Category: living

#stinewriting Blog Christine Bialczak poetry family living poems poetry Poetry to enjoy Random Writings stinewriting Thoughts turned into poetry

Can you move forward?

What do you do when the siblings you knew
Went off in a tiff and wanted nothing with you?
Do you fight for the chance to hug and to meet
or do you ignore one another out on the street?
Who says that they’re right and that you are still wrong?
All the thoughts and emotions, a mind staying strong
Is there really a point to all this distress?
Why not forgive and forget and be done with the mess?
But not all those involved are willing to see
that things that have happened were just meant to be
and moving along on the track we call life
brings about more of the happiness filled with less strife.
The saddest part now is that so much has been done
so many harsh words where only one sides begun
to realize our lives are too short to be thrown
and the other side won’t share the blame there is to own.

©2022 CBialczak Poetry

#stinewriting 99-Word Story Being a mom Blog Grief living love Random Writings stinewriting Weekly Writing Prompt

May 9: Story Challenge in 99-words

To join in go to Carrot Ranch: https://carrotranch.com/2022/05/09/may-9-story-challenge-in-99-words/

May 9, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a mom selfie — a story that creates an image of a mom. No one mom looks alike or fits a maternal mold. Who is she? Go where the prompt leads

My Mom Selfie

I lost my mom when I was 23. The hardest thing after was getting married and having kids without her. My mother-in-law was nothing like my mom. I went on to have two fantastic kids of my own. They were so smart and loved learning! We were happy. We moved from our beach community to the woods. I regret it except for the friends I made. My kids were never 100% happy. 

My son passed in an accident, which has left a hole in my heart.
My daughter is beautiful, kind, and smart and perfect! 

I love them both. 

Answer the questions Blog living Memories Photographs stinewriting Sunday Ramble Sunday Writing Prompt

E.M.’s Sunday Ramble Prompt #19

To join in click here: https://emkingston.wordpress.com/category/sunday-ramble-prompt/

This week’s topic is:

“High School Days“.

Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com

Here are the questions:

  1. What is one thing you remember about your first day of high school? Sadly, I have absolutely no recollection of starting high school. I can recall many things but not as much as I would like. I suppose some of it was that my mother had cancer when I was around that age, so maybe that clouds many memories. If I really sit and think about it, obviously more memories appear.
  2. Did you participate in extracurricular activities or sports in high school? I played Field Hockey and one year did make-up for the school play, Man of La Mancha. I tried track a bunch of times. I was in the band so we had a lot of outside practice for that, especially when parades and concerts were coming up. We used to have a half-time show for the weekly football game. The marching band did a full show. At the time we all hated it and loved it at the same time. Some of those games were cold though! Especially the ones around Thanksgiving!
  3. Was Freshman hazing or initiations at trend at your high school? Not that I knew of.
  4. Did you attend your Senior Prom? If so, do you remember the theme? I don’t recall any proms having themes. Maybe on comes to mind, Under the Sea, but I may be making that up in my own head. I do remember the Senior Prom! My mom had a pre-Prom party for the whole grade. Everyone was invited with their dates and the parents could come and take pictures. She had made tons of food and I remember going in the backyard and front yard for pictures. I remember limos lining the street! I also remember my date, God rest his soul. Alex…I broke up with Ken, my boyfriend, about a week or two before the Prom. Alex didn’t have a date so we decided to go together. Well, when almost all the limos left my house that night, Alex still hadn’t gotten there. I was the hostess for God’s sake! Next thing I know I see him stumbling down our road toward our house, wasted off his gourd. I was so upset. That night he ended up spending the whole time with a girl in our “group” and I ended up getting back together with Ken. So many mistakes were made then…Lol! My mom had made my prom dress for me that year. Picture below…
  5. Is there a favorite memory from your high school days? I have a lot of great memories from High School. More than from college. I remember climbing into Gretta’s giant station wagon, Me, Gretta, and Amy all in the big front seat. I also remember Dan, God rest his soul, picking me up at my house in his tiny toyota truck. It would be him, Amy, Gretta (I believe), and another boy…The five of us would jam into the little tiny truck, waving goodbye to my mom! We were usually on our way to buy beer, under-aged of course at that time. I remember being in the band with Kristen P and Kristin B! Band trips, parades, half-time shows….Wow, if I keep going I could do this all night………..
#stinewriting Answer the questions Blog living Random Writings stinewriting Sunday Ramble

E.M.’s Sunday Ramble

To Join in click here: https://emkingston.wordpress.com/2022/03/27/e-m-s-sunday-ramble-prompt-17/

Here are the questions:

