12/31/16 - DaDecBloPoMo final day - 2017, here we come!

The last day of 2016, a day to reflect, remember, burn, cherish and get over.  I'm ready, are you? 

When I look back on 2016 I have so many memories to cherish.  I know if I named them I would forget some very important ones.  That's how it is with MS, you remember crap you don't want to and forget cherished things you do want to. 

I have many things to be thankful for.  My Meghan, even though she is far away, she's close to my heart.  My Kristin, always there for me when I need her, she's always been tenderhearted.  My Richard, even though I didn't born him, he is my son nonetheless.  My Cali, my first grandbaby and the love of my life.  My Nash, my first grandson and my sweet little man.  My David, always strong, always there and always supporting me and loving me even when I'm crabby (most of the time).

I am so thankful for friends that are as close as family.  Sheila, Linda, Debbie & Rick, Donna & Randy, Janis & Mike, Rebecca & Allen.  They are my glue that holds me together.  If you ever need comic review, watch Patrick and Haley together.

And family, Uncle Bill & Aunt D, Timmy & Andrea.  What you are going through, right now, will affect the rest of your life, cherish every moment.

And all of you.  If I know you, thank you.  If I don't know you, thank you.

Well...see ya next year.

Image result for Cartoon Lipslove y'all.


12/30/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 30 - New Years Eve, Eve

I'm watching my grandbabies today. You know what that means right?

Cali is so soft and snugly. Her cheeks are so kissable. She gives the best hugs. She loves her brother.

Nash is singing so beautifully. He gives the best kisses. His soft face is so kissable. He loves his big sister.

I love these babies so much. I am so blessed to have them in my life. They are my joy.



Do you make resolutions?

I've kept mine, well so far. My resolution for the past decades of New Years has been the same, not to kill anyone. So far, so good.

I love y'all!

12/29/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 29 - Top 5 phrases that will drive you (me) crazy

There are certain phrases, that if you heard them several times, will drive you crazy.  It's just a bunch of words jammed together, very innocuous, right?  Some of these words you use over and over in other verbal communications.  However, if these jammed up words form certain phrases, the nails are scrapping the blackboard.

I'll give you my top 5 and see if any of them match with yours.

5.  "Melt in your mouth."  People will say this, even if what they are eating would never melt in ones mouth.  "Oh, that steak will melt in your mouth."  Not really, no.

4.  "Tastes like Heaven."  Another food description that drives me crazier.  I don't think there is anyone alive today that could say that.

3.  "Could have been a lot worse."  Well, duh.  Every situation in life could be a lot worse. Every.one.of.them!

2.  "You don't look sick."  Well, you don't look stupid.  If I looked that way I felt, well, it would be ugly.

and the number one irritate phrase...

1.  "Is it hot/cold enough for you?"  This phrase will normally come out of an older person's mouth.  It comes in a hot/cold weather streak.  It could be 105 degrees with 100% humidity and someone will ask if it's hot enough for you.  Well no, no it's not, I'd like it a bit hotter.  Sheesh!

How does that measure up to your list?  Give me a few of yours.

Image result for kissing lipsLove y'all.


12/28/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 28 - The day after

I saw my pain management doctor this morning.  She refilled my pain pills but Walgreen's has to order it, again.

The day after watching Cali and Nash is going to be a restful one.  I was mad that I couldn't post the pictures as I went along yesterday.  I didn't have my laptop with me.

He woke up from his nap and did this and went back to sleep.

The Avengers were taking a nap and needed a little blankie.

They were laying under a couch cushion.

GiGi lets us climb trees in our jammies.



They are the cutest kids!  I love spending time with them.  They are my joy and we all need a little joy in our lives.

Image result for kissing lipsI love y'all.  I especially love these babies.


12/27/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 27 - Cali and Nash

I get to watch my two beautiful grandbabies. This morning they are playing so nice together.

And then they woke up...

Cali trying to color in MY coloring book.

Nash has put The Avengers to sleep.

Cali playing with Nash's toys, Nash playing with Cali's toys, both yelling at each other because of that.

Dancing together. Remind me tomorrow why my arms and legs hurt more than usual.

Cali giving a Barbie a bath, GiGi had to fuss at her about that. It's only 0828.

One cat removed from Christmas tree.

Now they are dinosaurs, swimming kind.

Cheetahs.
Fox,
Frog,
Cartwheels,

Playing outside in their jammies.

Jumping on couch cushions.

