Week 28: Hurricane Party!

 

Week 28

September 25th - October 1st: Hurricane Party

Have you ever dealt with a hurricane? 

Do you ever wish there was background music to let you know when there’s a warning? LOL

I hear in places like New Orleans, they have hurricane parties. I always thought it would be cool to have the same here in Florida.

The problem is no one is a native around here. They keep moving in, and freaking out! They hog up all the shelves and the gas stations.

When I was a kid, I lived in Long Island in NY. We had Gloria hit our way. It wasn't much. I think we surged and that was about it. We were expecting Andrew, but a year later we had a storm that hit us, and Long Beach was completely immersed in water. It was a good thing we no longer lived in the basement and lived on the second floor!

I moved to Florida in late August of 1994. We had a hurricane threat in 98, but then nothing more until 2004 when we were hit with Charley. Now, we didn't get hurt. We lost 2 shingles from the roof. We were without power for two weeks.

We had Ivan and Frances hit a year later. No damage.

Irma was pretty bad in 2017. We thought for sure we were gonners with the way the water was rising. But we went to bed and woke up, and the water was completely gone!

This storm looks like it might hit like Charley did. No one really knows. Charley was supposed to hit up the Port of Tampa the last time. Instead, it hit Charlotte Harbor.

In times like these, it would be nice to hear some Scooby-Doo music or Super Mario Bros. music playing in the background. Then you would at least know what to expect! LOL

Florida Power and Light (FPL) put their electric underground. I hope that we'll have power. I can deal with no TV or internet. I need light and air...at least!!!

Diana

Week 27: Peace & Friendship

 

Week 27

September 18th - 24th: Peace & Friendship

Subtopic 1: Mention a bracelet

Subtopic 2: Mention something that brings you (or your character) peace

I go by what I find on the bizarre holiday calendar. I had seen that week was friendship week or day. Can't remember right now.

But I decided to polish my nails when I noticed my hands look so old! LOL. I swear it's from all of the hand washing we've been doing since the pandemic!

Luckily for photo editors. I was able to smooth it out! I know. You think I'm crazy. No. I'm just vain. Probably the same thing!!!

I created these friendship bracelets for myself.

There's a story I heard somewhere about the red friendship bracelet. Actually, I think it's a piece of yarn, but this works too (especially if you make the friendship bracelet very thin). So, legend has it that you tie a piece of string around your wrist. Make a wish. When the bracelet falls off or breaks, your wish will come true.

Everyone has their own beliefs. These days, I just want peace. Though I have trouble finding it. I try to meditate, or think of something funny.

My idea of funny is thinking about something I had seen on Spongebob. But it could also be in a song. I've been singing the song End of the Dream by Evanescence. Which I think I was coming up with that as part of a topic. Because my brain is weird and it's what I like.

Anyway, peace is just avoiding conflict. I don't want to do anything that's going to bring me stress. If it's not bringing me joy, I should probably stay away from it.

Diana

Half Way There

Week 26 (Half Year Mark!)

September 11th - 17th: Half Way There!

In celebration of our 6 months of making it this far! I will make this a writer’s choice!!! Have fun with it!!!

I'm only keeping track of the weeks. I know 26 is 1/2 of 52. Still, either way, I cannot believe I started

this group 6 months ago. I would like to get some more traffic, but it's good anyway.

I didn't even finish writing this!

I had meant to last week, but with the impending storm heading our way, and the Blogophilia group

coming back to life...Who knows what the universe has in store for me!

I know that I need projects to keep me busy!

I'm 45 now, and my mental health is not getting any better.

Everyone that knows me knows that I wanted to have another child. So I will always be in mourning over

that! No matter how old I get.

Some days are harder to get out of bed than others.

I was hoping at this point, I would have been wealthy in the money department so I could do things

like go to a clinic, and have a child that way. Or get myself into a bigger house.

You're supposed to be richer in money as you get older because you no longer have any children to

support!

Instead, I'm struggling more than I ever did when I did have a kid!

I'm waiting for Andy's disability to kick in.

In the meantime, we're going broke because he wants to buy his tobacco, and MJ and stuff.

That stuff is costly.

If I take 20 dollars out, I could make that last me all week. His would be gone in 5 minutes.

And I swear he does this inadvertently deliberately because he knows I want to have another child,

and he's subconsciously sabotaging us financially!

I know I overthink these things.

I can't help it! I'm only human!!!

We'll see where the next 6 months will take me.

