Refining lemons into precious stones

While listening to U2's Ordinary Love on the first Jimmy Fallon show, I was inspired for this post.
A line in the song says "The sea throws rock together but time leaves us polished stones" I started to think about my favorite place on the earth, the river. A far cry from the sea but what happens to rocks, that overtime have rubbed each other and been tossed around, is the same as what the sea can do. A very rough rock can become smooth, round and polished.

We are like rough rocks, that after many years of dealing with impossible, uncaring, unholy, selfish, greedy, unloving and just plain unkind people have been rubbed wrong enough times that we are finally, through God's love, being refined into the precious stones he wants us to be.

    

 

 

Have you ever had an encounter with someone that left you more confused or agitated than you were before? Or how about, after dealing with someone, you felt like you needed a nap or a hot bath just to calm your nerves. Now think about how people feel about us after interacting with us. Do you feel like you rub people the right way or like sand paper? Do people feel better about themselves after

spending even a few minutes in your presence?

 

 

I truly hope I can say or do just some small thing to make every person (at least most of them) feel good about coming in contact with me. Abrasive is not a word I ever want used to describe me.

Even though, all those sand paper people have polished us into what we are today, I am certain we would get to the point of thinking "ok! Enough with the polishing"

 

 

The point is, you never know how your words can impact someone. It could be positive or it could be negative. When you see that lady everyday at work, whom you have never been introduced to, and see she has a new hairdo that is very flattering, TELL HER! Even a small compliment can brighten her day and she will pass that smile on to someone else. Smiles bring Smiles.

 

 

Let it be your goal to be a smooth encounter and not a rough one. We have enough of those already!

 

Until next time- Safe Picking!

 

Tammy

Lemonitis Disease.......Back by popular demand

                                    

Well I am back  after a short medical hiatus. I have spent the last 7 months in Dr offices and being tested at hospitals. Evidently, if you lose your hearing, it results in having your gallbladder removed. Go figure.

I used to always tell my son that some people learn their lesson by stepping in a mud puddle one time. Others have to be drug face first through it before learning that it means trouble. He was always one who wouldn't learn the first time. I have figured out that when it comes to being healthy, I'm one of those "face first" people as well.

I  don't like healthy foods and dislike exercising even more. I drink sports drinks and occasionally wear tennis shoes. That's all the athletic ability I have. After years of abusing my body and not taking care of it, it sat down like a stubborn mule in the road and said "I quit!"

                                              


Last August I started with a cough and what seemed like bronchitis. I would lose my voice multiple times a day. Then I lost my hearing in the only good ear I have. It went from a bad head infection, to pneumonia, then a brain tumor, spots on my lungs, medicine in the rare chance it was shingles, allergy testing, asthma test, Barium swallow, heart monitor, a device implanted in my esophagus, CT scans, gallbladder scans, catheters ran down my nose into my voice box, then a second time into my stomach.  I have been poked and prodded like cattle at an auction. I wish I were being funny or exaggerating about all those thing.

                                              

It has finally been narrowed down to 3 things. The first procedure was removing my gallbladder, which by the way, stomach pain has not been any of my issues. Still trying to figure that out.

But as always, what does this have to do with lemons? The last 7 months I have had a great support system that has been there with me the whole way. They have watched how I can be fine one minute then the next I am gasping for air and can not speak.  After many, many hours researching all the things, I have learned that about 70% of this I brought on myself. Or rather, picked part of this lemon instead of it just being handed to me.

                                       
All these years of truly not taking care of myself have caught up with me. So many health issues are brought on by not eating healthy, exercising or drinking enough water. And, the part that was out of my control, I did not do very well at doing my part to manage it.

I would beg my husband to take me to eat Mexican, then within 30 minutes after, be curled in a ball crying and could not speak. But, I was too stubborn to admit that I might be causing some of the problem. It was easier to just be a "lemon victim" than just change my ways.

This finally occurring to me is what inspired me to write again. I need to write to keep myself in line. And if, in the mean time, I can help someone else, then that's fantastic!

I have a long way to go and I'm only about 8 days Mexican free, but I have to start somewhere. Hopefully, before long I can have some things in moderation. But I have to learn to respect this one body that God gave me and treat it like the gift it is.

I hope to be back writing on a regular basis, and again appreciate your sharing them when you can.

Until next time- Safe Picking!

