
I’m grateful for the years and places I’ve been diving.
What about you?
Melinda

I’m grateful for the years and places I’ve been diving.
What about you?
Melinda
It happened roughly 2 weeks ago. Please note that I have several chronic illnesses and balance issues. Taking a shower is always a risk. I’m careful and stopped using my chair last year. Big mistake! I do have a safety handle on the tub and it hurt so bad falling on top of it.
While grabbing for the shampoo the shower rod fell and hit me in the back of my head and threw me on top of the safety handle then pushed and pinned me in the corner with the water still running.

I managed to get the rod off of me and tried to get up. It took many tries to pull myself out of the tub. I didn’t have the strength to push and pull myself out of the bathtub. I was in the bathroom upstairs and he was downstairs in his office. I yelled for my husband several times but he could not hear me.
The back of my head was hit hard and now I have a concussion. My jaw hurts, my neck hurts, my ears clogged up, and have some of the biggest bruises I’ve seen. I have had several concussions over the years, like when I fell down the stairs and broke my wrist.
I’m at the point where there’s nothing to do but wait, someone mentioned 3-4 months to heal. That is news to me. I can’t image living this way for 3-4 months.
I’ve since purchased a full-size tub mat and a suction safety bar. I’m still nervous but you have to go forward. The reason I decided to get a suction cup bar vs. a permanent one is that we are moving soon and the new owners may not want it and taking it off the wall will leave a hole in the tiles
I’m looking for a portable alert that is really loud, might try my clip-on alarm for cycling. I may get several and hang in a few places because you never know where you’re going to land.
Be safe! :)
Melinda

Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
Don’t forget to check out free college courses.
Melinda
Reference:
Field Guide by Stampington


Old Federal Building in Washington, D.C.
Melinda
I’m not selling anything, just sharing my journey. There are so many DIET plans on the Internet, choose wisely. Losing weight is a long-term commitment with ups and downs.
I started my journey after being weighed at a doctor’s office. WOW, what a shock! I have lost 40 pounds in the last 14 months.
At first, I did not count calories and focused on reducing my eating. Now I’m down to one piece of pizza, unlike the three pieces in the past. I eat almost everything he eats in much smaller pieces. I have a calorie amount in my head and work with that number but I’m not too strict on myself. I eat 2-4 pieces of small caramel chocolate squares, 2 squares if I’m on the top limit of calories, and 4 if I am under the calories for the day. I love sweets so much that I allow myself a cookie or cupcake a month.

Due to the calories, I found some rootbeer and sparkling flavored water, drinking a rootbeer once or twice a week. Everything else has very few calories. I drink lots of water right before eating and you will eat less. I drink 60-70 oz of water a day.
My weight stalled at 20 lbs and it felt like forever but the weight started to go lower and I’ve settled with 40 lbs. lost. I’m happy where I am, now it’s buying new clothes to fit.
My weight loss is not based on eating healthy, no salads, carrots, or any other item that will feel like a diet. I do eat a salad sometimes, and eat a piece of salmon each week, and eat yogurt several times each week.
I weighed myself every day, now mostly at the doctor’s office. Don’t worry about gaining 3-5 pounds as long as your weight goes back down. If not check the calories of what you’re eating. Remember pizza and other items are full of salt and will add water weight.
My concussion is better but still has a hold on me and my brain fog. I hope the post flows correctly and makes sense. :)
Melinda
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Run Away Widow.

Join me, Kristin, on my journey to adjust to the sudden death of my husband and learn to live as a young, middle-aged, remarried widow.
Mike was killed in August 2015. After the police investigation fades, details of the ‘accident’ become suspicious. When the medical examiner determines the cause of death is HOMICIDE, I hire a team of investigators and lawyers to discover what really happened that night.
I started writing my blog during the summer when I ran away to avoid my first wedding anniversary without my husband as well as the one year anniversary of his passing. I fled around the world to Thailand.
Her site is a joy to read.
Melinda

It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
So glad you stopped by, I hope to see you again soon.

