tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54964582002456450632024-03-13T22:11:18.360-07:00Untipsyteacher.com Now On WordpressFind me at Untipsyteacher.com
A retired teacher has quit drinking. Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.comBlogger296125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-80886580120912560872019-11-24T08:43:00.004-08:002020-10-11T06:46:35.787-07:00Find Me On Word Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQpg8vZUfs6E2AMxaz8vkSAhz4PyonDhrll_gJuItViOIQ3HTRgmBghUuuYt-1yoG_rw0CnhMoMvoyxohqu_whhLXCxwDoG6wiK7Lj4CB9V-sPX_8vKAELA-m-v-5qTgiFyYHvQIwrlg/s960/1EAC5E03-3556-4CBE-993D-CAE30010A9AC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQpg8vZUfs6E2AMxaz8vkSAhz4PyonDhrll_gJuItViOIQ3HTRgmBghUuuYt-1yoG_rw0CnhMoMvoyxohqu_whhLXCxwDoG6wiK7Lj4CB9V-sPX_8vKAELA-m-v-5qTgiFyYHvQIwrlg/w512-h640/1EAC5E03-3556-4CBE-993D-CAE30010A9AC.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Dear Blogger Readers!</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">I have switched my site over to Word Press. </span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">I hope you can find me at <a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/">https://untipsyteacher.com/</a></span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">I am happy, healthy and sober!</span><br /><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">On Day 2229,</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Wendy</span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-19894660093103056812019-09-29T08:40:00.001-07:002019-09-29T08:40:07.387-07:00A Secret! <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">New post in letting go of resentments! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/2019/09/28/a-secret/">Find it here!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Much Love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS - I baked a pie! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vaj8cKFUwqi9SPmstR87bSoCJD-VzJ_TPe6Kkn9BsSpuYfAi8fjpYH-D0hU_AMCOCmO64OgupE04m6iRLM1fpwQwx0UIO910GTPMsfGVmTHNnoJeADFlQhMi4Xhp9kk4WJW0PaW8ObA/s1600/55423F68-379C-43D3-9992-BCAA8C2C64C3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vaj8cKFUwqi9SPmstR87bSoCJD-VzJ_TPe6Kkn9BsSpuYfAi8fjpYH-D0hU_AMCOCmO64OgupE04m6iRLM1fpwQwx0UIO910GTPMsfGVmTHNnoJeADFlQhMi4Xhp9kk4WJW0PaW8ObA/s640/55423F68-379C-43D3-9992-BCAA8C2C64C3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-77770856973855235142019-09-22T06:53:00.003-07:002019-09-22T06:53:32.658-07:00Weight Gain and Body Image <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Post! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been struggling with weight gain and acceptance! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure to follow me on WordPress, at <a href="http://untipsyteacher.com/">Untipsyteacher.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much Love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJd-R-m0XQZFFGQhG36BSr6vs4yazHje7OjYzm_hZgDoCNp72xusFrCRQw_lSlxVBJsK3Iq9UiEjbi7V6aAzRO6oFVbk4MuyQQXYV6c1oImhqkGYlRlOZZJG-csAI-wBWfUcYS2S6wIU/s1600/E2CD8622-B9A1-4119-B8C5-EDBB9B9EF8AD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJd-R-m0XQZFFGQhG36BSr6vs4yazHje7OjYzm_hZgDoCNp72xusFrCRQw_lSlxVBJsK3Iq9UiEjbi7V6aAzRO6oFVbk4MuyQQXYV6c1oImhqkGYlRlOZZJG-csAI-wBWfUcYS2S6wIU/s640/E2CD8622-B9A1-4119-B8C5-EDBB9B9EF8AD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-51362290858782891632019-09-07T05:16:00.001-07:002019-09-07T05:16:58.933-07:005 Years! Life is Better! <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Readers, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On September 4, I was 5 years sober! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiZJ0lCM4hTqIRC-_-ek72RNKQ8FPaUbM4QHVVQjcZb1Mmx3CcSp_K5qUFUTWmgaMI6t3uPKC0G5U64msqAM1WxnAits7nZlB5rAoJaYDCwwsZxsOdK3P_-5DDDp65chr7NpVCeEhavc/s1600/F8C4D97E-E49D-4DC4-8B94-52AF2FD7916A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiZJ0lCM4hTqIRC-_-ek72RNKQ8FPaUbM4QHVVQjcZb1Mmx3CcSp_K5qUFUTWmgaMI6t3uPKC0G5U64msqAM1WxnAits7nZlB5rAoJaYDCwwsZxsOdK3P_-5DDDp65chr7NpVCeEhavc/s640/F8C4D97E-E49D-4DC4-8B94-52AF2FD7916A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/2019/09/04/5-years-life-is-better/">Read my post, here! </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m on WordPress now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please follow me on there, as I will be closing this account soon! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much Love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<br />Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-12187310752131755262019-08-25T11:36:00.000-07:002019-08-25T11:36:12.540-07:00A Bit of Uneasiness <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ3pSLRBboOeloWxaOIGHS8b7bdhVwGN6agzrDma4F_iXsacdaSMsGJybrZRpZJ-slnUihgtvAnisWQWw0h93oozCNoZHkXYt5vHg30hLnrTJy6x8Gaxgjl5u2H333f2lcL6hVWa4JsI/s1600/D54CFF2A-1D6D-40BE-A0BF-42B9E80F53D9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ3pSLRBboOeloWxaOIGHS8b7bdhVwGN6agzrDma4F_iXsacdaSMsGJybrZRpZJ-slnUihgtvAnisWQWw0h93oozCNoZHkXYt5vHg30hLnrTJy6x8Gaxgjl5u2H333f2lcL6hVWa4JsI/s400/D54CFF2A-1D6D-40BE-A0BF-42B9E80F53D9.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my final post on Blogger! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you find me on Word Press! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click on the link to take you there! You can follow by email if you don’t use Word Press! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/">A Bit of Uneasiness </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Much Love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy and Mr. Untipsyteacher </span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-57401183754837603932019-08-12T13:10:00.000-07:002019-08-12T13:10:02.659-07:00Completely Incomplete!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh549wd5XX72ZIJIMOdDrI1e6-QiOwDJIQmCg0TbEA3Bq-h-02DJhhArrcLjngxhkn8DoDSLIu4nLIMrNHbzwnrecfM8kqdmcX-qWxTn9HaasxDQOVR1VJNzQDMnepr1zKYRF3ozfKE4Xc/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2eae.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh549wd5XX72ZIJIMOdDrI1e6-QiOwDJIQmCg0TbEA3Bq-h-02DJhhArrcLjngxhkn8DoDSLIu4nLIMrNHbzwnrecfM8kqdmcX-qWxTn9HaasxDQOVR1VJNzQDMnepr1zKYRF3ozfKE4Xc/s640/fullsizeoutput_2eae.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find my new post here! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/2019/08/12/completely-incomplete/">I'm on Word Press now!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xo</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy</span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-61383959455441243982019-08-05T15:37:00.003-07:002019-08-05T15:38:49.470-07:00Up, Down, All Around<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will be closing this blog soon, so please be sure to follow me on my Word Press account soon, if you want to keep up with my posts! I hope you all do!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is the latest one I published! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/2019/08/05/up-down-all-around-2/">Up, Down, All Around</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It deals with my mixed up feelings this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On 4 years and 11 months,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZHb2sX8GY-hMV0gXnibWxt5ueIOQLiieMI1z87ax6BETuF1wuS9lhocd20vRWxqAZCQIYVUQqN0cbS48E-lfekBBwgwy5vhyl_gyHSZwOs_KMfl-fgIl89El1uu3fPxnHXQYiA2g1as/s1600/3CB6140D-1E62-4CFD-A025-63BBA4E78DB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZHb2sX8GY-hMV0gXnibWxt5ueIOQLiieMI1z87ax6BETuF1wuS9lhocd20vRWxqAZCQIYVUQqN0cbS48E-lfekBBwgwy5vhyl_gyHSZwOs_KMfl-fgIl89El1uu3fPxnHXQYiA2g1as/s640/3CB6140D-1E62-4CFD-A025-63BBA4E78DB2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-37545361076848562672019-07-21T15:45:00.001-07:002019-07-21T15:45:28.438-07:00Maintaining my Sobriety <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am getting so much spam on Google! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please find my newest post on Word Press, <a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/2019/07/21/maintaining-my-sobriety/">here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy and Mr. UT! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEs_VbaUNdCqrl-Rv8t8oO2Fd0O2H-8-cnieg9vYhVk5FUq0xC6YONhUe0qps2SmqN6916y3yvsukyRz1L8VugjrLhnSKj0Ci4w_hKWF9jgLsTG0q-lQfFKwM50AeRpJr22t5BEoY-mU/s1600/90D34B0C-8BBA-427B-A30D-668A5643A1D7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEs_VbaUNdCqrl-Rv8t8oO2Fd0O2H-8-cnieg9vYhVk5FUq0xC6YONhUe0qps2SmqN6916y3yvsukyRz1L8VugjrLhnSKj0Ci4w_hKWF9jgLsTG0q-lQfFKwM50AeRpJr22t5BEoY-mU/s320/90D34B0C-8BBA-427B-A30D-668A5643A1D7.jpeg" width="256" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bFGvDB-uOgZNvsnBrfixhy0lDw-s2SbWv1Yrw7IWLAZ1MsybfYGtXuDTUroDpDifwpa08yCU3WNfrcdxhcOIN-eZq16kaN0iTHt_X-BTQQBVKgujOCKWM4pZkjnjcDak7Vw91z-rIMA/s1600/BFF2E1F1-D881-4E41-8E7E-ACAFBBF0ED50.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bFGvDB-uOgZNvsnBrfixhy0lDw-s2SbWv1Yrw7IWLAZ1MsybfYGtXuDTUroDpDifwpa08yCU3WNfrcdxhcOIN-eZq16kaN0iTHt_X-BTQQBVKgujOCKWM4pZkjnjcDak7Vw91z-rIMA/s320/BFF2E1F1-D881-4E41-8E7E-ACAFBBF0ED50.jpeg" width="256" /></a></span></div>
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Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-29284258924660690462019-06-23T07:51:00.007-07:002019-06-23T07:51:54.126-07:00Mr. UT Gives an Update!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuK8UDGvpGqKAQg0d2AvIu0MV9kLfK0uvu-_OCZDWZZ9kPc_Qq_lhLMrpe0ZBc8dP5SasuXddB5rw7Hj7fe-3VBQDLx4eyU8zjjaeiqOX7DoQnwMnjlVvtPLHCYOnl5xZUH0_x-Fl9EA/s1600/IMG_3951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuK8UDGvpGqKAQg0d2AvIu0MV9kLfK0uvu-_OCZDWZZ9kPc_Qq_lhLMrpe0ZBc8dP5SasuXddB5rw7Hj7fe-3VBQDLx4eyU8zjjaeiqOX7DoQnwMnjlVvtPLHCYOnl5xZUH0_x-Fl9EA/s320/IMG_3951.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High School Prom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr UT has written several posts for my blog. Today he gives an update! I love him so much! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Untipsy Teacher asked me to write a guest post. At first I declined, I had nothing to say. As I thought about that I realized what a wonderful thing to be able to report, “I have nothing to say”. Our life together has gotten to a point where there is no drunken drama, no arguments over how much she is drinking. No worries about her driving after spending several hours over several martinis. What a great feeling to be able to look at our life together today and be happy and to know that Untipsy Teacher is happy. This is a feeling we don’t want to ever take for granted or become lazy in maintaining.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>That’s not to say that our life is problem free. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Untipsy Teacher has recently faced several health scares, any one of which could have easily caused her to reach for a drink and would have in the past. Now, she handled each event with determination and strength. She didn’t fall into the old habit of feeling sorry for herself. Instead, she just faced the reality of the situation and dealt with it. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N4NGjlD5Wdy5lPK56zU-jOZdfi1GDohCwvjNsW2BHGoDw96oaCQ3L0W_uWLuvpUYxxzhJCpv-vkYNnjQ6kIKzxlrWLsRj-uhxWsVE8_U9b-5JJGECv6mMjZeNYeZO-oBaXNlwngm5co/s1600/IMG_6588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N4NGjlD5Wdy5lPK56zU-jOZdfi1GDohCwvjNsW2BHGoDw96oaCQ3L0W_uWLuvpUYxxzhJCpv-vkYNnjQ6kIKzxlrWLsRj-uhxWsVE8_U9b-5JJGECv6mMjZeNYeZO-oBaXNlwngm5co/s320/IMG_6588.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>No one’s life is devoid of problems or stress. After several decades of adult life I’ve learned one thing; it’s how we chose to handle that stress that is important. It is a choice we make every time. It can be paralyzing, making us unsure of what to do. We just can’t make a decision, so we do nothing. We need to realize that by doing nothing; we have still made a choice. Some times the hardest part is just facing the problem and taking that initial move to deal with it. That is what Untipsy Teacher has shown me. Throughout these health problems she has just said, “well this sucks, now what do we do about it”, and she moved on. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ8tidyL1rv9tTMzgq3_XKz_zA6BP0X8YOAV1wTN_PEfBGJF80zbwiTrOZGlyPEKUI7uk0NWerq8JFg5oWabFg_yJC-RQfOHViUJw_RSkJ_oCmcz1mB-XkV7EMbn6rpkJvVkqi5Jeu1s/s1600/IMG_7587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ8tidyL1rv9tTMzgq3_XKz_zA6BP0X8YOAV1wTN_PEfBGJF80zbwiTrOZGlyPEKUI7uk0NWerq8JFg5oWabFg_yJC-RQfOHViUJw_RSkJ_oCmcz1mB-XkV7EMbn6rpkJvVkqi5Jeu1s/s320/IMG_7587.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>That’s how I want to look at the problems life seems to throw at us on a daily basis. “Well that sucks, now what do I do about it”. When I had projects at work or at home I would make a list of the problems and the steps needed for a possible solution (yes, I’m very anal that way). It was a good way for me to focus on the problem and break down the solution to manageable steps in a logical progression. (I told you I was anal) I found that by writing them down I could stop obsessing about them. Beside that, it was a good feeling being able to cross things off that list. The pen was mightier than the sword as I slashed my way through the list. It is freeing.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>That is what I see in Untipsy Teacher, a feeling of freedom from her old life. A life in which she was unable to handle stress in healthy ways. Harboring feelings of self-pity, and indecisiveness. Now she handles problems which strength and grace. “Well this sucks, now what do we do about it”.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr. Untipsy <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-72359725615248437052019-06-17T09:35:00.002-07:002019-06-17T09:36:04.931-07:00Joy with Loss<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-EpILzUXcSSIjxxA32NU7UKTSHAzSLvoMFSG-dHVMMigx2eM30iS5Dhusymu-AuQQgr4C0cuwHCzt0oNyK9d9r3t1djGJL_1kJCa5V7Qc51jteMgGSBCdYQPYPNpDgkDVjTlQUEQGRg/s1600/8B8593F7-79F4-4D94-B221-6BFFBEEC1DB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-EpILzUXcSSIjxxA32NU7UKTSHAzSLvoMFSG-dHVMMigx2eM30iS5Dhusymu-AuQQgr4C0cuwHCzt0oNyK9d9r3t1djGJL_1kJCa5V7Qc51jteMgGSBCdYQPYPNpDgkDVjTlQUEQGRg/s400/8B8593F7-79F4-4D94-B221-6BFFBEEC1DB2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yesterday I was caught off guard by reading some social media posts about music. I started crying. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When they did I reached out to a friend, who held my hand, and they passed. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I never know when those feeling of loss pop up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know I write about this often, but I find writing helps me not only heal, but to understand the depth of this loss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For those of you who have not followed me, my cochlear implants make music sound like noise to me. (<a href="https://auditoryneuroscience.com/prosthetics/music">You can hear what it sounds like, here</a>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #383838;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even though these feelings of loss linger deep within me, I still found joy.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Walking and taking nature photos, looking for colors, and patterns, has become my music.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had to look for joy. I had to figure out what else made me happy besides music. Then I had to work to get it. I don't always want to take a walk, but I know I will see some beautiful natural art, and I don't want to miss it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Close connections with people bring me joy. So I have had to work to call friends for coffee, or fly away to meet new people. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Volunteering brings me joy, helping others and laughing at the same time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even meetings bring me joy, because I can hug and support by showing other people a joyful attitude. People in recovery find joy all the time! I see it in real life, and on-line! When I felt I had no joy after the loss of wine, I found real connections as my joy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, I lost music. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I found another layer of joy. Sometimes I feel I have more gratitude, empathy and love, because of my hearing loss. I know this is true for my recovery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am sharing an poem I wrote after I had my first cochlear implant. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I Sing Red Leaves</span></u></i><br />
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<i><u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4UMXyZdq7itVTqAIeAekqWZHCXA7wohEPFZHyecnJUiuR4xbO6awdm0gXko4S_4huFd4UIwFpQhnGf1joeq9-YK33MfUeMPfTelXWt-F0Cq-Q-gYEe0lS4Dr_PYAGJ7sEKMO-dpn_vo/s1600/FullSizeRender-3+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4UMXyZdq7itVTqAIeAekqWZHCXA7wohEPFZHyecnJUiuR4xbO6awdm0gXko4S_4huFd4UIwFpQhnGf1joeq9-YK33MfUeMPfTelXWt-F0Cq-Q-gYEe0lS4Dr_PYAGJ7sEKMO-dpn_vo/s320/FullSizeRender-3+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is no music left in my ears,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>There are only strange noises, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>That come out of the radio,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Like sticks banging and alien songs.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is no music in my guitar,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Or piano anymore,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>They don't speak to me in a</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Language I understand.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some days I cry,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Some days I can accept,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>That my music lies somewhere else,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>That my songs are of a different color.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not deaf to all,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I hear music of good things,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I hear the beauty of nature,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I hear the sweet touches from my love.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not deaf to the songs, </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>That still sing in my head.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can I not sing these in gratitude,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>To all that I have?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I sing red leaves and blue sky,</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I sing love and memories,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Some days I cry,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Some days I say yes.</i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Much Love to All Who are Grieving,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS - <a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/2019/06/17/joy-with-loss/">I am on WordPress now! </a></span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-61747358857768950992019-06-07T09:04:00.001-07:002019-06-07T09:05:40.464-07:00And Then There Was...<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo22bfZlOvBf4kxUMmO2wmUVMviGRghAUUwMj4KY6qp5T5POHwueAwgYHNeEGQMALlBTh5C1ri7A3xfh8e-LDKTjwSnXjTYk3Qf3HSWoTRJXWOoV1kCwPkH-XE1a5n9rAnH5dCxYlHuOE/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2bd5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo22bfZlOvBf4kxUMmO2wmUVMviGRghAUUwMj4KY6qp5T5POHwueAwgYHNeEGQMALlBTh5C1ri7A3xfh8e-LDKTjwSnXjTYk3Qf3HSWoTRJXWOoV1kCwPkH-XE1a5n9rAnH5dCxYlHuOE/s320/fullsizeoutput_2bd5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Newest Health Adventure!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Five weeks after my hysterectomy, my stitches came loose, and my small intestines came out of my body!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I held them up and my husband drove me to emergency room, where I was fixed up within a short time. Stayed at the hospital for two nights, where I had a roommate with a drunk boyfriend. It was an interesting time, for sure! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is always something!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Back to square one, sitting and waiting to heal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yet, I am feeling joyful because I can walk a little, smell flowers, write, and I am not in much pain! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can laugh, because I know, this is life. I surrender. My body is going to do whatever it wants to, and I can just go along for the ride! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO_BMTRON_182wJnKda1Wnu8QKiDcNj9XvgsEQ_Is0el0fMet0uphmHDqcMgCW9tnYenkSI9OXZxx2MiWK8xmQ6FS4kfaH21pMmxJT4IJT5N1EFlruk39j8qI-6wiS3VhuciA2LFkf6k/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2bd4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO_BMTRON_182wJnKda1Wnu8QKiDcNj9XvgsEQ_Is0el0fMet0uphmHDqcMgCW9tnYenkSI9OXZxx2MiWK8xmQ6FS4kfaH21pMmxJT4IJT5N1EFlruk39j8qI-6wiS3VhuciA2LFkf6k/s640/fullsizeoutput_2bd4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Backyard!</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While in the hospital, I found this poem, by Izumi Shikibu, in a small daily healing book:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Although the wind</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>blows terribly here,</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBsrdF2d2o3uJo90nijxnaYU_jI7K5mmF89vqvX_KXs3zTSR14m1WTxlTP_67gbxf_mbPpDG0SbrYv4PlgKYahscFYIpuUo4oS5ZhdSBZivq1hal-o2Rn1iRI0IsMtRPxfKacOfdbRUc/s1600/B9051C9A-4F1A-4B9C-AFA1-5F2DC16973A9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBsrdF2d2o3uJo90nijxnaYU_jI7K5mmF89vqvX_KXs3zTSR14m1WTxlTP_67gbxf_mbPpDG0SbrYv4PlgKYahscFYIpuUo4oS5ZhdSBZivq1hal-o2Rn1iRI0IsMtRPxfKacOfdbRUc/s320/B9051C9A-4F1A-4B9C-AFA1-5F2DC16973A9.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Our Walk</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>the moonlight also leaks,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>between the roof planks</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>of this ruined house.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There will always be storms in our lives. We will cry and grieve, yet somehow, we find the courage to carry on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I find courage in words of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I find hope and strength reading from their wisdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have used this quote from Helen Keller before, but I cannot help but post it again:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Most people measure their happiness in terms of physical pleasure and material possession. Could they win some visible goal which they have set on the horizon, how happy they could be! Lacking this gift or circumstance, they would be miserable. If happiness is to be so measured, I who cannot hear or see have every reason to sit in a corner with folded hands and weep. If I am happy in spite of my deprivations, if my happiness is so deep that it is a faith, so thoughtful that it becomes a philosophy of life, - if in short, I am an optimist, my testimony to the creed of optimism is worth hearing."