Journal to Healthier Living – Week 15

Welcome my friends.  I’m tweaking my weekly journey with my healthier living.  It’s a step in the right direction for sure.  I hope you come along for the ride.  Instead of day-to-day comments, I’m going to post something from my personal journal to share.  Hope you enjoy.  Remember all of us go down this path and we are all in it together ❤

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Week of 04/15-04/21/2018 – Week 15

“Dear Journal – Sometimes you need to sit, simmer, breathe and just be for a bit.  I’ve been trying to go out on the back deck at night right at dusk just to do this.  A little meditation all to myself just to be in the moment and let things go.  I’ve been stressed lately.  I can admit that.  Nothing in particular but everything all rolled up into one festering just waiting to explode.  Nothing specific you can put your finger on of what is pushing you over the edge.  Then something little happens and everything explodes with you ending up crying like a big baby… over what?  Who knows?  It’s been that way for the past couple of months.  But last week something happened.  Something positive.  And with that positive happening, life settled back down again into the right puzzle pieces and all felt right in the world.  What have I been stressed over?  Who knows and at this point who cares.  Life is good now.  Funny how that happens in life, right?  So what does this teach us?  Live the moment, good and bad, remember to breathe and that this soon will pass ❤

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This week walked: 6.90

TOTAL 2018 Miles:  111.97

TOTAL 2017 Miles:  541.06

 ❤ small goals turn into big accomplishments ❤

 

National Stress Awareness Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

Today April 16th is a day that Bacon’s mom can definitely wrap her arms around – National Stress Awareness Day.  This day was created in 1992 sponsored by  the Health Resource Network (HRN). They started this holiday to increase public awareness of the causes and cures of stress.  And we all know that stress can come from a variety of different reasons:  paying bills, work, children, schedules, car problems, friends – you name it and stress can come from it.  And here in the United States with taxes being due yesterday, what better day to have this holiday then today?

Today is the day to acknowledge that you are stressed out and then do something about it.  Go for a walk.  Try some meditation.  Try some exercise.  Do some yoga.  Just lay down and relax.  Just for a bit, don’t concentrate on the wrongs in your life but concentrate on the things that you have to be grateful for.  Shrug off this stress even if it is just for today.  I know this afternoon me and Bacon are going to try yoga.  Wish us luck – his downward pig pose is not something I’m looking forward to – chitter chatter!

 

31 Days of Spook – Special Guest

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 Squeals with piggy delight.  My friends I have scored the ultimate story for your today.   Mommy has helped me to get in touch with Mr. Dave Schrader.  If you know anything about the paranormal field, you will recognize the name.  Dave Schrader does a talk show where he is the host and producer of Darkness Radio.  If you haven’t heard of his show, you *must* check it out for chills and thrills.  Dave Schrader has also been seen on television with Zak Bagans on Ghost Adventures, co-hosted the show Paranormal Challenge with Zak Bagans and has made contributions to Ghost Hunters TAPS ParaMagazine.  Dave Schrader currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We are VERY excited to present a story from Dave Schrader today.  Now, settle back and enjoy my friends!

---

It was August of 2005 and our radio show was entering its 8th month on the air when I received an invitation to be a part of a psychic and shamanic exploration at Thayer’s Bed and Breakfast in Annandale, MN.  Since I have no psychic bones in my body, I thought I would check it out and see if I could learn something new and tap into some psy experience for myself. I would be surrounded in a peaceful environment with mediums, psychics and shamans at a well known haunted location.  This might be my best chance yet to witness some interesting phenomena.

I say quietly watching people mill about, discussing what they were picking up on, what spirits they sensed and generally soaking in the atmosphere. During my observation, the resident cat – a large fluffy white beastie – decided I was its new friend and would not leave my side, lap or feet. It stuck to me like I was made of tuna. I stroked the cat like an evil Bond villain as I sat and watched a fascinating scene unfold before me of shared experiences, giddy claims of ghostly presence and some chilling moments as part of the group relayed a story about the creepy man on the top floor that leapt to the wall and skittered up and across the ceiling like a Victorian Spider-Man.

Next came an extraordinary experiment. We were all going to tap into ourselves, meet our spirit guides and do a Shamanic journey. We laid upon the ground, spread eagle and not touching ourselves or others nearby while Hanakia Zedek gently beat a drum to some soothing music and in his deep voice guided us to a meditative trance. By this time, the room lights had been dimmed and the room had been cleared of all cats, kids and other distractions.  We were to just BE in the moment and experience the darkness, the music and open ourselves to contact with our totem, spirit guides or loved ones.

