Agile | The Daily Post

On January 17, 2018January 17, 2018 By dancingpalmtreesIn 2002 Graduation from Marymount Manhattan College, Marymount Manhattan College, Uncategorized18 Comments

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/agile/

The last time that I was super Agile was back in my Army Days. I was extremely agile and in excellent physical condition. Anything that the Army demanded or need to do physically I could do it. Those were my glory days. Even after I got out of the Army in Nov. 1981 I was still in great shape. This continued well into my early 40s. I did have the beginnings of arthritis but except for menstrual cramps and sometimes acne I was in fantastic condition.

1978 Augsburg, Germany

Deborah Ann Palmer U.S. Army 1977-1981

During my late 30s and early 40s I had the strength and energy to earn my BA in English from Marymount Manhattan College. I Was Powerful!!

Marymount Manhattan College 2002 Graduation photo

Fast forward to Nov. 2008 — Stroke. Actually I probably was having small strokes beginning at age 47. My vision was off and but I still continued to drive and made believe that I was okay. At the time I was unemployed so No health insurance therefore No doctors. Jan. 2008 I started working at the museum and had a stroke while at work. My bosses forced me to go to the hospital. I lost most of the vision in my left eye. I won’t go into the ugly details.

This was the end of my Agility.

Either last week or two weeks ago I was nearly pushed down the subway steps. This is one of my greatest fears since I have very poor depth perception. Usually when I get off the train I wait for the maddening crowds to go up the stairs first. Actually this near fall down the subway steps occurred when I was going down the steps not up but either way I leave early for work then step to the side because people are always in a mad rush! Also now I have shortness of breath so I need to rest before going up or down stairs/steps.

Over the years I’ve come to hate all stairs and steps. My ideal dream would be to live in a place with just ramps or on one level. The Aging process is slowly but surely taking away my ability to do the things I want to do. Therefore the older I get the less I socialize and tend to stay home on weekends especially in the winter when falling is a major concern. Next month I’ll be 59 and I will be staying safe at home!

The Death of Agility.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Teddy Bears, Dolls, Toys

On June 24, 2017June 24, 2017 By dancingpalmtreesIn 2002 Graduation from Marymount Manhattan College, Army, Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Teddy Bears, Dolls, Toys, Marymount Manhattan College, My Furry Feline Friend aka Sylvester, Sylvester, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Veteran5 Comments

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Teddy Bears, Dolls, Toys

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Teddy Bears, Dolls, Toys

Cee's Fun Foto Challenge

June 20, 2017 Cee Neuner

This series I call Photo Ops In Your Own House. This week the topic is Teddy Bears, Dolls, Toys.

The Black Raggedy Ann & Andy are from my Army Days. I had them made for me and requested they be Black. You can see a Star Trek Bear and a white Teddy bear all the way in the back to the right. I received the Graduation Teddy Bears when I graduate Cum Laude from Marymount Manhattan College May 2002.

The small Graduation Teddy Bear was given to me by my brother Stephen. He was able to attend my Graduation Ceremony at Alice Tully Hall which is part of the Met Opera. The rest of the Graduation bears were given to me by my co-workers from my former job. I remember coming to work and seeing my desk filled with Graduation Teddy Bears.

It was a touching moment capping 8 years of hard work. I went back to school when I was 36 after my Dad died. Then during the course of my time in school my Mom passed away. I was working full-time and going to school after work and on weekends. Yes I was and still am proud of this accomplishment.

The song you here featured in the video is There is No Me Without You by The Manhattans. I had the pleasure and privilege of seeing them perform Live when I was stationed in Germany. That would have been around 1978 or 1979.

The Good, the bad and Reality Check

On October 2, 2016October 2, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn The Good, the bad and Reality Check, Uncategorized, V.A. Hospital, Veteran's Adminstration12 Comments

The Good, the bad and Reality Check

Yesterday I received my Marymount Manhattan College 2017 Reunion Weekend reminder invitation for the Class of 2002! 🙂 Can’t believe 15 years have passed so quickly since my graduation!! Wow!! Time is really moving at a fast pace!!

The Following is an email form my brother Stephen. This really made my day and brought me tears of Joy as I’ve had a particularly horrendous work week. No sooner than I get back to work from my Lovely vacation than a co-worker who has it in for me is filing accusations against me and 3 other co-workers charging us with harassment and physically pushing her. Of course it’s not true but my workplace which is already horrible is about to get 1000 times worse. Job = Hell + Dante’s Inferno. But again there is nothing I can do. Because this person’s life is all screwed up she is doing her best to make the rest of us miserable.

Stephen’s words gave me the pick me up and happiness I need to go on in Life. At least I know Stephen Loves me if nobody else does. My brother Stephen is such an Amazing Autism Guy!!

Stephen’s Awesome Email Message!!!

“Hi sister how are you doing today . I had a good day at program today , I draw and colored with my peers, I also helped with the paper work in the class room . After i went to lunch, it was good i really enjoyed lunch time with my friends. I wanted to know if you still have the drawing of the picture i made.”

Sent my reply to Stephen right away and perhaps when he returns to program I will receive an answer sometime next week. I have no idea what picture Stephen is talking about but I asked him to make several more pictures for me and I will add them to our ongoing photo/picture collage project.

Real Life Reality Check

As for the Stephen’s clothing situation which I discussed in previous emails I spoke with the Director of his Group Home Residence while I was on vacation. He said he would email me an inventory of all Stephen’s belongings. Well a week has passed since I returned to work from my vacation and no inventory. Since I don’t drive and can’t afford a cab or taxi to get over there I suppose I will never find out what exactly is going on.

I did contact other agencies that are supposed to oversee and/or monitor group homes but they told me that there was nothing they could do and had no wish to become involved in our case. I’m not supposed to make or take personal calls on my job plus I think my phone is about to be cut-off because I don’t have money to pay the bill.

