Starting a new routine...

 I taught a lesson in relief society about journaling. It made me very conscious of how important it is to write down my thoughts. Today is the day before Thanksgiving 2018. I am so very grateful for the many blessings that God gives me.  The devastation in Paradise California with the fires and of other places makes me realize that blessings are not just having a beautiful home or having a comfortable way of living but blessings are the ability to have God in my life. Blessings are the ability to feel joy even when heart ache is present.

I’m reading the Book of Mormon in 90 days because President Nelson has asked that of us. I’m underlining each reference to Christ within the Book of Mormon. It has given me a different perspective on the Book of Mormon.  It’s shown me that Christ is in the pages, every page of the book and that it is literally a second witness of his life and the things that we should do to make sure he is within our lives.  This knowledge truly brings me joy.

Wow! One amazing year has passed!

Looking back over the last year, I realize I need to document the amazing journey I have undertaken.  Knowing there were too many events that had God's hand as part of the journey, I want to publicly share my journey.

In January, 2013, I found it difficult to walk more than 25 feet without severe pain in my knees.  The knees started to deteriorate during the time I sat with Jennie in the hospital, in 2010.  Swelling and pain were my companions for those three long years.  January 2013 had me realizing I needed to do something to keep healthy.  A thought kept coming to my mind that I should try running.  Mentioning my complete lack of running skills here, I laughed the thought away.  But time and again, it reentered my thoughts until finally I decided to try it.  I had worked with a personal trainer once who mentioned that if I ever decided to learn how to run, that I should run 'toe-to-heel'.  Not really listening when she mentioned it, because of course I DIDN'T run, but as the running thoughts kept persisting, so did the thought reenter my mind that I should run 'toe-to-heel'. 

Looking for an app that I could use to help me figure out how to run, I found C25k (couch to 5k).  That sounded particularly appropriate for my cause.  I downloaded the app and saw that in 8 weeks I would be able to run 3.1 miles in 30 minutes.  Really never expecting to achieve that goal, I started my first day of running.  

Feeling like I was running tippy-toed, but determined, I ran 3 days that week, just as the app said to.  Brad would see me go and laugh at my form! :(  But still undeterred, I pushed on.  

The second week, I went to San Diego with my sisters for our reunion and found myself encouraging them to join me.  We tackled running on the beach (which at the time I was running 90 seconds, walking 120) and I started to find a pace that worked for me.  My sisters were my cheerleaders and my supporters.  I don't know if they thought I would be able to do it either, but my third week, after coming home, I stuck the course.  All through these weeks, a very strong inclination and persistence to continue this routine were my companions.  Usually, January, February and March are tough depression months, with hibernation my closest friend.  But, I don't remember having as much of an issue with it, and I wasn't stopped from working on my goal.  

I still couldn't walk 25 feet, but I could run them!  It baffled many a person's mind to think of me being able to run.  Mine was definitely included in that mindset.  I found friends that soon wanted to join me but at my 8 week mark, by myself on the trail, I ran 3.1 miles.  

I was exhilarated and shocked!

Getting a group of ladies together, we started running at the levy on Folsom Lake, near our homes.  I wasn't very fast, and at first still walk/ran.  But eventually, I ran 4 miles each day.  I would limp to the trail, and start out slow, but gradually warmed my poor knees up and made a decent showing.

I had to get cortisone shots every 3 months to maintain any semblance of walking, but I felt good running.  

After getting the cortisone in August, I realized my left knee (actually my better knee) was really swollen and realized the shot didn't take.  I could run but it was getting very hard to get around on foot.  In September, I went to the doctor and he said he wanted me to wait until I was 65.  I went home really discouraged.  

Brad and I discussed it and I became much more adamant that I needed to get them done, and if I was going to get replacements, I wanted to do them at the same time.  

By this time, I had slowed the running because the weather was changing, and my energy was lagging.  The knees were really wearing on me.  Convincing Brad to accompany me to my next doctor appointment, ensuring that I would have the support behind me for the surgery, the first week of October found us convincing the doctor that I would have surgery.  

I called the appointment clerk as soon as I got home, scheduled the surgery five weeks from then and continued to run up until two weeks before.  I took a picture of my knees the day before surgery, to have a memory of what unscarred knees looked like.

This is the day after surgery, November 23, 2013  They were looking a bit swollen.  Understatement!

This is the day I went home.  Still looking pretty scary!

It took some time, but I found I recuperated fairly fast and found my strength quickly returning.

Finding myself surprised that I actually had done the surgery, I started planning my return to running.  The doctor told me I could do anything BUT run.  I talked to him about toe-to-heel running and he hadn't ever heard of it.  If you have done this type of running, you realize the knees are directly under the body when you contact instead of stretched ahead of you, allowing the torque to be on the quad, not the knee.  I felt it was doable, without much concern for wear and tear.  In the back of my mind was always a little niggling thought that maybe I shouldn't, but I needed to get back into exercising.  

I was riding a stationary bike (which I hated but could see the benefit), doing stair exercises (OUCH) and trying to be more mobile.  January 2014 came and time for the sister reunion - seven weeks after surgery.  I was probably a bit ambitious to take that on without any help.  I traveled alone, so had a wheelchair attendant take me to and from the plane.  I sat on the bulkhead seats for the space.  Determination was feeling the pain!

I tried to keep up with the sisters: stairs, swimming, bike, walking.  Don't know how I made it through that week, but I did!  The swimming definitely helped.  

Got home, and started walking with my gang at the lake.  I tried to run as well but one day the very direct thought came to my mind "What are you trying to prove?"  I slowed down and started walking, realizing for the first time, that the running had been a prompting from God.  No one knew what I could do except him.  

A new beginning...

I’m going to do as I told my seminary kids yesterday to do and that is to start journaling again.   This blog I stopped 2014.  It’s been 4 years! I can’t believe it and I want to start again and hope that I can help my descendants understand who I am, and why I am who I am.  Here goes to a new beginning and hopefully finding joy!

'Must do's' push out 'want to's'

After I started the challenge of writing a book in a month, I realized the list to get ready before my surgery was waaaayyy too long to allow me the pleasure of writing this new book about a new adventure.  I kind of got waylaid in the story, as it turned a corner I hadn't planned on; which in turn set writer's block into play.

I also discovered that I needed to be so productive getting Christmas complete in 3 weeks, presents bought and wrapped, Christmas setup completed, all implements to help me cope with the imminent surgery procured, that time was not going to allow me the luxury of devoting so much of it to writing.

The two books that are waiting in the wings that are books two and three in the Coming Home Trilogy are buzzing around in my brain, plus this new project I have started made me think that there needs to be some priorities set and time-management used (which to any of those who know me well, is not one of my forte's).

I have looked into the future and realize I have a 12 day diversion from my regular activities when Brad and I go on a long business trip.  Brad has 3 meetings that meet in a similar latitude, and we are able to combine into one long trip.

We start by flying into St. Maarten in the Caribbean, stay for 5 days, flying to Puerto Rico for 2 days, flying into Miami for 5 days then flying home.

The St. Maarten part will be very difficult to really devote to writing (due of course to the amazing turquoise water, the call of the snorkel, the need to be out on the 'beach',  but the Miami part could be a very productive time.  I am also going to be spending time with my sisters in San Diego in January, which could allow a little bit of writing to creep into a time-slot.  I can definitely tell that 'writing' is going to have to be planned and calendared to make room in my schedule.

I've also been going around and around with myself, concerning the time for writing versus the time for other beneficial activities.  It is a conundrum.

Who knew the debate between writing or not writing would end up part of the 'adversity in all things' encounter.  I imagine I will make sure there are enough spiritual outputs to balance the writing outputs, that will manage the time into something I'll agree with.  I'll make sure God is part of my decision, as he is the master planner in my life.

The healing process of my knee drama is unfolding.  It definitely became a 'must-do' and now the importance of flexibility is the adversity in my life as I speak.  I have about 5 1/2 weeks to make sure I have 100% of what I want it to be like for the rest of my life.  Not an easy realization.  So life hands you 'adversity' in all phases of your road.  Don't ever take a blessing for granted because not far behind is a test of your mettle you just learned.

I love my life.  I love that I can CHOOSE.  I choose to serve God and Jesus Christ, and choose to try to have good influences on others through my 'adversities'.  I pray I will achieve those goals and achieving them will bring me JOY.

Its National write a 50,000 word book in 30 days month!  I'm putting the trilogy on the bookshelf for a month, and getting my writing gloves on!  I already have a book in mind, with outline all worked out!  Its been burning at me to get at it so its a perfect time!  I'll have to work fast to get it done by Nov 22nd when I have surgery.  Or at least very close to being done.  I can wrap up the last few days.  Here is the title and a picture that will be the cover.  Write ON!!

FROM HERE TO YESTERDAY

http://nanowrimo.org/participants/mimaadre

Its PUBLISHED!!

How can you feel more excited than getting notice from your publisher that your book has gone live on Amazon?

As I have tried to reinvent myself as my children have grown, especially after I lost my sweet Jennie three-and-a-half years ago, writing has taken on a life of its own.  I have learned SO much.  I learned that I didn't retain as much English theory as I should have!  I learned that I have good ideas and that the protagonist takes on a life of their own as you write.  I have learned that some days are just not writing days! And I have realized that authors who support themselves with their books are on the amazing scale.  I'm not sure I have it in me to write everyday, so I am SOOOOO grateful I have a wonderful husband who supports my crazy ideas, works so hard so I can be creative and who loves me no matter if I publish or not!

I am BLESSED which brings such JOY.

http://www.amazon.com/Home-Built-Coming-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00GB2UA24/

Final proof finished! ready to PUBLISH!

Just finished reading my book for the last time, from front to back.  I still like it!  Publisher just received the final draft.  It won't be long!  Yippee!  Writing has definitely brought me JOY!