Rollercoaster of Life

Wow! What a ride it’s been!

Hello my lovelies, it is I, Ellie.

 

I know, you began to wonder if I had been abducted by aliens, or captured by enemy spies, or had run away with a rich sugar daddy to a tropical paradise.

Well, the aliens never showed up, the spies captured some younger person assuming they had more information -the fools, and my sugar daddy has to request his time off like all of the other employees. Nevertheless,  a lot has transpired since my last confession, er, I mean post.

I am titling this one, Rollercoaster of Life because, well I’m sure you will figure it out.

I think I shared with y’all that my Mother In Law had a hemorrhagic stroke in March. For several weeks we spent most of our time going back and forth to the hospital, rehab center, and doctors. I’m happy to report that she is home, at her home, using a walker, not a wheelchair, and has made a remarkable recovery!

I missed my self imposed deadline for Fury. I am very frustrated with myself, yet at the same time, it is what it is. Life throws you some curve balls at times. We adapt, we overcome. I’m working on it still,  just had to pick myself up from the doldrums I was stuck in for several weeks.

By the way, a cure for the doldrums is to get a job that is demanding and has you trying to figure out when you can fit in the other things, like housework, laundry, writing, and maybe something fun.

Welcome to the Rollercoaster. You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride, or accompanied by an adult who is taller than 68 inches. Lower lap bar to the locked position.

My biopsy proved to be negative for cancer –  that was a total relief!

I had oral surgery the first week of May –  that was horrible for a few days, then there was the soft foods diet. BLECH! Anyway, all is healed from that just in time to go back for phase 2, the implant procedure. Yeah, not looking forward to that yet it needs to be done.  I had to get bloodwork done, which my A1C is below the diabetic ranger, and my daily glucose level is within range. However, my triglycerides were off the charts.  You win some, and lose others.

The last week of May, I started a new job. A new thing – totally different from any of my other things. This job is not in cartography.  I am still doing maps for commissioned work if anyone is interested, contact me on Facebook. This job has nothing to do with mortgages or financing, although I still have my license.

I have to do twice the work in physical labor that I did to get the same pay as a mortgage officer,  but the job satisfaction is multiplied by ten!

I have been working as a nurses aid, or personal care provider for a home health company. This is not anything I ever thought I ‘d be doing but, I can honestly say –  I Love it!  The job satisfaction, the feeling of being needed, appreciated, and valued is irreplaceable.  I’m caring for elderly patients that can no longer do things for themselves. For some it is fixing meals, doing a bit of housework, laundry, and company. For others, it involves more care such as transfer and mobility, bathing and hygiene.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the elderly. Maybe it’s from losing my grandparents when I was young, maybe it’s respect for my parents and grandparents. I get upset when I see teens and young adults mocking elderly men who walk with a cane or are stooped, shuffling slowly as they make their way through a store.

This is not the path I would have chosen. God always knows better though, doesn’t he? I needed this.  I needed to be needed. I needed to feel valued.

Part of the reason for this is,  we are now empty-nesters.  This is taking some adjustments. I’m happy for my daughter to be taking the next step in her life,  but at the same time, I miss her. I miss our conversations throughout the day.

So, with the new job,  the first day after training I had a 14-hour shift, with several 12 hour shifts to follow. At least 2 days a week are 12-hour shifts. It’s not a demanding 12 hours though, there is some downtime. For instance, if the client takes a nap, I can write in my notebook.  I have filled one notebook and am starting on the second one.

Today, I added 11,000 words to a new story thanks to Dragon software transcribing.

I guess, in summation what I’m trying to say is I’ve been busy. We are learning to adjust to a new schedule of care for my Mother In Law, requiring more frequent check-ins. I’m adjusting to the new job averaging 37 to 46 hours a week. I have been writing, but not in my usual manner at the computer.

Speaking of computer, I am happy to have my most cherished computer back.  It was running slow, acting goofy and I took it to the shop to see if there was a virus or something –  turned out I just needed to defragment the hard drive. INexpensive fix, but getting to the shop to pick it up when I worked until 8 in the evening has been difficult.

So, anyway. That’s been my life in a nutshell.

I will be sharing some authors new releases, including my bestie’s!!!  I plan to share a few new recipes – sugar-free ones that I ‘ve mastered. Maybe, I’ll even include a few vlogs here and there now that I am on a more regular schedule for the next 2 months. Keep your fingers crossed or better yet, say a prayer that I will manage my time better and get my writing completed!

I hope that everyone is having a fantastic summer! I need a tan myself. I’ve spent most of my days indoors caring for others. On the days when I’ve been off,  the weather has been so hot and humid, I couldn’t stand being outside.

For anyone who has been wondering where i disappeared to this time,  there you have it. What have you been up to?

Write on my friends, write on! 

Ellie

I’m a Survivor

Hello!  Is anybody out there?

*tap tap tap*

I want to get off this crazy carousel that my life has been this past month! 

