Braiding Traffic

I just need to say one thing. . . LOS ANGELES DRIVERS ARE CRAZY!!!  (My apologies to any Los Angelos readers who are used to your traffic! but Oh. My. Heck. )

I've been in Los Angeles for the last few days with my sixth child. She just got a promotion to be a manager for PF Changs and has relocated to California. I came out to keep her company for a week, and as such got the privilege of driving with her for 30 miles and 2 hours to work! I was ok with the commute because it gave us time to talk which was awesome! I got to keep her car during the day so I didn't have to hang out at the restaurant for 10 hours before we went home. I chose to drive back through the traffic and go back to her apartment in Ventura County. Every day.

So . . . with Google Maps as my best friend, I drove the 405 myself. People are NUTS!

There are so many one-person per car drivers that are trying to get places as fast as possible. I have never noticed so many lane changes in such a short distance in my life! As I observed these drivers during the week I started to notice something. The traffic looked like it was braiding the lanes on the highway. I started to enjoy the experience and found it fascinating that so many people could drive so aggressively and not get into an accident!

I have also never seen such quick lane changes! They just zipped back and forth as if the traffic was going too slow. (in all actuality, it was. When I wasn't stopped, I drove 5-8 miles per hour).

The first day I drove in the far right lanes and went my own speed that I was comfy with. If I was too slow, I knew they would zip around me and pass. (I found out the middle lane was best when I took an unexpected detour through some part of LA that I had no idea where I was, but it was a tad deserted and dark! again, thank goodness for Google maps!)

By the end of the week I was doing some fancy traffic braiding myself! AND lived to tell about it!

I learned a few things while I've had this unexpected opportunity.

First, I can drive in LA traffic and be successful.

Second, driving in LA traffic takes a LOT of time! Usually I spend that time doing my exercises. I haven't been as successful with my workouts there as I usually am because of the time it takes for that commute! I even wore my workout clothes with good intentions, and it didn't matter! I just ended up wearing the workout clothes all day without bathing because they were comfortable!!! (Thank goodness Rachel will be changing restaurants next week that will cut her commute time!)

Third, I am gaining more empathy, understanding, compassion, and love for my children who insist on being their own adult person and not my little child. I find that while our lifestyles don't necessarily match, I love my children fiercely! I love spending time with them, and it doesn't matter which child it is, I cry like a little baby when I have to tell them good-bye . . . even if they drive me to the airport in their lion costume that we bought together for Halloween! . . . mine is a unicorn . . . hahahahaha. Just making memories folks, just making memories!

Rachel in her Lion Costume - which she wore to take
me to the LA Airport...

Me in my Unicorn costume

Sara holding Canyon, The Hubster, and Alek. I cried like a
baby telling these kids goodbye just 2 weeks earlier!

Fourth is that Shakeology really does help with energy and cravings. While I haven't been able to workout like I would like to, I did drink my nutrient dense shake every day! Having Fibromyalgia and having to get up at 5:45 a.m. more days than I would like (which is I don't like to get up in the morning), and spending most of this week in traffic for 5-6  hours a day, I expected to have to rest more than I did. Instead I was able to clean the apartment and car to get rid of all the dog hair that she ended up being allergic to, as well as painting a landscape for her apartment. . . The day that I forgot to drink the shakeology until after dinner I craved Diet Coke ALL DAY! I finally just bought a small one - mmmmm. It still tastes as good as I remember - and when I got home I had my shake. I didn't miss a day after that!

Oh the meaning in this picture. Rachel knows all the symbolism in it.

Fifth and final is that God is merciful to those that ask. He places tender mercies in our lives when we need them (ie; my health this week), And when we aren't aware of His presence (I tried to feel His spirit with me all week, but sometimes I got so busy I forgot to "feel"). And He blesses us with people and knowledge at the times we need it most. (This one is personal, so you'll just have to trust me). Sometimes we don't see His hand in our lives until after the journey. But if we take the time to reflect, we can see his footprints and influence woven throughout our lives . . . much like I observed the Los Angeles traffic braiding the lanes on the highway.

