Day of Delirium #50 - Fifty!

I can't believe it 50 posts! 17foreverlisa has itchy palms just thinking about that! Yes, that is a Master of the Universe reference - one of the best Fan Fiction stories out there by Snowqueens Icedragon - run don't walk to go read it.

Then when you finish that, PLEASE check out suzspetals The Family Business, my absolute favorite Fan Fiction and one of my favorite people too *waves at suzspetals*.

And what is a fiftieth post without presents!!! Ok the presents came before my post but I can't not point out the awesome gifts from TigerlilyRose.

First, I bought some gorgeous photo cards from her based on a photo that she took and made into Thank You cards at my request. She has an etsy page and a Zazzle store, I highly recommend her items. Her photography is amazing.

And when she sent my package there were two other goodies in the envelope: A photo for framing and that the same photo made into my own personalized stationery. Love it!

Then just a couple of days ago, I received another package from TigerlilyRose (this link is for her photo blog)! In it was another set of stunning flower notecards and a cuff bracelet made by her sister from her etsy page. 

The best part... the cuff bracelet fits me. You see I have very skinny wrists and it is so hard to find bracelets that fit. This one fits perfectly and I love the colors.

Actually I lie, the best part of the bracelet... it is made from recycled materials. From the card in with the bracelet: "Made from recycled cardboard and vintage paper..." How amazing is that??

These are two extremely talented sisters! I hope you will check out their work on their sites and maybe start your Christmas shopping early :)

Thank you TigerlilyRose, I love you.



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and I have to point out that there are only 2 days until I leave for FFOORRKKSS!!

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Day of Delirium #49 - I have a friend in Serbia

So my doorbell rang at 9:30 this morning. I have since come to learn that it is usually our postal carrier with an item to sign for, so of course I go running down the steps from our bedroom (we were just getting up on a Saturday). I was right, it was the postal carrier.

He hands me the regular mail and then says "And I have something for you to sign for from Serbia." and I responded "Yea!! It is my present from my friend in Serbia." The carrier said "I don't even know where Serbia is but it sounds cold." I said "Serbia is different from Siberia and it is actually very pretty. And I can't believe I have a friend from Serbia." He seemed surprised and then said "Well I know you are excited but you have to sign and print your name here." I of course was practically jumping out of my skin to get my package inside and open it. So I signed, thanked him and ran inside.

It was my package from Jelena (Jelly-Babes) in Serbia. She had mentioned she sent me something and was worried about the time it was taking to get to me. I told her it took about 2 weeks for her package to get to her so we were still ok and apparently I was correct :)

Here is what was in my package. I hope Jelena will explain the flower items. They remind me of lace doilies that we would use under vases or plants here in the US.

The card was lovely and part of it is a bookmark which is very appropriate. 

Jelena wrote wonderfully beautiful things about little ol' me. 

She is just too sweet and I love her. 

These are the lovely flower items that I believe are like doilies, please let us know Jelena. They are made of a burlap material and they are just gorgeous.

One of the things she told me in my card was that she was sending me a heart for my collection:

This is actually a cookie and on the back of the packaging it states that it is a souvenir. The bright section in the picture is a mirror and the icing work is amazing. I am very curious what this souvenir means in Serbia. I absolutely love it.

It is also very funny that Jelena would send me a cookie that 1) I can't eat - gluten allergy and 2) I won't eat - too pretty and too much meaning. In 1986 I went to England with my high school marching band and when I got home my sister gave me a huge, cute teddy bear cookie as a welcome home gift. She knew I would love it and thought about how good it would taste.

Well fast forward to 2010... I still have the cookie. I couldn't eat it because the bear was too cute and it was so sweet that my sister gave it to me. So it seems to make sense that I would keep this heart cookie from my sister in Serbia forever.