As I lay trying to quiet my mind and the senseless chatter that usually clutters it, I found myself getting more restless, unable to attain the nirvana our leader wanted us to achieve.  That was when my furry friend found his way back to my side.  He would nuzzle my hip and flop on my hand seeking affection and attention. I would pet him for a few seconds than push him away so I could try to slip into a deep meditation, but my kitty companion wasn’t having it. He kept purring, nuzzling and pushing against me.

After 20 minutes or so all with my eyes closed, I finally relented and began giving him the love he craved. My hands scratching the deep fur bringing about even more purrs and nuzzles. I began to wonder how much longer this foray into futility would continue with our Shamanic leader. Obviously I was not going to become more enlightened or have a profound moment.  I opened my eyes and glanced down to see which cat was so desperately in need of my attention. My eyes widened, my hand stopped mid scratch and I froze. I could feel the cat purring, pushing against my leg and hand simultaneously but to my utter amazement, there was no cat there.

 I paused assuming my eyes were playing tricks on me and that they had just not adjusted properly to the low light setting.  I closed them tightly, drew in a deep breath and began digging deep into the fur of phantom friend once more. I opened my eyes a second time and there was my hand, hovering mid-air, stroking….emptiness. There was no cat to bee seen, but I could feel and hear it. Within moments, the drumming stopped and the lights began to lift as they adjusted the dimmer switch, our journey to the ether-world was at an end yet here I was stroking an imaginary cat.

The crowd milled about in a semi comatose state. My brain raced trying to make sense of what had just happened to me. I was afraid to speak up for fear of looking like a fool despite the wild claims I had heard from other experiencers all night long. Then I heard the group begin to discuss their personal reflections of the drumming and meditation when one of the people spoke up and said, “How about the ghost cat?” Many in the group admitted to seeing a ghostly cat all night long checking us out and stalking the room. Still I stood silent.

“He was sure curious about what we were doing. I heard the owner say her favorite cat passed away a few weeks back, its nice to know he still calls this home.:”  I was astounded, did I just spend 30 minutes petting a specter? I don’t even like cats I thought to myself, why did he mess with me?

The crowd dispersed and a few days later I got an email from a girl that also attended the event. She had laid to my immediate right and she informed me she knew I had an experience and she had been petting that same cat all night. We had been ping ponging the cat between us for the evening when we would try to focus on the guided meditation and brush it off, it would move to the other one of us.
That was one of the first truly amazing experiences I ever had that was more than a fleeting moment that could easily be explained away and I will cherish that forever.

– Dave Schrader

---

Friends – we hope you enjoyed our special guest today.  We would also like to throw a great huge THANK YOU to Dave Schrader for taking time to share his story.  You rock!!

 

National Stress Awareness Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

.

Today April 16th is a day that Bacon’s mom can definitely wrap her arms around – National Stress Awareness Day.  This day was created in 1992 sponsored by  the Health Resource Network (HRN). They started this holiday to increase public awareness of the causes and cures of stress.  And we all know that stress can come from a variety of different reasons:  paying bills, work, children, schedules, car problems, friends – you name it and stress can come from it.  And here in the United States with taxes being due yesterday, what better day to have this holiday then today?

Today is the day to acknowledge that you are stressed out and then do something about it.  Go for a walk.  Try some meditation.  Try some exercise.  Do some yoga.  Just lay down and relax.  Just for a bit, don’t concentrate on the wrongs in your life but concentrate on the things that you have to be grateful for.  Shrug off this stress even if it is just for today.  I know this afternoon me and Bacon are going to try yoga.  Wish us luck – his downward pig pose is not something I’m looking forward to – chitter chatter!

 

31 Days of Spook – Special Guest

---

 Squeals with piggy delight.  My friends I have scored the ultimate story for your today to officially start my 31 Days of Spook.   Mommy has helped me to get in touch with Mr. Dave Schrader.  If you know anything about the paranormal field, you will recognize the name.  Dave Schrader does a talk show where he is the host and producer of Darkness Radio.  If you haven’t heard of his show, you *must* check it out for chills and thrills.  Dave Schrader has also been seen on television with Zak Bagans on Ghost Adventures, co-hosted the show Paranormal Challenge with Zak Bagans and has made contributions to Ghost Hunters TAPS ParaMagazine.  Dave Schrader currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We are VERY excited to present a story from Dave Schrader today.  Now, settle back and enjoy my friends!