Napping Nash.

Cali on kindle.

GiGi beat!

No More later


12/26/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 26 - Twas the day after Christmas

and all through the house,

there are Barbie clothes,
Hulk hands,
tiny engines,
dog toys,
cat toys,
tired Mommy and Daddy,
happy kids...and no mouse.

The kids had a great Christmas!  They even got bikes!  Well Nash liked Cali's bike best at first but, he got the hang of his.  Cali got dolls galore and spent most of her day playing with them.  Nash was so excited by his toys he went from one, to another, to another until Daddy put together the hockey field goal.

We Skyped with Meghan, she cried the whole darn time, ok, that may be hyperbole but she cried.  Ha!  Didn't even have to be from a card.  We missed her, me especially.  I can't wait to see her next month and hug her.

I had plans to make chili for all of us, that didn't happen.  I got back from the kids house and plopped on the couch.  My legs were and still are killing me.  I only asked for one day pain free, disappointed again.

So hopefully today I'll get the gumption to make the chili.  Have I told you before that MS sucks?  Well it does!  I hate having dots, I hate hurting...you know the drill.  SOSDD

Thank you Richard and Kristin for having us over for Christmas brunch and for letting me enjoy the rapture of Christmas through my grandbaby's eyes.

Image result for kissing lipslove y'all.

12/25/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 25 - Merry Christmas

May you and yours have a Merry Christmas.

Luke 2 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

The Shepherds and Angels

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
    and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Image result for creche

12/24/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 24 - Twas the night before Christmas

My other favorite poem was A Visit from St. Nicholas, otherwise known as, The Night Before Christmas.  This poem was written by Clement C. Moore.

Clement Clarke Moore (July 15, 1779 – July 10, 1863) was a writer and American Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature, as well as Divinity and Biblical Learning, at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in New York City. The seminary was developed on land donated by Moore and it continues on this site at Ninth Avenue between 20th and 21st streets, in an area known as Chelsea Square. Moore's connection with the seminary continued for more than 25 years.

I don't know how many times I've read this poem.  Most of the time to my children, every Christmas Eve.  I miss having them snuggled in my arms and reading this poem.  Most of the time I repeated it from memory.

So to Meghan and Kristin, snuggle up close and listen.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And Mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap;

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
.
The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof—
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he look’d like a peddler just opening his pack

His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed, when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill’d all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
  — CLEMENT CLARK MOORE    

Image result for kissing lips

12/23/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 23 - The Vase

Once upon a time...

In a land far, far away there was a place called Headquarters Communications Center, HQCC for short.  In there lived and worked a Supervisor (played by me) and her three shift employees.  To protect the innocent their names will be withheld and they will go by initials. 

One was my bestie, BJP.  We had worked together for many years.  The Christmas of 1989 we had worked together for six years and had become so close.  We suffered through night shifts while being pregnant and young mothers.  Our families grew together and our children were like brother and sisters.

The next was PLA.  She was a very tall, obdurate and on occasion nice.  She liked horse racing and did NOT like tobacco smoke.  She was single, I'll leave it at that.

And finally SLB.  She was a teenager that knew nothing of life but thought she did.  As Paul of old, SLB was a thorn in my side.  She plucked my nerves, I don't think on purpose, just naturally.  I could write a chapter in a book on this child alone but that's for another day.

The Christmas of 1989 was my first as a supervisor.  I inherited this shift from JLB, no relation to SLB.  As a shift we decided to exchange Christmas presents with a certain monetary limit.  SLB loved BJP, PLA she hated.  SLB called me into the secretary's office to show me the present she had gotten BJP, she was so proud of it.  I praised her on her find and she wrapped her present with glee.

SLB's gift for BJP was the ugliest vase you've ever laid eyes on.  And so, in as much as I love BJP and didn't want SLB's feelings hurt I warned BJP of the present before we exchanged gifts.

Now came the time for exchanging gifts.  I can't remember much of the gifts except SLB's offerings.  To PLA and I she gave snow globes, a little gaudy but, way better than The Vase.  Finally the time came for BJP to open her prize.  She opened it, thanked SLB and sat it on the floor next to her.  That wasn't good enough for me.  I asked to see The Vase and said how beautiful it was.  If looks could kill, I'd be dead from BJP's eyes.  I praised SLB's find of The Vase and told BJP how beautiful it would look on her dining table.  Oh it would look beautiful with flowers in it on her dining table.  BJP took The Vase and put it back next to her and killed me again with her eyes.

BJP and I stepped outside to have a smoke and died laughing.  I know SLB thought she had given a prize away.  BJP exclaimed that she had rather had a snow globe but I wasn't trading.  BJP and I loaded up our gifts and left PLA and SLB to finish the night off.

And now, the rest of the story...

By the time Christmas 1990 rolled around SLB was no longer employed at HQCC (thank God).  BJP was still on my shift and still my bestie.  I can't remember who else was on my shift but it doesn't matter for this story (and laud I have a million of them).  Miss BJP decided to get back at me because I talked up The Vase so much.  I bet you can't guess what I got for Christmas; if you guessed The Vase you would be right.  NOT FUNNY!!  And so a Christmas tradition had started.  Each Christmas BJP and I would find a new way of sending The Vase to each other.  Once I had The Vase delivered to her at HQCC with flowers.  By the way, The Vase leaks.  I got The Vase on even years, BJP on odd years.  Our tradition became very popular at HQCC, people would ask all the time, close to Christmas, who has The Vase this year.

The Vase giving died when I retired in 2007, until this year.  The day before yesterday I got a suspicious package, return address...BJP.  She's at it again.  When we send The Vase we always would write a card to go with it.  BJP writes:  "For so many years I have been lost but now I'm found.  They are sending me back home to where I belong.  I have missed you and my only home for so long.  Now I will be displayed and loved instead of sitting in some drafty corner.  It's so nice that you can see how beautiful I am.  I am so happy to be back home.  The Vase"  On a day that I needed a smile, I got it.  BJP and I talked and laughed about The Vase.  She's crazy!  But I lover her.

What does The Vase look like you ask?




   TaDa!!

12/22/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 22 - The Cavalry has arrived

I got a text yesterday morning, "Would you like it if I came over tomorrow and helped you clean?"  An answer to prayers, of course I would!

The best Daddy in the world, mine, had been in an accident before I was born which left him with a stiff left leg and missing three fingers of his right hand.  He was told he would never walk again.  He had a wife and two little boys to support so he was determined to not only walk but go back to work, which he did.

My Daddy would never ask for help.  I don't think it was out of pride but because he thought he could do it all, and do it all with little to no help from others.

I am like my Daddy about asking for help.  I hate admitting defeat and that's how I feel if I ask for help.  I know I can't do it all but a part of my brain says, sure you can.  Then that part of my brain makes me feel like I'm a big old loser because I don't do it all.

So to my Kristin, thank you, I love you.  Image result for kissing lips

Tomorrow:  "The Vase"

12/21/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 21 - Malaise

I don't know if it's because today is the shortest day of the year or I'm not feeling well or that I'm exhausted or that I'm sad that Christmas is coming or that I visited my Uncle yesterday and I'm sad about his situation.  I don't know if it's the MS or the Fibromyalgia or that Christmas is coming or that Christmas isn't the same without a tree and all the trimmings or that I wouldn't have the energy to even do it.  I don't know if it's because my house is a mess as is my head or that I have a pile of dishes to wash.  I don't know if it's because some Christmas songs make me cry or that I won't get to see my Meghan this Christmas.  I don't know if it's because I'm mad at myself that my house is a mess and I have a sink full of dishes.  I don't know if it's because my cousin has the world on her shoulders and I can't help.  I don't know what it is but I know that all I want to do is go back to bed, cover my head and sleep until 2017 and pray that it will be better than 2016 has been.  This blog post is giving me all the feels.  All the feels suck.  Life sucks sometimes, like right now.

I still love y'all. Image result for Kissy Lips Clip Art

12/20/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 20 - Wrapping presents

Richard and Kristin has all their Christmas presents in my basement.  Yesterday Kristin came over to wrap their presents while I was doing laundry.  Well, that's how we had planned anyway.  Meghan is the best Christmas wrapper in the world, literally the world.  Her present always are beautifully wrapped with beautiful paper, ribbon and bows.  Kristin didn't get that gene.  I did get some laundry done however, I wrapped 99.9% of her presents too.  We set up a table and I sat in a chair and wrapped, and wrapped, and wrapped.  Three hours later "we" were done.

