Laura's Lessons: What I've Learned

I've been watching Laura's videos for a couple years now.  Her vids were being posted in Ireland and I don't really remember now how I came across her. Her way of talking reminded me so much of my father's manner of speaking.  

I watched quite a few of her videos before I ever checked out her website.  Then I used some of her real simple worksheets and then in 2018, Christmas Eve to be exact, I finally decided to find out what "Bullet Journal" was.  She'd mentioned this a few times along with some of her other things on planning.  Long story short, I've done the Bullet Journal and am still working on it.  

Revising and reviewing  and setting it up to fit me and my style of working.  This is the longest I've stuck with one way of doing things.  And, No, I Do Not Have ADD, ADHD or such things.  I do have PTSD and Bullet Journalling has helped me a lot.  

I did her worksheets on setting goals when I was working on my business plan during 2019.  These helped me focus and what I'd already accomplished, what I wanted to do and what needed to be done to accomplish my goals. 

Then 2020 happened.  Well, for me it really started the last week before Christmas 2019 and all of this will be in my forthcoming book "I May Not Have Time."  The past couple months I've been picking up the pieces that got scattered and realizing that Yeah, I have come a long way since last year.  

Laura has developed some courses that I have yet to explore.  I'd gotten a notification from Facebook that I hadn't visited her private group in the last 30 days and I could leave the group if I wanted to.  No!  I didn't want to leave, I'm just working on "#Getting My Shit Together." 

This video was on her wall, so I watched it and the 10 habits are something that I've become more aware of and a couple I was already incorporating into my life from "before."  Before what? ya may rightfully ask and I'll tell ya that it's Before the Covid.  Some of you may be looking for help in setting up your New Year's resolutions and/or just reviewing for whatever reasons.  Give this video a looksee for anything you may be missing or perhaps reaffirm those you already do. 

☘️ 10 Habits That Changed My Life (While Suffering From Depression) • Li...

A Yearly Challenge

“The weather outside is frightful.” It’s many degrees below zero with an even colder wind chill.  The sun is shining, with clouds beginning their dance down from the north.  The snow dances ever so often in the wind.  My mother used to say what they were and I don’t remember.  Perhaps a part of me does.  I wish, nah, not wish, cause I hear that voice in my head telling me “be careful what you wish for.”  Well, it’s not too late to write down what I remember. Perhaps some day, some descendant will wish to read these words.  There’s always one or two in a generation who thinks of the old days.

At any rate, I printed out a list of 365 writing prompts from a website yesterday whilst waiting for lunch down to the RTG. I pressed the print button after I’d taken out all the ads and what not.  It didn’t print, so I asked Sis how the thing printed.  She said “Hit the print button.”
“Which one? Is there a special way to do this?”  I was only wanting to know cause it, computer and printer, are on a private network and I didn’t know if the admins had set up a special procedure or…t’any rate, I brought the screen back up.
“That’s it.”
I hit the print button.  Nothing happened.
“Brother!  Is this printer working?”
He came over.  Pushed a command on the printer and said “Door’s ajar.”

Whereupon I remembered I’d put the paper in cause he handed me some just prior.  Naturally, I didn’t make sure I heard the click.  He shut it and the printer promptly spit out two copies.  I was ever so glad I’d reduced the number of pages down from 64 to 8.
“Now what am I gonna do with two copies?”
“One for editing and one for reading?”  Sometimes, brother doesn’t understand a thing I mean.  Perhaps that’s cause I was being rhetorical and he didn’t know that?  Well, I don’t think I’ll ever break myself of the talking aloud to myself habit.

During lunch, I conversed with sister about this and that.  Just as we were finishing, an Elder came in to collect his lunch.  On his way out, I called him over and set him a challenge.  I gave him a copy of the prompts and told him that in 365 days we’d see who wrote the most during the past 365 days.
“I’ll do it.”  After a few minutes thought, “I’ll probably do this for three days and then forget.”
So, I came home and didn’t do any writing on the prompts, though I did do some work on my lesson assignments.  Not enough to post it though.

This morning I reset this daily journal from the backup, set up the note cards and scene cards for the rest of the year.  I put a blank one in for next year so that all I have to do is copy over for year after year.  I see from the last date, it was four years ago since I wrote in this particular one.  Now, none of this has anything at all to do with what the outside weather is doing right now.  It is, as I’d hoped, something to spark the ol’ writing something.  Perhaps, I’ll look at this a year from now and just use the same prompt?  Perhaps not.

T’any rate, it’s time to venture out in the cold and see if I can hitch a ride down to lunch.

