This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone.

Taylor Caldwell

Good morning everyone. Looks like we are in for another nice day. Today I am off to the Kings Plaza Mall to take advantage of the sales. 60 percent off in Old Navy, and I still have my sons to buy for.  I'm not much for crowds so I am hoping that, being a Wednesday, it won't be so bad. It's easy to get there. Only one bus. But it is a long journey so I'll have some reading material on hand.

My back has been bothering me the past few days, but is somewhat better today so, so with an arthritis aspirin, I should be okay. Realized last night that this is a fibro flare going on. Pain in my knees, shoulder, and wrists along with my back. In my case, it feels better when I keep moving. Maybe that is because I'm spending time focusing on the pain. Besides, Ralph finally remembered to get me the small cart that I can take on the bus. So, I'll be okay.

 

I've got some homework to take care of for an online class. I enrolled in a math class yesterday, took the pre-test and promptly dis-enrolled after the second question. How did I ever pass math in the first place? Also looked into enrolling into a Holistic Health and Healing course for certification. That's been a dream of mine for years, but I'm not sure I can afford it. All depends on what kind of break in fees they can give me.

 

I'm in need of a jacket.  Since I lost over 43 pounds, my coats are hanging off me.  They are all 3X.  I wasn't planning on getting one until I reached my goal, but I've been feeling funny going out with my coats hanging off me.  Hubby, trying to make me feel better, said this is the way they wear their clothes, the bigger the better.  My response, "Yeah, but I am not a teenager anymore."  So I ordered a nice red jacket through Amazon. Couldn't resist.  It was 73 percent off.  Well, they ended up sending me a vest instead.  I complained and they told me to send it back and they will send me the correct item.  Guess what????  They sent me ANOTHER vest.  Boy am I furious and I told them so.  Told them they'll get these vests back and cancel the order altogether.  

 

Have a good one.  Talk to you all tomorrow.

Tuesday Catch up

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Burton Hillis

Morning all.  Looks like another stay in day for me.  One of my packages delayed and should arrive today.  That's okay.  My back is not so good, and I really don't have the money to go running around.  It's not like the summer months when I could pack a lunch and spend the day in the park without spending anything more than bus fare.  Now, let's see.  What else has happened since I last posted.

Pathmark closed last week, and the pharmacy had referred me to a Rite Aid which was a bus ride followed by a 9 block walk. I was told that all I had to do was call the pharmacy and have it transferred to a Rite Aid of my choice.  All well and good, but, Pathmark neglected to tell me that they had cancelled out my two refills. Totally not necessary, and I think they did it on spite because I had complained.  Good thing I didn't just go to the pharmacy on pick up day to do the transfer.  Oh, what a pain in the butt it was getting a new RX.  When one's doctor is a part of those new health care centers one cannot directly reach the doctor's office.  Instead one reaches the main office and they reach the doctor for you.  Only trouble is you never know if they relayed your message because no one ever calls you, and being that this was my BP medication I was concerned about I sent two emails and made three phone calls.  All in all, the stress of getting those refills was enough to raise my BP.

This little purse doesn't look like much, but it is something I shall treasure for the rest of my life.  It belonged to my mom, and she used it on Sundays to hold her donation for the church.  My daughter, knowing that I attend every Sunday, sent it to me.  This past Sunday I carried the tradition onward. I shall never forget it on a Sunday.

What a surprise this was! One of my Facebook friends crocheted this tree skirt for me.  It's awfully large and must have been lots of work for her, not to mention the price of postage to mail it.  It is so heavy.  How awesome a friend is she to do something like this for me.

My palm tree died not too long ago.  We did everything we could for it, but couldn't save it.  Hubby had bought one for his sister, and that one died as well.  Turns out that these big outlets by lots of these palms because they grow quickly and can be sold cheaply.  What they don't tell you is that this type of  palm will only survive in hot and humid areas such as Florida.

Have to be so careful when you buy things.  My Money Tree has really taken off, and we have transplanted the third time. Do you see how tall it has gotten?  Awesome.  And finally....

Can you believe this?  Who in their right mind is going to spend this?

Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

 Good morning all.  School is out, and I find myself looking forward to the upcoming semester in February.  Not going to take so many classes, that's for sure.  I know my limit now.  At 68, soon to be 69 I am not the spring chicken I used to be.  Won't be going out much this week.  I have so many more to get gifts for this year, a wonderful feeling, so I did most of my ordering online through Amazon.  Will be staying here waiting for packages to arrive.  I had my daughter's and her hubby's sent directly to them, but this is a surprise for my grands and great grands so I'm having them sent here, packing them in a big box, and sending them off.  A little extra work, but I just didn't want packages going to them directly from Amazon.

