It’s been practically forever since I did one of these, so it is time to get my act together.  A lot of things have happened since the beginning of November.  I quit a job and started a new one.  Crazy stuff to be sure!

In my life this week…

I’ve been battling some health issues lately.  I have lupus and I have been in a constant flare up for several months.  It has been draining and the stress of my old job is what brought it on and now I can hopefully get it back under control once again.  I have high hopes anyway.

We took a trip to the big city and I spent some time in the herb shop I like to visit.  I found someone very knowledgeable who was able to give me some really great advice for some of my issues.  She really understood my problems and advised me accordingly.  We really felt some hope for the first time in awhile that I can get well again.  I have been avoiding the meds that the conventional doctor would like me to be on.  I am very leery of the side affects and I really feel a strong prompting from the Lord to NOT take that medication.  So I am trusting Him to help me learn what I need to do instead to get well.  He has never led me astray, so I feel my faith is well placed in His hands.

In our homeschool this week…

Chandler has been working really hard on all of his schoolwork.  He is doing well and is currently enjoying literature.  He is reading The Three Musketeers.  He says it is his new favorite book, and the best thing he has read to date.  That is high praise, since he still says that Mark Twain is his favorite author.

He did get caught earlier this week slacking off a bit.  He ended up having to complete his school work for the day at around 7:00 pm.  It has been a really long time since he has done school work that late.  He didn’t enjoy it much.  I think it will be a long time before he repeats that one, if ever.  I’m mean that way. 

He did some deep and indepth study this week on World War I.  He has studied it before, but he said that he learned some things this time that he didn’t know before.  He really enjoyed covering it again.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Really listen to your kids about how they are feeling about school.  Chandler and I had a long talk this week about what he wants to do for literature this next year. I thought we would be doing the Lord of the Rings curriculum.  But Chandler is really enjoying what we are currently using.  So after a long talk and weighing the pros and cons, we are going to just stick to what he is enjoying.  I own all of the other levels of this curriculum anyway.  So it will save us some money as well as make him super happy.  I think he feels empowered to help make some of the choices and have a say in his own education.  That is important.

I am inspired by…

Neal A. Maxwell.  I shared a quote of his on my Facebook page this week and I want to share it here as well.  It is an important one for me to remember.

Things I’m working on…

I have several things I am working on at the moment.  I am working on finishing up my first ebook and then preparing it for the Kindle.  I am excited about that.  I will also be editing one that my husband is completing on Seed Starting.  He has a degree in horticulture and is very knowledgeable and experienced in gardening and everything in that industry.  It is kind of fun to be his publisher.

I will be having this blog redone in design by a professional.  I am excited to be able to do this.  I am tossing a few ideas around, but am open to suggestions.  I want something that truly represents ME.

I’m cooking…

Not a lot at the moment.  I didn’t even really follow my menu too closely this past week.  However, I am determined to be better about that this coming week.  I know I need to eat better to get healthy and it will help me lose a few unwanted pounds.  So this next week will be different.  I am determined.  And I need to cook so I can take pictures and share more recipes on my blog.  I have that as a goal for this year. 

I’m grateful for…

My family and my friends.  They have been such a blessing to me as I have been going through so many changes in my life.  I love them all and I am grateful that Heavenly Father placed them all in my life.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Today I am thankful for the things I learned in the herb store this week.  I found a very knowledgeable person there and I learned a lot of things that will make a difference in my health.

I’ve been pretty sick for quite awhile and I haven’t been able to do much about it.  I have been in and out of the doctor’s office and on several antibiotics and nothing has helped.  My issues have just persisted. I felt I had nothing to lose and that the worst that could happen was that I would end up in the doctor’s office yet again and taking yet another round of antibiotics.

But Heavenly Father really blessed me this week.  I was placed in the path of someone who could help me.  I left with several different items and I am happy to say that after just a day, I am already seeing some changes for the better.  I still have a long way to go, but between the homeopathic remedies and the herbal medicines she advised me on, the sores in my mouth are lessening.  The abscesses are going away.  I had an appetite last night for the first time in literally months.  I had forgotten what it was like to feel hungry.  I’ve just been eating because I knew I needed to. It was amazing to me to actually want my dinner.

I was given some homework by this wonderful lady, so I have some research to do.  And I still have a few things I need to start taking.  But I am thankful for the small difference I have already noticed.  I have confidence that I will continue to improve over the next few weeks.  I even have a glimmer of hope that I might feel like a real person again someday soon.  This is a big deal.  I am thankful that I can have hope once again.

What are you thankful for today?

Here is what we are eating this week:

Monday- Pizza

Tuesday-Eating Out

Wednesday-Meatloaf, Broccoli, Baked Potatoes, Salad

Thursday-Cream of Cauliflower Soup, Salad, Italian Bread

Friday-Steak, Baked Potatoes, Salad

Saturday-Teriyaki Stirfry, Rice

Sunday-Finger Foods-We have a tradition of only eating finger foods and snacks on Super Bowl Sunday.  So that is the plan for this year as well.  We’ll probably do hot wings, chips and salsa, egg rolls, cheese & crackers, pizza bites, cocktail sausages, and anything else we can think of and will want.

Well that’s it for this week. What are you planning to eat this week? For more dinner ideas, be sure to click on the picture at the top of this post.