Endings

Sometimes it's not fun when things have to end. That goes with many things in life. Letting go is hard. 

If you read this blog much, you know that I had high hopes for making a go of a business venture with Avon. I have to admit that I failed with that.  It was a disheartening defeat.  I'm not an in your face sales person, so I suppose it wasn't a good fit for me.

Recently, I left a Facebook group that I've belonged to for a significant period of time. To my knowledge, no one has noticed. I guess that proves to me that it was a good time to exit because I think I really needed to let go of a pattern within myself.  Although I miss the group a bit, I'll soon fill my mind and time with other things.

That's the thing with endings.  They create new beginnings.

I've been trying to end my procrastination, but that ending is a very hard one for me.  I think my fear of failure gets wrapped up in it.  I catch myself procrastination writing.  It's silly because it is the one thing I feel I'm good at but yet worry about harsh judgments about it. Some days I don't do any writing and then beat myself up about it.  Procrastination calls for a needed ending for sure.

Another thing I decided to end is by choice. I've been taking a statin medication and the side effects of this one are weight gain, swelling, and muscle/nerve pain.  This is the second statin I've tried. The first caused crippling nausea and vomiting. I am not going to take it.  The weight gain in itself will eventually create other health problems that don't need to be conceived. The doctor is going to have to work with me on finding an alternative or I will do without it.  Cholesterol has as of yet not been an issue of my many.  This preventative measure just feels wrong and in my mind it screams bad idea.  I'm ending it before it gets started. Quality of life is worth something to me.

I'm going to temporarily end my cheap attitude of not spending significant money on myself.  I think I need new glasses. The glasses I'm wearing are ok but not perfect.  I shouldn't have to sit on top of the computer monitor to see perfectly.  Our insurance only pays for glasses every two years. I got new glasses after cataracts surgery in 2015. Those glasses never did suit me and I got different ones after that.  I'm sort of lost in the process. I think I'll just suck it up and see what insurance will or will not pay for at this time. I need to see what I'm doing easily and effortlessly.

Another thing I really need to end is the mean reaction I have toward myself when I perceive I've failed.  The statin drug issue is a prime example. The weight gain has been a big issue in my own mind.  The last visit I had with my doctor I got a big speech on watching what I eat, exercise, and cutting back on salt.  I had already done all of those things and I took the full blame for my weight. I thought I had to be doing something wrong.  Then one day out of boredom I did a vocal command on my phone to research the prescription I was taking.  Bingo. There was the answer.  I felt such relief to realize that it wasn't all on me.  I'm going to do this same vocal search for my doctor the next time I see  him. Part of me is furious and the other part wants to cry.

So, I'm going to pledge to myself to be stronger about having the courage to end things.  I've going to listen to that little voice in my head that has a good idea now and then. 

Famed author, Louise Hay, has this wonderful affirmation, "I bless the past with love and let it go." I am going to repeat it over and over to myself to bring about a positive new beginning.

Thank you for reading.

Sherry

A Story Of Cowboy Angels

I come to you today with a story on how prayer really works. Yesterday, as I do everyday, I asked that the cowboy angels would watch over my husband as he went out to do what he loves which is work on fence, feed cattle, etc. He usually leaves early and comes in late. Yesterday was no exception. However, he did have one doosy of a story to tell.

He had been in at his dad's helping to mend some fence. For some reason he had the bright idea to stand on top of a big round bale in a bale row while pulling wire. His dad was mowing weeds with a brush hog attachment on a bob cat skid steer. Somehow the wire got caught up in the mower and jerked my husband to the ground quicker than a cowboy getting bucked off a bull. He was left with whip marks from the wire across his face and a story to tell. He said he almost took the big trip.

I told him if he didn't think of safety a little better in the future, I wasn't going to let him go out and play. Thank heaven the angels were with him. As I eluded to earlier, I always pray that cowboy angels will go with him when he leaves the house because always in his stories there is the line, “you never would have thought”. I'm always thanking those angels for interceding for him.

He'll heal up just fine this time and he'll have fun telling his buddies the story.

Thank you for reading.

Sherry

Avon Representative, Sherry Stoll

www.youravon.com/sstoll

Kawasaki Manufacturing Hiring In Maryville, MO

Kawasaki Manufacturing is now hiring in Maryville, Missouri for all shifts. Here is a list of openings from the Kawasaki website. https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?d=NewExtCareerCtr&c=1062241

At this factory they manufacture small motors that are well known for their excellence in the industry. I am told that it is a team atmosphere and those that work hard are rewarded with advancement and yearly bonuses. It is well worth looking at their website www.kawasakimaryville.com if you're in need of employment.

My thought is that this could be a great opportunity for anyone, but especially for those displaced by hurricanes and fire. If you need or know of someone who needs to start over, Maryville, Missouri is a great place to consider. I've lived on a nearby farm in this community for almost twenty years. We have a population of somewhere near 13,000 and we are the home of Northwest Missouri State University. Our crime rate is low and our people are friendly. It's a nice place to call home.

Another reason I like Kawasaki, is that my husband works there as a maintenance assistant. He does all the preventive maintenance on the forklifts and tuggers, etc on second shift. He tells everyone that it is the best job in the factory. We found out during my recent health scare how magnificent their health benefits are. We are so very thankful for them.

If you have any questions about Maryville, MO, please leave them in the comments. I'll do my best to get you an answer. This is a growing community and you just might love it if you come here.

Thanks for reading.

Sherry

Please visit my Avon website to see my full line of Avon products.

www.youravon.com/sstoll

A Rainy Wet Day

Today is a rainy wet day here at the farm. My right leg hurts so bad that I could literally scream. I overextended the muscles as I was getting in and out of the shower. My knee and my lower leg are the culprits of discomfort today. In general, my legs are still recovering from the diabetic coma I was in over a year ago. My hope is that at least by acknowledging the pain, I can release it. I'm trying to stay off pain relievers because I don't like them and their side effects.

The day started out with a Pop Tart fire in the kitchen. My husband mistakenly put it in the microwave for three minutes instead of 30 seconds. Smoke was billowing. It's a good thing it was raining so the little fire was put out when the mess was tossed outisde by my husband. The farm cats scattered. They were smart enough to get out of the way.

The dogs seem a little unsettled today. They are barking at more than the cattle walking by. It's so foggy and misty out that I can't really tell the who, what, when, where and how of it all. Most likely the weather has a lot to do with it.

My mom had cataracts surgery this morning. I wasn't able to be with her, but I'm very thankful than my sister and dad were. I'll be taking her a meal tomorrow with my husband. She already put in a request for what she wanted. My husband helped get things ready ahead of time, so we'll just have to pick up and leave in the morning. We live about an hour away.We'll spend the day and leave the leftovers so she doesn't have to cook for a day or two.

I don't have a big evening planned. Sometimes I listen to the local radio station and their coverage of Friday night highschool football games. I never had children of my own and I guess I live vicariously through other families with their kids playing. It seems the games may get rained out tonight anyway. I can always share my Avon website on social media as a plan B.

Thanks for reading.

Sherry

Please visit my Avon website ...

www.myavon.com/sstoll

Adjusting My Perspective

I had a restless night this past Sunday night as I was trying to sleep. I had a certain amount of anxiety because Monday morning I had a routine follow-up appointment with my cardiologist. I didn't expect bad news but part of me always fears it.

In my insomnia I turned on the t.v. And flipped by CNN. Oh, no. The horrible mass shooting is Las Vegas was just becoming a huge breaking news story. I cried sitting on the corner of my couch. I was finished trying to sleep for that night. I said many prayers asking for God's mercy over that terrible situation.

I was so tired as I got to my cardiology appointment. As per our usual, my husband drove me. He goes to all my medical appointments with me. It's nice to have that second set of ears. All went well with only an adjustment in my medication. My cardiologist wondered if I would like going to a gym. I currently walk with a cane, so I was inwardly thinking no to that idea. I will continue to do some exercising here at home. I've been doing well with some isometric exercises, but am currently waiting for a thigh muscle to heal that I tweaked. It'll be ok in the grand scheme of things.

The appointment went well with one little hiccup that I hated. I had gained 10 pounds since my last visit six months ago. A big part of that is fluid retention in my legs, especially my thighs. My theory on that is that it is largely hormonal because I have not been blessed with menopause yet. I had a few hopeful months, but it returned with a vengeance.

When I think of what happened in Las Vegas, my fluid retention or my fear of doctors is nothing. I have to adjust my perspective and not be so selfish. It is such a crazy world that we live in.

Thank you for reading along.

Sherry

www.youravon.com/sstoll

Avon Calling

I've started a new career path. I'm still freelance writing because I love it, but I'm now also selling Avon through an estore. I've been convinced that it's a profitable thing to do these days. I tried to be a regular door-to-door person about ten years ago, but along came a health scare that tanked it.

So, here on my blog, I plan to share with you some of the great Avon products from my estore. You can shop from the comfort of your home and your items will be shipped directly d

to you. It doesn't matter how near or far we live from another, you can be my customer. Isn't that great?

I will start with a great introductory offer that will be available for a short time only. Don't lose out!

Avon Daily Care Collection - Introductory Offer
Don't Miss Out!
DESCRIPTION
Valued at $65, the set includes:

• 2 Skin So Soft Original Shower Gels
• Skin So Soft Original Body Oil
• Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil Spray
• Skin So Soft Original Body Lotion
• Moisture Therapy Intensive Healing and Repair Hand Cream
• Moisture Therapy Intensive Healing and Repair Body Wash

Limit one per customerhttps://www.avon.com/1/product/daily-care-collection-59548?s=PitchAd&c=repPWP&otc=NewRepDailyCare&rep=sstoll

The direct link to my website is www.youravon.com/sstoll .

If you would like to join my Facebook fan page, it is 

 www.facebook.com/sherrystollavonrepresentative .

I know that is a lot to digest for the moment. Thank you for reading along and your business is much appreciated.

Sherry

Sherry Stoll Avon Representative

www.youravon.com/sherrystoll 

Every Day Is A Gift

It's been well over a year since I've written anything on this blog.I really do have a good excuse though. To make a long story short, last August I went into a diabetic coma and nearly died.  My entire body went septic and my heart was knocked out of sinus rhythm. It's been a long year of recovery and I'm still not at full strength.  My legs are still a bit weak, but I'm slowly getting stronger.  Thank heaven that the diabetes is under control now.  I'm just thankful to be alive.

In May of 2016 my very best friend suddenly died from diabetic complications.  The irony of me almost following her does not rest lightly on me. There's a big hole in my heart where the joy of her friendship used to be. 

It amazes me how life moves on.

My husband has been my caregiver.  God blessed me with him. I don't think I would have been able to live alone without him.  Maybe now I could, but not when I first got out of the hospital a year ago. 

When I got out of the hospital, it probably wasn't two weeks later that my dad had an emergency and was in the hospital.  He thought it was pneumonia and it turned out to be lung cancer.  Wow. That was hard to digest. The first time my husband took me to see my dad I was using a walker to get around.  Now I'm using a cane.  

Dad is outliving his diagnosis due to the wonderful power of prayer and the loving care of my mom.  His cancer is in partial remission.  That means it is still there but it isn''t growing.  Thanks be to God.

Every day is a gift for all of us.  Please tell the ones you love that you do and hug them every chance you get.

Until next time,

Sherry Stoll

I Am Blessed: A Collection of Faith Based Prayers and Affirmations By Sherry Louise Stoll is available at Amazon.

http://amzn.to/2hmwFi0

Flash Fiction - The Sound Of Thunder

I've decided to try an experiment of flash fiction here on my blog. This statement defines what that is:

Wikipedia

Flash fiction is a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity. There is no widely accepted definition of the length of the category. Some self-described markets for flash fiction impose caps as low as fifty three words, while others consider stories as long as a thousand words to be flash fiction.

I hope you will enjoy the stories in this series. Your comments are always appreciated.

Sherry

The Sound Of Thunder

By Sherry Louise Stoll

(All Rights Reserved)

She liked to write. She wanted to write. She sat down at the computer and stared at the blinking cursor. In boredom, she got up and put a pocket sandwich in the microwave and turned on the radio. The local college station was starting a play by play of a women's basketball game. “Poor girls.” she thought. They had endured a year and a half of a losing coach who blamed the team for every loss they had by always saying in radio interviews, “They didn't come to play.” She guessed he didn't want to play either because he quit without notice several games ago.

“Not my circus, not my monkeys.” she thought as she spit out the the first bite of her pocket sandwich. Her pop didn't do much to combat the flaming hot lava burning her mouth.

A sound and reverberation similar to thunder drew her attention to the back porch of her little farm house. The hair on the back of her neck prickled up a bit. It was about 12 degrees in the middle of winter without much hope of a thunderstorm. She listened quietly and hoped no one was out there. She wondered if one of her outdoor cats had body slammed the storm door. She turned up the radio and went back to staring at the daunting cursor.

Inwardly, she smiled because she knew no one who knew her would believe that she sat home alone all dressed up in her jewelry and bright lipstick while listening to a pair of basketball games. They might expect her to squeeze out a poem or something, but not to enjoy sports.

A fan at the game on the radio was beginning to irritate her. He was like a toddler learning that his voice carries in a gym. “Whoa............................................................,” until he ran out of breath was all he could do no matter what either team did. She had no idea who he was rooting for. Maybe she would write about him. But, the porch drew her attention again.

More thunder? Really? She thought not. She crept from her desk in the dining room and through her kitchen. She pulled a small portion of her curtain to the side in anticipation of something to debunk this sound. Nothing.

She clicked off the kitchen light. It was getting harder to breathe as she was realizing that there had to be someone or something on the porch. Standing in the dark by her kitchen door leading to the door to her porch, the floor rumbled with the next sound of thunder. She really wished it actually was thunder. Her stomach was starting to roll because she was losing hope of that.

Where was her cellphone? She felt her pocket and only found her lipstick and a crumpled tissue.

Her mind raced with what she should do. Should she run to the front door with the keys to the car? She thought she wasn't fast enough because she would have to go near the back porch, leap in and drive away. She would reveal herself if she opened the door to the porch. Where was her phone? She had turned off the lights in the house and now didn't have the guts to turn them back on. She was near a panic attack.

Tears rolled down her face as she felt and heard more of this mysterious thunder. This time it was accompanied by the click of a vehicle door. She thought she heard voices but she really wasn't sure.

She braced herself with her back against the kitchen door and tried to calm herself with prayer. “Dear Lord, please protect me and my animals.” She clenched her eyes closed as she prayed.

Next thing she knew, she heard what sounded to her, like a strong electrical device being turned on. She opened her eyes and promptly fainted. Standing in front of her in her kitchen were two little green men. The electrical sound she heard was light moving toward her to beam her inside a spinning airship waiting for her.

She woke up to the sound of her cellphone dinging because it needed to be put on the charger. She vaguely remembered misplacing it. Sitting at her desk with that silly cursor still blinking at her, she figured it really had to be thunder that she had heard. Her banging head sure felt like there was moisture in the air. She thought she must have fallen asleep in her chair because the basketball games were over and the radio was deep into its next section of programming.

She still hadn't written a word.

The Sound Of Thunder

By Sherry Louise Stoll

(All Rights Reserved)

Author's Bio

Sherry Louise Stoll is the author of I Am Blessed. A Collection Of Faith Based Prayers and Affirmations. Sherry enjoys life with her husband on a 160 acre cattle ranch near Maryville, Missouri.

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

555 In Angel Numbers

Today, I've been seeing the numbers 555 at different times all day long. So, I went to Doreen Virtue's website to read up on it.

Quoting from her, 555 in Angel Numbers means ...

"5's mean that you are going through a positive change.

The more times you see this number, the more this message is emphasized.
Therefore, 555 is a triple number, so it's 5 triply emphasized.

555 means you're going through a major life change. It can also signal that this big change is coming up ahead, so prepare for it now. 555 can also be a validation that the change you're contemplating is the best direction for you to take.

555 always signals a divinely guided change, so trust that you'll be watched over during this change, as it's part of your soul's path. When you add up the three 5's, the sum is 15, which is 6 when you add the 1 to the 5. 6 in Angel Numbers speaks about losing your fears about your earthly supply, and trusting that you'll be financially and otherwise supported as you make this change." - Doreen Virtue

I love what the angels are trying to tell me in number combinations.

Here's where I found the information. http://www.angeltherapy.com/blog/meaning-555

The Meaning of 555

If you see 555 everywhere you go, here's the meaning of the numbers from my book, Angel Numbers 101: 5's mean that you are going through a positive change. The more times you see this number, the more this message is emphasized....

angeltherapy.com|By Doreen Virtue

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

Giving Gratitude 4-23-2015

I've decided to start a series of gratitude articles here at Sherry Stoll Living. I am going to call them “Giving Gratitude”. It's a sort of gratitude journal for me and I invite you to join in the comments below with something you have gratitude for.

Let's start by defining what gratitude means. Simply, it is being in a state of gratefulness or thankfulness.

Easy? Yes, I think so on most days. Let's get started. I'm going to list five things I'm grateful for.

1. I am grateful that it worked out that I could take my husband out for a birthday lunch.
2. I am grateful that two new baby calves were born here today. The cows and calves are all healthy and strong.
3. I am grateful for the beautiful spring sunshine we had shining on us today.
4. I am grateful for my farm cats.
5. I am grateful for God's goodness and mercy in my life.

I will keep this short and sweet because I know you're busy. I hope you'll return for more of this series, Giving Gratitude, in future articles.

What are you grateful for today?

Sherry Louise Stoll