Merry Christmas 2019

Let's start with a Christmas puzzle! I love these things. It's not as hard as you think but look carefully.

It takes the average person almost 3 minutes to find the little dog hiding among the polar bears in this brainteaser. If it takes you longer don't fret.

Just say yes if you find it or no in the comments. I'll post the answer in my New Years' post. Good luck!

Today is Christmas so better late than never with this post. I'm not riding my bike today because it's windy and raining off and on. Instead, I'm drinking eggnog without dark rum (which I adore) because when I had both knees replaced in August Stanford hospital almost ruined my kidneys. It's a long story but they're recovering so I have to be careful. My knee replacements went much better I'm very happy with the improvements. What counts is I'll be fine for 2020.

These are just delicious if you have them in your area. I've practically made myself sick eating them. The bark has a white chocolate layer, a dark chocolate layer, and smashed up candy canes in it. OMG!

Isn't this guy darling! It's a Quokka, a marsupial, about the size of a domestic cat. They're like squirrels from The Land Down Under. They're always smiling and happy looking like live teddy bears.

You gotta love a bad boy Santa bringing a different kind of Christmas. Lol!

I hope you liked the artwork and jokes. I did a different Christmas post at Bike With Bekkie if you're interested.

Finally Here

Christmas comes but once a year

sharing love with those held dear

festive Christmas trees appear

Jingle Bells is what I hear.

Christmas Eve the skies are clear

Santa’s coming have no fear

in his sleigh with eight reindeer

bringing presents far and near.

Christmas comes but once a year

time for blessings and good cheer

my favorite holiday atmosphere

now, that day is finally here!

© Rebecca Sanchez 2012

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May we all find peace this year.

Christmas Tanka #122415

often misunderstood

the true meaning of Christmas

can’t be bought or sold

yet pets and their owners

proud of those ugly sweaters

© Rebecca Sanchez 2015

I hope your Christmas is full of all good things! After the year we had we could all use a little bit of peace, love, and understanding. Let's spread that kindness around. Not everyone has the means to have a wonderful holiday and the Christmas spirit is all about sharing. Big hug!

  Keep On Bloggin'!

Happy 4th Of July and Start Of Summer

Today it's the 4th and we like to celebrate it. Fireworks, water, alcohol, food on the grill, and being outside is the idea for the day.

My roommate and I are going to dine-in with burgers and such from Red Robin because we live in an apartment without room to grill. We are thinking of riding our bikes down to Coyote Point and spying on the fireworks across the Bay around the area by the Harbor around 8pm.

Are you going? Where do you go to watch?

Remember to keep your pets indoors and comfort them if the fireworks are too much. They shouldn't be outdoors for any reason! They won't understand our celebration but can pick up on our excitement.

As you can see I do love my GIF files. Lol!

I hope you have the best 4th with friends and family! Since it's a long weekend cycling will be in our plans quite a bit. 

I am going to have both of my knees replaced on August 26th so I only have so many days to ride until I'm laid up recovering. I look forward to it because I have a deformity in my knees called "Windswept Knees" which will be fixed along with the replacements. Just as I'm social online about my biking and life so will I be about the surgery. More later, this is a holiday.

Have a great weekend!

Older Than Dirt!

That pretty much sums up how I felt at turning 65 in May. Dirt can be pretty darn old.

We all deal with getting older differently as we are unique individuals but one thing stays true, it surprises us all. One day you look in the mirror and all is changed. When that happens we become a senior citizen almost overnight.

Of course, it doesn't really start overnight but time (which used to be on our side) is fickle. We realize it's moving at an alarming rate. Soon there's no time for anything! Time starts to pass us by.

That's not all! If single, (like me) love and romance get put on the sidelines as time feels like it's running out. One day the men who used to look at me with interest in their eyes start to ignore me. They stop looking and I'm confused. Where are all the men I ask myself? They can't all be married and needing Viagra!

While I'm trying to figure out where the men are and how to sign up for Medicare I become aware that people are putting me into a niche. That's when I start hearing the term, "for your age," added to sentences where it wasn't before.

When you start hearing this term added to everything people say about you, then you've become older than dirt. 

"You have great hair, for your age!" (My hair is my greatest asset it runs in the family and has been there my whole life.)

"You're in great shape, for your age." (Not the fact that I workout and exercise daily, eat the right foods, and get 8 hours of sleep a night.)

"You have a great memory, for your age." And so on and so forth.

No one knows this but when I find the right phone booth on a night when I've had way too many drinks I become Super Sanchez, a female Hulk/Superman mixture. When Super Sanchez shows up you better look out!

  

It really starts to grate at me. That, and being called, "ma'am" everywhere I go. Is there a rule that when you get grey hair you must be called ma'am? I still have a name last time I checked.

You better be careful what you say around us seniors some of us have super-powers.

Hell yeah!

Keep On Bloggin'!

Happiness

Happiness

Happiness is emotional

simple in its beginnings

endorphins fill my brain

muscles relax

others tense

pulling at the corners of my mouth

sounds escape my lips
as childish giggles.

Happiness is addictive

good times amplified

one beaming smile

spreading across many faces

we feel giddy

makes us fall in love

it makes the world go round

it’s better when shared.

Happiness is temporary

we’d like it to last forever

still, it leaves us

without warning

but when we least expect it

someone smiles

and it reminds us

that it’s just around the corner.

© Rebecca Sanchez 2018

Happiness never lasts but that doesn’t mean we’ll never be happy again. We never know what will make us smile. Open up and be receptive to happiness in any form. How are you doing? Have a great day!

Want to read more of my poetry? Capricious Poet.

The Language Of Plussing

 

Holy cow I have some old posts on here. It's still an interesting read because G+ just closed down a few years ago. We not only plussed but had Circles of friends that we'd trade to get more numbers. Technology grows in leaps and 

bounds!

The Language Of Plussing

We go on social networks to be social but how do you find other people in the big bad stream? And why should one bother to plus?

Google is a big network when looking to connect with someone. That’s why Google came up with the +1 social shorthand to track each other.

When using any language it’s important to learn the basics. The technical term pinging is what Google calls plussing and whether you know it or not you do it every day.

What if you want to talk to a person?

I have hundreds of friends in the stream so how do I find just one?

To send a post to a person type a + and the person's username immediately afterward. After typing 2 or 3 letters a menu will pop up to choose from. You can send one or more usernames on the same post it’s up to you. Unless it’s a very common username the menu should pop up quickly. Common usernames can be harder to find because the list is long.

You can send these posts public, private, or both but check before you post privately to make sure you aren’t overlooking the public setting. You can send a private post out to someone that way by accident so watch it!

People in your circles come up first when pinging someone so if you have a hard time finding the username on the menu go and add the person to a circle and they will be there next time. Always give a person time to see their notifications and answer.

How can a person tell if I plussed them?

If I can’t find their plusses how can I expect them to find mine?

You are beginning to use notifications and they will do the same looking through their notifications and will see that you did. Always give them time to see your messages because we all use notifications differently. If someone just won’t answer and it really bothers you take them out of your circles it wasn’t meant to be.

In your settings, you determine how you want to be notified and what you want to be notified about. Your settings are important and if you haven’t looked at them yet I would suggest you do so now and see how your notifications are set up. They are the most useful tool on G+ use them right and they will serve you.

I want them to see my post or comment right away!

Just because a friend is online doesn’t mean they are watching for you like a hawk so what can you do?

Don’t wait if you want someone, in particular, to see your post or comment ping them on it. I make a practice of plussing (pinging) every time I do anything on G+ because my friends will see it faster in notifications.

Why give people plusses at all?

Other people don’t plus so why should I?

It’s true that people are lousy at pinging each other I see it every day but why let that ruin your online experience? Communication skills are everything on a social network just like offline and the better you are at it the more people will want to include you!

Try going without talking all day offline and see where that gets you. You can be sure your friends will miss out on a lot but you don’t have to.

Here are a few examples of what the language of plussing can tell you.

• +1 on a post-I like it! 
• +1 on a comment-I saw your comment and am letting you know. 
• +1 on a comment-I liked what you said but don’t want to comment. 
• +1 on a comment-I agree with you! 
• +1 and Reply (ping) about the same comment-I want to add or answer this and here’s my comment to see. 
• +1 on anything-Going to tell Google your preferences, likes, dislikes, and other things about you. 

If you watch people that do plus you will see successful people who move effortlessly around G+ communicating freely and using it to their full advantage. Follow their lead.

Everyone on G+ waits to get plusses don’t fool yourself. As a newbie remember how you felt when you got your first plusses? How did it feel when you got no plusses?

If you hate a post or dislike a person you certainly wouldn’t want to plus them but maybe they shouldn’t be in your circles anyway.

