YEARS ENDING PINK?

Flowers sent to me by
Kathy Ireland
when I was so sick
with pneumonia.

ENDING PINK? On January 2, it will be 4 years since I found the lump on my right breast. On January 28, it will be 4 years since I had surgery to remove part of my right breast and some lymph nodes. It has been a rocky 4 years, after the life-sucking tiredness of radiation and the nauseating chemo-therapy, there still is the overwhelming feeling that the cancer is coming back. I know this is not a good way to think, but sometimes you just cannot control your thoughts.

Kathy Ireland - Super Friend!

I try so hard to be positive and be the Professional Encourager that I say that I am, fights this feeling every day. Something about the word "Cancer" just changes your life in ways that people that have not been through it can not understand. For me, it was like hitting a brick wall at full speed. I was fortunate that the cancer was only very minuscule in the lymph nodes. The treatment was supposed to take care of that and I am still on the 5 year regimen of pills that is supposed to keep it from coming back.

Then, after the chemo, my mother came to visit. You know that when your mother comes to visit, especially if you haven't seen her in a while, you hire people to clean the house and the yard. The house looked great, but unfortunately, the yard guys stripped out all my beautiful Clematis vines and my Grecian urn garden (actually dragged the stones and pots into the street). Mother and I were both prolific gardeners and it made us both sick. The second day she was here, we drove to our "beach house" in NC. On the way down, I started having terrible pain in my right side. I thought it was just "air." Not so, by the time we reached the house, I was in so much pain, I could barely walk. My daughter called 911 and the Rescue Squad was there in less than 4 minutes.

They took me to the beautiful hospital in New Bern. They took many tests and determined it was pneumonia. Ten days there in the hospital went so quickly because Ray brought my computer and doped up on morphine as I was, I really got into Twitter. I became fast friends with people all over the world who ended up praying for me to get better.

Finally, I got to go home to VA. Then I checked in with my doctor here, and ended up back in Riverside Regional Medical Center with pneumonia again. Ten more days with my Twitter friends. During that time, our new pastor at First Baptist Church of Newport News VA, came to visit. He is a very kind and caring person, Pastor Dale Seley. He later told me that they were not sure I was going to make it. They had people come in and sit with me from church because I was in a private room and Ray had to work. The lovely ladies from church were wonderful.

The morphine must have been keeping me upbeat, because I don't remember feeling that I wouldn't make it. The one thing that I clung to the whole time was my love of God and knowing that no matter what happened to me personally, I would be in a good place with Him. I guess he wasn't finished with me yet, so here I am.

Looking back over the past four years, there have been many times when I have been depressed. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis from the markers on the BRACA  test for cancer. I have experienced a lot of pain, but I must always take another look at the day from a different prospective. I see so many people out there who are a lot more worse off than I am. A dear friend, Sandy Gueierre in Wilmington NC has been a great help to me. All I can tell you, is keep your faith in God; He will carry you through it all. He will be your best friend and the love of your life.


My husband, Ray, has be absolutely wonderful through all this. He is so patient with me and says "yes" to everything I want to do. He knows my heart and is truly the man that I prayed for so many years.

I have met so many people on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc. They all had a part in my life that kept me positive. Dabney Porte, my beautiful Social Media Girlfriend has been there for me the past couple of years. She always has a positive attitude, no matter who is trying to tear her down. She has been one of the rocks that I lean on. She has so much integrity, spirit, and love that I cannot imagine how anyone could ever be mean to her. Although, lately, there are a couple of sick people who are trying to destroy what she has, but they will not succeed. Any time you try to tear down others, you are the one who ends up on the bottom of the heap.

Thank you all for all the help, love, and friendship you have shown me over the past 4 years. I love you all more than you will ever know.

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!

By the way, if you like this blog,  

Please subscribe, leave a comment,

or send wheat-free cookies.

