Cleaning Out!!!!!

Due to not working at the moment, I am getting done all of those "things" that you always put off. 
I have cleaned out the closet 3 times.
We no longer have a storage unit!!!  PTL!!!!
We have a clean storage area on the balcony
I have a box full of "stuff" to be shredded.
Organized until I am blue in the face.
Cleaned the kitchen and now time to work on the bathrooms
Then it will be the dreaded HALL CLOSET!!!!!
My Spring Cleaning became more like First of Summer Cleaning!!!

Not only cleaning up clutter that is visual but cleaning up me as well.
Since I have made the choice/decision/idea/crazy idea/declaration that
I will be returning to Myrtle Beach for the Dasanti Half Marathon, I have some changes.
No more Fast Food, UNLESS, it is a grilled chicken salad of some sort.
No fried foods at home.
The more fresh fruits and veggies the better.
VERY LEAN meat if at all.
Venture into the seafood a bit more!!!!
SALADS!!!!! because it's hot and doesn't require the heat of the kitchen
Whole Wheat pasta's and bread.
Well, you get the idea.  SMART choices and WISE choices.

Of course exercise is VERY IMPORTANT!!
That is why the side-bar has reappeared. It's called accountability!!
This way I am accountable to post it! Be honest! and hopefully maybe encourage you!!!
This is not about "How much weight can I loose", "How skinny can I get"
This is about taking care of Pam so that she can fulfill what the Lord has planned for her!!!!!!

If you are thinking or considering a big race, either a 1-Mile, 5K, 10K, Half or even Full Marathon, the BEST BOOK you can buy is "Marathoning For Mortals".  Written by John Bingham and Coach Jenny Hadfield.  The best money you will ever spend on any fitness book!!!!!!  EASY READ!!!!  Great thoughts, plans ideas and such.  LOVE IT!!!!!! 

I hope you all have a great day!  Do you have any big plans coming up? 
How are you doing on your Spring/Summer Cleaning???

Doula Mama Pam

THIS IS NOT A DIET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Made to Crave is a book written by Lysa Terkurst.  She is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries.  I had heard about this book on the radio and they were actually reading from it in the mornings and she was on there and I just thought, "This is so simple. Why can't I seem to get it?"  Well, to be honest, I had kind of put it on the back burner for a while.  Then I get a Kindle for Mother's Day.  LOVE MY KINDLE.  Anyway, we are getting ready for this trip and thought I would get a couple of things to read and do on the plane because Hubby would probably be asleep.  Well, the 21-Day Devotional Challenge popped up and it was either FREE or very inexpensive so I bought it. 

WOW!!!!!!  I read the entire thing in one flight.  I know. I know. It's a 21 day devotional.  It was suppose to last 21 days.  Let me tell you, it sucked me in and there was NO putting it down.  I loved it!!!!!  I get home and a couple days later, a friend of mine on Facebook puts up a quote from he book!!!!!!!  OK, so now I have to go and get the book that goes with this challenge/devotional that I devoured on the plane.  Let me just give you an idea.
THIS IS NOT A DIET!!!!!!
This is just wonderful.  It is just freeing and that is the only way I know how to put it!!!!!!
Here are just a few quotes from the challenge/devotional......

**God made us capable of craving so we'd have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone.  Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirects misguided cravings to the only One capable of satisfying them.

**It's possible to muster up the occasional gumption to avoid the slippery slope of compromising a diet.  But more often than not, we need measures of accountability.  For me, one of the most effective accountability measures has been mutually tracking progress with a friend.

**I fully realize that my body as a temple may not be God's most grand dwelling.  However, I want to lift up to the Lord my willingness to dedicate my exercise as a gift to Him and myself.  This one un-divides my heart and reminds me of the deeper purposes for moving my body.

**Just because a woman is skinny doesn't mean that she's healthy.  The struggles are similar, just in a different size package.

**Boundaries are not restrictive fences meant to keep you from enjoying life, but gifts from a God who cares about your well-being.

**Tying our happiness to food, skinny jeans, relationships, or anything else sets us up for failure.  But tying our security, joy, and identity to God's love is an anchor that we can cling to no matter what the circumstances.

I am sure once I get the book, there will be MUCH more to follow!!!!!!!!!!  Have you read the book?????

Doula Mama Pam

YEAH!!!!!

Yeah!!!!  The computer is back and I am a happy camper.  That would be putting it mildly!!!!!!  There has been so much that has happened and so much to share I am not sure even where to start.  It is simply mind-blowing and overwhelming. 
First- we went to Reno NV for Hubby to bowl in the Nationals.  It was just awesome.  We had some interesting flights and lots of touch and go's there and back but it was all good and Hubby did great.  He hasn't flown in YEARS!!!!!  so nerves were there but he was just fine.  He even slept through the turbulence.  When I say, "touch and go", that is what it felt like.
Raleigh to Denver
Denver to Phoenix
Phoenix to Reno.
Home was....
Reno to Phoenix
Phoenix to Tampa
Tampa to Raleigh.
I was exhausted when we finally got home.  It was beautiful to see creation from 32,000 feet.  Gave a whole new appreciation for The Creator.  It was almost overwhelming. 
Since we have had computer issues since arriving back home, the pictures are on Hubby's work computer but I will see if I can get some and post them on here to share. 
Of course, Little Man was with MeMa and Papa while we were away and I think he entertained them the entire time we were gone.  He had a ball!!!!!!!!  I think they needed a rest once he left because they will get the other 2 in a couple of weeks and hopefully we will be down there shortly.
Kyle and a couple of buddies decided to take a trip to San Francisco while we were gone.  I was nervous but knew he would be fine and I am sure that he had a blast.  He got to eat at a lot of his favorite west coast restaurants.
School------well, I will be off to do my testing, maybe even Friday morning.  I am so nervous about that.  I actually love math and can't remember any of it.  English and reading is all good.  At least I will just get it over with and get signed up for my classes.
Work- Still not sure what the Lord is up to.  I have absolutely NO, Nada, None, Zero, Zilch, desire to go into nursing, or any form of it.  At the same time, the whole thought of doing Homebirth Midwifery is really pulling.  NC doesn't recognize that but there is a lot going on in the House in Raleigh to change all of that. My thought is to do the GTCC thing and on the side, take some classes for the CPM(Certified Professional Midwife) program. Just not sure.  Still praying and seeking!!!!!
Doula-Side- Have a Mom in July and one in August for right now.  That is all positive.
Childbirth Classes- One weeknight and one weekend for July.  So ready to teach again!!!!!

