Tasty Tuesday

    What a weekend!  Started off with dancing Friday night at the Backyard Grill in Chantilly VA.  I have to say that this was a very interesting place.  Amazingly they offer 14 oz prime rib for $14.99, however, being that I enjoyed a very healthy salad around 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, I opted to try the nachos.  These nachos oozed with cheese, black beans, sour cream, guacamole and chicken.  The chips were light, crispy and airy.  I have to say that the nachos were delicious.  However, once the music started, nachos were forgotten.  I have not danced like that for a very long time.  What I do not understand is why people will watch, move on the sidelines, but not join in on the dance floor.  Their loss for sure.  Two and 1/2 hours later, we cruised home.
 Then Saturday morning came and it was time to work out with the campers at the Boot Camp Party! More fun music to a fantastic workout.  After the workout it was time for breakfast.  What to make for the start of Autumn:  Pumpkin Waffles topped by Greek yogurt and candied walnuts.  Orange juice and coffee completed the breakfast.

  Then it was time to clean and relax before heading out to rehearsal for Sunday.  Then enjoyed a quiet evening with movies and chocolate chip cookies and ice cold milk.  Yeah! I splurged.
  Sunday was an extremely busy day.  But what a day!  Needless to say that at both the 9 a.m. and the 11:00 a.m. church services, I messed up the new song that we learned to sing.  I was so disappointed in myself that I just felt that I really let God down.  The devil will try his hardest to separate you from God, that even in church the devil can find you.  How you ask, by playing on your fears.  When you allow your fears to surface, the devil will enter in and start chipping away at you until failure looms and finally hits.  So, as my fears of messing up the song rose, the devil did his work and BINGO, I messed up the song.  Not once, but twice!!!  I was reprimanded and my heart just sank with every word and all I could think was that I cannot do this.  Maybe God does not want me singing, I am not able to get the song, I do not belong.  Lower and lower my heart sank.  How was I going to make it through the third service.  Yep, there was a homecoming service that our pastor was invited to speak, and the choir went to sing.  So, here I was, feeling that this was not my path and I was just really kidding myself about singing and yet I had to do two solos.  Oh, what would I do.  What did I do?  Well first I read my Bible, I delved into God's word.  I reflected on what my minister of music told me and I prayed.  Prayed that when I sang, it would be at least, okay.  The service begins, first hymn done, after prayer and welcome it is time for the first two selections from the choir.  First song, " I Can Only Imagine."  Okay, I have sung this one, once before but just as we are to begin, I am told that the solo part is the beginning, not the chorus, as I had done before.  Okay!!  I thought to myself,  "Jesus, for you, this song I sing.  I am not gonna let the Devil enter in."  Song went okay, one down-one to go.  After second selection, there is some more speaking and then it is the song.  The song that all morning long, for me, continuously went wrong.  I looked up to the cross, I whispered quietly, "this one is for you, Jesus" and I began to sing.  It went well!!!  Many individuals after the service complimented me on my singing, but it truly was all God!
  After Sunday, Monday morning came....Oh no, another work week begins.  Rose up, did my morning workout and went off to work.  Last day to get a free McDonald's coffee, so of course I had to take advantage one last time.
 After Monday, alas arrived Tasty Tuesday.   Started off the morning with the Honey Oatmeal muffin along with Greek yogurt and blackberries.  Yum!
 And then there was lunch!  A healthy lunch was on the menu for today.  An open-faced red-roasted humus sandwich on multi-grain bread topped with baby cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.  Along side was low fat cottage cheese with cinnamon and walnuts.  YUM!!!

 
   If you like olives, which I do not, you can replace the tomatoes with them.  This is a great lunch that provides you with energy.  Snack for the day was peanut butter and graham crackers.  All in all this was a very tasty meal day.
   Dinner was not on the menu tonight account it was Boot Camp Party workout at 7 p.m.  When I workout at night, I plan to eat my proteins and carbohydrates during the day to build up for the workout.  
  So, what then makes Tuesday night tasty?  Chicago Fire on NBC at 10 p.m.  Firehouse 51 is filled with some tasty looking men, perfect for a single woman after an intense workout.  So, I made a nice cup of tea,slipped into my comfy pajamas, put up my feet and truly enjoyed the indulgence of watching the tasty firemen of Chicago Fire.