I had plans and goals –  they’ve been tossed out the window.  I’ve had intentions but we know how many roads are paved with those, right?

So, to catch you up to where things are with me:

• Have been all but living at the hospital – ICU, waiting room, regular room, and now rehab center.
• Have NOT had the focus nor the time to do any writing.
• Have NOT made any progress on Fury, thus my release date will be pushed back.
•  Have managed to piss off family – something  I seem to be a pro at.
• Have been derailed from my progress with the green smoothies by existing on hospital cafeteria foods -yuck.

Now to get back on track, and take control back over at least part of our lives.

My BFF Misty referred me to an awesome video that I am going to share at the end, that really hit home with me. Thanks Misty,  I so needed that!

Life for the past few weeks has been in a complete state of turmoil. In any sort of family crisis, tensions are high and people lash out and blame others for everything.   Trust me,  I get it.  I understand why; still doesn’t make it right. So in addition to feeling emotionally like everyone’s whipping girl, the self-doubt, the self-criticism for failing to meet my goals had me at the bottom of the pit, not even daring to look up to see how far I had to climb out.

So what do you do when life deals you a raw hand? Do you lash out? Do you roll over and play dead? Do you take it? Blame others? OR do you set your face like flint and muster through it?

It’s never fun – never! Regardless of how you deal with it.  But how you deal with it is the most important single element to determining how your life will be in the future.

It’s not about what life deals you,  it’s how you deal with the life you’ve been given.

I so want to rant and out everyone’s indiscretions, their finger pointing,  the unfairness, but what will that help? NOTHING

Even when you feel that it’s a situation that you can’t overcome, you probably can but it’s going to come down to your attitude, and what you do with it.

I was sexually abused from age 3 to 10. THAT does NOT define me.  I let it overshadow me, make me feel like damaged goods,  like I was good for nothing for too many years until I learned not to be a victim.  I WAS a victim as a child,  but I am a SURVIVOR!

I faced rejection from my mother, and have had many other issues because of those roots of rejection.  BUT, that does not define me. My mother made her choices, as I have made choices to love and respect her and value the good in life. I WAS rejected by my mother, but I am a SURVIVOR! I want my children to know they were wanted, planned and are loved every day of their lives!

I was diagnosed with cancer, which completely turned my life on end. I WAS a cancer patient,  I AM a Survivor!

The current drama life is violently shoving in my face -amateur! You clearly don’t know who you are dealing with here. Let me clarify for you – I am a survivor! 

I will deal with whatever comes my way. As Kelly Clarkson sings – What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller, Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone. What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter, footsteps even lighter, doesn’t mean I’m over ’cause you’re gone.

I’m not going to roll over and play dead.  I’m not going to keep taking the hits and not fight back. If I get knocked down, I’ll get back up. Life deals us some tough blows, so I take the time to recover and get back up.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  Nobody does! but I will face it head on. Change is scary. Being the one to  make the necessary changes is scary. That’s OK. I’ve stared Cancer in the face.

I was going to play catch up on my A to Z Challenge for April, but that seemed less important than the motivational  words to shake off the muck and mire.  I hope you got something out of this.

Write on my friends, write on!

 

 

Welcome to Thantyr – Cover Reveal for The Opseti Guard

Welcome to Thantyr

 

Map designed by Ellie Mack

As the southernmost region of Nebeth, Thantyr is known for being the home of the dragon council themselves. The Treaty of Dragons series follows a group called The Opseti Guard through their journey to renew the bonds between dragons and humans alike.

In the first installment to the nine-book series, you see not only the fall of the beloved dragon council but the creation of The Opseti Guard themselves. You are taken on a journey of friendship and defining adventures. They learn not only to work as a team, but how what their own strengths are. You will see how they grow through the hardships that they face as well.

So, with that in mind, welcome to Thantyr.

May you always find joy in the journey, even when it is hard.

The first novel along this journey is, The Opseti Guard

Today, I get the honor to bring to you for the first time –  The cover reveal for The Opseti Guard!

 

Title: The Opseti Guard

Series: Treaty of Dragons

Author name: Misty Harvey

Date of release: February 28^th, 2019

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 320 pages

Cover artist: Shannon Nemechek@ Nemo Designs.

Editor: Tricia Drammeh @ Triciadrammeh.com

Map Designer: Ellie Mack @ quotidiandose.wordpress.com

 

Blurb:

The Treaty of Dragons is in danger.

Dragon after dragon are showing up in the infirmary injured to the point of near death. Their supposed valiant riders are claiming it as nothing more than battle wounds. During a time when Thantyr seems at peace, this draws more than a little attention. Especially, when a healer named Renna Alder can connect to the dragons on a deeper level. She sees flashes and bits of what they’ve been through and it sends her into a rage.

No longer able to sit by idly and accept that all they can do is fight to keep the dragons alive, she disguises herself as a transfer student named Elas. Under this pretext, she joins the dragon rider school to investigate what really is happening to these dragons. However, what she discovers is something far darker and more sinister than she ever could imagine.

