July 4th Already... Well, We Still Have a Little Time!

Good Afternoon,

Wow, it's been a while since I updated here... well, I have been trying out different apps and themes, etc. trying to see what platform might be best ... so in the meantime, I decided to just continue on this platform while I'm experimenting. I created this resource this morning and thought I would share it with all of you Superwomen in that I know many, many of you will be planning July 4th celebrations and get togethers for everyone! Or... perhaps, you need this for vacation bible school or just a fun Friday night or Saturday night party in July! Most of all have fun and enjoy!

Product Description: In this packet, you will find approximately thirty-three pages of photo props. The props include the following: (1) Liberty Bell; (2) God Bless America statement; (3) Uncle Sam Top hat: (4) Betsy Ross; (5) bouquets of fireworks; (6) Rockets; (7) the American Flag; (8) the Statue of Liberty; (9) Uncle Sam; (10) a July 4th Emogi; (11) an American cupcake, and many more! There is at least eight of each photo prop so you shouldn’t lack for everyone having a great choice as to what he/she might want to use in making his or her perfect photo. Are you planning a summer get together in the back yard? Are you working with a summer enrichment program and want to create a photo booth for your kiddos? Are you looking for a fun activity to do with your own kiddos? If any of these scenarios apply, look no more… you have found the perfect activity. Everyone loves to make selfies and other pics with family and friends to cherish forever! If you have boas or other props to put with these, the more the merrier. All you need to do is to print these on heavy cardstock, cut them out, and glue to a dowel or even a skewer in some instances. For young children, please be sure to use dowels in that skewers sometimes have sharp ends! Happy Independence Day!

July 4th Cover Photo for Photo Props

Example of Photo Props

Example of Photo Prop

Example of Photo Prop

Example of Photo Prop

Here is the link to these props!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/July-4th-Celebration-Photo-Props-Independence-Day-Photo-Props-2585017

Have an awesome Wednesday!

Terri

I Promised... And.Here.It.Is!

Good Morning!

Yesterday, I wrote to all of you about time management and honestly told you that the post might very well be fore you more so than for me... I would insert LOL here... but it's just the complete truth and it frustrates me often. At the conclusion of the post, I promised you a printable that might help you prioritize your time... and of course those of you who know me well know that I am a fan of animal print so I could not leave my zebra fettish out of the picture so I have created you all somewhat of a "to-do" list on steroids... meaning it allows you to prioritize your to-do list! I hope you enjoy this and stay tuned for more printables! Have a great Tuesday!

Terri

Here's the link to the printable... yes, I know it is on the Teachers Pay Teachers site... go ahead proceed and grab the free printable! (See the bottom after these images of the printable!)

Here is the cover of the printable so you will know that you are on the right track superwomen!

Here is what the "to-do" list looks like -- I left a place for the date at the top of the page so that all you need to do is print you several of these sheets and label your starting date and work from there! I hope that you find that this increases your ability to manage your time better!

Here's your link! If you are a teacher, please consider following me while grabbing this freebie today!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Time-Management-Strategy-for-All-Superteachers-2434354

How Do We Do It All? Not Forego Ourselves and Our Health? And... Not Feel Guilty?

Good Morning!

WOW! That title is a mouthful if I say so myself! I think this post might be for me a lot more than it might be for some of you who really have it together! You see, when I train and present to other educators, I have to immediately give them this disclaimer if you will.... I share with them that my mind whirls in thousands of directions which might sound appetizing to you; however, it's not at times I assure you! So, having an educational background, and more specifically knowing I am a right brain by heart and also knowing "I'm a squiggle..." (more on that because you have to figure out what shape personality you are too...) okay, so knowing these different things and then here comes the kicker... I am so ADHD wired for 220 voltage most all of the time. I know those of you who know me are laughing right now because you are saying, "Well, that explains it... I can see that for sure LOL." Nevertheless, of course, it gives me creative energy; however, it can also make me so frustrated and it's number one cousin is that word called, PROCRASTINATION! Ugh! I hate that word -- don't you? Well, I found a couple of tools this morning that may help us with this "bad to the bone" word and I am hoping that some of you may have some tools as well! One thing that I think that may help if this is a "bad word" to you too is to become more self-aware of yourself -- meaning -- know if you are functioning more with your (1) right brain hemisphere or your left brain hemisphere (see earlier post -- I included a link for you to be able to determine this!); and (2) determine your "shape personality."  You will love doing this and don't cheat! Here is what you need to do. Look at the shapes that I have included below and without knowing any other instructions, pick the shape that you think best resembles your personality! GO! Don't cheat! Here are the shapes:

Here is your link! Again, don't click on this link UNTIL YOU DECIDE! Also, some will refer to the last shape as a zigzag and some will refer to it as a squiggle! http://www.learning-mind.com/geometric-shapes-simple-and-unusual-personality-test/

I told you! It's fun! I use it all the time when working with different groups of adults in training sessions! So, now let's move on to some steps that might be helpful to us (me namely for sure) that might help us beat "PROCRASTINATION!" Here we go...

