Can you see the double rainbow?
It's official... I've decided that as awesome (and convenient) as the camera on my phone is, a dedicated camera is better. 
As I gaze upon the vibrant blue flax blooms that have formed from tiny seeds
planted a year ago, I'm struck by the profound parallel it draws to our journey
of personal development. Just as these seeds have blossomed into beautiful flowers,
so too have we nurtured the seeds of our own growth over the past year.
In the same way that a seed requires care, attention, and patience to flourish into something magnificent, our personal development demands dedication, perseverance, and self-reflection. Every effort we've invested, every challenge we've faced, and every lesson we've learned has contributed to the vibrant tapestry of who we are becoming.
Like tending to a garden, personal development is an ongoing process. It requires us to cultivate our strengths, address our weaknesses, and continually strive for progress. And much like the joy that accompanies witnessing a flower in full bloom, there's a profound sense of fulfillment that comes from seeing the tangible results of our efforts in our personal growth journey.
Let the sight of these blooms serve as a gentle reminder of the beauty that emerges from nurturing the seeds of our own development. May we continue to tend to our inner gardens with care and dedication, knowing that with time, patience, and perseverance, we too will bloom into our fullest potential.
My oldest had trees cut down last fall. She had someone scheduled to do the clean up and take the logs to my Dad, but life happens and the trees were still in the lawn. So, Bob and I spent the weekend working on wood. He worked the chainsaw and I loaded the trailer. We really work well together! 
There was too much for the trailer, so we made a pile to pick up later... at least it is no longer on the lawn! 
After spending so many months feeling weak and unable to do much, I am truly amazed and thankful that I was able to manage such a big job. 
Two years of sensory therapy and my grandson is able to happily play in the mud (even asking to!). 
Once my grand-daughter was bored with burying her bare feet in the mud, she turned her attention to traumatizing Grandmama with threats of being touched with her muddy hands... 
I think it is about time for me to give everyone an update on my health. First,
a recap for those who do not remember or are new to my circle...
One year ago, my body shifted into horrendous two week feminine cycles due to
transitioning into menopause.
December (2023) and February (2024) had three weeks of bleeding. Then, the flow became so heavy in March that I should have gone to the ER, but the hemorrhaging stopped just an hour before I was ready to leave. I did, however, start on progestin two days later.
The progestin has been WONDERFUL. I went a full 21 days before a little spotting started. The second month was 22 days between with only 9 days of a light flow. I have not had any negative side effects on the medication either. Sooo grateful!
Still, the long times of bleeding have been hard on my body. The blood work I did in August was still good. I forgot to have blood work done in December, but recently had a full metabolic panel done and the results are in...
The good news is that I am still pre-diabetic. Thankfully, I have not slipped into the diabetic range. I have started using a blood glucose monitor though and tweaking my diet just a little.
My heart, kidneys, and liver are all still functioning well.
The lab results did confirm what we suspected though... I have been fighting anemia, though I was concerned about diabetes too.
One really irritating symptom has been a whooshing in my ears that started in February. By the end of April it would sometimes get loud enough that I could not hear anything else. We originally thought it was an ear infection, but learned a few weeks ago that this is called pulsatile tinnitus and is sometimes associated with anemia. Once I learned the causes of this, I immediately planned to get the full lab work done and started a product call Cardiogize, which I had purchased several months ago but wasn't using. Within 2 days, the whooshing stopped and the racing of my heart slowed when climbing stairs. After a week, I the extreme weakness was gone. Awesome!
Since I have also been concerned about diabetes, I started another supplement called Berberine after having my labs done but before receiving results. I read that Berberine is comparable to Metformin in lowering glucose levels and losing weight without as many nasty side effects (though a ton more expensive!). We figured it would be worth a try after getting a few high readings on my glucose monitor. So, I've been on Berberine for 5 days and have already seen a noticeable drop in glucose levels and the ability to cut my food intake by half without feeling hungry (I have tried numerous other supplements the last 10 years with that in mind, but without success). I am very excited about the possibilities with this!
I had hoped that the symptoms of anemia would be gone before now, but it is my understanding that it could still be another 2-3 months before my system fully recovers from the accumulated blood loss of the past year. Still, I am happy to know that I am on the right track and no organ damage was done.
The doctor that prescribed the progestin said she'd be surprised if this transition into menopause lasts much longer than another year. I hope she is right. I can hardly wait for this to be over!
I have more changes to share, but they will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, here is an informative article on anemia: Iron Deficiency Anemia