---

It was August of 2005 and our radio show was entering its 8th month on the air when I received an invitation to be a part of a psychic and shamanic exploration at Thayer’s Bed and Breakfast in Annandale, MN.  Since I have no psychic bones in my body, I thought I would check it out and see if I could learn something new and tap into some psy experience for myself. I would be surrounded in a peaceful environment with mediums, psychics and shamans at a well known haunted location.  This might be my best chance yet to witness some interesting phenomena.

I say quietly watching people mill about, discussing what they were picking up on, what spirits they sensed and generally soaking in the atmosphere. During my observation, the resident cat – a large fluffy white beastie – decided I was its new friend and would not leave my side, lap or feet. It stuck to me like I was made of tuna. I stroked the cat like an evil Bond villain as I sat and watched a fascinating scene unfold before me of shared experiences, giddy claims of ghostly presence and some chilling moments as part of the group relayed a story about the creepy man on the top floor that leapt to the wall and skittered up and across the ceiling like a Victorian Spider-Man.

Next came an extraordinary experiment. We were all going to tap into ourselves, meet our spirit guides and do a Shamanic journey. We laid upon the ground, spread eagle and not touching ourselves or others nearby while Hanakia Zedek gently beat a drum to some soothing music and in his deep voice guided us to a meditative trance. By this time, the room lights had been dimmed and the room had been cleared of all cats, kids and other distractions.  We were to just BE in the moment and experience the darkness, the music and open ourselves to contact with our totem, spirit guides or loved ones.

As I lay trying to quiet my mind and the senseless chatter that usually clutters it, I found myself getting more restless, unable to attain the nirvana our leader wanted us to achieve.  That was when my furry friend found his way back to my side.  He would nuzzle my hip and flop on my hand seeking affection and attention. I would pet him for a few seconds than push him away so I could try to slip into a deep meditation, but my kitty companion wasn’t having it. He kept purring, nuzzling and pushing against me.

After 20 minutes or so all with my eyes closed, I finally relented and began giving him the love he craved. My hands scratching the deep fur bringing about even more purrs and nuzzles. I began to wonder how much longer this foray into futility would continue with our Shamanic leader. Obviously I was not going to become more enlightened or have a profound moment.  I opened my eyes and glanced down to see which cat was so desperately in need of my attention. My eyes widened, my hand stopped mid scratch and I froze. I could feel the cat purring, pushing against my leg and hand simultaneously but to my utter amazement, there was no cat there.

 I paused assuming my eyes were playing tricks on me and that they had just not adjusted properly to the low light setting.  I closed them tightly, drew in a deep breath and began digging deep into the fur of phantom friend once more. I opened my eyes a second time and there was my hand, hovering mid-air, stroking….emptiness. There was no cat to bee seen, but I could feel and hear it. Within moments, the drumming stopped and the lights began to lift as they adjusted the dimmer switch, our journey to the ether-world was at an end yet here I was stroking an imaginary cat.

The crowd milled about in a semi comatose state. My brain raced trying to make sense of what had just happened to me. I was afraid to speak up for fear of looking like a fool despite the wild claims I had heard from other experiencers all night long. Then I heard the group begin to discuss their personal reflections of the drumming and meditation when one of the people spoke up and said, “How about the ghost cat?” Many in the group admitted to seeing a ghostly cat all night long checking us out and stalking the room. Still I stood silent.

“He was sure curious about what we were doing. I heard the owner say her favorite cat passed away a few weeks back, its nice to know he still calls this home.:”  I was astounded, did I just spend 30 minutes petting a specter? I don’t even like cats I thought to myself, why did he mess with me?

The crowd dispersed and a few days later I got an email from a girl that also attended the event. She had laid to my immediate right and she informed me she knew I had an experience and she had been petting that same cat all night. We had been ping ponging the cat between us for the evening when we would try to focus on the guided meditation and brush it off, it would move to the other one of us.
That was one of the first truly amazing experiences I ever had that was more than a fleeting moment that could easily be explained away and I will cherish that forever.

– Dave Schrader

---

Friends – we hope you enjoyed our special guest today.  We would also like to throw a great huge THANK YOU to Dave Schrader for taking time to share his story.  You rock!!

 

Inner Peace

 

National Stress Awareness Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

.

Today April 16th is a day that Bacon’s mom can definitely wrap her arms around – National Stress Awareness Day.  This day was created in 1992 sponsored by  the Health Resource Network (HRN). They started this holiday to increase public awareness of the causes and cures of stress.  And we all know that stress can come from a variety of different reasons:  paying bills, work, children, schedules, car problems, friends – you name it and stress can come from it.  And here in the United States with taxes being due yesterday, what better day to have this holiday then today?

