"Three Things I Value About Myself" - Jenny Alden

 One:

I value myself. Just last year  I met this guy. I thought he just wanted to hang out, but I came to find out he just wanted to hook up. I felt so close to my husband; I felt like I couldn't date anyone else. When I realized he wanted more than just my friendship I panicked. Later on I knew I couldn't date him. I feel that I am saving myself for someone who I know will be loyal. I care about who I date now. If you are in the same boat as me, don't sink to their level. It hurts, but I am strong. So strong I have people compliment me on it. I am disappointed that he never respected me enough to wait, going so far as to manipulate me into doing stuff. I am valid and I am strong. I value myself when I respected myself and I value the fact I am hurt, but I know I will be okay. 

Two:

I value my skills. I am independent. I am strong. I am kind. I am sweet and thoughtful. I am honest. I am caring.

Three:

I value my independence. I take care of myself. I make and keep my appointments, which I keep track of by myself. I am outgoing when it comes to something I believe and have an interest in. And, most times, I have faith. Faith in the fact I am strong and will be okay. 

Submissions by Scott C. (part 3)

***Pain:

Small pain is "normal" a lot of times and is brushed away as being just a little thing to be acceptable. When pain starts to be a little bit more than usual, it's thought of more but isn't to the degree of being a worry or loss of hope. It makes itself known. When pain starts to be a lot of the time, if you have hope - it hasn't gotten you to the point of being totally unable to cope and you're in need of a doctor. If pain starts to get excruciating and last for hours on end, you lose hope and you're no longer in control of certain types of your brain centers. 

Jungles:

Jungles have lots of different types of lives and lots are dangerous. It rains a lot. there are lots of trees, plants, flowers, shrubs, ferns, bushes, and more. There are lots of different types of insects like centipedes, wasps, bees, flies, and more. There are monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, and they swing on vines that are abundant on trees and even when they fall from a high distance they don't get hurt often. They eat bananas and other fruits. there are lots of deadly snakes and wild pigs, dogs, lions, tigers, and such. Dangerous to other kinds of lives. People shouldn't venture into jungles. 

States of Big Purpose:

Florida, where old people go to retire. It's a state people like because of the weather, Disney World, Sea World, and the house of presidents are big attractions. 

Rich people have their yachts there. It's known for deep sea fishing, surfing, and tanning. The Florida Keys are well known. 

The Rocky Mountains in Colorado and other states are big attractions to take pictures and go camping, fishing, hunting, and hiking. 

California is big for Hollywood making films, music, and turning out comedians. There are places that have places with perfect temperatures, and Disneyland gets big business. Fishing is big, too. 

Michigan is big for the car industries, especially in Detroit. The Cereal Capital of the World is in Battle Creek thanks to Post, Kellogg's, and so on. Michigan is also known for Dog Food and pharmaceutical drugs. Plus, that old song about Kalamazoo. 

Being Poor:

Men and women sometimes share the same room of an apartment without the landlord knowing. People shop at Dollar Stores and other low price stores and look in ads of the local Shopper. They go to Charitable Union for clothing, household appliances, and other things. They also frequent garage sales and yard sales. If they can get a pick-up truck, they can scan the streets for things have metal and go to the scrap yard. Finding odd jobs, shoveling snow, cutting grass, janitorial work... getting food stamps. Go to churches for free meals. Picking up returnable containers. Asking churches how to make money. Sometimes checking the junkyard for free furniture... It's hard out here. 

***Disclaimer: These are strictly opinions of the writer and not to be confused with Researched subject material. 

Submissions by Scott C. (part 1...)

***Life in the Old Days: 

Women would take clothes to the river and wash them. Fish and berries were the main foods. People didn't live in the cold parts of the Earth. People lived outside. Men planted seeds for food. women harvested food. 

Spending Money on a Day:

Going out to eat steak and eggs - and lots of coffee. Fill the car up with gas. Have the oil changed. go to Meijer and buy 4 pairs of new jeans, a winter jacket, and 3 sweaters. Underwear and socks, too. Go to Goodwill and buy $100.00 worth of ornaments and other odds & ends. Buy a new La-Z-Boy recliner chair. 

The Favorite Place I'd Like To Be:

I'd like to live in New York City if I were rich. The night clubs are open all night. Parties all the time. Right on the Atlantic ocean. I think they have good food at restaurants. Lots of people to make friends with. Having coffee at a restaurant in the morning in the cool of the city. It sounds relaxing and almost romantic. 

***Disclaimer: These submissions are opinion editorials and not to be confused with researched information. 

Prompt Responses (Bet You Missed These) {Family pt.1}

 In what way do you not fit in with the family you grew up in? Or, are you a perfect fit?

"Well, I wasn't around my family very much but we were all from different places. But we were from an all white background from London, England to America we were all poor trying to make it in this New World." - Lorrie W.

"I don't fit in because I speak my mind. I don't hold you with my mouth." -BabyGirl*

"They all have boyfriends and girlfriends. I do feel bad sometimes, and they have children. We all get along really well, though. I don't have a boyfriend or children, but I have a wonderful family." -Sheryl S.

Stories by Sheryl S...

 Spooky Night:

Spooky. Twelve teenagers sat around their campfire telling scary stories. One teenager just finished a story and - suddenly there was a howl... and a scream! A werewolf appeared before them. Silence!!! The End. 

What a Day:

Yawn. "I am so sleepy," said Ed. Lying on a bed, he lay there looking at the ceiling. Thinking it was Thursday and what should he do. He closed his eyes for a few minutes... Opening his eyes he saw five skinny, green men around him. He was on a U.F.O. A silent scream and then... 

Mr. Chicken:

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" cried Mr. Chicken. 

"Waaahhhh!" went Miss Kitty, the cat. 