(Step 1:) Stop in the name of love and recognize that in fact you are in procrastination mode! So, I have a link here for you as well to help you better define procrastination -- of course, if your like me, I know when I am there i just don't like to admit it LOL but here's the link: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_99.htm Try it and see if it confirms what you were thinking. Okay, yes I scored a 29 and confirmed what I have stated to you thus far -- now what??

(Step 2:)  Reflect and try to figure out what's the deal? Just why in the world are you procrastinating? Is the task unpleasant? Are you disorganized (that's a whole other story for me...)? Are  you honestly overwhelmed by the task itself and can't figure out where to start? Decide where you stand!

(Step 3:) Adopt a set of strategies that you can put into motion that will help you tame or beat procrastination... your thinking... "yea, I would have already done that if I knew what they might be..." Okay, what might these strategies be: (1) Reward yourself ever so slightly for getting started on the task and/or completing the task; (2) Have someone be your accountability partner-- someone who knows that you might fuss when they ask you, "How's it coming?" Someone whom you know you don't have to have your guard up -- they will truly help you! (3) Identify why this task is unpleasant; make a list and look at this list! (4) Think about your "cost of time" to your employer... shame shame; (5) Promise yourself on a daily basis to eat the elephant first meaning tackle the big things first thing in the morning; (6) Use Einstein's Urgent/Important Principle (you have seen this in a previous blog post); (7) Make an old-fashioned "To-Do" list; (8) Get you a planner that allows you to look at a month at a time and then a day at a time -- work on mapping projects out that allow you ample time to have success; (8) Set goals in your planner and then put these aforementioned strategies into place to make them happen girlfriend!

I have included an image of the Einstein's Urgent/Important Principle to jog your memory! I will create you a printable of one of these quadrants for you to use as your "To-Do" list!

Einstein's Urgent/Important Principle
Time Management Quadrants

So, calling all Superwomen, here's your homework: (1) Right brain/left brain? (2) Shape personality? (3) Procrastinator? (4) Strategies that you find beneficial -- PUT THEM IN PLACE!

Stay tuned for a *FREE PRINTABLE* for your time management quadrants for a "To-Do" List!

Have a great Monday and be your best Superwom@n!

Terri

Source of Information: www.mindtools.com

Whew! Superwomen, It Has Been Busy!

I trust everyone is having a great Monday morning! I know that it has been a few days since we last discussed all those wonderful things things help us to be superwomen, and I apologize for that; however, mercy me, it's been a little exciting at my house! On Friday morning, I realized that I really needed to take "Belle Bullies Queen Rhea" back to the vet for a check-up because I knew that she was getting "ginormous" to say the least. So, off we went! I had to help her up in the car so I knew she was getting to the miserable point. I have been anxiously awaiting this time since I got "Herbert 'Jax' King Rhea" and "Belle Bullies Queen Rhea." Babies... babies... babies... English Bulldog babies... so I wondered if today (Friday) might be the day! Well, after examining and weighing her, it was discovered that she had gained 15 lbs. in one week exactly! Whew! Poor Gal! So, it was time for the c-section and time to get to see those babies! Well, mom did well with the section and you won't believe this but she had 11, yes, 11 big babies of all different color schemes... oh me oh my... I don't know how much you all might know about English Bulldogs but they must have a lot of help with their babies. Their mouths aren't designed to pick them up and move them around for nursing, etc. As well, if you have ever had a dog that had a c-section, they don't automatically bond with their babies for obvious reasons.... they are groggy and their bodies have to figure out what has happened since it didn't happen naturally. Henceforth, I know that I took care of three small baby boys at one time and that there were many sleepless nights with bottle feedings, etc.; however, I was anywhere from 21-24 years old! Have mercy on my soul! I'm 47, and this is some work folks! Now, I understand why "Bullies" cost a lot of money! Tons of "sweat equity" for these babies! We get  up every two hours, I set my stopwatch for 15 minutes and I let one group nurse. Then, when the timer goes off, I put that group back to bed and let the other group nurse, and then guess what, we do it all over again in two hours LOL. I'm exhausted and I am not the momma! Here are a few pics of our babies! We are so excited!

Belle says, "what have I gotten myself into?"

"I will just nap a little bit... just for a few minutes!"

Here's a close-up of all of the babies!

