Beauty from Ashes.

After all the crazy things In my life lately, things have turned around for me. I’m in awe at all the blessings that I have received lately. On the last day of our Spring break two weeks ago, I found out that I won a full scholarship to Disruptive nutrition.

It’s a program where you learn how to balance your blood sugars. They are connected to everything you do in your life. They teach us that diets and diet pills/shots don’t work. That mentality keeps you stuck in restricting your body of what it needs. It focuses you on how your body looks and getting rid of your scales.

Disruptive nutrition is about your self worth and who you are as a person. It’s based on Protein, fats carbs and how to balance your 6 plates. Nutrition blood sugar stabilization , sleep, stress, hydration, exercise and supplementation.

I won a full scholarship so I get one on one coaching and learning how to live my best life 1% at a time. I can’t wait to change my life and unlearn all the bad habits I have. I’m looking forward to learning new things and learning from people who have been where I am. I’ve heard it’s life changing.

From early on in childhood I have had an unhealthy relationship with food. I’m feeling so blessed to have this opportunity.

I’ve been in this hydration challenge for a company called Vinia.

You can see what Vinia is all about.

https://vinia.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorUWpZIN8rWb0jH7JUuPsJUpaHy7icznnS1QunXqjYweNvIIx8b

It’s all about the importance of blood flow. I’m in this challenge where you drink 2 litres of water with electrolytes in it and move your body. That’s all you have to do and post everyday. There are daily prizes and weekly ones and then at the end of the challenge big prizes to be won for all those who posted.

Today I won a variety pack of Vinia electrolytes. That’s awesome because I’ve not tried the products yet. See it’s that simple and you get to feel great.

So many great blessings to count. I’m still in awe about it all. I’m very thankful.

What are you thankful for?

Those who know me, know that I love bald eagles. God sends them to me as a sign from him. In March it was my best friend’s anniversary of her birthday in heaven. I miss her everyday. She was an amazing and I was blessed to know her for as long as I did.

After her birthday I was meeting two of my other friends. We have a Facebook messenger group called The Fantastic Four. Even though there are 3 of us left, Wendy is still with us in spirit. We are still the Fantastic Four.

A couple of days before meeting my friends I was driving in my car and I saw what looked like a bald eagle up in the sky. In fact there wasn’t just one, or two, or three. There were four bald eagles in the sky. What???? They were all flying around each other. I love how high they fly. These ones were not super high so very visible.

I was thrilled beyond belief to see four. I was reflecting and told another friend about it. She told me that the four eagles represented each of us in The Fantastic Four. I love that. Yes as I always say. Wendy may not be here in body but we feel her with each of us every day. Thanks Lord. I look forward to the day that we will be reunited together with all of our loved ones we lost. ❤️🦅

I’m so blessed to have amazing people in my life. True friends understand you more than anyone else. They stand by you in everything you do, whether it’s hard or not. They appreciate you and are ready to lend a hand. You can count on them and I’m realizing that they care and worry about you.

Life has been hard since Larry left. It’s hard to live in an expensive city by yourself. I have a good job but one income seems impossible to do things sometimes. My friends have been and are amazing.

They lift me up and make me smile and laugh. Today I went and got a pedicure. It was so lovely to get out and do something with them.

Yesterday I needed help with something and one of my friends and her husband helped me out. I love that you get to Choose your friends and I have many amazing ones.

On Tuesday I’m meeting two of my friends part of the fantastic four. Wendy is still part of that group even in heaven. I look forward to connecting with them. They both have helped me in times of need. Thank you.

Thanks to everyone who helps me when things get tough. I appreciate you all so much. I also love each and everyone of you. True friends may be hard to find but I have the best ones in mine. I’m blessed. ❤️

Two of my favorite people had birthdays this week in heaven. One was my dad. Wow is he ever missed so much. I got to remember all the amazing times we had. Our laughs, our talks, his guidance his love, our walks on the beach our pizza nights, and so much more.

Instead of crying now I smile when I think of him. I love that mom and i can chat and reminisce about you. I constantly hear stories about you that I’ve never heard before. I miss your guidance with big decisions like now. You were always full of wisdom. Thank you for teaching me all I needed to know.

Happy birthday in heaven. I can’t wait to see you again. Love you ❤️

The day after my dad’s birthday was my best friend’s birthday. She too celebrated in heaven. Our friends this week on her birthday shared our stories about her. I loved all the stories, many I had not heard of before. The ones I knew made me smile and laugh so much.