I feel very blessed to have had a week with my sweet daughter. I miss being a young mom. I miss having my children around me every day. I miss their funny-ness and the entertainment value that young children bring to our lives. I miss THEM!

The only thing that makes it ok for my children to move on, is that I have some great children-spouses that I love as much as I love my children - so now I have 12 children so far! And with those marriages come an even greater blessing. My grandchildren. . . who are just as funny and entertaining as their parents were!

My children and grandchildren at Cornbelly's today. Not all, but most are here. 

Sometimes God puts unexpected blessings in our lives as an added bonus. This past week was one for me. I feel very humbled that I was able to braid traffic, spend time with my awesome family, and see the hand of God in my life while having the health to enjoy all of the above!


Shakeology Recipe in LA

Good ole chocolate, in a shaker bottle with 12 oz water and a little ice! . . . you can drink it while you drive on the freeway!

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother...

These are my parents!

I look like my mom, and I act like my dad...

I didn't realize how true this statement was until I saw this picture! LOL

... I also have my dad's health. Thanks Dad. . .

My dad passed away 5 1/2 years ago, and recently my mom decided it was time to move to independent living at Legacy Retirement Village. . . She's almost 93 . . . and got tired of cleaning the house and PULLING WEEDS! That woman's a beast!

She is also the one who taught me how to clean.

And I'm not saying "clean" but "CLEAN".

It wasn't done right until the CORNERS were clean!

UGH!

So Yesterday, my sister Pam and I went up and finished cleaning the house to get it on the market to sell. By finish up, I mean the top floor. My sister Susan and her husband cleaned the bottom floor and garage.

The Top Floor . . . FOR SEVEN - 7 - SEVEN HOURS!

My name is Erlyn . . . and Scrubbing is my hobby.

Thanks Mom . . .

While I was scrubbing the tub I reflected on the blessing that my dad left my mom. He worked hard to pay off their house in 15 years instead of the 30 years on their mortgage.

He contemplated doing a reverse mortgage, but decided against it.

And now I was cleaning this very same house that I grew up in, and he paid off early, so that my mom could live the rest of her life in security, comfort, having meals prepared, housekeeping and maintenance taken care of, and people around her that lived in her generation and can talk about WWII and know how it FEELS to have gone through that, have kids the same age, and someone to check on her daily.

I didn't have to worry about my mom anymore being broke into (she always kept her back door unlocked) and being harmed, or falling down the stairs and no one there to help her. 

As I reflected on this blessing that my dad provided for my mom, I just breathed a "Thanks Dad" as I felt him near.

Parents are a blessing in our lives . . .

Whether or not we get along 24/7. . . 

And if you're a crappy parent, make things right... NOW.

I didn't always get along with my dad. Our personalities were too similar. But in his later years, every time he saw me he told me how grateful he was that I came into his family. (I'm a bonus baby). He made sure that I knew that he loved me, and told me how awesome I was. That made me feel good after so many years of not getting along with each other.

I think it was having kids that put such a stress on our family. After I married and moved out, my parents got along great. So if you're in this boat, hang in there. AND forgive each other. I know that there was a lot of forgiveness on both my parent's sides. It helped make my siblings and my adult lives more stable, and a great example of marriage for all of us.

My parent's were married almost 70 years when my dad passed. What an achievement!

Because of time constraints, and an aching body, I counted scrubbing floors, cupboards, cabinets, bathrooms and the kitchen as a good replacement for my yoga.

. . . except I don't hurt like this after yoga . . .

I could hardly wait to get home and take a bath! Not only to get clean, but to relax my muscles!!! Yay Epsom Salts!

One could say that I felt as much joy as this!

I think that picture pretty much explains things!

Today I actually got up at 9am! instead of noon to 2pm that I was planning on! WHAAAAT????

That is so odd! But I can say that I have been drinking the Shakeology every day. Again, I think that there is something to this Shake. . .

I was able to get up this morning, earlier than expected, and do my yoga and actually MOVE! even though I woke up stiff!

I am going to have my Shakeology after I write this blog, and then I'm going to clean my OWN house! 

Heaven only knows Mom's house smells way better than my own! So I'm going to take the training my mom gave me on cleaning and apply it here! FINALLY!

