Monday, December 29, 2014

Gratitude for the closing year.

I am full of gratitude for all I have been blessed with in the past year.

My wonderful neighbors who have been a great comfort to me when I need to ask a question and receive wonderful advice.

I am full of gratitude for Bear, our old black Labrador mix dog, who passed away this Year, for his loving protection and service to our family.

We are grateful for Landon, Our German Shepherd, our new protector and guardian in training.

We are grateful for Koka, our Black Labrador-Blue Healer mix dog, we love her energy and happy smile when chasing a ball. (Please do call before you come over so we can keep Koka from kissing you and Landon from trying to play fight with you.)

I am grateful for my husband who loves me and our children whom we love dearly.

I am grateful for Dorothy (Sister Fidler) being on her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in Spokane, Washington.

I am grateful for the return of Joseph (Elder Fidler) from his Mission Spanish Speaking in Los Angeles, California in August and the old neighbor and friend who let him use a phone to call me to tell me I was running late......

I am very grateful to a humble young mentor who has challenged me to read more. Through that reading I pray there has been a noticeable change in my heart towards others, Especially my husband.

I am thankful for the progress in my health and the small steps that are compounding over time into big changes. Which I hope will be inspiring, because I am focusing on the good days.

I strive for everyday to be a good day, even when my body is in open revolt.

I fully hope and pray your new year is one of great personal growth.

May Heavenly Father bless and grant all of your worthy and righteous desires this coming year.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Drawing to Dream

Since the beginning of October I have been going through lessons in The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards and the companion exercise workbook. Why am I reading and actively doing these exercises?
 I am doing these to bring back my imagination. Why? because I need imagination to be able to DREAM! I have found that over time in being in the adult world I have lost my ability to dream and imagine actively. I have not read many fairy tales, since childhood. I seem to have become very serious. This may because I had to grow up fast and accept many things that in my youth that others my own age seemed oblivious to. 
I love to read and read alot. The Work and the Glory by Lund, Harry Potter Series, Twilight Series, and currently The Divergent Series. These books are whenI need a break from all of the other serious (Scriptures, Complimentary health care modalities-herbs, Essential oils, energy work, Nutrition, Fitness, people skills,  Medscape CME articles, finance, leadership, farming, gardening, sewing, and learning new skills all over in general) books, but they are dystopian society (Society is at the fork int he road and has to choose freedom or Force Shift) type books. But I hit periods Where I can read 20 books in a month but then the next I will only read 5. Why? I get overwhelmed with life and my responsibilities in life. This is why I am so deadly serious at times. That is why I may not smile a lot. I appreciate those who say you need to smile because. In all truth I am happier than I have ever been . But that message obviously has not reached my face. Our move to the country has given me back the simple pleasures in life. We do not have cable or Sateleite TV. Netflix is DVDs on demand. We have the internet, yes we can acces those silly cat videos on you tube. We listen to a lot of audio subscription material (in the background) that I have downloaded to my iPod-This is our radio. We have chosen this over the radio itself, not because we do not like music. But because we want to be in control of what the input to is to our thinking i. What does this have to do with drawing?
My thinking has has everything to do with drawing. If I can draw what I see in my minds eye; If I can draw what I dream about each night...then I can make that dream come true. My dreams have to be so real I can feel, see, taste, smell, and hear it all right down to the most minute detail.
I will add some of my initlal drawings so you can see my progress. ***
The inspiration came to re-start the drawing journey to begin vividly visualizing the future and knowing that I must continue to learn. I loved to draw as a child. I still do. I use most of my drawing as a Personal Trainer to illustrate exercises, but you know what stick figures are ok, but not as good as muscle flexing movement in pictures. I use pictures to decipher and understand concepts that are not clear. The most recent one was "3 x 3 x 3 and you are free", became vividly clear as I drew it on the white board. Yes, we have white boards, I use them to draw out many things like our gardens. This allows me to play with it-taking in watering, lighting, etc. It allows me to take abstract ideas and make picture that my mind can understand. Because I want to be able to literally draw out what I see in my mind. I want to write my story in vivid detail with pictures from the beginning of time through all Eternity. Will you 'draw' your story with me?

 
*** I will add these later....

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Cheesy Veggie Pizza( Gluten-free, corn-free, potato-free) December 7, 2014

Tonight's dinner ....
This prepared freezer crust has allowed me to enjoy pizza again. It has tapioca starch, milk, eggs, canola oil ( I do not use canola oil and corn oil in my normal cooking, I use olive oil, 100% butter or other oils) cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese ** contains milk products and eggs
This crust is enough for one meal and a midnight snack.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. I stick my pan in the oven to preheat too.
Take the crust on card board out of the wrapper saving the label above for cooking directions.
Take a can of Kirkland signature tomato paste and spread on crust.
Now take and dress with the amount of veggies you want. 
I used mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Take a cheese block and grate as much or as little as you like.
Now take the pizza and cardboard, slide the pizza onto the pan. 
Keep the cardboard for after it finishes cooking to cut the pizza on.
Cook 10-15 mins, until cheese is melted and crust is brown.
Remove from oven by sliding into card board with a spatula.
Place the pizza on the counter cut and enjoy!


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Thanksgiving 9 days and counting...

