New Habits

August 17, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

I guess I was overly optimistic about keeping up with writing here. It seems that so much is going on that I’m having trouble keeping up with everything.

The moderate depression is continuing with some good days and some not-so-good. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and continuing with the new plan or rather the new lifestyle…

Oh wait – I never got around to actually writing about that…

In short, I have committed to eating a whole food, plant based diet. That’s basically a vegan diet with another restriction – very limited added oil of any kind.

If you want to know more, I was first introduced to the idea by watching “Forks over Knives” which is currently on Netflix. It explains it much better than I ever could.

Why am I giving this a try you might ask?

Well, let me tell you…

When I first realized that I was having trouble with my vision and thousands of dollars later became aware that medical doctors were not going to be much help, I started by reading and researching and removed chemicals from my home…cleaning products, air fresheners, etc.

Then I started looking at the ingredients in our kitchen. We’d been eating pretty healthy off and on depending on our income and my mood. I am definitely a stress eater.

I was focused on subtracting items from our home that might be adversely affecting our health.

And that was all good stuff…as far as it went.

I never really stopped to think about what I needed to add. I’m fairly knowledgeable about nutrition. But now, I’m learning a lot more. A lot more.

I believe in the ability of our bodies to heal themselves…if given the opportunity and resources.

I have hypertension, high cholesterol and triglycerides, am obese, suffer with anxiety and depression, have vision difficulties, and have had bad blood sugar readings in the past. I take 3 medications and my blood pressure reading are rarely in the normal range…they are still high. I am tired all the time. I am not very happy.

I was not a winner in the “genetic lottery” of life. The women in my family start having strokes early and often. Hypertension starts for everyone on both sides at 30. I made it to my mid-thirties. I’ve been told that this is my lot in life. Even by a doctor once. I’m going to die from a heart attack or stroke. That’s just the way it is.

What if that’s not true?

What if this is one area of my life where I can exert some control?

What goes into my mouth is my decision. That’s been an empowering experience for me. I’m juicing spinach, kale, carrots, tomatoes, and whatever other vegetable I have on hand for breakfast along with a bowl of oatmeal or whole grain cereal. I’m eating vegetables, fruits, whole grain rice and other grains. I’m not counting calories. I’ve lost about 20 pounds.

I’m hitting at least 10,000 steps on my fitbit almost every day. At least 30 minutes is continual walking on my treadmill.

I asked my husband to watch “Forks over Knives” with me so that he would have a clue about what I was doing.

To my surprise, he volunteered to join in. He’s not “all” in. He indulges some when he’s not at home, but he’s eaten every recipe that I’ve tried out (including some stunning failures).

There’s more and I will be back tomorrow…even if it’s just to say hello.

I’ve finished my bedtime fruit and veggie smoothie and it’s off to bed – hopefully to sleep. Sleep has been somewhat elusive as of late.

Pleasant dreams dear readers…

The Next Step

July 30, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

It’s been more than a month since I’ve posted here. I’ve written (or tried to write) a few times, but the words sounded negative, without optimism, and frankly, more than a little whiny.

Why did things keep going wrong? How unfair that the harder I tried to simplify and improve our quality of life, the worse things seemed to get…

a car accident that totaled our paid for truck…the only functional car that we owned
another emergency surgery adding thousands of dollars to our debt, not to mention the cost of the stress for our family and the damage to my health
the auto insurance for the person who caused the accident determining that our vehicle was worth less than two thousand dollars
the same company deciding that my husband’s health expenses could total $300.00, but no more
my husband still in physical therapy for the pain in his neck and back
my husband developing hypertension – possibly as a result of the stress
my daughter who is not yet thirty getting blood pressure readings that are way too high

and the list could go on…

See what I mean about feeling like a miserable, whiny person whose life was out of control?

I’ve not been in a good place. This next sentence is hard to type, but here goes…

I’ve been so depressed and without hope that suicide has seemed like a real and viable option on more than one occasion. I share that only because I know I’m not the only one out there who visits that “place” occasionally.

I don’t remember where I initially came across the phrase “treating the symptoms instead of the cause”, but I did happen upon it somewhere…probably in researching health and weight loss because I am determined not to have surgery again.

And that phrase triggered some pretty deep thoughts, reflection and insights.

Yes, I can be a victim and take medications for my blood pressure. And I can blame my health issues (past, present, and future) on my genetics.

Or, I can take responsibility for my choices and choose the type of journey that I want to make.

I can make choices and have some control over my life.

This same thinking applies just as well to the condition of my home.

I can treat the symptoms of a cluttered, untidy home that does bring me peace and comfort…I can clear this counter or tidy up that pile.

Or, I can exert my energy on resolving the cause of the problems in my home.

I feel that my journey has renewed life.

Changes are already being implemented.

Some are scary and against standard societal norms.

I’m working on being ok with that.

The stuff I’ve done so far has been good.

Now, I’m going to the next level.

I’m excited, I’m scared, I’m optimistic, I’m apprehensive…

And I anticipate that I’ll be back tomorrow to post again…

All Shall Be Well

June 16, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

All in all, this has been a successful week. It’s necessary to look back on it as a whole though. Picking it apart makes it possible to focus on what didn’t work…and more things worked out than not.

I have followed through with my plan to eat a more healthy diet overall this week. Lots of veggies and fruits and whole grains. More plant based protein and less meat. Cutting out sugar and anything overly processed. My neighbor did make us a deliciously awesome, totally homemade, absolutely decadent cake this week. I may have had more than one piece. She is the best cook ever and does everything from scratch. And the cake had fruit in it and maybe some carrots, and nuts…so it wasn’t a total oops.

This is lunch.

0616171245

Ummm. I have to say the picture on the box looks better than the food in the bowl and it smells a little funky, but it tastes ok. It’s not a Sonic cheeseburger or a chopped bbq baked potato from Smokey-Mo’s, but I am learning to like it. There are some good flavors in there. Old habits are hard to break. And I was drinking a big glass of ice water with it, but I set it down somewhere and now I can’t find it. Sigh.

The decluttering effort is back underway. This all went to the thrift store yesterday.

Most of it is from my youngest daughter’s room. She is growing up and parted with quite a few of the formerly cherished toys from the back of her closet. I had more problems with it than she did. When I asked her if she was sure about such a drastic purge she replied, “Mom, some little girl is going to have so much fun when she finds this stuff at the thrift store.” True words and ones that I will replay in my head as I tackle my stuff.

Speedy, the dog is recovering from his back injury. It only cost $200 (sarcasm intended here) and he is almost back to his old (slightly annoying) self. He is not yet following my every footstep, but he does manage to whine when I move out of his line of vision. He has a lesion on his spine and is basically “a ticking time bomb” according to the vet. Bassets are prone to back problems so we will just make sure his remaining time is good and take each day as it comes.

The rental car is being returned today although we haven’t actually gotten a check from the insurance company. I’m not sure what they think we are supposed to drive while we wait for dispensation, but I guess it’s not their problem…in their opinion. We do have my sister’s car to use, but one car for 3 drivers who all have different schedules is not fun. We can make it work, but it’s still extremely frustrating.

I am still making paper and having a lot of fun doing it. It’s become my “go to” thing when I’m feeling overwhelmed by life. This is just part of what I’ve created so far.

Some ideas for using it in projects are percolating, but real life is taking a lot of time and there hasn’t been much left over for artistic pursuits.

I haven’t heard from my son in over two weeks. Last time I talked to him he was still in the hospital. He said the medical discharge from basic training could take up to a month. I’m assuming that he is doing okay. It’s hard not to know what’s going on.

I keep telling myself to be patient.

Things will work out.

The healthier diet and regular exercise will improve my health and the way I feel in noticeable ways.

The house will become even less cluttered and easier to manage (and maybe I’ll find my missing glass of water).

The vehicle situation will work out even though it seems hopeless right now.

There will once again be time for art and creativity.

And all the other realities that are crowding in and making things challenging will be dealt with and resolved…

some to my satisfaction and some in ways that I will learn to deal with.

Patience brings peace

and peace births happiness

and happiness brings joy…

and none of it comes easy, but it is doable.

Life is good and all shall be well.

But wait, there’s more…

June 9, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

When I wrote last Monday, I was coming to terms with life. I was looking on the bright side. I was maintaining a positive attitude.

Everything is going to be fine. Tough times come and they go. Life is still good.

By Tuesday, I was even making a gratitude list. I managed about 20 things on that list without getting too trite. Good health for my family and reliable(ish) transportation that didn’t require a monthly car payment in our extended budget were on that list.

Have I give away too much information?

Can you guess what the rest of the story might be about?

Tuesday night my husband jumped in his truck and my youngest and I jumped in our car (that really belongs to my sister, but she lets us use) and headed off to clean the offices that provide a bit of extra income.

We got the job done and bid adieu to my husband as he set off for work. Youngest daughter and I headed home. Five minutes later, I got a phone call as I was sitting at an intersection waiting for the light to change.

It was my husband. Turns out that as he was sitting at the intersection of Hero’s Way and Highway 183A waiting for his light to turn from red to green there was a horrible accident. And he was part of it.

A car coming up to the light on the opposite side of the intersection failed to stop at the red light. She was going pretty fast. The truck moving through the intersection at 65 plus mph swerved to miss her. Hit her anyway, went airborne taking out all the signs at the intersection and bouncing off of the hood of my husband’s truck slamming it against the curb and traveling on.

My husband said all he saw when he looked out the window was a truck flying through the air and then his head hitting the inside frame of the window.

Did I mention that my husband has had a previous broken neck and that his neck is fused solid?

He’s okay except for some neck pain. We’ve visited the doctor and physical therapy is in the works.

Four or five feet further back and the impact of that truck would have been fully on the passenger cab of our truck.

My husband was lucky and blessed and so are we. That’s the bright side.

The down side. There is no doubt that our truck is totaled. The front passenger side tire is somewhere in the middle of where the engine used to be. It’s a really big paper weight.

The driver that caused the accident had the least amount of insurance to meet the requirements of Texas law. Her car is probably totaled from what I saw. The other (much newer) truck is totaled also. The truck’s passengers were transported by ambulance. I doubt that there will be any payouts by the time it comes to our turn.

Luckily, we have underinsured driver insurance. That will help. The blue book on our truck isn’t much, but it meant the world to us in terms of financial life.

What next? It’s up to the lawyers at this point.

And the doctors if my husband’s neck injury turns out to be something more serious.

Time will tell.

Nothing serious went wrong on Wednesday and Thursday.

Let’s all breath a sigh of relief.

Oh, wait…the week isn’t over.

Remember Speedy the basset hound? The nine year old that (for some crazy reason) I adopted because he was surrendered to the pound because his family didn’t want him anymore? The one that had surgery for the anal tumor. The one that is incontinent because of said surgery. The really annoying one that follows me everywhere (and I mean everywhere). The one that needs so much attention that if I won’t pet him, he will simply stand by my chair and rub his own head against my foot. Yes, that dog.

This morning he woke up and is having trouble walking and whimpering. It’s probably a spinal problem. That’s common among older bassets. He’s on pain meds for now and will go in to the vet on Monday for x-rays. Then I get to make that decision. You know the one I’m talking about. The how much can we afford to spend decision. The one where you get to place a value on a life…

Other things are sorting themselves out well enough. Not ideally, but they involve the situations that caused me to invoke the Serenity prayer on Monday. All I can do is aim for peace and make the best of whatever happens.

…because it is my circus and they are my monkeys.

And all shall be well.

June 5, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

I am writing today because writing is a good thing for me to do…not because I can think of anything that really needs to be said.

That parallels my day today also. I am doing what needs to be done although none of it seems to be particularly important or relevant.

I washed clothes so that my husband has something to wear to work and as a result I am rewarded with an empty dirty laundry basket. Looking at that empty basket brought a small smile to my face. A “win”.

And so life is.

I long for peace and serenity and joy right now.

What I have is chores and responsibilities and a total lack of control over circumstances that I can’t even talk about here.

I feel like I’m trapped in a little bitty life and that none of it is particularly important or relevant.

But our little bitty lives are important, aren’t they?

A load of laundry, a note in the mail, the right word at the right time, a simple meal…

We may never know the significance of what we do…but we do it anyway…

and trust that somehow it all weaves together for good to make a difference in the lives of those we love…

somehow.

And we do it because it’s what we do…

because we aren’t great big people with great big answers.

We are just who we are

and we keep trying even when it doesn’t seem to matter

and it doesn’t seem important

and we keep breathing

and struggling

and looking for that little “win”

Peace

Back Roads

April 7, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

Hello.

Once again, so much time has passed. The thought of trying to chronicle the events of the past days is overwhelming and so, I don’t believe I’ll try.

I shall start writing and we will let the important stuff reveal itself…in it’s own time.

I do know for certain that the past days have been shadowed by a rather high level of continuous anxiety. That is most certainly not helpful. I have been consciously trying to deal with it by travelling along back roads and unbeaten paths metaphorically speaking. I’ve avoided social media, the news and anything else that could be potentially unsettling as much as possible.

I’ve tried to shed unneeded baggage for this portion of my travels…a full car load of superfluous belongings to the thrift store and another box almost full in the hallway. We’ve streamlined our school plans and made them more efficient and applicable to our lifestyle and my daughter’s learning style. The housekeeping chores are limited to what has to be done and not what “should” be done.

Basically, I’m trying to live more realistically and become comfortable with what works for us rather than what I believe the world expects.

This is a work in progress. Trying to figure out what our new normal will be. All of this is good stuff. Steps towards the life I’ve claimed to want for so long…accelerated with a sense of urgency due to circumstances beyond my control.

It seems that losing control…or the illusion of control can have it’s good points. The silver lining, so to speak.

And what has brought all of this anxiety and goal evaluation on?

Some of it you know about…

The incurable, progressive “whatever” that I have. Not multiple sclerosis, which is good news, but something. My doctor’s appointment is on the 18th. I wait until then and try not to worry or anticipate, but to be patient.

Until then, I’m working my extra job at Sherwood Forest Faire and enjoying the company of some really fantastic individuals who bring me joy and lots of “food for thought”. Definitely good traveling companions for this life’s journey. Still, it’s fairly obvious that this very physical job is more difficult for me this year than last. That makes me sad and worry about what the future holds.

The bills for the medical procedures and appointments are coming in. Our insurance is good, but doesn’t cover everything. As I enter the amounts into “undebt it”, the program I’m using to track our progress in getting out of debt, I’m watching months added onto the timeline. Still, we are doing okay financially. The monthly bills are being paid.

There is something else going on that I can’t share as it is not really my story to tell. In time, that will be written about. Until then, I carry a lot of pride and fear for the individual concerned. Even good decisions can cause stress.

I’m trying to concentrate on the journey and the beauty and joy that are certainly a part of it. Trying to travel at a slower pace so as enjoy the trip more and not miss anything. There are more frequent pauses along the way. A fancy way of saying that I’m taking lots of naps.

I’m trying to be better about taking care of myself so that I can better care for those that I love.

I’m trying to travel slower and lighter and more intentional. The same as in days past, but with a greater sense of need and urgency. This is a conundrum of sorts. Urgency and need do not translate well into less stress and simplicity.

Life.

I’m trying to figure it all out.

Aren’t we all?

Journey well, my friends.

Prayers and blessings…

Looking Back…

March 3, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

Friday already!

Slow down world…

Today, I am packing and prepping to head out to Sherwood Forest Faire for the weekend. I’m working there again this season. Sherwood is similar to a Renaissance Festival, but set in a different time period. I’ll once again be working in the kitchen of the Italian restaurant…behind the scenes, but still involved with plenty of time for wandering around and taking in the sights. People watching is one of my favorite activities.

I’m only slightly anxious about leaving for the weekend. I can feel it building, but I think that I’m dealing with it fairly well. Maybe the new meds are helping?

