Category: animals

30 October 2023 Auntie

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Health, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Describe a family member.

Hello to you. How are you? I’m feeling kind of anxious. I can’t exactly pin point why- which is usually the case when it comes. I have a lot of different things going on that are anxiety provoking right now that I need to be leaning on my faith about! My doctor stopped prescribing what I was taking for anxiety because it was making me gain a whole bunch of weight. So I’m having to deal with the “feels.”

Link was in the groomer mobile getting the works done – she did a great job cleaning up the matting on his arms. He was a good boy!

Pretty boy after his haircut!

Todays prompt made me think of alot of people I love but specifically my Auntie. She is thoughtful, spirited, kind and beautiful. When you need someone in your corner she is a great person to have. We have really gotten close these past couple of years with my living here. She has become more than just my Auntie with the adventures we have been on since I moved here. Every year I’ve been here something has been going on! She has become a guardian (angel) too. The other day she and Uncle John brought over chicken soup and orange juice which was so thoughtful! She tries to get me out to do things I don’t normally do or have stopped doing. She loves finding clothes for me as she knows I hate clothes shopping. I consider her a dear friend in addition to a family member!

Ruth 1:16New International Version

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go,and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.

18 October 2023 Good Neighbor

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, history, Home, human rights, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Television, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What makes a good neighbor?

When I saw the prompt for today I immediately thought of Fred Rogers Neighborhood program. He showed through that program all the ways to be a good neighbor. He used puppets and people to make his points. One of the most powerful things he did was share a child’s swimming pool with a black police officer – https://youtu.be/v4recJ6qXyk?si=HcUP2OLkmIn4sWkt

He was so gentle and kind. The kind of neighbor I would love to have. I have nice neighbors but they mostly keep to themselves except Marlene. She is an older lady who walks her dog she calls Number 6 and pretty much knows everyone.

Number 6 – she gets lots of walks

https://youtu.be/NB5uSHCIgS0?si=CB8SrUlm6MdV2IAp – Mr Rogers Helpers

I know I have shared this a couple times before but it is so relevant right now. We are getting toxic news at every turn. Mr. Rogers was and remains a helper to this day.

Luke 10:27New International Version

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

5 October 2023 Prayer

by saymber, posted in animals, Home, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Hello to you today. How are you? This morning was our prayer group and we had five of us. We each brought forth our own prayer needs and the needs of those within and outside of our church. There is power in prayer! We hope to speak positive energies into what seems like attacks on members of the church. A lot of people are struggling with sickness and mourning loss of friends and family members. It’s possible to make a foothold for the enemy in resentment and the lower energy vibrations of grief and sorrow.

Psalm 30:5New International Version

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

My sunshine Boy

15 September 2023 Leader

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Politics and Government, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Do you see yourself as a leader?

I don’t think of myself as a leader but I’m not a very good follower either – somewhere in between. When I was in the military I questioned authority quite a bit! It was hard having so many bosses. I had my direct supervisor who had a supervisor which was also my supervisor all the way up to the President of the United States.! There was a lot of inconsistency along the way.

My sunshine boy

Colossians 3:12-13New International Version

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

26 August 2023 Excitement

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Health, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

Hello to you. How are you today? I’m feeling tired. I got up several times in the night again and this was without taking the new medications. I’m so tired of this struggle with getting the right medications!

I can’t really remember the last time I was excited about something. Excitement for me really translates to gratitude for me. The last time I was really grateful was when I purchased this house. Getting it how and when I did was definitely a God thing.

Going and getting Link from my friend Erin 8 years ago was a time of excitement!

Psalm 37:4New International Version

4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

23 August 2023 Motivation

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, photography, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What motivates you?

Hello to you. How are you doing? I’m doing ok just really tired and groggy. I’m sitting outside on the porch with Link writing to you to clear my head.

Todays prompt makes me think of a phrase I’ve said many times before agreeing to do something – “check your motives at the door.” Ask yourself why you are doing something before you agree to do it. Are you doing it just to get something in return? Are you making a debt to be paid? When I do something for someone I’m not expecting anything in return. A thank you would be nice but not expected. When I put expectations on the things I do I get a resentment if my expectation is not met.

