beauty – Page 14 – hugsnblessings

i will ‘to-do’ it!

Published on February 1, 2016February 1, 2016 by Dawn Marie5 Comments

it’s the monday giggles…

Our daughter is getting married this year.

Hence, Emily Post (the queen of etiquette,) has become my new BFF.

And even though we have never met…

I love Emily!

She keeps me on track. She keeps me motivated.

She answers my questions when I do not know what to do!

And even when I may decide not to follow her sound advice (which is often,) she continues to applaud my efforts in this mother-of-the-bride role.

Yes, I love Emily!

Because she approves of our daughter’s glitter and sparkle and most definately understands the important etiquette of bedazzling one’s straight-jacket too!

Here is the first piece of wisdom she shared with me:

“Great news: Your daughter or son is getting married!

Before you do anything else, take a moment to savor the thrill of this great news.

Finished? Good. Now roll up your sleeves—because whether you are deeply involved in every aspect of planning the wedding or the bride and groom prefer to rely on you as a sounding board while making the major decisions themselves, it’s likely that you’re going to find yourself juggling the roles of adviser, therapist, communications hub, and trouble-shooter. You’ll need to be able to:

Keep the planning process on track without nagging.
Offer guidance without being pushy.
And be a rock of supportive encouragement—even if you disagree with the couple on a particular decision.

All this, of course, is in addition to any specific parental responsibilities that you take on, such as throwing an engagement party, spreading the word about gift registries, contributing to the guest list, bonding with your daughter or son’s new in-laws, arranging a bridal shower, negotiating sticky family situations, and welcoming guests at the big event itself.”

Now…if I could simply get my new BFF Emily “to actually to-do-it-too!”

We watched her play in the sandbox,

lose her first tooth,

go on her first date,

graduate from high school

and

live on her own for the very first time.

Now our little girl isn’t so little anymore — and she’s getting married!

And so we’ve been reliving the memorable moments in her life with fondness and looking forward to the days ahead as our daughter becomes a wife …

and maybe one day, God willing, even a mother.

I hopity-hope Emily still approves of glitter for that too!

hugs n’ blessings filled with the kind of fondness that sticks to your heart

like glitter on paper!

And so we March.

Published on January 22, 2016January 23, 2016 by Dawn Marie4 Comments

Man’s Best Friend?

Cruelty to dogs is the worst kind
lies in cobwebs of my blown mind,
How

could mankind be so damn cruel
over the animals we were given to rule?

They are ours given by God to protect
seems to me these at times we reject,
mistreatment of animals of our world
always makes my blood boil and curl.

Can’t we remember dogs are man’s best friend
they always remain loyal to the very end,
to see them in such cruel punishment
irks my nerve and burns my sentiment.

Azantquill

And so we March.

(Because an Animal’s life must be protected.)

‘A Million Human March’ for Animal Cruelty.

*All 50 States now have Felony Animal Cruelty Provisions!

A Dog’s Best Friend?

Weeks 1-4 Gender is determined immediately during fertilization. Nervous systems start to form creating a foundation for a childs thoughts senses and feelings. Heart and circulatory systems also start forming.
Week 5 A baby’s heart beats for the first time! Their blood starts pumping and organs begin to develop.
Week 6 A baby’s brain is growing. Lenses of the eye appears and nostrils are formed.
Week 7 Elbows form. Fingers start to form. Feet start to appear with tiny notches for toes. Ears, eyes and nose start to appear and teeth are starting to form under the gums.
Week 8 A baby’s bones and cartilage start to form. Tongue begins to develop. Fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short.
Week 9 A baby is beginning to move. Their joints are formed. And a baby will curl their fingers around things in the palm of their hands, like the umbilical cord.
Week 10 Eyelids fuse shut and irises begin to appear. The most critical part of a baby’s development is complete and he or she is headed toward rapid growth.
Week 11 Nearly all structures and organs are complete and starting to function. Fingers and toes are separated and fingernails and hair start to grow. These tiny little hands and feet are about the size of your own thumbnail.
Week 12 A baby’s vocal cords are forming. Their eyes begin shifting closer together and ears move to their right place on the side of their head. Your little ones liver starts functioning.