I had known Wendy since my 20’s she was my wise friend. She always gave me the straight answer even if it made me a tad uncomfortable. I loved her honesty and she wise beyond her years. As I’ve said before Wendy was the person who encouraged me to breed rabbits. We used to hop in the car with all our rabbits and go to the shows.

I loved it so much and Wendy helped me be able to show my rabbits and have a successful rabbit business. I miss our rabbit chats a lot. When she got sick she had to give up her love for the animals. I’m so glad I can take what she taught me and apply to my rabbit today. I no longer show or breed, but have an amazing mini plush lop. He’s an amazing bunny.

Happy birthday in heaven Wendy. Next week I’m meeting with the rest of our fantastic four and we will definitely be talking about you. You are missed everyday by so many. I look forward to seeing you in heaven one day. Love you ❤️

I’m struggling with the diagnosis of my friend. Today I went out and ran errands and it seems as though a dark cloud was following me. I put on my favorite music and the sun was shining and was warm outside but i felt like a robot outside. I’m so devestated by the news nothing seems to matter.

I did my gratitude this morning but it all seems insignificant. Everything overwhelmes me. I feel glimpses of hope but they seem far and few between. I feel helpless all I can do is pray and be there for the others in our group.

I don’t want this for my friend. All the feelings I felt from my best friend Wendy who died all have come bubbling up to the surface. All the feelings when my dad died. I hate them. I want to run away and stop feeling all of this. I’m trying to be strong. I’ve given it to the Lord. I want all of this to be different. So many unanswered questions.

I’ve started sending encouragement scriptures everyday to Tracy. I’m sure she’s still processing all of this as well. She’s getting many tests done and I’m so glad her mom is with her now.

Writing helps me process those feelings I don’t want to feel right now. As I keep saying hold on to your loved ones tight. Life is short.

I’m glad I have work this next week to keep my brain busy and I have wonderful friends who check in and see how I’m doing. This to is part of life, even though I don’t like it.

I appreciate you reading my thoughts on this topic. One blessing today is the clocks sprung forward and will stay like that now. Love this more light now as we head into Spring. Happy Sunday everyone. 🌸🌺🌹🌷🌻🌼

As I sit here this morning with coffee in hand hanging out with my labradoodle. It’s peaceful and quiet here. Today I opened the windows and I can feel the fresh air in my home. I can hear the birds singing . Spring is in the air. I love Spring it’s new growth, new life and days are longer.

The other day driving back from doggie daycare I saw baby lambs skipping and running by their moms in the field. I love lambs so much. Growing up in Ireland I used to feed baby lambs with a bottle. They suck on their bottles so quickly.

After my dad died and I felt such sorrow that I didn’t know if I ever would get over it. I started to do gratitude every morning. 3 things I was grateful for. Sometimes I do more. It helped me in my mindset and helped me see that no matter what was happening in my life, that there is always so many things to be grateful for.

Last night I woke up in the night and prayed for my friend and I prayed for peace because I’ve not felt peace with what is happening with my friend. I was able to meet some of my friends online last night to chat and pray for Tracy. It was just what I needed and I realized that God has a purpose for each of us in our lives. We don’t know why things happen but I do know that God is with us no matter what is happening. I’m blessed to have this amazing community of people who love Tracy as much as I do. You know that you are not alone.

This morning I feel peace again. Surreal peace that only comes from Him. So much to be grateful for. I hope that you all have an amazing Saturday whatever you are doing and live life to the fullest.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” Isaiah 40:31

Life is short and live it to the fullest. Seems like every time I turn around one of friends has cancer or some thing else. I hate it. I know we see it every day and hear about it. It’s hard really hard when it’s someone close to you. It puts it in a whole other perspective.

This week one of my friends whom I’ve known for 12 years has lung cancer and its matastized into her brain. I’m stunned by this news. She’s young to have this happen. I’m devestated by this news. I can’t imagine how she feels about it all. Not the news any of us hoped for.

She’s a strong believer in the Lord and always puts people first before herself. I’ve gotten to know her well over the years. She’s an amazing person. I keep thinking how this can happen. I guess we never know what life holds for us.