We are preparing for our dinner after Thanksgiving. 
The holiday menu ismenu is gluten-free, potato-free, corn- free:
Whipped sweet potatoes
Rice stuffing
Green beans
Veggie tray
Yogurt based dip/ dressing
Fruit tray
Cheese cake dip
Pumpkin pudding
Fresh whipped cream
Home made ice cream
Mulled Apple cider or raw milk or water
We have cleaned out the fridge to hold parts of this. We are scrubbing the kitchen and  disinfecting it. 
To ensure a clean safe environment. 
We are asking that no one bring in outside food. We appreciate offers, but would like to avoid cross- contamination. It is not worth being sick and feeling like a truck has run you over, not being able to digest food for over a week and spending quality time on the porcelain throne. It is better to avoid such situations if it maintains quality of life.

Please consider if you are one who is blessed with food allergies or other dietary issues sometimes it is better to bring your own or avoid the food portion of the event. This helps keep others from feeling awkward from your interrogation about ingredients or cooking methods. I do not want to burden others with these things, because they have so much to deal with already. I appreciate that my mother(-in-law), Nancy and sister-in-law, Barbara have always made the effort to accommodate my dietary needs. Thank you both it means a lot to me because I know you care.

These are our family strategies for maintaining high quality of life during the holidays. I will have to write a follow on pieces about travel and eating out, explaining why you get what you pay for.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

September Results

Last Month was a very good month. I was able to read 12 books and I have chosen aspects of each to apply in my life. Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy was a habit jogger, which was a prelude to the book that came down on system or monthly subscription. Get Er Done by Mike Martel this book teaches the basic planning habits taught in the Military. Many of the things he talks about I learned while I was in Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) at Brigham Young University. WE planned exercises or projects from what the goal was outlining the steps and what had to happen from the End to the beginning. Think Covey's Begin with the end in mind. A year later when  was a new enlisted soldier on active duty much of what I learned guided how I behaved. Later as I prepared to become a non commissioned officer (NCO) this planning process was taught and practiced in detail in primary leadership development course (PLDC). Those exacting standards and values at times caused me grief, but I knew I needed to act a certain way and I had to stay with my values. It was worth it. I knew I was not liked by all of those I served with but I was respected. That showed later on as I readied to leave the military and head back into Civilian and family life.

The basics are to answer the following questions:

1. What what have I accomplished in the end or what has my team been able to accomplish together?

2. What steps need to be completed in order to reach this goal?

3. When does each step need to done?

4. Who is involved and what tasks or assignments do they have?

5.

After we ask the following questions to evaluate and see how we can improve next time.

1. What was our goal or project?

2. Was it a success? or What did we do right?

3. What could we have done better?

4. Lessons and changes for the next time we participate in this activity.

Believe it or not my husband and I both having been in the Military actually do planning matrices. This simple activity has saved some heartache when it is carried out and followed. When choosing to just fly by the seat of our pants we do pay the price. Not fun and not recommended.

I hope by sharing that you will benefit and use it in your business and personal life.

Friday, September 26, 2014

The Passing of Bear

~~November 22, 2002 - September 26, 2014 ~~
Our Beloved Guardian from April 2005 until his passing. 

Yesterday our dog Bear passed on around 4:30 pm. We have watched as he was preparing to go. We know he as in pain and made him as comfortable as possible. My oldest boys carried him up and down the stairs as necessary for his needs. He no longer negotiated the stairs and was the only dignified way to help him be as comfortable as possible. We buried him on our back forty. Like all living creatures he will give back to the earth and contribute to the betterment of our soil. As I watched my children each taking their time to digest the loss of our friend and defender who has been with us for just over 9 years. John being our sensitive child was most vocal about the affect of this event. He did not want to think about it and wanted desired distraction. Edward being the stoic young man decided he was ok, but wanted to be distracted by hanging out with his friend Teagen. Dorothy being another tender soul did shed tears, but felt as though Bear had been walked to the other side and knew he was there. Joseph the oldest carried Bear to the planned spot after he had passed. He admitted difficulty while taking to his final resting spot, not wanting him to leave. As a whole we are grateful for the time we had with Bear and happy he is no longer in pain. We appreciate our neighbor who generously helped us bury Bear with dignity and respect. We have a young girl who is very active, but she is her own personality. We know Koka will do her best to fill Bear's shoes. We ask our friends to please call ahead so they can avoid Koka's kisses, unless they want them of course.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Fruits of the Harvest Season

This year unlike the last one we were able to do some canning putting up some pear juice and tomato sauce. My children were able to participate as they are all old enough to know how to behave as to not get hurt. The boys will do the rest of the tomatoes while Dorothy and I are gone to Convention. Joseph is looking forward to eating the sauce and drinking juice. Now if only I could find some Banana squash and green beans to put up. I will pick up some smaller whole tomatoes after I get back specifically for me to can as pints. I prefer smaller ones for the solo meals I prep when I am sick or do not eat what the family is eating.  Whole tomatoes are so easy I figure 49 pints will be enough for me for the year. I can add cooked rice for Rice and tomato soup. I know that simple preparation makes everything easier and more doable.  WE are still eating peaches from a couple years ago. They taste really good and have NO added sugar. My sweet aunt taught me that by putting in a peach pit you can preserve the flavor of the peach as if it was just picked, and oh man she is so right. They still taste like the day we got them.

Dorothy is excited to go to convention for the first time, we all learn so much and it is good see friends we have not seen in years. We will get to connect to family as we are staying with them while there. We will bring our own food and have a great time really, we will be just sleeping there because there is so much to do at convention. WE are awaiting the new oils and products they are bringing out this year. I have saved money this time around to buy convention kits and tickets for next year.