Also, be encouraged by:

http://thoughts-of-christ.blogspot.com

http://thoughts-of-harmony.blogspot.com

http://barbara-duke.blogspot.com

http://attitudeaptitude.blogspot.com

http://lionsgreenroom.blogspot.com

http://nnlions.blogspot.com

http://sweettweetslifeplan.blogspot.com

http://twitter-sweettweets.blogspot.com

http://environmentalhome.blogspot.com

Pangeo PINK

The Twitter Social Media Slumberparty last night was great. Jeff Power from Pangeo Coffee was there. Jeff works with Pangeo Coffee through the auspices of Global Hope Network International. Dabney Porte thought it would be a good time for our slumberparty to travel to Africa and see for ourselves what is going on there. Pangeo is helping villages in several African Countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, etc.,.through the sale of coffee. Take a look at their website. Maybe you would want to share some of the wealth we have here in America and purchase coffee or donate.

It was an amazing party. Gifts were won by @funtoycourt Pangeo chocolates, @jewelfry won Pangeo Coffee.

I ordered some coffee and chocolate today.

Below, I have included three villages serviced by Pangeo. If you click on the name of the village, it will take you to the whole article and more pictures. It breaks my heart to see people living like this, but Pangeo is there helping all they can. I got coffee there before and it is so aromatic and tasty. You cannot lose. Take a look and get your "giving" face on and use Pangeo as a gift for your boss, friends, etc. It would be wonderful for them and also help these people in Kenya.

@PangeoCoffee on Twitter

Shambani Village

the stakeholders meeting took place,the police officer was involved to ensure that the solar panel and other materials are safe. 

Gambella Village

Hassan addressing the parent about the dangers of early marriage of girls less than 18 years of age and alerted them to keep girls in school to avoid drop-out.

Ola Nagele Village

the story of a Kenyan village striving to transform itself

 martin is teaching women groups the wellness lessons about tuberculosis.

Dabney Porte is such a loving, kind, and sweet person of integrity, she just couldn't let the Holiday Season go by without trying to help others. We are so fortunate that we have her Social Media Girlfriends. I joined a few other women's groups, but I don't get the same feeling of family as I do with Dabs. She is one of the most positive people I know and if you have a chance, please look her up, if you haven't already. She is: @DabneyPorte on Twitter. the real DIVA of our world.

Oh, by the way, here is her Bio:  Click Bio to see.













GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

Quilting PINK

This is one of the most beautiful quilts that I have ever seen. I just had to showcase it today.  This quilt was featured in  Woman's Day Magazine. I am sure that it was made with great precision and love.

Stars of Grace

;

Joy Quilters is the group I belong to at First Baptist Church of Newport News VA are almost ready to take out quilts to the Children's Hospital for the Kings Daughters in Newport News for the children in chemo. I know from experience how cold it gets when you are having chemo. We have had another sewing machine promised to us. That will make three. It will be nice when we don't have to drag them to church every week.

We are so fortunate to live in this wonderful country, where we have the freedom to create beautiful things and are able to sell them if we want. We can give them to our children or to a museum if we wish. We do not have to work in sweat shops, but can work in the comfort of our homes. Our time is our own, most of the time anyway.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

Meeo Miia Texting Jewelry PINK

Polished ilu Heart

 Welcome to Meeo Miia! "Jewelry with a playful twist on text messaging"

My Twitter friend, @bennettdoneit (Heather Bennett) invited me to Meeo Miia Texting Jewelry Chat on Wednesday night and I won a silver charm. They have some absolutely beautiful silver jewelry. The charm to the left is the one I chose. 'ilu" stands for I love you. That has always been the most important element in my life.

I cannot wait to get it in my hot little hands. I just love chats; they are so much much fun. These special women know the value of friendship and fun. I just cannot imagine that I have not met them before. 

"Mary Elizabeth Cohen ("Mom") is the top designer for MEEO MIIA.  She’s a genuine, compassionate soul who lives a life of ease & adventure." 


You can also see Meeo Miia jewelry on Amazon and Etsy.

Clicking on the title link below will take you to their wonderful blog.

Be Impeccable with your Word

I hope you enjoy the blog site also. These are women that you want to know! 

Maybe we could talk them into sponsoring the Twitter Social Media Girlfriends#SlumberParty on a Friday night at 11 p.m. EST. I don't know if  Dabney Porte has met them but they are definitely her kind of people. Women of Integrity with a real sense of fun. Since they are in Las Vegas, that is where we could take our party one Friday night.

