Saturday, April 30, 2011

Z is for Zoo.....

I love the zoo. I love watching animals live in their natural(as possible) habitat.  I think God has such a creative mind to be able to create such beautiful and sometimes strangely creatures.  Due to my inability to walk or stand for long periods, I have not been to the zoo in awhile.  I may have to break down my pride, rent a scooter, and visit with God's amazing creation.  I'm not sure which animal I like best. They all fascinate me.  Which is your favorite zoo animal and why?

Friday, April 29, 2011

Y is for Yammer. Yak and Yabber......

Yammer, Yak and Yabber are are words for talkative and that is me... I LOVE to talk.  Every report card from 1st thru 8th grade stated that "Keena is a good student. She just talks too much during class". I asked my mom one time why she didn't punish me for that and she said that because I made such good grades she didn't bother. My response: Well, what about the kids that I was disturbing and was NOT making the good grades. Mom: Oh, I never thought about that....LOL. My talkative nature even carried on to the work place. I got into trouble more times than once because I was talking too much. I can Yak away with the best of them.  I can Yabber all day about nothing and I can Yammer even if it's to myself. Are there any others out there with this problem or am I by myself???

Thursday, April 28, 2011

X is for Xanthippe...............

     X was a real challenge for me.  Actually, I was scared to see it come.  The only word that I could think of was X-ray and I thought "too simple, I don't want to do that one".  So I got online and look at Webster's online dictionary and began looking at all the X words.  I learned that Xanthochromatic means yellow and that it a word begins with the prefix Xantho yellow is involved, IE xanthoderma means yellowing of the skin. But , that is not what caught my eye.  I saw the word Xanthippe(zen-tip-pi) and decided to look at the definition.  It means an ill-tempered, or nagging wife.
     It originated in Greek mythology. Xanthippe was Socrates' wife. She was know to be harsh. An ill tempered woman and nagging wife. According to legend, Socrates knew of her ill attitude but wanted to marry her anyway so that he could practice his patience.   Stories claim that Xanthippe threw washing water on Socrates, poured a chamber pot over his head, and trampled on a cake during the midst of her anger.
     I'll be honest. Sometimes I can be a Xanthippe to my husband.  I can be ill tempered at times, although I try hard not to be. I will apologize when I see my attitude not being one of love and support.  My desire is to be a loving, uplifting and encouraging wife to my husband.  He is too good to me for me to be otherwise.  May us married woman  be the wife that Christ has called us to be.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

W is for WHEN....

Have you ever the the phrase....When___ happens, then I'll do ___?  You can fill in the blanks with so much stuff.  My mother used to always tell me When you clean the house, you can have friends over.  Now you have to realize that our house was clean.  She was wanting me to clean baseboards and fans EVERY time I wanted a friend to come over. Or , I have heard woman say... When it's my anniversary, I'll wear my favorite perfume. Or When company comes over, I'll use the fine china.  We all have said it, but I've decided to NOW... NOW, I will wear the perfume my husband buys or I will invite friends over even if the house is not perfect.  Don't misunderstand me. We all need to have goals and be self disciplined but I believe that we sometimes put off for tomorrow what we'd enjoy today. I want to live for the now and enjoy what God has given me.  We are not promised that WHEN will ever come. We are only guaranteed now. 
So go and do! ENJOY the moment !!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

V is for Victoza.....

Victoza is a drug that was approved Jan 25th 2010 for the management of type 2 diabetes.  It is not an insulin, yet it is an injectable.  It helps your pancreas produce insulin and hinders the liver from producing glucose thus lowering blood sugar levels.  The best "side effect" is that is slows down the emptying of the stomach so you maintain a full fill longer.  I started using Victoza on Feb 11th and by April 11th I had lost 20lbs.  It has been amazing. I no longer felt hungry.  I actually had to force myself to eat.  I no longer worry about what I am going to eat or feel the need that I have to eat everything on my plate. The draw back is that this medication is extremely expensive.  Fortunately, my insurance pays for it, however my hubby has lost his job and we cannot even afford to pay the co-pay. What this means is that the Dr has given me samples of something else and I am not as happy with it. Victoza has been like a miracle for me since I am in need to lose about 100 lbs. So I will use the samples and when my husband gets a job, I will get a Rx for the Victoza.  YES, it does have some adverse side effects but doesn't every Rx that you have to take.  I just pray I will not suffer from those.
Stay Healthy my friends.......

Monday, April 25, 2011

U is for.......

I am unable to come up with a u word. I hope that you can have some understanding and consideration for my plight.  May we unite together and conquer this challenge.  I realize that this is an unique post and will understand if you are unavailable to comment.  This has been my hardest post yet(can only see what X will bring).

Sunday, April 24, 2011

T is for TIRED......

I was going to write about something else but stumbled about a poem(its in the post b4 this one) and reread the Spoonie Story(its also in a previous post) and thought it would be appropriate.   People with chronic tiredness and pain are a family of their own.  If you do not suffer from a chronic illness, its hard to understand the daily struggle that we face.  I encourage you to read the two previous post, esp if you DO NOT have a chronic condition.  It will help put into perspective our daily lives.

Poetry: Tired

Poetry: Tired

The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino

The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino

Saturday, April 23, 2011

S is for Secret Shopper......

Now that I am no longer working, I do side work as a secret shopper. What is that you ask? Let me explain.  I go to banks, restaurants, fast food, clothing stores, etc and conduct my business.  It can be withdrawing money to buying a shirt or getting a burger. I observe the environment, inside and outside the establishment IE, cleanliness of parking lot, counters, and restrooms.  I pay special attention to customer service IE, if they greeted me warmly or made me feel welcome.  I notice their products and if it meets companies standards. I calculate the time it takes to be assisted, how long it takes to be assisted, and how long my total time to finish my business.   All this information has to be stored in my head until I leave the store.  Then we I get away from store, I will make notes.  I take those notes and when I get home I submit a report on line.  I cannot disclose who I am or that I taking notes.  The company wants all this to be done "secretly" to see if their products and/or employees measure up to the company standards.
Most companies will reimburse you if you must make a purchase.  Must obtain a receipt and upload on report.  Sometimes I have to take a picture of the store or kiosk that I shop.  In addition to reimbursement, some companies will even pay the shopper a small fee for doing the shop.  It's nothing to make a living at but its fun and you get free food or product.
The good thing about secret shopping is that you can choose when and where you shop.

Friday, April 22, 2011

R is for Rebecca......

I would like for you to meet Rebecca Faye Pratt.  She would have been my step daughter. However, seizures claimed her life at 4 yrs old.  My husband lives with her memory every day. Family and friends tell me she was a lively child, full of energy and laughter despite the fact she was not an healthy child. I love to hear their stories. It is one of the ways I get to know this child that was so easy to love. I never met Lil' Rebecca yet strangely enough I miss her.  She died a year and a half before I met her dad.  Here are just a few pics of this darling little girl:




                                                      

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Q is for Quote.....

OK, so I have been away for a bit. I have had a bad few days spending most of my time in bed sleeping.  That's what happens when you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Something happens and you have to recoup in bed. BUT, here is my Q even if it's a day late......


Here is one of my favorite quotes:

          "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do"




Having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia limits my ability to do certain things.  However, I will not Quit nor will I give up.  I may not be able to do all that I did in the past but I will not let it interfere with what I CAN do.  I have to tell myself on a daily basis not to allow my limitations to dictate my life but to focus on what I CAN do and try to do that well.  I have to remind myself of this Quote quite often so that I continue to move forward and not get depressed over what has been lost to this disease.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

P is for POOP!!

POOP is how I am feeling today.  I had a bad night last night. I finally fell asleep around 5 or 6 this morning. I've slept all day trying to catch up but I feel as if I have been drugged and my mind is hazy. Sorry this is all I have right now.  I hope everyone else is doing well. 

