Health is Priceless, Blog-reading, Colin, Nellie, love & a few other things!

Okay, I'm Miss Positive right? Most of the time. Well, today, I don't feel like being ALL positive...yes, I'm abundantly blessed; yes, I have an endless list of things to be grateful for. But, I don't always feel like being "nice," and or "so positive." Truth is, I know in my heart that's probably why I don't feel so swell today, but seriously, struggling to freakin' breathe can make a brat out of anyone! I had to share a few things running through my mind right now--it's not all bad, I promise!

1.) Health is priceless. It is the most wonderful wealth in the world and without it, not much else in life means anything at all! The health of yourself, your significant other, your other loved ones; all imperative to a happy, relatively low-stress lifestyle!

2.) Not being able to breathe SUCKS! Struggling all night (last night) to breathe, sucks! Having to take breathing treatments to breathe normally today, sucks! At least I have the breathing treatments here at home and I'm not in some E.R., waiting in line with a bunch of other sick people, but still....not being able to breathe, sucks! Breathing is extremely important; everything else in life, kind of negotiable, breathing, not so much. And apparently, right now, my lungs haven't received this memo!

3.) To pass my non-working days, I read blogs! Some days, I'm so glad I don't have a job because that means I can't possibly lose one...and other days, I wish I had one so badly I can barely think straight about the situation. I know, me and a few million others! So many Americans out of work and more on the way, sad commentary, really. But, I mean, I'm looking at being a wife and wives today, we're supposed to work. Heck, some wives even earn more than their husbands, not my personal goal, but still. I feel like I'm such a grown up, such a woman, in every way but this one--working! There's only so much cleaning, organizing, wedding planning, errand running, house keeping, and taking care of a man one can do! So, although I don't find myself needing to "pass" time these days...as it's going pretty darn quickly in my world. On the rare occasion that I do need to pass the time, I like to read blogs. No, I LOVE reading blogs--it's one of my guilty, careless pleasures!

My favorite blogs are:

This about the reality of marriage, taking responsibility for your part in the quality of your marriage and laughing about it all, along the way! This woman is so honest, and I love that about her! As with all great blogs, she always makes me laugh, or think, or both!
http://www.projecthappilyeverafter.com/

This woman was seen on Oprah last year, her name is Kris Carr, author of the book, "Crazy, Sexy Cancer," she's kind of new-age and hippy. Can't say as I'm as far to the right as she is, but she's certainly interesting, entertaining, and also, unapologetic in her views! As a formerly sick person, I find her absolutely inspiring! Her way of life is unique and of course, she too always makes me laugh or think, or both!
http://crazysexycancer.blogspot.com/

4.) I also greatly enjoy reading FRIENDS' blogs, thoughts, posts, happenings and events! I like being connected, tuned in and aware! It's great! And friends are the best! So, please keep writing and posting, my friends!

5.) My Colin is the biggest pain in the butt at times; he's beyond stubborn, can be quite resistant to anything anyone has to say to him, and when he's sick, good Lord, watch out! He's a man after all, and I think most men are babies when they're sick...there's a reason it's women who carry the babies and push them out!

But Colin is also one of the very sweetest, most loyal, romantic, talkative and wonderful men I've ever met. He's an exposee' in strength and commitment. He's stylish and fun and a great traveler! He's also worth every single frustrated conversation and misunderstanding we may have. I may not always like what he's saying to me, but I always appreciate his honesty to say it! I love how open and honest we are with one another, and although it causes some frustration between us sometimes, I think our continued openness and honesty is really what will make our marriage last!

Did I mention that my Colin is also one of the very best things to ever happen to me? Because he is. He most definately is one of the greatest things to ever happen to me and one of my biggest blessings ever! And I'm so beyond excited about our wedding, I can hardly stand it! And I'm looking forward to being his actual wife! God Bless that man, truly, 'cause I can tell you all right now, being my husband will be no walk in the park! Sure, I'm wonderful and pretty and strong and stubborn too (we totally deserve each other!). And I'm worth it too! But, the most important thing is that we're in it for the long haul and when we take those vows, we'll mean them! We already do! And God Bless us everyone for that!