Before T-Mobile disconnects me I must get in touch with the Veteran’s Administration. The V.A. did call me back this past week but by the time I get home they are closed. I also received some type of VA health care card in the mail so I guess that’s a form of progress. Next goal is to set up an appointment with the local V.A. health care facility to see if they can help me with my medical problems.

I suppose this is one of those Life’s Lessons where one has to admit defeat. I finally had to admit to myself I can no longer fulfill many of my responsibilities. It’s physically impossible for me to hold down a full-time job which requires me to work very long hours, keep up with what’s going on in Stephen’s Residence plus attempt to take care of myself.

I’m not a machine with replaceable parts or a robot who can just plow through obstacles. I’m a human being whose body has begun to betray me. The aging process is no joke!

In the back of my mind I knew I was failing but did not want to admit it. As humans we Love to Lie to Ourselves that we are powerful, strong, capable and ready to take on any challenge. Well that’s not always the case. When I was younger, with a flexible well paying job and in better health yeah I could do whatever I set my mind to. Recently over these past few months reality slapped me upside my head and reminded me of all my numerous failures. However I know in my heart, soul and mind I did the best I could but sometimes one’s best is not good enough.

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Lots of times Life Sucks. This is one of those times.

SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 16

On April 18, 2016 By dancingpalmtreesIn Camera, Photographs, Photography, SHARE YOUR WORLD – 2016 WEEK 16, Uncategorized13 Comments

https://ceenphotography.com/2016/04/18/share-your-world-2016-week-16/

With your answers, please remember we are in the SYW world and which may not always match our reality.

Announcement: Since WordPress pingbacks are not working properly right now, I would recommend you add a comment with your post link.

If you had to have your vision corrected would you rather: glasses or contacts? Or what do you use if you need to have your vision corrected?

I currently wear glasses. I had retina surgery on my Left eye in Jan. 2018. Prior to that due to a minor stroke caused by extreme high blood pressure I could only see gray, light and dark. After the operation I was able to see some details. Now the sight is once again worsening in that eye but I have neither the time nor the money to return to the eye doctor. Fortunately the brain has a mental map of everything we have seen from birth so it fills it what should be there. I just rely on my right eye. No glasses or contacts could really help me. I need a miracle from God.

If you had to describe your day as a traffic sign, what would it be?

Detour

Was school easy or difficult for you? How so?

K-12 was not exactly easy. I excelled in English and History. It would have been better if all math courses could have been avoided. I hate math. Always have. Always will. I suck at math. Red marks and F’s in every math course. If not for the New York State Regents exam I would have never graduated from High School. I have a math block.

College was great. Hooray and Cheers for Marymount Manhattan College!! Lots of work and challenges but I Loved every minute of it except those stupid dreaded math courses. My Chinese friends at my previous workplace helped me. Those Ladies were brilliant at math and they also had plenty of patience because when it comes to numbers I’m stupid and thick as a brick. Thank goodness in the over 40 years I’ve been in the work force I’ve never used algebra or geometry. Both were a total waste of time.

Would you rather take a 1 or 2 week vacation with an organized tour or take a cruise of your choice?

Both! Two weeks. One devoted to an organized tour the other on a cruise. Took a cruise back in 2004 and Loved it! Had a Wonderful time!

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

Grateful that my African co-worker had a healthy baby girl. Her name is Laura Destiny! Looking forward to next weekend, good warm weather and more photography opportunities!!

The Daily Post Phobia, Shmobia Public Speaking

On September 16, 2015 By dancingpalmtreesIn Marymount Manhattan College, Phobia, Public Speaking, The Daily Post15 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Phobia, Shmobia.”

Phobia, Shmobia

Fears evolve over time. What is one fear you’ve conquered?

Public Speaking. I was terrified of public speaking but in my last job as a manager at a major non-profit I was forced to overcome that fear when the Executive Vice President told me that I was going to give a presentation regarding a proprietary software our company had developed to the city agency that was funding the project. Actually it was a presentation and training in one. When she told me about the presentation of course I said yes and smiled because she was my boss but inside I was quaking like a volcano ready to explode. At first I was thinking of ways to get out of the task then I realized that would not bode well for my career so I buckled down, made a study of the software which was a social services database, created training materials, and dived right in.

When the day of reckoning came I did so well that the higher ups at the city agency came up to me, complimented me and one even said he wished I was working for his city agency! Wow!! Way to go me! A few years later after deciding to return to college for my Bachelor’s degree I had to take a Public Speaking class. Even though it was my job to give in-house and external software trainings the class still made me nervous. However the professor did her best to put everyone at ease and when she saw you had did your homework and were giving the speeches your best she would work with you. I received a B grade in this class.

MMC 2002 Graduation

Now in my current job as a security guard at an art museum I deal with the public every day. No I don’t give speeches but this position has enabled me to step up my communications and customer service skills. Not only must I know the layout of the building and where everything can be found patrons often expect security officers to know something about the art also. In some cases I can provide them with information on the various artworks but if I don’t know I can suggest they take one of the many Free Tours the museum offers. You really have to think on your feet because you deal with visitors from all parts of the world and many different cultures. In fact if giving museum tours were a Paid Union job as opposed to a volunteer position done by docents, I would gladly jump on the bandwagon because I know nearly as much if not more than many of the tour guides. Even though I majored in English I really enjoy art and am constantly trying to self-educate myself on different art genres and styles either by reading books or watching videos about the world’s great artists.

So I’ve come a long way from that petrified young woman who thought she was going to faint in front of an audience. Now I’m a mature self-confident older woman who is happy to help people by sharing knowledge and insight on subjects I love.