Living It With Lisa

Many have asked what does that heart picture look like … so here it is.  My mothers 9 grandchildren sending her love on her 80th birthday.

In birth order:

Joseph, Natalie and husband Shaun, Laura, Jessica, Philip, Michael, Emma, Hope and James.

Oh … and then there are the grandpups too!

Enjoy!

This story was posted as the Friday Story on MyDailyInsights in honor of our mothers 80th birthday.

MY FRIDAY STORY

THE “M” FACTOR

By Lisa Johnson, Julie Dickison, Melea Fisher and Natalie Krause

Our Mother turns 80 tomorrow November 14^th and we four daughters have gathered to celebrate with her (but, shhh … it’s a surprise … she is still in transit and doesn’t know we’ve traveled from across the country)!

Meanwhile, we are lounging on our first day together, still in our PJs and naturally we started to reminisce … like most everyone, we think our Mother is pretty indescribable!  She has what we like to call, ‘the M Factor’…

Mother started life on a 14,000 acre ranch in Montana.  Her work ethic was formed and has been more than replicated in all of her girls!  The “M” factor:  Complete the job and don’t be a half done Polly!

Mother has an intense fear of water, developed as a young girl after her brother tragically drowned.  She has worked hard to conquer her fear, and wasn’t going to accept it in any of her daughters.  Our parents required each of us (there was no discussion) to complete lifeguard certification.  The “M” factor:  Don’t pass on to your children your own fears.

When Mother became a Christian as a teenager she found her real passion in life and we are forever thankful for the love of Christ she has shared with us.  Inscribed in our parents’ wedding bands is their personal motto “Each for the other, both for Christ”.  The “M” factor:  Our marriages must be caught up in a purpose larger than itself.

As we grew into adults, we discovered that our Mother had been a ‘cougar’ and ‘feminist’ without even realizing it!  She married in 1955 at the age of 26 (considered old at the time) to a 21 year old!  Mother, a nurse, was the primary provider for the family of three once Lisa arrived on the scene, working nights while Daddy finished college.  The “M” Factor: There is no such thing as ‘woman’s work’ or ‘man’s work’.

When our Daddy started his own business, Mother happily became a stay at home Mom.  As each of us grew up, she determined to teach us what she considered were three essential life skills:  how to make a quilt, how to cut up a whole chicken, and how to can fresh produce.  The “M” Factor:  While we may laugh at these skills now, we have since discovered that what we really gained was the ability to be creative, frugal, and self-sufficient.

Mother was often at the forefront of what would much later be an accepted trend.  Before it was popular, we ate unprocessed foods, made our own bread, used environmentally friendly laundry detergents, and took whole food supplements!  The “M” Factor:  Don’t be afraid to question the ‘norm’, to lead even if no one is following.

Our greatest joy has been to be present while our parents have achieved some of their dreams.  Mother always wanted to live in Australia, and the opportunity presented itself when she was 55 years old!  They didn’t hesitate to take the risk.  The “M” Factor:  Dreams come true only as you work towards them.

Retirement for Mother has yet to happen.  She still runs a business with our Daddy, providing endless nutritional advice.  At the age of 70, she took a class to conquer the Internet and Power Point.  At age 79 she was introduced to Facebook and keeps in touch with her grandchildren and is considering whether she should start a blog!  The “M” Factor:  Learning never stops.

We admire our Mother for everything she has taught us.  For all that makes her who she is … the “M” factor: our model, our mentor, and best of all, our Mother.

Happy 80^th Birthday Mother, we love you,

Your Darling Daughters,

Lisa, Julie, Melea and Natalie

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Lisa Johnson is the wife of Vic Johnson, mother to Joseph, chosen mom to Tyler & wife Savanah, Victoria & husband Drew, and Carter.  MamaLisa to Dylan, Tommy, Hannah, Mason, Austin and soon to arrive Nathan.   Julie Dickison is the wife of Ron Dickison, mother to Natalie and husband Shaun, Jessica, Philip, Michael and Hope.   Melea Fisher is the wife of Andrew Fisher, mother to Laura, Emma and James.  Natalie Krause is Auntie Extraordinaire to all nine of her nieces and nephews.

My mother turned 80 this past weekend and her darling daughters surprised her with a celebration.

Mother and Daddy were already coming to Florida to visit us and I managed to get them to come over her birthday weekend.  So once the flights were booked I let my sisters know and they booked theirs.

Now we made sure that the other 3 girls were ‘busy’ and ’shocked’ that mother would not be coming to their homes for her birthday and that Lisa got her! <grin>  So the planning began.

Melea, Natalie, Emma Jo, Julie, Lisa

We all bought matching pajamas and got mother a new pink robe and slippers.   You should have seen her face when I walked in first in plaid flannel jammies…(from Victoria’s Secret I might add) and then walked in Melea, then Natalie and then Julie.  By the time we all stood in a row Mother was in stiches!

Mother loves tea so a tea party was in order.  We all have a collection tea cups and espresso cups so a new addition was in order for her party.  We got a teapot to match as well.

Of course there had to be a birthday party dinner since mother had mentioned to Natalie that she thought Lisa was planning a dinner party, because Lisa likes to give parties!  Now mind you she hadn’t mentioned a word of that to me!  She was right.  I was planning a party.  We had friends Dave and Audria, Vic’s parents Martha and John, with brother Joel and his wife Lisa come over for a dinner party too.

In addition I collected pictures over her 80 year and put it in a book … 450+ photos and 160 pages later I was done!  I also had all the grandkids email me a picture with them making a heart with their hands which was two pages in the photo book.  I took those two pages and had it framed.

We also booked a photographer to take official family pictures of the girls and the family, which was the perfect gift for mother.  Well she really likes the photo of love from her grandchildren too!

The sisters arrived on Wednesday so on Thursday we wrote a MyDailyInsights Friday Story called “The M Factor” about her to post the next day.  (I will post here too). What my sisters didn’t know was that our subscribers will comment if a story moves them.  So I knew that mother would have additional birthday wishes from people all over the world that didn’t even know her.   And I was right.   My mother was humbled by the greetings and my sisters were in awe as well.

So the planning was done and we were ready to greet her.  Surprising her at the airport was fun.  I hugged her and then as I was hugging daddy she noticed Julie, Melea and Natalie standing over by the post and let out a yelp!  Yes the tears showed up and the hugs kept coming.

The weekend weather was fabulous so we took them on a boat tour of Lake Santa Fe too.  We all had such a wonderful time together creating new and lasting memories.

Happy 80th birthday Mother.

We love you,

Lisa, Julie Melea and Natalie

Now you didn’t think that I would write about drinking water without a follow up on the MANY reasons I have HUGE aversion to Soda.

Now also realize that my husband HAS to have a Diet Coke Fountain Drink every day!  And not 8 oz. either.   And not in a can or bottle.  FOUNTAIN DRINK ONLY!  Tori brings him one in the morning when she arrives for work.  On the weekend, he will trot off to the store to get his ‘devil drink’.  And he will drive extra mlles if the fountain machine is better somewhere else.  Now that is an addiction!

I do not keep soda in our home except when we have a party and then there is VERY little of it.  I used to supply 1 liter each of Coke and Diet Coke.  When I started having leftovers, I switched to the 6 pack pony size.  I am still having leftovers.  Why?  I make sure to provide several other healthier options.  It also may be that most of our guest realize they won’t find sodas so enjoy the other options that they may not have at home.

So when I read this article by  Kathleen Aicardi, M.Ed. at eDiets, I really enjoyed what she had to share. Some I knew and some was new information.  I have posted part of it here with a link to the article at the bottom of this post.

=======

SODA:  7 Things You Didn’t Know

Soda consumption has more than quadrupled in the last 40 years.  The average American consumes five cans of soda each day.  A typical serving of a soft drink once was 8 ounces, today a small is 12 ounces and a large soft drink is 32 ounces.

Soda is not a replacement for water.  Water makes up about 70 percent of our body composition.  Pure water is what we need to replenish our body’s requirements.  Water transports substances throughout the body.  It helps to regulate body temperature and remove wastes from the body. Water is also needed for the digestive process.

Approximately 73 percent of all Americans are chronically dehydrated.  Signs of dehydration of just 2 percent can result in fatigue and fuzzy thinking.  A loss of 4 percent results in a decrease of muscle strength and endurance.  A loss of 10 percent results in weakness and decreased tolerance for heat.  Finally, a loss of 20 percent can result in coma or death.

Here are some interesting facts about soda you may want to keep in mind:

1.  The sugar in soda can increase insulin levels in the blood, which over time can lead to type 2 diabetes, as well as high blood pressure, heart disease and weight gain.  Consuming just one can of soda a day can increase your weight by 18 pounds per year.