As Always!

            GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME! 

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

HAPPY DAY PINK!

Oh Happy Day!

Everything is coming up Roses for me (and for you). The past 3 years have whished (made-up word) by. I have prayed to feel better and that has not happened, but I don't think I feel any worse. That is GOOD! LIFE IS GOOD! GOD IS GOOD!

I have all my wonderful friends on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Pinterest, Empire Avenue, etc. I have an amazing reach. You can check out my page on Hire Influence at Barbara Duke. I have been blessed.

Recently, I spoke with someone at All Radio Network. I signed up for it, but on deeper consultation with Ray and my doctor, it was decided that it would not be a good fit for me at the present time. If they had sent me more information to begin with, I might have been able to talk them into it. I know I am a little ADHD and tend to go overboard sometimes, so for now, I will let them guide me in that area. It sounded like a great program with lots of potential, but I just do not think that it would work for me right now. I need to be quiet and do my thing and rest when possible. I really don't need anything extra. At least, that is what they tell me.

We went to Kentucky and I was able to seem my mother. She seemed alright most of the time. She just forgets a lot. Since I seem to do that too, it didn't seem to be such a big deal to me, although I do worry about her. She has some wonderful neighbors who will be able to discern if she is not doing well. My brother goes over to her house often to check on her, and she spends some time at his house.

The Christmas Holidays are fast approaching. I hope you have your shopping done (I wish I did). Christmas is just not in my head yet. Sunday will probably get it there when I hear our Advent message at church.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!  

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

No NURSING HOME FOR me PINK

No NURSING HOME FOR me!!!

No nursing home for us. We'll be checking into a Holiday Inn!
With the average cost for a nursing home care costing $188.00 per day, there is a better way when we get old and too feeble. 
I've already checked on reservations at the Holiday Inn.
For a combined long term stay discount and senior discount, it's $59.23 per night.
Breakfast is included, and some have happy hours in the afternoon.
That leaves $128.77 a day for lunch and dinner in any restaurant we want, or room service, laundry, gratuities and special TV movies.
Plus, they provide a spa, swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge and washer-dryer, etc.
Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.
$5 worth of tips a day you'll have the entire staff scrambling to help you.
They treat you like a customer, not a patient.
There's a city bus stop out front, and seniors ride free.
The handicap bus will also pick you up (if you fake a decent limp).

To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays.

For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there.
While you're at the airport, fly somewhere. Otherwise, the cash keeps building up.
It takes months to get into decent nursing homes. Holiday Inn will take your reservation today.
And you're not stuck in one place forever -- you can move from Inn to Inn, or even from city to city.
Want to see Hawaii ? They have Holiday Inn there too.
TV broken? Light bulbs need changing? Need a mattress replaced? No problem.. They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.


The Inn has a night security person and daily room service. The maid checks to see if you are ok. If not, they'll call an ambulance . . . or the undertaker.
If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Holiday Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life. 


And no worries about visits from family. They will always be glad to find you, and probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.


The grandkids can use the pool.
What more could I ask for?
So, when I reach that golden age, I'll face it with a grin.
AIDS WARNING!
To all of you approaching 50 or have REACHED 50 and past, this email is especially for you......
SENIOR CITIZENS 
ARE THE NATION'S LEADING CARRIERS OF AIDS!
HEARING AIDS 
BAND AIDS 
ROLL AIDS 
WALKING AIDS 
MEDICAL AIDS 
GOVERNMENT AIDS 
MOST OF ALL, 
MONETARY AID TO THEIR KIDS! 
Not forgetting HIV
(Hair is Vanishing)


I'm only sending this to my 'old' friends. 
I love to see you smile.

HIRE INFLUENCE PINK!

I just started a new job on Monday, November 12. I was called out of the blue the Thursday before and I accepted on the spot. Part of my job is finding networking superstars and asking them to set up a profile (still in Beta). They would like to have the best of the best to offer to clients that they will be signing up in December. It could potentially be a great benefit. Someone told him about me and he checked my Twitter followers (less than 5% were not real). That is a big plus to companies.

If you would like to be on the list, please sign up and complete the profile. The site will compile your stats on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and KRED scores. I haven't asked many personally, so you could be getting in on the ground floor. It is free.  Hire Influence and follow me at @hireinfluence (I am tweeting for them) 

The most positive thing I have received from this experience, is not the money, not the new IPad that they sent to work on, but the validation of the past three and a half years of my life. I am sure, if you are reading this, you know what I mean, but for those of you who don't, let me explain. When you tell people that you are online a lot, and have over 10K, 20K, 30K. . . .70K+ people following you on Twitter and they say "why?" Why are you on the computer all the time? Don't you have anything better to do? Are you making any money? Or, imagine the look they give you when you tell them something good that happened online. I know you have seen that look. 

People don't realize that you can have a life online. You get to know so many wonderful people that you would never have a chance to know in your everyday life. I hope that you all will support me in my efforts to stay home and work. I still cannot work outside the home. Unfortunately, people think that you need to be on the job on time and show up every day. I just cannot do that at this time. Hopefully, in the future, I may be able to. 

Check out: Hire Influence and follow me on Twitter at @hireinfluence 

You are all such wonderful people that I know you will help me in this. Thank you in advance for your help. This is the opportunity that I have been praying for and I know that God wouldn't have brought it my way unless he expects me to do well. It might also be the opportunity that God has planned for you. 

Let me know what you think.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

CHKD & Udderly Smooth Pink

Judy Gatlin, Barbara Duke, Hettie Powers Nurse, Lena Self, Nurse
Joy Quilters-First Baptist Church of Newport News VA
Quilts made for the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters

My Social Media Girlfriends understand when I have to go to quilting on Thursday afternoons. They like that I am doing something good for others. I tweet and blog pictures. The quilts go to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters for the children going through chemotherapy. They get to take them home when therapy is finished, so there is a constant need for them. Now we are making lap quilts for nursing home patients who do not have one. We have been talking about making Quilts of Valor for the soldiers in the VA Hospital in Hampton. I told them I do not really think that I can sew full time. It is quite a production on Thursday to set everything up and put it all back in the cabinet, not to mention loading things back in the car. My dream is to convert my garage into a room where I can work on them whenever I want; not just on Thursday. Sometimes, I am so tired by the time we are all set up, I have to take a break just to be able to sew. 

Here is some utterly wonderful news. Our dear friend Linda (@udderlysmooth) on Twitter showed our picture to her dad and he said to send us some Udderly Smooth to keep our hands soft while we are working on our quilts. The really good news is that Udderly Smooth doesn't come off our hands onto the fabric. The last quilt show Judy and I went to had Udderly Smooth for sale in one of the assessories booths. It certainly helps me with my Rheumatoid Arthritis. It reminds me to keep rubbing cream in. Good for my hands and helps keep them flexible. Thank you, dear friends at Udderly Smooth for thinking of us.

By the way, I could use some help. If you know of someone who would like to have me critique their product, I would love to. The one thing about this, it has to be something that I really like and would want to put my confidence in. We are trying to get Ray retired, so I have set up a fund to put any earnings in to help with that.

Ray's surgery came out well. His Rotator Cuff was a real mess and they had to do a lot more than was planned. He has a cold water machine that is velcroed to him 4 times a day to keep the swelling down. He has had a lot of pain. I think the one thing he really wants to do is get in his truck and drive. The doc says he has to wait 2 weeks, but if he is better today, he will probably drive to Williamsburg. Thursday is always the day he goes to Williamsburg. I have also been putting Udderly Smooth Extra Udder Cream on his shoulders so his skin does not dry out. Seems to be working well.

Ray and I are continuing on our wheat-free diet. We are thinking about dairy-free too, since this is making us feel so much better. I bought and downloaded the Wheat Belly book and Elizabeth Hasselbeck's Gluten-free Cookbook to my Kindle Fire. Some really good information in both books. 

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!