So, now you all see what I have been doing for the last three days with several more days to go! This brings me back to a topic that we have already investigated superwomen... that of how we manage our time -- that old monster and topic "time management." But, I want us to look at it from a bit of a different perspective this morning. Look at this quote and I think you will see where I am going with this:

Is this not profound? WOW! What gears are you not using adequately?

I would like you to think about that today in your hurried up pace! What gears are you not using that you have been "gifted with from God?" It is imperative that we use all of our gears to be all that we can be!

So, take a look at these two organizers as a start! Categorize all of your "to-dos" in these four quadrants and see if you can't take a stab at better managing your time and finding yourself able to "kick it into another gear... a gear that you haven't used in awhile!"

Use either of these and get on that bike and ride like you have never ridden before!

Have a great Monday and stay dry if you can! I will be here at home doing what... you guessed it being a nanny to 11 English Bulldog puppies!

Terri

Is Laughter Really the Best Medicine?

Happy Wednesday! Superwomen, we have been looking at characteristics that will continue to empower us to be even greater superwomen. Thus far, we have looked at (1) Are we paying attention to the way our internal clocks were designed; (2) Feed our brain and know our brain dominance; and (3) Today... Laughter is really a great RX for you! I looked at several different sites and here is what I found-- the long and the short of it -- you must LAUGH! Even when you feel the stress overload coming... why? Because it is so much more beneficial than what you can ever imagine! Let's take a look!

Look at some of these benefits! WOWZA!

What does laughter do for us? Laughter gives us many short term benefits as well as many long term benefits too!

Short Term Benefits:
(1) It stimulates our organs and gets us going strong for the day! Literally, this means that when we laugh our blood flow is increased meaning we get more oxygen to the brain, and this gets us going stronger! So, circulation improves and our muscles relax!
(2) It activates and relieves our stress response meaning it diminishes the release of cortisol which is our "fight or flight" hormone which was not designed to be used unless we are facing some sort of traumatic event.
(3) It soothes tension, and it serves as an internal workout for our bodies!
(4) Laughter literally releases a cocktail of happy hormones. You know, Superwom@n, it's those hormones that we need to feel good-- that serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin-- all those endorphins we need to tolerate ourselves and for others to tolerate us LOL.

Long Term Benefits:
(1) It improves our immune system and makes it stronger!
(2) It acts as a natural pain reliever.
(3) It increases our personal satisfaction.
(4) It increases our mood.
(5) It improves our blood sugar levels.
(6) The more we laugh, the more we receive the long and short term benefits of laughter! Most importantly, laughing is heart healthy!

Superwom@n, in order to "bring your A-Game" everyday honey child, you gotta LAUGH! I found absolutely nothing that tells us ANY negative benefit of laughing! Now, here's the deal... some of you may say, "Well, I don't have anything to laugh about." To that I say, "Girl, you always have something to laugh about-- you are still here on this earth breathing and you, Superwom@n have a purpose! So, LAUGH!

Just look at all of these benefits of something as simple as laughing! I hope that you are understanding that in order to be a superwom@n, you must first TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF in order to do your best to take care of others!

Promise me that you will laugh today... you know that good belly laugh that makes your eye liner run and you ask your buddy, "Do I have raccoon eyes?"

Terri

Sources:

www.mayoclinic.org

www.huffingtonpost.com

www.laughteronlineuniversity.com

www.webmd.com

Balance Your Brain Superwom@n! It's the Right Thing to Do!

Maybe this visual appeals to you more... I believe a "right brain" thinker created this visual! Remember that knowledge is power in terms of being a superwom@n! Know your brain dominance!

Here's where we are and what we are discussing! Where do you stand? It's important to know to up your game superwom@n!

Calling all superwomen... in our earlier post, we examined just a few things that we can do for ourselves to "up our game" in being the superwom@n that we all strive to be! Yesterday, we looked at paying more attention to our internal clock and working in tune with basically the way that God designed us extraordinary humans! Today, let's look at the second attribute -- that of -- balancing our brain! Here we go!

Obviously, the first that that we superwomen need to look at intensely is that of figuring out our dominant side of the brain and then going with it! There are plenty, plenty of online versions of figuring out your brain dominance. 

So, having said this, I have included a link to a free brain dominance test that will help you gauge where you stand... be honest and be quick in your answers! Have fun!

Here's the link: http://braintest.sommer-sommer.com/en/ 

Also, I wouldn't ask you to do the brain dominance test without having completed it myself so I took a screenshot of myself... I honestly thought my right brain percentage would be a bit higher but oh well... here it is!