   

  Well it is time to say good night for in just a few minutes, Tasty Tuesday will be gone and Whimsical Wednesday will begin.  

Bon Appetit!

Finally Friday!!

                                  Oh, Yes!  Yes!  Yes!   It is FINALLY Friday!!!!!

   If ever there seemed to be a week, that just did not seem to want to end, this was definitely the week, my friend.
   September is coming to an end, Autumn has begun and the weather has been absolutely glorious.  I believe that I have Fall Fever.  It is that time of year, when the colors slowly begin to change, the nights are cooler and the sunshine is brighter.  Mornings you wake up to the haze all around and you can feel God's presence in every sight and every sound.  The crisp Autumn air smells fresh and He is about to do some of the greatest work that happens on this earth.
  Many seem to view Autumn as the season of death.  All the plants seem to wither and die, many animals seem to disappear and the earth (in some parts) seems to lose its color.  But every living thing goes through the cycles of the seasons every year, no matter what climate they live in.  You see, I see Autumn as the time for rebirth to begin.  For in order to be reborn, you must die first. Autumn comes and the trees burst into flames of color.  Reds, oranges, yellows, and burgundy.  The fall foliage comes ablaze with the colors of fall and brightens up the forest and the mountains, the neighborhoods and the lanes.  Then the Autumn winds come and the trees let go of the old, to fall down to the earth below and give the ground a blanket of color.  Ah, to be a kid again, raking the leaves into a big pile and then running into them to scatter them all around once more.  To smell the crisp apples, pleasant pumpkins and all the other fabulous finds that grow in preparation of the Autumn harvest.  Candy and caramel apples, pumpkin pies, oh the treats that we eat from this wonderful time of year.
 Alas, you look around and everything, especially in the Northern states, has turned brown.  For many this resembles death, for me, it resembles sleep.  The trees and buds are resting, preparing for winter.  The strength is needed from the rest, so that they will survive the cold, bitter winds, deep snow and even ice.  For when we rest, the body rests and helps the muscles to strengthen.
  That is right folks, without rest, your body cannot become strong.  The muscles can not recuperate if not rested.  I do admit, it is hard for me to "rest".  I seem to always be buzzing around doing this or that.  Running off to exercise classes, never truly taking the time to rest, until, the body shuts down.  How, well, you catch a cold or allergies or worst.  We delude ourselves into thinking that I cannot get sick, I am working out every single day.  I am eating healthier, I drink plenty of water.  But, am I getting rest, nooooo!   I have two rest days a week, do I follow them, um I didn't.  I do now.  I realize that I have to let my muscles rest and I have to do a calm activity, not just for my body, but for my mind also.  These days I am now look forward to account I can then focus on my writing, my photography and reading my Bible.  I can begin back into my crafts and learn something new.
 Yes, Friday is finally here and this week I have drawn some conclusions for my life.  I am going to go back to school  I am going to take some on-line courses.  Keep the brain stimulated.
  I am going to do some baking and cooking in preparation of the upcoming week.  I love to make soups and stews. I freeze them in the portions for future dinners or lunches.  This time of year, just brings out the chef and baker in me.  Funny thing is, I was born June 21st, the very first day of summer!
  As Friday is the final day of the work week, Autumn is the final season of the year.  All go to sleep, to rest and to prepare.  Just as we do each and every Friday.  We sleep, we rest, and we prepare for the next work week to begin.  What a wonderful week this truly was!

 Finally Friday

Has once again come.

It is now time to rest

and have some fun.

For the week of work

Dragged your spirits down

And turned your smile

into a frown.

But the frown will not last

As you dance Friday night away

Looking forward to plenty of rest

On what we call, Saturday!

