Doreen's New Way of Life (comments are welcome)

[DoeWDW]

Sunday, the Lord's Day, a day to celebrate being a Christian, according to the book I'm reading. I must admit that I've never looked at it that way in the past but I like the idea.

I spent my devotion time this morning reading the chapters about being a good Christian mother. I must say I have a lot of work to do in this area. My biggest challenge? Remembering all the lessons I've learned about healthy habits here on WISH. We've all discovered that baby steps are better than trying to change an area all at once. We've also discovered that working on making ONE thing a habit and then moving to the next is better than trying to change everything at once. This book has sparked so many good ideas for me in so many different areas that I must be careful to take baby steps and to only take on one new habit at a time. These are lessons I'm still learning.

I didn't get all 7 miles in yesterday. It was very rainy! I did try out my new workout pants and they did a great job of keeping me warm and dry, well worth the $30 I spent on them. I did walk for an hour and a half but I'm guessing I only covered about 5 miles in that time. I don't have a reliable pedometer and I took a different route - my DD and I walked to the video store to return some movies. We had a wonderful time together and lots of good laughter. She's a great young lady!

Today:
1. Devotions - done.
2. Meds & vitamins - taken.
3. Water - started.
4. Healthy eating - B will be a banana, L will be a low-carb Subway wrap, PM snack will be a slice of low-carb cheesecake, D?? not sure.
5. Exercise - more walking even though it's a rest day. I'll make up the 2 miles I didn't get in yesterday. Maybe I'll be able to find a pedometer too! I'm crossing my fingers!

 

[Princess Michelle]

Doe, sounds like you had a good devotional time this morning!

I'm glad you enjoyed your walk with your daughter and that your new pants are doing their job!

 

[geetey]

Great job, Doe! The more you and the others talk about your book, the more interested I become. I am not sure I am up to the challenges you ladies have mentioned however. I am happy you are finding direction/challenges in it. It's great to find a book that touches and teaches us.

Yeah for good pants! That's great news that you found something that works!

 

[Strings]

Hi Doe,

I'm glad you have warm pants. What kind are they? I'm needing some new workout clothes soon.

I think it is great that your daughter went with you on your walk. I think that one-on-one with your child is the best gift you can give your child. I'm glad the walk went well.

I'm glad that you are enjoying the book.

Take care,
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

I'm feeling sunny and centered this morning.

Yesterday I earned lots of smilies - devotions, pills, healthy food and exercise. I drank a good bit of water but not enough for my smilie. Still, 4 smilies is a darn good day!

I'll have to check on the pants, Beth. They were made by Nike and had a light fleecy lining with an outer shell.

Today I feel like I'm up to the challenges that will come to me, including my healthy living goals:
1. Devotions - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" Psalms 46:1
2. Meds & vitamins - taken.
3. Water - yep, I'll be drinking like a fishy! 1 mug down.
4. Healthy eating, no candy, no binging - this feels entirely possible today! B = oatmeal w/ raisins & Splenda.
5. Exercise - I have to get out the training schedule but I THINK it's a 3 mile day. I'll be walking with DH tonight.

 

[septbride2002]

It is a 3 mile day. I am so tired from doing almost 8 miles I don't know how I am going to do 3 miles tonight. But I am sure as heck going to try. I am proud of you for this weekend! Weekends are the hardest but you did really well. Are you patting yourself on the back? Because you should be! I didn't get the package out to you today. It is on my to do list for this week.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

I have gotten so engrossed in reading "A Woman After God's Own Heart" that I just could not put it down this morning. I actually called into work and told my boss that I'll be taking a vacation day today. I have been particularly challenged about God's plan for me to be the caretaker of our family's home. I will be the first to admit that housecleaning is NOT my thing. I'm not good at it and I don't like to do it. However, God has called me to this role and it is a blessing for myself and my family to have a clean home. I'll be cleaning with a happy heart today, if that's possible!

Another challenge that Elizabeth George talks about is "eating the bread of idleness" (sorry, can't remember the Biblical chapter & verse). I'm definitely guilty as charged on this one. I can waste time so well! Playing on the computer can become a real time waster for me, and I don't mean my time spent here on journals. I LOVE my computer games and can while away the hours playing as an escape from the stresses of life. I'm sure I can make some time for playing but doing this for hours several times a week is NOT helping me or my family.

I truly feel that reading this book is going to be a life-altering experience for me in a very positive way. Thanks, Tracy, for the suggestion!

Today:
1. Devotions - not yet.
2. Meds & vitamins have been taken.
3. Water - started
4. Healthy eating, no candy, no binging - I was successful with this yesterday and am hoping to repeat that success. B = a bowl of Total raisin bran
5. Exercise - didn't walk yesterday so I really MUST do 3 miles today.

