Update for Everyone VII: Insert Something Philosophical Sounding Here

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

found out today that earlier this week, a cousin's 15-yr old daughter died. seems to have been a suicide.    her family did not know she was struggling.

only knew her from fb and when her aunt and uncle spoke about her, but in any case I'm saddened and a bit shook and really feeling bad for them and her family.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

found out today that earlier this week, a cousin's 15-yr old daughter died. seems to have been a suicide.    her family did not know she was struggling.

only knew her from fb and when her aunt and uncle spoke about her, but in any case I'm saddened and a bit shook and really feeling bad for them and her family.

My condolences.

found out today that earlier this week, a cousin's 15-yr old daughter died. seems to have been a suicide.    her family did not know she was struggling.

only knew her from fb and when her aunt and uncle spoke about her, but in any case I'm saddened and a bit shook and really feeling bad for them and her family.

I'm sorry to hear that, shua.

Thank you.

Scott I'm glad things are looking more hopeful for you.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Made the mistake of having drinks with my family. They decided this was the best moment to talk about my grandma's Alzheimer's and how it's so bad she likely won't recognize us within the next year. And to bring up how heavily it runs on my grandpa's side and he might end up like that too. My chest hurts from holding back how much it hurt to hear it out loud from everyone else.

So sorry to hear that.   Do you see your grandparents often?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

My cat died on Saturday. Buried her today.  Knew her for 13 years, ever since she was a few months old & hanging around when I moved into my own place and I was able to take her in. She'd been dealing with chronic illness for the past couple years that was often a struggle to manage, so it wasn't completely unexpected something like this would happen at some point.  But it's so surreal, like I'm doubting that it really finally happened. I took care of her the best I knew how, but I keep feeling like I dropped the ball.  I love her so much.   All my habits suddenly feel out of place and I need to make a change to be sane but I'm not sure what or where or how.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

My cat died on Saturday. Buried her today.  Knew her for 13 years, ever since she was a few months old & hanging around when I moved into my own place and I was able to take her in. She'd been dealing with chronic illness for the past couple years that was often a struggle to manage, so it wasn't completely unexpected something like this would happen at some point.  But it's so surreal, like I'm doubting that it really finally happened. I love her so much.   All my habits suddenly feel out of place and I need to make a change to be sane but I'm not sure what or where or how.

I'm so sorry for your loss, shua

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.

Thank you

i've been finding some comfort in imaging her in the arms of the Good Shepherd

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Somehow I took leave of my sense and decided to trust the government to not foul up something important.

My parents have been paying for my health insurance, but this year I had the bright idea to try and save them a bunch of money by applying to Medicaid. The healthcare.gov website told me I'm supposedly eligible, but this is the first year of the expanded program here and I haven't been able to get an answer from the state as to if or when I'd hear back from them. (I tried calling last week but they told me they had a computer glitch in the system and couldn't tell me my status)   And if for some reason I'm denied or my plan is completely worthless, it will be too late to get private insurance unless I can get a special exemption.  So I could be going without health insurance for at least part of the year.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Behold the ultimate rust

Very cool.   Did you find it just like that?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

My grandmother just passed away. We knew it would happen eventually, since her health has been deteriorating rapidly lately, but I'm still in complete shock. I was really close to her, and this is really hard to process for me right now.

Sorry to hear that.     It's tough to lose someone like that though you can appreciate that you were able to have a close relationship with her.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Last year I started thinking seriously (again) about pursuing grad school in psychology or a related field.  So this Spring I began taking classes at ODU to get some more psych credits.  It's been harder though than when I was last taking classes a decade or more ago in terms of focus and time management. Hopefully I can sort of get the hang of it again.  But academic work has always given me plenty of anxiety. Somehow I managed to get a BA from a prestigious college in less than 5 years, though I had some emotional breakdowns along the way, looking back I don't know how I did it.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Does anybody know how to treat chronic fatigue?  I've been exercising more and eating healthier lately, but I'm still exhausted all the time and it's killing me.  I normally get 8-9 hours of sleep each night, too, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.  I'm thinking about talking to my psychiatrist about it, but I'm afraid he'll pull my Xanax or antidepressants (Paxil/Lyrica), or my Ambien which I actually need to fall asleep.  My whole body's a mess.

