A New Bed Design

Have you ever had a crazy idea and then discovered you weren't the first one to come up with it?

I sleep on an unopened futon.  I used to sleep on the couch, but I replaced the couch with a futon.  The futon does afford a guest bed in the slight chance someone wants to come see me.  Seriously, there are now three futons in my home and the Winnebago has a great bed, plus a futon type couch.  I'm getting ready for the gathering, but in the meantime, I'm thinking of one more bed design.

There are posturepedic, tempur-pedic, and sleep number beds, but I'm thinking more like some sort of rotisserie idea.  I'm trying to age gracefully, but I've recently become aware of one more odd fact of growing older.  I sleep primarily on my left side, and suddenly I've become aware of some odd tissue displacement.  Gravity is once again the culprit, I'm guessing.  I can't do the upside down bat style sleeping and we all know daily that gravity is always pulling us toward the ground, so here's an idea.

Some sort of sleeping bag style hammock.  It would have to zip or have straps; otherwise, you'd fall out when it rotated through the night.  No crazy high speed stuff, just a way to literally sleep on air without having any side down for too long.  It would be similar to sleeping in space.  I remember seeing the astronauts floating around in the old documentaries showing how they prepared themselves to go into space and get used to less gravity.

I knew this was not a completely ludicrous idea, so I googled . . . Someone else has given this serious thought, as well; although this design calls for more in the research and development department.

Amazing Discovery

I like to make people happy.  I'm not talking about compromising my spiritual values, at all, but I like to go the extra mile.  I enjoy smiling and I like to see other people smile!  The personal touch is important, and to offer something extra is meaningful . . . I've finally realized, however; my version of meaningful, my idea of the extra mile, is not always appreciated by the subject of my effort.

Let me share what I have discovered.  All the people in your life who verbalized disappointment in your extra effort.  Lighten up the effort!  They will stop telling you what else you should do.  It's amazing.  As long as I was willing to keep trying a little harder, they were willing to keep raising the bar and moving the hoop.  Once I shrugged my shoulders and "sat down" so to speak, everything changed.  It's truly been a life changing discovery.

I have more time, less stress, and no expectation to be appreciated by others!  I can still be pleasant to all these people and simply offer a reasonable effort.  I even assure myself that my extra effort just made them feel inadequate . . . LOL.  My life changed when I realized everything I do, I do unto Abba; that is absolutely everything.  He doesn't believe in waste; not time and certainly not effort.  I've cleaned up my act.  Our Heavenly Father is much more appreciative than people, I've noticed!  Since Messiah is Torah, his expectations are clear and the bar is never raised . . . or lowered.

Oh, what a seriously happy day that was, when I realized some people are simply never satisfied, and some people are especially difficult to please, when they see you're willing to keep aiming higher.  Then one day, I realized, kindness to people is a byproduct of my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  The extra mile is about following Messiah, and sometimes after that second mile, it's time to hand their pack, back to them and realize we're no longer heading the same direction.  That's not mean, that's just moving on.

In speaking with my niece the other day, I jokingly mentioned this, and shared, "Nobody seems any more dissatisfied than they were when I was trying so hard!"

Weight - a Heavy Subject

If anyone has seen any of my videos, you already know, I'm not petite.  I was speaking to a friend a couple of weeks ago and naturally the subject of weight came up.  She said she'd like to lose about 20 pounds.  I said I had about 10 I'd like to get rid of.  I'm sure pound for pound and inch for inch, I'm fuller figured than she is, but I have a new method that has worked for me for the past seven years.

I have between ten and twenty pounds that naturally come and go with the seasons and the loss of that weight requires very little obsessing.  The weight shifts with the seasons so it seems a rather natural sliding scale that really doesn't alter my appearance dramatically.  At this point in life, I'm going more by the mirror than by the scales.  I'm used to my body by now, and realize there is a size on both ends of the spectrum in which I simply cannot attain and remain healthy.   I've also realized, as I'm sure most women have.  Our weight comes and goes in specific areas on our body.