2. Phosphoric acid found in many types of soda inhibits the proper absorption of calcium causing bones to become week and teeth to become soft.  Is it any wonder the incidence of osteoporosis continues to increase in America?  Additionally, Americans have the highest incidence of osteoporosis in the world.

3. Many sodas contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant and energy enhancer.  However, caffeine increases urine output further contributing to water losses.

4. Diet sodas contain aspartame, an artificial sweetener.  Aspartame has been challenged by many people who claim they have had serious side affects, such as headaches, dizziness, seizures and nausea, from its use. For those who drink diet soda as an alternative to sugary soda, aspartame can interfere with the body’s ability to reach weight loss goals.

5. Soda also contains sodium, a nutrient that promotes water retention.  When sodium levels are excessive in the body, the resulting water retention can cause other health risks, such as increased blood pressure.

6. Drinking soda can lead to other health problems because large amounts of soda can decrease your appetite for fruits, vegetable and essential nutrients.

7. It has been widely accepted that Coke can also be used to; loosen rusted bolts, clean up blood stains, clean corrosion off battery terminals and remove stubborn toilet bowls stains.

==========

So I say,why even waste your tastebuds or your more importantly your health on Soda.

Link to the rest of the eDiets article

Most of you know I have a  H  U G E aversion, might I even say disgust for sodas.  I am on the other hand a H U G E advocate of drinking more water.  And for good reason.

This summer I bought a new water bottle for Tommy (grandson) and me because he was not drinking enough water.  To make it fun and so that he would realize how much water he was drinking we each got a Camelbak BPA-free water bottle.  I got the liter size and he got the 1/2 liter.  That way when he would race me to drink more water … he always won with finishing his bottle first!  We carried it everywhere we went.  He knew that there was nothing else to drink until one bottle was gone.  Then he might get lemonaide or juice.  Then we would start on the next bottle.  You would be surprised at how many days all he drank was water.  With no ice mind you.

Here is the back story on me.  I grew up in a household where the only soda in the house was Root Beer and that was for Daddy’s Root Beer Floats!  P E R I O D.  And yes he did share with his girls!

When I left home I did drink sodas for a while but realized early on that if you are thirsty and you reach for a soda you are NOT quenching your thirst at all.  Water quenches your thirst.  By the time a person feels thirsty, your body is telling you it needs water and you are becoming dehydrated.

Think about this.  Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day?  You just slept for 6-8 hours with nothing to fuel your body.  Well you also haven’t had a drink of water either.  When you wake up each morning you should drink a glass … yes 8 ounces of water.

I will say that was the hardest thing for me to do when I was training for my first triathlon.  So I kept water by my bed and I would sit on the edge of the bed and make myself drink the water before I went to the bathroom.   I was shocked at what a difference it made in my day.  It set the pace for staying hydrated during the day and an unexpected benefit came along with it.  My dry skin became nonexistent.

Well that makes perfect sense since up to 70 percent of the human body weight is composed of water. Muscle is made up of nearly 75 percent water.  Fat is made up of about 50 percent water. Bones are also composed of about 50 percent water.

However, fat tissue does not have as much water as lean tissue.  So, if you are overweight it does not mean that you are carrying more water weight. Sorry!  If you are overweight it means you are carrying more fat.  Plain and simple.

Every system in your body needs water. Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.  Your body requires water to function properly.

I try to drink two liters each day.  I have found that if I have a water bottle I KNOW what I have drank each day as opposed to trying to count the glasses of water during the day.

Here are some additional reasons to drink your water:

- One glass of water can alleviate late night hunger

- Drinking at least 5 glasses of water each day can reduce the incidence of colon cancer, bladder cancer and breast cancer.

- Drinking the recommended 8 to 10 glasses of water a can can ease joint pain AND help you maintain your weight levels.

- Soft drinks, coffee, and tea, while made up almost entirely of water, also contain caffeine. Caffeine can act as a mild diuretic, preventing water from traveling to necessary locations in the body.

Water Trivia:  20 Interesting and Useful Water Facts

“You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Christopher Columbus

I watched this video today and you may want to watch it more than once and let it really sink in .   Ariane at First 30 Days was right.  It says it all.

What is the one thing that holds you back ….. nothing but FEAR!   In love, in life, in finding your passion, in discovery, in growth, in your job search, in everything.  Fear.  We should embrace fear as it can be our green light to go!

Watch this video and ask yourself what is stopping you from reaching out and grabbing what you want in life?  You are not alone.  You believe in you.  So face it and grab it!

To celebrate growing older, Regina Brett wrote the 45 lessons life taught her.  Her odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is her list.

