A BODY FULL OF FRUITS & VEGGIES

I wish I could give credit to the person who came up with this, but I have no clue!  This is something I copied years ago, and stored away in my WORDS OF WISDOM notebook.  It’s yet another reminder of HOW GREAT GOD IS…and what a sense of humor he has😊

Enjoy….

God left us some great clues as to what foods help what part of our body.

*A sliced CARROT looks like the human eye.  Can you see the pupil, iris, and radiating lines?  Science teaches us that carrots greatly enhance the blood flow to our eyes helping them to function better.

*A tomato has 4 chambers and is red.  The heart has 4 chambers and is red.  All the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are great heart & blood food.

*Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart.  Each grape looks like a blood cell, and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

*A walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums.  Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex.  We now know walnuts help develop more than 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

*Kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and, yes…they look exactly like the human kidneys.

*Celery, bok choy, rhubarb and many more look just like bones.  These foods specifically target bone strength.  Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium.  If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak.  (Think about a limp stalk of celery!)  These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

*Avocadoes, eggplant, and pears target the health & function of the womb and cervix of the female…they look just like these organs.  Today’s research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and may help in preventing cervical cancers.  How profound is that?  It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.  There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

*Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow.  Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

*Sweet potatoes look like the pancreas and actually can help balance the glycemic index of diabetics

*Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

*Oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits look just like the mammary glads of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

*Onions look like the body’s cells.  Today’s research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells.  They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.  A working companion, garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

Isn’t  God  Amazing?

*Just so you know…I did not check the validity of all this but (in my opinion) it all sounds just like something God would do.  The world is full of so many wonderous things if we will only open our eyes and see them😊

HOPE  ALL  IS  WELL  IN  YOUR  NECK  OF  THE  WOODS

&

BE SURE TO EAT YOUR FRUITS & VEGGIES!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US:)

Oh happy day…or rather happy weekend!  Hubby and I (who graduated together) spent 2 days celebrating our 70^th birthday with some of our best high school friends (we were missing a few). Our friend Kaye and her husband Chip (who didn’t graduate with us) hosted us, just as they did for our 60th & 65^th.  (Bless Chip!!!  He puts up with all our craziness and takes us all in stride😊)  They had a beautiful home but just “down-sized” to a gorgeous townhouse with 4 bathrooms (is that really down-sizing???) 

If you’ve read my blog in the past you might recall that I have 8 best friends that graduated with me.  We live all over including 3 different states.  We do our best to get together at least once a year for an “all girls” trip.  However, we include some of our guy friends for our birthday parties.  And when we get together you can be sure to have lots of 3 things….talking, laughing, & eating!!!!  I am so very blessed to call each and every one of them my friend.  

(From our 65th Birthday Celebration)

 It’s really hard for me to believe we have reached this milestone in our lives.  Are we really turning 70 this year????????  Whoever first said “time flies” sure knew what he/she was talking about.  Seems like just a few years back we were walking the halls of our beloved high school, having spend-the-night parties, going to football games, and getting ready for the prom. 

Our group of girls (we call ourselves the VALLEY GIRLS), all basically went our separate ways for almost 40 years.  Then (long story short) we got together for our first girl-trip and it was like we had never been apart.  Since then we have taken trips both in and out of state.  It always takes awhile to plan our trips because trying to get 9 busy ladies on the same schedule is next to impossible.  But God blesses us and we usually find a way! 

(Wearing our Tiaras:) 

If you’d like to read about each of these fabulous ladies in my life, you can go to a blog post from several years ago (here).  I can promise you that if you could get to know them you would love each and every one.  I can also promise you if you went on a trip with us you would have one of the best times of your life.  WE ARE A REALLY FUN BUNCH!!!

(Us trying to convince one of our Valley Guys we would make beautiful bridesmaids:)

Our guy friends are great as well.  One lost his sweet wife a couple years ago & we sure missed her this birthday celebration; one has been divorced for awhile but looks like is about to tie the knot again this summer; two bring their sweet wives who didn’t graduate with us but who fit right in; and my hubby and another hubby were part of our class.  We also have a few "adopted" Valley Guys who "seem" to enjoy our shenanigans:)  You won’t find greater guys anywhere and we are so happy to call them our VALLEY GUYS.

The only problem with one of these get-togethers is…..having to say good-bye.  Each year as we age, I know we are getting closer and closer to the day when we won’t be able to travel and won’t be able to spend this time together.  But for as long as we are able and God is willing, we will find a way to celebrate life together and when we can no longer do that we will have many wonderful memories that we will hold dear to our hearts. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Valley Girls & Guys.  I love each and every one of you and my birthday wish is that we will have many more celebrations together.  Until I see you again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand and may all your birthday wishes come true.

And to my blog readers, my wish for you is that you have good friends like I do because they sure do make life richer and sweeter!

Valley Girls and Cousins:)

In Memory….we lost this “adopted” Valley Girl (married to one of our Valley Guys)  a couple years ago.  Sure do miss this sweet lady.

LET'S GO SURFIN'

I’m too old to do this….

but I enjoy doing this…

My husband loves to watch TV…me not so much.  There are a few shows I like, but he usually is watching the sports channel, an action-packed movie, or shows I am just not into…Mountain Men, Pickers, and that show about catching alligators!  I do want to be with him at night so he’s in his recliner watching the tube and I’m in my chair (with feet propped on the ottoman) surfing the internet.  There is just so much to see and learn!!!!

Thought I would share some of the fun projects I’ve seen recently.  There sure are some talented and creative people in this world…wish I was one of them.