Today is the day to acknowledge that you are stressed out and then do something about it.  Go for a walk.  Try some meditation.  Try some exercise.  Do some yoga.  Just lay down and relax.  Just for a bit, don’t concentrate on the wrongs in your life but concentrate on the things that you have to be grateful for.  Shrug off this stress even if it is just for today.  I know this afternoon me and Bacon are going to try yoga.  Wish us luck – his downward pig pose is not something I’m looking forward to – chitter chatter!

 

Bacon’s Tales of Terror – Special Guest

 Squeals with piggy delight.  My friends I have scored the ultimate story for your today on my Bacon’s Tales of Terror.  Mommy has helped me to get in touch with Mr. Dave Schrader.  If you know anything about the paranormal field, you will recognize the name.  Dave Schrader does a talk show where he is the host and producer of Darkness Radio.  If you haven’t heard of his show, you *must* check it out for chills and thrills.  Dave Schrader has also been seen on television with Zak Bagans on Ghost Adventures, co-hosted the show Paranormal Challenge with Zak Bagans and has made contributions to Ghost Hunters TAPS ParaMagazine.  Dave Schrader currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We are VERY excited to present a story from Dave Schrader today on our Bacon’s Tales of Terror.  Now, settle back and enjoy my friends!

---

It was August of 2005 and our radio show was entering its 8th month on the air when I received an invitation to be a part of a psychic and shamanic exploration at Thayer’s Bed and Breakfast in Annandale, MN.  Since I have no psychic bones in my body, I thought I would check it out and see if I could learn something new and tap into some psy experience for myself. I would be surrounded in a peaceful environment with mediums, psychics and shamans at a well known haunted location.  This might be my best chance yet to witness some interesting phenomena.

I say quietly watching people mill about, discussing what they were picking up on, what spirits they sensed and generally soaking in the atmosphere. During my observation, the resident cat – a large fluffy white beastie – decided I was its new friend and would not leave my side, lap or feet. It stuck to me like I was made of tuna. I stroked the cat like an evil Bond villain as I sat and watched a fascinating scene unfold before me of shared experiences, giddy claims of ghostly presence and some chilling moments as part of the group relayed a story about the creepy man on the top floor that leapt to the wall and skittered up and across the ceiling like a Victorian Spider-Man.

Next came an extraordinary experiment. We were all going to tap into ourselves, meet our spirit guides and do a Shamanic journey. We laid upon the ground, spread eagle and not touching ourselves or others nearby while Hanakia Zedek gently beat a drum to some soothing music and in his deep voice guided us to a meditative trance. By this time, the room lights had been dimmed and the room had been cleared of all cats, kids and other distractions.  We were to just BE in the moment and experience the darkness, the music and open ourselves to contact with our totem, spirit guides or loved ones.

As I lay trying to quiet my mind and the senseless chatter that usually clutters it, I found myself getting more restless, unable to attain the nirvana our leader wanted us to achieve.  That was when my furry friend found his way back to my side.  He would nuzzle my hip and flop on my hand seeking affection and attention. I would pet him for a few seconds than push him away so I could try to slip into a deep meditation, but my kitty companion wasn’t having it. He kept purring, nuzzling and pushing against me.

After 20 minutes or so all with my eyes closed, I finally relented and began giving him the love he craved. My hands scratching the deep fur bringing about even more purrs and nuzzles. I began to wonder how much longer this foray into futility would continue with our Shamanic leader. Obviously I was not going to become more enlightened or have a profound moment.  I opened my eyes and glanced down to see which cat was so desperately in need of my attention. My eyes widened, my hand stopped mid scratch and I froze. I could feel the cat purring, pushing against my leg and hand simultaneously but to my utter amazement, there was no cat there.

 I paused assuming my eyes were playing tricks on me and that they had just not adjusted properly to the low light setting.  I closed them tightly, drew in a deep breath and began digging deep into the fur of phantom friend once more. I opened my eyes a second time and there was my hand, hovering mid-air, stroking….emptiness. There was no cat to bee seen, but I could feel and hear it. Within moments, the drumming stopped and the lights began to lift as they adjusted the dimmer switch, our journey to the ether-world was at an end yet here I was stroking an imaginary cat.