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am not always optimistic, just ask my husband, especially in the morning before a bit of coffee! (Which he is bringing me right now!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I strive to be more joyful than complaining, because as much as misery loves company, I would rather sing flowers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Rainbows of Flowers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And all my Intestines, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1737,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can also find me on Twitter at Untipsyteacher and <a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/">Word Press</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS - For those who follow me, our kitchen is done!! Keith did a gorgeous job! So much light!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hJRc0gy0eQakUYf_NiYPl9kc2spaN0JJIuJvzOpeSvbJaP-qF1NfDQn67uzCX4jB3tYYJTsGqIy1Eri4L8ONPDfsMkhjsvbZ8iFItRu0n1PJj7dA_KOeIh5QNRnBKJEezjDEtFH-pmI/s1600/fullsizeoutput_2ba6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hJRc0gy0eQakUYf_NiYPl9kc2spaN0JJIuJvzOpeSvbJaP-qF1NfDQn67uzCX4jB3tYYJTsGqIy1Eri4L8ONPDfsMkhjsvbZ8iFItRu0n1PJj7dA_KOeIh5QNRnBKJEezjDEtFH-pmI/s400/fullsizeoutput_2ba6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-33285561212018454242019-05-30T14:57:00.003-07:002019-05-30T14:57:29.103-07:00A Sense of Play<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgGmoArRQz6uANbHLpYwgXnnSkn2EPDC368-W2HPDOvD6pKZspevsAfrqnrwH0CvGianuEzppoV5JPMenFjbuVUrhwo9jNw_34ZPrpMU4m0Z5yUTLyMS56v-6JKUFweBA-EmD9KpML58/s1600/4695B864-C41B-4679-B7D3-E6A659ED293C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgGmoArRQz6uANbHLpYwgXnnSkn2EPDC368-W2HPDOvD6pKZspevsAfrqnrwH0CvGianuEzppoV5JPMenFjbuVUrhwo9jNw_34ZPrpMU4m0Z5yUTLyMS56v-6JKUFweBA-EmD9KpML58/s400/4695B864-C41B-4679-B7D3-E6A659ED293C.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Harriet</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Readers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember when I was first going through my student teaching days, getting ready to become an elementary school teacher, I had a particularly hard review by one of my university observers. I was devastated. I wanted to quit, and almost did. But another supervisor said she hoped I didn't, because I had such a wonderful sense of play. I stayed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think having a sense of play is important in life! To me, play is a way of looking at things in a different way. It's doing everyday things with an attitude of fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Now note, I can't always do this, but when I do, I am happier!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Play is different for each person. What brings me joys and a sense of fun, might not be what you like! For me, play is walking and noticing little details of the bigger world. It's taking nature photos. Play is holding hands with my husband. Even laundry can be playful, if I smell the fresh sheets, try to fold the fitted ones, and laugh. Or even trying to find missing socks! That is an adventure!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_XZajufVwqgOWEU5R-4_1DAXgMf4FNGvUMRpu1gyShNP7cDlIuxb2JcfzqytfJIQac2-YmYJPsFD0WdGKjD9xjepQ_6O_fbkzyXbDWzxBnKhIMWJI8Vh0BBybgp_IQVw4WiyieQgg0Q/s1600/IMG_5675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_XZajufVwqgOWEU5R-4_1DAXgMf4FNGvUMRpu1gyShNP7cDlIuxb2JcfzqytfJIQac2-YmYJPsFD0WdGKjD9xjepQ_6O_fbkzyXbDWzxBnKhIMWJI8Vh0BBybgp_IQVw4WiyieQgg0Q/s320/IMG_5675.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to capture a jump with my cell phone!</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Too often, in my later years of my drinking, I carried the world on my shoulders. The drinking made me depressed, anxious, and I was slowly losing my sense of play. Everything became a chore. Early recovery was hard, and there was a lot of shame, and regrets I had to deal with. But even then, I slowly discovered play. I noticed other people in long-term recovery were laughing a lot. I wrote little poems to people I met in treatment! This is when I discovered writing, and my love of walking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Playing is discovering new things, in my own backyard, as well as new places! You don't have to have money for playing! Playing is joyful! Play is pretending! Meeting a friend for coffee, is so very simple, but is a form of play. Dressing myself is a form of play to me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know one reason my marriage is so strong, is how much my husband and I have adventures and have a sense of play together. Our adventures can be as simple as driving to a new part of the area we have never been in, or a far away vacation. At our age, however, we found out the hard way to be careful of piggyback rides! LOL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XMPIkISG7Ra9EdhF6Zor7JzaP6lvXpAtabKSjdZL5PP-mIkm6j60-VtKVj2iy1ispT55GbaBhEZvz05T5IeHW4nqyXxMXcSVauQjJRYt2KKFsD72dm04SQwGFrSbPYIk5I8Nth7MMD8/s1600/00FD2E80-F53F-4B6E-BD66-9A1A3A3DCC56.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XMPIkISG7Ra9EdhF6Zor7JzaP6lvXpAtabKSjdZL5PP-mIkm6j60-VtKVj2iy1ispT55GbaBhEZvz05T5IeHW4nqyXxMXcSVauQjJRYt2KKFsD72dm04SQwGFrSbPYIk5I8Nth7MMD8/s320/00FD2E80-F53F-4B6E-BD66-9A1A3A3DCC56.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Our Walk!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was in some deep depression, especially after losing my hearing, I struggled each day for almost a year. Yet, it was essential that I kept looking at ways to lighten my mind with play. I was slowly able to see the ways to laugh at my problems, even while having them. I realized that I needed to play in order to heal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Play is having an open and grateful attitude. It's creative. It's one form of love. I am very grateful today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Fun and Play,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Day 1729,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS - I am now on <a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/">WordPress here</a>!</span></div>
Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-37436464270044833342019-05-22T16:27:00.004-07:002019-05-23T15:33:01.052-07:00I am on WordPress Now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO1w1hZI7zkQ8RrSrzr3k0ubduAiht9gKL_8uKSBrnbiN0hM_ogQnJNKkC05mYeFuAX-ee-GU-nhvfsXiuBHOyw1QBnAA7Z1U7N2V3CTbB_tCV-W6d-5NtKhUGs4xATaMj9w6blFLHeQ/s1600/1AE91AB1-5622-4221-8F01-8D6FA4C68655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO1w1hZI7zkQ8RrSrzr3k0ubduAiht9gKL_8uKSBrnbiN0hM_ogQnJNKkC05mYeFuAX-ee-GU-nhvfsXiuBHOyw1QBnAA7Z1U7N2V3CTbB_tCV-W6d-5NtKhUGs4xATaMj9w6blFLHeQ/s320/1AE91AB1-5622-4221-8F01-8D6FA4C68655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I just transferred my blog over to <a href="https://untipsyteacher.com/">WordPress!</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I am still learning, so it will be a work in progress for awhile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will still publish on both Blogger and WP for awhile!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still happily sober!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Feeling much better after my operation! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">xo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-63024718672445164342019-05-05T16:24:00.000-07:002019-05-05T16:24:01.997-07:00Coming Home<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope all of you are well today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are struggling with getting or staying sober, remember, you are not alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many people who have been where you are, but have made it out of the terrible cycle of addiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a horrible cycle of pain, anxiety, depression, over and over again.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV2VIMZW0nueMsDYzJ4RmsjrBo8d4TzF2f2ummEQNooL6No4fVLO0E1NhGUadGb4JQaqbXZm6TBiyQi2P7Jgogtx45J8erjB6xI-CxihSbtcw7DApvuoc5AEsk9dzUv-zmLaTxlXFHR4/s1600/C249BE5F-4C49-4E97-AC05-54E46723F79D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDV2VIMZW0nueMsDYzJ4RmsjrBo8d4TzF2f2ummEQNooL6No4fVLO0E1NhGUadGb4JQaqbXZm6TBiyQi2P7Jgogtx45J8erjB6xI-CxihSbtcw7DApvuoc5AEsk9dzUv-zmLaTxlXFHR4/s320/C249BE5F-4C49-4E97-AC05-54E46723F79D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring is finally here!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I didn't want to believe I had a problem, denying of course, that running away, hiding drinks, longer happy hours, fighting with hubs about drinking, was normal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It took so much honesty for me to face myself, and say, I can't drink.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's making a mess of my life, and of my husband's life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have shared before that for me, I had to do everything I could to be held accountable for my drinking, so I reached out to everyone to help me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I tried to stop on my own, with no one knowing except hubs, and it was too easy for me to lie to him and myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even just AA wasn't enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had to tell family, close friends, get a life coach, get a therapist, start a blog, reach out to other bloggers, go to AA, go to Women for Sobriety, and reach out to my yoga teachers I knew were in recovery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I needed that level of support.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHP-p0Px4ltlXwiAueNNEmv_2PB0HGijgrEzfJmqoX9MaCwUNuWe60wzRV3i1B-_6WhDmSwFqxbwx_feMwUUk8rsQeRrkRSCdaWkUbN2XnlLkYEh1CXKayGla327ZRaSK0hul5deigzY/s1600/1D9ED930-1924-4009-9FD9-3AE90B1F2D6F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHP-p0Px4ltlXwiAueNNEmv_2PB0HGijgrEzfJmqoX9MaCwUNuWe60wzRV3i1B-_6WhDmSwFqxbwx_feMwUUk8rsQeRrkRSCdaWkUbN2XnlLkYEh1CXKayGla327ZRaSK0hul5deigzY/s320/1D9ED930-1924-4009-9FD9-3AE90B1F2D6F.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Our Walk!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then I couldn't hide anymore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I drink again, I'd have to tell so many people, and they would still love me, but they would also surround me and help me back home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the Big Book, it says we will do whatever it takes to get and stay sober.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had to do that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everywhere I go, I meet more happy people free from addiction, and it brings me great joy to see that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Look for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Follow the people who can show you the light along the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><u>Hope</u> by Wendy</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There it is again,</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>That sunlit moon, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Showing me the breadcrumbs of hope and faith,</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For me f</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ind my way home again.