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 ❤
Week of 03/18-03/24/2018 – Week 11
“Dear Journal – Slow and sure wins the race. I think I’m going to start taking yoga again to relieve some stress. I did it before – nothing pretzel style – mostly stretching and doing what I can just to let things go. It seems like it might be a little hectic in the next couple of weeks. And I’m moving. Surprise. No, not the Hotel Thompson. I’m moving offices at work – giggles. It’s a good thing. Right now, my current office is the size of a postage stamp… who cares where the bean counter works huh? But soon… soon I will be moving on up! And when I say postage stamp, I really mean that. I don’t have a door. I don’t have any windows. I can literally stand in the middle of the office, stretch one foot out and touch the wall and stretch one arm out at the same time touching the other wall. I’ve never complained. I don’t need much and I’ve made my space homey. And I won’t believe it until I see it… a new office. WOW.
Mom/dad do weird things. It’s okay. Mom says she does these things to keep their relationship new and alive. I guess after almost 30 years, it works. But mom did something really cool over the past couple of days. I’m going to let her tell you. Take it away mom!
Since Jim has been by my side every moment since my surgery taking care of me, I wanted to do something nice for him for Christmas. My sister lives in Chicago and we’ve been wanting to visit. It works out that there is also an awesome restaurant there that Jim has been dying to go and visit. The restaurant is Mike Ditka’s restaurant… you know Coach Ditka that used to coach the Bears. Jim thinks very highly of Coach Ditka. Well me and my sister started planning a trip way before my surgery in order to surprise Jim with a great Christmas present. Things were all scheduled in order and the plan was in place. So let the lies begin… LOL
Tuesday I came home from work and told Jim that mom was lonely since she has been recovering from her illness and she wanted to borrow our anipals for a couple of days for extra snuggles and cuddles. He took it hook, line and sinker. Anipals delivered to Nanas – check off the list.
Wednesday I came home and secretly packed without Jim hearing or knowing what I was doing. I then told him the guys wouldn’t be in the office tomorrow (Thursday) therefore did he want to come in to work with me? He
grabbed the bait and said yes. And he was happy about it. Work plan in place – check that off the list.
So we both get up early on Thursday morning and start to leave. That’s when the car pulled up that I ordered to take us to the airport. Jim didn’t know what was going on. We get settled in the car and then I tell him, “Oh honey, did I mention we are going to Chicago today?” For the first time in my life – the man was speechless! Score for me!
We get to the airport, check in and go through TSA check point. That’s when the fun begins. Of all of the people at the airport, guess who gets picked for a more extended search? After I quit laughing my butt off, I then proceeded to take this picture. It’s the only picture I could get. I was laughing that hard! And let me just say, this particular TSA agent was very thorough in his search. I mean heck I can see it. Older blind gentleman – yep sure he’s the one you need to check so extensively. Rolling with laughter.
But at last, we made it to the terminal with a little time to spare. We boarded and come on peeps, who doesn’t need a drink after that pat down, right? And yes, it was three days of what we call an eating extravaganza. We will definitely be sharing pictures of the food in our weekly series Travels in the South World in the next couple of weeks. Be on the lookout for them. And you know, no surprise is worth it unless you do a video. So here you go – a video on the surprise. Enjoy!
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
Sunday, December 10, 2017 – i am feeling so much better these days – finally! Can you believe that? It’s taken me some time and recovery is still months away but at least I’m starting to feel like my old self again… minus 5.5 pounds of breasts. LOL Miles Moved: 0.03
Monday, December 11, 2017 – Trying to get everything tied up at work and finished. I have a surprise for Jim for later on in the week. It’s his Christmas since well we all know what he got me for Christmas – LOL. He’s been such a dear taking care of me. I want to do something for him. Miles Moved: 1.15
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 – Everything finished at work – yay! Now to go home, pack and take care of the anipals without Jim knowing what’s going on. Let phase I of Surprise! begin. Miles Moved: 0.88
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 – Phase II – let Jim think he’s coming to work with me tomorrow. Anipals are at Nanas because she ‘needs them’ during her recuperation. Sounds good, right? Evil sneaky mind here in motion. Miles Moved: 1.02
Thursday, December 14, 2017 – Surprise! worked beautifully for Jim. Will share and tell you all about it at a later point. What an awesome gotcha on Jim when we arrived at the airport this morning and not my work. He was truly surprised! Miles Moved: 1.10
Friday, December 15, 2017 – Two words. Eating Extravaganza. That’s exactly what kind of adventure we are on in CHICAGO. Oh my goodness. The food! Miles Moved: 0.31
Saturday, December 16, 2017 – All good things must come to an end. It was a short trip visiting my sister in Chicago. But I think it’s one trip that Jim will not forget for a very long time. It was a fantastic time for him for sure – and he was truly surprised. Miles Moved: 0.82
Thoughts for the week: One day at a time…. One step at a time. I’m not beating myself up right now. I’m treating myself nicely. Come January – then the new way of living is so on!
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granted may be a God send to another person.
What have you done this past month to pay it forward? Here’s what mom/dad have done so far.
