A Ramble About Snow, Blood Sugar, And Washing Dishes

A Ramble …

It's snowing here today. We have a winter weather advisory until midnight. The forecast is for up to four inches. I remember when I was a kid that four inches was nothing. We used to get the big snows back then. They were the kind where all the snow had to be pushed into the middle of Main Street and then hauled off in trucks. Both climate and perception seem to have changed.

All I did today was “think” about a Little Debbie Star Crunch and my blood sugar went up. That really irritates me and sometimes makes me wonder why I even try. I had a very healthy lunch and just fantasized about the treat. Maybe it's the weather causing me a bit of anxiety or I'm confusing hunger with the emotion. It's probably good that I have no Star Crunches in the house or I would have one.

I could be washing a few dishes, but I always tell my husband that after 8 p.m the kitchen is closed and I am going to stick to my word. :)

Thanks for reading.  

Check out the sales for cool Valentine's Day gifts at Zazzle ...
http://www.zazzle.com/holiday+gifts?rf=238443968683399876

Check out my book at my new website.

http://www.sherrylouisestoll.com 

Cataracts And Crochet

(stock photo)

Today, I've been working on an afghan I started to crochet in 2014. It's going to be about 36 x 36 inches. My intention when I began was to make it as baby blanket that I would save to give as a gift at a later time.

My kink in that plan was an unexpected bout with cataracts in both eyes. It caused me much distress throughout 2015. I lived much of that year in fear. I just didn't find it to be the easy surgery that everyone told me it would be.

I needed to get into the mindset for healing. At one point, I just literally gave up. I gave all of my precious yarn to the local thrift store. I didn't think I would ever touch it again.

Today, when I picked up the old project, if was to prove to myself that I could still see in enough detail that I could crochet. My vision is nowhere like it was before cataracts, but I'm learning that if I stretch my hands out and hold things at a farther distance that I used to that I can see things better than up close. I'm learning to adapt.

The cataracts was very hard for me because this was the year I turned 50. I felt old. I felt defeated. And, to top it off, I was writing a book of faith based prayers and affirmations.

To say the least, I felt conflicted.

I found a way to push through and found my way through to publication. I spent many hours with my nose practically pushed against the computer monitor.

I never thought God would abandon me.

God had me right where he wanted me to be. I was doing my writing from home and was blessed with a husband who is a wonderful caregiver. I had insurance that covered most of the thousands of dollars for both surgeries. My husband is blessed with an income that would cover the rest.

My 2015 was a year of being tested and humbled over and over again.

I am thankful for the growth and for the yarn project I saved in my throwing out frenzy.

I can see much better and I can adapt with my crochet hook. I learned that fear about my eyes could not defeat me with God standing near me.

Here's to a better 2016.

Thanks for reading.

Sherry

I Have a Zazzle Store

I love to create things. Working on my knitting looms or crocheting has been a fond pastime for the past few years. I love the texture of all the different yarns out there. I've tried selling what I've made and gifted much of it.

Expanding on that, I've found I like designing on the website, Zazzle. It's a lot of fun for me. I create a design and then place it on their products. People purchase through my store link and then Zazzle fills the order. I have purchased a license with Graphic Stock to legally use their artwork and photos. Worry free creating is a good thing. I have about 49 designs up if you would like to look at them. It's great because I don't have to keep supplies on hand and I earn a commission on any sales I'm blessed to make. 

This is my latest design in my www.zazzle.com/SherryCreatesZazzle* store. If you love purple like I do, you'll love this purple journal notebook.

http://bit.ly/1JkRy1x

 

Purple Journal Notebook

You like things simple, so this Purple Journal Notebook is for you! Take it with you to capture all your thoughts on the go. You can customize it if you wish.

Artwork designed by

SherryCreatesZazzle*

I have many other designs available too.  All are customizable.  I hope you'll have a look.


Sherry

My 50 Years

This has been a big week for me. I turned 50 years old. It was a very low key day as it came and went without much fanfare. That's alright with me, though. It fits my personality well. My husband promises to take me to a flea market this weekend as a celebration of sorts and I must say that I'm really looking forward to that. I'll be a nifty antique looking at other antiques. Fun is on the horizon.

As I reflect on my 50 years, I realize the main constant has been change.

I have seen the invention of cell phones, personal computers and all kinds of other improvements that affect my daily life. Astronauts walked on the moon for the first time in my lifetime and we've sent a land rover to Mars. There is even a space station.

Back in the good old days, I can remember that we did a series in my social studies class on what the future might be like. I thought I would be buzzing along in flying car like they did in the Jetsons cartoons. I expected to have a personal robot too. I thought the future would be a fantastic place. And, it is really.

There are so many things tjat have changed in my 50 years. I will just say that I give gratitude to those dreamers and inventors who have made this world a better place. I love their vision. I welcome positive change.

As I stroll through the antiques at the flea market this weekend, I will think fondly of the past and I will remember one of my favorite affirmations. “I bless the past with love and let it go.” And, As I move forward in this moment, I say “Today, the rest of my life is the best of my life. My future is fantastic.

Thank you for reading.

Sherry

A Prayer For Joy

I pray for an abundance of joy in the world.  I invite you to pray with me.  Together we can make a difference.

Dear Lord, let there be so much joy in the world that it cancels out all the negative. Our thoughts can create things so let us be so full of love that it always prevails. We can do it with your help. Let us spread your love, joy and light all over the world. This I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen

 Be blessed.

Sherry Louise Stoll

Hello, Mr. Frog

Hello, Mr. Frog …

One of my favorite sounds of spring is the croaking of fogs on our pond. It's a very soothing sound for me. It's such a sound of rebirth compared to the harsh whistling of the cold winds of winter.

So, as I began to be entertained by the frogs a few weeks ago, I was down in my basement doing some laundry when my thoughts turned to spiders. I'm not a huge fan of them. I had the passing thought that I could use a frog in my basement to eat the spiders. I live in a little old farmhouse and I gave myself a chuckle with the thought.

As I came up my basement stairs, I said a prayer. “Dear, Lord; Could you please send me an angel to rid my house of spiders? This I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.”

I never thought anymore about it.

A few days later, we had a thunderstorm and water came into my unfinished basement. Clean up ensued.

Later, when I was back upstairs at the computer, I heard a single frog croaking.

I smiled.

Opening up the basement door and standing at the top at the stairway, I sure enough heard the frog croak again. I said, “Hello, Mr. Frog.”

Then I realized that I needed to thank God for my angel to rid my house of spiders. Who knew it would be a frog?