So be happy everyone

For Friday is finally here

Time to relax with your friends and family

And spread a little cheer.
Written By: Darla Palombia
September 2015

Have a FABULOUS Friday Night!!

Friday Night by Eric Paslay

Moving On Monday

    Another Monday, and the work week begins.  

Sunday services were energetic and inspiring.  Afterwards I went to spend a pleasant afternoon with my best friend of 24 years.  She helps me stay focused and grounded.  We share our dreams and realities with each other and there are no judgments. 

 There comes into your life many individuals.  Some come for a reason, to give you a purpose or help to fulfill part of your journey.  Some come into your life for a season, to open up your world with new discoveries about yourself and your journey.  Some, come into your life for a lifetime.  That is my friend, Saphya.  God, truly blessed me when we were introduced all those many years ago.  We have seen each other through raising our sons, divorces, new marriages, more divorces and I am so happy to say that I was able to stand by her, when she married Joe.  He loves and accepts her unconditionally.  Spending time with them brings me joy.  They are my family!  

 Sunday also brought football, yes it is that time of year again. Of course, once I arrived home last evening, I had to watch my team play.  I do not get too many opportunities to see them, so I enjoyed watching them.  You see, I was born and raised in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  My father was a steel worker and I grew up watching the Steelers in the fall/winter, the Pirates in the spring/summer/fall and the Penguins during the winter.  Yep, I am a Black & Yellow (gold to us) girl!  It was great to watch the team, was even better that they won.  I forgot how much the adrenaline flows when watching the game.  How your heart races and then when they win, well lets just say, I did not get much sleep last night.  

  Four and a half hours, the alarm is going off and Monday was here.  I honestly did not want to get out of my bed this morning...but there was that little voice inside saying "Move It!"

  Back to the trenches, but before we can go there...it is Moving On Monday.  Moving on Monday is exactly how it sounds...we need to be moving on Monday.  Get the body pumped up for the work day ahead.  

 Okay, okay, I am in total agreement with all of you, when the alarm sounds on a Monday morning I would rather stay curled up in my nice warm bed, but that only last for a very short period of time, normally at least two 10 minute snooze cycles, and then the voice says: "Darla time to get moving!" I am like: leave me alone, already...but it continues to draw me out.  Out of the warm cocoon of my nice warm fluffy blanket.  

 And then the moving on begins...2 circuits of the following

       50 squats

       20 push ups

       20 body saws

Sunshine Saturday

"Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day!  I have a glorious feeling, everything's coming my way"

