Blue Water - Blue Monday

Today is Labor Day. A day to rest from one's labors -- so they say. From "Alive!" that means no special health and wellness information in the post today, but be looking for a very special post for Ruby Tuesday tomorrow where you'll be able to learn much about highly prized Rose Essential Oil and its tremendous benefits for your well being.

We've been spending lots of time with the family this weekend. All three of the grandbabies together is a real treat. So, I'm keeping it simple and sharing a few photos of the swimming adventures on Saturday for this Labor Day Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's blog. The water was blue and chilly. You may discover a blue lip or two in the photos as well.




Little Emerson has this opinion of the swimming pool most of the time. She also has a "shiner" from falling off the slide at Kids Day Out. Poor little Emmy.

Before the afternoon was over her Daddy convinced Emerson to come into the water with him. She wouldn't have any part of riding in this cute toy, but she thought it was a hoot to give the little guy kisses.

Isaac just enjoyed himself every way he could. Always exploring new points of interest. This bucket kept him busy for quite some time.

Bananas are one of his favorite treats. Do you suppose Isaac thinks this noodle is really a fruity treat. I'm not believing those bites he kept taking were very tasty. Don't you just love the size of those trunks on him?!?!

Mikah is three and a half. She taught herself to "swim on top of the water" this summer. She's checking out her goggles in this photo, I believe.

Just a perfect Kodak moment of Mikah and her Daddy!

Papa found a spot in the shade and fell asleep....

Be sure to leave your comment so I'll know you've been here. I would be pleased if you also checked out some of my other blog posts. Also, please be sure to visit many of the other bloggers posting for Smiling Sally's Blue Monday.

Overcoming the Blues

Saturday I bought some beautiful sunflowers and some red flowers of which I'm uncertain of their identity. I'm always delighted with the colorful selection of beauty in Mr. Chandler's flower booth at our local farmers' market. These were no exception. I brought them home and chose to display them in my only blue vase (which is normally in the back of the top cabinet on the top shelf because, as you know, blue is not my favorite color). After all it would make a great post for Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally.

Of course, with my passion for wellness and a blog that features suggestions for holistic health and wellness, I had to find a way to bring that in also. Consider these sunflowers would definitely be a sunny and uplifting spot in an otherwise BLUE day. The number of people suffering from the blues to mild or severe depression seems to be growing continuously. Perhaps it is our over committed lifestyles, relationship challenges, poor health, problems with the children, finances -- There are just so many challenges that will steal our joy and even cause an onset of depression in our lives. Where do we turn to combat the blues or worse. As my blog them goes, King Solomon words surely apply here: "Tranquility is life to the body.... (that Scripture finishes with ) stress is rottenness to the bones."

In my reflexology practice I'm saddened by the number of individuals who are finding it necessary to take medications for depression and anxiety. Some of these are some very young adults. While these medications may be helpful they also carry side effects. You hear those listed on every drug advertisement which bombards your senses as they are broadcast straight into your living room. Are there other options? (Please see note below.)

When you are feeling down, is the first place you turn to the Lord? I pray it is so. There is no burden we carry that is too big for Him. Jesus tells us, "Come to me all you are are weak and weary and heavy ladened. Cast your cares upon Me, because I care for you." He'll take care of the worries and stresses that easily take us down when we fret about them and take them on in our own strength. God through nature and human touch has also provided us with some amazing natural resources for improving our lives.

In the photo above you will notice little bottles of essential oils. Allow me to share with you how these may be helpful in cases of blues, depression, anxiety and similar challenges.

*Peace and Calming® -- The oils in this blend (tangerine, orange, ylang ylang, patchouli and blue tansy) may help it be effective for dealing with various problems related to the nervous system and emotional balance. This blend of oils is perfect for calming nerves or emotion at the end of a long day or in times of stress. (Apply to navel, feet, back of neck or wear as perfume.)

*Hope(TM) -- The single oils in this blend (melissa, myrrh, juniper and spruce) have the ability to help support the body physically and mentally to give us hope. Those oils when inhaled together may give us the feeling of going forward with hope and achievement. It reconnects us with a feeling of strength and grounding. It may also help relieve depression and suicidal thoughts. (Apply on outer edge of ears, chest, heart, temples, nape of neck feet and wrists. Wear as perfume or cologne.)

*Joy(TM) -- This blend is a beautiful complimentary blend of oils (lemon, mandarin, bergamot, ylang ylang, rose, rosewood, geranium, palmarosa, roman chamomile, and jasmine). When inhaled it brings back memories of being loved, being held, sharing loving times, feeling and opening those blocks in our lives where perhaps we have shut down to love or receiving love or love of self. When there is grief, the adenoids and the adrenal glands shut down; Joy opens these glands. (Rub over heart, ears, neck, thymus, heart chakras, temples, across brown and wrists. Put in bath water, wear as cologne, or put two drops on a wet cloth and put in the dryer for great smelling clothes.)

Also, reflexology is an incredible natural therapy for helping to overcome depression. An article at GoToSee, a complementary therapy website in the UK, presents the case for this so well I won't even begin to describe it here. You are invited to visit their website to learn so much more about the number one benefit of reflexology to reduce stress and bring a sense of tranquility to the body. May I strongly encourage you to take a little side trip to this site especially if you or someone you know suffers regularly from depression, anxiety or just the plain old blues. While there are no guarantees, some of my clients have reduced the amount of medication they are taking after receiving regular reflexology sessions. (Please see note below.) You may also learn more about reflexology at my Footsteps In Eden site.

*The descriptive information on these oils comes from the book, "Reference Guide for Essential Oils" by Connie and Alan Higley. The oils are proprietary blends from Young Living Essential Oils.

PLEASE NOTE: This post is informational only. My reflexology registration with the state of TN is under the department of Health Related Boards. I am in no way advocating that anyone go against physicians' instructions or stop medications. I am not a medical doctor and I do not diagnose, prescribe, or alter medications. That is outside the scope of my practice.

My Blues for Today

I've begun to make a habit of posting for Blue Monday over at Smiling Sally's blog. If you've read the few I've posted you know that blue is more of a challenge for me. Perhaps that is why I'm feeling an urge to continue to share with you in this venue.

This week I spent a few days in the Nashville area visiting my son and his family. Of course, that includes my very special (and only) grandson, Isaac. Please notice that in our photo moment here he is wearing blue, and you see just a hint of the blue and green design that decorated my white tee. Also, note this is a very relaxed and happy gramma, too. It was a privilege while there to swap reflexology sessions with a fellow practitioner -- oh such a blessing for my own health & wellness & tranquility. And you know that subject is one for which I am passionate.

Isaac's mom and dad have been diligently working to raise the funds needed for their adoption plans. You might enjoy reading (and following) their journey at Amy's blog: Ethiopia's Calling. This week we sorted children's clothing for one of two big garage sales they are having, we collaborated on a letter sharing their story and their financial and prayer needs with family and friends, learned more about a benefit cruise that a friend/travel agent is organizing on their behalf, and became even more excited about the Bracelets for Ethiopia that this Gramma has been creating for another fundraiser. Sharing a photo of a few of the blue ones here. They will soon be available in my Etsy shop.

When leaving on Saturday the weather was so beautiful. The thought of being cooped up in the car for 3+ hours just wasn't very appealing. Part of living a healthy lifestyle, however, is in taking whatever circumstances and finding the beauty in them. The Lord sure delivered with some very dramatic cloudscapes in the blue, blue sky. Thinking that my fellow travelers on I-40 in West Tennessee must have thought I was a little off driving and shooting photos at the same time. . . and must admit it was a bit scary, but worth capturing the moment!!!

Memories Stored in a Little Blue Box

My blue contribution to this week's Smiling Sally's Blue Monday. Blue is a always a challenge for me. Except for turquoise and the deep teals, my space doesn't come to life in the blue family. This photo, however, holds an especially fond "blue" memory. Sweet memories are balm to the soul.

Before sharing a little explanation of its current use, and my sweet memory about this box, please allow me to digress for a paragraph here. It's all a part of the story.

From previous posts you may know that my son and d-i-l are adopting two children from Ethiopia. The cost of adoption is quite high -- While most adoptive families are willing to make some enormous personal sacrifices to bring their children home, they just don't have big enough piggy banks to meet the financial requirements without help of family, friends, and even some they don't know. As a family we have some pretty creative fundraisers in the works. . . what you see here is just a glimpse of the makings of some pretty bracelets that will soon be showing up in my etsy shop with all profits going to their adoption fund. (Hope you don't mind that I shared this tidbit here.)

One of the big things that David and Amy have done since they married six years ago, and are still doing to an even greater extent, is shopping the thrift shops, repurposing many items they already have and keeping life simple. That thrifty attitude is catching on big with many people today after being lost for a time in the prosperity we enjoyed for so many years as a country. I remember that the attitude permeated everything my mother did in her life, as it did in most of the members of her generation having lived through the great depression. The memories attached to this precious blue box are a great example.

This was mom's greeting card box. She originally purchased it when I was a small child (and it did originally contain greeting cards). She kept that box in the middle desk drawer always filled with cards that she found at a bargain price somewhere. She rarely bought a new box -- probably more like she found a bin where she could get 2 dozen for 50cents on clearance. I remember this box always full with lots of choices for any occasion, and I remember the box being opened often to choose a special sentiment for friends and family whether it was a birthday, a new baby, an anniversary, or other encouragement. Mom enjoyed brightening others' days with cheerful greetings often accompanied by one of her handmade gift treasures.

Why I kept this little blue box, I'm not really sure except perhaps for one of the cherished and happy moments memories of a somewhat tumultuous childhood. Mom's penchant for repurposing (all though we just often weren't very appreciative of that facet of her personality at the time) may be the very reason. As I've been cutting small fabric pieces for these handmade treasures as one of my contributions to the adoption $$$, I was looking for something around the house to repurpose that would hold all these little pieces and keep them from becoming a jumbled mess. Voila! This little blue box is exactly the right width for these little strips of fabric and keeps them and the memories neatly at my fingertips while working on one at a time. Fifty+ years later this blue box is still in use, and I believe mom would be quite pleased.

As I've been visiting around others' blogs this morn as well, leaving my thoughts and comments, I realized that this just might fit in with Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality as well.