Xanax can definitely do that to you.  Could be something else too though.  Do you have a primary care doctor you can see? (  I keep forgetting to make an appointment with mine. I really need to)

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I've been thinking a lot about becoming a devout Christian lately. I don't yet plan on converting, and even if I did I most certainly would not be doing it now, but if I wouldn't be surprised at all if I was a Church going Methodist in 5-10 years time.

Any particular reason for Methodist instead of some other denomination?

I am interested in knowing his reasoning too as the UMC appears more likely than ever now to enter the beginning stages of a schism.

A) Well, I don't know a huge deal about the Theological differences between the various Christian denominations, but of the little I do know, Methodism seems to line up best with what I believe.

B) Regarding the comments on the UMC; I'm not actually from Virginia (the avatar is D-VA so my nickname and avatar match), I'm from Canada, so if I do ever end up becoming a Methodist it's rather unlikely it would be under the UMC.

Since the UMC is a global organization, you would be.  The UMC in North America is generally pro-LGBT whereas the growing African and Filipino churches are overwhelmingly opposed.  Last month the General Assembly rejected resolutions calling for more tolerance toward LGBT congregants/clergy and passed a plan that steered the Church towards a more hardline stance on the issue.

I'm Episcopalian (formerly UCC), so I don't have much experience with Methodism beyond what I've read about it.  Kingpoleon (and I believe shua?) are fairly devout Methodists and can probably tell you more.

Yes I'm a Methodist so I'd be glad to answer any questions if I can.

The UMC mainly exists in the US and in places with a historical missionary connection to the US churches.  Canadian Methodists have other denominations.  Most Methodists I think merged with the United Church of Canada decades ago, but there are also independent Methodist organizations.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I've been thinking a lot about becoming a devout Christian lately. I don't yet plan on converting, and even if I did I most certainly would not be doing it now, but if I wouldn't be surprised at all if I was a Church going Methodist in 5-10 years time.

Any particular reason for Methodist instead of some other denomination?

I am interested in knowing his reasoning too as the UMC appears more likely than ever now to enter the beginning stages of a schism.

A) Well, I don't know a huge deal about the Theological differences between the various Christian denominations, but of the little I do know, Methodism seems to line up best with what I believe.

B) Regarding the comments on the UMC; I'm not actually from Virginia (the avatar is D-VA so my nickname and avatar match), I'm from Canada, so if I do ever end up becoming a Methodist it's rather unlikely it would be under the UMC.

Since the UMC is a global organization, you would be.  The UMC in North America is generally pro-LGBT whereas the growing African and Filipino churches are overwhelmingly opposed.  Last month the General Assembly rejected resolutions calling for more tolerance toward LGBT congregants/clergy and passed a plan that steered the Church towards a more hardline stance on the issue.

I'm Episcopalian (formerly UCC), so I don't have much experience with Methodism beyond what I've read about it.  Kingpoleon (and I believe shua?) are fairly devout Methodists and can probably tell you more.

Yes I'm a Methodist so I'd be glad to answer any questions if I can.

The UMC mainly exists in the US and in places with a historical missionary connection to the US churches.  Canadian Methodists have other denominations.  Most Methodists I think merged with the United Church of Canada decades ago, but there are also independent Methodist organizations.

I wasn't aware of this.  So presumably the African and Filipino churches have stronger connections to the US missionaries rather than British ones, hence their influence over the UMC?

Filipino yes definitely.   In Africa it depends on the country and whether or not it was ever a British colony .  In Africa as a whole I believe there are even more members of various Methodist churches descended from British missionaries than African members of the UMC. 

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

my recycling pile has become a roach amusement park

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Peebs maybe you can try and find something in your life you can value and put your energy into that doesn't revolve around your body or how people look at you.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I see the concept of the run-on sentence is also unfamiliar to you.

I see the concept of disproving what I say is also lost on you

I see the concept of this thread is lost on both of you.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

I see the concept of the run-on sentence is also unfamiliar to you.

