cctexan3 : Jewelry for a Cause

Entertainers Go Felons For DV

2012-01-24T16:24:00.000-06:00

First Up is a story about a porn star who is arrested in a double battle of DV over baby feeding with her fiance in Vegas while there for her Awards cermony in her field of uh, success...
Porn Star Arrested for Domestic Violence

Apparently she didnt have enough breast milk after a night of drunken partying and her beau thought pushing her into a wall would help speed the process. Both were arrested. No one stops to think of the infant involved, perhaps staying in and taking care of the kid instead of partying might have been a good idea. Perhaps making a living with a degree and avoiding men who mooch off of you might be good too. Have a bit of self respect keeps us from falling for asshats like these brusiers.

In other news from TMZ...
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony" rapper Flesh-n-Bone won't face any additional jail time after allegedly beating his wife -- because TMZ has learned, he struck a sweet deal with prosecutors to secure his freedom.

Flesh -- real name Stanley Howse -- was arrested back in January on suspicion of domestic violence after a fight with his wife allegedly turned violent. He was later charged with inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, threatening her, and false imprisonment.

But Howse and his attorney Shepard Kopp struck a deal with prosecutors -- in which Howse agreed to plead guilty to false imprisonment in exchange for dropping the first two chargesThug rapper? Read more

Nice if ya got the money you get the deal for wife beating? 3 years probation?? and 100 hours community service . Seriously?!

Lets hope he has the money for the divorce process and she screws him to the wall.

And Lastly:

For more screwy Justice Injustices..
Floyd Mayweather Gets 90 days for Beating up Baby Momma

To quote :
Floyd Mayweather Jr. got hammered by a judge, who just sentenced him to serve 90 days in jail for beating up his baby mama in front of their kids.

Floyd was sentenced to 6 months in jail, but 3 months of that sentence was suspended. He also gets 3 days credit for time he has already served.

TMZ broke the story ... the boxer was arrested in September 2010 -- after his ex-girlfriend accused him of striking her "multiple times in the head with his fist" and then threatening to kill her.
----------------------------

Ok.. a world class champion boxer smashing a woman with his fists, threatening to kill her, in front of her children and he gets 3 months in jail? this from a repeat offender. Apparently once a beater always one. And I dont know why anyone would think they could change an abuser. If one is publicly charged with beating a woman and arrested , why would the next one jump in to the situation so quickly?

I can understand if you didn't know the creep's background, because abusers can be so charming and so easy with words. They can isiolate the woman from their friends, family and woo them with gifts and apologies. Making the woman feel that perhaps she deserved it. But jumping in with a cobra and being surprised you got bit is pushing the limits to me.

Bill Might make DV a felony: Knuckle dragging mouth breathers

2012-01-16T12:57:00.000-06:00

Gee, ya think so boys? Got to wait til the third wife beating for a felony?What the Hell is wrong with the picture? Know what happens when you beat a dog within an inch of its life?? check it out. More jail tiime than humans who are abused.

Bill makes 3rd DV a felony Its 2012 and lawmakers in Wisconsin are shaving their knuckles and standing upright for the first time in centuries. Read the article for more tidbits.

Apparently it is a misdemeanor to beat the crap out of your family and you can do it often.

to quote
Tyrone Adair's worst violent act wasn't his first.

Adair, who murdered two of his children and their mothers before killing himself in the Madison area in 2009, had a history of violence.

That's what Heather Severson of Appleton, a childhood friend of one of the victims, discovered after digging into Adair's background in the wake of his terrible crimes.

Severson learned something else: People who commit certain crimes in Wisconsin, like drunken driving, can face escalating charges if they re-offend and eventually can be charged as felons. But people who commit multiple domestic violence crimes don't face similar repercussions.

"It's constantly just a slap on the wrist," Severson said.
------------------------------------------

No pun intended...

I d like to slap more than his wrist. Authorites know from historical documentation from all over the US that violence escalates. Men who batter continue until the kill. And the more the dipshits get away with it, the more immune they think they are, the more powerful in their pea brains they become. And the more terrified and isolated the women become. She calls for help, he gets a slap on the wrist to return with more anger. What makes her think she can trust anyone anymore?

Society blames her for not leaving, not spotting it. She asks for help and the big he man police and courts do NOTHING to reprimand the guy. No prison or jail time of any penalty.

There is very little funding in few states for victims to use to run away. If she has kids she is tied to him legally in ways that make it impossible to hide.

She has not finances usually to leave, she is like a doog been beaten over the years who just cowers at a raised voice. She truly is frozen in place.

I beg of yall, get off your butts, tell your lawmakers in your states this stuff is not acceptable anymore.

Oh Goody

2012-01-12T20:07:00.001-06:00

I had a swell week last week. Thought I would share with all you kids. Maybe it would benefit someone out there because it sure didnt make a fun week for me.

Last Thursday I m working on my Etsy stores ( I sell my jewelry and supplies on line to supplement my lil ol disabililty check). I had the patio door open since it was broad daylight, mid morning in a quiet neighborhood in a small town.

A loud noise from the patio makes my dog bark like mad, I look up to see three cops in my doorway with guns drawn and pointed at the floor shouting they were looking for a Hispanic male who just raped the next door neighbor. Well I m surely not hiding the bastard under my nightgown and now Im scared. They leave, telling me to lock everything down.

We were surrounded by cops, helicopters and news crews all day. I was spooked like hell as the flash backs from my own attack came unbidden. I left for awhile but I had to return eventually. Of course, I got cornered my one news quy who asked if I thought the lady would be ok.

Hell no she wont be ok. She might be physically ok, but she will never be the same. She was doing her job ( it was the leasing agent) on a sunny day and some idiot decided to ruin her life. I spoke up to the Hispanic audience ( I got the Telemundo guy for some reason) and urged the women who saw this to reach out and get help, to not suffer in silence yada yada. He asks my name at the end. I tell him my first name. And then the Goob asks for my last name. I told him " I dont think so!"

Unfortunately, I sound much braver on paper or in voice print. I turned in to a ball of jellyfish on a Galveston Beach at high tide. I shook and couldnt sleep for days. I began having nightmares for some reason and wouldnt turn the lights off. What ever was wrong since this had not happened to me??

APparently, even though my own rape was ten years ago, flashbacks and PTSD, is forever. I had to schedule some new counseling, new therapy and do some heavy crying this week. I felt totally helpless and like a big tittybaby. How could this be?

Oh I am full of anger that this crap can still affect me and then I think... I cant be the only one that lives like this. That noises can still startle me right now. what I feared the most is that this visceral, animal like fear was blocking my relationship with God. The one thing that had sustained me over the last ten years of my recovery. I had not believed for so long and slowly came to believe as I go sober.

Driven by a hundred forms of fear I drank to block out my feelings. As I sobered up and relied on Him, I grew in my faith that He would not forsake me. Yet that fear last Thursday was so intense and so bleak and desolate, I was frightened beyond words and thought I would never feel that strength from Him again.

I am happy to report that as the week has progressed and withthe help of talking with girlfriends and a counselor at the womens center, I am beginning to feel that faith ( or at least the lessening of the fear) and with that, I feel hope.

2012-01-09T16:41:00.001-06:00

Click here The Horrors of Domestic Violence In Indonesia

Our Sisters in Indonesia Like many other smaller, more religious countries, face the stigma and shame of violence, abuse and rape in silence. there is no place to turn for help, no acknowledgement of it being a crime.

Here is part of the story, click above for the rest of Santi's story

In the communal violence that afflicted Ambon at the end of the 20th century, up to 13,000 men, women and children died, and many more were maimed and injured. Large numbers of people participated in, suffered from or witnessed acts of extreme violence, and many saw family members and friends being killed. Entire communities were driven from their homes and villages.

For the more vulnerable members of the community, particularly women and children, the communal violence often exacerbated violence they experienced at home at the hands of husbands, fathers and brothers. Violence against women in Indonesia is to a large degree not acknowledged or recognized as a problem, as incest, rape and domestic violence are all taboo subjects. Women who are beaten, tortured or abused by their husbands may be isolated from community support.

To provide psychological services to women and others suffering from violence, a group of six female psychologist-activists established the Pulih Foundation in 2001.

One of the worst cases of domestic violence in Ambon involved Santi, whose husband doused her with kerosene and set her on fire. In 2010, activists from Pulih drew attention to Santi’s case in the national media. Plastic surgeon Enrina Diah offered to provide her services without charge, and various donors raised funds to support a series of grueling operations involving many hours of complicated surgical procedures. Following these operations, Santi is now able to care for her son by herself, and to work to support them both.

HOLY CRAP

2012-01-08T11:30:00.002-06:00

Woman Raped by Paramedic —in Ambulance: Cops Click here

Women can get to the Hospital safely now??Another sad pathetic example of how depraved and power hungry some cretin morons are who want to avuse women.

What is this world coming to? DId the MORON not think he would be caught?

Did you See? Rise Up Arab Sisters

2012-01-02T19:42:00.000-06:00

(Newser) – The disturbing images of Egypt security officers stripping and beating a female protester is actually a fairly accurate portrait of how women are treated in Egypt and throughout the Arab world, writes Lisa Beyer at Bloomberg View. Violence and harassment are common, as is domestic abuse at the hands of fathers or husbands.

Click the above Link to read the rest of the story.

I have been following the plight of the Arab women in the last five to ten years and it seems to be growing more desperate and more violent. Maybe they are becoming more vocal? or the men more desperate to keep control over their women folk? Either way, lets send prayers and whatever help that you can for them.

Closed Down my Arfire Studios

2011-12-27T12:18:00.002-06:00

After much thought and prayer, recent events on the Artfire site have led me to understand that I have stayed beyond what was proper for my business plan. My customers needs come first and they are not being met there right now. I appreciate all that I have learned from the experience but find I fit far beetter with other sites.

Please Find me at my etsy stores:

www.cctexan3.etsy.com Jewelry for a cause.... 10% of all sales go to Domestic violence shelter here in Houston
www.beaconbeads.etsy.com
www.nccrafts.etsy.com

these last two are jewelry supply shops. Message me that you are readers of my blog and I will adjust your shipping to free for the month of January!!

Happy Beat Up people Month

2011-12-14T10:43:00.000-06:00

October is Domestic violence month! wohoo. Seriously.

I wrote earlier about some ideas you can do, more than wearing a crappy ribbon that no one understands or bothers to ask about.

Lets talk about the latest DV news and then maybe ppl might get motivated to write their congressman, support your local shelters for abused children and women who flee in the night with nothing. NOTHING. ( I slept outside in bushes to get away from my abuser) we didnt have shelters back then.

Heres the latest list of Abusers News...

ESPN Personality ( asshat) pleads no contest to DV
excerpt:
Levine (the attny) said that before police intervened in August, Mariotti struck his girlfriend in the face, which resulted in a visible bruise. Mariotti also grabbed and pulled his girlfriend by the hair, destroyed her personal property, and attempted to prevent her from escaping and calling police, according to Levine. Ultimately, he said, a bystander witnessed what was going on and called police.

Levine called the incident "a far cry" from the description put forth by the ESPN personality's legal camp, which described the victim as being drunk and abusive toward the sports commentator.

A nationally known sports personality, Mariotti has gained a reputation for his unsparing commentary on athletes' actions on ESPN’s "Around the Horn." He also writes for the sports website Fanhouse.com. In the past, he wrote sports columns for the Denver Post and the Chicago Sun-Times.

In connection with the incident, Los Angeles County Court Commissioner John Green agreed Thursday to dismiss the remaining six misdemeanor counts against Mariotti, which included four domestic violence-related counts, grand theft and false imprisonment.

With the plea, Mariotti avoids jail time. Instead, he was placed on three years' probation and required to perform 40 days of community labor, complete a 52-week domestic violence course and stay away from the victim.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

aint that the way... If you read the entire story, you will see where the turd says he did push her, but thats all... the court drops all the other charges of kidnapping, grand larceny and so on to these two counts. And another one gets away.

Is he ever going to Quit? Lasting effects of Domestic Violence

2011-12-06T18:41:00.000-06:00

For 24 years I ve been a seeker. Trying to "get over" what happened years ago, I ve tried counseling, ignoring it, therapists, psychiatry (reluctantly), denial, talking about it to other survivors, even built a website for survivors and volunteered to help others like me.

There is no getting over it, but there is a making peace with it and accepting the fact that it has happened and while you may be changed, you are not damaged, not the whore/slut/worthless whatever he called you while the blows rained down. You are loved and strong and a survivor.

And then, one day, this year, I was told by yet another Dr. (one of the many docs I "trusted" ( and argued with ) that I might not be mentally interesting, but I might be brain damaged.

Yea Me! wait. Is that Better? hmmm I am really frustrated... no scratch that... PISSED that no one put this together for 13 years.   I have been doped up on the wrong medications, wasted time, energy, got an addiction, tried suicide 4 times and been labeled many things by the medical profession..... all for a wrong diagnosis.

This summer was a battery of tests by a neurologist, a specialist in for the vertigo, MRIs, EEGs, EKGs, neuropschyologists who did 15 hours of testing on me over the course of a month.   Then the waiting for results began. Apparently I am highly intelligent. Wow. I never knew that. But I am sorely lacking in certain areas because of Traumatic Brain Injury. I also have severe back and neck problems from this past 25 year old abuse.

Now I began new and different medications because of the diagnosis

Apparently, being kicked in the head, car accidents and other head inuries will disable the frontal lobe. My brain has so far shrunk 6 mm and I have beginning stages of dementia, for which I am on an Alzheimers med. I was also put on something to help my memory and distractability which overwhelmed me with panic. Along with vitamin B12, thyroid junk and a pre diabetic med, these are to slow the progression of further damages. Yea me.

I do not want to be a burden to my child 15 years from now. I would like to function like normal folks. :) Did yall know that your brain controls alot of your body functions? hehe I kinda took that for granted but then again, never paid attention. Wetting your pants alot? getting lost in familiar streets? cant figure out simple math anymore? there ya go.

Anger

24 years after the fact, Andy is still haunting my life. I was (and still am a bit) pissed off no end! thankfully, I have an active 12 step program, part of which involves:

1. Trusting a Higher Power ( which took me forever because for years I was my higher power, totally incontrol of my life... which I resoundly did a terrible job)

2. learned how to do an inventory and clearing out of the resentments and garbage that was ruining my life.

3. staying in contact with this Power on a daily basis through prayer, meditation.
4. and helping others to keep my ego and selfish needs at bay.

( there is more steps like forgiveness and amends for wrongs I ve done to others and asking God to remove my grosser handicaps) These I work on Daily.

The ones bulleted though have helped me see my part in my life situations though and have the courage and love to face them. Next issue I ll talk about what I learned with my sponsor's help.

Regardless of my anger and feelings though: I stay on my meds and follow doctors orders, no matter side effects. AND I DO NOT DRINK OR ABUSE DRUGS. That would totally defeat the purpose of all this obviously LOL.

I have also found that, while God has lifted much trials from me, healed my liver, restored my family and cured my illness, he has not lifted my mental issues. I had to come to terms with that.

Why not Help a Woman in Need This Year? Give a Gift with True Spirit

2011-11-29T17:14:00.001-06:00

Women for Women International Gifts For Christmas

We give so many little trinkets and socks and stuff that collects dust each year. Why not give a Goat or some chickens to women in war torn countries so they can feed their families and become self sustaining again?

Think of the pride and self esteem that comes from being a part of a society without being a beggar? As having been homeless myself at one point in my life, I can tell you from experience how joyous it was when I was able to pay my way again with my 5.00 hour job.

Did you know in Kosovo, over 69% of the livestock was killed in the war? Women were not only raped, abused, held capitive and were considered unclean by some of their own families and "friends", but now have no ways to feed their children.

Gifts like a few chickens or rabbits help these women rebuild a life to support their children without looking for charity. We can give seeds for as little as ten dollars. A rabbit is fifteen dollars.

This organisation helps people in Rowanda, the Congo, Sudan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq and other war torn countries to have fresh water wells, fishing equipment, tools like books and pencils and paper.

please check it out and consider giving a gift in someone's name! It must be done by 12/14/11

Fun Facts About Domestic Violence In The US

2011-09-22T15:25:00.002-05:00

I was at the local Police Dept last week for some business regarding a creepy guy ... I was filing a report to start that important paper trail....

