Hot and Bothered: The Simple Woman's Daybook

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For Today:  Sunday, June 26, 2016
 

Outside my window …  Hot and humid.  We are in need of rain.

I am thinking...   I was invited to another Sunday School class last week, so I decided to give it a try today.  The first piece of irony was that the person who invited me wasn't even there today.  The second piece was that she told me that the class wasn't a couples' class, but when I got there, it was a class full of couples.  The good thing about the class was that I knew just about everyone who attended, so any discomfort and anxiety I felt was the normal level I feel anyway.  The subject matter was on worry, based on Matthew 6.

 

Hmm.. how do I say this?

 

You know, I was excited about the subject matter until we got into the lesson.  It was taught from the perspective of a middle class person with no worries about the basics to a class full of middle class persons with no worries about the basics of life.  In fact, they were pretty insulting about anyone who may be concerned about the basics of food, clothing, and shelter.  In other words, they thought those people with petty worries like that were "out there" somewhere.

 

Don't worry, I held my tongue the whole class...which means God still works miracles in our midst.  If I had opened my pie hole, I would have mentioned that not everyone in our congregation is of the same socioeconomic class.  Some of us are working hard just to have the basics.  It's frustrating to be told that my struggles mean nothing and that the solution is simply to not worry and give it to God.  I've blogged some about the pressures that I'm under:  debt pressure, physical health pressure, mental health pressure, the pressure of being one heartbeat away from being homeless, job pressure, relationship pressures.  Look, I'm not asking anyone to give me anything or solve my problems.  I simply want someone to truly care.  I want what anyone else would want; someone to tell me they understand--really understand.  I want someone to tell me everything is going to be OK.  I want to know that my struggles are not in vain and that my life has a purpose.

 

So, long story short, that class is definitely not for me.  I'll try something else next week.

 

I am thankful...  for the healing power of words.

 

From the Workshop...  I didn't quite finish the quilt-ghan, but I've made some significant progress.  Hopefully, I'll finish this week.  I've also got to think of something for the senior dance prize. 

I am reading...  In my read through the Bible, I just finished the book of Job.  For the first time ever, I actually found some comfort in it.  Sorry, but Job isn't my favorite book.  People has twisted that book so badly that I didn't even want to read it.  But I did, and God spoke comfort to me through it.

I am learning...  to be more proactive in my life.

Favorite quote(s) of the week: 

 "A sense of Christ's amazing love to us has a greater tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of our own guilt."  Charles Spurgeon

"Failure is no accident.  You set yourself up for it or you don't."  Dr. Phillip C. McGraw

"You'll find that you can't be too smart for God because He's the one that put that brain in your head in the first place." - Dr. Bill Winston 



 

I am looking forward to...  my three day weekend next week.

And now for something totally different...


Thursday 13 for this week:  "Why My Future Children May Hate Me."
 

 

 

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Why My Future Children May Hate Me [Thursday Thirteen]

I've been an Auntie since birth, but I've not yet had the privilege of having my own children.  There's been a lot of talk about how spoiled, undisciplined, and disrespectful children are right now.  To be honest, we've always had these kind of children around.  However, their numbers seem to be growing exponentially.  To keep my prospective progeny from being one of their number, here are 13 things I'm willing to let my kids hate me for.  Trust me, there are a LOT more, but we'll stick with the format.

1. I will continue to hug you, kiss you, and tell you "I love you" for as long as I am physically able.  The first time you think you're too old for it, I'm writing you out of my will.  Don't believe me?  Ask you cousins.
2. I will say "no" a lot.  My parents said it to me and I lived.  So will you.
3. I make the rules.  You want different rules?  Get your own house and pay your own bills.
4. Like my parents, I do believe in the power of the belt.  Don't push it.
5. I really don't give a rip what you're friends do or have.  They don't live at my house...and the way they act, be happy if I even let them play at my house.
6. I'm not going to entertain you 24/7.  You have an imagination, use it.  I will limit your TV, video game, and electronics time.  Go outside and play.  Read a REAL book.
7. I will institute a "no whining" zone that shall not be removed for your entire lifetime.  I taught a room full of preschoolers with the zone in play and it worked.  You should be no problem.  Whining is so beneath you; so stop it.
8. You will not get an allowance, you will earn your money. I'm not the government, so I'm not paying you to do nothing.  Yes, you will get gifts and bonuses, but they will not be dictated by you (see #7).
9. You're not getting a car at 16.  I didn't get my license and first car until I was nearly 27.  I'll try to be kind enough not to make you wait that long.  Oh, by the way, you will be buying your own gas and paying for your own insurance and repairs, so waiting sounds a lot better, doesn't it?
10. You're not getting a cell phone either.  You shouldn't be anywhere that there isn't a telephone available.  Besides, since you won't have a car, I will be taking you everywhere anyway, so I'll know where you are.
11. I will help you with whatever type of postsecondary education you pursue (I said HELP, not completely provide), but if you fiddle fart around, you're on your own.  I'm not supplementing beer bashes, debauchery, or crappy grades; only education.
12. As soon as you're old enough, you WILL get a job and you WILL get out.  You're not living in my basement when you're 30.  I'm old and I want my house back!
13. If you go to jail, I will not bail you out.  Don't even call me.

