Forgiveness

Hello! Today I was watching The Early Show and caught an inspiring segment about Forgiveness. The segment was about a lady who lost her only 23 year old son in 1993. He was fatally shot by a 16 year old boy at a party, which they both were attending.

The 16 year old was charged (rightfully so) with murder and was sentenced to 25 years. He served 17 1/2. A few years before he was released the mother who lost her son wanted to meet the man who took her son's life. She wanted to forgive him to have peace within herself. They met, continued to meet and are in each others lives every day. They are neighbors!!! She spoke with her landlord and convinced him/her to give this man a chance and he/she did. He is now employed, attending church and teaching others about forgiveness. :) Beautiful story, huh?

Another story I heard about on The Early Show was a story about an 18 year old named Ben Breedlove who lost his life Christmas morning. He had a heart attack. Here is the link to the 7 minute video he posted December 18th AND the article that tells his story. Ben Breedlove had a heart condition and has cheated death four times. He began to grow tired of the disease, the hospital visits, the near death experiences and wanted to be at peace. He talks about it here on this link. Ben Breedlove Notice the times on the video when he smiles and when he doesn't.

Merry Christmas Eve

Hello! I hope you have a Merry Christmas tomorrow!! :) I will be spending the afternoon with my sister, brother and their families which I'm looking forward to doing. My sister and I hit a rough patch recently (I blogged about it) so I hope what happened a couple weeks ago doesn't interfere with our family time tomorrow. I often use this blog to vent about my frustrations because well it's therapeutic for me and we all need an outlet. Right?

Uh Oh I feel a rant coming on. Tonight Steve's band (Terrapin Moon) has a gig and I have to be honest and say I am not looking forward to it!! We have been snapping at each other all day and coupled with the Giants winning today and the Eagles not being in the playoffs now....its been a bad day and the night will only get worrse I'm sure! I hate, absolutely hate asking him to do anything for me when he is in a bad mood!! Fu#k me!! He leaves for Delaware tomorrow....much needed break? Absolutely!!

I visited with my niece Tia Thursday night. She is home from Texas until January 1st. I missed her so much!! She looks so pretty and grown up...Her boyfriend Shawn is also home from the service so they will be joined at the hip I'm sure. :)

Monday my aunt and I will be meeting at the cinema and having a movie marathon. Not really a marathon, just two movies. :) We are first watching War Horse and then The Girl with the Dragon tattoo. Her and I always enjoy going to the movies and then critiquing them afterwards. :)

Tuesday

Hello! I Hope this blog finds you happy and well! I am!!! :)  I began taking Chlorophyll pills about a week ago. I heard they are good for your bladder and are a good way to detoxify your body. Some testimonials I read were people feel 100% better and have more energy. I also read that one may experience flu like symptoms for a couple days while the Chlorophyll is getting in your system. I haven't noticed changes yet, but we shall see. I have many urinary tract infections and really want to find a way to cut the number down so I'm not relying on antibiotics so often. I also got some d-mannose which takes something out of the urine. I should know what it does before I start blogging about it, huh? :) Ha! I haven't taken the d-mannose yet. I will wait and see what the chlorophyll does.

Somebody broke out the back window of my neighbor's truck the other night! There was nothing stolen, but the fact it even happened is horrendous!! We live in a safe neighborhood and have rarely had any trouble, but this incident makes me realize these things can happen everywhere and I need not be naive to this!

Christmas is right around the corner. My bf is going out of town for a few nights and I'm not 100% certain what I'm doing yet. I have been invited to a couple places, so decisions decisions! :) No matter what I decide, I'm certain it will be a GREAT day!