So, that is good for now.  I am sure there will more to come very soon.  I just have to get my thoughts together. 

Doula Mama Pam

THE COMPUTER IS BACK!!!!!!

Computer has been down with a horrible VIRUS!!!!!
Nap time is coming and boy do I have a lot to share!!!!!

It's THAT word again!!!!!

So, if you have been following me, you know that the Lord had given me the word "Choice/Choose" this year.  Well, over and over and over I have seen it come up even when I was not expecting to but it would appear and BAM! it was a tap on the shoulder or could be a "HELLO ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!" kind of experience.
Well, in light of all that is going on I have been making a lot of choices. I realize to most, there are probably not a lot of choices to make but believe me, there are choices every minute that I am awake. 
For example.....
A million choices about school.
Choice to respond when things get stressful.
Choice in how to respond when someone as me "How is work going?"
Choice in how I spend my days
Choice to get a hole and hide away from everyone.
Choice to respond when I realize I can't do this or that.
Choice in getting more involved at church or pull back and be a wall-flower.
Choice to get angry and mad at the circumstances
Choice to get overwhelmed and think I am absolutely crazy for even thinking I can return to school because for the life of me I can't remember how to add negative numbers.
Choice to see my circumstances from the end of my nose or from the view the He has.

So you see.....lots of choices and choosing what is going to bring Him the most glory and what is He showing me.  I'm trying daily and sometimes it is hourly and by the minute to respond and choose to be more like Him and not like what I want to do.  This is sooooo all about Him and sooooo not about me!!!!!!!!!  Thanks for checking in today.  What are choosing to do?

Doula Mama Pam

UPDATE on SCHOOL!!!!

Ok, so I make a post about everything is going good and things are moving along and then BAM!!!!!!  REALITY CHECK!!!!!!
I get all ready yesterday and my nerves are shot because I am actually going to go and see someone about going back to college.  It was scary and exciting all at the same time.  If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I have always done something in the medical field.  For what seems like forever, I have always been putting band-aids on dolls when I was little, got my CNA when I was a Senior in high school and then it was to be a progression into the nursing/medical arena.  WELL!!! LET ME TELL YOU!!!! being the lovely age of 40+ ( no need to tell the exact!), I went to see someone about getting into the medical sciences.  REALITY came and slapped me and I was blown away.
Here is the scoop....
I went to college but didn't finish.
This was in 1986-87(lets not dwell on how long ago THAT was)
NONE OF IT COUNTS!!!!I have been working in doctors offices since 1989.
I have done everything from answering phones to working with MD's to procedures to OSHA and MSDS and insurance and teaching.
NONE OF IT COUNTS!!!!!
I would be starting as a Freshman.
That is not so bad BUT......
I would be competing with all of those who have their degree in something AND all of those coming out of high school trying to get into the Medical Sciences (CMA, LPN, RN, Dental Assist, Surg. Tech etc).
It is all based on points.  You come in with points if you have covered all the pre-req. and the additional classes and other certifications that they may require for this and that.  EVEN if I were to jump in full steam and go in and take ALL that is required there is absolutely NO guarantee that I would get into the program that I want.  Bottom line.....a 2 yr RN could possibly take 4 years to get. 
I walked away sad, overwhelmed, at a loss and just basically feeling like I had no place.  I had no place to go. I didn't have a reason to return to work. I didn't see this coming!(or did I?)
I had posted on Facebook that I was going and had asked for prayers.  The "likes" and comments rolled!!!  I am so grateful for all of my friends and family that encourage me.
SO......what is next?
Taking the "medical side" off the plate leaves it VERY empty, or so it feels.
Option #3- Degree in Business----problem is.....I have no idea what to do with it if I had one.
Option #2- Early Childhood Education- Being a Teachers Assistant in a public school....problem is.....they keep cutting the budget and that is one thing they are cutting.
Option #1-PRAY!!!!!  Keep praying.  Get others to be praying. Stay focused on the LORD and NOT on my circumstances.  That is NOT AN OPTION but it is so much easier said than done. My sweet husband keeps telling me....."Relax...it is all going to work."  I believe him but it is so very difficult.  This is my time for the Lord to do a marvelous work and I am praying and expecting and hoping for GREAT things!!!!!!!
So there you have it....What's next?         I HAVE NO IDEA but HE DOES!!!!

Doula Mama Pam

PS- To all of the High School students and College Students----GET YOUR DEGREE!!!!!  STOPPING IS NOT AN OPTION!!!!!