I can't promise perfect children, but hopefully they will be productive citizens.  Let's hope and pray.

Pardon Me: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, June 19, 2016
 

Outside my window …  Partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid 80's.  It's a perfect day for a walk or ride, and I'm in bed feeling achy and down.  I've got to break out of this somehow.  It's going to get too hot to play outside again soon.

I am thinking...   about today's sermon.  Pastor Staples taught on forgiveness.  I'll be the first to admit that part of my depressive state comes from fighting bitterness of heart.  Forgiveness of others is something I strive for.  But forgiveness of self?  I once saw an article that said that forgiving oneself wasn't a biblical concept.  How so?  If God took the time to put in His Word more than once that we should "love your neighbor as yourself," why would forgiveness not be a part of that love?   The question for me is how?  I've not seen anything on the subject other than "just do it."  Sorry, but this isn't a Nike commercial. 

I am thankful...  for this respite from the hot humid weather.

From the Workshop...  My goal this week is to finish up a quilt-ghan I've been working on for a while.  Also finished up a project on my 101 in 1001 list. Read about it on my sister blog here.

I am reading...  I finished My Daddy Was a Pistol and I'm a Son of a Gun by Lewis Grizzard.  The review is here.  Along with working on unfinished selections I started the beginning of the year, I'm now in the book of Job in my read through the Bible.

I am learning...  I've had a "God breeze" this week.  After all this time, I finally understand what people mean when they say that I need to make things happen.  I though they meant that I literally had to MAKE something happen.  I'm not God (and that's a good thing--I'd have gone Old Testament on a bunch of people).  What they mean is that I need to be more proactive than reactive.  Why they didn't simply SAY that I don't know.  Now, I looking for ways to be more proactive.  The biggest challenge is my eating; it is still very reactive.  I've got to get more control.

 

I've also got to learn how to relax.  Those I trust tell me that I'm too hard on myself and I need to learn to be gentle with myself.  Wait, I thought since I was still fat that  I wasn't hard enough on myself.  But seriously, where has all this mental punishment gotten me?

Favorite quote(s) of the week: 

 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

 

Marrian Williamson

 

I am looking forward to...  trying again.

And now for something totally different...

 

Workout of the Week:  Last Saturday I tried my first yoga class.  I've been quite leery of yoga, but tried it anyway.  Everything that bothered me about it happened during class--the chanting, the meditations, the finding my chakra.  I was hoping the class wouldn't have all that.  I know that some people can simply do the stretches and ignore the rest.  I can't.  I purposely set out to think about Bible passages as we did the movements.  It was like hitting a spiritual brick wall.  Over a year ago, my friend Jhona gave me a DVD called Praise Moves.  It's yoga poses, but the meditations are on Scripture and the focus is on Christ.  I've watched it, but never did it.  Maybe this will fit the bill.

 

Five Minute Friday Word of the Week: Lose.  I knew it would take me into a dark place, so I abstained from participating in the blog.

See y'all next time.

#13: Load Up the Bases [101 in 1001]

Load up the bases, fire up the crowd.

Lets clear out the dugout, we're gonna get real loud!

Just throw me a fastball, smoke from the mound.

We're gonna end this thing with just one swing.

I'm gonna knock one out!

I'm gonna knock one out!

Load Up the Bases by Whiskey Falls

　
My earliest TV memories were of Sesame Street, Hee-Haw, and later when we got cable, televised Major League baseball games. My dad and I didn’t have many common interests, but we did have a mutual love/hate relationship with the Atlanta Braves. We watched them go from worst to first, and unfortunately by the time my father died, back to worst again. Dad’s been gone for twelve years and they haven’t made it back to first YET! *sigh*

One of my dreams was to attend a game.  The problem was 1) I don't drive on the interstate, 2) Even if I did, there's no way I'm driving in Atlanta (much less alone), and 3) I don't even know how to buy a proper affordable ticket without ending up with seats just outside the toilet.  I put it on my 101 in 1001 list, not really knowing if it was possible.

