Phoenix-Dragon Dreams

Stay safe!!

2025-01-09T17:18:55Z

I know, I know, I completely missed New Year's - the last two semesters have been crazy and thus, even the simplest posts seem to be something I remember days later...

But not this one.

The world is crazy dangerous these days. The fires in California right now are SUPER dangerous. I know California is well versed in 'fire', but with the water being scarce - even scarcer with no rain since May of 2024 - the dryness of winter on the land itself, and the water that is available being inaccessible due to no electricity for pumps, collapsing of pipes and basic drought due to climate change and all that comes with it...well, a fire that would be bad enough (80 mile per hour winds?!) is just that much damned worse. I can only look on in disbelief and pain as I see whole communities being consumed by the one thing so many of us fear the most.

Be safe. Listen to experts. Evacuate if you have to. I know, I know that the idea of losing everything is terrifying - but the idea of losing those you love, losing your own life - that is not acceptable, my loves. Be safe, be strong - we are all standing with you.

I know quite a few people in California right now and I am sending safe thoughts, love and strength to all of you. I wish I could do more than just...send Words, but as they are all I have, I send those words and I send the blessings from my little family and I to all of you.

*Hugs Flisty Tight, Tight*

Love~
Mandy

Edit: It appears that I may be misinformed here - a lot of the water issues are not a 'lack of' but 'ability to access' due to tanks at higher regions unable to fill fast enough and maintain pressure as the lower regions are using the water. California is know for water shortages - but in this case, that is not the main issue. Apologies for any confusion or lack of understanding on my part.

And while I'm at it - the smelt have nothing to do with anything here. Northern Cali and Souther Cali are on two different systems...so the delta smelt and their preservation are not even anywhere near an issue here.

To donate and help victims of these fires, you can find a list here at a CBS News affiliate that doesn't freaking PAYWALL YOU *arrrghhh* - just click 'I will fix it later' in the pop up and you will see the various organizations that are accepting donations for those affected by the fires.

Stay safe. Know you are loved.

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Happy Holidays!!

2024-12-25T23:28:27Z

Hello, my dear ones!! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Festivus, Happy Kwanza - or whatever you happen to celebrate! May it be a magickal, joyous day filled with good people, laughter, and warm memories. Even if you celebrate nothing today, may it be a fantastic day regardless - with all the best wishes to you and those that you hold dear!

Big love to you all!

*Squishes Flisty Tight, Tight*

Love~
Mandy

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Happy Thanksgiving to all!

2024-11-28T16:56:14Z

Hello, my loves! I wanted to stop and wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! Even if you do not celebrate this American holiday, I wish to send you blessings in the spirit of the celebration!

I was hoping to be here sooner, really. I unfortunately found myself THREE WEEKS behind on my schooling (I shall have to share THAT fun, non-stressful, breezy time with you all sometime soon!), so that definitely cut into my time here. Which was not at all what I was hoping for!

But enough of that, yes?

I am thankful I was able to get my latest course (and test!) finished and with flying colors. I am thankful for all of you - still with me after all this time and still such a part of my life. You help make this world a better place by being in it - just know that now.

I am thankful that we have enough food to eat, a place to lay our heads, and a pretty good job (despite the various headaches), that make that possible.

I am thankful that I was able to come here today, on this day of celebration, to tell you all how much I love and miss you. Only two more years of school! I know it will all be worth it in the end.

All in all...thank you. I am blessed to call you my friends, my family. I am a rich woman in all but money, but that makes me one of the luckiest people on the planet!

All that said:

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

May you know love, happiness, prosperity, success and good health! From me and my little family - to you and yours...

*Squishes F-Listy Tight, Tight*

Love~
Mandy

PS: I do have a Bluesky account (like I need that, lol!) You can follow me there if you'd like. I try to not spend to much time there (as it IS a huge timesuck and I just do not have that much to spare!), but if you'd like to know my handle, just drop me a PM and I'll happily share!

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Big Thank You!

2024-10-10T14:45:56Z

...to my dear N.D. and the sweet E.B. for the help! We will able to squeak by with that assistance, which was something I was not able to say a week ago. I am forever grateful to you both, as you are always in my corner! May you both be blessed a thousand, thousand ways.