6.) I love & adore my cat! I've never considered myself an "animal-lover." I don't believe in their abuse and/or neglect because that's just wrong. How low of a human being does one have to be to abuse or neglect a helpless animal? That's just sick. But, I digress. I kind of consider myself one of those parents that love & adore their own kids, but aren't such a fan of other kids in general! I'm kind of like that! The thought of owning a dog terrifies me, I think they're about as much work as a kid, and I think I'd rather have the kid, plus I'm tiny, so the dog might actually end up walking me, (instead of me walking the dog), plus dogs shed way more than cats, and my cat sheds enough as it is. Colin says we're going to get a dog AFTER Nellie goes, and I'm sure we will, and perhaps I'll warm up to the idea. I think dogs are great and cute and I know they make wonderful companions, but, eh, me owning one--not so much. We'll see. But I hope and pray every single day that our Nellie doesn't go anywhere for a long, long, long, long, long, long time!

I've had that cat of mine (ours, now) for almost 15 years! I'm 25 years experienced and I've had the same cat for going on 15 years....that's 3/5 of my life, I've had Nellie more than/longer than I've not had her! And she is still so precious and cute and sweet! She is my baby, my little gray love, and my sweetie-pie!

She's a whiny, bratty, mean to everyone except me and her daddy & grandma, annoying, dog-like garbage disposal eating (not literally) always-hungry little furball, but she's our furball! And I wouldn't trad her for anything in the world! She is my heart! And I swear, I think I love her more and more every day! And lately, I find myself appreciating her more, cuddling n' snuggling with her more and loving her meows--even though they're incesant sometimes. Truth is, although she's not totally sick and is very much a young 15 year old cat. ( and I know cats can live well into their 20s) I don't know how much time Nellie has left. Well, none of us truly knows how much time any of us has left, but still. Anyway, she still uses her catbox, good girl, she still runs up and down the staircase, she still plays like a kitten and Lord knows she most definately makes her presence known around here! So, perhaps she has many, many years left. My point is, I love my cat so much! My Nellie Marie--she--be is one of the best things to ever happen to me; just like her daddy--that'd be Colin! And for the record, Colin is a great daddy to Nellie! He's loving and affectionate and sweet, and seeing the way he treats her (he is a huge animal lover!) just melts my heart! It makes me realize I'm indeed making the right choice in marrying him! And to his credit, he's taken on Nellie like he was here with us all along! I love being Nellie's mommy, and I love watching Colin be her daddy!

I know, I know...NOTHING like real human children, actually, not even comparable really, but still. For the moment, we're quite happy n' content with the fur-baby we have. We love her so much! Our Nellie with her white tummy, white-ended paws and most beautiful face is definately a light in our lives! The real human children will perhaps come later, but for now, one thing at a time!

7.) I believe in love! The love of marriage and almost marriage! The love of family and friends and extended loved ones! The love of God and life and even the love of self! Well, enough love of yourself to truly believe you're worth something, not total outright, self-absortion, "I'm the center of the world," type of self-love! But I digress! Love is truly what makes the world go 'round, and in these troubled economic times...money has become our downfall (gee, big surprise there!), and it's love that I believe will lift us back up! I truly do! Despite the craziness and even the desperation, I truly believe that love can make this life a whole lot easier and a lot more meaningful!

8.) No, I'm not high off my breathing machine medication--it's not that kind of medication! LOL! These were just some things that were going through my head!

9.) I don't like the number 8, I'm superstitous about it. Some people don't like the number 13, perosnally, I'm not a fan of 8. So, just thought I'd mention that, now you know something about me that you (maybe) didn't know before! That being said, I wasn't leaving this post with 8 things, and besides, 9 really is one of my favorite numbers anyway!

Happy Tuesday to us all, and thank You for it all, Lord! Please let me feel better, please make Colin all better and please watch over our beloved family & friends and loved ones! Please bless them as You have blessed us! Please keep us all together for a long, long, long time to come! And please give me the strength (literally) to actually get to the Doctor(s) today and tomorrow! Thank you for this life, the lessons that can only come from being sick, and overall health that is beyond precious and life-preserving!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz