Saturday Centus #26

It's Saturday Centus again - in a nutshell, Jenny Matlock gives us a prompt from either herself or a guest submitter and then we have to write 100 or words less related to the prompt (the prompt doesn't count toward the 100 words)  Then link it up to her blog.  It's open until the following Saturday, so that means you have all week to participate by either reading or writing.

STOP, STOP, STOP  That trickster Jenny decided to shake it up.   Same info above except you can only go up to 50 words.   As usual the prompt is in bold. http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/search/label/Saturday%20Centus

"Abraham Lincoln was a lot shorter then I thought he would be", Frankie said.

"He was the tallest President ever though.  Make sure you type that in our report".

"Okay, Bob".

"Just think if we lived at that time, Mr. Johnson wouldn't be our teacher he would be a slave". 

"Ugh, Frankie, so would we".

"That would have been so not cool". 

Friday random thoughts

1.  I decided to volunteer to have Christmas for hippies family. I just need to decide on a date. I need to now get my house in tip top shape.  I know they don't care but it gives me a reason to get my butt in gear lol.

2. Our son was able to get a temp job at a Halloween store.  Some of the time, he's the person outside standing by the street with the costume on waving to people.  He told us some people wave, some honk and one girl flashed him but fortunately, she had her bra on.  I guess this is one of those stories he'll always have.

3.  Did you ever see something so beautiful it almost takes your breath away?  I happened to look out the patio doors Tuesday evening.  All the trees in our backyard and the neighbors seemed to be lit up.  I went outside and they were all a brilliant orange.  I never saw our trees that amazing.  It was near dusk and I think because of the rain we had, the sky was pink, the trees really showed what they could do.  Later in the evening, I talked to Magellan (she lives on the next street) and she was seeing and taking pictures at the same time.  She said she saw a rainbow which I didn't see until I looked at my pictures.  I think I was too mesmerized by the trees, ha.

4.  It's supposed to be in the high 40's or low 50's for Halloween but no rain, thank goodness.  We'll see how many kids we get this year.  We're giving out Reese's cups, 3 musketeers, kit kats and twizzlers.  How about you?

A qoute

This is the last thing I'm going to do for breast cancer awareness month.  I saw this quote and thought it was such a telling quote on what it feels like to be going through cancer/treatments. 

"During chemo, you're more tired than you've ever been.  It's like a cloud passing over the sun, and suddenly you're out.  You don't know how you'll answer the door when your groceries are delivered.  But you also find that you're stronger than you've ever been.  You're clear.  Your mortality is at optimal distance, not up so close that it obscures everything else, but close enough to give you depth perception.  Previously, it has taken you weeks, months, or years to discover the meaning of an experience.  Now it's instantaneous".  ~Melissa Bank

Shrink the Whale

I found these 9 affirmations after I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  They were very helpful to me.  I thought they may be helpful to others as well no matter if your dealing with cancer or another illness.

Nine affirmations to help Shrink the Whale

by the Rev. Dr. Lynn Vanderhoof, D.min., Thomas Jefferson University Health System

1. Knowledge: The more I know of my own condition, the better; to be unaware is to be frightened.

2. Decision-making: The more informed decisions I actually make for myself, the more I feel in charge and the less helpless I feel.

3. Belief in my physician: The more I can trust my doctors, the more confidence I will have in my treatment plan.

4. Support: Especially talking to others who have been through the same or a similar experience, and knowing they have come out the other side, is reassuring.

5. Timeliness: The smaller the delay from discovery to diagnostic testing to report to treatment, the less time there is for me to mentally live the "worst-case scenario."

6. Faith: Awareness that there is some being or force greater than myself helps me keep myself and my issues in better perspective.

7. Humor: An ability to laugh with others, to laugh at myself and even at the indignities inherent to treating cancer, keeps me emotionally balanced.

8. Being heard: Stating my needs in as clear a way as possible and insisting the healthcare professionals with whom I am working take my questions/needs seriously is essential to a healing process.

9. Counting myself part of the healthcare team: No one can know my body like I can, no one can know what symptoms are unusual for me like I can, and this makes my contribution central to my own healing.

Computer

Isn't this the way it always is.  The Geek Squad is coming today. I wanted them to reset up my computer.  I thought my son's friend might not have done it correctly since I've been having a lot of trouble with it freezing up.  Since I made the appointment I haven't been having the problem LOL.  Oh well, I'll see what they say.

Documentary

On Saturday, I watched a documentary called Standing in the Shadows of Motown on the Sundance channel.  It was about the musicians called the Funk Brothers who played on the albums of the Motown stars when they were in Detroit.  I guess I never thought that much at the time about who played the music.  If you ever get the chance to watch it, I found it very interesting. It was made in 2002.  It also brought back many memories of Motown songs which I love/loved.  Has anyone seen this?

I love to watch documentaries.  Unfortunately, I don't get to see many.  Usually it's when I'm flipping through the channels and just happen on one.

