Please Donate

Please help victims of Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina has blazed a trail of devastation throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Across the Gulf Coast, Katrina engulfed thousands of homes and decimated the landscape in what could become the most destructive storm in U.S. history. Victims are stranded and in need of immediate medical care, food and water, and tens of thousands of people will need temporary housing for months.

You can help people affected by this storm by making a donation.  If you would like to do so, click on the link entitled "Network for Good" below. And let's not forget to pray for these people.  Thanks and God bless.  Krissy

                     Network for Good

Monday Morning Question

Monday Morning Question:

What are your plans for Labor Day?

My answer:  I really didn't have any plans, so I just asked John.  He suggested we get a rack of ribs and some macaroni salad and take it to the park.  Later in the evening he wants to go for ice cream at this quaint country ice cream shop.  Then maybe we'll rent a movie.  Yes, a true day off!

What are your plans?   

This Week's Hunt

This Week's Photo Scavenger Hunt (#39) will be due on Sunday, September 4, at 11 PM EST.  

When  you have completed your entry, please leave a link to it in the comments section below. 

Category:  Sky

Entries for Scavenger Hunt #38

Category:  Favorite Mug

kokoapuffy1

swmpgrly

fasttrack58

sylviam4000

neemom96

These were great!  Krissy :)

Biopoem

Kristina

Kristina
serious, joyful, fiercely loyal, uncomprimising when called for
Daughter of God
relative of Captain Kangaroo
who is glad to be alive, loves babies, marvels at God's wonderous ways
lover of God, John, mankind
who fears regret, depression, terrorism
who needs sunshine, hope, chocolate
who gives a listening ear, food when someone's hungry, truth
who would like John to be cancerfree, a vacation at the beach, and wisdom
resident of my wonderful, loving, cozy home
Krissy

This is called a biopoem.  Why don't you write one yourself?  It is easy.  Instructions are over at Poetry Dance. 

Hope you are having a nice weekend.  Krissy :) 

Processing my feelings

I went with John today to his oncology appointment.  It was with his local oncologist, Dr. Ford.  John reported some new symptoms to him.  He has had a cough for  a couple of weeks, and some skin problems .  Dr. Ford said the cough and skin problem (staph) are due to having low white counts, and gave him an antibiotic.  He also has brittle nails.  A big piece of his  toenail on his big toe just broke right off without him hitting it on anything.  Like almost half the toenail!  Dr. Ford says the brittle nails have to do with the progression of his bone marrow cancer (MDS).  He has also been having general malaise and fatigue.  I just asked him if there was anything else he wanted to add and he said, "I am just plain tired."

So how am I doing?  Well some days it is hard.  I am trying to process the fact that John has cancer again let alone needs a bone marrow transplant.  For awhile I think I was real stoic, but now my feelings are kind of hitting me hard.  I talked to my psychiatrist today and she said this was normal.  We deny for awhile and then we deal.  I think it is helping me to actually process things instead of pretending that nothing is happening.  I am glad I have a therapist right now to talk about my feelings with and work things through.  As time goes on she can help me process more and more. 

And I also want to do some research on the bone marrow transplant process.  I think if I know more about it it will be less scary.  Or maybe it will be more scary.  I just don't like the unknown.  I already found out some of the things I thought about it were untrue.  I had some preconceived misconceptions.  I was catastrophizing about something I shouldn't have been.  So I need to do some reading up.

Well, that's about it for now, take care, Krissy 

Monday Morning Question

Monday Morning Question:

This question was submitted by Heather of Singing With My Heart......  

What is your favorite part abourt journaling and why?  Whether online or offline.  

My Answer:  If you would have asked me this question when I started my journal over a year ago, I would have said that it was the cathartic effect I got from journaling.  Writing in my journal was a way to get out my feelings and thoughts. 

It was also a way for me to practice my writing skills.

Now my favorite thing about journaling is the friends that I am in contact with on a daily basis.  We have become a part of each others lives.  Yes, being in contact with friends, and sharing our lives together has clearly become the most important thing about journaling to me.  

This Week's Hunt

This Week's Photo Scavenger Hunt (#38) will be due on Sunday, August 28, at 11 PM EST.  

Please note the new day (Sunday) and the new time (11 PM EST) that entries are now to be submitted by.

When  you have completed your entry, please leave a link to it in the comments section below. 