"Oh, no!" went Tammy the cow. 

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" cried Mr. Chicken.

"Wahhh! I'll never touch beer again!"

The End. 

Diabetes & Low Blood Sugar |Lorrie West|

|Diabetes by Lorrie West|

Living with diabetes has been hard for me. Taking pills and shots every morning and night. Poking my finger for blood for the meter. Reading my meter every day and writing it down so I don't get sick or have high sugar. Or have low sugar. I sure hope I get better and don't have to take shots. It'll be great when that happens. 

Diabetes:

Low blood sugar - you might get low blood sugar {also called hypoglycemia) if you

• Take certain medicines
• eat too few carbohydrates
• skip/delay meals
• take too much insulin or diabetes pills
• are more active than usual

Signs and symptoms - Here's what may happen when your blood sugar is low.

• Shaky / The shakes
• Sweaty
• Dizzy
• Sudden behavior change
• hungry
• weak/tired/fatigue
• headaches
• nervous/upset

If low blood sugar is not treated it can become severe and cause you to pass out. If low blood sugar is a problem for you, talk to your doctor or diabetes care team. 

It is possible to have hypoglycemia without developing diabetes. 

Stories by Sheryl S. | August Edition

Dick & Jane

Dick and Jane were good friends. 

They went to school with each other and played and had lots of fun. 

Dick and Jane played games and were good little kids in school. Dick and Jane loved each other very much. The End... ["Ha ha!" says Dick and Jane's mother.]

The Tree House

Tommy, Robbie, and Tim climbed into the treehouse fast.  This is where they shared their hopes, dreams, and secrets. 

It was a treehouse they built 6 years ago.  As the years flew by they ate there, partied there, and brought their women there. 

Robbie walked away, older now, shook his head and smiled. Then he cried. The days of innocence were gone. 

The End... 

The Maple Tree

The neighborhood kids gathered around the Robertson's old maple tree.  Mrs. Robertson gave all the kids chocolate ice cream cones. You should have seen the look on their faces. 

Ha ha! Funny!

The kids talked of teachers they liked and disliked, and what they would be having for lunch in school tomorrow.  They told ghost stories, and talked about the haunted house down the street. 

It was getting dark, and they all decided to go home. 

Better day than Charlie Brown and his friends had.  They all went to bed with chocolate faces. 

The End... 

More Core Beliefs (Prompt Answers)

 Five Core Beliefs Which Guide My Life Are:

Deb G.

1. My Religion/Praying
2. Reading Books
3. Writing my novel and poems
4. Visiting with my friends
5. Following my doctor's treatment plans

Laura A.

1. Accept people as they are| They are not going to change because you don't like the way they are
2. There are two things in life: Change and Resistance to Change
3. Your attitude determines your experience
4. Never trust anyone who isn't kind and compassionate to animals
5. There is no mood that cannot be improved by cat pictures
6. (Bonus) Despite all my rage, I'm still just a rat in a cage

*Serenity S.

1. Honesty - Lying is the quickest way to be removed from my life
2. Loyalty - Lack of loyalty can destroy all emotional ties permanently 
3. Empathy - No love 😍 means no trust
4. Baseball - It's exciting, fun, and a great way to pass the time.
5. Music - The best part of emotions and life is found in music.

I know it sounds crazy, but it is what it is...

Scott C.

1. To be good will pay off
2. To be sensitive to others will make a difference
3. That *SUMMER* will make future seasons change my disabilities
4. My beliefs in Christianity will lead me to safety
5. My enemies were tricked & will come back to their senses

*Names were changed as requested.*

Stories by Sheryl (Jesus/God/Fanfiction)

The Stork

Scotty was a stork who delivered babies. He was a big flying bird. He had a special baby to deliver, and he got him there with no problem. It was Jesus Christ. God smiled and thanked Scotty. The End. 

Fred's Fun

Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble went out to eat one night with Betty and Wilma. They went to Dinosaur Cafe. Fred and Barney got really mad and jealous of the French waiter there. He kept flirting with their wives. They ate their Tyrannosaurus 🦖 Roast Beef sandwiches and Cactus Potato soup, then danced the rest of the night. Later that night in bed, Fred gave Wilma a kiss. *smooch* Barney gave Betty a good night kiss, also. Dino, Fred's doggysaurus, howled Booooooo all night long to scare people, thinking of Halloween to come. "Goodnight and pleasant dreams," said the ghosts of the night. 

What A Day!

Scott and David went sea diving. "Hey, Scott," David yelled. "your toes look funny underwater."

"Hahahahaha!" said Scott. "Did you see your nose?" 

David and Scott scuba dived under the Florida waters for 5 hours. They were looking for shells and prizes. Finding a deep hole, Scott yelled for David to come look. There was something glowing inside the hole. Wide eyed, they grabbed what was in the hole and scrambled to the top. Opening his hand, there was a key that glowed. it was a very important key to the future of Mankind. It was the Red Key scientists were looking for in the 50s. It got rid of every disease there was in mankind. Within hours, the president of the United States had it. True heroes, Scott and David were. The headlines in the newspapers read of the Red Key curing every disease of mankind. The next day, God smiled. The End. 

Affirmative Poetry [by Lorrie West]

Missing You by Lorrie West

I remember the times we spend
holding on to each other's cries.

Now you move on
to a different place.

Will I see you again?
My friend you will always be.

I miss you so, my friend.

Nature by Lorrie West

The nature that sings
through the windows of eyes -
watching as birds fly.
To the winter days, as the sun
speaks, a Moment of joy.

It's all dead now as the
cold has left us all
lonely now.

Christmas by Lorrie West

Christmas joy -
Christmas is right around the corner.
And I do have
A Gift of Love,
for everyone in the world is to be
Happy and Joyful for one and all...