Can Renna find a way to save the dragons before she falls to a similar fate? Or has she discovered more than she can handle?

You can preorder HERE

Meet Misty:

Misty Harvey loves writing spine-tingling horror or dark fantasy novels sure to thrill readers. The psychology behind such tales has always been a fascination for her since she was younger. Even to the point that she once contemplated taking up psychology as a profession. Still, her love resides in the art of storytelling. An art she wishes to continue to share with readers for the rest of her days.

After climbing out of her writing cave and searching the house for the sound of the latest creak or pop, Misty can be found doing one of many things. Often, she spends the remainder of her day with her amazingly supportive husband and youngest daughter. While she has two older children that are out there spreading their wings around the world, including giving her a few grandchildren.

Her favorite things to do when not writing are crafts, wrestling with her dog, avoiding her cat’s bite or generally making her husband and daughter crazy. Often, she can be found creating vivid tales with her daughter about whatever mundane thing happened in their day and turning it into a crazy story. She is also an avid gamer, crochet goddess (we shall pretend there), domestic queen, and animal tamer (it’s a work in progress).

You can stalk Misty here:

Facebook: AuthorMistyHarvey

Twitter: @AuthorMDHarvey

Her website: WWW: Mistyharvey.com

Instagram: @authormdharvey

 

Other Books Sold by Misty:

Chick Lit Flash Fiction:

A Flashy and Frosty Christmas Charity Anthology

Psychological Thriller/Horror:

Malevolent Mind

Soul Reaper

Make sure you preorder your copy of Opseti Guard, and check out her other books. Congratulations Misty Harvey! It was an honor to create your world on a map for you!

Write on my friends, write on!

COVER REVEAL – Break Line

I promised you something new and exciting today, well . . . here it is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am proud to unveil my latest book cover for Break Line novella!

 

Former Marine Nathan Fletcher had to get away. Everything was crumbling under the constant pressures of coping with PTSD, and he had to regain control. When opportunity knocked to relocate to paradise, he couldn’t pass it up. He had it all – paradise, family, and the career of his dreams. Nathan even had the best therapy in the world: the ocean. His life was perfect.

Tragedy strikes, taking more than his leg with it. His confidence is shattered leaving fear in its place. If it weren’t for his cousin and new best friend Kai, he might give in to the demons of his past and present.

Fate seems to be mocking the once cocky marine when a petite Hawaiian beauty becomes his physical therapist. She pushes all his buttons ten ways to Sunday! Nathan is torn between irritation with Kini Okana, and his desire for her.

Can Kai and Kini help him overcome the trauma that has turned his world upside down, or will Nathan let the tragedy rob him of his future dreams?

Amazon: 

http://a.co/d/3BJBHvc

 **Will be available on Kindle Unlimited. 

The release date is January 2, 2019 – my birthday!

OKay, are you ready for the cover?  You got a tiny preview up above,

so here it is!

You can find me at:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/EllieMackwordsmith

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Mack_Ellie

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/elliemack75/

Website:

https://quotidiandose.wordpress.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mack_ellie/

A huge thank you to Lip Service PR!!

Lip Services PR

@Lip Services PR

Write on my friends, write on!

Nontoxic Zone

I know it’s been a while since I made my “cancer” posts. It occurred to me last week that I hadn’t finished my series that I started. I really hate it when I do that! You have my sincere apologies.

Today, let’s wrap that up! First, let’s have a little review since it’s been so long. (In my defense, I’ve been going to lymphedema therapy two to three times a week and it takes three hours of my time every time I go unless I get stuck in rush hour traffic, in which case it took four hours.)

On August 28th, I posted No Cancer formed against me.  In this post, I kicked off my series about the four areas that you can protect yourself from getting cancer, or have a recurrence of cancer.

Much of what I’ve shared has been gleaned from hours of research. In this post I shared

that much like diabetes, cancer can be self-inflicted.

But how? 

There are four areas that we can have control of whether or not we get cancer or get a recurrence of cancer.  Once you have been diagnosed with cancer,  there is always a risk of it returning. You’re always looking over your shoulder.  I want to put as much distance between me and cancer as I can.

So, logic would dictate:

IF I CAUSED THIS,  THEN I CAN FIX THIS.

There are four areas that we can take control:

1. Nutrition
2. Activity
3. Stress Management
4. Toxins

The next post covers Nutrition. You can find that one here: Proper Nutrition for Preventing Cancer Recurrence. The diet plan outlined by my doctor and nutritionist closely resembles the Mediterranean diet, based on the MyPlate system. Mostly vegetables, lean protein, some fruit, and dairy. It is a carb restrictive diet, but not carb free. It seems to be working, I’ve lost nearly 40 pounds. WOOHOO!

Now I just need to keep it up. I will say this,  the longer I go, the easier it gets.  I had to go back to checking my portions last week. I’ve been stressed with physical issues from lymphedema, and the long drive to and from the appointments stuck in traffic, and had gravitated towards larger portions and heavy carb comfort foods. I know, these things shouldn’t really cause stress, but they do. It seems to me that little things get to me more than they used to, which is yet another reason to learn to deal with stress.

I’ve discovered that chicken and dumplings are off my menu, spaghetti is off limits, white potatoes in just about any variety is a no-no, and I have to limit my fruit to very small portions.  I’ve gone back to measuring my portions, and making sure to check the labels for whole grains.

I’m thankful for the cooler weather because I can make soup. Soup is very satisfying to me. I know it’s a comfort food, remembering when my mother would make a huge pot of her vegetable soup on cold winter days. A bonus with having soup,  the broth helps to keep you hydrated.

The next post covers exercise: You’ve Got To Move It!

All copyrights of this photo belong to Jenny Sugar.

In this post, I shared the pitiful state of where I was after coming off of radiation. It was sad! I could barely do ten minutes on the treadmill. Now I regularly participate in an aquacise class at the Y, Monday through Friday. I take two classes back to back actually,  one is in the shallow end, the other is deep water.  I love the deep water one, I can really feel my heart rate go up in that one.

This is what my doctor recommended for me with the lymphedema, and with the joint pain caused by the medications I have to take. Good thing I enjoy it!  On weekends, we go for walks at the park, do housework, yard work, and usually end up doing far more than the recommended 30 minutes.

Next, I shared about stress management: Chill Out!

I covered some of the stress management things that were suggested to me, and the things that I actually do. I would still like to try Tai Chi but haven’t found a class.  The adult coloring books are therapeutic! I have procured rocks and have painted them. I promise pictures to follow.

ladybug, dragonfly on leaf, ocean Son of a Beach, and a fairy house. The other three belong to my daughter.

Which leads us to the fourth area that you can control, or at least practice some control over  – toxins. 

The easiest place to eliminate toxins in our food. If the ingredients on the labels include some preservatives and chemicals that you can’t pronounce,  then don’t eat it!  We no longer eat anything that is processed.  No more Doritos! No boxed dinners. No frozen prepackaged foods.

I buy chicken, turkey, fish, and seafood frozen. The only preservatives on them may be a saline solution. Salt has long been used as a preservative and I thankfully don’t have a problem with sodium. Our fruit and vegetables are bought fresh which means I have to take the time to clean them, chop and cook them. We rarely use the microwave –   it damages the phytonutrients in your vegetables.

The second place to eliminate toxins is in our home. Be careful of the cleaning products that you use.  My immune system is still very weak. I rented a Rug Doctor because the carpet was a disaster. I have never had such a terrible reaction to anything in my life! I had red blotches all over me, I couldn’t seem to catch my breath, had that tickle at the back of my throat that I couldn’t get rid of. This was the last time I will ever buy those chemically laden rug shampoo detergent. Very soon we will have hardwood flooring. We’ve known carpet was bad for allergens anyway, but now I have an even better reason to get those hardwood floors I’ve been wanting!

Laundry soap  – look at the harsh chemicals in your detergent. This affects the clothes that you put on your body every day, some in more intimate areas than others, as well as your bedding. You spend 6 to 8 hours every day between the sheets, and if you have one of those harsh chemical detergents,  is it any wonder that I was having a rash over my legs?

Shampoo and conditioner –  do you really know what you are putting on your head?

Burning candles can produce toxins especially if you are using cheap discount store candles.

Certain construction materials can emit chemicals into your home.  If your home is made of those particle board panels which a lot of newer homes are,  then your home itself can be emitting formaldehyde into your living space! Crazy right?

We can’t really do anything about the pollutants in the air around us other than not contribute to it,  but we can be aware of our own space.

I’m not trying to be a scaredy cat over every little thing.  I’ve become aware of these things because of the effects it is or has had on my weakened immune system.  It would be the same for an elderly person, or a small child. We don’t want to expose our kids to poisons! We’ve got to open our eyes to the things that are causing us issues.

 

Quotidiandose does not own the rights to this image, all rights reserved to artist.

Here’s an example of a toxin in foods –  I used to love Lucky Charms cereal. I loved those little marshmallows in it. Of course, the sugar-laden oaties were good too,  but I really loved the marshmallows.  Then I read the ingredients after someone burst my bubble.  They contained TSP –  trisodium phosphate. Do you know what that is?????

It’s a product that you use with heavy rubber gloves to clean the grime off of your walls before you paint! If we have to wear rubber gloves to protect our skin, should we really be ingesting it?  I haven’t eaten a single bite of Lucky charms or their generic ever since.

The kicker is,  this is FDA approved,  that it has “tolerable” levels that are accepted to be in our food source. Not in my food it isn’t!

Be kind to yourself and become aware of what you put into and on your body. Don’t wait until you hear the diagnosis of cancer, be proactive. I am much more aware now, I wish I had been from the start!

Sorry, it has taken me so long to wrap this up. It has been weighing on my mind ever since I first started this series back in August.