We have been so blessed by the LIFE (Living Intentionally for Excellence) business. It has given me tools to help grow my Essential Oil business. It has taught me the corrections I need to make to have great relationships with my family and friends, plus everyone else I  associate with. It has had such a great impact on my life literally, helping to strengthen  our good marriage into a great marriage. The reading I have been doing has been, well eye opening (that list is updated-I am close to that 52 book goal) because I am thinking through things more carefully, before doing. I hope the changes I am choosing are showing through. I still have things I recognize that when used properly can be quite beneficial. I have learned to see people differently I am focusing on Jesus Christ and learning more of His Gospel. I am learning to be a servant leader. I learned many years ago in ROTC at BYU, that as an officer I was to serve those who I worked with and supervised. even Though I never went to to get a commission and served as an enlisted soldier. I carried that through my service, serving those below me in rank and those above me in rank. I have continued to do so, though not always with the same zeal-sometimes low and sometimes over zealous. I need to keep it even or people get scared off. Yes I am short and small but I know I have scared some really big dudes. I laughed about it when they told me. I do not mean to but when I am sure and have a definite direction I run with it.

All and all it has been a good day. I am so blessed with all I have a great family and wonderful neighbors. I have the desire to serve and help others, I hope to show His countenance in mine.


Thursday, August 14, 2014

Return home....

Our oldest son returned from his Mission in Los Angeles, California Friday so it has been 7 days now. How grateful I am to have him home (and so are his brothers and sister). I have watched him take the outdoor responsibilities in hand and make things look like his dad has been home for a few days.

It is amazing just how much he is like his Father. He is selfless and always willing to serve. Now I am not saying my other children are not-they are. But my other children are different. Some are more adventurous and willing to take risks. Some talk more than most people want to tolerate. Some are quiet and shy, but have rich relationships. Some have chosen a different path and used their free agency to follow that path.

Joseph has always had a caring nature about him. Granted it is geek oriented-that is not a bad thing. He knows what to do with a computer better than anyone I know. My husband has missed his home coming and Skyped for a bit with him the night he came home. WE moved his date to accommodate my husbands Annual Training and my trip to Missouri. Only to have my husband go out on another Evaluation exercise for a month. What really was not happy was the fact we needed to make a month with minimal trips to the store and conserve on our trips outside. Not really that hard being as we had only one car from mid-January to late April. Most people were not aware of this around me. We would work it for him going to work. If I needed the car, I would take him to work and pick him up when he got off. Which most people still do not get his schedule. HE DOES NOT HAVE A SCHEDULE.

Yes it can make life difficult for planning, the railroad has supported us for over 15+ years now through 5+ different deployments varying in lengths from 6 months to a year. Those have been some of the hardest times and a lot of growth occurred in our relationship. For him the saving grace has been I understand , because before he was deployed those times. I had done it while he supported me on Active duty. The one thing I really missed while being deployed was him and I only allowed to have one 15 min phone call once a month while I was gone to Saudi Arabia.

This month means we eat more food from our storage have some very simple meals. More beans and rice. That is ok, cause now Joseph eats beans, if they are fixed 'right'. I found a crock pot refried beans recipe that we tried when he came home it tasted right to him. Give him some Tortillas and these beans and he is good to go. Eggs are still an iffy subject but french toast is acceptable. The only complaint about the beans was that I needed to use Pintos versus black beans. Edwards says that the Black beans are 'sweeter'. Our next batch will be pintos. Do we still have variety? yes we do.

I have an assortment of dried Veggies in the cupboard and frozen veggies in the freezer. We have meat that we buy in bulk and freeze. We buy some canned meats. I have numerous recipe book pertaining to food storage recipes just for this purpose. For the most part simple meals are best. Meat or protein source, veggies, fruit, and starch of some sort (bread or potato or sweet potato). I keep a large assortment of spices and ingredients to marinade on hand.

For me this makes things easier. Some feel this is very bland. Being gluten-free is not easy, but add Potato-free and corn-free to that mix. People always ask after hearing that, 'what do you eat'? My response -steak and lots of veggies. This has been a really good thing for me because it has made me more aware of others and their dietary needs. I honestly feel very frustrated when I go to an event and I am unable to eat because of cross contamination or food with off limits ingredients or mystery ingredients. BUT it is not worth being sick for week. It is better to go without or eat minimally than to have that result. I keep ready quick foods on hand at home so even if I am a bit hungry I can eat quickly and go to sleep.

Most of the doctors I deal with have gotten used to the fact that we have to discuss ingredients in medication, which means really I take no Rx medications unless their is dire need-and then the added fun of compounding. But the real deal is that the Doc cannot keep up with all of his patients needs totally and I as the patient must be proactive in that course. I have switched doctors because they have minimized my needs or reactions. The 'I am the doctor. Do what I tell you, because I know your body better than you do' attitude. I believe that a doctor is a partner on my healthcare team. He needs to consider my needs, feelings and should never minimize those because he has the training. He would need a kick in his bedside manner for sure. I will elaborate more on this later in another post.

Back to Home. Just before we left for Missouri Dorothy our daughter got her mission call to Spokane Washington leaving the end of October. Another shopping trip to our favorite store Holmes clothing in Brigham City.


Monday, July 28, 2014

Through small and simple things

great things come to pass.

I am taking those simple steps now.

I woke up early:
-checked email
-quickly perused facebook for business related posts
-read some articles on business
-available to take phone calls 8-9 am MDT
-moving kids along to take of animals etc.
-hit the treadmill for 15 mins-a slow walk

Does it always happen like this?? NO

Next on the agenda tonight will be The basic four workout.

The Basic Four are the exercise that all exercises are based on:
Push Ups (Close hand or Diamonds, Shoulder width, Wide arm or outside the shoulder)
Pull Ups (Using bands and/or tower to do Lat Pulldowns)
Squats (touch my glute to the bench, but don't sit down)
Deadlifts. (bend at the hips, not the waist or the knee-knee should not be locked)
 and for fun I throw in some lunges. (Ok, not fun, pure torture I hate them. But they help shape the glute and the thigh. So I do them anyway.)

