Confession Time : Did You Know This About Me?

Over the years I have seen the challenge of writing something about myself that everyone don’t know. I have thought long and hard about this. As my life has always been an open book. I started thinking about all my health issues, aches and pains, and how I got to be where I am at.

I know some of my online friends know. I don’t know how many members actually remember. My boyfriend and I both have foods we need to avoid because either allergic or health issues. Other foods we should eat for the same reasons. Which makes it hard to follow any one certain diet plan.

Let me try to break it down a bit for you. My health issues or alignments :

GERD 

 Gastroesophageal reflex disease  which is a digestive disorder that affects the LES (the ring of muscle between the stomach and the esophagus. Basically the acid will back up my throat. When sleeping I will wake up coughing. This will lead to me puking my guts out. Sometimes is so bad because my stomach is empty that only blood comes up.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A.) 

 is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints with pain, swelling and stiffness.

Chronic nerve pain 

 Nerve damage from being shot in my right calf. Where I have issues walking. Or standing for long periods.

Type 2 diabetic

Where my body doesn’t use insulin properly. Currently I am trying to control it by what I eat. 

Uncontrollable Muscle Spasms 

These started happening in my right calf, now I have them throughout my body.

Blindness

Blind in my left eye due to a lazy eye, astigmatism in the right. Glasses help me see better with my right eye. Nothing can be done with my left eye.

Partial Hearing

Partial hearing in both ears – Born this way. Doctors tried to fix my ears when I was two.

Pinch Nerves 

In my lower back, upper back and neck, I have pinched nerves.  I was rear ended as my vehicle was sitting at a stop sign. Stress in my neck with make it randomly pop out-of-place. Making me feel like I have  a migraine. But really my neck needs popped back into place.

Migraines
I have been plagued by migraines since I was a little girl

My feet and hands swell up – They throb in pain. I feel like I am over heating. I am told this could be from the Type 2 diabetes, R.A., or the Chronic nerve pain.

I have stomach bloat and pressure at and underneath my rib area.

IBS

I suffer from IBS. Mainly have constipation and stomach pains. I look for natural ways to help relieve this. Some days coffees doesn’t help.

Can you image the different diets I should be one for each alignment or health issues? Some conflict with each other. Finding the right diet isn’t easy.

What most people don’t know about me? Did you know?

Only 4 teeth left – I have always had bad teeth. I lost my last tooth by time I was twelve. Some teeth I did not lose fast enough. As my second set of teeth push them right over. Causing me to have a double row of teeth. As a teen I had 9 teeth removed. Braces were used to place the teeth left back into place to look like a full set. Back then braces were big, gay and ugly metal. I had the nickname metal mouth.

By time I was 22 years old, I had to have my permanent molars surgically removed. As time went on, I would go to the dentist for routine visits. If a tooth got infected, the dentist would pull it. As he said my teeth would degrade from the inside. By time I would notice a crack, or a pain, it was too late. It needed pulled as it could not be repaired.

When I moved down to Florida. I had no dental insurance. One of my teeth started bothering me. By that time my estranged husband was the only one working due to me trying to recover from my leg injury. I went to several different places. Not would see me without insurance. The ones who would wanted $200 up front. Which my family did not have.

Within several years I was able to move back to Ohio and gain some dental insurance. By that time. It was too late for my teeth. The damage was done as the infection spread.

I went to the dentist. I was told the entire row of top teeth would have to go. All but four of my bottom teeth would have to be pulled as well. I would need dentures. 6 months later I was still having appointments to get dentures. As it took longer back then to get them. When I got sick and missed an appointment. Since, I canceled the appointment the morning of and not cancel 48 hours ahead of time. The dental practice put me on a suspension by refusing to make an appointment for six months. At the time, it was the only place within a two-hour drive that would accept the kind of dental insurance I had. By time the six months was up, I had lost any insurance I had for a year. By time the year was up, I was able to get partial insurance again. I still have partial insurance. However, I do not have the deductible to cover to get dentures.

I have learned to accommodate my diet and eating by only having four teeth. Such as : Meat has to be tender. If it is chewy I can’t eat it. Veggies has to be partial cooked. As the only one I can eat raw is broccoli or cucumbers.

I hide not having many teeth. By rarely smiling. Never a full smile in pictures. Or any smiling that would show any teeth.

Did you know I only have 4 teeth left?

Challenge : Write about something most people do not know about yourself.