Family

Hello! Today is Sunday already and tomorrow Steve's Mom and Dad are leaving in the morning. Their time here always goes by so fast, it's hard to believe five days have past so quickly. They helped so much with Christmas decorations inside and outside which is always much appreciated! :) Last night around midnight we all gathered in the living room and celebrated our Christmas together being it was going to be a busy day today getting ready for their trip back home.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, the start of a fun and possibly busy week! :) I will be visiting with my friend, which I always look forward to doing. :) I also have grocery shopping to do and a couple errands to run. Fun times! :)

Belly buttons and jury duty

Hello! Hope you are having a great weekend! :)

Anybody who knows me probably knows I have a phobia of belly buttons. Not in general, but in the sense I hate my belly button being touched. It's ultra sensitive and when its touched it sends me through the roof. It started after my accident and I have no idea why it makes me crazy! Anyway... today I was in bed and in the midst of me getting dressed, my aunt called. At this point I was partially dressed with a towel draped over me. While I talked on the phone my stna applied my lotion to save some time since we were in limbo. Well, Lady loves the taste of lotion. I usually always let her lick my arm or leg for awhile after I get lotion applied because well, I strive to make my baby girl happy.  :) Today, though she had a different agenda. She wasn't interested in my arm or leg....she went straight for the lotion on my belly button! Oh muh God... I was going through a plethora of emotions.. Panic, denial, anger...you name it. I didn't want to yell at her, but I was about to become unglued. She eventually stopped when her attention got diverted, but 11 hours later I'm still experiencing belly button discomfort! What the H? Anyway...

One day this week I was opening my mail and noticed an envelope from the County Sheriff Department. Hmmm why am I getting mail from them, I thought to myself. Well, it was a letter inviting me to jury duty in March. Hmmmm says me! I have always thought jury duty could be a cool thing to experience, but now I'm thinking not so much. I like court shows and trials on tv, but only if they are real. I'm all about Forensic Files, Snapped and especially Trutv, it's my weakness. I don't think though that I will be lucky enough to be chosen to sit in and deliberate on an elaborate case like the kind I see on tv. It will be something minor like traffic offenses or the like. BORING! :)

Chances are great that I will not be chosen to participate. My dad had to go and report for jury duty in the 90's and got sent away because they asked him if he had ever lost or had a faily member or loved one seriously injured in a vehicle accident. Since he had, well they probably figured he might harbor bad feelings towards the driver and this could cause him to be bias. (correct word?) Anyway...we shall see! :)

Hump day!

Today I spent some time with my friend Teri, who was my nurse when I first moved here. She only worked for me as a nurse for a short time because of a career change, but we have remained friends ever since! We went to Bath and Body works, Petsmart and then went to Frisch's where we sat for what seemed like hours catching up. We talked, we laughed, talked more, cried, talked more... :)

I have been thinking a lot about my sister and the whole facebook comment. I was wrong by outing her in the manner I did and feel like a true tookas!! I have built up anger and probably chose the wrong avenue to vent. She has always justified not visiting me by saying she knew dad was with me and I wasn't alone. Regardless of what happened in the past or what didn't happen I need to let it go and focus on the here and now!

Steve's parents arrived today and will be here until early Monday. I'm unsure what we have planned, but I'm sure they will help with getting Christmas decorations up inside and outside. They always keep busy and are non-stop. :) Unfortunately this trait doesn't run in the family.... :)

Have a great evening!!

Mice, the finale, besties and family night!

I know my previous post was really bitchy! The noisy mouse was just getting on my last nerve and I wanted him dead. The next morning Heather and I emptied the contents of the basket and to my surprise all the little guy wanted was a strawberry twizzler. What mouse wouldn't want a strawberry twizzler, right? He also chewed on an unpopped microwave popcorn bag, but didn't get it open all the way. Anyway...he is still alive and will probably make himself heard tonight. Unfortunately for him, things are in tupperware now and not easy to chew! Sorry Mr. Mouse!

Tomorrow Steve is going to Miami for the weekend and I have plans with friends. :) I love the time I spend with friends! I don't have a big circle of friends, but the couple I do have are the best and I'm beyond blessed to have them in my life! Thank you besties!!!! :)

Tonight my brother, his wife, their boys and their nieces are coming over and we are making pizzas. :) I'm excited to see the family. My nephew's birthday was November 18th and I have a present to give him. I'm totally embarrassed to admit that I totally forgot his birthday! November 18th came and went and I didn't give his birthday a thought until my brother talked about it last week! I apologized and made him swear not to tell his wife that I forgot their son's birthday! She would be totally apalled! (sp?) My dad's birthday is November 18th and his the only birthday I seem to associate that day with for some reason.

Mouse part 2

The part I said in my previous post about not wanting to kill the mouse who is eating my bread and shitting on my counter...I take it back!!! He is back AGAIN and bold as hell!! He is making so much noise as he peruses through my wicker basket filled with tasty cakes, tootsie rolls and kit kat bars that it's annoying the hell out of me! Every time I roll in the kitchen to get a glimse, he gets quiet and runs off. I roll back in to the family room, get on my computer and BAM he is back in the basket helping himself. I want a cat!! To be continued!

Mice

Unfortunately when the cold weather comes, so do the furry little field mice who are trying to find some heat and get their bellies full. Over the past several weeks I've heard a scratching type noise near the kitchen cabinets and I know its mice, but I have no idea how many! Today it was pretty incessive so I rolled over to the refridgerator area where I thought I heard the chewing noise, but couldn't see anything. The closer I got the louder he was so I tried to be hush hush. I tried to whisper really loud for Steve, who was down the hall,  but the mice must have heard me. It was then that I heard a loud rustle and then the chewing stopped. A few moments later after Steve came in I saw a gray blurr go under the dishwasher! My heart stopped and it was then that I rolled out of the kitchen about as fast as the mouse went under the dishwasher!

I hate having mice! I hate finding gnaw marks in the bread bag! I hate seeing their little dookie droppings! I can't get myself to set mouse traps though. I don't want them, but I don't want to kill them, either. We have live traps we can use, its just figuring them out. :)

Twilight

Hello! Hope you're having a good week! :)

We got some snow here in Ohio yesterday and well, boo!!! Can you tell I'm not a fan? :) I'm quite the sun worshiper and have never much cared for the fluffy white stuff even as a child growing up. Don't get me wrong, I played in the snow, built snowmen and made snow angels, but I always preferred the warmer weather over the blistering cold winter months. Now, because I'm a quadriplegic and my internal thermometer is out of whack causing me to be cold most of the time, this couples my dislike for Ohio weather in the winter months. Aren't I just a peach this evening?? :)

 Well, I can finally say that I have watched all 3 twilights and am ready to go see Breaking Dawn! I had a hard time grasping the whole vampire and werewolves concept, but with the help of my nurse, I think I got it now. :) Also, I'm team Edward! :) I watched a funny movie today which was a spoof of the first twilight. I think it was called Vampires suck. If you get an opportunity to see it, its funny! :)

Black Friday

Today is Black Friday and I was a stick in the mud and stayed home! I don't go out and shop for huge deals on black Friday because I don't know if I believe the huge deals are really out there! I hear on the tv commercials that they are. I see in the newspaper ads that they are... but, are they really??? I went one time (two years ago) and bought a pair of panties for .99 and a Nike sweatshirt for $19.99. That wasn't worth a night of no sleep, freezing my tookus off and the gas it took to get me there. Sigh!

We went to see Steve's dad yesterday and really enjoyed our visit! We drove to PA in about 4 hours, visited for the entire day and got home around midnight. The part of Pennsylvania we were in is full of hills and curves. It makes me think that people in Pennsylvania have to change there car brakes more often than those not in Pennsylvania. No?? Anyway...great trip! :)

Tomorrow I'm going to the Hara Arena National Holiday and Gift Show with my aunt and my friend, Barb. I hope to get some Christmas shopping done and enjoy my time out at the same time. :)

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I want to start off by telling you the things and people that I'm grateful to have in my life. My boyfriend, my dogs, JAS (you know who you are...ha!) my nurse and nursing assistants, my bf's family who have always accepted me and of course my family! I am thankful for the roof over my head and especially thankful for my wheelchair, which is like my legs because it gets me around! :) Also, my standing frame which I enjoy more than anything!

We are heading to Pennsylvania tomorrow to spend the day with Steve's dad, who recently bought a new house in E. McKeesport. My nurse assistant and I worked in the kitchen today cooking a 4 lb. turkey breast, making stuffing (pouring it from the box to the sauce pan while adding water) and baking croissants to tote with us tomorrow for our Thanksgiving day dinner!

Have a great day and Happy Thanksgiving!

B-Dubs

Hello! Hope everybody had a great weekend! :) I had a good weekend. Friday & Saturday was pretty uneventful for the biggest part, but Sunday afternoon was spent at the skating rink in Kettering and at Jimmie's Ladder 11 lounge in Dayton later in the evening. We went to the skating rink that afternoon to watch my nurses daughter skate while my nurse and Steve worked on nursing notes: That evening Steve had an acoustic gig with his band member David, which sounded great. It was a good day!

Today I spent my manic Monday at Krogers doing my weekly grocery shopping and later that evening I met a friend at BW3's for a couple beers and appetizers. :) I really like Bdubs boneless wings smothered with their mild sauce. :)

Honesty

The other day while on facebook I got a message from an unhappy individual, which I did not appreciate! In retaliation mode I said some "not so nice" things back that I now cannot take back, unfortunately. On that note... I understand how being honest is always better, but not always the easiest.

Somtimes I am guilty of not being forthcoming with the events of my every day life. Sometimes I think some things are better left unsaid. I sometimes justify this as I'm not lying or being dishonest, I'm just not saying anything about it at all! In all reality though, am I lying by omission?? hmmmm

I guess its a catch 22. In my situation my boyfriend and I do our own thing. We don't question each other about our whereabouts, we don't snoop at each others e-mail or text messages, we don't set the tripometer and monitor where each of us go, etc. I couldn't imagine being in a relationship where those things were happening. I admit though I have not always been so passive. I'm not exactly sure when it changed or why, but I like not having that insecurity burdening me.

In the news..

Today I learned my previous case manager (Mary Kilby) through carestar was being indicted for the death of a 14 year old girl who passed away from neglect. She weighed 28 lbs and was compared to as a skeleton by the Montgomery County prosecuting attorney. The girls mother was arrested yesterday and three nurses were arrested this morning. One nurse took care of  the girl 6 days a week and the other two nurses were supervising over the case and suppose to do home visits to check on the well being of the girl who has cerebral palsy. It really surprised me to see Mary in the news and her mug shot on the front page of the paper. She was very thorough while she was my case manager and ALWAYS looked out for my well being!

Tomorrow is my dad's birthday. He would be 76. I love you daddy-O and think about you a billion times a day! I miss you!! :)

I will write more this weekend!

Woodland Taverns

Last night we went to Woodland Taverns in Columbus for the 2nd annual Grateful Tribute night, which is a tribute to the Grateful Dead. (Maybe it was obvious, but just in case it wasn't) :) Again, like last weekend both Terrapin Moon & Skeleton Crew were lined up to play back to back making it nice to get the enjoyment of listening to both bands on the same night and under the same roof! :)

Steve wanted me to hear another band called The Jim Miller Band and they sounded phenominal. It's strange how you get bands who share the same musical repertoire, sing the same songs, but sound so different. :) Anyway...it was a fun night!

Today I just hung around the house and got caught up on some much needed paper work. Tonight I will be stand:ing in my standing frame and glued to the tv watching Dexter and Homeland.

In the news

I was watching The Talk yesterday and the ladies were discussing the Texas Judge William Adams who was caught on video beating his then 16 year old daughter Hillary with a belt. The video was 7 or 8 minutes long, but the 18 seconds I watched was way enough for me. Evidently she had been getting beaten more frequently and a pattern was beginning to develop as to when she would receive them, so when she knew the next one was coming she decided to video tape it. This particular time she was getting punished for illegally downloading music that she didn't purchase!

The video was from 2004. Here it is 2011. Why 7 years later? This story leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We all know every side has two stories and we know the media runs with stories, but this video can not be disputed!! He beat her continuously with a belt and humiliated her as he did it. His side of the story is he was disciplining her because she downloaded the music illegally. He says that she is bringing the video to surface now because she is mad at him for cutting her financial support down and not paying her mercedes car payment anymore. He said he is teaching her to not be self suffient because she is only working part time in a video store. Her side of the story is she was too scared to bring the story to light while she lived at home and she wants him to get help. She did admit to feeling bad for doing it though because she doesn't want her dad to get in trouble.

Well, I read that he probably will not be facing charges because the 5 year statue of limitations has passed, but another judge is filling in for a couple weeks while the case is reviewed. Regardless, this man's reputation as family judge is ruined and I bet he will not be re-elected when his term is up in 3 years.

Children need discipline. It's how they learn boundaries on what is right and wrong. There are several forms of discipline that can get the point across and beating them with a belt for eight minutes is not one of them IMHO. I admit I have came across a handful of kids in my life that I'd like to smack their smiles to the back of their head because of their rudeness, but obviously I don't carry out the act. I don't know how I would handle discipline if I was a parent, but I'd like to think I wouldn't resort to beatings and belittling. The children are our future and the same ones who will choose which nursing home they will put you in. :)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! I hope you had a nice weekend! On Friday night I went to Canal Street Tavern to watch both of Steve's bands play at a Halloween party. I think this is the first time both of his bands were hired to perform at the same place back to back! Anyway...I sort of dressed up as a football player. I wore a jersey and painted black lines under my eyes... it was cheap and easy!! :)

My picture was tagged to me on facebook and well.. I'll just say I'm not feeling the love. It wasn't a horrendous picture, but it was pretty darn close! Hopefully people were too intoxicated to notice the black under my eyes was smeared down to my cheek bones!!! I hate the tag feature!
The cold weather is here and when the cold weather comes so does my chest congestion and a nagging cough!!! I have been using my percussion vest more often to break up the mucous in my chest, but not as diligent as I should. I'm prescribed to use it once a day for 20 minutes year round . It's hard for me to justify using it though, when there is no congestion to break up in the Spring and Summer months. My friend Leslie, who is an asthma educator and respiratory therapist, gets on me about not using it as often as I should. She reminds me all the time if I use it everyday I wont experience the chest congestion and nagging cough when the cold weather approaches! Anyway....

Blast from the past

Today I had a visit from a girl who lived down the street from me on Lightner Blvd. That is the street we both grew up on with our families and where we spent our evenings playing kickball, softball, riding our bikes, building forts and doing whatever else we could find to get in to that evening before the sun went down and it was time to get ready for school the next day. :) We were all so energetic and loved being outdoors!
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Unfortunately, her brother Eddie (and our friend) passed away in 1986 while in basic training for the Marines. That was such a sad day in the neighborhood! The story back then was he had an enlarged heart and that caused his death. I was told today though that there were doubts on whether that was the case or not.

I have not seen her since 2000 at my Mom's funeral. The funeral was a dismal time and not a time to catch up, so we haven't really spoken since High School. Anyway, She came with her 20 year old daughter who had fun listening to us reminisce (sp?) about family, neighbors and about the things we have been up to since High School. :)

We plan to get together soon and adding a few others from our clan to join us! Should be fun! :)

Happy hump day!

Hello! It's Wednesday and I'm getting ready to run some errands. They're errands I shouldn't have to run and I'm a little salty! My brand new printer is flubbed up all ready and I have to see if I can get it repaired. The part of the printer that pulls the paper through to scan and fax is broke! The printer is big and bulky and not easy to haul around, so I feel bad for my nurse assistant who has to carry it for me. Maybe I will buy her dinner tonight for her troubles? Maybe she will leave her undies at home this week?? Hehe, just kidding!! I wish the printer would fit on my lap, but it doesn't, unfortunately. Anyway..

I had a visit from my friend this week! He was in the area for business and made the time to come and play catch up for awhile! He is the same friend who only visits when he is in Dayton....other than that I'm not worth the time and gas money. :) Totally kidding... I know he reads this and I'm giving him a rough way to go. :) I enjoy visiting with him no matter what the circumstances are and always appreciate him coming to see me.

I just read an article about Mayor Bloomberg, mayor of New York, and his remarks on making more handicapped accessible taxis in New York. Evidently he said that it would cost too much money because they are gas guzzlers and cost $15,000 more than traditional taxis, they would be uncomfortable to average riders because of suspension, they would not generate enough tips to the cabbies, and also that it's too difficult for persons in a wheelchair to hail a cab and they may get ignored.

Mayor Bloomberg is missing a sensitivity chip it seems and hopefully karma doesn't bite him in the ass! I don't wish wheelchair life on anybody, but it can certainly happen without it being wished upon...shame on you Mr. Mayor!