I am improving a little at a time. Taking the steps necessary to reach a larger goal (Those pictures in the post prior). I'll address food later.
 I really need to find Breakfast and the shower.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Home Again

We survived our trip to St. Louis, Missouri and back home. It was fun to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. In some ways it does makes me miss the military. For some the environment would be uncomfortable, but for me it was quite comfortable. Some what like going for a reunion. If you have been in the military there is a certain degree of connection period. We understand the sacrifices we each made to keep our freedoms and our fellow country men. 

I have enjoyed being involved with the VFW since my friend Sanford "Sandy" Beshear, past Utah State Commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars. Gave me my first membership. A year later I paid for my life membership. I was not very active at first, but a move to Brigham City, UT changed that. My Aunt was active in the local post and invited me to a post meeting and then I met Norm Nelson, Past State Commander and current Post Commander. I have been active participating in Funerals, Eagle Scout Flag Presentations, and many other events over the past 10 years. This year I have not been as active because we are building multiple entrepreneural ventures and gaining my self-directed education. My reading has focused on becoming an inspiring servant leader. I am very imperfect and admit sometimes I have a touchy trigger. Certain things set me off. I know my kids aren't perfect and I freely admit it. I just wish that honesty was everywhere. I love the kids I have known who are true to their personalities in front of their parents as well as away from their parents. there should be no difference in public versus private behavior. Anyway tangent over. I have learned so much from those around me in the last year it is amazing, more so I have learned so much about myself. Looking back I can see how I have pushed myself to become better than I was. I have learned what I need to correct and improve on.

Listening. generally I am good, but when I get hungry or tired or frustrated because I need to step away from work. I become a little crabby.

Eating this has been an issue for some time, I generally can not eat until later in the morning which can be frustrating when I have to spend the day out and start early. I wake up really nauseated, I am only able to take in liquids-not very filling. Fast Sundays for me are real fun.  I have been doing a modified breakfast for about 8 years. I eat just enough bland food to take the edge off my hunger. because when I am able to I eat.

Exercise. This one is funny, because I truly love health and fitness. It is my chosen profession. I have struggled with it for about 8 years now because of Severe Chronic Fatigue.  I have beat myself up over my lack of exercise for a long time and only recently decided that I do what I can do. I have my weight set, Treadmill and other fitness tools in our living room. Most Women would have a cow if their husbands did this. But I am not just any woman. I wanted it in my face to prick me and tell me use it. Why would I torture myself this way? Because I know there is that hump you get over and exercise is something to look forward to. For many years it was my major Stress release. I have a history of bodybuilding prep, in which I spent most of a year prepping for a competition in which I chose not to compete. I know that getting back on the horse to ride will help me feel better about myself and look at life more positively. I especially love helping and serving others obtain their fitness goals. The human form is a beautiful masterpiece that iron and steel can shape and mold. I am very visual when it comes to human form and I notice beauty (male and female). But let say I notice the heart too. when the heart and the human form combine it can very exciting.

Family time. My daughter found out I can have fun. At home I am so tied up in things that need to be done sometimes I forget to stop and smell the roses. I am changing that. I am making an effort to spend time doing things my kids like. John the youngest is teaching me Minecraft, 15 mins is all I can do. I am learning to listen carefully and notice the signs of an older child struggling with their faith and belief. Not knowing why others behave as they do. He says it makes him doubt. He says all religion sounds the same. My heart aches for him and I pray he will find his way. My daughter is getting to go on her mission for our church for 18 months.

Husband time.  I have always done my best to give most of the time available to my husband. but I do not always succeed it is rather hard when his is half way around the world and wants to chat when I should be sleeping. But I have given my best effort. I am making the effort to give him more time especially working in our businesses. He needs it even more. I do not want him to think that I don;t need him, because that is just not true. I do need him  without his support and encouragement I would not be where I am at now.

Time for my Heavenly Father the most important of all is this relationship. Why? because the closer I get to Him the more things fall into place in my life and it all flows better. With Him all Things are possible.

I'll leave off here for now.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Why I love fitness ( and some history from the beginning...)

This has been in draft form waiting to be refined, I have decided to publish it as is with grammar, spelling and the time periods jumping back and forth.
 Why should anyone care about health and fitness? Well we live longer than any other time period in history. But I should back up and explain where my love of health and fitness comes from. It might be said I have had a love affair with health and fitness since I was young.
I was born in Virginia and soon after when I was very young my family moved back to the family homestead in Upper Michigan where my dad was born. I spent my days running through the woods and playing with my cousins. I learned to shoot a bb gun then. I still love to shoot, just bigger ones now. I was fortunate to be able to have that freedom to be as active as I wanted. I just could not seem to sit still unless I was being read to. I think that is when my mother decided she did not have as much time as I would have liked to read to me (all day). At age four she taught me to read and write. In fact, I got a spanking from my kindergarten teacher because I was reading the blackboard out loud to the other kids. It was rather frustrating because I loved words and learning. I loved a good storyline, though I did not know what that meant until later in life. We were without a tv for few years while in school, our entertainment was reading and playing games. During the summer we would check out 40 plus books a week and take them back to the library the next week. Later in life I would to check out books from the library on health and learn about different things (Novels, crafts, history, and cultures).  I would read about indians* and how they lived on the plains in grade school. In Virginia, while in middle school we studied indians in history and the about daily life. We learned how the early settlers interacted with the early Indians; in some things it was sad and then happy. I was fascinated by how they built their homes from nothing more than dirt, sticks and mud or the fact they used sticks and animal hides. I kept studying this way and learning pioneer skills. I have many books today and do like to practice some of those pioneer skills now more out of necessity now than for fun.