By using this social shorthand to navigate G+ you will have an easier time finding your friends and understanding what’s going on. Your friends will know you appreciate their posts and I have found as a side effect of plussing often you get circled often.

It’s a plus-plus situation. (Wink, wink.)

Sources: My knowledge of G+, G+ and search.

Setting Up Your Google Plus Profile For Success

This was Showoffs, a popular community of mine on G+ in 2014. This is another article from Google past.

Setting Up Your Google Plus Profile For Success

So I just got my account on G+ and now I’m going to post!

Stop right there!

Your profile is one of the most important things you can spend time on and it will make a difference in how fast you gain followers and who you meet. Take the time to fill it out it’s your introduction to anyone and everyone. You will hear about Google being top-notch at helping you sell your product and if you think of yourself as” your product” no one can stop you!

I don’t want to tell people about myself if I don’t know them!

Of course, you don’t and who says you have to tell but a few well-placed facts about yourself and the things you would like to share online are a must. When you hit the G+ stream and start to add people to your first circle others will be adding you and before they do they will look at your profile.

What does yours say about you? If you have a blank profile they will pass you up and if you want to make friends or network this is a big negative.

You don’t have to put your address or enable location but people will want to know where you’re from and talk to you about it. They like to know what you are interested in and that can’t hurt. You don’t have to put where you work but you can put your vocation. Use common sense and be clever.

It’s up to you how much you want to divulge or express but the more information the better when it comes to people deciding whether to follow you or not. Remember, it’s not how many people in your circles it’s how many people follow you.

Why should I use a picture on my profile?

Profiles without pictures are called "Blueheads" and it puts a person off right away when they see no picture. People like to “see” who they are following and a headshot will help you reach more people.

My profile is filled out why include a photo? People will read about how cool I am it shouldn't matter?

If you have an excellent profile but no image people may not look you up meaning you have already lost. People online may seem like they have all the time in the world but they are busy and when looking up people to follow they would rather see a picture. I would probably not be looking you up without one.

Some things to think about including on your profile.

Okay so you don't have a lot to add yet but here’s what you should include and remember if you have interests you’d like to share with others online this is where you list them.

• Name/Username 
• At least last place you worked or not 
• Any education if you think it important to your online goal 
• A photo of you or something to represent you 
• If you have websites, YouTube, Facebook, etc. add the links so people can find and follow you there 
• What you want from your online experience 
• What others can expect from you 
• A good (keep it short) tagline and change it often 
• An image for your profile cover photo that represents your interests or tastes

You will want to set up your profile so you can update it easily without changing it too often so your friends will recognize you when they “see” you online.

An awesome feature of G+ that no other network has is that you can use animated Gifs for your profile photo/cover photo if you wish. How great is that?

Of course, filling out a profile is not rocket science but if you want to meet people this is the way to ensure that when you interact with someone and they like how it went they will look you up and circle you. Repeat many times over and soon you will be accumulating followers and be on your way. You are now a product people will want to “buy into” so relax and enjoy it.

Filling out profiles is not for everyone but blank profiles and no profile pictures are used every day by hackers and trolls on G+ that people have to block. This fact alone is a good reason to have a filled out profile. If you don’t want to do it know that your online experience will be an upward battle.

Social Networking Etiquette

We've come a long way baby and how we interact with other people online has become extremely important whether it be on social networks, video calls, or hangouts. One thing is certain if you spend any amount of time online you will be judged by how you act online. 

There is no doubt about it the social networking giants are all the buzz. A research report I read today on the internet says that 51% of online Americans have joined a social network. Another 73% are consuming some form of social content on a regular basis on networks like Sony’s PlayStation. People are connecting with, listening to, following, and collaborating with each other online at an amazing rate.

We are sharing just about everything with each other these days. Photos, recipes, plans, and even locations just to name a few of these things. Business people are using social networks to build their careers, promote themselves, their websites, and their reputations. Networking is the social norm.

Some of the most popular social networking sites are Google Plus, Facebook, and Twitter with LinkedIn catching up fast. Each one of those sites is uniquely positioned and serves a particular population or purpose. There are other online networking sites, numbering in the thousands, so at this point, they shall remain nameless.

After researching social etiquette I specially wrote these tips with Google Plus in mind. It’s no wonder people get confused we receive this technology quickly and it changes so much that we forget how to play nice with others while keeping up.

Social Network Etiquette-Community=Google Plus

1. Give more than you receive. If you want attention from others online you have to be willing to give it first. Become a good commenter and stay positive. If you’re in a bad mood stay offline!