With a healthy diet and good exercise, I am still not a small woman.  I'm sure I could do some specifics for toning, but to be honest, I don't care enough to do it.  I want to maintain an active homesteading lifestyle and keep my body functioning well.  My diet and activity level are more important than the scales.  In mentioning how our weight drops or accumulates specifically on our body also should determine what size we feel best about ourselves.  I should want to lose more than 10 pounds, but then my weight becomes my focus and I look like my caricature.  Both of which are undesirable!


I've made a god out of my body before and not only is it idolatry, it isn't healthy.  We weren't all made to be the same size and even when I'm underweight, which I did once . . . my body is not perfectly proportioned.  Just as gluttony is a sin, so is vanity.  Probably ten years ago, I realized, I should have appreciated my body in my 20s and 30s instead of abusing it for appearance.  There's also the regretful wish of . . . I wish I was the size I was when I used to think I was fat.

Being healthy is not a number on the scales, it's portion and purity that makes the difference.  Our bodies were not created to utilize processed foods, fast foods, and preservatives, or eat unclean animals.  What the body cannot utilize or process through digestion gets stored in cells that have little purpose . . . fat cells.   It's no coincidence that Type II diabetes has increased dramatically at the same time chemical sweeteners have been added to much of the food supply.

Just about anyone who is over their "correct weight," not ideal weight, but correct weight according to height and build, will drop 10 pounds in about a month by doing the following.  Increase water intake by 16 - 32 ounces a day.  Prepare all meals at home.   Have fresh vegetables for between meal snacks.  Corn, peas, and potatoes do not count as vegetables . . . they are starch.  Reduce sedentary time by 20 minutes a day.  You don't have to join a gym or force yourself to walk so many blocks, just make a point to not spend so much time sitting or laying as the case may be.  Basically, for most of us, that means turn off the TV, lay down the smart technology or walk away from the computer and do something that requires standing or moving something besides our hands . . .

A Love/Hate Relationship

As we age, many of us discover our love/hate relationship with gravity.  Oh, of course, we like to keep both feet on the ground, but . . . gravity has a pull on the rest of our body as well.  As I survey this "earthly ensemble" it seems no part of my body is where our Creator first created it to be.

Dealing with gravity seems to be a give and take situation.

I used to be self-conscious about a round or oval face.  Thanks to gravity, my cheek bones have a more chiseled appearance, my face seems thinner, but there's the whole jowls thing now going on at my jawline.  As for the chin and neck thing, I look in the mirror and see my grandma looking back.  I've wondered if I began sleeping like a bat . . . upside down, if my body would sort of balance out on the gravity effect.

Moving right along the topography of this "dust" I call a body.  I have discovered two positive things from the effect of gravity on breasts.  I made a friend at Her Room and that midriff bulge I was concerned about in my early 30s is now completely concealed by sagging breasts.  WIN/WIN!  As a matter of fact, a fuller waistline is concealed and camouflaged by a sagging bosom, as well.  Who knew all the perks of the lack of perkiness?

There is also a new reality in weight management.  Too much weight loss accentuates the effect of gravity on loose skin.  That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!  I can't say with certainty that gravity affects us internally; but age, time and childbirth certainly seem to have left an impact on muscle tone and bladder resilience.  In my younger days, working in long term care, I apparently thought, it all just hit over night.  Ah, the twenties are such a time of oblivious cluelessness.

Moving right along, or down, I have to say, as full figured as I am, I do not have cankles, but my behind is no longer where it once was.  My tuchus is not yet directly behind my knees, as of yet, but . . . on to my ankles because; I have skinny ankles.  The only thing on me that is skinny, so I like to mention them at every opportunity.  One of my daughters and a few grandchildren refer to my "grandma chicken legs."  Whatever that means . . .  Meanwhile my feet don't look too bad for holding all this up and keeping me "fastened" to the sod for the time being.

I used to stand on my head, every year on my birthday, just to know I still could . . . in case I ever wanted to give that "bat sleeping style" a try.  I discovered on my 46th birthday, 45 was the last year for that!  I also discovered in that same gymnastic attempt, sleeping inverted would not work.  It is indeed possible for breast tissue to compress one's throat and constrict breathing . . .

I'm going to do everything in my power, to embrace this right of passage and be thankful in all things including gravity.  For now, it's keeping me grounded and stable!  Nobody wants to imagine all this floating in the atmosphere, overhead!  The love/hate relationship continues.

A Mouse!