 Some mornings are made for those words and what a great tune from Oklahoma.  Today was a sunshiny day.  Started early with Zach, Caitlyn and Charles participating in the Berryville Yardsale Event.  But, alas, I missed my Boot Camp Party!  Never realized just how great and in the right frame of mind working out puts me in, until today.
 Lets just say, that I was grumpy at choir rehearsal, and that is truly so unlike me.  I can chalk it up to being up early with very little sleep, I could say it is because I missed my workout. I could say that I was disappointed in myself. But in all honesty, I truly do not know why I allowed myself to hit the low that I did.  The good thing, it was only a momentarily low point.
 One of the drawbacks of being single, is that you truly do not have someone immediately there to talk to when you need that instant gratification of getting whatever is bothering you off your chest, out of the system and gone. So, what can we do in that moment, that precious space of time when you need someone to share what you are feeling.  For me, I talk to Jesus.  I truly sometimes think that He probably is like, "Oh no, its her again."  But my best friend is not like that at all.  He always listens to me.  How can I possibly know this.  Faith!!  It is that moment, when tears are streaming down my eyes and a rainbow appears in the brightest bluish sky.  It is the warmth of the sun's ray, becoming brighter and you feel the gently warmth kiss your face.  In the breeze that suddenly gently blows and you feel Him whisper: "Everything will be okay", or at the right moment, that one song that touches you so much and carries you through, comes on the radio.  That is how I know that He is with me.
 I know that not everyone believes in Jesus and many even question if God exists.  But how could this world truly continue each day, every moment, if He was not there.  How could the trees that go to sleep in Autumn, know to reawaken in spring.  How would we be able to look into the eyes of someone sitting on the sidewalk with a sign and a cup, and just walk on by and not feel anything?  The astonishing thing is, people do!!  I believe that it is not that they do not feel, but what they feel is fear.  Fear to face the unknown, so many try to plan  out their lives down to the smallest detail.  Fear to give, account they are thinking that the individual is only going to go and spend the money on drugs or alcohol.  Fear to believe in another human.  Fear that God does exist and that we made all the wrong choices and  lived our life all wrong and now there is no hope for us.
 Newsflash:  There is HOPE!  There is LOVE!  There is KINDNESS! and There is GOD!! He is alive!
  Every morning the day begins a new, and so can I.  Every morning I am given another opportunity to make the right choices and to bring Him glory and praise.  AND SO CAN YOU!!!
 His love and grace are just not for the chosen, but for the ones who choose to believe and to trust Him.  To change their lives, to LOVE, HOPE and GIVE!!!
 So, does not working out on Saturday morning put me in the wrong frame of mind, YES, it can.  I could have still workout this morning, just differently than I normally do, but I chose not to.  The endorphin levels that your body releases when you start your day off with physical activity, generates positive and upbeat feelings.  You may ache and hurt, but you feel happy all day long!
 I truly had no reason to be grumpy, at the event, I was dancing and having a great time.  I even had a song dedicated to me by the DJ after my "interview" with him.  The song: Pretty Woman.  It was a great compliment and fun.  I had a great walk with my grandson, Charles.  We strolled along the sidewalk, dancing and singing together.  We were happy, and everyone saw how happy we were.  We brought smiles to peoples faces.  We had joy on a very sunshiny day!

 Life Lesson for Today:  I learned to always do some sort of physical activity upon rising to start my day off right.  It definitely makes me feel happy.

 It is definitely a Sunshiny Day!!!

Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows by Lesley Gore
Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows

                                          I hope you enjoy the song!!!  Got me singing all day long

Wonderful Wednesday

September 17, 2014

  Today is what is termed as my "rest" day from working out.  What that really means is that I do at least 30 minutes of a physical activity but nothing too strenuous to give the muscles time to recuperate and relax.
  I can tell you that this is hard to do, especially when you let yourself become intensely involved with working out and then feeling wrong if you do not.  This has happened to me and I am taking back control.  Even something that is good for you, can become "bad" for you.
  Four years ago, when I found myself being forced into something that I feared changed my life in a good way.  It made me redirect energy into myself instead of pouring it on someone, who not only did not deserve it, but truly did not want it either.  Hard life lesson, since I am definitely born to serve others, to clean up after them, to care for them.  But then, you can smother a person that way too.
 
   Lesson One:  You must take care of yourself and your body to be able to do the work that God
                          has planned for you.

 In order to truly be able to take care of someone else, you must take care of yourself.  Enter into my life, July 2010 a small little four-legged friend,  Lily.  Living on a fourth floor apartment and taking care of a puppy, definitely puts it into you that you need to get into shape.  When Lily entered my life, I began walking.  Granted her short puppy legs could only go so far, but as she grew, so did our walks and our adventures.  She came into my life at a time that I truly needed her.  Every day after work, I come home and we go walking, thus beginning my journey into fitness.  After two years of walking, I knew I needed more.  Enter Zumba...wow, what a way to work out.  So, June 2012, I joined a gym and began a full regimen of Zumba. Monday, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays.  Occasionally there was a Thursday in there too.  But, my time with Lily shorten.  From Zumba, I began a spin class.  More time taken away from Lily.  Then May of 2014 I discovered Boot Camp Party!!  This workout truly brought me what I have been building up to and looking for.  It also made me realize that I need to restructure my workouts and to focus in on the important things in my life.  Lily being one of them!!  As Lily is visiting Michael, I am reshaping my time and workouts to be more in tune with her and spending more time with her.