So, see where you stand and then let's go from there! When you are presented with a challenge, a problem, a concern, etc. do you immediately begin to try to solve with your brain dominance? If not, you should! Then, if that gets you nowhere, proceed to your next brain dominance and try to come to a conclusion. In other words, if you are solidly left brain dominant (I am really not... the two percentages are somewhat really close), then you would purposely attempt to solve your situation with that dominance. For example, if you are left brain dominant, then you would approach your situation from the who? the what? the where? the why? and the how? You are solving from a logical, sequential mindset. If you see that is doing no good whatsoever, give that side of the brain a rest and focus on solving from your other hemisphere and see what you are able to derive. Honestly, ladies we all know there are situation out there that can't be solved with either dominance and those are the ones that we submit to our belief in the Serenity Prayer right? If not, it should be! There is NOTHING productive in worrying about things in which you can do absolutely nothing about!

This graphic will appeal to some of you; however, the next one is my favorite!

I wanted you to see characteristics of each side of our brain and the dominant characteristics for each! Some of you will benefit by just taking the dominance test and being more aware of your dominance because it affects how you perform in your job/career/profession! Please remember this! Here are some of those info-graphics:

Is this not the coolest? It says so much just looking at the graphic!

This one really helps us and explains the difference well between the two hemispheres of the brain and how we approach things!

Have an awesome Tuesday everyone!

Terri 

Take A Look at Your Internal Clock Superwom@n! It's Important!

I hope that all of you had an extra special day for Valentines and I hope that you haven't started this Monday morning in the rain. So, yesterday we looked into a few characteristics that will help us "UP" our Superwom@n status. You remember? The first characteristics that we looked at was taking a hard look at how we are wired internally so let's do just that! First of all, I need to give you some homework, and it is this: Investigate your "circadian rhythm (your internal clock)" and your "ultradian rhythm (different periods of alertness and drowsiness during the day)." This is essential to understand some of these concepts!

Is this how you feel? I know that I do many, many times!

I looked and investigated three different sources, and they all seem to say very similar things so let's delve into this and I hope you are able to have some "aha" moments! Let's see what our internal body clock tells us about the following:

Our food intake? Our internal body clock really does need us to eat during our eight most active hours of the day. So, here comes the temptation... it is really is hard for me not to want to snack in the evenings so be aware of this -- it is harder for your body to process glucose when you eat late in the evening. Pay attention to what we know and heed the advice superwomen!

Our Sleep? Now, superwomen here is where we can all learn a lesson. Here is what I read... Until we are around the age of 10, we tend to be early, early risers. You know mommas, remember when all you wanted to do was to sleep just a few more minutes and your little toddler and maybe your little prince or princess was waking up like a little alarm clock themselves at 5:00 am or 6:00 am on a Saturday morning... point proven! Then, around the age of 10, our bodies start switching into another gear that of going to bed later and later and waking up later and later... and to think we just all thought teenagers chose this path. Then, as expected, around age 21, we start that upward climb again to get up earlier and earlier. We peak and then around age 50-55, we began the same habits that we had when we were just babies. It's really amazing... look deeper into this! So, what else can we learn about our sleep? Basically, we have "two sleeps" per 24 hour period. One is a long sleep which is when we go to bed at night, and then the "other sleep" happens around 2:00 in the afternoon. Your like, "Yeah, I know, LOL." So, if you know this, then do something about it! When you feel that 2:00 slump creeping up on you, what can you do? We will be looking into this specifically!

Our Exercise? In researching this, it looks like around 3:00-6:00 wins the prize for the best time to work out. Actually, I learned that our muscle tone is at it's peak anywhere from 2:00-6:00. Our lungs tend to function the most efficiently at 5:00. Our eye hand coordination is at it's peak around the late afternoon. And... here it comes... our blood pressure tends to be a bit higher in the morning. Can you believe all of this? If not, check it out for yourself. I will list the sources that I used at the end of the post!

Our WORK? Obviously, we already know that we perform best when we are working at our peak. But, probably what we need to know more about is exactly what is our peak? and why? Look below for how I have tried to take a look at how maybe we can break down our day to bolster our productivity no matter what our profession is!

Our Lighting? Did you know this? Lighting is the single biggest external factor in how our body is operating. Our bodies are programmed to know that the more light the body is provided, then it realizes it is supposed to stay awake! Some of us are hardwired to have what we call a 22-hour "fast" body clock and tend to be called the "morning larks;" whereas, the rest of us have what we call a 25-hour body clock and we tend to be called the "night owls." Where do I fit? I think somewhere in between... I strive to be more of that "morning lark," because I know that is when I get my best completed. And I used to be this way... for example, way back in the day when Zach, Blake, and Brady were just little pea-mites, and I was in graduate school, I set my alarm each morning at 4:00 am. I got up and worked on my dissertation every morning without fail until 5:30, and honestly folks that is how I was able to graduate!

So What is All of this Hype About Our Work Schedule... Simply put examine below!

