Emory’s Brain Tumor Support Group

Posted on 01/03/2013 by gegebearbear

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: Resolved

Posted on 01/02/2013 by gegebearbear

For years, one of my resolutions has been to eat healthier and get into better shape. I hate to admit, it took brain surgery to get me to follow through with this resolution.

My resolutions for 2010 involved eating right, getting my weight down and exercising more.

At this point in my life, I was looking at the possibility of being in a wheelchair the rest of my life. The neurosurgeon was telling me to correct the complications from my first surgery, he would have to operate again. It would make me better in some aspects, but worse in others. I would end up permanently in a chair and need someone with me around the clock.

At my age, I was not ready to accept such, so I went back to the advice I was given at rehab. They told me to ‘keep moving’. I was killing 2 birds with one stone. The way I saw it, if I ended up having a second surgery….being as strong as I could be, would be to my benefit and the lighter my bodyweight, I would be easier to get in and out of a chair if I needed help.

In 2010, I came up with a few resolutions on New Year’s Eve; I changed my diet habits, joined a gym and started doing things around the house just to make life easier around the house.

cleaned out the pantry of anything I shouldn’t have
joined a gym
worked exercise into my schedule, no matter what else was going on!
my doctor recommended a diet plan, where
I had to see her regularly to follow my progress
I got my hubby to agree to do everything with me.

By the time December 31, 2010 rolled around I had:

lost 50 pounds
dropped over 47 inches over my entire body
dropped 8 sizes in clothing
had more energy
felt better, higher stamina

The best news of all came with my yearly check at the neurologist. There was new research and some of the problems I had been dealing with, since the first surgery, could now be managed through medications. I was off to meet another neurologist, but NO MORE SURGERY was the main thing I heard.

So, long story short, it took me half my life to actually meet a resolution, but I continue to do it today! With the guidance of the good Lord above, hopefully I can continue to get stronger and healthier with each day! Whatever his plan, I’m following Him!

Daily Prompt: Use It or Lose It!

Posted on 01/01/2013 by gegebearbear

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”!

To believe or not to believe…..

Posted on 01/01/2013 by gegebearbear

‘New Years Superstitions’: I’ve never considered myself superstitious, but my sweet hubby insists every year that I adhere to one he grew up with. His mom and dad would NEVER wash laundry on New Years Day.

I believe it goes something like this: “If you wash your clothes on New Year’s Day, you will be washing a member of your family away.”

You can read about others at the link I have provided. Several of them sound kind of silly. If you tried to do everything they suggest, you’d have one incredibly busy midnight hour at the beginning of every year. http://www.snopes.com/holidays/newyears/beliefs.asp

In my opinion, this one is kinda creepy, but Barry says that both his mother and father were adamant about observing this superstition. Honestly, I hate doing laundry. I’m not gonna argue when Barry tells me not to.

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

Posted on 01/01/2013 by gegebearbear

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!

Happy New Year everyone! Here are awards 4, 5 and a second star to start my new year off right

Posted on 12/31/2012 by gegebearbear

I am overcome with emotion over everyone’s kindness and consideration in thinking of me when nominating blogs for awards. I am tickled pink that you think my blog is worthy of an award. I am combining these last few, but I’ll try to make sure I have all the rules and such as they should be. I’m enjoying discovering new blogs as I research wordpress for recipients. A special thanks to http://randomuzings.wordpress.com/ for nominating me! You are a doll!

The first two awards have similiar requirements.

nominated by randomuzings

The Shine On Award requires you to Nominate other blogs To Enjoy Posting this Award on Their Own Blogs( list of 15 is below) and suggest other blogs that tickle my fancy.

Honorable Mention list is below:

thebottomofthebottle: it sounded like you were burned out with awards for the year. If I’m wrong, please forgive me.
melanielynngriffin
uwana
Sheryl
heartflow2012

Your blogs are inspiring, witty, motivational and well put together. I enjoy reading each one. You all deserve awards! I’m wearing out and need to get some sleep, otherwise I’d have a huge list of nominees.

nominated by randomuzings

The rules of this award are as follows:

Thank the person who nominated you and add The One Lovely Blog Award…suggest other blogs that tickle your fancy.

********************************************************************************

These are the rules for the followowing awards:

Display the Award Certificate on your website
Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented your award
Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers
Drop them a comment to tip them off after you`ve linked them in the post
Post 7 interesting thing

Thanks to randomuzings, I can add a second star!

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

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

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

**This list is for all three awards. Enjoy! Congratulations!! My nominations go to the following blogs! Happy New Year!! **

http://beatingcowdens.com/: very inspirational and loving.
http://hopeforheather.wordpress.com/: very direct and informative. You can get another star, Heather!
http://lorischulz.wordpress.com: sweet blog
http://ignellect.wordpress.com: interesting topics
http://The Broke Girl’s To Do List: interesting blog
http://alluglyboysdo.wordpress.com: interesting blog
http://gooseyanne.wordpress.com : delightfully witty blog. You can get another star, Goosey
http://kneelkanth.wordpress.com: interesting blog
http://refusingtopanic.wordpress.com/: inspirational blog
http://hownottokillyourparents.wordpress.com/: I can relate to this blog, my mother lives with me,
http://hopethehappyhugger.wordpress.com/: very sweet
http://didiearnasmile.wordpress.com/: very encouraging and courageous
http://lethargicsmiles.com/: very courageous lady
http://thekatandthefallingleaves.wordpress.com/: very sweet
http://vivsspecialthoughts.wordpress.com/: very sweet

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…

7. 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.

nominated by Gooseyanne and randomuzings

I am using the list above for all awards. Everyone is deserving, and I wish I had time to read more blogs. These are the few I get to regularly and comment, so graciously, on my blog. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful support!