My hubster is hopeful, and says he'll believe it when he sees it. Smart Alek!

(He usually proves me wrong... I hope he's not right today)

So to conclude, I just want to post a few pictures that I took with my faithful selfie-stick! Pam and I took my Mom down to Saint George, Utah last summer for a trip to Tuachan to see the shows, a drive to Virgin City to see where Mom's Great-Grandfather, Alexander Wright, helped settle the Cotton Mission with the Mormon Pioneers, and to happen upon the greatest wood-fired pizza! YUM! We had a wonderful time with my mom and am so grateful we took the opportunity to spend that time with her! This summer would have been too late. The trip would just be too much for her to handle right now.

Pam, Mom and I at Tuachan, playing with the selfie stick!

Being "Sexy" at Tuachan

Whoops! I found the "fish-eye" lens! Let the FUN Begin!

I am having WAY too much fun! We started making faces in this
fish-eye lens, and then got the kids sitting in front of us involved.
.... Selfie Sticks can reach through crowds y'all!!!

Zions Canyon I believe...???

We found the wood-fired pizza on the side of the road. Since we were
on an adventure, Pam yells out from the back seat,
"Go see what that is!" as we drove past.U-turns are
in my repertoire' so we headed back! So glad we did!

Mom with PIZZA!!!

In Virgin City, mom pointing to her grandfathers name
 "William Walters Wright" on a city monument.

Close-up of Mom pointing to her grandfathers name

Mom thought this was the home where her
great Grandfather might
have lived in Virgin City, Utah.

Mom and I at the Virgin City Cemetary at the grave of
Alexander Wright
a Mormon Pioneer
and the first LDS missionary to Scotland.
Companion of Elder Mulliner

I am so grateful for my parents!

They gave me life, they gave me a great heritage of which I am proud to be a descendant of.

But most of all, they gave me Love.

Thanks Mom and Dad. You are AWESOME!

and I love you!

Alice Taylor Groneman and Earl Rose Groneman Jr.

I hope you take this day to be grateful for your parents and your family. There is good in all people. Sometimes we just need to look a little bit deeper, be a little more grateful, and express our love first. It makes miracles happen. Trust me on this. The blog post is long enough.

I am off to my Shakeology and scrubbing my own house!

Here's what I'm making today!

Shakeology of the Day:

in a blender add:

8-12 oz cold water or *almond milk

1 scoop Chocolate Vegan Shakeology

1 small or 1/2 large banana

1/2 tsp almond flavor

1/2 tsp Cinnamon (helps with inflammation)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1-2 cups cubed Ice

Blend until Ice is slushy and you have a "shake" :)

*1 yellow

1 purple

1 red

Drink to your health!

**** if you would like to try or buy shakeology, you can go to my website, http://www.shakeology.com/en_US/?sn=fibrocoach

Have a great day! -Erlyn

Shah-VAHS-uh-nuh - The Corpse Pose

First things first!!!! - I HAVE LOST 4.5 POUNDS IN 10 DAYS!

Yoga was a little bit late today.... like 5 hours!

I spent my morning trying to fight my way through a chronic migraine. It was like fighting my way out of a loose paper sack with socks on my extremities. It was brutal, but I got extra zzz's so I guess it was a good trade off.

Since I'm chronicling my experiment with Shakeology and it's effect on my health, I want to add something else ODD happened today. Usually, when I wake up with a migraine it automatically includes my meds, a heating pad, extra sleep in a dark room and a day of being groggy, not very happy, and laying on the couch recovering. Forget the making of food for myself or anyone else.

Today I slept extra, woke up and came out and cleaned the kitchen (I hate cooking in a dirty kitchen. ick.) then made Gluten Free Sourdough Bread, regular Sourdough Bread (so they'll stay out of mine), then made myself breakfast and ate it on our deck along with Chamomile Tea. 

It was so lovely outside that I decided that I would do my yoga outside today. Oddly enough, that had never occurred to me, but my daughter and family were exercising in "MY" spot (wink wink) and so I stole my yoga mat from her and went outside. 

Halfway though week 2 of my "3 Week Yoga Retreat" It started raining cats and dogs! 