Things that We Probably Need to Do Prior to the Lunch (12:00) Hour: 

1. Check your emails while you are at your peak-- BUT, don't let the time monster eat you up checking them... this can happen before you even realize it!
2. It is during this time your brain is operating at it's highest capacity, so be sure to schedule your "cognitive heavy tasks" during this time-- it is during this time that you will be more likely to be able to push through these tasks most successfully!

Things that We Probably Need to Do from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM:

1. Check Facebook (if you just have too)
2. Tweet (if you just have too)
3. Focus on low energy and low value tasks
4. It is imperative to remember that it is during these times that your attention span is at its lowest and you can become highly distracted and potentially make mistakes in your work and productivity, and part of your superwom@n abilities is to be able to see and be aware of this and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
5. Hammer out those big tasks and complete those "heavy thinking" tasks that you planned the night before as you thought about today!

What Happens at the 2:00 PM Hour?

1. It is at this 2:00 hour that you are most likely to just simply fall asleep! Did you know this? Chances are that you have experienced it honestly!
2. If possible, go for a fast walk!
3. If possible, take a "brain break!"

Around 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, What Should I Do to Work With my Internal Clock?

1. This is the very best time to work out and exercise.
2. Be creative... if this tends to be homework time at your house, be creative, wear a pedometer and be walking around the house in between those math problems and that language homework!
3. If this is your time to get dinner going, again get creative and walk, jog, etc. in place while inner is going!

What Happens Around 9:00 PM at night?

1. It is at this time when we tend to actually be the most creative! Why in the world is this? Think about it... it is actually at this time when our brain is fuzzy and tired, and it doesn't naturally inhibit our creativity, and it is during this time that honestly we have the best opportunities for hashing out a creative project that we are working on and can make big strides in its progress!
2. So, some of us are ready to go to bed shortly after this, and then some of us are inclined to stay up until around 11:00 PM as we write our tasks for the next day! 

What are the "Take-Aways from This?"

**Pay attention to the research that folks have done who have way more expertise than us!

**During your day, pay attention to what you have just read and heed the advice and practice these suggestions!

**Make the changes in your day that help your internal clock so that you can supercharge into hero mode for sure! I will upload a couple of tools that may help you with some of this!

Try to Stay Dry Today Superwom@n!

Love,

Terri

Sources: 

www.lifehacker.com

www.lifeweb.com

www.asianefficiency.com

Happy Valentine's Day Superwom@n!

Happy Valentine's Day Superwom@an! I hope that your day has been awesome! Have you thought about what, in fact, makes you a superwom@n? I did some investigation (and I plan to do a lot more...) about the characteristics that just flat out make us all superwomen, and some characteristics that we might need to pay more attention too in order to become greater superwomen. Here is the beginning of my investigation:

Happy Valentine's Day Superwom@n!

(1) We must pay great attention to our internal clocks! There are times when we are obviously at our best and then times when we are ready to wilt! (More to come on this... it is really interesting...)

(2) We must balance our brain! Now, what does this entail? More to come... it has a lot to do with serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol!

(3) We can LAUGH! You know that laugh so hard that your eyeliner is running down your face!

(4) We can CRY! Sometimes, heck we need too. There is nothing absolutely nothing healthy about keeping things bottled up inside-- it will cause us to release more cortisol which is bad on our health!

(5) We must learn to prioritize ourselves! Prioritize your day... we will look at this more and use some tools for being able to graphically represent this! I  don't know about you all but I need some of this!

(6) We need to feed our brain with foods that fuel our focus... so what are they? (more on this too!)

(7) We MUST learn to delegate! You can not do it all, and you shouldn't have too!

(8) We must learn to listen carefully! This is an art and unfortunately is sometimes very hard to do!

(9) We must rid our bodies of toxins that harm our focus, our concentration, and out productivity! We will talk more about these toxins!

(10) We must make absolutely sure that we are not our own worst enemy! Examine things... more later!

We will take each of one these statements and expound on them, and see what kind of superwomen we shall become! 

Until tomorrow! We will investigate "tuning into our body clock!"

Happy Valentines Day! 

Terri

Calling All Superwomen... How Often Do You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone?

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/beyond-comfort-zone-independent-thinking-judy-willis

On this cold morning, the day before Valentine's Day, as I open my little journal that I shared with you when we first started this journey blogging about what we do as superwomen, I open to this particular topic and page... Go Outside Your Comfort Zone! WOW! That says a mouthful. It also had a great info-graphic which honestly being such a visual learner, I relate to this much better than just an explanation. Professionally, what is your comfort zone? I decided to be somewhat vulnerable and map mine out and then use those parameters of my "not so comfort zone places" as opportunities to grow my superwom@n abilities! Why should we engage in this task? I think this visual probably explains it better than I can in words:

This graphic says it all... this is why it is vital that we all engage in this endeavor!