Diana

Speaking Nonsense

Posted by Dia J West

Saturday, 9.24.22

I tend to speak nonsense. And I have a tendency to be all over the place, speaking wise, when I’m upset.

Normally I’m good at hiding my sadness, but I can’t help myself this time around!

I tried to create a writing group. I started feeling inspired after I signed up for a creative writing class. But I needed time to get my stuff in order.

I started it sometime in March. It seemed evident that the writing group I was in wasn’t coming back.

Well, they announced they’re back. And I’ve tried countless times to promote my group from within. But people act like I don’t exist.

I only had two people posting anyway.

I know when to give up. I’ll cry and grieve about it. But I’m sure I’ll be fine!

It just hurts.

I am human. And I have feelings.

Diana

September 24, 2022

Always Working

Week 25

September 4th - 10th: Always Working

Subtopic 1: Mention something you do at work

Subtopic 2: Use a quote from the movie Office Space

"The thing is, Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care."

--Peter Gibbons (Office Space) 

It seems I'm always at my computer, answering phones, relieving security,

or something of the sort at my job.

I have thought about this quiet quitting thing. Because it's not that I'm lazy, It's

that I just don't care. Well, that's not entirely true.

I really can't care.

Earlier this week, I had something that bothered my coworker. And in return,

it bothered me. I'm affected by others, and I care about their feelings.

So, someone at work pointed out to me that some things are just out of my control.

And they're right!

I'm normally the first person to say it's none of my business!

Actually, my saying is: Not my circus; not my monkeys; not my karma; not my

business!

It just helps me with the unnecessary.

It's weird too, because at one point, I was willing to lay down and die for my job.

And then an opportunity presented itself for a possible promotion! Well!

When I got passed up for it (They really didn't give anyone a chance to apply for the

position as the HR director had her friend in mind...Talk about nepotism or favoritism.

Whatever you call it). I decided that I no longer want to work the way that I am.

I also noticed that it was a bad time for me to make that decision as Andy

(my husband) was forced into retirement.

We are waiting for his disability. But as soon as it does, I will step down.

I would like to go to college for my bachelor's degree.

Eh, We'll see!!!

Thanks for reading my rant!

Diana

Call Me

Call Me

Blowing in the wind

The dust that swirls around

With a broken heart

Smooshed into the ground

If I told you to call me

Would you?

In a painting of still life

Forever blue

Diana Jillian 9.15.2015 Tuesday

1.24

 

Week 24

August 28th - September 3rd: The World’s a Skyscraper

Subtopic 1: Mention Frankenstein in your blog
Subtopic 2: Incorporate a song lyric about monsters
*I blanked. I picked Metallica’s Some Kind Of Monster.

Are we the people
(Living like a Frankenstein)
Some kind of monster?
The World’s a big skyscraper
We need to keep it simple

The End of And Era! WWG 1.22

 Week 22

August 14th - 20th: The End of an Era

Subtopic 1: What’s something you do (or your character does) to relax?

Subtopic 2: Name a comfort food

It’s the end of an era for me. Three years ago, I went to a shrink that I didn’t like. I started working out. The most I lost was 10 pounds. Since then, I’ve been fluctuating between 166 and 170 pounds. I don’t get it.

And it seems like the more I slim down, the heavier I weigh!

In all fairness at work there were birthday parties and going away parties. I have been vowing to stay away from sugar. I was doing a great job up until two weeks ago. I’ll wait until after my birthday (on the 27th) and then I’ll go back to no sugar.

I can quit sugar any time really. My comfort foods are mostly salty stuff! I like macaroni and cheese. Well, I like anything cheese! Geez! No wonder I can’t lose weight!!!

Anyway, I was hoping that this topic would help me to become more creative. That’s why I said you or your character. I don’t know what I was thinking.

What do I do to relax? I either play my Tsum Tsum game on my phone. Or I play Animal Crossing on my Nintendo Switch.

I realize I need to pick up a better hobby!

Diana

Childhood is only a short time. Adult life is forever!

1.21: High On Catnip

Week 21

August 7th - 13th: Who Let The Cat Out?

Subtopic 1: Mention catnip

Subtopic 2: Incorporate “litter” into your blog

Who let the cat out?

She followed the catnip scent

And now she is lost

Probably got high on life And now the world’s her litter

8.7.22 by Diana J. West

Source: morguefile.com

1.20 Gather Around The Campfire

 

Week 20

July 31st - August 6th: Campfire Ghost Stories

Subtopic 1: Mention Gathering around the fire In your blog

Subtopic 2: Mention S’mores

Waking up in the woods after gathering around the fire the night before, telling ghost stories, and eating S’mores, I noticed that I was alone.