Saturday Centus #25

It's Saturday Centus again - in a nutshell, Jenny Matlock gives us a prompt from either herself or a guest submitter and then we have to write 100 or words less related to the prompt (the prompt doesn't count toward the 100 words)  Then link it up to her blog.  It's open until the following Saturday, so that means you have all week to participate by either reading or writing. http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2010/10/saturday-centus-scary-story.html

For some reason I had a very difficult time with this prompt.  Oh well.  Prompt is in bold.  

"This is the scariest story I've ever heard, Grandma".  

"Missy, that's why voting is so important".

"I was so happy to be voting for the first time now I'm not so sure.  Who do I vote for?"

"You need to find out what the candidates stand for". 

"Who are you voting for Grandma"?


"I'll be voting for the person I think will be best for our country".   

"Mom and dad won't tell me either but I know they don't agree".

"That's the beauty of voting, Missy.  You have the right to make your own choices".

"Okay, Gram.  I think I'll get started I've got a lot to learn". 

Friday random thoughts

1.  I finally got the money that was held back in escrow for the water from Mom's house.  It only took 6 months. I'm so happy that chapter is closed.

2.  Hippie and I were in Penney's buying Mom a couple of blankets for her bed and he talked me into buying myself a pair of winter shoes for my birthday.   Boy, I don't know what's come over me;  first, I bought jeans now shoes lol.

3.  Anyone watching Survivor?  I don't know if I've finally had enough of Survivor all these years or its just this group of people I don't care for.

4. Tuesday I have the Geek Squad coming over for the new computer.  I've been having issues with it.  I don't know if it's me or the computer.  We'll see.

59

 It's hard to believe I'm 59 today.  Wow!!

Last month, I celebrated my birthday with the Dinner Friends.  Here's the desert they got me. 

A tip to help

Tip:  If you know someone that is going through cancer treatments, don't be afraid to call occasionally.  They may not feel up to talking.  That's okay.  Try again another time. It was my experience, that I always felt like talking the week before I had to have chemo because by then I was feeling stronger.  If/when you do talk to them, if they want to talk about what's going on with them -  listen. Also, tell them what's going on with your life, the good and the bad.  They will be interested and would like to talk about other things besides themselves.

  " Cancer is a word, not a sentence" John Diamond

Pop or soda?

The high school I went to got closed down this year.  Budget cuts I guess.  One fond memory I have is when I used to walk home with my girlfriend.  We used to stop every day on the way home from school and buy a bottle of RC to drink.  I still favor RC as opposed to Pepsi or Coca Cola.

Do you say pop or soda?  We say pop but for some reason from early on my son started calling it soda.  I don't know where he learned it from - not us lol.

Saturday Centus #24

It's Saturday Centus again - in a nutshell, Jenny Matlock gives us a prompt from either herself or a guest submitter and then we have to write 100 or words less related to the prompt (the prompt doesn't count toward the 100 words)  Then link it up to her blog.  It's open until the following Saturday, so that means you have all week to participate by either reading or writing  http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/The prompt is in bold.

"Trick or treat!" they shouted as the door opened.  

"Oh my, two pirates.  Whatever will I do"?

"It's Billy and Sam, grandma.  Don't be afraid".

"Billy and Sam?  You fooled me" as they laughed. 

"Come on in and have some hot chocolate" as their parents drove off waving. 

"When it gets a little darker, grandpa will take you to trick or treat". 

Suddenly they heard, "Ahoy, Matey's ".

When they turned around they squealed with delight.  "Grandpa, you're a pirate just like us".

"Let's get a picture" grandma said. 

"This is going to be the best Halloween ever", Billy said as they waited for their picture to be taken.

Friday random thoughts

1. I hadn't bought new jeans in probably 6 years but it was time.  I mentioned it to one of my friends about a month ago and kept putting it off but we finally went over the weekend.  I was hoping I would be the same size and that my jeans had just shrunk so much from being old and washed 200 or so times.  No such luck, I had to go up a size.  I bought cheap jeans.  I'm hoping I don't stay this size.  I'm hoping the next time, I'm headed in the right direction.  I think instead of hoping, I need to take action, ugh!

2.  I think when the elections are over in November "enthusiastic" should be stricken from the English language.

3.  I decided to sign Mom up for road trips at the nursing home.  I don't know why I didn't do it sooner since we can't get her in the truck to take her anywhere.  Tuesday,  she told me some people went to a Columbus Day parade in a place we have in Cleveland called Little Italy.  I talked to the receptionist and she said the residents that went were in the parade and just sat in the bus and threw candy out.  Mom would have loved that.  I signed her up to go in November to an apple orchard.  She used to take us there when we were young.  I think she'll love it.  They usually have 2 or 3 outings a month.  We'll see if she likes it and how it goes.

4.  The rescue of the Chilean mine workers, wow!!  I was glued to the TV. 

5.  I have an amazing video below this post.  I was spellbound when I heard this guy on TV.  Good for him.  Hopefully, it will help some kid out there some day.   