Category:  Favorite Mug 

Entries for Scavenger Hunt #37

Category:  Weekend

krspkrmmom

boiseladie

sylviam4000

ctx424

fasttrack58

kokoapuffy1

Excellent entries!  :)  

Sorry

Sorry ya'll.  I usually have your photo entries listed by this time of morning.  But as you probably know, journals were out this morning from 4 am to 6 am and that is when I was going to work on them.  I was also going to post the topic for next week's photo scavenger hunt, and the Monday Morning Question.  Looks like since the journals were down I am really running behind.  I would love to do the entries right now, but I have to go out this morning.  So I will do it later on today.  Thanks so much for being patient, especially those of you who did a photo scavenger entry and deserve to have your link posted.  I am sorry, I would have posted the entry links earlier yesterday evening, but I forgot about the blackout from 4 am to 6 am.  So I will be back later today.  Hope you all have a great day.  Take care, Krissy :)      

Happy Second Anniversary

Happy 2nd Anniversary J-Land!

I wanted to take this time to say Happy Second Anniversary to all my fellow journalers out there in Journal Land.  You are some of the best people on earth.  It has been a privilege getting to know you these past two years.  I have really enjoyed reading your journals and becoming a part of your lives.  And you have become a dear part of mine also, my friends.  You have been with me through many joys this year.  One of the highlights of this year has been my marriage to John.  You have also been with me through my tribulations this year.  You have helped me through my husband John's illness with bone marrow cancer.  You have pulled for him, prayed for him, and written letters to your congressmen.  And you have also prayed for me, and emailed me with your words of encouragment, and supported me.  I don't know what I would have done without you all.  Thank each and every one of  you.  I can't wait to see how another year will bring us closer.  Keep on writing, Love, Krissy :)  

   

Drumming Class at the ACS!

Last night John and I went and saw the movie "March of the Penguins".  It was fantastic.  It showed what an Empire Penguin did each year of it's life, each year over again.  I will never look at penguins the same way again.  They are fascinating.  Now I know what they are doing when they are following one another in those long lines that look like follow-the-leader.  It is all about breeding, raising their chick, and trying to stay alive.  They march off to the breeding ground about 70 miles away, then mate.  The females lay an egg and pass it to the male, go back to the sea, and come back to bring their baby chick food that the male has kept warm on his feet!  Then the males march back single file to the sea.  And back and forth taking turns all year long!  I won't tell you what happen to the babies in the end, because that is a surprise. 

My sister Valerie, John and I went to an American Cancer Society Conference a few weeks ago.  It was interesting.  I could say a lot about it, but I think I will just mention one session that we went to.  It was a session on "drumming".  Now when I first heard that I groaned and thought, "I do NOT want to do this."  I knew they were going to make us participate.  But we got there and we started to participate and we all enjoyed it!  There were maybe fifty people there, and that many percussion instruments.  I had sort of a maraca, and John had jingle bells, and Valerie had this really big hand drum!  You would think that with 50 some people playing that the music would be really chaotic but it wasn't.  We had a basic rhythm going and a few people varied from it.  We were really interconnected with one another.  It made me understand how different societies could use music for their rituals.  The fascilitator said a lot of societies used music such as drumming for different things such as celebration or mourning.  Actually all societies use music that way in one form or the other.  Whether it is played or listened to.  Anyway, we were really expressing ourselves and enjoying ourselves.  A good time was had by all, except for a friend of ours, who was sitting next to Val saying, "I hate this."  "I hate this."  "I hate this."  Over and over again, lol!

On to another subject, I was asked to be on the board of a local group, The Cancer Survivor's Association.  I am going to do it.  I want to do some volunteer work with them.  John and I attend the group once a month.  It is for cancer survivors and their family members.

Well, that's about it for now.  I hope I don't have too much to do this weekend.  I want to do something fun.  Maybe if John and I get some time we will go on a picnic.  It feels so nice not concentrating on the cancer all the time anymore and starting to live some normal life everyday.  We are feeling a little bit better everyday and starting to get our bearings about us.  Some days are harder than others, but things are getting better.  Especially since John's attitude has improved.  The other day he said to me, "I plan on surviving."  His positive attitude has helped my attitude to get positive.  He is my fighter!  

Everybody take care and have a great weekend!  Love, Krissy :)  

Monday Morning Question

Monday Morning Question:

Tell us about one of your favorite teachers and how he/she influenced your life.

My favorite teacher was my first grade teacher Mrs. Lowen.  She made learning fun.  And she made us feel comfortable.  I remember on the first day of elementary school entering the classroom frightened and she had a silver Christmas tree with all kinds of fancy, shiny party hats hanging off of it.  As we entered the classroom she had us take a hat and find our seat.  I still remember the blue shiney hat I chose!  

The biggest thing I think she tried to teach us besides the three Rs was being kind to others.  And she showed it by her shining example of kindness that she had herself.   

This Week's Hunt

This Week's Photo Scavenger Hunt (#37) will be due on Sunday, August 21, at 11 PM EST.  

Please note the new day (Sunday) and the new time (11 PM EST) that entries are now to be submitted by.

When  you have completed your entry, please leave a link to it in the comments section below. 

Category:  Weekend 

Entries for Scavenger Hunt #36

Category:  Morning

joolsinswa

fasttrack58

chasferris

mtrib2

sylviam4000

See my sister Val's entry below.  Hope you all enjoy these.  Make sure you check the first one out as soon as possible.  She is a newcomer!  Krissy :) 

Val's Morning Scavenger Hunt Entry!

My sister Val's computer is broken and she can't post so she emailed me her entry and I am posting it below in my journal for her.  Please note that I stress this is Val's entry and not mine, because I am afraid of the last picture, lol.  It wouldn't have been my choice!  Here goes Val's entry:

The very first thing I do in the morning is grab my medication and a cup of coffee.  Interestingly, I always check to see what the weather is - what the sky looks like - even if I don't step outside.  Sometimes I go on the computer next if it is raining or windy or too cold and sometimes I go outside and spend some time alone.  Often I say hello to God and thank Him for the day and try to center myself.  I am groggy in the morning and like how the outside air wakes me up.  I like how it awakens all of my sneses.  I often look at how the flowers are doing and smell the air and say hello to the passers-by.  I used to dislike mornings, but they have now become precious to me.  I am not sure why this has turned around.  Hmm? 

I could have taken pictures of a cup of coffee or my computer, but I thought that was a bit boring so I decided to take pictures of my Saturday.  This particular morning had a HUGE, bright pink sun.  For some reason the camera didn't pick up the correct color of the sun.  It also didn't pick up on how large the sun was.  I like the pictures anyway.  It was a very hazy morning as it promised to be very hot and humid that day.  

  

A lot of mornings, Sugar and Toby, the neighbors' cats greet me as well.  Here is Sugar coming up to my camera for a sniff.  She just wouldn't sit still for a shot!  Such a curious, sweet kitty she is!  So thank you, Krissy, for letting me "use" your journal space for my "morning" shots!!  I will be back soon everyone!  I promise!  Hopefully sometime this week.  Hope everyone is well! xox

Books

I've been tagged!

I was tagged by GEM and in her entry she mentioned that I should share some of the books I have enjoyed reading.  

Some of my favorite books:

Sense and Sensibility:  Author - Jane Austen.  Published in 1811.  The story is about two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.  Elinor is very sensible and Marianne is very passionate and romantic.  The book is about how they handle life and love after their father dies and doesn't leave them any fortune.  Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars.  Marianne doesn't find him good enough for her sister because she thinks he is too sensible and not passionate enough.  Marianne herself is in love with their neighbor, Mr. Willoughby.  Elinor cautions Marianne regarding her intense love for Mr. Willoughby and tells her to keep it in check.  Soon Mr. Willoughby abandons Marianne and marries somebody else.  During this whole time Elinor and Edward have gotten very close and fallen in love.  Suddenly Edward tells Elinor he must leave.  Now here is where the exciting end to the story comes in!  You will never guess the ending!  Read the book to find out if both, one or neither of the sisters find true love and end up getting married by the end of the book!   

"Little House" book series:  Author - Laura Ingalls Wilder.  When Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing her book series in 1932 and completed it in 1943, she had no idea she would be giving the world a picture of pioneer life.  She had no idea she would be writing history for future generations to learn from.  This book series is rich and colorful.  In the book series Laura tells about her life growing up on the prairie.  She shares about her family and about the many hardships and joys they went through.  The TV show "Little House on the Prairie" was based on this book series.  

