2018: Word of the Year

For the last 2 years I have chosen a word to focus on. 

2016:  Present
2017:  Focus

I feel I succeeded in 2016.   I felt more present in my job, family, and life over all. However 2017 was a struggle for me.  Many things happened over the last year to cause me to struggle with things on a daily basis.  Not my family or marriage, both are stronger than ever.  There were other outside forces that tried to wreck me but I think I came out above it all after all is said and done.  I worked on ways to refocus my mind, refocus my career, and refocus my beliefs.  I'll share the tips I have tried to stay on top of my struggle throughout 2018.

That brings us to 2018. 

I'm choosing to be confident, honest, and brave.  SHINE.  I let people but negativity about myself in my head last year which then sent me spiraling down.  This year I will be turning that around and let my strengths SHINE.

What did you chose for your word of the year? Let me know in the comments!

Game Night with Friends

I've been friends with Jules for years...14 years to be exact.  We met on the big bad internet but since we live practically right down the road we met in person and she has been stuck with me ever since!
Jules and I have been trying to plan a game night for years.  Really YEARS!  A random stop at the local game store resulted in finally planning a game night that night.

The kids (her 2 and my 1) had full run of my house while we played games all night.  I think I will be finding nerf darts and elastic bands ( I have no idea how this happened) for months.  We set up in the dining room and proceeded to play for hours.

First we played Pandemic Legacy: Season 1.  Since my husband and I played January, we started the night playing February and we managed to win!   Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 is a co-op game that changes each time you play depending on how well you and the other plays do.  You actually change the game board by adding stickers, rules, and upgrades each time you play.  Sometimes it helps you and other times it hurts.

The world is on the brink of disaster. In pandemic legacy, your disease-fighting team must keep four deadly diseases at bay for a whole year. Each month will bring new surprises, and your actions in each game will have repercussions on the next. Will you let cities fall to the diseases? Will your team be enough to keep the viruses at bay for a whole year? Craft your own unique pandemic experience with pandemic legacy.  - Description from Amazon

 We love playing the original Pandemic and this just adds a whole new dynamic.  I'm looking forward to the next time we get together and play Pandemic Legacy: Season 1!

The second game of the night was Mansions of Madness.  The setup of Mansions of Madness took a very long time but the artwork is great and the game play was so much fun!  I love how the game changes each time you play it as well depending on how the keeper sets up the board.  It was a bit slow for us at first but I think it's a game that you have to play a few times to get the setup and rules down pat.  I definitely want to play this again.  

Mansions of Madness is a macabre board game of horror, insanity and mystery for 2-5 players. Gather your fellow investigators and unravel the dark mysteries within before it's too late. Based on the horror fiction of master writer H.P. Lovecraft, Mansions of Madness creates an engrossing new narrative every time you play. Each game takes place within a pre-designed story that provides players with a unique map and several combinations of plot threads. These threads affect the monsters that investigators may encounter, the clues they need to find and which climactic story ending they will ultimately experience. One player takes on the role of the keeper, controlling the monsters and other malicious powers within the story. The other players take on the role of investigators, searching for answers while struggling to survive with their minds intact. Both the engaging plot and the stunning components will draw you in to a world of cosmic horror. The beautifully rendered modular map tiles show every intricate feature of the rooms you'll search and the monster figures represent the otherworldly forces of evil in horrific detail. The bases for each monster figure even have slots into which you can insert that monster's token, displaying only the pertinent statistics. All together, the thirty-two included figures, over 300 cards, over 200 tokens and markers and nearly 70 puzzle tiles,will help immerse you in a sanity-bending story of terrifying mystery. Do you dare enter the Mansions of Madness? - Description from Amazon

We had a blast during our game night and I can't wait to get together again soon and play again :)

Add me as a buddy on BoardGameGeek.com
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Meal Delivery Services: Blue Apron & Hello Fresh

Taking a break from my AERD posts to talk about the Meal Delivery Services that are out there.  This is not a sponsored post, however may contain affiliated links.  I was given free boxes from friends who love the service.

Over the last month, my family has tried 2 different meal delivery services, Blue Apron & Hello Fresh.  These are my honest opinions.  I have been curious about all the different companies out there but the cost has always been the deciding factor but free?  SURE!

