The World Is Conspiring Against Me

 

Just recently I made a decision that to help my thyroid work more effectively and for my overall health I would cut out sweets and soft drinks. I decided that I would make a conscious effort to eat more fruits and vegetables. And I decided that I am going to drink more water and less drinks that are bad for me.

So my plan was going so well until today. At work today they were having a going away party for a couple of the student workers who are going off to another college. So everyone brought in stuff for lunch and none of it was healthy stuff. It was basically your normal pot luck food. In addition they had so many delicious sounding deserts. I so badly wanted to try some of the desert. But I held my ground and did not even go in the break room to take a look at the food. The worst part about the whole thing is that the break room is close to my office so while I was eating my measly boring salad, I sat in my office smelling the yummy food.

But I am very proud of myself. I stuck to my promise I made to myself and I did not cave under pressure. I did not give in and try the yummy good that smelled so much better than my salad. I know that while I do not feel like it now, my body will thank me later for not indulging and eating the food.

There is Power…..

 

via

A Lament to My Thyroid

Dear Thyroid,

      I have tried so hard over the years to be good to you. I have worked at trying to eat healthy and to exercise, but you have rebelled against me and decided to do your own thing. Because of you I have had to endure months of being exhausted, weight gain, being cold, fertility issues and emotional ups and downs. These are just a few of the things that I have lived through for a long time now. It is hard to believe that such a tiny organ can cause so much unbalance.

      Life has changed since my diagnosis. I have spent more time at the doctor than I probably ever have in my life. I have been inconvenienced with frequent visits to the doctor to have my levels checked. I have become a pro at giving blood and I hate needles! But I am fighting back now. I am not going to let you have the last word. I will not let you win this battle. I will not let you dictate how I feel anymore.

Friday's Letters

Dear Friday, boy am I glad you are here! It has been a really long busy week, and I am ready for the weekend! Dear Blog, sorry for neglecting you. I promise to try and spend more time with you. Dear August, wow I cannot believe you are here! It seems like this year has flown by. It is hard to believe it. Dear Self, just 12 more weeks of graduate school and you are done! You can do it!

One time at band camp

This past week I spent some time working at one of the local high schools. While I was there the marching band was having their band camp and it brought back many memories of my time in the marching band. Yes, I was a band geek. As much as I disliked band camp at times it was a great time to hang out with my friends and have fun. I never will forget those hot sunny summer days when we spent hours outside practicing our routine. I will never forget the guy who asked me just about every day if I would go get drunk with him (which I never did). But the thing that I will remember the most is the great time I had bonding and hanging out with my fellow band members. Good times.

One thing I know for sure after working at the local high school last week, I do not miss high school at all. I do not miss the halls lined with lockers.

I do not miss the classrooms.

And most of all I do not miss the textbooks.

High school is one chapter in my life that I am glad is done. As fun as it was at times, I would not want to go back and do it over.

I will leave you with this cool quote I found while I was working at the high school.

Fathers and Daughters

There is no bond that is as special as the bond between a daughter and her father. He is the first man to capture her heart. He is the first man to wipe away her tears and tell her that everything will be ok. He is the first man to be there for her when she falls to help pick her back up. He is the first man to tell her she is beautiful and that he loves her. It is the unconditional love of a father that makes a daughter believe she will find a man just like him one day who will take care of her and be the father of her children.

It is every little girl's dream to have her father there on her wedding day. She dreams of walking down the isle with her dad and him giving her away. I feel very blessed to have had my dad with me on one of the most important days of my life. It was very special to me to have him share that day with me and to play a part in giving me away to another man.

I recently heard a story that reminded me of the bond that is between a father and his daughter. It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. You can see more on the story at www.today.com.

It was a Saturday in July as Rachel was preparing for the day she had always dreamed of, complete with wedding gown, make-up, and guests. But there was one thing missing.....the groom. Instead the day was about her dad. Her dad was dying of pancreatic and will likely live less than three months. 

So to make sure he was there on her wedding day Rachel came up with an unusual idea. She would create and record her own father/daughter dance. So they both got ready for this special moment. She dressed in a wedding gown and he dressed as if going to her wedding. 

The limo pulled up and Rachel stepped out in her wedding dress that sparkled in the evening sun. As they locked eyes her father said, "you look beautiful." 

Their embrace swallowed any sadness, conquering all worries. This bond was not yet ready to be broken. Especially not be for one last dance. 

The song they chose to dance to was "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. They danced as family and friends gathered to watch. 

It was a celebration, but perhaps not the way Rachel imagined her wedding day would go, however, it was a night she will never forget. 

Her father said, "Each and every day we have a choice, we have a choice to either love that person in front of us or not. It's the relationships that you build over the years that is the most important thing in life."

So now when Rachel's actual wedding day arrives she will have that evening to share with the guests at her wedding. She will be able to play the video of her and her father sharing one last dance.

After seeing this story on the Today's Show it reminded me of the bond that I have with my own father. It reminded me to never take any of our relationships for granted, because we do not know how long we have with each other. We should treasure each day and love each other unconditionally.

I love you daddy! Thank you for the unconditional love that you have given me over the years. Thank you for demonstrating the love that my Heavenly Father has for me.

Lately…..

Lately, my life has been pretty much consumed with my project for graduate school. Everything else in my life has had to take a back seat, include my blog. I have missed writing and sharing what is going on. I cannot wait for the day when I am finished with this project and I can get back to doing the things I love. October cannot come soon enough!