There is a lot we can learn from our pets about motivation and perhaps that’s why we love them so much – their motivation is pure. They just want to give and receive affection without getting anything in return.

I just love you

Proverbs 16:2New International Version

2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord

22 August 2023 Top Ten

by saymber, posted in animals, Movies, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What are your top ten favorite movies?

Hello to you. How are you? I’m feeling tired but ok. Todays prompt is a fun one as I enjoy movies:

One of my all time favorite movies – Blade Runner

Blade Runner, Somewhere in Time, Cat People, Smoke Signals, What We Do in the Shadows, Black Panther, Queen of the Damned, Fried Green Tomatoes, Brams Stoker Dracula, The Fifth Element, Superman (Christopher Reeve), Purple Rain and Tombstone.

There are so many! These are just a few that I’ve watched more than once.

Who is a handsome boy?

John 1:5New International Version

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

18 August 2023 Goals

by saymber, posted in animals, Bipolar life, Health, Home, Mental Health, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

How do you plan your goals?

Hello there, how are you? I’m doing ok. The pest control people came out this morning and took care of a large wasp nest. I feel kind of bad but more than likely they were they were the ones trying to build a nest in my weed wacker – the ones that stung me. My hand is still itchy and swollen!

The new medication, Ambien, showed up today. It will be interesting to see how my body reacts to it. It’s another bed time medication. Hopefully it won’t interfere with my getting and staying asleep.

So how do I plan my goals? I used to be much more organized and a planner – a worry wart. Now bring retired and Bipolar 1 so long I hardly plan at all! The best thing for me is my calendar. I keep organized and am able to have short term goals using it.

Jeremiah 29:11New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

17 August 2023 Emergency Plan

by saymber, posted in animals, history, Home, In the News, Leading Life by Example, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

Create an emergency preparedness plan.

Hello there. How are you today? Todays prompt makes me think of when I was living in Florida where we had frequent hurricane evacuations. In a moments notice we had to have our cars packed up and be ready to leave. We usually grabbed the file cabinet with important documents, my trunk of journals, picture albums, suitcases of clothes and supplies to take care of the two cats we had at the time. One year while living in Florida I want to say we evacuated like 3 or 4 times!

The natural disaster that happens in Idaho is fires that

Living here in Idaho I’m kind of spoiled. The only thing I think we might need an emergency preparedness plan for is a fire or a flood. If there was a fire I would just grab Link and go to my Aunt and Uncles house. A lot would depend on where the fire was burning and how fast it was spreading. My priority would namely be getting Link and I out alive! I pray we never have to go through such a thing. I’m thinking of the people of Maui trapped on an island and no where to go but out in the ocean!

Isaiah 43:2New International Version

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

15 August 2023 Peace

by saymber, posted in animals, Art and Poetry, Bipolar life, drawing, history, Home, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Nature, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What brings you peace?

Hello to you. How are you? I’m doing ok. Todays prompt is thought provoking for me as it’s rare that I am at perfect peace – relaxed. It feels like I’m always thinking and worrying about “what’s next.” Sometimes food gives me peace, sometimes it’s the company of someone, sometimes my spirituality gives me peace. It’s not a consistent thing. Last year, before the episode that landed me in the the hospital, what gave me peace was long walks in nature and praying for everybody next to the water canals down the street before they tore everything up.

Some of the beauty that existed next to the water canals.
A drawing I did in honor of Sam our cocker spaniel – how I imagined he looked as a human in heaven. I’m sure he will be one of the first angels I see when it’s my time and he’ll be a dog. I have had several dreams about him since he passed and he always looks so healthy as a dog. I was at peace when he was here with us.

What used to give me peace was creativity – drawing, singing, painting both on canvas and on t- shirts and making jewelry. What happened is I became self conscious. I realized everything I was doing had an environmental impact – especially our water. It takes water to make the paints and water to use the paints. I started paying attention to where my supplies were coming from like metals I was using for my wire jewelry – Pakistan! Hardly anything from the USA. There was a hefty price for my fleeting peace. I haven’t been doing any of it.

I tried to draw in chalk here but it just wasn’t the same as having the privacy of my backyard.

John 14:27New International Version

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.