I am also in awe of the packaging for my gift. I always enjoy seeing the postage from other countries and Serbia has beautiful rose stamps. I will have to give one to my niece who collects stamps, just like I did at her age, and I guess I still do to some extent :)

So never in my lifetime did I think I would have a friend in Serbia. Like the postal carrier I hardly know where Serbia is. But what I do know? Because of Twilight I now have not only a friend but a sister in Serbia and I couldn't be happier.

Thank you Jelena. I love you my friend, my sister.

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Day of Delirium #48 - Method to the Madness

Saw this quote today and I really like it:

"People find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than for being right." --J.K. Rowling


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Ok now on to the post - full disclosure only, of course:

Trixie and Tess are hosting a diet plan with weekly posts about how they handle dieting. This week's topic was about the method they employ to lose weight or maintain weight loss. I like this diet plan because it is more than just a diet, Trixie and Tess are working on changing their minds about food and weight loss and that is a great thing to do. So here is my method I have used to lose and maintain my weight:

I used hypnotherapy a few years ago to work on my weight issues. I have kept off 20 pounds since and learned my weaknesses for certain types of food. I still have emotional issues with food but I am so much better than I used to be. Hypnotherapy is not for everyone but it is an option. Now mind you I don't look at a piece of chicken and cluck, I just have a better understanding of my relationship with food and I have 5 hypnotherapy CDs to listen to that help me remember my goals. I was feeling out of control and hypnotherapy gave me the control back.







I also have a personal trainer that I see twice a week. She is amazing because not only does she help me physically with my workouts but she has become quite the therapist at times and even more than that, she has become a great friend. I guarantee I would not be maintaining my weight if I didn't have her in my life. Exercise is critical to weight loss and maintenance, even if you just walk around your block it is better than nothing. I know someone out there who reads all their Fan Fiction while walking on a treadmill every day. Smart lady!


I would also like to share an article that I just happened to read just this morning in a magazine my hubby had laying around. I think it is perfectly timed for this diet plan and it is excellent information. I hope you will take the time to read it as I think it can be very helpful.

Straight-Line Simplicity

Keep up the great work Trixie, Tess and everyone else involved in IRWTSMN!


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It is Friday again!

Please don't forget Mad Libs are tonite!

We start at 9:30 EST, 8:30 CST, 7:30 MST and 6:30 PST/Arizona.

It is tons of fun so please come play with us :)

Day of Delirium #47 - Your Future is in Your Mouth

I have again received a very timely Keith Harrell newsletter that I really want to share with all of you. I firmly believe in this topic and work very hard to follow the advice given below. Please be aware that I did not write this and if you would like more information on Keith Harrell please check out his website.

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I am awesome. I am gorgeous. I am loved.

Your Future Is in Your Mouth

Many of us are familiar with the childhood taunt, "Stick and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." Although it was a great way to act as though the unkind words that were said to us didn't matter, the truth of the matter is that words do hurt.

What hurts more than what other people say are the words you say about yourself. Negative words may have been spoken over you all of your life. But you don't have to become what other people say. You can rise above any unkind words that were said about you or to you.

You may not realize it, but you are where you are today because of the words you have spoken about yourself. This is so because your future is in your mouth. Your future is not in what other people say about you.

So the key to changing your circumstances and your life is to change what you're saying.

Take a good look at your life and compare it to the words that are coming out of your mouth. Are you saying things like, "I'll be the first one in my company to get laid off." "I'll never find a job in an economy like this." "Everyone in my family died of cancer. It's only a matter of time before I'm diagnosed with it."

Are you starting to see the connection?

The more you say something, the more you believe what you are saying. Expectation goes hand-in-hand with what you believe, and it won't be long before you see what you are expecting.

Unfortunately, many people have fine-tuned the art of negativity. And their negative prophecies are quickly fulfilled. But your words can change your life for the better.

You can start by saying things like: "I'll never go under because I'll conquer every challenge I face." "I'll beat cancer." "I'll always find a way to pay the mortgage."

Words are containers. So why not fill them with a bright future instead of a mediocre existence. The choice is up to you. Remember, your future is in your mouth.

