The Well-Kept Body Image Secret

By Mallory

So. Awkward subject, but I bet someone out there can relate.

When I went to college, I gained weight - pretty much the official Freshman 15, actually. Then I lost 25 pounds, over 4 months, in a healthy way.

But I didn't even notice a difference in the way I looked. In the mirror, I looked as big as ever. So I've learned that my actual jean size has nothing to do with how I feel about the way I look.

Which is really scary.

Changing your appearance doesn't help your self-image if there's already something wrong. Losing weight didn't solve my problems. New clothes, new hair, new makeup...  they didn't, either. When I looked in the mirror this morning (and yesterday morning, and last week and last month) and hated the way I looked just as much as I did a year ago, two years ago...

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Life Is Funny: Bees (aka Little Monsters In Yellow Jackets)

By MAD21

I am not a big fan of bugs. I mean, I don't mind them at all when they leave me alone. But that rarely happens. I think they all have a pact amongst themselves that when they see me coming, they all come running, flying, crawling and ...buzzing.

Last week was no different. Tuesday is a busy day for us. Both daughters in school, riding lessons, etc. We usually have a 'picnic in the car' for lunch on the way to the farm after school. I ran out of time to make lunches, so I thought I would be a good Mom and treat my girls to Mc'D's for lunch. We don't eat there very often, so I knew they would be very excited.

So I picked up my youngest from school and we headed to the Golden Arches. Then we headed back to the school to wait for my oldest to get out of class. We sat in the parking lot chatting with another mother. I was eating my hamburger, my youngest was happily munching on her fries and chicken. Then my oldest came out of the building with her class. I'll mention here that it had been about 10 minutes with no bugs (bees!!) in sight.

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Is It Our Patriotic Duty To Live Beyond Our Means To Bring The US Economy Out Of Recession?

By Heather, CPA (Balance With Purpose)

My opinion? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

In a time of recession the federal government has attempted to stimulate the economy with the following:

1. Economic Stimulus Payment
2. Incentive for Americans to purchase autos, like the famous “Cash for Clunkers”
3. First-time home buyers rebate
4. Lower interest rates

If consumers were over-extended in the first place, is it a good thing to encourage the same consumers to spend any amount they receive from the Federal government? Possibly even encourage over-spending just to stimulate the economy?

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Fingerprint Friday: In The Backyard

By MAD21

I asked my husband this morning, "Hey, hon? Where do you see the fingerprint of God this morning?" To which he replied, "In the backyard <grumble grumble>."

Now, you may remember my post last week on the beautiful Colors of Fall, and you may already see where I'm going with this post. But it's funny enough I'm going to write it anyway. See, we live in the part of the country where there are deciduous trees... everywhere. So you not only get the pleasure of removing (and playing!) in the leaves from the trees in your own yard, but all the leaves from the trees that reside in your neighbor's yards. Ya. We like to spread out the misery equally around here.

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We Will Dance!

By MAD21

In the midst of the insanity that life is sure to bring us, there is always one sure thing. Our longing for home, and all that word means. To be at our home with the family and friends we love and all things familiar. It brings us rest, rejuvenation, elation, security, joy and comfort.

But what I am talking about here is our home. Our true home. The one that comes after the struggles of living this life. Take a moment to think about it. This world wants to water down what it means to "go to heaven."  The world talks of it being just that sweet wonderful place in the sky people go when they die if they are good. But no! It's SO much more than that!

Can you wrap your mind around it? We get to be in the presence of HIM. Not just some famous guy who will give you an autograph in your book and shake your hand. But the ONE. The creator of all things. The creator of your most passionate feelings and emotions. The creator of all things that bear descriptions beyond our ability. Can you fathom feeling the overflow of emotions that are too overwhelming for us to feel in our human forms?

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