January 31, 2018

"Your Memory Will Stay" by Jan Andersen

This poem speaks to me. I miss you son, so very damn much.
It seems like only yesterday
I rocked you on my knee,
With dreams about the future and
What you were going to be.

You were so bright and happy
Such a precious little boy,
You gave your love to everyone
And filled our hearts with joy.

Strangers would admire you
And stop to say hello,
"He'll break a lot of hearts," they said,
"In twenty years or so."

But less than twenty years from then,
What they said came true,
As we were forced against our will
To say goodbye to you.

A life so short and unfulfilled,
With so much left to go,
"Why, oh why?" we ask ourselves,
When we all loved you so.

Life shows us many options,
But whichever path we take
The destination's still the same
Whatever choice we make.

So many questions flood our minds,
"What if, and Why and How?"
If we had done things differently,
Would you still be with us now?

I don't know what the lesson was
That you were sent here to learn,
But now your purpose is fulfilled
It's time for you to return.

When I hear the phone ring
I expect to hear you say,
"Alright Mom? What're you doing,
Can I come 'round today?"

But you don't need to ask now,
You're with us every day,
Within our hearts, our minds, our souls,
Your memory will stay.

No fear, no pain or sorrow,
Can touch you anymore
But the love you've left behind,
Will live with us forever more.

~ Poem (c)Jan Andersen
01 November 2002~

January 29, 2018

Sunday Stealing: A Quiz For Grown-Ups

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? All of them. But if I have to choose just one, then I choose the cable bill. It seems like the price for cable is always going up.

2. What do you really want to be doing right now? Sleeping

3. Why did you choose the shirt you have on now? It is my sleep shirt. I put it on before I went to bed last night and still have it on.  I may or may not change it.

4. Thoughts on gas prices? Gas prices are not too bad right now.  Of course, I would be happier if the prices went down.

5. First thought when the alarm goes off in the morning? Ugh!  I don't want to get up.

6. Last thought you have before you go to sleep? "I really need to go to sleep."

7. Do you miss being a child? Sometimes. I miss not having bills to pay. 

8. What errand/chore do you despise the most? Laundry

9. Up early or sleep in? Up early on a work day, otherwise, I like to sleep in.

10. Favorite lunch meat? Bologna

11. What do you get every time at Trader Joe’s? I do not go to Trader Joe's.

Destin, Florida in June 2010
12. Beach or lake? Beach.  Last time I was on the beach was in Destin, Florida in June 2010.

13. Ever crashed your vehicle? In 1994, I crashed my 25th Anniversary Edition Fort Mustang.

14. Strangest place you've brushed your teeth? At work, at my work space. I worked in a factory at the time.

15. Somewhere you've never been but want to go? Ireland

16. At this point in your life would you want to start a new career? No.

17. Do you own your own house? Not yet.

18. Do you have a go-to person? Yes.

19. Are you where you want to be in life? Not really.

20. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons? The Smurf, Loony Toons, He-Man, Duck Tales, Care Bears, Volton and Snorks.

21. What has changed since you were a child? Everything.

22. Looking back at high school, were they the best years of your life? Hell no.

23. Are there times you still feel like a kid? No.

24. Did you have a pager? No. 

25. Were you the type of kid you want your kids to hang out with? Not really.

January 28, 2018

Happy Gotcha Day to Shelby!

13 years ago today (January 28, 2005), Shelby became my dog!
She was such a tiny little thing and stole my heart from the moment I laid eyes on her!
I love her to the moon and back a million times.
 
 
 

January 27, 2018

Shelby Selfies and Hanging Out With Mama

Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Hanging out with Mama.
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Selfie 1
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Selfie 2

Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Selfie 3

Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Selfie 4

Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Selfie 5

Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Selfie 6

Photos (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
This post is linked to Camera Critters

January 26, 2018

You Are Missed So Very Much

My son, Richard Colt Hazlett....
You are miss so very much.
I often sit and think about
The years that have passed by
and of the happiness and joy
that was shared by you and I.
I think of all the laughter,
the smiles and all the fun,
and before I even know it
my tears have once again begun.
For, although it brings me comfort
to walk down memory lane
it reminds me how, without you,
life has never been the same.

January 25, 2018

eCard of the Week #229: Hardly Hurting

When someone asks me if I'm working hard or hardly working,
I'm tempted to punch them in the throat and ask them
 if they're hurting or hardly hurting.

