I want to start by saying "Thank You" to all of my wonderful supporters out there. I wouldn't have the strength, conviction or faith to keep on moving towards my dream if I didn't have you. Every week I get emails from my blogging family asking how things are going. But like my momma taught me "If you don't have anything good to day, Don't say nothin' at all". Sooooooo, I'm not being secretive, I just don't want to bring you down.
The reality of the situation is this. The medical bills for my pup Mr. Mooney, and the cost of staying in one place long enough to have is paralysis treated has drained all my funds. So, NOW I HAVE TO FIND A JOB HERE!
I know, it sucks, it's depressing, it's making me miserable, but he is worth it. So, I'm plugging away, getting my life in order and still selling my stuff and packing - EVERY SINGLE DAY!
So, thanks for all the kind words and keep them coming...
CAUSE I'M GONNA BE LIVING THE DREAM - KEY WEST!
So just for you, here is the Key West Inspirational Song of the Day:
Stand By Me - Playing for Change
It makes me cry every time I watch this video. People playing one song, together, all over the world - ONE LOVE!
Key West Print and Keep of the Day: From Completely Coastal. My favorite Coastal Inspiration Blog EVER! . She has made some wonderful, beachy, coastal signs to print out for FREE. Here is the one I chose. (Of course being Sunny and all!)
Sorry I have posted anything lately. It's not like I didn't want to. But I believe that if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything. So, instead of bringing everyone down with my reality, I just took a break.
So to get started off on the right foot...
Today's Key West Inspirational Video -Key West Address by James T. Slater
Now that I got your rump shakin', here is the NOT so fun stuff.
Stress - The Silent Killer
This life events scale is based on the theory that good and bad events in a person’s life can increase stress levels.
Here’s how to use the scale.
If an event has taken place in your life in the last 12 months, copy the number beside the event.
If a particular event has happened to you more than once within the last 12 months, multiply the value (number beside the life event) by the number of occurrences.
Add them up to obtain the total score.
For example, in the last 12 months if you have experienced the death of a spouse (100) and a personal injury (53) your total would be 153.
Death of a spouse 100
Divorce 73
Marital Separation 65
Jail term 63
Death of a close family member 63
Personal injury or illness 53
Marriage 50
Fired at work 47
Marital reconciliation 45
Retirement 45
Change in health of family member 44
Pregnancy 40
Sex difficulties 39
Gain of a new family member 39
Business readjustments 39
Change in financial state 38
Death of a close friend 37
Change to different line of work 36
Change in number of arguments with spouse 35
Mortgage over $ 50,000 31
Foreclosure of mortgage 30
Change in responsibilities at work 29
Son or daughter leaving home 29
Trouble with in-laws 29
Outstanding Personal achievements 28
Spouse begins or stops work 26
Begin or end school 26
Change in living conditions 25
Revision of personal habits 24
Trouble with boss 23
Change in work hours or conditions 20
Change in residence 20
Change in school 20
Change in recreation 19
Change in religious activities 19
Change in social activities 18
Loan less than 50,000 17
Change in sleeping habits 16
Change in number of family get-togethers 15
Change in eating habits 15
Single Person Living Alone 14
Vacation 13
Holidays 12
Minor violation of laws 11
What’s Your Score?
Add all your numbers together to get the total. The higher the number, the higher your stress level.
Your level of susceptibility to illness, disease and mental health problems increases with stressful events happening in your life.
Every time you have a change in your life, you need to adapt, regain stability and therefore maintain health.
The higher your score, the more effort and diligence you will need to relieve stress and tension.
Here’s how you determine your score for the stressful life events list:
Low - if your score is Below 149
Mild - if your score is Between 150-200
Moderate - if your score is Between 200-299
High - if your score is Above 300
How did you do with the Stressful Life Events List? If your score put you in the moderate to high range, then you need to address your stress level--right away.
You are in danger of having stress affect your overall health--and it may be already interfering with your abilities to function normally and handle everyday issues.
It is very important that you develop a personal stress management plan, and get to work right away to reduce stress and tension in your life!
MY SCORE IS 669!
ISN'T THAT CRAZZZEEEEE?
But you know what? I'm happy! (I'm not happy that I have had that much stress), but I mean I AM HAPPY! I'm a happy person to begin with, so it isn't that hard for me. All I have to do is go to my "Happy Place" in my head and I can make myself put it all in perspective.
Here is one of my Happy Places!
This Dog Beach in Key West - Photo by Chris Rehm
Doesn't that look lovely? I can bike down to the beach, take Mr. Mooney in my basket and get both of us some Rest & Relaxation!
It's located right next door to Louie's Backyard at 700 Waddell, on Higgs Beach. As far as I know, it's the only beach you can take your dog to.
So, I found this picture last week, and now I can't remember who sent it to me, who took it or even, who it is, but you have to see this! (If you know any of the above, let me know!)
Key West Sunset Picture of the Day:
This was taken last night by Connie Smoot aboard the Topsail Schooner Wolf. Isn't it lovely too?
Key West Work-Out of the Day:
Hula-Hooping on the Beach. Jill Cassell is having fun Hooping on White Street Pier.
The planning, the stress, the organization needed to move across the Country has been overwhelming. So I have not posted as often as I would like.
I live in a city/suburban sprawl that covers 460 square miles. AND I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE.
We have 6 police sub-stations.
THE FREEWAYS ARE A NIGHTMARE!
This is what I had to drive through everyday, twice a day to get to my job. Subsequently, earlier this month, I was FIRED from said job, because I was 5 minutes late for work. My office was only 15 miles away and I was spending 1 hour and 15 minutes MINIMUM, to get TO & FROM work everyday.
This is the actually route I drove through.
I WAS LOSING MY MIND. (Actually, I had to take Valium before I left work everyday in order to drive home).
(From Wikipedia) Rapid growth in San Antonio has resulted in the original highway becoming quickly inadequate, resulting in the highway being in perpetual construction and expansion. In the 1980s the portion just northwest of downtown was reconstructed to add a double deck feature to expand the freeway to five lanes in each direction. In 1990, the interstate had only two lanes in each direction from Loop 1604 to where the double deck freeway begins near downtown. Recent construction has expanded the freeway to five lanes in each direction from just outside the I-410 loop all the way into downtown. The I-10/I-410 interchange was reconstructed into a four-level stack interchange.[4]
So I am trading it all in for this...
On an island that is only 6 square miles, my primary mode of transportation is going to be this...
