promises to myself

Making resolutions for the New Year has never been one of my strong points. I tend to lead an existence that allows for flexibility which means I tend to fit into my day whatever suits my needs. Seems that I spend too much of my time cleaning or sorting so I think one thing I must do is to keep moving forward and get rid of a whole ton of stuff and making space for great projects. Since we haven't moved in nearly 28yrs. we've done more accumulating than purging of stuff. It's time for a fresh start without necessarily moving house. I've tackled some in the last year so this is just a continuation. So...to be continued.

Next is a more spiritual aspect of life. I am going to work on doing more for myself. I have a tendency to wait for a request before I move forward. Sometimes it's hard to make time for myself. All those things I used to do seem superficial compared to connecting with others. I've been rethinking this.
Maybe an oil painting can be fit in.
Maybe those half started stories I've begun writing need an ending.
The sewing machine needs a place again.
I will have to start making my own requests and learning to put forth some of my work that's been on hold. Talents are gifts and to not use them is said to be a "sin" or a waste. So, regardless of what others may think I will start clearing my own path, never minding if another soul notices or cares. I will care, not just about others getting ahead, but about myself. I will remember that quote I loved to carry, that it will matter more to me whether I do or don't do something for myself than to anyone else.
I may not have much to offer but what I have is mine to give so I need to get off my ass and begin creating again. And this is the gift I will give to me in the coming days. A little bit for me.
What is it you deserve and have put off, perhaps while taking care of everyone else or the petty clutter life placed along your path?
I wonder.

a short sabbatical in the mountains

Yes, it only took a few hours between hiking the short but steep trail and getting back to the car but I have to get my breaks wherever I find them. It sure beat doing the paperwork! And I got to see a peregrine falcon take flight from a tree while still on the trail up. They are a protected species though their prey is other smaller birdies so it's a sad story.
I also spotted a teeny tiny black snake with a yellow ring around his teeny tiny neck, venomous no doubt. ( all of 4" and thinner than a pencil) Also 2 woodland chipmunks and even a fly, for good measure, at the top of the cliffs. No, I did not see the black bears or moose as it was day time and they saw us first....and smelled us.

vitamin D and the armchair scientist guniea pig

I'm not sure what took so long but it's only been in the last year that we have been told that we all need way more vitamin D than the former daily amount we were told we needed. It not only helps with stronger bones but helps fight certain cancers as well.
My doc said he's testing the D levels of all his patients. When he checked my D it came back way too low and he put me on a prescription for D, a once a week capsule for 3 months. Apparently it did the trick as my D shot right up to normal. Only problem was my sensitivity to aspirin. The prescribed D has an aspirin product in it and it made me ache. I can take an over the counter vitamin D, 2000 units, now and it's safe for me. (I take it with calcium on the side) My teeth might have fared much better cavity wise had this info been available long ago! He suggested this amount even after my D normalized.

My sister also happened to be on the same vit.D therapy as me only a few weeks earlier. She found her aches disappearing as the D was helping to heal her. Others who've opted to give the vitamin a try without getting a test also found that aches and pains, from what they believed was arthritis, are also finding that it relieves these aches.
There is one other interesting quality that my sis has noticed, the vitamin has given her a sense of fullness after eating that she never had before. I never knew this "secret" though she was always a "big" girl, by nature. I learned that she never had a shut off feeling, like many of us feel when we've eaten too much. She walked, she tried diets, and then she finally accepted herself as being big. She ate privately and hates when anyone eats in front of her but she also has a busy life with teen boys and is going to school herself in the last few years. When my mom stayed at her house she noticed that my sis could eat huge amounts of food....enough for several people. My mom can eat so she wasn't being cruel but was seriously concerned. I hope not to offend anyone. I feel that those who binge have a legitimate ED which needs attention and the more natural the treatment the better.

So, will vitamin D cure that broken shut off or "I've had enough" feeling? I'm not sure. Maybe it will help. It certainly doesn't hurt that she now eats less because she can feel fullness! Now that we are speaking openly about it I can ask her how she's doing. She feels that it's had an amazing effect on her health. It may be something to do with any deficiency...not just D. I'm not sure.

I just wanted this info out here because others may be noting a similar experience. I'd like some feedback on this. Maybe we would have figured this out a long time ago if people talked the way we do on the internet today.

It may be a good idea to get your vitamin D levels checked on your next checkup or just add it to your list of nutrients you might/probably need more of.