Wednesday, May 13, 2009

>>> I Am Grateful <<<

Today I had an appointment with the health nurse & my doctor, something I will have every 3 months due to the diabetes. They were both most happy with my blood sugar levels. Della, the nurse, commented on how good I am looking from when she saw me 2 months ago, and that I'm looking younger now. They are both sO supportive, it's awesome.

Next, after grabbing some food at A&W (2 pieces chicken, a green salad, large tea), I went to an appointment at the hospital, a follow up on the Diabetes Clinic I attended. I was complimented big time on the blood sugars again. Guess it must not be all that normal for people to be so 'in the target zone', and dealing so well with this kind of thing. I was weighed as well. It's hard to say from one scale to another, though it would appear I have lost more weight (I'll find out for sure tomorrow at TOPS), and I didn't even need nuphedra, or anything... doing it all 'naturally'. I've been working at making changes in my eating habits and amount of physical activity, and it seems to be paying off.

Wednesday is the day I usually go to the Centre for Spiritual Living and do the Sunday programs. Last week, due to migraines, I put it off until Friday (after getting glasses adjusted and a much needed chiropractic treatment). This week, having had another chiro treatment yesterday, I was able to go do the work at the Centre. Lorraine met me there and assembled the programs once I had done the computer work and printed them out.

A good walk at the dog park finished the day in town, then Reba & I drove home. Len, the fellow who lives in his travel trailer in my yard, had left me a 'gift' at my front door... a large piece of nice new carpet. He 'rescued' it off the construction site where he works, saving it from going to the dump. Not sure where I'll use it yet, though am sure I can get some use out of it as an 'area rug'.

I had wanted to load a bunch of garbage into my truck this evening, though just felt too tired to do it. I don't have garbage pick up here as it's crazy expensive, and I don't generate anywhere near enough garbage to justify the expense, so I 'stock pile' it and make an occational 'dump run'. Tomorrow I will be very close to a dump, so wanted to take a load along. However it will have to wait for another time.

+ I am grateful to be comfortably sitting on my bed, leaning against a pile of pillows, enjoying peace and quiet.
+ I am grateful I discovered that if I leave the birds in darkness longer they get more sleep and tend to be happier and much more quiet (thus I spend more time in here).
+ I am grateful for internet and books that give good information, tips & knowledge.
+ I am grateful my blood sugar levels are doing so well, mostly in the target range.
+ I am grateful for the information and support I am being given as I adjust to living with diabetes.
+ I am grateful my body is getting slimmer & healthier.
+ I am grateful for the chiropractor (nuff said).
+ I am grateful for Lorraine's help with the programs, and for her friendship. She's now my 'second mother', lol.
+ I am grateful the weather held out while Reba & I took our wonderful walk today.
+ I am grateful my head is 'feeling good' again.
+ I am grateful my birds and other animals all seem to be healthy.
+ I am grateful for the time Tomas was in my life. (Wee bird passed away last night while I was out at Toastmasters).

That reminds me... A week ago last night, an opening came up on the schedule for a speech for this Tuesday, so I jumped at the chance and put my name down for it. It is getting close to the end of the Toastmaster year and I intend to meet some goals I set for myself (complete my Advanced Communicator Silver & my Competent Leader award requirements). One of the last 2 speeches in my manuals I'm working from required me to give a 13-15 minute 'After Dinner' speech, so I decided to give it on the Law Of Attraction... after all, that's something I already know a lot about so with only a week to prepare I wouldn't have to do a lot of research. I wrote a nice speech, though didn't practice delivering it, not even once. With the migraines I had it's no wonder. So, off I went to present this speech. I had managed to 'know' the first bit of it, basically the 'opening', then read the definition of 'Quantum Physics' I'd printed out from 2 online sources. Yup, so far so good... then I forgot all of what I'd written and even glancing at my notes was not enough. I would have to read it and I was not about to do that. Soooo, I decided to wing it, I mean, what other choice was there? None. It's a really good thing I have been studying this subject for a while and know a fair bit about it, as I delivered a 15 minute, 18 second speech, managed to use a bit of the ending of my original one, and not one person had a clue that I had not practiced and practiced the delivery. Not one of them knew I was giving a 15 minute impromptu speech instead of a prepared one. YES!! Whew....

+ I am grateful I know about the Law of Attraction.
+ I am grateful for the positive changes I've been making in my life since I learned about the LOA and how it works.
+ I am grateful I am a fairly good speaker.
+ I am grateful to be one speech closer to my AC-S award.

Now, in 2 weeks I give an 'educational', where I have to deliver information Toastmasters has written up for the purpose, which is much harder than using something you already know about. I will have to do a lot of prep work to pull this one off. Then 2 weeks after that I give another speech. I forget just now how long, but likely about 10 minutes, and it is on selling a product or service. I might 'sell' an idea instead of a product or service, will have to read the manual project to see if that will work. Then I will have completed the requirements for my AC-S (Advanced Communicator - Silver).

Tomorrow I meet with Kate from Toastmasters, she's a new member and I will be her mentor for the rest of this Tm year. This is the last project I need to do towards my CL (Competent Leader) award. I had planned to complete this before Christmas, then I ended up changing clubs so am way behind in this.

We have club officer elections next week, so I have to decide if I want to let my name stand for one of the available positions. I'm not totally sure I want to stay with Toastmasters, though it is very good in many ways. I just have so much going on in my life and know I need to cut back on some of it and if I am on the executive, I am committed to another full year. Hmmm, decisions, decisions. If I do stay, I have to start doing a better job. Just winging my way through has been working, though it's not the way I like to do things. If it's worth doing I want to do it to the best of my ability, so I need more time to work on and prepare for my commitments.

+ I am grateful to be so close to achieving the 'next levels' in Toastmasters.
+ I am grateful for all the things I'm learning about being a better speaker.
+ I am grateful that I can see and take responsibility for what I need to do better.
+ I am grateful for all growth in my life... as a public speaker, on a personal level, spiritually... all ways.
+ I am grateful I got my Three Word Thursday post up early too.
+ I am grateful I was able to go around to other blogs and see the posts for the 1000 word idiom photo challenges. There really were some incredibly good ones this week. I'm glad I get to join in with the fun and creativity.
+ I am grateful "I'm BACK"

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm grateful you are back as well. What a long list and so thoughtful. I really enjoyed it :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Victoria Day.

Connie said...

Alice, I always enjoy reading your grateful lists. You make me smile. I'm glad to hear you had a good report on your health. Happy weekend to you! :-)