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22 Things I Am Thankful For

Someone mention in comment I 'ought' to be thankful for something on one of my blog posts. As they did not realize that I use posts to vent about things I have no one to talk to in real life. I suffer from depression. Having to fight depression is an on going issue. I started sharing something each day I am thankful on Facebook. In order to help me through my depression. I wish if people didn't understand something, they would ask questions. Instead of accusing people of something that is far from the truth. 

As I am trying to be more positive. It isn't easy to do. If you are my Facebook friend and interact with my posts, you would know this. If anyone has questions or comments, I try my best to answer them.  I was going to wait and share this at the end of the month. Instead, I thought I would share what I have been thankful each day on Facebook with you all. That doesn't mean these are the only things I am thankful. Anyone who truly knows me, knows I love each of my children without question. I am thankful for my children. I have given up and sacrificed many things for my children.

My point is instead of telling someone how they ought to thankful when you don't know everything that is going on. You should ask questions. Nobody has the right to tell another person how they ought to thankful when they have not been in their shoes. Nor know what is going. as there are always more details than what one puts in a post. Please remember that. As you may think you are helping someone by telling them how to be thankful. Instead your comment can be very hurtful.

Here are 22 Things I Am Thankful For

1.  I thankful I get to see my grandson. Even if he wears me out.
2.  I am thankful I have a boyfriend who puts up with my hormonal attitude while doing everything he can to help me.
3.  I am extremely thankful to be able to wake up and see another day. 
4.  Even though we have our difference, plus I was not raised by her. I am thankful for my mother.
5.  I am thankful for my two dogs. They are a great source of company. When I do not feel well, they will stick near my side. If I am in bed all day. So, will they be.
6.  I am thankful my boyfriend will tell me he loves me and I am beautiful every day no matter what I look like. He is an amazing man.
7.  I am thankful my daughter is getting special help in school due to her learning issues.
8.  I am thankful for the roof over my head.
9.  I am thankful I have a computer that runs great. I am still setting things up. I haven't figured out the font size or brightness yet. I am still learning.
10.  I am thankful to be able to dream big. No matter how old I get.
11.  I am thankful for my online friends. Who have given me support in any way and those who play Rs with me daily.
12.  I am thankful I have a man who is willing to help take control of the house and kids when I have a terrible migraine. Thank you, baby!
13.  I am thankful for the few hours of peace and quiet before the kids get home. Today is not going to be a good day. Both are grounded.
14.  I am thankful I was able to get Amazon Prime. I enjoy doing review on products I get free or a deep discount.
15.  I am thankful for my teenagers and my boyfriend. I really enjoy spending time with them.
16.  I am thankful for the snow and sunshine.
17.  I am thankful for all my "Royal Story" neighbors who send me energy or the things I request which help me get further in the game.
18.  I thankful for the block, unfollow and hide buttons on Facebook.
19.  I am thankful for my mom who takes me to the store. Since, we no longer have a running vehicle.
20.  I am thankful for tv or music to have sound in the background when I am by myself so much.
21.  I am thankful for Niume in order to earn a little from my writings. Now to get motivated to write more than one post a day is next on my list.
22.  I am thankful for God giving man free will. Instead of giving us no choice.
    

 What are you thankful for today?

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 Photo from Pixabay, a free use photo website.

Traveling - Wordless Wednesday

For my 'Wordless Wednesday' post. I want to share travel photos of my boyfriend who had to pick up a friend's sister in Alabama. We live in Ohio. He went through several states. I am not sure which pictures were taken in which state. He snaps the photos to do whatever I want with. I wasn't able to go, as someone had to stay home to let the landlord, plumber, and roofer in.

I enjoy looking at photos when you can see the changing of the seasons.

I hope you enjoyed the travel photos from Ohio to Alabama and back again. There is plenty of scenery and beautiful autumn photos. 

Which photo did you enjoy best?
When was the last time you traveled?

November 2016 Writing Challenges

November is the 11th month of the year. It is the fourth and last month to have thirty days. The zodiac signs for November is Scorpio and Sagittarius. While keeping what month in mind, I have come up with 30 days of different writing challenges. Please enjoy! If you try your hand at one of these writing challenges. Please drop your link in the comments section. That way I can come check out your writing. Thank you.

1. Become a turkey who enjoys posting to social media. Write and share several posts you have shared on social media on how you feel about Thanksgiving. It could be as simple as tweeting,"Down with the pig, choose the other white meat."

2. Do you think turkeys make good pets? Or should they be allowed to roam free?

3. Instead of another holiday coming up write, 'Twas the night before Thanksgiving'. The ideas are endless. Are the turkeys saved? If so how? Or was it the Thanksgiving dinner that needs saved?

4. Describe what your favorite part of fall is.

5. You see a pile of leaves, do you jump in?

6. Your at the first Thanksgiving dinner, what do you bring?

7. Elections are in November for the USA, do you think it is important to vote?

8. Your traveling on the Mayflower, write a letter back to family and friends and describe it. 

9. Football has become a tradition to what on Thanksgiving in many USA households. Do you watch football? What is your favorite team? tell us about any Thanksgiving football traditions you may have.

10. Your walking through a field, when a scarecrow starts talking to you. Tell us about your conversation with the scarecrow.

11. Brown, yellow, orange and red are fall colors. Create a photo essay with those colors. 

12. How can you help the poor or less fortunate on Thanksgiving?

13. Write a letter to someone and tell them how much they mean to you. Why you are thankful they are in your life.

14. Write about what you and your family are most thankful for.

15. list more ways you can be more giving as a person in the next upcoming year.

16. For countries that don't celebrate thanksgiving, in what ways do they show they are thankful?

17. Write about someone who has passed away, how do you remember and honor their memory.

18. List what you plan on making for Thanksgiving breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Do you make traditional foods, create your own or add a certain twist to your Thanksgiving meals. Tell us about it.

19. Write a poem about about fall or Thanksgiving.

20. Share a healthy recipe for Thanksgiving.

21. What are your favorite Thanksgiving memories?

22. What do you enjoy about the fall season?

23. If you could invite anyone to Thanksgiving, who would it be and why?

24. Don't worry about writing today. Please enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and friends. If you still want to write something, write ten things you are thankful for that has happen this past year in your life.

25. Black Friday, do you do black Friday shopping? Tell us how you feel about Black Friday shopping, the good and bad? if you going shopping, what are you looking for?

26. What are family traditions you have in the fall?

27. What is your favorite warm beverage to drink in the fall?

28.  Write about Cyber Monday Thanksgiving sales. Are you planning on buying and saving online.

29. the weather is getting cold in many area. Some places have seen snow. What ways can you stay warm?

30. Today, is the last day of November, write a summary of the blogs you post for the month. What are looking forward to in December?

Good luck in accepting any of these writing challenges for the month of November.

Below you will find ideas to buy to help you with your writings.

Pumpkin Butter & Biscuits

Tis the time of year when pumpkin flavors and recipes come out abound. It seems no matter where you go something or someone is making something with pumpkin. 

Today I want to share a recipe I make in my crockpot each year. It doesn't take many ingredients. It is sweet and taste great on biscuits or breads. You can use the finish product in other recipes to enhance and create a unique flavors.

I like to cook Pumpkin Butter in the crockpot. I made the biscuits in my sandwhich maker. I get a small bowl of Pumpkin Butter. I dip the biscuits in the Pumpkin Butter.

If you want to try making Pumpkin Butter in the crockpot. Here is the recipe : 

Crockpot Pumpkin Butter 

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4 cups of pumpkin, cubed

1 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons pumpkin spice

1/2 teaspoon of cloves, ground

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

3 cups of Stevia (or any kind of sugar you want)

4 Tablespoons of water

Cut rind away from the pumpkin. Cut pumpkin up in to cubes. Put in blender til pureed. Combined all ingredients in the crock pot. Crock on high for 2 to 3 hours. 

Tips : 

You can substitute one can of pumpkin for the real stuff. You do need to cook longer to cook the pumpkin down. When pumpkin is cooked down as much as you can. train it to get any of the big chunks out. Unless you prefer them.

You can use any type of sugar you want. I choose Stevia because of being a type 2 diabetic. People do like using brown sugar for a different taste. If using brown sugar, your pumpkin butter will have a darker color than orange.

Photos taken by and © belong to Sandy KS aka rusty2rusty.

11 Trick Or Treating Safety Tips For Your Pets

Many people enjoy taking their dogs trick or treating with them. Other will have their dogs with them as they pass out trick or treat candy. I have compiled safety tips that will help keep your dogs safe while trick or treating or handing out candy to trick or treaters. 

1. Keep Candy Out Of Pets Reach

Trick or treat candy is never for your pets. As chocolate can make your pet deathly ill or kill them. If you are taking your dog with you trick or treating. Bring along a couple of your dogs treat to give him or her. if handing out candy, make sure you put in a place your dogs can't reach it.

2. Halloween Plants
Make sure to keep pumpkins, gourds, and corn stalks away from your pets. Teach them they are not a toy to be entertained with. As big chunks can break off and be swallowed. These can cause a blockage which needs treated by a vet.

3. Black Cats

Bring your black cats in at least a week before trick or treating or Halloween in your area. As black cats are the most abused animals during this time of year. Either by pranks or peopel practicing in the occult or other dark rituals. Black cats are believed to be the pet of witch's. Which will cause people to harm them.

 

4. Keep Pets Out Of The Yard

Do not allow your pets to roam free during trick or treating or on Halloween night.  You never know if something will cause your pet to run off, be harasses and teased or worse stolen. Keep them in doors or caged up.

 

5. Keep Pets Away From The Door

Strange costumes can scare a dog when yelling out for candy. The dog could get defensive and defend its home. Never knowing what trick or treat is all about. Place your dog in another room or in a cage.

 

6. No Lit Candles

Lighting candles in pumpkins is an old tradition. Never have  a lit candle where you pet can get to it. A pet can easily knock them over in play or walking around. One year a lady lost her house due to her cat knocking a lit candle over during trick or treating. Accidents happen but they can be prevented. Use glow lights, solar lights or flame less candles that take a battery. 

 

 Dressing Pets In Costume 

Make sure your pet will be comfortable wearing a costume. Try the costume a couple days before. That way your pet can get use to wearing one.

8. ID's Please
Make sure your pet's Id's are attached to their collar or harness. That way if they get loose or out of the house, they can be returned to you.

 

9. Walk On A Leash

If you take your dog trick or treating, make sure you walk them on a leash. Being a leash prevents them from running off and getting lost. If you sit out side to hand out treats. Make sure your dog is on a leash. As something could easily distract them and cause them to dart off in to the night.

10. Pet Friendly

If your pet is not pet friendly (meaning gets along with all animals) keep them home. If you are handing out candy, make sure they are in another room or a cage. Otherwise you are asking for trouble.

11. Bring Along Poo Bags
Make sure you bring along poo bags to clean up after your pets. Nobody wants to step in poo while they are looking to get candy on trick or treat or Halloween night.

Do you have anymore safety tips for pets on Halloween or trick or treat night?

12 Trick Or Treating Tips To Keep You Safe

Trick or treating will be happening within the next week's on various days all around the United States. There are twelve tips to help keep your trick or treaters having fun and safe at the same time.

1. Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid heels or other shoes that will make feet hurt if not used to wearing. Make sure shoestrings are tied. Or better yet, find shoes that don't tie for little ones. As shoe strings can be a tripping hazard.

2. If trick or treating happens at dusk or night, carry a flashlight or glow stick to light your path. Wear a reflective vest or other reflective gear that will be seen by those with flashlights. 

3. Make sure masks are easy to see out of and will not fall down covering your loved ones eyes. Better yet, use those face mask paints and paint a face mask on your child. This avoids not being able to see clearly out of the mask or the mask falling and covering the child's eyes. 

4. Know where you will be trick or treating. Go for the four houses with lights on side beside compared to that lone house sitting by it self down the street. Do not take shortcuts through dark alleys or other places you would never do otherwise.

5. Spot the location you will be trick or treating in. Familiarize yourself with the route if you are not already. That way you know the pitfalls you need to avoid or go around. 

6. Make sure the props are light and flexible. That way your child can't hurt themselves or others with it.

7. Cross the street at corners. If you must cross the street in the middle of the road, make sure you look both ways before crossing. Driving, look out for trick or treating who may dart out in front of you. Do not walk down the middle of the street when vehicles are going both ways. 

8. If your child is not old enough to stay home alone, they are not old enough to go trick or treating alone. Make sure your children are old enough to go trick or treating on their own and are properly trained what to do and where to go.

9. Only knock on door with lights on. As those indicate they are handing out candy. Preferable only to houses you know but with families stretched across America, that can be hard when you don't know anyone.

10. Never go inside a trick or treaters home unless you know them. Simply instruct your little one to stand outside and wait to receive candy. If the stranger persists in you coming in, leave and go to another house.

11. If your trick or treater is old enough to go on their own. Designate a time and place to meet at. Carrying a cell phone is a great way to stay in contact. Remind your child the cell phone is for emergencies only. 

12. Make sure the trick or treaters knwo the candy is for gathering. Not for eating. Once the candy is gathered, you can take them to a place in your area that will check the candy for you. If you are not sure where one of those are and must do it yourself, make sure to throw out any candy that is open, has a hole in it, is partially there or looked smashed or crushed.

A few things you may consider buying to keep your trick or treater safe

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I have challenged myself to write every day something that is related to Halloween. As Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, next to Christmas.  I created a post called "October 2016 Writing Challenges", it is where I am getting my ideas to write the entire month.

Photo from Pixabay.