S C A R E D

I am...

Sensitive

Cautious

Aware

Real

Empathetic

Determined

MY BEST TIKTOK YET

I am burned out on blogging and writing (for now). I am working on typing using voice typing. There are days when I don't have the energy to type, or my arms hurt. I have never worked a forty-hour week. The most hours I have ever worked is sixteen. I will continue to honor my commitment to this agency by writing two newsletter articles a month as well as co-teaching the training classes. 

I am tired. I have nothing left to prove. I want to do things that are fun. I want to do things that challenge me.  Allow me to get my message out there from the comfort of my home/ I have found a way to accomplish that via TIKTOK.

I know you can make money via your videos. If that happens great. That's not why I am making videos. I am doing it because it's fun. Life's too short not to have fun.

https://www.tiktok.com/@justjoanneeeee/video/7459069044021284126?_r=1&_t=ZP-8t0cvmUmUOs&fbclid=IwY2xjawHw1f1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHf8_1_IOkrPCISi_cMa07YbkKrgR67kaj4VCu0VdyR4ViavpHV6IkzKOpQ_aem_dr2scrkrPqbK4ib-GfrZeg 

I hope you enjoy this video.

Peace out.

Have a great day

MY NEXT CHALLENGE? TIKTOK

Starting this blog was a challenge that I have conquered. This blog never won awards for its content. It probably never will. That's okay.  

This blog is the little blog that could.  I continue to be proud of it. I'm grateful to the people from countries around the world who read my posts. If one of my posts made you feel better or let you know that you are not alone, I am happy.

People here want me to tell my story. You know how much I would like to do a TEDx talk. I decided to post videos on TikTok for now.

My voice is not the best. Neither are the subtitles. I probably should not be making videos. It is important to me, so I am giving it a try.

Comments and topic suggestions are welcome. I ask for positivity and kindness as I begin this next challenge. I am working on looking and sounding better in my videos. Please be patient

My TikTok handle: https://www.tiktok.com/@justjoanneeeee?lang=en

ONE MORE THING

 

Many blessings came my way in 2024. Through this agency, my family and friends. I have everything I need. 

In 2025, my resolution is to pay it forward. I will use my time and my talents to help others. I will advocate more for the rights of the elderly and people with disabilities.  I will listen when someone needs an ear. I will try to bring positivity to others. I want to help other people to feel better Let them know that they are not alone.  Their feelings are valid.  A stressful situation will pass. Everything will be okay.

Paying it forward is not about giving money. Throwing money at a situation is easy. Paying it forward is more challenging when you give of yourself. It's more rewarding too.

While you are ringing in the new year take a moment and give thanks for your good fortune. How will you pay it forward?

 

 

365 PAGES

In a few days, 2024 will be a memory. We will write on the last page of our book of 2024 on December 31st closing that book and those chapters of another year of our lives. 

Are you happy with your book from 2024? Are there things you wish you'd done differently? What was your proudest moment from 2024? What 

made you smile? What are your hopes and dreams for the coming year?

 

My milestone moments of 2024 were:

I lived with male housemates and their staff for eight months.

I moved to a new city.

I was given new staff.

I was hired by this agency to share my story through my writing and teaching.

Some of these milestones were scary, and some I could have handled better. However, the most important lesson in all of these milestones is that I survived. I'm here. I am strong. I am ready to close my 2024 book.

2025 will begin with me having a third blood test. (The third time is the charm.) A few months into the new year I will have my cataracts removed. I am nervous. People have told me it's a breeze.

I plan to make TikTok videos about my CP. My voice is not that great, but I am going to give it a try.

 

I am concerned about this country's elderly population. I plan on traveling to Jefferson City to watch Missouri legislators in action. I plan to discuss the plight of nursing home residents who face substandard care due to understaffing. Insurance companies that deny a person's medication deeming the medication too costly causing an individual a medical emergency.  I need to use my voice!

I became a Chiefs football fan in 2023, but my fandom took off in 2024.  Did you feel the Earth shift? Never in a million years did I envision that happening. I follow the Eagles too,

I still hope to meet the greatest telenovela actor of all time. I know I should give up hope.  A person should have one crazy dream, don't you agree?

I wish you all health and happiness in 2025.

January 1, 2025. A new book with 365 blank pages.  

Keep pushing through.

A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST

 

It's part of my annual physical. A blood test. I am not afraid of needles. As a child, I never cried when I'd get a shot. I always got a toy or a ring from the box of trinkets my doctor had in his office for being so brave.

Blood draws, however, are another matter entirely. I have small veins, my arms don't extend very far, and I don't drink enough water. If I drink a lot of water I  go to the bathroom. Running me back and forth to the toilet tires my caregivers. 

When I was younger my doctor only ordered a blood test every two years. I am older now so that bi-annual blood test won't cut it anymore. My doctor wants my labs updated every year.

It was time for my 2024 physical. I fasted and drank water  I was ready for that blood to draw. "I've got this," I told myself.

The first part of my physical went great. It was time for my blood test. I went to the waiting room. A few minutes passed before the tech called my name. The tech examined my tiny veins. (My veins are so small a butterfly needle is used. The same type of needle is used to draw blood from  infants.)  The first stick was in my hand. Nothing. The next stick was in the crook of my arm.  Nothing again. Until the tech removed the needle from my arm. I was bleeding but it was too late. First two tries. I hope you are keeping track.

I went to a lab to have my blood drawn. I'd had success with this lab in the past. I was confident the techs there would get the job done. I was wrong. Three of the lab's best techs each tried two times to draw my blood. Each one of them failed. I was dehydrated the three of them said. I learned that I have to drink a lot of water several days before my blood is drawn. A tech will come to the house next month for my blood draw. I will drink a ton of water beforehand.

It freaks me out when several techs examine my veins and decide who is the best to do the task. Eight attempts in a week. I thanked them for trying.

When you have a disability there are times when tests that should be a breeze are not. We take nothing for granted.

MY CHRISTMAS TREE

I  am a traditionalist. Christmas trees are green. Not pink, not white, and not black. 

Jaywood needed a new tree last year. I was living there by myself. I begged for a Grinch tree. (I begged for  a Grinchette tree, I was not going to quibble.) Lachandria told me that the tree I'd chosen on Amazon was too expensive. Off we went to Walmart. I was not a happy camper.

When we got to the aisle overflowing with Christmas decorations guess what color tree Lachandria chose? Deep breath. Ready?  A WHITE TREE!!! 

"Really?" I asked her.
"Aw come on, Joanne" was her reply.
"I am not participating," I told her firmly.
"What color tree do you have at home?" I asked.
"Green," LaChandria said.
(Defeated.sigh.)
"I rest my case," I told her.

The theme was ice cream.  Glittery ice cream bars and ice cream cones. Tiny white lights. Purple and silver balls to match the ice cream sparkled and, lastly silver garland.  In the darkened living room my tree was beautiful. 

I told Lachandria how magical the tree was every day. 
Thank you, Lachandria. For my magical tree. For the memories.