Not really. But it was raining pretty darn hard. Thankfully we have part of our deck covered, and I was under the cover. But a lovely spray was going on cooling my shaking body! It was so awesome to hear and feel the rain, hear the thunder and watch the lightning while I was out there stretching and calming myself. I think this is the best day I've had doing yoga yet! I totally understand why people do this outside!

(Side note: I observed two women with children a few years ago do this on the beach. One was in Yoga attire... the other one was in a bikini... PLEASE! If you do this outside, wear pants. Trust me on this.)

The rain was so pretty today, that I took some pictures when I was done. 

You can see how close the rain got to my matt! When I was done I noticed that this part of the deck was the ONLY place not all wet! I was grateful I was able to finish my workout after such a rough start to my day!

Another angle looking over the valley. We live up in the mountains so I can be above the pollution layer for my asthma!
Thanks hubster!!

Yoga session completed!

The last pose of my yoga session today was called "Savasana" pronounced Shah-VAHS-uh-nuh. Its also called the "Corpse Pose". I totally thought this pose was appropriate considering this morning! . . . and what was under a cup about 3 feet from me!

Meet THIS little guy...

Sawyer beetle by a 2 inch pocket knife

He "flew" in clickity-clacking last night while we were talking around the fire pit. My hubster about jumped out of his chair, and I didn't move a muscle. I thought it was a June bug which we get up here this time of year. 

Hubster kept trying to tell me how huge it was, and I was like, "I know! June Bugs are big and red!" He figured that I knew what I was talking about so he dropped the subject. It was when my daughter walked out and jumped that I thought I should perhaps take a look!

When I saw how huge it was, I slid my pocket knife over by it and snapped a picture! Then I promptly sent it to my daughter who has two boys that LOVE bugs! OK. My DAUGHTER loves bugs and the boys love my daughter! So I saved it for them! 

Being the nice mother-in-law that I am I talked my son (we don't have in-laws in this family) into taking the cup from me and covering our little friend up. Because he is "fairly" new to our family he couldn't say no, so he did it! AAAACCCKKKK! Thank you Alek! xoxoxoxo

I brought it to the park for family dinner tonight and gave it to my grandsons. Here are most of my grandsons looking at the huge beetle. My daughter was pretty excited!

(after this boys being boys, they wanted my daughter to take them and feed the beetle to the ducks... she saved it)  

(she's the one squatting down closest to the bug - she kept it close to protect it)

My oldest grandson is running away as the beetle started heading his way!

So.... Back to the yoga experience!

While it was raining and blowing I was hoping that the wind wouldn't knock over the cup that was placed over this bug! I was a tad nervous! But all was well, and the can of cream of mushroom soup on top of the cup did it's job well! 

As I was doing the "Corpse Pose" The instructor commented on how we should look at this pose as an opportunity to "bury" all the old burdens and life that we want to leave behind. As she talked about this subject, I started to look inward and did more than just breathe this time! 

I asked myself what it was that "I" could leave behind. What was weighing me down. . . And then I had this thought. 

I could leave behind and "bury" the habit of trying to carry every one and every thing on my shoulders. 

I didn't have to do it any more, because "Someone" already offered to do that for us!

Then the Instructor encouraged us to "leave our burdens" there in that corpse pose. And I thought I need to leave my burdens at "his" feet.

The final part of my yoga session today encouraged us to walk in a new life. My Savior, who is my Someone who allows me to leave my burdens at His feet, also blesses me with a promise to walk in a newness of life. 

So here is what I learned today:

• I don't have to carry everyone on my shoulders anymore. Meaning - Let my kids be adults. If they screw up, the screw up is theirs. Not mine. - Stop the worrying! It doesn't do me any good anyway, and only causes me stress, which makes my health worse!

• The new life I want is a healthy one! To do that I need to let the stress go. Period.

• Shakeology just might be making me a little bit healthier!

• It's nice to do Yoga outside in the rain!

• I am worth the time it takes to exercise and eat healthy!