45 Lessons

by Regina Brett (age 90)

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone..
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry;  God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ”In five years, will this matter?”.
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything.. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life.. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

BONUS:

Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves.

If you don’t believe that it pays to think before you speak, let Tim Jarvis show you what a difference the right language tweak can make.

By Tim Jarvis from O, The Oprah Magazine

You know the difference between “I need more help around the house” and “You’re so #@*!! lazy,” right? One is artful diplomacy; the other, like bringing in the tanks. But the strategy involved in getting your point across also applies to individual words. For instance, if you’re…

…Offering constructive criticism

Instead of: “You did a nice job, but the report needs to be finished.”

Try: “You did a nice job, and the report needs to be finished.” 



The subtext: No matter how positive the first part of the statement, the but negates it, says Barbara Pachter, a business communications expert and the author of The Power of Positive Confrontation. “But might as well stand for Behold the Underlying Truth. Once people hear it, they’re just waiting for the bad news.”

…Asking your spouse to change a behavior

Instead of: “Will you stop smoking for my sake?”

Try: “Will you stop smoking for the sake of the kids?”

The subtext: Your spouse may resent your wanting to change his ways—and use that resentment as an excuse not to change. Putting the focus on a third party removes you from the equation. And focusing on children makes people think in terms of their ideal selves, says behavioral economist Dan Ariely, PhD, the author of Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions.

…Presenting a problem to your boss

Instead of:” They have issues with the sales staff.”

Try:” We have issues with the sales staff.”

The subtext: “I got this from my old boss, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich,” says Daniel Pink, chief speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore and the author of A Whole New Mind. “Replacing they with we can change your outlook and the viewpoint of others. After all, if we’re not part of the solution, we’re part of the problem.”

…Trying to make someone see your side

Instead of: “I know you wanted to surprise me, but changing our plans without warning me was stupid.”

Try: “I know you wanted to surprise me, but changing our plans without warning me was not helpful.”

The subtext: As President Obama learned the hard way this summer in discussing the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr., stupid is an inflammatory word. Rather than labeling others’ actions, Pachter says, convey the effect of those actions.

By Tim Jarvis from O, The Oprah Magazine © 2009 Harpo Productions, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2009 Harpo Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

There are many today who are reflecting on the loved ones they have lost … on 9/11 and on on any other day.

This year has been a year of loss in our family.  As many know we lost our grandson Austin to SIDS just days before he was 3 months old.   Several months later I lost my dear and cherished friend Cynthia and last month Vic lost his beloved Uncle Little.

Uncle Little’s life was full of love, both giving and receiving.  He was the brother that stepped in to help his sister with 3 little children when Vic’s father was tragically killed.  He was the Uncle that threw the ball to both Vic and Joel and taught them how to excel at sports and life.  He was the unwavering Gator fan who never missed a game unless his nephew was playing for the Seminoles that night.  He was the Great Uncle who came to every football game and sports event for Tyler and Carter.  He was the good and faithful friend who was always ready to help in any situation.  He was a giver and didn’t look for accolades.

I am only sorry that I didn’t get to know him like all the others in attendance at his service because he lived a life that we should all be proud of.  During the time of sharing a friend of 49 years stood and mentioned the poem THE DASH and that Uncle Little’s life was full and how blessed we were to have been the recipients how he spent his dash.

So as you remember those you have loved and lost, think about how are YOU spending your dash.

My cousin Leigh sent me an email today from her friend Nita.  It is so easy to buy American if we just …THINK.  Here is what she wrote:

==========

In case you’re not already doing this.

A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn’t slow a train very much, a billion of them would.  With that thought in mind… Good idea . . . one light bulb at a time . . . .

I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments.  They were all made in China.  The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there.  They were made in USA.  Start looking.

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else – even his or her job.  So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track.  Let’s get behind her!

My grandson likes Hershey’s candy.  I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now.  I do not buy it any more.  My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now.  I have switched to Crest.  You have to read the labels on everything.

This past weekend I was at Kroger.  I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets.  I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, “Everyday Value”.  I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats – they were the same except for the price.  The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in – get ready for this – the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio.

So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here.

So on to another aisle – Bounce Dryer Sheets . . . yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada.  The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA!  I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA – the job you save may be your own or your neighbors.

If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time!  Stop buying from overseas companies

(We should have awakened a decade ago . . . )

Let’s get with the program . . . help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U . S . A .

Sounds like a good idea to me.