Tammy

Laughter....a cure for lemonitits

Wikipedia defines laughter as;
Laughing is an involuntary reaction to certain external or internal stimuli. Laughter can arise from such activities as being tickled,^[1] or from humorous stories or thoughts.^[2] Most commonly, it is considered a visual expression of a number of positive emotional states, such as joy, mirth, happiness, relief, etc. On some occasions, however, it may be caused by contrary emotional states such as embarrassment, apology, or confusion ("nervous laughter)" or courtesy laugh. Factors such as age, gender, education, language, and culture are determinant factors^[3] as to whether a person will experience laughter in a given situation.
Laughter is a part of human behavior regulated by the brain, helping humans clarify their intentions in social interaction and providing an emotional context to conversations. Laughter is used as a signal for being part of a group — it signals acceptance and positive interactions with others. Laughter is sometimes seen as contagious, and the laughter of one person can itself provoke laughter from others as a positive feedback.^[4] This may account in part for the popularity of laugh tracks in situation comedy television shows.
The study of humor and laughter, and its psychological and physiological effects on the human body, is called gelotology.

Now on with today's story-
I went to see a friend this week and my brother was there. When he and I are together we usually have a good laugh about some of our childhood shenanigans. Like when I was going on my first date and he arrived to find me duck tapped to the front porch. Or, the time my glasses got broken due to us rough housing. Important info to know is that a paper towel DOES NOT  wipe super glue off of glasses. I spent the next day bouncing off things because of the haze over my lenses. She asked us where we got our witty sense of humor from. I thought to my self. "self; laughter was our only way of surviving our childhood".

Then being the deep thinker that I am, I started to explore just how much all of us use laughter for different reasons. Like for my brother and I it was probably, subconsciously, an escape from what we dealt with.

Think about how often at a funeral you will see groups of people standing in a huddle telling funny stories about the deceased. No matter if it's out of nervousness or sadness, that's how a lot of people deal with death.

Even during an interview or a class, some people get the giggles (yes even guys) as a coping mechanism for stress.

Laughter is good for your health

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm

I think most women would say one of the top things they want in a mate is someone to make them laugh. I am drawn to people who are witty and quick with a comeback.

So, when your doctor tells you that you have a bad case of the lemonitis, maybe rent a movie, check out YouTube or call your funniest friend.

Here are a list of movies that make me LOL;



http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Nine-Yards-Bruce-Willis/dp/0790750422



http://www.amazon.com/The-Sweetest-Thing-Unrated-Edition/dp/B000069HYG

http://www.amazon.com/Napoleon-Dynamite-Jon-Heder/dp/B00005JNBQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1375282684&sr=1-1&keywords=nepolian+dynamite

http://www.amazon.com/American-Reunion-Unrated-Jason-Biggs/dp/B005LAIH9A/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1375282709&sr=1-1&keywords=american+pie+reunion

My truch is always tuned to the comedy channel on XM.
Here are a few great comdeians to check out on youtube that I promise will make you smile

Kathleen Madigan
John Pinnette
Bob Marley
Kenn Kingston
Craig Shoemaker
Frank Caliendo
Leanne Morgan (local girl)
Jon Reep (from HICK-ory NC)

As, for my brother, I truly believe my sense of humor came from him. Thank you Woody for teaching me early on to laugh even when everything around you is wrong. I Love you forever!

Until next time- Safe Picking and Laugh On!!!

Tammy

Facebook or Lemonbook?

I totally agree that Facebook has lots of positives to it. For example, on your birthday, it is very heart warming to get so many birthday wishes from people who would never know it's your birthday. Facebook has been a great tool when I am looking for something I can't find. Just post it, and usually 7 people will give you suggestions.

But Facebook does has it's negatives as well. One that I've been thinking about the last couple of weeks is how it seems to take you back to high school days. I know for me, and I'm certain someone else feels this way, that I start comparing my life to others. "How do they have that kind of money to spend 3 weeks in Europe?" "How is she that skinny after having 5 children?" "I'm a failure because I don't get up and run 7 miles at 5:30am every morning." Or, "they have a perfect family, one boy, one girl and a white picket fence", and I never even gave birth to a child of my own. It seems to just accentuate the lemons you were either handed or picked.

But just like in high school, Facebook is a digital edition of your yearbook. All the pretty pictures, successful honors and accolades are posted for everyone to see how wonderful you are. But, it can leave and empty space for those that are different than that.