The first box we received was Hello Fresh.   Before I brought the box in the house my UPS driver commented on how he delivers a ton of these on his route.  He asked me if I ever tried it because he is curious himself.  I let him know that it was my first box but I'll report back.  Upon opening the box, I love how each meal's ingredients are separated in it's own mini box (minus the meat).  The meat is on the bottom of the insulated box with a large ice pack directly on top guaranteeing the freshness of the meals.  The meals we prepared during the week were Meatballs on Top of Cavatappi with Broccoli and Pesto Cream Sauce & Dukkah-Crusted Cod with Cranberry Couscous and Roasted Veggies.  The recipe cards were a little confusing, though I didn't find it too hard to follow.  Both were pretty easy to make and tasted WONDERFUL!  But to be honest, I don't think it was worth the cost.  I have a lot of what I would need in my pantry and if I didn't it doesn't bother me to buy it at the store to stock my pantry.  The time it took to prepare the meals were on point however and there is very little cleanup.  The separate boxes were a great timesaver!  I would make both of these again, but on my own without Hello Fresh's help.


The second box we ordered from was Blue Apron.  This one came packaged in an insulated box as well but the ingredients were not as organized as Hello Fresh.  The produce did look wonderful though like it was picked right from the farm and sent to my house.  On the menu this week,   Mushroom & Swiss Cheeseburgers and Greek Lemon Chicken.  Again, both easy to make but the recipe cards with Blue Apron were a lot easier to follow.  I did miss having a separate box for the ingredients but that isn't a deal breaker for me.  What I didn't like about the box was that out of all the recipes to choose from none really stood out to me so I chose the 2 that were the least eh. That being said they did taste great.  I probably wouldn't make them again though.  The cost was also a bit steep for what I could have purchased on my own.  Overall, it was pretty good!

Final Thoughts
Both Hello Fresh and Blue Apron were both convenient and easy to prepare.  I can see how a busy individual who didn't have time to shop but wanted delicious easy to prepare meals would benefit from the services.  I do love to shop and my pantry is stocked with many staples.  I can't justify the cost of the delivery service.  I think the recipes may be limiting for me as well.  If I have to pick between the two, I would choose Hello Fresh as my go to box.  

If you would like to try either of them here are the links!

Hello Fresh ($40 off your first box)  Ask me about a free box!
Blue Apron (no coupon at this time)

Living with AERD: Sinus Surgery Day

Wednesday, the day before my surgery was a very busy day.  I went to work to finish up last minute tasks, clear out my email, and make sure things were squared away for the time I would be out.  My father came down from New Jersey to help out with me and around the house which was such a blessing. Per doctor's orders, I couldn't eat or drink after midnight which was actually difficult for me.  I usually sleep with water next to the bed thanks to the fact I can't breathe thru my nose and I wake up throughout the night with a wicked dry mouth.   I ended up barely sleeping the night before because I just couldn't get my mind to shut off.  I have never had surgery of any sort so I really didn't know what to expect.  

Post-Op...about 5 hours after my surgery

Thursday, surgery day.  My dad drove me to the surgery center for my 6 am check in.  The women in the office were so nice and reassuring.  I really couldn't ask for anything better.  They put my mind at ease while I waited to be called back to be prepped.  Once they called me back, it was like a whirlwind.  Between answering the same questions multiple times, changing into a gown, getting an IV, getting multiple meds for nausea***, time seemed to just fly by.  Soon my dad was sitting with me while I waited for the to wheel me back to the operating room.  

About 10 minutes after my ENT came over to speak with me and my father, I was wheeled back.  From here on I don't remember much.  The anesthesiologist told me she was going to put the medicine in my IV and I would feel it pretty quick.  The next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room!  I wasn't in there that long.  I came out of the anesthesia pretty quickly so the put gauze under my nose, gave my father instructions and off we went.  The best thing about it was that I CAN BREATHE!!

Later I would find out that what was originally going to be an hour surgery ended up being 2.5 hours.  My ENT had to do more than he anticipated.  It turns out my upper sinuses have never been opened.  NEVER!  and my deviated septum was worse off as well.  It wasn't from a break like we thought it was, it has been like that since childhood.  

***Meds given to me:

in my IV: something to calm me & an antibiotic

Nausea: a pill ( don't remember the name), a patch behind my ear, and a pressure point wristband

A recovery post will be posted soon.   

