La La La...

Today is Sunday and on Sundays in my home we typically honor God musically by listening only to Gospel music.

We listen to far more music here than we watch television, so on any given day, if you happen to stop by you will more than likely hear a melodious tune or two flowing out the windows.

Today is no different.

I pulled up Pandora, selected one of my favorite Gospel artist stations and then came to the computer to write.

I am currently in the process of writing two books, along with posting more consistently here at my beloved blog, The Dialogue Den.

The Gospel tunes were flowing and do you know...I couldn't write a thing. The music was a MAJOR distraction.

Mind you, I have never been able to work, write, or study in complete silence. Yet one thing I have learned about myself over the years is that the music can not be one with words, or even a melody that I am too familiar with. If either of those things are present, my thoughts go completely to the song and away from what I should be focusing on. Why I thought I could focus today with Gospel music playing is beyond me.

So...I grabbed the remote and quickly searched for another station. I knew exactly what I needed...CLASSICAL.

Interestingly though, even with classical music I have to be selective.

I enjoy Beethoven as much as the next person, but because I am so familiar with his work, I can find myself humming right along to Moonlight Sonata, Für Elise, or Symphony #5.

Instead, I chose to go with another of my other classical faves...Vivaldi. Man, I love his music sooo much! As you can probably guess, I am extremely fond of The Four Seasons, yet I can pretty much listen to anything of his and stay focused on the task at hand while doing so.

At this moment, a lil diddy by Bach is playing. You know how Pandora is...even though I am specifically on the Vivaldi station, Pandora tends to throw in a little bit of everything. Gotta admit, I was pretty impressed with myself. As I was listening my ears were instantly aware of the change. I can always tell Bach's music by his use of the harpsichord. That's one of those lovely instruments that we just don't hear in today's music. What a shame.

With all that being said, I shall dive back into my other writing projects. So much to write...so little time.

Now it's YOUR turn.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do you listen to music while reading, writing, working on projects? If so, do you have a particular genre that works best?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Please!!!

Got another Facebook game request today. Ugh!!!

As I have done with EVERY other game request that I've received...I immediately went to my setting and BLOCKED the game so that no one else can EVER invite me to play it.

To date, here are all of the games that I have blocked:

ChefVille Unblock
Birthday Calendar by Davia Unblock
Birthday Calendar Unblock
schoolFeed Unblock
Birthdays Unblock
I want to add your birthday Unblock
Solitaire Blitz Unblock
FarmVille Unblock
FarmVille 2 Unblock
Diamond Dash Unblock
Top Friends50 Unblock
BranchOut Unblock
Photo Passion Unblock
Words With Friends Unblock
Sweepstakes Unblock
Family Feud Unblock
Slotomania Slot Machines Unblock
Goodreads Unblock
Family Tree Unblock
Bubble Island Unblock
Solitaire Arena Unblock
Candy Crush Saga Unblock
Birthdays Unblock
Mahjong Trails Unblock
Ancestry Unblock
Ruby Blast Adventures Unblock
Lost Bubble Unblock
Criminal Case Unblock
Words of Wonder Unblock
Texas HoldEm Poker Unblock
Tribesports Unblock
DoubleDown Casino - Free Slots Unblock
Pengle Unblock
Bejeweled Blitz Unblock
Pet Rescue Saga Unblock
Birthdays Unblock
BINGO Blitz Unblock
Causes Unblock
myVEGAS Slots - Free Casino Unblock
Jelly Splash Unblock
Lucky Slots Unblock
Juice Cubes Unblock
My Christmas Tree 2013 Unblock
Jackpot Party Casino Slots Unblock
CoasterVille Unblock
Farm Heroes Saga Unblock
Pepper Panic Saga Unblock
Monster Busters Unblock
Daily Horoscope Unblock
Zuma Blitz Unblock
Alisa Bingo Unblock
Birthday Cards Unblock
House of Fun - Slots Unblock
Bubble Witch 2 Saga Unblock
Diamond Digger Saga Unblock
Ghost Tales Unblock
Candy Crush Soda Saga Unblock
Dragon City Unblock
CallApp Contacts Unblock

8 Ball Pool Unblock
Cookie Jam Unblock
Toy Blast Unblock
Mystery Match Unblock
Slots - Wizard of Oz Unblock

As more requests come in, the list will get longer. Honestly, I wonder how folks who play these games even find the time. And what do they get in return for playing? Maybe if there was some monetary compensation then I would consider playing...and that's a BIG maybe. Otherwise...no thanks.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do YOU play Facebook games? If so, which one(s) and why? I'm curious.

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Anybody Hungry?

