Share Your World – J-Dubs Grin and Bear It

Share Your World 🌎 ~ 1/18/22

Published on 01/18/202201/17/2022 by J-Dub7 Comments

Thanks Melanie for the set ups aka questions. Time to knock ✊ em down. Help me Jesus, life is topsy turvey right now.

Questions Fill in: ‘If I were really completely honest, I would say that …’ This is a question for ‘radical honesty’. What are the things you wouldn’t normally say? Things you would otherwise actually hide? What’s on your mind? What would you really like to be able to say? I wish I could release the hounds and tell you but if I’m completely honest, I avoid conflict at all costs. Good little girls don’t complain or make their opinions known. The few times I’ve tried to speak my piece haven’t turned out well. And quite frankly most people aren’t interested in my two cents.

Have you ever broken anything? What about rules? I’ve broken hearts 💔 yep a real Casanova. JK. I married my childhood sweetheart. My only boyfriend despite a multitude of crushes. As for rules, they’re made to be broken. 😂

Are you also afraid of spiders? What is your biggest fear, other than spiders? (if you’re not afraid of spiders, use your biggest phobia instead). Spiders are good. Well most 🕷 are good. They keep things in balance. Gardener in da house. My biggest phobia is of needles. Not shots though. Intravenous blood draw 🩸. I got past my fear to donate but it is always with risk of fainting before I’m done.

Do you think time goes faster as you get older? Time is a construct of man. It’s neither fast or slow. It’s hard to explain my point. I guess all I’m saying is I’ve referred to time as whipping by way too fast for most of my life. I feel time moving quickly because of how I mark time.

GRATITUDE SECTION (as always, optional) Please share something that really inspired you from this last week or month. I’m grateful for my family support. We’re stronger together and we’ve had a few rough patches this week taking care of MoMo. We couldn’t do it alone. Thank goodness 😅 we have each other ❤️‍🩹

Share Your World ~ 1/11/22

Published on 01/11/202201/11/2022 by J-Dub9 Comments

Melanie serves up the questions and I reply with my two cents. Let’s get on with the show.

Questions

Who do you think is an example of a successful person? Step one define success. In my version of the word, money is not part of the equation. I think of success as someone who realizes they live in a world larger than themselves and they make an impact in that larger space in kindness to others. That makes my answer, my daddy, God rest his soul.

Why are you doing what you’re currently doing? (take this in any context you like, either as a “what you’re doing RIGHT NOW THIS SECOND” or “what you’re doing in your life at this point” or any other way that occurs to you. The question is a bit ambiguous..) Ooh options! Well as of this moment I am responding to Melanie’s SYW challenge because I get a kick out of it and I enjoy reading the other responses. I usually learn a thing or two which is nice. This is free therapy for me. As far as why am I at this point in my life? I am here because of random choices made along the way some with or without much thought. Yes I worked for what I have but I’m here now because of pure luck, fate, or chance. No one truly plans to grow up to become an insurance advisor. Most of us fell into this gig while we were waiting for life to happen elsewhere.

What is your personal theme song? the Love Boat … exciting and new … Or really I pick Cheers! Silly me.

My runner up theme song is Peter Gunn cuz ya know, how hip is that …

What do you think about tofu? Not a damn thing. LOL. Tofu is a vehicle that picks up flavors from other stuff it is paired with I believe. Or not. Either way, I am not a fan of anything soy and I will not google it lest I find tofu is in everything.

†****”*†”**††************

GRATITUDE SECTION (as always, optional)

Where did you find bliss this past week? In my mind because my body said no way, not today. I can always escape with a good book or into my dreams and when I really hit a wall, I take a single pill that knocks me out. All on the up and up with doctor’s RX and used for emergencies only.

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 1/4/22

Published on 01/04/202201/03/2022 by J-Dub7 Comments

Melanie our host with the most has given us some questions from Evil Squirrel (ES). She is SAD as this is ES’s last hurrah on #SYW. As a person who is scared of squirrels, I say they are evil too though truth be told, this one is more fun than evil from what I can tell. Now here we go …

QUESTIONS (NEWEST AND FINAL E.S. BATCH FROM DECEMBER 2021)

Ricky “The Pious” Raccoon asks a two parter: (12-2-2021)

What frivolous, but annoying thing that people do be considered a sin (crime)?

