hydrate.

One thing I have NOT been doing in the past is hydrating my body the way I should be. Yes, I kept a water bottle with me during the day and refilled when low. Yes, I rarely drink sodas. No, I did not have any idea that the water I was drinking was not as healthy as I thought...

The natural, spring water that God provided the world with is more alkaline than the water we drink. All the purified, RO, treated water that we are provided with is more acidic than our body really needs. In order to make the water more alkaline, I have been squeezing fresh lemon juice into my big gulp cup. When lemons are nearby, a touch of baking soda can also do the trick. This water with fresh lemon juice truly makes me feel so much more hydrated than just plain water.

To get more herbs in my diet, I have been mixing a bit of herb tea with my lemon water. Dandelion root, though bitter, is so refreshing and oh so good for my body! It is the miracle herb that enhances our health, can prevent cancer, is great for digestion, and has so many other benefits that just wowed me that I had to try it. I've also tried ginger tea which, also better tasting with fresh lemon, is great for digestion and health as well.

So, take a break from bland, acidic water and alkalize it with the refreshing flavor of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Don't forget to toss in some herbal tea for all the health benefits! You'll make your water more enjoyable, curb any desire to snack, and hydrate your body in more ways than one.

Cleansing.

Part if getting back on track with your body and your life is cleaning out all the toxins, negativity, and old matter in your system. It has been recommended that I participate in a few different cleanses over the course of the coming weeks. This process includes the following cleanses: parasite, kidney, bowel/Colon, liver. Each cleanse entitles specific aids along with lots of healthy drinking water for the best results.

I am currently working on cleaning out the parasites in my system and cleaning out my kidneys and colon. I am drinking a lot of water with fresh lemon juice or a bit of baking soda to make it alkaline water. Supposedly, the water we drink nowadays is very acidic and must be alkaline to have the full benefits. I went to 7-11 for a super big gulp cup, have lots of ice on hand and enjoying the refreshing lemon water with this west Texas heat! Another trick? I made a big batch of herbal tea the other day, put it in a big jar in the fridge and use that to partially fill my water cup. I now get the benefits of herbal tea while flavoring my water!

On a later post, I'll share my cleansing schedule with you. I have a daily lineup of vitamins and minerals to help my body get back to being squeaky clean!

marfalous AND healthful life.

Yesterday marks a new project beginning in my life. If any of you know really anything about me, I have a terrible habit of getting all excited about a new project, experience, hobby, etc for a short period...stay strong...and then just let it fall aside. I have done this more than once in my recent past. To name a few: purchasing my real estate books to get licensed, begin graduate school for counseling, train for a half marathon, become a biker to complete the MS150. That's just a small list...at least I did not go so far as to purchase a marathon bike!

All this to say, I have a new project. Though there is the slight bit of fear that I will get all pumped up and let it fizzle away in a few months, I do feel positive about it. I am aiming to become more healthful, participate in body cleanses, and eat more fresh, non-processed foods. As Travis' mom says, "If it is not from the ground, above the ground, or has a momma, we shouldn't be eating it." SO WISE AND WONDERFULLY PUT. I am on the lookout for a juicer to allow me to make drinkable meals with all the fresh, delicious produce this time of year provides. I must take-on the trend of Ebay for this task - one that I have avoided this long but must embrace now. Yikes!

This started yesterday because I had a Biofeedback (BF) session with Travis' mom, Shelly. If you have not heard of or personally experienced BF, please, do us both a favor and FIX that. The process is simple and yet so complex and genius. She straps on wires around your head, ankles, and wrists which then allow a machine to ask your brain millions and millions of questions. The answers reveal your body's composition, vitamin and mineral needs and excesses, and problem areas in your nutrition. She then goes further into the information, running more tests, to see exactly where the problem lies. Each human body is uniquely made by our wise and ever-loving Creator...a fact that is both wonderful and challenging as there is no right answer or method to healing one's body. Shelly helps her clients to understand their bodies' needs and how to feel better, be more healthful, and, thus, live a more full life.

