SNAKES ALIVE!

Since the flood this past Monday, the inside of my car has a very musty smell to it.  This morning on the way in to work, I remember something my friend Kathy told me when I visited her in February.  We were in her greenhouse.   "Be careful.  There is a snake in here."   "How can you tell?"  "You can smell snakes."  "What do they smell like?"  "Musty."

Here I am going down the freeway this morning thinking, "Maybe there is a snake in my car and it emits that musty smell when I get in it."

Of course, it is 5:30 am, it's pitch black outside and inside my car.  I can't look around.  I'm going down that freeway doing 65 (the speed limit) and trying not to be run over by the people driving 90 mph.

Sure, I could turn on the inside lights but so what? Ok, I did turn them on. But so what? I can't look around the floor, under the seats and such while I'm driving!

I think, how could a snake get into my car.  I figured through the bottom of the engine.  Then I remembered that man from church when I was a kid.  I think it was DL Freeman but I'm not sure.  It could have been Houston Davidson.  He told a story of driving and feeling something crawling up his pants leg.  He shook his leg and out fell a SNAKE!

So now I'm thinking:  The snake came in through the engine.  He might slither or fall out on my foot or leg.  What if it is poisonous?  How could I even tell?  It's dark in here!

What if it bites me?  Could I tell if it was poisonous by the bite?  I don't know!  I don't like snakes so I know little about them.  If I got bitten, what could I do?  I'm driving down the freeway at 65 mph!

I finally reached the convenience store by my office.  I got out.  Looked around the inside and saw no slithering snake.

When I returned to the car, the musty smell was gone.  I'm left wondering:  Did the snake escape the car, did it get used to me and stop emitting that musty smell or was there ever a snake to begin with?

I don't know but I'm blaming Kathy for telling me that!  If she hadn't, I would have assumed it was just some water that got into my car somehow since there was nothing wet left in my car.

Yes, this is my life and this is how my brain works.  Not occasionally.  Every day.  24 hours a day.  It doesn't save the world but it does keep me entertained.

Copyrighted 2016

Caryn Cannatella

Blog:  www.caryncann.com

ADOPTION IS A BLESSING!

ADOPTION IS A BLESSING!

Today is National Adoption Day.  People who adopt are not special people.  They are not altruistic.  We are just everyday people like you.  Whatever our reasons for adopting, please know this:  OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT THE LUCKY ONES.  WE ARE!

My body betrayed me at 33 and I ended up having to have a hysterectomy.  All I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a mommy.  And in November 1985, that all came crashing down around me.  I felt like that was never going to happen to me.  In fact, I had agencies tell me and Jim that we would never be able to adopt.  The said Jim was over 40, I was fat and Jim had been an alcoholic.  My dream of being a mommy died that day.  Or so I thought.

And then....7 years later my first angel entered my life and placed my daughter Ashlie into my arms.  I cannot tell you how my heart almost exploded with love that day.  A year and a week later, another angel placed my son Cody into my arms.  And my dream was complete.

If you marry someone or are married to someone or are considering marrying someone that cannot produce a biological offspring, just know that a baby or child who comes to you through adoption is a baby who grew in your heart instead of in your (your wife's) tummy.    They just took a detour to get to you.

The greatest gifts I ever received were my children, Ashlie and Cody.  And I am forever indebted to the two women, Carolena and Veronica, who allowed me the privilege of being mom to my two amazing children.

Adoption is a blessing.

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

Skinny Fiber Sales:  www.caryncann.com

YOU GOTTA A FRIEND IN ME!

YOU GOTTA A FRIEND IN ME!

I love it when I have the opportunity to meet or just talk with one of my Skinny Fiber customers.  I want them to know that I'm a real person just like them on the same journey they are about to embark on or are already on. 

I'm not special.  But my Skinny Fiber customers (my family) make me feel that way.  I hope I make each of you feel special too.  This is a journey that we can all complete!  I'm here to motivate you, encourage you, listen to you and just be here when you need a friend.

I tell people that they can make money selling Skinny Fiber and you can.  I don't sell Skinny Fiber to make money.  I have a great job and doing well for myself.  Even when I go part-time next month, I’ll still be doing ok.  I sell Skinny Fiber because I use the product and I know it works.  I’m a believer in it because I see how it has changed my body and life.

I want all of you to know that it is a great product that will help you reach your goal of losing weight and getting healthy.  I want to give you hope that no matter your age or how big you are, YOU CAN LOSE WEIGHT AND GET HEALTHY.   My goal is to be the light for some of you who feel nothing will work for you.  Follow me, look at my journey.  And then KNOW.

SKINNY FIBER CAN WORK FOR YOU TOO.  If you have questions, or you just want to talk, send me a message.  Whether you buy or not, I'm still here for you.  Never give up hope.  It will bring  living back into your life.

If you want to check out Skinny Fiber or try it, click this link:  www.caryncann.com

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

Skinny Fiber Sales:  www.caryncann.com

CHOICES

CHOICES

Choices.  We all make them.  Everyday.  Many times a day.

The choices we make form the journey to our destiny and determine the path for our day.  I admit I let traffic get to me.  I cannot stand drivers who whiz in and out of traffic, drive 100 miles an hour and honk and blink their lights at people going 75, those who pass on the shoulder or get in the wrong lane because they believe their time is more valuable than that of the other drivers. 

Mornings are especially stressful for me.  Especially when I have to cross 6-7 lanes of traffic.   It seems that if I put my blinker on one second before changing lanes, someone takes offense to it and speeds up to prevent me from moving over.  So here I am listening to Gospel music and yelling names at these people and thinking worse thoughts.  Singing about the wonders of God while yelling, “YOU IDIOT!”  Yes, I know it’s a contradiction!  This morning I reminded myself that I am making a choice to let all this upset me.  I can choose to just stay in a calm place and let them do their thing without it affecting me.

I have found this to be true in so many parts of my life.  I made a conscious decision a couple of months ago to stop letting things at home determine my mood.  (I admit sometimes I still fail at this!  Lol)  When a towel is left on the floor, or dishes in the sink, or the garbage isn’t taken out, I ask myself:  Will it take more time to make a fuss about it or just do it myself?”  It’s usually the latter.  I also ask myself, “If it starts an argument, will I even remember what it was about a year from now?  Or even a couple of weeks?”  The answer is always no.

Sometimes the way we approach things and the choice we make in handling a situation makes all the difference in the world in the outcome.  This morning a customer was parked in our drive in such a way I could hardly park my car.  What I wanted to do was pinch his little head off and yell at him.  I thought about it as I walked up the steps to the door.  When I got inside I said, “Could you do me a big favor?  When you park in the mornings, could you move back a little from where we park our cars to make it easier for us to get in?”  It’s only in the mornings I need this.”  Well, he was so apologetic.  Said of course he would.  My choice to be nice resulted in me getting the result I wanted without ruining either of our days.

We are always making choices that affect our lives.  I know most people tend to focus on the big choices of life.  I believe that it is the small, daily choices that truly determine how calm and peaceful our everyday lives are.    It’s a struggle for me.  I’m not there yet but I am working on it.  And what I find is that each time I make the right choice, in an instant, my day is always better.

Try it for yourself.  See what happens.  And feel free to share with me and my readers.  Make the choice to have a great day!

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

Skinny Fiber Sales:  www.caryncann.com

YOU WERE MEANT TO THRIVE!

YOU WERE MEANT TO THRIVE!

I know many of you are just like me.   We made it through some dark times filled with abuse.   We got to the other side and were just glad we made it.

We survived!  We were proud that we were a survivor.  We refused that label of VICTIM.  We had made it!  We wore that badge with honor as well we should.

But many of us stayed in the survivor role.  Content and complacent to just live there.  We didn’t move backwards; we didn’t move forward.  We were just ordinary people glad to still be alive.