I heard a minister say once that there was no Hebrew word for "coincidence"--meaning "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps (Proverbs 16:9 KJV).  No, I'm not saying that Baseball is the Lord's favorite sport (we all know it's college football).  I simply mean that God does care about the little things.  So I won't say it was a coincidence, but that God lined things up perfectly.  My friend Joni is an avid Braves and San Francisco Giants fan (?).  She happened to mention to me at church that the Braves and Giants were playing each other in Atlanta on Memorial Day--my 44th birthday AND my day off--and she and her family were planning to attend.  I asked her if there was any way possible for me to ride with them, plus I needed help buying a ticket.  "No problem," she said.

No problem?

Wait, where are all the excuses I usually get from my friends when it comes to stuff like this?

There weren't any.

The night before the game and the ride to Atlanta were reminiscent of the sleepless nights and giddy mornings I experience before a 5k race.  Walking from the Blue parking lot to our seats was like walking a 5k.  I didn't care.  I was at Turner Field during it's last season (they're building a new stadium, SunTrust Field). 

The seats were great.  They were in the shade and on the upper deck of the home plate side.  The pre-game festivities were a moving tribute to the military heroes we lost in combat.  The game was fabulous; the Braves actually defeated the Giants 5-3.  (Do the Chop here)  The only downside was the roasted peanuts; the bag I bought must have been old...very old.

I came home tired, but with a smile on my face. Thanks, Joni, for giving me one of the best birthdays ever!

Loving to Hate Running [Thursday Thirteen]

I started running three years ago.  Fortunately for me, the sweet lady who coached me through the "Couch to 5k program" was very patient and encouraging, and my first race experience was a positive one.  Unfortunately, not everyone's experience brings them joy.

I've been in a Twitter discussion with some fellow RunKeeper App users.  The question was asked "What do you think would make people hate running?"  Overwhelmingly, the top answer was "PE teachers in school."  Last year, I did another post on that very subject.  I'll not belabor the point; you can read the post here.  However, in my experience with running, running clubs, participating in races, and talking to others have shown a rather disturbing trend. 

If you want your friends to learn to love running, get together with you at a local 5k, or join your fabulous running group DON'T do these 13 things:

1. Don't equate running with punishment.  Just because Coach DA used running as punishment doesn't mean we have to keep doing that to ourselves.  Running isn't easy, but it can be fun.
2. Don't make running a mutually exclusive elitist sport.  NEWSFLASH!  Every runner is NOT a string bean with 6% body fat who eats nothing but kale and sadness.  Did you know the definition of a runner?  Any person who runs!  Size, color, age, gender, speed...none of those things matter in the definition.  Things like cropping larger runners out of photos and making the running categories for large runners start at 5lbs heaver than the fastest runner you know doesn't really encourage someone with a few extra groceries on them to feel welcome.  No, I'm not talking about coddling, just a little common sense and common courtesy.
3. Don't start out doing too much too fast, or trying to push someone to do the same.  You are NOT Jillian Michaels, so cut it out!
4. Don't declare "all paces welcome" at a gathering when they aren't.  
5. Don't bring dogs to a race/group run.  The only exception is a harnessed LEGITIMATE service dog.  Look, I like dogs, however, everyone doesn't.  In fact, some people have a great fear of dogs.  Also, NOBODY wants to be bitten, lunged at, growled at, or have to encounter a hot steaming pile of poo that you didn't clean up. 
6. Do not apologize for slower runners.  Yes, this actually happened at a race last year.  I was in the back with a 66 year old woman who said she was attempting her very first 5k race.  We were in the home stretch when we heard the PA Announcer say, "We apologize for the delay in starting [our kids race]...It's a little bit of a good thing/bad thing to have so many people here..."  The lady said, "maybe I should quit and get out of the way so they can get started."  Her friend and I talked her out of it.  Hey, she paid her money like everyone else and deserves the same treatment as someone who finished in less than 20 minutes.  Plus, it wasn't like she was taking 90 minutes to finish a 5k; she finished in a little over an hour.  At a race this year, I had a sweeper keep apologizing to the people helping with the race because they had to wait on me to finish (I was last).  That is NOT helping.
7. Do not apologize for being a slower runner.  There are two instances when you shouldn't apologize for being slow; one, when you are slow, and two, when you are not slow.  Apologizing when you are slow is an insult to yourself.  Apologizing when you are not slow is an insult to everyone else.  Besides, what is slow anyway?  For me, slow is finishing a 5k race in over an hour.  For others, slow is not finishing one within 30 minutes.  No, I'm not going to throw out worn out cliché's like "slow and steady wins the race."  It sounds like sage advice, when in reality, it's a load of bull.
8. Do not take up water stops before everyone goes through.  had it happen at gatherings and races.  It's not cool, plus, as the weather heats up, it is also dangerous.
9. Do not make snarky comments about other runners.  I have to watch myself on this one.  Usually, I have to stop myself from making snarky comments about others who make nasty comments about their fellow runners.   Dr. Phillip C. McGraw once said, "My dad had taught me there are times in life when you just don't want to miss a good chance to shut up."  He's right.
10. Do not take up time cards and start award ceremonies before everyone finishes a race.  I can tell when an award ceremony at a race is going to get screwed up when they do this. 
11. Do not make running too difficult or techie.  Now, I admit to being a number nerd when it comes to running/walking.  I've got my Runkeeper app on my phone, my Garmin GPS watch (when Runkeeper is on the fritz), my Fitbit and my stopwatch when GPS doesn't work, and my lap counter when I'm using a track.  I'm well aware that everyone doesn't need or want all that and they don't care about mileage and time.  They just want to run and enjoy.  Give them the space to do that.
12. Don't lie; Do encourage.  There is a difference...and we know it.
13. Don't make everything a competition.  Bro, it's a fun run, not the Boston Marathon.