Anyway, I grabbed a pamphlet whilst waiting for the officer to see me. It was called Domesticv Violence, The Hidden Crime. Catchy title. It stated as many as many as 4 million women in this country suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their boyfriends or husbands each year.

yet very few tell anyone.   They all share feelings of helplessness, isolation, guilt, fear and shame.

Boy that is so true!   Some dont even realise they are being abused at fiirst, or ever. They buy the lie that if they were just better, prettier, nicer, a better cook, not so dumb, not so stupid, not so worthless, he wouldnt have to hit them.   Sound familiar girls??

I was there. I fell for it. I was a strong independent person, did not believe all that rot about myself, or so I thought. But deep down, I must have had some belief that maybe he was right.

Things did not get better until I left. There were no shelters , no laws against beating spouses or girlfriends back then.  There were no laws against marital rape.

I had to be the one to save myself and it is hard girlfriend. But you can do it. I know it is dangerous and scary and you might get hurt running... contact your local hotline. They can help counsel you in how to do it in the safest way, get you to an anonmyous shelter. Dont let your pride slow you, you will not save or fix the rat bastard. Once a beater always a beater. and your children grow up believing this a normal functioning relationship. dont let them suffer.

summertime thrills

2011-08-08T16:02:00.005-05:00

Its that time of year ( I missed it a bit) that I roll out this tried and true chuckle....

BUYING A MATURE WOMAN'S BATHING SUIT

The Bathing Suit (by a middle-age woman unknown)

When I was a child in the 1950s, the bathing suit for the mature figure

was-boned, trussed and reinforced, not so much sewn as engineered. They

were built to hold back and uplift, and they did a good job.

Today's stretch fabrics are designed for the prepubescent girl with a

figure carved from a potato chip.

The mature woman has a choice, she can either go up front to the

maternity department and try on a floral suit with a skirt, coming away

looking like a hippopotamus that escaped from Disney's Fantasia, or she

can wander around every run-of-the-mill department store trying to make

a sensible choice from what amounts to a designer range of fluorescent

rubber bands.

What choice did I have? I wandered around, made my sensible choice and

entered the chamber of horrors known as the fitting room. The first

thing I noticed was the extraordinary tensile strength of the stretch

material. The Lycra used in bathing costumes was developed, I believe,

by NASA to launch small rockets from a slingshot, which gives the added

bonus that if you manage to actually lever yourself into one, you would

be protected from shark attacks. Any shark taking a swipe at your

passing midriff would immediately suffer whiplash.

I fought my way into the bathing suit, but as I twanged the shoulder

strap in place I gasped in horror, my boobs had disappeared!

Eventually, I found one boob cowering under my left armpit. It took a

while to find the other. At last I located it flattened beside my

seventh rib.

The problem is that modern bathing suits have no bra cups. The mature

woman is meant to wear her boobs spread across her chest like a speed

bump. I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the mirror to take a

full view assessment.

The bathing suit fit all right, but unfortunately it only fit

those bits of me willing to stay inside it. The rest of me oozed out

rebelliously from top, bottom and sides. I looked like a lump of

Playdoh wearing undersized cling wrap.

As I tried to work out where all those extra bits had come from, the

prepubescent sales girl popped her head through the curtain, "Oh, there

you are," she said, admiring the bathing suit.

I replied that I wasn't so sure and asked what else she had to show me.

I tried on a cream crinkled one that made me look like a lump of

masking tape, and a floral two-piece that gave the appearance of an

oversized napkin in a serving ring.

I struggled into a pair of leopard-skin bathers with ragged frills and

came out looking like Tarzan's Jane, pregnant with triplets and having

a rough day.

I tried on a black number with a midriff and looked like a jellyfish in

mourning.

I tried on a bright pink pair with such a high cut leg I thought I

would have to wax my eyebrows to wear them.

Finally, I found a suit that fitted, it was a two-piece affair with a

shorts-style bottom and a loose blouse-type top. It was cheap,

comfortable, and bulge-friendly, so I bought it. My ridiculous search

had a successful outcome, I figured.

When I got it home, I found a label that read, "Material might become

transparent in water."

So, if you happen to be on the beach or near any other body of water

this year and I'm there too, I'll be the one in cut-off jeans and a

T-shirt!

You'd better be laughing or rolling on the floor by this time. Life

isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain,

with or without a bathing suit!

Note: Anyone who received this - who wears a single digit dress size - I hope you got a good chuckle out of it anyway !

Jeez Louise! Cheese and Crackers.. Bet ya thought I died.

2011-05-20T00:10:00.000-05:00

I m so sorry for neglecting my poor lil blog! Life got hold a me and took me by the neck. or hand. or whatever.

I had my carpal tunnel surgery on March 18th. what a joy... NOT. Dr Dude also releases tendon sheath in my radial nerve on wrist and I should be out for about a month. Ahem.

It is now May 18 and I can finally move my hand over keyboard for some period ( 15 minutes) without pain. And no more pain pills, Thanks Be! those stinkers make a girl dumberer. Turns out the hand wasnt healing due to stitch being left in after surgery which held one of the nerves out of the way so he could operate.   but it made my hand hurt and stay numb for a month. Then Dr Baby Genius figures out that the open wound still meant somethin aint right in there and asks if I want to take it out or just let it clear up on its out.

duh.. get it out. I dont want nothing that aint mine in me.   So it was removed and hurt like heck. and he forgot to prescribe the pills for a week which meant a week of wrangling with Nurses and Pharmacy and blah blah. No sleep for another week cus of the pain. Who knew nerves were so touchy??

US medicine at its finest.

So know I m slowly listing new stuff at my newest supply studio,
http://www.nccrafts.etsy.com/
and my artfire one
http://www.beadsupplies.artfire.com/

both of which have 25% savings in them.   ( I know the etsy one does)   and that one has more items in it right now anyways....

once I finish up with that I will see what I can do to get some more of the jewelry listed   but to make room for it I am about to run a sale for Memorial Day....
Might want to browse my artfire studio for favorites and keep an eye out this week for the sale prices to go out.

My Domestic violence and Rape Survivors activism is still ongoing and I will bring more news along the way, I have, however, expand my volunteer work with the University of Texas Hospital to bring meetings to patients twice a week in a locked facility so apparently that is where God has been guiding my path. I ask that yall pray for me and the ability for me to follow His will without my big fat ego ( or mouth ) to get in the way of being of service to Him and those that I may serve. thanks yall!

Sorry to have been gone So Long! Hand Surgery Sucks

2011-04-29T17:51:00.000-05:00

I still hurt so not much typing yet, but I m still alive and kicking. Went back today cus the hand was still hurting after months of pain... they left a stitch in... yippee.

so after digging it out and making me cry, I hope this is it.

Type to yall soon.

PAUL MC CARTNETY INDUCTS LENON INTO HALL OF FAME

2011-02-08T11:35:00.001-06:00

He reads a letter to Heaven of memories, best wishes and their lives , a quite moving testement to their friendship from childhood

March 8 is the 100th Anniversary of international Womens Day

2011-02-05T17:01:00.000-06:00

to read the site please click here

How far have we come since 1911? globally? locally?

check it out. be apart of the events going on around the world that day

from their facebook wall today:

International Women's Day ‎"I am convinced that the exercise of social and political rights by women is necessary for mankind's happiness and pride. You can rest assured that Turkish women together with world`s women will work towards world peace and security."-- M.K. Atatürk - 22 April 1935

Diplomats will be Recalled For Misconduct

2011-01-30T20:40:00.000-06:00

Diplomats will be recalled for misconduct, says Govt - Hindustan Times

This appears it only applies to diplomats living in foreign countries with civiliesed laws...

an excerpt:
Both Anil Verma at the Indian High Commission in London accused of brutally beating up his wife, and Aloke Ranjan Jha at India's permanent mission in New York charged with misbehaving with fellow passengers during a flight, have been brought back to India.

"I take this opportunity to inform you, and all officials working under you, that henceforth any act of domestic violence, or sexual misconduct, if proven, irrespective of the degree of its severity, will necessitate immediate recall of the officer and his dependents," Rao wrote in her letter.

Earlier, the external affairs ministry would conduct its own probe, recalling the officer concerned only after the probe confirmed his or her guilt. Henceforth, the officer will be recalled immediately, with the probe being conducted afterwards.

Very interesting...Firstly that it was issued by a WOMAN ...Hell Yeah!!!

and secondly .... recent news had been pointing out how badly it was for women in provinces around India and now the government is starting to make examples of its trusted "leaders". Which is about dang time.

But a bit too late for some of those women who have been martyred on the "maledom" of world cultures ( Yes, I know it happens here too, but most times there is justice in the US) In many countries, which have dismal human rights abuses, yet are still allowed into the United Nations with full voting rights, women are raped, burned, tortured and silenced by murder. In the area of Kurachhi a woamn is murdered everyday but rather than deal with that, they would rather deal with other issues.

Ironically enough,both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been appointed to a board of agency for women at the UN for the betterment of all womens rights. How droll.
here is one guy's opinion on that ( Pat Condell is very British and Very Dry with his wit. Many have to look up his comments to see if they fit and apparently most all of his facts are true... but you be the judge.

Maybe other countries can take a page from those which have begun to let their women out of their kitchens, burqas, bedrooms and into society... we are half of the world, WE ARE A PART OF EVERYTHING!

2 for 1 BEAD sale!!! Never happens

2011-01-15T12:05:00.000-06:00

Mark up is so low on supplies, this hardly happens with anyone, but I need room for new beads and need moola for the next show.

you know how you buy something and wonder what was I thinking? My style has changed so some of my stone needs have changed...

check the cctexan2 bead supply studio here

I had to add some web albums of all the pics that I dont have listed yet. Check out the links here, make me an offer!

http://picasaweb.google.com/cctexan3/20110114# some blues, lots of greens/yellows and orange, reds, pinks, and beiges

http://picasaweb.google.com/cctexan3/20100926#

http://picasaweb.google.com/cctexan3/20100924BigStones# jumbo stones mainly

http://picasaweb.google.com/cctexan3/20101018# fancy cuts, faceted

Texas Artfire Guild: Yee Haw Happy New Year Yall!! Its our Contest time...

2011-01-13T17:37:00.000-06:00

Texas Artfire Guild: Yee Haw Happy New Year Yall!! Its our Contest time...: "Rose Pen Hand Turned and carved From JmMCoy Earrings from TheGemmedGiraffe Individualized carved key chain from CNewcomb ..."

Online Only: Domestic violence is a form of torture - Penfield, NY - Penfield Post

2010-12-20T13:22:00.001-06:00

Online Only: Domestic violence is a form of torture - Penfield, NY - Penfield Post

Excerpt:
The United States signed CEDAW in 1980 as a landmark agreement affirming principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women and girls. But it has not ratified the treaty, leaving the U.S. outside – along with only Sudan, Iran, Somalia and three Pacific Island nations (Palau, Tonga and Nauru).

CEDAW offers a blueprint for women’s equality in law and policy. In ratifying nations, women have used CEDAW’s terms to push their governments for progress: For example, Morocco and Kenya ended forced marriage and ensured inheritance rights; Bangladesh broadened women’s access to education and vocational training; Nepal and Mexico legislated against sex trafficking and domestic abuse; Afghanistan made rape a crime for the first time.

It is time for the Senate to commit itself fully to women’s human rights by mustering the 67 votes needed to ratify CEDAW. It would strengthen the United States as a global leader in standing up for women and girls, while affirming the proud U.S. tradition of promoting and protecting human rights.

Polls show that the U.S. public strongly supports the values that CEDAW affirmed: education, fairness, equality, an end to violence against women, and protection of basic human rights.

Every day, in every country, gender-based violence sends countless women and girls to hospitals and cemeteries, creating vast physical and emotional misery.

when one thinks about it, this lady is spot on. Why has not the US signed and ratified this global need? 63 votes is all that is needed? they give lip service to some parts just to shut people up, but they dont care about the children and women dying. Its time to wake up you morons on the hill. Its been 28 years. someone could have done something by now

I know that I felt shell shocked coming out of my abusive relationship. I had desperately tried to hold on at the end because I had been brainwashed to the point that I believed every word that went with every blow: dirty whore, no one will want you, you are worthless.

It did not start that way. I forgave because " Ilove him" ( the national anthem of most abused women. ) If only I could "fix him" love him better, do better blah blah freaking blah.

you can't. there is nothing you can do to change a wife beater. and the madness that you find yourself sinking into, finally overwhelms you so that you are so utterly convinced you are worthless. One cannot tell friends or family, they will find a way to somehow blame you that you stayed. They just dont understand.

that is why the ones with big mouths ( like me and my friends) are will to share with the world, so that there may be some sort comprehension by the outsiders, the ones blessed enough not to have endured beatings, lockdowns, chokeholds, the words the words that ring loud in our heads well after the bones and bruises have healed.

Contact your congressman, it is easy to do, google your locale and congressman, the emails are usually right on the page. Ask why isnt this ratified? How many more need to die?

read the above article PLEASE.

Shakira ft. Freshlyground - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Offici...

2010-12-14T10:54:00.000-06:00

Kaoma - Lambada

2010-12-14T10:48:00.000-06:00

My favorite dance to do!~~ Im having a cruddy week so these make me smile. Would make you laugh if you saw me doing this LOL

Beyonce 100 Single Ladies Flash-Dance Piccadilly Circus, London for Trid...

2010-12-14T10:31:00.000-06:00

my new favorite.. Put a Ring on it...

T-Mobile Sing-along Trafalgar Square (extended version)

2010-12-14T10:30:00.000-06:00

13,500 ppl singing in Trafalgar Song... Hey Jude

Flash Dancing Mobs

2010-12-14T10:07:00.000-06:00

Hey Yall, need some followers to the Texas artisan blog

2010-12-09T15:44:00.000-06:00

Yep its a pity posting. We have only 14 followers of our ginormous blog about the art scene, selling online, helping others and contests where you can cool prizes of hand crafted items like burled oak pens, gem stone jewelry, leather cuffs ( dont ask) and other snazzy things.
\

we would love to have more followers, retweets and shares and I am not shameless when it comes to promoting other artists.

it is here hehe

I will personally giveaway a piece of my jewelry to one of the supporters of that blog. You wont know what number, but we will put it in a randomizer and draw a name. Goal is to get to 300 who are serious about life online selling, networking and who can read. LOL

Help us get there! Purdy Please.

there is a separate contest for who comments the most in a two month period. Guild members are not eligible.

thanks yall!!

Give a Goat for Christmas, Women For Women International

2010-12-07T10:14:00.000-06:00

Click here
struggling with Christmas Shopping? Tired of the same old stuff that sits collecting dust on shelves that eventually gets sold in a rummage sale?

Why not try this

it is a way to give in someone's name to women in war torn countries like Rwanda, Kosovo, Afghanistan. These women have struggled and survived mass executions of family and friends, rape, mutilations. Been separated from their children, families and have survived.

Now they need to become self sufficient because in some countries they are unclean, pariahs or just impoverished.

the site above is a way of giving chicks, fabric, seamstress tools, goats, farm implments so they can farm or learn trades they can sell at market. gifts are as low as 15.00 for three chicks for getting eggs for market. We throw that away at the dollar store!

This organization is part of the Conrad Hilton Foundation ( I think) or atleast they have many awards for running as a lean org. and still provifing the most money for others needs.

Aint this something? Cops charged with DV get to keep their Jobs.

2010-12-07T09:53:00.000-06:00

click here for full story
In a nut shell.. this is from the Tenessean news

opening quote:
At least 10 Metro Police officers have been arrested on domestic violence charges in the last five years. Eight of those were allowed to keep their jobs after their arrests, and the remaining two cases are pending. Discipline for improper conduct stemming from those arrests has ranged from a two- to an eight-day suspension. In one of the latest cases, Officer Jeffrey Sells resigned before he could be disciplined for a 2009 arrest.

read on for more disgusting tidbits....

so if these idiots do this at home what do they do to the public? Chances are they are good hiding behind that mask that abusers wear. Charming charismatic, successful, positions of power ( sometimes) or lack of male efficiency ie impotent little men who get into places of power. Why do the psych tests not show this propensity of violence.

Star Trek Meets Monty Python

2010-11-17T17:24:00.000-06:00

Monty Python- Knights Of The Round Table/Camelot Song

2010-11-17T17:22:00.000-06:00

Domestic violence is no longer a private issue: NGO

2010-11-17T17:05:00.000-06:00

MSN had this up on their site with regard to DV becoming less stigmatic.

excerpt:

''Apna Ghar'' deals with domestic abuse survivors while addressing the special needs and challenges of immigrants from the African and South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Asian. It also serves people from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Iran, and the white community.