When I entered high school I really wanted to run cross country track. I ran and had a stellar performance puking my guts out after reaching mile 2. Needless to say I did not run cross country, because my physical stamina was not great and there was not really a safe place to run where I lived. I was drawn to books that explained how the body works. I loved biology, granted my grades did not show it. My junior year I had the opportunity to be a manager with the Varsity Football Team. This started an interest in Athletic training, which I would later go to college for in a related field.
I met my husband while at BYU, My initial degree program was Mechanical Engineering, but Calculus and I were not getting along during the Summer term. That class was my best sleep period. Honestly I did my best to stay awake for it. When the Fall term rolled around I looked into the Athletic Training Program. I switched to the program and started the perquisites classes. Beginning the Winter Semester I enlisted in the Utah National Guard and I said “Yes” to my husband for the third time. Keeping in mind I was engaged during my whole freshman year. My Winter Semester grades that were less than desirable. I had taken anatomy, physiology, nutrition science, and exercise science classes during my initial year in college. We married in April, I continued read everything I could get my hands on about health and fitness, as time allowed until August when I entered Basic Training and during training that followed. Being healthy and fit is something that is expected in the military. 
October 23, 2002 Home schooling and Nursing John-
~140# ??% Body fat
January 1, 2005-Final Prep for April BB competition
~100# ~13% body fat
I will fast forward to the period after my active duty tour, I came back to the Utah National Guard (1997). I entered Salt Community College to earn my Associate of Science (1998). I then went to the University of Utah to earn my Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science (2000). I took many classes in how the human body works. The major push for this program of study was to prepare students to take certification tests to become personal trainers or prepare for Medical School. The time between December 2000 and March 2004. I had our last little boy and some interior redecoration, this for me was sad. I would have readily had more children, but I know there are other ways to help raise children -Grandchildren. We look forward to this. I started to go to the gym and begin to shape my body. I decided to become a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) in February 2004. I quickly decided to pick up the Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES) Certification in March. I found NASM had partnered with California University of Pennsylvania (California, PA) to offer a Masters’ Program that integrated the PES Certification. I called and I interviewed with the program head-Barry. At the end of our interview, he told me when I was ready- call him because I was in. I discussed this with my husband and we felt it was a good path to take. I entered their second cohort in July 2004. I worked and studied –usually 9 pm to 1 or 2 am, because I was still home schooling our children. It was a great period of growth and learning. That inspired me to keep learning from as many sources as possible. It taught me about how we evaluate information on a scientific basis. Honestly sometimes that is really snobbish. I have found many valid studies from Europe and abroad. Considering some of the treatments have been around for centuries and only replaced by modern medicine recently. I digress- during this time period (July 2004-August 2005-CoHort Classes) my husband returned from a deployment, I trained throughout for a body building competition, we moved, my father became seriously ill, and my husband deployed again; all while working to sell the house we had lived in. In December 2005, I went to PA to be robed and meet many of my classmates. I had never set foot on campus until this time. This degree program was completely online and a huge blessing in my life. 

Since that time, I have learned more through experience. I understand those that deal with chronic fatigue, digestive issues and so much more. I have been blessed with children who for a time took care of me. They fed me, took care of the house, and so much more. I apologize for judging those who suffered with those and other ailments. We moved to small piece of property to learn about homesteading. I have learned why I really need to be physically fit. I need to be able to do simple tasks of taking care of farm animals and produce items of various kinds.
I do not take any medicine at this point, because of allergies to fillers. I use supplements, herbs, essential oils, and energy work. The process of correcting issues within my body has been interesting.  I learn new things every day about essential oils, herbs and energy work. I have been blessed to have a great mentor who inspired me to dig deeper-Oliver DeMille. I will really have to dig deeper into this in another post. But it is related to recent changes in my actions and thoughts. Oliver co-authored a book with Orrin Woodward-Leadershift. Leadershift addresses the issues we are facing today with our overbearing government. Because of this book and Thomas Jefferson Education, my husband decided he needed a mentor. Through Rachel and Oliver, we received the name of an excellent mentor Ian. My husband started mentoring and within a month I saw great changes within my husband. He read more and was thinking more critically. Ian introduced us to LIFE Leadership. That has been one of the best things that has entered our life literally. For me personally, of the 8F’s Fitness of great interest, recently in February they came out with a Health and Fitness pack. My husband noticed I had bought this and made the comment-You bought that to pick it apart. Yes, somewhat I do that-but not like I used to. I like to see scientific backing for information that is given. I keep in mind that most studies are generalized and then by professionals applied to everyone. I have read books by Doctors and other famous fitness professionals, where they present ideas that they do not cite the original source. Because interpretation can be different from person to person and how the protocol may affect them can be different from person to person. I love books I can take the bibliography and read those baseline studies and see what my understanding is. This gives me a good base to discuss with other from. I enjoyed thoroughly talking to George and Jill Guzzardo when they spoke in Salt Lake City. I had listened to his CD several times and watched his video on the Library in our LIFE Leadership page several times. It felt so good to see this information from a viewpoint I could get. There are so many factors that influence how exercise and food process with in our body.
My husband and I have come to the conclusion:
-eat more minimally processed food-Fresh from the garden or frozen, home canned vs. commercial canning. I must actually cook more.
-raise our own food so we know the inputs-Raise our own animals to know what they are fed and treated –minimize antibiotic use and allow nature to take its course
-we must minimize our spending and start investing in our minds vs. things
-removing those activities in our that no longer serve us in living our mission in life
-remove things that are blocking new adventures from coming into our life
-we must build relationships to help serve others not what they can do for us
Major focus-Service to others not money.  When we are in the service of our fellowman we are but in the service of our God.

