Yay! My Library has Switch :). Forming good habits has been so hard, I wake up each day thinking "This is the day I just might get my act together!" and for a couple hours it looks that way, but by 11ish, I start feeling completely overwhelmed by all I want to accomplish on any given day. I'm not giving up, though, I think it can be done. I wanted to post these quotes on Habits I found on the net The hard must become habit. The habit must become easy. The easy must become beautiful. -Doug Henning The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken. -Samuel Johnson Incredibly, many people continue their old life-style, their habits even if they feel miserable, lonely, bored, inadequate, or abused. Why? Of course… because habit is an easy place to hide. -Tom Rusk Successful people are simply those with success habits. -Brian Tracy If you do the same thing every day at the same time for the same length of time, you’ll save yourself from many a sink. Routine is a condition of survival. -Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964) A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit. -Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) In essence, if we want to direct our lives, we must take control of our consistent actions. It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently. -Anthony Robbins Most of life is routine: dull and grubby, but routine is the mountain that keeps a man going. If you wait for inspiration you’ll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street. -Ben Nicholas Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do. -Shaquille ONeal Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. -Jim Rohn We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. –Aristotle Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of. -unknown

What wonderful posts, reading them just makes my heart swell:) Whenever I read these verses, it just AMAZES me. Especially when I pick up a handful of sand. Love so amazing..... Psalm 139:17,18 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

We just went on a trip a few weeks ago and I bought most of our snacks from TJ's. Here's what I bought Corn chips (like fritos) corn salsa cashews and trail mix (can't remember the name it was an omega 3 mix, very good!) cat cookies fruit I also brought Beef jerky (from costco, I love cashews with beef jerky, that's a meal in itself!) A large thermos with ice water so we could fill up anytime I drink mostly water but we bought Crystal Light Pure (made with Stevia) to add to our water You could also buy lunch meat and bread when you get there and have sandwiches, chips and fruit for lunch.

Since I shop at Trader Joes a couple times a month, I just buy the one they have. I use it mainly for cooking. Since I can't have dairy I use it in place of butter (on popcorn, bake potato, corn on the cob..)

I love running. I try to run 3x a week early in the morning around 6:30 to 7:00 before my boys wake up and before it gets too warm. I stop at a beautiful park by our house before heading home to pray and ask for strength for the day. I have only been running consistently for a little over a year and I can't imagine not doing it now :)

I used coconut oil (and salt) on my corn on the cob. It was delish! Why hadn't I thought of it sooner? I mean, I use it on my popcorn, duh!

Yes, I do write in mine. There are times I forget but I always come back to it. Especially when I find myself complaining, seeing my glass as half-empty and being a pessimist. I have so much to be thankful for!! I have about 21 journals and the one that has my first 1,000 gifts (the other journals are prayers, verses and thoughts, outpourings) is by far my favorite. I don't really want anyone to read my other journals when I'm gone but I hope my boys will someday enjoy reading about my "gifts" since my boys and hubby are what I'm most thankful for! I make sure I buy the most beautiful journal since I want to be drawn to it:001_smile:. It just makes it that more special!!

f you only have cucs, tomatoes, black olives, the vinegars, salt and cheese (any kind), it will taste great! It's great with or without pasta (orzo is good with it). I add more vinegar (equal amounts of both). Recipe below has been modified from the original :) Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Recipe Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Recipe Tomato-Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Recipe Prep: 20 min. + chilling Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients 3 medium tomatoes, chopped 1 English cucumber, quartered and cut into 1/4-inch slices 1/4 cup thinly sliced onions 1 can black olives, chopped 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon pepper 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed Directions In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, onions, olives, parsley and basil. For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegars, sugar, salt, oregano and pepper. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Just before serving, stir in cheese. Serve with a slotted spoon. Yield: 8 servings.

Just curious, does anyone else like dill pickles on their grilled cheese sandwiches?? I found out I can't have dairy and this is one I miss, esp. in the winter with tomato soup. A yummy sandwich is toasted bread cream cheese (if you can have dairy) bacon tomato avacado I do like banana and pbutter, esp. on gf toast or gf pancake

Since I can't have dairy or gluten I LOVE having a BLT - it feels as if I am eating something "normal":)

Talked to a dear friend who lives in CO about an hour ago. There was another fire by Estes Park near Rocky Mountain park entrance. It is now contained but 20 acres burned and 16 homes lost. So sad. She said that it is 102 there today. That is so unusual for that area! We lived there 1999-2002 and I don't remember it getting above 85 or 90. I guess each summer it gets warmer and warmer. I know most of the homes don't have AC (well, maybe they do now), that would be unbearable!!!

We have an adorable Lionhead bunny that has the run of the backyard (she is safe, places to hide). She has a deck to hide under and the deck itself is shaded. How hot is too hot outside for bunnies? We can bring her inside if needed but she loves being outdoors. Thanks!

yes, it will get easier and more enjoyable! A great book for encouragement and motivation is Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running: The Best Advice to Get Started, Stay Motivated, Lose Weight, Run Injury-Free, Be Safe, and Train for Any Distance by Dagny Scott Barios It helped me when I started running a couple years ago. I started off running one minute/walking 2. It about killed me! After a couple wks. though it did get easier. I have kept a running journal (routes, how I did, how I felt after) since I started. I like to see how far I have come since then. I LOVE running now.

I have been humbled by so many things that have happened to our family lately. We have been hit hard and at this point don't see how some of these issues can even be resolved. In this "valley", I know that God is there and I know that He is GOOD. No matter what happens, He is good. You may be led in one direction, only to find out later, for whatever reason it didn't work out. Know that God still has His hand in it. There is a reason things happen. I do run things past my husband first before making any big (and sometimes little) decisions. He will point out to me things I may not have taken into consideration. And sometimes he tells me just to wait. He is usually right :) You could also consider fasting. Even if it's just one meal. Take that time to pray and seek answers. Read His Word. If you don't have peace about it, don't do anything!

I just read Quiet: The Power of Intoverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking and it totally describes my personality. And it talks about how awesome introverts are so that's great! I'm on the waiting list at the library to get that book. Glad to hear you liked it! Can't wait to read it :)