Hello and Happy Friday to you! Are you feeling good? Are you smiling today? I hope so. But on the off chance you're not...what are you gonna do about it? Hmm? 

It's been a long time since I've done the "It's Friday" posts and I've missed it. I've been busy doing the things I needed to help me heal. I'll be honest, I kinda felt guilty about taking so much time for me but like I keep nagging....there is no guilt to be had when you take the time you need for you. I just took more time than I thought I'd need. It happens right? And all we can do is the best we can do and we have to keep trying. 

SO! I'm back to remind you to take the time you need to make you feel good, to soothe and nurture yourself and your needs, to do the things that make you smile, laugh and allow you to enjoy your life in spite of your pain. Do it                                                                                    for you! 

                                                                                   take good care of you okay? and your needs too! 

I was asked recently why I haven't been doing the website very much lately and I didn't know how to answer them...and then I saw this piece. 

I didn't realize it today though. I've been feeling this way for awhile now and I'm trying to dig myself out of it. I do appreciate your patience. 

You see the thing is...it started last May for me. When I found out about the surgery and the mass near my brain, I kind of lost it for a bit. Going through the surgery and the complications afterwards, I had a hard time keeping myself positive and I couldn't come here trying to pick you up when I needed to pick me up first. I felt like a hypocrite so I stayed away...hoping not to drag anyone down with me. 

But I've learned that staying away only kept me down longer than I should have been. That it was okay for me to admit I was struggling and that I needed help. It's okay. I know that now. To need help only makes us human and we are so damn human some days. I know I am. 

I'm holding on and trying to bring myself back...being on the Facebook page has helped me to gather my pieces up again. I've been struggling too on what to write/share here...my  thoughts have been rampant and sleep is evading me, so what thoughts I do have are a jumbled mess some days. But I'm trying. I will gain my ground again and I will keep moving gently forward. 

Thank you for all of your support and understanding! Gently forward we go?
​Take good care of you please. 
​
​Tammy 

The journey into ourselves can be scary at times, but the strength that comes with it is powerful.

~~Tammy Taylor~~













​Picture taken by my daughter Emily on the pond. It's a spot where we can find our strength again

I wish I had a unicorn floatie...I'd call it Comet 

That's IT! I'm DONE! I QUIT! yes you read that right....I QUIT! and I hope when you read this....you'll quit too. 

There's a saying...."winners never quit and quitters never win"....and I say....that's wrong!  because when we quit...we can win this one. Yes! we can win even when we quit. 

So what am I quitting? well...

I QUIT.....

being hard on myself when I can't do all the chores I used to be able to do and how I used to be able to do them - now I take breaks when I need and if the laundry has to sit in the basket for a few days (or even the dryer) that's okay! I'll get to it when I get to it (same goes for the dishes too)

telling myself that I am burden to my family when I need help - we all need help some days and there are days too when we're the ones giving the help - life is about give and take and it's about helping each other through, supporting and caring for one another - needing help does not make us weak...it makes us human

allowing the thoughts and opinions of others to impact how I feel about myself - if you don't like me? that's okay! because I love and accept me and that's what matters   - if you don't understand and/or believe I'm hurting? that's okay! I have nothing to prove to anyone - my life is mine and I live it for me doing the best I can each and every day...period!

​








I know you want to be a good person and be helpful to people in need, but it's impossible to give to others if your energy has already been used-up. Being a good person has nothing to do with allowing people to destroy you. There are limits. You can best help others from a position of strength, not weakness. So, don't forget to be good to yourself first. Don't forget to take care of you!

~~Bryant McGill~~











​Picture taken in Grand Bend, ON

and there's no snooze button on a hungry cat

Now that I'm living a hurting life...there are days when I feel weak and there are days when I feel fatigued. I used to think they were the same thing...but they're not!

Have you ever felt weak or fatigued? Do you know why you feel that way? When you're feeling it...what do you do for you? How do you cope? Have you talked to your family/friends about how you're feeling? What about your doctor? Nosy and personal questions I know...but I hope you'll give it some thought. 

Living a hurting life will often leave us feeling worn out and lacking the energy for even some of the simplest of chores and it can also prevent us from being able to be with those we love the way we want to. 

Have you ever said "no" to your friends when they've invited you out because you don't have the energy? 
Do you ever have difficulty moving your body the way you want? 
Do you find your "tired" is always tired?
Are you sleeping too much? too little? 
Is your sleep restful?

Today I'd like to share some information about weakness and fatigue and how they are actually two very different things. This information is not shared to replace the conversation with your doctor...it's shared to encourage you to start one. 

take good care of you okay? 

Could you please?

Could you please hold me?....it's been a long time since I've felt safe in someone's arms.
Could you please listen to me?....I need to feel heard.
Could you please help me?...I'm struggling right now.
When I don't like myself...could you please love me a little bit more? 
When you see me struggling...could you please understand I'm trying my hardest?

Could you please? 

~~Me~~