Category Archives: Love

“Life is like a box of chocolates”………

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Watching ‘Forrest Gump’ at the theater, when I heard my title in the movie, I giggled. At the time I was a mere 28 years old and didn’t think past which movie I’d like to see next weekend, or what clothes I’ll wear to work tomorrow, or what to cook for supper that night. I didn’t think about the deep, complex meaning those few words can truly hold.

It wasn’t a good four years later that my marriage ended. I moved back to my hometown and back into the house I grew-up in. I had a second chance at life and I wanted to get it right this time.

There were many things about myself that I wanted to do differently, so I got busy and found myself. In that time, I felt like a piece of chocolate in that box that was different in so many ways, but at the same time you could interpret the meaning a a box full of choices. In that box, I found the changes I felt I needed to make and threw myself in head first.

My work ethic grew. I threw myself out there and made my job my number one priority. It kept me busy and kept my head in a good place. I also ventured away from positions I was familiar with and tried something new. The big suprise was I was good at it and found a new love in the nursing field. I job-jumped for a few months, until I settled into the field of geriatrics, where I stayed until my forced retirement.

*In high school, a couple of friends and I made a list of things we wanted to accomplish in life. My main thing on my list was owning my own business by the age of 40. I did it! It felt so good the day we opened our door to patients. We won an award for our service, but then it felt just as bad to close the doors, when we had to. But we had an incredible six years!*

At age 28, watching ‘Forrest Gump’ , I would have never dreamed I would actually meet my soul-mate and have him propose on my 38th birthday. He’s my soul-mate. My first husband was a good man, we just went in different directions. I’m the person I am today, partly because of my time with him, but Barry is the man I was meant to be with. I am the woman I am today, totally because the love and support of my sweet husband!

As I threw myself into my new job, I forgot about all the other important things in my life. I missed my oldest sisters kids grew up, the next thing I knew they were graduating high school and my baby sister was about to have a second baby and her oldest was starting school. It was time to slow down and make time for me.

I guess what I am trying to say in all this babble is that “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get” (movie quote: Forrest Gump, 1994)……but it’s your choice, the box is full. Life is too short, make your choices count!

Time Reblogged…….

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******This is a re-blog. I felt it was appropriate to post it again, cuz that old dislike is the word ‘Time’ is coming out again. I have something go wrong and I feel like crap-ola. All the doctor’s office can say is give it time, they will come in. I truly do not like being in this position. One thing has changed since I wrote this, I have been reminded that I am not supposed to worry about things. I need to put it in God’s hands, he is in control. So much has gone on since 2009, I had kinda forgotten that huge fact. I am actually beginning to feel more at ease about my illness. I do not like getting worse, but I have to remember, I’m just getting closer to him. Honestly, being able to give a little of this worry up is wonderful! I’m loving the peace!*****************************************

I learned to hate that word several years ago. When you are healing after anything to do with the brain, everyone’s favorite thing to say is ” Time, just give it time.”. I do not know about anyone else, but both Barry and I can be a tad impatient. Time is a word impatient people can’t stand.

I have to admit that I enjoyed paying Barry back with a few time comments. You have to understand my husband’s quirky sense of humor. I know he thoroughly enjoyed telling me “Give it time.”. He smiled and giggled a little too much after saying it. I turned it around and now use it on him just a little. I tried to hide my snickering.

Ok, well down to the news I need to share. My visit to neuro-oncologist was quite informative. He gave us more information than we have ever received from other doctors. He confirmed that I do have Cowden’s Syndrome. With my medical history, he doesn’t feel the blood test is necessary. He is scheduling an MRI of the brain and a full body PET Scan. He says he hopes they are both negative, but to be prepared for the possibility. Said it could be as simple as the thyroid cancer not being totally removed or something else manifesting in the neurological symptoms that have been popping up. Here we go again with that word, TIME! Barry and I are praying and giving it to God. If it’s meant to be……….

 

Daily Prompt: Quote Me

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Do you have a favorite quote that you return to again and again? What is it, and why does it move you?

-Follow your bliss!-Joseph Campbell http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php

I have always taken this one to mean ‘follow what you love’. You cannot be happy in life, if you do not enjoy what you do. When my niece and nephews would ask me questions about what to do with their lives, I’ve told them to figure out what they love and go for it. If they choose right, they’ll shine. If not, keep looking until they find what makes them happy. One nephew is a pastor, this choice suits him perfectly. His twin brother is an artist and professional ballroom dancer, he has been showing his creative side since he was five years old. Their sister, is the perfect mother, wife and homemaker. She plans to homeschool her kids, which will be a breeze for her. My sister did a fabulous job with her kids. Of course, my brother-in-law is included in this praise.

-The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.-Joseph Campbell http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php

I continue with this quote with my younger nephews, who are still young enough to be figuring out who they are and what they want to be. They are both sweet, loving boys; but with totally different personsalities. I’m enjoying watching them grow into handsome young men and I encourage them to be themselves regularly. They will eventually figure out who they are and where they are headed in life. My younger sister is doing a wonderful job with her boys. She is a great mom with many challenges, but they are getting there. Of course, my brother-in-law is included in this praise.

I attempt to apply this one to myself daily. I learned early in life that I am a caregiver. I went to nursing school and worked for over 25 years before we had to close our business. I continue to be a caring, loving individual I have always been. I receive phone calls for medical advice regularly and do my best to give accurate, fabulous advice because I wouldn’t want to steer anyone in the wrong direction.

Even though I may not be actively working, I take care of my mother, my husband and myself daily. Sometimes it isn’t easy to be, the one person in the house, with the best memory. Making all the decisions can be a bit tedious at times. Barry has been in management for over 30 years, he isn’t the easiest person in the world to take being told what to do or how to do something. I am trying every avenue I know to figure out how to work with Barry. I don’t want to argue with him daily when he retires. I have to remember that Barry is only being who he is and that is his priviledge!

Emory’s Brain Tumor Support Group

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MkI will not be able to participate in BrainTumorThursday again this week due to the Support Group I attend monthly. The group meets the first Thursday of every month.

There is a guest speaker on a variety of topics. I am enclosing the link to the Group’s Page. You can follow the link to Emory’s very informative internet site. 

http://www.neurosurgery.emory.edu/BTSG/index.htm

The group of people who attend regularly are fantastic, energetic, optimistic and simply just a great group to see once a month. They really lift your spirits and are very encouraging. The staff at Emory are a hardworking group of professionals attempting to keep us up to date on current research.

Daily Prompt: Use It or Lose It!

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This is my first daily prompt. I could not resist, because the title fits my everyday life. Every minute of every day can be summarized by ‘Use it or Lose it’.

I get up in the mornings and walk past my wheelchair to start my day. If I do not continue to walk, it will get to the point that I can’t.

I exercise one hour everyday because my muscles have a way of forgetting how to act right, so I have to remind them.

I read my bible everyday, to strengthen my relationship with God and it exercises my eyes. Makes the muscles in my eyes work. They also tend to forget, overnight, how to act right. I also do about an hour of eye exercises daily just to help keep them strong. I do not care to lose my eyesight.

If I am up to it, I try to run a few errands alone, to keep up my stamina and maintain my independence. I love to window shop, if I can’t get out on my own, not sure what I’d do. Had my driver’s license a long time and I am not ready to part with it!

The one thing I did not like losing was my hair! It is hard to style your hair when you only have one useful hand. Short hair is easy to style and I can use my left hand enough to hold a round brush or a hair dryer. I will admit, I miss my ponytail!

Just about everything in my life works with the phrase, “Use it or Lose it”!

That Midnight Kiss, starting the New year off the right way…….

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Every girl watches romantic movies about “New Years Eve” and how the night is supposed to end.

You should find your special someone when the clock is striking midnight, look deeply into each others eyes, your lips meet with that knock you out of your socks, blow you away, bend you backwards over backwards with that electric kiss that makes you feel like your insides are melting.

That is what the movie kisses are like. If you are lucky and find that someone special, maybe you will experience one of those kisses someday.

The decimal moments you will always remember those special moments.Then you grow up! There will come a day when you tuck those memories away and start making new ones with the love of your life.

Barry and I were apart last New Years, but we were together in our hearts. This year, he told me he was sleepy. He said if he fell asleep to wake him up at midnight for the know as he owes me from last year, plus this years.

We may be older, but we still try to make it special. We played catch up from years past and I loved the fact that he remembered. Barry and I keep it interesting, even when it is just the little things,Sometimes that is what is the most important. Have a blessed wonderful New Year, all! Goodnight!

My first blogging award! Thank you!

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It is a pleasure to receive an award for something that I enjoy so much. Being honored with my first blog award and having the pleasure to be able to pass the award on to blogs I enjoy in many ways; I laugh, I am inspired to keep writing and encouraged to enjoy life one day at a time. Follow God and let him guide you in the right direction. Give your worries to the Lord. He will take care of you!

If I have missed anyone, please forgive me. In my opinion, everyone on here deserves an award! I find inspiration, encouragement and laughter in each blog I have a chance to read daily. It helps me make it through the day.

I’d like to send special thanks and support out to, Wayne: http://thebottomofabottle.wordpress.com. You inspire me to keep going daily; you exhibit such strength in your writing. Makes me want to keep going! Thank you for the nomination

Blog Awards

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

1. Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award

Blog of the Year Award 1 star jpeg

2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.

3. Please include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/   and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them

5 You can now also join our Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience

6 As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.

  1. HopeforHeather: this blog lead me to a special person that I have become friends with. The internet actually brought the two of us together. When I was doing a search for updated info on the rare brain tumor and genetic disease we share, I discovered BrainTumorThursday and a write-up by this blogger. Heather has been a great teacher, confidant and shoulder to cry on. I hate an illness brought us together, but it is incredible to be able to talk to someone about what this disease is doing to our bodies. This blog is also extremely informative about the disease and resources on and offline to help.
  2. Beatingcowdens: this blog is about a mother and daughter dealing with the same struggles Heather and I deal with due to Cowden’s Syndrome. They are a very uplifting and energetic duo. It is a pleasure to read about a mother and daughter being so close. Their blog is very inspiring.
  3. GooseyAnne: this blog is well written and extremely entertaining. My hubby even enjoys a giggle with me over Ms. Goosey’s comments. I smile every time I see a comment from this blog and it is always a joy to reading her posts. Very entertaining. I am enjoying getting to know her.
  4. heartflow2012: very enlightening blog, full of information. The writer is full of inspiration and encouragement. Very sweet!
  5. didiearnasmile: blog is about the daily trials and struggles a mom and her autistic son muddle through daily. They do a fabulous job together! Very inspiring!
  6. Writersite.org: this blogger makes me think and brings back pleasant memories I thought I had lost. She is super supporter and avid commenter. Very sweet lady. Her blog is inspiring and very informative.
  7. Hownottokillyourparents: this blog hits home. We share many experiences. I feel at times like I am now raising my mother and having her in my home can be challenging. It feels good to know Barry and I are not out there alone. The bloggers posts are well written and entertaining.
  8. Randomuzings: very supportive blogger. Very entertaining. Very nice man
  9. thebottomofabottle: This blogger loads his blog with so many topics and posts. He is very dedicated and enjoys writing. He is very a inspiring blogger and sweet young man. His comments are always thoughtful and inspiring.

3. Include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – Thought Paletteand include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4. Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them

5. You can now also join our Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook groupand then you can share your blog with an even wider audience

6. As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

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Yes – that’s right – there are stars to collect!

Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once – this award is different!

Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs – and even if they have already been given the award by someone else – you can still bestow it on them again and help them to reach the maximum 6 stars!

When you begin you will receive the ‘1 star’ award – and every time you are given the award by another blog – you can add another star!

There are a total of 6 stars to collect.

You will find all of the info plus the Awards with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 stars upon them here. If you have any questions about how to post the banner on your WordPress blog go to your widgets, apply your Blog of the Year 2012 logo with the correct amount of stars on it to your sidebar. Simple.

Now, my magic number is nine; there is no order to my list, I stuck to nine blogs because I was too tired to pick the tenth one. Work hard folks and just maybe you’ll be able to grab all 6 stars. GoodLuck!! Thank you for being you!