2. Don’t be a keyboard gangsta. The worst thing about the Internet is the keyboard trolls. They’re the people who have to talk trash to everyone they meet. They say things online you would never say to a real person’s face. If you are this person I bet you’ve been blocked already. Get a clue.

3. Add value to the community at large. This means not posting things nobody cares about and not constantly promoting your own brand. Before you post anything to a social media site ask yourself; “Does this really add value to the community?” If not, reconsider posting it.

4. Don’t start arguments and sabotage others efforts. Drop all of your e-beefs and hatred. Don’t try to bury others just for the sake of getting ahead. Making enemies on social online media sites will get you nowhere and you reap what you sow.

5. Remember that cheaters never win. Sure, you might be able to get somewhere by cheating but eventually you’ll get caught. Once everyone sees you for the cheater you are, you can’t take it back ever. This applies to people who use more than one profile or websites that look good but are made to stay anonymous and cause trouble or spam.

6. Build quality relationships and get to know your friends online. People are more willing to help those who they really know. Remember relationships require the participation of both parties and you’ll always have someone in your corner and a network of useful people. To get help you should give always give it back.

7. Stop pushing the Envelope. One of the fastest ways to alienate people online is to constantly flood them with requests for helping you out. Whether you’re constantly asking people to comment on your blog or shouting your content, eventually, everyone will lose patience with you. People will learn to tune you out.

8. Respect the community. This is one of the most important rules of social media etiquette. Show respect to the people in the community. Just make sure you don’t step out of line and always treat others the way you want to be treated.

9. Listen to others. It’s easier to tell someone they are wrong than to take the time to listen to what they’re really saying. Understand where the people who comment on your post are coming from. You don’t know everything and you can learn from others if you’re a good listener.

10. Be accountable for your actions. Because of the anonymity the Internet allows, there is hardly any accountability online. Instead, try to be honorable by taking responsibility for your actions. People will respect you whether they agree with you or not. People want to be trusting, give them the opportunity.

11. Don’t step on other people’s posts. Repost responsibly and people will admire you for it. If you have a link to share do it on your own post and if you don’t like what you see instead of leaving a negative comment pass that posts up. You catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.

12. Use a photo for your profile picture and put some information on your profile. If you’re joining a social network why not be social? When a person sees a blank profile and no picture at all they don’t make any connections about you and don’t want to deal with you. At least use some other image if you don’t want to show your mug online.

13. Be polite to one another. If you can’t be nice be civil and remember the common courtesy's you give people in your offline life and apply it online. One of these days you might be talking to someone who will give you your next job online and you don’t want to blow that! Can’t we just all get along?
This is my equation and I believe it works! Credibility+trust=Followers on Google Plus

Social media and online etiquette give you a rough guideline on how you can communicate to online audiences without irritating anyone. When you operate above these minimum ethical requirements, you will gain credibility and trust among people.

Sources: Google Plus, Facebook, Windows Live, AOL, Tagged, Linked In, My Space, (to name a few of the social network’s I’ve belonged to in the past,) Wikipedia, Google Search, and Internet

Overview Imagined

Overview Imagined

I wish that I could see the earth from space
free from the trappings of my life and gravity
my imagination might free me from this plight
so I fancy myself an astronaut on my way to the moon.

Acceleration pulls at me as the rockets propel me forward
I feel another stage release and I clench my teeth as I pray
general confusion and dizziness fill my mind as I try not to be sick
then we are in orbit and I’m floating in my seat.

I slowly move to the window with great expectations
searching the bright dots I find the small ball of pale blue
it looks so peaceful and pristine, just hanging there
everything else fades away as I savor the sight.

Earth, without the complications of being there
a gorgeous living and breathing planet covered in life
no borders just land masses divided by blue waters
surely a paradise to those who live on the surface.

I realize I am seeing Earth as a whole for the very first time
and I feel completely different than I ever have before
witnessing the overview effect for the first time in my life
fills me full of hope as I re-enter the atmosphere…

…finding myself earthbound in my living room.

© Rebecca Sanchez 2017

“When we originally went to the moon, our total focus was on the moon. We weren’t thinking about looking back at the Earth. But now that we’ve done it, that may well have been the most important reason we went.”— Overview Institute co-founder David Beaver, retelling what one astronaut has said.

If we imagine the Overview for ourselves, forget our petty differences, self-importance, love of money and understand how fragile our existence is on the earth we may yet have a chance to fulfill our promise to keep it healthy. 

© Rebecca Sanchez

Keep On Bloggin’!

Some Of My Favorite Things

The old lighthouse on Lake Michigan in my hometown. That is the city of Chicago sticking up across the lake. On a clear day, you can see Gary and Chicago.

Michigan City is a small town that borders on Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes. We have our own zoo and didn’t have a Mall until one was built. It was wonderful growing up there and I think about doing so with great fondness.

When I think about those days there are so many, one of a kind memories I got to experience while growing up Hoosier. I thought I’d share some of them with you.

1. Eating breakfast at Brownies Restaurant after church, filled with people who had been at Sunday services.

2. The view from our largest sand dune, Mount Baldy.

3. Summer concerts at the old band shell.

4. Going to the Moose Lodge for parties and functions with my family.

5. Riding the South Shore (electric train) to Chicago and back.

6. Franklin Street, (our main drag) filled with honking cars after the 1966 state basketball championship.

7. Seeing Santa at his little house that would magically appear at Christmas on the corner of 7th and Franklin street.

8. Watching men make railroad cars at Pullman Steel.

9. Going fishing at the crack of dawn on the pier by the lighthouse.

10. Walking along Lake Michigan searching for beautiful pieces of driftwood and other treasures that washed up on the shore.

11. Riding with my friends up and down the main drag after we all got our drivers license.

12. Going to the bakery for fresh Bear Claws.

13. Driving along the lake on Lakeshore Drive looking at all the beautiful homes and mansions on the lake.

14. Going to ‘sock hops’ at school and the YMCA.

15. Watching my dad wrestle at the Armory, state fairs, and Ames Field.

16. Ice skating and bobsledding in the Winter.

17. Going to Scholl’s Dairy for the best ice cream ever.

18. Horseback riding at the stables in Beverly Shores.

19. Ordering cherry cokes and fries at Woolworth's fountain.

20. Buying 45 records at Harvey’s Dime Store.

21. Going to the beach and swimming in Lake Michigan.

22. Going to the A & W on the way to the beach for hot dogs and root beer.

23. Penny candy and I have the fillings to prove it.

24. Standing outside at McDonald’s and buying 25 cent hamburgers.

25. Christmas decorations on Franklin Street.

26. The balcony at the Tivoli Theater.

27. The smell of the Smith Brothers cough drop factory.

28. Fish fries with fresh water perch (the best food ever) at M&M’s restaurant.

29. Three feet of snow in 1958.

30. Walking out to the lighthouse.

31. Climbing all the way up to the top of the observation tower by the zoo.

32. Going to the Washington Park Zoo to see Monkey Island.

33. Riding the bumper cars at Washington Park.

34. Going to the old amusement park on the beach by Lake Michigan.

35. Going to the lake to get a free truck full of sand for our sandbox.

36. Walking to school and back home every day all by ourselves.

37. Going to movies at the 212 outdoor theater.

38. Catching lightning bugs on warm summer nights.

37. Sunrises and sunsets on Lake Michigan.

Just a few of my favorite things about my home town.

Mount Baldy the biggest sand dune now a park.

The Armory where my father wrestled.

Carlson's Drive-in, the only one left now.

The lighthouse in winter.

Our Mall (we only had one) where we hung out and my mom taught me to drive in the parking lot when it was closed on Sundays.

I enjoyed growing up here and if I could make time stand still I would have done it before all the little changes that forever make our lives different. This place as I remember it is just a memory.

Keep On Bloggin’!

What Is It About Mondays?

Yeah, Mondays can suck. Monday is the day after the weekend and being such, has become one of the least popular days of the week. But what do you really know about the day we love to hate?

Basic Monday Facts

Monday is the day between Sunday and Tuesday. According to international standard ISO 8601, it is the first day of the work week. Monday is derived from Old English, mōndæg literally meaning “moons day”. Monday aligns with the celestial body, the Moon, and the astrological sign of Cancer, and is represented by the symbol of the Moon, ☾.

Common Monday Names

The term ‘Mondayitis’ has become a popular saying among employees who work a common working week starting on Monday.

In times past Monday also became known as ‘Blue Monday’, named when the first day of the week was set aside for doing laundry. Bluing was used to keep clothes white and from that product the day became known as ‘Blue Monday’. Although today Mondays are not typically set aside for laundry as they once were the term ‘Blue Monday’ still exists as many employees begin their working week after a weekend break.

Monday’s Health And Color

According to the British Medical Journal, there is a reported 20% increase in heart attacks on Mondays as opposed to the other days of the week. As the color of the moon is milky white the ancient system of health care called Ayurveda which centers on holistic health recommends wearing milky white and being around white flowers on this day of the week.

Songs About Monday

♦ Monday Monday – The Mamas and The Papas

♦ Monday Morning – Melanie Fiona

♦ Manic Monday – The Bangles

♦ Rainy Days and Mondays – The Carpenters

♦ I Don’t Like Mondays – The Boomtown Rats

Books On Monday

♦ Monday Begins on Saturday – Boris and Arkady Strugatsky

♦ Mister Monday – Garth Nix

♦ Monday Mourning – Kathy Reichs

♦ Monday with a Mad Genius – Mary Pope Osbourne

Number Of Monday’s In A Calendar Year

There are either 52 or 53 Mondays in a calendar year, depending on what day of the week a year starts. It will also depend if the year is a leap year. In 2010 and 2011 there will be 52 Mondays and there will be 53 in 2012. So if you are not looking forward to next Monday remember you are not alone, and try to look on the bright side – there are still six other days of the week in between.

Named Holidays

♦ Easter Monday - follows Easter and is celebrated as a holiday in some cultures.

♦ Cyber Monday - follows Thanksgiving- refers to the increase in online sales.

♦ Hansel Monday - first of the new year in which gifts are given to convey good wishes in Scotland and Northern England.

♦ Clean Monday - or Ash Monday- the first day of Lent. Refers to being free from sin.

♦ Big Monday - ESPN's College Basketball presentation.

♦ Black Monday - October 19, 1987- the day the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 508 points.

The Worst Day

In many cultures, the first day of the work week holds the honor of being the worst day. Another interesting fact about Monday, the second day of the week, is, the French used to call automobiles that turn out to be lemons, "Monday Cars."

The Brighter Side

On the brighter side, there are two positive things about Monday. First, if you were born on this day, then you're not homely. After all, the old rhyme goes, "Monday's child is fair of face". That's a good thing. And second, when you're going to shop for a new car, do it on a Monday. Car salespeople make the bulk of their sales on the weekends. When Monday rolls around, there are usually few customers in sight, and the weekend is a long ways off. That's why car salespeople are more desperate on Monday, and they'll be more willing to cut you a deal.

Miscellaneous Monday Fact

A strange Monday fact is it’s associated with Silver when it comes to Alchemy; an ancient chemical science.

Eleven Monday Fun Facts

1. Most of us don't crack our first smile until 11:16 a.m.

2. The best-preferred way to beat Monday blues is by watching television or having sex.

3. Over 50% of employees are late to work.

4. Most people will moan about it being Monday for a whole 12 minutes.

5. People between the ages of 45 and 54 are likely to suffer the most Monday blues.

6. Workers only manage 3 1/2 hours of productive work.

7. Monday is the most likely day to commit suicide.

8. Most heart attacks happen on Mondays.

9. Monday is the least rainy day in the week.

10. Monday is the best day to buy a car.

11. You’re most likely to have a hangover on a Monday.

Enjoy your Mondays! Keep On Bloggin'!           

My Three Month Hiatus

It’s good to be writing again! I can’t even think of the last time my personal life made it hard for me to write. I’ve been blogging since I left AOL all those years ago. That’s a long time!

My website “Bekkie In Wonderland” actually started on Windows Live Spaces around 1990 something. I can’t think of the specific year now. It was a very rough looking site compared to what I have now at Blogger and when I remember those old posts I want to blanch with embarrassment over my writing skills. We all have to start somewhere though.

Windows Live was a good place to meet people and I met many of my online friends there. Friends I still have to this day (along with all my newer friends here at Blogger.) That was Windows Lives' heyday before they started dropping all kinds of services until they were down to Messenger, profiles and Spaces.

Then Windows Live informed us that they were dropping Spaces in 2009. They offered to transfer our sites over to Word Press and I agreed. I started a Word Press account and waited for my site (and work) to show up. It never did.

I licked my wounds and started blogging on Word Press. Hated it! I like to have my animated gifs and Word Press wasn’t having it. Also, I was using Windows Live Writer (I’m using it now) and although it worked with Word Press too, I just didn’t like the fit. (I've since given it up, MSN dropped Windows Live Writer in 2011 or so.)

It was the best thing that ever happened to me in my blogging career because in 2009 I wrote my first and last blog of the year on Blogger. My writing and my website have improved greatly since those fumbling early days and I have a website that I’m actually proud of now on Word Press. So where have I been lately?

In January of, 2012 I had a change of eyesight and found out I had developed an ocular hole in my right eye. Everything turned out fine but it was hard work and a frightening experience. I worked very hard to get that hole closed after surgery.

The end of November I noticed another change of eyesight. It was disheartening to say the least. I got pretty depressed and quit writing. I knew the hole had opened again and I’d have to go through it all again. No surgery is a piece of cake.

When I went to see Dr. Lam she told me that it had indeed opened and that I was one of 6% that had it happen again. She was surprised it had happened so fast. I had surgery again before Christmas.

I was so worried about my eyesight. I don’t need to really say it but eyesight is so precious. Losing it even in one eye is not an option I wanted to explore anytime soon.

After the gas bubble got smaller I began to be able to peek over it. I saw black and white spots all over the place. Even though it was one eye I could see them with both eyes. I decided it was better than being blind, and thought they must be permanent.

Last Monday I went to Union City to see Dr. Lam with a heavy heart. My eyesight seamed worse and the spots were everywhere I looked. I sat in silence during the ride soaked in my sullen thoughts.

Not only was the hole gone, but during surgery my doctor removed the tissue that was pulling and causing the hole to return. She also told me that the spots were only temporary caused by the gas bubble rubbing against the iris. (I didn’t have spots at all after the first surgery.) The nurse had tested my eyesight early in the visit and I was told my eyesight had actually improved.

I was dumbfounded. Then I experienced extreme happiness for the first time in what seemed like forever! I even let out a whoop while still at Kaiser. I’m keeping all my digits crossed that the hole doesn’t come back again. Did I tell you my eyesight is better? What an emotional merry go round I’ve been on in the last year.

The sight in my right eye isn’t perfect but I can see. If I’m looking at a line with that eye it will have a kink in it and words can swim around but if I’m patient I can read it. Also if a person is far away or the light is dim, one side of their face looks like a monster. (Yeah it’s hard to explain.) Actually my brain lets me see fine with both eyes. I feel like I won the eyesight lottery!

I will be posting regularly now and things are getting back to normal again. I really enjoy working on this website and I’m happy to be back. Thanks for all your support through this and I hope you will come and visit me soon.

Back, to Wonderland!

Keep On Bloggin’!

Eye Will Be Offline Having Surgery

I like to try to blog once a week or more but recently I haven’t been blogging at all. This is because I found out more about my serious eye problem and need an operation right away due to Macular Degeneration.

There are two kinds of Macular Degeneration, wet and dry. The dry form is by far the most common type and doesn’t require surgery. The wet form is much less common, but it comes on more quickly and can become severe. Lucky me because I have the wet form and I am not a brave person.

The dry form accounts for 9 out of 10 causes of Macular Degeneration. It develops slowly and causes central vision to become dimmer or more blurry over time. It usually doesn’t cause severe vision loss unless it turns into the wet form.

The wet form accounts for only about 1 out of 10 cases of Macular Degeneration. It can cause serious vision loss within months or even weeks. People who have the wet form have the dry form first.

In either the wet or dry forms of the disease, one eye may seem to be affected while the other remains unaffected for a period of time. During that time, the healthier eye may compensate for the affected eye. However, in most cases, if one eye is affected the other eye will develop Macular Degeneration in time, too.

My eyesight has been pretty good for this aging Hoosier. Anything up close is blurry without drug store glasses but I still have good vision when looking far away. I had no vision problems that I had to worry about and sometimes still could see close up on a “good day.”

About a month ago I noticed an eyesight change. My eyes seemed to be growing more tired while watching TV, reading, blogging, etc. I could still see just fine but questioned my vision change. Since it wasn’t something I could put my finger on, I chalked it up to my eyes getting worse with old age. Vision changes can hide a serious problem so I decided if it got worse I’d go to the doctor.

One night when my eyes were really bothering me I put my hand over my right eye; no problem my sight was fine. Then I tried the left eye….OMG! I could see with it but I noticed right in the middle of my sight I could see a problem. Especially when looking at a straight line, I saw a kink in it. Also when looking at a person’s face the left side of their face looked distorted. I had no black spots in my vision and I could still see fine at night but obviously, there was something seriously wrong.

After going to my doctor he referred me to an Optometrist who told me that some of the vitreous gel in the back of my eye turned to fluid and that was why my vision had changed. He said it was due to old age, told me not to worry about it and referred me to a Retina Specialist Dr. Lam. This is when things got serious; I got my diagnosis and she said I had to have surgery as soon as possible.

This last Monday I had 3 appointments to get set up for my surgery which will be January 19th and I just got a call from Kaiser today ( telling me it will be at 1PM.) 

I wish they would put me to sleep for the operation but I have to be awake and this will be the first surgery I ever had like this. I am petrified at the thought of being awake during the surgery and just hope they have some strong-ass medications so I’m not at all aware of what’s going on!

I don’t know how my sight will be when this is all said and done but sight is one of the most important senses we have. I would rather lose a lot of other functions than my sight. Even one eye would be acceptable to me. My grandmother (bless her lovely soul) lost an eye to cancer and took it like the trooper that she was. She was no young lady either; in her 70’s when it happened. She was awesome!

Some Facts About The Eye

♦ The retina is a thin lining of nerve tissue on the inside back wall of the eye. The macula is the center of the retina. It is the part of our vision process that makes possible recognizing faces, reading, and driving a car.

♦ Symptoms of wet macular degeneration may include loss of central vision and visual distortion. For instance, a straight line may appear wavy or a small object may seem to be farther away than it really is.

♦ Macular degeneration doesn't cause total blindness. Peripheral vision may not be affected, but central vision, which is used for activities such as reading, watching television, and doing close work, is.

Then there’s the after eye surgery torture! OMG! I have to use this therapy device that keeps my head pointing down for 10 days OR MORE. That’s 24/7 folks; eating, watching TV, going to the bathroom, riding in a car, or anything that keeps my head in this face-brace control in a face-down position. This is to keep the gas bubble on the healing surface of the retina.

Bedtime will be fun! I need sleep so I have to sleep (if I ever sleep again) on my stomach with a board-thing stuck between the mattresses holding the face-brace contraption on it so I can keep my head in it. I can only sleep cross-wise on the bed or at an angle. So comfortable.

They think they have a plan so you don’t go completely insane. The face-brace contraption comes on this folding chair (like a desk in grade school) that has a built-in table and a two-way mirror. They expect me to spend most of my time in it so I can watch TV, read, (oh my aching back) and try to eat with my face down like that. I’m sure straws will be in order.

24/7 For At Least 10 Days! 

If I don’t use this stuff and keep my head just like they tell me then the gas bubble they inject into my eye will not float to where it belongs and fix my eye. If I screw it up, I get surgery again, mess up my sight more plus all the costs that aren’t covered by insurance.

Oh, did I mention that my face-brace contraption (and comfort items) costs $20/day (at least) and my insurance (Kaiser) doesn’t pay for it? Wave bye-bye to aftercare.

Freaking Out Now

I have always been an artist and my love of beauty, hell my love of life has everything to do with what I see! Then there’s “Blu” my beloved sports car that I adore driving! I almost lost my license in 2010 due to a medical problem....

How am I going to blog and be online? Not easily even with a two-way mirror, I’d say. As you can tell it’s going to be hard to use my computer AT ALL. Bummer! My computer is not a laptop. Big sigh! Being busy getting ready for this has put me behind in my writing. Something I miss when I can’t do it.

I really shouldn’t be whining; I mean it’s not cancer or other painful, horrible and fatal diseases people get every blink of an eye. It’s just another crisis in the life of Rebecca Del Sanchez and she’s had so many recently. I don’t use my blogs to complain but it’s time for me to have a good year. I just want to enjoy my life as much as I can. 

It feels like a huge boulder is on my chest and if that bolder was just a bit smaller, well then managing it would be a little easier and I could catch my breath for once.

Dr. Lam assures me that she’s done this surgery many times before and as a team, we can do this. I just worry if it’s so important to keep my head like that (and the gas bubble stable) that I should be in the hospital a few days afterward. You know how it is these days everything is outpatient! Organ transplant? No problem, have you in and out in a day! Yes, you can wear your 5-inch heels when you go home. Tee hee!

Today I’m just trying to chill out and prepare for Thursday. I am taking a break from being online until my procedure is done and heals. I pray my sight is at least this good when I am finished so I can come back and do all of the many things I enjoy doing and get my head out of that torture device.

Pray for me if you will and I’ll be back ASAP!

Update: The first surgery failed! I had to have it done again right away. Positioning, gas bubble, everything. Finally, it worked.

Keep On Bloggin’!