November is that time again

Every year for the past five years, I've been getting ready for the trick or treaters and writing at midnight, 01 November, [0000] which is what I did tonight. I've been getting my sort of outline ready. Spent the last couple days looking over the NaNo site. Some changes have taken place.

A n n d, on my third favorite place, I've been frantically trying to get a 50% 4 in 1 stove for the you know what. and doing the three or so Catering Orders with it's attendant goals. You know the ones that everyone [at least the ones I see in "the forums,"] likes to complain about because there is so much to do in one 7-10 day period.

Some of us have even managed to convert all our stoves to the handy-dandy 50% ones. Not the nifty little 4-in-1. Oh no, that one you have to trick or treat and that involves going to your buddies walls. Now the fine thing would be a light or something like the kiddies have. Then you'd know if someone had a treat. I think it might have been something to do with the trick or two that happened to get posted. Those aren't as noticible. Drats. NaNo has affected me already and I only wrote 50 words.

I manage to stay awake until midnight, write my paragraph and go to sleep. This year, I am also trying to do a little more than I usually do. I have the cover for the book set. Now to get the thing uploaded while at the same time not worrying about editing. Not sure how that is going to work out. Might not make 50,000 words.

I also spent a lot of time sleeping since I got back from "the trip." I did get a chance to look over the pictures and will be setting up a photo album. I will also be working on my neighbor's camera and Ipad whenever the camera gets here. She mailed it to herself. Then I will have a few more of the prettier, ...not prettier, more stunning pictures of Bryce Canyon. Antelope Canyon was breathtaking also.

The Grand Canyon which was the highlight of the trip was not as awe inspiring because I was so high up. We didn't go down into the canyon. The rim where I walked to take pictures didn't have a railing. Of course, I walked along looking at the little 3x4 window of the camera. I happened to really look at the ground, saw the round stones, saw how close the edge was and decided it was not the place to be tripping. I usually manage to walk into something during the day. [Father used to yell at me "Get your nose out of that book. You're supposed to be cooking." Sigh, thump, ouch for grabbing the hot handle of the griddle.] It was along that order, so I moved a couple feet away and didn't get many good shots. Huuuuah.

Well, what do you know? I wrote more in this blog than I did for the official start of Nano.

Yay! We Did It

Yes! My first pair of Nikes. My sis and I finished our 56 miles this evening and got our shoes. They actually fit and my arches don't hurt. We will be starting our next 56 miles. Well, sis has started hers. I slept this afternoon after returning from the doings. She completed her miles this afternoon.

Nike started this program in 2007 for Native Americans across the US by giving a pair of shoes designed to fit our feet. Native Americans have high arches, wide feet and it's extremely hard to find shoes that fit. {Unless we wear moccasins which are specific to each foot.} There is a limit of three free pairs. It involves reaching goals to get our lives back to living healthy, eating right and exercising. There are two ways to get them: 1. For each 56 miles walked in 3 months, 2. Work with a doctor to set weight loss goals, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels or whatever the doctor determines is needed to get healthier.

Diabetes is something we all live with; those who have it, those who are prediabetic, those who are at risk and those who support them. It affects everyone in our village in one form or another. One of the hardest to change is eating habits. One of our favorites is fry bread. Usually these are large, roughly about 4 inches by 6 inches. They are served at every feast, gathering and {when the maker feel like cooking} at home.

The first thing I had to do after a family member was diagnosed with diabetes, was attend a nutrition class. The way our family eats didn't have to be changed. We have always cooked only one full meal with "snacks" the rest of the day. I found the major thing was to make fry bread smaller. They actually measured my hands to show me what size was considered one serving. The sizes most people are used to are between 2 and 3 servings in one piece. Turns out my hand is just the right size which made measuring less difficult.

It took a while to get used to making them smaller. When I am asked to make fry bread for a feast or some doing, people comment on how small they are. I tell them they are correct servings for diabetics. I get "the look" from those who don't want to change their habits.

There was quite a bit of controversy when this program was first announced. One benefit of this program is the changes in the way shoe companies are making their shoes. There are more sizes available to choose from. I purchased a pair of shoes about two weeks ago. I thought "they fit" until I tried on my Nikes.

The shoes fit like moccasins. The most important was the arches, something I check for. Shoes will fit my foot size wise, then I find the arches are not right. They're too far forward, too far back or not high enough. I'd rather take shoes with arches that are not high enough to the other ones. My shoes are kicked off soon as I get in the door because my feet hurt. Not these ones.

When I put the other pair back on, I felt the difference. It's great to have shoes that fit. Miigwitch Nike.

[Disclaimer: I have not been compensated for this post, other than completing the requirements of Nike's program.]

Halfway to Nikes

Since July 27 or thereabouts, I've been walking at least one mile a day six days a week. I might have mentioned this before. Currently I am only one mile behind my sis, the athletic one of the family. We are halfway through the 56 mile requirement to get our first pair of Nikes. This program will be closing sometime in August or September. I didn't check the date, and it was 3 months when we first starting walking. Will have to check today.

We walk on average two miles per day, which works out to 12 miles per week. I did do three miles one day. Arriving at the Fitness Center huffing and puffing, legs feeling rubbery, and throat parched is not my idea of healthy and fit. I forgot how long it's actually been since I walked/jogged/ran for any length for more than two or three minutes. Great good news though. I've managed to lost 7 pounds. Yay.

Just got back from walking three miles. Finally caught up to sis. Now, she's going to be walking faster because she isn't losing weight as much as me. I've told her to walk fast before. She kept walking alongside me. Thanks because forcing me to keep up with you has helped me tremendously.

We have various cheerleaders and supporters while we walk, especially in the evenings. It's nice to see them waving, hear the "Keep going" and "How many miles today?" Last evening, there were three kids who asked if we were going to the Fitness Center. Yes, we were. There are a surprising number of children who wave at us as we walk by. A few of them say hello. I'm tempted to answer "Aaniin." Problem would be they start speaking back and then I'd have a problem. I'd get home and try to repeat what they said to my mom for an interpretation. Some words I know, most Nah.

I'm most glad for the return of the energy I used to have. I think my metabolism has returned to its' previous state. I have a hunger level that's rarely gone. I guess I'll have to eat more veggies and fruits. Well, those are something relatively easy to get for now. My protein needs will be a little more difficult. I don't care for legumes all that much. Still having to eat them would be cheaper than buying the meats. Ahh. I'll just keep my calorie level at around 1700 for now. I think, back in the day, (thanks D.B. for that reminder) that I ate about 2000 calories per day. Never counted them, just have this memory of constantly eating something about every two hours until bedtime. With 18 hours in the day, that's about 8 snacks with one meal. A lot of eating. And a lot more walking.

Surfing and madmares

Aaniin. Greetings. I've been surfing the net once again. Most interesting. I read a few blogs about writing. Most are about technique, making time etc. Haven't read all of them. Looking for some who are more inspirational for me. I don't want to get too bogged down with craft type blogs. I'm the type who will inevitably start to worry about what people think of my writing, is it good enough, that sort of thing. I write because I want to. It is good to know that I am tightening up my sentences. It's good to know my grammar is readable. {I say that because some of my writing is based on dialogue-not always spoken with perfect grammar.}

I am looking for a few blogs written by crafts people. I enjoy crafts such as beading, quilting, working with colors mostly. Some crafts, I mostly admire. I don't have the inclination to actually do these things myself. After all, I only have 24 hours, six of which I spend in refreshing sleep. {Okay, last night I had a madmare. Not to be confused with nightmare. This is one of those dreams that I get angry with someone and try to give them a piece of my mind. Then someone in the real world wakes me up. "Are you having a nightmare?' "No, I'm mad." Stayed mad for a full 45 minutes after waking. Mostly, cause I couldn't get my words said. My family weren't the ones I was mad at. And staying mad about it is not good. It is something over which I have no control, thus a waste of time and energy.}

I'm also trying to find a blogger with my sense of humor. Not very many of those. In fact, there are only about 10 that I've come across. And are there any Shinab bloggers besides me? And are there any who listen to the type of music I do. Not many. I found one who had an excellent playlist on her blog. {I'm still figuring that out. Playlists are my next objective. So far, I listen to my son's list. Not always what I want to hear at the moment.}

I found some websites containing info I need to strengthen my understanding of the sciences, math and magic. I may post these at some point. I am looking for the sites I used to use before the motherboard gave up the last bit of electronic data I had stored and went out in a star shaped burst of blue-white glory. The geeks here have the hard drive but I haven't taken the time to try to pull those. I think he said some of the files were fried. I did get the ones most important-my writing. Then I also found a tool to restore the backup from my x drive. Yay. My family history files.

Oh, I changed the desktop background. It's got more colors to frame windows I have open. Looks nice. Has a few of my favorite colors. Yippee. And floral too. Yes. Makes a difference in my attitude. {I'd have to say I'm fully over my madmare.} Guess I will continue to surf and see if I can find a few of those blogs or sites. Somewhere there has to be more of what I'm looking for. Could get lost for days in this library.

Being true to Oneself

Aaniin.  Greetings all.  Up til today, I had dreams of writing and publishing a book.  I do have several drafts that are in various stages of editing.  All are in the fantasy genre and two or three in nonfiction-biography and history.  My dreams aren't dreams any longer.  I have written 12 books.  Now, I just need to get them published and I have plans for that.


Ever since high school, I've thought about writing.  I wrote poems and gave them to people.  Once, I was writing a poem.  One girl asked me what I was doing.  "Revising my poem."  "A true artist doesn't have to revise."  "Yes you do have to revise."  "The words will just automatically be there.  You shouldn't have to revise."  


Yep, you guessed it.  My self confidence took a nose dive and I quit writing.  Only once did I write a poem that didn't need revision.  This happened shortly before the aforementioned conversation.  Remembering this incident lent weight to her words.


Being true to oneself is another thing I heard while growing up.  I certainly wasn't true to myself that day.  Listening to others is a two edged sword {pen in this instance} that has lasting effects on me.  One effect of this piece of advice is that I do a lot of revising in my head now.  I visualize paragraphs, reactions, pictures of what I want to create.  Getting the words to match the picture I see is what makes the process of writing an adventure.  


Another effect is one I find harder to put aside.  The hesitation just before I show my work to someone.  I hear the tone in her voice which is so easy to project to someone else.  I'm grateful for it.  It has made my writing better in the long run.  


My son and I decided we'd see who got a book published first.  That was 8 years ago.  Neither one of us has published so far.  We're still working on it.  The path to that published book has taken each of us in different directions.  I've learned a few things from him.  His words, his voice are replacing the other in my heart.  


I think about my son's reaction when I gave him the first couple chapters of my first book.  He read it, handed it back to me without any notations whatsoever.  "I don't want to do this."  "Why?"  "I want to wait until the book is finished."  

Only take what you can eat

Being at home during the day is nice.  There seems to be more hours in which to get things done. So...What have I done?  Added even more things to my plate.  I need to remember "Only take what you can eat."  Good advice.  

Whenever we have a feast for ceremonies, one mandate is to finish everything on your plate. You mustn't drop any food, mustn't give anything to someone else to finish for you and  wait til everyone has been served before getting seconds, if there is any more food.  99.5% of the time, there is more.  Everyone watches how much is left because there shouldn't be anything left when the ceremony is done.  I've noticed that most times, just the right amount of food is contributed by community members.  Rarely does someone leave hungry.  

I need to remember this when I am planning my day.  I finally figured out what was missing the day before.  I paid for it yesterday.  Trying to catch up with things I had neglected to leave enough time for caused that incomplete feeling.   Monday's unfinished business was the direct result of taking too much.  I couldn't finish my plate, couldn't pass it to someone else and tried to take seconds when my plate was already full.  

Changing habits

I spent several more hours checking out the new site.  Found out the theme for the month is "fan" and thought "there goes that.  No mention of the word fan in my post."  Read further and found it was only an objective.  Well, thank goodness.  One thing at a time.  My objective is to post daily.  

I see the logic behind the 30 day Blog posting.  I read somewhere that it takes about 21 days to form a habit.  The extra seven days will be reinforcement.  Yeah.  Then I can add another objective.  Hopefully, I will be caught up and can get to the monthly theme.  Most likely not though.  I have several other habits that I want to follow through on, change or drop.  

It's a mite harder to drop a few habits.  That's when I discover how much I really use those particular habits.  When I finally decide to drop one, I need to find one to replace it.  Then a quandary takes hold of my attention, slowly throwing me into a panic.  What am I going to do about a new habit.  I spend several hours, days, sometimes months checking out new habits with which to replace the one I want to drop.  That's when I discover that I really didn't want to drop that habit.  I hope Blog posting will not be one of the "drop" variety.  I want it to be the change variety.  It's certainly not the follow through variety; I do have annual posts for that.  

I checked out some of the other features such as groups.  Most have't been active for at least a year.  No "change" support there.  I progressed to reading the posting for the past few days.  Found a couple that I just had to comment on.  Then couldn't find the button for following the blog.  Drats.  This morning when I logged in, I saw that my comments are tracked.  Yea.  So, in between shifts today, I will be checking on those interspersed with trying to find that button again.  Methinks I'll have to spend some time on my own blog to hit those buttons.  

There was mention of Facebook's 30 day challenge on one.  I found the Facebook page, checked out the comments on the feed.  Logged in to that account this morning, found out I forgot to hit the like button.  Another search today with the sole objective of hitting the like button.  

One thing that I caught myself doing while I was logged in to Facebook.  Automatically going to my cafe and farm.  Now, there's a habit I need to think about.