Oh lordy, who am I to judge that? Stay in your lane as you do you AND as long as you don’t impact me or my family, happying sinning 🙂
And how should violators be made to repent (be punished) for it? Punishment by flogging … always by flogging. Ahoy matey! Shiver me timbers.

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

Mary “The Poster Lamb For Cute” (12-9-2021) asks

Imagination IN and impracticality and logic aside, if you could pick one animal to have as an exotic pet based solely on how cute and adorable it is, what would it be? Hmm, I don’t want exoitc, I just want my doggies. But if forced to pick, I’ll take Teagan’s Tatu Pinkerton aka Fang. HERE is the episode where she used the three things I suggested. Read ’em all though, you’ll be intrigued.

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

The Sponkies (the result of an unusual pairing of a donkey and a sparkle pony) 12-16-2021

Do you have any siblings? Yes

If so, where do you rank in birth order? Depends on who you ask … lol – I’m a boss baby 🙂

And do you think either of these facts contributed to the person you became? I think so … siblings or no siblings, oldest, middle, or youngest, create varied experiences that make us who we are BUT it’s only one part of a much more complicated system. I’m also my friends and yes I would jump off the same bridge they did … if they did … because I’m a follower. I also have teachers/mentors/etc… all of whom I modeled to become the best me!

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

12-23-2021 ZAC (short for Prozac because his somewhat maniacal grinning face is rather creepy)…

We all have things that make us happy, but what makes you deliriously, giddily, tail wagging-ly happy? Getting a good night’s sleep and waking up refreshed and fully rested.

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

Evil Squirrel (and the final question from E.S. “Nest” o’ fun!) 12-30-2021

If you had an alter ego, who or what would it be? Describe some fun or interesting things about them! Well, you’ve no idea but my social experiment had me create an alt account. It’s a thing y’all. I’m by no means the first to figure this out but as I’m still in the middle of a sticky wicket, tis all I can say. This question reminds of the Alter Ego game show – singers compete with Avatars that were revealed in person if they didn’t get picked to stay on the diamond. People really do judge a book by their covers. For shame ….

GRATITUDE SECTION (ALWAYS OPTIONAL)

What are some hopes or accomplishments you’d like to see happen in 2022? Survive until 2023. So far this is looking promising for me … god willing and the creek don’t rise or the vid don’t get me first. Yet another friend caught it, his 2nd bout but this time mild symptoms whereas last time six days of hard times. And he was vaccinated which as I’m told only means, you have less chance of dying or being hospitalized but the jab is not guaranteed immunity.

I have convinced myself, I will get the vid … no longer IF but WHEN. So many cases and no one saying specifically how/when/where. Contract tracing … huh? what? Example, B’s aunt, uncle, cousin, et al from a Christmas Eve Party (they think) having confirmed by at home test, one of the last few on the shelves. Everyone in the fam is positive except little brother who was also immune late time this virus ripped through the house. Ya see, another example of twice to our not yet. But I’m not a doctor, I only play one on TV. <cough, cough> my throat is scratchy. But I kid, I kid … even though this isn’t funny. RIP Brenda, Angie, John …

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 12/28/21

Published on 12/28/202112/28/2021 by J-Dub11 Comments

Here are Melanie’s questions. If you’d like to join in, click on the link. The following are my two cents worth 1/2 a penny due to inflation.

WORLD QUESTIONS 2022 Is bearing down on the world. In my opinion 2021 was 100% better than 2020, but it hasn’t been without its own set of problems and fresh worries. I’m hopeful that 2022 will somehow see a return to ‘life before Covid’ , but I also realize that’s a foolish hope. At 12 a.m. on December 31st/Jan 1st, what will you be doing? (use your own time zone please) Sleeping. I quit trying to stay up for the NYE ball drop many years ago. If I happen to be awake, it is usually because I’m reading a good book that I can’t quite put down. I always miss the striking of the hour any way. I’m a self proclaimed fuddy duddy. The weather is typically nasty. I’ve usually eaten my weight in desserts and in need of a detox. Not sure what all the hype is about. After all, NYE is just another day, like all the rest of them. We shouldn’t have to wait for a holiday to be happy and celebrate. We can make every day the special gift that it is … insert eye roll. That’s sarcasm folks. Haha & hehe.

