tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67731242969502735062024-03-05T22:15:39.795-08:00Inside Grace's Thoughts - Surviving After A SuicideHave not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-68879861170237296262018-07-05T21:59:00.002-07:002018-07-05T22:10:24.296-07:00Teaching My Brain to Have a Good July 5th!The brain is a complex thing. I believe it has a lot more power than we realize. I believe if we suggest something to it long enough, we can eventually believe it to be true. Read some of the studies coming out about how a brain can be rewired from video games or pornography. If that is the case, shouldn't we be able to rewire it in a positive way?<br />
<br />
I have been working on this in a variety of ways to become a more positive and happy person. July 5th is a day that two tragic things happened in my life. I don't want this day to constantly remind me of the sad and tragic. So I decided I need to rewire my brain for July 5th!<br />
<br />
Ten years ago, July 5th we buried my husband. Funerals are days filled with a lot of emotions. So today I decided to focus on the good emotions, like the memories of all the people who loved and supported our family. Or the outburst of laughter when my mom stepped out in the hallway and announced to me she didn't know what to wear to the funeral. I simply told her not that and she looked down and announced in shock that she was naked!<br />
<br />
Sixteen years ago July 5th, was when my husband fell asleep at the wheel and rolled the car four times starting me on the path to the total hip replacement surgery I just went through last month. So let me search for any good in this one! Well there is a lot! I could have easily died that day. In fact, it is a miracle that my two children in the car and my husband walked away from the accident. After being trapped in water for 45 minutes with an angel holding my head out of the water and firefighters cutting me free, I have been given the gift of 16 more years to enjoy my life and my children.<br />
<br />
In that time, I have traveled the world and met tons of new people. Life has been almost a bonus the last 16 years. After the car accident, I have often said, "I am alive for a reason. I need to live life to the fullest to fulfill the reason I lived."<br />
<br />
So if we try and find the positive, even in hard and difficult things, are minds don't have to go back to the negative year after year after year. I was able to do that today on an anniversary of things that were not good and you know what? I had a really good day today.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRrSEqb3NhmeUqq-BWllcRQGrNoMm-6NmZEbSn9iM6Vg6RhDGlFmktP_k0R9rVXeKi0CDHY9nVcgh2ji9YoIJ5IkPChhgAX8s4QvQ1-zoamzP4STnDiDeBFzx0RAS1_6qehWF4CnyTWha/s1600/safari.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1149" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRrSEqb3NhmeUqq-BWllcRQGrNoMm-6NmZEbSn9iM6Vg6RhDGlFmktP_k0R9rVXeKi0CDHY9nVcgh2ji9YoIJ5IkPChhgAX8s4QvQ1-zoamzP4STnDiDeBFzx0RAS1_6qehWF4CnyTWha/s320/safari.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7meHBoq0Ua4hsHr2EURWrp5DsHqARy-2muDIdiApzx2zDWdDSf_yYgmtGLl4SPnqZrezncgtlB1nn77j8-8l-VdvyP2ytCf5bC3NVWATmKLIqUz7Etj5scglk1qkOJDmo0aD0RGzWjMsN/s1600/motto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="851" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7meHBoq0Ua4hsHr2EURWrp5DsHqARy-2muDIdiApzx2zDWdDSf_yYgmtGLl4SPnqZrezncgtlB1nn77j8-8l-VdvyP2ytCf5bC3NVWATmKLIqUz7Etj5scglk1qkOJDmo0aD0RGzWjMsN/s320/motto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My motto!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-78339791145550874402017-06-02T12:26:00.001-07:002017-06-02T13:17:58.776-07:00When Your Job and Life Passion Merge Together For the Good of OthersI love substitute teaching and I love to travel. For the first time since working at JSD, I put the two together with an amazing outcome. Working at the high school level has been very fulfilling. Hopefully by the end of the month I should have my 1983 Utah Teaching License reinstated since moving away. That means the substitute pay will go up almost $12 a day! (sidenote: teachers and subs should be paid better)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALjz8IDwR9xf2IFwkcI64i7JaKKLBPmcxdFaZvws2vcClOjNVjpnFaWJcCtlN0kbUeD1gD0kB3XC1Xa_WvCvo3UA5ed6Y6bZV6MSKon3aoR3oqs3m1MEW39lyjj1fQMAoST-4m685sXjN/s1600/DSC_7018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALjz8IDwR9xf2IFwkcI64i7JaKKLBPmcxdFaZvws2vcClOjNVjpnFaWJcCtlN0kbUeD1gD0kB3XC1Xa_WvCvo3UA5ed6Y6bZV6MSKon3aoR3oqs3m1MEW39lyjj1fQMAoST-4m685sXjN/s200/DSC_7018.JPG" width="200" /></a>I have had the opportunity to work a lot with one particular high school close to my home. The staff and the teachers have been amazing. I have been given the opportunity to do three long term jobs at the school lasting for 6 weeks each. This really helps to build report with the students and staff when you are more consistent. I am trained in the student system so I can do attendance and grades online and that alone gives you a better standing with the students. . . I have access to their grades in long term jobs! That helps them listen better, lol.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIbWuzAmWRCoPKJ6tv8eg2Q4p9LerK5Z3j_LBsiBXqR1W3Az9mkTfZGgBrHJ9zNVKhs2RMtnEww09WRNI3sjNuUJHasFkk6l6l4VNBysdt0kRz81tkpPnEdByeswmWpVGZ4DSBAeuo5CT/s1600/DSC_7020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIbWuzAmWRCoPKJ6tv8eg2Q4p9LerK5Z3j_LBsiBXqR1W3Az9mkTfZGgBrHJ9zNVKhs2RMtnEww09WRNI3sjNuUJHasFkk6l6l4VNBysdt0kRz81tkpPnEdByeswmWpVGZ4DSBAeuo5CT/s200/DSC_7020.JPG" width="200" /></a>This last longterm job was in the FCCLA department teaching sewing. I am so thankful my grandmother taught me to sew when I was in the third grade! It was one of the best jobs ever. I was able to teach and sew for myself during my prep time. The students were scheduled to make drawstring bags for Apparel One. I was heading to South Africa at the end of this job and these bags were perfect to take to the village we were going to be visiting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TxQSL-fkl2ndLRJOwl1NxQ9koy9Eoc_rh3EoyRZtjE26ZvNziQx6fw2ya4FG8-O9ALAlVCDuSjLLWA8lzm7ULjEy8kfpsYAEEQOIUlWoOwGAEOTVnTtR9dz4ylQyuFij5GgBENJgJj1g/s1600/IMG_4795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TxQSL-fkl2ndLRJOwl1NxQ9koy9Eoc_rh3EoyRZtjE26ZvNziQx6fw2ya4FG8-O9ALAlVCDuSjLLWA8lzm7ULjEy8kfpsYAEEQOIUlWoOwGAEOTVnTtR9dz4ylQyuFij5GgBENJgJj1g/s200/IMG_4795.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
My travel buddy Mardell and I, filled the bags with school supplies and made room in our luggage for the bags. About two weeks before the sub job ended, Lois Nielsen a sewing teacher at another local high school, heard I was going to Africa through another substitute. We worked it out for me to pick up their sewing projects "Little Dresses For Africa," a few days before we left. With full suitcases, Mardell and I were off to South Africa.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Udf1Nq_ynTy8L5E9nUDrlGbidHSLIwLnqrBYEatLBEnwQpeEAsdGl-pl-nBN-gWZxoQg8RyqvtBjSwOuSTSMtirqhyBwKYG3nujivngFAwMVe5Kj-pqjo2R2Pj6U_Mu3iIfWGFalWD-d/s1600/IMG_4969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Udf1Nq_ynTy8L5E9nUDrlGbidHSLIwLnqrBYEatLBEnwQpeEAsdGl-pl-nBN-gWZxoQg8RyqvtBjSwOuSTSMtirqhyBwKYG3nujivngFAwMVe5Kj-pqjo2R2Pj6U_Mu3iIfWGFalWD-d/s320/IMG_4969.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a wonderful trip scheduled through Fun For Less Tours out of Draper, Utah. We traveled through five countries, learned a ton of history, went on several land and water safari's and fell in love with the children. Their smiles are beautiful and they are so happy even with so little.<br />
<br />