The crowd milled about in a semi comatose state. My brain raced trying to make sense of what had just happened to me. I was afraid to speak up for fear of looking like a fool despite the wild claims I had heard from other experiencers all night long. Then I heard the group begin to discuss their personal reflections of the drumming and meditation when one of the people spoke up and said, “How about the ghost cat?” Many in the group admitted to seeing a ghostly cat all night long checking us out and stalking the room. Still I stood silent.

“He was sure curious about what we were doing. I heard the owner say her favorite cat passed away a few weeks back, its nice to know he still calls this home.:”  I was astounded, did I just spend 30 minutes petting a specter? I don’t even like cats I thought to myself, why did he mess with me?

The crowd dispersed and a few days later I got an email from a girl that also attended the event. She had laid to my immediate right and she informed me she knew I had an experience and she had been petting that same cat all night. We had been ping ponging the cat between us for the evening when we would try to focus on the guided meditation and brush it off, it would move to the other one of us.
That was one of the first truly amazing experiences I ever had that was more than a fleeting moment that could easily be explained away and I will cherish that forever.

– Dave Schrader

---

Friends – we hope you enjoyed our special guest today.  We would also like to throw a great huge THANK YOU to Dave Schrader for taking time to share his story.  You rock!!

 

Inner Peace

 

My Typical Day at Hotel Thompson, Part II

Continuation about my life at Hotel Thompson. I hope you are enjoying this so far!

• 5:30PM – HAPPY TIME! I can hear mom’s Smart car pull up in the driveway and I come running into the front room to greet her at the door. Before she even puts down her purse, she bends over and scratches my head. I talk to her all chatty and follow her around the house like a puppy. Daddy is always telling us that Mary had a little lamb but mommy has a piggy! I’m so excited that my mommy is home. I rub up against her legs and lick her ankles. I wait patiently for her outside of her bedroom door while she changes into fun clothes. Then we go into the kitchen together where she starts dinner and puts my plate together. I always have piggy chow and a salad. After I eat, I come back into the kitchen to be mom’s piggy sous chef. This is my favorite time of the day! Whatever mom is fixing for her and daddy to eat, she always gives me a taste. Hey, someone has to be the official taster at the Hotel Thompson. I have her trained now that I can open my mouth and she will pop some delectable in there for me to try.
• 6:00-6:15PM – I go to my room for meditation. I do the downward pig position and chant to get in touch with my spiritual side and distress. You ask yourself what a pig has to be stressed out about. See, nothing because I distress every day. During my meditation time, mom and dad eat their dinner together.
• 7:00PM – After I get done with my mediation, I come out and help supervise mom washing the dishes and putting things away. I sit on the kitchen floor and watch her. Sometimes, I go in and out of her legs swishing against her ankles while she washes the dishes. I’ve seen the purr things do that and I thought it was funny. I’ve been doing here and there because it seems to please mommy. When she gets done cleaning the kitchen, she cuts me up a banana or an apple for my bedtime snack. Isn’t she the best?
• 8:00PM – After I eat my snack, I jump on the couch to sit with my mommy. Sometimes, she brushes me or she gives me a piggy massage all over my back. I love these! Other times, she rubs my belly while I watch television with her. She will usually check her mail, messages and Facebook page while we watch television together. Daddy usually plays Angry Birds on his iPad. Sometimes I can sneak dad’s iPad away and blog. Other times, I have to wait until I go to bed to get on my laptop in bedroom. I don’t know about you but I love to blog while I’m watching my television lying in my bed. It’s so comfy!
• 9:00-9:30PM – This is what time I usually go to bed. Mom tells me it’s time to go get ready for bedtime and she also gets ready for bed. She then meets me in my room. She picks up my toys and puts them in the toy box. Sometimes I help her. She puts my bed together and we sit on the floor. She tells me a story from one of my story books or she sings to me. Sometimes we even watch a short cartoon from my Netflix account. It just depends on how tired I am. Mom also hides food around my room. This is so much fun! She lets me go around the room rooting for snacks in the middle of the night if I can’t sleep. See, even when she is sleeping she is thinking about me. You gotta love that woman for that! I have the bestest mommy.

This ends the day and repeats all over the next day. The weekends may change up a little because mom and dad have to run errands but it’s basically the same. On the weekends, I also try to help mom clean up the house and do laundry. I’m great at folding clothes, especially when they come straight out of the dryer.

There you go – a life in the day of Bacon. All you ever wanted to know about me, the miniature pot bellied pig at the Hotel Thompson.

Hogs and Kisses – love you

Bacon