I hope that some of this information is helpful to you.

Write on my friends, write on!

 

 

 

 

Red Wine Makeover!

Greta Garbo, and Monroe
Deitrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine

Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
Ginger Rodgers, dance on air

They had style, they had grace
Rita Hayworth gave good face
Lauren, Katherine, Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you

Ladies with an attitude
Fellows that were in the mood
Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it

Vogue, vogue

Ah, those flashback moments. When I received my finished  cover last night,  I was singing this song to myself. Weird maybe, but there it is. Particularly this  section of Madonna’s song Vogue, They had style, they had grace . . . . ladies with an attitude.

Have you ever seen pictures of some of Hollywood’s darlings without their makeup? It gives hope for the rest of us! Seriously, some of the stars in the raw have you scratching your head and asking How?

There have been tons of makeover shows on TV. Biggest Loser’s most viewed episodes are makeover week when they transform the former fatties into Haute Couture Hotties.

My book, Red Wine & Roses was originally published from Eclectic Bard Books last year, September 19, 2015.

While I loved the elegant and understated cover, readers found it confusing. Some thought that it was perhaps like a Steeple Hill Christian romance, like this reviewer:  

4.0 out of 5 starsWonderful Romance, Extra Spicy.

ByKenneth R. Morrison December 8, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

First things first, I am not a prude. With that out of the way, it would have been good knowing that this book included graphic sex. The story overall did not need such scenes, I felt they were added to embellish and titillate. The main story was good on its own, but the end felt rushed, as if the Author was limited to a certain amount of pages. Or, perhaps after running thru a 2 -3 hour movie, they rolled up the last three chapters after the final commercial break. This was most definitely not my cup of tea, but it could be yours. The characters are well defined and fleshed out with certain aspects of them coming to light only late in the game. It is also about a young woman looking for love. If you come into this book knowing there will be hot and heavy scenes, you may enjoy it more than I did. Well written and described.

I appreciate his honesty! I was surprised, to be honest that someone would read a contemporary romance and be surprised that there is sex. I thought I had tamed it down and that it wasn’t as graphic as I have been on Storytime.  Then there was the comment about it being rushed, . . .  which I think had more to do with my edits than anything else.  I tried years ago to write a Christian romance, and I couldn’t do it.  With the CBA restrictions on words that I couldn’t use I had to eliminate a character named Angel, along with cut out so much of my story because of the prohibited words, I threw my hands up in defeat and realized I can’t tell the story I want to tell within those restrictions. Life is gritty  and that’s when we learn and grow.

So, . . .my contract with Eclectic Bard Books ended November 18, 2016. This book is now retired.  I do have a few print copies left in stock.

However, I am rereleasing a 2nd edition, retaining full rights of my work (thank you for that Eclectic Bard Books). the word count went from 82K to 91K, so some of those rushed chapters are now  more fully fleshed out. Part of this was a matter of adding back in some cut sections and adding additional lines in others.

Today, I get to unveil the  revised version! Are you ready?

Thanks to my fabulous cover artist Gabrielle Pendergast atwww.coveryourdreams.net. 

Drumroll . . . . 

TADA!!!

And, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t it gorgeous?  I absolutely love it!

I will share the release date just as soon as I have it, but until then . . . enjoy the eye candy!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends, and  happy by proxy Turkey day to all of my  no ‘Murican friends. Enjoy the  family, friends and celebrations. No Black Friday shopping for me, I’m not into that. Instead, that will be the day we transform our modest home into a Christmas time capsule akin to some of the old department store displays.

This is my favorite time of year! What better Christmas gift to myself than a makeover of my debut novel? OH I know, starting on revisions for my next one, Roxy Sings the Blues, which is planned for release in early 2017!

Now go eat some pie! Tell ’em Ellie said so!

Write on my friends, write on!

 

Revision #32

For as many years as I have been an adult, I’ve always  implemented a bit of advice my father shared with me during a fishing trip.

He had asked me what my plans were for a future career.  At that time, I was planning to pursue  becoming a psychiatrist. After he explained to me how many additional years of schooling that would require, I decided to change courses. I sometimes wish  I hadn’t but that is neither here nor there. The point is adjusting my course.

“There are several options that are available to you. College has a limit, however. Your scholarship will only cover four years, so make those four years count. Make certain that the path you choose is the one you want. You can always adjust your course but it’s more difficult. It’s always good to evaluate where you are as opposed to where you want to be. If you are on the wrong path, get back on the right one.  If the path you’re on meets with a dead-end, then  look around at  another route or change the destination.”

Those honest words spoken in advice when I was 17 or 18 have stuck with me. I assess where I am,  in comparison to where I want to be. Always adjusting  my course.

When one door closes another one opens. When one path is blocked you must choose or make an alternate route.

It’s one thing to set your heading in a direction, another to check to make sure your ship is running true. Mile markers along the way let you know you’re on the right path or  if you’ve gotten off track.