Speaking of family, my granddaughter called me 'grandma' instead of 'Mary' the other day.  That brought tears to my eyes.  How long I have waited to be called that.  My daughter sent me a bracelet that belonged to my mom, and a little change purse that she took to church every week.  I shall cherish them. 

Had a pretty awesome weekend.  After running around all week I'd planned on staying in on Saturday, but UPS had messed up the delivery of a gift from my daughter, and rather than stress her out any further on the day of her phlebotomy test, I took a walk and picked up up.  She passed, by the way, and is now going for her internship.  So proud of my girl.

Later Saturday, my goddaughter/niece messaged me and asked if she and the children could attend church with me.  She is feeling so depressed and alone since her mom passed, and basically, you might as well say we are all that is left of my ex's family aside from the greedy sister in Florida.  So she drove all the way from Queens, and we all attended church together on yesterday.  Afterwards, I took them out and treated them to MacDonald's...big spender that I am, lol, but hey, MacDonald's isn't that cheap nowadays and being on a limited budget, I was rather relieved when the kids all chimed in that that was where they wanted to go for lunch. 

Hard to believe that the holidays are right around the corner.  Time has really gotten away from me.  Sometimes I just wish it would slow down a little so I could enjoy it.  My tree is up and my house decorated.  Three days of work for me.  It's not like it used to be when I could do it all in one day.  Have to take frequent sit-downs now that I am getting older.  I've most of my gifts bought, only have to get for the boys now.  Sort of overwhelming.  From buying for 4 people to now buying for 15, but I love doing things for my family.  I'm just so grateful to have them all in my life now...except for my eldest son.  He's not coming around, and I kind of don't expect him to.  Nothing much I can do but pray.

Well, as far as Weight Watchers goes, I am nearing that illusive 50 pound mark.  43.6 pounds gone now.  No more 3X for me.  I'm down to 1X.  One day I walked into the store and saw a gorgeous dress hanging on the rack.  Glad I had my sunglasses on because tears came to my eyes.  Not that I wanted to buy it, but the fact was, if I did, I could have and it would have fit.  No more leaving the store disappointed because I am too big for what they have.  I am feeling so good about that.

Well, that's about it for today.  I've so much to say but that will have to come another day.  So glad to be back amongst my friends.  I am blessed to have all of you.  Thanks for being there and worrying about me.  It means the world to me.

Apologies to All

Just disappearing is never nice, and for all those who were concerned, I am so very sorry.  Should have at least posted something to let you know I was okay.  I just took on a bit more than I could comfortably handle.  Along with the classes I was taking on at Brooklyn College, I also enrolled in some online classes as well.  Had several of them going on, and with tests, essays, and readings, I had little time for anything else.  So now, the semester is over, and I have completed all but one online course, so I hope to be back to regular blogging.  Have so much to talk about.  So much has happened.  Please bear with me and once again, forgive me for the disappearing act. I have missed all of you.

Wednesday News

"But what if I make a mistake?" Will asked.

Gilan threw back his head and laughed. "A mistake? One mistake?
You should be so lucky. You'll make dozens! I made four or five on
my first day alone! Of course you'll make mistakes. Just don't make
any of them twice. If you do mess things up, don't try to hide it.
Don't try to rationalize it. Recognize it and admit it and learn
from it. We never stop learning, none of us."

John Flanagan
Erak's Ransom

 

Good morning everyone, and a blessed one it is. Had a rough night last night, major pain flare, but all seems to be good this morning. Today my class doesn't begin until 12:10 so I have some time this morning to get a few things done. I usually cook the veggies and fix the plates before I go so I don't have to worry about it when I get home and can take a snooze if I want.

Ralph is taking his shower and is off to motor vehicles this morning to take the tests for his CDL license. He passed his physical yesterday and  studied late into the night. His  is feeling pretty anxious right now. I told him to stop thinking he will fail and think positive. After all, he only had one day of class and passed the practice exam that most of his classmates studied for a month.

But, I do know how he feels. I remember how I felt the day I took all my exams. Talk about nerves. Especially when I went for the oral on my CASAC. They used to have both an oral where you had to take a case from the day the client walks in until they complete your program. All the core competencies had to be included. Once we passed that we had to take a multiple choice test which didn't phase me at all.

But the oral. Oh, what a wreck I was...and to make it even more stressful, I had the worst cold I'd had in years. I was coughing, sneezing, had a runny nose, sore throat, cold chills. You name it and I had it. And I had to stand in front of 3 stoic faced men who where not allowed to show me any emotion, not a hello, not even a smile. They had to do it that way so as not to let on your passing or failure. Well, despite how I was feeling I managed to get it all out, but once I walked out of the room, the tears began to flow. A woman, a CASAC from another room walked up to me and said, "I'm not supposed to do this, but you really look like you need it", and she gave me a hug. Never forgot her.