By the way, if you like this blog,  please

subscribe, leave a comment, or send wheat-free cookies.

Awareness PINK

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you have someone in your life that has or has had breast cancer, please say a prayer for them. I think a lot of money will be collected this month to help with this problem. I am so grateful that I am a Survivor. I am grateful that I am here for my husband, my children, and grandchildren. We have a large extended family, and I am grateful to be here if they need me also. I am so grateful for the prayers said in my name from so many people. God was listening and gave me a few more years to be here and be of service to others. There was a friend at the hospital who was having breast cancer surgery. Thankfully, it was very small, but I am still praying for her. And, I am her deacon also. The other person in my Triberr SweetTweets is Erika Diamond. She has a very interesting article in her blog that I think you would want to see: Fighting the Odds

Ray had rotator cuff surgery and it was more extensive than was planned. It all took place on Friday at Riverside Hospital. The staff there were all very nice and things went along as planned. Not sure I planned on all the work taking care of Ray. I made corn chowder today. It wasn't hard. I kind of made up the recipe and it is wonderful. Ray really liked it and he could drink it out of a cup. Tomorrow, I will add chicken and more veggies.

I sat in the waiting room at the hospital and struck up a conversation with a man named George. His mother was having some surgery. Funny, he knew a lot of people that I know, but I have never seen him before. I introduced him to Ray when we were back in the recovery room picking up our patients. I told Ray that George's parents had owned a restaurant down near the bridge and Ray knew who they were, but he had never met him either. Isn't it strange how you can come on people who know people that you know. The nurse at the reception desk when Ray was checking in looked at our address and told us that her niece lives next door to us. She had even stayed over when her niece was working the night shift and the husband was out of town. Go figure.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: l cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

I fixed my Triberr today. I got off of all the Tribes except mine (SweetTweets). I was involved with 2 other tribes and at least 60 people were getting my blog, but only about 10-14 were bothering to send it out. So, I bailed on them. I was getting pretty tired of approving theirs and hardly anyone approving mine. When I joined, I was told that everyone sent out everyone else's blogs. That is just not so. So, I have a Tribe named SweetTweets. If you would like to join my Tribe, let me know and I will send you an invitation. I have some very specific rules. I want people with good morals and integrity. There will be no quoting anyone without a reference. If you copy and paste from other people's blogs, you will be asked to leave if you do not cite your source. There will be absolutely NO plagarism. I prefer people that want to post photos to include where and why the pictures were taken and who took them. If this seems impossible to you, then you don't want to be on my tribe. Not being mean, just realistic this morning. I would love for you to be on our tribe, but since it is mine, I have the right to make the rules.

Today is Sunday:
 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24 

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

King James Bible 
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Remember PINKeee

I remember PINK all too well. We are back to October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most of you have been with me since I started this blog 3 years ago. It has been a difficult time for me and I am not sure that it will ever end. The cancer is gone, but the ravages on my body have remained. Sometimes it is very difficult to keep a positive attitude. I have mostly been able to keep my attitude on the positive side and it was due to all of you out there who read this blog and my others. You have supported me personally and emotionally. If there were times you didn't hear from me, something was going on that was too painful to write and I had to wait until I could put a positive spin on things. You have been faithful and wonderful. I enjoy the occasional comment and try to reply as soon as possible. I love you all and want to THANK YOU for being there for me these past years.

I celebrated a birthday on October 1. Aren't birthdays fun? Of course, when you get to be my age, they are still fun, but you hesitate to smile because you are afraid it will cause wrinkles. But, to keep on the positive side, smile wrinkles are much more attractive than frown wrinkles. I have never been in favor of plastic surgery or Botox, but I think I am beginning to see why some people might think it is necessary. I was reading an  article in Vogue yesterday about freezing fat, and melting fat. Not sure there is a machine large enough to accommadate my thighs. I have dimples there too. I really think they are past help. I plan to grow old gracefully. It may not be pretty, but I feel good on the inside. The good news is that I had over 300 Happy Birthdays wishes on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, maybe more. This is one of my favorites. The BEATLES  "Birthday" song via @youtube.

I have started helping a couple of ladies try to get their message out. I may be paid in the future. My deal while I a learning how to get their names out, is that if they make it big, they can take care of me in my old age. LOL! I will tell you more about them in the next post. They are so sweet and if we can do something to help them stay home with their children, Hooray for us!

Speaking of staying at home. I could use some help. I am trying to get Ray to the point that he can retire. His business is not doing as well in this time of inflation. I would like to put something on the web to sell, but I am not too sure how to do it. I am taking a course on marketing, but I still am not sure that is what I would enjoy doing. I would like it to be something that I would enjoy doing, maybe Ray could help some, and it would help others. My first priority is always to serve others. Serving Others is really the only way to truly serve God. So, if you have a wonderful idea for me, I would love to hear about it.

Something you could do to help is to subscribe to this blog and recommend it to others. I went over 70K followers on Twitter last weekend. I am so grateful for everyone who follows me. I go through each time I follow back and make sure they are "real" people, so if you would like to follow "real" people, check out the people I am following and follow them. I use Tweepi.com to clear out people who haven't been on Twitter in over 6 months. Chances are they are not coming back. I like to follow those who like to engage.

So follow me here and on
Twitter: http://twitter.com/barbaraduke
Facebook:  http://facebook.com/barbaraduke
Other blogs I have:

http://thoughts-of-christ.blogspot.com

http://thoughts-of-harmony.blogspot.com  w/CresentiWilliams

http://barbara-duke.blogspot.com

http://attitudeaptitude.blogspot.com

http://sweettweetslifeplan.blogspot.com

http://twitter-sweettweets.blogspot.com

http://environmentalhome.blogspot.com

http://lionsgreenroom.blogspot.com

http://nnlions.blogspot.com

I am writing a book also, but that is in the works and I am not ready to reveal.

Lets get Ray retired. He will be 76 soon and it is probably about time. He has been having some health problems and I think that it would take some of the stress off of him.

 If God brought you to it, He'll bring you through it

★ ♡ ♥ KINDNESS ♥ ♡ ★

Love you all. 

And if you see @DabneyPorte on line Friday, wish her a Happy Birthday!

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME

 ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD

Cancer Pink

I apologize for not writing in so long. I had a little scare. I thought I had another lump. After a mammogram and an ultrasound, it was determined that it was some scar tissue. Evidently they removed lymph nodes near to the chest wall. Needless to say, it has been an interesting couple of weeks. I thank those who knew what I was going through and prayed for me. Prayer works.

Some very exciting things have been going on. The Ricki Lake show has started and it is such a wonderful program. Ricki is at home there and everyone loves her so much. I remember her from when she was on before, but I don't remember very much because I was working then and we did not have a VCR. Now I have a DVR and can save it every day. I love the way she has integrated Social Media into the program. I also love being able to see my friends in the audience. They are all such beautiful women, inside and out.

I will be speaking about all this on my blog Barbara Duke - Professional Encourager. Please take a look on Sunday and see all the exciting things that are going on. It was so much fun and continues to be fun.

Sometimes things go so differently than you plan. Someone is maybe not the person you thought they were. I am comparing this to cancer because it can eat you up from the inside if you let some people to have access to your life. Some people are obsequious and will fool you for a while. You have a high opinion of them, you begin to genuinely care for them. Then it comes, there is something that is said or done that gives you a sick feeling. I know it sounds trite to say "rely on your gut," but many people have told me if you have that feeling, search it out.  I did this and conferred with other people, unknown to the person, and decided to end the relationship. I really wanted to end it in a good place. I did not want to fight with this person, or gossip about this person. This person seems intent on being unkind to me. I know that you have seen me write: "If you have a choice, choose kindness." I am trying, but this person doesn't seem to understand the concept. It is trying my patience sorely. Anyway, please say a prayer that I can keep this on an even keel and work it out so that no one is hurt, not even me.

Dabney says that I shouldn't let anyone steal my joy. We haven't discussed the particulars, but she is so supportive. A true friend stands behind you and holds you up when others are taking pot shots.

Love you all. Sorry for the downer today. Things can't be super all the time. Well, at least the mammogram was positive.

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!

LABOR Pink

{EAV:0fa2c863e8d44909}

Last week was intense. Ray insisted on watching every minute of the Republican Party Convention. Not that I didn't enjoy it, it does get boring after a while. I just wish I could go and vote tomorrow. I started watching the Democratic Party Convention tonight and it was even more boring. I just don't know about politicians, do they think we believe every thing they say. I do know that things in this country are in a mess. I wish they would quit blaming each other and just fix it.  They seem to want to fight over every thing so nothing gets done. Just put the money back in Social Security and leave it alone. It was not meant to be a backup for the budget. Why, if we have all this oil underneath us, are we in an energy crisis where a gallon of milk cost less than a gallon of gas? So much for that. I am getting off my soapbox for today.

We went down to NC for the weekend to see family and check out our Beach House. It rained most of the weekend but that wasn't so bad. Ray and I had a chance to relax. I had a strange week. I found a tender spot on the breast where I had the lumpectomy. I had a mammogram and a diagnostic ultrasound. Then they made a hurry up appointment with a surgeon. It turns out his father actually removed my gall bladder in the 90s. Dr Marshall Cross, what a personality. He made me feel better. He tried to contact the radiologist but he was gone for the weekend. He said that he would call me on Wednesday and if I didn't hear from him, to please call him on Friday. He asked me if that was alright and it was because he said I was probably fine, he just had a question about the way the radiologist worded something in the report. He wanted to make sure I am okay. We are praying (but I still have my wig!).

Can you believe that I fell asleep typing last night? I was so tired from cleaning and doing laundry all day. The only thing about going to NC is I usually bring home work to do. I have a Doctor's appointment this afternoon and then I have to go to church to hang up the quilts we made for CHKD chemo patients (children). The quilts are going to be part of our celebration tonight for the beginning of our new year at our family dinners and Bible study. It will be so nice to see all my regular friends and also some of the new members. We have had quite a few this past year. I may have to stop somewhere on the way to get some candy for the children tonight.

There have been a lot of things that have come to mind since I wrote my last post, but I just have to learn to write my ideas down. I am thinking about creating a blog to sell some of our personal items. I have some very nice things and the quality is just better than you see at yard sales. I have been thinking about a local site to do this. Just thinking. If you have ideas let me know. We are selling our beach house and it is full of nice things too. Too much stuff.

Got to go get ready for my exercise. Love to all!

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME-ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

FACEBOOK R US Part 2

Have you ever thought about how many hours you have been on Facebook since you joined? All I can come up with is "Countless." Did I, or you, ever pay anything to use Facebook, other than our time?" "NO!"

    I read the other day that if Facebook stock tanks any more than it has, it will be very bad for those people working there. They get a bonus for their hard work paid to them in stock. What kind of bonus is it to get something that is not worth anything. Countless people will be out of work, if the stock does not rise. 

    And, no, I do not know Mark Zuckerberg. But, to show my support for Facebook, I purchased 50 shares of stock for around $20 each ($1k) this past Monday morning. I am not saying that you should buy 50 shares, but maybe 10 or whatever you can afford. This could be our way to show Facebook our thanks for all those hours of free use. 

    There were employees who made millions in the beginning of Facebook because their stock shares rose so fast. Loads of them retired or started businesses of their own. 

    So, lets see, I am not so good with math, but what if my stock tripled in value, it would be worth 3K, or more considering it probably would not triple all at once. I am sure there is someone that could explain it better than I can. I am certainly not doing this for myself, but for those people that I would like to be able to help in this world. I believe that the only way to serve God is to serve others. If by following my lead, others are helped, so much the better. 

    My whole point is encouragement. Lets encourage Facebook and its employees with the purchase of stock. These things can build. Some people help, their friends help, and their families help, before you know it Facebook shares are valued where they should be, and we are all much better off. 

    Can you pay-it-forward? Facebook has paid it forward for years. Their service is free all over the world. People who own Internet services like Verizon, Cox, Century Link, etc., all benefit from Facebook. People want good service and Facebook provides good service. They fix problems as soon as possible and they upgrade all the time. 