So here we go! We are going to take this four levels and I will use myself as an example. The first level is that of your comfort zone itself. So, what are you comfortable with doing professionally that you know that you do well and do not experience a lot of anxieties. I would say for me that is (1) doing large scale trainings on educational topics that I have spent a long time studying; (2) teaching courses to undergraduate and graduate education students; and (3) working with kids of all ages! Now, the next level (we are traveling now... outside that comfort zone) is that of "what you are willing to try professionally." For me, I would say that is: (1) blogging professionally; (2) creating and publishing e-books to complement training sessions; and (3) creating additional resources that are helpful and useful to teachers. Now, this brings us to the third level. The third level is that of "reluctant to try." Again, for me, I would state the following: (1) creating webinars for on-line training so that teachers can earn CEU's from the comfort of home and not be in such a hurry; (2) on-line coaching again for teaching in some area that thy deem necessary to become better; and (3) how to make blogs more professionally done (I am sooooo struggling here... almost to the point of avoiding the learning curve LOL). Finally, the final level is that of what is "terrifying" to you to try professionally? For me, I want to write a book, in fact, I have started but that's all I have done is start. I already think about the fear of rejection and I am no where ready to send it anywhere for someone else to even think about reading. Honestly, I think I just want to pay the extra money and publish it myself! So, I may have a solution to this terrifying goal that I would love to accomplish. Now, ya'll are going to laugh at me but the other thing that terrifies me at this very moment is my darn Silhouette Cameo that I want to perfect soooooo bad! I see these precious projects that everyone makes, and I want to learn how as well. But, on some of the projects, I am almost scared to try because I don't want to make a mess of something LOL so I have got to get busy to get over this hump! Now, enough of me, I wanted to spell out my "out of comfort zone" levels so that you would hopefully take the time to do yours this weekend-- then get out your planner and promise yourself to carve out time for addressing these! You will be glad that you did! I have included below some graphics and links for you to look at if your interested on getting out of your comfort zone. BTW, I will be more faithful to our Superwom@n blog... I have been trying to work on another one that is my own domain and hosted by another service that I can do more with which is also out of my comfort zone and way frustrating LOL.

http://www.angelfire.com/bug/brownjay/courage.htm

Try your best to work through this activity-- I think that you will be glad that you did!

 Have an awesome Saturday all of you Superwomen!

Terri

Happy Rainy Wednesday! Alzheimer's Disease... Make the Right CHOICE! Read and You Will See LOL!

Good Morning Friends!

Well, it's a rainy Wednesday and I am at home today answering all of my emails from yesterday and teaching online (which I love by the way... American College of Education in Indiana... check them out teachers!). I had an eventful day yesterday so I thought I would try to brighten your day and at the same time take the opportunity to get us all to think about "another dreaded monster" so to speak as I referred to cancer in my last post! Many of you who know me and my family well know that my dad was an only child (spoiled I might say as well LOL), nevertheless, he passed away two years ago in February from... you guessed it... cancer! Nevertheless, that means that my sisters and I make sure that our grandmother, his mom, has what she needs. Well, our grandmother has always been the most independent person I have ever known. She has told us all of our lives what she thought we needed to do, and didn't mind one bit interjecting her opinion whether it was asked for or not LOL one of those situations where what you see is what you get take it or leave it and that was okay with her. I find that I am natured a lot like her... sometimes, I know that's a hindrance (no filter-- to abrupt, etc.) but then sometimes it can serve one well-- sort of like a survival mechanism in this sometimes harsh world we live in... nevertheless, all of that to say, in the last several months, our grandmother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and man oh man, this has been very difficult to say the least. So, take Alzheimer's Disease and add a gallon of independence, a quart of stubbornness, and the fact that she is convinced that "nothing is wrong with her... she's not crazy... we are the ones who are crazy LOL... that very well may be true on any given day, and this recipe can cook up a very interesting situation which brings me back to yesterday. I had the opportunity yesterday to move my grandmother from one rehabilitation/nursing home in Meridian to Jasper General in Bay Springs (closer to home), and I contemplated whether I needed to carry her or get transportation services to carry her. You see this ought to be a "no-brainer" because ordinarily we could enjoy the ride and visit with one another but now that is simply not the case. She gets very confused and I would not want her to try to open the car door and try to get out while we are moving. But, also I began to think that she might get scared being transported by people she did not know so I decided that I needed to do this, and WOW what a treat it was. Now, any of you that have dealt with this horrible disease know that you have to make a conscious effort to CHOOSE to either laugh or cry at this stage of the disease that she is in if that makes sense. Well, yesterday I had to make a choice many times. Also, it's important to know that another choice that needs to be made is whether to argue or simply "go along" to some degree with what is being said. You must understand, as with many, many other situations, this is about a simple decision and choice on YOUR part... and so I wanted to share the adventures of our travels yesterday-- please understand NO ONE could make this stuff up... I hope when you read that you make the CHOICE to laugh and have an awesome Wednesday! As we left the facility yesterday morning, my grandmother had to tell all of the ladies how to clean the dining tables in that apparently she had been taking upon herself to do this-- what seems like 100 years ago, she worked at Bell's Cafe in Sandersville -- I think this is where Big K is right now! So, I am glad grandma thinks she has had the opportunity to go back to work at Bell's Cafe. So, after she got that straight, we were on our way! She asked me several times to call her doctor and he would tell me to just take her on to her house if I would just listen and not be "so darn stubborn..." As we were riding on some highway from Meridian to Bay Springs, all of the sudden, she said, "Look Terri, look at all of that oil spewing over there..." I look all around me and don't see a thing but pasture, and she says it again and is really getting agitated with me... I make a CHOICE! "Yes, grandma, I see it right there!" She says, "Well, it's about d_____ time... I've been trying to show you for five minutes. I want you to know that I bought that 80 acres of land and that oil that is spewing is mine, and I want you, Andrea, and Lindy to go get you a car after I get home today." I said, "Grandma, when did you buy that land, and who did you buy it from?" She said, "Well, I do declare, you don't have to be so nosey about things. Can't you just be happy that I did get it and that it has oil on it (oh the irony... she's out of touch with the struggles in the oil industry right now I guess). So, I apologize for asking and on we go. She makes me promise to tell Andrea and Lindy and then she's satisfied and we continue to travel. Again, she asks me to "Call that doctor, and tell him we are headed home, and I don't care what he says." I try to explain to her that I can't go against what the doctors and nurses have told me to do and that is to take her to Bay Springs, and my goodness she gets aggravated with me again and lo and behold, I begin to hear her laughing and I ask her what is she laughing about. She says, "Well, you dummy the doctor just called me and I told him I was going home... then she said, "Wait, he's back on the phone!" At this point, I just listen, and she is having an entire conversation with her doctor (no phone in hand -- nothing) and then all of a sudden she says, "Now, you better be quieter talking to me... your wife is going to hear you....!!!!!!" LOL, where did that come from??? I CHOOSE to laugh... and she looks at me and says, "What are you laughing at?" I said, "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to laugh... grandma, are you doing something that you shouldn't be doing?" She looks at me and says, "That is none of your business, and you can carry your happy a___ back to Carthage!" I told her I was so sorry, and we kept on driving! Well, we finally arrived to the parking lot in Bay Springs, and I knew I was about to have a situation on my hands in getting her to get out of the car. See, you must understand that my grandma is more mobile than most of us are on a daily basis which is both great and then when under these circumstances not so great! I told her that it was time to get out of the car and we needed to go on in that they were waiting on us. She said, "I have already told you that I am going home, I don't know why you have stopped here-- call the doctor!" Well, I quickly texted Alan and said, "HELP! Call us!" Alan calls, and I answer as if he is the doctor. He wants to speak to grandma and I put her on the phone. Alan tells her that she's got to get out out of the car and go in and she's not budging, and he continues to work with her and tells her over and over again. In just a minute, she tells him, "You don't sound like MY doctor!" He tells her that he has a cold and she laughs and says, "Well then, I do too and I am not getting out!" Well, after about 20 minutes I coax her in the building because she can get a hair cut and a permanent here... and off we go! We make it in and everyone just showers her with love and she is happy but she tells all of them that she is only staying for two days because she has things that she needs to take care of. To kinda speed things up, after all paperwork, etc. is complete she heads to get her hair cut and a permanent and we find out that she will get her hair cut right then but then she will get her permanent next week. Well, she looks at me and says, "Well, are you going to bring me back over here next week?" What to say.... I just said, "YES!" She then states, "You just sit yourself down right here and wait on me, and then we will be out of here." Honestly, everyone, I had to slip out after being there about two hours getting her room set-up, clothes hung up, decorating for Valentine's Day, etc. and back home I came. I missed her on the way home... I didn't see any oil spewing, I wasn't able to offer any advice to her, I wasn't called any names, I wasn't told what I had done wrong... among other things... I missed her so bad! So, ALL of that to say, if you haven't dealt with Alzheimer's Disease, remember there are many things about this horrible disease that are simply a CHOICE. I know there will come a day when she may not recognize or remember us anymore, and I will treasure the time we have while she still does! Also, I will KNOW that when she calls me names LOL and gets really super agitated with me that there will come a day when she will say nothing, and I don't look forward to that day! She has her 92nd birthday on February 2nd, and we will go celebrate with her in Bay Springs, and she's going to tell us that we (me, Andrea, and Lindy) better get over to that bank in Sandersville and get some of that money they are giving away if we have any "smarts" about us, and we will say... we are going too grandma, we promise!

