Merry Christmas 2012

We wish you all a peaceful joyous Christmas time. 
For my family and I, we celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, God's Son.  As we remember and honor His birth here on earth, we reflect on what it has meant for mankind --what it means to me -- and where we'd be if He hadn't come.
In case you have never read about His birth, I have reprinted it below from Luke.

Luke 2:1 - 20

 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Last night, we went out for a movie date.  We saw the Avengers - it was pretty good, a bit overwhelming.  I think I'm getting too old for comic book characters.  Plus it was quite violent.  I always notice when parents bring their 8 years olds to see a pg-13 movie.  Makes you wonder. 
Also, I find there is just too much computer manipulation - makes it so unreal.  Not that there is anything real about comic book characters, lol...
But we had a nice evening out.  Spent a small fortune on popcorn and drinks.  Wow...that is definitely where they make their money.  We did go for the 'Tuesday Special', aka 'cheap night'.  So at least we saved some there.
On the way home, about 3 minutes from our house on a country road, just about dark, we saw a mother woodcock and 5 little babies!  They were SO CUTE!  She was taking her time crossing the road, so we stopped and waited.  She seemed a bit disoriented by our lights, and we didn't dare turn them off because it was getting dark and didn't want anyone to run into us. 
After a couple of minutes, we saw lights - a car coming the opposite way.  I didn't hesitate - I got out of the car to play 'crossing guard'.  I waved my arms at the car and started towards the birds.  Momma wasn't happy.  She turned around and started right for me, kinda flapping her wings and making very unhappy sounds, then tried to draw me away from her babies. Such a good mother!  I decided perhaps I wouldn't 'herd' them across the road after all.
The other people stopped and waited, but I don't think they saw the chicks, as it was getting quite dark and they were next to long grass.  They were so tiny.  I read afterward that they are fully feathered out at 2 weeks.  These little ones must have only been a couple of days old.
Well, they finally all went their way, and I waved thank you to the other car and we came home.  My good deed for the day.
I pondered afterwards our timing.  2 or 3 minutes earlier or later, we would likely have missed them.  Possibly the other car would have hit them, because they were still on the road.  Makes you wonder.  I do believe the Lord really does care for the smallest things in our lives.  And I was thrilled seeing them. 
But boy, I sure wish I had my nice camera with me...

Scams...

Just a quick post.  I thought this was important enough to mention here.
We are shopping for a used boat, so we've been perusing Craigslist.  We've looked at a couple, and inquired about a couple more.  We rec'd an email back in regards to our inquiry on one,  from some lady who said she was in the military, being deployed to Afghanistan this month, and needed to sell her boat within the next 2 weeks.  Excellent condition- great price.  Just what we were looking for.   
In our second email, we asked for an address and phone number, so we could come see it and set up a time.
Her 3rd email said it was in Topeka, KS, ready to be shipped.  (Funny how we found this on the Boston area.)
She would ship it to us, through EBay (Ebay?  Where did that come in?) so we could use it for 5 days before buying, or ship it back free.  She said she was a legitimate Ebayer, and would prove it.
She said she 'couldn't get off base' to show it to us, as she was getting ready to be deployed.

WELL.  About this same time, we got another email from another ad we had responded to, another boat, only 2 years newer, and about the same cost.  This was from another military lady!  With almost the same wording and excuse about being in the military.
I thought, ok, how can this be?  So I did an internet search, and lo and behold., this is a scam.  Apparently it's been going on for sometime, because the forum I found had posts dated from 2010.  And also, it's not just boats, but cars and ATV's as well.  
We didn't get to the point of talking money - I sent back my last email stating I knew it was a scam and 'shame on them'. I am assuming they get you to send a check, which they will 'hold' until you decide if you want the item.  Or perhaps they get your credit information, I don't know.  All I know is you can't be too careful these days.  If it sound too good to be true, it more than likely is.


Lesson learned.  If you can't go see it in person locally, BEWARE!  And NEVER EVER send money to someone you don't know through Western Union, etc.  

Also, as a seller, the checks sent to you can be no good, can be from 3rd world countries, which can take months to clear - only to find out they are no good. 


http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Escrow-Insurance/Car-Scam-Beware/520186369

This link will take you to a forum on EBay discussing scams, and show many people who rec'd the same emails I did, in some shape or form. 

Hope this helps inform you and keeps you from falling for something like this.  

Lawn care, drought, and chemicals...

(The above pic is our lawn 2 years ago, about the same time.  It's not nearly that lush right now because of our dry spring)

The lawn care people were just here. They come every spring, spreading fertilizer and pre-emerge.  It's not my idea.  It's my landlady's.
If it were up to me, I would be carefully researching my options, and doing whatever I could organically.  I'm even open to a fine layer of composted manure applied at the right time.
I was thinking...I miss seeing white clover in my yard.  Not that it was ever here, but I do remember it in yards where I lived previously. Most people like to get rid of it, because it isn't grass, but I remember how sweet it smelled on a summer day.  And the buzzing of busy bees.
Which brings me to this thought:  Just think how many lawns across America are cloverless, dandilionless, plus all the other little flowering things?  And we wonder where the bees are?  Why they are dying, or why we have to bring them in to orchards, etc.
Not saying this is the complete cause, but I'm sure it does factor in, since the last 50 years or so of chemical lawn care.  It's a huge industry, at least here it is.  With applications up to 4 times a year, that can really add up. And I won't even get into industrial applications on farms, golf courses, etc...
I was thinking about tilling up some lawn for a garden, but now?  I don't think so.  No telling how much residual chemical lies in my lawn.  Do a search on Roundup, you might be surprised.
I just know that each year when the chemical lawn man shows up, I am frustrated by my lack of say in this decision.  I can't wait to have my own lawn.  And I just hope it hasn't been subjected to years of chemicals.
I just had another depressing thought:  But what about my neighbors?? What about runoff? Is it possible that the rain can bring the chemicals from across the road and down our front lawn? (we are downhill) Is it affecting my water supply? What about the marsh out back?

All these are things we should consider  for both ourselves, and our neighbors, when we make a decision to treat our lawns.  We are to consider our neighbors...and make responsible decisions.
Speaking of lawns, I was reading recently about how much water it takes to maintain these beautiful lawns.  This is of special concern to me, and others who are drought stricken at this time.  I am already watching my water consumption due to a very dry winter and spring, and it's only April.  I know my well can run dry during a real dry spell if I do laundry and water my flowers on the same day.
I wrote about this before, how I save and use my kitchen wash water on my plants, by saving the water I wash my veggies in.  Amazing and terrible how much good clean water we pour down the drain. We take so much for granted here in America - our good clean plentiful running water.  Our indoor flush toilets - flushing after every visit, instead of every 2 or 3rd.  Running the faucet full tilt while brushing our teeth.  I've adopted these conservative measures myself, and my next plan is for rain barrels, so I don't have to use my good clean well water.
I sometimes get a bit upset when I see the neighbors down the road with their beautiful weedless lawns maintained by underground sprinklers that run EVERY DAY, and wonder, does this affect my well?  How do we know?  How can we know if we are on the same vein underground?  Maybe not, but it irks me that they run water like it's always going to be there, and I worry about my well running dry and whether I should water the few flowers that I have.
It's dry everywhere here, and we should all have a concern about this.  We should all be doing our part.  Just read about Texas and their drought.  How the towns haven't been doing enough to conserve water, and how worried they are about running out.  Actually running out of water.
I even read that a number of people are getting wells drilled that are already on town water, and how the towns may have to limit the number of permits for these wells.  Can you imagine being denied a permit to drill a well??
All because we didn't have enough foresight, or perhaps it's more than that, maybe it's a lack of discipline.  We just don't want to have to be the ones to give up anything or change our lifestyle...

And this was going to be a very short post.  Sigh. :0)
Let me just end this by saying that my mindset has been slowly changing over the last couple of years.  Between reading survivalblog.com, Mother Earth News, the weather channel, CNN, and a few other magazines and websites, I feel I am becoming more educated (and woke up!) on things I didn't use to worry about.
Top that off with our 7 day power outage last October, which REALLY woke us up and made us think, I am glad that I am thinking differently.  And it's not just me.  I overhear conversations in restaurants and stores discussing these things.  Lets just say that when 800,000 people are without power for several days at a time, people start to think about things they've never before considered.

Well, gotta run.  Laundry is calling.
Thanks for listening.  Think about these things.  Read up on them.  Make wise decisions.

Well, my computer was down for a week, in the shop. They say it had viruses. When I asked how many, she said, we lost count. Oh. My. Goodness! I've had the Cox Security Suite installed for 5 years, they use McAfee. I though I was secure.
I knew the week before it wouldn't boot up to windows that the computer was acting kind of sketchy. That little voice in the back of my mind was saying, 'you should really do a backup of your photos, get those organized and delete what you can.' And did I listen?
Procrastination is my middle name.
Well, I got lucky. My personal stuff is intact, but I have limited functionality. My audio doesn't work, only one drive works, and it's misnamed. When the computer shop repaired my computer, they used an older version of my windows XP Media. I have 2005. They used 2002. They say it's the same workings. I say, I've used this computer since Jan 2007 daily, and I know what it's supposed to look like. It looks slightly dated, and the drivers are all messed up.
AND, I never did update to Vista, although I've had the disk for years. Now, I can't, because it's an update to vers. 2005, not 2002. Sigh.
I've learned alot in the last couple of weeks. How to save my .pst files for Outlook, that I should have a backup plan and use it DILIGENTLY. That I have, are you ready? about 60 GB of photos and videos alone. Not including my documents, which thankfully are a fraction of that.
Do you know how long it takes to upload all those photos? DAYS. Actually DAYS AND NIGHTS. Seriously. I've been uploading for 4 days and nights steadily.
And did I mention music files? I've just been getting into buying I Tunes and Amazon MP3's for my I-Pod Nano (which I still love, btw!) I can't remember how much I have been it's not as serious as the photos. I uploaded all my music to Amazon Cloud and SugarSync, so I should be ok.
Speaking of SugarSync, that is who I decided to go with for online storage/backup. It's costing me, but I am hoping to downgrade my package after I get this mess straightened out. I did run into some trouble with the last 10 files, they don't seem to want to upload. Spent time chatting online with tech yesterday, need to upload the log to them for analyzing.
In the meantime, after searching online for others opinions on this stuff, I decided it wouldn't hurt to go with Carbonite, another online storage/backup site, as a backup to my backup. They offer a free trial period, unlimited upload. Yee haw! (seeing as how I uploaded about 85 GB to Sugarsync) So that is what I'm doing now.
AND, the repair shop said that AVAST is a great free antivirus software, so they put a copy on my computer before I brought it home. So far, it's blocked a couple of malwares.
I think I've done well over the years, as that was the first time I've ever had a computer in the shop, and when I really sat down to think how long I've been online, well, it's been since about 1997. I've been operating computers since the 1980's. Wow. I didn't realize it's been that long!
I've owned 3 computers, each one basically becoming severely outdated. This one is 6 years old. I remember when I ordered it from Dell, I could have a TV Tuner come installed in it, and I thought, that's crazy! So I didn't. Now I get it. Sigh. :0)
Well, I hope this helps someone out there to stop procrastinating and get things in order on their computer. I had a close call - nearly losing all my beloved family photos for the last 6 years (last backup was 3 years ago), our trips, my pets, my flowers (What was I thinking? A bazillion flower pics!) scanned slides of my childhood... everything.
And did I mention I save emails? Yes, I have several folders and sort family and friend emails into them and keep them - at least the meaningful ones. I am quite sentimental. I need to do something about that. :0)
So, what did we learn today?
1) Backup your computer! Regularly!
2) Sort those photos, make prints, CD's, etc.
3) Keep a copy of your music online, on CD's, etc.
4) Check your virus software - I think you can do a free virus scan with other reputable software now and then just to be sure.
5) Don't procrastinate. You might not be as lucky as I am next time.

I don't know how much longer this is going to take. I've been at this since last Friday, a week ago. I still have several thousand files to upload to Carbonite. It could take another couple of days, I think I managed 6GB overnight last night. Make sure you turn off your screensaver, your hibernation mode and sleep mode - and just shut off your screen.
My plan is to finish this, then reinstall my correct operating system, and then install my Vista upgrade. I'm going to finally do it and get it over with. I think it's patched and fixed as much as it's going to get now, and I hear Windows 8 is coming out soon. Sure is hard (and expensive) to keep up with technology. Hmmm, do I really need it? That's a post for another day. :0)

Scripture on my heart today:

2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen, is eternal."

Thank you, Lord, for encouraging me to not lose heart by what I see. To know that you are always working on my behalf in all situations. Even when I don't understand, I trust you. Thank you Lord, for adjusting my perspective. Thank you for adding balance. Amen

SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder...

(Turkeys in my back yard last winter...)

Well, so much for doing better on blogging. I give up making any more promises. I will catch you up on what's been going on this winter. I guess in the last post, I talked about light boxes, so I'll start there. The new one, from Northern Light Technologies, made in Canada, I tried just didn't seem to do it. I wanted it to, I really did. It was white light, so supposed to be better for your eyes. No glare, tilted down instead of up. It was big and awkward, and took up one end of my dining room table. I did get some great Bible reading time in during my sessions though, and I continue to read a chapter nearly every day. A great habit to get into, and not only reading it, but really studying it and understand what the author was trying to say. It sure helps to read the entire book consecutively, as it helps put things in perspective and you get an understanding of his point. Anyway. I finally ended up sending the light box back. It was over $200, and I had only 30 days to try it. Thank goodness Amazon has such an excellent return policy. It did come with a piece broken, so I didn't have to pay return shipping. I ordered another one, this time a Verilux Happy Light. This one is lighter, about the same size, but has a built in stand so it sits on your desktop, but also has a keyhole so you can hang it on your wall. So, I've been using in the wall, about 3 feet from me. Now, it says to be within about 12" from your face for 1/2 hour, but this makes my eyes ache, a fair amount of nausea, and a bit of a headache, so I left it on the wall, turned on, while I do my internet stuff in the morning. It's been a slow process. I think it helps some, but my problem has been compounded with 2 colds in the last month. Yes, you read that right! 2! about 4 weeks apart. The first one was a real nasty one - severe sinus pressure and pain, runny nose, scratchy throat, fatigue. What fun. Then, just as the very last of the first cold was leaving, another one came. Not as bad, but it sure is taking it's sweet time in leaving. It seems I've been sick for 6 weeks now. And tired the whole time. No energy. Down, unmotivated, wasn't able to exercise consistently, and it's winter. More fun. I am getting over now though as we speak, still runny nose, but a bit more energy. I started walking again last week. Far cry from the treadmill, bike and elliptical plus weights I was doing at the gym, but I am getting there. I am really struggling with the light box thing, though. I am to the point I am willing to buy back the first blue light. I felt SO GOOD while doing that. A lot more energy, motivation, well being - things I really like! :0) I am thinking of keeping this light box from Verilux, and using both - the blue light for a shortened period of time each day, with the other light filling in. Have to see how that works. Seems the blue light is the most effective treatment, but comes with it's hazards, like glare and headache. So perhaps I'll modify my treatment to try to eliminate these. I've really struggled with nausea too, with the Verilux when using it up close. Lasts nearly all day. I'm still having a hard time getting up mornings - this wasn't hardly a problem with the blue light therapy. Perhaps I should try the Dawn Simulator. These dark mornings, now again with the time change, make things harder. A Dawn Simulator starts about 30 minutes before you want to walk up, with a gradual lightening, just like real dawn does. Tells your body 'Wake up!' Another thing with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is the latitude where you live. Seems if you are subject to this, the further north you live, the harder it is. Since I live in New England, can't get too much further north, although it does make a difference from living in Maine and NB. I did notice we have a lot more days of sunshine here in CT than northern Maine. I found a document online which said that Caribou Maine gets 59 days of sunshine per year, and Hartford about 82. That's full sunny days, not including partly sunny/partly cloudy days. I know there are a lot of partly cloudy days up north. We have less days of precipitation too. Most sunny days seems to be in the desert area of the US, like Arizona, Nevada, etc. Well, there's no way I'm moving there! I am definitely not a desert person. I like my green trees, flowers, grass, etc. However, I am entertaining the idea of a move further south, especially in retirement. The only problem is, I don't like excessive heat and humidity. That can also trigger a more rare form of SAD. And even rarer, is a combination of the two. With my luck, I likely have both. yeah... I know I get quite frustrated in the heat and humidity, but I think if I had a swimming pool, nothing fancy mind you, it would help. Also, a deck NOT painted brown. Can you say 'hot hot hot!!'? :0) Well, I'll just say, I will be glad to find something that works, and get on with my life, because this is certainly a major downer every winter. I want to enjoy life year round. Yes! So that's what's been preoccupying my time lately. Isn't that exciting? :0)) On a lighter note, I'm running out of my homemade soap I stocked up on in December from one of our local farms - Cupola Hollow Farms. They make excellent goat's milk soap - once you try it, you may never go back to store bought soap again. I know I won't. The ladies will open up likely the end of this month, hopefully. I see one of our favorite ice cream places has moved down the road from their original spot, can't wait! This warm weather certainly gets one in the mood. It has been in the 70's the past couple of days. About 20 degrees above normal. I don't know what that's going to say about this summer. I wish I could summer in Maine - just the summer. It is so nice up there July and August. Fresh cool breezes, warm summer days, fresh fresh air, and such a feeling of laid back contentedness. How well I remember from our years there. It's such a slower pace of life, so much more relaxing than here. But you also need to remember the long cold winters, and bug season. Oh. Yeah. If you go too early in the summer, be prepared for the onslaught of blackflies. Especially north of Bangor. And mosquitoes. Lots of swampy boggy places for them to thrive up there. Speaking of, we saw our first mosquitoes of the season here this week! And yesterday, we heard spring peepers. I love listening to them in the evening. It's early in the season, so I hope we don't have any more snow or late season hard freeze. Although at this point it time, it's anyone's guess if we will. Well, I better go. Housework is calling, and maybe some time in the sun on the deck while these unseasonably warm days are here. I hope everything is going well in your neck of the woods. God bless and keep you.

Light therapy boxes...

Just a quick update on one of my past posts where I mentioned the light therapy box.
I sent back the Suntouch Plus light box. I discovered it's a 'blue light' box, and blue light has been shown to be hard on your retinas, and can lead to Age-related Macular Degeneration. Can actually speed it up by 10 years.
The article suggested 'white light', so I ordered and rec'd the BoxElite from Northern Light Technologies. (bought through Amazon) I will keep you posted on how it works out. I know the other light box made a big difference, but I did suffer from glare, and worried about my eyesight. Plus, we are supposed to get it at an angle as if from the sun, so not from desktop level, but rather from an elevated level, which this new box does. I did notice today that there is no glare. There's also UV filter protection, and it's adjustable. The light isn't as bright, but still 10,000 lux, and it's to be used 17 inches from your face, rather than 12 - 16.
I feel more confident using this one, but will continue to monitor the research. Will keep you posted if I learn anything new.

Almost, but I didn't.

That was close. I almost signed back into Facebook today. I looked at my index card for my password, and noticed the date. 7/13/09. Wow! I didn't realize that it had been that long since I had deactivated my account on Facebook. Today was tempting. My aunt has since joined, and my best friend has pics of her new hubby on hers. My step-kids and nieces are on there too. But do I really want to get back on into everyone's daily life again? Do I need to? Honestly, for me, I probably shouldn't. I live far away from all my relatives. That might make you think that I really should. But then I remember the emotional roller coaster I could get on when I saw something that upset me, something someone said, or when someone in my own family didn't add me to their Facebook friend list. Whether by mistake or on purpose, I've decided that I don't really want to know after all. I am on this computer enough daily that I don't need to check into Facebook several times a day too. (and I know me - I will do that!) 

 While it was good to reconnect with friends I grew up with, they do live over 1000 miles away from me, and the likelihood that I will ever see them again in person is slim to none. I'm just facing facts here. And the emotional roller coaster? I can certainly do without that. I don't need the extra upsets that come along in life. I can't help much about most things, except pray, and be a support if they phone. I should be doing that for them anyway. So I think that I will just put away the thought of signing back in, and call them instead, if I decide to connect. So much better that way, don't you think?

Getting healthy...

(Above: My lap buddy, Max, who follows me around every night until I sit down and put his favorite blanky on my lap for him to sit on.)

Sorry, people, I am SO lax at posting lately! No excuses. Otherwise occupied with not so important stuff, like web surfing and reading other people's more exciting blogs. Did have company over Christmas, my parents were able to come down after all, even though Dad had heart issues last April, they were able to get insurance for a short duration. (Canadians visiting the U.S. for any length of time should have add-on insurance - my in-laws are eternally and financially grateful they did)

Can't believe we don't have any snow on the ground! In January! After snow storm Alfred last October, we thought we were in for it. That was the last and only time we had to have our driveway plowed. At least we are saving money somewhere this winter. :0) Who knows what February will bring, though. We have had warmer temps than normal too. Can't complain about that.

Still house hunting. Sigh. Yes, someday, before I die, we will actually buy a house. I think. Lord willing and we are able. Please pray for us. That I can get my act together and make a decision. and something will come up that fits our parameters and we can afford. That may take a lot of praying. Hope you are up for it. :0)
Seriously, I am praying that God helps me to accept something that may NOT be in my parameters, seeing as how they may be slightly unrealistic. That's ok. He's deals a lot with this kind of stuff. He's really good at this. There's definitely hope.

Let's see, what's new?
Well, I am still exercising. I started last July 1st, and have walked steadily EVERY SINGLE WEEK since then. Yes, it's worth shouting about. Because inconsistency is my middle name. Or it should be. Just think. Wow. Over 7 months now. Wow...
Since I've started doing this one thing, so many benefits. My poor overweight body has been just crying out for exercise. Circulating blood. Some kind of activity besides exercising my elbow. And my eyes. Staring at landscape instead of a screen.
For one thing, I have restless legs. If I go 3 days without exercising, they drive me nuts. I can't sit still in the evening. If I exercise, just 30 minutes each day briskly walking (briskly - not sightseeing like I used to do), then I don't have nearly the problem. Really helps a lot.
Mental clarity. Yes, blood circulating is a good thing! I've read that sitting for more than 4 hours a day shortens your life considerably. I can see why now.
Oh! Better lung capacity and endurance! I can go up stairs now without puffing and my legs feeling like huge weights. Crazy, huh? I sleep better. Yes, there is something to that saying about working hard and fresh air during the day makes you sleep better at night.
I used to get heat rashes every summer due to heat and humidity. Well, here's the weird thing. I sweat all last summer while walking and I didn't have ONE rash. Go figure...
Fluid retention - definitely helps with this. I did cut back on my sugar and salt intake. Canned and prepared foods, potato chips, pizza, ham, bacon, processed meat from the deli, etc - this is terrible stuff for your body, check out those labels. Please eat in moderation, or really, very very little of this stuff. You will feel better. Trust me.

I am a long time vitamin taker, but lately I've been taking 1000 I.U.'s of Vit D. Plus the 400 in my multi and whatever I manufacture on my own. I tried 2000 I.U.'s but didn't feel quite right. Always talk to your doctor about your vitamin intake.

I'm also doing light therapy with a light box. I was skeptical at first, but it really does help. I'm still concerned about exposure to this intense light up close (my eyes), but I'm desperate for help and didn't want to medicate. So far the research out there says it's ok, but I would be hesitant to recommend until you did your own research and were comfortable with it. But for me, it's really helping. Just remember. It doesn't work on your skin, so no Vit D through this. Only works through your eyes. I got the SunTouch Plus. Read up on it if you suffer from SAD.

Let's see. What else...Oh YES!  I bought a little I-Pod Nano, which I LOVE!, and download podcasts to listen to. It's just great! I listen to inspiring and great teaching on doing things right, reaping what you sow, putting God ahead of your emotions and feelings. Living life like we should. I've gotten so much out of this.  Sometimes I feel so good, I just want to sing out loud and shout for joy. Except I'm sure the other people at Planet Fitness would really wonder about me. Or maybe, I might start a revolution! A good one! Tee hee!

 Well, that's about all for today. More next time. I hope you are all having a good winter out in blog land. This is turning out to be my best one yet, even if we haven't bought a house yet. :0))