Auntie's 2016 Bookworm Challenge 04

Book: My Daddy Was a Pistol and I'm a Son of A Gun.

Author: Lewis Grizzard

Info:  Copyright 1986: New York:  Villard Books

Where acquired: Library book sale.

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 hashtags): # # # #

What it's about:  Grizzard's Father, Lewis McDonald Grizzard Sr, was a war hero from both World War II and the Korean War.  He chronicles the days of his daddy's heroism and his slide into the deadly perils of alcoholism.  Included are many funny tales mixed with heart-wrenching seriousness as well.

Favorite Quotes: 

The tale of "Uden-Uden" - pp. 20-21

"Daddy had the power to swing my moods from high ecstasy to the darkest and most hopeless of abysses.  But I couldn't let go of him, no matter what he did to me.  I forgave everything.  I never could understand why everybody else wouldn't do the same." - p. 137

About a favorite teacher of his:  "He was talking to some of the boys one day and somebody said something unflattering about this particular girl and Mr. Norton said, 'Boys, you're going to be surprised because when she gets a little older, she's going to be a knockout and you'll all want her for a girlfriend.'  I didn't believe him at the time, but he was absolutely right.  I married her when she was nineteen." - p. 161

About a co-worker at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:  "Robinson had eight children and a wife....Farve [his boss] again tired of his lateness, so another story went, and said to Robinson, 'I don't care what your excuse is, Robinson.  The next time you're late, you're fired.  I promise you.' The next morning Robinson was late.  Farve called him over.

'You know what I said, Robinson," he began. 

'You're going to fire me, right?' Robinson asked.

'Yes, I'm going to fire you,' Farve went on, 'but just for the record, what is your excuse?'

'Greg,' Robinson began, ' you know I've been married nine years.' 

'What's that got to do with anything?' Farve shot back.
 
'Well, we've been married nine years, and we have eight children, and this is the first time since we've been married my wife's had her period, and she felt so bad, I had to cook breakfast for the kids and take them to school.' 

Farve, the story went on, buried his head in his hands on the desk. 

Robinson had saved himself again.'"  - pp. 197-198

"You don't know how he was when I was a little boy.  How I cried for him when we thought he was lost, how we cried for him when he came back to us.  You don't know what a terrible waste you are witnessing.  This was a special man, a gifted man, a man for whom there could have been no limit to his accomplishments.  But look at him.  Death should not be inglorious for such a man.  Better had he died heroically, felled in battle." - p. 227

What I Liked:

• Though Lewis Grizzard is known primarily for his humor, this book contained a lot of serious material.  He tactfully and skillfully mixed the two without the humor being cheesy commentary on the serious bits, or the serious material being too much of a downer. 

What I didn’t like: 

• Structurally, there wasn't much to dislike about this book.  Though not flawless, the material painted an accurate picture of the life of an alcoholic suffering the ravages of what looks like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  The only thing I didn't like was that he could not get the help he needed but wouldn't make the best of the help he was offered.  At 56, he died way too soon.  Yes, I'm sappy sometimes; I don't like sad things.  I like happy endings.