After three hours of brain tests and discussing both my issues and how to make things better, I left feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and ready to begin the processes of cleansing my body and taking care of problems she found. My posts here on "My MARFAlous Life" will document both my issues and improvements as well as the health information I will be learning. I hope to cleanse myself both physically and emotionally throughout this new "project." A truly healthy and smart-living person would make this change permanently in their life - not just a phase or experiment. Let's hope I create and establish solid ways of eating and taking care of my body that will be carried throughout my life.

Don't worry though - I will still enjoy my vino, chips, and the deliciousness of life. Everything in moderation, as the healthful Shelly claims :)

where did the marfalous go??

I love living in Midland. It gets me close to the west Texas mountains, has cool nights even when the days are hot, and is infused with the west Texas spirit, friendship, and qualities of life. I moved here hoping it would let me get away to Marfa as often as I pleased - it's close enough to head to the little town I love for even just one night. Heck, I could get up early and come home late if i just had one day free! And, since August, I have only been one time to Marfa. What the heck?? This is unacceptable.

I have a lot of reasons why, I guess. Let's see if they justify my absence. 1) I got a new job that does not leave me completely spent at the end of the week. It is much more interesting, positive, and flexible than the previous job. 2) The holidays hit right after my last trip to Marfa in November - Thanksgiving, family cruise, Christmas, New Years. 3) After all those weekends away, I needed to stick around and enjoy my new house, boyfriend, and church group that I have grown to anticipate attending every week. 4) I have been taking some online classes this semester. This not only takes up time after work during the week but most of my weekends require me to spend time on the classes as well. Let's just say, this is my first and last semester of this...at least for now. Much more of a c

ommitment than I had anticipated.

All this to say, I guess I have had enough stuff going on in my life to justify my absence both from Marfa and my blog spot here. The sad thing is that I have plenty of down time to watch TV shows

(The Voice, anyone??), read, and now take care of my new rescue puppy. Her name is RJ after RJ Machinery where Travis' dad found her. It's not the spiffiest of names but she seems to respond to it (assuming I call her the right name...) and it certainly is unique. All in all, she is sweet, playful, and joined me in a jog yesterday. I don't know which one of us was closer to collapsing from the very short distance we went! What a refreshing change to have company on my afternoon jogs.

As the school semester comes to a close in the near future, I have already

been planning weekends in the little town that stole my heart. The Paisano's patio and Padre's are calling my name. I am so ready to see, hug, and love on all my people out there. It has been far too long to be separated and I truly feel the distance on my heart and mind. Marfa refreshes my spirit, brightens my eyes, and revitalizes me for the next marfa-less stretch. The friendships, ambiance, culture, and food in that town have established a home for me. In just a few weeks, I will be dancing back into town ready for porch time at the house, a margarita at Jett's and fellowship with my sweet friends. My friends here in Midland won't know what happened to the marfa-less Abby when I get back, refreshed and Marfalous once again.

Just FYI, today is Thursday...this means tomorrow begins the weekend. Everyone hoot and holler over that great news!

xox,

ac.

Long over due...

For those of you who still remember this blog...who have held out any amount of hope that I would return...who actually read what I write...I'M BACK!! It has been far too long to not keep up with my blog. I have some excuses...but, let's be honest, an excuse is exactly that: an excuse! I will catch up soon but just wanted to pop in and say hello, are you there, and get ready to read. Once the next few busy weeks are over, I fully intend on hoping back onto this bandwagon called blogging, refresh the marfalous look of my page, and get typing.

My oh my, I have missed this.

xox,

ac.

Draw Near

In the past few weeks, I have been more susceptible and open to God's voice. Campmeeting this year was very different than last year - it was NOT the first year without John, I was NOT dating someone who also goes to CM, and I am in a much healthier, stronger, and more lovely place than I have been in the past. Campmeeting, being different and new for me, was very much anticipated by myself for the spiritual renewal and connections that traditionally occur in the sacred campgrounds. Being surrounded by life-long friends whom I see as family, my own family as well, and the glory of God all around makes it difficult to not see and taste the love of God.