“Memphis? We should be seeing signs for Lexington not Memphis!”

Set your  course and  head to your horizon.  I’m having to adjust my sails into the wind.

 “The second star to the right, and straight on till morning” 

 – James M. Barrie

I hope you find your dreams, your Neverland where your inner child never ages. It’s where the fountain of youth really lies.  Our outward bodies  will waste away, but the internal spirit lives on, changed and transformed  by each life lesson, our hope renewed and invigorated.  Such a grand adventure in store for each of us!

Pursue your goals,  chase your dreams,  and never give up!

Write on my friends, write on!

Ellie

 

Satisfaction

There are times when you need a good push. This is why coaches are an invaluable resource. They push you to the goal line. They push us when our lazy nature wants to quit.

Humans by nature are lazy. we all are. It’s easier to go with the flow and let nature takes its course than fight against the wind or waves or whatever storm is happening in our lives.

Discipline is doing the things that you don’t enjoy doing in order to obtain the results that you desire. 

But that sort of laziness leaves you unfulfilled, empty and hollow.

It’s a sick feeling in your gut to realize that you’ve sold yourself short and all those people that said you had more potential were right. You haven’t given it your all,  you’ve sold yourself short.  You’re the one that is responsible for being sidelined in your own life.

It’s not the  illusions that you see in media, not the  glamorous lifestyles portrayed by Hollywood. It’s  reaching your own potential,  your own dreams, crossing those small goals off of your to-do list until you cross the big goal off with a sense of satisfaction.

What are you selling yourself short on?

What dreams have you shelved?

Are you living up to your potential?

I know for me the answers to these questions aren’t a simple encompassing yes or no, but a  range from zero to 10 in different aspects of life. For instance,  in parenting I would assess an 8 or 9, always giving my best for my kids.

In the area of personal growth, I would assess myself a 4 or 5.

It’s just my opinion, but I think moms are notoriously givers and are prone to  forget themselves especially after years of doing so. It becomes a habit. So much to the point that when someone tells you to think about your own dreams, it seems odd and even selfish.

This is an unhealthy view. What good are we to anyone else if we let ourselves fall through the cracks?

It’s time to make yourself a priority. It’s time to invest in your well-being and pursue your dreams with relentless abandon.

Come on,  you’re worth it!

Give yourself as much as you would give to others.

It’s not too late to pick up the pieces and start making progress in the right direction. It’s time to believe in yourself.  You may have to discard some pieces of old puzzles that don’t fit into the hopes for your future.  You may not have every piece to see the finished picture,  but embrace the partial vision that you have. As you get closer to the finish line, everything will come into focus.

Start believing in yourself. Start moving in the direction of your future.

Good things can happen to you!

Invest in YOU!