I told her that these are the times she'll look back on when she's older.  The best Christmases are the ones I remember, when my kids were young.  One Christmas John and I had a lot of things to put together; we kept all of the stash in the basement.  Our basement in Camden was cold!  Not like my basement here.  John and I had gotten everything put together and under the tree and had finally settled our brains for a long winter's nap around 2 am.  When out in the living room arose such a clatter, Meghan had woke up around 2:30 am.  SANTA HAD COME!  Really?   Seriously?  We had just barely gotten to sleep.  No she wasn't going back to bed and had woken her sister.  Dear Lord!  We let them enjoy their Christmas finds and had coaxed them to go back to bed for a little while.  I don't think they did, we did though.

Those are the times you remember.  The "good" times.  Now grandchildren are making memories.  I can't wait until Christmas morning to see their faces.

Do you have a Christmas memory you cherish?  Share it with me.

Image result for kissing lipsI love y'all.

12/19/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 19 - Moe's & Toes, Rebecca, Rebecca, Rebecca

Yesterday was our Moe's and Toes day.  Janis was running her fool head off trying to get her Christmas shopping done but met us at Toes.  Rebecca, Donna and I went to Toes first, then Moe's.  I didn't want a mani because my thumbnail is mucked up.  The other girls got both a mani and a pedi.  Don't we sound posh?  Getting a mani/pedi?  Well we are and to prove it we go to Moe's Southwest Grill to eat with the little people.

Since I wasn't getting a mani I decided to get an herbal pedi.  That just involves them schmaltzing (yeah, it's not a word, sue me!) my legs with herb stuff and some sort of oil, wrapping my legs in cling wrap and putting hot towels around them.  It did feel good and certainly smelled good but not worth the money involved.  The best part is always the hot, oiled stones they rub on my legs.  My MS hurts/stings/tingles my legs the worst so this part feels really good.

She used a cheese grater on my feet.  The sad part about it, what it produced, looked like grated parmesan. 
Rebecca, Donna and I stayed at Moe's for a long time talking and giggling.  Shhhh...don't tell her I said this, but we were actually waiting for Donna to finish eating.

Good friends, good fun and good food, all healing for the soul.

Now I'll see if Rebecca reads all the way down to here.  Rebecca and Allen sitting in a tree, k-I-s-s-I-n-g.  Shit!  I can't use the lower case "I".

12/18/86 - DaDecBloPoMo day 18 - Kristin Noel

Kristin Noel, my baby girl, turns XXX today.  She was born a little after 10 am.  Her fingernails had to be cut the day she was born because she scratched her baby face up.  One week before Christmas, what were we thinking!?!  She was my best Christmas present ever though, ever and ever.

Her sister, Meghan, liked her at first but soon wanted to send her back to the hospital from which she came.  Her nickname when she was young was ChiChi.  I called her "little Chi" for the longest time.  Meghan still calls her a form of her nickname, Whiz as in Cheese Whiz.  She was a Mama's girl from the start.  Don't get me wrong, she loved her Daddy but given the choice, she wanted Mama. 

We took her to Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's for the weekend once.  We lived in Camden, DE, 45 miles from Mom and Dads.  These were the days before cell phones.   When we got home we had a message from Mom, come back, she doesn't want to stay.  We did.

She always had a big heart; making friends with girls that didn't have friends.  She wanted to be so generous.  When I was pregnant with Kristin her Grandmom Shoemaker passed away.  Mrs. Shoemaker was such a wonderful person that I grieved that she'd never meet the baby growing in my belly.  Both my girls got a little bit of Olive Shoemaker, Meghan her nursing and caring for others and Kristin her sweetness.

Kristin made a lot of friends over time but none as close as Stacie and they are still close today.  Stacie became more than a friend, she became family.  Stacie lived with us for a time, she was a wonderful addition to the family, plus she would cut half the grass (even though Mom-Mom would ride around on her lawn mower).

She had a sweet relationship with her Mom-Mom.  I know she misses Mom.  I know Mom loved her so much.

She has grown into a wonderful daughter and friend.  I love her so much and am so proud of her.  I am thankful that she lives close and I see her almost every day.

Happy birthday Gem.  You are my precious gift.



12/17/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 17 - Story time

Once upon a time...

I just got back from Richard and Kristin's while they took their car to the shop.  Since it's raining, that means that Ranger the crazy dog was in the house, both kids still in their jammies and the cats roaming around.  Cali and I doodled and then Nash realized his Mommy was gone and cried for her until GiGi picked him up and loved on him.  Nash plays with my hair, I love that.  Tomorrow is Kristin's XXX birthday.  The doctor that delivered her Daddy also delivered her, he was close to retirement by this time.  I had to tell that story, Kristin has heard it a million times but I had an audience with Richard and maybe Cali.  Richard has probably heard it a few times but Cali may have heard it for the first time.  I don't really think she knows the process of having a baby so she may not have understood the doctor's role.

