lyme</strong>.<br />
Crazy at it seems, less than 4 weeks ago I started trying out a product I found out about through a friend.<br />
Skeptical at first, I started feeling a difference in 3 days time and now I am feeling better stamina, more clarity, and more energy than ever before! I truly feel I am going to not only make it, I will have regained what I have lost in the past 3 years.<br />
<br />
The product I am using is called<u><strong> Max GXL</strong></u>, and it is only sold through independent distributors for a company called Max International, based out of Salt Lake City. This product is affordable, natural and it WORKS!<br />
<br />
Have you have experienced less energy, poor concentration, listlessness, lack of sleep, aging, illness?<br />
You are NOT alone! Our bodies glutathione levels reduce significantly as we age and when our health declines. We lose 8-12% of our glutathione levels every decade and as oxidative stress levels increase, we don’t have enough glutathione to help support our immune system.<br />
· What is glutathione? A major antioxidant and protector against free radicals and is essential for our immune system. As we age, or have illness, our glutathione levels decrease to the point of no return.<br />
Important Roles of Glutathione<br />
• Fights against oxidative cell damage (from free radicals)<br />
• Protein synthesis<br />
• Amino acid transport<br />
• Cellular detoxification<br />
• Immune system enhancement<br />
• Enzyme activation<br />
• Fights cellular Inflammation<br />
• ATP (energy) production<br />
Our cells are constantly under attack by free radicals, which can cause a reduction of our cells' ability to function optimally.<br />
· How can I raise my glutathione levels? Oral Glutathione is not effective because the molecular structure does not and can not penetrate cell walls, so to get glutathione levels up in your body, you have to have a product that stimulates our amazing body to create its own glutathione. Max Gxl does exactly that. It is a patented product that raises glutathione levels in the lymphocytes, developed by a medical doctor that researched glutathione for over 20 years. ((I had been doing my own research while I was sick and found the same thing: Our bodies NEED glutathione to live, and when we are sick and as we age, glutathione declines.))<br />
· How do I get this product NOW and start feeling great in just a few days? Order online under my website at wholesale cost: </span><a href="http://www.max.com/255092"><span style="color: #336666; font-family: lucida grande;">www.max.com/255092</span></a><span style="color: #336666; font-family: lucida grande;"><br />
· Click on Preferred Customers, to receive wholesale pricing, or click ASSOCIATE if you want to be a part of this business today. NEXT- click on the product you desire (Max GXL in 60 individual packets, Max GXL Sport (180 capsules), Max N-Fuze (liquid patent pending nano technology that further supports glutathione production) /OR /Max WXL Weight loss technology- a product to retrain your body to regulate its leptin signals, without harmful stimulants or ingredients.<br />
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If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email me and I will find out the answers!<br />
If this product doesn’t sound like something you would be interested in, but you know someone that it might help, please forward this information to them or let me know and I will contact them. They will thank you forever.<br />
<br />
To wellness!<br />
Maryalice</span><br />
<a href="http://www.max.com/255092">www.max.com/255092</a></div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-88235929825905278792010-04-21T20:14:00.000-07:002010-04-21T20:50:29.474-07:00REFLECTIONS<a href="http://www.essentialbalancept.com/media/images/sections/womanClimbing.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.essentialbalancept.com/media/images/sections/womanClimbing.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;">Writers Block~</span><br />If I could muster up the strength<br />to hoist myself to the top of that wall<br />and take just a peek over the top,<br />I wonder: would I have the courage to climb over if I saw-<br />Stacks of unfolded laundry, unscrubbed floors, and bedsheets draping off unmade beds,<br />Half written poems and stories scribbled on paper napkins, and calendar dates crossed out, left empty?<br />Would time stand still, or march right on past my worn out body and decomposing brain,<br />with its nose held high in the air?<br />Babes and faithful mate bat uneasy eyes my direction. </div><div><em>Will she ever be whole again?</em><br />Just thinking of the wall is a powerhouse workout.<br />Just wondering what is on the other side, a labyrinth with no exit. <br />If only the power of the seed that fuels this infirmity would change its mind.<br />Should my strength allow me just one small peek,<br />I might shudder at what I see.</div><div>********************************************************************************</div><div>I wrote this back in January when I didn't know if I could even make it one more step. I have to say, I have arrived! I feel so good. I have written a hundred posts in my head since January, and hadn't the strength or desire to get them written here. I am a butterfly in a cocoon and I see a small sliver of sunlight peaking through the opening and I am ready to fly. My secret to success isn't really a secret: it's MAX GXL. If you want to Feel Good again, Feel Alive again, Have clarity of Mind and Energy for your day, please, please check out Max products! <a href="http://www.max.com/255092">www.max.com/255092</a> (That is my web address for preferred customer discounts.) </div><div> </div><div>I am still in treatment 4 days a week. That part is a drag. But life is GOOD, and I am gonna LIVE!</div><div> </div><div>Blessings for a splendid day~</div><div>Maryalice</div><div> </div><div> </div>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-68301920283167756702010-01-20T18:13:00.000-08:002010-01-20T19:49:32.820-08:00GRACE<span style="color:#6600cc;">While GRACE has many meanings, I wouldn't argue that Grace in the truest sense<em> is</em> that <em>unmerited favor</em> given by our God. I feel so blessed that all that is required of <em>me </em>is a little faith. I love the words of Alma...</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff99ff;"><strong><em>" But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and</em></strong> <strong><span style="color:#993399;">exercise a particle of faith</span><em>, yea, even if ye can no more than </em></strong></span><a title="TG Motivations; TG Teachable." href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/32/27a" type="B" mark="a"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff99ff;"><em><strong>desire</strong></em></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;color:#6633ff;"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><strong><em> to believe,</em> <span style="color:#993399;">let this desire work in you,</span><em> even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words. "</em></strong></span><em> </em><a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/32/27#27"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff99ff;"><strong><em>Alma 32: 27</em></strong></span></a><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">But oh, that is so difficult sometimes! </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">That is where Grace in another definition comes in for me... Grace- that ability to trudge through in the face of adversity with head held high. I am talking about the purest form of Grace, the sweet almost passionate form that actually <em>stands for something</em>. The Grace that doesn't Flinch. </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">I am aiming for Grace, wanna join me??</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff99ff;"><em>Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I </em></span><a title="Ex. 4: 11; 1 Cor. 1: 27 (26-31)" href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/ether/12/27b" type="A" mark="b"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff99ff;"><em>g</em></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#ff99ff;"><em>ive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and</em> <strong><span style="color:#993399;">my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me</span></strong><em><span style="color:#993399;">;</span> for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."</em></span></span>Argonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-911993169894866105.post-18296200238713945452010-01-13T20:29:00.000-08:002010-01-13T20:56:55.464-08:00SUPER SOUPOne of the sweet pleasures in life that I have always enjoyed is cooking. I remember concocting my own homemade Reese's peanut butter cups using ice cube trays when I was about eleven. I learned most of my culinary skills from my Grandma Alice, and after almost 23 years of cooking for my husband and family it truly has been very enjoyable, up until a few years ago when I just became too tired to cook! The problem with that is that I rarely use a recipe! So, all those yummy from-scratch dinners are up in my head somewhere mixed in a jumble of misfiring neurons. I think I've still got it though. This is an old standby (my kids love it!) that happened when I pulled all the veggies out of the fridge last night.<br /><br />CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP<br />In a Large Pot (short stock pot) add:<br />2-3 chunks of broccoli cut up<br />1/2 cauliflower cut in pieces<br />a big handful of the mini carrots<br />1/2 an onion<br />1 stalk celery<br />2 spoons of minced garlic- refrigerated <br />1/2 pot of water<br />1 tablespoon of chicken bouillon<br />sprinkle of garlic salt<br />couple dashes of pepper<br /><br />Cook until veggies are softish.<br />Scoop into the blender ( I used another container to put the blended veggies in)<br />Blend until smooth<br /><br />Pour all blended veggies back into stock pot and simmer<br />Add 1 can of evaporated milk, or about a cup of milk for creaminess<br /><br />All done. Total time: 25 minutes for a yummy, healthy, gourmet soup!<br /><br />To Wellness,<br />MAArgonauta For a Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17735703961169682382noreply@blogger.com0