Share Your World – January 2, 2017

On January 2, 2017 By dancingpalmtreesIn Autism, Autism Activism, Autism Activism Advocate, FMLA, FMLA Inclusion Act, Paid FMLA Family Leave, Share Your World – January 2, 2017, Stephen, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Uncategorized21 Comments

https://ceenphotography.com/2017/01/02/share-your-world-january-2-2017/#like-21498

Share Your World – January 2, 2017

Would you prefer to receive a unicycle, bicycle, tricycle or motorcycle?

None of the above. As my vision is 20/100 I cannot operate any type of motor vehicle even bikes!! Me riding a bike would be the equivalent of Mr. Magoo driving a car which is another activity I had to give up.

What is one thing you’d like to accomplish this year?

The most important thing is for me to find an apartment around or before Oct. 1st, 2017. It is not a question of like. Safe, clean housing that is near transportation is a necessity not something I can do without.

What was one of the highlights of 2016 for you?

Being a part of the Paid Family Leave Movement for the State of New York!! I received a personal invitation from Gov. Andrew Cuomo to attend the rally! Paid Family Leave will become active Jan. 2018!! Gov. Cuomo read the New York Times article about my difficulties being a low wage worker and trying to get time off the care for my brother Stephen who has Autism. Please click on the second link to get the link for the New York Times article. Again Praise God my workplace situation has improved so some of the issues I faced then are no longer a problem.

I Thank God that Stephen and I Live in a Democrat, Liberal, Progressive state like New York where the Mayor and the Gov. do their best to protect their citizens, provide New Yorkers with benefits that the rest of the country does not have and is a safer space for minorities and immigrants!! New York is and will continue to be a Sanctuary fighting against all Trump policies!! Trump is against Americans who have disabilities. I am Proud to be a Member of the Resistance!! Yes to Basic Human Rights!!

(7) DeBorah and A Better Balance

Getting Our Blessing!!

Stephen and I continue to be Mighty Warriors and Autism Activist/Advocates!

Me and Stephen March 1964. Dig my crazy pigtail hat!! LOL!!

Me and My brother Stephen December 1961

Would you prefer to fly a kite or fly in a hot air balloon?

I’d take flying the kite as I have a Fear of Heights!! I had enough of helicopters and planes!

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Glad the holidays are over and behind me. I can now return to some sort of normal life. No special plans for either this week or next week. January tends to be a bad weather month so other than going to work I’m staying in. However lately the weather has been in the 40s and 50s which I hope lasts for the entire winter.

Share Your World – 2016 Week 52

On December 31, 2016December 31, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Cee’s Weekly Wrap December 31, 2016 – Favorite Odd Balls 2016, Saratoga Springs, Share Your World – 2016 Week 52, Stephen, SYW, Uncategorized10 Comments

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/12/26/share-your-world-2016-week-52/

Share Your World – 2016 Week 52

What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor?

I’m Lactose Intolerant so I cannot eat ice cream any more but when I was young and healthy I Loved Chocolate Ice Cream.

If you were to treat yourself to the “finer things” what would you treat yourself to?

A Visit to Saratoga Springs to “Take the Waters.” Soaking in these healing mineral waters is supposed to help arthritis. My joints pain me constantly so I would Love to spend time at Saratoga Springs for my Birthday in Feb. 2017. Due to finances I have not had a real vacation in years. Of course this Saratoga Springs fantasy vacation won’t happen as I cannot afford to travel or spend my small salary on hotels but I can dream. Who knows maybe I’ll receive a Miracle Vacation Trip to Saratoga Springs for my Birthday!! LOL!! 🙂 😀

http://www.saratoga.com/guide/health-mineral-springs.cfm

http://www.saratoga.com/things-to-do/spas-wellness/

Have you ever been drunk?

Yes. Back in my Army days. However after a really bad experience with Southern Comfort which resulted in my room-mates stripping me naked, marching me down the barracks hallway and throwing me into a cold shower I’ve only gotten buzzed but never falling down drunk ever again. My saving grace of that incident is that there were no computers, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram or any other type of social media in the late 1970s!!

Complete this sentence: My favorite supposedly guilty pleasure is…

Sleep. I’m always tired. Exhausted.

Optional Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Grateful I was able to spend time with my brother Stephen. Also grateful that the holidays are over so I can be Free from Tension and Anxiety. I’m not looking forward to anything for the upcoming week. Basically I’m doing the same thing I did in 2016 Going to Work and as I work on Holidays I will be at work tomorrow. What’s the expression; “Different Day. Same shit.” There is nothing special or significant about 2017. It’s just an extension of 2016.