I do believe In the power of prayer even though I feel discouraged by the whole thing. I lift her up to you Lord and pray for her and her family. I pray for the next steps whatever they look like. Tracy is part of my life Church life group and we have done zoom meetings every Tuesday night for the last 12 years. We are a close knit group so we will go through this together for support and connection, no matter what this looks like.

I don’t know how this will turn out only God knows and I have to trust Him in all of this. If you pray, please pray for Tracy she’s near and dear to my heart. ♥️

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”  Proverbs 3 5-6

It’s almost two weeks since the horrific school shooting in Tumbler Ridge up north in BC. A small community of 2700 people in a close knit community. I’ve not been able to write about it, I just couldn’t figure out how to. Even today it’s hard to write about it.

This hit home in a big way. About a month ago we did a practice lockdown drill with our school. I can’t imagine having to do one for something other then a drill. Our school districts mourned loss of the 8 people who were shot and killed two weeks ago.

I won’t go into the details but you can read about them yourself if you want. Today we honor all 8 who died in this tragedy. One was an EA that worked at the high school and a teacher.

All died so young. I can’t imagine the pain their families feel.

It’s so hard to understand why they lost their lives. The community and surrounding communities are devestated. Two children were air lifted to Vancouver Children’s Hospital and one that was shot in the chest is back home again.

Maya is still fighting for her life. She’s touched my heart in so many ways. She went to close the doors of the library to protect the others who were in there. She saved many lives but got shot twice in the head by doing so.

She was air lifted to Vancouver and the doctors told her family that they needed to say goodbye to her, that she would not survive the night. Her family said no we will not say goodbye to her.

Yesterday she opened one of her eyes and she’s been moving around in bed and is slowly breathing on her own. Yesterday she was holding her mom’s hand. Last night Maya had emergency surgery to take the pressure off her brain with the fluids.

This girl is a fighter and the whole world is praying for her and her family. We never know what our future holds. To be told to say goodbye to her to this is Amazing. Please pray for Maya her sister and her family. Maya has extensive damage to her brain from two gunshots in her brain. We still don’t know the extent of the shooting.

Another reminder that life is so precious. Hug your children today hold them close. ❤️

Last week was my dogs dental surgery. He had 8 teeth removed and they wanted to take out two more. They said they were comprised but very deep rooted and their was a risk of fracturing his jaw. I said no he would already have to recover from the 8 teeth he just had removed. They have given me 18 months to decide what to do with them.

I guess the option was to go to a vet dentist. It would be nice to not have to have them removed as they are crucial teeth. I will look into what is best. Who knows where my dog will be in a year and a half.

I was a little worried about the surgery as I’ve never had surgery done on any of my dogs. He’s a trooper and it is crazy how quickly he bounced back after the surgery.

He’s on two weeks of recovery no toys which is really hard. He uses his toys as a way to calm down and he loves to play. No hard food or bones and no chewing. He’s missing his buddies at daycare. We have one more week at home.

It’s hard to keep a dog entertained when he can’t do much of anything. Sunday was his 9th birthday and I got him a lick mat. His birthday will be postponed for a few weeks. I’m not sure where 9 years went. Poof and they were gone.

I’m so glad I get many more years with him. Hopefully he won’t need more teeth out.🙂

I love this dog so much. 9 years ago he changed my life in ways that I could never imagine. He’s a huge part of my life and can’t imagine him not in it. I do know that one day he will won’t be in my life. I hold onto the time we have.

Wednesday he gets his teeth cleaned and put under to get bad teeth removed. I feel peace about it and I pray that he makes it through. A friend reminded me yesterday about love.

” Every time we make the decision to love someone, we open ourselves to great suffering, because those we most love cause us not only great joy but also great pain. The greatest pain comes from leaving. When the child leaves home, when the husband or wife leaves for a long period of time or for good, when the beloved friend departs to another country or dies … the pain of the leaving can tear us apart.
Still, if we want to avoid the suffering of leaving, we will never experience the joy of loving. And love is stronger than fear, life stronger than death, hope stronger than despair. We have to trust that the risk of loving is always worth taking.“
Henri Nouwen

It’s a good reminder but yes love is hard even when it’s your pet. They are a huge part of your family. At the end of January Zeke turns 9. I’m not sure where the time has gone. His teeth cleaning will be good best gift to get him back into healthy. I love forward to the many more years we have together. ❤️