THANKSGIVING FOR TODAY, JANUARY 31, 2016.  I thank God for healing all of my scars and repairing my soul.  I thank God for keeping me. I am grateful for the assignments he's given me.  I thank him for allowing me the opportunities afforded me.

Today is my "two years anniversary of retirement" from the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Aviation & Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AVRDEC), Aviation Engineering Directorate (AED), Cargo Division.  I served as the Branch Chief, Sustainment, Fleet Management, & Production Branch.  Also served as Branch Chief of the Modernization Branch.  I loved my time serving those who flew, maintained, and was transported in the Chinook helicopter. I thank for the wonderful people I worked with.  Loved serving the soldiers in the field.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 365 MORE OPPORTUNITIES!

SMILES!

No Excuse:  A Philosophy of Success!

JANICE MITCHELL "THE TUTOR" ISBELL

My thoughts for today!

Hello my Lupus Warriors. have read posts of some of you in Lupus Flares. I assure you THINGS DO GET BETTER. I was diagnosed in 1975. I experienced the weight gain, falls, rash, everything possible that Lupus can do and more. BUT THINGS DID GET BETTER. My Lupus went into inactive in July 2003. I was on prednisone 28+ years. There were many good days that outweighed my bad days - getting married in 1981, having my son in 1984, attending his sports events, etc. Although I hurt, I hurt doing the things I love. I recommend you do what you can and that's it. Of course I pushed myself on many occasions and yes I paid for it. BUT I ENJOYED MYSELF. At one point in my life I would go to 8 a.m. mass and THEN sleep all day to recouperate so I could go to work the following week. I can truly say that through it all I was a SURVIVOR. Of course there were things I could have down without, as a result of Lupus: lupus kidney disease, hysterectomy, bunionectomy, knee repair of cartilege, colon cancer, open heart surgery (aorta valve replacement), dialysis, etc. But I do keep my focus on the good things around me: my husband, son, daughter in love, 6 grand-children, my job, groups I belong to, church, family and friends, THIS IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING. I retired from my job after 28 years because the start of dialysis took a toll on me. But now that I am doing home hemo (mon-fri @ night), I am working part time at the local community college as a math tutor, and I tutor on the weekends. I LOVE TUTORING. Find something you love and do it as your body lets you. Sometimes I do cancel sessions, because my body says NO. I am in tune with my body and know when to stop, know when to argue with docs about my health, know when to just sleep and not feel guilty. ahahahahahahha Yes you have to deal with ignorant (only because they do not understand) people, but do not let them pull you into guilt and depression. Do what you have to doin spite of them. KEEP MAY COPIES OF LUPUS LITERATURE. PASS IT OUT TO EVERYONE YOU MEET, ESPECIALLY TO YOIUR FAMILY WHEN THEY SAY STUPID STUFF. AHAHAHAHAHA Gotta laugh at them and keep going. Well I'm off my high horse. HAVEA LOVELY DAY LUPUS WARRIORS.

THANKSGIVING FOR TODAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015 - THANK GOD FOR TEACHERS!!!!!

ATTENTION TEACHERS - You make a difference in the lives of your students!  Whether you intend to or not, you make a difference.  It can be positive or negative!

I grew up in a lower class family.  That lower class family was two single-parent homes.  I being an African-American girl had all the statistics against me when trying to become a success.  But because of caring, intuitive, and compassionate teachers I was pushed beyond my capabilities (intellectually, academically, spiritually, etc.).  My love of Math almost died during my 5th grade year - Texas' (South Park School District) first step of integrating schools.  My elementary was closed and I was bused across town to another school - my one year of integrated education.  But my 6th grade Math teacher, Mr. James, saw my potential and encouraged me.  I was in the 6D track.  He moved me to the 6B classes for Math.  They were the best Math students at Booker T. Washington Elementary.  My junior high and high school Math teachers (Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Simmons) got me involved in the interscholastic math competitions.  I love Math.  These competitions enhanced my love for Math.  While in high school we had to write a paper on what we wanted to be when we grew up, i.e. graduate and on our own.  I had my topic.  I wanted to be a Math teach all my life.  My dad use to introduce us by what we wanted to be.  I was Janice the future Math teacher.  Well my eyes were opened by a teacher, Mrs. Davenport.  She asked me to research being an engineer.  I had no idea what an engineer was or what they did.  The only engineers I was aware of were those that operated a train. ahahahahah  But being obedient I researched being an engineer.  During those days you respected your teachers, or else your mom would come to the school and embarrass you.  I was shocked to find out about engineers and that there were so many different kinds of engineers.  My research lead me to want to be a chemical engineer.  In comes another teacher, Mrs. Adair - Texas' (Beaumont Independent School District) second attempt at integration - integrate the teachers instead of the children.  She helped me fill out my application to college.  My counselor, Ms. Joseph help me fill out the PSAT (11th grade) and SAT I (12th grade) applications.  I was set to attempt a run at college.  The I found some information, through my counselors, about Washington University.  I am so thankful for my teachers.  I am so happy that I had a chance to experience the Washington University-St. Louis (WASHU) life.  I met so many people from so many countries.  I still have 6 friends that are deeply close to my heart in my life.  They really help me through college socially and spiritually.  I was diagnosed with Lupus my freshman year, and they really supported me, until this day.  I met my husband at WASHU.  He has been a rock and a blessing to me THROUGH IT ALL.

Where would I have been if those teachers had not taken the time to help out a latch-key kid.  Did not know I was a latch key kid until I attended college.  WOW HUH?  

ATTENTION TEACHERS - You make a difference in the lives of young people!  Whether you intend to or not, you make a difference.  It can be positive or negative.

THANKSGIVING FOR TODAY: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015.

I am so thankful for all the THANKSGIVING DAYS I have had in my life.  I love eating sweet potato pies @ Big Momma's house.  I love eating Turkey @ Grandma & Grandma's house.  My Grandpa actually grew his on potatoes, onion, etc.  I missed the desserts made by my Aunt Thelma (my rock)!  My Thanksgivings in Beaumont TX were great:  food, football games on TV, the women arguing with the men about the game.  Yes the ladies in my family know a lot about sports.  Irv was shocked to hear my mom and aunt school my uncles about football. ahhahahaha  HAHAHAHAHA  ROTFL  LOL  

I truly miss my friends from WashU who had a Thanksgiving Day with my in the dorm.  We all (19) did not have the money to go home for Thanksgiving, so we cooked the food in the dorm and celebrated together!  Actually had a full kitchen downstairs!  

I remember eating Thanksgiving dinner with my sisters in St. Louis & University City.  Our three families ate together for years.  Irv cooked the meats.  Julie always made her Broccoli and Rice casserole.  Jeanette always made the mac and cheese and all the desserts.  I was the corn bread dressing queen!  

I have truly enjoyed Thanksgiving in Huntsville & now in West Limestone County (Athens).   But the best Thanksgiving dinners ever have been at my son and daughter-in-law's house.  All we had to do was cook the Turkey since that don't eat meat. HAHAHAHHAHAHA  It was great!  Loved it!  

I have so much for which to be Thankful!

In February 1975 I thought I would be dead by 1985.  All the literature said I would not have lived past 10 years.  So I thought I would not get married.  The literature also said I would not have a child.  Gruesome things to know at 18 years old.  BUT GOD, sent a wonderful man, gave me a healthy baby, let me see 59 years old, and gave me a beautiful daughter-in-law and 6 wonderful Boobies.

THANK YOU JESUS!  I AM SO THANKFUL!  (me singing and all saying shut up!)

I feel like going on. Energized, reinvigorate, refreshed, renewed, empowered, electrified, motivated, strengthened, enable and I'm running!

THANKSGIVINGS FOR TODAY, NOV 23, 2015

I am thankful for every second, minute, hour, day, week, year I am able to live and do the Lord's will for my life!  Can't take for granite since I may have not made it this far!  I am thankful for the people God placed in my life.  Sometimes later than sooner I realize why they are/were placed in my life.  Thank you Jesus!