To sum up:  For all it's sadness, My Daddy Was a Pistol... was a joy to read.  Though troubled, Lewis Grizzard Sr. was a true American hero.  Though Lewis Jr. never got to fight in a physical war because of a heart condition, he battled for his father all the way to the end.  He was his daddy's hero.

Simplicities of Summer: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Come on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why?

Forget the lake, I'd just like to go down to the Gulf, feel the breeze on my face, and listen to the waves in peace.

What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? 

Orange juice.

I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simply your life. They were:  clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead. Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

Is there any type of guide to tell you how to have a life worth simplifying?  It's kind of like one of the blogs I read that advertises a book on how to shave 10 hours off your work week.  Hey Buddy, I work for hourly wages.  If I shave 10 hours off my work week, I'll have all the hours of my work week shaved off--by my boss.  

What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

Worked a summer job at the now defunct Abrams Library at Ft. McClellan.  It wasn't my worst job, but it wasn't my best either.  Southerners band camp couldn't come fast enough.

Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite?

Yes, I'm a fan of podcasts.  Some of my favorites are This is Your Life with Michael Hyatt and Dave Ramsey's podcast of his daily radio show.  For a couple of years I was a fan of Greg Proops' Smartest Man in the World podcast until it stopped being funny and started being full of nothing but political rants and the "F" word.  Bless his heart.

I'm actually in the process of developing my own podcast.  Scary, huh? 

Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

Oh, they have it much easier.  In the past, a lady expected a man to marry her before she would bear his child.  She also expected him to work, provide for the family, lead and discipline his children, and love and cherish his wife.  Shoot.  Now, men are like cords and women are like electrical outlets just willing to be plugged by anything and anybody.  Babies are a burden rather than a blessing, and dear old dad doesn't even have to provide for or raise the child; the government will gladly do it for him while he hunts for the next "outlet."

Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

I look like and am built just like my father.  I inherited my talent for music from daddy.  I have his knack for telling funny stories.  Unfortunately, his propensity for addictions got put on my genetic plate too.  His was alcohol, cigarettes, and food.  So far, my addictive struggle is just with food, but that's enough in itself.

Insert your own random thought here.

Kind of sad that I didn't even remember that Sunday is Father's Day.  The good news is that unlike Mother's Day the pressure is off me Sunday.  Whew!

Roses are Red: The Simple Woman's Daybook

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today:  Sunday, June 12, 2016
 

Outside my window …  It's a sunny 91 degrees.  The sky is a cheery blue.

I am thinking...   

• I'm wondering about myself.  How much pain of heart can one person take before they can't manage anymore?  Too many years of this is taking it's toll on me.  I just wished I was the kind of person who didn't eat when they weren't feeling mentally well.  But, no, I have to be the opposite.  Blah!
• I'm pondering the summer series our Pastor is preaching.  It's on the "one another" scriptures.  So far, we've covered "love one another" and "fellowship with one another."  It's been a painful pleasure.  Anytime the uncompromised word of God is preached is a pleasure, but I'm hurting over it.  I long for true fellowship and loving friendships with my church family, but how?  How do I "do life in community" when I don't feel like I belong to the community?  I'd say 50% of my anxiety is all on me--my hangups, my depression, my failure.  The other half rests on everything being family oriented.  I keep hanging on the Psalm 68:6 - "God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains..."  I don't know how this is going to happen, but I have to believe that it will.  I'm also analyzing how I am sabotaging any chance of being accepted as a real member of the family.  Do I portray the image of someone who doesn't need/want anyone else?  Do my bouts with depression turn others away?  Or is it simply my hideous appearance that sends people fleeing for the hills?

I am thankful for...  a new week and a new chance to get it right.

From the Workshop...

I am reading...  I finished up several selections since my last daybook.  The reviews are here, here and here.

I am learning... that's I'm tired of the clothes in my closet.  Some are "progress wear" that I've yet to get into comfortably.  Most items of clothing are the cast offs of others who've donated them to the thrift store.  Don't get me wrong, I like thrift stores, but buying used clothes is like buying pre-worn shoes; they're already tailored to the body of the last person who wore them.  It's frustrating to have nothing that you've picked out yourself or that makes you feel good when you wear it.  This month, I slowly started buying new clothes, but it's going to be a long time to get a week's worth of outfits that I'm pleased with, but I know it will help my self esteem.