6. Happy 64th birthday, Hippie.

Joel Burns tells gay teens "it gets better" - AMAZING

A tip to help

Tip:  If you know someone going through cancer treatments, send them cards (not just once).  You don't have to write a lot.  Just let them know you are thinking of them. It will mean the world to them.


"The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next".  ~Mignon McLaughlin
 

A couple of views at Nursing Home

I should have been a PR person

A couple of weeks ago, we were sitting with mom in the lobby of the nursing home and there were some people waiting to get a tour of the nursing home.  Mom and I were talking about arts and crafts and the one woman asked me how long mom's been there and if I liked the place.

I really think the nursing home could hire me. I went on and on how much I loved the place lol.   I only wish I thought of more stuff to tell them about it.

Saturday Centus #23

It's Saturday Centus again - in a nutshell, Jenny Matlock gives us a prompt from either herself or a guest submitter and then we have to write 100 or words less related to the prompt (the prompt doesn't count toward the 100 words)  Then link it up to her blog.  It's open until the following Saturday, so that means you have all week to participate by either reading or writing  http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/ The prompt is in bold.

Last week, I think some people got the wrong impression of my post.  I was not referring to myself in it.

This is my Centus for this week.  I have really been bothered about the suicides of kids being bullied.  

"If I had a hammer I'd hit those kids over the heads with it" Janice said.

"Oh yeah, that would solve everything", chuckled Cindy.  "I really think we need to go and talk to Mrs. Smith.  I'm tired of being treated this way". 

"Will it do any good or just make it worse"?

"I've been reading about kids committing suicide because of being bullied.   Some kids here might not have anyone to talk to like we have each other. I think it's time we took a stand".   

They walked into the classroom and said, "Mrs. Smith, can we talk to you"?

"Sure, girls ". 

Friday random thoughts

1.  Over the weekend I was watching hoarders on TLC.  After it was over some episodes of the new show, Sister Wives came on.  It looked like something I would like but so far - not so much.  Anyone see it?  What did you think?

2. Tuesday when leaving the nursing home there was an elderly woman struggling to carry things inside from the parking lot.  I told her I would help and grabbed a very long brown paper bag from her.  As we were walking towards the door, the woman told me her husband had both his legs amputated and she was bringing the right prosthetic leg so he could do rehab with it.  Oh my!

3.  Never in my wildest dreams could I have come up with a candidate that would start a campaign ad with "I'm not a witch".

4.  A couple of people might have gotten the wrong impression on my Saturday Centus post last week.   I was not talking about myself.
 

A tip to help

If you know someone that is going through cancer treatments, offer your help.  Some times it's hard to accept help.  Most people won't call and ask.  Call occasionally with suggestions of things you can do.  Bring a meal, drive their kids to school or activities, pick up groceries, drive them to the doctors, sit with them during  treatments, clean their house, do yard work etc.  Also, support their caregiver.  They are going through a tough time too. 

"Women agonize... over cancer; we take as a personal threat the lump in every friend's breast".  ~Martha Weinman Lear

Baby it's cold outside

I had to put the furnace on this past weekend to take the chill off the house and to make sure it worked.

We've been in the 40's overnight but that's okay with me ;-)

Think before you pink

Just because a company or organization slaps pink on something doesn't mean they are making a donation towards breast cancer.  Before you buy or donate, investigate to understand how much and where your money is going.  Is the product your buying something that could contribute to breast cancer?  Some companies might even being using the cause not to help breast cancer but to help themselves. 

If you'd like to find out more,  please click here:
  http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/

Saturday Centus - Special Challenge

It's Saturday Centus day but it's a special challenge.  Instead of the usual prompt we have to write 100 words relating to a picture.  Go over to Jenny's and see the picture It's a pumpkin patch.  The link will be up until next Saturday, so join in. http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/



Since this is breast cancer awareness month,  this is going to be in honor of Stage 4 breast cancer gals.

October the most fabulous month of the year.  I always loved fall.  The start of cooler weather; the start of the holidays.  Now though I go into it with trepidation.

After so many years being cancer free suddenly to be Stage 4 is so unbelievable.  They say it's a chronic disease now.  That's a nice way to put it, I guess.

I pulled into the farm and head right for the pumpkin patch.

I see Shelly with her head scarf and I want to run away.  She comes to me, hugs me and says, "I know" and she really does.  

October Breast Cancer Awareness

I want to start off breast cancer awareness month with a reminder to get a mammogram if you haven't....  It could save your life.

About 70% to 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it.   

Breast cancer awareness also means to me, to be aware that there are 1000's and 1000's of women living with Stage 4 breast cancer.  There is no cure for them yet. They are old, young,  grandmothers, mothers, married and single women.

Estimated statistics from the National Institute of Health for 2010:

New cases: 207,090 (female); 1,970 (male)

Deaths: 39,840 (female); 390 (male)