The Decision to Take Care of Ourselves And Then.... the Journey

Taking care of oneself may seem like a 

natural and easy thing to do for some. 

And having to make a conscious decision 

to do so may seem ridiculous.

(I'm talking about much more than 

just the basics of

 eating and sleeping and general care.)

But for others, including myself, 

it truly is a journey of

self-discovery and recovery. 

It's a learning process

that happens only if we are 

willing to peel off layers

of wrong thinking, work at

 getting to know ourselves

as well as making changes.

It would take a small book to share

with you the revelations that have come from 

seeking to take better care of  myself..

well-being and a healthier,

more balanced lifestyle.

I used to think that I was healthy.

Several years ago, I came to a place in my life

where I felt numb. I had died inside

and I knew that if I wanted my 

life to be different,

I was going to have to accept boundaries

and live more intentionally.

(I don't mean to sound snooty)

I needed to begin to stand up for myself

and stop making commitments that were

helpful to others but that left me feeling exhausted

and drained physically and mentally.

This was difficult because I love people and

helping them.  But I had to come to realize that

I could still love them but I didn't have to

push myself beyond healthy limits to show that love.

I was saying no to outside commitments at times and

that was good but I wasn't considering limiting

 social outings or time with family as part 

of my care. 

Two years ago, I realized what a 

true introvert was and that I am one and that

it's ok to be one! Haha..

And furthermore, it was ok to fashion my time and 

life in a way that allowed me the solitude that 

I needed to stay rested and to feel like 

my life was not out of control. 

I don't LIKE this about myself but I'm 

grateful to have the understanding.

It's so freeing to be able to make 

decisions based on my needs 

without (most of the time ;) feeling guilty.

Can anyone relate to what I'm saying?

I have learned that I'm not selfish but wise

when I say no to invitations to social events.

Not answering the phone is ok if I'm not up to talking

at that moment. Responding to social media in 

a time frame when I feel rested and can enjoy the

connection is the right way for me.

Learning to listen to our minds and bodies 

and to be able to respond to what we hear, is a gift. 

It requires focus at times and honesty

with ourselves and others.  

People don't always understand. 

My test run circumstance did not end well.

There were broken relationships

and a severing of ties.

It's very sad but I am healthier.

Be prepared and take care of yourself anyway.

If you don't, who will?

This is one of the 

toughest parts of our journey. We don't

want to offend or hurt others. There are always

going to be needs. We can't begin to meet them all.

I was raised to work.

And the harder I worked and the more I accomplished,

the more I was praised. I can tell you that this

set me up for a life time of pleasing others

and totally losing touch with who I was 

or what my needs (and wants) were.

I don't dread telling people no anymore. It

feels good to take care of myself. I enjoy life

soooo much more. The quality

of each experience has been heightened

to the pleasure that it should be because

I have learned to pace myself and reserve what I need

to really be present and enjoy that time. Not wishing that the time

were over so that I can go home and rest.

If you're in need, I hope this has helped 

and made sense to you.

Life is too short and our bodies and minds

have limitations. If we ignore this fact, 

we can do irreversible damage to our bodies

and lose out on the quality of 

life that awaits 

each of us.

There's so much more to it all. 

But too much to write in one post. 

At another time, I would like to write

about the things that we have and how they

demand of us.

(This is a huge one for me and I'm still working on it!

And then beyond our needs are our wants... 

which I would also like to write about another time.)

We have only one life to live.

One time around.

A limited existence with so much to experience.

May yours be blessed. 

Filled with richness and peace.

Thank you for your visit.

I would love to hear any words of advice or 

any stories of what you've learned.

Tamara xo

a little Gypsy CaMp MaGiC...with thrifted, ViNtAgE, Christmas lights

It has long been my good intention to tell you about

 and show you pictures of our *GyPsY CaMp* 

and how it all began.

It was born of a dream and that 

dream is living still and slowly moving forward!

But the telling of that will be another time.

I do get ahead of myself but at least these

are night time shots so not too much of a spoiler..

I love LiGhTs!

Actually, our entire family is drawn to their

way of bringing a bit of sPaRkLe and a feeling

of "let's celebrate" to the most

COMMON of  days.

So, whenever we can, 

we string 'em up and plug 'em in.

Even if it's only to roast marshmallows

or to sit and 

enjoy some solitude from life's lovely, 

but sometimes loud, daily clatter...

(which for me is MUCH needed at times)

or to have a little family, jam session.

We have lights up all year 'round.

Inside and out.

And these old lights were picked up at a

thrift store for a couple of dollars 

per string. We bought several strands and my husband, 

very patiently, switched out the bulbs until we

had a couple of good strings! He's so helpful

with so many things. We are 

blessed to share so many "likes".  

 An inviting fire ready to enjoy.. 

OH OH! 

And then there are the dazzling beauties hanging

in the trees and shining forth their brilliance

that I might find my way! 

Glorious.

I do love my times by the fireside and

we've always been blessed to live in a place

where we could have a fire ring. 

One of life's simple pleasures.

  coloring the Juniper tree with shades of green and blue

and red and yellow..

Magical  Luminescence..

 Enjoying the crackling and dancing

of the flames in a few moments of peaceful resting.

And I'm so grateful.

Isn't it good to dis-engage sometimes? 

from phones..computers, radios and the tv?

And, yes, even from people..

To let your senses just rest and to hear your heart.

Some of my most profound thoughts and

revelations have come to me during these times of

refection and total quiet.

Just a thought, Dear ones..

A good fire slowly dying.. 

It's time to gather my thoughts and

 bid goodnight to this magical place.

I hope that you enjoyed your visit to our 

GyPsY CaMp and that you have a magical place of 

your own where you rest, sing, dream and gather

with all sorts of loved ones..

If you do, I'd love to hear about it! 

Thank you so much for stopping in.

May your week be blessed beyond measure.

Tamara xo

One Easy Way to Increase the Absorption of Your Essential Oils

Hi everyone. I hope you're having a good week. Mine has been a little stressful. But things are coming along as God gives wisdom and as we learn and grow. Whenever I have stressful situations,
I use my essential oils. They have made a difference in my quality of life. And I love the smell.

Today, I just wanted to share with you a little tip that I had never read before or heard in any of my classes. It's about the absorption factor. The whole idea is that the oils are used most effectively and that they get into your system to assist your body and mind. This has to do with topical application.

I learned this while watching a teaching video on Lyme's Disease, by Dr. David Hill. It's very simple.
Before your application of the oil, massage the area for about 30 seconds. He said that this would prevent the "flashing off" of the oil. Which just means that it will be absorbed instead of just sitting on the surface with minimal absorption. The massaging will increase the blood flow to the area of application and increase the absorption through the skin.

 

I hope this has been helpful! Have a blessed day.

Tamara

Some Uses of Lavender Essentil Oil

 

Hello and I hope you're having a good day. I have

recently become and IPC for doTerra Essential Oils.

It will be a continual learning process for me

as the oils and uses are many and there is

SO MUCH information!

But anyone can learn how to use these effectively

for themselves and then can share the information

with family and friends.

 

I believe they offer my family

a choice for healthier living.

 

Today I want to share with you a few

facts about lavender essential oil.

Did you know that the application of lavender has

immediately stopped the pain from burns?

You can apply it directly to the burned area and with no

dilution. This has been known to stop the blistering

and to aid burns in healing and sometimes

will prevent scarring.

Let me explain about dilution.

Some of the oils are known to be very hot!

And if you apply them without

 diluting them without the 

use of olive

oil, vegetable oil or fractionated coconut oil,

they can

BURN YOUR SKIN!!

PLEASE use care especially with small children.

Whenever I share with you, I will be sure to give the

information needed for application.

 

Some other uses for lavender are:

 

*Insomnia

*Bites and stings

*Stress

*Acne

*Allergies

 

These are just some of the many uses of lavender oil.

More about oils next time!

 

 

Margin...The Lifestyle That Allows...Peace, Healing and Restoration

Rushing....Over-scheduling.... Pressure....Stress

Life in general can be overwhelming at times. Just the everyday maintenance of
relationships, a home, and keeping a job are enough, at times, to tax us to our very
limits. What happens when we find ourselves in a place of emptiness? That place that
cries out for rest, healing and peace?

How do we get here?

I don't believe it is our intention to create this kind of lifestyle. I have found myself
in this position when I have failed to be realistic about the requirements of a
commitment. Or perhaps I was not thorough in researching and counting the cost.

I believe many people would slow down, if they could. But many find themselves
being pushed along by the commitments they have made. Most have made these
commitments in good faith and are people of integrity. But perhaps they are caught in
the grips of a commitment that has gone far beyond their expectations.

Are we trying to keep up with a schedule that burdens us beyond our comfortable level
of what isrequired? The danger of this is that we may reach a state of burnout where
we are unable to fulfill the responsibilities that we have with the passion and purpose
that we had hoped and intended.

This can create a sense of despair, hopelessness and failure. Not at all what God
intends for us to experience. In these places, God will help us but I firmly believe that
instead of helping us through these circumstances, that He would rather us avoid them
and walk in wisdom and peace.
_______________________________________________________________________

I would like to share with you the name of a book that I read...too late. I found this
book after Jeff and I had made a commitment to something that would overload us for
15 years and take us down a path less than desirable. At some point, I will share this
story with you. My hope is, that in sharing this book, others will be able to step back
and reflect on their lives and become more aware of healthy boundaries. And through this
awareness, will flow a life of peace-filled purpose.

The name of the book is Margin and was written by Richard Swenson.
Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives

Life in modern day America is essentially devoid of time and space. Not the
Star Trek kind. The sanity kind. Chronic overloading is the culprit: margin is
the cure.

This newly revised 2004 update of the original best-seller explains what
margin is, why it is important, how it disappeared, and steps to get it back. Margin is
the space between our load and our limits and is related to our reserves and resilience.
It is a buffer, a leeway, a gap; the place we go to heal, to relate, to reflect, to recharge
our batteries, to focus on the things that matter most.

Margin offers seventy-five practical prescriptions for restoring margin in the
essential areas of emotional energy, physical energy, time, and finances.
Margin restores what culture has taken away: time to listen, strength to
care, space to love.
 

Dr. Swenson has also written a devotional called  A Minute of Margin....Restoring
Balance to Busy Lives

You can find both of these books and more written by Dr. Swenson at Amazon Books.

Wishing for you a place of wisdom, rest and peace.

Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty

We have had Thinking Putty in our home for about 5 years. It has been
used by all the children to help them with their fidgeting and now I have
found a new use for it.

As I use my hands a lot in playing music, I have been experiencing some
stiffness in my hands. When trying to build up speed in my mandolin picking
and remain accurate, I have come to realize that my hands are very weak.

While learning the chords and strength for finger placements, sometimes I have to
really stretch to make the chords or hit the notes.

A little history...

Crazy Aaron first created his putty back in the late 1990’s when he was building
websites in an office setting. He was inspired to develop the perfect desk toy, which
took off after he placed an order for 100 pounds of bouncing putty. He experimented
and did research for his product until he concocted a whole line of great colors and
textures. It was soon after that his co-workers began stopping by his cubicle to buy
their own tin of Thinking Putty.

When the demand for Thinking Putty outgrew what Aaron was able to make in his
mother’s basement, he moved the manufacturing to a vocational facility in suburban
Philadelphia. His company now provides jobs and teaches practical skills to
exceptional people with special needs.






When you order the putty you receive a card displaying and explaining a variety of
exercises that you can do to strengthen your hands.

I have personally made up my own exercises. You can personalize them to your
own needs. My hands have become stronger and most of the stiffness is gone
from them. Being consistent is a real key as with any exercise. I try to use it three times
a week.

It doesn't break apart much and it doesn't dry out. Though I have never experienced
a leftover mess, I did find a very small piece stuck to our living room carpet today...so it
isn't fully "mess proof." But mostly.


If you would like to order your own, visit Amazon  or go to Crazy Aaron's Putty World
to learn more and or to order.

Have fun!

Fresh Fruit Smoothies

Pineapple/Banana Smoothie

Our family tries to make healthy choices when it comes to our diet.

We believe that we should take care of  the body

that God has fearfully and wonderfully made.

 Most every day begins with fresh fruit.

It's best to eat fruit to ease the body back into

the digestion cycle. This is why the first meal of

the day is called breakfast.

When we have good fruit combinations for smoothies,

we make those for a treat. I try to serve these about once

 a week. Usually on Friday morning as our schedule

for that day is a little more relaxed. We like to take the time to sit

down together and share about our week( Jeff is off on Fridays).

And as we consider our plans for the weekend,

  we sip the goodness that the LORD

has given to us.

The fruits we typically put together are:

*strawberry/banana

*strawberry/banana/blueberry

*banana/blueberry

*pineapple/banana

*mango/pineapple/banana

Smoothies are very easy to make and much better for you

than juice. Ours are made from fresh fruits which are a whole food.

This just means they haven't been processed by the

 hand of man with artificial

colorings, flavorings or preservatives.

The recipe for Fresh Fruit Smoothies

is as follows:

(We prefer adding ingredients in this order.

They blend more easily.)

In your blender:

   1 C. ice cubes

                       1 and 3/4 C. vanilla yogurt

 1/4 C. honey

                 2 and 1/2 C. fresh fruit

    2 ripe bananas

                1 and 1/2 C. ice cubes

Blend until smooth.

We hope you will try these delicious smoothies.

They are very easy and take only

about 10 minutes to prepare.

You probably have ideas for your own

fruit combinations.

Have fun experimenting!

We also enjoy them frozen in popsicle containers.

You can also pour the mixture into 3oz. paper cups,

cover tops with foil and poke popsicle

sticks through the foil and freeze.

These make refreshing, tasty, healthy treats

on a hot summer day!

Family Fitness

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. -Plato

Our family definitely believes in the benefits of regular exercise. Here is the basic exercise schedule

that we follow. There's a walk every Tuesday, Thursday and either Saturday or Sunday. It's about  2 miles. We enjoy our walks SO much. ( so does our dog, Liberty!) They are a great time to

fellowship or just toss a football back and forth. Sometimes our friends walk with us.

I need my walks. They are very therapeutic for me! I guard that time very carefully.

Jeff and I also stretch 3-4 times/ week. The off days we do sit-ups and other various exercises.

We also enjoy yardwork, landscaping, hiking, playing ball or riding bikes. It relieves stress and helps keep our hearts strong, our bodies limber and our minds clear.

Today it was TOO windy to walk and so Mikailah suggested that we watch our exercise videos.

It felt so good! It was fun to do something a little different and we will enjoy the benefits! Everyone was laughing and enjoying the time together.

This is always a great way for the children to burn extra energy on a rainy or snowy day.

We want to take good care of our bodies so that we can be healthy and strong; it is good stewardship to take care of our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. One of our goals is to be strong and able to do the work that God has called us to do. Whatever that work may be.

Ministry of any kind takes effort, energy and strength; It is our desire to accomplish these tasks

with excellence.

When we exercise on a regular basis, we are also helping our children to build lifelong habits of discipline.

Listed below are the Mayo Clinic's 6 benefits to regular physical exercise.

1. Exercise improves your mood.

Need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help you calm down.

Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out. You'll also look better and feel better when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Regular physical activity can even help prevent depression.

2. Exercise combats chronic diseases.

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent osteoporosis? Physical activity might be the ticket.

Regular physical activity can help you prevent — or manage — high blood pressure. Your cholesterol will benefit, too. Regular physical activity boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol while decreasing triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly by lowering the buildup of plaques in your arteries.

And there's more. Regular physical activity can help you prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.

3. Exercise helps you manage your weight.

Want to drop those excess pounds? Trade some couch time for walking or other physical activities.

This one's a no-brainer. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn — and the easier it is to keep your weight under control. You don't even need to set aside major chunks of time for working out. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk during your lunch break. Do jumping jacks during commercials. Better yet, turn off the TV and take a brisk walk. Dedicated workouts are great, but physical activity you accumulate throughout the day helps you burn calories, too

4. Exercise boosts your energy level.

Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Don't throw in the towel. Regular physical activity can leave you breathing easier.

Physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular physical activity helps your entire cardiovascular system — the circulation of blood through your heart and blood vessels — work more efficiently. Big deal? You bet! When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.

5. Exercise promotes better sleep.

Struggling to fall asleep? Or stay asleep? It might help to boost your physical activity during the day.

A good night's sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. And you guessed it — physical activity is sometimes the key to better sleep. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. There's a caveat, however. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you may be too energized to fall asleep. If you're having trouble sleeping, you might want to exercise earlier in the day.

6. Exercise can be — gasp — fun!

Wondering what to do on a Saturday afternoon? Looking for an activity that suits the entire family? Get physical!

Physical activity doesn't have to be drudgery. Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a local climbing wall or hiking trail. Push your kids on the swings or climb with them on the jungle gym. Plan a neighborhood kickball or touch football game. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and go for it. If you get bored, try something new. If you're moving, it counts!

Are you convinced? Good. Start reaping the benefits of regular physical activity today!