*Deep hugs and chaste kisses*

While I am here, I want to say thank you as well to those who have spread the word, passing it along as best as you could. Radio Free Monday doesn't garner as much assistance as it used to, but the boosting and support from my awesome friends and family here help more than I can say. Blessings to all!

Things are still gonna be a little tight, as we were unable to reach our goal, but that is okay - we will make it and that counts on so many levels. I have some of the best people in the world around me (literally and metaphorically) and I am so grateful for that every day.

*Cuddles everyone breathless*

And N.D. please stay safe! It is wild where you are, I know and I am keeping you in my thoughts and I have a candle lit for you. Keep dry, keep warm and know I am sending good vibes and hope your way.

Big love to you all. I miss youse guise so much! This semester is even crazier (and I am SUPER behind), but the thought that I can churn through and maybe find time in the future to be here in my Happy Place, brings joy and hope to me. Stay safe dear ones, know I am thinking of you all and wishing I was here with you.

*Squishes everyone Tight, Tight - with extra for N.D and E.B*

Love~
Mandy

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Radio Free Monday Post

2024-10-06T09:39:52Z

Hello, all! I am still alive and pounding down school work, work-work and what little family time I can get - so that means haven't been here as often as I'd like. That being said, it seems my work-work pay has fallen short this week and we have less than needed to make it through the next 9 days, much less enough to do that AND pay a bill that will be coming out of my bank account within the next 7 days, which will eat up more than half of what I've managed to claw back to survive on.

Thank goodness this doesn't happen as often as it did - but we're still in a position where occasionally it does; with hubby being unable to find anything that can accommodate his disability (and winter getting ready to hit, which makes what he goes through that much worse). The good folk who hang out on Radio Free Monday (as well as my wonderful F-Listy - the best people in the world, imho!), have always done good by us. Even if unable to help, you all get the word out and it helps more than I can say.

We are short by $100 for the bill and $275 to get us through the next 9 days for gas and food. We have meals for the next two days that we can stretch out, but after that, I have to start digging into the little that we have and things will get a little harder to pull off. So anything that you good folk can do to help will be more than appreciated. My little family and I are grateful for all that we have received in the past and we are well aware that the grace of those who have helped us have gotten us this far - and we are quite blessed because of that.

For anyone who can, we are accepting any help at PayPal at phoenixdragondreamsATgmailDOTcom.

If you cannot help out financially (my little family and I totally get that!), if you can spread the word, it will assist us in so many ways. Bless you all - and thank you, thank you, thank you!

*Big Hugs from my Little Family to All!*

Love~
Mandy

You can also find this post at Livejournal here...

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Big Thank You!

2024-08-15T15:48:52Z

Big Thank You to E.B. for the assist! It helped a lot, dear. And it means so much that you always reach out to help us no matter what. Thank you for that - and blessings to you and yours! May you always be without thirst, be without hunger and always know comfort.

Alas, RFM didn't help out much further than that...but that has (alas) become pretty common the last couple of years. People just don't have the means to give a hand up, even should they want to - and I totally get that. It makes the next few days pretty nail-biting over here, but that's okay. We will manage to find a way. We are pretty lucky all these considered! We aren't staring down an abyss like we would be back in the day, that's for sure!

For now, I'm focused on finishing up this term -

And hoping that maintenance arrives to fix/replace our washer, which went belly up on Saturday *laughs* because of course... *Eyes growing laundry pile* We will just make due as best as we can until they come to do that (and hope I don't have to spend hours in a laundromat)!

Thank you to everyone who shared my last post and did what they could to boost the signal - I am surrounded here by some of the best people - and in the end, that counts for everything! Blessings to you all.

And thank you for still reading and commenting and sending love. Man, I miss you guys...and I think of you all daily.

Welp, back to schoolwork. Hoping I can do my test by early next week and get it out of the way - get a bit of free time before next term. Surprisingly, I'm rather enjoying some of the math and I'm not doing TOO crashingly poorly! Keep your fingers crossed for me, m'loves!

*Squishes Flisty Breathless*

Love~
Mandy

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Radio Free Monday (Help Appreciated!)

2024-08-11T11:57:43Z

First of all, thank you, thank you to all who have assisted in the past. I always try to say thanks in follow-up posts, but it never hurts to say it again! Without the assistance, I think my little family and I wouldn't be doing too hot, in the past or even now - so Big Thank You to everyone who has gotten us this far!

That being said, I've been able to ask for help less as time goes on, but I have had a rough patch that is lasting a little longer than I calculated for, for a variety of reasons, alas. I've been able to limp us along for a couple of months since I have last reached out for assistance, but the end of the roughness (which I thought would have been LAST month), has not come about as I'd hoped. And once again, it is All the Bills (at the Wrong Time) that are going to be nipping me in the buttinsky.

We won't need overly much (thank goodness!) but $300-$450 would definitely get us out of the danger zone and breathing a bit better. It sucks because (supposedly) my pay is good, but it is just enough to keep me 'this side' of the poor house most of the time, but without yanking us out of it completely. Most months are good, but then there are months like this one.

Any assistance given would be greatly appreciated! My little family and I have been so grateful and humbled by the help we have received before now - and I thank you all for listening, as well as helping if you can. We understand if you cannot (oh boy do we get it!), but if you can, we would be forever giving thanks!

You can send that help to us via Paypal at phoenixdragondreams@gmail.com or Venmo at (AT)Amanda-Davis-Reed

Thank you again - and blessings upon all those who see this post. May you find the smoothest path with the happiest journey!

*Hugs to All!*

Mandy

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Welp, that doesn't look good on me...

2024-07-21T22:45:51Z

...and is pretty typical of my last few weeks. I pipe up, but too little too late it seems.

In the end, though, I respect that man and his wisdom. I am sad and angry that the wrong people learned the wrong lesson (that they can bully people into doing what they want, no matter who they are), but I can see how it can be hard to govern AND campaign when you have to fight a war on three fronts at the same time.

I am proud of my President. I am sad and angry, but not at him or VP Harris. They stuck this out as best as they could and did all they could to turn the tides. But even a savvy individual like POTUS knew this storm could not be weathered without something giving. The very MUCH SEEN forces came together to force a man out who is known to never quit. Never give up. In many ways he has not, but his being forced aside makes it look like it - which just angers me. He should not have had to make this decision. And so close to election?! As he would say 'C'mon, man!' - but I am happy he has endorsed his VP (and no, I did not expect anything less - he was happy to pick her for his VP for the first dance and has had nothing but fierce praise and pride for her accomplishments since!). This will put a stop (or SHOULD) to this 'open convention' nonsense that is designed to completely subvert the will of the voters. And from the DEMOCRATS no less! UGH. So disgusted with SO many people.

But not Biden...and not our nominee Harris.

In the end, I am voting for the person he picked to lead with him. I picked her, too, happily enough - and I am proud to have her as my candidate.

Now it is time to roll up our sleeves and make history. Never before has the incumbent/pick at the primary dropped out and the person stepping in at a later time having won. Let's change that. Third time is the charm folks! Let's make our incumbent VP the President - and defeat the Orange Menace and the autocracy they have waiting in the wings. It has never been more important.

But as for the media, the rich bastards who stepped in so late in the game to bully the greatest President since FDR out, along with the political hacks who happily, greedily helped them do that: I will not forget. I'm a voter. I picked my candidate. You decided to try to break democracy 'just this once' to have it your way. There are ways to punish you at the ballot box and within your wallets. I will not forgive and I will certainly not forget.

Riden with Harris. A happy day, but a sad and enraging one as well. This should never have happened. But now that it has, let's follow POTUS fine lead - and help him make his last dance a good one. Think our next dance partner is a fine choice. I mean, I picked her, too. I just wish my heart wasn't so heavy as I accept her as my candidate. I'm so upset that I can't just feel joy over it - but it can be possible to feel two things at once and today...today, that will have to be how it is.

Hang in there folks. It's a bumpy ride, but I know we can bring this one home!

*Squishes Flisty Tight*

Love,
Mandy

PS: Not by me...and it doesn't say EVERYTHING I want to say, but it comes close: A Love Letter to President Biden

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I am not dead!

2024-07-21T13:41:26Z

Though it looks like Time got away from me again, arrrrghhh...

Thank you guys for responding to my Dreamwidth entries from a month or so ago. Blessings to you all - and MAN I miss you! I am quite alive. School and work keep me busy and it feels like my brain is falling out half the time, but I am still existing. Dunno if that is considered a good thing or not *grins*

I have received a few messages of worry because I popped up and dropped out again. Seriously, I am intimidated by all I have missed (which makes me depressed, which keeps me away, then comes guilt, then depression, then...ugh, I am sick of my own headspace, guise!), so me catching up will be...slow. I need to be patient with myself. Which is like asking a wall to stop standing. Oi.