New to AERD?  check out my links

Living with AERD: Introduction

Living with AERD: Early On
Living with AERD: Allergy Testing
Living with AERD: CT Scans and Surgery talk

Living with AERD: CT Scan and Surgery

The last of my appointments were a CT Scan and a follow up with my dr afterwards.  I wish I had a copy of my results, though I will be asking for them in the future.  The CT scan was a quick process.  I think it took me longer to drive out to the office then it did to wait and have the test done!   
Once I came out of the imaging center we went right across the hall to my doctor's office.  We went over my symptoms again now that I finished a cycle of Prednisone and Augmentin.  Which while I did feel better for the short time on them, as soon as I went off the Prednisone I was right back to square one.   I really enjoyed being able to breathe, sleep and smell again!  
At that time we were able to take a look at my CT Scan results.  My goodness they were scary.  It was very obvious that I had no ability to breathe.  Both sides are inflamed and blocking the nasal cavity.  The left side, the polyps are so bad they are actually OUTSIDE of my nasal cavity.  After seeing this, there was no question in my mind what had to be done.   My dr did discuss the options with me.  
1) go on living like I am now and just stay away from Aspirin & NSAIDS.  Eventually when I'm in my 70s this will/should go away.
2) Start taking Prednisone daily to reduce the size of the polyps and swelling.  As good as that may sound, Prednisone has many risks and I don't want to create more health problems in the future.  
3) Surgery.  

I opted for Surgery.  I know that these polyps may come back but that is a risk I am willing to take.  Once my sinuses are cleared out we can begin treatment to hopefully keep them at bay for a long time if not forever.  My surgery is scheduled for 2 weeks from the appointment!

I wanted to blog about this to get my thoughts out, track my progress and possibly help others as well.  There isn't much about AERD on the web and what is out there is mostly medical sources, not much in terms of first hand accounts.  I hope I am able to help fellow AERD patients.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!  I'm happy to talk about my life with AERD and all that comes with it!

New to AERD?  check out my links

Living with AERD: Introduction

Living with AERD: Early On
Living with AERD: Allergy Testing
Living with AERD: CT Scans and Surgery talk

Living with AERD: Allergy Testing

This week is a busy one filled with 3 appointments.

1 - Allergy Testing

2 - CT Scan

3 - Followup

Allergy Testing.  

That is something that is definitely not fun, not painful just extremely itchy. I think the worst part was not being able to take my typical allergy medication for 7 days prior to the test. I was stuck with 8 sets of 8 skin pricks, 64 tests in all!   There was also no surprises either.  I'm allergic to all grasses, molds, weeds, cats, and dust.  The tested common food allergies on my though I did not respond to them.  I do know that I need to stay away from foods that contain Salicylates. I haven't started that diet yet.  I will be starting that soon.  Molds & Weeds, however caused a lovely, delightfully itchy rash up and down my right arm that just kept getting more painful as the day went on even after cream and antihistamines were given.  While this didn't show any surprises, it's nice to know that when I say I'm pretty much allergic to every thing.  I am.  

Except my dogs :D  I'm not allergic to them!  My daughter was thrilled to hear that.  

This is just another step in my treatment.  My next appointment is a CT scan and then meet with my dr for a followup and to see where we go from here.  

If you have any questions feel free to ask!  I'm happy to talk about my life with AERD, Allergy tests, etc!  

New to AERD?  check out my links

Living with AERD: Introduction

Living with AERD: Early On
Living with AERD: Allergy Testing
Living with AERD: CT Scans and Surgery talk

Living with AERD: Early on...

My doctor told me early this month that I was following the typical AERD timeline, including when I was diagnosed with Asthma in high school.  I wanted to share a condensed history in hopes this helps others.   You can read my AERD introduction post here.

When I was younger I had allergies but nothing that wasn't handled by just taking an allergy pill during the spring and fall.  However during my sophomore year of high school that all changed.  I was diagnosed with Asthma and slowly it became worse, affecting my ability to play Field Hockey.  It was "controlled" but not well enough where I could go back to my old daily life just treating the symptoms that I was experiencing.

