Blurb

The shoes didn't fit. It was an omen.













Tuesday, March 7, 2017

A Broken Arm Update, A Lie, and a Friend with Cancer

"They cut me open and took a piece of my bone," mom said. She had just come home from having her bone density test. A giant bandage covered her upper arm. "I was awake when they cut right into me."

For years after that trauma, I was horrified to get my bone density tested. The slow healing of my broken humerus has forced me though.

"Can you put me out for this procedure?" I certainly didn't want to see myself cut into like my mom was. Well... all I saw was the bandage.

The doctor chuckled. "It's just a painless x-ray that can see right through your bones."

My face went warm. Mom lied about another event in her life. This would make for a great blog. Mom barely told the truth about anything.

Anyway...

I survived my bone density test. It happened yesterday. I should know something more by Thursday.

Onward...

I'm posting a link to GoFundMe for a writer friend of mine. Several weeks before I broke my arm, Beth was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She had surgery. Thereafter, the doctor announced she was free of this hideous disease.

Now 8 months later, cancer cells have returned. The doctor advised radiation. She's retired and has to pinch every penny to survive.


Please click here to make a donation and read her story.

Hope everyone is well.

Hugs and chocolate!
Shelly

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Another Broken Arm Update

I tried publishing this post via my Android with pictures of my latest xrays. But it refused.

I'm trying really hard not to get depressed over my latest xrays. There was very little change. Been using my Exogen, an ultrasound bone stimulator everyday since Christmas week. My diet is more than squeaky clean. The kitchen resembles a vitamin store. Never in all my life have I taken so many vitamins.

March 12th marks the 6 month anniversary of my broken humerus. There won't be any bubbly bottles popping open for this occasion. But it may lead to a full diagnosis of a nonunion fracture.

Despite the outcome, I've been able to keep up at the Salon when they have me come in. Mind you, I've not been put on the schedule. I come when they call.

From what I know, my arm should be in pain and useless at this point. But it's not. Been working out with a 1 lb weight, using an arm pully, and lifting my 32 oz cup to my lips. Amazing! This is a miracle!

My Salon boss is dumbfounded as are some of my closest friends.

It's proof that God can operate and heal however He wishes. Believe me. I bug Him everyday. Sometimes all day.

Hope everyone has all of their bones intact.

Hugs and chocolate, all!
Shelly

Sunday, January 22, 2017

An All Around Update

Well, I made it through the New Year and the Inauguration. There will be no complaints about Trump. I've decided not to worry. No matter, God is in control and has allowed him to be elected. It's all about His plan, not about ours. Bible prophecy is lining up nicely. Earthquakes in diverse places. Race wars. Crazy weather. Massive Christian persecution. Rumors of wars. The nations against Israel. Plans to rebuild the third temple in Jerusalem.

Complaining won't change a thing. God's Word is sovereign. Every prophecy in the Bible will come to pass. We are in the end of days. We are the last generation. We are going to see things we never thought we would. Some amazing. Some scary.

Anyway....

My arm is healing. Been using my Exogen bone stimulating machine. Been using an arm pulley system to raise my arm up and out over my head. Don't know if there is a bone in there yet since my next appointment isn't until February 9th. But Beanie-Bean has been jumping into my lap. She wasn't doing that 4 weeks ago so I'm believing I've got one growing in there by now. Dogs are pretty smart.

I even gave Sweetman a haircut last Sunday to show the manager that I could do it and how my arm moves. It's stiff. Won't be able to do a blow out or a long layered haircut for a while. Oh well...

At first she told me that she wouldn't be able to hire me back. That it wouldn't be fair to the girl who they hired to replace me (who, by the way already has a full time job). Okay. I understand the new hire ordeal...sort of. But when I initially broke my arm, the owner promised that I would have job to come back to.

Four days later, the manager called me back and said I could do two three hour shifts a week which is fine. I need to build the muscle up in my arm,  and my foot is back in the door. But I will have to find something else to supplement the missing income.

 To be honest, I don't see how anyone can be hired off an on-line job service.  Half the places I've applied to only leave job titles and descriptions. And the ones that allow you to know who they are don't want you to call them. If they like your resume, they'll call you. That is just a weird way of doing things. Back in the day, you got to see your potential employer and shake their hand before they even considered you.

In the meantime, I'm trying to get back on track with my writing. I've had some success only to fail at the attempts. But I do keep trying. Guess you could say depression has somewhat set in. I've been trying to read a book since I broke my arm. Initially, I was just too uncomfortable to concentrate. I've got in six chapters.

Good news though, I did submit two pieces to Chicken Soup for the Soul so I'm not a totally depressed slob. I know that everything will balance out. It will. Everything takes time. God has my back.

Hope everyone is well. Hope I didn't depress anyone.

Hugs and chocolate!
Shelly

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Chocolate Pumpkin Black Bean Chili and Gluten-free Corn Bread

Last Friday I played around with a chili recipe since I have GERD, tomatoes are a no-no. I replaced it with canned pumpkin. A crockpot comes in handy for this too.

Here are the ingredients:

1-lb ground meat (any kind- I used turkey)
2 chopped onions
Garlic cloves (as much as you like-make sure you crush them)
1 can of black beans (make sure you rinse them)
1 can of pumpkin
3 cups of broth (chicken, vegetable, or beef- I used chicken)
1/4 Cup of water (or more-its to cook the ground meat before adding all the other ingredients)
4 TBSP Chili powder
1 TSP Cumin
1 TSP Cinnamon
1 TSP Cocoa powder
1 TBSP Raw honey
Optional: add any kind of hot pepper, zucchini, and squash. You can also use any bean you desire.