We love you grandma!

Terri

#alzheimersisreal #dreadedalzheimersmonster

It's A Sad Day... But Then Again, A Day to Rejoice! Amazing Grace

Good Evening All,

As I write tonight, memories are raging in my heart! Today, God called home another true saint. You know I wonder if there will ever come a day when we can finally say that cancer has a cure! Will there ever be a way to completely beat it? I know God has perfect will and perfect timing, and through everything I have been through and every event that I have still yet to walk through, I know that I am  not alone and that God will never leave me. I began to verse a book yesterday that I have been contemplating for quite some time and it is my hope that once I really get going that there are several of you that I want to include your thoughts, your perceptions, your perspectives... and maybe that is why this was on my mind so much and then Ms. Rose and the memories just came flooding back... but do they ever leave... no! Does the hurt ever go away? No... just gets easier to learn to live with in time. Today, God rolled out the red carpet and called a saint home -- Rose Perkins, Jade's grandmother... and man what a saint she was! One of the sweetest ladies that I have ever met! She had that dreaded monster you know-- cancer and she fought the good fight! But, you know our body grows tired and weary and longs for home. I saw it firsthand with my mom, and it was terrible to watch her lay there and try to prepare to let her go. But, it didn't matter how hard I tried to prepare myself, I wasn't ready when God was. And so, in the middle of the night, I jumped up as my mom drew her last breath and held her hand as she begin to enter the pearly gates and check her name on the roll and walk the red carpet! Today, Ms. Rose walked the red carpet just like mom-- you see Ms. Rose had been on hospice too and had really grown tired. My heart breaks tonight for Sherry and for Billy because I know they have a broken heart, and there is really nothing anyone can say or do that changes that feeling. But, I know I did and I know they will find comfort in God's Amazing Grace which has always been my stronghold no matter what. As I wrote yesterday about mother and then received this news today about Ms. Rose, Amazing Grace is the first thought that came to my mind. I know that many of you know this; however, just in case you didn't... Amazing Grace was written by John Newton who for the most part grew up as an Atheist and was basically thrown into being a slave trader at a very young age. He stated that he believed that his own father loved him; however, he felt like his father would never want him to know. Nevertheless, one night as John was at sea, storms tossed his ship to and fro' and he thought this would be the end. He cried out to God for mercy and to save him and redeem him. Because of this, he lived to see the next day and not too terribly long after this quit being involved in the trading of slaves and began to study theology. The story behind this song is quite amazing. I can't help but love Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone. It is such a blessing to me-- our chains, of course, can be our earthly chains in a very specific sense -- our worries, our sicknesses, our hurts, our anger, etc. My mom's chains were many but of course her biggest chain was that of cancer which ravaged her physical body. And then Ms. Rose-- her biggest chain was that awful monster as well -- pancreatic cancer and it ravaged her body. But, as Christians, we can all rejoice that her chains are gone and she has been set free! On this earth, we will miss sweet Rose, and I know that she is doing fine-- already perfectly healed and restored and doing much better than all of us but heck that just doesn't make it any better for her family, and I guess it just brings back so many memories of mother because of such similar circumstances. I pray that all of her family finds peace and comfort in their faith and God's Amazing Grace that he provides to born again believers. Rest in Peace sweet Rose! We love you!

Terri

Here is the link to Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkAZteruVAw

Also, I included another one of my most favorite gospel hymns. Mrs. Frances Hill sang it my mother's funeral-- not your typical "funeral" song; however, it has such a strong message that will speak to your heart about that place we all long for -- heaven!

Be sure and click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VojyZW6O3I8

There is a better place where our Father waits where sin has no place and every tear he will wipe away... there will come a day! Listen and let it speak to you!

Happy New Year 2016 Everyone!

What are your plans for 2016? What are your dreams for 2016? What do you want to accomplish in 2016? Make a plan to make this your best year ever! All of us know what Albert Einstein stated, "If you don't have a plan, then you are planning to fail!" What's your plan? As I look back at 2015, I would have to say that I have been in a learning and planning mode the better part of the year. With a lot of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, I took a leap of faith to chase some of my dreams... and I am chasing! So, what am I chasing? I want to successfully learn how (1) to blog more productively; (2) to finish and publish two books that I have been promising myself I would put my nose to the grindstone and do; (3) to be more productive with my time and talents; (4) to enjoy family, especially my Drew man, Jace, and our newest princess -- Lily Kate more and more; (5) to continue my journey for better health and wellness... among several others. During the month of January, we will take a hard, investigative look at some ways that you can successfully accomplish what you want to do! Happy New Year Friends and have a great day!

Love to All!

Terri