Established in December 1989, Apna Ghar was the first transitional shelter serving Asian domestic violence victims in the United States.

they are celebrating their 20th anniversary. It is weird to think that this is a big deal, however in the 80s there were no shelters, no real laws against it and the double stigma of being from a different culture in a foreign land and being abused, must have been totally frightening to women who were ( are) not used to having "rights" that we Americans take for granted so often. Just something to think about.

New of our Middle Eastern Sisters 63% of cases dismissed

2010-11-17T16:52:00.000-06:00

From the Jerusalem Post
excerpt
Sixty-three percent of police cases dealing with domestic family violence have been closed due to a "lack of evidence," according to a report by Army Radio on Wednesday.

According to a recent Israel police investigation, 30% of the cases being closed should have never been closed and 41% of the cases could have been issued indictments. In addition, the investigation found that the communication between welfare services and the police is lacking. Part of the cases will be closed by police investigators, who are not certified to carry out such a move as prosecutors are, and have not consulted the appropriate individuals.

read the rest of the article for more thought provoking insights from the police/officials. It says basically it leaves them at high risk for MORE damage.

These the children are left in the homes to continue to learn these behaviors; to be damaged for life watching their mother being beaten, belittled and hurt over and over again, and has no reason to expect the courts or officials to ever help her again. I suppose this could be a great argument of what happens in patriarchal societies. I know that many of the younger viewers of this blog do not know the history of our sisters around the world for the last 100-200 years, I challenge you to do some research and to find out what your moms or grandmoms had to deal with so that you have the rights we take for granted.

Perhaps too we can have some compassion for these others in war torn, backwater thinking little countries who rule by force.

Who says Older folks cant be seriously Funny??

2010-11-13T00:29:00.001-06:00

This lady, a resident of a retirement community, was asked to give the invocation at a dinner/convention of retirement community managers. She does so, but then decides to add a few words of her own...

Click on the title for the video or you can cut and paste the address below.

http://www.caregiverstress.com/2010/07/a-reminder-that-laughter-is-the-best-medicine/

I unfortunately can relate to some of this and I m 25 years younger than her. I hope I do it as graciously and have a sense of humor she has.

This is absolutely priceless!......

FYI Bar Codes

2010-11-11T22:39:00.000-06:00

ALWAYS READ THE LABELS ON THE FOODS YOU BUY---NO MATTER WHAT THE FRONT OF THE BOX OR PACKAGE SAYS, TURN IT OVER AND READ THE BACK---CAREFULLY!

With all the food and pet products now coming from China, it is best to make sure you read labels at the grocery store and especially Walmart when buying food products.

Many products no longer show where they were made, only give where the distributor is located. It is important to read the bar code to track it's origin.

How to read Bar Codes ....interesting!

Can you differentiate which one is made in Taiwan or China?

If the first 3 digits of the barcode are

690, 691 or 692, the product is MADE IN CHINA.

471 is Made in Taiwan.

This is our right to know, but the government and related departments never educated the public, therefore we have to do it ourselves.

Nowadays, Chinese businessmen know that consumers do not prefer products "MADE IN CHINA", so they don't show from which country it is made.

However, you may now refer to the barcode --

remember if the first 3 digits are:

690 - 692 ... then it is MADE IN CHINA

00 - 09 ... USA & CANADA

30 - 37 ... FRANCE

40 - 44 ... GERMANY

471 ... Taiwan

49 ... JAPAN

50 ... UK

BUY USA & CANADIAN MADE by watching for "0" at the beginning of the number.

An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly rather true

2010-11-08T10:07:00.000-06:00

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense , who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;

- Why the early bird gets the worm;

- Life isn't always fair;

- and Maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers ;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

as Seen In a Michigan Paper

2010-11-06T17:08:00.000-05:00

Battle against Domestic Violence begins with a commitment

2010-11-04T17:14:00.000-05:00

Click here for complete story

When I first saw the title, I thought uh oh, here we go blame the victim without understanding the abuse process.,... but this is a thoughtfully written article about where and what law enforcement and others need to do to recognize and be proactive for the survivors.

Its easy for us to call in the emergency but then hours or days or weeks later, we waver, remembering the words that are seared into our soul: You're worthless, you cant survive with out me, etc.

It is hard to leave. Very. and once a woman does get out, there is lots of damage and healing that needs to happen. Read it for yourself and feel free to comment.

Helping Women Survivors of War Rebuild Their Lives | Women for Women International

2010-10-31T23:49:00.001-05:00

Helping Women Survivors of War Rebuild Their Lives Women for Women International

Ways to get involved in both the UK and the US. Women survivors of wars through out the world face far greater fears with many less resources than we in the western world have. ( I know that is poorly written, but you get the drift.)

the link above will take you to their site. I urge you to consider helping others Far Far less fortunate than us.

Sponsor a woman
Host an event
make a donation
Run for Congo women
find out more...

this is about empowering women in third world countries, many of whom are widows with children and facing the prospect of begging to survive due to their cultural situations. They are often outcasts, sometimes spend time in prison to avoid being stoned to death, face honor killings, female genital mutilation ( circumsisions with a jagged piece of glass at the age of 8-9 years old) and many other atrocities that are the "norm" for the world they live in. But only for the grace of having been born in a different country we too could have a life like that.

these are some of the countries Women for Women is involved in:
Afghanistan

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Iraq

Kosovo

Nigeria

Rwanda

Sudan

You are reading this on your computer, prolly with a/c or heat in a comfortable chair, with fresh running water and plumbing. You probably ate today. Your kids are fairly healthy if not driving you nuts. And you are preparing for the work week ahead. What do you think these women are facing tomorrow? tonight?

Just something to think about.

Meredith brooks - Bitch

2010-10-26T10:54:00.000-05:00

Prprty Lines/ boundaries

2010-10-23T01:27:00.000-05:00

From Hazeldon... thought for the day Melodie Beatty Language of letting go

If you would like to sign up for thoughts for the day from Hazeldon:

http://www.hazelden.org/register

Property Lines

A helpful tool in our recovery, especially in the behavior we call detachment, is learning to identify who owns what. Then we let each person own and possess his or her rightful property.

If another person has an addiction, a problem, a feeling, or a self-defeating behavior, that is their property, not ours. If someone is a martyr, immersed in negativity, controlling, or manipulative, that is their issue, not ours.

If someone has acted and experienced a particular consequence, both the behavior and the consequence belong to that person.

People's lies, deceptions, tricks, manipulations, abusive behaviors, inappropriate behaviors, cheating behaviors, and tacky behaviors belong to them, too. Not us.

People's hopes and dreams are their property. Their guilt belongs to them too. Their happiness or misery is also theirs. So are their beliefs and messages.

If some people don't like themselves, that is their choice. Their choices are their property, not ours. What people choose to say and do is their business.

What is our property? Our property includes our behaviors, problems, feelings, happiness, misery, choices, and messages; our ability to love, care, and nurture; our thoughts, our denial, our hopes and dreams for ourselves. Whether we allow ourselves to be controlled, manipulated, deceived, or mistreated is our business.

In recovery, we learn an appropriate sense of ownership. If something isn't ours, we don't take it. If we take it, we learn to give it back. Let other people have their property, and learn to own and take good care of what's ours.

Today, I will work at developing a clear sense of what belongs to me, and what doesn't. If it's not mine, I won't keep it. I will deal with myself, my issues, and my responsibilities.

are any of yall having trouble commenting in here

2010-10-22T16:46:00.000-05:00

someone said that they had trouble getting the blog to take their comments. I ll need to figure out how...
can you go the facebook page and leave me notes re your problems with the access? Ill take it to blogger and find out why.

You should be able to comment without even doing the verification with the image thing.

thanks!

2010-10-21T17:19:00.000-05:00

YWCA Domestic Violence resourcesThere are a lot of unanswered questions about the domestic violence case that led to a young mother being murdered in a City College campus bathroom. The Gonzalez case is an on-going investigation and officials are refusing to talk about it. But, no doubt, it was on everybody's mind as they talked about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and early intervention being the key.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis was in attendance, so was the Chief of the County Probation Department and the mother of 2007 domestic violence murder victim Dawnna Wright. All of them hoping to make a dent into a crime out of control.
click here for the rest of the story

small minds

2010-10-17T20:08:00.002-05:00

apparently one of the sellers on a venue I sell Jewelry for a cause, has decided it is cool to snoop and use a person's past to belittle, denigrate and "win" at any cost, by insulting me.

Unfortunately it is not just me that is insulted when someone says " Your trauma must have really screwed you up" as an insult ( He has followed me around looking for dirt) trying to bait me. I cannot be pushed into fear or insulted into going away. I lived through far much worse to be bothered by someone as subtle as a turd in a punch bowl.

However, the comment is hurtful to all survivors or victims of violence, rape and abuse, regardless of age, race, creed, socio economic levels. That is a disgusting display of secondary wounding, shoving ppl back into the shadows for crimes that were done TO THEM.

Do not give into bad thoughts or guilty feelings or judgemental crap from others. You survived for a reason. You did what you had to, to survive. It may not feel like it is worth it at times. It may hurt to see tv shows, or hyperbole by pundits who know nothing about what it is to live through what you have. You are loved. You are important and you matter. Much love to you my brothers and sisters in this fight!

Getting rid of Demons of the Past

2010-10-15T17:45:00.000-05:00

I m going to share how I dealt with the Badniversary this year... it was kicking my keister worse than ever.

I will share in a general way about the past but if you are a new survivor or a current abused woman, it may trigger you. I trust you know to take care of yourself with your team of friends/supporters.   This may or may not help you.

I have been meaning to write this since my last blogger, but I have found myself unwilling to share it publicly until now. Its like getting thrown off a bike, skinned my knee and turned into a weenie. But I got to get back on the bike no matter how spooked I am.

I was gang raped in 1997, drugged with Rohypnol...so most of it is blank. Which is either a blessing or a curse cus the imagination really works overtime.   I remember a few images and thats all I need to say.   Rohypnol is called the date rape drug and makes one suggestible to orders even if it goes against ones morals or desires. ( saw that on a documentary on PBS)

Anyways... it triggered memories from abuse I never worked out from years past. I stuffed that old carp and moved my happy butt on down the road. Which apparently is not the way to handle it. Every memory came rushing back with full intensity in 1998 ( well over the course of a few months). So listen to experience, do NOT wait to deal with stuff! Cus stuff comes looking for you.

On to the purging. I have an American Indian friend who believes in cleansing properties of fire and rituals.   He suggested that I get some GI Joes or some figures and do what I need to do and then burn them. Well, I wasnt going to burn the dang things in my bathtub. Turns out plastic is illegal to burn btw. My buddy Pete was having a bonfire the next night so I decided this might be the ticket.

Off to the dollar store, bought some small stuffed pigs ( and bears) and turned on the telly for an hour of mutilations.... The church channel which had not worked for a year, pops on. It was Charles Stanley, one of my fave teachers of scripture. So I needed noise, left the Sermon on and set off to destuffing, taping and stabbing the piggies with nail files or little paring knife.

I started hearing the sermon by the time I got to 6th one ( I included all bastards that were eating my serenity including the ones from childhood and dear old Dad who abandoned us). Turns out that God has a wicked sense of timing and humour. The sermon was on forgiveness. well bully. Now I m stabbing with less fervor... and finally felt stupid as I muddled thru.

DISCLAIMER This is not voodoo or whatever... I was just getting rid of images and memories... not burning the dudes. that is for God to judge.

I tossed them in the bonfire one by one after saying a prayer, with two women stand near me and behind me for support. I cried and it was done. I felt lighter. I sat and meditated for awhile, watching the embers float up to the sky. I was thinking those were the shells of the memories and God was taking them from me.

Domestic, sexual violence impacts entire community

2010-10-06T09:31:00.001-05:00

Domestic and sexual violence are pervasive and life-threatening crimes affecting millions of individuals across our nation regardless of age, economic status, race, religion or education.

According to information from the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women, nearly one in four women are beaten or raped by a partner during adulthood and each year approximately 2.3 million people are raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend.

One in six women and one in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape.

Every day in the United States, an average of three women are killed by a current or former intimate partner.

Children and youth

Children are particularly vulnerable as both victims of and witnesses to domestic and sexual violence. In order to break the cycle of violence, we must intervene and provide services.

Approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year.

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18. Incest accounts for half of all sexual abuse cases.
Young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence.
Children exposed to violence are more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes.
Men exposed to physical abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic violence as children are almost four times more likely than other men to have perpetrated domestic violence as adults, according to a large study.

Costs

Domestic violence and sexual assault severely impact not only victims, but entire communities. In addition to the devastating damage suffered by victims and their families, these crimes also have huge financial costs.
The cost of intimate partner violence annually exceeds $5.8 billion, including $4.1 billion in direct healthcare expenses.
Between one-quarter and one-half of domestic violence victims report that they lost a job, at least in part, due to domestic violence. Women who experienced domestic violence are more likely to experience periods of unemployment, have health problems, and be welfare recipients.
Domestic violence has been estimated to cost employers in the U.S. up to $13 billion each year.

Progress for domestic and sexual violence victims

Congress’s commitment to improving the response to domestic and sexual violence has made a significant difference in the lives of victims. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), enacted in 1984, has been the foundation of the response to domestic violence victims, including shelters and outreach programs across the country.

The landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), first authorized in 1994, has changed the way federal, tribal, state and local entities respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.

VAWA saved an estimated nearly $14.8 billion in net averted costs in its first six years alone.

The number of women killed by an intimate partner has decreased by 34 percent.

what color ribbon is MY cause??

2010-10-05T16:08:00.003-05:00

can click the title...

this is why I say that lil ribbon does little to help causes. It just seems gimmicky to me. Like some feel good short cut to say "I m doing something".

Maybe I m just cynical... but every disease/Cause has a color it appears according to FiremountainGems says for those of you making " awareness" jewelry for folks to wear in hopes that someone may ask, "why are you wearing that [purple and pink in that bracelet?]"

here is what Blue stands for... ( not to be confused with the teal blue or the light blue ones)

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Alopecia

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Arthritis

Brachial Plexus Injuries

Child Abuse Prevention

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Colitis

Colon Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Crime Victim's Rights

Crohn's Disease

Drowning

Dysautonomia

Dystonia

Education

Epstein-Barr Virus

Erb's Palsy

Familial Polyposis

Free Speech

Guillian Barre Syndrome

Huntington's Disease

Hurricane

Hurricane Katrina

Histiocytosis

Ichthyosis

Interstitial Cystitis

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Leukodystrophies

ME/CFIDS

Myositis

Police Lost in Duty

Rectal Cancer

Restless Legs Syndrome

Reye's Syndrome

Save the Music in Our Schools

Short Bowel Syndrome

Steven Johnson Syndrome

Teens Against Smoking

Transverse Myelitis

Victim's Rights

Water Quality

Water Safety

Heres the Black Ribbon

Amish Support

Anti-Terrorism

Gang Prevention

Gun Control

Melanoma

Mourning

Narcolepsy

POW/MIA (alternative color: Yellow

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Disorders

Students for Gun Control

Trauma

Now while I am all for Amish support, does it really rank up there with anti terrorism? or gun control or mourning? who came up with all this? Is this a little like selling Hallowen candy and supplies in August just fatten our big butts up? anything for $$.... It seems to lessen the impact in my lil ol rant here.

Dont forget to do something tangible... Talk to your family, help someone get to where they need to be to get safe, call the police if you suspect DV in a neighbors home, it will be anonymous.

Happy Beat Up people Month

2010-10-04T11:12:00.001-05:00

Oh yeah.. this is great one dipsy:

Keeping with the mood of DV awareness Month, Lets party on with some of the news of the day... Maybe that will inspire some of yall to do more than wear a crappy ribbon that no one ever bothers to ask about.

Get involved! I love it that you guys read this blog and are willing to stay informed, get angry or sad by this nasty stuff. I would love to write about rainbows and wonderfulness all the time ( I do laugh and smile a lot... just not on this subject)

Donate to your local shelter this month, skip the Double mocha vodka Valium latte and send a check..

ESPN Personality blah blah abuser

Excerpt:
Levine said that before police intervened in August, Mariotti struck his girlfriend in the face, which resulted in a visible bruise. Mariotti also grabbed and pulled his girlfriend by the hair, destroyed her personal property, and attempted to prevent her from escaping and calling police, according to Levine. Ultimately, he said, a bystander witnessed what was going on and called police.

Levine called the incident "a far cry" from the description put forth by the ESPN personality's legal camp, which described the victim as being drunk and abusive toward the sports commentator.

A nationally known sports personality, Mariotti has gained a reputation for his unsparing commentary on athletes' actions on ESPN’s "Around the Horn." He also writes for the sports website Fanhouse.com. In the past, he wrote sports columns for the Denver Post and the Chicago Sun-Times.

In connection with the incident, Los Angeles County Court Commissioner John Green agreed Thursday to dismiss the remaining six misdemeanor counts against Mariotti, which included four domestic violence-related counts, grand theft and false imprisonment.

With the plea, Mariotti avoids jail time. Instead, he was placed on three years' probation and required to perform 40 days of community labor, complete a 52-week domestic violence course and stay away from the victim.

------------------------
aint that the way! let me traumatize you babe, hit and abuse you, You live with the aftermath for life and I ll get some probation and a "class".

HA.. a class and community service . Read the rest of the story above to see what he did...." All I did was push her" uh huh. Pull the other one.

Did I mention the 14,000.00 I spent in one year alone on Psych Doc and meds to deal with trauma? Betting she has this same kind of cash outlay someday.

Thank God that witness got involved and called police.... Would you? In one beating (in 1985) I took from my boyfriend, with ten or 15 people watching. He knocked me down with a punch to the jaw and then the usual kicks/stomps. A total stranger ( not our "friends") came running up the sidewalk and pulled him off. Pretty sickening as I recalled it later, that I could watch their feet and no one was moving to call the cops.

Ticked yet?
Try this one:
ALASKA DV stats are not just bad, they are AWFUL
Authorities have long thought that the rates of domestic and sexual violence against Alaskan women -- urban and rural alike -- are outrageously high, but a new telephone survey has confirmed suspicions that they're much worse than statistics based only on calls to law enforcement have indicated so far. The new survey, conducted by the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and UAA's Justice center, polled 871 random Alaskan women throughout the state by phone and found that approximately 1 of every 2 has been physically assaulted by a domestic partner at some time in the past. ONE in TWO. The survey also found that approximately 1 in 4 has been the victim of unwanted or forcible sexual contact. That's right, Alaska, approximately ONE in FOUR of your women has been sexually victimized. What's more, the numbers aren't the only shocking thing about the survey; apparently, this is the first one that has been done in the state. Read, listen and watch reports on this troubling, but sadly unsurprising news about how dangerous it is to be a woman in Alaska from The Tundra Drums, KTUU-TV, APRN, KTVA-TV, and the Anchorage Daily News.

Alaska Beat would like to note that violence against women does not only affect its victims. It also affects communities and generations. Thankfully, services exist to help victims and abusers alike. The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault has 17 member programs across the state for people experiencing a crisis, or not for that matter. Here's a list of them and ways to contact the one closest to you. Please, please, please, Alaska. Not one more victim, female or male, adult or child.

Decoding Drug Information - Seroquel Adverse Reactions - Final | Breaking Bipolar - HealthyPlace

2010-10-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

Decoding Drug Information - Seroquel Adverse Reactions - Final Breaking Bipolar - HealthyPlace

Keeping up with the Mental Health Awareness week... another link for a great source of info on drug information... and it isnt just about Seroquel as the link suggests. Isnt it fun Boys and girls, to haveside effects like lactation constipation AND diahrreah at the same time? (what??) or if you feel suicidal call us immediately . Oh I tried both of those once. I got hold of a gun and was going to kill myself in 1999, and the next day called the office immediately and the nurse asked a bunch of stupid questions and the dr did not return my three phone calls. Well screw that.. I can be crazy on my own. I would not see a Psych dr for years because I did not trust the docs or the pills. The above link is good for info on how the USDA/FDA or some group decides how bad the side effects are ( like getting so twisted off you might take your clothes off and dance like an Apache in the backyard) and how to cope with it

My GP insisted I needed antidepressants and seroquel and to go back to the docs. Hell no. Eventually, I found it easier to self medicate and that was a whole new story.

One of my favorite things about being Mentally interesting is the drug guinea pig effect. I ve had docs tell me over the years.. "we dont how this works ( anti depressants, anti seizure, anti living drugs) but if you take it and you get better , then you must need it"

WHAT?? is this why they say they are practioners? I d really like a pro not a practioner ya know Doc? At my last appt, he asked me what I was thinking, I told him in tears, about punching him. thankfully there was a table between us and I was too lazy to really do it. This is my regular crazy doc for the last two years, so he is rather used to my crazy thoughts and rather blase about people with PTSD ( one of my many alphabets behind my name) That is why I refuse to be labeled. I hate being my disorder. I have PTSD ( or Bi Polar or Epileptic or DID or Depressed disorder or whatever any of us have)

However, they got to label you so the insurance folks know how to squeeze the big bucks out of ya for their medications which they hold patents on. Once it goes generic it can get a bit more affordable. My disability allows me medicare which cuts the costs for me. Before that grant by Social Security I had spent 14,000.00 on medication and Dr visists in one year. You cannot be sick if you are poor. You just to get worse. So next time you see someone who is acting loopy, rather than treat them like a pariah, thank your stars you are not one of us.

Disclosing Dissociative Identity Disorder: I Can't Tell You. You Don't Understand. | Dissociative Living - HealthyPlace#more-431

2010-10-02T01:57:00.001-05:00

Disclosing Dissociative Identity Disorder: I Can't Tell You. You Don't Understand. Dissociative Living - HealthyPlace#more-431
This writer has a series on another disorder that scares people ( ie peoples fears are based on ignorance) I encourage you to read on to understand some of the stigmas and the difficulty of living with any disorder. This one is misunderstood in part to the movies like Sybil or Three Faces of Eve. I encourage to read through the 4 part series after this one... she has them linked. It was a quick and interesting read.

Disassociation happens mainly as a defensive mechanism for children of abuse/trauma and becomes an integrated part of dealing with any stressors in life. When things threaten a survivor, they will often "go away" in their mind....

Problem is, doctors can't even agree on if it is an illness or if it exsists! For those who suffer from it or get slapped with this label, it does. Lots of times someone will find them selves pointing at the screen saying "thats me" that is what I do etc. I bring these things to you readers to help you broaden your knowledge, your compassion, your horizons.

If nothing else, it will make you grateful you only have first class problems to deal with.. worming the dog, worrying about how to pay for college twelve years from now.

Stop Minimizing Mental Illness: Worst Things to Say | Breaking Bipolar - HealthyPlace#div-comment-733

2010-10-02T01:08:00.001-05:00

Stop Minimizing Mental Illness: Worst Things to Say Breaking Bipolar - HealthyPlace#div-comment-733

I love this woman's outlook and style of writing. As a fellow sufferer of mental illness, I can so relate to what she speaks of. I laughed at the sharp wit (and dim wits) that say the stupid, callous, unthinking comments.

( My fave was left off the list... "Just think happy thoughts" but I can live with that)

Please read to understand because chances are you know someone who lives with a mental illness, learn how to be a bit more compassionate or at least tolerant.

What You Can Do For Mental Illness Awareness Week | Breaking Bipolar - HealthyPlace#more-1180

2010-10-02T01:05:00.001-05:00

What You Can Do For Mental Illness Awareness Week Breaking Bipolar - HealthyPlace#more-1180

In addition to October being Breast Cancer awareness month and Domestic violence Awareness, the first week of October is a Party for the Mentally Ill... the above link takes you to a great website with links to activities in Canada, and information that one can garner or spread to others about the misconceptions and stigma attached to being mentally ill ( which often happens with DV survivors)

Click and reshare please!

I am not in a good spot to do much writing at the moment, but will soon. Its my anniversary and it aint a good one filled with flowers and a nice dinner out. It is the date my life changed drastically/radically/ horrifically forever.

When I am ready I will share some insights from a ritual I will be doing tomorrow night to exorcise the demon basterds from my life once again. Ya forgive to set yourself free but at times they come back. with even more intensity.

Domestic violence News and events Upcoming

2010-09-29T23:41:00.001-05:00

In Ohio Focusing on domestic violence To bring awareness and local access, spearheaded by a couple who lost a daughter to an abusive ex boyfriend.

Center receives grant to combat domestic violence
Mary Kay Foundation makes possible center

RI domestic violence group: Ft. Hood murder resonates
DeBare added, "The apparent murder of Jessie Ann Franklin and the suicide of Sergeant Franklin resonate with the high number of domestic violence deaths we've seen in Rhode Island this year. These repeated tragedies should serve as proof that we must do more -- to provide services, to reach out to those in need, but also to change society's attitudes about abuse. Violence against women is never acceptable."

She said military families are at higher risk for family violence than the general population.

Caution: comments on this site may make one angry!

Rally against domestic violence set for Oct. 1 in Kent
for Washington State folks!

Few soldiers assigned to domestic violence care finish programs

I guess it has to be the macho mentality in paramilitary organizations... dunno

Pushing Back Against Domestic Violence in Nepal

worldwide issues with DV .. and this is HUGE news for a third world country to try to combat this!!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

2010-09-28T23:56:00.003-05:00

I challenge each of you readers to do one thing a week:

help educate by passing out flyers or ribbons

pass on information to your work place/DR departments
Talk to someone who is in crisis or that you suspect is being hurt
volunteer at the local shelter/crisis hotlines
donate clothes to the shelter in your hometown
talk about with others, facebook it, tweet or whatever other magic you do so well.

Did you know that your old cell phones can be turned in to most dealers for DV victims so they have immediate access for 911? they dont work for anything else but emergency calls... the companies like T Mobile and Verizon have been doing this for a few years. Clean out your drawers!

Pick up pamphlets at your local centers and leave them on counters at dry cleaners, resturants, windsheilds, wherever.

Ask to put up a flyer in local stores windows.

Donate

a portion of all my jewelry sales goes to the Houston DV shelter.

Love isnt supposed to hurt. There will be more information over the next few weeks. In the meantime You can follow the collection to the left for artfire, you can plurk, tweet, blog Facebook it... or connect to this blog. Leave a comment and let us know!

So what are you going to do about it???

New supplies shop coming

2010-09-26T14:27:00.002-05:00

For now you can see a preview of some of my items I m going to be adding t0 my studio on artfire...
www.cctexan2.artfire.com

click here to see my picasa album
http://picasaweb.google.com/cctexan3/20100924BigStones?feat=directlink

OUTRAGEOUS!!! DA is harassing victim of Domestic violence with Sexting

2010-09-20T09:28:00.000-05:00

This story absolutely shocks me. What the heck posseses anyone who is to PROTECT and defend the Peoples Laws thinking that they can get away with further harassment and attacking this poor victim?

Talk about revictimizing.

to quote the article :
In others he called her "a hot, young nymph" and said he would "want you to be so hot and treat me so well that you'd be THE woman! R U that good?"

Thankfully others are just as disgusted. The man must have a break with reality or just a pervert in a position of power to abuse. That is what crimes like that are about... power, twisting the knife for some sick perverted way.

New PBS special regarding Mental Health ( or lack of)

2010-09-20T08:58:00.000-05:00

the title above is clickable to the article.

Almost one quarter of adults each year deal with a diagnosable Mental Illness. The ecomonoy is forcing more funding cuts and help ...cus being mentally interesting is not cheap. When I ran out of insurance and savings for doctors and Rx, it became easier to "self medicate" cus street drugs were cheaper and easier to get than a Psych med.

The levels of ppl trying to get assistance in areas of substance abuse are increasing...as well as deaths by overdose or suicide. ( just my personal observation) It is interesting read.

More info on NIMI Natl Institute of Mental health has lots of links for yall to help loved ones or friends. Just understanding or making an effort really makes ppl with illness feel your compassion.

Have you checked the Sex offender registry?

2010-09-16T00:19:00.000-05:00

Click the title to go to the national sex offenders registry to search your neighborhood.

If you live in texas, you may click this

What would you do if this happened to you?

Its a story of a woman who discovers that a registered sex offender "family man" moves in on her block.... sending his child out with invitations for the neighborhood kids "get to know you party"  if they were bringing parents, they needed to RSVP.

How come we arent notified?

there are flaws in the system, small infractions can put one on the list just as a predator of small children ( ie a 19 year old who has sex with his 16 yr old girlfriend, {statutory rape} is the same as one who repeatedly rapes 12 year old girl) Where is the line drawn?

How to Cope When a Registered Sex Offender Moves In
this article from same series has some thought provoking questions... and I dont know what the answers are. It seems unfair one has to move away from a home to avoid a scumbag like this. I would not be happy if one moved in near me.

In fact, I know of two that are near me in a place I frequent... I dont care to have them in my church, little league or cub scout area. I dont want them in my meetings, my grocery store parking lot.   To do that to a child and rob them of their innocence is the most vile disgusting thing I can ever think of. In Texas, we have a free access data base with pictures and info on the person, complete with mug shots. To see the bastard laughing in public, smirking in update mug shots ( they have to register when they relocate)

And one of the cretins is married, his wife knows what he did to his stepdaughter who was not even a teen. How do you stay with a man like that? Now this man is to be a grandfather. Does the new daughter in law know about this mans past? Should I tell her? I would never want to risk my own childrens safety.

So what are our responsibilities towards others and towards these creeps? Do you turn a blind eye? Confront? One neighborhood actually paid off the guy to move away, with 100,000.00 over market value for his home. Is that extortion? It definitely profitting from the tears of a child.

The world is a mad place.

Legally Dealing with a Registered Sex Offender in Your Neighborhood

Good info before you go charging off with a lynch mob...

Something To Think About!

2010-09-13T17:29:00.000-05:00

Imagine that you had won the following prize in a contest:

Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400.00 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has rules, just as any game has certain rules.

The first set of rules would be:

Everything that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from you. You may not simply transfer money into some other account. You may only spend it. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400.00 for that day.

The second set of rules:

The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, "Its over, the game is over!" It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do? You would buy anything and everything you wanted, right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love, right? Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right? You would try to spend every cent, and use it all, right?

ACTUALLY, this GAME is REALITY!

Each of us is in possession of such a magical bank. We just can't seem to see it. The MAGICAL BANK is TIME!

Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life, and when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT credited to us. What we haven't lived up that day is forever lost. Yesterday is forever gone.

Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time....WITHOUT WARNING.

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?

Aren't they worth so much more than the same amount in dollars? Think about that, and always think of this: Enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, be Happy, Love Deeply and enjoy life!

Here's wishing you a wonderfully beautiful day!!!

Rape Viewed as Major Problem Across Sub-Saharan Africa

2010-09-12T11:01:00.001-05:00

Rape Viewed as Major Problem Across Sub-Saharan Africa

SharePrintE-mail September 2, 2010

Rape Viewed as Major Problem Across Sub-Saharan AfricaPrevalent in countries with violence in recent pastby Christine Delmeiren

NAIROBI -- Majorities in nearly all 18 sub-Saharan African countries surveyed in 2009 say rape is a major problem in their countries. A median of 77% of sub-Saharan Africans see rape as this much of a problem, but in six countries, the percentage saying this reaches 90% or higher.

click title to read more of this appalling statistical nightmare

various links for education, treatments and news

2010-09-12T10:58:00.001-05:00

Click here for human rights radio broadcast/interviews on how people and organizations are trying to stop this disgrace. It requires a brief sign in

As one: I am my Sister's keeper is an online conference for international awareness and help sponsored by weaving the culture.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization and was named one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotlines (800.656.HOPE and rainn.org) in partnership with over 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country. The hotlines have helped more than 1.2 million people since 1994. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. For more information about RAINN, please visit rainn.org

NAMI.org The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder... click the link for oodles of information for you to understand yourself, or others close to you. there are lots of events, articles and practical information.

Foods and Moods
So what are the good mood foods? Eatwell.com reports on a study of 3,500 men and women published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Participants who ate a diet “rich in whole foods” were less likely to feel depressed than those who consumed a lot of processed meats, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products. Furthermore, folate (a B vitamin found in spinach, beans, and citrus fruits) affects the neurotransmitters that impact mood. click link to read more

Tonight I saw bigotry up close and it was ugly

2010-09-08T01:35:00.001-05:00

I live in a large city in America. I m a white middle aged woman, a Christian ....