Is there a tradition you have for New Year’s Eve? As a kid yes. Mom and dad left us to fend for ourselves as they went to Martinez Social Club for the big NYE dance. Dad would make black-eyed peas and take them to the dance in thermos where they all partook of a teaspoon full shortly after midnight. They left us at home with good provisions. We could drink cokes and had all sorts of delicious goodies. There was also unsupervised fireworks a time or two. Yeah buddy!!

Do you have any hope or reason you find that next year will be better? Well it can’t get worse. Or can it? Only the shadow knows. Bwahahahaha!!! Better or worse is relative actually. I will continue to live in my deep deep denial that everything is sunshine and roses until I keel over one day. All I can control is my emotion.

What’s the biggest personal lesson you learned during 2021? Take a pause for your own personal healing. And if you don’t want to do something then don’t!

GRATITUDE SECTION Describe in 1-3 words how you feel going into 2022 Exhausted but grateful.

Share Your World ~ 12/14/21

Published on 12/14/202112/13/2021 by J-Dub4 Comments

I can’t keep up y’all truly I can’t and when I’m most begin, I decide screw it, I’m taking a break to Share My World. Thanks Melanie for the questions and much needed distraction. Step away from the work and enjoy. Breathe. Live a little.

SHARE YOUR WORLD QUESTIONS

What is your opinion of the state of health care in your country? Adequate or inadequate? What could be done to improve it? Inadequate and I’ve got countless examples of why. At one point I had a feature blog sometimes title funny math and it was usually about healthcare insurance. Then times all my crazy by what others experience either the same or worse. If I could crack the code of how to improve, I’d be a miracle maker. This is one of those times I feel like I am but a cog in the wheel who must accept my lot. Reminds me, I need to refill an RX before end of year.

What are two words that describe you best? Emotional and silly

Do you have a morning routine? If so, what it’s like? I used to but I have really slacked off. I quit walking every morning and that’s no bueno. Basically, I get up, get dressed, walk less than a minute from my bedroom to my in home office and work. As routine as it gets.

What’s something that really makes your blood race? Almost everything until I calm down and think about it. I’m the proverbial worry wart. And with those nerves comes blood that’s racing. Usually 9 times out of 10, things are not as bad the next day. If I work up the nerve, I will right about my social media experiment and the blood racing there. Not for the faint of heart.

Do you enjoy singing festive songs during *insert festive celebration that you observe to replace “Christmas” if it’s not relevant to you * Christmas carols or songs? Yes, yes, a million times yes! And I found three albums from St. MM Glee Club which I played on my brand spanking new turntable. Drove everyone but me crazy. lol. In the little village of Bethlehem, there lay a child one day …. I can hear Sr. Angelee – Sing children with the voices the good Lord gave you!! The video has no words but that organ. I’m back in 1978 I tell ya what!

Life – Classes of 72-73. Hope = CLasses of 74-75. People = Classes of 78-79. Not sure what happened to 76-77, must not have had an album.

************************************************************
GRATITUDE SECTION (as always optional)

Feel free to share something that brings peace to you. Music see above 🙂

Share Your World ~ 12/7/21

Published on 12/07/202112/07/2021 by J-Dub7 Comments

Today let’s remember the Arizona and all who perished in Pearl Harbor. Such an emotional day. My sister and brother-in-law picked this day to wed for the significance of the event. I think this year is #53. How cool is that??!?! Now to move on to #SYW where Melanie and friends have given us some questions.

Di (11-2-2021) What really turns your stomach? (politicians aside) Certain foods/drinks. Like coffee. I love coffee but coffee no longer loves me. Once a week treat either Saturday or Sunday.

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

Jim and Fandango (12-1-2021) Recently in a FPQ challenge, a question was asked about fish. That ‘sparked’ a further train of thought by me about (Jim and Fandango’s discussion) “Whether or not recycling is helpful OR if it’s really far too late for anything of that sort to make a difference? It’s never too late … well it is … or can be … but I’m a lifelong recycler brought up by depression era parents who recycled before doing so was the in thing. I’m going to keep on going for what it’s worth.

What would YOU do with the immense amount of ‘garbage’ in the world, if there weren’t dumps or barges (Sorry New York/New Jersey) where it was taken to be processed? (My question thought up from Jim and Fandango’s) This I wish I knew but I support anyone with ideas far better than any I could come up with.
************************************************************************

Evil Squirrel posed the following (12-5-2021) What’s the oddest container you’ve ever gotten a gift in? Hmm nothing I can think of offhand. Pretty standard stuff but I do enjoy with the container is part of the gift.
*************************************************************
Holiday themed question:

Do people behave differently during Christmas (insert your own holiday or festive season)?
Do they try to be better? In my experience yes even if temporary
Do you donate something (money, clothes…) to charities? Yes, my kids had required service hours in school and I did too for that matter. Then my employer makes it convenient to give. Guess I’m team volunteer, it makes you feel good.
Do you give something to homeless people? When I worked downtown, SAPD told us not to for safety reasons. We were told that there was help within the radius of the encampments with conditional you have to be sober requirements. We were to believe the homeless around our building could get food any time they wanted. I have had my doubts of course but the safety thing was drilled into us. Instead once a year our team made care packages – toothbrushes, paste, shampoo, body wash, and socks which were then distributed by someone else.

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

GRATITUDE SECTION (As always, optional)
This is an allegedly joyful time of year. How do you, personally, FEEL? It’s pretty bleak out there folks. See above. Homelessness among other things with a heaping scoop of pandemic and in my case fear whether self-induced or otherwise. My parents and grandparents on both sides are gone. B’s parents are not in the best of health. We’re sad. Not just this time of year by always. Or not always outwardly sad but an undercurrent of sadness which for me is how I know pure joy too. Can’t have one without the other … Hey ain’t that a song? Love and marriage, love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage …

I will end with something that speaks to me … from South Park of all places. An off-color show with a few gems within. Re-quoted by my co-worker’s daughter when she lost her mom to alcoholism.

Butters : Well yeah, and I’m sad, but at the same time I’m really happy that something could make me feel that sad. It’s like, it makes me feel alive, you know? It makes me feel human. And the only way I could feel this sad now is if I felt somethin’ really good before.

As always, more to come.

Share Your World ~ 11/30/21

Published on 11/30/202111/29/2021 by J-Dub10 Comments

Melanie and that Evil Squirrel are at it again. Yay us! My no frills website has me going the unvarnished route. Maybe one day I will spring for a premium site.

UNVARNISHED QUESTIONS

If you had the power to strike one person in your life permanently speechless, who would it be? (Real names aren’t necessary, vague descriptions are fine… and yes, this is being asked in fun and not to be mean) Funny you should ask. I was sure I would say my mother in law but then we’d have nothing to laugh about. That lady is hysterical with absolutely no filters to the point of being clueless as best and mean at her worst. Plus I don’t think anything could truly silence her, she’d find a way … with her there is always a way.

If you could relive your childhood over again, what’s one thing from this modern world today you’d want to take back with you? Nothing, I liked it better without all the modern pizazz.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple are the standard colors of the rainbow. Name something you love (or greatly admire/appreciate) for all six major colors of the rainbow! (Sorry indigo, you’re just blue-purple. Hot pink? You’re too flashy!) Huh? LOL. Red cherries, Orange oranges, yellow bananas, green broccoli, blue skies, and purple horizons. Speaking of broccoli, check this out. We’ve got 3 now.

If you were to open the world’s most accurate fortune cookie, what would your fortune inside it read? You will have a life full of laughter.

Santa’s tired of people leaving him out cookies and milk on Christmas Eve night! If you really wanted to get on Santa’s good side, what would you leave out for him to eat/drink instead? (This question applies whether you celebrate Christmas or not. It’s just for fun, so imagination? Welcome! ) Nothing says Christmas like eggnog with a shot of Wild Turkey. And to eat, a tamale chaser. Mhmm. I’m hungry.

Gratitude: What plans do you have for the upcoming holiday/celebration/festival season? Telling on myself, we made the decision to skip putting up a tree. First time for everything though I tried to get away with this before now. Lulu always reeled me back in. Even last year when she went a bit off the deep end. But this year she is working. Says she doesn’t have the time … but then said she does but she wants to spend her time doing something different. Such a hassle and the work outweighs any joy for us. I take enough pleasure in seeing what everyone else does.