My biggest challenge seems to be fitting all these different things into my schedule. I want to exercise, eat healthy, spend time with God in devotions and prayer, drink my water, clean my home, nurture my husband and each child, be a good mommy to my furbaby, make delicious food for my family, work a fulltime job, visit with extended family and friends,........ The secret seems to be in creating routines that help me accomplish many of these things without a second thought and in an orderly fashion. I don't have those routines yet so I'm getting frustrated. I'll be thinking about this in the next few days. If anyone has any words of wisdom, I'm listening.

 

[septbride2002]

Are you trying to be superwoman? I know this book is motivating you and that is great but please don't take on to much at once because I'm afraid you will crash One thing at a time okay?

You do sound nice and positive this morning - and yeah for you for calling in a vacation day. Sometimes we just need that alone time to focus on what needs to be done. Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I'll be baking pies tomorrow night and preparing the stuffing. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday so I can't wait!


~Amanda

 

[Princess Michelle]

Doe, the more you guys talk about this book the more I know I'm going to have to read it soon.

It really is so hard to fit in everything that we need to do each day. I find it hard sometimes and I have no husband, no children and at the moment I'm not even working. I have other responsibilities that need my attention though. I find that I waste a lot of time as well and something I've started doing recently is asking God to give me wisdom in planning my days and the drive I need to accomplish all the tasks He's set before me. I know He has everything I need and all I have to do is ask and take the action and He'll do the rest. It's not easy, that's for sure but it is most definitely rewarding to reflect at the end of the day on all that you've accomplished (even playing games on the computer, there is most definitely room for that! ) and knowing that you've done something good for yourself, your family, others and that you have also pleased God by living the life He's given you to the fullest. You have a wonderful heart Doe.

 

[DoeWDW]

Michelle, it sounds like you're on the right track!! I've finished the book! If anyone is feeling overwhelmed like I am with all the challenges, there is help in the last section! HOORAY! Elizabeth outlines how she plans her days and I found this section most helpful. I did it her way and then I started into the things I had planned. I've even managed to fit one or two extra things in. Will I get it all done? I don't know but I do know that I've gotten more done already than I usually do in a whole day and I feel like my focus is in the right areas.

At this point, if you walk into my kitchen, it is neat and tidy and relatively clean. I have brownies baking in the oven as a treat for my kids when they get home from school. When I walk into that room, I feel so much more at peace than I did this morning when it was cluttered and filled with chaos.

Next stop.....the bathrooms!!

 

[Princess Michelle]

That's wonderful, Doe. I'm so happy for you!

 

[toystoryduo]

Doe,

I am so glad that you are liking this book! I like the book too, but sometimes find myself on information overload. I know that I can not make all of the changes that I need to make over night, but gradually I can with God's help. I am taking this book on vacation with me so that I can absorb more of the information. I do have an 18 hour drive both ways.

Way to go on taking a vacation day today! I hope you enjoyed your day off.

Take good care of you!

Tracy

 

[lulu201]

Happy Thanksgiving, dear WISH-sis. You know I'm truly thankful for you and our special friendship. Please give my best to your lovely family and let them know I'm wishing you the warmest and happiest Thanksgiving yet!

Our book has surely challenged us and helped us to center and focus on what's important, hasn't it? I think that what will be the most challenging aspect for me will be how to make all or some of her suggestions applicable to my life and my personality. She sure is a "go getter"! I'm also eager to read that other book we discussed--the Mary in a Martha World (wish I could remember that title) and see what that author has to say about being a Christian woman. Also, I'm going to try to pick the brain of my sister, the minister wanna-be (she's in seminary ), and see what her opinions are about different things based on her life experiences. Any good stuff I get, I'll be sure to share!

Oh, gee, I just glanced at my watch. I have to get to work and get ready for my class of toddlers and moms. I'll talk to you Monday, Doreen.

Love,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Guess what I did??? I stayed home from work AGAIN! The kids are home and we're enjoying some time together. I had a 3 hour nap this morning that I desparately needed.

Now I'm off to do some more cleaning. I'm determined that the house will be nice and clean top to bottom by the end of this long weekend.

I also have to make a quick trip to the store for some last minute things I need to take to my mom's for Thanksgiving dinner. That should be a real circus! (the store).

I'm looking forward to going to mom's tomorrow and spending time with my family.

I hope everyone else has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

 

[Strings]

Hi Doreen,

I hope the store isn't too crazy. I managed to get in and out in less than an hour, so I ws happy.

Good for you! You slept in this morning. you definately deserve some rest.

Have a great Thanksgiving at your Mom's place.

Beth

 

[Tera]

Hi Doreen - I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day and then we'll all get back on track on Friday.

I did a quick trip to the store too and it wasn't too bad. Good Luck

 

[Princess Michelle]

Have a great Thanksgiving, Doreen!

 

[vald1977]

Hi Doe,
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[geetey]

LOL! Doe, it looks like you are taking some much needed time off work. I hope you feel recharged and relaxed!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Doreen and Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so happy to hear that you took some relaxing time off from work.

Have a wonderful day today filled with God's blessings, family, fun, laughter, and lots and lots of love!

Take care,
Tracy