  Lesson Two:  Do not lose sight of what and who are truly important in your life.

 Working out can become addicting.  Especially when you are alone and single.  But can it truly fill the void that is missing in your life.  No, it cannot.  However, I have discovered that I love working out.  That feeling the ache in my muscles from one workout strengthens me for the next and it is amazing.  But is it everything I need?  No.  There is so much out there to discover and explore  Walking 3 miles or going hiking with Lily, is also an amazing way to workout and discover new things along the way.
 I will not go back to how I was, but move forward to the one I was meant to be.  So, in this discovery of oneself, I realized that I need and want to spend more time with Lily.  The walks we take, playing around the house and cuddling together are just as important as working out.  All aspects of my life are becoming a near-perfect balance.  How is this possible, because God is directing me.  He is showing me each day, how to reshape, reschedule and redirect my thoughts, ideas, workouts and projects.  You ask, how can He be doing this?  Simple, by placing people in my path along my journey to help guide me.  The difficulty is knowing which individuals are brought into your life by God and which ones are doing the work of Satan.  The answer that I know you are asking, how do I know which is which?  I pray, and He lets me know, whom I can trust and whom I need to be weary of.  But it does not mean that I cannot learn something from these individuals, I cannot let them have control of my thoughts or my emotions.  But Jesus, is always there to protect me.

  Lesson Three:  Trust God and He will help put your life in order.

  Last week, I took a stay-cation and delved into my life and asked for guidance to restructure my journey.  Here are the results:
1.  I gave up the gym membership.
2.  I workout with the Boot Camp Party on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
3.  I assist a friend with building her Zumba class (so I am getting my Zumba fix)
4.  Monday, Wednesday, Fridays & Sundays (after church) I am walking three to four miles
5.  I do a morning workout routine upon rising out of bed to start the day
6.  I have workout DVDs that on Monday, September 22nd I will begin doing along with the walks
7.  I spend each day, reading my Bible and spending time with God
8.  Put my best into my work and keep it professional at all times
9.  Spend quality time with my friends
10.  Reach out to my family at least once a week by sending letters/cards, a text message or phone
       call.
11.  Follow my weekly meal plan and make smart choices with foods.

But most importantly, Stay focused on God and keep my eyes on Jesus!

The workout challenge for today from Jillian Michaels:  Plank Rows!
  The link below will show you how to do them....I did 60 this evening.
     http://www.jillianmichaels.com/fit/the-regimen/exercises/plank-row

Tasty Tuesday

September 16, 2014

 Tuesday morning the sun rises and it is another work day.  What will this day bring, another day of being single and alone or do I change my way of thinking and see this as a new page in my journey of being single and discovering joy.  Definitely the latter is a much better way of thinking.  
 This particular Tuesday though, I woke up, did my morning workout, dressed for work and off I went.  I did not realize until I was gazing out the window while my creamy steel cut oats were cooking in the microwave at work, that I was carrying the weight of being alone.  I could just feel the emptiness inside of me, wrapping around my heart.  The sky was blue with beautiful white fluffy clouds and the sun was still rising.  The morning was bright and crisp, when suddenly a rainbow began to form and the tears streamed down my face.  I could hear in my heart, the song that was sung at a special service on Sunday at Mt. Zion in Hamilton, Angus Dei.  

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

For the Lord God almighty reigns.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

For the Lord God almighty reigns.

Holy, Holy

Are you Lord God, Almighty

Worthy is the lamb, worthy is the lamb

Amen!! 

As these words poured from my heart, the rainbow became bigger and brighter, and I remember..

 "He set His bow in the clouds, a promise of His covenant with Noah"  

When I am feeling the weight of this lonely world closing in all around me, He sends me His rainbow to let me know that everything will be alright.  He will make everything all right and that I am not alone, and just at that moment of peace, my oatmeal blew up all over the microwave.  I still had enough for breakfast, but I guess it was His way of making the portion just right and not too much. 