What a beautiful bench…made from (I believe) an old headboard and a chest.  Saw this somewhere(?) but the posting said it was on Etsy.com…seller THE PAINTED COTTAGE.  Whoever does this work is very talented and they have some beautiful (though pricey) pieces.  Not sure this bench is still available but it might give someone inspiration. 

 Isn’t this a cute little desk…perfect size for a small child or maybe a kitchen corner.  It’s made from an old wooden breadbox (does anybody really use those??) and discarded coffee table legs.  Looks relatively easy to construct.

Breadbox Desk

I love French Country and this piece would fit right in with that type of design.  Looks so chic and expensive, but it’s made from a bookcase and an old coffee table.  LOVE IT!!!

French Country

 I don’t have a dog these days but if I did I would want him or her to have this precious sleeping quarters.  Looks to me like it was made from an old TV cabinet.  What dog wouldn’t feel like a prince or princess relaxing in this?

Pet Lodging

Polka-dots are so much fun and this piece just makes me smile.

Pinterest

What an ingenious idea for an old antique chair back.  I actually have one of these…bought it an antique shop for $5.  Still haven’t done anything with it but I just loved all the scroll work and carving.  Maybe this will give me inspiration.   (PLEASE read my earlier post about When a Chair Is Not a Chair:)

Pinterest

Awhile back I did a post on screen doors.  You can read it here.  Since I love screen doors and the color red, this would make me happy in my kitchen.  It would also match😊

Pantry Door

I have pinned sooooooooooooo many wonderful & ingenious ideas over the years (see my Pinterest boards here), but they just seem to sit idly in my board instead of getting put into action.  So many ideas…so little talent to get them done.  Lots of them are on my agenda though, so I’d better get busy! 

What  projects  have  you  completed  lately?

PS:  I’m not sure what other bloggers do, but I try to always reply to comments made on my blog.  If you make a comment, I hope you will come back and see what I wrote.  I’m sure many bloggers get so many comments they would never have time to reply to all of them, but that is definitely not a problem with my blog😊  Maybe someday!!

WHAT A BLESSING

If you read my last post, you know we recently lost a very dear friend.  My heart has been heavy not only for his loss but just because here in my small town we’ve lost several good people lately and also because of quite a few that I know who are suffering through great illnesses right now…several of them sweet children.  Sometimes grief can just grab you and doesn’t want to let go!

Today I am posting one of my favorite stories…I imagine some of you have heard it before.  But it’s a great reminder that every day is a gift and everyone from time to time needs a little extra dose of love and encouragement.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.  One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.  His bed was next to the room’s only widow.  The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.  The men talked for hours on end.  They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, and other things. 

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.  The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.  

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.  Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.  Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.  One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.  Although the other man couldn’t hear the band, he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. 

Days and weeks passed.  One morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window.  He had died peacefully in his sleep.  She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window.  The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.  Slowly, painfully, the man propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.  He strained to slowly turn and look out the window beside the bed.  But what he saw shocked him…the window faced a blank wall.

The man later asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside this window.  The nurse responded that the man couldn’t have possibly seen anything because he was blind.  He could not even see the wall.  But she said, “Perhaps your friend just wanted to encourage you.”

Moral of the story:  There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.  Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared is doubled.  If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

Has someone encouraged you when you were down? I hope so.  And if they did, remember how it made you feel…and PASS IT ON.

“Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.”

“People will forget what you have said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

HEAVEN'S GAIN

On Saturday we lost a very dear and long-time friend…we lost Wilkie.  He was this tall, lanky guy who was funny and wise, a great family man who loved his wife, two daughters, and four grandchildren.  We often laughed together but we would also sometimes meet up on our morning walks and discuss (and try to solve) the world’s problems.  He had this wonderful sense of humor, sometimes cheeky, sometimes downright naughty, but oh so funny.  He was a whiz with money having a banking background and his wife and daughters will tell you he knew where every single penny went!  Wilkie was a little bit of a worrier and had his serious side, but he could always make me smile.

Wilkie had been sick for a few weeks and (long story short) he had some internal issues which led to some liver problems and also the discovery of pancreatic cancer.  However, the doctors said that it was found early and they felt he could survive it.  He had his first round of chemo last week and did well with it, but last night he had a heart attack and gained his wings almost immediately.  This was a known possible side-effect to the chemo, but it was very unexpected.

I spent most of the day with Diane and the rest of the family helping in what little ways I could…I just needed to be there; I needed to be close to this family I have loved for so long.  Our families have many wonderful memories.  When we were much younger, Wilkie’s & Diane’s family, our family, and 4 other families did just about everything together, including going on family vacations to Panama City.  We all live within walking distance of each other; our kids grew up together.  We spent many years in Jaycees & Jaycettes together, going to conventions, having parties, doing service projects, having family cookouts and so much more.

Wilkie absolutely loved to dance.  One of my favorite memories will be how he and I used to do “the Bump” together at Jaycee dances…remember that dance?  Funny part though was Wilkie was very tall and I’m quite short so “bumping” our hips together was a challenge😊 

My heart is broken for myself but even more for Diane and the girls…one daughter lost her young husband to a heart attack just a couple of years ago and left her as a single mom to twins.  But the three of these ladies are strong and I know they will eventually make it through.  They are a very close-knit family and they will help each other along, and we will all be there for them anytime we are needed.

Wilkie, you were a special guy and will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I will miss our walks and our talks.  I will miss practically having to run to keep up with those long legs of yours, I will miss your hugs, I will miss your teasing.  I know your mama and daddy were tickled to meet you at Heaven’s gate and I know I will see you again one day.  Until then rest in peace….and don’t go doing “the Bump” until I get there!