Happiness is a choice!

You can teach an old ”Grandma” new tricks

My parents were good. I knew I couldn’t read as well as the other children. But I did learn to read, just slower. I always felt that I was special and had something inside of me that no one else had. Though it was hard for me in school to keep up. I managed with the help of my friends. I have always been the mothering kind. I pretty much love everyone. When I see a sign that says, “It is too “peopley” out there”  I am yey! It is “peopley” out there. Honestly, I always wanted to go to college, but I didn’t because of fear, money, time and lack of support. I continued to learn. I earned a certificate with,” on the job training” as a preschool teacher. This taught me to read. I have continued to learn and read books on business building, leadership, budgeting, money management, parenting, health and wellness and a variety of subjects to give me a better understanding of the world. I homeschooled my children and while doing that I continued to learn the skills I missed in public school. I have started several businesses and have become a leader. I train and teach,

Read More »

2 years later, still learning from “Bald headed moments”

-a bald-headed moment is when you are suddenly vulnerable or taken by surprise and you turn it around into bettering yourself. https://youtu.be/u3JkAB53vc8 From the age of 10 years old, I knew I was a strong swimmer. I could jump off a high dive, bridge and be confident that I could swim to the side. It was a humbling experience and hard to believe that I was no longer that girl. This was a new normal for me. I could walk, talk and take care of myself. But I was unable to hike, swim and be the active person I have been my entire life. Because of this I started putting limitations on myself and felt like this was a reasonable limitation, even after 2 years of recovery. Here is an example; I have been a piano teacher for 20 years and played throughout my childhood. After chemo and radiation, my fingers started locking up. My right hand is swollen and sore. When I was asked if I could accompaniment a musical number in sacrament meeting  I replied that I had retired. I have played simple songs with my grandchildren, though I have to admit that put that talent on the

Read More »

The Shame of Cancer & How Being Impetuous Saved My Life

Really? Stage 4+ lymphoma, one week to live? I am the healthy one, I actually prided myself in my poverty.  Yes, I was prideful that I was poor,  and I grew my own herbs and bought in bulk, capsuled them, and made my own vitamins. I had my children at home to save money and live naturally. We raised our beef and chickens, fresh eggs and organic beef and potatoes out of the field. Big garden and a variety of vegetables. I would process a whole deer right off the foothills into bottles.  We lived off the land, I was a hippy kind of farm girl. Pillar of health.  I swore that I would NEVER allow chemo in my body. If I could have a 10 lb baby at home and live off the land, I could beat cancer with natural remedies! Oh, the shame of “How can I face the world and admit that I have cancer? ” Just pure embarrassment. I started using oils and herbs that would fight cancer. I am confident that this prolonged my life by a few weeks. But it was no match for this fast-growing cancer. My first thoughts were that I would just die

Read More »

What is “Real” at Christmas?

I felt so numb. My legs felt like wood. I am Christmas Carol. That is what my mom called me! But she is an angel in heaven and I think she is pretty busy. ( my mom painted these figuriness and notice the book says Christmas Carols, Yes that is about me:)               I would take pictures of off the kids in front of the Christmas tree. Yes, Tex is an angel in heaven and he wasn’t feeling the Christmas spirit that during this picture, maybe because the lump of coal in his stocking was mentioned 100 times a day!   Then I remember the Christmas I was exhausted and drank hot cocoa and watched movies as my children visited their father and we started a “new normal” Divorced parents after 25 years of marriage. Ya, that was a memorable Christmas.   Just 2 years ago I was pretty sure it was my last Christmas because of a life-changing cancer experience.    But now I am here to face these memories, and my heart, legs and mind just wasn’t sure what to do. This is the 1st time in a very long time that I was

Read More »

Hope Lodge gave me,”Hope”

All my cancer treatments were a quick stay in Salt Lake City at Huntsman’s hospital and back home for the first while. I knew there where other people with cancer because I would see them for the day. But then I was back home to my own little world. This all changed when I was told that I needed to continue with 18 radiation treatments. My aunt said that she would drive me every day from Bountiful Utah and take care of me. It sounded so comfy and perfect. I was worried about being a burden, but she assured me that it would be fine. She came down with a terrible sickness right when it was time for me to go to radiation. We needed to make different arrangements. I was terrified. We were told about Hope Lodge that had just opened. I could stay there and they even had transportation for me to get back and for to the hospital. To tell you the truth, I was so afraid to take care of myself. My mind wasn’t as sharp and it seemed like such a big city for this bald headed girl, not comfortable with herself. My sweet husband

Read More »

Recent Posts:

Troubles

When I was going through a lot of family troubles someone said to me,”I am sorry for YOUR troubles” It helped me understand that those

Read More »

Choices

 Today I wanted to go to one of my favorite stores for Black Friday and get some paint for a project. I could get it

Read More »

One More Try?

Do you have one more try? Do you have one more hope? Do you have one more dream? Healthy living should be affordable for anyone.

Read More »