Or I win the lottery, take a month off, and dig in to catch up, and get school taken care of all in one go. Though knowing me, I'd likely just waste time with eating BLTs and watching Slow Horses on Apple TV, lol!

Either way, I'll have to get on that.

Yes, I am watching politics (of course I am!! I am in love with stomach-churning anxiety and sleepless death-spirals!) ( Cause I know some people may not like my take )

Whew...I did not know I could type that much!! Yeesh. Usually, I save my blather for YT vids, but at least you will be spared an hour of me screaming randomly - cause cogent, cohesive thinking has never been a talent of mine. Doesn't hurt for me to ditch the laziness now and again, lol!

Anyhoo...anxiety (of two types!) eating me alive aside, I am doing quite well, all. Things are stupid tight, but I'm wrapping up a few bills in the next month or so, so it should help us to breathe easier down the line. I need to stop footdragging and get applications in for hubby and the eldest kiddo (which reminds me - will help the eldest if we pick up his diploma! So we'd better get on that this upcoming week!). That will make things even easier and will get hubby back to feeling like he can DO something (though I'm sure he will be hurting for the first few weeks; and we won't discuss how worried I am over...well...EVERYTHING ELSE) and will get the kiddo experience - in the service industry, too, which is always a good place to start.

I will try to update again soon - and maybe I'll start catching up with answering my own damned PMs and comments, lol! There's a thought.

Sorry to unload so much anxiety and pissiness here *waves at LJ Cut*, but I guess that was weighing on me more than I thought!

Love you guise - ever so much! I will try to get here soon, but...MATH. *shudders* I am MATHING right now...and no, posting is not STALLING, lol!!

Bless you all. And see you soon! Wishing you all good health, joy and good fortune!

*Squishes Flisty Tight, Tight*

Love~
Mandy

PS: I promise I will turn on comments next time. I still want to be able to catch up on the comments and PMs I have currently and I dunno if I'd be able to answer any comments to this post in a timely manner (as we can see how well I do with 'timely' these days!) You can always PM if you need to, though! Or email or text if you have that ability. I do miss hearing from you all! Maybe one day it will smooth out over here...

But then what would I do with myself? LOL!! See you all soon.

PSS: This post is likely typoed all to hell. Apologies for that! Annnnd I left it public...in case anyone wants to share the link behind the cut or share the post - or read the post, even if not on my f-list. May change that later, but for now, it'll work. :) *Crickets* Right! Catch you all later! *Sends extra hugs to everyone*

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Thank you, thank you!

2024-06-07T10:16:42Z

Big Thanks to R.W. and E.B. for the assist! Think we're gonna make it guys! Blessings to you and thank you from me and my little family - you have eased my worries in more ways than one and made me feel like I am still part of the Family here and that's just...that's worth everything. Thank you and bless all of you.

*Deeps hugs*

I'll try to do a post soon. I mean, my last 'update' was...what, DECEMBER? Yeesh. And so, so much has happened. Eldest is an adult (yikes!) youngest is getting bigger and...he is no longer is my 'little guy', we'll just say that. School is going well, but crazy - work is just flat-out crazy and...yeah, I need to do a post again one day.

*Crickets*

Right! Anyway, love you guise and I miss you all so much! Hopefully one day I can find some time to be here like I want and still juggle everything else. I can make it happen! *Stubbornly* But until then -

Love you all and I hope to talk to you all soon. And thank you, thank you, thank you!

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Radio Free Monday - Help needed

2024-06-01T17:38:08Z

Hello all! First of all, Big Thank You to all those who shared and sent help with the last post I did for Radio Free Monday. It got us about a third of the way and I am ever so grateful! Any and all help is more than appreciated by our little household.

As I said with the last post, we don't need much (thank goodness!) and we are over a third of the way there! The most we would really need is about $300-$400 to get us through the next 11 days before I get my next paycheck. After that we should be fine, but we hit a pretty good lump in the road after my last pay day - and while it has been a while (another thank goodness!) it was a pretty nasty lump and has left us asking for help this time around.