I am literal daughter of God, who has a mission and purpose in this life.
I am a wife who is married to man who loves his God and country. He serves both.
I am mother. I do my best to raise children who will preserve freedom and give proper gratitude to God for those freedoms.
I am friend. I get to know other people because of their goodness and grace.
Everything else I am falls below these three roles-
entrepreneur, home educator, veteran, volunteer, church member, community member, farmer, etc and so much more.

I shall leave off here…


* Please understand this wording (using indians versus native Americans) is from my childhood and for this story it is within context for the time period. I respect and love all Native cultures of the Americas, because they have many rich traditions and a beautiful culture over all.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Crockpot Dinner

AS an experiment I am just throwing some things into our 5 quart Crockpot.

1 lb of organic grass fed beef (thawed and chopped into chunks)
1 1/4 cups of mixed gourmet beans
1/4 cup of the following:
Dried onion
Dried carrots
Dried celery
Arborio rice
6 cups or water (no broth on hand)

Put it on low for 10 hours.

We want to start rotating foods better and eating a more balanced diet based on what we know to be good for us. This is not a food pyramid or my plate meal. I am fixing something more like our ancestors would.
My kids only requirements are no mushrooms :(

Will report back tomorrow how it went for lunch.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Dying Laptops and Dreams

I tried this yesterday, my laptop is going the way of most electronics. We used to love Dell, until they shipped all their work overseas. My oldest being the geek he is was able to recover everything with a Linux based program once my windows became un-repairable. The laptop limped along 6 months then I transferred the hard disk from the chassie (spelling?) to an external case and used it on an older dell that was on its way out. Ironically that desktop is still going with Fedora (a Linux based Program). I got a new HP Laptop for $600 through Costco shipped directly from China. Well come to find out I cannot  upgrade to Windows 8.1 or downgrade to Windows 7 (really would be an upgrade). No Bluetooth on board. DO NOT Buy these laptops, spend the money on a decent laptop. You get what you pay for. WE are buying an iMac next. Like all things we do and buy now, we put money aside until we have accumulated enough to do the activity or buy the item.

We went on Vacation Mid-May until Memorial Day. We traveled to Denver and waited for my husband to complete Reserve Duty. We then headed to Nauvoo, IL. In Nauvoo, we were going to camp but because of high winds and rain decided it best not to. We did do a few activities that afternoon and looked around the Visitors center and souvinier shop. John got a cap from the time period. I picked up a couple books and Rolling pin. We also bought homemade root beer. The next day my husband and I were able to participate in a Temple Session. It is such a beautiful and spiritual environment. The kids were able to participate in some other activities while we were there. Next we headed to NC to see my brother. WE spent a few days there. It was good as my youngest kids never met him and his wife. It was fun to take a trip to Nags Head to the beach. Many years ago, I was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. My husband I would frequent Cape Hatteras Beach and Light house. We also loved touring the USS North Carolina. WE headed to Berks County to look at Headstones for my husbands family. It was actually fun looking at various Headstones and such. Now if I could get my Dad's Genealogy past the 5 Generation mark in Finland. We then headed to the capstone event and that was to see one my husbands friends from Tours in Iraq get married. A beautiful wedding. I honestly have not seen that many weddings. Receptions- yes. Sealings in the Temple-all total 3. The ho-down after was absolutely fun to watch.
Thank you Chuck and Nicole Beebe for a wonderful experience.

Our next Adventure was a LIFE Leadership Major Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Wow! What a drive. Should I say we needed oars. It was great. Loved all of the speakers Friday and Saturday. Bill Lewis was Awesome times two. The recognition was awesome. Orrin Woodward Setting a New Guinness Worlds Record was fun and getting to help was even more fun. We left Early Sunday, because my husband had to be home to go to work. Really sucks, but the future is bright. I will have to review notes and report on those.

WE love the Sons of Liberty,  we belong to a wonderful Team.

Time for more reading and self education.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

What is the LIFE Business?

The short explanation of the Life Business is we provide life changing information, based on good sound principles that apply to all aspects of your life, no matter what you do. This information (Books and cds) will help you become a better person and build better relationships. We build communities to associate (Open Meetings, Monthly Seminars, and Major Conventions) with others of the same heart and hearts in transition. By sharing this information with our family or friends, they choose to become either customers or business partners, and we change lives together. 
This is why we say-"Have fun, make some money and make a difference."

Our Team is the Sons of Liberty
Our Team Cheer United We Stand

Saturday, May 10, 2014

23 Year Honeymoon......

Last week, My dear sweet husband and I celebrated 23 years of blissful marriage. Ok, sometimes not so blissful, but it has been worth it. I have been blessed with his presence and support for that time. He literally gave me the roots for solid grounding and the wind beneath my wings to soar high into the sky. My past is not something I discuss too readily and probably won't. Granted he has helped to heal the major portions that were gushing blood. We have been able to come together with a vision of where we want our life to take us.

I love and respect my husband because ...
he does his best to do right in all things.
he can clean.
he can cook. (Apple Pie???)
he can take care of kids and dirty diapers.
he is working to become a better son of God, Husband, and Father.
he has done his duty to God and Country.
he has done his best to a good friend to all he knows.
he looks to peoples hearts to see them.
he has been a wonderful father in spite of his non-schedule.
he has worked long and hard hours to provide as best he can for our family.
he supports me in my business ventures.
he has done his best to remain worthy of the priesthood he is privileged to have.
he gives me and our children those blessings of comfort when needed.
he married me in the temple.
he has loved me unconditionally in spite of the baggage I brought to our marriage.
he tells me he loves me.