I see the concept of disproving what I say is also lost on you

I see the concept of this thread is lost on both of you.

Meh, I apologies for that.

no worries

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

My mother passed away this past Saturday Morning and I found out the news in the middle of the Ozarks as I was driving home from Dallas. I was nearly paralyzed in the middle of the Ozarks unable to drive for nearly seven hours but I was able to make it back to St. Louis.

Kidney failure and cardiac arrest concurrently.

I am very devastated.

I'm very sorry to hear that Jimmy
Was she sick for a long time?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Feeling frustrated right now because it seems like in a lot of different ways I'm waiting to hear back from people, or waiting for someone to figure something out, so that I can take the next step, and I don't know if I should be doing something to help make it happen, or if I should just assume certain things will or won't happen and act accordingly.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Feeling frustrated right now because it seems like in a lot of different ways I'm waiting to hear back from people, or waiting for someone to figure something out, so that I can take the next step, and I don't know if I should be doing something to help make it happen, or if I should just assume certain things will or won't happen and act accordingly.

If this is about anything involving romance (which I honestly know little about), my best advice to you, unfortunately, would be to accept any form of "ghosting" as a rejection and move on.  My philosophy is that if the person isn't into you, or doesn't show it, then your best bet is to come to terms with it and look for other fish in the sea.

Your post wasn't specific enough, so that's all I got.

No, but that's a very interesting interpretation, hadn't thought of that!

It's a few different things, but a big part has to do with being on a waiting list to see a certain therapist who seems like he'd be really good, but the wait has far exceeded the estimated time they told me so I don't know what the deal is.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

https://pilotonline.com/business/consumer/article_bced7f48-b209-11e9-8421-1ba4b3db44f7.html?fbclid=IwAR3jhR__zHAiH98FsopDTpY8vru_Dhp2fT9niS87wn0gnAQl6nfX3-zOfzk

I love this video store, I'm so sad to see it close.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

No way, my old scoutmaster is being interviewed on MSNBC in Delray. Apparently he’s a city commissioner now. Cool dude, can’t believe I missed all that when I was up in Tally.

Cool.   My cubmaster was elected to the Virginia Senate.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

My brother's best friend died of an overdose today. I'm pretty upset. It's frightening because I know my brother will be next if he doesn't get off that poison. Of course I'm also mourning the departed, whom I knew and liked, but the fact that what his family is going through today is what my family might go through later is something that is really haunting.

He was a good guy, I honestly thought he was more likely to make it than my brother. He functioned well, even when he was using, and he seemed to be able to quit cold turkey for weeks or months at a time in a way that my brother couldn't.

sorry to hear that.  prayers for your bro.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Just got officially diagnosed with bipolar one. No more stoner Sanchez

They don't let you be a stoner if you're bipolar?

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

A potential family emergency may take over half of my holiday time. My grandfather (on my mom's side, we call him Pop) had a heart attack and choking episode 2 days ago. Apparently, his trach tube (he had throat cancer before I was born thanks to heavy smoking, doctors gave him only months to live back in the 80's) got clogged up with something. He managed to call 911. Seems like his health, both mental and physical, has been deteriorating quickly since then.

I don't have too much of a relationship with him since my mom has cut off a lot of her family. The majority of them are crazy. My aunt killed herself almost 4 years ago now, and my uncle has been doing meth the past couple of months, if not years. He hasn't recovered since opening a gym a few months before the recession and losing nearly everything.

Sorry, went off on a tangent there. Anyway, the last time I saw Pop was 6 years ago. We were on our way to Key West and met up with him at Punta Gorda airport. All I hear about him is how he keeps sending my mom racist sh!t like re:re:re:re:re: OBAMA IS A MUSLIM N****R or some such bs. Anyway, we may have to take a week to go down there. It'll probably be our last chance to see him. Both my parents and I really would rather not do it, but like I said, it's probably our last chance.

Sounds tough.  Hope the trip goes alright.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Someone had the bright idea of making the street I live on one-way all of a sudden, I guess because driving around the neighborhood isn't enough of a hassle.