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Hope </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1704,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-81448545642091763502019-04-30T10:12:00.000-07:002019-04-30T10:12:22.405-07:00Waiting for Walks<div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Waiting for Walks</u></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWWa2uXQv95z51G8plCd-1-LwYlXWwwcNsdi_M0icSY5L_1pa5XWnfLpEE6UTrFowVnN-7P6a-9CKX0IGGi3XoNStqq0xcU16F8f-PDafkP36x7n8H9yXiNOTfcdrI7olt0YQyXfTFuU/s1600/4FA6F52F-8FBA-4B98-9E33-D8313FF76F9B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWWa2uXQv95z51G8plCd-1-LwYlXWwwcNsdi_M0icSY5L_1pa5XWnfLpEE6UTrFowVnN-7P6a-9CKX0IGGi3XoNStqq0xcU16F8f-PDafkP36x7n8H9yXiNOTfcdrI7olt0YQyXfTFuU/s400/4FA6F52F-8FBA-4B98-9E33-D8313FF76F9B.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Perfect Day in the City!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tapestry chair, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Window open,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Soft rain,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cardinals calling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hurting body, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With heating pad comfort,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And tea,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Waiting for relief.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Breathing in,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Breathing out,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Books to read,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Naps to take.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Emotions run,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From green grass glorious,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To rainy day sadness,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wanting to hurry them all away.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I send my love,</span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmimNbERrWaIEAJeofT95hCC-ycSYug3viW0WXNGjPDhysHJlXFy8lssAjcDQK6edEqNECadInzCjVF4O1mJJybVMNxhSGhxuIcf90wfd-M3qNLmHQ-DiinNITT4pqJlBRnw7gHFBUR0/s1600/7F3EFA93-E764-493F-AC22-314BC53CAD51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmimNbERrWaIEAJeofT95hCC-ycSYug3viW0WXNGjPDhysHJlXFy8lssAjcDQK6edEqNECadInzCjVF4O1mJJybVMNxhSGhxuIcf90wfd-M3qNLmHQ-DiinNITT4pqJlBRnw7gHFBUR0/s320/7F3EFA93-E764-493F-AC22-314BC53CAD51.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate outside!! First time after snow!!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To all those who are healing,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From pain of body, mind, or </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spirit.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1699,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Update on a Previous Post: <a href="https://tipsynomore.blogspot.com/2019/04/never-alone.html">Never Alone</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My operation was successful, and no cancer was found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Very grateful I live in a community with quality doctors and surgeons.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am so very grateful for all friends and family, here, there, and everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dreaming of walks while I heal!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzlNtllTrx1KbogEYvlNZZZR89al5kPp_Qh0p2kPO32gJNgryrgzN79Pf0KmL2vFpuh_tyCk58cDsNocCA_MATq3wwzkVCUnrwbvW7-tjiYSq3iYCrmuJjTxMA0gNvy49oHvDd8eiJQk/s1600/fullsizeoutput_27d4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzlNtllTrx1KbogEYvlNZZZR89al5kPp_Qh0p2kPO32gJNgryrgzN79Pf0KmL2vFpuh_tyCk58cDsNocCA_MATq3wwzkVCUnrwbvW7-tjiYSq3iYCrmuJjTxMA0gNvy49oHvDd8eiJQk/s320/fullsizeoutput_27d4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Nurse! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-42577779398660557292019-04-22T11:46:00.000-07:002019-04-22T11:56:56.942-07:00New Ways to Cope<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistpZ2cKaQackhq8ZvECDQOF9HQAayDKyymyJ7X8Pm2E3wRAM3cktINuJ6xdKz_Siysa_p6l2Sq-9sXOMP995YONIkYbP3huL1NEO1hXKrSyINsCm-yX-E-HQGdjAI-8nV_s_xB3cSU14/s1600/IMG_4327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistpZ2cKaQackhq8ZvECDQOF9HQAayDKyymyJ7X8Pm2E3wRAM3cktINuJ6xdKz_Siysa_p6l2Sq-9sXOMP995YONIkYbP3huL1NEO1hXKrSyINsCm-yX-E-HQGdjAI-8nV_s_xB3cSU14/s640/IMG_4327.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother took us to Shoshone Falls in Idaho!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is unpredictable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes it feels like a tornado, other times a gentle wave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course, drinking to cope didn't work so well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All that did was make new problems!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So those of us in recovery have to learn new ways to live life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When things seem scary or chaotic, I have learned some new simple ways to cope.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I breathe, in for four, hold for four, out for four.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I distract myself for a little bit. Not too long, though, by playing a game or by reading.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCJSqzNewn2hsWfHXSDVQh4sWO85sO7cR4esQ8Hm8of8Q9qV5Xv4NygcrERDinCqQxqxBFSCiAcMtG1qjwQVQKHS4UVyJF6kvXv8JjRE8vg-kcQaJfGA5c1nBdnsK7FZg0Hsq97XaQM8/s1600/IMG_4410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCJSqzNewn2hsWfHXSDVQh4sWO85sO7cR4esQ8Hm8of8Q9qV5Xv4NygcrERDinCqQxqxBFSCiAcMtG1qjwQVQKHS4UVyJF6kvXv8JjRE8vg-kcQaJfGA5c1nBdnsK7FZg0Hsq97XaQM8/s320/IMG_4410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, No Coats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I make and repeat mantras.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I write my gratitude lists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just writing this blog helps!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I walk, lift weights, go to yoga.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Eventually though, I must </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">face the problem, and take little steps to deal with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I take a little step, just for 5 minutes, I often end up doing more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There have been times when things seem </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">overwhelming. I can still go to the overreaction way to cope if I'm not careful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My usual reaction is to go, YIKES, and then figure things out as best I can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">LOL</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also cope by reaching out to people and getting help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am lucky I have a loving husband, and a loving family and friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Accepting that life is unpredictable is also helpful for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I never know what will happen next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some things will be surprises I love, other things will be sad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is no escaping these things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can embrace the craziness, hopefully with a bit more grace than I used to.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Spring Finally Here,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1691,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy Walks New Post: <a href="https://untipsyteacher.blogspot.com/">Nature Teaches</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS - My visit with my mom, brother, and sister was love filled! My sister and I were super proud of ourselves! I only had to look up the owner's manual on line to figure out how to use parts of the rental car! Ha! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoiXQ-qL8fLvWXor1epw8lha2DDXUjuqG4iNFrEUDwunSEeHhgJIrjzNbbMGpmqpRxCDEcSoV-j9En3BDiGeQlnDjzP7577E2B_PJ0doUCKpakxdykEeYoko6jaOmKSIxHZBqXXD8LmM/s1600/IMG_4152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1338" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoiXQ-qL8fLvWXor1epw8lha2DDXUjuqG4iNFrEUDwunSEeHhgJIrjzNbbMGpmqpRxCDEcSoV-j9En3BDiGeQlnDjzP7577E2B_PJ0doUCKpakxdykEeYoko6jaOmKSIxHZBqXXD8LmM/s320/IMG_4152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister, brother, mom, and me! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-66989011766280189062019-04-11T06:54:00.000-07:002019-04-11T06:54:01.054-07:00Never Alone<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9JK_0Oe8-nk0QCrXzOBFnJhIXsvlxLAWzYS9f01cC35RY2luJnfGRxrmvialcoXhE2SbCmPx2sqK_0aj0XCrdHBkMKntRYLZ3hVmCmjDsYPuonGeNSEno3TjyfpF8jVbxWoVWCw_YQ0/s1600/606557BE-6201-4E5A-8DD6-33F9DBEC44AD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9JK_0Oe8-nk0QCrXzOBFnJhIXsvlxLAWzYS9f01cC35RY2luJnfGRxrmvialcoXhE2SbCmPx2sqK_0aj0XCrdHBkMKntRYLZ3hVmCmjDsYPuonGeNSEno3TjyfpF8jVbxWoVWCw_YQ0/s320/606557BE-6201-4E5A-8DD6-33F9DBEC44AD.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wild Day at Lake Nokomis!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There were times in my life I felt so alone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we moved away from our hometown, I fell into a deep depression, and couldn't make friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was gong deaf, I couldn't hear many conversations, jokes, names, and felt so alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I drank alone, I felt no one understood me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">In recovery I finally learned, I am never alone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was me, keeping myself that way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, it takes work to reach out to people, but when you are an adult that is what you have to do!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had a physical recently, and had several exams, and a procedure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It turns out I have precancerous cells in my uterus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The surgeon said, the cells are close to turning, so I had to schedule a hysterectomy. My operation will take place on April 25.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then they will biopsy the organs they remove and check to be sure there are no other cells.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of course, I was very anxious after hearing this news, and it took a while to process the information. However, they caught it early, and that is good news!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because I am open about much of my life on social media, and with my friends and family, I let everyone know.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrirEPBa2aZI9drmY6Wpw4TPqJ2FXtURmbXSsKp02FILi3VtAxPCfNcj20pZnm0Cx34ss7hfMp3KsHhUs7TxPoVSvjLuVgmt97e1PwlyobRn5DaJeldveqwLMGFvqmvugm0zxieDdhWQ/s1600/AF28E82A-7F39-4FFE-BB9F-68A43D116E7C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrirEPBa2aZI9drmY6Wpw4TPqJ2FXtURmbXSsKp02FILi3VtAxPCfNcj20pZnm0Cx34ss7hfMp3KsHhUs7TxPoVSvjLuVgmt97e1PwlyobRn5DaJeldveqwLMGFvqmvugm0zxieDdhWQ/s320/AF28E82A-7F39-4FFE-BB9F-68A43D116E7C.