  1. The greatest feeling in the world is when I: think about when my kids were little and how sweet and kind they both were. They were both so cute and never fussy. I was so lucky to have such good children.
  2. The one thing that I misplace more than anything is my: tape measure. I swear I have a bunch of them but whenever I need to measure something I can’t find a single one! Also, my craft scissors. I only use them while at my work bench but must carry them off in a daze!
  3. When I am stressed out, the one item/person/thing that always makes me get back to feeling okay is: either David or Lindsay. David is always available to talk to. He is a great listener and always has something kind to say. Lindsay is more of a “get my shit together” type of support. She helps me see reality.
  4. When I am sick, the only thing I want is: a Coke if I am stomach sick, my bed if I am feverish, and a box of tissues if I am runny and/or stuffed up.
  5. Whenever I feel like I am procrastinating, I fix it by: getting a bunch of things done. I make a list and make sure I try to check it all off. I secretly cannot stand procrastinating and find myself keeping my lips tight when I notice someone else around me doing so. Why not just get done what needs to be done and then guess what?!?!?! Yes, you’re done!

Just a few extras to go with the rambling…..

My heart melts when I look at my dog and he is standing with his little front feet pigeon-toed!
My heart aches when I think about my son.
My heart beats crazy when I see David after a long day apart.
My heart calms when I hear happiness in my daughter’s voice.

#stinewriting Blog living

Most expensive places to live in the US

I saw a post this morning about the cheapest place to rent a home in the US. It didn’t have an option to leave a reply so I didn’t see what the city was, as it was not mentioned. Anyhow, in looking I did find the most expensive places to live. I wanted to copy and paste the article but it is 12 pages long.

Here is the site: https://247wallst.com/special-report/2021/07/10/most-expensive-cities-to-buy-a-home/2/

I’m posting the first few “cheapest” then the last few “most expensive”.

Most Expensive Cities to Buy a Home

Samuel StebbinsJuly 10, 2021 6:00 pmLast Updated: December 16, 2021 4:37 pm

Pacifica by Dawn Ellner

Pacifica (CC BY 2.0) by Dawn Ellner

50. Pacifica, California
> Median home value: $882,800
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,115 — 83rd highest of 1,774 cities
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 73.9% — 363rd highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 70.7% — 459th highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Median household income: $125,500 — 81st highest of 1,774 cities

Lexington, Massachusetts by Doug Kerr

Lexington, Massachusetts (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Doug Kerr

49. Lexington, Massachusetts
> Median home value: $889,700
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ — the highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 65.3% — 702nd lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 81.7% — 138th highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Median household income: $186,201 — 9th highest of 1,774 cities24/7 Wall St.
Cheapest Cities to Buy a Home

Culver City by Chris Yunker

Culver City (CC BY 2.0) by Chris Yunker

48. Culver City, California
> Median home value: $892,000
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $2,957 — 107th highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 69.3% — 745th highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 52.2% — 483rd lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Median household income: $95,044 — 315th highest of 1,774 cities

Setting Out by Brendan Ross

Setting Out (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Brendan Ross

47. Potomac, Maryland
> Median home value: $893,800
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $3,893 — 30th highest of 1,774 cities
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 66.1% — 769th lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 87.6% — 36th highest of 1,774 cities
> Median household income: $195,884 — 7th highest of 1,774 cities

Now…..The real expensive ones!

Manhattan Beach Sunset by Pedro Szekely

Manhattan Beach Sunset (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Pedro Szekely

5. Manhattan Beach, California
> Median home value: $2,000,000+
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ — the highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 69.2% — 753rd highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 69.6% — 497th highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Median household income: $153,023 — 34th highest of 1,774 cities

Source: SpVVK / Getty Images

4. Palo Alto, California
> Median home value: $2,000,000+
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ — the highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 58.9% — 289th lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 54.6% — 593rd lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Median household income: $158,271 — 28th highest of 1,774 citiesALSO READ: 50 Best Cities for Urban Gardening

Source: JasonDoiy / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

3. Menlo Park, California
> Median home value: $2,000,000+
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ — the highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 70.4% — 634th highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 57.9% — 761st lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Median household income: $160,784 — 24th highest of 1,774 cities

Source: LPS.1 / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons

2. Saratoga, California
> Median home value: $2,000,000+
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ — the highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 62.6% — 495th lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 84.6% — 81st highest of 1,774 cities
> Median household income: $191,677 — 8th highest of 1,774 cities

Source: NNehring / iStock via Getty Images

1. Los Altos, California
> Median home value: $2,000,000+
> Median monthly housing costs with a mortgage: $4,000+ — the highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Share of housing units with a mortgage: 64.5% — 637th lowest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Homeownership rate: 81.0% — 151st highest of 1,774 cities (tied)
> Median household income: $235,278 — 2nd highest of 1,774 citiesPreviousNext1…789101112