When I heard this song by Casting Crowns it spoke to my mind, my heart and my soul.  WE ARE NOT ORDINARY PEOPLE!  We are amazing, extraordinary people!  We fought and conquered so much.  And we finally laid down that word victim.  It lost its hold of us.  

And then we became a survivor.  It gave us strength and courage.  We knew our inner strength.  We knew we could overcome.  However….

If you are like me, you thought you should be grateful just to have survived.  We didn’t feel worthy.  Why would we?  We were never treated that way.  But the burning white embers just needed to be fanned.  Just a whisper of breath could ignite them again.  Blow on those charred remains and bring them back to life. 

It’s time.  It’s my time.  It’s your time.   Surviving is not enough for us anymore.  We deserve more.  We deserve the best. 

It’s time for us to THRIVE!  Embrace it.  Hold it.  Breathe it in to the depths of your soul.  You are worthy.  Reach out and claim it!  You deserve it.  All of it.  Starting today!

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

Skinny Fiber Sales:  www.caryncann.com

CHANGING YOUR NAME

CHANGING YOUR NAME

How would you feel if your child decided to change their name?

My son wants to change his name.  He wants to drop his first name, change the spelling of his middle name and only use that name with his last name.  He promised his dad he would wait until he passed since his dad gave him his first name.

To be honest, it doesn't matter to me.  Whatever makes him happy.  And how could his dad or I say anything when we both changed our names?  Jim's was legally changed; I changed mine 30 years ago but not legally.  Even family members used our new names.

The only reason I put (Debby Moore) on my Facebook page is so the people I knew as a kid would recognize who I am now.  I was never a Debby.  In fact, it just sounds so odd when someone (even a dr) refers to me by that name.  From the minute I decided to go by Caryn, I have always felt at home.  The only people who refer to me as Debby/Debra are the government, or anything legal.  Even my friends of more than 40 years call me Caryn.  Jim was the same way.  He was never a Mike; he was always a Jim.  My boss thinks it is funny to sometimes call me "Debra".  When he does, I just call him by his brother's name.  He gets the point. 

So, Cody Javier, if you want to change your name to Xavier, I'm good with it.  I know he feels that Xavier fits him and that's all that matters to me!

copyrighted 2014

caryn Cannatella

Skinny Fiber Orders:  www.caryncann.com

WHY ARE YOU SO HAPPY, CARYN?

WHY ARE YOU SO HAPPY?

Every time I watch a video I make, I marvel at the difference in my face.  Last night I watched my video several times.  My face seems lighter and not as drawn.  I am smiling a lot more.  I actually look happy instead of unhappy.  Happiness shows in my face more and more.

I wondered....what would I say if a child came up and said, "Why are you so happy, Caryn?"

This is what I would say:

I never thought I could ever really lose weight & get healthy.  Here I am at 61, losing weight now for over a year and still getting smaller.  And what makes me even happier is that I am jogging and really getting fit.  I owe it all to Skinny Fiber.  Sometimes I think, "what if I hadn't taken one more chance to find a product like Skinny Fiber?"  Sadly, I know.  I would still weight almost 300 pounds, unable to walk more than about a block, be unhappy with my life and myself.

For less than what I spent on 2 Diet Dr. Peppers a day (I drank 6 or more), I was able to purchase Skinny Fiber and start my last weight loss journey and save more than $6 bucks a day! 

I have found my authentic self, as Oprah would say.  Every day brings me more good things to celebrate about myself, like health, self-esteem, confidence, and weight loss.  This journey I started with Skinny Fiber has enabled me to believe in all the possibilities that are out there for me.

You can have all this too.  It just takes making a decision that this time it just might work.  If you are tired of being overweight and unhealthy, then why don't you give it a try?  Where could you be in a year?  You'll never know if you don't try.  Give Skinny Fiber a chance.  I'm so glad I did.  It has changed my life.

Choose to live a healthy life.  Order your Skinny Fiber & start losing weight with me.  I'll be here with you on your journey.  Click here and change your life.  www.caryncann.com.  

