Tag: Stephen

Thirteen Reasons Why I’m Happy

Published on by dancingpalmtrees19 Comments

 

 

https://terrymcnude.wordpress.com/2017/04/16/thirteen-reasons-why/

Thirteen Reasons Why Challenge

#13reasonswhyimhappy

 

  1. I’m Alive. I woke up this Morning.

  2. I’m in reasonably good health.

  3. I have a job with wonderful co-workers and supervisors.

  4. I have a nice place to live.

  5. I have food to eat.

  6. I have clothes to wear.

  7. I’m Blessed to be the Sister of the Most Awesome Autism Guy in the World My Brother Stephen Vincent Palmer.

  8. I served my country and am a United States Army Veteran

  9. I was able to earn my B.A. in English Literature

  10. I’m in my right mind. At least most of the time.

  11. I Live in the Greatest City in the World the Big Apple aka New York City.

  12. God made me a Beautiful Dark-Skinned Black Woman.

  13. My God given gifts/talents for Writing and Photography

  14. Bonus Blessing my cat Sylvester.

 

Stephen’s Special Olympics Days
Stephen’s Special Olympics Days
Stephen’s Special Olympics Days
Stephen as Robin Hood October 30, 2015
Stephen as Scarecrow
Stephen, Me & Daddy 1977
Me and My brother Stephen December 1961
My Brother Stephen standing next to a Kehinde Wiley painting at the Brooklyn Museum
DeBorah & Stephen 1961
Stephen with his favorite candy M&Ms at AABR.

 

#13reasonswhyimhappy

 

Sylvester Bright Eyes
Sylvester
Sylvester in my old Laundry Bag
Sylvester aka Undercover Kitty
Sylvester on Rumpled Bed
Sylvester
Sylvester Cat Yoga on the bed

 

https://dancingpalmtrees.com/2017/06/01/sophisticated-lady-bringing-back-sexy/

Share Your World – May 15, 2017

Published on by dancingpalmtrees8 Comments

https://ceenphotography.com/2017/05/15/share-your-world-may-15-2017/

 

Share Your World – May 15, 2017

share-your-world-syw

May 15, 2017 Cee Neuner

How many languages do you you speak?

One. English. I do speak Spanish but very badly. My Hispanic friends are always encouraging me to learn to speak better and are very willing to help me improve my Spanish.

What are you reading, watching, listening to, eating?

Dr. G. ~~ Medical Examiner.

What was the last photo you took with your phone?

Since I’m off this week I’m doing a cleanse. My stomach always seems to be bloated and distended so I’ve changed my eating habits plus I’m taking Metamucil.  The bloating causes lots of pain. In the past it has gotten so bad that I was hospitalized and being in the hospital is something I wish to avoid. Fortunately in 2016 I did not have to go to the hospital even once which was a real achievement.

What is your favorite time of day?

Anytime that I get to sleep. Seriously both daytime and nighttime have benefits.

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

I’m grateful to be on vacation so I can work on some issues with my brother Stephen’s Group Home Residence. I’m devoting my vacation time to finding answers and solutions for the ongoing issues at his Residence. This past Friday I attended an important meeting at Stephen’s Training Center.  More or less Vacation for me is just time off to work on all the other problems that I can’t fix while I’m at work. Actually my vacations tend to be working vacations. Going away does not enter into the picture.

Sad to say I don’t really think in terms of “grateful for” or “Looking Forward to” as the only thing that matters is what I gotta do to survive and to take care of my brother Stephen.  There are many things I’m grateful for but in my case I just put myself on Robot mode so I can take care of business.

In fact if possible I might call in to my supervisors to see if I can come into work for overtime. I need the money. Those terms are not options for me as I’m always either on my grind or putting out fires for responsibilities that nobody else can take care of except me.  My wants, desires, dreams and goals faded out of the picture long ago.  Real Life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

Published on by dancingpalmtrees10 Comments

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms including Pet Mommies!

 

Happy Mother’s Day in Heaven to Our Mom Mable Elizabeth Palmer.

Love DeBorah and Stephen

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share Your World – May 8, 2017

Published on by dancingpalmtrees11 Comments

 

 

Share Your World – May 8, 2017

Share Your World – May 8, 2017

share-your-world-syw

May 8, 2017 Cee Neuner

When you’re alone at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?

Socks and Slippers. I never go barefoot.

What was your favorite food when you were a child?

Chocolate. Seriously, My Mom’s pot roast and mashed potatoes. Comfort food.

Are you a listener or talker?

I used to be more of a talker but I have been trying to train myself to be more of a listener.

Favorite thing to (pick one):  Photograph?  Write? Or Cook?