There is a meeting with the manager and Director of Stephen’s Group Home coming up on Friday, Jan. 6th but I’m not looking forward to that as once again I’m trying to fix ongoing problems with this particular manager who is incompetent. This will not be a happy nor successful meeting as the woman and I don’t get along and I’ve made numerous complaints against her. I don’t expect any solutions to come from us having a sit-down as I don’t intend to compromise when it comes to Stephen’s care.

Posing with Macy’s Holiday Windows

On December 23, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Macy's Herald Square, Stephen, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Uncategorized3 Comments

Macy’s Holiday Windows Theme for Christmas 2016; Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus.

CHRISTMAS WRITING PROMPT #13: HOW LATE DO YOU LEAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING?

On December 22, 2016December 22, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Christmas, CHRISTMAS WRITING PROMPT #13: HOW LATE DO YOU LEAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING?, Stephen, Stephen Vincent Palmer4 Comments

https://ourrandomview.wordpress.com/2016/12/19/christmas-writing-prompt-13-how-late-do-you-leave-your-christmas-shopping/

CHRISTMAS WRITING PROMPT #13: HOW LATE DO YOU LEAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING?

Today’s writing prompt is…

writing-prompt-xmas-special-13-how-late-do-you-leave-your-xmas-shopping

Long ago and far away when I had more people to shop for I always made a habit of getting all or at least 99% of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving. I never understood people who wait until the last minute. That’s not me. I don’t like crowds and believe me the department stores in New York City and the surrounding suburban Malls are crowded with people who are last minute shoppers. It is like the plague of locusts converging and fighting over toys, clothes, household items etc…. Crazy!!

In this day and age of Internet Web Access Cyber Shopping is the way to go. Now as my family has considerably shrunk and I only have my brother Stephen to shop for I can find 98% of his gifts online. I tend to go with quality and trusted online stores like Land’s End. Of course now we are both in our mid-50s so Stephen likes clothes not toys. However he appreciates fun items also. As a full-time working Woman I can order Stephen’s gifts and have them sent straight to his QCP Group Home Residence.

These last few years have been economically challenging for me but through hard work, long hours of overtime, personal sacrifice and frugal shopping I have been able to pretty much ensure that Stephen gets some gifts for Christmas. I don’t care if I have to eat Ramen Noodles for two months I’m more than happy to make changes in my lifestyle or give up things I want so Stephen can have. Stephen Vincent Palmer is the Greatest Autism Guy in the Whole Wide World!!

Here are a few photos of past Christmastimes!!!

stephen-with-penn-station-christmas-tree

CHRISTMAS WRITING PROMPT #14: WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA

On December 21, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Christmas, CHRISTMAS WRITING PROMPT #14: WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA, Edward G. Palmer, Edward Gordon Palmer, Edward Palmer, Mable Elizabeth Palmer, Mable Palmer, Stephen, Stephen Vincent Palmer, Uncategorized17 Comments

https://ourrandomview.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/christmas-writing-prompt-14-write-a-letter-to-santa/

CHRISTMAS WRITING PROMPT #14: WRITE A LETTER TO SANTA

Dear Santa,

#1 On my Christmas Wish List ~~ My health. Remember that mini stroke I had back in November 2008. You know the one that took a good deal of the vision in my left eye. Please reverse the effects of the stroke. Heal my back and my digestive system. I’m exhausted nearly all the time and suffer from stomach problems which makes it every difficult to do anything with my brother Stephen. Eventually because of my health I will cede most of that to his Group Home Residence and his Day Treatment Center. Yes Reverse the effects of aging. I’m spending all kinds of money that I don’t have on treatments to keep the pain and tiredness at bay with little success.

Finances

I need money. Most of the time I’m barely getting by. I look at the balance in my checking account today and there is no money for Christmas. In fact my decision is whether to celebrate Christmas or to pay my rent. Santa you know which one will win unless you come through with a whole lotta cash and be quick about it. Christmas meal will most likely be canned food, PB&J, and whatever is affordable at the local bodega. Oh yes there is the Halal food truck near my job. Cheap and tasty meals.

Explain to me why Christmas does not come to the working class or the poor. Also I’m gonna need between $3K & $4K to find a safe affordable place to live or I’m be homeless this time next year. I know you don’t visit folks in the Homeless Shelters so bring me an affordable apartment in a safe neighborhood near the subway!! I have been working Double Shifts meaning 16 hour days with little or no sleep. Fix this now!!

My Brother Stephen

I Love my brother Stephen dearly but as time goes along between my health and my lack of money I realize I won’t be able to spend as much time with him as I want unless you fix requests #1 and #2. Realistically I can’t do the things I used to do. Every month simple tasks get harder and harder. However I’m glad Stephen is in a Residence because the day is coming when my health will give out and I won’t be able to be there for him. Tell me why Life is one continuous Struggle?!