Tuesday evenings is workout, Boot Camp Party!  Such a well rounded workout...cardio, weights, abs and stretching in an hour.  Of course if you are going to work the body, you have to feed the body, hence today is Tasty Tuesday.  Time for an inspiring recipe that is both healthy and tastes delicious.

Harvest Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:                                                                     Preparation:

1 1/2 cups flour, all purpose                           1. In a medium bowl mix dry ingredients together, set 

1 1/2 tsp baking powder                                     aside.

1 tsp baking soda                                            2. Using a mixer, beat butter until light and fluffy, add

1/4 tsp salt                                                           honey, egg and pumpkin.  

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, ground                            3. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just

1/2 tsp ginger, ground                                         blended.  Stir in walnuts

1/4 tsp nutmeg, ground                                   4. Spoon into 12 greased or paper-lined muffin cups

1/4 cup butter, softened                                  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, until     

3/4 cup honey                                                      a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

1 egg                                                               6. Remove to wire rack.  

1 cup pumpkin, solid pack                             

1 cup walnuts, chopped & toasted                  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Number of Servings: 12

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 226

Total Fat: 10 g

Saturated Fat:

Cholesterol: 10 mg

Sodium: 251 mg

Total Carbohydrate: 32 g

Dietary Fiber: 2 g

Protein: 5 g

                            I hope you enjoy these Autumn treats.  Great for breakfast or snack.

September 13, 2014                 Simply Saturday

Saturdays are the final day of the week.  Many believe it is Sunday, but when you look at the calendar, Saturday is the last day.  There it is: Saturday simply closes out the week. A time to just simply, sit back and enjoy.  To take a hike if the day is clear, to start a new project if it happens to be raining, or to simply unwind, put on some movies, pop popcorn and relax.

Saturdays for me start early with a great exercise routine, Boot Camp Party.  But, on the Saturdays that the party is not happening, well then I have a back up routine that goes into effect.  Saturdays are also singing days.  I sing in two church choirs and this is the day we rehearse.  What a wonderful way to end the week, by singing praises to God, the Creator and to Jesus the Savior.   Life does not get any simpler than that, to trust in God, believe He gave us His son Jesus to redeem us and to let everything else go.  The world would truly destroy us, if He did not fight every moment of each day for us.

He has His angels watch over us.

September 15, 2014

                                                           Motivational Monday

Ah, Monday, the start of the work week.  When we begrudgingly get out of bed moaning and groaning how the weekend just went too fast.  But, it is time to change that mundane way of thinking.  Monday is a marvelous day!  Work starts, and lets face it, without work, we could not have a roof over our heads, food on the table, gas in the car and maybe a little extra to take in a movie or visit a winery.  The key is finding joy in your work, even if it is the same routine each and every day.  Look around you, do you work with people, in a quiet office with a view or in a classroom of children that believe that they already know everything they need to know.  There is joy to be found, for when you work with people, you are serving, when you work in a quiet office, you have a view of the world that no one else has and when you work with children, well you are planting seeds of knowledge and wisdom that will be the world's future.
 If you cannot find the joy, then it is time to change.  But that is scary.  To walk away from a sure thing to the best thing that God has planned for you.  The job that you were truly created to do.  Some people are very lucky account they discover at a young age were their future lies and the job they want to do and then there are those, much like myself, timid and shy, that I allowed myself to be guided in a direction that was not mine.
  Alas, four years ago, I was forced to truly begin to let God completely guide me and continue to mold me into the person He intends for me to be.  To mature me and build confidence in myself.
  You see, I am a writer.  He gives me words that need to be expressed.  I write poetry and lately the poems have music behind them. As the words are pouring out, I can hear the music in them.  He is moving me, because He needs for these words to be heard.  Maybe someone out there needs to hear them, to read them, so that they come to know that someone cares for them.  That someone is there for them.
  I am also a photographer.  I love to walk and many times I have my camera because there will be something that I need to capture in that moment.  And then those pictures will fit perfectly to one of the poems that I just written.  God is truly amazing and His glory will be revealed.
  I cannot keep these things to myself any longer.  He is nudging me and I am obeying.  I will have them published, I will find that right person who believes in the words and will sing them, or it just maybe that He wants me to sing them.

 Monday morning came

 The radio is blaring it's song.

 I stumble out of my bed

 For the work day is coming on.

Why do I continue

 In this manner, in this life.

 When the world just drains me

  Bringing me sorrow and strife.

 I am alone,

 Single and scared

 I once had two arms that held me

 Now, no one is there. 

I feel so heavy

With these burdens that I bare.

Being all alone

This is my greatest fear.

But then I hear it

A bird outside singing.

My spirit begins to lift

There is reason behind my living.

For He loves me

More than I truly deserve.

And wants me to write

To share His precious words.

He wants me to tell you

Do not give up the fight.

To give your burdens over to Him

And He will puts things right.

What a friend we have in Jesus

 The one who died for thee.

 He destroyed our sins, we are forgiven

 When on a cross, He set us free.

What a joy to be free

Secure within His love.

This world is only temporary

Our true home, is in Heaven above.

Written by:  Darla Palombia 

September 15, 2014

                                  Thank you for joining me in this journey of being single and discovering joy.

Throwback Thursday - September 11, 2014

   Today I begin a new part of my journey to discovery.  
 In January 2010 I was faced with the challenge of a new direction in my life. I was getting a divorce, a divorce that subconsciously I knew for years would come, but was still not totally prepared for.  February 2010, on the exact day and at the exact moment he moved out of the house and drove away from our life, my mother passed away.  I believe now that she was waiting for him to move out before she took her final breath, and then she was at peace.
 So, with my life considered by some, in shambles; I had to rise up and move forward.  What a wonderful journey of discovery these past four years have been for me.
 Each day, I will  share with you, moments of the journey along with recipes, poems, quotes and pictures.  The poems, I have written and the pictures I have taken along this journey.  
 Living alone is not a bad or terrifying thing.  Yes, it can be lonely, but I am never truly alone.  It can be boring, but then you discover things to do and before you know it, the day is ended and you find yourself fulfilled.  Living alone is a time to discover, to challenge yourself and to pray.  
 If you continue along with me, you will discover one of the best friends I have know since the age of nine.  He, who has pulled me through each moment of my life, who gives me the air that I breathe and the strength when I feel I can no longer go on.  My friend, my Lord, my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thursdays are considered throwback days.  What a wonderful concept, to reflect on the past and be thankful for the presence.   To see where you were and acknowledge where you are now.  For some, it may seem that you have gone from good to bad and for others, bad to good.  But in the past we made decisions that directed where we are now, and we can use these, to redirect our future.  

So, lets throwback...

  Thirteen years ago, the United States was devastated by acts of ugliness.  For many believed that evil won that day, I believe that good triumphed over all.  For watching the United States bond together to honor and fight for the lives lost in a small act of evil, the good in many more came forward.  To this day, many more people pray each day, many more people choose God and the challenges that they face and turn away from the temptation of evil.  Of course, when you listen to the news or watch the programs that they are putting on TV anymore it does not seem that way, but it is.  What if we demanded that the news begin to start reporting the good that is being done around the world, what if more stories of triumph were told, what if....  
  Something to think about.  How can I make a difference?  Another question to conquer in this journey of discovery.  



     We will never forget
     On this day, thirteen years ago
     When the world watched in horror
     Like a motion picture show.
     
    We will never forget
     The acts of those that rushed in.
     To save hundreds of lives
     Even though it cost theirs in the end.

    We will never forget
     The burdens and the cost.
     Of all the destruction
     Of the lives that were lost.

    We will never forget
     How in tragedy, we rose.
     To the challenge put in front of us
     For Freedom is what we chose.

    We will not be intimidated
     By those who hide in darkness
     For the light that shines from Liberty's torch
     Will forever being guide us.

  May God continue to watch over the United States of America and bestow His blessings upon us.