betsisanders: dedicated to my lovely bff's celebrating their birthdays this july

The title of this abstract painting is 'Mind Boggling". It is presently displayed at Uncle Moe's Greek Restaurant at City Golf, owned by Paul Martinez. It's probably displayed at the comfort room =]=]=)

It's part of "betsisanders' life's abstractions collection"......, so it could mean anything.. it could even be a blank slate for you to make your birthday wishes... so, think of a wish now and I pray that your wishes will come true.

This is my gift for the these lovely friends , Marivic, Wennie and Mitchie who are celebrating their birthdays... Oh let's add Karel,, she is also a July celebrant.

It's 330 am... once again, I am awake at the wee hours of dawn, despite taking 4 different medications whose side effects are supposed to cause drowsiness and sleepiness. One is even cautioned to drive a vehicle when taking these medicines. But... they seem to only work half the time they should be working on me. So, here I am again, awake at this ungodly hour.

This sleeplessness can cause or trigger CPS Chronic Pain Syndrome, the cycle of sleeplessness, that causes sadness and could have been caused by suffering or physical pain. I was actually in pain last night..had about 14 trigger points of pain characteristic of fibromyalgia. But i didn't allow myself to suffer the pain , I took my meds, slipped under the cool comforter and waited for them to take effect, then I started painting and did it for two hours, until the drugs made me drowsy. Took out Jodi Picoult's book “My Sister's Keeper” and started reading, that's when I fell asleep around 130... two hours later, I'm here typing away, instead of staring at the ceilings and walls or watching some boring tv show, I try to be productive .. who knows.. I might write something worth your while.

How I wish I can prepare a party for the all of you. I have actually planned a menu weeks ago... We would have Mediterranean Tuna Bruschetta, Ham – Cheese -Pineapple dip w/ crackers, Savory Pork Pot Roast, Lemon Pesto Chicken and for dessert Easy Peach Trifle. Got the recipes from Walmart... but... the recipe cards will remain on my table until we are able to get together my dearest lovely friends.

>>>>>>>>

CPS... Chronic Pain Syndrome...is unrelenting, real and demoralizing. I have become a victim of this vicious cycle., in which my preoccupation with pain had led to irritability and depression.... SSS, sleeplessness, sadness and suffering .. this terrible triad is Chronic Pain Syndrome.

But I have learned to survive and deal with this syndrome. I do not let it ruin my days or nights anymore. I have learned to counter all its symptoms... My best friend and confessor told me to substitute the S's... to sleepy, smile and suffering- free... thanks Ninong Alan, I always try to follow your advice, my dear friend and 'confessor'...i wish you had become a priest, so you'll be a true father confessor for me.

.>>>>>>>>

Just a lovely thought for my birthday celebrator friends... taken from “Uh-oh”, Robert Fulghum's book, which i just recent finished reading...

“It is a required condition of loving someone and being loved back”..

This is the basic requirement for friendships to last.. and our friendships have endured 40 or more years. i wish you guys more years of friendship and I be there to count them.

.. and you know what else is necessary for friendships to last....??? gratitude... Fulghum said, Gratitude is “ a solemn acknowledgment of kindness received”.. and to show you how grateful i am for your love and friendship, I just love you back. =]=]=]

I woke up this morning with a solemn and devout feeling of gratitude for your friendships. According to Elizabeth David “There are those people who take the heart out of you and there are those people who put them back. Here's a toast to these lovely ladies.... love, love lots, and truly love !!! cheers!!!!