The Story of A Soul:  The autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux (St. Therese The Little Flower).  It starts out:  "I am going to entrust the story of my soul to you..."  It is Therese Martin's autobiography and from it we get far more than a glimpse into her life.  We get a very big look into her spirituality.  One of the central parts of her spirituality is doing "ordinary things with extraordinary love".  She couldn't do many large things in her life.  She wanted to be a missionary but couldn't.  She determined that because she couldn't do some of these "big" things she wanted to do, that she would do the little things in life in a great way and with great love!  She said God loved this very much.  That's a great lesson for all of us.  Another part of her spirituality was trusting God like a child would trust a father and surrendering to Him.  She also believed in the simple spirituality of just speaking to the Lord.  Her biggest focus was on loving God and other humans.

The Holy Bible (New American Bible):  I saved the best for last.  This is the greatest love story ever told.  It explains how God sent His Son Jesus to die for us, and that if we are baptized into Him, and follow Him, we will live with God someday in Heaven forever.  And our new life in Christ starts right here on earth as soon as we are in Him and He in us.   

Now it is my turn to tag a few people! 

MARY from Hunybea's Open Journal, you have just been tagged.  What are some of your favorite books?  I am curious to see what you have read that you think is interesting, entertaining or important.

KELLEN I am tagging you too.  Kellen is a sophomore in High School and wise beyond his years.

PROMISE you are also tagged.  We are all curious of what your choices would be.  

Write an entry on your favorite books and tag somebody else!

Monday Morning Question

Monday Morning Question:

What is the most unusual thing you have ever eaten?

Hmm, I have a few.  When we were little my Dad made us eat octypus and squid.  We also ate snails.  I don't care if it was called escargots, it was still snails.  And we had fish eggs.  Yes cavier, but still fish eggs.  Gee we were fed well!  And I liked it all back then, until I found out what each thing was.  Another thing we had was COW'S TONGUE.  That was undecidedly the grossest!  It had the consistency of corned beef, lol.  And then my Dad was constantly making ox tail soup.  It was actually good, but I knew what it was, lol.  The tail end of an ox!  And he had turtle soup but I never tried it, eegads!  He probably snuck other things by us but I am glad I never found out what they were!

This Week's Hunt

This Week's Photo Scavenger Hunt (#36) will be due on Saturday, August 13, at 8 PM EST.

Category:  Morning (Perhaps something that reflects your morning)

Entries for Scavenger Hunt #35

Category:  Unattractive

sylviam4000

fasttrack58

nhd106

kkasey47

photographybymon

mtrib2

hunybea4him  did Tiny and Huge

Check mine out below.  Thanks to everyone who played this time.  They were, well, interesting, lol!  Krissy :)

Scavenger Hunt #35

Unattractive

Quick US States Quiz

Here is a very quick US States quiz.  I borrowed this from Random Ruminations.  Take this and put your score in the comments section.  It is really quick and easy.  I got a, well, 15, lol.  I would have done better but it was timed! 

http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf 

Monday Morning Question

Monday Morning Question:

What cartoon would you like to be a character in?

I love the Flintstones and especially Wilma so I think I would like to be Wilma Flintstone.

John says he would like to be in Peanuts.  He would like to just be himself in the background there observing.  His favorite character is Linus because he is the philosopher/theologian. 

Michael tells me he would like to be Garfield, lol.  He would like to ly around all day in his kitty bed.  When he gets up he would like to eat pans of lasagne and other goodies.  He would also like to bop dogs on the head.  Ahh, a kitty's life!  

This Week's Hunt

This Week's Photo Scavenger Hunt (#35) will be due on Saturday, August 6, at 8 PM EST.

Category:  Unattractive (within reason!)

Entries for Scavenger Hunt #34

Category:  Tiny and Huge

missboogerhead

sassydee50:      Tiny    Huge  

kkasey47:         here   and     here

fasttrack

sylviam4000

Check out my entry below.

Scavenger Hunt #34

Tiny and Huge

I chose grains of sand to represent tiny.  I wanted to take just one grain of sand, but it wouldn't show up.  I often think of a grain of sand when I think of something small, because by itself it is very small, but when you put many of them together, you get a whole beach, a whole beautiful creation.  I put the sand on a leaf, which is small compared to these trees, which I use to represent my huge picture: