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))