Land of the Free , brave and all that. Men and women have died for our rights in this country for hundreds of years. We have the right to speak as we feel ( within parameters set by the courts of the land). We can carry guns. We have the right to worship anyway we wish to do. We have the freedom and protection from our Bill of Rights. ( against self incrimination, illegal search and seizure and so on.)

We can burn the flag ( which is sacrilege to me, considering the blood that was shed for that right) The Klan has the right to their "speech" Because the same right that protects them, protects me. ( and all Americans).

Anyway, as a jewelry designer, I like other countries ethnic pieces, whether Bedouin, Kuchi, Kundaan, Jhumki, Polki, headdresses, Tikkas etc. I like experimenting with new looks and combos. I am an artist. I have never really fit the "norm" ever since that first mohawk of orange and black in 1983.

Tonight, in the year 2010, I saw the ugliest thing I have ever seen. I was so in shock until now, I dont know how anyone could be so disgusting. I ve heard sexist lame, disgusting words that will not be repeated here. Suffice to say it was ignorance from "a Manly Man"

On with the strange trek back into the 1930s.

I like to wear different sorts of clothes, Salwaar Kameez, Embroidered peasant blouses, overalls, jeans and dressy tunics, Kurtis, ball gowns, hats whatever. Lately I have worn some tunic type clothes over jeans. Odd that I am discussing what I was wearing... like I had to defend myself back when I got raped . There are women and men of all ethnicities, races and styles in a city of 5 million. They have the same rights as we all do.

I have had an ignorant, self righteous idiot harass me for the 4th or 5th day, each day, making comments about where is my scratch off dot ( red dot that Hindu women wear) or where are my camels out back, told me what? you going to wear an Al queda bomb next? the next day he ranted LOUDLY about all Muslims need to die because they are terrorists. ( huh??? what an ass. No religion I know of demands that one kill another person. ) I have been praying for him (until tonight) because my faith asks me to love my brother.

I explained I have friends that are Muslim, do they need to die? He replied yes because all Muslims are...blah blah blah IDIOT>

My friends over the years, are wonderful and do not wish to harm anyone. I also have Wiccan, Pagan, Jewish and few Pentecostal friends. There are many paths people follow to find their way to their God. And only God can judge a man's soul/heart IMO.

tonight this "human" came barrelling up to me again, yelling "are you F ing stupid? are you sick you want that much attention? You are F ing sick.. etc. You're going to DIE!!! You are going to DIE!!! within 18 inches of my face. All because I was wearing a Tikka and a pair of earrings with a salwaar kameez. ( the Tikka is a hair piece)

As any DV survivor would normally do, I shoved him away from me. Anything to get distance. All I heard was a man sreaming you are going to die. My abuser said that sort of crap as he put a gun to my head.

I did not think; I just reacted in instinct and fear. Big change for me!! I did not cry, flinch or weenie out. (To be honest, I was in shock cus it happened so fast.)

This person has been around me for 13 months. I have worn irritating clothing ( in his eyes) 3-4 times. Rather than consider me as a person that he has known, with feelings, rights, and knowing my faith in God ( which is not important to the discussion, but I happen to be Christian. ) this sphincter decided he needed to impart the info in a disgusting , threatening manner. I thought that the fact he was arrested for domestic violence last year ( not to me, his family and wife) would have taught him a lesson. God knows how he feels about people he does not profess to love/care for.

I will be damned if I will be attacked again. Yet now I sit here and feel guilty/ashamed cus I should have not made waves by wearing the wrong thing ( reminscinent of survivor guilt? sound familiar girls?) Where the heck did that come from? why is it that women take the blame onto themselves for others bad behaviours??

and for the record:

Umm, I thought we were friendly with the Pakistani and East Indians? that we were helping in Afghanistan? Fighting the Taliban that shoves their faith down their peoples throats? So why hate people because of the way they dress or believe? it is like comparing all Christians to the bonehead Pastor who wants to burn the Q'uaran this weekend.

making fun of survivors and mentally deficient people....

2010-09-01T04:44:00.003-05:00

I noticed recently, that there is a couple of dingalings that mistake the posts in here (or around the web) is about THEM. Please allow me to clarify. Look in your rearview mirror. Is the world revolving around your sorry butt? No????!!! Egads, whatever shall you do?

How about having compassion for others.?

then maybe a blog post is just a post..I get ideas for posts from life experiences, observing others and learning about people ingeneral. It helps me sort thru things cus as you will find out later, I m "nuts and mental" and all that crap according to this paragon of kindness.

Disclaimer: this blog is not directed at you, your grampas dog or the flood you survived in 1898.

So there will be no mistake::

this blog is a womens rights/domestic violence and rape survivors blog which is meant to educate people, save some heartache and to speak out for those who do not have a voice any longer. I started it becuase I feel strongly that laws and lives will not change until more speak out, think differently. I have had bad things happen as many do, and I chose to deal with the aftermath by trying to make a difference in someones life. It was put on my heart that God did not want me to waste my life being selfish and cruel to others ( I had lots of practice in my short drug career cus lets face it, druggies are not the sweetest folks.) We are out for numero uno. ANything to dull the pain of the memories and then it becomes a physical obsession, a disease.

It is not supposed to be a whiny ass, boohoo thing ( although I have been in morbid reflections at times as I grow up.) I think one becomes teachable and grows more so as time progresses. I do not care what people with little minds think of me. I know from years of dealing with survivors, that sometimes, mean people are alive and well and hiding their fangs.

You can get help and have a normal life without blaming others for your misfortunes.
Do not be detered little ones. Get the help you need so that you do not digress into this other type of behaviors and misery. You do not have to be a bitter old woman with lots of bad choices and ex hubbys who molest your kids and no one left to love you.

I was directed by a friend to another person's blog which showed their true beliefs in the mentally ill, the issues others have. They have actually attacked " drunken sluts who like to party and blamed the victims for the rapes or situations." Paraphrase mine...

Intolerance is actually fear. And what exactly is she afraid of that she has to be intolerant or have false pride? who cares? toxic people are not worth being around. God will straighten all that out, I m sure of that.
I quote b/c she will probably remove it.:
.... every right to state it as you do when you act like a fool, call people names, curse them out and try to make yourself look so superior .... then ask everyone to forgive you cause your nuts and off your drugs.

People can be valuable teachers of tolerance.

Do You Hear the Words coming Out of Your Mouth???

2010-08-29T03:12:00.002-05:00

Scenario: Person one says something like "my purse was stolen" maybe the person even got knocked down... , second person parries with A) Oh my story is even worse! blah blah blab...
Or B) Oh that sucks.. I had that happen, I felt like had been raped.

um NO.

First person is just relating info, second person ( Ignoramus) really makes alot of mistakes IMHO, by trying to" outdo" or sympathise, in a passive aggressive pissing match... The very mention of the word RAPE( out of context, usually used by people who HAVE not been through the joys of having your "sense of self" and safety stripped away literally) demeans , belittles or down plays what REAL victims of this crime have been through.

It denies the ones who no longer have a voice.
It makes others who have survived feel LESS THAN,
Less likely to speak up, to feel worse because
Hey its just like a purse snatching, burglary, meh.

" You should be over it cus its no big deal, just bad sex".
"You shouldnt have dressed that way"
"You should have known better".
"You shouldnt have been drinking".
"You got what you deserved"
"You are just a whore" ad infinitum.

Believe me, I ve heard, with my own lil ears, women be told these things. It's called secondary wounding when friends, acquaintances, family disbelieve or try to blame the victim because they see the victim as a regular person up til then. If it could happen to HER then it might happen to THEIR mom or sister or child or wife. So it has to be HER fault.

It takes away from the impact of the word RAPE. Not burglary, not arson, not getting beat up cus you stole something from your ex... RAPE

Look at it this way:
Burglary: Messy, broken dishes or things, fingerprint powder, cops not helpful but not hostile either. Shock at first, but no need to PROVE you were robbed. They take your word for it. You file an insurance claim, maybe talk it out with friends, remembering this could have been worse.

Rape: Disbelief by friends and family is commonplace. Cops treat you as a suspect to a certain extent: ( this is if one survives the rape, some dont.)

you have to PROVE your chastity/virtue.

*8 hour rape kit complete with pubic hair combing standing on a sheet to gather body fluids, hairs and fibers. Be scraped, poked, swabbed, prodded in the very area that was once YOURS. Your very inner being has been violated, where a woman births her children, makes love with her partner of HER choice, it is her essence. At least she still has her mind. ( for awhile, and even that rebels eventually)

Now,
IF the guy is caught
If the woman can get courage to press charges. ( especially in DV rape)
IF the DA thinks there is a chance to win the case, you are in for hours of prepping, lots of backlash even from family members.
then the trial, the questions, the dirty feelings again. Facing him down, praying that he does not get out and seek revenge.

Rape is not about sex or if you were drinking... IT is A CRIME. Longterm outcome: suicide attempts, long showers scrubbing the stench and feel away and never getting clean enough. Therapy and lots of it over the years, maybe medications. Emergency Birth Control, AIDS testing for up to 18 months while you and your partner pick up the shattered pieces of your love life. Meanwhile, he has to wear a condom just so you don't pass the STD on to him. the atack is forever present between the two of you. Your partner has suffered a loss as well. Your family, children pay the price for the attack as well ( and you feel guilt about THAT one too.) because they dont have the same mommy around.

No matter how hard you try to get on with life, it is always in your mind. Sure therapy helps, but a scent, a song, a sound can trigger a flashback even years later; especially if one has not dealt with it strongly and swiftly with therapy early on! Please get help!

So tell me, how this is just like being raped?

When we bandy about a word about like Rape, we dishonor the survivors young and old, the dead ones who did not survive their attack, and the ones who could not stand anymore...to be the walking dead... seeing no hope and taking the exit elevator. Worse still, we are sending a message to others that there really isn't anything unique about this crime. How wrong you are.

Ever want a special button for the Internet? I picture a buzzer hardwired to my keyboard so I could give certain folks a little jolt when they type something stupidly hurtful.. Be a dumb ass and ZAP! ( just as a reminder, a second thought button so to speak. " are you sure you REALLY want to send this tripe??" )

I would like to think people think type before they write. I want to be the naive believer I was years ago, however the older I get, the more I see that some people are just needing to look down on people.

Would they say that carp to people's faces?? I doubt they could do it in real life. Too much chance to have their nose popped...just sayin...

The thoughtless/moralistic/self righteous/ignorant are more obsessed with the sound of their own thoughts at times, than they are with care and concern for other's feelings. JMHO. Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think...even if you are one of those idiots that compares tit for tat.

Saltwater- Julian Lennon

2010-08-28T07:07:00.002-05:00

I love this video which fits the words so well. it was done by an english class for a project
I cant get it to play on the blogger, so click the title to get to the video

medical profession, mental illness Stigma and stupidity

2010-08-20T11:32:00.000-05:00

this is a rant... if you dont like those, run away fast.

I am sick of being sick. I am sick of doctors for the brain, the heart, the strokes the shite ya have to go thru with nurses not faxing insurance companies, the two docs not contacting each other.

Add to that a therapist and a psychiatrist and just the regular old falling apart of old freaking ladies... I am FRUSTRATED. I want to knee cap someone, anyone will do. But I wont, cus that would mean I am crazy.

the words hurt : mental defect, Mentally ill, disorders, mood problems, might be your heart, might be the stress, blah blah freaking blah.

I was told yesterday by a "well meaning" family member that I am a tortured soul, they want the old me back. Well who the F is the old me:? there has been many apparently. talking to someone they said, I like the happy, jolly funny one. I HAVE FREAKING BI POLAR! there is always going to be one or the other! My moods ( mixed episodes clinically) change often. I have come to terms this is the way I am. Bonus is nothing lasts that long, : the anger, frustration, irritations, euphoria, happiness, sadness, depression, tears. If it sucks being around me, imagine BEING me.

I hate hurting friends and family cus they cant fix me. they want to help. I take a few meds to help tone me down. sometimes they stop working, and the joyous journey of searching for a new one begins with Doc. stepping down over week, building up a new one over weeks and then see if that works. Hey maybe this extra will help you cindy... NO FREAKING Thank you.

Sometimes I miss the old me, pre rape, pre mentally interesting. And then I think of all the enjoyment and fulfillment that went with that... picking irresponsibly, drinking, drugs to numb the pain of being an asshat who picked guys who beat me, self injury, suicide attempts, blah blah freaking blah.

Ultimately it is I who do all that. regardless if I have a brain injury, mental illness, or whatever. Now that I have changed through working with a support team, support group that holds me accountable, I just cant do those things anymore. But my brain is broken and I m trying to fix it with something that IS BROKEN.

aint that a conundrum? so mom wants the "prognosis" I asked her what difference does that make? Prognosis is that I could get worse, the more stress I have, the faster my episodes will happen. Add living with the PTSD and all the FUN that goes with that, it becomes a circus in my head.. Oh and normal stress like balancing a checkbook can and will make me cry ... how funny. But I have no problem getting into massive arguments over NOTHING.

I will cross the block three times to cross the street. On paper I dont sound too all over the place, I dont have pressured speech, I slow my brain down ( or its the meds.. I dont know who I am anymoe) other than a child of God and for some reason I got this hand...( brain wise) I picked the cards for the rest of the genius decisions.

updates on sellers for Artfire Stimulus Sale

2010-08-18T10:51:00.001-05:00

1.www.2goodclaymates.artfire.com bright colorful jewelry, doodads

2.www.ajewelgift.artfire.com jewelry, dog themes, fused glass

3.www.acadienne.artfire.com crochet, knit , shawls, donate to charity

4.www.akimberlydesign.artfire.com fine art

5.www.Alisuns.artfire.com jewelry

6.www.AndreaTjewelry.artfire.com jewelry

7.www.angelas_adornments.artfire.com jewelry

8.www.badinkclothing.artfire.com clothing

9.www.BaKidAgain.artfire.com ornaments

10.www.BeadLady5.artfire.com jewelry ( duh! LOL)

11.www.bitspeaces.artfire.com fabric epherma quilts

12.www.Bijoutiful.artfire.com Nature in Jewelry

13.www.brilliancefound.artfire.com jewelry

14.www.bycamille.artfire.com crocheted knit jewelry/cufss

15.www.calliopecreations.artfire.com jewelry

16.www.cctexan3.artfire.com jewelry

Deleted artist for lack of integrity

18.www.ckirkseyblue.artfire.com supplies whoohoo

19.www.chamoritaessentials.artfire.com make up/cosmetics

20.www.christinehansen.artfire.com mixed media art, glass, lampwork

21.http://www.Covergirlbeads.artfire.com LAMPWORK BEADS

22.www.creativecritters.artfire.com fine art sculptures

23.www.dancingwinddesigns.artfire.com jewelry

24.www.danilavdesigns.artfire.com 25.www.donnasdesignsSC.artfire.com fleece artist, clothes, accessories

26.www.eclecticoddities.artfire.com jewelry, hair adornments,purses, clothes

27.www.exquisitestudios.artfire.com jewelry

28.www.firstlightglass.artfire.com fused glass, jewelry, plates

29.www.flameflycreations.artfire.com art jewelry

30.www.gravelroadjewelry.artfire.com

31.www.harmonyinmetal.artfire.com Jewelry

32.www.heatherdesigns.artfire.com lampwork beads, jewelry

33.www.hope45942.artfire.com

34.www.Jinx1764.artfire.com jewelry

35.www.Julies_Jewels.artfire.com jewelry

36.www.jumpingdog.artfire.com

37.www.jewelrybyandrea.artfire.com Jewelry

38.www.jewelrybyannmarie.artfire.com jewelry

39.www.Katsallthat.artfire.com Jewelry

40.www.kittyballistic.artfire.com kool nifty Netherlander..jewelry/accessories

41.www.kraftouchtreasures.artfire.com

42.www.katieJeansJewelry.artfire.com Jewelry

43.www.kitschbeads.artfire.com

44.www.lamatadesigns.artfire.com glazed paper beads, jewelry

45.www.lanihandmade.artfire.com

46.www.Lifesanexpedition.artfire.com Everything! journals, books, ephemera

47.www.LilBritKnits.artfire.com knift crafts, keychains, doodads

48.www.motherslove.artfire.com jewelry

49.www.nanations.artfire.com American Indian Jewelry

50.www.noton.artfire.com Mixed media, jewelry, portuguese artist

51.www.pinkcloudsandangels.artfire.com jewelry

52.www.popnicute.artfire.com wire wrap jewelry ( singapore style)

53.www.rockycreekgems.artfire.com beaded cabochons, jewelry etc

54.www.RockBug.artfire.com

55.www.rougeriverbeads.artfire.com bead supplies ( whoohoo)

56.www.Spiritreflections.artfire.com spiritual items, jewelry, bookmarks

57.www.spiral.artfire.com Wire wrap jewelry, bamboo items Singapore artist

58. www.Spunsisterdesigns.artfire.com Jewelry

59. www.sunshineandwhimsy.artfire.com fine art

60. www.soyscentual.artfire.com soy candles

61. www.swank.artfire.com jewelry, funky boot bracelets, trends

62. www.tooaquarius.artfire.com cell charms, Neat Polymer beads

63. www.thetwelfthdimension.artfire.com epherma, toys, vintage

64. www.teenylady.artfire.com

65. www.uniquebykarlee.artfire.com jewelry

66. http://www.valmade.artfire.com/ knit toys, goodies, cards stitchery

67 http://www.zhanga.artfire.com/ Purses

Day 17 The natives are restless

2010-08-17T10:22:00.001-05:00

I m running the roads, still trying to get the docs to get me some answers about the strokes. How silly none of them talk to each other! I am the middleman and I am becoming quite frustrated ( ie a big whiny baby who cries alot lately on the phone)

Come on woman... I wasnt meant to be a crybaby... My insides dont match my outsides. Bring on the big B! tell them how the cow ate the cabbage. Why do Docs have no time and I have no backbone to piss them off?