This is a link to the districts story about the students who helped with the projects.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://jordandistrict.org/2017/05/jsd-students-help-children-in-africa-with-homemade-gifts-from-the-heart/" target="_blank">JSD Students Help Children in Africa with Homemade Gifts From the Heart</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The following are pictures I took of the children in the Zambian Village who benefited from the generosity of these high school students. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0i0AgWe36SF8JSrcfsBZ-3JB2Lr_HyDTDucOE_lPf0HimNpIq_FahKK4Z3Gul8-xd1UX2_bCIeHDzVS489-izhOnNkbeXcgU2IkPZrhCeWWudtirHTJhYhGGAFS-g-f7wITgpwkpofWp/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0i0AgWe36SF8JSrcfsBZ-3JB2Lr_HyDTDucOE_lPf0HimNpIq_FahKK4Z3Gul8-xd1UX2_bCIeHDzVS489-izhOnNkbeXcgU2IkPZrhCeWWudtirHTJhYhGGAFS-g-f7wITgpwkpofWp/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The village guide was given the bags and dresses to hand out. This helps to get them to those in the most need and helped keep us from getting mobbed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbXCjCP42E4c6-PzKuxLysnfXpB4xpZRAffyRgvOHxusijF4OXyO21I7DcdSgDVn34PNy-3YiCw5u1gKSFBVj0Ko1JVLRJ0EVCPxmqk3btzC7VZsvboIdAjbk9PmXxs4DKIsii-0wzV8F/s1600/DSC_9890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1189" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbXCjCP42E4c6-PzKuxLysnfXpB4xpZRAffyRgvOHxusijF4OXyO21I7DcdSgDVn34PNy-3YiCw5u1gKSFBVj0Ko1JVLRJ0EVCPxmqk3btzC7VZsvboIdAjbk9PmXxs4DKIsii-0wzV8F/s320/DSC_9890.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFCsYQ9K4xDfDWZ-BoFpTdCnSQNsBWBzkYOFJzmvEkRoplqh4ApB-yR1NV-UuN0vBxIKKEZ-Se_Er7jduX7rtVhQirrZ4qEoiBSRT3P2F6I6gyn9y8GJekcnkyCPmBX42AFRs9UpmjhFV/s1600/DSC_9911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFCsYQ9K4xDfDWZ-BoFpTdCnSQNsBWBzkYOFJzmvEkRoplqh4ApB-yR1NV-UuN0vBxIKKEZ-Se_Er7jduX7rtVhQirrZ4qEoiBSRT3P2F6I6gyn9y8GJekcnkyCPmBX42AFRs9UpmjhFV/s320/DSC_9911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya4ubyy0bgclN0i0HGVrgC72TGMUVilqTS9H1mEfbuyDvMHLsQBLHe6MOM2Zpb0FFjJamBZUt4-eyyz9UlVpvIwch2B7MJQ3U5JqKPu3s6vvxp17RNeq4EbameAovaYaxgxfmTbACXQtJ/s1600/DSC_9912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya4ubyy0bgclN0i0HGVrgC72TGMUVilqTS9H1mEfbuyDvMHLsQBLHe6MOM2Zpb0FFjJamBZUt4-eyyz9UlVpvIwch2B7MJQ3U5JqKPu3s6vvxp17RNeq4EbameAovaYaxgxfmTbACXQtJ/s320/DSC_9912.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8sZyR99ripTdGxqJqREH3qZCB_ZZfBAA0zgYrdhd5O3IKGxovk0ARaEDGfPQjpKJ0ps5H3Loey98Ub-gEZTEhp2w2ND4yZBxVC-gfQ5m95CtQ6QBTLjMSgWIXbaTRgwMhLF3rFMODmQY/s1600/DSC_9923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8sZyR99ripTdGxqJqREH3qZCB_ZZfBAA0zgYrdhd5O3IKGxovk0ARaEDGfPQjpKJ0ps5H3Loey98Ub-gEZTEhp2w2ND4yZBxVC-gfQ5m95CtQ6QBTLjMSgWIXbaTRgwMhLF3rFMODmQY/s320/DSC_9923.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4mHWukDHhlGN3_CcLoQ3olSXS6K_4dl2ncAZfiwlfwU-iXVL4tVCcHLWy0gTcLOaSvn2bDVAd4M8eanYYnrwKgv-BfFLSYGwYTOKjrr0T-Ix_OjruZknG1aBt3H_Rau7sYI4ZHo3V6b_/s1600/DSC_9935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4mHWukDHhlGN3_CcLoQ3olSXS6K_4dl2ncAZfiwlfwU-iXVL4tVCcHLWy0gTcLOaSvn2bDVAd4M8eanYYnrwKgv-BfFLSYGwYTOKjrr0T-Ix_OjruZknG1aBt3H_Rau7sYI4ZHo3V6b_/s320/DSC_9935.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM8SudUTCFm-078SeE3PW1SErpH8wQ8C1qNHatWVSDehgixojBr5XOI4hjyKKUCgOtS7cM6DAeskJHSJufm1ZlVeBzlpwUi8nl2YnYchGF9y-VeFRWcK4oRfHKc2_LT9I3hi5WbGkkrpU/s1600/DSC_9938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM8SudUTCFm-078SeE3PW1SErpH8wQ8C1qNHatWVSDehgixojBr5XOI4hjyKKUCgOtS7cM6DAeskJHSJufm1ZlVeBzlpwUi8nl2YnYchGF9y-VeFRWcK4oRfHKc2_LT9I3hi5WbGkkrpU/s320/DSC_9938.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP90BKr-6IYFFc6hT3ZZBmM88ctvKvSiFI2zf01SAfCMXsocsiBHtxJgx4uZdCi9sb1adiLmxzCI9IfWm4EphIKVpAHNs8mYSv-2i1-ysR2a3R8P27lFNEqhQyc2ZssRvS0Qw46zYp8Cv/s1600/DSC_9954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP90BKr-6IYFFc6hT3ZZBmM88ctvKvSiFI2zf01SAfCMXsocsiBHtxJgx4uZdCi9sb1adiLmxzCI9IfWm4EphIKVpAHNs8mYSv-2i1-ysR2a3R8P27lFNEqhQyc2ZssRvS0Qw46zYp8Cv/s320/DSC_9954.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEdxdiI1XHL_39NweT6XZsSN2RPYSt078PrkLRN00YADuNcpdXqpRdnl_P1DANKED05_Q_NdkBGNIujTIWvBP5qTAp7rNpHchpGDB_fHLw02f5zrzTB5iVud3jF7xpYlKR5jGjoqhNRoo/s1600/DSC_9959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEdxdiI1XHL_39NweT6XZsSN2RPYSt078PrkLRN00YADuNcpdXqpRdnl_P1DANKED05_Q_NdkBGNIujTIWvBP5qTAp7rNpHchpGDB_fHLw02f5zrzTB5iVud3jF7xpYlKR5jGjoqhNRoo/s320/DSC_9959.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE her smile!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2eEcnnFRtoUrZEQpOUqzpbZaAPCZCY_KUGyPVm_7KlqIVdbOWfSfC-S6RL_nSGtAJENknUjn_jFpbWfGmDytzTAqyHihb4pT8EZouJrAdCmVqHGsIVRgibV_A3GJvlBWSHr_LR_bZf6c/s1600/DSC_9969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1023" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2eEcnnFRtoUrZEQpOUqzpbZaAPCZCY_KUGyPVm_7KlqIVdbOWfSfC-S6RL_nSGtAJENknUjn_jFpbWfGmDytzTAqyHihb4pT8EZouJrAdCmVqHGsIVRgibV_A3GJvlBWSHr_LR_bZf6c/s320/DSC_9969.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I have a question?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CEGUxEJHj-YMWNYKcH3Oijql56faFOdY6DaT_T6vmOhRXT47dP6KFc2D1lZYJlPi3W2Crx3CrUOZyJJiaivgzus4QnlB9KajA10-pHOuVD-HvYDq7BlD8_YjUcPi1cZjjA0J70fwOGhc/s1600/DSC_9970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CEGUxEJHj-YMWNYKcH3Oijql56faFOdY6DaT_T6vmOhRXT47dP6KFc2D1lZYJlPi3W2Crx3CrUOZyJJiaivgzus4QnlB9KajA10-pHOuVD-HvYDq7BlD8_YjUcPi1cZjjA0J70fwOGhc/s320/DSC_9970.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTtZfOPVbbtKIkDG-Ex9EWAFCWz3POG-OpPvzt18tbaemI0Ibl_YGdd96HD8kPfFw0axSmCtYxUKxd5RDuqJJEi4O-ALJlrCuWVGIPp_ILeqJUd-JRT3g_2ZN4oNhUHj_c0MHsL2tIZaJ/s1600/DSC_9979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTtZfOPVbbtKIkDG-Ex9EWAFCWz3POG-OpPvzt18tbaemI0Ibl_YGdd96HD8kPfFw0axSmCtYxUKxd5RDuqJJEi4O-ALJlrCuWVGIPp_ILeqJUd-JRT3g_2ZN4oNhUHj_c0MHsL2tIZaJ/s320/DSC_9979.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-8801908714103262322017-06-02T00:00:00.001-07:002017-06-02T12:48:44.888-07:00All Depression is Not the Same!<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I have been going to a team of doctors for chiropractic and
physical therapy work. I noticed that everyone in the treatment area has
different symptoms and different treatment. No one is on the exact same care
plan. This is good because our issues are different. The same should go for
cancer treatment, thyroid treatment, or any other medical issue. They should be
specialized to the patient.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 4.5pt 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">So why is it that people think depression is all the same and
should be treated the sa</span><span class="textexposedshow">me? This drives me crazy. In a recent conversation my daughter
had with someone, he tried to convince her that she could just choose to be
happier. Because CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) worked for him it will work
for her. Using CBT and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) can help many people
and can be a great tool, but that doesn't mean it will work the same for all.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Take my late husband for example,
on more than one occasion, I had walked in the room to find him staring down at
his feet with no expression. He couldn't tell me the last time he ate or even
if he needed to go the bathroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 4.5pt 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">In that state of mind, no CBT or
DBT was going to help him. So you say, practice when you are healthy so you can
use it when you are not. That might work to a point, but when you have that
deep type of depression that should be called a brain disease instead, that
does not usually work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 4.5pt 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I am no doctor. I am a widow that
was a caregiver that spent everyday with my late spouse. I couldn't even get
him to laugh at a joke when he was in a dark state of mind. He would stare at
me blankly and try to comprehend what I was talking about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt;">The bottom line, one treatment
does not fit all. Educate yourself. If you suffer from depression try
everything you can to see what works including therapy, medications, sunlight,
exercise, CBT, or DBT. Share what worked for you but do not assume it will be a
fit for others. If you are a caregiver, make sure your loved one gets access to
whatever is best for them. And then help educate others to get rid of the
stigma with mental illness. No one asks for this disease. No one wants to spend
days feeling like they are in a deep dark place. Love them, listen to them, and
let them know you will be there for them. I love you</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><a data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=602893872&extragetparams=%7B%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/SoftlyFalling?fref=mentions" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #365899; text-decoration-line: none;">Marie</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10.5pt;">and all others who have to live with
this awful brain disease.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-4265596449832441552017-01-23T17:28:00.000-08:002017-01-23T22:04:43.334-08:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why, As A Woman, I Didn’t Need to
March<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Marching with your fellow supporters
might feel like a good thing to do and that is okay, but it is a one day event.
Out of the millions of marchers, how many are doing something once a week to
support their cause? It seems like it is mostly all talk and no action except
for the one March that leaves thousands of dollars in waste to be picked up.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that you shouldn’t march for a cause, I’m
saying maybe we could do other things instead of or along with marching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I was raised to leave a place better
than you found it. That alone would have made a huge difference on the way non-marchers
viewed the Woman’s March. It is like the
“Occupy Wall Street” events. Nothing much was accomplished other than causing
our tax dollar to be spent on clean up. Sure, the protesters had fun, they didn’t
have to work or go to school, and they could sit and sing Kumbaya all day if
they wanted. But the least they should
have done is clean up after themselves. If you want your rights, you have to be willing
to let others have theirs without making them feel less a person for their
choice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> If you want to see women’s rights
taken care of then go do something like work in a woman's shelter or with the courts.
Women caught in domestic violence situations often get re-victimized by police
and courts, and it is not necessarily intentionally. Become an advocate for the
abused woman and learn how to help them get out of those relationships. Help
educate and teach job skills to lower income women who feel stuck and want out
but don’t know how. Can you imagine if all those people who marched went home
and made a difference by reaching out to help one woman instead of just
marching? Thousands would truly be affected. Think of all that money spent in travel, posters, and hats that could have been donated to a local women's shelter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I didn’t feel the need to march
because I am trying to do something. It might not be much but it is something.
My cousin and I run a Facebook page called “Healing For Women.” We try to make
daily posts that can lift and educate women on abuse, narcissistic behavior, depression,
suicide prevention, PTSD and other issues. I have watched my cousin Shareene
use her personal experiences to get a woman to a safe house and away from her
abuser. I have cried with several of
these women as they in confidence tell us how something we posted changed their
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The best way to empower women is to build each other up. Lets
help each other feel validated by acknowledging our unique differences instead
of tearing down our confidence with petty mean comments and cat fights. Value
each woman and not just the ones that think the same as you. Teach the young
girls within your influence to not compare themselves with others. Teach them to
be kind and respectful. Teach them they look perfect just the way they are. Teach
them to be inclusive. Teach them they can be happy right now and not when they
reach some goal or they will always be chasing happiness. And of course, teach them to smile. A smile
can melt the angry heart, cheer the downtrodden, and help heal a broken heart. Yelling in the streets that you are right and everyone else that believes differently is wrong doesn't do much to build and bring us unity as women. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(I want to clarify that I had many good friends march, clean up, and not make others feel less of a woman for believing differently, </span>unfortunately<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> the media doesn't find them as news worthy)</span></span></div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-71981250079721766022016-08-09T13:50:00.002-07:002016-08-13T22:05:56.693-07:00Depression Helps part 2 of Opportunities to TeachLet me start by saying I am not a professional doctor or therapist. I don't claim to have all the answers. I just know that no one had answers for me when I needed them most, so I want to share what I learned on my journey with my husband's depression.<br />
<br />
Depression is so difficult for the person suffering from it, but it can also affect the people around them. If those of us that are healthy are prepared, we will be a better strength for them. Remember 1 in 4 will suffer at some point in their life from some type of depression. You will have this touch your life.<br />
<br />
I had an interesting conversation with my son the other day. He was reading history about our forefathers and the early men of our country and he noticed something. They had meaningful relationships with each other. Man to man. They were affectionate with each other and could express their love to one another in a normal man to man way. Their interactions showed real caring and tenderness toward each other. That man bond seems to now be gone in most places of America. The comradery with a group of men that have to work closely together seems to give them strength. Maybe that is a missing link into why American men are having such a difficult time sharing their struggles with depression. The bonds between men are different now. They have been taught affection, crying, or hugging between men is a weakness or the sign of an alternative lifestyle. It is not.<br />
<br />
Look at third world countries who have nothing. Their communities still rely heavily on each other. The men are not isolated as just the lead of their home, they stick together to make their community work. They also seem to have less issues with depression. It could also be the stress placed on men today in our world. I am sure most American men feel like they can't do enough for their family. The pressure on them is very high and the outlets for them have dwindled. Just an interesting observation that may be contributing to the problem for men. I know my late husband was happier the few times he was able to spend quality time with his male friends.<br />
<br />
Here are some links to a few of the websites I have used to find information. These are some of my favorites.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://empoweredlifesolutions.com/" target="_blank">Empowered Life Solutions</a> (Covers Anxiety, Depression, Healthy Living, and Happiness)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nami.org/About-NAMI" target="_blank">NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness </a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ldsliving.com/Nine-Things-You-Shouldn-t-Say-to-a-Depressed-Loved-One-And-What-to-Say-Instead-/s/72557" target="_blank">Nine Things You-Shouldn't Say to a Depressed Loved One And What to Say Instead</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://theemilyeffect.org/" target="_blank">The Emily Effect</a> (Prenatal Mood Disorder)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/real-men-get-help/" target="_blank">Real Men Get Help</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.lds.org/mentalhealth" target="_blank">Mental Health (read the questions at the bottom)</a><br />
<br />
Here are some descriptions I took from several websites, medical posts, and other information. I am sorry I can't give the original writers the credit they are due, but I have put this together over many years from different sources. This shows 9 basic types of depression but each type can have sub types.<br />
Remember: Depression is like a finger print, it is different for everyone.<br />
<br />
<b>Atypical Depression</b> - Often considered a sub-type of Major Depression or Dysthymia and is the most common type of depression. Normally talk therapy works well. Symptoms: Two to three times more common in women than men. Oversleeping, overeating, weight gain, irritable, relationship issues, a sense of heaviness in the arms and legs - like a form of paralysis.<br />
<br />
<b>Situational Depression - </b>About 3 times more common than major depression. Medication is rarely needed and it clears up over time, but it should not be ignored. Symptoms: Situational depression is triggered by a stressful or life-changing event, such as a job loss, death of a loved one, trauma, and even a bad break-up. Excessive sadness, worry, or nervousness. Diseases can cause this type of depression.<br />
<br />
<b>Postpartum Depression - </b>Affects about 85% of new moms. May need a combination of talk and drug therapy. Symptoms: Some sadness after their baby is born, up to 16% of women the sadness is serious enough to be diagnosed.<br />
<br />
<b>Major Depression - </b>Affects 7% of the US adult population. Usually antidepressant medications are needed. Symptoms: major depression, extreme sadness, hopelessness, lack of energy, irritability, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep or eating habits, feelings of guilt, physical pain, thoughts of death or suicide.<br />
<br />
<b>Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder - </b>Affects 5% of women and is much more severe than PMS. Help for this may include a combination of talk therapy, drug therapy, and nutritional therapy. Affects women during the second half of their menstrual cycles. PMDD can be severe enough to affect he relationships. Depression, anxiety, mood swings more severe than PMS.<br />
<br />
<b>Seasonal Affective Disorder - </b> 4 to 6% of US population is estimated to be affected by SAD. Light therapy or artificial light treatment is helpful. Anxiety, increased irritability, daytime fatigue, weight gain, occurs in winter climates of places with less sunshine.<br />
<br />
<b>Bipolar Disorder - </b>2 to 3% of the US population are affected. Usually treated with drugs called mood stabilizers. This is the highest risk group for suicide. Periods of extreme high to low to high (also called manic depressive disorder), high energy, excitement, racing thoughts, poor judgement. There are 4 basic subtypes: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic Disorder, and Specified Bipolar.<br />
<br />
<b>Dysthymia - </b>Hits 2% of the US population. Usually responds better to talk therapy. Low mood over long period of time, chronic depression, people can function adequately, but not optimally.<br />
<br />
<b>Psychotic Depression - </b>20 % of the people with depression have episodes so severe that they see or hear things that are not really there. This type may require a combination of antidepressants and anti-psychotic medications. They lose touch with reality, false beliefs, delusions, hallucinations, catatonic, do not leave their bed.Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-7928427761055521722016-08-07T21:30:00.000-07:002016-08-07T21:30:30.600-07:00Opportunities to TeachI am amazed how opportunities still come my way to use our family's trials to teach and help others. In July, I was given the opportunity to teach a lesson to the women of our church congregation. The topic "Finding Joy in the Journey." Before talking about joy I talked about depression and how hard it is for some to find joy.<br />
<br />
Of course I was prompted by the lessons learned through my experiences with my late husband Mike. I printed a list of places people can go for help and wonderful resources. I had a handout on the 9 basic types of depression and some of their sub types. Of course being the teacher, I learned the most. I wasn't quite ready for the positive responses I received over the three weeks after the lesson.<br />
<br />
I have learned that sharing our personal hardships, help us to see each other as the humans we are. We tend to think everyone is perfect while we struggle and that is not the case. I am glad that I was guided to say the things that these women needed to hear. Even more surprising to me was being asked to share the lesson again but this time with the men of our congregation.<br />
<br />
I feel strongly about keeping the men and women separate because they might open up more and ask questions with less hesitation. Eventually a mixed group would be the next step. I am so glad that our church is talking more about depression. My late husband said it would be a plague of the last days that would affect the righteous as well as the wicked. Eight years ago before his death it was still a secret killer that no one really liked to talk about.<br />
<br />
So today I taught the men. I started by sharing the wonderful and normal things about Mike. Then I talked about his secret dark side that was sometimes even hard for me to deal with. One in four suffer from some type of mental illness. That meant that out of the 50+ men there at least 1/4 dealt with or will deal with depression themselves or within their family. This will touch all of us. Different types of depression need different things. Some just need talk therapy and some types need medications. Men, don't be afraid to ask for help and keep a loving eye out for your spouses too.<br />
<br />
One of the men asked, "if your husband was always praying, serving, and reading his scriptures plus getting the medical help he needed, what else could you have done to save him?" Good question. So here are some tools that might help:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Eat healthy and less sugar</li>
<li>Exercise daily and that means a good hard aerobic heart elevating exercise at least 5 times a week</li>
<li>Spend some time outdoors in the fresh air</li>
<li>Try and go to bed at normal times and get a good nights sleep</li>
<li>Deep breathing and meditation</li>
<li>Spend time with family, don't go into isolation</li>
</ul>
<div>
My oldest daughter who suffers from depression wrote this:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Make a working list of little things that bring a smile to your face. Little things that warm your heart. I say working list because it will change over time. My list started with a hot cocoa and pumpkin scone from Starbucks. It also included specific songs and little interactions with my son. Over time I realized the most important thing to me in life, as well as the thing that brings me the most happiness and joy, is family. </div>
<div>