I told a friend about my very unnerving experience awhile back and she said, "Oh you should write about it!"  I was a bit shy about the entire ordeal, until it almost happened again, and now I won't get another good night's sleep until I warn others.

A couple of weeks ago, I was busy about the house doing, I don't know what, probably writing or something, when I headed to "the powder room."  Okay, to put it bluntly, I had to pee and I can't really say whether it's age or MS, but it seems like I get almost a 5 second warning between, I think I gotta go and . . . yep, sure did!  So, I don't usually take in the scenery, as I become a woman with a serious destination and no time to spare.

I zipped into the master bathroom, sat down, and quickly took care of business.  As I got up, getting my attire back together I noticed in my peripheral vision, something moving in the toilet . . . It was a mouse.  In that split second a multitude of thoughts all collided in my mind.  First the reality of 'I just peed on a mouse' Second, I said a prayer!  That's right, I thanked our Heavenly Father that it was only a mouse and not a snake.  We've all seen that social media image of the snake lurking in the bottom of the bowl . . . Since I wasn't dressed to run, I thought 'FLUSH.'

Next, yet simultaneously, I thought I was so glad I'd already peed, because if I'd noticed him first, I'm not sure how all that would have turned out.  Then, I wondered how he got there, when, a distant memory of being in a church bathroom as a kid of about 5, came vividly to mind.  The same thing had happened, only then I ran to get help!  Aunt Ethel came to my rescue.  I thought of Aunt Ethel, with her older lady math teacher suit and those lace up high heeled shoes just calmly flushing that varmint down the drain.

Needless to say, since that event, I no longer just run in and sat down.  I even make a point of heading to the bathroom before I think I have to go, just in case . . . I want time to survey the situation.  It's also changed my habits at night.  You know how you get used to where everything is and how many steps it is between your bed and the bathroom, without even thinking about it or turning on the light?  Well, no more!  I do not even think about sitting down in a dark bathroom.  The other night proved the new extra precaution, to be a good thing.  Here I am, in the main bathroom, and there's a mouse again in the toilet.  What's with this?

I can't figure out how they get there, if they are swimming up from somewhere or falling in from somewhere else.  Since I've not yet had my camera with me at the time, I don't have a meme or an image for social media.  If only I were a teen aged girl alway prepared to take a selfie in the bathroom mirror, I'd have record of one of those varmints.  We've all heard the old cliche, "Look before you leap."  Well I have a new one, "Look before you sit!"

The Transition

I'm feeling a big change coming . . . I mean big!  I'm not exactly sure what, but I believe it's going to be good.  I believe the change is coming from our Heavenly Father, and we're told every good and perfect gift comes from Him, so . . . but the transition means change, and change is not always easy.  Having declared war on ancient dust bunnies a few weeks ago, and now heading into canning season, I'm excited.  I'm preparing for Shemitah, which means I've actually purchased more canning jars . . .

With this positive direction, there have been a few hurdles, but nothing our Creator can't handle!  It's interesting with G-d, as He opens one door, often another one closes.  As a multi-tasker, that hasn't always been easy for me to accept, but in the past few years, He's really given a comfort in that, and when I'm paying attention, He has actually given warning that a door will close.  I stopped trying to keep my foot in those closing doors, and for the most part, I don't bruise my spiritual knuckles trying to make doors out of brick walls.

Several months ago in a conversation with a friend, I spoke of events unfolding that would be great and terrible.  I believe we are beginning to see those events and the momentum both ways will increase.  I feel myself moving into the place I knew YHWH would bring me.  The other night, the heaviness of isolation was nearly overwhelming, but Y'hshuwah assured me, I am not alone.  I'm where I'm supposed to be in Him.  I'm not claiming perfection at all!  There were just several things last week that came from all different directions, really leaving me feeling quite shaken.

As I read the usual comments of social media as to how to overcome, I just wasn't comforted.  However, everytime I opened my Bible or either of my two favorite devotion books; there was a passage that precisely addressed the situation.  It seems often, so many people appear to have it so together, while I still feel a bit scattered.  I am grateful, though; to have the wholeness and healing that I see the whole scattered picture.  The pieces may not all be in place yet, but I can see them, and I can see them coming together by the grace and Hand of El Shaddai!