Not a soul in sight. There was nothing but fog surrounding me. I wondered if the fire possibly spread. I was having a hard time trying to recall the night before.

I decided to walk around to see if I could find anything, or anyone around the campsite.

After a bit, I found a few of my friends, but they seem like they’re worried. I ran over to them.

“What’s going on?” I asked them.

“She’s not here,” my friend Kristy replied.

I was going to ask who, but then Jason spoke up. “What do you mean she’s not here?”

“Sam. Sam is missing,” Kristy answered.

I looked at both of them. “How is this possible?” No one answered. Kristy and Jason just stared at each other in horror.

I was having a hard time understanding what was happening. I then decided to go back to where I woke up, and to my surprise, I found my lifeless body laying there.

8/6/22, Saturday 

By Diana J. West

Week 1.19

Week 19

July 24th - 30th: Friends & Family

Subtopic 1: Mention a dad joke in your blog Subtopic 2: Mention a favorite person of yours (or of your character–if you plan on writing a fictional story)

**************

Dear friends and family, We are gathered here today

To make some dad jokes *****

On another note

I do not have much to say

About my favorites

I have no favorite person They all leave me in the end

********

I don't want to post pictures. I am so afraid Facebook will block me again!

Dia

Be Yourself! (1.18)

 Sitting in my house, looking out the window at the rising moon. I talk to it nightly whenever I see it out my window. I often wonder why the stores don't ever have spumoni ice cream available? Maybe it's an Italian thing? Or maybe cherries and pistachios are only available during certain times of the year? I'm not disappointed that this ice cream is not available. I expect it! Sometimes I have to buy three kinds of ice cream to make it. I never do find cherry ice cream. I wind up settling for a vanilla and chocolate mix.

Not that I'm big on ice cream. You'll never really find that in my fridge because I'll eat it all in one setting. I have no self-control.

****

I was going to start storytelling again, but I'm not sure I'm up for making my stories public just yet. It's hard getting back to your old self. Back then, I was thriving with confidence because I didn't know what went into writing a novel. Now that I know, I've lacked my confidence. I just have to be myself.

It's important to be yourself! But it's more important to BELIEVE in yourself!!!

I need to get back to the basics!

Dia

42.13

 

Krispy Kreme donut burgers...or some call it the Luther burger!!!

Breaking Benjamin

Song: Feed The Wolf

Lyric: Carry me through this world alive

I feel no more, this suffering

Bury me in this cold lie

I feed the wolf, and shed my skin

(Lyrics provided by Amazon Music)

Do you ever feel like you never have alone time to yourself?

I was wanting to start the new story on here, but I might as well stuff my arteries with a Luther Burger. There's never really a time for me to do anything.

And it's like people have this radar around me. It takes me a while to focus and get into the zone to write. But once I start hitting the computer, everyone in this house feels the need to chill out in my room (It's the cleanest room in the house).

We're also sitting on our hands. I can feel the circulation fading and the pins and needles feeling kicking in. We're in waiting to find out if my husband keeps his job or loses it. Everything is a hot mess, and the kicker is his sister didn't even care. 

I know as a big sister, I would never do something like that to my brother. As old as we are, I still think of my brother as my baby brother. I cannot even fathom trying to hurt my baby brother like that. And to get a witness to fabricate the same lie??? That's just insane. I've been telling him (my husband) for months now to stay away from his sister.

I can also tell you his mother would be so sad about this if she were alive. She's been gone almost a year now. Very sad.

Moving on:

Anyway, I'm not here to bum you out.

I need to focus more. I don't know how. I get easily distracted.

Should I Stay or Go?

At work, every time I come back from my two day break, I always find I have more work to do. The lady that works two days seems to have so much say. I don't know why this is at all. I'm thinking about asking my new boss if I can work Monday through Friday. I like having Mondays and Tuesdays off, but I cannot deal with the drama. This person claims that I told her not to touch this and that around work. These are all excuses. I don't even work with this person. We don't even cross paths.

I guess bury me in this cold lie. I don't know why this one person wants to create chaos for me. She's on disability and cannot work full time. So, it doesn't make any sense to be such a dramatic troublemaker. I figure if I work Monday through Friday, I can have somewhat less drama. 

To be honest...

There will always be drama no matter where I am or how long I stay. People can be petty and jealous. Some people are just down right evil. I truly believe that the longer I'm alive in this world. Evil lies within the co-worker; with my husband's sister. I have a few more on that list, but I won't go there.

I really should be typing away. I want to focus on my writing more. Maybe I could if I were off on the weekends???

The part-time writer....ever heard of it?

Eh, I'll figure it out. I need to make a schedule...and then never look at it.

DJ

Topic: Tyler
Picture: Jessica

Picture Phrase Guesses:
(Two are already in blog)

1. Mystery
2. Clues
3. Reading and writing
4. Many ways to write

43.13 - Explanation Not Included

Incorporate a lyric by JJ Grey:

Song Free: Line: Don't let go, some let go

Include a math term or equation.

I think this is just going to be a ramble. I need to explain, Lucy!

2(x-1) + 8 = 4x - 20

Solve for x

No?

Something else?

The answer is 13

Do I write this like I do in my journals? Eh, I don't even know anymore.

There's a countdown to Doctor Who on New Years. I can't wait. I guess my brain is focused. When it's focused like that, I don't let go.

Some know how to already let go. I eventually let go. Then it all comes back to me. I have to practice my mantras and forgive all over again.

In a distant future, I do plan on being a writer. I just didn't think it was going to force my hand sooner!

I work full time! And my husband is on the verge of losing his job!!!

I was writing stories for the group, but then I felt like I was discouraged.  It's not on you. It's on me and my mental mind.

So, I was watching Dark Shadows last May through July. That's 2019. I was watching it so much, I forgot to even exercise at all. I mean I was always fat, which meant I wasn't exercising the way I should have been.

Now I have a routine.

I also have more work hours in my schedule. I used to work 4 days one week, and 5 days the next. It was all considered full time, and I accepted it!

Now, I can use all the money I can get. That extra 8 hours every other week? That helps a bit. I know that sounds weird, but every little bit helps. In return, I'm tired. But I come home and I clean. I take the dogs out. I get ready for bed. Lately, I've been exercising in the mornings. I only wish I didn't start while it's so cold out!!! LOL. Hush you non-Floridians! LOL. You don't know what I'm going through with my thinned out blood. And it seems the more I exercise, the colder I get. Last year, the cold didn't even bother me. Huh! I sound like Elsa.

I tried doing "What can go right?" In hopes to be funny. I always wind up being dramatic. Life is full of tests.

The unknown.

Most of us have experienced the unknown. It's a very scary place. For some of us, living in the unknown can lead us to prosperity or poverty. 

I can only hope that whatever unknown I enter into, it won't wind up with me being homeless. I want to get out of my comfort zone more. I want to write more, or make crafts to sell through Etsy. I don't know. I just know I was born to do something crafty, and not sit behind an office all day.

The only good thing is the people there like me. I have a job with health benefits. These are all comfort zones where nothing ever grows. Not even my IRA account. Yes raises are inevitable. But what else?

But with work and exercise, I barely have time to work on my editing in order to even publish it properly onto a blog. But I will get there. 

I feel like I'm floating in outer space. Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Also, it doesn't help there's been a whole Doctor Who marathon going on. I'm waiting for the Doctor with the blue call box spaceship to show up on New Years Day!!!

I'll get there...but I wanted to say something.

I get easily sensitive. I don't know why...I just do. I'm hard on myself to begin with, so when someone is critical on me, I take it to heart. I have to remind myself that not everyone has compassion or empathy or sympathy. I also have to remember that this is the internet, so people feel they can say whatever they like and cower behind the screen.

I think if I met you in real life, you wouldn't behave in such a manner. But that's when you know you must be doing something right, I guess. When people are petty enough to insult you. It must mean I'm going in the right direction.

The only thing now that I have to re-train my brain on is to just not read the comments. Or read them with a grain of salt. But why salt? Eh? Why not rice? I'm just curious.

So, let me get back to the beginning. Watching Dark Shadows. I felt that Dan Curtis, the creator, ended some of the storylines with no closure.

My visions while exercising, I saw this as a means to give the characters some closure. I was planning on wrapping up stories one and two based off the soap opera, but by story three (which I already have 3 and 4 plotted), it will be an original storyline. I'm just wrapping up the final visits from the late 18th and 19th century.

Well, that's how I had placed it in my head. Story 4 goes back in time from the soap opera standard. But then I'm done! LOL

I'm done rambling...I think.

Sorry, I've been a total wreck over my husband with his job situation.

I'm keeping the faith...

Sorry I rambled!

DJ

Topic: Jessica
Picture: Tyler

Picture Phrase Guesses (I put some in my blog in bold)

1. Starman

2. Astronaut

3. Stellar

4. Learning to breathe