Monthly Archives: June 2011

Sounding Off

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Sounding off with my opinion about things going on in the world is not something I do very often on my blog. However, Friday morning I saw something on the news channel I watch that I found highly disturbing, and I really felt the need to say something about it.

What I saw was a short video clip of a bunch of people – several of them had looks of panic on their faces – running through a building. My initial thought – with all the tornadoes we have had lately – was it was a video clip of a bunch of people running to safety. I guess I was busy, or not paying a whole lot of attention, but I do not recall any description about the video clip at the time. I do remember thinking about it a little bit, and realized that a security guard – who was also in the video – did not look panicked. So that is when I began to think that maybe something else was going on. After all, I would have thought that if there had been some sort of dangerous situation the security guard would have looked panicked as well.

When the news channel ran the video clip again, I paid more attention. It was then that I found out the video clip was not of people trying to escape a dangerous situation, but instead it was a video showing people stampeding to find a seat for the Casey Anthony trial. The first thought that went through my head after this revelation was:

How disgusting !

I know that is very judgmental of me to say, but I am not going to apologize for it. I find it disgusting that these people were willing to run pell-mell down a hallway just so they could get the best seat in the house to witness something so tragic. Why would anyone be so desperate to witness the trial of someone who is admitting – to some degree – to the death of her child, and covering it up?

In trying to figure out the motives of the people in the video clip, I came to a conclusion about something. Is what they are doing any different than when people watch Reality TV Shows depicting other people’s  messed up, drama filled lives? I am including myself in that conclusion. My answer was  “No!”

I have been watching less television lately. Not through any conscious decision, but mostly due to the fact that I have so much schoolwork to do that I simply do not have the time. The few shows I have been watching have mostly consisted of Reality TV. Specifically, the Real Housewives series. When it dawned on my that my habit of setting EVERYTHING aside so I could make time to watch the housewives battle each, yell at each other, and even throw tables at each other was no different than people stampeding toward a court room my thought was:

How disgusting!

I do not want to be like that.

From now on, The Real Housewives series, and others like it, will no longer be on my list of shows to watch.

Power of Positive Words – B

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letter b

Words are powerful. They can affect a person’s mood, attitude, and outlook on life. If we are constantly being barraged by words that belittle us- most of the time these come out of our own mind – then we are going to go around viewing everything from a negative point of view. This can become a very difficult habit to stop.

The best thing we can do to shift from a negative point of view is to be mindful of the words we use. One way to do this is to build up a positive word bank. The way I like to do this is to think of a word that goes with each letter of the alphabet, and explain why the word makes me positively happy.

Buddy – This word makes me feel positively happy because…I want one! For the first time in a long time, I think I want to have a social life. I am just trying to figure out how to go about it.

Blog Gang – Quilts

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It has been a while since I have participated in a Blog Gang writing exercise. I have been so busy concentrating on other things that I forgot to pay attention when our fearless leader – Suzie Kline of Motherhoot – sent out the writing topics.

This week’s writing topic is Quilts. It sort of seemed like an odd – and perhaps difficult – topic for a writing exercise until I remember an old quilt that I have. This quilt is very special, because of who made it, and what it is made of. I consider it an heirloom. My great-grandmother is the person who made it, and the material she used for it is was bits and pieces of clothing from different family members.

I could not tell you from whom she got all the bits of cloth from, however, I do know where she got the green parts from. You cannot really tell from my pictures but the green bits of cloth kind of have a texture to them. Almost like the texture you might find in corduroy, but the material feels almost polyester-like to me. Anyway, that green material apparently came from a pantsuit my grandmother once wore.

My great-grandmother made this quilt completely by hand. She did not use any kind of pattern book, or any type of machine for the sewing. Incidentally, most of my memories of her are of her wearing dresses that she had made herself.

In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful quilts I have ever seen, and will probably ever see. I love the fact that it has family history sewn up in it as well.

 Great Grandma's QuiltGreat Grandma's Quilt 2

 

Power of Positive Words – A

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Words are powerful. They can affect a person’s mood, attitude, and outlook on life. If we are constantly being barraged by words that belittle us- most of the time these come out of our own mind – then we are going to go around viewing everything from a negative point of view. This can become a very difficult habit to stop.

The best thing we can do to shift from a negative point of view is to be mindful of the words we use. One way to do this is to build up a positive word bank. The way I like to do this is to think of a word that goes with each letter of the alphabet, and explain why the word makes me positively happy.

 

Aspire – This word makes me feel positively happy because it represents the dream I thought would never happen. I had honestly given up on the idea that I would ever go back to college. It seemed like an impossible dream. But look at me now, not only am I back in college, I aspire to obtain a Bachelors of Psychology

Counting My Blessings

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Image found on "My Time" a blog by Lori Shrout

Counting My Blessings (formerly know as Thankful Five) is something I like to do to remind myself of all the wonderful things I have in my life.

Some of the blessings I am counting this week are:

  • Our backyard – even in a subdivision there are many birds who visit our backyard. Just sitting out there you can hear a wide variety of bird songs, and chatter
  • My mother – she is an incredible person, who is strong, and caring. She has had a very difficult last few months, but she is getting through it.
  • College – I am loving the challenge that college is presenting me.
  • Truth – when someone takes the time to tell me the truth about myself – with love and respect – it means a great deal to me.
  • Music – I have been listening to more music lately, and I am enjoying it.

North to Alaska

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The other night I was told something extremely exciting. My mother, a friend of hers, my grandmother, and I are all taking a cruise to Alaska in September. I can’t believe it! Alaska is one of those places I have always wanted to go, but figured I would never make it.

Going to Alaska is just only part of the excitement. Mom has booked us a deluxe veranda suite on the ms Amsterdam. Of course there’s enough sleeping areas for everyone so we can share the suite, we will even have our own private area to sit outside and watch the ocean. With all the amenities that come with the suite, I am going to feel extremely pampered. Some of those lovely things are:

  • A whirl pool bath – I anticipate looking like a prune several times during the trip.
  • Corsages for our first formal night – I cannot remember the last time I wore a corsage
  • Hors d’oeuvres served before dinner each evening on request
  • A cocktail party with the ship’s officers – How cool is that?!
  • High tea – I have never done this.
  • A special lounge, only accessible to certain guests – I already checked, it  even has wifi!

Our ports of call during the cruise are:

  • Leave from Seattle, Washington
  • Puget Sound
  • Glacier Bay
  • Juneau, Alaska
  • Sitka, Alaska
  • Ketchican, Alaska
  • Victoria, British Columbia Canada

We are currently discussing what types of excursions we would like to participate in. I have one in mind I would like to do.

It is called Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour. You get to watch them crab fish and etc. on the Aluetian Ballad – a crab boat that was on Season II of The World’s Deadliest Catch. The information says that there is a lot of wild life to see, like whales, seals and more. The fisherman also share their fishing stories with you. I will let you know which ones we decide on!

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