A Fallen Soldier

Please take a moment to pray for the family of Cody Legg.

Cody was killed in combat on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008, while in Iraq. Cody is the nephew, through marriage, of one of my dear friends here on this blog: Cyndi.

I'm am grateful for Cody's honorable service to our country! I thank God for his courage and tenacity.

If you would like to send a card to the family, please contact me by email. I know the family will appreciate our show of support.

An Apple a Day

I don't believe that an alarm sounded the exact moment I hit 50; but try to convince my body of that. All of a sudden, health has seemed like a slippery slope. I was already dealing with a left arm that had draped off the couch during a nap and twisted abnormally. Add to that, a metabolism on strike, a possible bone spur in my right heal, allergies, and eyesight that mimics a faulty pair of binoculars. All of this combined with mental pause and recent disappointments, well, I feel prompted to make adjustments.

If any of you are singers, you know what a nuisance allergies can pose to the vocal instrument. There was a time when nothing seemed to affect the quality of my song. Now, it is an ongoing battle.

I have been researching mouth, sinus, and intestinal hygiene in an effort to partner with my body's natural defense systems. My plan of attack has to do with "good" bacteria—probiotics—and staying on the offensive team when it comes to bad bacteria. Studies have proven that optimum health is hindered when strategic areas of our bodies are bacteria laden.

Here are my 4 main points of focus...

• More consistent flossing...
• Drinking organic Kefir on an empty stomach to add healthy bacteria to my intestines...*
• Using a Neti Pot to cleanse my sinuses...**
• Whole foods...
  

I have only been doing these 4 things for a brief period of time; however, I am already beginning to lose weight! I am also experiencing more energy and a reduced incidence of the mucous monster. If these are the short term results, I'm eager to see what the long term advantages will be!

* Organic Kefir contains probiotics. Websters Dictionary defines probiotics as: "a preparation (as a dietary supplement) containing live bacteria (as lactobacilli) that is taken orally to restore beneficial bacteria to the body; also : a bacterium of such a preparation."
** A Neti Pot looks like a mini watering can. It is filled with saline solution and used to flush out nasal passages.

Look what came in the mail!

Southern Fun in the California Sun!

It has been a bittersweet week. Amid the mountain top moments there have been unpleasant surprises. In fact, today was a clunker until the mail arrived with TWO PACKAGES for me! Voila! A Cajun feast with spices just begging to incinerate my tongue! I have never been to the South, so the South came to me via JOYCE of The Secret Gardener! This is actually the second trip this package has made due to a foible on my part. Sadly, it has done more traveling that I have in the last 2 years!

Joyce, who resides in Louisiana, felt that I needed this delightful "JU-BE" (rhymes with chubby and stands for "just because"). She was right. And, it's arrival could not have been more perfect. Besides the wonderful sampling of Cajun food, there is a charming candle to challenge any heat the spices can dish out. Oh what fun! Thank-YOU, Joyce!

I also received a very sweet heart shaped, silver dish from RHODA of Southern Hospitality. I was a winner in her recent Giveaway! Thanks also to YOU, Rhoda!

Between Joyce and Rhoda, I got myself a double dose of southern hospitality! (I was typing with a southern accent.)

June, a Giveaway Win, and a Crafty Dad!

It is the month of June,
The month of leaves and roses,
When pleasant sights salute the eyes,
And pleasant scents the noses.

-Nathaniel Parker Willis

Watermelon Tissue Holder - By Mike at Crafty Dad

I not only had the honor of giving something away last Saturday, but I was blessed to be a winner, too! In the "Cottage Charm" Giveaway, I won the 2nd place prize from Mike of CRAFTY DAD! I will be receiving the Watermelon Tissue Holder (above) and one of his specialty handmade soaps (below), but with a lavender scent. In fact, he's making a fresh batch just for the winners!

Handmade Soap in Grapefruit Blush - By Mike at Crafty Dad

(My soap will be lavender.)

Mike is married with 2 sons and simply put, he answered the call of the wild "craft gene" long ago with Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and Lego Blocks. I smiled when I read his Profile because my own interest was sparked by those "building" tools.

He went on to create macramé pot hangers. Now there's a blast to the past! My Mom still has a macramé pot hanger, as well as a macramé lamp shade in her family room. Maybe I should check the "Designed By" tag!

It appears that Mike's passion is generational because his sons are showing similar tendencies. His wife has already surrendered to the inevitable. When a husband has a sewing machine at the lake, a wife has to know he's serious!

I find Mike's enthusiasm to be contagious and refreshing. He is so wonderfully comfortable with the his God-given gifts! To visit Mike's Etsy Store, click HERE.