He is perfectly imperfect. We came together as two imperfect people to become perfect together.
I love you, David.

Yours Eternally and a day,
Love,
 your Angel

Friday, April 25, 2014

Farm life and Family life redo

Wish I knew where to start...

Farm Life....
Well we finally got our bees settled in. they seem to be doing well though we did have some that suffered losses. They will have time to recover this summer.

My husband and kids finished the berry beds we have been working on, it has been a process and test of patience. Fresh raspberries and goose berries sound good.

We just wish we could build our soil faster. We have found there are things within our soil that are not conducive to growing plants. We are going to have to plan on getting an analysis to see of there are any chemical residuals that are stopping our plants from growing and then dying suddenly. 

Of the original trees we planted summer 2012 only 1/3 have survived. Sad, but we had made the mistake of buying Zone 5 trees instead of Zone 4 trees. WE have lost our beloved peaches, cherries, and half of our pears. The tree planted in last year are all doing well in spite of goat abuse. Which the goats are doing fine and looking fat in reality, they are really dogs with horns.

Our garden this year will be a box garden with compost from somewhere else due to the poor nature of our soil. We will plant a small garden, enough to eat fresh stuff during the summer. Was hoping for Green beans again love fresh green beans. We are going to play some with a Three Sisters Garden Corn, Beans, and Squash) and the Mittlieder method of gardening. I will do my Square Foot Garden boxes though not 4 x 4's more like 2 x 8's with herbs and some veggies. Should be easy to put those together and getting the mix materials. I figure a bed per person and dog should do it.

We are looking cutting at out those things we feel are just piddling our time away. 
In the last General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April a Talk
by Linda S Reeve a quote stuck in my mind  Some of you have heard me tell how overwhelmed my husband, Mel, and I felt as the parents of four young children. As we faced the challenges of parenting and keeping up with the demands of life, we were desperate for help. We prayed and pleaded to know what to do. The answer that came was clear: “It is OK if the house is a mess and the children are still in their pajamas and some responsibilities are left undone. The only things that really need to be accomplished in the home are daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening.” (Bold added for emphasis) 

It took me minute to finally catch my breath, but there it was validation that I did not have to keep the perfect home and do it all. I could still be a good daughter of God, Wife and Mother-because I was taking care of the important things. The important things being prayer and daily scripture study, admittedly we have slacked off on these we are working on building them again. Family Home Evening weekly-we are not traditional Monday Night people. We have our 'Family Quality' time because my husband has a job with hours you all know better than I do...... Wait, you say 'I don't know his Schedule?' Exactly I don't either, we grab Family Time any free moment we can. Currently we are focusing on working together as  family and obtaining a self-directed education. A self-directed education is one where you study from the best original and modern sources about a subject and build a knowledge base. Hopefully you have a support group who is studying the same thing. For me this means I am studying how to become a Servant Leader, my study materials come from our Life Leadership subscriptions. Our family has grown so much from listening to the audios, reading the books and attending meetings. I use these to help my family/team members learn new things about themselves and about good business principles. I will have to take time later to tell the story of the research reading I had done before choosing my DBA name and all that I have done since June 2003-the highs and the lows and in between.

My concentration this summer is to grow my Team. A solid foundation is a must, this way our residual income will allow (free him from the bondage of no schedule and no time for family or anything else) my husband to quit his job and work full time in our other business helping improve family and marriage relationships. Yes it is very important for me to do this for him because he has done so much for me. We are making choices to better our lives so that we might one day be able to help others with out the thought of how much it will cost.

I am paying my own way so I can run at my own pace for my race. I want to honor who I am and the kind of Team family I want to work with. It is truly awesome to be a Truman Team member they are very supportive and kind. They give advice and counsel as needed. We can truly work as Team and lift one another up. I know working as a Team we can all become better and succeed together.

The real question is what is more important to you: making more money or making a difference? Either way we can help you improve where you are or look into other options that fit your life, If you are interested Send me a Private message on in google or facebook, See our LIFE tab. 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Reflections From the Books I am Reading

We have started participating Mentoring the Classics with Oliver and Rachel DeMille. Our first read for January/February is John Taylor Gatto's Dumbing Us Down. I decided to start reading Anne Lindbergh's Gift of the Sea, because my husband has Gatto's Dumbing Us Down.

But the way I read is eclectic anyway. I am currently reading 10-15 books in various stages: just started, 20 pages in, half way, or some are read in a day and done with quickly. I will list the books I am reading currently. on another blog page later.

In Gift of the Sea, Anne talks about needing time and space to relax and reevaluate. I know I can empathize. Anyone who has know me for more than 10 years will know there were only two speeds for me: Warp (10) drive and sleep mode. I have had to slow down because of health issues. But I am grateful for the small things I was able to accomplish. My husband would tell you now it is only hyper drive, naps and sleep. I think I am learning to laugh, have fun and not be so serious all of the time. Personality Plus (Littauer) will tell you I am Choleric-Melancholy with a touch a Sanguine and zero Phlegmatic. I am detail oriented, always gathering facts and ask lots of questions. As of the past couple years with our move to the country, I have let things slow down and only have short periods of hyper drive. I enjoy the animals we have and our garden. It gives me time to think, ponder and reflect. In Chapter 3, Anne Lindbergh expresses so beautifully what I feel when I leave our sanctuary behind and enter the bustling world. I know when we leave to go to  a business function they are invigorating, but by the end I long for the peace and quiet of our farm. Believe it or not I miss our children too (Our Penguins=Sanguines). They seem to come alive about 11:30 pm (the time most sane people want to sleep.). But I listen while they talk until I fall asleep or they finish and go to bed, whichever comes first. I finally figured out that Heavenly Father wants me to enjoy the journey not just the reward. This is the key to true peace in Life.

I will have to add what I am learning and insights from the other books I am reading to this post.

Testimony

My stream of thought seems to be changing lanes and lines of thought as fast as a car zipping around others in traffic during rush hour. Here is the most important thing for today.

First I need to Send my sincere condolences to those in the LIFE community, but most especially Bill Lewis and his Children for the passing of his dear wife Jackie. I know they will sorely miss her, but I will offer hope. She is in a place where pain does not any longer touch her. But she is wrapped in the arms of Heavenly Father's love. She misses you but is with you and watching over you. How can I understand the pain of losing someone you love? I lost someone I loved a long time ago. It was 1991, the week before my high school graduation and finals week. I got news that a young man, I would have literally done anything for, had been killed in a car accident while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tempe, AZ. I was crushed and heart broken. I remember going to the funeral and how uplifting it was, because for we remembered Robert was joining his grandfather, Leroy who had been killed during a home robbery the year prior, doing missionary work on the other side. I do know at certain periods in my life since he has come to comfort me at different time periods and I am grateful to know that he does.

I think of when my husband lost his grandmother, Dorothy. Our daughter, Dorothy, who is named after her was so sad and cried. She asked does great-grandma feel pain, is she sad she left? The only comfort I could give her was to go to her room and pray to talk to her great-grandma.  Being a little child who had so much faith knowing she would get to talk to her great-grandma, she went to her room and prayed. She came out a little while later and was not crying or sad. She told us great-grandma said she was happy because with great-grandpa who had passed some years prior, and she no more pain. My daughter gave great comfort to the rest of the family relating that to them all.

I do have a sincere belief in life after death. I know this life is but a flash in our eternal lifetimes. I imagine a string being stretched from one goal post to another a football field. Now pick any place along the that string. Take your thumb and pointer finger- pinch the string. That is your mortal life here on Earth. The rest is where you have lived and in reality those string do not end at the goal post they go on for infinity. I know that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and Savior. He gave his life for me that I might live again, if I would live his commands to the best of my ability. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and restored the Gospel to this earth in its fullness.  I know the Holy Bible and Book of Mormon are both the word of God. He translated The Book of Mormon through the power of God. It is a Second Testament that Jesus is the Christ and our Redeemer and Savior. I know that we have a living Prophet who is called of God; He leads and guides the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, President Thomas S. Monson. I know that all the creation son this earth testify to there being a higher and greater power. 
I know nothing happens in life by chance. I know my introduction to Essential oils was not by chance. It helped me to be able to provide a way for my body to prepare it to repair itself. I know my introduction to Oliver DeMille and TJEd was not by chance in 2000. Because through his Daughter and Son-in-law, Ian and Emma, we were introduced to the LIFE Business May 2013. This has been life giving to my husband he has hope for a better life and being able to help others and preserve freedom. The information received through our subscriptions has been a huge it has changed the way we treat each other and those around us. I only hope I become the woman Heavenly Father wants me to be. I hope I can support and encourage my husband when he is feeling down because of his non-existent work schedule. I will do my best to free him, so he can carry out his purpose helping other people through the healing information LIFE provides. We propose to stand together to help heal marriages and families. We stand together with other religions to preserve our religious freedom. We stand to together with other religions in our belief in our Savior Jesus Christ. I leave this testimony with you. Amen
Sons of Liberty-United We Stand.

Monday, January 27, 2014

What does the word Fitness mean?

What does the word Fitness bring to mind?
-For some it brings to mind pain and suffering.

But there are many types of fitness: Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Physical-these are the areas the areas I typically focus on so there is balance with in an individual is taken as a whole.

Now each of these areas can be broken down.
Mental has to do with learning and thinking through reading and stretching their mind by learning new concepts.
Emotional has to with the ability to keep our emotions and feelings in check. It also has to deal with relationships.
Spiritual is your connection to a higher power or Creator. This is where you go to pour out your heart and soul.
Physical, this is my favorite area and the one I will focus on.
Physical Fitness can be broken down into aerobic or cardiovascular, flexibility, balance, core strengthening (which includes what I call your 'girdle'-abdominal, obliques and lumbar muscles-these work together to keep you upright and your internal organs inside of you.)
I would suggest anyone considering beginning to become active and those restarting or recovering from injury or surgery talk with the primary care physician. Let them make any suggestions and give an advice they see necessary. Then I would ask if they know of anyone they feel would be appropriate for you to work with to improve your fitness. Find a good Personal Trainer I would suggest an National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Fitness Professional. The certification program is rigorous and thorough. I personally am certified through NASM. I chose their certification after completing my Bachelors Degree which prepared for American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Sport and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA CSCS). NASM had something that attracted me because it took into account what my goals were and abilities after years of beating my body in the military. In spite of that past I was able to from weighing almost 140 lbs down to 100-105 lbs within 12 months. this was competition weight for a Bodybuilding show. I decided not to compete in the end, but the experience was priceless. I would like to share more about fitness and my personal experiences in the future.
I would like to thank George Guzzardo for the newest release on the LIFE system CD LIFE 112 Fitness is LIFE, because I have been waiting for some serious discussion on my passion.