Fast forward to my college years, I started to get migraines that seemed to stem from eating certain foods, but instead of changing what I ate, my doctor prescribed me the NSAID Anaprox.   I couldn't have aspirin due to an allergy.  The same allergy my mother had, which eventually caused her death due to an aspirin induced asthma attack.  That worked well enough and I went on with my life.   I still ate MSG and other related food and just treated the symptoms.  

During my early 20s, I had moved from NJ to Virginia with my boyfriend (now husband).  I was working at a bank in Northern Virginia when I started to get a headache.  My coworker had an Aleve on her so I took that and within minutes I started to have a severe reaction.   This was one of the worst asthma attacks I had experienced in my life thus far.  Thankfully I was able to recover, and a note was then added to my medical records saying I was not only allergic to aspirin but to NSAIDS as well.  Again, symptoms were treated but nothing else was really done. 

All during this time I was also suffering from severe sinus infections.  I feel like I've been on some sort of antibiotic to treat them most of my adult life.  After this experience with Aleve, I have had worsening Asthma, Allergies, sinus headaches, and other symptoms that were always just treated but never really resolved.  I was suffering daily and it was affecting my family, home life and work life.  

New to AERD?  check out my links

Living with AERD: Introduction

Living with AERD: Early On
Living with AERD: Allergy Testing
Living with AERD: CT Scans and Surgery talk

Living with AERD: Introduction

I recently went to to the doctors and was diagnosed with AERD.  I had a feeling I had it after finding it on a facebook page and playing with Dr Google but I was officially diagnosed with it last week.  I want to blog about my journey to get healthy so I can see how far I've come and to maybe help others who also suffer from AERD.

From https://aerd.partners.org/ 

What is AERD/Samter’s Triad?

Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), also known as Samter’s Triad or Aspirin Sensitive Asthma, is a chronic medical condition that consists of asthma, recurrent sinus disease with nasal polyps, and a sensitivity to aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Approximately 10% of all adults with asthma and 40% of patients with asthma and nasal polyps are sensitive to aspirin and NSAIDs

What are the symptoms?
Patients with AERD/Samter’s Triad usually have asthma, nasal congestion, and nasal polyps, and often do not respond to conventional treatments. Many have experienced chronic sinus infections and can lose their sense of smell. The characteristic feature of AERD/Samter’s Triad is that patients develop reactions triggered by aspirin or other NSAIDs.

Reactions include:

• Increased nasal congestion or stuffiness  (I have!)

• Eye watering or redness (yup!)

• Cough, wheezing, or chest tightness (I have that too!)

• Frontal headache or sensation of sinus pain (and this!)

• Flushing and/or a rash 

• Nausea and/or abdominal cramping (yup!)

• General feeling of malaise, sometimes accompanied by dizziness (too often!)

I will update as I have appointments & information available.  

New to AERD?  check out my links

Living with AERD: Introduction

Living with AERD: Early On
Living with AERD: Allergy Testing
Living with AERD: CT Scans and Surgery talk

Word of the Year: 2017

Last year I started off the year with one word to focus on.

Present.  

I really tried over the last year to be present.  To put the phone down, to not let life's distractions take me away from my family, friends, and faith.  While I was not 100% perfect, I was more mindful over the last year to be present.  I will continue in 2017 to be more present in my life. 

That brings me to 2017's word of the year.  

This year I want to focus on what's important.  It uses last year's word as a stepping stone in my life and gives me the platform to grow.  I want to focus on my family, my family, my job, and my faith.  HOWEVER at the same time I don't want to lose the progress I've made over the last year.  Focus allows me to let update my goals as the year goes on and I grow in every part of my life.  

Along with choosing a word, I also chose a verse that will help me focus on what is important throughout the year.  

Colossians 3:2 

Today is the first page of a fresh new book.  Now is your chance to write a masterpiece.  

What is your word of the year?  

I try to use my own pictures when available and if I do use other pictures I cite the source.  There are times when I'm unable to find the source for the pictures I use.  If you find that I have used one of yours please let me know, I will gladly give you credit!

On This Day: In Case You Didn't Know.... (originally posted 9/28/2009)

I was feeling nostalgic so I went to my original blog, A Trucker Wife and thought it would be fun to pull old blog posts every once in a while just to see what craziness was going on in my life.  On this day back seven years ago (2009?!?!) We were reminded that The Beatles rock.  
What were you doing in 2009?