Favorite quote(s) of the week...  "Time isn't running out.  Time is running toward." - Beth Moore
 

I am looking forward to...  having true happiness and true genuine friendships, or getting out of here so others can have those things.

Junebug: The Weekly Hodgepodge

Want to join the party?  Come on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

I read here a list of 13 things you should do in June. I'm paraphrasing a little but basically...Go on a road trip with your best friend, pick fresh strawberries, host a garden party, take a morning run, treat yourself to a flower bouquet, spend a whole day hiking, discover a new coffee shop, try a new ice cream flavor, read at least one book, visit a Farmer's Market, make a swing for your home, and visit a new city... Which thing on the list do you most want to do? Of the activities mentioned, which one holds the least appeal? How many on the list will you attempt in June? What's one thing you'd add to the list?

Picking fresh strawberries was actually on my list, but the friend who said that we would go together (it's in an unfamiliar place, so I couldn't go alone) conveniently forgot she said she would, but posted social media pictures of her going with someone else.

I hope to get a book or two read this month.  I would also like to treat myself to a flower bouquet, but I suppose others would think it was self serving and tacky, but I might do it anyway.

The list is wonderful, but other than reading and buying the flowers, everything requires someone else for either mental health or safety reasons.  In other words, what fun is doing all this stuff alone?  And is it safe? 

What's something you could do today to feel more peaceful?

Sleeping.

June 7th is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Are you a fan? Swiss mocha, rocky road, chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter and chocolate, or a dish of plain chocolate...what's your pleasure?

I like ice cream, but I don't care for chocolate cream.  Now, I could swim through a tub of butter pecan ice cream.  

If you came with a warning what would it say?

"Contents under pressure."

What's the most interesting website you've visited in the last week? 

Can't really think of any new ones I've visited.

Spring, summer, autumn, winter...which season are you? Why?

Are you talking coloring, mood, or favorite?  In coloring, I'm a winter; deep royal colors look best on me.  My favorite season is spring; flowers, warm (but not hot) temperatures, and did I mention flowers make it a wonderful time of year.  Mood wise, unfortunately I'm a winter right now--a dark, cold, snowy, yucky, dreich, ugly winter.

"You lose sight of things...and when you travel, everything balances out." ~Daranna Gidel.  Would you agree with that sentiment? Explain why or why not.  

Don't call me stupid, but I don't even understand what this statement is supposed to mean.  Therefore, I can't really comment on it.

Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm in a dark place right now, so I'll just end this here.

Saturday's Child: The Weekly Hodgepodge

 Want to join the party?  Come on over to From This Side of the Pond  for the Hodgepodge link-up!

Tell us about one fun thing on your June calendar.

The Haley's team 5k on June 25th.  It's a nighttime 5k that I've done the past two years.  I finished 3rd from last the first year; dead last in 2015.  Not sure if my placing will be any better, but I'll give it a go.

 

How careful are you in the sun? Do you tan or burn? Do you make it a point to see the dermatologist every year? 

I'm darker skinned, so I don't have to worry about the sun as much as my lighter counterparts.  However, I am on medication that could cause serious issues if I've overexposed to sunlight.  I do tan, but I've only burned once. 

People actually see a dermatologist every year?  I've never seen one, but would like to.  I'd like to know if microdermabrasion would help the scars on my face.  I've got acne scars, brown spots from windburn, and a couple of scars from abscesses that I've had my mom burst with a needle before they took over my entire face.  For as much as my face has been through, my skin still looks very well.  A dermatologist visit might make it even better.  BUT that sounds like money.

Describe a time when you wanted to 'throw in the towel'? 

Every day is a struggle.  The past week has been even more so.  A few things have kicked off another battle with depression.  I have too many days where I want to quit life altogether.

What's a song you love that has a day of the week in the title or lyrics? 

 

 

Are you a fan of berries? Which one's your favorite? What's the most recent berry dish you've eaten? Which blueberry breakfast food appeals to you most-blueberry pancakes, blueberry yogurt, or a blueberry muffin? 

Yes, I love berries:  strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries.  I'm not a fan of raspberries; the seeds get caught in my teeth.  One of my favorite breakfasts is plain Greek yogurt with fresh berries and flax seeds.

What's something you want to do before your next birthday? 

Make something of my life besides a mess.

June 1st is National Say Something Nice Day, so let's all say something nice here. 

It's pretty outside.

Insert your own random thought here. 

 

 

Another song I like with a day of the week in the title.