Melinda
Children are heavily influenced by their surroundings. When we lavish them with positivity, they often grow up with a positive mindset and a can-do attitude. However, if we subject them to certain difficulties, they can be a lot more hardened as they approach their teenage years. The trials and challenges children face during their teenage years can often define who they are once they bloom into young adults.
While our formative years are usually between the ages of 0 and 8, children start to develop complex emotions and feelings when they begin entering high school. This is made even more difficult for certain children when they’re exposed to the internet and vastly different opinions and takes on life. When your child mingles with different cultures and personalities in school, it can trigger a lot of realizations and changes that ultimately change the way they think.
As such, a common occurrence in young teenagers is depression. This isn’t just a feeling of sadness that occurs now and then, but a recurring emotion that can make them feel hopeless and helpless. To help your child break out of these feelings, it’s essential to take a delicate approach so you don’t agitate them further.
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/qYanN54gIrI (CC0)
It’s hard to explain what depression feels like as it differs from person to person. However, there are a couple of common signs that you should look out for:
If you notice these signs in your children then you may want to speak to them first. You could consult depression treatment centers for teenagers if they’ve harmed themselves or have turned to alcohol or drugs to help with their feelings. However, if they’re only occasionally showing these symptoms, you may still be able to speak with them and encourage them to break out of those negative feelings.
You must take your child seriously when they’re feeling depressed. You want to give them space to deal with their problems and listen to everything they say. They may give clues on why they’re feeling depressed and how you could help them. If they’re not willing to speak to you, then you may find it easier to encourage them to speak to a friend or family member. Whatever you do, don’t brush aside their feelings and chalk it up to a “phase”.
While there are many ways to improve your child’s mental health, it’s important to understand that there’s no easy fix that can be applied to all children. Every child deals with depression differently. You also shouldn’t blame yourself if your child feels depressed. While there is certainly a parenting factor, it’s also heavily dependent on their environment and school conditions too.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Repost from 2009
We learned my gramps had months to live during a hospital stay. One very important piece of information the doctor did not share is people his age die much quicker. My gramps died in February 2010. We knew the end was near yet you were never ready. For me, times were challenging and emotions raw. You look at your loved one knowing they are dying yet you don’t want them to know you see death when you look at them. My gramps had Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, and Chronic Kidney Failure. His breathing labored from not getting enough oxygen in the blood. Partially brought on by not using his oxygen. Kidney Failure caused severe anemia, and he took shots once a month to help with energy.
*******************
December 2009
I’ve been caring for my 92-year-old grandfather for five weeks following three surgeries within seven days. I’m so tired it’s numbing. My grandfather is a man of habits driven by the time of day, maybe from his military background. One morning he was upset when the hospital had not brought his coffee and could not see he was the problem. We’re in a hospital, not the Hilton. At home, it was far worse. It does not matter that I have changed the sheets again this morning, changed his soiled underpants more than once, and got him dressed for the day. If the coffee is not ready when he expects it or I don’t have the newspaper yet, I hear about it. My grandparents raised me and I love my grandfather dearly but it’s hard to bite my tongue. I want to ask if doesn’t he realize or care that I’ve been moving since 5:00 a.m. to take care of him.
At 92 he lives at home alone, still drives (very limited), and goes to the local Senior Center several times a week to play dominos. He amazes me with each year. He is the healthiest dying person I know and in his mind, he is much younger and more capable. This makes it impossible for him to understand recovery will take several more weeks at least. I catch him doing things he shouldn’t and I get the standard “I can do it”. He also acts like a child when he doesn’t want to do something, most of the time it’s taking his medicine or getting up to move around.
I push him gently but firmly to get up and move around. Laying in bed or sleeping in the chair all day will not improve his strength. He does not like being told what to do. You learn what you’re made of in stressful times. Our minds and bodies can withstand so much to help someone we love. All I know is tomorrow is a new day.
I grew up in their house and it feels strange to stay in my old bedroom at 46. The house built in 1950, is in the hood, has no dishwasher, internet, or privacy. I am going crazy without my internet escape. I’m in the twilight zone, washing dishes by hand three times a day, and the room is the same as it was when I left home in 1981.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Melinda
Every day is Suicide Awareness for me, suicide happens every day leaving friends and family to pick up the pieces. My father committed suicide in 1992 at 52 years old. The first time I attempted suicide was nine years old and the last time I was suicidal was last month.
You often hear it said that the person looked fine before committing suicide. We’ve listened to those words many times this year and lost several celebrities that shocked the community. Rich or poor, anyone can be affected by suicide.
How is their appearance?
Are they wearing dirty clothes?
Not returning your call or answering the door.
Do they appear tired from not sleeping?
Are they completing tasks they have put off in the past?
If they avoid eye contact ask them what you can do to help?
Here’s an example of completing the task before committing suicide.
My father’s roommate found his gun, then returned everything he borrowed from my dad, mowed the yard, and by the time the Police arrived at his door hours later, the gun fired. The same story from my dad, he had no idea that his roommate was suicidal. This was the first time I had to clean up after someone killed themselves. It was so sad that his life fit in three bags of clothes and four pennies. That image will never leave.