Write on my friends, write on!

~~~

Ellie

 

 

Decisions

Crossroads

We make them every single day of our lives.  We make multiple decisions  – every – day.  Most of us get to a point that we don’t even think about the decisions we make,  we  are on auto pilot. For instance in the morning,  getting my cup of coffee, brushing my teeth and getting dressed are automatic things that I no longer consciously think about before doing.

Regardless of whether I am consciously or unconsciously  acting, these are  decisions that could affect not only my future but my here and now. Not brushing my teeth could affect work relations instantly! Long term I could be looking at dentures.

Most of us do those types of things having made the decision a long time ago that this is the right action. There is nothing wrong with that.  We’ve made the conscious decision at some point that this is the action to take. We are in charge. Our decisions today affect our tomorrow and either move us towards the future we want,  or a future we don’t want.

We decide what clothes to wear. It seems this is a harder decision for women than men with the changing fashions.  We decide what foods to eat and when we eat them. We decide the route to take to work, although that one often goes on the automatic pilot track.

Some decisions are weightier than others. Do I accept the transfer at work?  It will mean relocating to a new city where i don’t know anyone. (I can’t help but wonder where  we would be today If I had  taken that transfer to Honolulu. )

Before you make a decision, you should ask yourself how it is going to help you tomorrow. How will it help you 5 years from now?

Choosing to splurge on that pizza  is fine for the weekend game with your buddies but it can’t be the mainstay of your diet or else you will find yourself in the ER with  a heart attack weighing in at 300 pounds when you are 48.  Choosing to lounge on the sofa all day long is fine when it’s snowing outside and you don’t have to  be anywhere specific. But if you chose, say next Tuesday and every Tuesday thereafter to be a couch potato and  binge watch Supernatural  while eating pizza will soon land you in the unemployment line, and eventually out of your apartment and on the street with no TV.

One decision leads to another. A series of bad decisions carries you to  a future that  is  sad, sometimes wondering where did I go wrong?

It’s this way  with weight gain.  Oh, I’ll just have one brownie. Later  that night you choose the pizza instead of the grilled chicken.  The next day you feel lethargic so you get the jumbo sized soda. After a month you’ve gained weight and can’t imagine why.  Hmmm,  gee I wonder. All of those decisions have blurred together with a bad case of amnesia.

What about your financial future?  A string of small expenses that didn’t seem like such a big deal at the time add up to quite a bit over time.  Then suddenly, your washing machine goes out.  It happens.  Appliances are known to break at the least opportune time.  You don’t have the money because you splurged on that cool leather jacket, and then that nice dinner  out that ended up costing way more than you planned especially after the fourth margarita. OH, and then there was the fast food purchases because you were running late. Oh yeah and the little trip you took with your bestie when her boyfriend dumped her.

It’s not the glamorous life.  It’s not even the cool life to  be conscious of every decision but it is a life that will carry you to your dream future.  Many years ago,  I  reached an epiphany. I remember it like  it was yesterday. The recliner broke,   the mechanical footrest thing on the sofa broke, the dishwasher broke, and the dryer went out all within a week.  Our children were in grade school.  My husband was finishing his bachelor’s degree. The company offered tuition reimbursement but what we didn’t count on was the interest that accumulated while carrying thousands of dollars for the semester.  OK, so we were young and stupid!

Over the course of  two years we had 5000 dollars of student debt that the company was not going to reimburse between the interest and the cost of books. This is when our appliances decided to go belly up. We had a decision to make.  We could just put it on the credit card and add it to the amount. It’s what most people would do but not us.  We had already decided that we were not going to live in debt. We had made a budget and the decision that we were going to get out of debt and stay out of debt.

We made trips to the laundromat every week.  I washed dishes the old fashioned way, with my hands and we decided that we would sit on lawnchairs if we had to, but we were not going to  run up anymore debt.  It was uncomfortable.  It was difficult, but it was a decision that we made and stuck to.  It was challenged on every turn.  There were multiple opportunities to just use the credit card.

My point is,  you have the opportunity to direct your future by each decision you make.   Each good decision builds on  the last one. Think before you just react on autopilot.  Sometimes the right decision is not the easy decision. Aren’t you worth the hard choices?  Isn’t your future worth a little bit if discomfort today?

Ask yourself where you will be in six months if you choose option A or option B. You have the keys to your future in your hands each and every time you make a decision.  You can create your own destiny and own it instead of ten years down the road feeling victimized by life and kicking yourself.

There are times for a swift kick in the butt,  but that isn’t one of them.  What can you do today for yourself tomorrow? What can you do today that will move you in the direction of the future you want?

Think about it then act accordingly.

Write on my friends,  write on.

Ellie

 

 

Wellness Wednesday – Levi

Welcome to one of my new things –  Wellness Wednesday.   You may wonder, Levi . . . is this about getting into those smaller jeans? Well,  ultimately I suppose you could  take it as such. But it has more to do with my guest.

As most people are gearing up at the beginning of the year to improve their fitness in some form or other whether it is to drop a few pounds gained over the holidays or begin training for a marathon, this is often the time many jump in. There are so many diets out there, so many conflicting voices as to what you should do, or shouldn’t do I thought it might be nice to get some input from the professionals. 

I have some personal trainers lined up, a nurse practitioner scheduled, a nutritionist, and a college professor that teaches in the nursing school. I hope they will bring some good information to the table to share!  

Please welcome my first guest, Mr. Levi Terrell.

1. Tell me a little about yourself. 

-My name is Levi Terrell,  I come from a very fitness  minded family and my dad owned a gym so I pretty much grew up in weight room. Much of that time rubbing shoulders with professional athletes.  I was blessed enough to play 4 years of collegiate football as a starter, which paved the way for me to get my bachelor of science with concentrations in health education,  Physical education, and public administration.

2. Name one thing that is a highlight in your life that you would consider a huge success and name one thing that you count as a failure.

-While I have many great highlights from my football career,  including multiple school records a rewards.  Not one of those would be possible if it wasn’t for God. Accepting Jesus into my heart is by far the greatest highlight of my life. I tend to see failures a bit differently than most, I truly believe one can not truly succeed unless they have weeded out the wrong ways to do something.  Therefore I see failure as part of the process.

3. Why did you choose this as a career?

-Besides inheriting my love for fitness from my parents, I became a coach because there are few greater thing in life than helping someone reach their full potential. Giving someone their health back allows them to truly live life to the fullest again. In a world full of corporations poisoning people with chemically loaded foods for profit,  it is an uphill battle teaching people to think a different way.

4. I think that is a very noble stance. I know personally, I am fed up with the chemical additives.  I don’t know if it’s just laziness or not, but I think it’s ridiculous to have to read a label before eating bread. Bread should be bread – the only difference whether you choose a 12 grain, whole wheat or white or whatever flavor, not to see if has 12 chemical additives and preservatives that, oh yeah that was determined to cause cancer, and so was that,  and that one messes with your brain.  Sorry, personal pet peeves.  Moving on,  for someone wishing to improve their health that comes to you for help, what would be the first bit of advice that you would give them?

-I have 3 things I always address first when speaking to a new client.

1.) How much water do you drink a day? If it is less than half your body weight in ounces it’s not enough, and it’s almost certainly causing you to retain water weight and slowing your metabolism.

2.) Cut out anything “artificial” from your diet. That’s colors, flavors, sweeteners,  etc. These chemicals are of zero nutritional value and do nothing but confuse your body and cause it to store excess fat.

3.) Get more sleep,  if you’re like most Americans, you’re not getting enough sleep. We feel like we must squeeze the most out of every day and sleep is usually the first thing to be sacrificed. Sleep is a major part of your health and not getting enough leads to many things:  increased cortisol levels being one of the main ones.

5. Sound advice! What do you find to be the most rewarding part of what you do?

-Definitely helping others get their life back. Getting the middle-aged dad down to his college weight so he can run around with his son again. Giving a new mom the confidence to be comfortable in any outfit and love her body again. Rehabbing an injured athlete and getting them back to the sport they love quickly and safely. That is why I do what I do.

6. I can see where that would be gratifying! What part do you feel that the mental game plays in the person’s success or failure?

-I love this question because a person’s thoughts are the most powerful thing on earth, and they are the main factor in determining a person’s success.  Not just with health but with a person’s relationships, purpose, and finances as well.

This belief is what inspired me to start my life coaching business. 23Seven Coaching is based off of Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) “For as a man thinketh in his heart,  so he will be…” If we can get you thinking the right way there is absolutely nothing one cannot achieve.

7. I’m a firm believer in mental attitude.  I’ve done many  inspirational posts here on my blog. The right attitude can carry you into fulfilling your dreams while a negative attitude will propel you into a nightmarish existence of futility. Wasn’t it Job that stated ” My greatest fear has come upon me”? So, what you think about preceeds what you speak. What you speak prophecies your future. There is a lot more to it than ‘The Power of positive thinking’ but  basically, you have what you say and that starts with what you think.  If you think you are defeated you are.  If you think you will succeed you will. In that vein, how do your services help a person who mentally is defeated?

-First, we focus on pinpointing why you do what you do.  None of our behaviors are random,  everything is learned. Most of them without us even knowing,  so if we can pinpoint why a person thinks a certain way,  we can begin to replace that thought with positive thinking. I am a strong believer in speaking affirmations and incorporating daily wins to build self belief and teaching you how to be successful.

8. YOu know,  I could spend the next hour discussing the above with you but  I know you have other things to do today. Perhaps we’ll come back to that some other time as it’s one of my areas of personal convictions. How important do you think supplements play in a person’s diet?

-Unfortunately a big role if you live in America.  Over the last 40 years the quality of our food has fallen substantially. Even to the point that fruits and vegetables have been nutritionally drained due to our land being so over -farmed. So even someone who eats a clean healthy diet is most likely still not getting all their needed nutrients. Now, the thing is, it must be the right kind of supplementation. The majority of supplements you find on store shelves are loaded with artificial ingredients and fillers, many of them known carcinogens. That’s why I coach my clients through nutritional cleansing systems loaded with all natural,  organic ingredients derived from all over the world. This process works great at flushing out toxins and helping release those stubborn pounds.  All while increasing energy,  sleep,  and even that healthy glow we all love to see on our skin.

9.  I need to sign up for that! I certainly need the increased energy, and the sleep, and who doesn’t want a healthy glow? Can you share 3 things that will help people to achieve their goals?

–*See question #4

10. LOL!

Levi and his lovely wife Raediance, (She’s awesome in her own right!)

 

BIO-Growing up in the small town of DeSoto, MO. Levi’s passion for fitness and football took him to the University of Nebraska, Omaha on a full football scholarship where he excelled early, getting his freshman redshirt torn off in the 4^th game of the season and tying the school record for carries in a single game (42) in his collegiate football debut. Levi went on to receive all American honors as well as freshman of the year and running back of the year.  After seeing the football program get dropped by the University after his sophomore season, Terrell was forced to find a new home. Just an hour south of his hometown the young standout was welcomed with open arms to the Southeast Missouri State University where he finished his football career. Levi later returned to Omaha with his wife Raediance to finish out his bachelor of science degree.

The Terrell’s now live in Missouri where they pursue their entrepreneurial plans and set out to help as many people as possible realize,  pursue,  and achieve their dreams of health & wealth. Levi’s life coaching business “23Seven Coaching” seeks to change the way people think about the world around them, in turn realizing they can truly have everything they want out if life.

 

Website: Coming Soon

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LeviTerrell27

Instagram: LeviT_Fitness

Twitter: LeviT_Fitness

SnapChat: LeviT_Fitness

Thank you Levi for sharing this valuable information with us!  If you are  in the St. Louis area, look him up and see what he can do for you!  Follow him on Instagram, twitter, and wherever else you can where you can a daily dose of inpsiration!

I hope that some of what is shared will inspired you, encourage you, and convince you to take better care of yourself –  you’re the only you that you have!

Write on my friends, write on!