A few weeks later I went online, and when I went on the OASAS website and saw my name and the word CASAC, I screamed and everyone from my office came running in. What a day. My license is retired now, but what a memory.

Have a good one.

Tuesday Thoughts

Drag your thoughts away from your troubles--by the ear, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it. It's the healthiest thing a body can do.

 Mark Twain 

Good morning everyone. Looks like we are in for another nice day. It's going to be a quiet one for me. No more Tuesday classes. Both have ended so today I'll just be hanging about the house. That's okay.  I've plenty of things to keep me occupied.  

Ralph finished his class as well. Not quite what I expected. I thought he'd have class awhile longer, but they gave a sample test yesterday, and he passed with flying colors. They told him that he doesn't have to sit through this part of it and referred him for his physical and gave him info on getting his permit. Once he gets his permit he returns to school to learn how to drive the big rigs and buses. I'm just a bit fearful about that physical, though. It's quite intense with certain things they look for--high blood pressure, heart problems, epilepsy....and amongst other things eye problems and lung problems, both of which he has. Will just have to wait and see.

Heard on the news last night that November and January are going to be above average in temperature, but come January and February we're going to be in for extremely cold temps and lots of ice and snow. Sure hope that doesn't come true. February starts the new semester and already I am looking forward to it. Already signed up for one class 'Psychology of Political Activism: Women Changing the World'. Can't wait for it to begin. Of course with the holidays in between, time should go quickly.

Here's some info from class Thursday. More to come.

We should drink one ounce of water for every 2.2 pounds of body weight.

Apple Cider vinegar helps digestion, bloating, gas, and heartburn.


Aging weakens our digestion. Taking Dietary enzymes BEFORE or AFTER meals is important.

Amino Acids should be taken on an empty stomach. One hour BEFORE or two hours AFTER a meal.

Herbs should be taken WITH meals.

The amino acid, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) helps with lung conditions such as COPD.

For Macular Degeneration....Macular from Invite Health. Eat kale every day to keep it from progressing.

AHCC...mushroom blend used by over 700 hospitals around the world. For:
Cancer
Candida
Colitis
MRSA
Hepatitis
Stress induced high blood pressure

Increases NK cells by 300-to800%

Increases T Cells by 200%

Available in 500 mg tablets. 3000 a day for cancer. (Remember, my teacher had Stage 4 liver cancer and was given on two months to live 20 years ago. He is cancer free)

Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

  Martin Luther King Jr.

Good morning to my online friends. Another Monday has arrived. Looks like we are in for above average temperatures today. Just don't know how to dress anymore. Had a fairly quiet weekend.  Lots of at-home things to keep me busy.  Did my weekly cooking on Saturday,  and yesterday it was  off to church in the morning and then back home to do some work on a couple online courses I am taking. I've signed up for the final semester of "Curandismo" (Mexican Folk Healing) from the University of New Mexico and "Soul Beliefs" from Rutgers. 

I am still reeling from the events in Paris. As a New Yorker, once again fear has become a part of my life, and I find myself not only looking for anything suspicious, but at times allowing my imagination to run wild....as in church yesterday.  A man entered the church and stood in the back surveying the parishoners.  He moved no further into the church, just stood there looking around.  Then, I saw his hand move into his jacket and immediately I froze with fright, but all the poor man did was take an offering envelope out, hand it to the usher, and leave the church.  But this is what terror does to people, and I WILL NOT let it stop me from living my life.

 Today I have a fairly quiet day ahead. My Short Story class in the morning is the only thing on my agenda. My days in class are continuing to wind down so I really have to start looking for new things to keep me busy. I did run into an old classmate from my art class, and she said that there is still no teacher but encouraged me to come back. I don't think so. I can practice my art at home and don't have to go to a place that made me feel so uncomfortable.  I can't forget how I was ignored on that walking trip. 

I am so happy that Ralph found something to keep him busy. I had welcomed retirement. Actually, I was under so much stress at work, and my health was suffering from it, that I chose to retire. On the other hand, he was retired for medical reasons and hasn't found it as easy as I have. He gets bored and depressed. His little driver job helped for awhile, but the guy turned out to be a 'user' and he had to let it go.  

So, I asked him what he would like to do and after some thought, he said he would like to get his CDL. So, I went online and found a free school for him, and he started on Friday. He's beaming now and so proud of his homework and all he has to do. And most importantly it keeps his mind off all his medical issues.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Hope you all have a good one.