I encourage all of us to look inside ourselves and ask, what are some things that make me smile? What are some things that bring me joy? It doesn't matter how small or big they are. Write them down and the next time your're feeling down take that list out and try one or two of those things. One of my all-time favorite quotes from Gordon B. Hinckley says, "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next post: a list of helpful articles and places to go to for help.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-26566980442474117462016-07-27T22:51:00.000-07:002016-08-07T23:00:33.426-07:00World Hopecast Interview LinkI had the awesome opportunity to be one of the guests on the World Hope Cast back in March. It was an amazing experience. They broke the world record for the longest continuous podcast. All the speakers were fabulous and brought hope into the world. He you would like to hear my interview, it is at the link below.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.worldhopecast.com/grace-chumley/" target="_blank">World Hopecast - Speaker Grace-Chumley</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-33041296459529701652016-03-11T19:26:00.000-08:002016-03-11T19:26:45.514-08:00My World Hopecast Interview <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyt9L6ZwnRnXu9WhmodU43Gwpndf2VT4M4ZKs5AkblxVtUdCx0dO1mkl-X-vNwxAqmd5nmc9Fx1m96xAPK-HKTyyPAhZWFylmtl0p_H-9DapA3nrAiHODCZwA3Wt52ksFgvBvm5kYhOZi/s1600/Final-Logo-with-Words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyt9L6ZwnRnXu9WhmodU43Gwpndf2VT4M4ZKs5AkblxVtUdCx0dO1mkl-X-vNwxAqmd5nmc9Fx1m96xAPK-HKTyyPAhZWFylmtl0p_H-9DapA3nrAiHODCZwA3Wt52ksFgvBvm5kYhOZi/s320/Final-Logo-with-Words.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="bjtvd-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bjtvd-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bjtvd-0-0"><span data-text="true">Many of you have possibly heard of motivational speaker Dr. Paul Jenkins, well I am being interviewed by him on the WORLD HOPECAST next week, so please sign up now to listen!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="cgl61-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cgl61-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="cgl61-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="kep7-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="kep7-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="kep7-0-0"><span data-text="true">This is a record breaking internet podcast with interviews of experts from around the globe in a record attempt (certified by Guinness) for the longest live-streamed audio webcast, while providing powerful messages of hope to the world, from around the world.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="95lck-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="95lck-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="95lck-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="9oo55-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9oo55-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="9oo55-0-0"><span data-text="true">Registration is Open! Please take a moment to register yourself, and then invite your friends to do the same. Once you register, you will receive a unique link and instructions that allow you to follow the live stream. I will be interviewed on Friday at 12am Mountain Standard Time. Tune in online, Thursday night just before midnight to hear my Friday 12am interview podcast live. Let me know if you can't listen to the even that night. I will have a direct link to my interview after the entire podcast for World Hopecast is over.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="2usve-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2usve-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="2usve-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="bvlug-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bvlug-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bvlug-0-0"><span data-text="true">The link you receive will work for the entire event, not just my interview. You will also have access to the schedule and can share the event with others. This is the direct link to the registration page:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="ddlso-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ddlso-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="ddlso-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="3r7oa-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3r7oa-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="3r7oa-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="http://worldhopecast.com/registration" target="_blank">http://WorldHopecast.com/registration</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="26l9f-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="26l9f-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="26l9f-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="2bhb9-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2bhb9-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="2bhb9-0-0"><span data-text="true">World Hopecast does not sell or share your e-mail information. Even if you can't listen to mine, register and listen to other podcasts or mine at a later date :)</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="fhkke-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fhkke-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="fhkke-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="6gs40-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6gs40-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6gs40-0-0"><span data-text="true">Grace Marie Chumley</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="823i6-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="823i6-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="823i6-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="2pbav-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2pbav-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="2pbav-0-0"><span data-text="true">"Put on your natural make-up, SMILE"</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="1isad-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1isad-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="1isad-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="1c7b7-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1c7b7-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="1c7b7-0-0"><span data-text="true">Author of:</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-offset-key="pbjb-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="pbjb-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="pbjb-0-0"><span data-text="true">"Grace Under Pressure - Smiling Through Adversity"</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-4234506504314436012016-01-27T01:01:00.001-08:002016-01-27T01:05:56.147-08:00Intentional Teaching<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a teacher, I have been thinking a lot lately about what I
taught my own children. Did I ever intentionally teach them something? Or did
they learn from my actions which could have been good or bad? Did I assume they
would just know something without ever giving them the information to learn? There
are times I wish I could go back and do a better job at raising my children. They
are wonderful, but I can’t take a lot of the credit for that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When our children where from 3-5, I did a preschool program
with them called Joy
School. Joy School
is a program started by Richard and Linda Eyre that gives you the information
to teach lessons on the joy of service, the joy of creativity, the joy of spontaneous
delight, the joy of trust, etc. There are a few things that I know I intentionally
taught my children due to Joy
School or because they
were important enough in my mind to cover like my lesson on respecting personal
property. (Ask me about that sometime. It was effective!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are also many things I did not teach well. Take the
handling of money for example. It was common in our family to use phrases like ‘money
burns a whole in your pocket’ or ‘we can’t afford that.’ Unfortunately we said
those instead of teaching our children to make a plan of how to earn and save
money so they could obtain something. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
example of this would be gathering the family to make plans for a vacation and then
shooting down the ideas because they cost too much. This teaches children a negative
attitude toward money. I know for us as parents, we sometimes would have
disagreements about money or have problems with the checkbook that were minor
but appeared to be major to the listening child. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We may want our children to be reverent in church and expect
it from them, but have we taught them what that looks like? Are we playing on
our iPhone but expecting them to be quiet? I had a friend that taught her children by having reverent time at home. They would sit on a chair to see how long they could be quiet. The young ones started out with 10 seconds but got excited to try and go longer and do as well as their older siblings. When they went to church they knew what it felt like to sit reverently. If you give a child a car, to keep them 'quiet' at church, they will want to make varooom sounds, they are kids! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are we teaching values like kindness
and sharing? Or do we wait until a fight breaks out? Are we teaching them how gossip hurts and lying just makes issues
worse? Or do we wait until something happens then say ‘you are in trouble now
for lying!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Being a parent is hard work and not everything works with every child. Consistency is important. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is also really important to look for teaching moments
throughout the day, but it is also just as important to intentionally teach
your children the things you feel will give them a great foundation. Don’t
leave that to society, church, or schools or they may not turn out the way you
planned. This applies to chores too. My mother would ask us to dust. I did what
I thought was dusting and she would scold me and then do it herself. She was a
great mom but never showed me how to dust. She never showed me how to cook either!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was one of those kids that needed to be
shown more than once, but she assumed I knew from watching her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pick 10 concepts this year that you feel you want your
children to really understand. Then take one a month and work on it with them. Find
examples to point out, stories to read, and talk about the subject over dinner.
Ask for examples your children saw during their day. Reinforce their behavior when they work on the concept. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Intentionally teach; don’t just expect
children to know something. </div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-54297156143553982272015-12-07T08:39:00.000-08:002015-12-07T08:39:00.098-08:00Earlier this year, my daughter wrote a beautiful post on Infertility
and the difficulty it was to go through. It was an eye opener. So I took
her format and wrote what it is like to be a widow. This Christmas
season, take care of the widows in your life. It is a hard place to be
and none of us asked for the title.<br />
<br />
<b>What does it mean to be a widow?</b><br /> It is making decisions you thought you would never have to make<br /> It is deciding if you want your name on a headstone yet<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> It is cooking for one<br /> It is candle lite dinners alone<br /> It is trying to figure out where you fit in<br /> It is sitting home lonely because you don't want to be a burden to anyone<br /> It is learning to live alone, for the first time in your life<br /> It is holding yourself together for your children<br /> It is learning to sing and smile again<br /> It is filing paperwork to get what is rightfully yours<br /> It is trying to make everyone happy with your decision<br /> It is a ton of 'why me'<br /> It is piling junk on the bed so the space next to you doesn't seem so empty<br /> It is having the first year of difficult dates pass, when everyone else is over your loss in a week<br /> It is not knowing what to do with your future<br /> It is staying out late with your widow friends so you don't have to go home to an empty house<br /> It is wishing couples wouldn't complain about being married<br /> It is wanting to be surrounded by family during holidays so you won't feel so alone<br /> It is wondering if your kids will call<br /> It is being told not to talk to your friend's husband anymore because you are single<br /> It is being forgotten when your church has a dance or party for couples<br /> It is learning to kill the spiders, fix the electrical issues, and make your own home repairs<br /> It is having a hole in your heart and life<br /> It is not having someone to discuss politics rationally with anymore<br /> It is not having someone's hand to hold when you need strength <br /> It is holding your pet when there is no one to hold you<br /> It is trying to feel love on Valentine's Day<br /> It is hiding the pain of loneliness<br /> It is not wanting to date because you can't ever replace your spouse<br /> It is wanting to date so you don't have to live alone<br /> It is not being invited out with your married friends anymore<br /> It is going out to dinner alone<br /> It is not having someone to kiss on New Year's Eve<br /> It is wondering if you are a horrible person when you move on<br /> It is deciding when to take off your wedding ring<br /> It is depending on God for survival and to walk with you<br /> It is finding out you have joined the Widows Club, a club you didn't want to join with a very high entry price paid</span>Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-70556001138552531992015-10-29T10:30:00.004-07:002015-10-29T10:30:58.615-07:00Surviving the Risks and Hazards of the Work Place<div class="MsoNormal">
With all jobs there are risks. Most of them are risk from
injury but there are other risks and hazards. Back in the 90’s I was working
for a school district that hired an independent company to run our alternative
program. It was good for a while but then the company made some changes. I
witnessed our lead teacher (we did not have a principal) yelling in the face of
his secretary. I witnessed the district not backing the employee’s complaints.