As I spent much of this week in the garden and canning, I felt a sermon of preparation in the works.  I heard the passage "occupy until I return."  With that, of course, also the parable of the virgins, wise and foolish.  Sometimes we just can't see the whole picture in the same view.   I have a canning pictorial for a parable.

Through the process of preparation everything stacked in the drainer is "all over the kitchen" and it could be easy to lose sight of the goal or even wonder if I'm supposed to be doing what I'm doing, but . . . 

when I see this, I am assured that this part of my Master's plan.

                       

Well Said

Do you ever read something or see a new gadget that is so stellar, all you can think in total admiration, is:  "I wish I'd thought of that!"  In all the divisiveness regarding the recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I found this question to be one of those moments of simple brilliance!  I would love to credit the author, but it has been passed around, author unknown.

Foundation Garments

I don't usually write articles for an advertisement, so we'll call this a testimonial.  This topic is usually reserved for the private messages of social media or anonymous forums boards, but we're all adults and the article is clearly marked.

I refer to my bras as foundation ware.  I use "ware" rather than "wear" because my foundation garments usually bring to mind something relating to hardware or industrial products rather than underwear.  Since Jr. High, I've let the jokes and comments roll off my back, but by middle age, the need for good support was no laughing matter.  It affects one's back, posture, and even breathing.  Some of my friends in social media have privately exchanged valuable information as to resources for the "bountifully buxom."  Whether it's pads for the shoulder straps or a specialty shop, they've done what they can to share the info.

I, literally, had to stop wearing underwires about ten years ago.  That has not helped my back muscles, posture, or appearance . . . If the cup size is not fitted properly, the underwires, protrude.  I was discreetly trying to find my size, and taking all the leads I could find, but to no avail.  It's a sad day when you go to "the full figure shop" and they simply tell you, they don't carry anything in that size.  That really hit hard.  I've heard a lot of comments, but that one really kind of hurt my feelings.  They weren't being cruel, just honest.  It is hard to take, however; from someone who clearly doesn't purchase their wardrobe where they work.

Just between us girls, NSA, and Google; I entered in a search, hoping to find what I needed.  Also considering, most foundation ware of this size, is a sizeable investment, so trying to locate just the right fit on the internet seemed a daunting task.  When I first discovered Her Room in 2012, I was also looking for front closure, since my arm was broken.  I'd given up on underwires and just wanted something that would give me some back relief, that I could fasten without pain.

When I came across this wonderful online shop, the prices weren't out of line with what I'd seen.  They carry quite an inventory, with the "cup size alphabet" going higher than I've seen anywhere else, but also including the more recognized mainstream letters.  Upon seeing the sizes that were available, I felt almost petite!  Well, almost . . . Anyway, I ordered a couple of brassieres and was truly impressed with the quality.  On a side note, when you break an arm, about the last thing to get back to normal is your ability to hook a bra in the back.  Once that became easy, I got brave.  I actually ordered an underwire in my size and it's wonderful.

This shop carries such a varied inventory of styles and sizes.  Although I haven't purchased any other products besides foundation ware, Her Room does carry everything from lingerie to jackets.  I'd encourage you to visit.
www.herroom.com

A Little Girl Talk Here . . .

If we may. Please excuse us for a moment, guys. 

                                                          by Terrie Carpenter

Standing in the check-out line at the market, drenched in sweat, I spotted a little girl a few aisles over I dressed up like a princess. It prompted me to wonder just how I went from dressing up like her and feeling like a princess to standing there that day, feeling more like a toad.   Oh yeah, I remember...it was when I reached that age of maturity when menopause reared her ugly head! I traded Midol and feminine products for Wet-Wipes and "oopsie, I sneezed" feminine products!  Sweat dripped off my wrists as I payed for my purchases that day, and thankfully, the cashier didn't mention my condition...considering it was under 50 degrees outside! I went home feeling depressed, changed my blouse for the third time since morning and ate a whole bag of Hershey Kisses, which in turn, gave me a toothache! I knew then that there had to be a better way to approach this inglorious season of my femininity, and I was determined to find it! 