One night, mom/dad went to a local restaurant called Cracker Barrel. They were having dinner, it was kind of crowded and this guy got seated between mom/dad and another couple. You could tell that he was a homeless man. He ordered two glasses of water and a coffee. He was content with just sitting there, enjoying the heat from the fireplace and drinking his coffee. He spoke to everyone that made contact with him – and was such a very pleasant gentleman. He wasn’t asking for anything from anyone except for conversation. Before mom/dad could buy him dinner, the other couple offered and did. Mom went up to the register and also bought him a gift card to use at the restaurant so he could also come back for another dinner without having to pay.
Mom is also still continuing with her donations of plasma. She has now made 13 donations and is getting closer to her commitment of 20. Some people ask does it hurt. There are times when you can’t even feel the needle and there are other times that you feel it and continue to feel it until the donation is done. Mom says that it doesn’t matter because what pain she does experience is nothing compared to the help it offers others.
My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be February 3rd – mark your calendars!
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granted may be a God send to another person.
My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be January 6th – mark your calendars!
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granted may be a God send to another person.
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Friends – this month mommy is going to report on something that she has started doing, something that is close to her heart and means so very much to her. She has been thinking about it for some time and to be honest with you she had not done it up until this point because of one reason – she was afraid. But she finally bit the bullet and did it. What you ask? Well, here’s mom to explain.
Thanks Bacon. When my husband Jim was in a car accident years ago, he was in the hospital for over 12 weeks, most of those in intensive care. During that time, he was treated with blood transfusions and other treatments that contained plasma. Then years later, a good friend of ours needed treatment that also came from plasma. I’ve done a LOT of research on plasma donation and it was one of those things that I really wanted to check out since it touched so close to us here at the Hotel Thompson.
Well, I took a big step on 11/18/2015 and went to a center to inquire about the procedures. Now I had done a LOT of research on line and knew about some things; however, to actually do this you have to go through a process that could take 3-5 hours the very first time. This involves watching a short film on the process, reading a short manual at the center, giving a medical history, being evaluated by a nurse and having your vitals taken – blood pressure, weight, pulse, temp. IF you pass all of this, then you are ready to give blood plasma. I was accepted – HAPPY DANCE!
If you have given blood or had blood drawn for blood work, that is how it feels. And let me tell you something my friends. This one ouch moment is *nothing* to how you feel afterwards knowing that you gave to a great cause something that you had that someone else could use.
And today by the time you read this, I have made 4 donations with 2 more scheduled this week. Even last week while on vacation, I got up at 6AM on my days off to be at the clinic and in line waiting to make a donation. Each donation, you go through vitals check and you can plan on being there for 2-4 hours. There is that big of a line which is awesome! I have to admit though, I’m having problems some visits with my pulse rate. It has to be under 100 bpm. As long as I can keep it under that, all of my other numbers (blood pressure, hemoglobin, iron and weight) are perfect. Please pray for me my friends that I can continue to do this. My commitment to myself was 20 visits.
My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be January 6th – mark your calendars!
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granted may be a God send to another person.
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REMEMBER – this is November and Thanksgiving is closely approaching. What will you do to pay it forward this month?. Will you help out at a food bank? Will you help out at a feed the hunger dinner? Will you raise money or give to the food bank? These are great ideas – especially for this time of year. Can’t wait to see what you do my friends 🙂
My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be December 2nd – mark your calendars!
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granted may be a God send to another person.
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My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be December 2nd – mark your calendars!
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granted may be a God send to another person.
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This month mom/dad decided to do something that was a little different than the usual. They eat out a lot on the weekends. They decided that they would go out during the month and whatever waitress/waiter they met that really went overboard in kindness, they would leave a very nice tip. I mean nice… not cruise around the world nice but generous enough that it would mean more than the typical tip. That was their game plan and they stuck with it.
So one place they went to they met a nice young lady and talked to her throughout their meal. They learned she was supporting herself while going to school and working two jobs to pay for school and rent. Mom/dad both looked at each other and knew this was *the one*. At the end of their meal, they added their tip in on their charge and left. They didn’t want anything in return – just a smile on the waitresses face in knowing that people that really care are out there.
My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be December 2nd – mark your calendars!
My sweet friends at Nikitaland have started this monthly issue of Pay It Forward. We asked for you to keep this in mind all month and to share things here today on what you have been able to do. Paying it forward is not for bragging purposes – it’s an attempt to show how many different things we can do to pay it forward – lots of them don’t even include money. Gestures that we take for granted may be a God send to another person.
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My buddy Nikitaland made up a good deeds sheet. You can get it here. You can print it, hang it on your fridge and just jot some things down that you do during the month. That way at our next meet up, you can share what you have done to PAY ITFORWARD.
AND if you are interested in getting some Pay it Forward bracelets, check out Nikitaland’s post here for ordering information. Believe me friends – WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Next meet up will be November 4, 2015 – mark your calendars!
Miniature pot bellied pig and friends - Bacon, Houdini, Hemi and all of the Rock Clan with Journalist Rocky the Squirrel all out looking for adventures from the Hotel Thompson.
Okay Friends – Here We Go!
Piglove 