In fact, by the time the district fired the company and their lead teacher, all
my office coworkers had quit. Of course we were still seen as complaining
employees and not as employees needing help from an awful situation the
district had put us in and then refused to acknowledge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The new
principal couldn’t start until the beginning of the next school year so the
district hired someone to come in and clean up the place for the last few
months of school. Her job was to get rid
of the problem causers. She walked up to me one day and said, “I hope you have
a good self-esteem because you are going to need it!” I looked at her and
replied, “I do, and I don’t get any of it from my job.” She was a bit startled
by my response and walked off. She did everything to try and get me to be
miserable, but I continued to do my job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the
fall, when the new principal came she told me that the district wanted her to
get rid of me. She asked me why and then allowed me to prove my worth. Within a
month she was telling me she did not understand where the district was coming
from and that I was one of the best secretaries’s she ever worked with. I received some of my best job evaluations from
her. They were so positive that the next district I moved to told me they had
never received such rave reviews about someone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
risks were high to stay with that job and face the disrespect and constant
scrutiny I faced. I had nothing to hide. I was good at my job
but I knew there was always room for improvement. I also had a solid knowledge
that my self-worth was established by God. Nothing they said or did could
affect my self-esteem. I would not allow that. My value and worth were
established by God and if I believed anything else I was giving in to the power
of Satan. That is what I believed and how I survived.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most
people don’t realize the risks in the job of a teacher but there are many. It just takes one student who doesn’t like
you to take you down. Hopefully they don’t realize they have that kind of power.
Teachers also have a hard time protecting students who are there to actually
learn from those that disrupt. Another problem is that parents will believe
their student over a teacher. When I went to school, I would have been in so
much trouble if I talked back to a teacher. My parents would have stood with
the teacher and I would have been grounded. In states that guns are not allowed on school campus,
teachers who are licensed to carry have no way to defend themselves or their
students. Times have definitely changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last
week, I had one of the worst classes ever. The eighth grade class had 25 boys
and 3 girls. The teacher had warned me about how bad they were for her. There
where at least five boys who were constantly rude and disruptive. I was trying
to read to the class and these boys were walking around the class talking. The
numerous times I asked them to sit down and stop they point blank said no. I
had never seen such rude defiant behavior. Since there was only 15 minutes left
in the school day, I did not send any of them down to detention. Instead I gave
them a short lecture on taking charge of their education. In that lecture, I mentioned that they were
responsible for their education. It was
up to them to learn and move ahead in life. No one wants to get stuck saying
‘do you want fries with that’ for the rest of their lives. Working at McDonald's
might be a good jump off job but unless you are in management you don’t want to
be stuck there. One of the students yelled out that it was the teachers fault
if they didn’t learn. Then several of the boys rambled on about how I was
accusing them of being low level McDonald’s workers. I corrected what they
thought they heard. Lecture ended and so did the class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Part of
a substitute’s job is to write up a report of all the classes. I gave great
reviews for all of them but the last class. I wrote up exactly what happened
and even mentioned two of the boys by name. Then I went to the office to check
out, I told them exactly what had happened. I wanted to make sure they knew
about it. Four days later I receive a ‘Sub Warning’ e-mail from the district.
You get two warnings before being evaluated and then let go as a substitute.
You don’t get to defend yourself to the school or the teacher. In fact you can
receive a second violation if you do. The charge? Lecturing students and <i>telling</i> them they would only be able to
get a job working at McDonald's. Apparently parents and students were offended
that I said, “they would never have a good job and would
have to say do you want fries with that for the rest of their lives.” Obviously that is not what I said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
handled it well since I still believe I don’t get my self-worth from my job. I
sent the district a letter explaining what I did and what actually happened and
asked them to put it in my file. I didn’t argue the points or call anyone a
liar. Instead I chalked it up to one of the risks of the work place. But I was truly saddened. I am sad that
students would go that far. They knew the truth and didn’t care. Sad that
parents no longer hold their children accountable or take the time to listen to
the teachers side of the story. I am sad that a person’s career and livelihood
could end if a student wrongfully accuses a teacher. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These
hazards and risks in the teaching profession are part of the reason for the
decline of good strong teachers. In a work place where the teacher is guilty
until proven innocent, it is hard to keep good people around. Many subs have it
worse because they don’t get the chance to establish a relationship with staff
since they move around so much. This puts the risk of teaching much higher for
the substitute. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
world is a tough place. All jobs have their hazards and risks. If I could plea
for one thing in my field, it would be for parents to support the schools and
teachers. Hold your children accountable. Listen before jumping to conclusions
and honor those that march into the classroom to help today’s youth come out
better than the last generation. Support substitutes, they have a tough job
moving around from class to class never getting the chance to build a
relationship with the students or staff and far too many substitutes attach their self-worth to their success in the classroom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately
I have spent the last few days at the local alternative school. These kids come
because they want to even with all the struggles that they have in their current
lives. They want to move on and get out of the place they are in. The staff
here? Wonderful, they have included me and even given me a free school t-shirt.
What a difference in schools and attitudes. <o:p></o:p></div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-652735780847067962015-07-14T16:18:00.002-07:002015-07-14T16:53:59.687-07:00Please Stop Saying "Committed" Suicide by Kyle Freeman<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is something I had not really thought about. I like her thought process on this. It has a softer feel and not so harsh. I included her blog site and this entire post below. I will be walking in the 'SLC Out of the Darkness' walk on September 19. You can donate in Mike's memory at:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a7a7a; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=738997">Donate in Memory of Michael Chumley</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://18miles.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/please-stop-saying-committed-suicide/">Kyle's Blog</a><br />
<br />
Before my brother Jeff died by suicide, I never thought about the way I talked about suicide. Immediately following his death and for a long time after, I was so shocked that the terms used to describe how he died mattered little. But as time passes, and the shock subsides, I’ve discovered that I bristle each time I hear the expression “committed” suicide. Historically, in the United States and beyond, the act of suicide was deemed a crime. Until as recently as 1963, six states still considered attempted suicide a criminal act. This is so insanely absurd to me that I’m not going to expend any more energy on the history of the topic.<br />
<br />
<font-family: 0px="" 14px="" 15px="" 21px="" baseline="" font-size:="" georgia="" line-height:="" margin-bottom:="" outline:="" padding:="" serif="" times="" vertical-align:="">
Thankfully laws have changed, but our language has not. And the residue of shame associated with the committal of a genuine crime, remains attached to suicide. My brother did NOT commit a crime. He resorted to suicide, which he perceived, in his unwell mind, to be the only possible solution to his tremendous suffering. If I was telling you about a friend or loved one who actually <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">did </em>commit a crime, chances are that I’d feel at least a little embarrassment or shame on behalf of that person. But I don’t feel even the tiniest bit of shame about how Jeff died. Of course, I wish with every fiber of my being that we had been able to successfully help Jeff and that he was alive today. But shame, nope, I don’t feel that about my brother. I focus on how proud I am of who he was in his life – passionate, thoughtful beyond words, brilliant, determined, and braver than most people I know, for enduring his pain as long as he did. Yes, Jeff Freeman was a brave, brave man. As is any person who grapples with deep emotional distress day after day, year after year.</font-family:>
<br />
<font-family: 0px="" 14px="" 15px="" 21px="" baseline="" font-size:="" georgia="" line-height:="" margin-bottom:="" outline:="" padding:="" serif="" times="" vertical-align:=""><br /></font-family:>
So to say that someone “committed” suicide feels offensive to me and I’m not easily offended. The offense is in the inaccuracy. With that said, I don’t judge people for using this expression – until August 17, 2007, I did the same. But now I don’t. And I humbly ask that you consider the same.
<br />
When you have occasion to talk about suicide, please try to refer to someone dying by suicide. By shifting our language around suicide, we have the power to reduce some of the massive shame carried by survivors of suicide. If you feel scared or helpless about what to say to someone you know who’s lost someone to suicide, take comfort in knowing that, by changing your language about suicide, you’re offering a counter cultural act of kindness. It might seem small but the interpersonal and political impact is nothing but huge.
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-2131699613441360372015-07-13T13:27:00.000-07:002015-07-13T13:27:22.143-07:00‘LONELY’ NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH WORD TO DESCRIBE WIDOWHOOD Written by Catherine TiddI found this to be a great article. I have been a widow now for 7 years and can feel totally alone in a crowded room. It is surreal.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.opentohope.com/lonely-not-powerful-enough-word-to-describe-widowhood/#comment-1596522My">http://www.opentohope.com/lonely-not-powerful-enough-word-to-describe-widowhood/#comment-1596522My</a><br />
<br />Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-87413152732321584512015-05-13T18:37:00.000-07:002015-05-22T21:40:21.942-07:00Come Check Out My New Blog "The Happiness Choice"I need followers on my new site! If you followed me here, check out the new site and follow it. I try and get a few posts up a month on learning to make healthy, happy choices in eating, exercise, and
life. I will be sharing some of the new recipes I am trying and other
fun things. Check it out:<br />
<br />
http://chosinghappiness.blogspot.com/ (and yes it say chosing not choosing because that was all I could get.)<br />
<br />
Also check out and share my daughter's blog on her journey with infertility and now having twins!<br />
<br />
http://littleivielane.blogspot.com/<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNo9JU7FAGWs5YXJdRO9ODwBRTVXwe-Z0cfU76qf15gGc6FjTmIC5pciHvXgc7qlVxaSAuN8rLlMwjEsVoaahWQz2P7KWhBmC_c0bvtW6Hl2tbg6Ckp6TtxWVyv7apz2-COoZ5G3sA3mU/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNo9JU7FAGWs5YXJdRO9ODwBRTVXwe-Z0cfU76qf15gGc6FjTmIC5pciHvXgc7qlVxaSAuN8rLlMwjEsVoaahWQz2P7KWhBmC_c0bvtW6Hl2tbg6Ckp6TtxWVyv7apz2-COoZ5G3sA3mU/s320/IMG_6092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2x4eC0-5Gz9CtNkk_QfS2Cfhj9ASv4XcaktDbsnDQxrQUbXMiTDySWhS73rPyPrOup6LdlxyWDZo_49qdn4VLgkOhy-TcbhOD49E1U5eXYZFJoymfgiBkZQSexHiMSJwXeZzkMqp9l4Xd/s1600/IMG_6238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2x4eC0-5Gz9CtNkk_QfS2Cfhj9ASv4XcaktDbsnDQxrQUbXMiTDySWhS73rPyPrOup6LdlxyWDZo_49qdn4VLgkOhy-TcbhOD49E1U5eXYZFJoymfgiBkZQSexHiMSJwXeZzkMqp9l4Xd/s320/IMG_6238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-88910451499768715852014-06-04T20:00:00.001-07:002014-06-04T20:01:52.241-07:00Check Out My New Blog!I don't write on here much anymore because, well we are surviving well. I made the big move to Utah from Washington to be closer to my married kids and grandchildren. It was the best move I have made. I am working in the local school district now as a substitute and that has been a great blessing.<br />
<br />
I get to see my two grandsons a lot! One is currently living with me. The other is 25 minutes away. To top it off, my youngest daughter announced she was having twins in November! You can read all about her journey on her blog about her battles with infertility. There is also a great video of how they told me. It has over 2000 hits on YouTube! Check out her site:<br />
<br />
http://littleivielane.blogspot.com/<br />
<br />
My new site is about learning to make healthy, happy choices in eating, exercise, and life. I will be sharing some of the new recipes I am trying and other fun things. Check it out:<br />
<br />
http://chosinghappiness.blogspot.com/<br />
<br />
Thanks for following me on my past journey and I hope to see you on my new one at "The Happiness Choice."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoo72he8iEMxsAgnkufNIEX37puMtw3PmAvsCtVtue_53BgGLbCQYmfMNHrpKucsRePxPITAxGK3SyPX9j8_P4morAJK_FzABU_mQVAiM5TCs4HiKfHhve9md29DT5r9ljOIO8vnrmN2G/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoo72he8iEMxsAgnkufNIEX37puMtw3PmAvsCtVtue_53BgGLbCQYmfMNHrpKucsRePxPITAxGK3SyPX9j8_P4morAJK_FzABU_mQVAiM5TCs4HiKfHhve9md29DT5r9ljOIO8vnrmN2G/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
<br />Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-5892705843286673982013-11-11T00:10:00.001-08:002013-11-11T00:12:46.199-08:00The Adventures of MovingFor the past few years I have spent my summers in Utah to be closer to my kids. Then I head back to Washington for the school year to get work substituting in the schools. This year when I went back to Washington, I sat at home for two weeks with very little interaction, no work, and mostly political phone calls. There were the occasional calls from my aunt Donna but most of my interaction came from Facebook.That is when I finally felt, I am done here. It is time to move on to a new adventure and what an adventure it has been!<br />
<br />
When I finally decided to move to Utah permanently, things started moving fast. I had a lot of time to pack, so I did a few boxes everyday. I made one dump run, overfilled my garbage can weekly and made at least 6 Goodwill runs. When you have time to pack, you can pack things just the way you want. It was nice. Two of my dear friends from Redmond came over to Sequim to pack some of my kitchen and bookshelf. It was so fun to have them there and spend time together. Very few friends in Sequim offered to help box, and by the time they did, it was to late and I was done. I don't think they realized how soon I was leaving.<br />
<br />
I don't know how anyone tackles major events in their lives without a church family. When it came time to load the truck, Jeffrey had flown home to help me. The 16-18 year old boys from church and their leaders came to help. One of the leaders is my second cousin Vance Willis. He is an amazing packer! We packed a 27 foot U-Haul but it wasn't enough. I needed another 17' truck that I would drive. So the next day Jeffrey and Vance packed the small truck and we were finally ready to head out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zRQUGaqpHm0Ett7qwMJ_hsz2awl4Ks37_jqNIG0de3q5iIO1IjKW9c961SWejxbdNZ6X3jyEUVzcEbAwpEQVCF3AjdqAQ_fwj7GPQ6S-fpnzLqB9m2XLdXgFPQ3Dnh2BIonBbPd2SpSt/s1600/1419347_10152020783422206_2146680761_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zRQUGaqpHm0Ett7qwMJ_hsz2awl4Ks37_jqNIG0de3q5iIO1IjKW9c961SWejxbdNZ6X3jyEUVzcEbAwpEQVCF3AjdqAQ_fwj7GPQ6S-fpnzLqB9m2XLdXgFPQ3Dnh2BIonBbPd2SpSt/s200/1419347_10152020783422206_2146680761_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The first leg of the trip was from Sequim to Portland and it rained the entire way. I asked Jeffrey if he wanted to travel with the cat or dog. He chose the cat and I was glad. Our hotel nights with the animals were great. They were traveling pretty well and they behaved in the hotels-. The second day we went from east Portland to Burley, Idaho. It rain all the way to Boise and was a long day but having walkie talkies with us made it nice. Somewhere before crossing into Utah, Jeffrey heard a strange noise so we stopped and checked out the trucks but couldn't find anything wrong.<br />
<br />
Two times after that cars driving by were trying to tell Jeffrey something about his van. We would stop and check it out but saw nothing. Upon returning the van to the U-Haul store, Chris and Jeffrey realized that the back inside tire was flat! We were so blessed not to have an accident driving with that flat!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTveY0teBTnbUp-Y3bpH1awt7sMqD5P2qUQq8mHQdywwQ-gPYsfBQrfIirkqzZNnWDpCoJ1QGV91zTbBED_9nI2btuZTFiUcMoupsGY3g5r8T0J5_qimjLZuRIrUC3H7Q1k21L8h2xHlLQ/s1600/1469006_10152023501037206_932951863_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTveY0teBTnbUp-Y3bpH1awt7sMqD5P2qUQq8mHQdywwQ-gPYsfBQrfIirkqzZNnWDpCoJ1QGV91zTbBED_9nI2btuZTFiUcMoupsGY3g5r8T0J5_qimjLZuRIrUC3H7Q1k21L8h2xHlLQ/s200/1469006_10152023501037206_932951863_o.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
So for now, I have 3/4 of my stuff in the new house that I don't own yet, 1/4 is in storage and a few odds and ends are with me. I have no idea where most of my clothes are, where any of my make-up is, and I am living in a basement with boxes surrounding me so I feel like I am in a cave with two animals! This is definitely and adventure.<br />
<br />
How am I holding up with all this? Better at times. I have lost 8 pounds most likely from stress. I feel homeless (and if you know the 'Forgotten Carols' I am guessing you are singing right now like my kids keep doing.) Honestly, it feels like I don't belong anywhere. Very strange feelings for me but that is honestly how I am feeling. Helpless, lost, unsure, nervous, displaced and sometimes sad. It is all very strange, but I know it is just temporary.Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-26353921604590968112013-10-13T00:50:00.000-07:002013-10-13T00:58:59.538-07:00Time To Move On From Mike's Dream To My DreamsMike was raised on a farm in the small town of Warden Washington. He loved the small town life. He always dreamed of moving the family out of the city and back to the country. When the opportunity came to move to Sequim Washington, he was excited. His dream was to build an auto shop on our property. "Mike's Right Auto Repair." He always believed in doing things the right way and the honest way. Honesty and integrity where very important to him. <br />
He was never able to fill this dream and never made the move to Sequim with us. Rachel and I decided to stay in Sequim after his death. It was the best decision for Rachel and blessed her with so many opportunities and growth. After she left for college, it was a bit lonely here for me. I still had wonderful youth that would visit and join me for movie nights. In the summer, I would go to Utah to live near my married children then come back for the school year to substitute teach. I never really thought of leaving Sequim but was very lonely here.<br />
This year when I returned home, I felt lost. It wasn't home anymore. I had no reason to be here. This was Mike's dream. What was mine? It didn't take me long to realize I needed to be near my children and grandchildren. This decision to move has been scary and filled with challenges. The market is bad and I will lose on the sale of my home from what I purchased it at. The economy is bad and moving may be crazy right now. I will have a mortgage on my new house until the one in Sequim sells and on a substitute salary, that is scary. With all the doubts and fears, I know it is the right thing to do. I know the Lord is guiding me and leading the way. "Come what may, and love it," will continue to be my motto for life.<br />
I will be leaving behind family and friends that have carried me though life over the last 5 years. It will be hard, but I know it is time to find my dream and live it and I know my dream will only be complete surrounded by my children and their families whom I truly love. So good-bye Sequim, good-bye Washington; it is time for me to find my dream and live it.Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-50998415367103713842013-08-24T15:50:00.000-07:002013-08-24T18:04:17.890-07:00What Comes With Age? FUN TIMES!!!<div class="MsoNormal">
Is 50 old? Nope! When my dad turned 50 he went snow skiing
for the first time. I thought my dad was old and that he would break his neck.
He didn't even fall, loved it, but never did it again. 50 still seemed old
to my 10 year old brain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I turned 50 a few years ago, (I know it is hard to
believe) I have done some of the coolest things! Here is a quick list: 5K
Dirty Dash (mud run), para sailed, cave swam, 5K Electric Night Run, zip lined, snorkeled,
swam with dolphins and turtles, 5K Color Run, hiked to 2 waterfalls, several
light houses and an animal refuge, 5K To Hell With Cancer, took a jet boat to
the Na Pali Coast, wrote a book, 5K for CF, paddle boarded, walked all over France, Italy, Washington
DC, Danmark, Norway, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Estonia, and kayaked in
the ocean!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So all of you young people that think 50 is old, think
again. My muscles ache and I get tired and sore easier but life is great. I
have money and time to do things I have never done before. So don’t feel like
getting old will limit your adventures, just keep on truckin, even if it is at
a slower pace!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what is my next adventure? I have another 5K coming up,
2014 Central America and the ruins, 2015 South America and the Antarctica! The adventures
will stop when my heart does…even if that means wheelchair races in a rest
home! LOL<o:p></o:p></div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-70415677978051721252013-08-11T13:33:00.001-07:002013-08-11T13:34:59.583-07:00Life, People, Reassurance, and Trusting God<div class="MsoNormal">
It was recently brought to my attention that there are a few
that feel I tend to hang out with youth more than adults because I like the
‘drama’ and being involved in it. When I first heard this, I laughed because it
couldn't be farther from the truth. Then it kind of hurt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My personality is such that I am a youthful person; I see
life a lot differently than most adults. I am open and honest and not uptight,
so most youth feel comfortable around me. Working at a school, working with the
youth at church and having the means to provide activities at my home allows
for a lot of youth to walk through my doors. And with life, unfortunately often
comes drama. Do I search it out and want to be in the middle of it? Not at all.
If that were the case, I would spend all my time backstage with the youth
during a theatre production instead of in the lobby. When youth are at my home and it is getting
late, I remind them to check in with their parents and then trust that they
have. When youth come for a movie night, I trust they have picked a good movie
for the group, but that doesn't always happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have had youth break into my home to pull ‘pranks,’ take
my car without permission, rough house way beyond normal in my home, steal, and
lie to me. I try to teach them lovingly where the boundaries are and what is
and isn't appropriate. Some learn, some don’t. On the other hand, I have had
the privilege of late night gospel talks and providing a safe place for kids to
hang out in a town with not much for them to do. I have been praised and I have been criticized
for this. That is okay, I have been blessed by Heavenly Father to know what I
am supposed to do concerning youth and I try to follow that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I asked a few people, adults and youth, what they thought of
a statement like that about me wanting to be at the center of the drama. They
too laughed and didn't feel it was true. That was reassuring. So I asked them why they think it is I tend
to ‘hang out’ as some would call it with youth more than adults. I was touched
to hear them say things like: “you listen to us and don’t jump to conclusions,”
“you trust us.” “You show us and our ideas respect,” “you go out of your way to
help one of us in need.” These phrases were very kind of others to say and I
hope they are true. I would love to be that kind of person. I often say I hang
out with youth because I have no life. That isn't entirely true. I have a
wonderful life. I love the opportunities I am blessed with to help people and
travel. My children and their spouses like having me around so I know I am not
overbearing and a pain! I go out of my way to give them the space and privacy
that they need even when we travel together. If they ask my advice, they know I
will give it, but if they don’t, I really try to stay out of their way. As a
mother, that can be hard sometimes. But I must be doing things right because
they all like having me around. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thankfully, I am not one to place my faith in people. I
place it in my God. What others say may hurt for a bit but what matters is my
relationship with God. There are those in this life who have hurt me and I
forgive them. That doesn't mean I have to trust them or spend time with them. To
know I am doing His will and what is asked of me to the best of my ability is
comforting. May we all be more kind with our words and forgiving in our
relationships. Don’t judge others, leave that to God. <o:p></o:p></div>
Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-38859558372599250922013-07-24T11:26:00.000-07:002013-07-24T11:55:18.886-07:00What Legacy Are You Leaving For Your Posterity?It's Pioneer Day in Utah. I can't help but think about my amazing ancestry and the sacrifices they made for me to be who I am and where I am. I am thankful for my ancestors who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary & Civil War. I am thankful for strong women who came to this country, with children in tow, to start over. I am thankful to my pioneer ancestors who left the comforts of back east and other countries, to come out to Utah, California and Washington. I have an amazing heritage of strong, hard working, honest, people who have shaped my life. I am who I am because of them. I love reading their stories and learning about the life's they led. I find myself very blessed to be a part of my heritage.<br />
<br />
So what can I do with this heritage now? How can I make a difference in the world because of who I am and who they where?<br />
<br />
I guess the best start is to learn more about them. Go visit the places they passed through. I had the opportunity to go to Danmark this year where my Christophersen heritage is from. On the dock in Kopenhagen, there is a statue of a young girl who was leaving her homeland to head to America for religious purposes. The cobble stone along the dock has the names of other countrymen who left for the same reason. The name of my great great grandmother is there somewhere. I even have a history of their voyage and her strength. She moved with 4 small children and against all odds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNGSOdyVkt0CTmzwZd_92nhFf7VY7zxXC3DNmqgpc-e8ue90FGJPUz3zQJDN88YeAsGf-kjeJA5DBMhQew7pUN8ezzBa5mEY4WglyxAB6awJypKDjNg4oVvh8xArgQNXQ_W6hOrYuloLU/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNGSOdyVkt0CTmzwZd_92nhFf7VY7zxXC3DNmqgpc-e8ue90FGJPUz3zQJDN88YeAsGf-kjeJA5DBMhQew7pUN8ezzBa5mEY4WglyxAB6awJypKDjNg4oVvh8xArgQNXQ_W6hOrYuloLU/s200/DSC_0024.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QBVisoOhPxyj4DLEPWSbU3nM5QTkbpYTR7fXRs48wmGLci_HJ6p_3Q_fdArUISE6zN3IqB4OwnMcqtoH7IlBXnFTcz9UTXOqD76e6lQH_JfSMuJ-TOwiqx_5T0TJfUWy52Yk3Tu4-Ezp/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QBVisoOhPxyj4DLEPWSbU3nM5QTkbpYTR7fXRs48wmGLci_HJ6p_3Q_fdArUISE6zN3IqB4OwnMcqtoH7IlBXnFTcz9UTXOqD76e6lQH_JfSMuJ-TOwiqx_5T0TJfUWy52Yk3Tu4-Ezp/s200/DSC_0023.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hPgvvlYVJ9zDQiDQv26nPDS4oUlXJOUb7y9UgSwEU7k8abWnebRHHLi_3PdeBdLVXpviZLW8H-R43y1GybSa_3YQinG46gkFGPHXCgWn8BNbA5HZZGIRuWt15VYzsaWjwQnEn3KDszUd/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hPgvvlYVJ9zDQiDQv26nPDS4oUlXJOUb7y9UgSwEU7k8abWnebRHHLi_3PdeBdLVXpviZLW8H-R43y1GybSa_3YQinG46gkFGPHXCgWn8BNbA5HZZGIRuWt15VYzsaWjwQnEn3KDszUd/s200/DSC_0028.JPG" width="133" /></a><br />
<br />
There is also my Willis line that moved west in the great migration because they were driven from their homes in the dead of winter by people who just didn't understand them. The stories of what they went through and the opposition they faced is moving. They had to farm land that wasn't irrigated, bury family members in shallow graves alone the trail, and endure invasions from Indians and Mexico. In some ways, our lives are very easy.<br />
<br />
I can't even imagine packing up 9 kids and all your belongings into a car and moving from New Hampshire to Washington State like my great grandparents did in 1905. Leaving a married daughter behind knowing that changes were they would never see her again. There is also the Firebaugh side of the family that left the Shenandoah Valley to move to California and start the first ferry across the San Joaquin River. And also the confusing and murderous controversy of the San Francisco Embarcadero that my family has claimed to have once owned.<br />
<br />
To learn about my ancestry is exciting and intriguing. They have shaped who I am. Now it is my turn to make a mark in the world. What will I be remembered for? What stories will I write and leave behind? Or will I be forgotten in time? I love watch "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "The Story Trek." Both shows tell what impacts people can have on us and that we all have a story.<br />
<br />
I hope I will be remembered for my smile, my integrity and my honesty. My ability to move forward as they did when all looked dark and lost. I hope I am being generous and kind to those I deal with and that I am seeing them as the wonderful people they are. When we look at people or other countries we tend to look for what is wrong. I hope I can be remembered for looking at what is right.<br />
<br />Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-24953162270322437052013-05-01T02:18:00.001-07:002013-05-01T02:18:45.023-07:00May is Mental Health Awareness Month<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Think of what you can do in May for Mental Health Awareness Month. Everyone has someone in their life that suffers from mental illness. Make sure you let them know how wonderful this world is with them. This month if you buy my book 'Grace Under Pressure - Smiling Through Adversity' <b>I will donate a portion of the sales to Bring Change 2 Mind. </b>Read the article below to understand their mission.</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Grace</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">MESSAGE FROM GLENN CLOSE and BRING CHANGE 2 MIND:<br /> <br />
Many of you learned about Bring Change 2 Mind through our 2009 Public
Service Announcement (PSA) directed by Ron Howard and filmed in New
York’s majestic Grand Central Station. Thanks to generous media
partners, and your outreach, our anti-stigma awareness message has been
seen by an astounding 800 million people.<br /> <br /> Our community is strong but we w<span class="text_exposed_show">ant
our collective voice to be louder! In support of Mental Health
Awareness Month this May, we’ve partnered with Time to Change, England’s
largest program challenging mental health stigma and discrimination, to
create a new PSA based on one of the U.K.’s most effective social media
campaigns.<br /> <br /> We need your help!<br /> <br /> As we develop our new
campaign, we’re looking to you to help us fund a small portion of the
production. We’ve called in lots of favors but some fixed costs must be
covered. With your donation, large or small, we will reach millions of
new viewers. If you cannot contribute, we hope that you will continue
to support BC2M by sharing our message, enlisting friends to take The
Pledge and helping us grow our community through Facebook and Twitter.<br /> <br /> Our message is based on the latest science.<br /> <br />
Members of our Scientific Advisory Council have measured the efficacy
of a Time to Change PSA prototype for an American audience. Data
collected from this study shows increased understanding of the
commonality of mental illness, a reduction in social distancing, and a
strong belief that recovery is possible! We will reshoot the PSA
featuring my family. Like 1 in 4 families affected by mental health
disorders, we struggle through the challenging times and celebrate the
good days.<br /> <br /> It’s time to talk about mental illness and end
stigma & discrimination. Thank you for your participation in our new
campaign and your continued support of Bring Change 2 Mind!<br /> <br /> With great appreciation,<br /> <br /> Glenn Close<br /> <br /> To show your support with a donation please click here<br /> <br /> Or Mail Checks to: BC2M, 1265 Battery St. 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111<br /> <br /> In recognition of your contribution:<br /> <br />
Gifts of $1,000+ will receive a BC2M Campaign Partner Certificate with
my signature and special title credit in an online version of the PSA.<br /> <br /> Gifts of $250+ will receive a collectible BC2M Campaign Partner certificate with my signature<br /> <br /> Gifts of $100+ will receive a BC2M t-shirt <br /> <br /> 100% of your contribution will be put towards the PSA campaign and is fully tax deductible.</span></span>Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-34472417086325655792013-04-06T21:02:00.001-07:002013-04-06T21:02:11.340-07:00Celebrate Life to the Fullest - What's On Your Bucket List?I know I have said this before, but I love my family! I had the opportunity to visit all my children and their families last month. They are lucky for the next 5 months to all live within 15 minutes of each other.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xVdGqvq2Dq6VjfWpvNIW18B4LmlzN3BRK-Q1mUJcOHQcQD1qqLzYlOAPJTCHgtm437NENQ9108s2FBVGhycE1Ccn1viWuvM1lQeW13o_s35kM3irByNU6_KtphU3fJEKUnDxjqmq4twV/s1600/IMG_0169%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xVdGqvq2Dq6VjfWpvNIW18B4LmlzN3BRK-Q1mUJcOHQcQD1qqLzYlOAPJTCHgtm437NENQ9108s2FBVGhycE1Ccn1viWuvM1lQeW13o_s35kM3irByNU6_KtphU3fJEKUnDxjqmq4twV/s200/IMG_0169%5B1%5D.JPG" width="150" /></a>While I was visiting, I was able to watch my grandson Ethan for a few days. He patiently went to visit apartments with Rachel and I, so we took him to the aquarium as a reward. Fun times. He is a sweetheart. We always say to each other, "I love you to infinity and beyond." Last month, he sent me his 'shadow' after reading the book "Flat Stanley" in preschool. I took the shadow on several adventures and then returned him to Ethan with the journal of our time together. It was a lot of fun. We were glad to see his shadow still fit when we arrived.<br />
<br />
Chris and Rachel moved after being with me for 4 months. It will be lonely here but I am so glad he was offered a wonderful job. They found an apartment and are settling in to their new life. I am glad she will be living near her siblings and hope they can spend some time together.<br />
<br />
Another wonderful blessing arrived while I was visiting with everyone. My son and his wife now have a beautiful baby! He was 11 pounds and 1 ounce and mom had a rough time but they are all home and healthy. They named their son after both of their fathers. So we now have a new Michael Chumley in the family. He is adorable, big, and cute as can be. I can't wait to go back and hold him again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithRHYxHvYnYPi_mQcb7Y-hepYKu9L4Mclct3GPPEdj8o6SBbyKcVGNsTcwOOG19cWnDYVGIQG5Y6V_FteriuqZpEd3NZnm6uA63wYxwQZ726uhTqRM-B2iXzTHAyLxIraL1ai8gRcEkz9/s1600/IMG_0280%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithRHYxHvYnYPi_mQcb7Y-hepYKu9L4Mclct3GPPEdj8o6SBbyKcVGNsTcwOOG19cWnDYVGIQG5Y6V_FteriuqZpEd3NZnm6uA63wYxwQZ726uhTqRM-B2iXzTHAyLxIraL1ai8gRcEkz9/s200/IMG_0280%5B1%5D.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As for me, lots of fun things are going on. I set a goal to do three 5K's this year and just finished my first one. I walk and try to jog a bit. It feels so good to feel healthy! I have lost 30 pounds and 8 inches since last October and feel great. I have less pain and my bursitis has hardly bothered me. I feel so good!<br />
<br />
I received a pin today at the 5K that says, "Celebrate life to the fullest - What's on your bucket list?" I had to laugh because I have done a lot of the things on my bucket list and need a new one! I love the phrase "Celebrate life to the fullest." Life is short. Celebrate the good and find the happiness that surrounds us. I love visiting with friends and learning about their lives. With all of them, there have been tough times, but everyone of them that find the good in their tough times, are happy people. Life is tough. Life is hard. But if we can smile and find the good, we are so much happier and that radiates to the people around us. Someone recent asked me if I am always smiling. Well no, but I try and I actually practice smiling when no one is around! Yes my secret is out. I practice smiling!!! I smile while driving down the street, I smile while typing on the computer, and I smile when I am at home alone. And guess what? That smile seems to happen a lot more when I practice. Life is hard and we all go through pain, but we can still find ways to celebrate life to the fullest and smile along the way. Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-47912110506665610692013-02-20T13:40:00.004-08:002013-02-20T13:42:11.323-08:00Another Valentine's Day Slips ByIt is February again, and for those who know me, it is kind of a tough month. Sad to say February 7th went by without me even thinking about that as the day of my first date with Mike and the day he proposed 2 years after that first date. I am not sure if it is sad I didn't think about it or good that I am moving on...<br />
<br />
Valentine's Day is always harder for those who don't have someone special to love. My daughter and her husband are living with me temporarily so she made some amazing cupcakes and we shared them with people. Service always helps so we don't dwell on ourselves. That night, I dressed up and went to a church dance with them. Most of the couples were older so Rachel and Chris didn't stay too long. I decided to stay and make some new friends. It was hard watching all the couples dance but at least I was visiting with people.When I came home, I found this on my bed. It was very touching, sweet and made my day! I love my kids and their spouses. Everyone wants to know they are loved. Most people NEED to know they are loved and not just on Valentine's Day but every day. "I LOVE YOU," may be the most important words you ever utter. Say it often.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzxDUe6iHQtg-fov2vtu5cCXkYb4GYHm5b95PKMM1fcC-TnM5FUhyhX3CX0RV1bA4fkoRSrYHilbn7ttdZxuc-MFTBKOfayoT1k8K48x2T19B2aEHrIIs_uwp2NiQPm1RB8Ft1dnWiSAZ/s1600/857406_10151452389627206_1672848330_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzxDUe6iHQtg-fov2vtu5cCXkYb4GYHm5b95PKMM1fcC-TnM5FUhyhX3CX0RV1bA4fkoRSrYHilbn7ttdZxuc-MFTBKOfayoT1k8K48x2T19B2aEHrIIs_uwp2NiQPm1RB8Ft1dnWiSAZ/s320/857406_10151452389627206_1672848330_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-82806588028606030452012-12-04T19:54:00.001-08:002013-01-06T20:53:08.982-08:00My Book is Finally Written!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uSr72VpbOE6d_pPNG_6S1QMx8pmpeVzQJ0rfo8EH8j4yV-ewjUAZeSh4tIBBI4GfQht5iWAZxILTwIT5VMWCAsHTTusY6AhMrolfStk07ZXvPrDsdjt5WQUzwC-lZGTXQTYzRlL9wAs0/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uSr72VpbOE6d_pPNG_6S1QMx8pmpeVzQJ0rfo8EH8j4yV-ewjUAZeSh4tIBBI4GfQht5iWAZxILTwIT5VMWCAsHTTusY6AhMrolfStk07ZXvPrDsdjt5WQUzwC-lZGTXQTYzRlL9wAs0/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
I am so excited right now! My book is in its final review, it has a cover and will be ready to sell by 12-10-12 . This is a dream that has taken a long time. The first few chapters are not from my blog but has some information that is a great addition. So there is a lot of new information. It will be available on Amazon, Kindle or directly from my blog. I hope to have several copies at home too and would love to sign them personally! Spread the word!<br />
<br />
The cover picture is one a took at the Outer Banks right after hurricane Sandy passed through. I love the ocean. It is powerful but yet has such grace and beauty.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.createspace.com/4065462">It is currently available at:</a><br />
<br />
It is also available on Amazon.com for Kindle or paperback!<br />
http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Under-Pressure-Chumley/dp/148105385X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357518733&sr=1-4&keywords=grace+under+pressureGrace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773124296950273506.post-88842496555696921802012-07-21T09:33:00.002-07:002013-02-20T15:29:25.596-08:00Wedding Photo for Rachel and ChrisI know it has been awhile, but I thought I would share the professional photos from Chris and Rachel's April Wedding. It was a beautiful day for April and all the receptions were perfect. Great way to start married life!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nickellphotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/chris-rachel-ut-wedding-event.html">Professional Pictures from Chris and Rachel's wedding</a><br />
<br />
As for me, I spent the summer living in Utah were all my kids were living within an hour of each other. We have had a lot of fun together. Picnics, Stadium of Fire with the Beach Boys, dinners, game nights, and next week WICKED at the Capital Theatre! It has been fun but at some point I have to go back home and Chris and Rachel will head back to Hawaii to finish school. Jeffrey will start a medical program here in Utah keeping them here for another 3-5 years. Chris and Marie will hopefully finish in 1-2 years and move somewhere in the Northwest. So life is good and we are holding together as a growing family.Grace Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18173770700285415019noreply@blogger.com0