~STORIES BY SHERYL S.~

Fun Fridays [True Story]

Me, my sister Kathy, and her husband Bob go out on a Friday every once in  a while. 

Last night we went to Chinese buffet down by Target and had a great time. 

The food was delicious. Then we went shopping at Super Meijer. 

The End.

Trip to the Zoo

Shirley and her family were excited. They were going to the zoo today. 

Lions, tigers, and bears enclosed in their caves were a sight to see. 

Shirley and her family gobbled down a cotton candy as they walked around. Shirley's favorite animals were the monkeys. 

What a fun day at the zoo. Nothing like precious memories. 

Life

Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes we struggle. I hope everyone's life is great, and the journey a blast and a half. 

The End.

Gratitude & Bad Days by Julie R.

 20 Things I'm Grateful For - Julie R.

1. Rhonda the Program Manager

2. AFC Home

3. Food

4. Drinks

5. Roommate

6. Boyfriend

7. Renae the Administrator

8. Friends

9. Animals

10. Clean House

11. Bills Paid

12. Running Water

13. Lights

14. Gas

15. Me

16. Respect

17. Staff

18. Group Workshops (Recovery especially)

19. Lori the Manager of a Home

20. Family

Bad Days - Julie R

When I have a bad day, my program manager talks to me and I feel a little better. I also write in my journal. It helps, too. 

Musings of 2019 - Curtis McLeichy

Coldwater, MI *Photography by Alanda McRae*

    I like to talk about the weather and how I know it help's me to walk when it's nice. 

    I bathe in the sunshine and clean clothes more often during sunny weather. Sleeping is easier and I feel better in general. 

    I don't forget to eat, listen to music, enjoy television - I even remember to visit my doctor on time when the weather is positive.  

    Now I get a ride to school and doctor appointments. I save money and time. I now use up very little space and have much more time to understand people and read things for school.  

December Birthdays

 There is an absurdly long list of people born in December. So, because everyone is busy - just wish them the happiness they deserve in our comments.

And for goodness sake, get them an actual birthday card - don't just combine them with the holiday card you send. It's so rude. You wouldn't like it if they combined Easter with your birthday, so try to show some heart. 

This goes for the January birthdays, too. Making myself very clear. 

Shout out to the following folks who were actually loved enough to be sent in on time! (The Tardiness is entirely my fault!)

 2nd: Noel S. & Kami A. 

3rd: Alan F.

4th: Susie S. 

5th: Izabelle W. & Elizabeth J.

8th: Paul H.

9th: Nicole G. 

11th:  Daniel G.

14th: Deanna T.

18th: Erin K.

19th: Kristy Smith & Heidi J.  

24th: Tanya H. & Izzy J. & Norman H. & Kayla N. & Janet S. 

25th: Chris M. & Courtney B. & Carla K. 

27th: Rick Carver & John H. & Ron H. 

29th: Rexi R. 

30th: Kenny T. & Lyn M. & Jeff M. & "Hot Tony at Karaoke" & Mary E. & Ally O. & Francis R. & Jamie M. 

31st: Byron S.

Happy New Year's Eve - Here's hoping 2021 is a better year! 

Holiday Support & Hacks to Help Navigate the Pandemic Crisis 2020

Holidays Are Currently Deciduous? 

Okay, so they aren't a tree and they don't lose their leaves every year. Still, it certainly isn't the same old thing this time around. 

We aren't all going to Head Family Person's house this year and sitting around eating an overstuffed turkey and getting drunk off eggnog. 

The break from tradition may not be helpful during a time of year where so many fall into depression, but it is what we as a society needs. We need to learn to adapt. 

No one is saying you can't have holiday cheer. I'm teaching my children how to make hand-turkeys for November. We'll be making Christmas trees, stars, elves, ornaments, and candle drawings this year and hanging them up around. We're eagerly awaiting cards to make a tree out of. 

We are hoping to find some holiday-related masks, as well. As for the food, more for us. We'll still be calling and maybe even video-chatting with relatives to make it feel "normal" in some sense, but without all the risk of illness. And - best of all - we can just hang up if an argument occurs. A decided improvement over the previous years of invasive and mouthy guests, if you ask me. 

I hope and wish you all a fabulous and happy holiday season, no matter which one you're celebrating. We are all in this together! May 2021 bring better things to come. 

 

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.

 

Stereotypes |Prompt Answers| Continued...

 Describe a time when you felt you were unfairly stereotyped because of your age or any other characteristic:

"In my twenties I looked older than now that I'm 41. I like Rap music. People used racial remarks against me. Some people think that because I'm 41 years old, that I'm old. And they think because I smoke that my health is bad. Also, people think I'm fat and too big.  People accuse me of trying to be Black. Now that I'm 41 years old, I look like I'm in my twenties. They also say Asians are hort. And Bruce Lee & Jackie Chan. Also if people go walking at night they might get robbed. By the way, I had and Asian friend. My friend's name was John." -Leon B.

"I was stereotyped on a Thursday when my apartment building caught fire. I tried to call my supervisor early Thursday knowing she would be at work. She was not at work. I tried to get a hold of  another supervisor. She did answer the phone. I asked for emergency leave. She wouldn't grant my request. Stating it had to be granted from my supervisor.  I finally got a hold of my supervisor. She demanded that I come into work on Friday because she was leaving on vacation Saturday. She didn't understand that all my clothes smelled of smoke. The laundry room was on the side of the fire.  My PTSD and Depression was really bad on Friday. I got a newspaper Friday and showed it to my supervisor. She sort of believed me, but told me what I need to have done by the time she got home from vacation.  I got part of the two weeks worth of work done, but I feel she stereotyped me as a lazy person because I didn't get all of it finished.  It was about 6 years ago that she apologized for her actions on that day. My boss said that her actions during that time really bothered her.  I have seen her since, but I talk to her on Facebook now and then more than in person." -Deb G.

"It started when I was 7. I was a self-harmer. The doctor and other people stereotyped that I was doing it for attention, which made me upset. It just made it worse. The cutting went on until I was 21. I cut and cut because people did not understand my illness. It made me sad and upset. People looked at my scars and sometimes would stare. That makes me uncomfortable. Why judge me? It's not fair. Why stare at me? Judge your self. All the doctors look at the past history and not how I am doing now." -Fawnna C.

"I was 8 years old. I went to a foster care home and ran away all the time. So I ran from my problems all my life, never facing them head on. I'm older now and I've come to learn that won't solve anything. My problems are still there and I have been learning to use my coping skills to better my life. Also, I'm tired of running from my problems." -Julie R.

"I cannot think of a time I've been stereotyped, per se. Assumptions have been made by many people, but I don't give those people any of my time. The way I see it, if people can't take the time to know you - then their opinions aren't really worth my emotional investment. It can be annoying when people jump to conclusions, but if you let it get to you - you can't really enjoy your own life and that just doesn't make sense... In the words of Napoleon Bonaparte, 'Life is a battle; stand up and fight.'" -Alanda McRae.