More than a year has passed since that day, but I have finally found peace and contentment, even in this season, which is sooooo much longer than any of the four seasons in a year! There are things a girl can do to make the process easier. Perhaps some of what I have learned may be beneficial to you, and so I happily share it! 

Take a moment to let this definition sink into your spirit, it is our assurance that this season does end! Knowing this makes fighting the battle a little easier! 

Postmenopausal: Adjective

*Having gone through menopause

*Happening after menopause 

I reached a turning point in the season when I learned how to praise our Heavenly Father, even through the dripping sweat! I was fearfully and wonderfully created female, with all the perks and benefits of being such. You see, in my humble opinion, everything Adam lacked was completed in Eve. Hands down, I'm thankful to be a woman instead of a man! I learned to be thankful to have lived long enough to see this season, many of my girlfriends did not. I learned to be thankful for going through this in the most natural of ways, instead of illness or surgery being behind my symptoms. And I became extremely thankful for the sense of humor Abba instilled within me...laughter is so much better than tears! I changed how I looked at the season, and was immediately strengthened to ride it out with gratitude instead of angst. 

Yes, I still drip enough sweat that I could probably make a big dent in the drought index, but I am no longer dismayed or depressed by it. Instead, I do the things I can do to combat the symptoms, and give thanks, give thanks, give thanks! Here are some helpful tips for you if you are in the trenches with me:

(1) Wet wipes. Keep these in your purse when going out, and in the fridge when at home.  As soon as you feel the hot flash coming, apply them. At home, standing in front of the open freezer helps. If I get there quick enough, I don't even have to change my blouse! 

(2) Change your diet. Increase fruit, include healthy smoothies, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! And it's okay to keep a little treat on hand, just for you, being in menopause shows we're old enough to make that decision :)

(3) Keep your make-up to a minimum. It's going to melt off your face, anyway! Learn to appreciate the natural beauty you were created with...it's one less hassle in your day.

(4) Have a refreshing body mist on hand, preferably one with a very pleasant scent. I'm thinking this is self-explanatory!

(5) Consider your hair-style, as your hair will be wet now more than any other time in your life! Keep it very, very simple.

Nights can be the worst, but I've found ways for combatting them, as well. Bath towels have taken on a new role of importance! So has talcum powder! Learn to use them well. With a few minutes of preparation, the night will go much smoother. This is the routine I have learned to follow, and the results have been fantastic!

(1) Shower before bed, and cool the water off toward the end, until you feel the chill internally. Then, powder up like a princess!

(2) Place a face cloth in a basin of very cold water on the night-stand, with-in reach. It's great for quick cool-offs without having to get up out of bed. 

(3) Wrap a towel around your pillow, and keep a couple more handy for quick changes in the night. 

(4) Lay an extra sheet (or three) on your side of the bed, peeling them off as needed.

(5) Sleep naked. The extra towels and sheets are enough extra laundry to do. If you don't feel comfortable sleeping in the buff, keep an extra night-gown out and ready, and teach your husband how to do the wash!

(6) Have a bigger blanket at the end of your bed. In between hot flashes, you're going to shiver!

(7) Stay uncovered from the knees down to start the night. You'll become a pro like me at covering and uncovering with little disturbance to your rest, each time you roll over.

(8) Learn how to cat-nap at some point in the day. If your day doesn't allow for twenty undisturbed minutes, perhaps some things need to be reprioritized. It's better to say "no" to someone than to feel frustrated and cranky, on top of sweaty! 

(9) Each time you wake up drenched, all 300 of them, give praise to our Heavely Father! There's something sweet about loving on Him in the darkest part of the night, and He is faithful to give us rest.

(10) Repeat the word ~postmenopausal~ as many times as you need the reminder that this is, indeed, a season.

Girlfriends, we don't have to spend this time hating our lives or our bodies! There are so many more constructive things we could be doing. So many other things we can give our focus and concentration to! Make gratitude your biggest character trait. Breathe in the peace from On High and breathe out blessings instead of curses. Whether we do this in misery or with grace, we are not going to escape this season. We're to be content in any given state...I'm thinking this is our God's way of saying "Suck it up, cupcake, and choose to be happy!" And so, I have stopped considering myself as a wet dish-rag. I have chosen, instead, to consider myself One Hot Momma! Not quite postmenopausal, but well on my way...