____________________________

We had kids tag our neighbor's fence Saturday night. It sucks because it looks horrible but really if kids are going to vandalize something this is what they chose to say?

Yes, they do rock but this just cracks me up!

The police came by to write a report up for them to turn into their insurance and reassured us that from what he knows, there are no gangs in the Hampton Roads area using this sign. Whew, I was worried.

RECIPE: Grandmother Snook's Apple Walnut Cake

This recipe/posts received so much positive attention from family and friends that I had to repost it on my personal blog.  It's been said that my Grandmother Snook only baked her apple walnut cake for special occasions and I can see why.  It was delicious!  I also want to keep the tradition alive and also reserve it for special occasions.  My family however is very impatient!

(Originally posted on 7/31/2016 on my genealogy blog Discovering Family Roots. ) 

Mildred Snook (nee Swezy) is my grandmother on my dad's side.  She was born 1919 and died young at the age of 43 in 1953.    About 6 years ago in 2010 I received a letter from my cousin (actually first cousin once removed) who enclosed a few old family recipes.  Sometime after that I had misplaced the letter, I was devastated.  Even after moving from our old condo into the new house, I still could not find them.  Making up the spare room this past July I moved an old photo album and they fell out!  I was so excited!   I showed my father the Apple Walnut Cake recipe the following week.  He hadn't had that cake since he was about 12 years old.  It was a cake that she was known for.  I knew I was going to have to make it soon.

My grandparents Edward & Mildred (Swezy) Snook

My Grandmother Mildred Snook (Swezy)

This past weekend I finally made it!  I called my dad to check on a few things hoping he would remember, like how big were the chopped apples and what kind of pan did he remember her using.   Once it came out of the oven, I sent a picture to him and it let me know that it was just as he remembered.  Success!  The house smelled wonderful and my husband and daughter both agreed, it was delicious.  

  My father also said that the walnuts came from an English Walnut tree they had on their property.  It was the only in in Vernon.  Unfortunately that tree is no  longer here, it was in 1967 cut down to make room for the now Minerals Spa.  At that time it was 5ft in diameter.

I've included the recipe in my post.  If you plan on using it, I only ask that you please credit me & my blog in anything you post.  Thanks so much!

Garden of Abundance: Our 2016 Raised Garden Adventure

A little over a year ago we began the journey of looking for a new home.  We wanted to upgrade from a small 2 bedroom condo with no property to a bigger home with a little green space of our own.  One of my biggest requests was to have enough space for a garden.

In September of last year, we closed on a 4 bedroom house with a little backyard.  Perfect for our daughter, 2 mini dachshunds and a garden!   All fall and winter I researched raised gardens, spent hours on Pinterest, and drafted up plans for my garden.

Finally in April, my husband (with a little help from our daughter) built a raised bed for me.  

After 2 truckloads of compost/soil mix from our local garden store Enchanted Nursery & Stone. I had a awesome 4X8 garden ready and waiting for plants.  

Follow along as I document our 2016 garden adventure, if you have any questions along the way just ask and I'll be sure to answer them!  The next post will have the plant diagram, pictures of the plants, and more of the journey.  

CPA exam...Take 2!

After an amazing review and meeting with my bosses, I am jumping back into studying for the CPA exam.  It will take up so much of my time, energy, and money.

Let's talk money...

I looked at Roger, Wiley, Becker, etc study programs and they are so expensive, I'm trying to find a way to pay for one without breaking my family's budget.  Then add in the actual exam expense and this exam will cost me a few thousand dollars (and then some if I end up failing a few).

I've tried in the past to concur this but I haven't had success, but I'm not sure I was ever 100% into it. This time, I'm in a different place in my life.  I'm just going to jump in and do it.  I pray that I'll have the strength to get this done because this will be an amazing career advancement opportunity for me.  I plan on blogging my progress, to keep me motivated & accountable.  My online time will be limited as well as any free time I have at home, but it WILL be worth it....right??

If y'all could keep me in your prayers I'd love it.  I think I'll need all I can get!


Blessings,
Melissa

Genealogy Page is Open for Business

That's right!  The genealogy section of my blog is open!   It hasn't been updated recently but feel free to have a look around.  You can always click the genealogy link in the upper right corner of my blog to take you right there.