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Storm was Brewing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What I found was not only a wonderful world of supportive people, but also many women who told me about their battles with uterus cancer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I found out about several young woman, who had or are dealing with this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One will never be able to have a child.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One is just getting married, and was found to have some precancerous cells.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, I am old, and I don't need a uterus anymore, but it still is another operation, and another waiting for a biopsy, and a long recovery time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, I am not alone.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZPbBV0FNNllC0XEWhsc4B4HFL7e76bW_pyGFj3QrOaYn_YneyD_-HNWx8bagyeVOEzvoqN7k0w7SZCfLnHrlOd05_DkhrSX5OA-JUTuA28_zTkW-ssje6rhES5Pf3T4xJKKQOn5wUQY/s1600/IMG_8670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1566" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZPbBV0FNNllC0XEWhsc4B4HFL7e76bW_pyGFj3QrOaYn_YneyD_-HNWx8bagyeVOEzvoqN7k0w7SZCfLnHrlOd05_DkhrSX5OA-JUTuA28_zTkW-ssje6rhES5Pf3T4xJKKQOn5wUQY/s320/IMG_8670.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom from last September, volunteering with me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I now have phone numbers of several women that I can call if I need support.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have my loving husband.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This weekend, I am off to visit my 95 year old mother, who lives with my brother in Idaho.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am going with my sister. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's out first time flying together, and it will be my first time renting a car and driving it in a strange city, renting our own hotel and figuring everything out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A new adventure, and never too old!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With So Much Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1680,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My Newest Post is up on <a href="https://untipsyteacher.blogspot.com/">Wendy Walks</a></span><br />
<br />Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-84220944658014854422019-04-06T10:13:00.000-07:002019-04-06T10:13:06.449-07:00Showing Up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8Q8eMKFiT3uTTZXwayP4cU12L4134xK5oSD4zd8FgmAh8u50I9duK65svNMCvF6HXzoOpBDHa2zsBunnSZoR2gIHjfavW4XaOPiqysCfiCynpqLiuHE4xf9wfD6WUyCJOueuQF9LeBU/s1600/ADC9935F-5B0A-49C2-937E-2FC60A566EDA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8Q8eMKFiT3uTTZXwayP4cU12L4134xK5oSD4zd8FgmAh8u50I9duK65svNMCvF6HXzoOpBDHa2zsBunnSZoR2gIHjfavW4XaOPiqysCfiCynpqLiuHE4xf9wfD6WUyCJOueuQF9LeBU/s320/ADC9935F-5B0A-49C2-937E-2FC60A566EDA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Harriet, Minneapolis</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are remodeling our kitchen, and knocked out a wall to create an open space. This will bring more light into the area! I'm excited, and hubs promised me it would be done by June 1! He's doing a lot of the work himself, but leaves time for us to go walking! Walking together is our time to connect, talk, and reflect on things. It's an important part of my recovery, and our marriage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I retired, I struggled with a sense of purpose, and just felt lost for several years. I went to a spiritual life coach who helped me along the way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have always compared myself to other people doing bigger, better things, and I get to thinking I should be doing more in any area!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_7LMWBkcKOeZyNLEUJ4ftGZDFrz73dRUduuLcxxcVxRHyJR1SrF-frh9mkSM8YMym2o-0h4ZehkkwmPgmd_ygeFEtRw6UB8fG-fxwCk6Kb1yqKBBopwMTy8cRBfXKqyGY5oVueVz2yE/s1600/C8BFD3A4-06F8-4E56-98D0-0A8EDF5F847B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_7LMWBkcKOeZyNLEUJ4ftGZDFrz73dRUduuLcxxcVxRHyJR1SrF-frh9mkSM8YMym2o-0h4ZehkkwmPgmd_ygeFEtRw6UB8fG-fxwCk6Kb1yqKBBopwMTy8cRBfXKqyGY5oVueVz2yE/s320/C8BFD3A4-06F8-4E56-98D0-0A8EDF5F847B.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Nature Guy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My coach told me over and over again to just show up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Get to the meeting, and be yourself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just show up to volunteer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just show up when friends ask me out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just show up at yoga.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So simple.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't have to save the world. I can show up and take part as a team player.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Working with my newest life coach, Paul, I felt more grounded in this simple phrase. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By showing up to meetings, I can spread my joy, and learn from other people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By showing up to volunteer, I know I am saving a life with each kit I pack with Naloxone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By showing up to yoga, I support other people in class, by bringing them my energy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By showing up to read and write comments on blogs, I add recovery support.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93D-ZgsVFIYQTOtjDzrZdXkCuk7He3YXQ9fLb9ieAO7WXMSdtfRB2Q1EW50j-hdhuhkXEmpRvt-fJtZWOMP7OyglkRRoVJdZSskLyFp7mdSGxX2bsfg_j61LdJ9LuHXjwuOBUsV4hLeo/s1600/IMG_3954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93D-ZgsVFIYQTOtjDzrZdXkCuk7He3YXQ9fLb9ieAO7WXMSdtfRB2Q1EW50j-hdhuhkXEmpRvt-fJtZWOMP7OyglkRRoVJdZSskLyFp7mdSGxX2bsfg_j61LdJ9LuHXjwuOBUsV4hLeo/s320/IMG_3954.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can just be myself. Maybe not the funniest, the best dressed, (certainly not the youngest, LOL), just be Wendy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Little things add up to the whole.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In recovery, I continue to learn that by showing up for others, I help myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By showing up for myself, taking care of myself, I am able to help others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Sawdust and Nails,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1675,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
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Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-49561793605346631432019-03-22T08:37:00.002-07:002019-03-22T08:37:54.188-07:00Volunteering and Learning <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVr9I-0hqc3Ih3lEmIUUV1VWaKtuPrsEQ0qjQqqBgMNps3EswEhazCr7ZSKFeFUJmFuzBgjKCfT8DVL2xUosnRlFruLXZ55ejetR9cQnXTFv_HJgejh-7DyaAt7F5qg-IEG_WX_LIVhQ/s1600/IMG_1878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVr9I-0hqc3Ih3lEmIUUV1VWaKtuPrsEQ0qjQqqBgMNps3EswEhazCr7ZSKFeFUJmFuzBgjKCfT8DVL2xUosnRlFruLXZ55ejetR9cQnXTFv_HJgejh-7DyaAt7F5qg-IEG_WX_LIVhQ/s200/IMG_1878.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lexi Reed Holtum, Executive Director of SRHN</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first year after retiring from teaching, I worked as a substitute for a year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But my hearing was getting so bad, I had to stop that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next year I quit drinking and got my first cochlear implant. I went into a deep depression because of the deafness, and coping with everything was very hard.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4koif5lmnJ0TiU2eL2kJNVI-iMHzVWSvMOhWeNXxLg18i4QnlaITx12-l7I0Dv1zXJ5hyhcdPB6LgFmLUSvjIRNE55NShiefe_zFKxzK_2FNFDZ1PJimfyTJhdXuyvi85yCYLFBxRPg/s1600/IMG_1875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="1600" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4koif5lmnJ0TiU2eL2kJNVI-iMHzVWSvMOhWeNXxLg18i4QnlaITx12-l7I0Dv1zXJ5hyhcdPB6LgFmLUSvjIRNE55NShiefe_zFKxzK_2FNFDZ1PJimfyTJhdXuyvi85yCYLFBxRPg/s200/IMG_1875.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean Odonnell, Director of Programs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gradually, I got myself up and out more, and started to look for a place to volunteer. I met a wonderful woman, and she told me about her organization, Steve Rummler Hope Network. This organization started when a young man, Steve Rummler, lost his life due to opioid addiction which started when he was </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">physically </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">injured. You can find the newest information about SRHN on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rummlerHOPE/">FaceBook</a> or on </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">their </span><a href="https://steverummlerhopenetwork.org/" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Website</a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabGTtCcgzwUmCylIOPzWb3jbE9ipw0biRTBU5Q1dpw1tFXBEt3RgJ9arIn7GTGL-vADzE6GQrmWJx1257Hqnm50v8f2-Xyp2D0E3nMjisdukqPdvGm5V4C934GuTWXrzGo_aG8cGPuS4/s1600/54523837_10156109286222057_5227675626793598976_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1180" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabGTtCcgzwUmCylIOPzWb3jbE9ipw0biRTBU5Q1dpw1tFXBEt3RgJ9arIn7GTGL-vADzE6GQrmWJx1257Hqnm50v8f2-Xyp2D0E3nMjisdukqPdvGm5V4C934GuTWXrzGo_aG8cGPuS4/s200/54523837_10156109286222057_5227675626793598976_o.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Perlach,<br />Community Relations Coordinator</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I started by helping organize materials and supplies, and making kits with </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Naloxone, the drug that saves a person when they are overdosing on an opioid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I still make kits, and help organize the other volunteers who come and help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love volunteering, and I love knowing what I am doing has saved lives so people can get help.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk-Js7nBG7jxenQftsjNQow-ddjF6kJzIg-1sGfrs-qUS3akC4GwIdFn-67ziOg-ass_2JkRJMTp1d1lsoMnOL4YFKUbYOdd5XjkEF5hVhaYeK1G4WpWH_tjXUzAqr4g5vKy0lQTzJBg/s1600/IMG_E2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1600" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyk-Js7nBG7jxenQftsjNQow-ddjF6kJzIg-1sGfrs-qUS3akC4GwIdFn-67ziOg-ass_2JkRJMTp1d1lsoMnOL4YFKUbYOdd5XjkEF5hVhaYeK1G4WpWH_tjXUzAqr4g5vKy0lQTzJBg/s200/IMG_E2310.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love helping other people!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I started I knew nothing about drug addiction, besides alcohol.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I was younger, I definitely had negative views of alcoholics and drug addicts. Then, I became an alcoholic. But even after some time of learning about addiction, I still held some negative views of drug addicts. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzLv5YCqGWBnkFv4vE9f_-ZnpZg0lSYtmFgFCh99llQh2CogkgKX9z7Q6KpcipZHaW_eHhgXcINXzxoallyg0ZKwF7GqsQWffhUFiopSm46iHejPJSWy6EWIRU_tLy-A130ZmF11yHKI/s1600/IMG_2736+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1356" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzLv5YCqGWBnkFv4vE9f_-ZnpZg0lSYtmFgFCh99llQh2CogkgKX9z7Q6KpcipZHaW_eHhgXcINXzxoallyg0ZKwF7GqsQWffhUFiopSm46iHejPJSWy6EWIRU_tLy-A130ZmF11yHKI/s200/IMG_2736+2.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the great volunteers!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then I volunteered, where I met and worked side by side with many people, some of whom were in recovery from drug addiction, or had a family member who was. I met and worked with parents who child had died from opioids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And I learned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I learned the effects of using one type of drug or another will differ, but the alcoholic and addict have the same underlying fears, insecurities, trauma, and need to escape.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This changed my views, and I now understand more, how any addiction takes over our brains, and changes how we act. It is not a moral failure. Some people who use alcohol or drugs will become addicted, others will not. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETQRylq1KSV1sGpZMZtb79yFG-Jw1ZR5eLcPQlYiSuZlVW3HwUtKsEgVXrI_7kaWcmW4SeLl5yF8x81WX_Qkd8C7hqMiiD5HNFjBMgbVIPZ4agGC0lt3ejujBztO9sK-AjnD54ZrBR7U/s1600/IMG_5151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1338" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETQRylq1KSV1sGpZMZtb79yFG-Jw1ZR5eLcPQlYiSuZlVW3HwUtKsEgVXrI_7kaWcmW4SeLl5yF8x81WX_Qkd8C7hqMiiD5HNFjBMgbVIPZ4agGC0lt3ejujBztO9sK-AjnD54ZrBR7U/s200/IMG_5151.jpg" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rand Anderson.<br />A recovery coach, and an amazing guy!</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alcohol and drug addiction knows no class or race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's not them against us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is our loved ones, our friends, our coworkers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, people with addictions do bad things sometimes. I did some things I was not proud of when my drinking was bad. But I was not bad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was a good person with an addiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The stigma around drug addiction remains. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyg4hfbBxz7gt0HQ6udL4RpIUzvTfDljbdRpt_w0Yu6v0cNXHvSfqiMUFdx_wDgsRIFU46qikUZd7Tq_VJ-y79M_yNHVtvrk7PMoCuF44oM8nXQKS8I4CUiOvJyn49rmcq4_ZOxGq9N4/s1600/IMG_8984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyg4hfbBxz7gt0HQ6udL4RpIUzvTfDljbdRpt_w0Yu6v0cNXHvSfqiMUFdx_wDgsRIFU46qikUZd7Tq_VJ-y79M_yNHVtvrk7PMoCuF44oM8nXQKS8I4CUiOvJyn49rmcq4_ZOxGq9N4/s200/IMG_8984.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pharmacy students getting trained on opioid addiction, <br />making kits with Naloxone!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I learned that many people still want drug addicts to die in streets, not be saved. They blame their loved one, saying it was their fault. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I drank no more than my friends and yet, I became addicted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was not my choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am still learning, and I am so very proud of my recovery friends around the world, and here in Minnesota. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To mothers and fathers of children who have died from addiction, I send you my love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1660,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">PS - If you want, you can find me on <a href="https://twitter.com/untipsyteacher">Twitter</a> with #Recoveryposse</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-53268880792797535632019-03-03T08:39:00.000-08:002019-03-03T08:39:08.930-08:00Layers of Life<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you live in the North, you play in the North!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's still cold and snowy here in Minneapolis, which is not unusual, so hubs </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">made us an igloo! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's big enough for two! LOL</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We've also been on some lovely snow walks, to an ice castle, and ice skating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, I am getting a bit tired of the cold and grey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Nothing I can change, and as I write this, it's snowing again!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, I think I should be doing more, volunteering more, exercising more, just more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't like these thoughts, because they take me away from being what I am doing right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They make me unhappy, because I compare myself to other people, instead of making my own life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, I do know my brain likes both novelty and familiarity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that I can hear much more, I am finding I can go to more places and participate! It brings me so much joy just to hear what people say!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I went to a Meetup writing group! I was invited by someone, whom I have never met in real life, and I just loved it! Although I consider myself a kindergarten level writer, and most of these people were college and above writers, I was brave and shared my simple lines! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a free association writing group. We started with introductions, and then were given a word to write on. Our word was "layer".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We wrote for 30 minutes, and then shared if we wanted, to!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most people had funny or beautiful poems or stories to share. I could hear about 70 percent of what was said, so I did miss some. The people were very nice and warm, and I even went to coffee with them afterwards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am sharing a bit more with you today, as I was thinking about the word, and able to better articulate my thoughts today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Layer</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like the earth, each layer of my life has a story to tell.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh4OSvgw7U49w13-etumqxFigNlERLPwOaUqKRC1bkTNlVOjH_WVmJohNIT6wABoBMKUKqwemgYwEfmpFttQS0-VjoE7Lc_fC-IsA9Mxlo6ZB8W7TBI9ABU8ea1QkUsK4TxqKhG68cqA/s1600/IMG_2868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRh4OSvgw7U49w13-etumqxFigNlERLPwOaUqKRC1bkTNlVOjH_WVmJohNIT6wABoBMKUKqwemgYwEfmpFttQS0-VjoE7Lc_fC-IsA9Mxlo6ZB8W7TBI9ABU8ea1QkUsK4TxqKhG68cqA/s320/IMG_2868.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had the whole skating pond to ourselves!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sand in my eyes layer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sun on my face layer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lost in a snowstorm layer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A double rainbow layer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Trees destroyed by tornados layer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Walking in green grass layer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes I have to take a layer off, because I no longer need it, like drinking, it no longer helps me. Sometimes I have to add a layer, because I need more, like supportive friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of my layers repeat themselves, like an ice cream cake! Happy, sad, happy, sad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now I seem to want to add a layer of adventure, of trying new things now and then, and seeing what else is beyond my little world.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ5CMOioZeAdIMGwNPFfRjAmr6WlKYVn0pr4ToiY2gjVlOwTxtsOt7x-ePRpEk9IxCLnLAiijhnqCiWsSpMudUa9ebKbgH1bFKZGy_C2wOy774STQQeaYIbCKD8oVFqU0MPNea8QeQxs/s1600/IMG_3053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ5CMOioZeAdIMGwNPFfRjAmr6WlKYVn0pr4ToiY2gjVlOwTxtsOt7x-ePRpEk9IxCLnLAiijhnqCiWsSpMudUa9ebKbgH1bFKZGy_C2wOy774STQQeaYIbCKD8oVFqU0MPNea8QeQxs/s320/IMG_3053.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's warm inside! For 5 minutes!! LOL</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I call it my bling layer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But I have one layer that is my base layer, which is now what I am building the rest of my life on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That is a layer of acceptance and gratitude.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Without this base, I go back to poor me thoughts, resentments, and all the things that make me unhappy, and unable to be a better person for other people!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today it is still below freezing, with fresh snow, but sunny with blue skies! Hubs is doing taxes, so I am staying out of his way! Maybe I'll hide in our igloo for awhile! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With a soft pillow layer,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1641,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-43180553523679201242019-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:002019-02-01T10:14:23.005-08:00What Do You Tell Yourself?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My second implant is bringing me more joy than I expected, because I can hear so much more! It has opened up my </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">world! I am so grateful for this! The isolation of not hearing what people are saying is brutal, because when you can't hear, you can't respond. Being able to hear words and to communicate is a gift for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am working with a wonderful life coach, </span><a href="https://www.paulsilvacoaching.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul Silva</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, who wrote the blog called, </span><a href="https://messageinabottle-blog.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Message in a Bottle</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, to help me reframe some of my thinking, and to hold me accountable to making some small changes for myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Little things can add up to big things! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know myself well enough, that I need outside accountability. I show up for things when I tell people I will. I volunteer and I always show up for that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was finally able to get sober by telling the people I was, so I had accountability.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, I struggle with showing up in other places, where it's only up to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my biggest hurdles in the way of my own happiness is my thinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My negative thinking, has become a habit. I talk myself out of showing up for yoga, a meeting, or even setting up coffee dates, saying, "It's too hard. I don't feel like it." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have these fights with myself, saying I want to go, but then saying it's too hard. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was getting exhausted with this fight, and losing out on some happiness because I missed being with some good people!