If you can give us a hand, you can send that to PayPal at phoenixdragondreams@gmail.com

Thank you again for all that you have gotten us through in the past. And we are grateful for any help we can receive at this time.

*Big Hugs to All*

Mandy

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Thank you, thank you!

2024-05-29T22:55:24Z

Big thanks to N.D., L.H.J. and V.S. for the help! I am a quarter of the way there because of your kindness! Ahhh, how I miss my people. And I have truly forgotten how wonderful it is to interact with you all again.

Yes, I miss you all like mad and yes, I have been so bad at commenting back, replying or reaching out, it has kept me away. Things are just so crazy over here and not having time to talk to you all, then having a little time, but it has been so long (yes, my anxiety is helping to keep me away half the time) - so...yeah. Most of the time we are doing okay, truly. Time is the biggest factor for me. but I still miss talking with you guise and catching up and - all the things! Arrrrghhh. Gonna hafta catch up again soon.

And I shall just have to make time to do that.

But until then, thank you all for the help. I've still got a bit to go, but this got us well on our way to surviving the next two weeks! Bless you all.

*Deep hugs*

Love~
Mandy

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We Remember...

2024-05-27T12:53:17Z

To all who have served and given so much for us - we remember.

To all those who have family that are serving or have served - we remember you as well. May you have a good Memorial Day and blessings to you and yours.

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Assistance for paying bills and standard living expenses

2024-05-25T11:08:16Z

Hello to Radio Free Monday! It has been a while since I have had to ask for help, which has been a relief, but an influx of bills for the end of month/beginning of the next month, assistance coming to an end because I (supposedly) make to much to receive that assistance anymore - has culminated into this month being too tight for basic living, much less comfort. My husband is unable to work do to a nerve disease and even my long hours and pay don't really cover anything but endless bills and the basics for us. Going to school hampers me from getting more work (as does the need to spend what little time I have with my family - my kiddos are now in their late teens and time does not move backwards, alas), so though we play it safe, it seems that this time the pay date and bill dates caught up with us for this month.

I won't need much thank goodness, but anything I can get would go a long, long way to helping me and my little family. I am ever so grateful for the help I have received in the past and would do my best to pay it forward if I can. I can receive money via Paypal at phoenixdragondreams@gmail.com.

Thank you again for the help in the past - and any help you can extend us at this time.

Blessings to you and yours!

Mandy

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Repost: IN NEED OF FINANCIAL HELP

2023-06-08T03:14:56Z

From cassie_faith:

{} I need $800 by Friday.

$600 for rent that is late due to not having the money when it was due.

AND

$193 for my car payment... which is also late.

I'm trying to get caught up and I'm struggling. I cannot afford to lose my car or apartment. Please help if you can by sharing this or contributing.

PayPal: c6290 at hotmail dot com.

Thank you and blessings <3

Help if you can, guise. If not, please pass along the message...

Mandy

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Hello all!!

2023-06-08T03:05:14Z

As I'm sure you all have seen in your inboxes (and on some comments) - I have fully caught up! Whoot!

I will be posting and hopefully by tonight. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for missing so much, but I swear I have good excuses, lol!

Also, while I had a moment, I wanted to send love, hope and healing to Quebec. Everyone there is in my heart - such sad and terrible news out of our upstairs neighbor. It seems this is only the start (though, really, this started full bore ten years ago) and I can only hope everyone stays safe and gets the help they need to get through this...

Also, also, I will be reposting a post for a friend in need and -

Well, for however long, I am back, m'loves!!

*Squishes to All*

Love~
Mandy

P.S. I did see the comments to my last post(s), guise. I will be answering those soon. And I'm leaving them off this post, as this isn't the 'real' update post...

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Radio Free Monday

2023-02-20T03:48:25Z

Hello, hello all! I was hoping that I would not have to reach out again for a while, but it seems I miscalculated when I did my taxes and those have not come in yet, but my bills have, alas. I am going to be short about $500 for some of our major bills.

I am currently in the process of getting a job that would ease some of the strain on our bank account vs bills, but until we get our refund in (to give us momentary breathing room) and that job is under my belt generating better money (which I'm hoping will happen soon), I'm afraid I have to ask for help. Anything you can spare would be awesome - and I am always, always grateful for the help Radio Free brings about. Thank you, thank you for your previous support - and I can only hope you all can do so one more time for us.

