Have you ever tried to kick an addiction? Its tough. I have been addicted to Diet Pepsi most of my life. The first time I got pregnant I immediately quit drinking pop and smoking cigarettes. I wasn't going to hurt my baby. I did restart both at a later date. I quit cigarettes completely the next time I stopped (although I did puff from my husband's cigarettes a couple of times when we were under great duress.) Pepsi was a problem, though. Its a magnet for me. I'll spend $8 on gas just to go get a drink. Then I will be so mad at myself for doing that.
Not that long ago, I was completely off Diet Pepsi and then one day I was somewhere and all that was available was Pepsi to drink. I thought, just this one time. Unfortunately, there is no "only one time" drink for me!!!!! Now, here I am going through the withdrawal of it again. It is a lot like quitting smoking, if you can get through the first 10 days, you got it made. The first couple days I am like in a stupor, it is so hard to even stay awake or alert. My body is screaming for another drink.
Pepsi and Coke affect my thinking, my emotions and what I do with my life. I will procrastinate on doing things forever, if I have a drink. The little euphoria it brings makes me content and gives a false feeling that all is good. Then when it is over, before long my body is craving another drink.
So, now, Day Three without a Pepsi drink. The groggyness is lifting and I am somewhat normal again. I know that in time, I will reach the point where I will be able to taste a pepsi and not even like its taste.
In the meantime...orange juice, soup and toast, along with good healthy meals for supper. Its time to get healthy, there is a lot of work to do.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Home Fires are Kept Burning
Yesterday the Great Falls Tribune had an excellent article on what the Montana Guard's role was in combating PTSD. see:
My son just left on another deployment. Great difficulties await his family and all the other families that are facing the same situation. The spouse now has the sole responsibility of caring for the children, taking care of the finances, and maintaining the home. All emergencies are now her sole responsibility. Single parents manage, but the situation is not the same. (Not to make light of single parenting...that is a tough job and I commend all those girls that get it together and make it work!) When husband and wife work together, make decisions on the family together, and with each maintaining their responsibility in the home...there is now a void -- one is missing. The support and strength they received from each other...is now only found in a fleeting phone call at times. Add to that the stress of caring about the safety of the spouse. Add to that the loss the children feel when they know Dad is not going to be home for a long time.
Tim and Huimin prepared for the separation: A dependable car, finances up-to-date, plans for the future made, and things that needed fixing - maintained.
Huimin, just like all the other wives, has already set in motion her plans to keep those home fires burning. In other deployments she got the kids involved in planning for Dad's return. And, she worked on preparing for the future. She then made plans to make it possible to have a time away for rest and relaxation when he returned. They also sent letters. Just those little special letters from Mom and the kids with drawings of the family with (now also the cat) and dog and the heart-felt "I love you" messages are his greatest treasurers. All things aren't perfect, but prayer and Trust in God will get everyone through the days until our loved ones return.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100124/NEWS01/1240301/Montana-model-for-PTSD-detection-to-face-first-major-test
My son just left on another deployment. Great difficulties await his family and all the other families that are facing the same situation. The spouse now has the sole responsibility of caring for the children, taking care of the finances, and maintaining the home. All emergencies are now her sole responsibility. Single parents manage, but the situation is not the same. (Not to make light of single parenting...that is a tough job and I commend all those girls that get it together and make it work!) When husband and wife work together, make decisions on the family together, and with each maintaining their responsibility in the home...there is now a void -- one is missing. The support and strength they received from each other...is now only found in a fleeting phone call at times. Add to that the stress of caring about the safety of the spouse. Add to that the loss the children feel when they know Dad is not going to be home for a long time.
Tim and Huimin prepared for the separation: A dependable car, finances up-to-date, plans for the future made, and things that needed fixing - maintained.
Huimin, just like all the other wives, has already set in motion her plans to keep those home fires burning. In other deployments she got the kids involved in planning for Dad's return. And, she worked on preparing for the future. She then made plans to make it possible to have a time away for rest and relaxation when he returned. They also sent letters. Just those little special letters from Mom and the kids with drawings of the family with (now also the cat) and dog and the heart-felt "I love you" messages are his greatest treasurers. All things aren't perfect, but prayer and Trust in God will get everyone through the days until our loved ones return.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Coming Home
There is nothing like a little winter weather to make the trip long! Kathleen and I finally got back to Montana but could not get back to the house because the county roads have not been plowed out. Kat parked the car and Andy used 4-wheel drive to pick up and transfer us home.
During the years when our family was young, I made sure our house was in order and everything done up before we left on a trip, so that when we returned home, it would be a "welcome home" time and a time of rest. This time it is Kat and Andy's house that is a welcome rest.
We also have another home, a spiritual home, as Jesus describes:
Jesus also promises us another home, a future, eternal home that will be forever,
What a great Hope we have--to someday live in the Glory and Love of God! Imagine..such sinners as us loved by the Almighty God -the creator of all things!! This awesome God--holy and pure--has adopted those who follow Him, as His children, and has prepared great things for us. May you know His Peace and His Love in your life today.
During the years when our family was young, I made sure our house was in order and everything done up before we left on a trip, so that when we returned home, it would be a "welcome home" time and a time of rest. This time it is Kat and Andy's house that is a welcome rest.
We also have another home, a spiritual home, as Jesus describes:
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.'
Jesus also promises us another home, a future, eternal home that will be forever,
John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
What a great Hope we have--to someday live in the Glory and Love of God! Imagine..such sinners as us loved by the Almighty God -the creator of all things!! This awesome God--holy and pure--has adopted those who follow Him, as His children, and has prepared great things for us. May you know His Peace and His Love in your life today.
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