January 24, 2018

Shelby Using the Force

Earlier this week, after shoveling snow & ice, 
I sat down for a few minutes to enjoy some Ben & Jerry's ice cream.  
Shelby decided she would lay next to me and stare at me the entire time I was eating!
 She used "The Force" to get me to give her a bite. And it worked!! lol
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Photos (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley

January 22, 2018

Standing Water and Snow Equals Icy Ponds

Today the weather in my part of Wisconsin started out quite rainy. The drive to work was not so fun as I hydroplaned due to all the water on the roads. I came home early from work (due to the Government shut down), and found the lot between my house and the neighbor's house full of water.
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
 Hopefully the water freezes before it drains into my basement. 
The snow was just starting when I took the photo above and the following photo.Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
 The snowflakes were big and fluffy looking as they fell from the sky.  
In the following two photos you can see how "slushy" everything looks.  It is very beautiful.Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
 All this is going to really freeze overnight and tomorrow is going to be a big icy mess.
YUCK!Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley

January 21, 2018

Sunday Stealing: Friday Questions


1. Have you ever tried to learn (or re-learn) a foreign language as an adult? Which one? What worked for you?  I took Spanish in college and wanted to re-learn as an adult.  I went through Rosetta Stone to re-learn and I found I just did not have the time to dedicate to learning again. So I gave up.

2. Do you donate blood? Do you know your blood type?  I cannot remember my blood type.  I have not given blood in many years.

3. Have you ever been in a play or musical? Yes to both.

4. Do you use certain text or ring tones for specific people? Who gets their own? Or do you just use the default on your phone? I have one text tone and one ring tone for everyone.  Each of my contacts does have their own photo listed with their name though.

5. When did you get your first digital camera? Do you still shoot on actual film, or all digital now? I was nearly 30 years old when I got my first digital camera.  I have not used actual film since the early 1990's.

6. What do you think someone else would say the most daring thing you’ve done is? I moved from Missouri to Wisconsin.

7. Do you talk with your hands? Sometimes.  There are even times I talk with my hands while I am on the phone.

8. Do you have a lucky number? What is it, and what is the story behind it? I like the number 5.  I would not really consider it a lucky number.  It is just a number I like.

9. What kind of milk did you drink, growing up? And now? Growing up we had milk fresh from the farm.  Our neighbor was a farmer and his Ranch Hand (Slim) would bring us fresh milk. As an adult, I drink store brought milk; usually whole, sometimes 2 percent.

10. What is your favorite kind of pie? Strawberry Rhubarb 

11. Are you a note taker? Yes!  I have to write things down or I will totally forget all of it.

12. Do you have an eclectic mug collection, or is your stuff all matchy matchy? I don't have many things that match.  I buy whatever catches my eye and stick with things I like.

13. Do you have a junk drawer in your house/garage/at work/wherever? I have several junk drawers, and a junk cabinet or two.

14. What is the longest amount of time you’ve worked at one job – and what was/is it? The longest amount of time worked at one job is my current job.  I have been there for over 9 years and I love it.  I work in Procurement.

15. How old were you when you took your first commercial flight? To where did you fly? I was 31 and I flew to Washington D.C. from St. Louis, Missouri.  

January 20, 2018

No Time For Detective Work! It's Bedtime.

Shelby has no idea why there is a piece of yellow plastic on the floor in front of her. 
She does not have time to play detective and figure out where it came from.  
So, she would like me to pick it up for her.
Photos (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
"Mama, what is this doing in my floor?!"
Photos (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
"Human, please pick this up and throw it away!"
I picked up the piece of plastic and threw it away so that it no longer blocked Shelby's path.
Shelby then decided it was time to go "night night" potty, then bedtime.
And that is what we did!
Photos (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Shelby is ready for potty time then bed time!
Photos (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
This post is linked to Camera Critters

January 19, 2018

Mama Works While Shelby Sleeps

I get up really early in the morning to get ready for work. Taking Shelby outside to go potty before I go to work is part of the daily routine.  Earlier this week, my husband sent me the following photo of what Shelby does after I leave the house.  She takes a nap!  I am jealous!  lol
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley

January 18, 2018

January Sunrise

I took this photo from the second floor of my office building on 18 January 2018.
This photo does not truly capture the beauty of the sunrise.Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley


January 17, 2018

January 16, 2018

Snowy Blue Blanket

Shelby was not impressed with the cold, white stuff that was falling from the sky over the weekend.
In the following photo she ran out long enough to pee and bark at everyone in town once.  
Then it was back inside to snuggle up and get warm again.
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
A few photos taken from the front deck of my house.
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
 Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
When Shelby came back in she decided she needed my new blanket to keep her warm.
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
 Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
As you can see in the following photo, the new blanket now belongs to Shelby.
Blue is a good color for her!
 Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Photos (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley

January 15, 2018

Martin Luther King Jr Day 2018

No matter when you were born, and no matter where you were born or who you were born to, Martin Luther King Jr's words still have meaning. In today's world his words still ring true. Search the internet (or even go to your local library!) and you will find lot of information on Mr. King.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"Our lives begin to end the day   we become silent about things that matter."   - Martin Luther King, Jr.
"The time is always right to do what is right.."   - Martin Luther King, Jr.
If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.


January 14, 2018

Sunday Stealing: Conversation Starters

 https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com/
1. What are some small things that make your day better? Seeing my dog's happy face and wagging tail when I come home from a long day at work.  Talking to my loved ones. The smell of fresh brewed coffee in the morning and crawling into a nice, warm bed at night.

2. What shows are you into? Good Eats, Diners-Drive-ins-And-Dives, Scorpion, Code Black, Stranger Things and M*A*S*H reruns.

3. What TV channel doesn’t exist but really should? The Puppy Channel....nothing but cute dogs all day long!

4. Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished? I have impressed myself.  I have come a long way in my 47 years of life.  I am a survivor. 

5. What age do you wish you could permanently be? 30

6. What TV show or movie do you refuse to watch? Will & Grace

7. What is something that is considered a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without? My computer.

8. What’s your claim to fame? My children.

9. What’s something you like to do the old-fashioned way? Nothing I can think of.

10. What’s your favorite genre of book or movie? Crime

11. How often do you people watch? All the time.

12. What have you only recently formed an opinion about? How to handle the rest of my life.

13. What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of? Nothing I can think of.

14. What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? A few thousand miles.

15. What is the most heartwarming thing you’ve ever seen? My dog, snuggling with her blanket and hedgehog.

16. What is the most annoying question that people ask you? "Did your son suffer?"

17. What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? Life after a death.

18. If you were dictator of a small island nation, what crazy dictator stuff would you do? I would change things so that I am no longer a dictator.

19. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Own a pet.  Pets make the world a better place.

January 13, 2018

Stuck In My Head: "Meant To Be" By Bebe Rexha


"Meant To Be"
(with Florida Georgia Line)

Baby, lay on back and relax
Kick your pretty feet up on my dash
No need to go nowhere fast, let's enjoy right here where we at

Who knows where this road is supposed to lead?
We got nothing but time
As long as you're right here next to me, everything's gonna be alright

If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
So won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be

I don't mean to be so uptight
But my heart's been hurt a couple times by a couple guys that didn't treat me right
I ain't gon' lie, ain't gon' lie
Cause I'm tired of the fake love, show me what you're made of
Boy, make me believe

Oh, hold up girl, don't you know you're beautiful?
And it's easy to see

If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby just let it be
So won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be

So c'mon ride with me, ride with me
See where this thing goes
So c'mon ride with me, ride with me
Baby, if it's meant to be

(Maybe we do)
Maybe we don't
(Maybe we will)
{Maybe we won't}

But if it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be (c'mon)
Baby, just let it be (let's go)
So won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be

(If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be)
{Baby, if it's meant to be}
(If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be)
{Baby, if it's meant to be}

January 12, 2018

Thoughts of Warmth

I am thinking of things to warm me up on this cold winter evening. One thing I enjoy putting on an over-sized sweat shirt to snuggle up in for warmth.  I also like sleeping with the fan on...while sleeping with several blankets on top of me.  So warm and cozy!

I also enjoy snuggling Shelby.  She is such a good dog.  I love her too the moon and back!
One of my favorite hot foods to eat is a nice big bowl of homemade Chicken & Dumplings. My mom use to make the best chicken & dumplings ever.  Every year on my birthday she would make them.  Yum!

My favorite hot beverage lately has been coffee.  I cannot drink too much though because it gives me the jitters! Plus, I cannot drink coffee too late in the day, because I won't be able to sleep.  Since I already have trouble sleeping I don't need to make things worse by having coffee. So, I will drink hot chocolate now and then to warm up.

I feel a little warmer now.  But I think I will head to bed, snuggle with my Shelby under multiple blankets and warm up even more!

January 10, 2018

When Mama Is At Work....

When her Mama is at work during the day, this i s what Shelby does...Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley

January 7, 2018

Sunday Stealing: End of Year Questions

 https://sundaystealing.blogspot.com/
1. What did you do last year that you had not done before? I went to the doctor way more often then I ever wanted to.  

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions/goals for the year and will you make/set more for next year? What are they? What are your new ones? I did not make any resolutions for last year and I have not made any for this year.

3. Did anyone you know give birth? Or become pregnant? Or adopt? My niece, Ashley became pregnant.

4. Did anyone you know die? Or have a serious illness/injury?  My Uncle Leon passed away, as well as a few friends.  I know a few people that were in the hospital and a few that were in car accidents.

5. What places have you visited? I did not travel much in 2017.  I did go to Rock Island, Illinois for job training but did not go anywhere for personal reasons.

6. Any new pets? Lost a pet? I found a kitten outside in the cold in December 2017.  I took her to the Coulee Region Humane Society so they could find her family.  No one came for her, so she was adopted out to a loving family.

7. What would you like to have next year that you lacked this year (doesn't have to be a physical thing i.e. love, job security, peace of mind...)? Happiness.

8. What date from last year will remain etched in your memory and why? March 14, 2017....very personal reasons, that I wish to not discuss.

9. What was your biggest achievement last year? I got a promotion at work!

10. Did you get sick or injured? I was sick a few times during the year but no major injuries.

11. What was the best thing you bought? A new winter coat.

12. Where did most of your disposable income go (money leftover after you pay for food, medical care, basic clothing, transportation and shelter)? Dog toys, treats, and food; video games.

13. What song will always remind you of last year? Doesn't have to be a song released last year. Thunder by Imagine Dragons

14. What do you wish you would have done more of? I wish I spent time with my family in Missouri.

15. What do you wish you would have done less of? Less drama, less bullshit, less childish behavior, less lying.

16. What was your favorite new TV program? Movie? Album/Songs? Or if you didn't pick up any new ones, what are you still watching/listening to? Any recommendations?

New TV Program: Season 2 of Stranger Things.
Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Album: Evolve by Imagine Dragons
Song: Thunder by Imagine Dragons

I recommend watching Stranger Things.

17. What was the best book you read this year? How many did you read? I read around 48ish books last year (at least that is what I tracked on my Goodreads account). None of them really stood out as the best book.

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? Did you feel differently? I turned 47 years old on my birthday last year.  I took the day off from work for doctor appointments.  I feel very old.

19. What political or social issue stirred you the most? Some mattered a lot to me but none stood out as stirring me the most.

20. Who was the most interesting new person you met? I did not meet any interesting new people.

21. Describe how a relationship changed. She and I no longer speak.  She asked me to never talk to her again.  Which is fine, because I cannot stand the lies anymore or the fantasy world she lives in.  I have sent her a few messages on Facebook (because I do love her very much and will always want to know how she is doing)...she has not responded to me.  So, I have learned to let it go.  I wish her love, joy, peace and happiness in whatever path she chooses in life.

22. Do you think you are still the same person that you were at the beginning of the year? How so? I am not the same person. I have changed a lot since my son died in 2016. Some of the changes I like, some I don't.  I am working on the changes I don't like.

23. Summarize the year in three words or less. Bonus points for doing it in one word. Explain. Stressful

24. How have people around you changed? I think so.

25. What have you learned throughout the year? (Other than crafts) I have learned that not everyone has the same heart that I do.  Not everyone is kind and some don't even know how to be kind.

26. Did you learn any new crafts or techniques? What was your favorite thing you made? I did not learn any new crafts or techniques and I did not make anything.

27. What changed about your physical appearance? (Hair? Wrinkles? New makeup style? Etc) My hair is grayer and I have more wrinkles.  And I gained more weight.

28. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? (Some suggestions-family, travel, work, lifestyle, hobbies, pets, appearance). I hope to lose weight and keep it off. Also, I hope to take a vacation to the Great Smokey Mountains this year.

January 6, 2018

The "Shelby Look"

Nearly every day, Shelby gives me “The Look”, also known as The Shelby Look.
She has been doing the “Shelby Look” since she was a tiny puppy.
Photos (c)2005-2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
This post is linked to Camera Critters

January 5, 2018

Love My Fuzzy Face Shelby

Love this girl to the moon and back!
Photo taken by me on January 2, 2018.
(Sorry for the blurry photo. I was trying to sneak in 
a photo before she noticed the camera! lol)
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley
Photo (c)2018 Shannon G. Wamsley