Help can be sent to Paypal here: phoenixdragondreams@gmail.com or to Venmo at ATAmanda_Davis_Reed

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

Thank you again - and here is to hoping everyone has an amazing week!

Mandy

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Repost: BOOKS FOR SYRIA AND TURKIYE BENEFIT AUCTION

2023-02-12T01:33:14Z

Repost with permission from this link

marthawells

Check out the auction BOOKS FOR SYRIA AND TURKIYE to benefit LaunchGood Mercy-USA supporting Turkiye and Syria. Over 270 books and other items:

Books for Turkiye and Syria

Including a signed copy of the Subterranean Press Murderbot Diaries edition, illustrated by Tommy Arnold

Benefit Auction Link

Auction ends on February 16.

Go check it out, guise - it is for relief efforts and not only is the cause good, the books you will receive are some of the best!

Mandy

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Radio Free Monday Post

2023-02-05T20:30:17Z

So we did get rent paid and I send massive thanks to everyone who helped to make that happen! Thank you, thank you - my little family and I will always be grateful to you. :D

We still do have the get through the next two weeks before my next paycheck - and we do have approximately $130 in bills that will be coming out of us over the next week and we don't have enough to meet those bills or make it to the 16th with normal day to day expenses. So further help would be appreciated. Even if you cannot help, spreading the word would also help us out so much.

If you can help out, you can send that to my Paypal at phoenixdragondreams@gmail.com or to my Venmo at 'AT'Amanda_Davis_Reed

Thank you in advance and I hope you have a marvelous week!

*Big Hugs to All*

Mandy

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Radio Free Monday Post

2023-01-30T00:41:20Z

Alas, it is that time again and rent will be due, plus my little family has to survive and pay bills until the next paycheck after this upcoming one. It will not cover rent completely, nor those living expenses - and being able to get to work to limp us along is kind of a big thing. We have programs we are reaching out to for assistance within the community, but those resources are limited and we may not meet the thresholds they require.

My little family and I have had a rough couple of months. I have a job prospect, but it is not a Done Deal and until I can start generating extra revenue, we are pretty much dead in the water within the next week. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thank you for listening and helping as you can.

Any assistance you can provide can be sent here: phoenixdragondreams@gmail.com (PayPal) and here amanda_davis_reed (Venmo). And thank you again.

*Hugs to All*

Mandy

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I should be posting...

2023-01-29T04:05:44Z

...cause it has been a wild, not fun week (well, mostly - I have SOME good news) - with a more wild not fun week coming up (rent being the main stressor there). But. I will post my tale of woe later. Until then, have some fun stuffs. Just a few things. I mean, you all know I have weird music tastes and some of this will likely show it. No metal, no real classical but a bit of swing and sweeping soundtrack-like songs. And old movies set to dance music. So. There is that, lol! Enjoy!:

( Music Behind a Cut - so as to not Eat Teh Bandwidth )

Now I'm going to go back to betaing Awesomeness for the ever-talented kaffy_r.

See you guys, 'round!

*Squishes Flisty Tight, Tight*
Love~
Mandy

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Radio Free Monday Post

2023-01-15T22:31:03Z

I have received some generous support and help from friends after Life imploded within the last few months, but my little family and I still need a bit of a boost while we get things sorted to give us breathing room and a better future. So any and all help would be appreciated.

We have insurance coming up that is higher than it was in the past and we only have just enough to get us through the week - but not be able to cover that bill while we are at it. So any and all assistance would be appreciated.

We are working over here to pull ourselves together, even as everything has gone crazy - and the help we have received (and any we receive in the future) means so much to us as we do so. I am so grateful for all that we have been able to get done with the help of our friends and family here - and I am grateful for any way to keep us going as we stabilize. Thank you and blessings to you all!

You can get help to us via Paypal at this email address: phoenixdragondreams@gmail.com

Again, thank you - and may you find good fortune on your path!

Mandy

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Happy New Year All!!

2023-01-01T10:53:33Z

Whether it has been a whole day, or just a couple of hours of the New Year for you - I hope 2023 is a good one for you all!!

I am happy to announce that I am All Caught Up!! Whoot!! So I can start off the new year at a good pace, keeping up with all of my online family here without stressing constantly. :D

I will be going to school. Not right away, but I will be. This...I am determined about.

Things are still...not great. But I am not going to dwell on that with this post. Heck, I am hoping that this year shakes things up a bit - and not in the downward-spiral-way, but the hope-is-alive-and-yes-Virginia-there-is-a-Santa-Clause-kinda-way.

What can I say? Hope ever springs eternal. :D

Hubby and I have our medical cards - and I got the EBT card on Friday. I will be seeing if I can get our electricity and internet reduced, which will also help. Not as much as needed, but it will help. I may also need to bite the bullet and just sell the car outright. Cannae afford to keep making payments at this time, especially as she is not ...running...shall we say. :D Needs must, yes?

Ah well. I shall not speak of these things, for this is a post of Joy. And of new beginnings! I am certainly intending to focus on renewal and forging ahead. Might actually create that vision board I have always intended to cobble together. Might help to have Good Dreams and Hopes right there front and center. And the kids may enjoy adding their own hopes and dreams as well. Things to aspire to. :D

I shall post and catch you all up on our Crazy soon, but for tonight/this early AM, I shall just happily wish you all the Merriest of New Years and send love, peace and healing for 2023. May we stop living in such interesting times - and start moving towards more understanding, tolerance and equity together.

From my Little Family - to My Big Online Family here - may we have the best year ever, dear ones! Thank you for being here and being such a huge part of my life. I can only hope that we can still hold each other close and lift each other up into the upcoming year of 2023.

*Squishes Flisty Adoringly*

Love~
Mandy

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Happy Xmas Eve, Guise!!

2022-12-24T23:10:57Z

I did catch up with my own posts - I am still catching up with all of yours (please forgive) and I hope soon to have myself in order for the new year. :D

I will not update for the next couple of days (aside from the Xmas post), as my life is not...compatible with holiday cheer (other than I am cheerful during the holidays, almost in spite of myself - which feels odd, as this time of year usual is - and this year no less!! - rough for me and my little family.) So I felt before The Day itself, I needed to pass on some Love, some Joy - and some Thanks to all of you, my friends and online family. At this time, even when things may seem their darkest, you are truly one of the lights that burns brightest and shines clear towards hearth and home.

Thank you to my dear M.M. for the sweet holiday card! Made me smile, lovely lady - and it felt good to have that connection, that sense of 'all is well' coming through the mail. Bless you and Happy Xmas to you, hubby, Huttlet and Riley. :D

Also thank you to the wonderous E.B. for the gift. It was a lovely surprise and it made my morning, dearest! I will be sure to use wisely (and maybe for a bit of fun!). Blessings to you and yours, dear one. Know I always keep a candle lit for you.

And to all of you for your patience, support, warmth, kindness, good advice and generous hearts - thank you, thank you, thank you! I miss being Home in my Happy Place with you all, but rest assured, I am making my way up the walk and soon you will hear that knock at the door that means I am back once more.

May you have the Happiest of Christmas Eves, should you celebrate. Also for those of other faiths, may you feel the blessings of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali and the Solstice. Know I am keeping the candles lit and the hearth warm for you all as well. Blessings to each and every one of you, my dearest friends-family.

*Squishes Flisty Tight, Tight*

Love~
Mandy

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Happy Thanksgiving/Indigenous Peoples Day!

2022-11-25T03:35:03Z

To all who celebrate, may you have a Happy Thanksgiving and Indigenous Peoples Day! There is much to be grateful for this and every year. My little family has been having it rough of late - but we are still together. We still have a roof over our heads, food to eat and the ability to help hubby for now, even as resources are tight. I still have school to look forward to, a job that I love that I'm increasingly getting better at, wonderful family-friends out there in the wide world that I miss, but that do not seem to mind my occasional absences due to crazy (seriously, youse guise are the best people ever!) and a few days off to breathe and get a second wind.

So there is much to be thankful for - and I'm glad there is a day when we all stop to contemplate that. Even if you don't celebrate, know I am thinking of you, sending you all the love and warm thoughts - and that I am grateful to have you in my life. :D May your banking holiday be a fun one that gives you some time with those you love.

Big Love to you all! And I am hoping to hop up on here (after answering comments and catching up a bit!) to let you all know what is shaking in our world over here. Until then, know I am thinking of you all - and that I am sending all the support, good vibes and warm wishes to you and yours!

*Squishes Flisty Tight, Tight*

Love~
Mandy

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