Looking back is not always a bad thing (as long as you don’t live there). I can remember a time not so many years ago, when going away for the weekend would have been almost impossible. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to drive myself an hour and a half away. In fact, there was a time when going to the grocery store was a serious challenge.

It’s good to remember those times and to realize that progress and improvement is possible. Things can get better. Maybe never completely resolved, but better.

Sorry for the hurried post, but I still have a long ways to go to be organized like I once was.

The dryer load is finishing up with the clothes I need for the weekend.

My art class materials still need to be gathered up.

The car needs to be emptied of things that will be needed here this weekend.

I need to double-check that I remembered everything.

And then triple-check!

I need to take a deep breath and relax.

All shall be well.

And life is good!

Kummerspeck

February 1, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

The sharing of words from my “new to me” thrift store book purchase continues…

Today, I am dealing with the aftereffects of kummerspeck (noun, German, excessive weight gained through eating as a means of relieving stress or strong emotion).

Today, I finally feel like I have beaten back the flu, the allergies, and the virus that mimics allergies…all basically resulting in congestion, coughing, and exhaustion. I feel almost back to normal and can take a full breath without gasping for air. Air is good. Air in the lungs is even better.

Now, I can start back with my resolve to eat healthier and walk at least 10,000 steps daily.

Over a year ago, after my surgery, I went from weighing in the 230 range to 180 pounds. Since then I have slowly gained back a lot of the weight.

First, a skipped day of walking and then a junior hamburger.

Then some hot weather so a couple more skipped walks.

Then a half-price milkshake from Sonic. (Note to self: half-price does not mean half-calories)

Then a bad day (or two).

It all adds up to weighing 200 pounds again.

I am definitely a stress eater. Almost any food is comfort food for me.

Thus, the word of the day: kummerspeck.

I have too many health risks to live like this.

I have too many things that I want to accomplish to risk my life like this.

Healthier choices.

Smaller portions.

Food is fuel, not a reward.

The reward is feeling better.

It matters what I eat.

I matter.

Schwellenangst

January 29, 2017January 30, 2017 | Kelly Barrow @ Faithacre Studio

0129171753 I found a new to me book at the thrift store the other day. ( I was hunting for wedding decorations, not stuff for me!) I was hesitant to purchase the book seeing as how I’m working at curtailing the amount of stuff entering and taking up residence in my home.

I decided that this book was a worthwhile purchase though. It is full of wonderful words, most of which were unknown to me before.

I believe my life will be all the better for having found and read this book.

For example, I now have a word to describe my current journey to redefine, rethink, re-imagine and reflect during 2017…

Schwellenangst (noun, German) Lit. “threshold anxiety”‘ fear of embarking on something new or entering a place.

This word is perfect for summing up how I feel about embarking on this new phase of my journey…more ruthless de-cluttering, contemplating the changes that may be necessary and anticipating what will be happening. Challenges are good, but change is hard for me.

Nevertheless, I will be dealing with my schwellenangst and moving forward into my next reality. All shall be well.

A word for my decision to leave Facebook for a bit…Aeolist (noun, English) a blustering windbag of a person who only pretends to have inspiration or wisdom. These are the type of people I am choosing to avoid for a while. Those folks who believe that if they cite enough sources, “facts” and isolated examples in loud enough voices with a sufficient amount of foul language and name calling, they will change someone’s mind and all shall be well. Their opinion is, of course, the only correct one and everyone else is an ignorant, uneducated, trailer-dwelling moron who has no feelings or concern for anyone else.

I just don’t have enough sizfleisch (noun, German and English), literally “sitting flesh” or posterior; the ability to sit through, tolerate, or persist in something difficult or severely boring. I’d like everyone to take a deep breath and reread the story of Chicken Little or maybe Aesop’s fable, The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

At this point in my life, I am more interested in developing querencia (noun, Spanish), a place from which one’s strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place where you are your most authentic self.

So, here is tomorrow’s project – The Dining Room. Keep in mind before viewing these photos that there is a wedding happening in two weeks and there is tons of stuff everywhere as a result. There is also laundry and who knows what else! I’m dealing with it tomorrow.