These are the rules fot the Versatile Blogger Award as follows:

Display the Award Certificate on your website
Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented your award
Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers
Drop them a comment to tip them off after you`ve linked them in the post
Post 7 interesting things about yourself

Now to the last thing, seven interesting things about myself, this is a requirement for the last two awards. More to read about my hohum life. I’m just a plain, simple Georgia Girl. Probably a redneck at heart!:

1. I have a boxer, named Maggie, who is my dogchild!

2. I love auctions.

3. I recently had a fight over a purse at TJ Maxx.

4. I love to cook.

5. I am currently in a serious argument with my older sister.

6. My husband picked out my new glasses and now that he has had a stroke, he constantly tells me I wear ‘geeky glasses’.

7. If you tell me I can’t do something, I’ll do everything in my power to show you I can!

Thank you again. Muzer! Your blog is a pleasure to read.

Here we go again!!!

Posted on 12/31/2012 by gegebearbear

nominated by lucewriter/writersite.org

http://writersite.org/Lucewriter is one of the sweetest bloggers on wordpress and just an incredibly nice, inspiring and supportive young lady. On many occasions, she has lifted my spirits with her comments and suggestions. Her post are well put together, witty, and work on my memory at times. I have trouble with my long-term memory, and her posts bring back some childhood memories. I was thrilled to learn that writersite/Lucewriter had nominated me for the Super Sweet Blogging Award.

To earn my treat, I need to answer some questions:

Cookies or Cake? Cookie, of course. There is nothing like fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven. German Chocolate Cake would be my cake of choice. They are both just YUMMY!
Chocolate or Vanilla? I must admit chocolate is my friend, but a love french vanilla in my coffee.
Favorite sweet treat? Tiramisu (sp).
When do you crave sweet things the most? Ummmmm, I have to watch my waistline, so sweets are a treat. There are always those stressful moments, when nothing will do the trick, but a sweet treat!
If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be? Sugar Cookie: plain and simple, nothing fancy.

The last requirement for receiving the Super Sweet Blogging Award is to name a baker’s dozen (13) of my favorite bloggers (note: these are just a few of my favorites).

Back at you, Luanne……http://writersite.org/
HopeforHeather…http://hopeforheather.wordpress.com/
Candycoatedreality…http://candycoatedreality.com/
Here you go again Ms. Goosey…http://gooseyanne.wordpress.com/
Beatingcowdens…http://beatingcowdens.com/
nutsandraisins…http://nutsandraisins.wordpress.com/
marilynngriffin…http://melanielynngriffin.wordpress.com/
uwana…http://uwana.wordpress.com/
mormonsoprano…http://mormonsoprano.com/
vivsspecialthoughts…http://vivsspecialthoughts.wordpress.com/
Molly B and Me…http://mollybandme.wordpress.com
Sheryl… http://ahundredyearsago.wordpress.com
Lori Schulz…http://lorischulz.wordpress.com

As usual, my list has no order, ryhme or reason. If I have forgotten anyone, I’ll try to catch everyone I enjoy as I go. Thank you all for your support. Again, a special thanks to Luanne! I truly appeciate it.

My third blogging award….Wow, I love it…..!!!!!!

Posted on 12/30/2012 by gegebearbear

I’m too pooped to finish writing this one up tonight, but I promise to have it posted before the new year. I actually received nominations for several awards today. I’ll start working on all that tomorrow. Again, it has been a big day, and I’m too pooped to type. I wanna sleep in the bed tonight, not under it. Sweet dreams all……

My second blogging award!

Posted on 12/30/2012 by gegebearbear

Wow! Goosey of gooseyanne nominated us for The Versatile Blogger Award. I am truly honored to receive this nomination from such a sparkling and talented blogger. Not only with words, but artwork as well. Now back on task, I wish to sincerely thank her for this honor. Of course there are here are rules to accepting this award. These are as follows:

Display the Award Certificate on your website
Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented your award
Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers
Drop them a comment to tip them off after you`ve linked them in the post
Post 7 interesting things about yourself

Okay, let me see if I can come up with seven interesting things about me.

I love gardening and flowers, but it is extremely difficult to manage my garden since I had brain surgery. My adorable husband built a little padded seat, low seat, so that I can scoot around on my fanny and still enjoy one of my favorite things in this world.
I really, really hate ironing: Goosey, if you do not mind, I’m gonna leave this one with a big DITTO! But I could care less if something is ironed or not, as long as I am tidy and presentable. I hate hanging up laundry and folding it. I could wash clothes all day, but do not ask me to put it up!!
I am a nurse and I’m good at it! I miss working!
We have tickets for a zip-line tour coming up soon!
I wish I could still sing.
I have the most wonderful man on earth for a husband. Ladies, he’s mine and no one else can have him!
I have a brain tumor that cannot be fully removed that is a symptom of this crazy genetic disorder that allows my body to be prone to form tumors, benign and cancerous!

Now to my nominations:-