In just 12 short weeks…This is a babies development. At any time it is legal to have an abortion. (Although abortion limitations vary from State to State.) They have a brain, heart, fingers toes and fingernails. They can move their hands and feet and even grasp things. They have had a soul since conception.

And so we March.

(Because a Child’s life must be protected.)

The 2016 March for Life is the largest Pro-Life March in the World.

*And still all 50 States allow Legalized abortion.

How can either not be worthy of Marching for?

Dog and Baby Nap Together — Both treasured & precious in the eyes of God.

hugs n’ blessings….until we do not need to March any longer.

Respite.

Published on January 14, 2016May 12, 2016 by Dawn Marie10 Comments

“Ahhhh!” deep exhale. It’s 3hugs&blessings Thursday!

Papa exchanges a warm gesture with one of his Swiss guards. How thankful he must be for their care of him.

And just like Pope Francis in the photo above (courtesy of Pinterest,) I am lifting up thanks for the special care I have been receiving these past several weeks!

Some have inquired why my blogging habits have changed…“Why so few posts as of late?” one asked. “I miss you. Will I be hearing from you more regularly soon?” asked another. Sweet, dear gestures reaching out to touch my heart.

And the answer to both is: “Yes. By the grace of God I hope to get back to my normal publishing calendar.” said I.

Jared catches Helen & I working on a Christmas post!

But for right now I’ve had to put my feet up to care for myself body, mind, and Spirit. Mostly body; however, the mind and Spirit are grateful for the extra time being provided to them as well!

And so it is that today I seek to give thanks in those 3 very categories, as each of them have received warm gestures reaching out to touch my very whole (self) and I am so thankity-thankful for their care!

Body:

My therapy continues & I am so thankful for the wonderful PT’s at Hertel & Brown who are helping me get ready to snow-shoe again! Everyone is wonderful there from the greeting at the door to the “see ya’ next time.” A few I’ve had the pleasure to work with like Michael, Jeremy, Matt & Lori always kindly remind me to at least “try” and ice 3 x’s a day and are always polite enough to agree…I am NOT a baby.

Lori is the sweetest!

Peddling…because I am not a baby!

Stim work!

Mind:

I am counting my blessings for the DECISION to commit to ‘clean eating’ once again. I cannot tell you how much clearer my focus is. My thoughts are crisper and I can concentrate with less effort, which restores my peace of mind.

You would never know today but in the early 2000’s I struggled just getting out of bed. I would often fall, my hands would lose their grip and sometimes, especially following exertion, go so deeply asleep they’d curl & palsy. But the worst was the terrible brain fog! A once fully organized person I’d somedays have no memory of where I’d parked the car and was always opening/reopening the calendar because I just could not focus long enough to remember where I needed to be next. It took over a year for the final diagnosis, with everything from lupus to Parkinson’s being considered, but finally fibromyalgia was the diagnosis.

Close to two years we experimented with medications, which greatly helped to get me back on track, but through my own research I began exploring more holistic ways to treat the illness. I have been med free for close to 12 years, yippee! Part of my holistic management; however, is key to what I do & do not chose to eat. Carbohydrates (especially the processed ones) are my worst enemy!! As well as white flours and processed sugars. So when the brain-fog begins to seep back in I need only look to two different triggers: the cupboard or the pillow! (Because restorative sleep is also vital at keeping fibro-flares at bay.) The holidays & my injury took big hits in both those areas but today I am counting my blessings at having each back on track!

Plus it is good to remember where I parked the car again! Now if I could only remember to fill it up with gas…giggles!

Spirit:

I am especially blessed to have the most wonderful Spiritual Director, Fr. Dan, who though I do not deserve it…keeps my Spirit fit as a fiddle!

He guides me, challenges me, and always makes certain I am staying Spiritually Fit! At our last gathering he instructed me to begin a Do-It Yourself Retreat using Fr. Michael E. Gaitley’s book, Consoling the Heart of Jesus , as my guide. Opening the book today during my time in the adoration chapel I was so grateful that Fr. Dan knew, just as he always does, exactly what was needed to refresh my Spirit.