I have to keep myself in check when browsing through FB. I have to remind myself that no one (well most people would not), post pictures of the pink slip their husband got at work that day. I've never seen anyone post their mugshot from their DUI arrest. You never see the beautiful lady with mascara running down her face after finding out her husband has a girlfriend.

I guess this takes us back to a lesson we should have learned in kindergarten.We are all different. You should not be jealous of what other have. And, love yourself.

We are all created in His image the way he wants us to be. You have 2 choice in life. Accept what you have and are or change it.

PROVERBS 14:30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.


Until next time- safe picking and safe FB browsing.

Tammy

Standing outside the Fire

Typically if we get caught in a bad storm, our instinct is to run for shelter. If we touch a hot pan, without even thinking our hand pulls back immediately. For most people, if you see a snake or dangerous animal, no one has to tell us to get outta dodge do they?

It is human nature, when faced with a physical danger to remove our self from it as quickly as possible. The other day I was thinking about how when we are faced with a spiritual or internal storm why we do not react the same way.

I know several people at this moment who are standing in the middle of a storm and I am just watching them get soaked and they refuse to do anything to get out of it. Our storms could be a unhealthy relationship, a dead end job, or feeling sorry for ourselves and not living anymore. Every ones is different. I recently faced a dark cloud that has followed me for many years and am working on making my storm disappear.

Psalm 40:2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

I believe that God does strengthen us through trials, storms and fires. We always come out stronger even if it takes a long time to understand his plan.

1 Peter 1:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

But I also believe that he gives us the strength to help ourselves. Just as a parent wants to teach their children to do for themselves, our Father wants the same. This is the point of learning to pull yourself up and praying for what you need to remove yourself from bad situations just as quickly as burning your arm on the oven.

 

Just like the pain of going to the gym and ripping your muscles so they heal back bigger and stronger (which is how weightlifting works if you were wondering), these storms of life water our souls to grow into better people. But even most plants that sit in water day after day will eventually began to rot or mold.

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHJW-3EGqKs

 

Sorry the quality of this video is not great

 

Until next time- take that first step outside your storm and safe picking!!

Tammy.

 

Side note: I am going back to using Blogger instead of Wordpress because it's a little more user friendly when posting from my mobiles devices. So it may look different than you've seen.

 

Mother's Day for Moms, Non Moms, and Wanna Be Moms

Mother's Day is a very special and can be emotional day. Most of us women are saps. We get all sentimental and emotional around these holidays. We have been raised with the Hallmark expectation of how these holidays should go. When they do not turn out that way we are disappointed. I think all of us mothers go through years of changing diapers, potty training, temper tantrums, countless hours of running them to sports and dance, and years of eye rolling just dreaming of the payoff we will get. At one point or another, we have all envisioned Mother's Day, when our kids are grown, and they come home to say "thank you" for all you did, or "mom you were right about everything you told me". Face it ladies, that fantasy is right up there with your husband telling you to enjoy your one night with Channing. But, it can be a let down when it doesn't work out that way (the kid thing, Channing would never be a let down). This part was inspired by a letter that I read on Facebook. The following is a letter to a preacher that brought me to tears. Please take a moment and read this if you haven't.

 Dear Pastor, Tone can be tricky in writing. Picture me popping my head in your office door, smiling and asking if we could talk for five minutes. I’m sipping on my diet coke as I sit down. You know that I’m not one to shy away from speaking my mind, part of the reason you love me (mostly!), so I’m guessing that internally you brace yourself wondering what might be next. I set my can down and this is what I’d say. A few years ago I sat across from a woman who told me she doesn’t go to church on Mother’s Day because it is too hurtful. I’m not a mother, but I had never seen the day as hurtful. She had been married, had numerous miscarriages, divorced and was beyond child bearing years. It was like salt in mostly healed wounds to go to church on that day. This made me sad, but I understood. Fast forward several years to Mother’s Day. A pastor asked all mothers to stand. On my immediate right, my mother stood and on my immediate left, a dear friend stood. I, a woman in her late 30s, sat. I don’t know how others saw me, but I felt dehumanized, gutted as a woman. Real women stood, empty shells sat. I do not normally feel this way. I do not like feeling this way. I want no woman to ever feel this way in church again. Last year a friend from the States happened to visit on Mother’s Day and again the pastor (a different one) asked all mothers to stand. As a mother, she stood and I whispered to her, “I can’t take it, I’m standing.” She knows I’m not a mother yet she understood my standing / lie. Here’s the thing, I believe we can honor mothers without alienating others. I want women to feel welcome, appreciated, seen, and needed here in our little neck of the body of Christ. 1.Do away with the standing. You mean well, but it’s just awkward. Does the woman who had a miscarriage stand? Does the mom whose children ran away stand? Does the single woman who is pregnant stand? A.w.k.w.a.r.d. 2. Acknowledge the wide continuum of mothering. To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is. To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you. 3. Commend mothering for the ways it reflects the Imago Dei (Image of God) by bringing forth new life, nurturing those on her path, and living with the tension of providing both freedom and a safety net. I know I might be an unusual one to be speaking about Mother’s Day; but maybe that’s why so many talk to me about mothering, I’ve got the parts, just not the goods. Thanks for listening and for continuing to mother us in a shepherding way. Even though I’m a bit nervous to come on Sunday, I will be here. But if you make us stand, I might just walk out =). 
Warmly and in your corner, Amy

 I have been many years to my church on Mother's Day and stood up when asked. It is the kind of situation that I can imagine would not feel good to those still sitting. Mother's Day is very tough for me and has been for years. Some of you may know my situation and that I have not gotten to spend Mother's Day with my son for several years. It doesn't look like I will be either for a long time. Since Evan is in prison, most of thetime he doens't even know what day itismuch less it it's a holiday. Because of that I usually don't even get a phone call. It is usually a very sad day for me. Don't get me wrong, I love celebrating my mom. She is the one who gave me the strength and taught me to deal with so much. I think some women feel the intention of our creation was to bore children, and when that doesn't happen, it can be devastating to some. Spending Mother's Day without your child or a child can be very lonely. Let's go a step further and talk about women with no children. Just like the lady in the letter, it can feel alienating. To the women who can't conceive, has miscarried, or lost a child, these things are just another reminder of their loss. I think we should change it to Wonderful Woman's Day!! Let's celebrate all women for what they do. I'm certain that 90% of women either have/had a child, husband, animal or relative they have cared for in a motherly way. Also, in the slightest chance there are any men reading this-Mother's Day is for anyone who is a mother, not just your mother! Do not forget your wife just because she is not your mom (I'm stepping off my soapbox now). Sunday let's show our appreciation for all women! Until next time- safe picking! Tammy



We all know a few four letter words, but what makes you say them? This is a story of a very dear person to me. She is the sweetest thing ever next to Mickey D's tea.\

 

              

Have you ever had that conversation with someone and all the sudden, they drop a the four letter word? Some people it's every other word. But there are some that if they were to say it, it would be like six legged lizard walking in front of the TV during Greys Anatomy. You would think "where in the world did that come from?" The first time I was talking to my sweet friend and this happened I was in the car and about ran off the road. Hearing that word from her was as foreign as hearing the Pope say it. It kinda made me chuckle.

 

 

But my thought is what got this lady, a former preachers wife who normally would not say a cross word, to the point that these words can just flow off her tongue so easily? I have a feeling that it was a four letter word that got her to this. L.I.F.E. Life has a tendency to change who you are.

 



 

 

 There obviously have been a lot of lemons between the role of wife of a preacher and mouth of a sailor with lipstick. The cool thing is that this sweet lady recognized what was happening and decided to control her life instead of her life controlling her. I think her moments of turrets came from feeling out of control. She is back to being her charming southern better self.

 



 



 

If you do not learn to deal with these lemons life hands you, you could ended an old bitter prune.

Everyday she is making the decision to do one thing differently to take back control of her life. This is just a speed bump in her life. If we can identify these things, whatever it be that is keeping you from being your best "you", recalculate as our GPS would say and take another route.

 

 

 

 

 

So, I thought I would help out with a list of acceptable four letter words just for the fun of it

 

LOVE     HUGS

LORD     HOLY

CAKE     BUTT

BARF     WINE

CASH     NONE

BOYS      DUMB

 

Just seems like these fit together. I'll finish off with this photo I found and just love the message and the colors, and also with another use for those lemons that do come your way.

 

 

 22 THINGS TO DO WITH A LEMON PEEL

 

 

Until next time- do not let life control you, learn to control your life!

Safe Picking!

 

Tammy