February 3rd, Wear your Red for The Number One KILLER of Women, Heart Disease

February is traditionally the month we all celebrate Valentines Day but we also are celebrating "Our Hearts".

 February 3rd is the day we all get together and kick up our heels to get the word out about the 

Number One KILLER of Women! 

"Heart Disease"

 Are you part of a group that goes red — and beyond? Is your cubicle a sea of red? Do you even plaster your pooch in red?

 I'm Sandy and the "Wonders of Doing" is my blog.  I speak from experience.  

For weeks I walked around saying to myself "Something is not right"?  I woke in the night thinking I had saran wrap in my lungs and could not get a full breath? I was only 54 yrs old and refused to get my heart health screenings... then one night the EMS took me away. 

"Heart Failure and you have 3 months to live"!!

That was 6 years ago and now I'm doing great with my third Pacemaker/Defib implanted in my chest.  My heart is happy with it's new friend that kicks in when ever it gets tired of working on it's own.

Scarey, yes!  But it's so nice to be alive!

I am offering one simple thing for you to remember 

"GET A SECOND OPINION"

My first Cardiologist sent me home with 3 months to live!!  Then the second doctor, from the "Heart And Vascular Institute of Florida" helped me and now he is saying,

"I'm his Miracle Child"

((Dr. Walsh, YOU ARE MY HERO))

5 Simple Heart-Healthy Energy Boosters

1. Move more. In the short term, increasing physical activity to increase energy seems counterintuitive. In the long term, it works. You don’t have to be a marathoner to see benefits. Just start where you are and do more. If you don’t exercise, walk around the block and gradually work up from there.  Your goal should be to get 30 minutes of brisk activity on five days a week for a total of at least 150 minutes per week. You don’t have to do all 30 minutes at once. Three 10-minutes hikes in a day works too. If you try to do too much too fast, you might get hurt, so start slowly and stick with it. Get more tips on getting healthier through physical activity.
2. Eat smart. Eat fresh fruit and veggies; the calcium and potassium they contain is good for energy. If you need a quick snack during the day, keep a serving or two of your favorite fruit or vegetable handy wherever you are.  Avoid big meals; heavy, fatty foods can leave you feeling groggy. Eating smaller and more frequent meals will help balance out your energy and blood sugar levels over the course of the day.  Whole grain fiber-rich foods are a great filler-upper.  Fiber causes food to stay in your stomach longer, so you feel full longer than with quick fixes like coffee, high-calorie energy bars and candy — which rely on caffeine and sugar — and can lead to energy spikes and crashes.) Drink lots of water, too. Dehydration reduces energy levels. Read our 5 Goals to Eating Healthy.
3. Sleep. How much is enough? Each person is different. Most adults need around seven hours, but you may need more. You need quality sleep, too. If you have sleep apnea, a condition that causes you wake up many times during the night, you won’t get the quality sleep you need and may feel sleepy all day. Heavy snoring is a major sign of sleep apnea. If your spouse or partner says you snore or that you periodically stop breathing for brief periods during sleep, tell your doctor. Sleep apnea can put you at risk for stroke.
4. Lose a few. Carrying around extra pounds saps energy. It creates extra work for your heart and can raise blood pressure, too. Increasing your physical activity and eating a healthier diet to burn more calories than you take in is the way to go. Steer clear of fad diets; they don’t work. Learn our 5 Goals to Losing Weight.
5. Lighten up. Stress is an inevitable part of life. That’s why learning to manage it is important. Successfully managing stress means keeping a positive outlook and a healthy lifestyle, which helps fight energy-sapping depression. To take care of yourself, try taking physical activity breaks, meditating, taking time off and doing things you like. Avoid unhealthy ways to manage stress, include smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, overeating and relying on stimulants. Avoid these. Learn to fight stress by developing these healthy habits.

Most people who want more energy can get it. Following the steps above is a good start. You’ll feel more energetic, and feel better overall. You’ll also reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke. 

 "Wear Red Day"

February 3rd

The number one Killer of Women is Heart Disease. 

"Celebrate Our Heart Ladies"
Roll Out Your Red!

(((Huggs)))

I'm linking up this post, because women need to know

Wow Us Wednesday

Create and Share 

Alphabet Thursday

Potpourri Friday 

Just Had To Share Some Winter Photos . . .

Before

Looking for the mailboxes.

After

"We found them!"

My son lives in Juneau, Alaska and wanted to share a few photos with me.  His friends two young boys were out after a few days of heavy snow and dug out the mailboxes.  The photos were taken just up the road from my sons home.

 These two young guys did a days work, don't you think?

I think of the days in Illinois when I used to shovel snow and it makes me so happy to remember why I moved to Florida.

How kind is winter being to you?

Stay warm and safe.

((huggs))

Thrift Store and Dumpster Diving....

I found the sweetest little ceramic bud vase, for $2.00,  in our local thrift store this week.

It's really 5 small vases rolled into one.

 

 I could only find one little rose bud out in the yard but it will be full' once spring comes and all the pernnials are blooming. 

It is Florida after all and the garden shops are full of annuals here. For some odd reason I can't seem to buy them.  I still have the Illinois frame of mind and can't   get into no change in seasons. So I create my own.

My mind says, "It's winter"!

  Yesterday it was in the high  80's and today overcast, rainy and in the 70's. Maybe I'll go buy a bouquet of flowers and put a few in my little bud vase.

It's the perfect size for my kitchen window sill.

 

While driving yesterday with my sister, I put on the brakes, to the dismay of the guy behind me, when I spotted this wonderful large basket sitting on the side of the road. My poor sister is not used to taking trash from ones garbage pile and when I asked her to get out and take the basket, you had to see her face.  "Me"!! "It's full of trash"!!

"Dump it" I said, "toss it in the back of the car".

We both were laughing so hard!

How could I possibly leave this treasure there?

I took the basket home and now my mind is full of ideas for it.  Not sure if I'll paint it because the color blue is really nice?

   I  washed it well and let it dry out in the sun.

I'll do a bit of thinking and will find the perfect place for this beautiful, heavy basket. In the mean time it will just sit in the dining room.

Tomorrow is garage sale day and I'll be out there looking for more goodies.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

 

Bringing Home "Miss Daisy"

This past few months my Sweet Senior Cat, Rikki has been showing signs of slowing down and her 17 years are starting to  take it's toll.  She needed some stimulation and I thought a new baby kitty might just do the trick.

I was so right!

This past week I rescued a 7 month old little girl  from the shelter.

When I first came in the kitchen with "Daisy" she did what most new kitty's do, investigate the entire area with out showing any fear.  She just walked  from room to room as though she knew where she was.  Then when she found the door to the cat box ( I keep the box in the heater room and the door is always ajar), out came Rikki.  It's been quite some time since Rikki has seen  a kitty and her first reaction was to hiss at the little one, but I'm so happy to say Daisy simply by passed Rikki and went right to the box.

Rikki's habits have changed since bringing Daisy home.  A lot!

She always spent her lazy days on the foot of my bed just looking out the balcony door but this past few days she has taken over my new sewing chair while  watching Daisy as she moves from room to room.

She also has taken residence in the storage room below my staircase and I find myself going in there and taking Rikki out about 4 times a day.  Rikki is stubborn to say the least!

 I'm sure she is thinking "The little brat will not find me here"!

This is where I drag her each time I take her out of the store room. Rikky can keep an eye on her new baby sister.

After only 5 days in her new home, Daisy is very happy and comfortable with us and this makes me smile.

j

This past two days Daisy has found the perfect vantage point  to watch all that go's on both up and down stairs.

When Rikki wants to come down, it's funny to watch her tip toe around her little sister.

A new problem has come up, Daisy found the bird cage and "Jack and Molly" are not too happy when she hops up on the table next to them.

That is another story. One I hope will solve it's self.

Have a great weekend!

For the Cat Lover..

My daughter, #1, is a Cat lover and she has quite a few items in her home telling just that.  
While at the quilt store recently I spotted the cutest fabric.

What could be more fun than a movie theater full of Cats tossing their pop corn and enjoying a movie!  My first thought was, "How cute this would be in a toss pillow"

Cyndi will love it!

Before making the pillow I did a bit of hand quilting, stitches over batting, around each kitty,  to give it a bit more poof.

I'll get it in the mail to Cyn sometime this week.

I know she loves surprise boxes and this pillow will be right up her alley.

(no pun intended) 

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I'm linking up to

It's Overflowing with Creativity

Potpourri Friday 

Freckled Laundry 

Saturday Night Special 

A Mom Needs to Brag and Congratulate her Son...

                                                         March 1992

20 years ago I remember putting my Son on a flight to Juneau, Alaska.

He was 19 and a new graduate from the United States Coast Guard Boot Camp.

Although I knew it was the best decision he could make, I had no idea

he was in for the duration.

I remember standing at the airport crying like a baby as I watched the airplane carry him away from me. It was bitter sweet to say the least.

But as a mom, I'll always remember Tom as a sweet 9yr old full of questions  with a never ending love for life and adventure.

Today Tom is an Officer. They call him 

"Lieutenant Tom Pauser"

He works for Homeland Security and inspects the incoming ships that carry goods from  foreign lands as they come into the ports of America.

During his  early years with the Coast Guard he was one of the guys who jumped out of the Choppers to rescue people from the water and  ice packed mountains of the Alaskan wilderness.

He was so good at his job, the Coast Guard gave him the cover shot of their magazine.

It said, "If your in need of saving, this is the man to call"

 

 

Later in his career he chose to attend OCS and did a second stint in boot camp to become an officer.  The graduating class took the "USCG Eagle" from it's home port in Connecticut, to Spain.  Here he is climbing one of the masts during his final exercise.  I remember his telling me "That sailing, was a thrill of a lifetime".

USCG Baroque Eagle

 

 

Here is Tom  sitting at his desk,  in the Command Center. As a mom I can see in his eyes that he is happy with his decision to make the Coat Guard his career.

Although Tom can retire now at the age of 39 he chose to sign up for another 5 years. He, along with his wife and daughter,  now live in the icy, snowy, windy city of Juneau, Alaska.  They could not be happier!

He told me "Mom if I retire now, what will I do with my life"

My heart is filled with pride and joy for my boy and I would like to say,

Congratulations to you Tom for a job well done!

"Bravo Zulu"

x0x0x

.

.

Photography Action Shots

Action shots always amaze me. This one is of my grandson. The photo was taken by my Niece with his dad happily tossing him into the air.  

Makes me smile every time I see it.

The photo was taken in Cozumel Mexico this past month.

Gogo is just 18 months old and is as active as his dad. This young man is really my  sisters grandson and I guess in the family line I can also call him grandson.

For being just 18 months old this little guy has been around the world 5 times. 

He has been on 4 cruises and to numerous American Historical and State Park sites. Not to mention world tourist spots.

He has traveled more in his young life, than most do in an entire lifetime.

Gogo's parents have been living in Ohio while his dad finished his MBA and will be flying back to the Middle East this weekend. I'll sure miss him and his parents being close,  but hope to see them once a year when they return for vacations.

It makes me sad that my entire family lives so far from me,  but I'm happy to say we are closer than most families and see each other often.

One great thing will happen in a a few months, my daughter #2 will be coming back to the states with her military husband and their three small boys, from their 3 year jaunt to Guam.  I have made sure the boys know grandma. Every two months I sent a care package with items they could not buy and numerous gifts in those boxes.  It was turning into, "Did grandma send the box yet"?   Their new duty station will be in Oklahoma and is only a 3-4 hr flight for me to go visit them. They also will come see me often I'm sure.

My entire life, I've always wondered what it would be like to have  family living down the street from me.. not in other countries or states?

Would it be a pleasure or a hindrance?

So is life!

"Have a great weekend"

Imagine and you can make it! Garage Sale Chair into Something Special....

If you can "Imagine It", it will happen.

 

Turning a thrift store find into something special is so rewarding.

I wanted a spot in my bedroom,  to sit and do my needle work for quite some time, so I hit the garage sales and thrift stores.

Found it!!  $5.00 is a good price!

The paint on this chair was so old and sticky so I had to do a bit of prep work before painting. Also I had to remove the side panels of rattan or what ever it was?

After removing the existing cover and the side panel I used the hand sander to take off as much of the paint and rough edges as possible.

Primer and spray paint turned it into something special.

New stuffing,  batting and fabric.

After sitting in my new chair I realized a foot stool was needed.   After searching through garage sales with no luck,  I took a few floor boards, cut them to size, added unfinished legs that I also primed and spray painted.

 

Took an old pillow, cut it in half, covered the new stool with batting and fabric.

TaDa!

My new needle work station.

Now that I see the photo I'm thinking a new floor lamp is in order.  I might even just spray paint the old one and cover the shade?  That will be a future project.

Thank God for Spray Paint!  I imagine a lot of DIY'ers are saying to whoever invented it, 

Bless You!

 

Imagine this...

 Now I can sit and knit in comfort.

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 I'm linking up to

Power of Paint Party

White Wednesday 

Alphabet Thursday 

Under $100. Link Party

It's Overflowing  

Potpourri Friday 

Frugalicious Friday 

Furniture Feature Friday 

Frugal Friday 

Saturday Night Special 

2012 First Project of the Year

Tuesdays To Do List 

Peice of Work Wednesday 

Create and Share 

Under $100.00 Linky Party

Wordless Tuesday and Wednesday

Photo taken from my Sons living room window.

Juneau, Alaska