Photograph.

What is the easiest way for your to learn something new?  By reading, by seeing and doing, in a classroom?

Hmmm…. This question was on last week’s Share your World so I will give the same answer as I gave last week.

Doing. I am a

Kinesthetic Learner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning

I can read about something or have someone explain the process to me but unless I perform the task hands on it won’t stick. As for the Classroom which seems eons ago I would say I did well in every subject except Math. I have a math block. No amount of doing or explaining ever helped me. College was a different story. I excelled in College. I made the Deans List in 1999 and Graduated with a 3.6 GPA in May 2002.

 

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

Grateful that I was able to Celebrate my brother Stephen’s 56th Birthday. We had fun going to the movies to see The Fate of the Furious and visiting the American Museum of Natural History as well as the New York Historical Society.

 

Stephen and the Titanosaur

 

Looking forward to this coming Friday when I have another week of Vacation!!  This time I might actually do something for me which is really rare!!


♡

Me and Baby Bro' 1961

Share Your World – May 1, 2017

Published on by dancingpalmtrees7 Comments

 

 

 

Share Your World – May 1, 2017

Share Your World – May 1, 2017

share-your-world-syw

May 1, 2017 Cee Neuner

 

Picture from Cee Neuner

Would you rather live where it is always hot or always cold?

Always Hot!! My Ancestors were from Africa and I suffer during the cold, freezing icy New York winters.

Some of my neighbors do not believe in either shoveling the snow or salting the ice. Falling is a real issue. Many of my co-workers have fallen and broken bones resulting in them missing several weeks from the job.

Skin was actually peeling off my arms and legs last winter. It was extremely painful. Until I discovered the benefits of Coconut Oil for my hair, scalp and skin my hair actually broke off and fell out of my head!!  Therefore I need heat full-time. My skin is now back to normal and my hair grows faster in hot weather.

Do you prefer long hair or short hair for yourself? 

Personally I think I look better with long hair. The photo you see as my Avatar is my College Graduation photo. At that time my hair was in locs that were waist length. I could actually sit on my hair. Added bonus: Guys like long hair. Got lots of compliments from men.

DAP2002MMCGrad
2002 Graduation Marymount Manhattan College

However Long hair requires more grooming and care so in recent years I’ve kept my Afro either cut short or allowed it to grow only to Medium length.  I would still like it to grow longer. Perhaps shoulder length just so I could get a variety of styles.  Wearing my hair natural I still get compliments from the Brothers. Most Black Men prefer Women to wear their hair natural.

Since I’m on vacation this week I’m wearing more of a Free Form Afro. Kind of a Wash ‘N’ Go. The less one manipulates Afro hair the faster it will grow. Also as I stated in a previous Blog Post I take lots of Vitamins and keep my hair moisturized at all times.

What is your favorite month of the year?  That’s a toss up between February which is my Birth Month and June which is the start of my Favorite Season Summer!! 

What is the easiest way for your to learn something new?  By reading, by seeing and doing, in a classroom?

Doing. I am a

Kinesthetic Learner

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning

I can read about something or have someone explain the process to me but unless I perform the task hands on it won’t stick. As for the Classroom which seems eons ago I would say I did well in every subject except Math. I have a math block. No amount of doing or explaining ever helped me. College was a different story. I excelled in College. I made the Deans List in 1999 and Graduated with a 3.6 GPA in May 2002.

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

I’m on vacation and my brother Stephen is with me. Stephen’s Birthday is May 3rd and he will turn 56.

Today we went to see the movie Fate of the Furious. Good movie with lots of action, car chases, stuff blowing up and fights. Stephen Loved it. This is the first film in the Fast and Furious chain without Paul Walker who sadly passed away. There is a new Member of the F & F crew, a Black British Woman. We both enjoyed this film. Tomorrow will probably be a Dinosaur Day. We will visit the American Museum of Natural History and say Greet our Dino Buddies.

I return to work next week then I go back on vacation again!!  That’s the great thing about gaining Union Seniority.  As the years pass I earn/accrue more vacation time plus I carried over vacation days from last year. There are benefits to being a Union Member! DC 37 Union Proud!!

 

Share Your World – April 24, 2017

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Share Your World – April 24, 2017

Share Your World – April 24, 2017

April 24, 2017 Cee Neuner 

share-your-world-syw

This photo is from Cee Neuner

 

Wanting something to quench your thirst, what would you drink?

My preference would be Snapple but since I must cut back on sugary drinks I just drink water or tea.

Complete this sentence:  Never In My Life Have I…. 

Hang Glide or Bungee Jump. Since I’m terrified of heights I would never do either of these things.

If you could be given any gift what would it be?

Health and Wealth.  I’m really worried about when my rent increases next November. I’m working serious overtime now just to pay my rent and bills which is not good for my health. I try to put that situation out of my mind as there is nothing I can do to change things.  Whatever happens, happens.  Rising rent is something over which I have no control.  However as those of you who have been following me for a while I’m doing my best to get control over my health. Eating better. Drinking more water. Taking Vitamin supplements and when possible getting exercise.

 

Reviv Wellness

http://revivme.com/new-york-city/

What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep, toss and turn, or get up and try to do something productive?

I work nights so I’m awake. Prior to my changing to the night shift I worked days and suffered with insomnia. I’m a chronic insomniac. I get very little sleep. Also the nature of my job (museum guard) often requires me to be up for 48 hours straight. I catch up on sleep on my days off.

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

 

I got to participate in a clothing challenge for Ladies over 50 which most of my readers saw this past weekend. Dressing up in various eclectic outfits was lots of fun and helped boost my self-esteem. It was an exercise meant to uplift our spirits. During the workweek I wear a drab blue museum guard uniform. At the job I’m just another cog in the workplace wheel of machinery. For this fun challenge I got the opportunity to express myself through fashion. I mix and match my Funky Fresh Fashion to please myself and through this expression shows that just because you’re past 50 does not mean you gotta dress drab or plain. I enjoy color because Color Pops and bright colors are uplifting.

Thank you Blogging Buddy Madelyn Griffith-Haynie!!  Please check out her blog at your next opportunity!!  She is wonderful!!

https://addandsomuchmore.com/

 

Looking forward to my vacation and Stephen’s birthday which is May 3rd. My baby brother will 56 years old.

Baby Brother then and now

 

DeBorah & Stephen 1961

 

 

 

 

 

Think before you speak

Published on by dancingpalmtrees15 Comments

 

https://faithtoraisenate.com/12-things-not-to-say-to-a-parent-of-a-child-with-special-needs-part-1/

https://faithtoraisenate.com/12-things-not-say-parent-child-special-needs-part-2

Ms. Charlene Bullard writes a blog called Faith to Raise Nate. We have been discussing inappropriate comments made by people in regards to our family members with special needs. Charlene’s son Nate is deaf/blind with Autism and of course most of you have met my brother Stephen. The catalyst for her posts was my comment to her about people asking me if my brother Stephen is like the character in the Rain Man movie.  Please go to the above links for more information. The objective of Charlene’s posts is to educate people to not make assumptions about folks with special needs.

Disabled does not mean that person is living a half-life or needs or wants your pity. 

 

Below is my comment to Charlene regarding Part Two of the Topic with some edits I made for this post.

This post is on point!! Excellent words of wisdom. As I read your advice I thought of Helen Keller who was deaf/blind and went on to live an extraordinary life.

In my experience I can understand when children ask questions because they are truly curious and want to understand. As for adults they are just plain rude and choose to be that way.

I recall an incident years ago in the museum galleries when a dwarf lady was viewing a painting and a little girl saw her. The little girl knew that the dwarf woman was not a child but obviously she was puzzled as to why and how an adult could be that short. So naturally she went over to the dwarf lady and just stared at her. You know when eyes are on you. So the dwarf woman turned around and at that point the little girl ran off. The Dwarf woman just smiled. She probably goes through this every day.

Seeing that reminded me of when I was 11 and my Dad and Aunt took us on a family vacation on Montreal, Canada back in 1970. During our vacation we met a dwarf woman who was giving tours of her parents house. Her parents were both dwarfs and the house was built to scale meaning everything was lowered to their level. Having never seen or met a dwarf before I desperately wanted to ask her why she was so short however my Dad gave me that look. The look that silently said “You’d better not say anything to embarrass me or be rude. I held my tongue. Just like back in those days dwarfs were called midgets which is a derogatory term. Later on as an adult I learned that most dwarfs or Little People have a condition called Hypochondroplasia a form of short-limbed dwarfism.

On the tour I did learn that the dwarf lady was married to a normal sized man. As for their children I never found out that information but I was taught as a child not to make fun of people and not to ask rude questions that are none of your business in the first place.  After all growing up I did not like it when the other kids in the neighborhood made fun of my brother Stephen.

Several years ago the Little People of America had a convention in New York City. Museums were on their itinerary and I saw many Little People enjoying the artwork at my museum workplace.

 

http://www.lpaonline.org/

Below is a photo taken by my Dad after our tour. You can see me, Stephen, our Aunt Helen and our gracious host.

1970MontCanada