Yes folks, Life Happens! How I deal with it each day is important to my journey. It has been an unusual 10 days since I last posted a blog.

On the not so happy side>
• I had a bout with some bad arm problems in my right arm with a combination of bursitis, tendonitis, and arthritis. My Dragon Boat career is definitely on hold. Tough but bearable.
• My mother-in-law and father-in-law both have had ups and downs with health issues the last 10 days and 4 months. It has made for some challenging times for all concerned.
• Finally, we got some really tough news that my father-in-law has pressure building in his aorta and there is not much that can be done at this point. It is a longer story than that, but we are counting the days we have with him. It was tough for Polly and me to hear the news Monday evening after he returned from his cardiologist appointment.

On the happy side>
• Polly finished her year as school nurse and is off for the summer to spend time with me and her parents!
• My weight has gone up and down with stress eating, but I am back at 210.6 this morning.
• I am preparing for Camp KEMO this weekend and I am so happy to see all of my wonderful camp family!! Saturday at noon the fun begins!
• I get to see Andy and Lori Friday!! Also, Andy's family and some other counselors from Camp!!
• Finally, I have 26 years of great memories with my father-in-law to relive over the next few months and years to come!! I could not have asked for a better family to marry into in 1985. I am blessed!
• This list could be MUCH LONGER!!

During the past few weeks I have learned to "Keep It Simple" or go back to simple. I focus on HAW (Honesty, Attitude, Water) each morning. I think about all of the things that could bring me down then I look in the mirror and count all of the blessings I have in my life. We all have the 'stuff' that happens in life each day to deal with and the 'stuff' can be tough at times. I choose to build my life on the blessings I have in my life today and pray I continue that pattern tomorrow!

Note to YOU and ME> Look in the mirror each morning , take a look at the stuff in your life, and count your blessings. Build your day around the blessings and choose your attitude based on those blessings. It will help you deal with the 'stuff'.

I thank a new friend of mine for recommending I reread James 1. It helped me yesterday and today!

Counting my Blessings,
The Fat Guy!