I manage to piss others off with ease. Just ask my family and colleagues. hahaha. Last night I was at a meeting and a nasty, evil spirited, ( spiritually sick ie withered soul) interupts to tell me off and I got shut down in my share. I was so angry was going to walk out, decided sitting still and smiling would piss her off more whilst still giving me the ability to get teh meeting I needed.

Taking advice from toxic people ... hell, being near a toxic soul sucking bitch like that is playing with fire. But I ve got a right and a responsibility to carry a message....the healthy message Ive been taught by others who came before me.

Time out for a Commercial/big News

2010-08-09T16:44:00.007-05:00

AFSS stimulus sale on Artisan Goods

I use my art as an outlet and fundraiser for my causes ( or issues depending on the mood) I sell, along with many other artisans, on various sites. This month on ARTFIRE we are doing the old Obama stimulus style bailout.. Grass roots. Helping artists get seen..helping YOU save money, us to clear inventory that is stockpiling, and all that jazz. here is a list of artists participating so far, and no we dont ALL sell jewelry... and if we do, nobody's looks alike.

we have mixed media, fine art, poly clay beads, supplies, purse designers, metal workers, woodsmiths, fiber artists, knit products, clothing... all at deals. ( every artist set their own deal, but most have a few loss leaders to offer up)

If you ever wanted to try hand made vs the cookie cutter life in the conformist world...now is the time:

http://www.2goodclaymates.artfire.com/ bright colorful jewelry, doodads
http://www.ajewelgift.artfire.com/ jewelry, dog themes, fused glass
http://www.acadienne.artfire.com/ crochet, knit , shawls, donate to charity
http://www.akimberlydesign.artfire.com/ fine art
http://www.alisuns.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.andreatjewelry.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.angelas_adornments.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.badinkclothing.artfire.com/ clothing
http://www.bakidagain.artfire.com/ ornaments
http://www.beadlady5.artfire.com/ jewelry ( duh! LOL)
http://www.bitspeaces.artfire.com/ fabric epherma quilts
http://www.brilliancefound.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.calliopecreations.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.cctexan3.artfire.com/ jewelry
Deleted artist for lack of integrity
http://www.ckirkseyblue.artfire.com/ supplies
http://www.chamoritaessentials.artfire.com/ make up/cosmetics
http://www.christinehansen.artfire.com/ mixed media art, glass, lampwork
http://www.creativecritters.artfire.com/ fine art sculptures
http://www.dancingwinddesigns.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.danilavdesigns.artfire.com/
http://www.donnasdesignssc.artfire.com/ fleece artist, clothes, accessories
http://www.eclecticoddities.artfire.com/ jewelry, hair adornments,purses, clothes
http://www.exquisitestudios.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.firstlightglass.artfire.com/ fused glass, jewelry, plates
http://www.flameflycreations.artfire.com/ art jewelry
http://http://www.gravelroadjewelry.artfire.com/
http://www.harmonyinmetal.artfire.com/ Jewelry, intense metalist!
http://www.heatherdesigns.artfire.com/ lampwork beads, jewelry
http://.www.hope45942.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.jinx1764.artfire.com/ feathered Jewelry, fine art
http://www.julies_jewels.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.jumpingdog.artfire.com/
http://www.jewelrybyandrea.artfire.com/ Jewelry
http://www.jewelrybyannmarie.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.katsallthat.artfire.com/ Jewelry
http://www.kraftouchtreasures.artfire.com/
http://www.katiejeansjewelry.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.lamatadesigns.artfire.com/ glazed paper beads, jewelry
http://www.lanihandmade.artfire.com/
http://www.lifesanexpedition.artfire.com/ Everything! journals, books, ephemera
http://www.lilbritknits.artfire.com/ knift crafts, keychains, doodads
http://www.motherslove.artfire.com/ j ewelry
http://www.nanations.artfire.com/ American Indian Jewelry
http://www.noton.artfire.com/ Mixed media, jewelry, portuguese artist
http://www.pinkcloudsandangels.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.popnicute.artfire.com/ wire wrap jewelry intense ( singapore style)
http://www.rockycreekgems.artfire.com/ beaded cabochons, jewelry etc
http://www.rockbug.artfire.com/ critters and cute stuff
http://www.rougeriverbeads.artfire.com/ bead supplies
http://www.spiritreflections.artfire.com/ spiritual items, jewelry, bookmarks
http://www.spiral.artfire.com/ Wire wrap jewelry, bamboo items Singapore artist
http://www.spunsisterdesigns.artfire.com/ Jewelry
http://www.sunshineandwhimsy.artfire.com/ fine art
http://www.soyscentual.artfire.com/ soy candles
http://www.swank.artfire.com/ jewelry, funky boot bracelets, trends
http://www.tooaquarius.artfire.com/ cell charms, Neat Polymer beads
http://www.thetwelfthdimension.artfire.com/ epherma, toys, vintage
http://www.uniquebykarlee.artfire.com/ jewelry
http://www.valmade.artfire.com/ knit toys, goodies, cards stitchery
http://www.zhanga.artfire.com/ purses

why we need equal rights

2010-08-01T23:20:00.002-05:00

How many of us take it for granted that we ARE equal? that women are paid the same? not overlooked for the good ol boy network? it is 2010 after all... more than 234 years since the colonies began building America, and eventually challenging King George, these rights still have not emerged.

Werent they here growing crops, raising children and cooking, harvesting, facing the same wilderness and tibulations? It has not changed across the centuries. Women still are second class citizens.

Our wilderness is now a concrete jungle, suburban prisons with sometimes abusive men who totally alienates and demeans women. Poor women fare even worse than the middle class because of lack of education, facilities for childcare and so on. Single, working class moms who are forced into the work force, often cant afford reliable childcare on the types of salaries they receive ( that are less than their male counterparts). Some widowed, some abandoned, some divorced for whatever reason, are forced to be the sole support of their children.

Click the link below for the full article....

Dont Women have equal rights already?
Don't women have equal rights already -- just like men? Aren't we guaranteed equal rights in the Constitution?

The answer to every single question above is 'no.'
As the following facts about women reveal, women's issues continue to matter because a huge gender gap exists in the U.S. And despite what many may think, we do not lead the world in gender equity for women. In fact, we're not even in the top ten.

Drawn from a cross-section of economic, social, and political concerns, these top 10 facts about women convey the enormity of the gap between men and women, and why focusing on women's issues and drawing attention to them is our best chance of closing the gap:

1.Women earn 78 cents for every dollar a man makes

2.Only 17% of the seats in Congress are held by women.

3.One out of every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

4.One out of every six women will be sexually assaulted and/or raped in her lifetime.

5.Although 48% of law school graduates and 45% of law firm associates are female, women make up only 22% of federal-level and 26% of state-level judgeships.

6.Even in the 10 top paying jobs for women, females earn less than men; only one career -- speech pathology -- pays the same regardless of gender.

7.It's not any better at the top. America's top female CEOs earn, on average, 33 cents for every dollar earned by a male CEO.

8.There's nothing in the U.S. Constitution that guarantees women the same rights as a man. Despite attempts to add an Equal Rights Amendment, there is no guarantee of equal rights for women in any legal document or any piece of legislation.

9.Despite previous attempts to ratify a UN treaty guaranteeing the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the U.S. refuses to support an international bill of rights for women signed by nearly every other nation on the planet.

10.The World Economic Forum's 2009 report on the Global Gender Gap ranked 134 countries for gender parity. The U.S. didn't even make the top 10 -- it came in at number 31.

What is the Equal Rights Amendment?

2010-08-01T23:17:00.000-05:00

I thought this was a great concise answer to start with. Many young women take for granted the "equality" we have here in America, which is better than most countries, but still lacking in equality.

Because we are born American we are allowed a few more liberties in speaking up, making changes and staying safe ( sort of ) whilst trying to change things. In a later article I will discuss and give links to rights for women in other countries...especially in Muslim majority countries where honor killing and punishments like canings are the norm. For now lets focus on America.

Click Here for About.com

Question: What is the Equal Rights Amendment or ERA?

Proposed and passed by Congress but never ratified by the necessary number of states, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) affirms equal justice under the law to all citizens by guaranteeing freedom from sex discrimination. It was the brainchild of suffragist Alice Paul, founder of the National Women's Party, who wrote the ERA in 1923 as follow-up to the 19th amendment (granting women the right to vote.) Paul believed the ERA was the next necessary step to secure and codify women's rights in the U.S.

Answer: First brought before Congress in 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment has been introduced into every session of Congress between 1923 and 1972. In its original form, the ERA advocated for the end of gender bias in 18 short words:

Men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States and every place subject to its jurisdiction.

Support for the ERA could be found in the party platforms of both the Republicans and the Democrats by the time Paul rewrote the amendment in 1943:

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Despite nearly 50 years of inaction, a reworked version of the Equal Rights Amendment was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives in 1972 as the proposed 27th amendment to the Constitution. The ERA now included three sections:

Section 1. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Section 3. This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.

On March 22, 1972, the ERA was sent to the states for further action. For the amendment to become law, three-quarters of the states needed to ratify the ERA within a 7-year time frame. Although reaching the magic number of 38 states initially seemed likely, strong opposition to the ERA surfaced among far-right religious groups, states' rights advocates, businesses, and other traditional organizations. By 1977 only 35 states had ratified the ERA. After much public pressure, Congress extended the deadline for ratification to June 30, 1982. However, the tide had already turned by 1980 when the Republican Party removed support for the ERA from its platform. That same year, the election of Ronald Reagan as president ushered in a significantly more conservative era.

Two weeks after it failed to gain ratification by the necessary 38 states, the ERA was again reintroduced in Congress on July 14, 1982, and continued to be introduced in every session of Congress.

The 7-year time frame is no longer an issue in more recent versions of the ERA. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) and Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-New York) introduced a deadline-free ERA in the Senate and House respectively in the 110th Congress.

With the 2008 election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, many feel that the time is right for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. At an awards ceremony sponsored by the National Women's Political Caucus on July 14, 2009, Rep. Carolyn Maloney announced her intent to reintroduce the ERA in Congress on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, telling the assembled audience, "If we can get it to the floor, it can pass."

Sources:

Francis, Roberta W. "The History Behind the Equal Rights Amendment." EqualRightsAmendment.org, retrieved July 20, 2009.

ERA Campaign for updates from 2008 and 2009
excerpt:

how you can help
REACH KEY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WITH YOUR PRO-ERA MESSAGE :

· Contact Rep.Carolyn Maloney (2332 Rayburn HOB, Washington DC 20515-3214, fax 202-225-4709), chief sponsor of the “start-over” Equal Rights Amendment (that she usually calls the Women’s Equality Amendment) resolution in the House of Representatives. Urge her to reintroduce it in March as she has done in the past, and to press forward to win the necessary two-thirds House vote to approve it.

· Contact Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives (Office of the Speaker, H-232, US Capitol, Washington DC 20513-3214, phone 202-225-0100, or leave a message on http://speaker.house.gov/contact). Urge her to facilitate the progress of the ERA/WEA resolution so that it will be passed as soon as possible.

· Contact Representative Robert Andrews (2439 Rayburn HOB, Washington DC 20515, phone 202-225-6501). Urge him to reintroduce his resolution in support of the 3-state strategy, requiring the House of Representatives to take any legislative action necessary to verify the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment as part of the Constitution when the legislatures of an additional three states ratify it.

· Contact Senator Edward Kennedy (317 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington DC 20510, telephone 202-224-4543, or send him a message online at http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm.) Urge him to reintroduce the ERA/WEA in the Senate in March, as he has done in the past, and press forward to achieve the two-thirds Senate vote needed to to pass it.

· Contact Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (phone 202-224-3542, fax 202-224-7327, 522 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington DC 20510). Urge him to facilitate the progress of the ERA/WEA resolution in order to get it passed as soon as possible.

· Note: None of the above congressional resolutions, if and when passed, will incur any costs to the US government or the taxpayers.

HELP THE NOT-YET-RATIFIED STATES:

If you live in, or are particularly interested in, one (or more) of the following not-yet ratified states, contact the state’s ERA leader or organization for guidance as to how best to help their ongoing campaign to achieve their state’s ratification of the ERA while the mood of the country is on our side:

· ARKANSAS, where Rep. Lindsley Smith of the state’s legislature, whose resolution proposing state ratification of the ERA was narrowly defeated in committee during the 2007 session, plans to bring back the resolution during the upcoming 2009 session, saying, “I’ve had legislators who’ve questioned it in the past say, ‘Hey, I’m going to support it this time’….I think everything’s in line to pass it in the 2009 session.” Contact Berta Seitz, BertaSeitz@att.net, phone 479-442-6256.

· FLORIDA, where hard-fought efforts to achieve ratification continue unabated, with high hopes for major progress this year. Contact Sandy Oestreich, SandyJOestreich@cs.com, phone 727-393-0932, website www.RatifyERAflorida.net. Note: The Florida effort is in special need of donations.

· GEORGIA, where there are ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the ERA and build political support for the amendment, contact Idella Moore of 4ERA, info@4ERA/org, phone 678-793-6965, website www.4ERA.org.

· ILLINOIS, where legislator Lou Lang has pre-filed the ERA bill, Hjrca003, in their House of Representatives, and ERA activists are moving ahead vigorously for ERA ratification in this (2009) session. Contact Emily Battin, Emily1@consolidated.net, phone 217-229-3754.

· LOUISIANA, another state where ERA activists have high hopes for ratification soon. Contact Sandra Hufstetler of ERA Louisiana, shufstetler@i-55.com, phone 985-345-3001.

· MISSOURI, where the current effort is focused particularly on working to get pro-ERA women elected to the state legislature, contact Shirley Breeze, chair of the Missouri Women’s

Man freed after 27 years in Prison, DNA clears him

2010-07-31T02:24:00.000-05:00

Man, I cannot imagine the anger and frustration he felt for all that time lost. He was 18 when sentenced to 75 years.

"The victim could not identify Green in person when he was first detained but later picked him from a photo lineup as one of her attackers. Green was convicted of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to 75 years in prison. He was the only person convicted in the case."

The dude happened to be walking near the crime scene and got picked up... click the title for the full story. He was convicted in 1983, makes me wonder two things... how many other innocents are there?? ( actually, how many others got away cus someone else to the fall for it) and how many of those "mistakes" are never uncovered?

and why did he get 75 years when so many guys get probation for raping molesting kids now?

Of course she was an adult, but there should be some parity in sentencing IMO. Are the prisons that over crowded with drug addicts that we let rapists go ?

Harris county (Houston) is the third largest county in the country.

Al Gore Cleared in Sex Harrassment Charges

2010-07-31T02:04:00.000-05:00

Click the title for the link to the entire article.

fair is fair.. I am not only about calling out idiot men who do bad things to women and children; women who do the type of thing she did/is doing is reprehensible.

It takes away from the real victims.

"Call me Al" allegedly was "verbally harsh and sharp" trying to get her to massage the nether regions of the vice presidentness... and then Ex VP, enviromentalist, Tommy Lee Jones roommate, tried to rape this woman, Molly, who was a massage therapist in 2006.

The woman refused to meet with cops after the intial report... citing lack of DNA and so on. She would take it to civil court. ( hmm smelling money?? Or wanting Monica Lewinsky style of fame?) I dont know what really happened but I cannot believe this did not make the papers or tabloids before this. Doesnt the Enquirer pay for tips and smut? I d think Call Me Al would have learned from his boss Clinton, that all comes out... plus Tipper is no one I would want to take on...she looks like she could whup him one.

Of course add in the reliable National Inquirer and one has a great expose' article on a public figure. Discuss amongst yourselves....

Six Women in Mexico get 25-30 years in jail for abortion

2010-07-22T02:27:00.000-05:00

Notice that it is only the women prosecuted and jailed, not their partners, not the doctors. Regardless of how you feel about abortion, it is unjust to have a woman jailed for homicide for a spontaneous abortion.( miscarriage).

I wonder if this is the future of America? Abortion has been around for 1000's of years and women will continue to find ways to control their reproductive process. How desperate one must be to risk death or life in jail to have one. Its real easy to have a knee jerk reaction to this sensitive subject and I will prolly piss off a few people, but I find this article sad and infuriating. I have empathy for all involved cept the bastards that raped or ran off from their responsibilities.

Six in Mexico get 25-30 years in jail for abortion

Mexico City, July 22 : Six Mexican women have been sentenced 25-30 years in prison on homicide charges for terminating their pregnancies.

The women have already served between three to eight years of their 25 to 30 year sentences handed down by state courts in Guanajuato state, activists said.

Veronica Cruz, director of the Centro Las Libres, which provides assistance to over 160 women facing abortion-related charges, said the organisation would appeal to the federal judiciary.

Of the six cases, one was a spontaneous abortion, two others were undertaken because of rape and the rest were for accidental pregnancies, Cruz said.

"All the men who got them pregnant abandoned them", she said.

Since the beginning of the decade, over 40 women have been put on trial for abortion, which is punishable by up to three years in prison under the penal code.

The legislation regarding abortion varies in Mexico's 32 separate jurisdictions. While in Mexico City it is legal, some states continue to treat abortion as a criminal offence.

Click title above, but I reprinted it here in case of expiration.
________________________________________________________________

Tie in to story below

2010-07-21T00:12:00.000-05:00

FROM THE MISSOURIAN
Man charged with child sex crimes in Bollinger County arrested for rape in Pemiscot County

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

By Erin Hevern ~ Southeast Missourian

A Bollinger County man whose statutory rape and child molestation case goes to trial in Cape Girardeau County in October was arrested in Pemiscot County last week on similar charges.

James E. Primer, 42, was charged Friday with rape and felonious restraint for allegedly raping a 35-year-old woman near Route J in Hayti, Mo., around 3 a.m.

While waiting for a ride near the Budget Inn in Hayti, the alleged victim was approached by Primer and they had a brief conversation, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed by the court.

When the victim's ride didn't arrive, she began walking to her residence and noticed that the man she met near Budget Inn was following her.

He threw her to the ground and choked her, the victim told police, before he raped her. According to the affidavit, when the woman gave police a description of the man, officers recalled giving the same man a ride to the Budget Inn around 2 a.m. the same morning.

However, at the police station later Friday morning, the victim couldn't identify Primer in a photo lineup. The suspect wore reading glasses, she told police, and none of the men were pictured with glasses.

Primer was arraigned Monday and had his preliminary hearing set in Pemiscot County for 10 a.m. Aug. 26.

Primer's case set for trial in October stems from an accusation that he was sexually involved with a teenage girl.

DNA testing indicated he is the father of a child born in June 2009 to a girl younger than 14.

The November charges were originally filed against Primer in Bollinger County, but the case was moved to Cape Girardeau County in March.

ehevern@semissourian.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Basically, this sub human cant keep his pants zipped and has no preference for children, young teens or women, ( oh forgot, ALLEGEDLY)... this is what I meant about most are caught after their 8th time assaulting/destroying someones life. three times in one year that the authorities can connect him with, he has used penis as a weapon to destroy someone's hopes, innocence, security...all for the sake of power he feels controlling a victim. We need harsher punishments for sex offenders.

Rape kits being delayed Investigation shows

2010-07-20T01:59:00.002-05:00

Investigation of Rape Kits
(CBS) Sarah Fitzpatrick is an intern for the CBS News Investigative unit in New York

In November 2009, a five-month CBS News investigation revealed that more than 20,000 rape kits at police departments around the country were never sent to crime labs for testing. The two-part series titled Rape in America: Justice Denied also found that kits that are submitted may not be tested for months, or even years, due to lengthy backlogs at forensic testing facilities. CBS News found kits waiting to be tested for up to a year in Kentucky, three years in Alaska and eight years in Louisiana.

The testing of rape kits is crucial for prosecuting rapists and preventing future assaults, as research suggests that 71 percent of rapists are repeat offenders.

Following the CBS News investigation, federal and local authorities around the country are taking steps to ensure the timely testing of rape kits.

On Nov. 18, 2009 Attorney General Eric Holder was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee about how the Justice Department would ensure that evidence collected in rape cases is ultimately tested by crime labs.
Holder responded, “Mr. Chairman, I not only pledge that we should, we have to work on this. For every crime that remains unsolved, there is a rapist who is potentially still out there and ready to strike again."

New federal legislation aimed at reducing the rape kit backlog was introduced at the end of November in the House. Resolution 4114: Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act of 2009 would require states that receive federal justice assistance grants to have all rape kits sent to crime labs for analysis, eliminate rape kit repayment requirements for sexual assault victims and authorize additional funding for rape kit testing. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

The move in the House was followed up by a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the topic in December where advocates, policy experts and representatives from police departments across the country testified about the importance of testing rape kits.

A closer look finds rape kit policies shifting nation-wide:

- The San Antonio Police Department changed its policy in response to the CBS News report and will now test all rape kits from cases where the victim did not know the attacker. The department also confirmed to CBS it will begin testing 178 kits from stranger rapes that it had not tested in the past.

- In Santa Monica, all rape kits now are sent to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for processing. Previously, it was left up to detectives which kits would be sent or placed in storage. The department reported that they have already begun testing
- The Houston city council announced that it had authorized funding to test 4,000 kits that remain in backlog at the Houston Police Department crime lab.

- The state of Michigan received a $650,000 grant to test 400 of the estimated 12,000 untested rape kits currently in storage at the Detroit Police crime lab.

- The Illinois Attorney General introduced new legislation that would make Illinois the first state in the nation to mandate the submission of sexual assault evidence for testing. The bill passed in the Illinois house and is currently awaiting state senate approval.

- In February, CBS affiliate WREG-TV in Memphis conducted a similar investigation, and found that only 6% of all rape kits collected in Memphis was being sent to the local crime lab. In response the Memphis Police Department announced it had changed the policy and would send all of their rape kits from now on to the state lab.
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This is good news, and yet incredibly disgusting with the slack mannered handling of these womens lives. How many of these are serial rapists and go undetected.? the average rapist does not get caught untilhis 8th assault. EIGHT....

CBS news video only 25% result in arrests , warning this might shock and anger you.

Recent thoughts for Domestic Violence WONDERERS

2010-07-20T01:01:00.000-05:00

I saw a post by someone releasing some feelings abouther situation and I answered, (right or wrongly stands to be worked out) but I realized how much I ve changed over the past two years. I remember feeling hopeless as she does. I remember the denial too. and how if I tried just a little harder, he wouldnt hurt me. The cycle of violence, the honeymoon phase, the tension building, the isolation the abusers subtly inflict, silently insiduously separating the person from their friends and family. and eventually, there is no one to turn to ( seemingly). The words tear down a person's morale, the will to live.

However, the only one to get a victim out of the situation is the victim. It takes great courage to leave. to ask for help. what would you do to help? Most like to pretend it doesnt happen to women or children, but it does. What can you do? make a call. let the woman know there are options. Believe.

I found myself getting aggravated at how senseless the cycle is. How the children get trained to be the prey or the predator and it never ends.

For more info on stats check this link
http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf

Supply sale

2010-07-17T22:58:00.000-05:00

I m trying to list as many supplies as I can and it takes FORever on Etsy. So I did some bulk uploading and while I m still listing, you guys can take a look for new things from far away places. contact me via my studios and I ll set up a listing for your hearts desire. Or keep checking my studio, I have about 2000 items to add and at 10 a day, I ll be done in 2012 I guess LOL.

help a sister out, take a peek at my photobucket supplies album...

click title above for the link

This is the story of our Mothers and Grandmothers who lived only 90 years ago.

2010-07-07T23:44:00.003-05:00

Something to remember and teach our children and grandchildren...... especially the girls.

I am guilty of not voting b/c I m frustrated with the system, didnt like the choices etc. I forget that many sacrificed and bravely insisted upon this right. ( Of course it was men who had to decide it for us.) But thank God for those who were wise enough to see that we have a voice. It is a privelege to have the right to vote in the US, esp when so many countries have no rights at all.
this is from my friend Linda:

History we need to remember. Nothing we have to do is so important that we cannot take time to vote and to voice our opinions about the men and women who represent us at every level of government local, state or national.

This is the story of our Mothers and Grandmothers who lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.

The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote.

And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'

(Lucy Burns)
They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping for air.

(Dora Lewis)
They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

(Alice Paul)
When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.

The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Conferring over ratification [of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution] at [National Woman's Party] headquarters, Jackson Pl [ace] [ Washington , D.C. ]. L-R Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, Mrs. Abby Scott Baker, Anita Pollitzer, Alice Paul, Florence Boeckel, Mabel Vernon (standing, right))

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because - why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

(Mrs. Pauline Adams in the prison garb she wore while serving a sixty-day sentence.)
Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

(Miss Edith Ainge, of Jamestown , New York )

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.

(Berthe Arnold, CSU graduate)
My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history,saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think a little shock therapy is in order.

(Helena Hill Weed, Norwalk , Conn. Serving 3 day sentence in D.C. prison for carrying banner, 'Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.')

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.
History is being made.

Geography of A woman

2010-07-04T17:09:00.002-05:00

GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN

Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa. Half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally beautiful!

Between 23 and 30, a woman is like Europe. Well developed and open to trade, especially for someone of real value.

Between 31 and 35, a woman is like Spain, very hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.

Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece, gently aging but still a warm & desirable place to visit.

Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain, with a glorious and all-conquering past.

Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel, has been through war, doesn't make the same mistakes twice, and takes care of business.

Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada, self-preserving, but open to meeting new people.

After 70, she becomes Tibet. Wildly beautiful, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages. An adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN

Between 1 and 80, a man is like Iran, ruled by nuts.

Virginia slaying tied to 2005 sexual assault: Society allows this crime to thrive?

2010-07-01T23:15:00.000-05:00

My message: I believe the mom of this poor kid said it best: "the social framework that views women as prey". Media and men ( and some women) have for the last 100 years ( or more) have seen women as expendable, a commodity, a joke, something to be kept in "her place".

While it is true that most rapists are not "caught" until their 8th rape, some elude for much longer, evolving into serial rapists and oftentimes killers because the power and relief they get is shortlived. They continue to stalk prey, often deriving as much pleasure in knowing they will be doing to the victim. They like the cat and mouse part of it. I do not believe rape is a crime of opportunity as some make it out. I think that many are premeditated.

Regardless of their planning, society has set up a perpetual circle of girls thinking less than of themselves, parading about in clothes that only sexualizes the young girl ( and these are parents that are teaching their daughters their only worth is what is in their undies!). I never thought I would sound like an old church lady....but I was one of those who only had self esteem based on what men told me. I dressed to impress, disregarding that part of me like my intelligence, demanding respect for myself and my abilities.

Look at the magazine rack... it starts with Tiger Beat ( oh how I loved Donnie Osmond) and then glamour, where I learn how to dress like a hooker while demanding to be treated like the CEO or other execs. Cosmo mag to tell me how to catch a man with 645 scintillating sexual moves, on to Brides magazine where I plan what to do once I ensnare some slob who treats me like dirt. I wake to find that fairy tales are BS and that happily ever after is for the late night movie.

I have walked in and heard men in 2010!!!! telling stupid rape jokes, sexist jokes, objectifying women. These are men I thought I knew fairly well and were quasi less caveman than other men. Shows how it is still there... simmering under the surface for many of them.

RAPE IS WRONG. It wont stop until men "save us women" by making it known to their brethren that this crap isnt funny, there are huge consequences to the raped person....sometimes deadly.

Feel free to discuss in the comment section.

Click here for complete story
Gil Harrington, a nurse, said her daughter's case shows that "the social framework that views women as prey" needs to be changed.

"It is something that I think you have to start from young ages with children, that you're training them not to beat up and not to act out," she said. "But you would think in 2010 that we would be working on issues of cherishing and upholding each other in relationships rather than can we just stop hurting each other. But unfortunately, that's where we're stuck. We have to disallow it."

sorry for the delay

2010-06-29T16:08:00.000-05:00

Still having medical issues and mini strokes. Doctors arent so smurt I think... hehe. Its been 6 weeks since the last one, and neither neuro or cardio guys can figure it out. and even if they did, I dont know if there is much they could do. My one lil ol visit to ER cost 10,380.00 for them to send me home with some med that I am allergic to... the second and third visits were to trying to get the hives and swelling down. My tongue swelled over my teeth and started to affect my breathing. Crazzzzzzy times.

I m slowly listing new things so keep checking the shops... and I ll be doing sissy posts for a bit.

check this video.. so cute

2010-06-29T16:03:00.000-05:00

daily affirmation video...too cute 3 year old

The day God dropped the paint bucket

2010-06-10T11:41:00.000-05:00

2 weeks of hives

2010-06-06T17:41:00.000-05:00

Im a blast to be with, you can get the squirmies watching me scratch, wiggle and try to sit still. it's not contagious, but it sure makes another person think something is crawling on them.

I would up load the pics from my camera phone cept I dont know how to... you would be in for a real treat!!.

Fridays meeting ( the new one) was a success. I m looking forward to growing with that one and starting another in another southern area, we might be able t help fellow sufferers. I finally can get a bit of work done, so I ll be off ... Soon I ll list more items

Sorry for delays

2010-06-05T08:21:00.001-05:00

Just an update: I m still struggling with stroke after affects, I will be getting testes Monday, so I migh be back online sooner than I thought. I have huge gaps inmy memory bank though so I cant remember things like where I live LOL

day three into my adventures of the new medicare and insurance

2010-05-20T00:37:00.001-05:00

So I go to doctor Monday, like her lots... sens me for referral to Neuro, neuro calls today and says that I m not in the insurance program ( I m on Medicare!!) I thought we could see docs, as long as they were in our plan. Cept my plan includes a lot of weird docs... last April I had a seizure or minor stroke, it took 6 months before I finally got the MRI and even then the said they were not sure, just going to watch me and that took 4 docs with lots of vowels in their names and two were related someohow charging medicare extra for stuff that didnt happen... One even had his receptionist read my report over the phone, and she coudlnt tell me what the white spots in my subcortical left hemisphere...( er, what??? do you think that is bad? I dont know she replies, so ask for him to return my call... which never happens. HA. Next month, new doc, saw once and he fires me as patient cus I asked too many questions. Lordy. American healthcare stinks.

So I got the chills and flashbacks to last year... I need to know whats wrong now. I dont know whats going on but it aint good. The doc on Monday told me she was surprised they didnt keep me at the Hospital. ( of course she didnt tell me to go to the hospital.... duh) and I wasnt thinking straight to figure that out til tonight. So I dont know if I should go or wait til neuro tells me what to do. Nothing worse than feeling like your memory is gone ( not like where is my glasses, keys or whose dog is that??) Simple words elude me. Typing is improving. But I got a nasty attitude right now...perhaps I shouldnt hang out with my pastor right now.

I read that more and more docs in texas are fleeing medicare as providers. That aint good. Yay Obamacare!

I felt like a change.

2010-05-18T14:55:00.000-05:00

I am itchy scratchy irritable... so I thought changing up my blog would get me motivated. all it did was mess up my colors so now yall are reduced to reading an easter egg. ( Which better than that smart dogs keister in the video though)

I am not feeling well, had another stroke or something.. took me to the ER and I go to Neurologist for more MRIs, chin stroking docs going hmmm we dont know what s wrong. ;ets just wait and watch and see what happens. ( I swear it is on one of the reports from Doc dipshitsy doodle.) this time blessed with a warm and loving woman doc who is really surprised they did not keep me cus I guess I look bad or something. HA

HiDef - BGT - Kate & Gin Canine freestyle 16:9 widescreen

2010-05-17T11:57:00.000-05:00

Most Amazing Gin, the dog not the drink

2010-05-17T11:56:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0jNC_w1tSw&feature=player_embedded

CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING

2010-05-12T11:48:00.000-05:00

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Easy Deviled Eggs

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done -- easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper weeds away

Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Broken Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

No More Mosquitoes

Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away!

To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Flexible vacuum

To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... ta da! ...... static is gone.

Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Re-opening envelopes

If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS

The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material ... I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very longtime (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!? Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share!

Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it ... the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!

How to Give a Cat a Pill

2010-05-01T22:16:00.002-05:00

How to Give a Cat a Pill

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby.

Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth.
Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa.
Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand.

Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe.

Call spouse in from the garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws.

Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail.
Get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit.
Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans and drink one beer to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed.
Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door onto neck, to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink.
Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from the top of the tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat.

Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Using heavy-duty pruning gloves from shed, tie the little *&#%^'s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for RSPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters. (not really)

How to Give A Dog A Pill

1. Wrap it in bacon.
2. Toss it in the air.

Beautiful Blogger Award... Thanks SusannaOriginals

2010-04-25T18:08:00.000-05:00

I recieved this cutie for this blog... which I am honored.

I made the title clickable so you can check out susannas unique jewelry... and read the comments about her and her blog/life and so on.

For receiving this award, I must reveal seven unknown things about me, and pass the award along to another seven bloggers.

the seven bloggers wont be a problem. But hell, everyone knows pretty much everything about me cus I am such a shy petite flower.... snort!

1. I was almost ten when I found out there was no Santa Claus. ( and I cried like a baby cus my mom had lied to me for so long)

2. I was er, approached, by a "producer" while walking on Hollywood Blvd to get me in a movie. I told him to piss off, turned out he was really WAS the old coot that produced Gunsmoke. ( I think he wanted something else, not an actress although I was unique looking back then when punk was considered odd)

3. I worked 2 jobs while pregnant and went to college full time while living in LA. as a single woman.

4. I drove myself to the hospital to give birth.

5. I used to love Bobby Sherman and Donnie Osmond.

6. I have won 8 dance contests in my life.

7. I cried at Pokemon the movie. ( I thought Ash died) My 9 year old was mortified.

For the bloggers I would like to honor:

I m going to save that for the next post so I can go investigate, cus I m not on the reading thing lately, need to catch up and find the grooviest, hippest, oddest women I can.

The swimsuit Issue: Reprint

2010-04-24T00:55:00.000-05:00

I got this from Linda K... I know more than a few women who can identify!

The Bathing Suit

When I was a child, the bathing suit for the mature figure was boned, trussed and reinforced, not so much sewn as engineered. They were built to hold back and uplift; they did a good job. Today's stretch fabrics are designed for the prepubescent girl with a figure carved from a potato chip.

The mature woman has a choice - she can either go up front to the maternity department and try on a floral suit with a skirt, coming away looking like a hippopotamus who escaped from Disney's Fantasia, or she can wander around every run of the mill department store trying to make a sensible choice from what amounts to a designer range of florescent rubber bands.

What choice did I have? I wandered around, made my sensible choice and entered the chamber of horrors known as the fitting room. The first thing I noticed was the extraordinary tensile strength of the stretch material. The Lycra used in bathing costumes was developed, I believe, by NASA to launch small rockets from a slingshot, which give the added bonus that if you manage to actually lever yourself into one, you are protected from shark attacks as any shark taking a swipe at your passing midriff would immediately suffer whip lash.

I fought my way into the bathing suit, but as I twanged the shoulder strap in place, I gasped in horror - my boobs had disappeared! Eventually, I found one boob cowering under my left armpit. It took a while to find the other. At last I located it, flattened beside my seventh rib.

The problem is that modern bathing suits have no bra cups. The mature woman is meant to wear her boobs spread across her chest like a speed bump. I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the mirror to take a full view assessment.

The bathing suit fit all right, but unfortunately it only fit those bits of me willing to stay inside it. The rest of me oozed out rebelliously from top, bottom, and sides. I looked like a lump of play dough wearing undersized cling wrap.

As I tried to work out where all those extra bits had come from, the prepubescent sales girl popped her head through the curtain, 'Oh, there you are,' she said, admiring the bathing suit.

I replied that I wasn't so sure and asked what else she had to show me.

I tried on a cream crinkled one that made me look like a lump of masking tape, and a floral two piece which gave the appearance of an oversized napkin in a serving ring.

I struggled into a pair of leopard skin bathers with ragged frills and came out looking like Tarzan's Jane, pregnant with triplets and having a rough day.

I tried on a black number with a mesh midriff and looked like a jellyfish in mourning.

I tried on a bright pink suit with such a high cut leg I thought I would have to wax my eyebrows to wear it.

Finally, I found a suit that fit - a two-piece affair with a shorts style bottom and a loose blouse-type top. It was cheap, comfortable, and bulge-friendly, so I bought it. My ridiculous search had a successful outcome, I figured.

When I got home, I found a label which read 'Material might become transparent in water.'

So, if you happen to be on the beach, or near any other body of water this year, and I'm there too, I'll be the one in cut-off jeans and a t-shirt!

Women Dying at an Alarming Rate in Border towns

2010-04-22T03:09:00.000-05:00

For years, I have heard, as a Texan of this rise in murders or disappearances of women in Mexican cities. But there has been very little news about it, nor is there a great hue and cry by people on either side of the border, besides the families of these dead or missing girls and women.

There has been speculation that it is drug cartels, serial killers, corrupt police officials or any combination of these.

What follows is a link to a story about a little girl, 13, who was followed home by a police officer who brutally raped her. She reported it ( unheard of in the little towns). Her mother urged and insisted on accountability on behalf for her little girl. Shortly thereafter the daughter disappeared and has never been found. Hers is but one of 233 stories of women or girls murdered last year.

click here for the NPR story

In the NY Times there was an article:
NY Times Article of Juarez Murders

which details more of the story.

To end, There was a series of mass graves found a 10 years ago in Juarez... this is a quote from the official at a womens center:

"There are two ways to die for a young woman in Juarez, Mexico," says Esther Chavez, director of Casa Amiga, the Juarez rape crisis center. "One is in the hands of serial killers. The other is in the hands of their partners or lovers."

Chavez, who was in Santa Fe Oct. 20, says Juarez needs international help to address the sheer volume of homicides from domestic violence and a decade of unsolved serial murders in the border city more than 300 miles away.
The Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center plans to provide training to Casa Amiga workers. ( google them for more info on how to help or donate)

That is something that should be heartbreaking, especially in light of all the illegal immigrant "reform" and bitchers about people who are doing what ever it takes to get to a place where they feel safer. ( I live in a "sanctuary city" and I m none too thrilled with tax dollars being diverted to certain things, however, one cannot ignore or put a price on human suffering)

Gem Show Weekend

2010-04-18T06:31:00.001-05:00

Yippee Ki Yay
I love the IGA show. Unfortunately it comes 4 times a year and I cannot avoid going. It exerts a hypnotic pull on me. I always have to go see what new cuts and styles of stones there are, what color trends are coming up. I saw lots of plasticy and uber crystalized stuff, and lots of empty aisles.

that was depressing. Usually the line to get in is hundreds of people... we had no problem getting in, no problem seeing our vendors. It has shrunk to about 300 wholesalers and about 500 retailers. But there are good bargains to be had, some vendors will work with you if you buy alot in one booth.

I suggest taking a lunch in your rolling suitcase for all your purchases. They charge 6.00 for a soda, no ice, just the bottles. ( cept out back they have soda machines.) last time we had a big breakfast first and then ate hotdogs and fries ( three meals) for 4 ppl and it costr 50.00 so bring some sandwiches or something. Snacks do not make cindy a happy camper, I needed a real lunch... cus I pooped out by 430 ( 6 hours was still a long time on concrete floors with a bad back)
I had my phone set for facebook and twitter so I was able to text and take pics to find out if things were as good as they seemed. ( thank you guys!) One vendor is known in other parts of the country and his sterling at .30 a gram was too good to be true. I did get some nice vermeil from him though... and not too much of it, unlike another artist I met.

that is the other great thing about the shows, I always meet potential fellow vendors for the shows we put on here in Houston since we all hate those huge booth fees! Jinx and I try to find places that are free or next to free for us to offer handmade artisan shows.

I am thinking this year is going to be reallllly slow down here in Texas, although I have a www presence with my sites. Money is tight all over and let's face it, jewelry is a WANT not a need. Thankfully, I m going to be doing small shows if any after May. I think will use this time to learn new techniques so that when business picks up, I will have a wider range pof products in different styles ( metal work, forged items, gemstones, beading etc)

Just something for my fellow artists to think about for their own biz.... Peace and love my friends. I m off again to the show. Pics will be added later tonight or tomorrow of the wicked cool antique breastplates and dangle pendants from the Far east and other tribal areas.

Some excellent links for DV news

2010-04-14T14:13:00.000-05:00

Stop Domestic violence
a grass roots organization with lots of links to articles about DV and laws or lack there of... a good source to get emails out to your representatives regarding chaning some of the barbaric, archaic laws.

Topix: domestic violence
Updated often, Discussion board, eg current article about turning in your own child for abusing her kid. Topix includes the church abuse news, custody battles gone seriously sick, Army has no legal duty to report child abuse ( WHAT???????)

Makes one aware of the widespread ripples of violence.

DA drops Charges against NFL Quarterback

2010-04-13T02:13:00.000-05:00

You can click the above title for the full story, much of it is about the he said , she said, type of things that happen after trying to prove rape. The victim, a 20 year old, out drinking with her sorority sisters met up with Roethlisberger and his entourage.

In the story the DA tells him to "grow up". It appears this is not the first incident where he has been charged with sexual assault/battery, one in Nevada is still pending. They could not get DNA, although the woman went through the rape kit and had bruising, lacerations and mild tearing, but it did not appear that she had been raped. WHAT??? She immediately found a police officer and told him what happened, but was drunk and did not specifically say rape, she said she told him it wasnt ok to do this. that she didnt want to. but that isnt enough apparently.

Her family wrote to the DA asking that everything be dropped so she can try to get on with her life. Since this was not considered a "winnable " case, the DA agreed. The fact she was drunk factored into this although, I disagree with that concept. If he is drunk, he is excused but if she is drunk she asked for it????

The sense of entitlement that comes from being an athlete seems to co exist with the selective hearing of not being to hear the word NO or Not right or leave or anything that does not fit with THEIR decisions. My friend says the NFL should be renamed the National Felon League.

these guys are supposed to be role models for young men. Is this the message we want to send our children?

Who do you admire the most?

2010-04-12T01:41:00.000-05:00

My daughter was given this assignment in class one year. I was so surprised that she chose me as her subject. I had been sober about 2 months, having suffered from a Rx addiction after a gang rape. ( Psycho meds are some strong stuff!!)

She still carries the scars of my disease upon her, but she is and was very forgiving of my fall as her mother. ( I was in my disease for 2.5 years and she lived with my mom for most of it) But it left its mark on her. I can only make a living amends to her, trying to change my life to make her proud, to own up to my problems and to accept responsibility for my part in things and in my actions. Words mean nothing when one has broken the heart of a child over and over.

We are close now, thanks be to God! She was the reason I sought shelter at a church when I was homeless and told I was going to die soon. It was a turning point because I wanted to see her again someday. She literally saved me, prayed for me in her little church she went to each week. She told me much later when I tired to sell an old necklace at a garage sale, " No! You cant sell that, you gave it to me when I thought you were going to die!"

Mindboggling the destruction we selfish parents wreak on our families over our sickness. Drugs and Alcohol were my god, and I had no thoughts for her, only a way to numb the pain.

This beautiful child believed in me, even when I relapsed. She loved me through and despite my many failures. And ironically, I was speaking of MY own mom tonight to someone, and I feel the same about her, her past alcoholism and her recovery over the last 27 years. I admired her because she taught me how to fix my car, to never take no for an answer, to be tenacious, bullheaded and independent

I held two jobs and went to college full time whilst pregnant out in LA. I finally got fired from waitressing b/c of the size of my belly...it scared customers LOL! When the time came I drove myself to the hospital and drove us home after giving birth. I never married nor had a real relationship for any time until recently. Oh the things we learn from our parents. I would not trade my mom for the world. even though she drives me nuts. She likes to send me on guilt trips ( and packs my bags too).

I have just learned I dont have to board that train, pick up the bags. I hope my precious daughter can do the same.

Please feel free to share your inspiration and your admirable people!!!

13 year old bleeds to death after marriage

2010-04-10T01:28:00.000-05:00

Human Rights groups have been deploring this sort of practice for years, yet all over the world women and girls continue to be chattel for patriarchal societies. When is this sort of thing ever going to end? how many children/women have to die for someone to grow a conscience? How many parents have to bury their own daughters for them to rise up and say this isnt right?

This is more than a cultural thing, it is a subversive oppression of women and girls to maintain "order". It has no basis in love of God or Allah, He does not wish for us to denigrate, debase, or destroy His children, not from what I have learned of God. For years prior to the Gulf war and Desert storm, womens groups had decried the Taliban and its practices towards women, yet no one in the civilised world did anything to help, to speak out for them. In Somalia, women are mutilated in female circumcision, in the Far East, children are sold into prostitution by their own families. This is not of love and compassion, nor of God. This is mankind's sickness and it is up to US to do something, write to your congressman, to your local embassy, donate, blog, talk about it.... just DO something to educate yourself and others. Please.

This was about money, and putting anything before God is worshipping something else. I am thoroughly disgusted with mankind at times. I am also grateful I was born in a country that so far, has allowed me the freedoms to be an equal in part, with men in our society.

from the huffington post:
SAN'A, Yemen — A 13-year-old Yemeni girl has died of injuries to her genitals four days after a family-arranged marriage, a human rights group said.

The practice of marrying young girls is widespread in Yemen and has drawn the attention of international rights groups seeking to pressure the government to outlaw child marriages. Legislation that would make it illegal for those under the age of 17 to marry is in serious peril after strong opposition from some of Yemen's most influential Islamic leaders.

The 13-year-old girl from Hajja province, northwest of the capital, died on April 2, four days after her marriage to a 23-year-old man, said Majed al-Madhaji, a spokesman for the Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights. A medical report from al-Thawra hospital said she suffered a tear to her genitals and severe bleeding.

Authorities detained the husband.

The Yemeni rights group said the girl was married off in an agreement between two men to marry each other's sisters to avoid having to pay expensive bride-prices. The group said that was a common arrangement in the deeply impoverished country.

Yemen's gripping poverty plays a role in hindering efforts to stamp out the practice, as poor families find themselves unable to say no to bride-prices in the hundreds of dollars for their daughters.

More than a quarter of Yemen's females marry before age 15, according to a report last year by the Social Affairs Ministry. Tribal custom also plays a role, including the belief that a young bride can be shaped into an obedient wife, bear more children and be kept away from temptation.

Last month, a group of the country's highest Islamic authorities declared those supporting a ban on child marriages to be apostates.
A February 2009 law set the minimum age for marriage at 17, but it was repealed and sent back to parliament's constitutional committee for review after some lawmakers called it un-Islamic. The committee is expected to make a final decision on the legislation this month.

Some of the clerics who signed the decree against a ban sit on the committee.

Further imperiling the effort is the weak government's reluctance to confront the clerics and other conservative tribal officials, whose support is essential to their fragile hold on power.

The issue of Yemen's child brides got widespread attention three years ago when an 8-year-old girl boldly went by herself to a courtroom and demanded a judge dissolve her marriage to a man in his 30s. She eventually won a divorce, and legislators began looking at ways to curb the practice.
In September, a 12-year-old Yemeni child-bride died after struggling for three days in labor to give birth, a local human rights organization said.

Yemen once set 15 as the minimum age for marriage, but parliament annulled that law in the 1990s, saying parents should decide when a daughter marries.

Black and white Lampwork Bracelet

2010-04-07T08:22:00.002-05:00

061
Originally uploaded by cctexan3

this is one of my favorite pieces, and I get alot of requests for this color combination. What are yall's favorite colors? I have hand wrapped each dangle in between each bead station.