Monday, April 18, 2011

O is for OUGHT.......

I ought to be doing dishes.....

I ought to be cleaning the bathroom....

I ought to be reading the book for upcoming book club.....

I ought to be taking a shower....

I ought to call my mother.....

I ought to start writing the novel that's inside me....

I ought to get off Facebook....

I ought to do my daily devotions....

There are so many things that I OUGHT to be doing but the one that takes precedences right now is blogging and visiting my "blogger" friends.   Thank for being my friends!!!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

N is for Newbie.......

I am a newbie when it comes to writing. I have done some writing for myself but nothing for others to read. However, my desire for that has changed. I would love to write something that people would actually enjoy reading. I dream of being published.  I have a lot of questions.  Here are just a few:

1. How do you start with a story?
2. Do you create characters then write a story?
3. Do you do an outline of what you want?
4. Where do you get your ideas?
5. How do you decide what genre to write?


I have no idea where to begin. The only thing that has come to my mind is a title.  I would appreciate any suggestions or ideas.

Friday, April 15, 2011

M is for Marriage.......

     MARRIAGE. What does that word bring to mind when you say or read it? For me it means happiness. You see, I have a wonderful marriage.  I have a husband that loves me unconditionally. That's the way it's supposed to be.  I am an old-fashion kinda gal. I believe that marriage is to be between one man and one women and it is to be forever.  I do not judge those that have been married several times(I'm my husbands 3rd wife) or those that are divorced because I know that things happen.  However, I believe that if people took their vows and marriage more seriously, America would have a lower incidence of divorce and break up.  The problem from my perspective is that people forget what commitment means.  That is the key to any marriage.  I made a commitment to my husband and I will keep that to the best of my ability.  Commitment last thru anger, hurt, disappointment and desire.  I commit to love my husband.  To commit to someone is an aggressive verb. I make it happen. I can not leave it to its own. I have to work at it. Even when I don't like my husbands behavior or attitude,   I stand by my commitment.
     Another key to marriage is friendship.  My husband and I are best friends.  We talk about every thing and listen to one other without judgement or condemnation. We laugh together, we joke together and we support one another.  We have been married for 4 1/2 yrs but I could not imagine my life with out him nor how I survived the 35 yrs before him. I am a better women because of my husband.  He gives me such love and thoughtfulness that I am just amazed at times. Now before you start to wonder let me explain something right now.  MY HUSBAND IS NOT PERFECT!!!!! Although I sometimes talk like he is, he does have his faults.
     Thats' another key in my relationship with my husband. I concentrate on the positive behavior that my husband demonstrates not the faulty behavior. God has taught me that.  Every time I would complain to God that Bob did something "wrong", God would rebuke me for similar behavior.  God has taught me to focus on what Bob does right not on what he does that I don't like.  Just like people every marriage has its weaknesses and its strengths.  The goal is to work on those weaknesses without judgement and revel in your strengths.
     The last thing I like to mention is that a marriage is  like a triangle with GOD being the top point and each partner is the bottom points.  As each partner(point) grows closer to the top of the triangle-God, they get closer to one another.   The closer each spouse is to God, the closer we grow together.  God MUST be the center of every successful marriage.

What doe you feel to be a key to marriage? I would love feedback and comments!!
    
    
    

Thursday, April 14, 2011

L is for LOVE.......

"Love is patient, Love is kind; Love does not envy
Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own,
is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in inquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears allthings, believes all things, endures all things,
Love never fails"


1 Corinthians 13: 4-8






Wednesday, April 13, 2011

K is for Keena......

That's right. KEENA!! ME!!! Just a few items that you may not know about me.  If you have any specific question that you'd like to ask,  please feel free to ask.  Make a comment below or you can email me @  Keenalynn@juno.com


1. I like my husband's BO. Now I know that sounds strange but he has a good smell about him. I don't mean like in his pits or anything but just in general I like the way he smells



2. I do not like holidays. I am not against holidays, but I never had fun with them. I had a small family and therefore, it was just my mom and I. Then I felt torn between seeing my dad and spending time with mom. It was not fun. Now that I am married, things are changing. I am beginning to like Thanksgiving. All of his family gets together for a big dinner. It is fun


3. I do not like to put away my laundry. I still have piles of loads that have been washed and dried. Some are even folded but I just can't get them into the drawers.


4. I miss sleeping in on cold winter mornings and having my dog snuggle up to me.


5. I like things to be even or straight. I have some OCD tendencies in me. I kinda like the guy in "Sleeping with the Enemy" , however, I am not abusive about it.


6. After I shower in the mornings, I like to lay down for about 15 minutes of "cool down" time. I have done this since as far back as I can remember. Weird huh?????


7. I enjoy being married. I mean I really enjoy doing things like cooking and cleaning for him and I like that he "protects, takes care of, and looks after me" . He is a great husband. I thank God for him every day.


8. I have a hard time throwing things away. Cards, letters, postcards, or anything that someone has given me. I still have a beat up spoon that my dad used to use to make C-A-N-D-Y. My mom threw it away one time and I almost had a fit. I sterilized it and kept it.


9. I do not like Christmas music. Refer back to #2. I always felt torn between my parents. If I was with one, I felt guilty for not being with other. When I hear Christmas music, I change the station.


10.  I am addicted to caffeine. It really is a powerful drug.  I would love to come off it but it just seems like I cannot function without it.  I have tried but have always went back.  I might try again.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

J is for........JESUS


I don't want to write about JESUS the Christ or JESUS the Savior but I'd like to explore JESUS the Child. What was JESUS like as a 5 yr old boy? Did he giggle when his mom tickled his feet? Did he cry during thunderstorms? Did he cuddle with his parents before bed? Did he pick his nose? What kind of games did he like to play? Did he laugh when he passed gas? Thinking of JESUS in these terms makes his humanness more real to me. It is not in disrepect but curiosity that I ask. When did he become aware that he would die for the world? We know that at 12 he was preaching in the synagouge.  I know that these questions are really not important  in the scheme of things but I am just thinking......


Do you have "questions" about JESUS' childhood??

Monday, April 11, 2011

I is for........ Inspiration


What inspires your writing? What inspires your creativity? Does it strike you randomly or do you set time aside for it?  I would love to hear where you get your ideas, and how your thoughts generate. What do you do when inspiration hits? Do you carry a pen/paper with you?  I am interested in your process. I am a newbie and am eager to learn.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

H is for.....HELP!!!!


I was going to write on Hobbies, then I then thought about Hope, but after the last two days HELP really fits my frame of mind.  I have had 2 very bad days and have had to ask for HELP from my hubby. He doesn't complain or grumble but jumps up and does what he can for me.  It has taken a long time to learn to ask for HELP and I still find it hard to do so.  I cannot always do what it is that I used to do and must ask for the HELP.  It is a continuous process. Do you find it easy to ask for HELP or do you put up a fight like I sometimes do?

Friday, April 08, 2011

G is for Gator......



That's right...Gator!!  My hubby calls me gatorgirl.  I went to a place in Myrtle Beach called Alligator Adventure and I just fell in love.  It is miles of land devoted to gators.  They have all kinds of alligaters.   Ones from China, South Africa, and every baby alligators.  They even talks to teachyou about gators and snakes. They have a live show where they feed the gators.  One guy told me that the only thing that keeps the gators in their areas(although they have fences) is that they feed them well.  When they first opened, they noticed the gators climbing the fence trying to find food so they had to increase their feeding.  Below are some pictures that I took while there.




  

Thursday, April 07, 2011

This is just a test.....Trying to learn how to post video.





F is for "Freddie The Frog".......




Freddie was a gift from my hubby for no other reason than because I love you.  I hope this brings a smile to your face.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Fisrt of all, sorry this is so late. My hubby's birthday was today and so... you can just imagine.


E is for.........Embarrassment.


I am not blonde but sometimes have those blonde moments when all I can do is laugh. For instance, tonight my hubby and I went to Applebys' to get 1/2 price appertizers for his birthday.  I told him I wanted the classsic wingless wings. LOL.."DUH" What was I gonna eat... the sauce.  Now that's not too embarassing but I will share a story that is a little embarassing.

I was in the chiropractor office getting an adjustment.  It was one of those hands on adjustments where the "pop" your bones.  Well, the young lady doctor asked me to turn over on my side, and when I did I farted!!!!  I was so embarassed.!!! All I could do was say I'm sorry. She just laughed and said that it happens more times than I would imagine and that it was ok. I am so glad it was a lady and not some nice hunk of a man.

Now that I have shared an embarassing story with you, do you have the courage to share one with me??

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

D is for Dove...my departed but beloved dog







I miss her still.  It's been almost 2yrs and my heart still aches when I dwell on that fact.  She was 12 1/2 years old and she was my best friend.  The pet above all other pets.  Dove was friendly, gentle, loving, warm and STUBBORN.  I guess she inherited that gene from me.  I adopted Dove when she was 8 1/2 weeks old from the local animal shelter.    Her full grown ears looked funny against her puppy body.  She was half terrier and half cocker.  She LOVED to chase.  It didn't matter if it was a squirrel or a bug. She one time chased down an injured bird and ate part of it and scared the beejebbers out of me.  She often made me laugh.  She had an incredible sense of humor.  I could go on and on about that wonderful dog, but I don't want to bore you.  Below are some pics of my "baby:

My Christmas Puppy




Squirrel Chasing

Halloween Costume








Monday, April 04, 2011

C is for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome........


One misconception is that when one suffers for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS), they suffer just fatigue.  That is a myth.  There are several different symptons of CFS.  Here are just a few:

insomia(believe it or not)
stiff muscles
joint and muscular pain
sore throat
enlarged lymph nodes
poor concentration 
poor memory
weakness
nausea
post-exertion malaise
headache of a new nature

This is just a short list.   Someone that says they suffer from CFS is more than just tired.  On top of all of that, most of these symptons are invisable and the emotional abuse that they suffer endure is unjustified.  I suffer from CFS and have been called many names including lazy.  CFS is a real disease.  Remember, they next person you talk to may have an invisable chronic illness so please be kinder than necessary, it may be the only smile they get that day.

Saturday, April 02, 2011

B is for Boobies........



That's right. You heard me.... Boobies... Now WHY in the world you ask would I write about something like that. Well, I am encouraging all women to take care of their boobies.  My husband's mother died of breast cancer. If detected early, it can be treated successfully in most cases. 

Woman-every month you should do a self examine. My doctor suggest doing it during your menstrual cycle. BUT, make sure that you do it correctly.  If you are unsure how to self examine yourself, ask your doctor to show you.  Also, women that are over 40, high risk, or feels a lump should have a mammogram at least annually.  Don't just depend on your annual examine by doctor to detect a lump. I challenge all woman, friends and family of women to increase your aggression on taking care of your boobies.  You only have one pair. Let's do all we can to keep them and ourselves healthy.  SO.... go feel your boobies!!!!

Friday, April 01, 2011

A is for Attitude......


A former pastor used to always say that your attitude determines your altitude. So where has your attitude taken you?  Are you flying high with hope and encouragement or are you flying low with negativity?  There has been many situations that I have found myself in that could have taken me to the pits of despair, but I try to keep my attitude positive and upbeat.  If you look hard enough, you can find someone that is in worse shape than you. The key is to find the positive out of where you are at.  It may not come natural to you to think positive, but if you give yourself to practice you can develop that skill.  My challenge for you today is to stop your "stinking" thinking and start "positive" thinking so you can fly high.