Have a Super Fantastic Week!

Dr. Attitude

Copyright © 2010 Keith Harrell.


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Ooooo I can tie this to the IRWTSMN diet that Trixie and Tess are running. My goal is to say "I look great" every day I wake up and see myself in the mirror.

Day of Delirium #46 - Forgiveness is a Choice

Going Bonkers article "Forgiveness is a Choice - How to Resolve Your Pain, Anger and Resentment" by Dr. Fred Luskin.

Forgiveness is for yourself.

Forgiveness is not forgetting.

Forgiveness can free you.

Forgiveness is a present to give yourself.

Holding onto pain, anger and resentment is like poison to your inner self. To not forgive keeps the poison inside and maintains your suffering while your offender lives rent free in your mind. Not forgiving allows your offender to continue to hurt you over and over. Wouldn't you rather be free?

Here are some things to think about in relation to forgiving:

- Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

- Forgiveness and condoning are not the same. You can forgive an offense but it doesn't mean you condone the behavior.

- Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same. You can forgive the offender but also end or limit contact with them if that is your choice. To forgive does not mean you have to reconcile or be around the offender.

- Forgiveness does not depend on whether or not you offender apologizes or agrees to change. If you let the offenders behavior determine whether or not you heal, then the offender retains power over you forever.

- Forgiveness and justice are not the same. To forgive does not mean that you don't stop seeking justice for being wronged. The example would be: You can forgive your ex-spouse for abandoning your children but it doesn't mean you shouldn't take the ex to court to get support payments.

at the heart of it all is forgiveness

What are the steps to forgiveness then that can help free you?

1. Know exactly how you feel about what happened and be able to clearly say it was not OK.

2. Make a commitment to yourself to do what you have to do to feel better. Forgiveness is for yourself, no one else even has to know your decision to forgive.

3. Understand your goal - which is to find peace through forgiveness.

4. Get the right perspective on what is happening today. Recognize that your current pain is coming from what you are feeling now, not the actual experiences that hurt you in the past.

5. Remind yourself that you can hope for good things in your life and then work hard to get them.

6. Instead of putting your time and energy into holding onto the pain, anger and resentment, find positive new goals to spend your time and energy on.

7. Remember that a live well lived is the best revenge. Instead of focusing on your pain, learn to look for the beauty around you.

8. Amend your grievance story to remind you of your heroic choice to forgive.

I have done this in my life. I have forgiven. Many years ago I lost 90% of my friends when I decided to end my relationship with my boyfriend at the time. I had a hard time reconciling how all my friends decided to be his friend and not mine, including my best friend at the time. I was hurt, I was angry and I resented them for making a choice of him over me. But after a few years of thinking about it and how it ruled my life and how I interacted with others - not trusting, not allowing myself to be real - I realized I couldn't live that way any more. Someone mentioned I should just forgive them. What??? Forgive them??

Well it turns out that person was completely right. One night I sat down and thought for the last time about what had happened and I decided I would forgive each and every one of the people involved. As I thought intently about each person and said the words in my mind "I forgive you" I could feel the pressure lift off of me. By the time I forgave each person I was actually smiling and felt peaceful for the first time in years. It was the most freeing thing I had ever done for myself. In years to come this night would remind me of the red ribbon technique I discussed in a previous post.

I realize that I am not forgetting what happened but releasing their hold over me with the pain, anger and resentment I kept causing myself by not forgiving them. I easily knew I would not reconcile with the people and I also knew I would not allow the situation to rule or ruin any future friendships. But I did forgive and it was the most amazing thing I have ever done for myself.

I beg you if you are holding onto pain, anger and/or resentment from a past wrong, please consider forgiving the offender. I really want to remind you that allowing the offender to rule your every day life just gives them power and that is exactly what we want to avoid. If I can help you in any way with this, please let me know. Take it from me forgiving is for you and it is wonderful.

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Happy Birthday to my wonderful sister, Susan!!

and

Happy Birthday to Bella!!

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