I Write To Turn Inside Out

I have nothing to go on this evening, but the desire to create a page of words and to perhaps select a photo or two to accompany it.

My fingers are ready, part of me is willing and time will tell what else joins in to achieve a post that won't be totally useless. But then, when I'm putting down words, I'm expressing myself. Whenever a person expresses himself, he's acknowledging his existence and his need to share himself regardless of whether anyone else is interested or not.

It's when I'm feeling empty inside that I become vaguely alarmed by the whiteness of an empty piece of paper. During recent years, that seldom occurs. The practice of writing has opened up places within me and given me freedom to search those cave-like hiding places in my mind. Upon examining these places, I've worked through the clutter inside and organized it in an order I can cope with.

Do you ever start writing with a goal of finding out what's in or on your mind? I can go on and on and on like this, writing as I go, planning nothing but producing something. When I'm not judgmental, critical or fearful, I have much to offer.

I remember not too many years ago, having paper and a pen and freezing up. I was afraid to write. I didn't know how to free up my mind. I hadn't practiced writing so I felt clumsy and inept and I was clumsy and inept. After taking a creative writing workshop, I overcame my fear. I wrote and wrote and wrote and became a practiced writer.

When I first gave myself permission to write, I was quickly elated. I liked what I wrote. I marveled at what I wrote. I shared what I wrote. I gained confidence in myself because of what I wrote. I allowed myself to write poorly but instead I wrote well . I wrote with a love of words and a determination that lifted me up and filled me to overflowing.

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Different hobbies work for different people. I can't say enough regarding how much I've benefited from writing regularly. Many of you are writers. What other things get you excited and make you happy to be alive?

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(I took the photo of the sun going down behind our little storage shed in the corner of our backyard last night. I hope to capture more glimpses of the sun as it sets on our days here in Southern Wisconsin. I promise to share them here).

Sweet Summer Sweat

I used to complain about high temperatures and humidity until last week. I changed my outlook after a stop at my bank. During my transaction, I shared my thoughts on the heat of the day. The teller reminded me that compared to the frigid temperatures in the winter that keep us trapped inside, he enjoyed all the weather summer offered.

Over the years, I've heard tons of people defend the high thermometer readings; I usually think to myself that anyone who enjoys extreme heat and especially high humidity needs his head examined.

For some unknown reason, after my conversation at the bank, I decided to change my perception. For days now, I've come to embrace this season with all of its attributes. Now when someone complains to me about the heat, I repeat what I heard from the bank teller in hopes I'll convert one more person into appreciating summer's heat and humidity.

My days are numbered as are everyone's. Whenever I can, I'll try to admire every day and every daily incident as it comes along. My perceptions determine my experiences; I can make an effort to see things in a positive light.

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In spite of my strong convictions, I'm cutting myself some slack. I can't and won't rejoice when in the throes of a summer hot flash. Nope, that's too much!

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In closing, I only ask that you reach out to me. I'm tossing fruit bars to everyone.

How Cool Is This?

Hello Cheryl,

Thank you for pointing out your blog post to us. I’m glad you enjoy our Fruit Bars. I’d love to send you a couple gift certificates for Fruit Bars. Where can I mail them to?

Regards,

Crystal Hubbard

Website: Edy's





This e-mail arrived today from Edy's website. After posting "Shaddy Hits the Bars" on my blog, I contacted Edy's by e-mail encouraging them to check it out. I'm delighted that they appreciated my positive comments regarding their product enough to reward me. Of course that's what I was hoping they might do, but I didn't really expect it.

Edy's fruit bars AND their customer service are both really, really cool.

In case you're wondering who Cheryl is, that's my real name; Shaddy's a childhood nickname and the one I choose to use here.

(Go to my previous post for Shaddy's hydration recipe).

Shaddy's Hydration Recipe

I found this bright and cheerful water bottle at a TJMaxx store. I faithfully clip it onto my workout bag whenever I go to NorthPointe.

After a workout, I fill the bottle with cold water and then add a packet of this energy booster. Besides vitamin C, it contains 7 mineral ascorbates, 32 mineral complexes and B vitamins. The calories per packet is only 25. (I buy the Walgreen's brand which is less pricey than the similar Emergen-C product).

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The packets are sold in a box of 36. I can't remember the cost, but it's quite reasonable.

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Honestly, what motivates me to mix the cranberry or orange flavored powder in my water is that it's much easier to drink than plain old water. Even when I've sweat a lot, I don't get very thirsty so I have force myself to rehydrate. Obviously, if the water tastes good, I'll drink more.