Steps in preparation:

1. Set your crock pot on high. Add your ground meat and water. Cover and cook for two hours.

2. After two hours, dump everything in. Turn down the temp to low and let it cook. Mine cooked for 6 hours. If you cook on high. Do so for 3 hours.

3. Let it cool for ten minutes.

4. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, and gluten free cornbread if you like.

5. Eat up!

Well...since I shared my chili recipe y'll will need my gluten free cornbread recipe.

Here are the ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups yellow cornmeal
1/2 Cup any kind of unsweetened milk (I use almond)
1/4 Cup of water
1/3 Cup maple syrup or honey
1 TBSP coconut oil (make sure it's softened first)
3/4 Cups frozen or canned corn
1/2 Cup of raisins or chopped dates
1/2 TSP salt

Steps in preparation:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 400.

2. Grease a 12 count muffin tin with coconut oil.

3. Mix your salt and cornmeal together.

4. Stir in the rest of your ingredients.

5. Then, fill your muffin cups a third full.

6. Pop them into the oven and bake for twenty minutes.

7. Once out of the oven, let them sit for five minutes. They're yummy with butter. Even with a swipe of coconut oil.

Enjoy!

Hope everyone has a happy week!

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly


Sunday, December 11, 2016

RACISM

What is racism? According to a Google definition, it is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

*Predjudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.

In the limelight, Obama has played the race card. Race wars have been spawned by white cops on black lay people. The mainstream media has used it to stir up the people. Hillary and others on the left have accused Trump of being one. The world has just gone plain crazy. But then...

I was raised in twisted and crazy.

"That boy is a good worker," my grandmother said. "They all need to take some lessons from him." She forked her steak and sawed her knife into it.

"Yeah. He's good a nigger," my grandfather agreed.

Born in 1965 this was common talk around me. In my house, African-Americans were referred to as 'jungle-bunnies, boy, girl, them, and porch monkeys''.

"If you touch one, your skin will turn black." My grandfather loved telling me this when I was little. Just to let you know, I've shook hands and have hugged many different races of people. Guess what? I'm still white. Skin colors don't rub off.

In high school, I dated a Puerto Rican boy and a Laotian one. My grandparents and parents didn't appreciate either. Wet-back and Gook were how they were referred to. I didn't care what they thought. Love sees no colors.

When God sees us, He sees our hearts. He shows partiality to no one. For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11 KJV

In 2000, I worked for a law firm. One day, I left late with all the attorneys. As we entered an elevator so did the nightly cleaning crew. Three had to be Spanish and one was African-American.

"Hi," I said to them.

They all bowed their heads and huddled toward a corner. "Sorry," one of them said. It was as if they were standing before royalty.

The attorneys didn't even acknowledge them.

When the elevator doors slid open, the cleaners stayed back to let the attorneys out first. I lingered behind waiting for them to get half way down the corridor.

"Y'll shouldn't be afraid them. They're just a bag of bones in suits."

Their faces flushed. They let out small giggles.

"Besides," I said. "We all bleed red no matter who we are." After, I walked out into the hallway and glanced back at them. "Don't forget that."

The rich and the poor have a common bond. The Lord is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2

And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. Acts 17:26

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galations 3:28

There are a ton more scriptures on what God believes about racism. It shouldn't even exist. But it does. If you ask me, I believe that governments created it to keep the world in chaos. Think about it. They've used religion.

In the meantime, pay attention. No worldly leader is going to lead us to national salvation. Our hope is in Yeshua only. He's in control.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly









Thursday, December 8, 2016

ISWG:My Broken Arm Update

"I expected more from your arm," the doctor said. "We're going to get you a bone simulator."

Well, the bone isn't there yet. It should've been. But my body has decided to be different. Hashaimoto's is running this show. Aw man...

Still can't drive or go to work. Can't lift my arm like a normal person?

The bright side, typing is getting easier. I can hopefully finish what I had started-actually, I was halfway there with a novel when I broke my humerus.

How can anyone make a 5 year plan with the unexpected hiding around the corner?

This post was brought to you on behalf of Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Group. If you're interested click on the icon toward the top right of your computer screen.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly

PS The xray pic was taken today
Yep. That's my broken humerus. Purdy, huh?

Thursday, November 3, 2016

ISWG: Another Update on my Broken Arm Week 7 and Other Things

I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date! Actually, I was moping about after my daughter, No-No, left Tuesday night to go back to Israel. The Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Group took a backseat. Sorry, guys.

If anyone is interested in this encouraging group, click on the icon to the top right of your screen.

Onward then...

So today, I'm feeling discouraged because of my own procrastination. The only real writing I've accomplished has been on my blogs ... And text messages and emails.

A few weeks ago several bloggie-buddies suggested dictating my novel. I did. Three days in a row. After I'd press the button to record, my voice box froze as did my brain. So yeah ...

Had thought about doing NaNoWriMo this year since I'm stuck at home. Haven't even begun. I AM SUCH A SLACKER! I'm soooo not happy with myself right now.

But my broken arm is coming along. I'm believing God to be ready for PT by my November 17th appointment. It's still clicking when I move, but not as much. Everyday I get up, I can feel small changes. Can even bend my elbow up and then straight back down again.

Took some pics of my arm after I slipped it out of the sleeve and cuff. A bruised banana.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly