JOURNAL YOUR UNUFURLING LIFE WINGS~Self-Care 2026;Castle Rock-WA

It seems like July has only begun … and already August is hovering to flip the calendar page in 5 days' time 🤔

Where did the time go?

There's still stuff to get done before Fall - but we're also making time for some relaxing times, too:

Be kind to yourself.

Release the pressure.

Go for a walk.

Get your favorite coffee.

Stretch & exercise your body.

Journal your unfurling Life wings, detailing the renewing metamorphosis.

Take a therapy drive with your favorite music.

One thing I do want to do while we are here, this close to Centralia - is make a Daytrip to the Fort Borst Park; I caught a glimpse of it, from the freeway, coming home from Holland's Dr, appointment, a dew days ago. All I saw was walking trails winding through a heavily forested area … that was enough to pique my interest, but when I got home and researched it, I realized that it is actually quite large and interesting. So, I mentioned to Holland that I wanted to borrow Betsy and spend a couple hours exploring it. He said, "From what we saw, it's pretty dark with all those trees. Do you have Bear Spray?" I laughed and said, "It did look dark, but I have my walking stick. And Bear Spray. And my wedding gift; with permit." 

Bear Spray

I'm used to walking & hiking with Yeshua as a stronghold companion - but, Holland has lived much of his life in shadowy, sketchy city neighborhoods, and knows the underbelly of society: he is a very protective husband 🦁; when we married, Holland immediately bought me some Bear Spray as soon as he found out I go hiking alone - plus, he gifted me with & insists I carry a firearm in risky environments, and personally took me to purchase a concealed weapon permit: he has also been assured that I know how to use a firearm 👉 with reasonable accuracy. I figure that with Yeshua beside me, my walking stick in hand, the Bear Spray at the ready (a guard against 2 legged threats = a menacingly man that doesn't belong in my personal space), & my gift in place (a guard against 4 legged threats = bears, cougars, ect.), I should be pretty safe (and my husband's mind should be at ease) while I go hiking 😘

My gifted Taurus TX22

We did go for a short local drive, this afternoon; and while refueling Betsy, my heart was heartened to see Old Glory so prevalent everywhere I looked … front yards, vendor stands, trucks, motorcycles:

I like seeing American Patriotism displayed openly, honoring Old Glory.

When we got back home, Holland called around to pin down a printer; it sounds like we will be driving onto Longview tomorrow to purchase a printer … and I went into the back spare room to do a workout.

I have also included seated alternatives to the exercises shown on the worksheet:

Aim to do EA Set for a ct. of 20, x3

Side Punches~Aim for 20 ct., x3

Alternative~Sitting Air Punches~Aim for 20 ct., x3

Gym Visual Arm Circles~Aim for 20 ct., x3

Alternative~Sitting Arm Circles~Aim for 20 ct., x3

Standing Alternating Knee-to-Elbow Crunch~Aim for 10 reps EA Leg (20 reps total), x3

Alternative~Chair Assist Alternating Knee-to-Elbow Crunch~Aim for 10 reps EA Leg (20 reps total), x3

Alternative~Gym Visual  Elbow-to-Knee Twists~Aim for 10 reps EA Leg (20 reps total), x3

Darebee Step Side Jacks~Aim for 20 ct, x3

Alternative~Seated Side Jacks~Aim for 20 ct, x3 

Today was a slow Day - but it was a good Day to be alive, & to feel alive ☺️💕

Self-Care, exploration plans, workouts, & above all - love like there is no tomorrow, because Life  with is short & tomorrow may end in a heart beat.

CAN WE NORMALIZE NOT HAVING A BEST FRIEND?

YES! Please. Adults are supposed to move past elementary, grade, & high school nonsense. Why do 50 & 40-someone's want to remain children forever?

Can we normalize not having a best friend?

No ride or die.

No “she’s like a sister to me.”

Can we normalize not having one friend who does it all, stays forever, knows us inside and out and fills every need we have?

Can we please?