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
CDC developed the Suicide Prevention Resource for Action (Prevention Resource), which provides information on the best available evidence for suicide prevention.
Over 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2021 according to the CDC. It’s difficult to get my head around that one suicide happens every 11 minutes. These numbers are before the Pandemic, and I believe the number is much higher.
I will say that guilt goes with the grieving. Grieving is different for everyone and there is no time frame, when your heart starts to heal you are close to the light.
Melinda
References:
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Dawn Pisturino’s Blog.

Hello,
I am a retired registered nurse in Arizona with a B.S. in Natural Health. My publishing credits include poems, limericks, short stories, and articles. Every writer undergoes a unique and wonderful journey. Let me share mine with you.
Official Author website (desktop or laptop work best): http://www.dawnpisturino.org
Member of Mystery Writers of America, Arizona Authors Association, and The Black List.
AAA author page: http://www.arizonaauthors.org/members/dawn-pisturino
My poem, Nature’s Child, won Honorable Mention in the Arizona Authors Association 2022 Literary Contest.
Enjoy the journey.
Melinda
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Happy New Year! I pray you’re surrounded by friends, family and good food. As I understand it, Rosh Hashanah starts the New Year and many rituals follow back to the bible.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
So glad you stopped by, I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
Do you want to make sure that your aging parents are being taken care of? If so then this is the guide for you. Here you will find out what steps you can take to protect those who you love, today.
The first thing you need to do is know the signs of trouble. If you are a caregiver, then you have to remember that there is a limit to what you can do alone. The best thing you can do is reach out for help. Keep an eye on your loved one’s health and their living conditions. It may be that they are no longer able to keep up with activities, such as bathing, walking, cooking or even cleaning. If you notice a drastic change in your loved one’s living environment, for example, if things become cluttered or dangerous then this can also signify that something is wrong. With that in mind, taking care of yourself is also very important. If you feel angry or irritable all the time or if you are losing sleep over things then this is a sign that you are overwhelming yourself. If you want to protect your loved one even more, consider looking at our team page from Montana Elder Law.
As a loving caregiver, it is all too easy for you to devote all of your time and attention to the ones you are actively trying to support. At times, you may find that it is too easy to overlook your health along the way. Don’t let your standard of health suffer. Be sure to check in with yourself and your family so you can make sure that everyone is feeling good. Drink lots of water, make time to exercise, and also talk to someone if you need it.
If you are a caregiver then it’s easy for you to feel as though the weight of the world is resting on your shoulders. This is especially the case if you are part of the sandwich generation. This generation often finds that they are looking after younger and older people at the same time. It is very natural for you to want to fill up your schedule and take care of everyone. That being said, you need to cut yourself some slack sometimes. As you build out your calendar, make sure that you have enough time for yourself and that you are giving your body a chance to rest and recharge, free from stress.
In this day and age, there are all kinds of ways that you can put tech to work and make things way easier for yourself going forward. Add cameras and home security features if you want to keep your loved one safe when you are not home, and give your senior relative an alert button. If you do this then you give them the chance to alert an authority if something happens. Use a group chat too, so you can talk about your loved one with your sibling or other caregivers.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda


Melinda
The number of people with chronic pain grows daily, and pain medication is hard to find in stock or doctors have stopped writing prescriptions due to the DEA. It’s a difficult time to have chronic pain, there are stories of people with cancer or other painful diseases being denied pain medication, It’s heartbreaking.
I have not taken Percocet for 3 years, It wasn’t an intentional choice, it was the choice of my doctor. I wasn’t in enough pain for him. Pain Doctors can be very strict due to the DEA breathing down their neck.

I’m not going to tell you about pain, you already know. I want to pass on a few tips about Pain Doctors.
The DEA is on a war path against pain medication (all controlled substances), and in the process has scared many doctors to no longer write prescriptions for their patients or have very strict rules you need to understand.
Taking pain medication long-term will require patience, compliance, and frustration. Appointments with your pain doctor are a top priority, do not miss an appointment. Call after if you have to but call the office right away and talk to the Office Manager. Most Pain Doctors have a contract saying you will do certain things and will not do certain things. In the contract, it could say two missed appointments and you’re fired. Read the contract!
If this is your first pain doctor, work hard to keep the relationship healthy, every time you change Pain Doctors it’s notated in your medical records. The more Pain Doctors you see, you run the risk of being labeled as a drug seeker.
When talking to your doctor always focus on the pain areas and other issues related. Don’t ask about medication, say instead, I’m hoping you can help me. Again, this is a measure to not be called a drug seeker.
Don’t complain about waiting or staff with the doctor, calmly talk with the Office Manager. They pull a ton of weight and are good to be friends with.
You can expect to give a urine sample every month or possibly every three, whatever the doctor decides.
The DEA will not allow pharmacies to fill certain medications, including pain meds until you’re down to your last pills, so expect to see your doctor every month to get a new prescription. It’s a crazy world. Do say what medication you pick up, just your name and how many prescriptions you have. Sad to say but someone may have a better idea of what to do with the meds. I know this sounds dramatic but have you watched the news this week?
My next tidbit will sound strange. I recommend keeping a backstock in case you are fired and left without medication. This happened to me and I was glad to have backstock to help ease the withdrawal. When it’s time to take your medication, ask yourself, do I really need it or all of it. If you can skip it, then put it in a bottle for the what-ifs. Always fill your prescription on time even if you have pills left, the leftovers can go to backstock.
I get addicted quickly to pain meds and the withdrawal is tough. Don’t deny yourself medication, at the same time, it’s tough to go cold turkey. That’s why I have a backstock. It goes without saying, don’t tell your doctor what you’re doing!
BEWARE! If you have constant pain and have not received relief from medication, the doctor may mention a Spine Stimulator. STOP!!!!! You can let them check your insurance coverage if you’re curious, but decide later. This medical device needs your research because the results are all over the board. Read until you are satisfied.
I had a bad fall over the weekend and the post was written with concussion fog. I apologize if it doesn’t flow.
I’m hoping you have many pain-free days.
Melinda
Stress is a major thorn in the side for many people. While it is natural and beneficial in certain scenarios, chronic stress is very unhealthy. It can have negative effects on your physical and mental health. If you are regularly hampered by stress and anxiety, it’s important to address it. Failing to acknowledge continuous stress can trigger further problems.
Before taking action to combat stress, it’s important to acknowledge what it actually is. Stress is one of the body’s natural defense mechanisms. In times of danger, people generally react through a fight-or-flight response. Your mind and body recognize the danger and get prepared for you to either fight or flight.
When you’re body goes into fight or flight mode, it is in a state of stress. Your senses are heightened, your alertness and focus are peaked, and your energy leaves are fueled by adrenaline. While this is beneficial in times of true peril, stress does not add value to your life in most scenarios.
If you suffer from unnecessary stress, you should find some ways to manage it. With this in mind, here are four tips for avoiding unnecessary stress in life.

Exercise is a natural stress reliever. It provides a mental escape and keeps your body physically fit. During exercise, the human body produces endorphins. These have a tremendous impact on your mood and work wonders in battling stress. A natural release of endorphins can also help you sleep better, further reducing stress levels.
Make an effort to stay active as much as possible. Rhythmic exercises such as walking, biking, or running are particularly beneficial as they produce a meditative effect.
Time management is key when you live a busy lifestyle. Failing to effectively manage your regular workload can lead to long-term and chronic stress. At times when you’re under serious pressure, organization, and time management can guide you.
One of the best ways to get on top of time management is to schedule. Different scheduling styles work for different people. Some work best with extremely detailed plans, while others work best with more vague to-do lists.
Find out what you’re best suited to and start to manage your time more efficiently.
In the technological era, there are countless manipulative scams out there that prey on the vulnerable. Having confidential information or money stolen from you can leave you in a financial predicament. What’s more, it can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety.
Do some research on how to prevent this from happening. DTSS reviews banking fraud and scams and is a great informational resource to consider.
Mindfulness revolves around centering your mind and being present in the moment. This helps detach your mind from unnecessary stress and it relieves your consciousness of clutter, bringing clarity to your mental state.
Practicing mindful techniques such as meditation and yoga can work wonders for reducing stress. There is a myriad of free online guides to help get you started. Meditation apps are a great way to get into a routine, as they have a number of guided sessions.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
You can not mention 9/11 without thinking of the firefighters who went into the building knowing the situation and went anyway. All of those who died helping another to live is a HERO! All who survived and helped someone in need is a HERO.

I have difficulty wrapping my head around the damage and how the terrorists stayed under the radar. We may have survived but Muslim rage started after the attack and many innocent people were mistreated. Let this be a lesson for us to learn.
I had my luggage at the door, ready to catch a flight to Russia. My gramps called and said a plane flew into the tower, I didn’t have the television on but assured him it was okay. I’m thinking of a small plane, not the attack New York received.
On the way to the airport, more information is coming through but not the magnitude of the attacks. When we arrive at the airport it’s closed like all the other airports across America. I think the airspace was closed for 10 days, after the airports opened I rescheduled my dream trip to Russia.
Our country was forever changed, and the far-reaching effects are endless. New Yorkers came together like never before and the world watched to see what happened next.
I will always have a hole in my heart that time won’t heal.
Melinda
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Jay’s Sandbox.

A place for my million-mile-per-hour thoughts
Chris Ryan’s work has been translated into over twenty languages, and appeared just about everywhere, including Netflix, HBO, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, NPR, The New York Times, The Times of London, Playboy, The Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, National Geographic, and The Atlantic. Chris has been a featured speaker at TED, SXSW, The Festival of Dangerous Ideas at the Sydney Opera House, the Portland Comedy Festival, the Einstein Forum in Pottsdam, Germany, and is a frequent guest on The Joe Rogan Experience, the Duncan Trussell Family Hour and many other podcasts. He’s provided expert testimony in a Canadian constitutional hearing, won a coveted AVN award (best non-sex performance, Marriage 2.0) and popped-up in dozens of documentary films and television shows.
Even before co-authoring the New York Times best-seller, Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships with Cacilda Jethá, MD in 2010, Chris was on a wild ride.
His blog is sweet on the eyes and full of great content. Check out his blog, it’s a must-see.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
https://youtu.be/zg21Rkew874?si=mcLCV4mQ450MSNEu
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.