Uncertain Times Call For Desperate Comparative Measures!

Uncertainty reigns supreme this season, as always. 

However, this year is obviously extra morose with all these unnecessary deaths. 

The pandemic stemming from Covid19 has yet to subside and is, once again, rising in numbers. 

The United States prides itself on being a leading nation of the world, yet is too stingy and selfish to follow the simplest of protocols. 

The holidays are right around the corner, but hopefully everyone will have an online get-together rather than risk lives by meeting up in person. 

Wear a mask, if not for your own sake then for the sake of others. There's no need to be selfish! 

If you have an STD, you'd wear a condom. You would use a condom if you're partaking in intercourse without knowledge of your partner's past, as well. 

Yes, this is a comparison of sexual diseases and CoVid19. 

No, it is not a joke or even an extreme comparison. 

If anything, this proves how callous everyone refusing to wear a mask and stay home are actually behaving towards their fellow man, woman, and child. 

Stay safe this season, holidays or not, and try to remember to show compassion to others. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

Have a Spooktacular Birthday (OCTOBER BABIES)

OCTOBER Birthdays:

3rd: 

Michael R.

Mike A.

Lynn E.

4th: Darcy Stanton

7th: Diana T.

8th: 

Elizabeth H.

Rhonda G.

9th: Sebastion S.

12th: Mike C.

16th: Donald G. M. (Jr.)

18th: Fawnna C.

19th: Tonja H.

20th: Sheena D.

22nd: Cameron H.

23rd: 

Jenni W.

Za'Mya P.

24th: Avalon B.

25th: Jaime B.

26th: Steve M.

27th: 

Deborah M.

Teresa M. 

29th: Sherylann W.

31st: Joanna W.

ALSO:

Happy Anniversary to Phillis & Daniel M. <3 <3 <3 xoxo.

Mistake Prompt Answer 2.0

WHAT IS A MISTAKE PEOPLE OFTEN MAKE ABOUT YOU?

"People often make the mistake that I'm stupid, especially my family. Today's society is go-getter money-oriented. Money doesn't motivate me. That doesn't make me stupid, it just means my priorities are different. I don't define success with dollar signs.  My children and my art are my priorities. When I'm dead, they will be my legacy.  Guaranteed with four children, my legacy will last longer than someone working double shifts to buy an Xbox. I want my art to live on, too. I hope it lives on long after I'm gone. So, I put my energy into my children, mot just buying them things, but teaching them. I put my energy into painting, with each painting my skills improve." -Melanie Peine.

JUNE & JULY Birthdays!

JUNE:

Anna O. (Have a Creative Birthday!)
Amanda W. (Love You, Little Sister!)
Mary F. (Have a musical birthday!)
Kris T. (Wishing you a fantastic birthday!) 
Heather C. (Have a Knotty-knitting Birthday!)
Ben V. (Super Sexy Birthday to You!)
Marc H. (Born in the wrong month? Happy Birthday!)
Richard P. (Have a super day!)

JULY: 

Sharon S. (Wishing you lots of sparkles on this wonderful day!)
Shannon R. (Hope you have a lovely birthday!)
Nitia G. (Have a magical day, my darling "hetero life-mate!")
Alisha B. (Wishing you lots of smiles on this 32nd Bday!)
Dawn B/G. (Don't do anything your sister wouldn't do! Happy Birthday!)
T.J. N. (Remember that you have a rockin' body - happy birthday!)
Jenny S. (God be with you on this precious day!)
Jon C. (Have a wonderful day and many more!)

The woman is holding a *hatched* egg with a baby dragon inside and showing it to his/her father and sibling. Happy Birthday Baby Dragon!

Stress & Challenges (Prompt Answers)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ABILITY TO MANAGE STRESS?

"I'm not very good at managing stress. I try to relieve it as best I can when it happens. One thing I've been meaning to try is to listen to music when I'm stressed. I need to work on that!" -Epifanio I.

"I use sudoku and music to help me when meditation fails me, which is rare. My ability to manage stress is largely dependent upon external factors and how my anxiety responds to them. Thankfully, I've been using yoga and meditation with deep breathing for over 20 years to cope. I heartily recommend it." -Alanda M.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST CHALLENGE YOU'VE HAD TO OVERCOME?

"I think the hardest challenge I had to overcome was with my addiction to alcohol. I was never happy and being sober has made me happy again!" -Epifanio I.

"Managing my stress. I've always been a person who's stressed since as early as 7 years old. Getting people to recognize this issue was difficult which made getting help with it an issue as well. No one takes me seriously about it which just stresses me out more. So even though I have an array of coping techniques - it is still an everyday issue I have to focus on to get over." - Alanda M.

Lost Love (Prompt Answers)

Write about a time you had to let go of something you loved or wanted. 
How did it change you?

"My ex-boyfriend because he would not get clean with me. He didn't stop so he died, but I lived clean now for 3 years." -Babygirl*

"I had to let go of my mother when she passed away. It was a difficult time for me. It took me a long time to get through her passing. It taught me to be strong and more self-reliant." -Epifanio I.

"I let go of a friend Mike and it really hurt. He was my recovery buddy. We'd always go to his house and talk, and play music. The day he died, he broke my heart. I have never loved someone like that again." -Sharon S.

"7 years ago I let go of living in Michigan - a place I love - to go to California. It was a long journey via bus, but it was beautiful and full of interesting people. I was stressed and worried during the trip, but laughing in the end. I lit up when I saw my sister though (even though it was 2:00 A.M. when I arrived). I gave up my singing and writing while I was there (4 months) turning into an even bigger recluse. By the time I got back to Michigan, I was depressed and a complete hermit. I didn't start to enjoy myself again until I went back to college. It turns out I'm less destructive in a semi-social atmosphere doing things I love than when I'm living for everyone else's needs. Go figure!" 
- Alanda M.

Life Prompt Answers: What do you deserve?

What do you believe you deserve in life?

"Honest people that are honest about recovery because my recovery is important and I dislike people that lie about recovery." -Sharon S.

"Peace and to be loved by my family and my boyfriend." -Babygirl*

"I deserve a stable home, a reliable vehicle, and the ability to help others when they need it. I deserve happiness from my creations, love from my family and friends, and a free lifetime subscription to Netflix." -Lyn M.

Learning From Mistakes *Prompt Answers*

What can you learn from your biggest mistakes?

"Never drink again - or use drugs." -Sharon S.

"Never letting someone with nothing bring you down to their life style again." -Babygirl*

"The one big mistake that I've experienced was my alcoholism. Being in recovery made me happy and more the person I want to be! It's a big part of my recovery." -Epifanio I.

"My biggest mistake was believing words over actions. It doesn't matter how often someone tells you they love you if they treat you like a commodity - and that's if they aren't completely dismissing you like you're a piece of dirt. Love should lift you up; it shouldn't drag you down. Love shouldn't be held up as a reward for being the way someone else wants you to be. It should be freely given sincerely for being yourself." -Alanda M.

*Names have been altered as requested*