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About 9 years ago I began an adventure that has led me to find many lost and unknown relatives.  It started with one simple question, am I able to get into the DAR?  That one question has now developed into a great passion of mine.

I have found not just one or two but many ancestors that have service in the revolutionary as well as many of the wars our country has fought in since then.  I have found great stories and great sadness, broken down brick walls, and met some family members along the way.

I'm not just focused on my own family history.  I also enjoy helping others on their own family history.  I assist them in finding records and documenting family graves around the Hampton Roads area and some near my home town in New Jersey.  

If you have any questions, I'm always happy to help out in any way possible.

Lis

Bible Journaling on Easter

I wanted to catch up and put the pages I have worked on so far in my journal in one place so that I stay current.  I focused and prayed over 2 pages today and I love how they turned out.

This one is my favorite from today.

 The rest I have done over the last 2 weeks.

I love working on these.  I really makes me focus on the verse/book I'm on and it relaxes me.  I know I'm not an artist but I'm not worried about that at all.

Have a blessed Easter.
Lis

Genealogy Page

Coming Soon!

It's been a while...

Life has a way of going out of control.  And I'm not talking about a bad way, just in general.  I mean here it is, 23 days in to March already and it's 83 days into the new year.  I've been working like crazy at work, at home and just in general while my blog sat waiting patiently for me to return.

To tell you the truth, I didn't know what to write about.  I needed to refocus and see what came to me. During that time I started bible journaling (I'm DEFINITELY no artist!!) and dove into a bible study led by Time Warp Wife.  I started up my genealogy hobby again (more on that later)  and planned out my garden for the summer.  Then it occurred to me.  I just listed off everything I want to write about.  

So That's what I'm going to do.  Over the next few days/weeks I'm going to fill in the missing pieces of the blog, introduce you to my hobbies and entertain you with my craziness I call life.  

One Word 2016: Present

I will admit, I struggled with this.  I tasked myself and you all to find one word focus on for the upcoming year.  I prayed over it, read my bible, talked to friends, and I still struggled.  Last night while I sat alone with my thoughts I finally came up with mine.

Present

I want to focus on being present.  I worry about tomorrow and how things were handled in the past making me miss the present.  Each moment is a gift and I want to be able to value each one.  My daughter is 12 and growing into a strong young lady and I want to be present more in her life.   My husband and I are in a great place but I need to remember not to get distracted when life gets hectic and to always make time for us.   I’m do well with my devotions and my first 15 but there is always room for improvement.  I plan on making an effort to put down my electronic devices and live in the now. Last year was a blur with buying a new house, problems at school, work, family, etc.  Now that we are settled, it’s time to focus on what’s important.

I know I will need to redirect my thoughts and actions over the next year and it will take a great deal of prayer to help me along the way.


Did you find your one word?  Let me know!

What's Your One Word?

Do you have a word or a theme that you focus on for a year?  

Most people use the start of a new year to create a them or think of a focus word to meditate on for the next year.  That's all good and well but I know myself and I will likely fail if I start something as a new year's resolution.  For me, Autumn seems like the perfect time to start a theme or a word to focus on.  I mean why not?  Fall is time to Restart!  Reboot! and Refresh!

Let's look at that more closely, if you are like me, you may have planted some bulbs this fall so at the start of spring you have new growth!    So if you think of a word to live by now, come spring you may also see some growth and blessing in your own life.

My task this week is to think of that one word.  I also challenged my good friend Jac with the same task and if you are up to it, I challenge you to also find that one word!!

Blessings, 

Melissa

I'm not good enough

My goal was to write a blog post once a week and as that time approached I got cold feet.  I’m not sure why, this isn’t new to me.  I often give advice and encouragement to one of my best friends when her blog posts are due on her church’s blog yet when it was my time to write, I froze. 
Suddenly so many personal negative thoughts flood my head;  No one will listen.  No one will care.  and worst of all, I’m not good enough.  Even when my amazing husband like my facebook page, you would think that would make me grin inside and out but instead, again, I thought I’m not good enough. 

So here I sit at my computer staring at the screen.  I’m trying to change those thoughts.

Remember…

Someone is always listening. 

Someone is always caring. 
You are good enough!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. -- Philippians 4:13