tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60725999922131871022012-02-02T18:58:48.160-05:00Life 101Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-91691775339901283362011-12-31T11:36:00.006-05:002011-12-31T12:04:10.595-05:00

I am not sure why I have not been blogging...so much has been going on and I have a lot to share...between healing ,holidays and transitioning back to the workforce, I guess I have been a bit overwhelmed. I just had my six week device check appointment at the Cleveland Clinic this past week and all was well! The device is operating properly, and healing well. The only events recorded were a

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-58888699492360884962011-10-16T10:02:00.002-05:002011-10-16T10:31:18.090-05:00

Unzipped...I have heard the following quotes several times in the last few months... "You are too young to be going through this!" , "You don't look sick!" ,"Your too young to have a pacemaker!","You look fine to me" ( I had a nurse say that when I was in the hospital, not even looking at my chart or my vitals) ...Of course I agree, with the fact that I feel too young to be going through this,

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-52783873684360655122011-09-18T08:38:00.005-05:002011-09-18T08:56:01.346-05:00

I posted part of this on Facebook today- but I wanted to expand for my Blogger friends:As I was looking out the window this morning I saw a little bird cleaning itself and protecting its nest. That image reminded me of one of my most precious verses : Matt 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, ye your Heavenly Father takes care of them, are they not

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-73205577657383345612011-08-07T09:39:00.011-05:002011-09-10T09:31:26.055-05:00

Battery Included...At the end of June I had a follow up Echo cardiogram, and the very next morning my cardiologist called me...(that's never a good sign) He told me that my Ejection Fraction (google it) was decreasing, this last Echo showed it to be between 30-30%, the previous Echo I had in April was 40%- Because of this, he suggested that I get a second opinion, and take a more aggressive

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-37946188442962120052011-04-09T11:00:00.004-05:002011-04-09T18:46:25.436-05:00

I was inspired by this video, I have always had trouble being alone, and want to figure out how. My dear friend , Betsy has always been a good example of this. When I watched this video I was reminded of her stories of going out on a date with herself...I need to figure out how to do this...I think it will help with my previous post...

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-8101189227679173262011-04-09T08:28:00.006-05:002011-04-09T10:58:16.245-05:00

You are probably wondering why I put this photo on with this post...it is because this was a good day, I have many, this was a really good one, it was almost a year ago, and my toes were in the warm sand on Longboat Key...the other reason, is because of my tattoo...I chose the tattoo with a lot of thought over a year ago on my 40th birthday. It says "Thank You" in several different languages. I

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-40979160975274271942011-03-29T09:33:00.005-05:002011-03-29T09:59:10.552-05:00

For some reason, taking all the meds is getting to me...maybe because they are making me so tired, maybe because I have never taken anything but asthma meds, and vitamins on a regular basis, maybe because I feel worse than before I started taking them, or that I feel dependent on them...I guess I am. I have come to the realization that I will be on at least two of the meds (accounts for four

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-54810572633349062192011-02-06T20:09:00.002-05:002011-02-06T20:16:53.735-05:00

Here is my youngest getting ready to head out on the road in his own car... It seems like yesterday that he was riding around the house on his Tonka tractor! I don't really have much to say but this event seems to mark the begin of a new era in my life...my kids are getting married, owning cars, so on and so forth... The future is left unwritten and I am looking forward to seeing what it will

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-40077838057975614712011-02-02T19:20:00.004-05:002011-02-02T20:09:24.869-05:00

I have been diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Mitral Regurgitation- see this link...it is a lot easier than me trying to explain it. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dilated-cardiomyopathy/DS01029I have been having symptoms for a long time and have been ignoring them...for many reasons which I could list, but at this point is is not going to do me any good to go back and say..."I should

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-68092228021554436972010-10-27T09:13:00.005-05:002010-10-27T09:32:11.579-05:00

The day I rolled out these bagels on my first "Bagel Trial" I felt so inspired...The reason for the trials started with me talking about how I would love to open a Bagel shop someday...and Luke said "Do you even know how to make bagels?" and I realized I never had really made them on my own, I had made them with a friend, and watched them being made, so I thought I better try, and it was so

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-9632315513653869742010-08-18T21:57:00.003-05:002010-08-18T22:06:18.625-05:00

On my Facebook status recently I said, "Chel wants to sell seashells by the seashore, yeah that's my retirement plan"...WHY NOT? That is all I have to say today...

