Category: Home

9 Nov 2023 Screen Time

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

How do you manage screen time for yourself?

Hello to you. How are you? Todays prompt isn’t an easy one for me as I don’t do a very good job managing screen time. I spend most of my day on my phone. It helps me get through the day. I haven’t found something to do besides Thursday prayer meetings yet. I say yet as I’m open to opportunity if it should arise. God has a plan for me I just don’t know what it is yet. I have to get over my phobia about driving here. Once I know the outcome of the stuff I’m facing on 28 November I should be able to consider volunteer work again. This passage from Luke resonates – I must be ready at all times.

Luke 12:35-40 New International Version

Watchfulness

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, o will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

4 Nov 2023 Age

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

Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?

Hello to you. I want to let you know my Dad passed on peacefully this past Wednesday. Thank you for your prayers – he had rough last part of his journey. I’m glad he’s not struggling anymore.

In answer to the prompt I can’t think of a time I would want to re-live. I don’t think I’d know what to do with myself!

Psalm 23New International Version

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

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.

26 October 2023 Food Specialty

by saymber, posted in Food, Home, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What food would you say is your specialty?

I would have to say my specialty is baked goods – specifically bread and desserts. There are a couple recipes I have practically memorized because I used to make them so often – chocolate chip cookies, fruit crisp and devils food cake for example. I quit baking since living on my own because I know I would eat it all and get fatter than I already am!

This passage about bread is a good one!

John 6:1-15New International Version

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

6 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festivalwas near.

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

22 Oct 2023 Working On

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

What have you been working on?

Today has been good. I went to church and was treated to a surprise breakfast and visit with my cousin and his wife afterwards. We went for a walk tafterwards which normally isn’t as big deal but my back didn’t like it. I wish I could get my breasts reduced, my lower back is chronically bothering me!

Anyhow on the positive side I’ve I been working on reducing belly fat. This workout is really good and easy to stick to.

https://youtu.be/g0jru_yb7dk?si=KpRDeAU7LLQm4fdo – 10 Day Chair Workout to Lose Belly Fat The Gainz Center

Gods timing is not our timing :

2 Peter was 3:8-9

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

20 October 2023 Lazy Days

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

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

Hello to you. Hope this finds you well. God has been at the wheel of the stuff I’ve been going through lately – extremely grateful for the prayers of family, friends and even strangers! My Aunt met a elderly veteran who gave her this cross for me and said he would pray for me. The wagons of Gods people have been rallied! I’m so, so grateful!

I don’t usually wear crosses because of what they represent – the murder of an innocent man but understand what it means in Christianity.

When I think of todays prompt I think of my life right now gradually getting in place. It’s taken me three years to get where I’m at. Many of the days leading up to this one were littered with fear, sadness and grief – lack of faith! A lot of my days have not very productive and could be perceived as lazy days. I was in such a state of shock leaving Texas. I have been retired from active duty longer than I was in (21 years). When I was active duty I burned the candle at both ends. I was usually the one leadership turned to when a program was a mess. I worked a lot of long days cleaning up messes. Lazy days meant more to me then they do now. I don’t have a specific purpose when I wake up each day! When I was active duty I was up at 4:30 am and worked til after 5.

I haven’t completely found a fit for me here yet in being useful again. A lot of what holds me back is driving. I hate driving! When I was married, Kyle used to always drive and I got used to that after 12 years! I was spoiled! I keep my eyes open for things I can do – little things. When my back is not hurting I would like to help set up at the church again. I don’t want to feel like I’m wasting the gift of my life. A lot of people I’ve known haven’t even lived as long as I have.

One of my favorite passages from the Bible – makes me think of a Palladian (class I played in FFXI video game). In these trying times we must put on our armor!

Ephesians 6:10-13New International Version

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

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]”

17 October 2023 First Time

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

What could you try for the first time?

Hello to you. I hope this finds you well in spite of all the stuff going on in this world. I am trying to remain calm and relaxed. I know the more anxious I feel the more I need to pray and lean into my faith. Its just hard to do sometimes. The natural inclination when going through rough times is to be anxious and worry. That, unfortunately, shows a lack of faith. I have to trust Jesus has the wheel of what I’m facing. I am grateful for all my family and friends that are praying for me right now.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw todays prompt was snorkeling or scuba diving. I’ve never done either of these things. There is so much to discover in the underwater realms. I have only ever been a land dweller! I lived in Florida for a couple of years but never did anything but swim in the ocean and do some fishing. I got to see dolphins off in the distance from where I was swimming. I can remember fishing at the shore and a dolphin coming right next to me! I love dolphins! They are such miracles!

Isaiah 43:19New International Version

19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.

15 October 2023 Putting Off

by saymber, posted in Bipolar life, Health, history, Home, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Mental Health, Money, Nature, photography, Spirituality and Religion, trust, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

What have you been putting off doing? Why?

Hello to you. How are you? I am doing ok considering what’s going on in my life right now. I can’t really talk about it but let’s just say it’s life changing. I am leaning on my faith, family and friends right now. Yesterday my cousin came and whisked me off on an little adventure. We had Dickeys BBQ and went for a walk.

The big thing have been putting off is end of life planning. I know at some point I’m going to die and I will have property, finances and stuff that will be left behind to deal with. I have a will but it’s old so I need to get everything up to date. So I need to deal with it and hopefully I can do it through the VA so it won’t cost me anything. Ideally I just want to leave everything to my brothers daughter but need to get everything in writing and official.

Yesterday my beautiful cousin Laura came and whisked me off on an adventure. This is one of the sights we saw on a walk together.

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.

14 October 2023 Grown up

by saymber, posted in history, Home, human rights, Leading Life by Example, Spirituality and Religion, Veteran Affairs, Writing and blogging

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

Hello to you today. How are you? I’m having that weird feeling in my ears again which makes me freeze up and not want to do anything. My cousin is coming over for a visit and I know that will help!

The first time I felt grown up is when I joined the military and left home 13 August 1986. I had to fly to San Antonio Texas and go to Basic Training. Prior to this I had been a child cared for by my parents. I was scared and nervous as I didn’t know what to expect. The military training instructors were not especially friendly! They were not there to be our friends that’s for sure. I was my training instructors “house mouse” they called it. I made sure to keep her quarters clean. Her name was Barbara Washington and she was a powerful black woman. I can remember drill with her saying “I want to hear you say pop! “ The sound of us pulling our heads out of our butts!

Ephesians 4:15New International Version

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.