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After sweating and grunting and groaning, you and I know drinking water is a must. My equation for successful hydration assures I'm replenished and refreshed once I've drained every drop. You may want to try it too.

Jake & Company

Here's a sampling of Jake's many faces. His contagious laugh, his peaceful, sleepy face and his concerned look are all precious.

Jake's mother used to work with me but after Jake arrived, she decided to become a stay-at-home Mom. Can you blame her?

I was tickled when these photos came in the mail the other day and even happier when Stephanie and Jake came into the office. I held Jake while Steph had a small cavity filled; he was so good and I was too. I didn't even pinch his cute little arms and legs; well, maybe I did but very gently. They're so firm and adorable that I couldn't resist.

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I can't speak of Jake without giving special attention to the rest of the "company." Here's Jake's father, Tim, and the happy family under a tree in their backyard.

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We all miss not seeing Stephanie regularly at work yet we couldn't be happier knowing she's spending precious time with her new baby. She'll never regret it and Jake will benefit greatly from this time with Mom.

Shaddy Hits the Bars

I'm hooked on Edy's Fruit Bars. They're very, very tasty and have only 70 or 80 calories per bar! That's unheard of for a food that's so delicious and nutritious as well.

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Look at the boxes. Vitamin C, Real Fruit, All Natural, Made With Super Fruits--all that on a stick! See why I love them?

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My favorite flavor is pomegranate, although I buy strawberry bars often too. I'm absolutely thrilled that I can eat three of these fruit bars, one right after the other, and still not consume as many calories as I would if I ate an ice cream treat. The flavor is so intense and refreshing on hot summer days that I can never eat just one.

Edy's Fruit Bars are also available in these flavors: Acai Blueberry, Creamy Coconut, Grape, Lemonade, Lime, Orange & Cream, Pineapple, Tangerine and more. Sugar-free bars are available as well. The bars with cream may have more calories; I'm not sure about that. I do know the pomegranate bars are 70 calories and the strawberry have 80.

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Try as I may, I can't shake any more bars out of my last two boxes; a trip to the store is definitely a priority later today.

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Sure we're all grown-ups, at least on the outside, but who can say no to a fruity popsicle in the good old summer time.

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DO ME A FAVOR, WILL YOU? BUY A BOX OF EDY'S FRUIT BARS, SIT OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH WITH YOUR FAVORITE FLAVOR AND FEEL LIKE A KID ALL OVER AGAIN. I ALMOST FORGOT: KICK OFF YOUR SHOES AND WIGGLE YOUR TOES.

The News in Shaddy's World

Here's our thirty-year old kitchen countertop. It's still in fine shape but we're definitely ready for a change.

It's time to devote a post to a little of this and a little of that. So ready or not, here's what's up in Shaddy's world. Feel free to pick and choose what interests you or skip this entirely and go to on to something else. I'll understand, but I won't necessarily like it. Whaaaa!

1. I had an excellent WORKOUT this afternoon at NorthPointe that went like this:

a. I warmed up on the elliptical trainer for 10 minutes.

b. A lower body weight machine workout followed.

c. I grabbed my sunglasses and went outside to run. I planned to run at least one mile but

felt good enough to run three.

d. Lane swimming in the pool was a perfect form of exercise to finish my workout.

2. We picked out a new kitchen COUNTERTOP and measurements were taken this afternoon. In a

few weeks, the extremely old (approximately 30 years old) saddle-colored one will be

replaced by a granite-look countertop in a variegated pattern of black, browns and ivory.

Why we've updated everything else but hung on to that is beyond me. We can't wait for

the new look.

3. CORN-ON-THE-COB has replaced our daily bread. From last week until who knows when,

that's the veggie we'll enjoy nearly every day. The corn we buy is so good that I don't

add butter or salt; I eat it bare-naked, the corn that is. I mean, the corn's naked, but I'm

fully dressed. Sheesh!

4. The WINE I'm tipping this week is Barefoot Shiraz. I do take my shoes off for that.

5. We added another BIRDHOUSE to our indoor collection. We came across it in a shop in

Lake Geneva. I had no trouble agreeing to bring that one home; often, I just roll

my eyes when Lon starts eyeing more birdhouses.

6. When I'm thirsty for a carbonated DRINK, I opt for a fruit juice and club soda mixture.

It's nutritious and a real thirst quencher.

7. I picked up the tomatoes at a roadside stand. I could nearly live on BLTs in the

summer. Dad's tomatoes were the best, but these will have to do.

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That's the news for now. Crumple up the newspaper and go on out and build a campfire; try it, you'll like it.