   Let us show Facebook that we are really interested in their future, because they have always been interested in ours. 

Nothing is Impossible!

   By the way, I used Scottrade for my stock, but there are lots of other companies that can do the same for you. They only charge $7 a trade, per purchase, whatever. Nice people too. By the way, if you use Scottrade, use the link above. This is a link to the real site, not a clone. I had to go through some other sites from Google that have similar names, but are not actually Scottrade.

   Here is to your good graces. You are all in my prayers. Who knows, we could inspire our entire country and bring us out of this slump. 

Invest in America

It is the only home we have! 

Love to you All

  Let me know if you invest by tweeting me at @barbaraduke on Twitter, make a comment here, or even just Barbara Duke on Facebook. I know that we can do this. Lets show those people who wonder what we are doing on the web and make bad comments about people who are just playing with their computer. 

LET'S SHOW THEM THE 

POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA!

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME

This is a reprint from my blog BarbaraDuke-Professional Encourager

Pajama Party Week of Pink

I am the hostess on the Twitter #Slumberparty tonight at 11pm EST. We are having a #PajamaParty. I have asked everyone to put up a picture of their favorite PJs. We will see who has the best PJs. I wish we had a sponsor to give out prizes, maybe Victoria's Secret later on and we can have an actual contest. Think I will contact a retail company to sponsor our party next time so we can have prizes.
Dabney has great plans working on this fall. Dabney Porte is one of the most motivated people that I know. She is the ultimate Girlfriend. I just love #smgirlfriends. Click on the link to see what is going on today! Join us! Then there is #smmanners . Of course the SM in the titles stand for Social Media. It is a blast and I have made some really good girl friends on there. There are even guys on #boysontwitter on the Man Cave .
You can also check out #SMGirlfriends, Social Media Girlfriends, #SMManners, #SMManCave, and my favorite #SweetTweets on my Pinterest Board. Be careful, you can get stuck there all day.

I have started my exercise again. Monday, I woke up with a lot of pain. At 8:45, I called a friend and I worked out with the girls over the phone. By the time we were done, all joint pain was gone. My neck even quit hurting. Usually, I can only get over this by taking a Vicadin. I have felt better everyday that I have exercised with them and the days that I did it on my own. The pain has been so much better, I dropped 1mg of cortisone from my regimen on Tuesday and I was a little achy yesterday and today when I first woke up. My fingers even froze up this morning. After the O2 it quits. I think the oxygen part of this program is the key. It gets the blood flowing and cuts down on inflammation. I had shots in my knees yesterday and they really hurt this morning.

I am back. Pain free! The Exercise Session really helped. I did a lot better today, even though my little Snow Ball kept trying to lick my face and eat my tissue. He is so funny. Maybe I can get him interested in the exercise. I am cooling down now so I decided to let you know what I am doing. I was doing it last year before I started watching Benita and I really shouldn't have stopped. I was doing better and watching someone with Alzheimer's is so stressful and the breathing and the stretching really removes the stress in life.

Snow Ball

I am watching "The Doctors" and a weight loss program they are sharing. I still think the best thing you can do is "Eat Less, Move More!" You can eat just about any raw vegetables you want. They told me not to eat spinach, kale, turnip greens, broccoli, etc. because it had more Vitamin K and since I am on a blood thinner, it could make my blood too thin. Well, Dr. Oz says that I would have to eat a small car full of those things for it to make a difference in the thinness of my blood.

Barbara Duke

We have a new WELCOME Center at our church and I have been there the last two Sundays'. It is so nice to be in the foyer again. I really miss being the leader of the Welcome and Greeting Committee (ushers). At least at the Welcome Center, I can get my Sunday hugs again. We also have mints. We give out gift bags to visitors with information about becoming a Christian, information about our Sunday Bible Study, and our services. There is usually a small book with poems or stories inside also. I love doing things for the Lord. I missed quilting this week. Judy went to Northern Virginia, Lena and Hettie were not feeling well, and I had shots in my knees. Oh well, everyone needs a break sometime. I am going to do some cutting before next week. I need to put together another top.

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD