No More Pain!

Being married to an herbalist means having a vast collection of fresh and dried herbs that my better half mixes into rubs and tinctures (*insert "eye of newt / wing of bat" comment). These tinctures, rubs, teas, etc. are used to cure everything from insomnia to insect bites.

Her skills came in handy this morning, when I woke up unable to get out of bed and walk because

Opening Night

We had our opening night of Aladdin, Jr. yesterday.  Whenever you get a large group of children together to do a large production, it take a toll on your nerves, your patience, your mind. 

Aladdin, Jr. was no exception.  Juggling all the schedules of all the kids, state test schedules, choreographers and their schedules, malfunctioning sound systems, blown bulbs, tattle-tales, bullies, prima-donas, pukers, pizza deliveries, makeup, costumes, sets, etc...

And for what?

For an outstanding performance, that's what. The kids always (and I mean ALWAYS) rise to the occasion and perform like professionals on stage.  It was a magical night for them, and a proud moment for me.  I hope they carry that feeling with them ... always.

A Bunch of Random Thoughts for Today

• Flab is not "distinguished."  It's gross.
• I really dislike unsweetened coffee.
• I'm a piler.  Not disorganized, not sloppy, just a piler.
• Some things will never happen, no matter how much wishing I do.
• I need a new car.  Soon.
• I'd like to make more money.
• I love my wife more than any other person on Earth.
• I have an exceptional wife and family. I don't show them my appreciation enough.
• Sometimes you have to stop reaching for the impossible.
• Breathe, breathe, breathe........
• I'd like to be a great husband, but I'm too caught up in my own selfishness.
• Too many opinions confuse me.
• I would get a good night's sleep if I could stop these dreams.
• I miss my brother and sisters. Also my college friends.

The Things We Are Willing to Put Up With

I drive an old, green minivan to work every day.  It has balding front tires, no A/C, a bumper that is rusting off, a broken driver's side window switch, a blown rear wiper motor, and a faulty front wiper motor.  It's been that way for about 6 months.  In spite of all these issues, I continue to drive the beast to work every day.  To be honest, it's the front wipers that have caused the most anxiety in recent weeks.

You see, the little buggers only work on the high setting, and then they decide to stop, seemingly at will, in mid-swipe.  Then I have to get out and jiggle them back to life (when they're in the mood to come back to life).  With the rainfall we have experienced in NYS this year, it isn't a good idea too go traipsing around the mountains with a a stuck wiper in the middle af a pouring thunderstorm. 

But, it's my ride and I'm willing to put up with a lot to get to work.  Maybe, just may-be, someday I'll have a new car - one that functions properly and gets more than 15 mpg.  But until that day....

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (NIV)

... Later!

I wish I had the nerve...

This is one of a long list of songs that, while it strikes a chord deep within me, I cannot perform. I wish I had the nerve to sing stuff like this when I was younger (it would have been cool to develop this intimate technique for an actual grown-up audience).  There is a heart wrenching swell of emotion that comes up from the depths when I listen to this song, and I don't know exactly why.  One can't help but feel it as the song plays.  Michael Johnson sings it straightforward and simple, yet with an understated melancholy that speaks to the heart of every man. I would give anything to have the depth of emotion to carry a piece like this.  

... Later!
  

Food of love

We're having sort of a new creation for supper tonight.  I put some brown rice on the boil; the boiling liquid includes A LOT of garlic,onion and diced carrots.  I'm going to saute a few sausages along with a diced tomato, green beans and some Indian spices, then add the rice to the sausage and spices.  I hope it's good.

I'm trying to re-design the Bittner cuisine to be more heart healthy while remaining delicious.  I've tried many things to cut down on fat, cholesterol, carbs, etc. and I've come to the realization that no matter what I do, I cannot completely eliminate unhealthy foods from my family's diet, nor from mine.

The best I can do is take my existing recipes and use better choices when cooking, substituting where I can.
Bon apetite!

... Later!

Those Guys Made Me Think

We got rid of the old, tattered sofa yesterday.  Two guys came with a pickup truck, and carried it out of our house.  They were close friends, as was obvious by their conversation and demeanor.  They joked as they worked, like a couple of college buddies moving dorm furniture.  Ridiculous as it seems, those two guys made me think about my friends. 

The friends I have made over the last several years are very few, and not of my age.  Don't get me wrong; there is something very right and comforting about developing friendships across generations, sort of a mentor-mentee thing.  But a guy needs other guys of his own age and kind, just to "hang with."  Sadly, right now I don't have that in my life.  Other than my wife (Love you honey!!), there is no one my own age whom I can call any time of day or night to come over and hang out, or to talk through a tough problem, or to help me with ... whatever.  No conditions, no questions asked.

Maybe it's just a matter of putting myself out there... maybe not.  I don't know.  Anyway, that's today's thought.

... Later!

Begin Again ....

I started tracking my calories and fitness (AGAIN) through the website sparkpeople.com.  I joined about five and a half years ago, and looked and felt all kinds of healthy.  However, when the flood of '06 hit, I stopped doing many healthy things and began to put my focus elsewhere.

Well, now I'm back, and I am going to try to keep it going this time.  Right now I weigh approx. 190.  My goal is to keep going until I am 140 (a good weight for my height of 5'6").

1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.



SparkPeople: Make Your Life An Adventure

... Later!

Words, Words, Words ....

I've been doing a great deal of writing lately, putting my deep, personal thoughts in a journal (certainly NOT in a public forum).  In doing so I discovered a "freeing up" of my attitude.  My thoughts are more cohesive and not so willy-nilly anymore. I have a more relaxed tone and demeanor, and I'm less likely to speak harshly.

In all, pretty good results from something as simple as writing things down for no one to see.

... Later!

The results Are In!

Well, it turns out that I have high cholesterol and high triglycerides. Everything else seems pretty good for now.  The doctor prescribed Zocor (a statin drug), which I took to the pharmacy to be filled.  When I got home, my wife informed me of the dangers of statins, so now I don't know what to do.  I've been so entrenched in traditional medicine that it is difficult to let go and trust that a natural remedy will work.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

... Later!