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

Skinny Fiber Sales:  www.caryncann.com

IT'S YOURS FOR THE TAKING

BE GRATEFUL & BE BLESSED

Sometimes I just lie in bed and think about my life. Now, I'll admit I have had some crappy years out of my 61 years. Some worse than others. In 2003 I was alone, totally alone, except for my children. I thought my life was a mess I'd never get straightened out.

You know what happened? I decided to declare daily how much I was blessed and write down daily what I was grateful for. In the beginning I wasn't able to see all my blessings as clearly as I do now. Some days it was just "I'm grateful for my job (which I hated)." "I'm grateful for my home (hated it too)." "I'm grateful for my children (none of us liked each other much back then)." "I'm grateful for my car."

But you know what I happened? I started being able to name many things that I was grateful for. During those next 4 or 5 years I became grateful for everything. And the more grateful I became, the more blessed I was.

I no longer think about the times in my life that were hard, that I was mistreated, that I was abused. I just look at my life as a whole. I have so little stress in my life. Every day I remind myself of my many blessings.

I now have a family that includes my best friend and all her family (those Diaz's are the best). I have a best friend who shares my home. My son, Cody, is doing well in his job and is making great progress financially. My daughter, Ashlie, has been at her job a year and a half, planning to attend college and is in love with a great man. And her boyfriend, Daniel, has now become family. I still consider my ex to be a part of our family.

If you want to live a life that is pretty much stress free, be grateful for what you have, no matter how little or much it is. And then declare daily how blessed you are. I guarantee you that if you do those two things, you will see an amazing change in your life. I know. I have lived it!

Be grateful and be blessed! It's yours for the taking.

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

www.caryncann.com

YOU CAN’T MOVE FORWARD UNTIL YOU LET GO OF THE PAST!

YOU CAN’T MOVE FORWARD UNTIL YOU LET GO OF THE PAST!

Sometimes we get stuck in the past, even when the past sucks. We just can't seem to leave it behind. Just because a memory comes to visit doesn't mean you have to invite it in to take up residence.

I have come to a place in my life that I now realize that you don't even have to resolve things from the past. Accept it and move on. Spend your time and energy in the present.

Nothing from the past can be changed. Your present and future are a blank page. If you really want to move forward, you have to let go of your past.

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

www.caryncann.com

I’VE GOT THE MAGIC IN ME!

I’VE GOT THE MAGIC IN ME!

I did not sleep well last night. My fibromyalgia in my right leg flared up. It's the first episode I've had since last summer. The pain finally subsided about the time I got up.

I decided I'll just jog 1.3 miles this week. Can you believe that in 2 more weeks I'll be jogging 1.5 miles? I'm just amazed! And today I'll be doing 75 reps on my squat challenge. I can't tell you how thrilled and proud I am. 

I never thought I could jog or do squats. Until I started using Skinny Fiber, I never thought I could lose the weight and be a "normal" size. I tell people all the time, "I'm changing from the inside out". I really mean that.

My mind is changing. My thoughts are changing. My emotions are changing. My attitude towards everything is changing. My self-esteem is changing. My confidence is changing. My outlook on life is changing.

I am being transformed. While my body is changing so am I. I wish I could bottle what I have learned in this last year and give it away. There is nothing magical about losing weight. If you keep looking for it outside, you will always keep looking. The magic is YOU. YOU are the magic to losing weight and getting healthy. 

One of the tools I use is Skinny Fiber. It has worked great for me and I will take it until I die. But it is just a tool. It is not magic. After taking it a year and dropping 50 pounds, it has allowed me to see where my magic is. I have found it inside and that is what I have needed to do for the last 53 years. 

Look inside and find your magic. It's there just waiting for you to activate it. Don't wait 53 years like I did.

If you want a great tool for losing weight, do what I and thousands of others have done. Order Skinny Fiber here: www.caryncann.com and start finding that magic in YOU.

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

www.caryncann.com

WHO IS CARYNCANN?

WHO IS CARYNCANN?

When I joined AOL back in ’97 or ’98, I had to come up with a screen name that no one else was using.  I decided on my first name and part of my last name:  caryncann.  A friend and I were chatting on the phone one day and he said, “I think the screen name a person chooses says a lot about them.”  I had never thought about it but ever since I have paid more attention to a person’s user name, even in email accounts.

Caryncann.  What does this say about me?  I think it sums me up.  As my friend Mark said to me once, “Caryn cann and does do whatever she wants.”  I’m not sure how true it was 15 years ago but it certainly describes me now.

I know I can do whatever I want in my life.  If I decide to focus on anything, I know I will be successful at it.  There is no one standing in my way achieving my dreams and goals but me!  When I look back over the past year, I am able to see my accomplishments.  Here are just a few:

1.      Losing 50 pounds, slowly and consistently

2.      Learning to eat healthier

3.      Traveling alone and loving it

4.      Taking chances that I never considered taking before

5.      Deciding to start jogging

6.      Choosing  to wear clothes that in the past I would have avoided

7.      Dancing like no one is watching

8.      Making videos of myself (THIS IS A BIG DEAL!)

9.      Taking lots of pictures of myself and letting others take pictures of me.  I used to tell people that having pictures taken of me was against my religion to avoid the embarrassment.

10.   Building a business that will provide me financial independence.

Look at your user name or email address you use most often.  What does it say about you?

Over the years I have branded myself as caryncann.  I use it for almost everything.  I am the embodiment of caryncann.  Although I came up with that user name without much thought, it has come to symbolize who I am. 

What is your user/email name and how does it define you?  It does make a difference

copyrighted

caryn cannatella

www.caryncann.com

BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND

BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND

My daddy was a preacher in a small church in a small town.  He was happy being that small town preacher.  For many years he held a second job too.  But preaching was his passion and that church and its members was his life.

My mother always thought he short-changed himself.  I can remember her saying, “He could be preaching at a big church that would provide us a home and a bigger salary.”  He didn’t care.  Everyone at church knew him and he knew them.  He visited them when they were in the hospital.  He would go to their homes just to check in on them.  He would pray with them.  He kept their confidences.  He knew everyone’s kids, nieces and nephews, the grandparents and aunts and uncles. 

He had his faults and shortcomings but he had his positives also.  He was tender hearted.  He never met a stranger.  He would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.  He was a very fast and accurate typist.  He cooked the best roast, potatoes and carrots I’ve ever eaten.  He didn’t hold a grudge.  His church members were his family and friends.  He didn’t have lofty goals and he achieved the ones he set for himself.

He was a great preacher.  His messages were succinct.  I remember him telling me that when he was in college he had a professor who said, “If you can’t get your point across in 30 minutes, you need to sit down.”  He took that to heart.  His sermons were almost always 30 minutes, except if the Cowboys were playing an early game.  Then his sermon might be 20 minutes.  No matter the length of the sermon, his message was well thought out.  Preaching truly was his calling in life.  And not just preaching but leading a congregation.  That was all he wanted in his career.

Many times when I have had to decide whether to work for a small company or a big corporation, I always thought of my daddy.  I heard him say many times, “I’d rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.”  I feel the same way.  That’s why he stayed at that little church in that little town for so many years.  I know he was glad he did. 

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

www.caryncann.com

I FEEL GOOD!

I FEEL GOOD!

Today my boss asked me, "why do you want to jog?"  I thought about that for a minute.  There are several reason why.

The last time I had run was when I was 10 years old in a relay race.  I want to see if I could do it again at 61.   I've always thought running/jogging would be BORING.  I was shocked.  I love being outside looking at the grass, the branches on the sidewalk, the butterfly that flew by our faces last night.  Now, I'm not sure I would like jogging on a treadmill.  It's the being outside that I love.  I have actually realized that I really enjoy jogging.

I can't tell you what a great feeling it is to be out shaking my tail feathers around the neighborhood.  I really hope I inspire one or two to get out and walk the neighborhood.  I hope they say, “If she can do it, I can do it!”  That would be a bonus!

I know that you can get injured, you can fall, you can injure your knees.  I'm not worried.  And you know what?  I don't care.  I take precautions and warm up.  I am no longer denying myself any experiences that previously kept me on the sidelines, just watching.  Even at my age, I can choose to live life fully.  And for me, right now, that includes jogging.  And I feel good about it. 

Watch out world, I’m finally ready to conquer you!

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

www.caryncann.com

THE SADDEST DAY OF MY LIFE

THE SADDEST DAY OF MY LIFE

I was sitting here thinking about how blessed I am.   I see and talk to so many people who have such great sadness in their lives.  It made me think about being sad.    The saddest day of my life was the day I had my hysterectomy.  I was 32.

All I ever wanted to be was a mommy.  Well, that and Room Mother in elementary school.   I must have cried a million tears.  I had reached the end of my journey of having a baby.  There would be no more fertility treatments.  No more taking my temperature to see when I was ovulating.  My body had completely turned against me and could not do the one thing I so desperately wanted it to do.  I felt like my life had ended.

And to make it even worse, my surgeon decided (for his convenience) to put me on the new born floor.  I literally thought I would have a breakdown.   It was one of the few times I ever saw my ex get aggressive with anyone.  The only thing worse than that was when a well intentioned person said, “well, at least you won’t have a period any more. Lol”  I reminded them that I would also never be able to carry a baby.

It was a sad dark period of my life.  The only painting I have ever done was right before my surgery.  It was cold, barren, icy and nothing alive.  I still have that painting in my house to remind me just how sad and unhappy I was during that period.  Oh, I tried to comfort myself by having my nails done and my hair done every month.  But you know what?  Nothing, and I mean nothing fills that void of wanting so desperately to have a baby.  And then knowing for sure that it won’t happen.

My niece was born the day of my surgery.  She was conceived the same month as my last pregnancy which ended in a miscarriage.   She was bright spot in my world but still a reminder that my baby would have been the same age.

But then that day came, almost 7 years later, when my ex called and said, “Carolena wants to know if we want to adopt her baby?”  I couldn’t believe it!  I was so afraid of jinxing it before we even picked her up that we told no one.   When she placed Ashlie in my arms, my world became right.  That void in my heart was filled.  I was a mommy.  

Even out of this sad time came a blessing so huge that at the time I could not see it through my grief.  Even when we can’t see it, God is working behind the scenes.  Sometimes it seems to me that it’s like pieces of a puzzle.  You might not see the entire picture but when it’s completed you realize how the pieces were being laid down in exactly the right places.

Out of sadness and grief came the most wonderful gift I could ever imagine.  My daughter, Ashlie. 

Copyrighted 2014

Caryn Cannatella

www.caryncann.com

BEING POSITIVE

BEING POSITIVE

Maybe it does for some, but for most of us, we have to choose and make a concerted effort to be positive! But we can do it! You just get up in the morning and said aloud, "Today I will be positive".

Now I'll tell you, it doesnt' change instantly. Like all good things, it takes time. I know! It doesn't seem right that negative things that root immediately and positive things that time. But that is the way it works. Once you start doing this everyday, you will find that the positive days far outnumber the negative days.

Try it. What do you have to lose other than bad days.

copyrighted 2014

caryn cannatella

www.caryncann.com

THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY FOR SURE

THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY FOR SURE

If I were someone’s wife

If I had children in my life

Then I could be happy for sure.

If I had more money

If I had another Honey

Then I would be happy for sure.

If I owned my own home

If my kids were all grown

Then I know I’d be happy for sure.

If my husband were alive

If my children came by

Then at last I’d be happy for sure.

I’ve spent all my days

With the ifs in my way

Not caring to live for today.

The years came and went

And my life had been spent

On this two letter word of lament.

Copyrighted

Caryn Cannatella

1984

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