31 Days Of Blogmas

I am eager in getting started on writing "31 days of “Blogmas”. Have you participated in Blogmas before? Not sure what Blogmas is. It is 31 days of writing about Christmas.

You have from December 1 through December 25th to write about Christmas. From December 26th through December 31st, you write about after Christmas. That is 31 days of Blogmas – writing about Christmas. Use the hashtag #31Blogmas2016 that way others can find your posts to give you support.

For those who wish to try their hand in 2016 Blogmas. I have a list of ideas in case you run in to writer's block. Choose a couple of ideas or complete the whole list. Your choice :

Explain what Blogmas is – 31 days of Christmas Blogging
Write a list of what you truly want for Christmas
Write a Christmas list of what your kids, significant other or parents asked for Christmas
Tell us about your favorite Christmas song. Or one that keeps running through your head.
Christmas movies – Your favorite, your most hated, etc.
You’ve been naughty / You’ve been nice
DIY Christmas gift
Christmas traditions your family follows
Share a Christmas recipe
DIY Christmas stocking
What Christmas symbolizes to you
Blogmas post ideas – Make a list of Christmas ideas others can write about
Favorite Christmas treat
Post past Christmas pictures – Tell us about them
Past, Present, future Christmases
Christmas decorating wish list
Eggnog recipe or share a story about eggnog
Christmas in your community – What is happening
Why Christmas is important to family
Happy Birthday Jesus
Budgeting Christmas
Least favorite thing about Christmas
Angel or elf on a shelf – love it or hate
Christmas poem
Create a Christmas story
Write about snow
Stars
Share a recipe of snow ice cream
Ugly Christmas sweaters
Write a letter to Santa
Write a letter to Jesus

Here are 20 more ideas to choose from :

Who did you spend Christmas with?
Who visited your house Krampus or Santa
Holiday bucket list
What did you serve or eat for Christmas meal
Who was invited on the Christmas party?
When did you have the Santa talk with your kids?
How old was you when you found out?
Christmas colors – red, white, green, yellow
When do you take down you tree?
Share a picture and write about your Christmas tree
Real or fake tree preference
What did you get for Christmas
Compare Santa vs Jesus
Christmas candy recipe
Christmas caroling – Yeah or nay
Christmas activities
Christmas animals
Angels
Do you dressed your pets for Christmas
Do you make your pets stockings or give them presents

Photos from Pixabay.com, a free use photo sharing website.

Move From Being A Victim To Being A Survivor

That song where the lyrics say "A country boy can survive", has been running through my head. One day I would love to have a place of my own out in the country. I would like to able to live off the land as much as possible. I was born in the country, I was raised in the country, and country is in my blood.

I was laughed at in school because I was a country girl. I was told I was never going to amount to much. How could I? I was half blind, could barely hear, and fell over my own feet. Yet, I love to listen to music. Country, rock, rap, or whatever is playing. It didn't matter. As long as I had music. I was at peace. I knew I could push through whatever was thrown my way.

Teachers pretty much ignored me when I raised my hand. I wasn't pretty enough to be asked out. At least the boys didn’t think so. Not with having to wear think bug eye glasses and braces. Not like I was allowed to date any ways. I wasn't allowed to play any sports or join after school activities. It made it hard to make friends. I was book smart but lacked social skills. That is what happens when you don't get much socialization among your peers as a child.

I did better than what many expected. I completed high school. Walked up and received my diploma. I was proud. Married and had my first child. Life was looking up.

That didn't pan out. As my ex husband liked to womanize and the bar scene. I spent a few years trying to find myself and raise my son. In that time I manage to work to support us. I lived in a one bedroom apartment til I was able to purchase a house.

Eventually I got with my estranged husband. I had two kids with him before we married. That was one of the worst things I could of ever done. I hit a snag when he shot me on our first anniversary. We had placed our two weeks notice in at work that morning. Had plans and already started packing to move to Florida. Where his parents lived. I was blinded by what I thought was love and followed him.

Little did I know what kind of hell I was going in to. Things got real bad pretty quick. I won't bore you with the details. My gunshot wound was worse than what I expected. It was permanent. I was living in a different state 1200 miles away from anyone I knew. I have no support. Once I took those rose colored glasses off. I realized my estranged husband wasn't what I thought he was. I fell into a depression. I cried for days on end.

I prayed every day. Til I was able to move back to my home state. It took me 8 months to get on my feet to get my own place. I haven't looked back since. I have come along way. I may not be everyone's cup of tea. One thing I have learned. I don't need to be. I am me. I am a survivor. I am not a victim anymore. I may get knocked down. I am willing to get back up and try again. I may not be where I want to be in life right now. Yet something tells me I will be.

I have three beautiful children. One handsome grandson, and a boyfriend who has shown me what true love is really all about. He will do whatever he can to protect me. I love him to death for it. He took a broken woman and showed me how beautiful I have been all along. As long as I have them. I have everything a woman could want. Will we make it? Only time will tell.

I wish all those people who have doubted me all my life, would find happiness and love of their own.

That song saying "a country boy can survive". So can a country girl. I am living proof.

Photos from Pixabay, a free use photo sharing website.

I Am Going To A Nude Wedding

I am not really going to a nude wedding. In one of the groups I am in, gave a suggestion to write if you would agree to have a nude wedding. Or write about if you would attend a nude wedding. You have to give your reasons why or why. I thought I would do this little exercise. As it is a little different and can be creative in thought.

Here is my take on the matter :

First off I want to say I am no prude. I appreciate the human body in its nude form. There are some people who do not look good naked. Nor would I ever wish to see them fully nude. Not even for a wedding. I am sure their are people would say the same about me. If not today, someday. I get it. I understand not everyone enjoys seeing the naked body in all forms.

The first thing I would do is show my significant other the wedding invitation. Depending on who it is and where it will be held at, will be the determining factor if we would attend or not. If I wasn’t going to attend, I would arrange for a gift to be sent. I would send a note wishing the newlyweds happy on their big day.

If it was required all attendees had to come nude. I don’t think I could go through with it. I have no issue being around naked people other than my significant other. I am shy when it comes showing my naked form to anyone but my significant other.

I do think I could attend a naked wedding as long as the attendees were allowed to wear clothing. Once I got to the nude wedding, no matter what I saw I would not back out. It would be an experience I would defiantly write about on my blogs.

Now if my significant other came up to me and really wanted to have a nude wedding. I would consider it. It would have to be somewhere secluded. To where only the preacher, my significant other, and the two witnesses would be. No one else. I could do this, not in the presence of a bunch of people.

If you wish to participate in this little creative writing challenge. Here are the questions you need to answer somewhere in your writing :

1. If your significant other was open to having a nude wedding, but your first thought was no. Would you consider it? Why or why not?

2. If a friend of a family member was having a nude wedding and invited you to go? Would you? Why or why not?

3. Would it make a difference going to a nude wedding if you had the choice of going fully clothed or nude?

4. Would you go if you knew the attendees would be clothes, only the bride and groom would be nude?
Would you have or attend a nude wedding?

Photos from Pixabay.com, a free use photo website.

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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.