Here recently, I made a decision to stop eating chicken, beef, pork and turkey. The only meat I now eat is that which comes from the water...fish, shrimp, oysters, crab, etc.

I did this about a year ago and it lasted for three months or so. Thought I'd give it another go and see if I can last twice as long (hopefully longer).

One thing's for sure...my new eating habits have caused be to be more conscientious about my meals. They truly take some forethought now.

For example, this morning I woke up and was ready for breakfast. In the past, I would simply fry up some bacon, scramble some eggs, and be good to go. Well...now that bacon is out of the picture I had to find a new companion for my eggs. I couldn't come up with anything. At least nothing that I had here at home.

Going forward I will be sure to stock up on veggies, like onion, bellpepper, maybe some mushrooms and cheese, so that I can make a nice veggie omelette.

As for today though, I was hungry and needed something that was simple, tasty, and fit within my new dietary guidelines.

I found it.

FISH...and veggies.

Yep.

I sauteed a piece of cod, threw in some frozen veggies (carrots, pearl onions, red bellpepper) and VOILA...breakfast was served.

Having an unconventional breakfast such as that one brought back memories of when I was a child and my parents would sometimes make "breakfast" for dinner. Yep...it would be 6:00 pm and we'd be chowing down on pancakes and bacon. As an adult, that has been one of my FAVORITE dinners (although I do waffles instead of pancakes).

Anywhoo...it got me to thinking. What are the "rules" for breakfast. Or are there any "rules" at all? When you get right down to it, breakfast is simply "breaking one's fast" as in..."You haven't eaten all night, so now you're hungry. EAT!" That's all that it is...really. What that first meal actually consists of shouldn't really matter. Should it?

How 'bout you?

It's 10:28 am in my part of the world so "breakfast" is still being served.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you had breakfast yet? If so, what'd ya eat?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Summer's Comin'!

It's been a little warm in my neck'o'the'woods and as a result, I've been eating a lot of frozen treats to keep me cool.

Since I've been taking public transportation for over a month now, I've noticed that many bus stops are in front of 7-Elevens. Of course...I go in and get myself a lil treat that keeps me cool while waiting for the next bus. A small Slurpee always does the trick.

A few weeks ago, I walked across the street to my neighborhood "corner store" and just happened to peek into their freezer case. I spotted some frozen fruit bars and decided to try one. I got watermelon. It was DEE-LICIOUS!

The next day, I went back and got a differnt flavor...pineapple. Again...muy delicioso.

It's become an addiction.

Using public transportation means I get off at various bus stops, depending on where I'm going. The other day I got off at a different stop in my neighborhood and went into the nearby liquor store to get something. Well wha'da'ya'know! They also had a freezer case filled with frozen fruit bars...and they had a flavor I hadn't tried yet...MANGO.

Oh My Gravy!!!

Have I told y'all how much I love mango, and anything mango flavored???

Of course, I had to get one (see the pic)...and I must say...it didn't disappoint. YUMMERS!

So yeah...that's my new addiction, and it's just in time for summer. Ya gotta admit...there are worse things one can be addicted to. Frozen fruit bars should be the least of anyone's worries.

Now that I've found these babies I'll be stocking up. Summer's just around the corner and I'm gonna be READY!

Now Let the DIALOGUE begin: What is YOUR favorite summertime treat?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Happy Birthday "Joe"!

For the past thirteen years June 2nd has been a special day for me.

Over the course of these thirteen years, whether "Joe" and I were together or not, June 2nd, HIS birthday, has always been special.

Why?

Because it's the day that God brought him into the world...for me to love.

Today was a tougher June 2nd than those of the past.

If you've followed The Dialogue Den for any length of time, then you know that the months between August 2014 and November 5, 2015 were the BEST that "Joe" and I have spent together. Those months were unlike any others...incredibly AMAZING. Had I died on November 4, 2015, I would have died a very happy woman because life (at that time) was simply BEAUTIFUL.

But, I didn't.

Since November 5, 2015 our road has been terribly rocky. There've been some smooth spots along the way, but for the most part, the spots have been as rocky as they've been smooth.
I know..."TMI", but hey, it is what it is and I have always been transparent here. One thing I don't ever need to do is "sugar coat" my life for you "Dialogue Den'ers." Y'all know that I am a "work in progress",so...


Last Tuesday was the breaking point for me. "Joe" did something that (although forgivable), warrants some MAJOR explaining and conciliatory action. No...he didn't hurt me (at least not physically), and he didn't hurt any of my kids. So you can rule those two out. Nevertheless, he knows that I need answers, yet he hasn't come by to offer any. As a result, I've had to make some serious changes and decisions. They don't feel good, yet I know that they are in my best interest.