• Move the huge bugs before you exercise near them! (Can you just imagine if I kicked that cup! *shudder*)

• And I need to buy Coconut extract... :)

I practiced what I learned tonight at the park. I SAT DOWN and enjoyed the grandkids. I talked with the adults. I drank my water and ate healthy! And I let the parents run after their own kids instead of wearing myself out! It was a nice evening!

I have two recipes today!

Shakeology of the Day 

 Almond Joy Shakeology! MMMM

in a Blender or shaker bottle add:

8-12 oz cold water

1 scoop Vegan Chocolate Shakeology (or regular)

1/4 tsp Almond flavoring or orange container almond slices

1/4 tsp Coconut flavoring

Scoop of Ice

Blend and Drink to Your Health!

ROASTED VEGETABLES

I used the following today, but you can use any veggies you like!

2 red potatoes (if you eat these, count the carbs! [yellow container])

red pepper

sugar pea pods

carrots

onion

garlic cloves

broccoli

Place above ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle 1/8 cup olive oil over the top. Sprinkle with the following

garlic salt

smoked paprika

basil

thyme

stir to coat. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-45 min until done to fork tender

Measure in Green Container for one serving veggies!


***If you'd like more information on the programs I'm following, comment "me" in the comment section below or message me at https://www.facebook.com/BB.FibroCoach/

YOU ARE AMAZING! ... remember that!

Sometimes as I go on my pathway through life, I can forget who I am. Life gets so busy that I just take the smoothest pathway and go with the flow of life. When I do that, I go into "mom mode" and take care of everyone around me. It's just what I do. I'm a mom.

And moms are not told enough how freakin' awesome y'all are! Neither are dads! And I'm going to put teens in there as well. We all go on our way thinking we are ordinary folk with troubles that no one can see except us! At one time or another, we can all feel alone on our journey in this life. 

So I just want to tell you:

YOU ARE AMAZING! YOU ARE A LIVING MIRACLE! REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE! 

I was on a phone call last night with a friend, and she commented how her kids were just about ready to be done in her "nest", and after all these years she could finally take some time for herself. She could finally get healthy again, and focus on her needs. As an observer I was emotional listening to her, and my heart hurt for her that she had to wait so long to be able to take care of herself.

 This morning, I am reflecting on that call, and I looked inward at my own life, and I am living the same life! Why do we do that? Why in our quest to not be selfish and to please and take care of others, not to mention avoiding conflict, do we allow ourselves to be used as doormats to do others bidding? Even our own children... our GROWN children? 

I am living the life that I was emotional about in someone else. That's a problem!

I find that on my journey to get healthy, it's easier to succumb to other peoples wants. It's a mind game to be able to stand up for yourself without being over-bearing and un-agreeable. I still haven't found that happy place where I can be taken care of and my family can be happy. I fight it every day. Thankfully some days are easier than others. 

I don't have a solution yet, except this:

I am worth fighting for.

I am the warrior that has to do the fighting.

I have to be strong mentally as well as physically.

It's also a spiritual journey. Thankfully God is always there when we need Him and reach out for help.

It's ok to cry and rest - but don't give up.

I am worth fighting for.

And so I will.

I fought this morning. Once for me doing my daily Yoga Retreat, and once again with my daughter who is visiting. She kicked my butt! 

It was interesting doing that second round of the 3 week yoga retreat. I did it on my first day, and now 6 days later I did it again. I found that I am more flexible than I was that first day. My balance isn't perfect but it's better. And I can do a full plank! Not for long, but I can do it. I never thought that I would be strong enough to do that! 

BUT I DID IT!

That surprised me! 

Life gets tough, but keep going! It's worth the work, the tears and the TIME! If I can do it, then you can too. And don't think you can't! 

YOU CAN. . . BECAUSE YOU ARE AMAZING!

And now, I'm going to go have my Beach Body Shakeology! I think it's starting to make a difference!

If you would like to join me on my journey, or would like more information about the program I'm following, comment me below. 

Shakology Recipe of the Day:

Mint Chocolate Shakeology

In a blender, or shaker bottle add:

8-12 oz water

1/2 teaspoon Mint extract

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

Ice to blend, or ice in shaker bottle to cool.

Shake or blend and then ENJOY YOUR DAY FRIENDS!