When I was born I was already a month and a half late.  They sure wouldn't let that happen now.  I was due October 1st and made my entrance November 15th.  When Mom and Dad got to the hospital it was time to get going.  I may be stubborn but I'm also persistent.  There was no time to wait, the doctor wasn't there, a nurse ended up delivering me.

When it was time for Meghan to come into the world I had called her Daddy at work and told him.  Working at the Fire Board, he had to find someone to come in to cover for him.  When he finally got home...I was in the shower shaving my legs.  He ran up the stairs to find me and found it really odd that I was shaving my legs.  If you are a mother you know what it means to "try" to shave your legs when you have a baby in your belly.  He asked me why I was doing that and I told him I didn't want any doctor or nurse to see my hairy legs.  Everything came out alright with Meghan with one exception, she was born on April 17th at 4:15.  She couldn't have waited two more minutes to be 4:17?  Nope, she was obdurate.

Do you tell your children or your family your story?  Most of the time your story becomes their story.  I think we all have a story to tell to someone, do it today.

Writing prompt:

Tell a loved one a story they may not have heard.

or

Tell me that story, I'll listen.

Hey, I love y'all.  You know that right?

Please do me a favor?  Share my blog.  The buttons are up top.



12/16/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 16 - Delaware Supreme Court lets cop killer off death sentence

I am so angry that Delaware's Supreme Court, has all of a sudden, found that the death sentence is unconstitutional.  The "watershed effect" has then allowed all the thugs on death row to get a commuted sentence of life in prison with no parole.  That includes the thug, Derrick Powell, that killed a Georgetown DE police officer, Chad Spicer.  This thug was found guilty by a jury of his peers and sentenced to death.  If they want to be a bunch of suckers and change the law in Delaware then so be it, but DO NOT make it retroactive.  Those thugs were sentenced to death and that sentence should be carried out.

Chad Spicer left a fiancĂ© and a little girl to have to go on with life without him. 

He was killed in the line of duty.  Here is his Officer Down Memorial Page.

May his memory be a blessing.

Court Location:
The Renaissance Centre
405 North King Street, Suite 509
Wilmington, DE 19801
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Phone Number: 302-651-3960
Fax Number: 302-651-3961



12/15/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 15 - It's colder than a...

Dear Lord it's cold!  It's so cold Jack Frost wants to come in and warm up.  It's colder than a well diggers hiney (g-rated).  It's colder than a witch's titty.  Is it cold enough for you? (I hate that one and it's summer brother). 

 



 
Can you tell I'm cold?  My body hates extremes and today feels pretty extreme.  I'm pretty sore from yesterday.  I did too much.  I washed dishes, lit the pilot in the heater on the porch AND cooked dinner.  My legs are paying for it today.  It's a good day to snuggle in a blankie and watch tv.  Although, I'm listening to a good book on Audible.  Decisions, decisions...the struggle is real.
 
Anyway, what's your go to cold saying? 
 
Another task I have for you:  Please tell me something good that has happened to you recently.  It seems that all is bad and I can't find any good.  Give it up! 

12/14/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 14 - Christmas movies

One reason I love this time of year (or at least I used to) are the Christmas movies.  The bad part is they don't air them much, if at all.

What are your favorites?  Mine are, in no certain order (because I just can't do order):

It's a Wonderful Life (yes, I always cry at the end)
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
The Santa Clause
Home Alone
Miracle on 34th street (1947)
Scrooge (1951)
How the Grinch stole Christmas

Did your favorite make my cut?  Comment below or on social media.

I do have a free rental of It's a Wonderful Life from Microsoft rewards, I haven't watched it yet and yes I'll cry.

Your writing prompt for tomorrow 12/15/16

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

or

Do you celebrate Christmas out of tradition or because of Jesus' birth?

Love y'all. 


12/13/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 13 - Zoned out

I've been fiddling all morning with my blog design.  I had some good ideas of what to write today.  In fact, last night I was thinking I could go ahead and write my blog post and then publish it today.

Zoned out
I have that thousand-yard stare going on.  I'm thinking, "I wish my brain would work.".  Oy vey!

I'm not as beautiful as she.  Sharbat Gula.jpg The stare may be similar.