Because most people might not find the Monica to their Rachel, the Laverne to their Shirley, the Christina to their Meredith and that’s okay.

It doesn’t mean they’re doing something wrong.

It doesn’t mean they’re missing out on friendship.

It doesn’t mean they’re lacking anything in any way.

We’ve simply glamorized the bestie to the point where everything else seems like an utter disappointment.

Having a small circle of good friends—that’s a huge deal. Having people who know you and care about you and include you is a huge deal. Having people you can turn to when you need them is a huge deal.

Some people are going to have a lifelong bestie and that’s awesome, but most of us aren’t and that’s awesome too.

Friendship in any form is something to be grateful for. It’s something to give thanks for. It’s something to hold dear.

Let’s connect with people.

Let’s laugh with them.

Let’s be there for them and let’s let them be there for us and let’s let that be enough.

Enough with this bestie or bust culture.

There are so many forms of friendship worth celebrating.

YOU'RE NOT MY FRIEND, IF ...; Castle Rock-WA

Truth.

For me, it is better to be hurt with an unpleasant truth - than to be lied to, "to protect" me. I'm not protected if I'm kept in the dark about situations I need to be aware of … or, treated like a child "for your own good": ignorance is not good. The truth eventually comes out, and the pain caused by that happenstance is far worse than knowing it in the beginning.

Friends don't silently stand by when someone is trashing you - at least, I don't. If someone starts bad mouthing one of my friends to me, I will shut them down; immediately, saying, "That's my friend you're gossiping about. I don't want to hear it." Or … if they won't shut their mouth, I will just herd them towards the door, and say again, "That's my friend you're gossiping about. I don't want to hear it."

If I am suspicious of a friend's friend, who is behaving like a suspicious person trying to be [a friend] - but actually just a rotten tomato phishing for juicy tidbits to spread across the county … I will deliberately feed them the tidbit they are angling for: it won't be true, but they will be true to their nature. In this way, when the gossip finds it's way back to me via the gossip grapevine … I will know exactly how the tale originated & who started the mouthy wildfire. I can't help who my friends hang with apart from me - BUT I can help who gets close to me. And sometimes, a little heavy pruning needs to be done; I don't have a problem cutting problematic branches off.

I can overlook ignorance; but I can never overlook deliberate cruelty. Like I mentioned before - I can't help who my friends hang with apart from me - BUT I can help how it affects me. It tells me a lot about a person when they can continue a tight friendship with someone who deliberately goes out of their way to make me look like a fool, feel inadequate, or totally shut out of the equation. That all of THAT is allowed to continue because "they're my friend, too" … then, I can (and do!) walk away from disloyalty, disrespect, and intolerance = in short, betrayal.

I know my worth.

And I expect my Friends to know that worth also. 

SUNFLOWER PEOPLE; Castle Rock-WA

I love sunflowers 💛: big & tall, or short & small. I love them, all 🌻 😁

Sunflowers are like people in our lives too … some bring the sunshine with them. Some light the path for us; and some stand with us when we grow through the good days and the bad days. Some help us find the light within again and some shine just enough of their light on us to remind us to turn on our own light and shine again.

Who is your sunflower?

VAL'S STOVETOP 4Patriots CHICKEN DINNER BELL-BROCCOLI-RICE CASSEROLE; Castle Rock-WA

Val's Stovetop 4Patriots Chicken Dinner Bell-Broccoli-Rice Casserole; Castle Rock-WA

It's a little cool today, with a gentle breeze making the tree limbs dance now and then - and a husband asking for chicken for supper 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨‍🍽️ So, I dug around in the few remaining 4Patriots food packets, and settled on the light, but satisfying 'Dinner Bell Broccoli Bake' 🥘: the sauce makings are already included, as well as the rice & dehydrated bell peppers.

I used half a regular packet, that I had halved & repackaged with a heated vacuum sealer, because there is only 2 of us - use the entire packet if you are cooking for a family of 4 or more.

Halved packet for 2 people serving.

These meal preparations are handy for a road gypsy lifestyle … but they really do lack in substance & flavor; so, I jazzed it up a bit with chicken bits 🍗, spices 🧂🍃, flavorings 🧄🥕🧈, and cheese 🧀 - to make a hearty, comforting stove-top casserole that is perfect for a low-key Sunday meal - with very little time on my feet in the kitchen, and little clean-up afterwards 😊

You can make the recipe as written (I used what I had on hand, today) or customize it with add-ins such as ham, mushrooms, zucchini, Parmesan cheese, bread crumb topping, etc. Be creative in your kitchen 👩‍🍳‍ 

Val's Stovetop 4Patriots Chicken Dinner Bell-Broccoli-Rice Casserole ~serves 3

1/2 Packet 4Patriots Dinner Bell-Broccoli Bake, dry mix * 1 Lrg. Chicken Breast, cut into bite size pieces * Salt & grnd. Black Pepper, to taste * 1/8 tsp Paprika * 2 TBSP Olive Oil * 2 TBSP Margarine * 1/2 Yellow Onion, chopped * 1/2 c Carrots, shredded * 3 c Water * pinch of Mustard Powder * 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder * 1/4 teaspoon Cumin Powder * 2 TBSP Mushroom Powder * 3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce * 1/2 TBSP Lemon Juice * 1 TBSP Parsley, fresh & snipped * 1 c. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly grated

1 Lrg. Skillet w-lid * Manual-Pull Food Chopper * Lrg. Cooking Spoon * Lrg. Slotted Cooking Spoon * Measuring Spoons * Lrg. Pyrex Measuring Cup * Hot Pads * Supper Plates & Silverware

Manual-Pull Food Chopper.

Chopped onion & carrot.

1) Over medium-high heat; heat oil in skillet, add chopped veggies & chicken pieces … cook until soft and tender to the bite.

2) In Pyrex cup, blend 1 c water, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, spices, & mushroom powder … pour over meat & veggies in skillet:

Mushroom powder.

Blend spices & mushroom powder; stir into liquids.

Stir liquid blend into skillet mix.

Add dry packaged ingredients, remaining 2 cups of water, & margarine - carefully blend well with slotted spoon: bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium & continue cooking, stirring frequently until rice is soft (but not mushy); about 40 minutes. All stoves cook differently, so check rice periodically & adjust cooking time every 5 minutes ⏲️, if necessary.

3) Top skillet mixture with shredded cheddar cheese & parsley; broad-spread evenly:

Cover skillet with lid, turn off heat & let skillet mixture sit on flameless burner until cheese is melted. Remove from heat - serve & enjoy.

Val's Stovetop 4Patriots Chicken Dinner Bell-Broccoli-Rice Casserole; if you don't like the gravy style … let it sit a few minutes before serving: it will thicken as it cools.

ORDINARY~Self-Care; Castle Rock-WA

Holland had a 10 AM appointment in Chehalis for a knee injection. We left early, to stop at Wal*Mart, to return the wireless blue-tooth mini printer we bought the other day - Holland tried for hours to get the thing to connect with his laptop & phone: no go; so, it was returned this morning.

I did finish the Clive Cussler novel I was reading last night; so, this morning I grabbed this one, to take with me, to read in the doctor's office lobby.

Today's new Clive read …

Walmart Supercenter, #1601 NW Louisiana Ave, Chehalis-WA from Toutle River RV Resort, #150 Happy Trails Rd, Castle Rock-WA; via I-5 N and NW Louisiana Ave~37 min (27.9 miles)

Then, we grabbed a breakfast biscuit combo at Wendy's (which was surprisingly good); on our way to the medical complex, where the injection would be done.

Walmart Supercenter & Wendy's, #1601 NW Louisiana Ave, Chehalis-WA

Olympia Orthopedic Associates - Centralia Clinic, #1900 Cooks Hill Rd, Centralia-WA from Walmart Supercenter, #1601 NW Louisiana Ave, Chehalis-WA; via Airport Rd~8 min (3.2 miles)

Knee pain injections are minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatments, that can reduce pain, inflammation, stiffness, improve mobility, and support healing; offering (1) temporary (2) long-term relief depending on the type of injection used. This morning, Holland's left knee was injected with a biologic substance - shot directly into the knee joint. The type of injection given is commonly used for osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, ligament or tendon injuries, and cartilage damage = given the jobs he has done throughout his life (cowboy, serviceman for telephone pole equipment, oil roughneck, drywall construction worker & business owner) from age 14 to mid-40's; when an on-site construction job-related disability changed his life direction, Holland no doubt suffers a degree of all of the mentioned inflammations. His knees, shoulders, and back are aflame 24/7/365. Injections are considered when mainstream treatments like physical therapy, medications, or lifestyle modifications fall short of pain management.

The injection was of Hyaluronic Acid Gel (Viscosupplementation), which provides lubrication and cushioning to the joint, mimicking natural synovial fluid. Pain relief typically develops gradually, with strongest effects between 5–13 weeks post-injection = the doctor stressed this to Holland, so he wouldn't immediately expect instant relief. Benefits can last 3–6 months, and repeated courses may be administered if needed = I pointedly asked the doctor if Holland would need follow-up appointments, and was told "no" … we'll see. Viscosupplementation may also help delay the need for knee replacement surgery = both of us, are hoping this is the end result.

If the injections don't work, Holland is considering Stem Cell Injections, that would use stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow or fat to potentially regenerate cartilage and reduce inflammation = I am praying he gets this idea out of his head! Collecting stem cells is risky - and this treatment is in it's exploratory period: I'd rather my husband not be a medical guinea pig. But, he will do what he wants to do; once his mind is made up, I can object all I want to … but he's gonna do what he's gonna do.

On another note: Holland invited me to sit in on the procedure - this is a major shift in his macho sphere. I was glad to be included. I was pleased that he broached the topic, himself. I was happy to be an acknowledged Wife. I am excited that he is finally understanding that 2 ears are better at hearing what doctors are saying … & 2 heads are better than 1, when important decisions are being contemplated.

The Clive read was never read & the Tablet was not used, either.

The drive back home was pleasant, & traffic behaved, too.

Toutle River RV Resort, #150 Happy Trails Rd, Castle Rock-WA from Olympia Orthopedic Associates - Centralia Clinic, #1900 Cooks Hill Rd, Centralia-WA; via I-5 S~30 min (29.6 miles)

Back home, Holland went upstairs to catch some zzz's: and I stretched my muscles:

Gym Visual Bodyweight Glute Stepup~In & out of Betsy x4

Incline Mountain Climbers~Aim for 10 reps, x3

Darebee Bridge Taps~Aim for 10 reps, x3

Gym Visual V-extensions Adducter Stretch~Aim for 10 reps, x3

Gym Visual hands under hips Flutter Kicks~Aim for 10 reps, x3

Reverse Crunches~Aim for 10 reps, x3

Gym Visual Upward-Downward Dog~Aim for 10 reps, x3

Side Leg Raises~Aim for 10 reps, x3 

Supper was simple tonight - and we tried a new biscuit: we'll be buying it, again.

Steamed pork & veg's with a new biscuit - YUM. My husband is a not a Messianic Believer, & I am a Messianic Jew-Christian that follows Yeshua's teachings: Yeshua said, “Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then it is eliminated. Thus all foods are clean” (Mark 7:19)

As I welcome this Shabbat in with thankful heart & a glass of red wine, I am reminded that some of the richest parts of life can’t be bought, collected, or displayed like trophies or prizes … they are simply felt. I’m thankful for every quiet moment that reminds me just how beautiful an ordinary life can be.

Messianic Shabbat Songs & Blessings~Messianic Remnant Community Playlist: 

 (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKhfuZuSBOvp9qsAg2wZuxq-WBoX-B10H)