Nadine On…The Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine-Day 11-Body

Water.

Years ago, I never liked the stuff. Rarely would I choose water when out to dinner and almost never at home. I lived on Diet Cokes. Something, our dear cousin, Godine, swears is embalming fluid.

And after kicking the six pack a day Diet Coke habit 10 years ago for a Lenten sacrifice, I must agree. I was baaaaad!

When I worked as a firefighter, I learned that water is really, really heavy at 8.35 lbs per gallon. And I drove a crash truck that weighed 110 tons fully loaded!  That’s 52 2-ton pickup trucks.

While living in the U.A.E., it was rumored that everyone drank bottled water due to fear of poisoning post 9-1-1. Sounds reasonable.

In 1981, my favorite uncle predicted that one day, a gallon of water would cost more than a gallon of gasoline. And now it’s true. A gallon of gasoline today is 2.38 cents per gallon. At the same convenience store, a 20 ounce bottle of water costs 2.79. Doing the math, a gallon of bottled water would cost $14.34. Should have invested in Ozarka like him!

As a nurse, it isn’t surprising to learn that the human body can’t survive without water for much more than one week. Give or take environmental conditions and the condition of the human prior to the deprivation.

Fast forward to today. All day long I preach to my patients the importance of drinking water. Personally, I strive to drink an average of 80 ounces per day so as to practice what I preach.

Water is important to health and balance. I wondered just how many people actually drink enough water to support their bodies and what are the parameters for ‘enough?’

So, I called Google and asked.

How much water should the average human adult who is not under extreme duress of heat or cold drink?

The answer: Health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon. This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember.

So there you have it. And of course, if you’re very hot or very cold, drink more.

Hydratedly yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole wide world

Nadine On…The Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine-Day 6-Mind

Yesterday we created, explored and imagined.

Today, we are going to be still.

Just for a few minutes, please sit still.

Too many times we are plotting/planning the next move that we forget to just be still. It’s almost like we want the quiet to hurry up and be over with because of the anticipation of all of the activity to come. We are missing something here. There is peace and joy in the quiet times of the day.

My favorite quiet time is in the morning, with that first cup of coffee, where no one speaks and the only sound I hear is the even snoring of my dogs. I prefer the roar of the ocean, but until I can move there, I’ll take what I can get.

And again in the evening, when I shut my house down, turn down the Television, or God forbid, turn it off?! Turn off most of the lights with exception of some low lights that provide a soft glow and gear myself towards a restful sleep. Tea cup in hand. Good book to lull me to sleep.

If you’re like me, it doesn’t take long to sack out if I’m warm and still.

The easiest way to find peace is to be still.

Perfectly still and peacefully yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world

Nadine On…The Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine-Day 5-Mind

The mind has much more than the power to let go of the negativity, heal, or keep you mindfully engaged. Your beautiful mind has the unlimited power to move and explore, challenge, stretch the limits and boundaries of your universe and that of others.

Why are you limiting your own potential? What ARE you reading? Writing? Painting? Inventing? Creating? Pursuing on a daily basis to achieve greatness?

While we sit in our houses at night, glued to what my father would call the “idiot box” we limit our own potential. We rely on the insightful opinions of others to influence us and creations of others to entertain us; when, instead, we should be the ones forming our own opinions and creations.

We scroll through a bunch of crap or fluff just to fill the time. Nobody reads much anymore. And books have become ‘nooks’ and a whole generation of people no longer values libraries or book stores. I shudder each time I see another book store close. And I cherish my time in an Indie Bookstore. Pretty soon, I fear, we will be like the people in the Book of Eli. If you have seen the movie, let me suggest you go and borrow the book from the library and read it. It is an excellent read.

If you want to fix your trailer park, turn off the TV and the constant Facebook feed, grab a good book and spend some quiet time reading, break out your paints or beads or tools, put paper to pen (or I-pad word document) Let your imagination get carried away! Stretch those creative muscles. Explore yourself.

Creatively yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole wide world

Nadine On…The Trailer Park Girlfriends 12-Step Program to Financial Security and Independence

My trailer park queens recently told me they need a 12 step program to financial security and independence. That can be done in one step. I agree. We all do honey!

Enter the advice of my writer friend and mentor, Jill Connor Brown (famous for The Sweet Potato Queen trilogy). Jill suggests calling ‘Daaaad-deh’ in times of trouble!

While Daddy’s money is good…Unfortunately, for me, and many others, the one step option of “Calling Daaaad-deh” is no longer an option. He left us 4 years ago today.

So, if you can’t call your Daddy, then you need Nadine’s 12-Steps to Financial Security and Independence.

Number 12 – Get an education, trade or a skill.

This is where it begins. If you have one of the aforementioned, you will always have a means to support yourself. Many of my trailer park gals are skilled in taking care of other people as nurses, hair dressers or self-employed business gals. If you are a teenager, just ‘knowing everything’ doesn’t count as being educated. You must consider something lucrative like baby-sitting out of your trailer (which has the potential to cover several steps), apprenticing as a tattoo artist or even an auto-mechanics trade school. A girl can make a lot of money in a traditionally male-dominated field! Don’t underestimate it.

Number 11 – Get a job and keep a job…or two.

More than one time, in my young life, I have had multiple jobs. It takes some effort and skill to keep that career/trailer home life balance. But a Trailer Park Momma’s gotta do what a Trailer Park Momma’s gotta do and working two jobs has, on more than occasion, paid the light bill.

Number 10 – Live within your means.

Write down what you owe each month and keep a good close record on income versus outgo. In other words…Color within your financial lines.

Number 9 – Help others when you can.

Food, rides, baby-sitting/Elderly-sitting…whatever. We were put here to help each other. There is nothing better than coming home to a Ho-made Hash brown tater casserole after a long stay at the hospital. Help a sister out.

***A special note on money lending***

I believe we were put in this Trailer Park to help other people when they ask for help. But, if they want to borrow money, and you actually have it to loan, make sure they understand you expect to be paid back and agree on the timing. IF they don’t pay you back, then consider that first time a ‘gift.’ If they come to you again for more, explain the last time was a gift and you don’t loan money to friends/family. And stand on it.

Number 8 – Ask for help when you need it.

Never be afraid to ask for help and honor your intentions to pay back on time.

Number 7 – Give 10% to the church and/or charity of your choice.

This is good for others and good for your spirit. After all, it’s not really your money anyway, you’re just blessed with it. And it’s good luck, karma, juju…whatever you prescribe to.

Number 6 – Save 20% for long term.

Have a fund to save 20% of your income either on your own, or through your employer. Be willing to pay some highly educated financial individual you trust to help you manage that little retirement nest egg.

Number 5 – Save 10% for short term that you can readily get to.

It’s coffee can time my people! This money should be located in a place where you can readily put your hands on it. You might hide it in the cookie jar, under the mattress…or my personal favorite, with ‘the baby’!

Number 4 – Make all of your own gifts/services or buy gifts/services from individuals who are crafty or skilled.

This is truly rewarding and fun! Most people like and appreciate a home-made gift or service. And it meets all the Trailer Park Gifting principles.

***Special note*** Baby-sitting/Elderly-sitting has a dual purpose as ‘gift/service’ and ‘helping others in need.’

Number 3 -Learn a craft or hobby that you can make money at.

This can be quite rewarding personally and can help supplement your income when need be. Most everyone I know covets their home-made Macramé plant hangers that Mawdine and I made many moons ago.

Number 2 – Raise or grow something you can sell.

Tomaters, potaters, peppers, flowers, chickens, chicken’s eggs, goats, kitties, puppies whatever suits you. Just keep it legal in the Trailer Park. And NO!, you cannot sell your kids, no matter how much they get on your nerves.

Number 1- Never settle for a partner who doesn’t have the same goals and ideals you do.

Make sure your husband/boyfriend/lover/baby-Daddy/partner has the same ideals you have about money…or you’re gonna fight about it.

Two things couples fight about/break up over…sex and money. Might as well take at least one of them out of the mix.

Financially yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world

Nadine On…The Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine-Day 4-Mind

Mentally sick? Or mentally well?

Your mind has the ability to make you sick or well. Did you know that? Of course you did. Scientists have actually proven it, with real research and everything!

Through your thoughts and the power of your mind you can make yourself sick. I’ve witnessed it firsthand. You can also make yourself well. Witnessed that too.

Repeat, you CAN make yourself well.

Through your thoughts.

You CAN actually heal yourself with your mind. That mind/body connection is so much more powerful than anyone gives rise to.

Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
And he’s right.

So stop making yourself sick. How do I do that Nadine? You may ask.

Simple. Make up your mind to be as mentally well and physically well as you can.

You are what you think. Think healthy. Think well.

Mindfully well yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole wide world

Nadine On…The Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine-Day 3-Mind

This is not your real life. It is just a test. Had it been your real life, you would have been expected to be perfect.

Be mentally present. In other words, Please! Show up!

Most times we don’t understand how important it is to be mentally engaged to our circumstances. Autopilot kicks and we’re off and running. Half-way thinking about what we are doing while we are doing it. Or speaking it.

I think there is way too much multi-tasking going on that we forget to slow down and be present in the situations we find ourselves in. And of course, there isn’t time to actually listen, right?

Showing up doesn’t mean being perfect. It just means you come to the party dressed with a dish of some kind. Doesn’t even have to be home made. But like any good southern woman, at least take the time to take it OUT of the box and put it on a pretty plate.

When you show up, please be alert and attentive to what you are doing. Who you are speaking to? How are you speaking to them? What they are saying to you? How it is important?

When you use your words, and I hope you do often, remember they are people you are talking to. They are your family, your kids, spouse, neighbors, co-workers, friends, fellow parishioners. I’ve heard some of the harshest words from people in church.

Use your words, because people just aren’t the mind readers they once were.

And engage others with your dialogue. Invite them in to converse ‘with’ you. Life isn’t a one-act-play where you stand on the stage and give your monologue and walk off. You’re gonna have to show up AND exchange sometimes. I know, it’s not easy.  But we’re not perfect.

We have this life and we show up and it’s just a test. That you can re-take over and over again till you get it right. Or not. But we keep learning.

Mindfully yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world

Nadine On…Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine-Day 2-Mind

It’s already moving too fast. Today, Day 2, we will begin with the mind.

You are what you think.

I’m pretty sure I just made that up. If not, Google it and let me know. I’ll take credit for it until then.

The ‘negative thoughts bus’ needs to stop here, so we can all get off together.

If you are a glass is half empty kind of person, and unwilling to try to reform, then this may not be the trailer park or Forty Day Fix for you… I’m just saying.

If you want to get along here, or practically anywhere, with any semblance of success, you’re gonna have to let go of the negativism. Right here. Right now.

For some of us, less than Pollyanna types, this will take some practice. We’ve talked before on the kill-switch-word. This is where we will use it.

Let’s practice. Negative thought enters your mind, “I want to suffocate my co-worker with a pillow.” BAM! Insert kill-switch-word of choice for co-worker-who-pushes-all-of-my-buttons-on-any-given-day, and voila you are free from that negative thought.

Again, “That (expletative) Asian man just took the for-sale sign down and hid it!” Insert kill-switch-word for rude-behavior-from-someone-you-don’t-know while you hold on to your Marine to keep him from exiting the truck and beating the living day lights out of said rude person. Negative thoughts vanish like using Whisk for ring around the collar.

I can’t tell you what your kill-switch-words should be. That has to be on your own.

However, here are a few suggestions of words/phrases I personally use that help me in time of need. Maybe they can help you. And when repeated either aloud or just in your mind while you lock yourself in the closet of your office for 5 minutes with all of the lights off can bring a certain calming and positive mind set.

Inhale peace, Exhale joy. (As you inhale and exhale slowly)

Peace. Peace. Peace.

Daddy

Get behind me Satan!

Karma

Peace and Light

This whole idea isn’t all that new. For anyone who has ever watched or loved The Sound of Music and sung to the top of your lungs “My Favorite Things,” it’s pretty much that. I haven’t re-invented the wheel here; I just keep polishing it.

Positively mindfully yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world

Nadine On…The Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine-Day 1-An Introduction

This first day, of forty to follow, is primarily an Introduction. As I have mentioned before on more than one occasion, and as some of you already know firsthand, in addition to being a Self-Appointed Renaissance Trailer Park Queen I am also a Self-Appointed Life Coach to many.  It may also interest you to know that I also Life Coach many famous stars, who, for now, will remain nameless.  As long as they pay their bill.

Luck you! Because for the next forty days, I’ll be ‘your’ Self-Appointed Life Coach for FREE! Embark with me, if you will.

Or not, it’s completely your choice.

Usually, I would interject a cuss word before the word ‘choice’ in the previous sentence; however, since it is Lent, I am abstaining from cursing (shakes fist at sky).

We will be taking a little stroll through all of the aspects of our lives. The advice dispensed will be completely unsolicited and hopefully received in the spirit and intent in which it is given.  I’ll be looking in the mirror as I post.  Mostly because your lives (and mine) are a big old sloppy mess. That is southern belle for; Honey you’re just a little TRAIN WRECK aren’t you? (tilts head to shoulder and smiles sweetly)

There are all kinds of ‘fixes’ out there, but few and far between that integrate and extrapolate ALL aspects of our lives. This fix promises to do just that. In a mere forty days, Nadine and I will show you how to fix your trailer park; mind, body, spirit, job, relationships, house and car.

In just forty days.

For free.

Forever yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world

Nadine On…Lent, aka/The Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine

Forty days of sacrifice, self-improvement and a chance to help others is already here! It’s tomorrow!  And I’m stoked!

Lent is an awesome time to reflect about those New Year’s Resolutions gone bad. A time to re-birth, rejuvenate and re-invent you.

But it’s not just about giving something up; although, if you’ve got some bad habits or some areas of your life that need improvement, no better time than during lent. I certainly do suggest you reflect on those, as I will on mine. Additionally, it is a time to reach out and do something nice for someone else.

And you don’t have to be Catholic to do it.

While many people love the Christmas season and celebrate with vigor for 4-6 weeks before it actually ‘is’ Christmas Day, I consider myself an Easter person. Don’t misunderstand, I like Christmas for all the right reasons.  I think. But I LOVE Easter.

I’m fascinated by the whole pagan versus religious history of Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Fishless Friday’s, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday Vigil and finally beautiful Easter Morning.

Ok, so here’s the pitch. For the next Forty days, I’m giving up the customary Chocolate. So, no Girl Scout cookies for me! Good thing they freeze well. And I have plans to get that 30 minute workout in. Every. Single. Day.

Also, with the exception of the Daily Mantra, I am giving Facebook, so I can get more done. More writing, more balance between that whole New Year’s Resolution thing of mind, body and spirit.

And, I’m giving up cuss words. DAMMIT! Because, once again, it is an extreme difficult thing for me to let go of the cusswords. Jose will probably find me tonight at 10 minutes to midnight sitting in a corner, chocolate in one hand and computer in the other dropping the F-Bomb as many times as I can till the clock strikes midnight! Grrrrrrr.  It’s THAT hard for me.

My sweet friend, Caffeine, usually gives up coffee as her Lenten sacrifice. But that is her, not me. Not in this lifetime. Not ever. But hey! Go Caffeine!

If I’ve got to give up cusswords and chocolate, then I’m damn well keeping my coffee.

I also will NOT be giving up wine.

I’d like to know your thoughts on this: Forty Day Trailer Park Fix with Nadine.

For the next Forty days, Nadine will attempt to help you and herself find the balance between mind/body/spirit. Since she is the Self-Appointed Life Coach to Many and to several famous stars, who, for now, will remain nameless, she has a plethora of experience. And she is willing to share, during this Lenten season, with all of you.

She will address everything beginning with Your Mind? What are you doing with your mind? What are you putting into your mind? What do you spend time dwelling on? How ARE your relationships? How’s your job? How’s your Momma and them?

Your Body? What kind of nutrition do you have? How does good/bad nutrition affect you? What are your exercise habits? How do you kick those bad habits while incorporating the good?

Your Spirit? Where are you spiritually? What kind of journey are you on?  How do you share it with others? Do you share it with others? Or keep it to yourself?

I really look forward to people sharing on the blog.  Sharing ideas, struggles, journeys and how it all integrates and relates to make you feel whole.

Sacrificially yours,

Nadine Bodine

Your very BEST friend in the whole entire world!