It's not as ridiculous as this.  Angry Stare

I do like this one, reminds me of me. 

If you are wondering why I'm so late in writing, this is it.  Staring off into space wishing my brain would work.  I do write down my ideas but, I looked it over and couldn't find anything that I felt like writing or researching.  I love y'all.  I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday.

Writing prompts for tomorrow, 12/14/16

It's hump day, how will you rejoice?

or

Write about a day that your brain wouldn't work.




12/12/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 12 - Mumps

When my brothers had mumps I was so chubby that they couldn't tell if I did.



Look at that smooshy face!  I think if I looked through some stuff in the basement I would probably find that bedspread.  Mom said she had to sleep holding my hand through the crib.  I bet her arm got cold.  Such the spoiled baby.  But who could help it, look at that smooshy face!

At the time, I think, the only way to tell if you had mumps was a swollen jaw or neck.  Yup, I had both.  If my doctor asked me if I had mumps I'd tell them probably, well maybe, who knows, I was smooshy!

I changed my template today.  I wanted something a little different.  Blogger is limited on their templates and especially on their fonts.

I think I'll find some different fonts and use them.  I think I can edit my html code for that.  If I screw it up, it's been nice knowing you.
 
What do you want to write for tomorrow?  How cute my smooshy face is?  Go ahead then.
 
Writing prompt for 12/13/16
 
Write about how cute my smooshy face is.
 
or
 
Write about how cute your smooshy face is.
 
Hey, keep it real babe.

12/11/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 11 - Autoimmune diseases suck

Autoimmune diseases can affect almost any part of the body, including the heart, brain, nerves, muscles, skin, eyes, joints, lungs, kidneys, glands, the digestive tract, and blood vessels. The classic sign of an autoimmune disease is inflammation, which can cause redness, heat, pain, and swelling.

I just found out another girlfriend of mine has an autoimmune disease.  That's enough!  I'm sick of it, I'm sick of finding out that another friend is suffering.  This stuff affects women more than men.  I have a neighbor who, like myself, has Multiple Sclerosis.  All of her siblings has an autoimmune disease while most of them have MS.

I have another cold and my left eye looks to have pink eye.  I keep asking doctors if I am more susceptible to colds and they tell me no.  I disagree, while my body is fighting it's own cells I believe it can't fight off the common cold.

So, once again I'm unable to enjoy life.  I am supposed to celebrate a young man's birthday today with family.  I can't go because I don't want to infect anyone else and I don't want to get anymore germs from someone else.

Pat Ricky, this is for you  I love you buddy.  I hope you have a great time at Tokyo.

The other day I was complaining to David, you know, the old "woe is me".  I do that a lot.  Poor David has to hear so much complaining from me.  Later that day or the next I was listening to Audible, The Bible Experience, the book of Romans.  Then it smacked me upside the head, Romans 9: 20-21

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

BAM!!  Yup, I think I still have the knot on my head.  It puts it into perspective.  Will I stop complaining, probably not but hopefully less.  When I get mad at God I need to remember that He is the potter and I am just the clay.

Writing prompt for 12/12/16:

Write about something that gives you comfort or strength.

or

Write about something that affects you strongly.

Love to you all.  Love and prayers to my girlfriend.

12/10/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 10 - Donald J. Trump

So I'm testing keyword searches.  I figure I'd jump on the bandwagon of talking about Donald J. Trump.  Donald J. Trump will be sworn in in a little over a month.  I will be at Meghan's when he is.  I don't know if we will watch Donald J. Trump be sworn in as the 45th POTUS.  Donald J. Trump says "yuge" instead of "huge".  Funny huh?

Anyway...

Last night while I was flipping through the channels I stopped on Hardball with Chris Matthews.  I will watch him for a few minutes because his mouth is straight across and looks like a puppet.  While watching him, his cell phone rang twice.  Seriously!  I heard it.  Here is the YouTube from last nights broadcast.  Skip to 12:35 and then the second time is 13:09.  Turn the volume up.  Seriously!  It made me LOL.  Wouldn't a "news caster" either turn his cell phone off OR at least silence it?  COME ON!



So far #Igotdots is winning for my hashtag.  So start using it!  Just put it anywhere you are posting.  Lets get it trending.

Writing prompt for 12/11/16:

Post a YouTube video of something you think is funny.

or

Do you watch YouTube often?  Post one of your subscribed channels.

12/9/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 9 - Dan Gaffney plus I got dots

Yesterday I asked my radio host friend, Dan Gaffney, if he would plug my blog.  He did and wow, my readership jumped.  I enjoy listening to him on the radio.  You can stream it here.  He's the best in slower, lower Delaware.  Like his Facebook page and you can watch him live Monday - Thursday.




I was talking to Kristin yesterday about my hashtags.  She doesn't like #keepDawnweird, she likes my #Igotdots better.  So, I'm letting you decide.  Take the poll, whatcha think?

When I say #Igotdots I mean that when you see my Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on a MRI it shows up as white dots.  I am a #MSBeast because I survive, day by day, with pain.

Ok, let your voice be heard.

Image result for big hugto Dan Gaffney.

12/8/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 8 - The Mighty

I submitted my story to The Mighty and they turned me down.  What the heck?  I have a couple of their diseases.  I say let the community decide.  Maybe the story I have could encourage someone, inspire someone or even bring a smile.  They are going to be sorry when I complete my book and become famous, they'll want me then.  And I, taking the high road, will tell them to "bite me".  How's that for your high road.

I don't know if I ever take the high road.  I usually take the smartass road and if you know a smartass or are a smartass, you know where that road leads.  Straight to your funny bone!  I do have a problem containing my smartass remarks.  When an occasion arises I have to take a deep breath and try to calm my mouth.  For instance, David and I will be talking about something and I'll say something and then he draws a blank or something and asks what I'm talking about.  *deep breath*  "I'm talking about what we were talking about." *deep breath*  I don't say what comes in my mind because it wouldn't be nice.  And that dear folks is how you keep a marriage together when you are a smartass.

Hmmmmm...do we do a writing prompt for my smartass readers?  Um, yeah!

Writing prompt for 12/9/16:

Are you a smartass?  If so write about a time you had to stifle it.

or

Does the smartass in your life get on your nerves?  Write about how you avoid killing them.


12/7/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 7 - Blah, Blah, blah, blah

So it seems I'm not crazy. Ha!  Had that dude fooled.  The shrink test was stupid.  Remember this, say these numbers backwards, spell words backwards, are you going to kill yourself or others, some weren't easy to answer.  Do you think you are depressed?  What is your mood?  Well yes, yes I do think I'm depressed.  My mood is angry but I stifle it because who wants to be around someone that's angry all the time.  Anyway, he said I passed.  I told him I was going to end each response with "dot com".  He was not amused.  He said I'm on the internet too much, well duh.  Eye roll.

The waiting room for this doctor had several other doctor's offices waiting there.  A lady came in in a wheel chair and made a big production of coming in and being out of breath.  She bossed her husband around and did not shut up the whole time!  When she wasn't talking she was making a noise with her mouth or drumming her fingers.  Making noise of some sort THE WHOLE TIME!  Oh my goodness!  When she came in I ignored her because that's what I do when someone irritates me.  But jeez Louise, she would not be quiet.  Finally she was called in to her appointment and the rest of us was left in silence.  Well except for those TV's that they have in doctor's offices that run adds.  Which is another irritating thing.  Maybe it's me, maybe I'm just irritated all the time.  That's why I stifle my anger so I don't get up and strangle someone because they are making stupid noises.  Just STFU!!

I do have anger issues.  I don't let them slip out but that in itself is kinda scary.  Now that's a Dukes thing.  I don't think it's because I have dots.  #igotdots  When we do finally blow up, stand back, it's not going to be pretty.

Writing prompt for tomorrow, 12/8/16:

Write about what irritates you

or

Write about how you irritate others

Remember:
#keepDawnweird
#keepDawnsnarky
#DaDecBloPoMo
#MSBeast

12/6/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 6 - Urination

A nation in which we all belong.  Made ya look. Bahahahaha.....


Today I go see a shrink.  It's all a part of the decision if I get disability or not.  I know I'm crazy, I got dots for God's sake!  #igotdots  But of all the things wrong with me they send me to a shrink?!  I would think they would send me to a neurologist or to have another MRI.  But a shrink?!?  COME ON!! 




I hope he doesn't ask me to remember something and then ask me to repeat it later.  I can't do that.  And I hope he doesn't do spots tests, who the hell knows what they are.  This one looks like some sort of mask.

I'm kinda nervous.  The Dr. called me last night to confirm and he sounded okay over the phone but you know most of the shrinks are crazy.  That's why they went into that field to start with, to see what's wrong with them.

I'll find out around 1530 just how crazy this dude is.  I, I'm sure, will walk away with a gold star because I've colored the papers purty.

So pray that he'll see I'm crazy or whatever he's looking for.  Think crazy!

Today's new hashtag:  #keepDawncrazy

Ok, here is your writing prompt for tomorrow, 12/7/16.

Do you have a crazy friend and if so write about them.  You don't need to mention names, they know they are crazy.

or

Describe a time in your life where you felt crazy.

#DaDecBloPoMo
#keepDawnweird
#keepDawnsnarky
#keepDawncrazy

12/5/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 5 - Brain dump part 2

I need to wrap presents.  I need to cook dinner tonight...ugh.  Why do people hate Mondays so much?  Why do I hate Mondays so much?  Why did it have to rain today?  I really hate rain.  I really hate rain on Mondays.  I need to straighten up my house...badly.  All I have to do is take a little piece at a time, like eating an elephant.  Why does my hope chest, which is really my desk from the couch, look worse today and I cleaned it up yesterday?  I still can't put my laptop on it.  Maybe I'll clean off my real desk today and be able to write from there.  Why haven't I started my book yet?  I need to speak with someone from the TSA and ask them about bringing my Copaxone in my carry on when I go see Meghan.  I need to make a list of things to bring to Texas.  I need to make tea.  I see a shrink tomorrow.  I really wish I didn't have to drive myself there but it's one of those things.  I'm a paper hoarder.  Actually a tablet hoarder.  If you saw my bedroom you would be astonished at how many tablets and paper I have.  I've lost a salt shaker.  That drives me crazy when I can't find something.  How do you lose a salt shaker?  It normally takes an hour, at the least, to write a blog post.  David's home.  I need to get up from here and do something.  Rain hurts.  I have new neighbors; Brendan and Tricia.  He is from Ireland and has that cool accent.  Ok, now I'm stretching, my brain is dumped.


Writing prompts for 12/6/16

Write your brain dump.

or

What do you love most about writing?

#DaDecBloPoMo
#keepDawnweird
#MSBeast

12/4/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 4 - When did back-up singers become back-up dancers?

When I see modern singers have all these elaborate back-up dancers I find it odd.  Just sit objectively and watch, say a BeyoncĂ© (even though I can't stand the chick and I wish she would fall off the edge of the earth) sing and dance.  Pay close attention to the back-up dancers.  Does that not look ridiculous to you?  Could she not do this routine without the other dancers?


Her dance moves are ridiculous enough but those other girls, queer.  And when I say "queer" I mean odd.

Now on the other hand...


They don't need no stinking back-up dancers.

One example of how I #keepDawnweird.  Some things just strike me as queer.  I have quite a few.

Here are your writing prompts for 12/5/16:

Write about something you think is odd or queer.

or

Post a video of you being odd or something you think is odd.

Don't be afraid to write.  You know you have it in you.  Remember to post back here or in a response on my Facebook page.

#DaDecBloPoMo

12/3/16 - DaDecBloPoMo day 3 - #keepDawnweird - My favorite poet

I don't "get" a lot of poetry.  I think modern poetry is just a bunch of words that they call poetry.  I haven't read a lot of poetry so that is just my sideline call of it.  I haven't written any poetry because it would come out like this...

Roses are red,
That's what he said,
Violets are blue,
Just like your shoe.

I'll let the writing of poetry stay with those that know what they're doing.  At least until after I finish this book.

Robert Frost is my favorite poet.  I've got a book of his poetry and I've actually read most of them.  My favorite, by far, is Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening 
By Robert Frost 
       
Whose woods these are I think I know.   
His house is in the village though;   
He will not see me stopping here   
To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   
To stop without a farmhouse near   
Between the woods and frozen lake   
The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   
To ask if there is some mistake.   
The only other sound’s the sweep   
Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” from The Poetry of Robert Frost, edited by Edward Connery Lathem. Copyright 1923, © 1969 by Henry Holt and Company, Inc., renewed 1951, by Robert Frost. Reprinted with the permission of Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
 
Can't you imagine being there?  Hearing the sound of the snow as it's falling?  I love the image that it brings to my mind.
 
Writing prompt for 12/4/16...
 
Write a poem (hopefully not like mine)
 
or
 
Post a poem from your favorite author
 
Don't forget to link back to me.  Grab the DaDecBloPoMo for your site.  And as always remember the hashtag #keepDawnweird.

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