My daughter tells me I see (myself) through “fat eyes” and tells me I need to begin seeing myself as I am. Which is no longer fat. While still being overweight I am no longer what they call morbidly obese. She recently sent me two pictures from 14 and 15 years ago. I was blown away.

I considered not sharing them, but I know that I am not the only one who has body image issues. Mind you, I do love myself because I know I am a daughter of the King and He made me perfectly. But there are times when I do not see myself with His eyes.

So those are the times when I need reminding. How about you?

The first picture is from about 14 years ago when my youngest daughter and her family were building their house. The second is about 15 years ago when their little miss was born. The last pic is of me at Hilton Head SC in March this year. I’ve come a ways.

This is what gets me into the box each week. This is what makes me smile, coach Nikki.

2001 jenns house kinzie birth 2001 meatlantic

I still have fat eyes . . . I am trying to break myself of that habit. Body image is tough. It starts when we are young – could be things said at home. Could be things said at school. It carries on through our adulthood for lots of reasons. Join me in seeing you through non-fat eyes. Let’s look past supposed imperfections and just accept ourselves for the truly amazing human beings we are.

There is power. And, then there is power.

I work in an educational program for men who are court ordered because of violence they perpetrated on their partners.

During classes we discuss Power and Control issues the men have displayed and how they can only change their own behaviors.

Stressful work as you might expect. To counteract that stress I work out. I do CrossFit. Three mornings a week next to those who can lift heavier (or not) than I. Next to those in better shape (or not) than I. Today I did Power Snatches. I like this power better.
——————————————————————
Written for Tara’s 100 Word Challenge. The prompt, as you might figure, is POWER. I do scaled movements in my CrossFit attempts. I work more on position and form sometimes than in lifting heavy. My goal is to someday be able to lift heavier, but I am thrilled when I hear my coach shout out in the middle of a WOD (Workout of the Day), “Great job on that snatch, Barbara!”

Today my hands are a bit sore. I didn’t tear, but rubbed the callouses a bit with the bar. See the picture below. ๐Ÿ™‚
IMAG2962_1 (640x440)

Hour upon hour. Minute upon minute. They tick down while I tick down. Getting older is not for sissies, you see. There will be doctors. There will be medicines. There will be little twinges letting you know this is not your first hour here. But the bright side? It is not your finishing either. Enjoy these hours. Give them your utmost. Listen to the birds. Revel in the wind. Twirl like no one else is. Greet the next genesis of you with joy. Enjoy their smiles, their hugs, their love. Spurred on by love, conquer the world.
——————————-
the above drivel about aging and grandchildren is written for Tara’s latest 100 Word challenge . . . to write 100 words without using the letter A. Seriously? Harder than you think. I mean, look at all the A’s in this after-word. Right?

Thanks for the challenge, Tara.
no a

Extra glasses. Check
Enough underwear to clothe poor kids in foreign countries. Check
Medication. Check
Food. Enough to feed an army. Check
Slippers. Check
Books (never to be read รขโ‚ฌโ€œ who had time?) Check

As we unpacked each item we shook our heads and chuckled. Today we laugh even harder. All of us do. At that time we feared one of us would never see the humor. (he lived!)

When I drove to Anchorage to be with my heART I forgot my meds. Daughter packed a box. I shall forever be grateful for her kindness. And all those underwear. Oh my.

the box

written for the 100 Word prompt LIST. Thanks, Tara.

My heART and I travelled to Hawaii for our 35th anniversary and met some online friends, enjoying their state from their perspective.

The dream awakened. Why not try to meet ALL of my online friends! Hubby told me to be careful and gave his blessing.

Since then I have traveled to Indiana, Texas, California, and Massachusetts. This time next week I will be in South Carolina to be followed by a stop in Georgia before heading home.

True friendships can be made online. I look forward to exploring more in the coming years, as finances allow. Will you be next?

written for Tara’s 100 Word Challenge. The prompt is DREAM. Now, go and give me 100.

photo of the gate to Boston Common. Taken while in Boston in October 2014.

photo of the gate to Boston Common. Taken while in Boston in October 2014.