This summer was a great one - filled with new people, new experiences, and getting settled in. This weekend was the first chance I have had to just BE here in Midland - no agenda, just relaxing and working on my GRE preparations (yes, I am taking the GRE...PRAY!). It was not until this weekend that I realized how exhausting my summer was! Being new in town and working all week and going out of town on weekends and establishing new relationships - all of these things are good and fun but wear down the body. I used the past three days to recover and refresh myself. I had a few good, strong cries (do NOT see "The Help" if you are not in a cry mood...you will fail), dug into the Word a bit, cleaned house, and had some time to sport my swimsuit - FINALLY!

In Bible Study yesterday, we discussed James 4: draw near to God and He will draw near to God. God is just like any of us in the fact that He wants us to show need and affection towards Him. Haven't you ever been in a relationship where you felt that you were the initiator of time and attention, so much so that you pull back until they clue-in and share the role of initiator? God is similar - He wants and hopes for us to draw near to Him, to share our thoughts and worries and plans and tears and laughter. He created us to worship and love Him - He in turn loves and protects us. It is only you and the Spirit that truly KNOW you...and manytimes only the Spirit KNOWS you because he knows what you have yet to see and experience in yourself. Seek the face of God. Listen to his direction and words. Soak up His Grace and Loyalty.

Right now I am very much at a place of NEEDING to listen to and hear from God. Life plans are changing, I am growing, and I am needing direction from the One who knows me best and has the Big Plan for my life. Are you open to and aware of God's voice and direction in your life? Let us each pray for open eyes and open ears, for open arms to the presence of our Father.

Marfa means...I need to get back out there! My soul is ready for some Marfa refreshing!

Since my last post, much has happened and I have stayed delightfully busy. I have made four trips to Marfa since moving to Midland, gotten settled into my apartment, overcome the initial exhaustion from a fulltime job, and have even started meeting some new people. There have been a few nights out, many new restaurants tried, and community events attended like the local baseball games and concerts. So far, so good.

If anything, I know that I am exactly where I need to be, doing what I need to be doing at this point in my life. Will this job be my lifetime career? Who am I to say this early on. Am I involved in the community and socializing like I did in LUbbock and Dallas? That will take more time than six weeks. But, the important thing is that I feel good, strong, and know I am where I need to be. From here, things will fall into place and, hopefully, God will show his desire and plan for my life incrementally along the way.

Here are a few things I already love about Midland:

- My friends around town at the various body shops and dealerships we work with. Gus is my favorite. He works at the store where we get oil changes on a very regular basis...I think he has a crush on me.

- Open skies. Driving to work each morning on the loop allows me to see the openness around my new town. The sun is always creeping up as I drive to work and is a bold, vibrant orangey pink color. When there are clouds, which is not too often, they color the sky in hues of pink, orange, and blue as the sun beams through. This is not something one sees in the big city where skyscrapers and telephone lines spot the sky. Only a place open and separated from most of civilization such as Midland can offer such a view.

- Community. Midland, though a "city" in lay-man's terms, remains tightly knitted like a larger town. There are many community events and opportunities to see, taste, and feel the local culture. To not take part in the various experiences would be a loss as there is a large variety - baseball games, music in the park, Saturday morning farmers' markets, festivals, and local restaurants.

- Trucks, boots, and perfectly fitted jeans - need I say more?

- Dry heat - I can't STAND humidity.

- and a big one: being centrally located to all of my family. Already, I have gotten to attend a funeral, birthday party, dinners with the grandparents, and have my family stay the night with me because I am close enough to West Texas and am on the way to West Texas. I am perfectly placed to see my family as they head out to Marfa for a weekend. I am conveniently close to my grandparents and my people out West if something should happen or they might need me.

This post is strange but, I realize more and more, that I too am strange. I just missed writing and have not had much free time to sit down and type away - a blessing and a curse perhaps? I will now continue to pass the evening with a goblet of vino and a good book. Let's just hope I do not doze off too soon...

Marfa means...the grand central station for my family at large.