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, my body does hurt. I know it's partly age, partly some arthritis. Hot showers help. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But moving and getting out, makes me feel so much better, and yet, I resist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So with Paul's help, I came up with a new mantra, that I have been repeating over and over again. I say it as soon as I wake up, in the shower, and even during yoga.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"I'm thankful my body is moving,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It moves with strength and joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm thankful my body is moving, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It moves with peace and grace."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is slowly helping. Saying it outloud, and reading it continuously, is the key. When my mind starts back on the old track, I instantly catch myself and go to my new mantra. I just talked with my 94 year old mother, who tells herself, "I can do it." If she can, I can!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because if not now, when?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am not young anymore. I want to live the rest of my life with fun, giving, ease, adventure and love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Paul is helping me look at things from a different perspective. Showing up for meetings is service, giving back by showing others how happy my life is by not drinking. Even showing up for yoga is a form of service to my yoga teachers and buddies, who are ever so happy to have me in class, giving them energy and love they might need! I need those connections. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my role models is Hellen Keller. She became an optimist in her teens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Her words have strong meaning for me, as I can slip back into "poor me" thoughts, if I am not vigilant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>"Most people measure their happiness in terms of physical pleasure and material possession. Could they win some visible goal which they have set on the horizon, how happy they could be! Lacking this gift or circumstance, they would be miserable. If happiness is to be so measured, I who cannot hear or see have every reason to sit in a corner with folded hands and weep. If I am happy in spite of my deprivations, if my happiness is so deep that it is a faith, so thoughtful that it becomes a philosophy of life, - if in short, I am an optimist, my testimony to the creed of optimism is worth hearing."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDjYOvHw84nfMJBXyGmw_g_9dcLKRtvUUdHv2LlMbxZHNkIwBKXzAgQtkpJiD-LUq7v8H46AB9Na7guzj5J6fcNA43lPtnscJdZ0E7TfZ1kRAzcdLYbdvoS7ctYK2NaR-OLaa9CdiwVs/s1600/IMG_2225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDjYOvHw84nfMJBXyGmw_g_9dcLKRtvUUdHv2LlMbxZHNkIwBKXzAgQtkpJiD-LUq7v8H46AB9Na7guzj5J6fcNA43lPtnscJdZ0E7TfZ1kRAzcdLYbdvoS7ctYK2NaR-OLaa9CdiwVs/s320/IMG_2225.JPG" width="240" /></a>Tell yourself you are a good person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tell yourself you are loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tell yourself you bring your gifts to others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tell yourself you are more than a drink or a drug.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tell yourself you believe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tell yourself you are worthwhile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tell yourself you are loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because you are, and you are all of these.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today is lifting weights and walking with hubs day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's finally warm enough we can get outside!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yay!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Sub Zero Temperatures Leaving,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1611,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-38070428039768661292019-01-13T08:57:00.002-08:002019-01-13T08:57:57.852-08:00Wendy Walks<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was looking for another way to have fun with the photos I take when I go walking, and so I started a new blog, called <a href="https://untipsyteacher.blogspot.com/">Wendy Walks</a>!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTDF298nxsBPR1_zL4hOyx39YpvoQsVvjR_cDM5_iWPlKwIRB-vXTnwIMwJ29lV03PnLHQmN0liIUvxcRzezByMtmEWj2uBbbtllJmiuSkgtkYApfN5dAmh7hKMR2vuq0bsPosZLjmbw/s1600/IMG_2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTDF298nxsBPR1_zL4hOyx39YpvoQsVvjR_cDM5_iWPlKwIRB-vXTnwIMwJ29lV03PnLHQmN0liIUvxcRzezByMtmEWj2uBbbtllJmiuSkgtkYApfN5dAmh7hKMR2vuq0bsPosZLjmbw/s400/IMG_2239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found color on a gloomy day!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's very simple, with few words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope you'll check it out! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life is all good for hubs and I. So we are enjoying things as they come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know there will be tough times ahead, and good times ahead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I write this, hubs just came back from grocery shopping, (he goes because he doesn't spend as much as I do, HA!), and brought me a COFFEE!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He is a keeper, my guy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With a hot latte,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1592,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-50106288965876788452018-12-28T15:35:00.001-08:002018-12-29T05:42:38.683-08:00Looking for Treasures<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88ehUPSFe95U2yq3P4Pv7G-JvTXoqxuhkijBaBAIAOlyBJwu_yesDLLWTyCWRINw3lFhOu_Z_BIrclmDYsBFWeewrvizuY8SoeONnUZ078_FKSByyoKT5EDrEotGitz92sgTCPM37tck/s1600/IMG_1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88ehUPSFe95U2yq3P4Pv7G-JvTXoqxuhkijBaBAIAOlyBJwu_yesDLLWTyCWRINw3lFhOu_Z_BIrclmDYsBFWeewrvizuY8SoeONnUZ078_FKSByyoKT5EDrEotGitz92sgTCPM37tck/s320/IMG_1517.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Skies are my Favorite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I like to think of going through my life now, as finding treasures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are so many!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In fact, each and every breath I take is a treasure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, I am first to admit this is not always easy, as my bones ache when I get up, and it takes me ten years to get dressed to go for a walk, and hubs is not so patient about waiting for me! Lol</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, it is a treasure I am up, I am able to get dressed in warm clothes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Coffee, bed, a walk, a pillow, everything is a treasure! My new cochlear implants! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My family, friends, the birds, dogs, all treasures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When my head is on the right way, I understand it is my obligation, so to speak, to bring joy to the world, to all the people I love, to share my little treasures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That in turn, will hopefully bring them a little bit more joy in their world.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfrQ787zddXqMojh8xqVRpao57Hg0JhB7VAQdi_MkmL4TRloCbH84XCSyw0Uathc5NGTC_qD5vXGbiB9uw-DY2d_s8DhTg7VU4APZVCco1S51nzH86gmmX9Mv_j4eS1oSXmIMxLsBS8A/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfrQ787zddXqMojh8xqVRpao57Hg0JhB7VAQdi_MkmL4TRloCbH84XCSyw0Uathc5NGTC_qD5vXGbiB9uw-DY2d_s8DhTg7VU4APZVCco1S51nzH86gmmX9Mv_j4eS1oSXmIMxLsBS8A/s320/IMG_1579.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On A Treasure Walk!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Which then, makes me happier! It is all a wonderful circle! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now, as I write this, I am sitting in my pjs, on my couch by the Christmas tree, and getting ready to head out for a walk in the FREEZING cold with hubs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So I wrote this little poem that I am sharing with you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>As I walk among the trees,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>By the streams,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Through the fields, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>On the path of made of pebbles,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I find treasures. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>See, there is a small berry, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Still red in the snow.</i></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsXVlfkzV3Ab9WIJ9csyaDZRTTkyCGm6Z629zp8FDkXa5CqkrF6kpAYcl24E0P7xraAyaLt29SiyjuKn1gV_kJWWmnGnd8sKEORplpCC98swJDwEGK2mLRbkcZdPI8TyL_LH-rz0XMR8/s1600/IMG_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsXVlfkzV3Ab9WIJ9csyaDZRTTkyCGm6Z629zp8FDkXa5CqkrF6kpAYcl24E0P7xraAyaLt29SiyjuKn1gV_kJWWmnGnd8sKEORplpCC98swJDwEGK2mLRbkcZdPI8TyL_LH-rz0XMR8/s320/IMG_0527.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Look there, the sunlight</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>And blue sky capture my eye!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Other treasures </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I feel. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I want to take a photo </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Of my treasured feelings.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Of the calmness of the quiet,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Of the excitement of what is around the bend,</i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Of the survival of a hard hike,</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Of the love for the man whose hand</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>I am holding.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you are sick today, or sad, or grieving, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I send you some peace. Life is hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also send out to the world, a bit of joy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The treasure of loving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With Gratitude for Hand Warmers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On Day 1576,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
<br />
<br />Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-51930571343351258342018-12-02T14:12:00.001-08:002018-12-02T14:12:59.426-08:00Gifts <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdMUh0OUj6crTvg8_SOuK-jEuc8B7qN2eQgxu42bUhAL0RJPr6okruXFq65HcQVdnAKQFc6vIfhNKsFBhy8oOM6doJaN6BK4HlFeVtkKnoWDQ-J6ru3QZcjmevWFU_hAcL2yX1OQ3eZw/s1600/IMG_E0965+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdMUh0OUj6crTvg8_SOuK-jEuc8B7qN2eQgxu42bUhAL0RJPr6okruXFq65HcQVdnAKQFc6vIfhNKsFBhy8oOM6doJaN6BK4HlFeVtkKnoWDQ-J6ru3QZcjmevWFU_hAcL2yX1OQ3eZw/s320/IMG_E0965+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Our Walk!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i>“Life is amazing. And then it’s awful. And then it’s amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.” ~~LR Knost</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I read this quote and have been carrying it with me in my head for days now.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As I continue my journey of hearing again, as well as my journey in recovery, and growing older, I am starting to understand life a bit more. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mark Goodman, of <a href="http://www.markgoodson.com/">Miracle of the Mundane</a>, has written his whole blog on the point the quote is making.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hubs and I went for a walk in the woods yesterday. There was a lovely snowfall last night. Later we went out to dinner and to see a toy train museum, which was a perfect for the first day of December. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today, I am still in pajamas, and hubs shoveled, got us some food, and soon we will watch a football game. (Go Vikings!! LOL)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hubs has a terrible cold, but he is a non-complainer! Thank goodness for me, as I am the big baby in the house! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are ordinary times for us, and they are beautiful, and if I look at it in perspective, they can be amazing at the same time. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>This is the gift of recovery. </b><b>The ability to understand this.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I also realized that I often sit back and wait for an amazing time to happen. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I read a book once, although I can't remember the name, where many older people were asked what advice they </span>would give young people about life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many of them said they didn't regret what they did, they regret what they didn't do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I am trying to look at the "youth of my old age" with pushing myself a bit out of my comfort zone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last week I went on a short trip to Maryland to meet recovery bloggers, and Twitter recovery folks, that I have never met. I also went to a sober recovery house in Maryland, called <a href="https://nicksplace.org/">Nick's Place</a>, to support the young men there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN2ceU-qknr1XuVot8JWMyOJovRdWBW9jCNjM_YBXGmA9VKudHk81_Xdkkiz5mTfkTnKNtQ5rZL9_ESbNyu-ek5ltew-Wih2wM-7uWU9KtaSr7il6Md1Hy2IX2UEI4NRr0RHpHPHvnJ4/s1600/IMG_E0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifN2ceU-qknr1XuVot8JWMyOJovRdWBW9jCNjM_YBXGmA9VKudHk81_Xdkkiz5mTfkTnKNtQ5rZL9_ESbNyu-ek5ltew-Wih2wM-7uWU9KtaSr7il6Md1Hy2IX2UEI4NRr0RHpHPHvnJ4/s320/IMG_E0490.JPG" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubs and I on a Walk!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was an amazing experience. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It opened my world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Time is short. Now that I no longer think only about where I can go to get a drink, I can spend my time looking outward, and seeing how to live my best self, my higher self, a life of giving, learning, and loving.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wrote a post a while ago, called <a href="http://tipsynomore.blogspot.com/2018/02/one-of-many.html">One of Many</a>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was reminded of this on my trip, meeting people that I had never met, but knew we were friends because we are all humans in recovery. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We share the deep human longings, losses, wants and needs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">We share this world together, and it is my wish to share it with joy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">With the Gift of Fresh Snow,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">On Day 1550,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Wendy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5496458200245645063.post-90147958924223079732018-11-20T10:56:00.000-08:002018-11-20T13:31:09.547-08:00How Much is Enough?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuIqlU0qG0Q-V59TZMRfHt3UK5sMK2JEQBSjgaWDhQRq9LgRAP5dgh205reqGVYXZ-RdSYbuitwuLHIGNl5Rs9S-asCLWoAcmU9PE8X4IKmAiKZozL1AZkqegSW1pTzjh991MwuHQbTI/s1600/IMG_0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuIqlU0qG0Q-V59TZMRfHt3UK5sMK2JEQBSjgaWDhQRq9LgRAP5dgh205reqGVYXZ-RdSYbuitwuLHIGNl5Rs9S-asCLWoAcmU9PE8X4IKmAiKZozL1AZkqegSW1pTzjh991MwuHQbTI/s320/IMG_0555.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my left ear implant! I will be getting a black one to match my hair!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am so grateful for my new implant! It is just amazing how much more I can hear with two sides of my brain hearing! I am discovering new sounds daily! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can hear so much better on the telephone, and hubs can walk either side of me and I can hear his conversation! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am just so very happy I made this decision, and that is working better than I expected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am so grateful for my skilled surgeon, and my audiologist, and all the nurses, and other people who made this all possible.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQlnJyVm_Flczh7mo5kUowguEfd8eHzrva9r4AH7B5ryAQkvBQAHTamffs8-v8wvdk5HPpykCtkHdy9rs2cFWHmbXCxKTh10EuQu5gdw0rwDPZEXSFdSFQ-007dtVp667Q5b9tCeZ87E/s1600/IMG_0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQlnJyVm_Flczh7mo5kUowguEfd8eHzrva9r4AH7B5ryAQkvBQAHTamffs8-v8wvdk5HPpykCtkHdy9rs2cFWHmbXCxKTh10EuQu5gdw0rwDPZEXSFdSFQ-007dtVp667Q5b9tCeZ87E/s320/IMG_0554.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Right Ear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I told hubs the only reason I would like to live forever, is to experience all the new ways technology can help people in the future! That, and I'd love to have all doctor visits be like the ones on Star Trek, where they just wave a magic wand over you and you are all healed! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After reading this post on Medium, by <a href="https://medium.com/@seanpaulmahoney_49408/thank-u-next-and-being-grateful-for-the-mess-a5c3c8b10565">Sean Paul Mahoney</a>, I was inspired to see if I could be thankful for for my deafness and the sufferings I have in life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can only speak to my experiences, but I am determined that at this stage of my life to do so. I really want to live in the manner of joy and peace, and loving all that I have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My sufferings are nothing compared to losing a child, or losing all my possessions in a fire, so I can never speak to those terrible losses. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can I be grateful I went deaf, and no longer can enjoy music? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can I be grateful I suffered for many years with depression and anxiety?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can I be grateful for being ridiculed for my speech, not being accepted in a student teaching position because of it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With my deafness comes a new empathy for all people who struggle with some form of physical disability. I have so much empathy for the feeling of loneliness that this can bring. I have a huge appreciation for the people who are working hard to make technology, and other medical advances to help us! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wth my depression and anxiety, I again, have greater empathy for all those who struggle with this. I am so grateful for medicine that helps me, for self-help books that have helped me, and now I am learning to love life as it comes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With my speech issues, due to my loss of hearing, I found out I am stronger than I think. I persevered, went on to find a better student teaching position, and got help for my hearing loss. I had to go to speech lessons in college, where the therapists diagnosed I had a hearing problem. Before this all happened, I had no idea! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't say I am grateful for these things, but I am thankful I have more appreciation and empathy for the suffering of humans. I have more understanding just of what it takes to live, to persevere, to overcome some of life's hard times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this wonderful article on </span><a href="https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-appreciation/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Gratitude</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> and how it helps us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wrote these simple words four years ago, after my first sober Thanksgiving, and so I though I'd share them today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>How Much is Enough?</u></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv3-F8I09K1lFkbQewy4Vyt_KtBE90OLGWubS6LMhkX_9z_X6Qu3pOFd73lUeqQi3uAtsRR7_PI64xaKo9r_mEuHdC3l6_IRFa1V4NdSPOjCICZ0IXoy6SZdXjlHj0dlNoEKygUfpwDY/s1600/IMG_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv3-F8I09K1lFkbQewy4Vyt_KtBE90OLGWubS6LMhkX_9z_X6Qu3pOFd73lUeqQi3uAtsRR7_PI64xaKo9r_mEuHdC3l6_IRFa1V4NdSPOjCICZ0IXoy6SZdXjlHj0dlNoEKygUfpwDY/s320/IMG_0638.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubs on a hill! </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do I have enough food and clean water?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A warm, safe place to live?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do I have the love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of family and friends?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do I have enough to wear?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Well, BESIDES shoes and boots!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Electronic toys?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Furniture?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do I have enough money?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A way to get around?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hot water?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enough support?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is important for me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To come from a place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of all that I have,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A place of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constant gratitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because then,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't try to fill up the emptiness of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What I think I don't have, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With drinking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am blessed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have so much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In fact, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have all that I need.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Both Sides of My Brain Hearing, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Day 1538,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wendy</span><br />
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Untipsyteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14975521042875808241noreply@blogger.com25