Last year’s campaign was for (a big part of it, anyway) others. Yes, I benefited from y’all’s generosity, but fully half of all my donations (or more) went to things like walkers, glasses, favorite foods, doctor’s visits, clothing, laptops, etc. Just little things but great big things to the ones who were receiving them. If you could’ve seen those people’s faces, some of them who had never been given a damn thing their whole lives, you would be so proud and happy about being a part of something like this

Whereas my time at North County Nursing and Rehabilitation was mostly for others, my time here at Franciscan Villa is solely for me. I will not be “taking others under my wing.” I will not be paying their cell phone bill, nor will I buy them a shiny, new walker. It is my intention to treat myself. You might find this hedonistic, however I gave plenty of myself for the full year that I was there, and I feel I deserve my own reward, so to speak. But know this.... I did not do all I did for others expecting repayment. I did it out of unconditional love for my fellow man (and woman). I not only would be but am still happy about my benevolent deeds on their own.

Oh, and not to be “tooting my own horn,” but there is the matter of 143 pounds lost that I am asking for your donations for. Only clothes I have are 5XL, and they hang off of me like I am a scarecrow. And what’s worse is I only have t-shirts and sweatpants, no dress-up clothes whatsoever. But I will be needing a new wardrobe soon, like within 3 months' time.

You may or may not believe this, but this is going to be the very first time I have had a place to call home. Never, ever could find what it took to make a place into a home, something comfortable and cozy. Hell, if I wasn’t getting beat or tormented when I was little and “home” with my parents, I was strung out on cocaine or crawlin’ inside a bottle to hide from something or getting into a quasi-dysfunctional relationship with a she-devil. I do not do any of that shit anymore since all the people that beat and tormented me are dead, and I don’t do any more coke or drink any more alcohol. And I quit having anything to do with them she- devils. Yep, I learned my lesson (s). Even more of a reason to reward myself!

My Needs:

Eye Exam, $350

Eyeglasses, $425 (I’ll be needing new glasses because of the surgery I will be having soon to correct an anomaly in my left eye. Medicare pays for the surgery but not the glasses)

TV, Blu-ray Player, $650 (TV/$500, Blu-ray/$150)

Housewares, $250

YouTube TV, ($72/mo. X one year)- $864

Office Supplies, $250 (Ink for printer, paper, envelopes and stamps, asst. Art supplies)

Cell Phone Bill, ($45/mo. X 1 year)- $540

Miscellaneous, ($671)

Clothing for a 210 pound man- $750

Diabetic Shoes (that do not look like something Herman the Munster would wear!) $250

Pictures and other decor for my new home- $500

$5,500