It's now 9:03 p.m. and as much as I would have LOVED to call "Joe" and wish him HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I simply will not. I did however say a prayer for him this morning, and if he shows up before his birthday is over, I will wish him well.

That's all I have for now. Gonna go make the most of the rest of this day...June 2nd...one of my FAVORITE days of the year.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What did YOU do today on this June 2nd?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY "JOE"...wherever you are. I love you.

Mo' Money! Mo' Money!! Mo' Money!!!

Today's the first and I had the lovely benefit of paying my new higher rent.

Yes folks...rent is now FIFTY dollars higher than it was last month.

I don't get it. What exactly do I receive as a result of paying higher rent? Since I have lived here, rent has gone up SEVERAL times.

Do I have anything more NOW than I did BEFORE the rent began increasing? The answer to that would be a resounding NO.

Anywhoo...I paid it, but I'll tell you this much...I sure did draw a sad face on my check. Yep...I sure did.

How 'bout you...for all the RENTERS out there...

Let the DIALOGUE begin: How often does YOUR rent get raised? And if it does, how high are the increments typically?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Parenting License REVOKED!

Ok...so here's the deal.

With all of the talk in the news lately about "Harambe the Gorilla" and the "neglectful parents" of the little boy, it's got me to thinkin'.

Yes...I feel awful about Harambe being shot and killed. Whenever I see his picture, the first word that comes to mind is REGAL. He was a BEAUTIFUL creature. Strong. Intelligent. Majestic. Interestingly, I've never once looked at him and thought, "Dangerous." Yet I know that because he was an animal, we had no way of getting into his mind to know what he was thinking, so to most onlookers, "Dangerous" was the only word that came to their minds. I get it.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, human life is to be regarded more highly than the life of an animal, so I understand why it was deemed necessary to kill Harambe in order to save the child. As I write these words I can ASSURE you that had that been one of MY babies in the gorilla habitat WITH the gorilla, not knowing WHAT the gorilla was going to do...I would have wanted EVERY protective measure taken to save the life of MY child...even if it meant (unfortunately) killing the animal.

So here we are, days later and the "fingers of blame" are flying...toward the parents. One of whom wasn't even AT the zoo when the incident took place. Why he, and his criminal history are being called on the carpet, simply baffles me. But that's another post for a different day.

Back to "the blame game."

Now I've gotta admit...when I first heard the story, my initial reaction was, "How in the heck did the boy climb in? Wasn't anybody watching him?" I actually had that thought for a couple of days. Then I realized that sometimes...things just happen. Not intentionally, but when you are dealing with young children...and especially when there are more than one...sometimes...things just happen. And no one is to blame.

So my mind took a lil trip down memory lane. Back to a time when my son was maybe three years old, and my girls were older...five and eight years older. That would've put them at eight and eleven.

We're out shopping, just me and the kiddos, and as we get to the register to pay, I tell the girls, "Watch your brother." This didn't mean that I was leaving them to go somewhere else in the store...I just knew that I'd be dealing with the cashier and getting the purchase squared away, so I needed an extra set of eyes (in this case there were TWO sets), to watch the little one.

My transaction was done and I said, "Ok. Let's go." When I looked next to me (where ALL of my kiddos SHOULD HAVE been), there were only TWO...the girls. My three year old son was GONE...no where in sight.

Of course, I panicked. We started looking all over the store and calling his name. No response. We continued to look and...as it happens in the movies...I found his shoe. ONE SHOE. All by itself...just ONE SHOE.

Now if you've ever seen a movie where a child has been kidnapped, you know how this goes. ONE thing is always left behind. A blanket. A toy. A SHOE.

My heart raced even FASTER. WHERE WAS MY BABY?!?

Security came to help us look. It was an all out search!

Then...I hear this tiny little voice. A familiar little voice.

"Mommy."

I ran toward the voice, and there he was...my baby was in the middle of one of the circular clothing racks with a toy that he must've found somewhere in the store. He probably thought (or knew) that I would say, "Put that back," so he just took it upon himself to find a nice quiet place to go play.

Such a relief! To find my baby boy safe and sound was an absolute blessing and relief.

After that, I kept a much closer eye on him when we were out, but that incident simply reminds me of how quickly and easily a child can get out of one's sight.

Was I a neglectful parent because I lost my son in the store? Many of the "Harambe Gorilla Supporters" and even those who thought it was okay to shoot, but still find fault in the parents, would say that I was. I should have been the PERFECT parent...NEVER EVER EVER letting my child out of my sight.

Well folks, what can I say..."Stuff" happens. It happened to me. It happened to the mother of the little boy in the gorilla habitat. It happens.

Now...Let's move on and Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever gotten stuck in a place where you shouldn't have been?

Talk to me!

Til next time...