Here it is 2013, It has been 6 years...since I visited my blog. I am surprised it is still here. A lot has changed. I graduated 2 more daughters from high school, 1 from college and myself and Louis both achieved advanced degrees. I received my BSN in 2011, and Louis received his MBA as well.  We finally made the move to the South in December 2011. We now live in the Asheville area. We love love it here...it is eclectic and fun and there is always something to do. I am currently going through a medical detox right now. I am on a wellness journey that started in January 2012. I began working on the cardiac floor at the hospital and realized what an impact food and stress has on a persons body. I started out weighing in at 223 lbs that January and decided something had to change. I had aches in my joints and random discoloring on my arms. I was short of breath all the time and strained to walk around the block. We moved to a neighborhood where there were lots of hills...most of Asheville has hills LOL! We have since moved to Fairview/ Fletcher area which is more country. Cows for neighbors :). While taking a spin class (I usually go 2 x weekly) I was able to meet a lady named Kim who told me about a wellness center she went to for chiropractic care. Myself and another person who took the class were asking what we should eat to help us with weight loss. We talked about food and also about Mt Air Wellness the place where she made some really powerful changes in her life. I waited a couple months but eventually went for neck and back adjustments as a new patient. While there we talked about nutrition counseling. I had already lost about 10-12 lbs by just making a few changes such as no soda, more veggies added to meals and exercise in the form of biking and walking. I was an avid runner but injured my meniscus and because of the added wait am unable to run right now. So the journey began and now I am down about 28 lbs with tomorrow being my last day of full detox. After this we begin to slowly introduce healthy food back into our diet. I can have some pineapple on Saturday ...ye haw!
I realized that my blog is just one big huge run on thought but I missed blogging. Well I will close with this thought. Change has been gradual but welcome. We are settling nicely in this great state of North Carolina. The mountains, the sunshine, the flowers, the waterfalls, the overall beauty can be seen as the very creation of God himself. He poured abundance out so we could view it and He really out did Himself here! Peace and blessing, Rita

Wow, I havent blogged here in over a year...

Well, today was a good day at work and was also my anniversary. When we re-married today is our 3rd year. Louis surprised me with a beautiful sapphire ring with diamond chips and flowers at work. Then I was able to leave work early and have supper at Napolis with Louis. It was a good day. Mom and Dad came to visit as well. It is hard to keep up with all these computer things. My space, Blogger, e-mail. Oh, well. The computer age. tootles!

"LIFE IS A JOURNEY...WE ARE THE BEDOINS.."

MOM IS ON HER WAY HOME FROM BANGOR. PRAISE GOD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG OTHER THAN HEAD STROKE. GOD IS AWESOME!! SOMETIMES LIFE'S JOURNEY TAKES US TO PLACES WE DON'T WANT TO GO AND WE MUST ENDURE THESE PLACES IN ORDER TO GROW. WE ARE JUST PASSING THROUGH ON THE EDGE OF PROPHETIC THINGS . "..AND THERE WERE WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS..BUT THE TIME IS NOT YET..."

Words that wound...

Sometimes we say things that we really have no business saying. It is very important to have all the information before speaking. Last Christmas was a very hard one for me as I was missing Louis and knowing that next Christmas I would be missing my baby brother. I was having a lot of pity for myself and I had a blog entry that was less than kind. Sometimes we say things when we don't know all the facts. I felt as though I was in a suction funnel and I tried to pull out and was unsuccessful at best. I know a lot of feelings were hurt and for this I am sorry. My family is important to me from My mom and dad to my youngest brother. I know that we are all different and have different opionions as to what is right or wrong or what is better or worse. But the truth is , our journey is temporary at best. Mom getting sick showed me that you can't count on another day! So make your words that heal...not your words that hurt. So to all those I bashed in my blog...especially Joey...I am sorry from my heart. I love you very much! ...and I am proud to have you as my brother.

Summer is flying by.......!!

It is hard to believe that summer is moving along so quickly....it has been nice so far. Time in essence passes and all the while we wish it away. My little girl is going to college in less than 3 months. The truth is bittersweet. She has made me proud and sad all at the same time. Where did the time go? When did my girls grow up before me... prom dresses ...artwork that looks like more than a scribble on a page...grown up stuff you know. Life just takes you on a journey and where you will end up ...you never know. Life , death and everything in between. Bumski, Moey, and Wheeza...you have made me very proud...and I don't think I tell you that enough...I love you all ....and Daddy too! Love , Mommy (Aka firechick...haha)

Eating is sometimes very complicated....

Imagine...who knew that eating could be such time consuming work. Struggle is the word I use to describe my relationship with food. I have been trying to lose weight and eat healthier for over a year now. I have a beautiful wardrobe that is sitting in a rubbermaid container waiting for me to fit in it. How frustrating to have so few choices as to what looks nice. I know this is not of utmost importance in the scheme of things, however; if only I could get into gear. It is not "rocket science". It is what goes in must be used up. You can only put so much gas into your car and than it will spill over onto the ground (or out of your size 8 jeans). yuck! It is odd how this becomes an quasi obsession for me. I just feel so much more confident and have so much more energy. I believe that this time with my faith that the pounds are going to melt off me and the Lord is going to be by my side. I am no longer going to focus on this my obsession but become more like Him. Not with outward beauty but with the heavenly beauty that He has blessed me with. My size 8 spirit is so in Love with HIM! Praise God! One day at a time, sweet Jesus....!

Murle Masters

Where does one begin? Murle touched the lives of many people. He lived the life that many only dream of....he knows exactly what or shall I say whom he stands for. He served the risen saviour. The Almighty, the Great I Am. I have know Jesus Christ for 26 years now. We have had our ups and downs. I haven't always lived the life I wanted to live for Christ. Something happened to me when I learned of Murles death. I realized you don't know how long that you have on the earth and that you should live each day as if it were your last. Nobody knows the exact time they will be called home. I don't say this because I am afraid of dying , but I am afraid of not being the Christian that I am supposed to be. How many unkind words have I said this year, or mean things I have done. Murle lived each day as if it were his last and when his day finally came I am sure the Lord took him in His arms and said "well done thy good and faithful servent". I want to serve the Lord as Murle did. I am sure Murle made mistakes and failed at times because he is human, but the love he had in his heart he shared will everyone. I will miss him and his great smile and his funny personality. He used to jump on Louis' lap and kiss him on his bald head...haha. I still can see it. It was the kind of jesture that Louis needed to have. Murle always seemed to relate to everyone on every level. God bless Murle and his wonderful wife Carla. They are truly God's saints. I love them both!!