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-76906191627019863062010-07-06T23:01:00.007-05:002010-07-06T23:42:40.800-05:00

...that is what I keep telling myself.There is a lot going on in my life right now, those of you who are close to me probably know what is going on, those of you who don't can ask, I will tell you if you want to know...I am sure that if you know me , it is not a shock for me to confess that I worry too much, that I worry about what others think, about what I said, how I reacted, who I did or

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-21803080071178922962010-04-18T09:27:00.003-05:002010-04-18T09:34:50.573-05:00

...I am a blog voyeur...I spend a lot of time thinking about what I should do with my time...I love cheese and keep trying to figure out how to eat it without getting sick! ...I am extremely, yet very quietly competitive ....I think and worry about my weight daily, yet I cannot seem to lose it... ...I journal , and then I go back and edit my private journals, in case they are found after I die ..

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-82974298974390021012009-12-20T10:47:00.003-05:002009-12-20T11:14:55.484-05:00

Today Sam is headed on a trip with John and Luke...to his new home...I adopted Samson over a year ago from my brother Joshua, he did not have time to take care of him because of his dedication to the Special Olympics and his job taking care of and living with Mentally Challenged adults...being a compassionate person, I wanted to help Josh because he had such a bond with this dog... I later found

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-18585241399085514972009-10-08T10:32:00.003-05:002010-01-06T16:37:08.288-05:00

This is a post from October that is a continuing "confessions of a..."- just thought I would post it.I am writing this on my lunch break at work...Yesterday someone let me know how cute of a pregnant mom I am... ( I have not been pregnant for 15 years, but at least they thought I looked cute, I guess...) Actually this comment will not get out of my head!!! The person walked up to me and said

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-40284793301555691752009-09-15T13:28:00.007-05:002009-09-20T21:11:25.170-05:00

..for me to start blogging again.. .I was inspired by Betsy's "Confessions of a 30 something mom"...This is the beginning of "Confessions of a 40 something mama"...I got a tattoo (see picture) in honor of my 40th birthday...I only have wanted this for about a year, but I put much thought into the design. I am a very thankful person...to God, to my family, to my friends. I am thankful to be alive,

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-9453451647520776102009-04-11T08:55:00.004-05:002009-04-11T09:18:50.519-05:00

One day I will blog again!! I think I have had trouble sharing lately, and I am starting to pinpoint it. I know one reason is that I have felt emotionally and creatively blocked, I had so many things from the past, one being a job , that I allowed to define me! The transition of trying to figure who I am , and not allowing my job to equal that is very tough. Right now I am enjoying settling into

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-29779432328585201522009-02-10T23:05:00.008-05:002009-02-10T23:37:47.565-05:00

February has been, and continues to be a month of change. We have had dear friends, and children relocate to embrace their future. These moves bring mixed emotions, joy and excitement, and a bit of sadness.I have made a very emotional , but timely decision to move forward in my career, and leave the Inn that I have been an employee at for over eight years, and further my career in hospitality as

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-20203671312588350292009-01-25T09:47:00.007-05:002009-07-06T09:43:32.103-05:00

Sarah Louise Edith SmithUpdate: Passed Away to her heavenly home... July 4, 2009This is my grandmother, she is now 97 years old. She is so beautiful inside and out. She is a southern belle, and is blessed with the gift of hospitality. When I look at this picture of her, it makes me wonder what her life was like over 80 years ago when this picture was taken. She was one of the first girls to play

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-81307615547680991202009-01-13T19:21:00.003-05:002009-01-13T19:57:23.660-05:00

It has been forever since I posted and I thought I would just write a little bit and let you know where I am at.This year is the eve of my 40th year of life. It has caused me to become quite reflective . There are somethings that I am feeling good about , such as being a mom. There are many challenges that come along with that. It is hard watching Leah try to figure out her life right now. She

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-38703936199114847652008-11-18T18:58:00.005-05:002008-11-18T19:47:03.768-05:00

Thats how I felt this past week... Most of you know what I went through, and I don't need to elaborate on that. When you are in the hospital all privacy ,control and modesty seems to go out the window. I think about 50% of the hospital staff saw parts of my body that I am not too confident about sharing with the general public.Because of that I started really thinking about the state of my health

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-74874230736350966862008-10-24T07:56:00.003-05:002008-11-01T12:20:23.428-05:00

Often times, especially recently I realize I do not contribute to a lot of the political conversations, debates, arguments, rapport...that seems to surround me. For the longest time I feel like I a little bit like the the picture I posted... and feel guilty...like if I don't even "hear" or "see" or "speak" what is going on around me (politically-economically) then I will not feel it.I tend to fly

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-30772873765911765842008-10-10T06:58:00.007-05:002008-10-10T07:56:53.075-05:00

As I drove to work this morning I saw the most amazing sunrise.The magnificent sun loomed above the earth expelling colors like I have not seen for a long time. Shades of red, orange yellow surrounded this stately ball of fire. The sky was alive with colors from the sun on a canvas brushed with gentle strokes in shades of blue. I passed a lake and a misty blanket of fog was hovering over this

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-66123648292535047052008-09-27T11:17:00.011-05:002008-09-27T11:43:18.560-05:00

Where do you see it? Is it in a piece of hand blown glass? Is it in the eyes of a hurting soul? A sunset? The ocean? A flower? Do you see it in a smile? A tear? The sky? A building? Do you like green eggs and ham? I had to throw that in there!!!Comment and tell me where you have found beauty this summer... The pictures are of two pieces of beauty I photographed at the Phipps conservatory in

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-64796204276459689402008-09-20T10:38:00.009-05:002008-09-20T16:17:28.041-05:00

As Lyndsay nears her 20th birthday, it has been evoking a lot of memories from the time I found out I was pregnant with her... I could write an essay about how I felt , but rather than that today I feel like just posting a list of words that reflected that time period in my life...Someday, maybe I will elaborate...

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-75395828448481804072008-09-09T18:19:00.011-05:002008-09-09T19:17:32.412-05:00

John is gone this week. He is in Detroit , MI learning how not to get fatally shocked by hybrid vehicles. I haven't thought about it, but I really haven't been in my bed at night too many nights by myself for a long time... I couldn't sleep! I usually blame John on that (he snores)...because he broke his nose sledding off the roof of his barn when he was a child... ( Only John)I kept hearing

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-5222359209606341132008-09-01T07:40:00.009-05:002008-09-01T09:52:35.393-05:00

I have become a pen pal with a person I met when we went to volunteer at Kingdom meal ministries at the Salvation Army, with Jon and Ang about a month or so ago. His name is Stephen and he kept saying, "boy I wish someone would write to me"-and I thought, I love to write letters. I always tell my friends how much I love paper, special pens and how I see "snail mail" correspondence as a dying

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-69022647145740866902008-08-17T07:54:00.005-05:002008-08-17T08:23:00.731-05:00

I hope you all read my profile and realize that the "supermom" title is tongue in cheek. I am very ready to say that I fall short of that stereotype, and am very glad of it. I often am amused when a friend asks me for advice....I often feel very incompetent when it comes to dishing out parenting advice. I think the best I have given was to simply Love them. How do we love as a parent ? I know

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-91393932523703756852008-08-06T11:16:00.004-05:002008-08-06T11:40:07.129-05:00

I went to Fellows Riverside Gardens this past Sunday with some friends, our intention was to pray and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. We broke off by ourselves or in couples for a while.I felt drawn to start photographing the flowers. Normally I don't spend a lot of time looking closely at flowers, but as I zoomed in on them, through my lens, I saw the uniqueness of each one...some were

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-58562865509796148302008-07-14T12:20:00.006-05:002008-07-14T12:55:01.466-05:00

Lyndsays home and I am loving it... I really did miss her, and this seems like the last trip that she will make that will last this long. Once she starts her career, she will be committed to a full time work schedule, and will assume the responsibility and pressure of carrying her own health insurance (she is dropped off of ours since she graduated), bills, rent, groceries,etc. She actually has

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-43484574696200666182008-07-03T10:16:00.011-05:002008-07-14T12:55:19.086-05:00

Ok, inspired by my dear friend, Ang... I have decided to publish a post that will be very authentic. I t may take me a few hours, but it will be coming soon! I bet you will all be lining up to your computer screens, as is reflected my my huge long list of comments from the past! HAHA!OK HERE IT IS ...READ BELOW!

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-75790271877071039502008-07-03T10:07:00.003-05:002008-07-04T14:31:48.060-05:00

This week I keep telling myself, if you keep doing the same thing, you will get the same result. Of course I have always known that; but I decide to push it way back, and keep on doing some things the same way, continuing to get the undesired results that seem to keep those areas of my life stagnant.I took a huge step yesterday from something that I have ignored, for about seven plus years. I

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-71241216684772097372008-06-14T23:42:00.002-05:002008-06-14T23:57:09.057-05:00

Monday at work.......Tuesday at thelake, a night at a baseball game, an e-mail, a phone call, Wednesday at work, Thursday at the grocery store, a hug at the church, Friday night on the porch, Saturday making fries, Sunday ... I was really very stressed out this week, It is a huge combination of a lot of things, that I won't weigh this down with. I really thougth "how am I going to get through

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-61620230000275054042008-03-12T12:35:00.001-05:002008-03-12T12:37:17.925-05:00

I am back! I am cold! I will write more soon!

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-12613574021374570752008-02-05T12:42:00.000-05:002008-02-05T13:20:46.346-05:00

Don't know when I'll be back again! Well, I do...but one can only dream. We are headed to Belize in exactly one week. I was talking to Luke the other day, and I think he felt like we wanted to get away from him! Boy, did I clarify that one! No way would I ever want to get away from my kids...I may want to feel an escape from situations they have been in, but if I could afford it , they would

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-33917458919323804172008-01-27T22:04:00.001-05:002008-02-05T12:42:06.773-05:00

I will start by saying that I am a very cautious blogger... I write things then I delete them about an hour later. If you really want to find out about the real me, you have to be really on top of my blog before I delete it!! I feel a little exposed writing down my feelings for all to see. I really enjoy the blogging community, and want to be a part of it, so I am going to try to be "real", and

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-82894101987106032007-12-15T12:12:00.001-05:002008-01-27T22:16:57.743-05:00

Original recording from the chieftains album the bells of dublinAll the streets are filled with laughter and lightAnd the music of the seasonAnd the merchants windows are all brightWith the faces of the childrenAnd the families hurrying to their homesAs the sky darkens and freezesTheyll be gathering around the hearths and talesGiving thanks for all gods gracesAnd the birth of the rebel jesusWell

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-25227737666251677632007-10-22T08:52:00.000-05:002007-10-22T08:58:54.080-05:00

I suck at blogging... I write things, then delete them a couple of days later, thinking "That wasn't deep enough" I kept my free writing style of a summer summary up , because I needed to remember it , so I don't do that again.This is going to be short... My life is changing, new connections, new focus, new friends, new rekindling of old friends, new hope...To be continued...

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6072599992213187102.post-24434492692635818022007-07-16T22:36:00.000-05:002007-07-16T23:05:49.152-05:00

It has been quite a summer- I have been from Mississippi to Vegas (didn't even plan that) ...learned what my airline friends meant when they said " I really don't think you want to fly on a buddy pass" , had a daughter graduate, moved that daughter, and an adopted "son" to Minneapolis, been to at least 30 baseball games, ran completely out of money, wondered where my other daughter is in the

Chelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10223447194764867034noreply@blogger.com0